Pain
Ace raised an eyebrow at him. He grew tough about the Prime and his governance. The young man's mind was made up.
"Why should I come with you?" He asked with contempt.
Despite his hostile treatment, Yvo maintained his angelic face. His response was calm, perhaps because his role model was the King of everlasting success. Nothing can make Yvo act hysterically.
He brought the question back to Ace. "You seek for answers, don't you?"
The chancellor knew of how to capture the attention of Ace. Immediately, his listener stopped, Ace weighed his curiosity. Of course, he always wanted answers. Questions bugged his thoughts, almost wearing them out.
The room continued to maintain its silence, Yvo's words weren't enough to convince Ace. He needed to take the game up a notch.
"Neo Kizer, the infant whom you found by the woods." Yvo spoke with conviction.
Ace's eyes almost widened, Neo was a secret between him and Pier, if Yvo knew about this then what more could he spilled.
"Continue, but make sure that your truth is not mixed up with lies." Ace threatened the chancellor of peace.
It was his cue, Yvo signaled everyone to move out. The ambience switched immediately, numinous aura sublimely took the air. The both of them felt the tension surrounding them. After they were left alone, Yvo went down to business.
"The infant that you have is not an ordinary Hemian. He is the son of the Prime." Yvo started the explosive like revelations.
Those words shocked Ace, but he maintained his poise. He wanted to be seen as cold and cunning. Emotions doesn't have any place in this society. His expression amazed Yvo, it made the chancellor smile secretly.
'You're tough.' Yvo added inside his mind.
Tough on the outside as Ace may seem, but he was still weak inside.
"Come with me, I'll explain the other matters on our way to the head premise." Yvo stalled himself time to explain.
The chancellor hoped that the young man will change his mind, but entirely, he was wrong. Ace just looked at him with discompliance.
"Oh, you'll bath me in distortion and rinse me with those cruel jest lies." His voice dripped in sarcasm.
He couldn't find the word trust in his senses. After all his own kind did to him, he favored no one. Life left him, Pier and Neo was the only thing left. Twisted stories which passed through high officials might sound as history, but that won't bribe Ace.
Yvo stared deeper into his eyes. He wanted to dive in with his thoughts, but seems like every fiber of Ace became unpredictable, even in the eyes of a genius.
"I'll let the truth speak for me." The chancellor spoke confidently.
The hardness of an unfortunate man can be healed and softened once given with the right medicine. Ace grieved for Sydon and the Prime, but his loyalty will always arise for the faithful ruler. Yvo just needed to be patient with him.
The two of them stayed muted, silence lingered through their ears. They have no other choice but to stare at each other. Ace examined Yvo carefully, looking for holes and blemishes, but his eyes found nothing.
They wanted to continue their gawking but a loud weep from Neo broke the glass like silence. Ace became attentive, he immediately stood up and rushed towards Neo. Yvo just followed his course.
After sprinting, Ace reached the infant's crib. Now, Neo's eyes were open, but something more extraordinary captured Ace's attention. His eyes narrowed to analyze deeper. What he saw was more than the word peculiar.
From the crib's left side, Yvo smiled triumphantly. The truth was working for him.
Neo continued to cry, and as his voice grew louder, his eyes glew brighter in color blue even more. The electrifying spots and symmetric lines in his iris became more active. Ace was surprised.
"Neo is the answer to every Hemians' problem." Yvo opened the second revelation.
The chancellor knew about the Prime's plan, and his job now was to spread the good news for the Hemians. Ace looked at him as he spoke. What he saw was fascinating but was never considered enough. The word trust was still erased from his dictionary.
After all that happened, he was not sure if who was the enemy. He wanted to choose his side, but the agnostic being within Ace became more powerful.
"He's the son of the Prime?" He asked to confirm for the second time.
Ace still couldn't believe it, the more he wanted to escape from the Prime's plan, the more fate brings him closer to the leader he once trusted.
"Yes, he is."
Ace just dragged his eyes back to Neo. The infant calmed down, and his eyes returned to its original look. He was only a few months old, but his growth was progressive than any ordinary baby.
"The city's condition is getting worse and worse even more." Yvo added out of the blue.
"Why are you telling this to me?"
Curiosity struck him, finally. Yvo's appearance was already a mystery. A high official who walked down must probably have something big to role out.
"Your brothers and sisters need you." Directly, Yvo answered.
Those words were undeniably painful, Ace was an orphan. Her mother and Simon died, no family was waiting for him outside this suffering.
"I have no family." Ace's voice went deaf cold.
Pain subsided and was still tormenting him. To him, what Yvo said has no point at all.
"That's only what you think, but once you realize that you're not alone, you'll see that you have your own family." The chancellor kept on convincing him.
Even the chancellor can feel the heaviness of Ace's voice, pain was the one which was stopping him to believe. Sadly, it was always the greatest enemy of mankind. With eyes carrying heavy loads, Ace lowered his head. Tears gushed down, he doesn't care anymore. He wanted to hug everyone that he lost, but they can no longer be found.
The guards surrounded the lone warrior. Every eye went glued fixed on Pier's next move. Their armors provided them confidence, but Pier was more crucial upon battling.A minute more passed and all of their lungs began to be filled with tensioned air, Pier looked at his opponents with deep analyzing methodology. His move was destined to be wise.Invisible geometric lines measured the distance, his next move was up for the grab. Power sprang from his left arm. The strong punch blew the first guard off the ground. The potent strike hauled the first guard down, a sensitive spot by his abdomen made him weak. He just softly whimpered in physical devastation.But despite what Pier showed, the others still circled around him. No more further ado was given, the tight battle resumed its momentum. The trained warrior gave the guards a good fight. He fought with might and wisdom, the algorithm worked even in the battlefield.With only two left standing, Pier increased his power. Punches and kicks
Pier already took his flight for sleep, and the doctor had no other choice but to stare blankly at the emptiness infront of him. Sadly, it wasn't just depressing, but also distorting. With a vague gawk, Warren joined along with the silence. A weak sigh escaped from his throat, everything started to cascade down. It was the same night when Claire died. The laboratory creaked with sobs and whimpered shrieks. Warren laid scrounging on his knees with eyes gloomy in tears. The only reason for his fighting spirit died. Agony made him trash the whole place, broken glass was strewn like pebbles, he played with tantrums. The despicable fact of misery awaits him after the death of Claire. The doctor discovered the cure for cancer, but it was too late. A heavy ambience corrupted his heart continously. Claire's giggling lingered through his ears, but they were nothing but delusions. "Claire..." He weakly uttered. His mourning grew more painful and unsettling, solitude filled Warren's empty
Chapter 11: Declaration Sydon fell on his steps, the pilot killed the engine and just stared as the new ruler walk down with impertinence. Sydon did not bother to thank him, and the pilot was used to it. The trumpeting footsteps of Sydon warned his coming. All the other workers and associates quickly returned to their working stations. The Dragon's affair did not end fairly, and they can see it in his eyes. Caesar from afar saw his master, with knees bending down he waited for Sydon to pass by. Everyone did the same thing. They worked in unison, most showed respect only because of fear.The warlord assumed that Sydon will pass through him, but he stopped. Caesar looked up to attend his agenda."Gather all the Hemians," Sydon coldly ordered. No further commands or details were given, it was a vague pursuit, but Caesar wasn't in the place to ask. Before Caesar could even answer, Sydon moved forward.He went on to his office, the same picture of trembling citizens before him lined up
Everyone went home with smiles plastered on their faces, but just like before, Van remained unconvinced. Slowly, he walked pass the same familiar road. Lights filled in and it was different.Flakes of snow cascaded from the skyline, Sarah's death was still fresh. Losing a wife was more painful than losing an arm. A loud sigh escaped Van's breathing. The unpalatable silence made his reverberating sound loud. Almost no one was left wandering along the streets, only at least two or three citizens were strolling. Van found the silence that he was looking for. On his very steps, Van's thoughts vigorously ran. He still couldn't forget what Sydon said. No one objected the declaration, it was all about freedom. "People were blind," Van said. Men whom he came across with did not bother to look back. He was just an insignificant man in their sight. A small house reached Van's sight. He was nearly home, the withered greeneries was the first thing which caught his attention. Sarah died alon
"No," Ace refuted. The facts from Yvo's mouth was of no use. The chancellor yet failed again. A short stare stopped Yvo from replying, he was analyzing the looks of Ace's face, hoping to get just a single hint of what he was feeling. But he found nothing, the man was great with pretense. "Very well then," Yvo said. "I won't force you to believe or trust the Prime." Yvo backed away slowly, his time was running low and the high tower was waiting for him. Ace's eyes remained fix to Neo, it was a blank gawk, and he looked out of his senses. The medical team stood beside the chancellor, everyone was ready to leave. But before the crew went on with their steps, Yvo spoke. "Be wise Ace... be wise like Ashmeir." This time, Ace looked up with forehead crumpled in confusion.The wondering began, "How did you know my father?" He asked.A petite smile curved out from Yvo's face, "He was the Prime's friend." Those were the chancellor's last words.He signaled everyone to move out, leaving Ac
Despite Ace's curiosity, Ashmeir did not answer him directly. "It's up to you if you'll believe me." Ashmeir added.None of them dared to reply, the hologram turned off. It left Ace with a vague view of what his father said. A retained memory kept through a tab was already unusual for him, and perhaps doing what Ashmeir just said was beyond his blue.'I can't trust the Prime,' Ace thought of.The whole operating room glowed in bright blue, monitoring cameras and allocated security systems filled every corner. While Ace was left alone, he glanced forward.The very conversation kept on bugging him, sadly Pier wasn't there to listen. He crossed his arms while speculating. Trying to find a way to ease his own affliction. Ace was practicing deception into his own thoughts. A minute more passed and Ace found nothing but the movements of animals and leaves, it was more boring than he anticipated. 360 degrees covered the whole house under protective software. Nothing will surpass without be
Adrenaline kicked in with euphoria. Ace had no other choice but to satisfy his drive for answers, hands positioned themselves. He was ready to open the two door cabinet above the counter top. Quick phasing heartbeats accompanied the tension, it was nothing more but a peculiar phenomenon he wanted to escape from. To quit the excitement, Ace pulled the cabinet open. It revealed something far from consumable or edible. Things went even more odd when Ace finally realized of what was it. He concluded, "This came from the ancient Hemians," the story Ashmeir told him was still fresh from his memory.The box looked like a cube carved in intricate designs of ferns and curves. It was nothing more but ancient, Ace reached out to grab it. He had too many revelations for one day, but seems like the sun wasn't yet ready to set. Silence was still the most dominant sound, Pier and Warren remained asleep and resting. Ace continued to stare deeper to what he has at hand. "You were lost centuries a
"Pier, wake up." Ace continued to shake Pier's shoulders. He could no longer bear it, he needs to confirm or just either have someone to talk to. Ace hoped that he was just dreaming or maybe just under the severe influence of drug which Yvo injected him. Finally, Pier got snapped back from his sleep. He slowly opened his eyes from the beaming light flashing against the ceiling. The aflutter face of Ace popped in through his sight. "What's the commotion about?" Pier asked.Before Ace could even answer, Neo ran straight towards their direction, whooshing like an airplane. Pier immediately furrowed his eyebrows. He did not remember leaving Ace with a new kid to take care of. Pier immediately asked to confirm, "Who's that?" They caught each others gazes, none of the two can grasp for the answer. But the same conclusion arose from Pier, his eyes went down to Neo's wrist. "The tag..." Pier whispered beneath his breath but Ace heard it.His eyes did not move away from the toddler. Ever
"The south demesne was breached!" A lieutenant spoke while panting. Caesar's attention was immediately caught, everyone's head turned towards the door. "What happened?" The General was still unable to grasp for the whole gist. On his knees, Keith looked up and replied. Events were pacing out quickly, even his professional style wasn't able to comprehend. "Two vigilantes were spotted. The red sparrow hacked the cyber software, unlocking the storage facilities for health potions, we are still unable to track the mischievous being." Pants went in between his words, he ran for 3 kilometers just to get to the tower. Everyone's jaw inside the room hung low. This wasn't their first time hearing such bad news, but it was the very premiere to hear that someone can actually hack into the cyberware. The technical team built it strong and sturdy, no ordinary citizen can break into the binaries. No one was able to respond. It was out of their perspective to think of any solution. The problem
"Sir, I followed Van." The orderly came back bringing good news. Caesar immediately turned around to face him, he plastered a poker face rudely despite the joyous ambience.The General commanded, "Resume." "Van Aeron was once part of the Prime's elite army," the guard paused, "his wife died at the course of the pandemic." Silence embedded the two of them, Caesar was still studying the given information. Based on the facts, it wasn't far from the conclusion that Van will rebel against Sydon. His facial expression showed discompliance during the grand speech of the Dragon. And both Caesar's instincts points out that the man will be one of their adversaries. The guard continued speaking, his revelation wasn't yet over. "The man was down and broken. Sir, we can use that chance to gain him." What he said does have a point, with a forefinger rubbing his chin, Caesar reflected more on the statement. For sure Van knew a lot about the Prime's army, Caesar can use those informations to gai
"What do you want me to do?" Ace replied in a heroine poise. The wind almost blew his hair imaginatively, making his prestige stand look even more awed. Yvo finally succeeded in his mission. Over the other line he answered and dictated the exact thing which needs to be done. The enumeration started, "Leave the protection facility and head off towards the Grand Demesne." Yvo paused for a few seconds, "then meet the Prime's army outside the borderlines." The directions were clear yet a bit vague to Ace's perspective. 'Can't they just pick us up?' He asked himself.Ace do has his point. Reluctance reflected on his expression. Yvo immediately responded to his unspoken query."Matters will be explained fully open your arrival." It eased Ace, though the whole plan looked like a mystery, an inch of his heart called to trust the chancellor. A few minutes more, the call finally ended and Pier along with Warren went out to exit the kitchen after a satisfying meal. They grew curious of wh
"I understand Sir Warren, but remember that we'll see Claire very soon." Neo found the right words to uplift Warren's nearly broken spirit. A faint smile recognized the very same hope Warren held unto before. The Prime's son was indeed wise. Warren patted Neo's head, and replied. "Yes, very soon..." Despite the intriguing scene, Pier and Ace was still unsatisfied with what they heard, they were expecting more than that. The two voyagers almost forgot their tiredness, but their rumbling tummies reminded them. Ace heard the loud grunch of Pier's stomach. His friend hasn't yet eaten for a day, and the doctor experienced the same fate. "There's food inside the kitchen," Ace said. It relieved Pier, and even Warren's senses sharpened. They both stood up to eat, thus leaving Ace with Neo again. The whole living room was empty and silent, and only the beeping sound of the systems confronted Ace. He stayed with a plain stare dragged to the toddler. Neo looked busy on the other hand, his
"Pier, wake up." Ace continued to shake Pier's shoulders. He could no longer bear it, he needs to confirm or just either have someone to talk to. Ace hoped that he was just dreaming or maybe just under the severe influence of drug which Yvo injected him. Finally, Pier got snapped back from his sleep. He slowly opened his eyes from the beaming light flashing against the ceiling. The aflutter face of Ace popped in through his sight. "What's the commotion about?" Pier asked.Before Ace could even answer, Neo ran straight towards their direction, whooshing like an airplane. Pier immediately furrowed his eyebrows. He did not remember leaving Ace with a new kid to take care of. Pier immediately asked to confirm, "Who's that?" They caught each others gazes, none of the two can grasp for the answer. But the same conclusion arose from Pier, his eyes went down to Neo's wrist. "The tag..." Pier whispered beneath his breath but Ace heard it.His eyes did not move away from the toddler. Ever
Adrenaline kicked in with euphoria. Ace had no other choice but to satisfy his drive for answers, hands positioned themselves. He was ready to open the two door cabinet above the counter top. Quick phasing heartbeats accompanied the tension, it was nothing more but a peculiar phenomenon he wanted to escape from. To quit the excitement, Ace pulled the cabinet open. It revealed something far from consumable or edible. Things went even more odd when Ace finally realized of what was it. He concluded, "This came from the ancient Hemians," the story Ashmeir told him was still fresh from his memory.The box looked like a cube carved in intricate designs of ferns and curves. It was nothing more but ancient, Ace reached out to grab it. He had too many revelations for one day, but seems like the sun wasn't yet ready to set. Silence was still the most dominant sound, Pier and Warren remained asleep and resting. Ace continued to stare deeper to what he has at hand. "You were lost centuries a
Despite Ace's curiosity, Ashmeir did not answer him directly. "It's up to you if you'll believe me." Ashmeir added.None of them dared to reply, the hologram turned off. It left Ace with a vague view of what his father said. A retained memory kept through a tab was already unusual for him, and perhaps doing what Ashmeir just said was beyond his blue.'I can't trust the Prime,' Ace thought of.The whole operating room glowed in bright blue, monitoring cameras and allocated security systems filled every corner. While Ace was left alone, he glanced forward.The very conversation kept on bugging him, sadly Pier wasn't there to listen. He crossed his arms while speculating. Trying to find a way to ease his own affliction. Ace was practicing deception into his own thoughts. A minute more passed and Ace found nothing but the movements of animals and leaves, it was more boring than he anticipated. 360 degrees covered the whole house under protective software. Nothing will surpass without be
"No," Ace refuted. The facts from Yvo's mouth was of no use. The chancellor yet failed again. A short stare stopped Yvo from replying, he was analyzing the looks of Ace's face, hoping to get just a single hint of what he was feeling. But he found nothing, the man was great with pretense. "Very well then," Yvo said. "I won't force you to believe or trust the Prime." Yvo backed away slowly, his time was running low and the high tower was waiting for him. Ace's eyes remained fix to Neo, it was a blank gawk, and he looked out of his senses. The medical team stood beside the chancellor, everyone was ready to leave. But before the crew went on with their steps, Yvo spoke. "Be wise Ace... be wise like Ashmeir." This time, Ace looked up with forehead crumpled in confusion.The wondering began, "How did you know my father?" He asked.A petite smile curved out from Yvo's face, "He was the Prime's friend." Those were the chancellor's last words.He signaled everyone to move out, leaving Ac
Everyone went home with smiles plastered on their faces, but just like before, Van remained unconvinced. Slowly, he walked pass the same familiar road. Lights filled in and it was different.Flakes of snow cascaded from the skyline, Sarah's death was still fresh. Losing a wife was more painful than losing an arm. A loud sigh escaped Van's breathing. The unpalatable silence made his reverberating sound loud. Almost no one was left wandering along the streets, only at least two or three citizens were strolling. Van found the silence that he was looking for. On his very steps, Van's thoughts vigorously ran. He still couldn't forget what Sydon said. No one objected the declaration, it was all about freedom. "People were blind," Van said. Men whom he came across with did not bother to look back. He was just an insignificant man in their sight. A small house reached Van's sight. He was nearly home, the withered greeneries was the first thing which caught his attention. Sarah died alon