ELIXA

CHAPTER 2

Dorin has seen people come and go, men and women of different shapes and sizes, both fair and dark alike. If his calculations were correct, then it was seven years since the breaking of the world. Seven years since the wonders of Elixa. Before now, he was just there, existing in isolation, like an island waiting to drown in an ocean. Nobody cared to ask how badly life was treating him. Having lost his parents to cancer, he was the last string on the guitar, waiting to be pulled out or to make a melody of his own. But life has taken its turn and thanks to the miracles of science, to the executive board of EverTech, and to his amazing father.

"Professor, it is time."

Dorin smiled at the words. Base on his past, there was no way he could have lived so long. But everything has changed. His life was a testimony of what science and patience could do to a man.

"How many" Dorin adjusted his tie, before turning back to his assistant, "the audience"

"Oh," George chuckled, "we nailed it, sir. About five hundred and sixty-six thousand and still counting"

Last time was two hundred thousand.

Dorin moved back his wheelchair and smiled weakly at George. Not that he cared. Proportions were not his goal. He wanted something bigger. A massive event that would draw the attention of everyone in Bel Haven. He had expected the Nine Rings of the world and the universe too if that was possible.

"Let's get this over with, shall we?" Dorin said.

The glee in George's eyes dropped. He was not impressed by Dorin's statement and certainly not his character.

"For the record, the only time we have seen a such number of people was the day Elixa was launched by your father. This is a once-in-a-lifetime event, sir. But you are disappointed, ain't you?" He asked as he pushed a bottom on the notepad.

"No," Dorin giggled, "Of course not. A little sad, but not disappointed."

"I see." George nodded, still not convinced. "Guess it's about your father then?"

Yes. It's about my father. Dorin grunted.

Claudius' thought of him has haunted his dreams for the last seven years. The man has done nothing but to help him scale through the phase of life. He had picked him from the dung and placed him as the CEO of Evergreen Tech. So yes, what his adopted father thought of his work was vital to his success as an individual. He needed to prove to the man that he could handle the company with or without any tussle from an external force.

"He will be proud of you, I know he will."

"So easy for you to say," Dorin stroked his hair and smiled at the man again, "help me to the podium will you"

"My pleasure sir," George took the handle of the wheelchair and they started towards the closed curtains.

"This would have been a lot easier if you had allowed the metalsmith do their work."

"And turn me into one of those Hubots? No way. I would rather spend the rest of my life on a wheelchair that attaches metals on my spine."

"Okay, then get ready to use the controls, because I will not be here to always clean your mess."

Dorin laughed at the man's joke. Being cripple does not mean he was useless and cannot clean himself. After all, he was the best brain in the world, second only to his father. If messes arises, he had learned how to clean them without anyone offering their helping hand.

The curtain on the backstage lifted and colorful lights followed them as George drove the wheelchair towards the center of the stage.

"And there he is," the MC shouted over the microphone, "the future of EverTech, give it up for Professor, Doooorrrrrriiinnn"

Screams and cheers followed as the audience stood and applauded. From the front to the center, left and right, up and center, the seats were filled with people. Looking at it now, Dorin could only imagine how little Five hundred and sixty-six thousand people sounded in the ear. This was what he had envisioned his conference to be. Perhaps proportion was not so bad after all.

"Hello" Dorin's voice echoed, but those of the audience enveloped him as they chorus in return and took their seat. George has left him now, probably standing somewhere at the backstage. He was alone, with the spotlights on his face and the people looking at him, eager to gain more enlightenment about his newest technology. It was easy to fall in short of words. After all these years of staying in the hospital without any hope of survival. This was his opportunity. A sign from the universe to make a change for good.

"I wish I could dance to the tone of the MC" Dorin said. "The way he called my name, for a time, I could only hear my fears telling me to run home and never return."

The crowd laughed at his joke, and somewhere, some of the people were whistling and calling him all kinds of sweet names. Dorin could only imagine the love in their hearts. He wished it was genuine. He wishes his success was not the magnet attracting these sycophants that will only blow the trumpet of prosperity and easy going life.

"When we were children. Our parents strived so hard to help us communicate with the things around us. That's why they buy things like toys and video games." The crowd had grown quiet now, and Dorin could only hear the sound of his own breathe, "how many of us have wished to grow old with our toys? That's the secret of our new tech. With Elixa, people can now live their life over and over again. But Evertech has modified Elixa, and now we give you an upgrade."

The light on the stage turned blue and on the huge screen behind, the face of a robot showed up. It showed the robot doing all kinds of things, from house chores to taking care of children and so on.

"Imagine having your medical care everywhere you go. Imagine your hospital coming to you whenever you are in need" Dorin continued, "that's not all. The biometrics in Elixa has been designed with the memory neurons to stand in relation with the owner, and that means that like a child, Elixa can now grow with the owner, saving their memory, the way they talk, their emotions, and all. You will not always have your loved ones, but with this upgrade, you can now have their memory anytime you miss them. You can even travel to the past to interact with them"

More cheers followed as the lights went on and the screen behind died. It was the question part. The most interesting part.

"The profession will only take three questions." The MC said. He had remained on the far side of the stage and was scribbling something on his notepad.

"One question for you, professor." A blonde hair lady said, raising her hand. She had a yellow badge on her collar, suggesting that she was a journalist. 

Dorin nodded and the microphone hovered in her direction.

"I believe the people are happy with EverTech for making the world a better place. But with your last words, does it mean that Elixa is now a time machine?"

"Of course yes. It has always been a time machine," Dorin giggled, "how do you think we are able to bring people back to life? Elixa is a time machine, but one that can walk in the three timelines, the past, present, and future. Next question."

More hands went up this time, but Dorin pointed to the right, towards a random individual who was putting on a dark shade.

"How safe is this upgrade to our children?" The young man asked.

"As safe as your five fingers, EverTech has made sure of that. Next question."

"Will there be a permanent version of Elixa," a young woman asked.

Somehow, Dorin found himself struggling with that one for a moment. He had thought of the possibilities, but that would be trying to walk in his father's shoes. The man had spent all his money, his effort and his time in trying to bring to light what seem to be impossible.

"As a company that is taking technology to another level, I will say that we are working on the possibility of making Elixa as vital to human life as possible. That will be all. Thank you for giving me your listening ears."

More hands and questions went into the air, but Dorin was no longer interested. He had turned his wheel and had directed it towards the exit. Everything had played out as he had planned. What they needed now was to wait.

"That went well," George said as he clapped Dorin's shoulders. "Never knew you had a sense of humor."

"Think again," Dorin shifted his tie, suddenly uncomfortable. "Can you get me a glass of chilled water?"

George only nodded and disappeared to the door by the right. 

Dorin watched him leave, he could not explain the sudden heat and discomfort. If this were to be Caladin, he would not have bothered. But this was Bel Haven. And this room was properly ventilated, with air conditioning hanging perfectly on the wall. Why was he feeling unease?

A shadow loomed above the door Goerge had disappeared into. Dorin watched it for a while, making sure his eyes were not deceiving him. It looked like a cloud of smoke, dancing from one edge of the door frame to another.

"Your father needs your presence" George was saying as the door burst open.

Dorin wanted to warn the older man, but his jaw dropped when he could no longer see the mysterious smoke. It was as if it had never existed.

"Are you alright?" George asked.

"Yes," Dorin nodded and took the glass of water. The heat on his body had disappeared now replaced by curiosity and confusion. He had read so many books on different fields. But never for once had he read about creatures that were able to attain shadowy features. Could this be a discovery or was this the end which he was so afraid to admit?