by Noah Michael
“Your majesty, what an honor to see you again,” Roko said. The King ignored Roko and continued on his way.
Alia closed her eyes tightly and entered the lounge. There was no one else in the room. Alia drank a cup of water as she looked around the room. At its center was a small fountain with a circle of mirrors above it. Alia walked over to the fountain and splashed some water onto her face. She ran her hand through her hair and then punched the mirror so hard that she cracked it. She looked at her bloody fist, cursing under her breath.
Ever since I left England, Roko’s been playing me. I was doing it all for Bella, but I never wanted to hurt anyone, let alone the only decent man I’ve met since this craziness started. What did he do to deserve this?
“Then don’t do it,” a voice said in her head.
Are you Bella? Alia thought, taken by surprise.
“Don’t betray him. You’ve already gone too far. You don’t owe anyone anything.”
You’re wrong.
“Bella will be fine. Trust me.”
No! Alia slammed her fist on the fountain. Bella gave me her life. She’s the only person in this world who ever truly cared for me. If I don’t do this, Roko will kill her and just find someone else.
“Let him. What’s done is done. Bella gave herself for you. That was her gift to you. Don’t poison it by condemning this entire tribe.”
But if I do this one last thing, Roko will trust me, perhaps enough to heal Bella.
“If you do this, you will never find happiness.”
I was never destined to find happiness. Alia wiped the tears from her face and stormed out the door.
“Are you ready?” Roko asked.
Alia stormed past Roko. “Let’s get the hell on with it.”
Roko and Territh moved beside Alia as the guards began to open the great doorway. Marcus and Stone took their places on either side of Roko.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, good members of the Senate. I gather you all here today to hear a debate. We welcome Roko and those who accompany him to our city. They are escorted by the Leader of the Opposition, Territh Clay.”
Territh led them into the massive room. The walls resembled an underground cave, with stalagmites and stalactites protruding from the ceiling and the floor. The room was lit by a series of grand stalactite chandeliers, water dripped down from them onto the stalagmites below. Beautiful, multi-colored rays of light shone in from the windows, forming rainbows on the floor. Two sides of the room were carved into various levels of seating, like a coliseum. On each level was a row of stone desks, and at each desk a member of the Senate was seated with a stack of paper, ink, a quill, and an unlit torch in front of them. On the other sides of the room there were two platforms with podiums and a table which held stone goblets containing water. Stone sculptures of knights surrounded the platforms. On the wall just above the platforms hung portraits of former and ancient kings. In the center of the room was a gigantic stone-sculpted knight. It held a sword pointed straight up at the ceiling. On top of the knight’s helm sat a single man at a stone desk. The man was short and slightly chubby, and he gave off a powerful aura.
The doors slammed behind them as they entered.
“All rise for the leader of the opposition. Roko, it is an honor to be hosting you and your colleagues today as our guests. I would ask you to please make your way to the platform of the opposition, along with Territh.” The entire room rose up to their feet as Territh led the group onto the platform.
Territh turned towards Alia. “You ready?” Alia nodded and the two of them walked forward. Alia took her place in front of the podium with Territh right beside her.
“Please state your name.”
“My name is Alia Rose Admerry.”
“And do you Alia, vow, according to the laws of our Senate, that you are not a Reader, as was confirmed to us by Territh?”
Alia looked at Territh. He was a good liar. “Yes, I do.”
“Good. My name is Alroy Strick, and I am the speaker of the Senate. I will be conducting the debate. The rules are as follows: There are 100 members of the senate, myself and Territh included. Each regular Senate member holds one vote. Territh, as leader of the opposition, holds twenty, as does our king. Whichever side can gather a minimum of 70 votes holds a majority and is therefore crowned victor of the debate. I call upon our lord the King to join us in the Senate room. All rise for the King.”
The entire room rose as the doors opened one again. This time the King walked through them. He made his way to the platform on the right and walked up to the podium. As soon as he reached the podium, the senate members sat down again.
The King glared at Alia from the opposite side of the room, his face was resolute. He was not prepared to lose.
“Would His Majesty please state for the Senate the purpose of the debate?”
The King spoke. “I hereby challenge the opposition in their call for an Alliance with Roko. I condemn the offer on the basis of morality, the protection of society, and the preservation of tribal peace.”
“I, Alroy Strick, as speaker of the Senate, accept His Majesty’s challenge. Each member of the senate was given a summary of the arguments. Members, please cast your preliminary votes. You have five minutes.”
“If a member lights their torch,” Territh said, “it means they are in favor of our cause.”
Alroy’s vote will be crucial. If I can get him to my side, more will follow. But it won’t be easy. He prides himself on his impartiality. He will be stirred only by logic. As for the King, there is no use to trying to win him over.
“I hereby bring pre-debate voting to a close. The results: 80 against, 59 for.” Alroy smashed a stone mallet against his desk and the ground shook. The grand stone knight extended its sword towards the right side of the room where the king stood.
“The opening statement shall be delivered by Territh. You may begin.”
Territh moved to the podium. “Our tribe holds tight to our customs. For centuries, we have been using the same stream, the same boats, the same buildings, and entrusting our will to this Senate. Although we value our customs, there is one aspect which we must change-we isolate ourselves. In the times of the Alliance, we never joined. In the times of the rebellion, we never joined. Even in times of peace, we never joined the national collective of Enlai to encourage inter-tribal trade and commerce. It is not only to our benefit, but it is our responsibility, to do so. Our isolation renders us separate from the great tribes, but we have potential equal to theirs. This peace that we have, a peace we have developed over centuries, could be shared with the world. That is why I propose a military and commercial alliance with Roko. He too is the leader of a tribe. However, his tribe contains Enlai of every type, from every place, excluding our own. His goal is a greater and more peaceful world. Roko has offered us a share. Not only will we benefit from cutting edge technology, life-saving medicine, business opportunities, and trade, but we can finally play the game of nations on a global scale. We can bring peace and unity to the world. This is an offer which we cannot refuse.”
As Territh finished speaking, a few more torches were lit. The knight’s sword moved back towards the center. To Alia’s disappointment, Alroy’s torch remained unlit. Alia was impressed by Territh’s speech. He was a true politician and had a way with words. He was playing the role of the young progressive. She would continue to play upon that strategy.
“Would His Majesty the King please present his opening counter-argument.”
The King stepped forward. “My fellow tribesmen, you have been deceived! I admit, it is a crime that we have kept ourselves in isolation in order to preserve our sanctified peace. We have the potential to achieve greatness. But it is for that reason that I must share with you a secret my father and his father before him kept locked away. I am sure all of you have seen the great Legasus standing in our sculpture park. My great great-grandfather Gadrian built that sculpture. Gadrian also believed that it was time our people branched out into
the world. He believed the way to do that was through the Alliance. He prepared clandestinely to join the Alliance and to become a Guardian. But the Alliance fell before he had the chance to do so. As Vespirus began the mass killing of all tribes involved with the Alliance, Gadrian hid the evidence of our connection. But the sculpture was never destroyed. He wanted the sculpture to stand as a reminder that one day, our tribe must share its gift with the world. But that day is not today. Not with Roko.”
The King pointed his finger at Roko. “That man does not wish for peace! Roko wishes only to use us for war and destruction, to obtain more and more power for himself! He portrays the Alliance as if they were unjust, but we all know it was Vespirus who was a murderer and a crook! If you believe that Roko wants peace, show me the peace he has created. In his very city, humans gather regularly to protest his ways. I will live in fear no longer! I shall never be a slave to this monster!”
Alia looked around the room. Many of the Senate members were whispering amongst themselves. They had not been expecting the King’s words. Even Roko struggled to suppress his shock.
“How dare you insult me? Perhaps I should call off the debate and withhold the favor I am trying to bestow upon your people?” Roko shouted.
“Please, call it off!” the King replied.
Alia knew she had to shut Roko’s mouth or he would ruin everything. She shot a glance at Stone, who. whispered something in Roko’s ear, and Roko was silent. Many torches were extinguished. No new ones lit up. The sword moved towards the King.
“As we close the opening stage, the voting stands as follows: 100 against, 39 for. Now, we will commence the counter arguments. The opposition shall speak first, represented by Alia.”
The king has changed the rules of the game, Alia thought. I need to unite the people, make them feel part of the new generation and thereby separate them from their King.
Alia spoke using a touch of her ability, captivating the room. “With all due respect to His Majesty, the arguments he brings perpetuate an issue that is over a hundred years old. Those of us who are part of the new generation do not wish to continue this bitter struggle. We wish for peace, for progress, for change. We want a united world. Do not fight us with the claim that we support a five hundred-year-old warlord. Whether Vespirus was a demon or a saint is no longer relevant. Yes, our organization was founded in support of the revival of the Fury, but that was simply a means to an end. The end being peace and prosperity. The Fury is gone, Vespirus is gone, there is no bringing them back. Yet our mission is strong. We will find other means, other methods. Nothing will stand in our way. We, the new generation, represent the future! Many are not in our favor. Despite this, we continue to give. We send aid packages to city slums all over the world. We design the homes, the cars, the ovens, the computers, the medicines, and even the shoes of the middle class. We will continue working for a brighter tomorrow. We will continue to fight to bring peace upon this Earth, even if it means laying down our arms and finding a new means to achieve a better future. Can you follow in our footsteps? Can you let go of the past and exchange it for hope?”
Many members of the Senate applauded as torches lit. The King was losing ground. The sword moved back to the center, and then began moving towards the opposition platform. They were winning. Yet Alroy’s torch remained unlit.
What I did was risky. Let’s hope the King doesn’t know about Roko’s plan to wake up Galaxius...
“Now his Majesty the King will state his counter argument.”
The King looked around the room. “My brothers, the woman seeks to manipulate you! She seeks to portray me as obsolete, as a member of an older generation who simply does not understand. In truth, I understand more than anyone in this room. I understand the ramifications of handing over our children. My own son stands trapped behind the walls of Roko’s silver tower. For what crime? For what trade? For nothing! Roko offered me only blackmail. He demanded soldiers or war, so I handed over my own son to spare all of yours. I do not know of my son’s activities, I am seldom allowed to speak with him. He is my only son! Why is Roko so desperate for soldiers? Aren’t his drones enough to maintain peace in the world? Why does he have no troops in Africa, where human tribes slaughter each other over faith? The Alliance would have dealt with that by now. Actions speak louder than words! If we join him, we will not find our children fighting for peace. We will find them fighting for Roko! My brothers, I beseech you! Whoever stands for a better future, stand with me!”
The King caught Alia by surprise. She hadn’t expected him to use her strategy against her. She couldn’t help but feel admiration.
He defends the truth with nothing but the truth. He wants what’s best for his tribe, and what’s best for his son. His integrity renders him strong enough to battle with a Reader. There is no doubt he is David’s father...
She tried to shake off the last thought. Thinking about David would not help her now.
Many of the torches were extinguished and the sword pointed back towards the King. “We are now moving on to the final stage of the debate. Each side will be asked a question which will be followed by an answer by the opposite side. We will begin with a question for the opposition. Who will receive the question?”
“Take it away,” Territh said to Alia.
“Very well. The question is as follows: If your true aim is world peace, then what does your organization aim to do with our sons? What are the goals which you seek to accomplish using our manpower?”
As the question was being posed, Marcus moved to Alia’s left.
“What are you doing here? Go back to your position!” She whispered.
Marcus smiled slyly. “I didn’t come here to be Roko’s bodyguard. I came here to guard you. After all, who would be better suited for the job? Oh, perhaps David would be. He is very loyal to you, isn’t he? And yet, you betray him. You betray his entire people.”
“You convince this entire nation to sell themselves as slaves to Roko. You betrayed David, you betray them all. Listen to their cries of anguish. You must feel guilty. So, so guilty…”
Alia’s mind spun. Focused on the debate, she wasn’t ready for this kind of attack. All around the room, the Senators glared at her with anger and pain.
“You betrayed me.”
“Have you no heart!?”
“You’re no better than him. No better than Roko!”
She couldn’t take it anymore. She couldn’t fight it. Marcus dug deeper and deeper into her mind.
“Shall we repeat the question?”
Territh looked at Alia. “My lady, what’s wrong?”
Roko grew nervous as well. “Alia! It’s your turn to speak!”
Marcus took Alia’s place at the podium. “Sorry for the inconvenience, sir. It seems as if Alia is not feeling well. I, Marcus Slive, shall take her place as opposition speaker.”
“I will send for her a medic immediately. Territh, do you approve of the new speaker?”
Territh looked at Alia, who had fallen to her knees. Then he looked back at Roko. Roko frowned at Alia, then nodded. “I approve.”
Marcus smiled. Two women rushed onto the platform and sat down next to Alia. One of them placed a wet towel on her forehead.
“Do you, Marcus, agree to the non-Reader oath?”
“I do.”
“Very well then. Shall I repeat the question?”
“No, that will not be necessary.…”
As Marcus spoke, Alia struggled to regain control of her mind. But she had fallen unconscious and could not wake herself up.
This isn’t real! It’s an illusion! I need to snap out of it. I need to do this for Bella!
Concentrating with all her power, Alia began to regain control. She heard Marcus speaking. “In addition, your aid is necessary to help us establish inter-tribal peace...” The sound was drowned out by the voices of David and his fellow tribesman.
He does not realize the flaws in his argument. Even using his gift, he’s going to lose.
He’s trying to replace me in Roko’s eyes. If I want to save Bella, I have to wake up, and I have to win. He will kill her if I don’t!
“You’re a monster, just like him!”
He cannot fight the truth with improvised lies. To defeat truth, you must destroy the essence of truth.
Through her haze, she could hear the King speaking in rebuttal and applause that followed. She fought to regain consciousness.
“Territh, it’s time for the opposition’s final counter statement.”
A drop of sweat fell from Marcus’s brow. He’d already lost the debate.
“Who shall deliver it?”
“To my great disappointment, I do not believe—”
“I will.”
Alia was back on her feet. She walked slowly up to the podium, fighting off the voices in her mind. With intense focus, she cut off all emotion, feeling nothing but resolve. As she stood at the podium, David stood in front of her. Alia stared him straight in the eyes as she spoke. “I must admit, there is something I admire greatly about your tribe. You all carry within yourselves a fierce devotion towards truth. As your king has proven to you, the truth lies on the opposite side of this room. But that is precisely why you should vote in our favor.”
She had their attention. She shifted her voice and spoke hypnotically. She did not need to make sense. She needed to redefine it.
“I spent my entire life seeking the truth. My quest led me to the Silver Tower where Roko gave me a purpose, the purpose of bettering the world. Roko believes in his quest to better the world, yet this mission seems to contradict his actions. He has not suppressed the truth, rather he has sacrificed it for something greater. He has sacrificed it for a purpose, which has a higher value than truth. They say that truth is in the hands of the victor. It is defined by whoever has the power to draw and enforce it. Perhaps Roko does not offer you the truth. What he offers you is a purpose. He offers you a vision of perfecting the future. If Roko wished to enslave your tribe, he could have simply marched here with his army. It would have been much more efficient. We are offering you the chance to partner with us. Perhaps we do intend to establish an occupation of the human population, and perhaps we intend to do the same with the Enlai. If that is the case, then that is simply our truth. Yours may be different than ours, and that is why we want to build a new truth, together, with our shared purpose. It would be a betrayal of the truth not to accept our alliance. Without your influence, we shall continue to pursue our truth, which to you is a lie.
