by Aeon Solo
“What are you doing here?” he questioned with intense sorrow and confusion.
“Oh, Viden my boy, why do you still succumb to human emotion,” she said softly, then coldly as her words came out. Her voice transformed from a gentle caring, to a thick, animalistic scowl.
“What?” he questioned, confused.
“This is why you will fail,” her voice a terrifying deep.
“No,” he murmured. She faded away in his clutch, the environment around him changed before his eyes. The Archon loomed over him. He was dwarfed by the monster.
“Still allowing emotion to get to you,” he said coldly. Viden glanced up toward his master deflated.
“You will never become what I want, never become the true Anu-Krai, always a child, always a pitiful little human,” the Archon continued, greatly disappointed in the Knight. He breathed deeply, intense rage filled his heart, he leapt to his feet grasping his sword, but was quickly subdued. The Archon clenched Viden’s head and injected a solution into his neck as he attempted to wriggle out of his immoveable grip. He’s thrown to the ground, the nanites wreaked havoc, he bellowed in agony keeling over. Writhing in pain on the opaque, freezing ground. The Archon walked away.
“Viden!” a female voice emanated through his head, as the sweat and tears seeped from him.
“Viden!” the voice echoed through his mind, “Viden!” she screamed, fainter. The very memories of his parents, his mother, was hauled away, ripped from the neurons which held them dear.
“Viden!” she screamed a final time, her voice dissipating as she screamed. He was contorted in an uncomfortable position gazing at the abyss of a ceiling, his cries stopped, the pain became one with him. Darkness took him.
The following day news reached the Archon of the dead Draco in the secret chamber. He called Anu-Krai and Monstah to the throne room. Many guards were scuffling about the pyramid nervously. The two confronted one-another outside the throne room.
“Is this your doing?” Anu-Krai remarked disdainfully to Monstah.
“I’m impressed, that you still have the courage to face me despite your previous failures.” He brushed off the provocation from the Knight, very unlike him.
Anu-Krai turned away slightly and gazed at the obsidian door, shocked at the calm nature of his arch enemy. They both entered the throne room together, they matched each other’s strides and knelt before the Archon. He was flouncing around his throne anxiously in conversation with Charia via the communication device on his wrist. He switched off the audio device.
“We have a traitor in our midst, one of our guards was killed in the night!” he roared, pacing still. He hoped it’s a traitor. If not, he had a much greater problem.
“I believe one of our own got greedy, find them!” he snarled furiously, “Immediately!” He gestured for them to leave, the two shared a look whilst they did as was commanded. They did not say anything and left together. Anu-Krai peered his head back toward the Archon, they approached the door, he witnessed the Archon placing a hand on a biosensor. Revealing a hidden safe in the ground which raised. The two exited the room.
“We must interrogate our warriors,” Monstah remarked, Anu-Krai puzzled by his use of the word we, tried to confirm the statement.
“We? As in us two, together?” he pondered in response.
“Yes,” he responded frankly, displeased that he required the assistance on this occasion. Anu-Krai followed him to the arena where most of the Draco were training.
“One of you betrayed the Archon, one of you have colluded to take property of the Archon,” he shouted to the group in their dialect. They all stopped their training, glancing to each other bewildered. These warriors were unaware of the events of the previous evening. They all of course, denied any wrongdoing, but one Draco warrior looked suspicious. This warrior took a child illegally to eat for his own pleasure, he believed Monstah was enquiring about that.
Anu-Krai examined the body language of the Draco warriors noticing the difference with the one at the back. He was a novice at understanding the body language of humans, but with the Draco he had an in-depth understanding.
“That one,” he whispered, gesturing to the back of the group, “He looks nervous unlike the others, he must have done something wrong recently,” he told Monstah, hoping to convince him of the guilt of a Draco for his actions the previous night.
“You!” Monstah yelled, pointing to the individual highlighted by the Knight. He flustered in response.
“Me?” he exclaimed, “I haven’t taken any children,” he remarked in the Draco dialect, because he was unmasked. Monstah translated his response for Anu-Krai.
“We never said it was a child that was missing,” he replied to Monstah, who agreed with his statement.
Monstah approached the Draco. “We never said it was a child that was taken,” he stated frankly in the Draco language.
The warrior flustered for a response, knowing he was found guilty, equipped his weapon and attacked Monstah. Monstah guarded the attack effectively. The two engaged in a duel to the pleasure of the Draco around them who roared with delight. They traded multiple strikes for a few moments, but Monstah overwhelmed his opponent. He knocked him to the ground and with a final blow, destroyed his opponents head in a terrifyingly gruesome way. Even the other Draco cringed at the site. Monstah roared furiously in victory, to the cheers of the rest of the group. They returned to their training and a labourer cleaned up the mess which remained. Monstah strolled toward the Knight.
“That’s finished, now run along and finish your patrol,” he said with great arrogance. Anu-Krai gritted his teeth beneath his mask and moved off the wall he was leaning on. He did not respond to Monstah, but an unquenchable grin glistened beneath his guise. He was seemingly safe, for now. He continued his daily duties.
Anu-Krai was stood along a balcony in the pyramid overseeing the market below. Leaning on the cold, metallic bars. He was contemplating his life’s direction. His deep thought was halted when a large metalloid glove was placed on his shoulder.
“Why do you stand here Krai, overlooking the people?” the Archon asked, puzzled by the Knight’s actions. He pivoted his head up to the left to see the Archon beside him.
“I’m just thinking,” he responded.
“Thinking about what?” the Archon enquired.
“Life…purpose,” he responded, there’s a moment of silence between the two as they both observed the market below.
“What is the next step, after Kinana?” the Knight questioned
“Once you have conquered Kinana for me we will regroup for some time then we will take control of nearby systems,” the Archon said confidently, anticipating his future victories. Anu-Krai’s demeanour deflated slightly as he realised the danger the Lord Archon posed to the galaxy, not just Agarta.
The Archon released his shoulder, allowing him some free time. Before he left the balcony completely, he turned back. “I envisage you at my side Krai, as we take back this galaxy. Do well in Kinana and I will reward your loyalties substantially.” The Archon withdrew from the balcony, the statement further enticing the knight to remain loyal to him.
He continued to drift in thought for a while. The Archon could give him so much knowledge. Knowledge, power, brotherhood. The very secrets of reality, mere fingertips away. The technology that the Archon had, incomparable to humanity on Agarta. It was so enticing. He lusted for it almost, despite the subjective evil of the Draco.
The next day he completed his duties and training. Come nightfall he travelled to his spot in the forest, still in his attire and mask as usual. Mara spotted and tailed him there. He examined some of trees, gliding his hand over the branches touching the leaves. Feeling the beauty of life, inhaling the pure oxygen of photosynthesis.
Mara emerged from the path behind him.
“I saw what you did,” she shouted toward him.
He stopped his inspection unwillingly and turned to face her. He was displeased with her presence as h
e wanted to be alone.
“What do you want, why are following me here?” he responded bluntly. She became unsettled at his deep, commanding tone.
“I’m sorry about what I said last time we met, you’re not like them,” she said sympathetically. He removed the mask and placed it on a log nearby.
“I found a book in that edifice, it shows the history of the galaxy and the horrific acts performed by the Draco and Anu,” he said.
“Really?” she responded, acting both puzzled and unsettled by the statement he just made. He hovered closer.
“They eat people you know,” he said with great disgust. She was horrified by the thought of the missing people in the village, contemplating their fate.
“So that boy, you saved him, why?” she asked, trying to understand his conflicted mind.
“I couldn’t stand by the fact that my people, the very people I fight to protect were being…” he cringed his head in horror, unable to finish his sentence. He seated himself on a log beside her.
“I don’t know what to do anymore, I feel so lost,” he said, sadness exuded his person. She consoled him, he looked at the ground with his head in his hands.
“I am not like them, despite what you may believe,” his posture solemn, he revealed his pain to Mara. She put her arm around him, cradling gently
“I know,” she said carefully, understanding his suffering by the hands of the Draco.
“They are all I have though, if I could somehow stop them, I would have nothing, actually nothing,” he continued.
“No,” she responded empathetically, “You have me.” He raised his head and twisted to face her. He gazed attentively into her eyes, something he rarely did, somewhat puzzled by her caring demeaner and support. She kissed him to his surprise, he retracted, flustered by the act.
“What’s wrong?” she asked, worried and confused by his action.
“I’ve never had this before,” he gestured to her.
“Social relationships are forbidden by the Archon, and as you can tell I’m not good at them either,” he said, visibly nervous. She stood with a caring smile, hugged him tight.
“It’s ok,” she said compassionately, “Meet me tomorrow at 13:00, we’ll go to edifice again, bring that book and please find peace in yourself.” She pecked him on the cheek and returned home, offering a smile as she got to the path, he responded in kind.
His anger with her dissipated, he could never hold anger toward her now. His mind fluttered with thoughts of her, a life with her. About his future, a future which could involve her. She could be his ‘one’, his starlight. He stayed in the area for a short time, intrigued by the stars above him, his pain contained for now by his feelings for her. He wondered whether the stars he observed were Alliance systems, whether another could be looking at him, across the universe. He reattached his mask and returned to the pyramid.
Anu-Scherzo observed Mara exit the opening in the forest, followed by Anu-Krai ten minutes later. He was especially disappointed again. Using the communication device on his wrist he contacted the other Knights who were patrolling the outside perimeter of the pyramid.
“Krai was with that woman again,” he stated, scathingly.
Anu-Hask responded.
“Yes, I fear that he was being unfaithful to our master.” Anu-Scherzo traced his leaders’ movements in the distance.
“We will have to keep a watchful eye on him in the coming weeks.” They acknowledged his statement and continued their patrol of the perimeter.
Mara entered her home and was confronted by her guardian. “It’s late,” she said.
“I was out with a friend,” Mara replied.
“With that lad you mentioned?”
Mara poured a cup of water.
“Yes,” she replied as she sipped. Her guardian seemed displeased and went into the living area. “He found my spot, the book too,” she said, her guardian heard, despite the distance.
“You’re playing a dangerous game Mara,” she warned.
Mara followed her to the living area, leant in the doorway. “Hathor told me.”
She was quickly interrupted. “Hathor was a figment of your imagination Mara. You had a traumatic experience when I found you,” she stated firmly.
“He saved my life!” she yelled.
“No, no he didn’t,” she retorted bluntly.
“You weren’t there,” she replied sadly. Mara stood to leave, a little upset.
“Mara,” her guardian said, unmeaning of harm.
She halted in the doorway. “Do you believe we have souls?” Mara answered back.
The next day he finished his training early and travelled to the market at 13:00 to meet Mara at her stall. She was kneeling behind her stall sorting produce.
The Knight stood over her. “Hello there,” he said eagerly. The deep, penetrating voice of his modifier caught her off guard, she gasped.
“Viden!” she responded; her tone elevated. He turned to ensure no one was close by.
“You can’t call me that out here,” he responded quickly. Mara gripped some fruits on the table and placed them beneath the stall for protection from pests.
“Sorry, but don’t sneak up on me like that, you scared me,” she said.
“Ok, my bad,” he muttered.
“Come on let’s go exploring,” she said hopeful of their adventure. He smiled beneath the mask and followed her through the forest. After a couple hours they reached the edifice.
“It’s breath-taking isn’t it?” she said in awe of the building before her.
The Knight watched her beautiful, fruitful expression, he too examined the building again-. “Built by the original settlers who survived the war,” she added.
“The book,” he stated, offering it to her. She stared at him and the book and grasped it gently. Again, she admired its pages.
The Knight entered the edifice alone. A mysterious sound emanated from the woodland close to them. It caught the attention of the Knight inside and it continued to radiate. He rushed out to her.
“Viden, I should probably tell you something,” she said, unsure. She looked to him unsettled by his rushing demeanour.
“Hear that?” he asked frantically.
“No,” she responded, puzzled by his question. He gestured for her to follow him into the trees nearby. The Knight noticed an ethereal essence in the trees. He grabbed Mara’s shoulder to stop her in her tracks. He pointed quietly in the direction of the apparition, hushing her mouth.
“What is that?” she whispered.
The Knight gestured for her to remain. He crept forward quietly; weapon prepared. One hundred metres away from him, it lingered. The apparition continued to glide through the forest seemingly unaware of the Knight behind it. As he approached, it disappeared completely. He panicked for a moment and aggressively scanned his surroundings; the essence was gone. He glanced to Mara and the apparition formed again beside him, the beings’ head next to his.
“You heard my call.” The Knight almost fell to the ground with the sheer shock. He turned with his blade aimed aggressively at the apparition.
“Who are you!” The apparition solidified. A human woman stood before him. She was noticeably older, but her skin was fair. Fair in the sense of, it lacked blemishes of any kind. Her eyes an ocean blue burst from her skull.
“I’m human, don’t worry.”
“How? What are you doing here?” he asked, bewildered by her presence on his planet.
“There are things about your universe that they aren’t telling you. You, along with everyone else, have been entrapped in this reality, a prison matrix.” He was flabbergasted by her statement but totally fascinated, the truth he desired at the tip of his fingers.
“Please tell me more, I must know these truths,” he said, begging the being before him for as much information as possible.
“These gods that you serve, the Draco, are very dangerous creatures and will enslave your world and this entire reality. They must be stopped!
” The Knight and Mara, who now hovered beside him, looked to one another in disbelief.
“But how? I cannot defeat them on my own,” he responded.
‘No, you cannot, but the Alliance can, find that beacon, use that blaster, save your world, you may be the only person who can stop them, they trust you,” she responded with urgency, her physical body dissipated as she transferred her vibrational frequency back to her own reality.
“You found her,” she whispered faintly as she faded.
“Wait!” he yelled, “I don’t know what to do!” He looked at Mara, they shared a stunned look between them, the mask covering his bewilderment.
“Oh Viden, what are you going to do?” she asked nervously.
He turned away in thought.
“I cannot allow the Archon to continue his quest, I must protect Agarta, but most importantly you.” He faced her once more. She darted toward him and hugged him tight.
“I need to recant all the wrongs I’ve done, but we must get back immediately,” he explained.
“Sophia,” Mara mouthed, inaudibly, she smiled. He released her from the hug and the two began to return quickly to the pyramid base.
An hour and a half passed, and they returned to civilisation.
“I will find the Knights, we will need all the help we can get, return home and stay safe please,” he said to her urgently. She clutched the two buttons on the side of his head and with a release of pressure, she removed his mask.
“You don’t need this anymore, Viden,” she said. She dropped it to the ground, he watched it fall. A tuft of thin soil whisked around it, a metallic clank. She kissed him one last time.
“Promise me when this is all over you will find peace in yourself,” she said. He hugged her so tightly.
“Only if I have you, I need you,” he responded kindly. He activated his communication device and called for the Knights of Anu to meet in his spot in the forest.
