Swirling his hand above his head the fire funneled into a tornado above him. Closing his hand into a tight fist the flames vanished as if starved of oxygen. Turning to the crowd he added, “I beseech you to remember that although Enki was mighty and all seeing while alive...he did die, so his visions are not perfect. In fact, I seem to recall his murderer was the very same man who sent these two here to ask for our aid in the first place. Humans are newborns compared to us and are not seeking a partner. They are looking for someone to swoop in and save them. Do we really need a race of imbeciles who appear weak and unable to protect themselves to join our forces? They haven’t even mastered space travel yet!”
Aarik shook his head as he agreed with some of Enlil’s argument. He had been doubting himself from the beginning. Everything WAS new and he questioned his own abilities on a constant basis, but then he remembered it wasn’t just him. Besides being Enki reincarnated, he had access to the AZOK and had found his Kh’izmet. Looking back at Kiya, he smiled and felt his soul swell in response. She rose, never breaking eye contact and slowly made her way to the railing. Draping the ceremonial robe over his shoulders, she waited until he pushed his arms through before she grabbed his hand raised it to her heart and said, “No offense Enlil, but if your people hadn’t basically reset my kind over and over again, we’d probably be more advanced!”
While true, Kiya’s statement in the best of circumstances would be considered blunt and harsh in most cultures. Aarik braced himself for antipathy and scrambled to come up with a more acceptable answer only to backtrack when the majority of the crowd roared their approval. Looking down at Kiya, he gave her a cheesy grin and said, “Truth serum at its best.”
“Deflecting the true question, I see. What else are you hiding?” Enlil volleyed with a sneer, trying to rally those undecided with his antics.
“We have nothing to hide. I’ve already been through one mind parse this week and feel confident a second would prove just as fruitful. Can you say the same? Are you willing to let everyone here see your true intentions?” Aarik countered.
“I might consider it, if you stop avoiding the question,” Enlil shot back.
“Which question are you referring to?”
“Can you provide proof that the king has plans on wiping out all other half-breeds?” Enlil replied.
“First, I feel the need to defend myself against your claims that my visions are not perfect. Enki saw his death, but chose to do nothing about it. His people needed to grow and would only do that if they were on their own. Before you think the act was purely for the people, know it was slightly selfish as well. His Kh’izmet would not be born for 15,000 years,” Aarik responded as he smiled down at Kiya. Bringing their clasped hands to his mouth, he kissed her hand gently. “In regards to proof, I’d have to point you to our hosts,” Aarik replied, looking up at the rafters theatrically. “There is no agenda to spread lies here. If I’m wrong please correct me.”
Watching something play out in real life that was only a figment of his imagination was fascinating. The silver flying saucer descending from the sky with brilliant primary colors flashing around the edge was something wondrous to see. When the grey men revealed themselves to those gathered, he returned their wave and said, “Thank you for joining us. Would you care to fill the others in on the meeting you attended on this very subject last night.”
We thought you’d never ask. A collective voice rang out in the minds of all the attendees. An envoy of our brethren made an appearance, as you stated. Merely out of curiosity, of course, and what we learned validates your claim. The king announced his plans to eradicate all half-breeds over the next year, beginning with Earth and ending with Sirias. Every ally in attendance signed a proclamation of war, rallying around his hateful regime. We politely declined and reminded them of our commitment to neutrality. Our denial was not taken well and we were forced to defend ourselves as we made our escape. One of our men was gravely injured, forcing our hand to choose a side. Unfortunately for them, it was not theirs.
Aarik watched the crowd for their reaction and a group segregated at the back of the arena began inching their way toward the exit. Aware of their plans to lock the doors and blow themselves up, Aarik stripped their clothes with a wave of his hand revealing bombs strapped to their chests. Freezing them in place he roared, “Going somewhere?”
Chapter Twenty-Two
Kiya
Kiya followed Aarik’s line of sight to the ceiling and laughed out loud. The drink she had consumed made her feel loopy and carefree, but the flying saucer descending from above them had her questioning whether what she drank was something more than a truth serum. She was almost sure she was hallucinating when it stopped in front of their platform and little grey men waved at them with three little fingers, until Aarik greeted them and put them on the spot for a meeting she knew nothing about. She was just thinking to herself that she was going to have to explain to Aarik what communication meant, when the grey men’s voices echoed throughout her sloshed brain.
Their announcement acted like a giant cup of coffee to her brain, and with each word they uttered she felt a little more coherent of what was going on around her. Their claim made the situation even more dire, and she looked to Aarik for direction. With a look of concentration he scanned the room searching for something. Zeroing in, he threw his hand out and said in a menacing voice, “Going somewhere?”
Kiya whipped her head around and swore, “Holy shit!” A dozen naked men and women, with bombs strapped to their bodies, stood frozen in place. Pandemonium broke out as droves of people scrambled away from the would-be suicide bombers. Turning to see what Enlil thought of this newest development, she gasped out loud to find his platform empty. Tugging on Aarik’s arm she whispered, “I know you’re kinda busy with those guys over there, but Enlil the Oppressor is gone. Not sure what he’s got planned. Did you happen to see where he went?”
“Uh, no, as you pointed out, I am a little bit preoccupied. Thad, I could use your help in detaining those men,” Aarik ground out through gritted teeth. Thad and twenty men rushed forward, encircling the traitors. As they pushed inward to close the gap, Kiya redoubled her efforts to find Enlil.
Don’t worry, child. He didn’t make it far enough to set anything into motion, answered the tallest grey man, raising a finger to another entrance where Enlil was being held captive between two grey men. Using a glowing scepter, they encapsulated his screaming body in a liquidized bubble. Raising him into the air, they levitated the bubble back to the platform, erected an electrified shield around the capsule before they popped it, and stepped to the side. Enlil spit and sputtered indignantly on the floor of the platform. He snarled at Kiya and Aarik before he turned his attention to the crowd and pleaded with them, “What is the meaning of this. I was merely trying to save myself. My actions, although selfish, do not warrant such harsh treatment. I demand to be let go immediately!”
The smallest of the Greys rose into the air from their craft and approached Enlil with his outstretched arms spread wide open. Kiya wasn’t sure what the little guy had in mind, but Enlil panicked when he saw him and said, “No. I’ll cooperate and do anything you ask.”
Does that include exposing yourself as a traitorous spy? the little Grey replied innocently, crossing his arms as he waited for a response.
Enlil’s jaw dropped in surprise. Kiya could tell he wanted to deny it, but one movement from the little Grey and Enlil’s resolve broke. Nodding his head once in agreement, he spoke, “It is as he says. I conspired with the king to destroy the half-breeds. I truly had our best interests at heart. The day we played gods and created other species for our benefit was the day we doomed ourselves.” Enlil finished, closing his eyes in resignation. Kiya jumped when a bolt of electricity shot out from the top of the shield, hitting him directly in the center of the forehead. He screamed in pain as his body convulsed, until he dropped to the floor in a heap. After his body stilled, Enlil raised his head to reveal a jagged X over
his seeing eye. With tears streaming from his eyes he uttered, “Mark my words, death and destruction will follow these two wherever they go.”
Death and destruction follows the king, they just happen to be in the path, snarled the little Grey. Nodding to the guards around the cage the little Grey stood proud as Enlil was carted off screaming profanities at the Greys for being too indifferent to the problem for too long. The Grey gave no indication that the confrontation had any effect on him, until he turned around, puffed out his chest and levitated back towards his ship with pride.
Kiya smiled at him as he passed and said, I’m not sure what you just did, but thank you.
He stopped and observed her for a moment before he answered, I didn’t do that for you, but I can see now how it would appear it was in your favor. That was for my father, but you are welcome. I barred him from accessing the realm of enlightenment. It will be a while before he can hurt anyone else.
Kiya. unsure of how to respond, was thankful when Aarik cut in and said, Thank you. The agglomerate will forever be in your debt...Pausing for a moment before he continued, sounding slightly taxed, On a more personal note, I propose we postpone any future discussions until after the subjects below have been incarcerated, their bombs defused and the vote to go to war has been cast. Kiya and I have another engagement.
There is no such thing as incarceration for their attempted crime. Bringing weapons of mass destruction to a neutral planet is punishable by death without trial, the tallest Gray replied. Turning to his companions, he gave a nod of his head. He must have communicated some kind of order as three grey men levitated to the ground floor with glowing scepters. Encapsulating the terrorist group in individual liquid bubbles, Kiya was shocked when, one by one, the bombs exploded inside the bubble, containing the explosion and mess at the same time. The look of horror on the remaining bombers faces, after the first explosion, as they awaited their sentence was a sobering experience. The three guards waved their scepters and the bubbles imploded on themselves, disappearing into nothingness, making what would have been a messy clean up a non-issue.
Shaking her head to physically shake the brutal images of death from her mind, she reminded herself that their deaths would be the first of many. Looking over at Aarik, she gave him a weak smile and said, “Well that took care of problems one and two. Let’s see if we can wrap up problem number three.”
Leaning both hands onto the railing, she addressed the crowd, “After everything you have seen and heard today, it is time to choose a side. Many of you on the fence feel they have nothing to lose. No one will fault you if you decide to abstain, but consider what it will cost you in the end. Refraining today might save you tomorrow, but how many of you have yet to find your Kh’izmet? What if your other half turns out to be a half breed? Are you willing to take the chance that you might be killing off your other half? Join us and let us prove to you, half breeds are redeemable.”
The absence of sound that followed her speech scared Kiya, but just as she was about to say something to break the uncomfortable silence, a chant broke out below them. Straining to make out what they were saying, Kiya leaned further over the railing and smiled when she was able to figure it out. Lifting her hand in solidarity, she pumped her fist in the air, joined in and yelled the mantra, “Let the vote begin!” The movement proved to be too erratic for her slightly drugged brain and before she knew it, she was scrambling for purchase on the railing. Just as she started going over the edge, a cushion of air pushed her back gently, until she landed on her feet safely.
Aarik stepped up behind her and pulled her into his chest and cradled her in his arms. Resting his chin on her shoulder he opened their telepathic channel and said, And just where do you think you’re going?
Turning her head in his direction, she kissed his cheek and replied, Nowhere, thanks to you.
I believe you and I have some unfinished business, Aarik purred in response at the contact.
What about the vote? Shouldn’t we be here to sway people over to our side? The results are starting to come in, Kiya answered with a grin, pointing to the walls of the arena as they flashed updated numbers in real time, with the majority in favor of going to war.
The only thing that would sway them now would be to witness our vinculum, and I have every intention of keeping that private, Aarik growled in return playfully. Nipping her ear, he added, let’s get out of here while everyone is busy.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Aarik
Getting Kiya out of the arena was harder than Aarik thought. People stopped them one after the other. Some wanting to know how the occupants of Earth had fared since the last ice age, others interested in verifying for themselves if Aarik really was Enki reincarnated. By the time they made it out, he almost threw a fit when Kiya stayed true to her word and refused to step foot on the Ion train. As they waited for a ride more suitable to Kiya’s liking, Enki dropped a bomb on Aarik that left him reeling. Not to alarm you or anything, but if either you or Kiya die before the Kh’izmet ceremony takes place...You’ll be lost to each other forever.
How is that even possible? You died and were reincarnated, and still get to make the connection. If anything happens we’ll just do it again and meet each other in the next life, Aarik fired back in denial.
Normally that would be true, but by parsing my soul I forfeited the right to come back a third time, unless I am made whole again by combining my soul with my Kh’izmet. Enki answered solemnly.
So I’ll go through the immortality process and wait for her if she dies. Or better yet we’ll both go through the process before the war even starts! Why are we even talking about death? Does something happen to one of us, that I didn’t see? Aarik questioned, as panic began to set in.
Kiya brought him back to the present when she placed her hand on his forearm and said, “Thanks for not making me ride that thing again. I’ll make it up to you, I promise.”
Smiling down at her blankly, he tried to mask his anxiety. Wanting to look into the future while he had a chance he asked her an absentminded question to keep her occupied, “No need to thank me. What are our options when it comes to transportation?”
“We can walk or wait for one of those cab things over there,” Kiya replied as she pointed towards a tricycle-looking hover-type craft. When Aarik didn’t respond she added, “Or we could always bum a ride from Santa Claus and his eight reindeer.”
Aarik, busy looking at the many different futures that were still possible when it came to the upcoming war, only heard half of what Kiya said and gave her a half-ass answer, “Whichever you feel more comfortable riding in works for me.”
“Oh really. You obviously didn’t just hear what I said, which means your mind is elsewhere. What are you doing in there?” Kiya shouted, poking him in the temple repeatedly. “Do we really need to revisit the concept of communication so early in our relationship? Because I just asked you if you wanted to ride with Santa, for god’s sake, and it flew directly over your head. I mean, I know I’m under the influence and all, but at a minimum you should have been concerned for my mental health.”
Aarik grabbed her index finger and kissed it lightly. Focusing on her, he tried to divert her attention and mask the disappointment her interruption caused. He went for a low blow and felt slightly guilty, “Just disappointed that we can’t be alone sooner is all.”
The look on Kiya’s face said she didn’t believe him, but the comment was enough of a guilt trip that she back tracked and said, “I’m sorry. I know I’m being silly. It was over before I knew it and I survived...if you want to catch the next train we can.”
Aarik wanting more time to validate Enki’s claims before he stressed Kiya out, was about to play off his earlier comment, but was denied when Dag and Morri walked by and Morri said in passing, “I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but I overheard your predicament. We were just about ready to open a portal to our room, if you want to hitch a ride. It would put you closer to your goal, I mean destination, if y
ou know what I mean. Personally, I was never a fan of Ion technology either, so I don’t blame you in the slightest. Plus, our way is faster than everything else you mentioned, if want to keep your last meal where it belongs...In your stomach, that is.”
“We wouldn’t want to impose on you, but seeing as I’m being a baby. I would appreciate the gesture and if you wouldn’t mind our company for a moment, we would appreciate it immensely!” Kiya babbled happily, before adding, “I don’t know if you heard, but I made a rookie mistake and drank something before I knew what it was when we got off the train and the sooner I’m away from people the better!”
“What in the world did you drink?” Dag asked, as he waved his hand around nonchalantly like he was wiping a chalkboard instead of opening something important like an interdimensional portal or something.
“Not my finest moment, but I was so parched from the train wreck of a trip we had to get here, that I consumed a clear substance that, in my defense, looked exactly like water, only it turned out to be beetle dung urea,” Kiya admitted reluctantly, shrugging her shoulders with a giggle.
“You wouldn’t be the first and definitely won’t be the last. Tastes like shit though, surprised any made it down your throat. My gag reflex wouldn’t have permitted it. You ready?” Dag asked with a raise of his eyebrows, pointing to the familiar blue mist in front of him.
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