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ELIXA CHAPTER 25
It was two weeks since the incident with the maggot, four months since they set sail into this world of dust and nothing. Silence had been their constant companion, leaving the ship with nothing but its wail and complaint, carousing what should have been a serene journey. Nobody had said much about the maggot, or how they had miraculously saved their ship from capsizing. It was as though everyone was keeping their distance and was afraid to mention it. The captain had avoided Austin too, keeping his distance from the man that had almost fed him whole to the maggot. There had been a few injuries too, but no death was recorded. The few that had gone missing had been found after three to four days. But there were no deaths. Damian had heard Aaron discussing with Catherine some moment ago, even though they had spoken in a low tone, he could still guess that they were referring to the incident. Oddly enough, Damian had caught
ELIXA CHAPTER 26
Beth was right. Lucas, Mitch, and Alfred were not just loyal, they were an extension of his very body and would follow him to the grave if need be. He had not met Alfred and Lucas until he had met Mitch. The dark-haired man had grown in the streets. Carlos had met him one evening and had helped him with some of his dealings with some street thugs. Even though Mitch had claimed that he hadn’t needed help at that time, Carlos had helped him anyway and had saved his life when he was shot. That was the thread that had started their relationship. It had grown over the years like the bond of brothers. Alfred and Lucas had joined them afterwards and they had formed the Red Heron, with the help of Beth. While they had argued about it, Carlos could see the clear picture now. He had always tried to protect the men, to do things in a way that would not endanger their lives in any form. Yet, all his effort had been futile. And now, like every other thing he has, he has missed the only friends tha
ELIXA CHAPTER 27
The deafening noise of the rotating blades finally ceased as the helicopter glided to the left and the black mountains hid its features. White fogs held the apex of the crags, making them difficult to distinguish from the floating, morning clouds. Despite the green-black stones, the mud on the floor made Dorin wonder if the stories about this part of the world were true. He had never ventured so far into the west. But for Emron, this was the first time he would visit the far side of the world. Landervier, as it was called, was not just any other land, but was the most fertile land on the nine continents. Rain was a luxury on this side of the world. It was the only place where there was a balance since too much or too little of the rain could ruin crops. Dorin had only seen them in the books and heard a little about this place. But the rest he had heard mostly from people he comes in contact with on daily bases. Every trader and vendor—that were
ELIXA CHAPTER 28
Dust and smoke rose through the rough walls and the other end of the entrance of the cave collapsed, trapping them inside. Claudius could feel the weight of a thousand burdens on his head, making it almost difficult for his legs to carry his body. He coughed once and managed to get himself into a sitting position. There was a ringing in his ears too, and a lump at the back of his head. He must have bashed his head against the stones during the fall. But what had caused the vibrations? What was that light he had seen?He wiped the sand from his face, glad that the contact lens in his eyes had not fallen off. All around, dust and smoke kept their veil, making it difficult to see anything. The elegant stones that had stood earlier were in the rumble and seemed to rise towards the ceiling. It was the only thing visible. The only thing bold enough to reveal its ugly head.
ELIXA CHAPTER 29
Nina's feet echoed through the smooth walls as she followed behind the dark-haired man who had only stopped to point and instruct her on what to do. He was twice Nathan's size, and the dark hair that bounced on his head was as long as his shoulders. She could still remember the rich onyx moonlit eyes which portrayed the strength, adding more vibe to the bulging muscles that unmasked themselves on the tight edges of the gray Firstborn uniform. The instructions were the dos and don'ts and the punishment or reward that would follow. He had not advised her like a normal servant, worse, he was talking to her like a commoner. A mere stranger that does not deserve a place within the walls. Well, such happens when one steps away from their jurisdiction. These men were the authority here. Not even the emperor had the power to make and unmake things. Within the tower, the Firstborn rules. They were a free community, Freetown.
ELIXA CHAPTER 30
Nina had expected to see books and potions stalked on shelves until they could touch the ceilings. Since it was the library of magic and science, she had expected to see one of those fancy features she had seen in the movies. But to her disappointment, what should have been books, were replaced with numerous white lights, hanging on the shelves and stretching into every direction as far as the eyes could see. Since she had not been in an electronic library before, she didn’t know what to expect or how to access any of the resources. Blue lights poured out from the ceilings, showing heavy radiance on the shelves. There was no window, and the vent only allowed filtered air, too toxic for the lungs. It smelled like old woods, mixed with lemon. From her findings, this library was the largest on the continent, holding at least every piece of knowledge since the breaking of the world and after. She had even read somewhere that the librar
ELIXA CHAPTER 31
The ship finally came to rest at the base of a large crevice, separated by two enormous metal stones. Rectangular plates of milk-coloured walls rounded the front lines, holding massive antennas and signal transmission poles. A red light was blinking on it, bright enough to outshine a white light and almost competing with the weak glows of the sun. Each rectangular plate on the wall had a name and number written in red characters. On the far side, 87, was boldly etched on the wall, contrasting the black 'PROJECT' letters, hanging underneath. It was a home of metals, insulating tubes and plastics. "We are here." The lanky captain announced and disappeared into the cabin. Damian had hoped to see land, having traveled through sands for heaven knows how long. But notwithstanding, the feeling of arriving safely to their destination brought a little comfort through his stomach. This was their haven. This was Arthesia, the place which the hunters hold with so much awe and fright as well.
ELIXA CHAPTER 32
“Attention, attention. Please return to your various destinations. All units in the first hunt should please return to their various destinations” A feminine voice said over the hanging speakers. Damian and Catherine had hurried through the first gate. They had taken off the oxygen pipe on their nose and were making their way towards the hallway, where the men in white uniforms stood, with the analyzers, keeping track of everyone that came passing through. Each person still had their airbag, hanging freely on their backs, but none had the oxygen pipe. The air within the safe house was purified and would prevent the toxicity from the outside world. However, it had an identical smell to the air in the airbag and was a little bit moist and cold. “Good to see you, Mam.” The blond-haired girl—standing at the gate—smiled at Catherine and nodded to Damian. Catherine only returned the smile with a shrugged shoulders before raising her hands for the girl to run the analyzer over her body.
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- ELIXA
CHAPTER 88
Catherine's muscles sang with fatigue as she hurried through the empty hallway. Her heart raced with her feet and her blood boiled within her veins. The urgency made her take the stairs, twice at a time. Amid the rustling voice of the wind, she could hear the mockery at the back of her head. The second bell had gone off, signaling the beginning of the cooling break for the inmates and the first shifts for the Wardens. It was their signal, the clue she and her friends had been waiting for.No, never. She thought. It was a trap. She should have known from the beginning. This was never going to work, the Shadowman knew their secrets and was waiting for them to make the first move. The plan had been a mistake all along.Catherine bit her under lips when she finally made it to the last floor. The door on the exit, brown and twice her size, stood
- ELIXA
CHAPTER 87
"What's his name," Catherine asked looking past the Founders on the field, towards the door standing on the far end."Drake." Vick breathed in before parting Catherine's shoulders, smiling in the process. " Don't worry, he is not worth your anger""How much does he know? How much did Damian reveal?""Don't get sick over that, Damian was smart to play the dumb game.""You are giving him a lot of credit, the deal was to remain quiet instead of revealing the one information that would probably get us killed.""Do be so mean. I thought you liked him""Yes I do, but not when he is dead. I like living creatures.""Hmm, someone got back their sense of humour."Catherine picked one of the cracked stones and dropped them into the wheelbarrow. The scorching sun had failed to hide under the forming cloud. It was sending merciless heat on the earth, almost shattering their skull. And the founders had not provided them with any water or shade.She needed to get away from this place, so sad Damian
- ELIXA
CHAPTER 86
Damian has never been to prison before, and he hadn't expected his first experience to be among wayward Founders whom society had rejected. Most of them stood tall, with veins trailing the sides of their long neck like tendrils of creeping plants. Their hands were pale and faces as dark as coal. The fairness of their skin was lost from the blistering heat of the sun, which left their skins in scales as a testimony of the sun's harshness. The wall of the prison stood in the far distance. Its edges were smooth and almost touching the cloud. It made Damian wonder if he was going to die here. There was no getting out. Nothing could save him and his friends. This was their doom and end. Unless Molhin and the council changed their mind, and he doubt that would happen anytime soon."Nobody mentioned prison would be this boring," Ygon said. She was the only one who is finding being locked up, funny.
- ELIXA
CHAPTER 85
"How can this be? All of it is impossible. It’s so absurd?" Nina fell on the couch, too tired to think. Her heart was aching and her world spun with confusion. It happened so fast. One moment she was delighted to be home, to be celebrating with her father the Emperor of the nine rings. And then, like a flash of lightning, it was all gone, replaced by a nightmare she had never had. How could this be? Where was good fortune when she needed it the most?"I don't have the answers you seek, Nina. But I must warn you, you must lie low, for now, everyone wants your head. They think you killed the Emperor." Rodian said unfazed by her sob and uneasiness."How can I possibly kill my father? It doesn't make sense.""Many would do that to ascend the throne. There is nothing man cannot do for the quest of pow
- ELIXA
CHAPTER 84
St. Vincent’s streets were the last place Carlos wanted to be. Coming here was a mistake, it has always been a misfit for him. The people and the air and the noise, all seemed off. He had never fit into society, not before and certainly not now. Everything about the street brought back old memories. On the shores of this very street, he had been abducted by the Garrison and sentenced to jail to rot there. It was a long time ago, about ten or so years before he formed the Red Heron crew. Yet, the memory and the need to breathe through an air pipe, instead of the normal, natural air, added more salt to his injuries. He hated the streets. The city itself was magnificent, with its silver tower almost touching the blue sky. Emron was the capital city of Bel Haven and the second most prosperous state in the entire Nine Rings. It was the seat of the Emperor, the home of wealth and power. A drawback to it, however, was the structure and la
- ELIXA
CHAPTER 83
Perfection was the best word to describe the event. From the procession to the people’s square, down to her very room. It was perfect. The last time she had seen so many people gathered together to celebrate her father was on his fiftieth birthday. She was so young then, but she could recall how everything had played out. It was a replica of today’s event, a cloned version of this one. The only missing piece was the presence of the Empress, her mother.Nina sighed and took the photograph sitting on the table. A smile appeared on her face without permission as her eyes studied the three people in the photo. Her father stood on the right and towered over them, and his younger version had a smile that Nina had never seen on him, ever since her mother passed on. The empress, a dark-haired woman, stood on the left and was laughing as well. Her bright eyes were wide and seemed to portra
- ELIXA
CHAPTER 82
CHAPTER 82Hope watched with satisfaction at the disarray in the people’s square. She was pleased with the ingenuity of her shadow man. Left to her, she would have sneaked behind and killed the emperor without the eyes of his guards. But the shadow man had done the perfect job. It had not only killed the Emperor but had played the Nina part well. It also used the people to create a diversion so it could get to the emperor. Causing a riot? Hope hadn’t seen that one coming. It was a great idea, one which Hope doubt she would have thought up herself. That riot had kept the garrison busy, leaving her Shadow to fight off the palace guards and the Firstborn. This was the best day of her life, one which she would celebrate for all eternity. Everything was falling in place. All her plans, it was just a matter of seconds.Her smile broadened when she heard the approaching footfal
- ELIXA
CHAPTER 81
Numerous hoverbikes and air shuttles covered the air as the parade continued through the streets. It was almost impossible to see the rays of the morning sun which sat in the sky like a yellow lens. The palace guards had taken the front and the rear, leaving the side and the middle to the able hands of the garrison. They were heavily armed, and their watchful eyes were attentive to pick out any possible threat. They kept watching the tall buildings, the streets and the crowd. It was the best they could do, they were the best in their jobs, and times like this call for their attention and professionalism. This was one of its kind. It was the golden jubilee of the Emperor, 50 years since he sat on the throne and ruled the nine rings with power and a rod of fire. Compared to his predecessors, he was an angel, but none of them had lived up to his age. None had sat on the throne this long and none had conquered more kingdoms or held so much p
- ELIXA
CHAPTER 80
The noise from the founders had quieted down, replaced now with a silence that could only be found in a ghost town. Even the courtroom looked empty and gloomy, from the tongue of light that created circular shadows. One look and one would think the room is empty; there were at least sixty-five thousand Founders who had gathered here, to witness this once-in-a-lifetime event. According to Catherine, the founders had a legend and prophecy in their land. It was a lost legend that would shape their lives and restore the balance to their nation. But after so many years, some of them were beginning to lose hope in the prophecy. Some have called it a joke and would laugh it away whenever it was mentioned. That was the reason why so many believers were enthusiastic. The unbelievers, well, they still held that doubt in their faces. Nothing about them has changed much.Kristen sat among the audience, b
