The Downfall of Man

by J J Marshall

  “Of course, my king. Nothing but the best for you,” he replied back. The king smiled, pleased with his answer as he stepped forward, resting his hand gently on Henry’s cheek. Henry blushed looking down at the floor, being addressed as general was embarrassing in front of Karsten. His eyes wandered, meeting Karsten’s cold stare.

  “Good boy,” he said, patting Henry’s cheek before turning back towards Karsten. The king’s body tensed as he regarded his son, something Henry picked up on quickly. He was distant, rigid, cold.

  “Karsten,” the king nearly barked. “Get acquainted with the general. He will be my eyes and ears while you and Orian are here. For now, I have other things to attend to.” And with that the king turned on his heel, his cape fluttering behind him as he left.

  Karsten and Henry were alone once more. Light flickered from the sconces on the wall as thin popping sounds greeted Henry’s ears. He briefly wondered where they resonated until he saw the sparks dancing from the prince’s fingertips.

  “Karsten,” he began, unsure of what to say or where he was going with the conversation. Karsten turned his gaze towards Henry and studied him for what felt like the longest moments in Henry’s life. He wanted to curl in on himself, or down in his shower to avoid the prince. But unfortunately, he wouldn’t be able to do either.

  Fuck. Karsten was very clearly pissed at Henry, that much was clear. Clearing his throat, Henry took a deep breath before trying to address him again.

  “I have started brainstorming ideas on how to kill off the humans. However, my studies won't be complete until I get to the Earth plane and find some…subjects.”

  “And how do you plan to find your subjects?” Karsten asked, his cool tone biting at Henry’s nerves. He shut his eyes, another attempt at keeping calm before he spoke.

  “By any means necessary, your grace. I was not allocated my position on mere looks. I have a very capable brain. I plan to complete the job your father has yet to do himself. It is all in here,” he pointed towards his head, “I will share everything in the meeting with the Elders and the king.”

  “Change of plans, the meeting has been moved to now. Follow me, General, we have much work to do,” Karsten hissed as he outstretched his hand towards Henry. Confused on his feelings for the young prince, Henry took hold of Karsten’s hand as his body jerked behind the already moving prince. Electricity shot through his arm, coursing pain through his veins and into his chest, but he kept ahold of Karsten’s hand. He had to. He had to figure out what this all meant.

  *

  The room was small, sterile in appearance as the smell of freshly white paint wafted through Henry’s nostrils. Lights twinkled from a dimly lit chandelier, giving the room a faint orangey glow. Henry wrinkled his nose at the chemical smell as he was greeted by the king and a few of the Elders all seated at a round white table. Mercurial stepped forward, outstretching his boney hand to the general. Henry hesitated only a moment before grasping the Skeletal Man’s hand and silently nodding. Formalities were to be adhered to. He moved next to Irisi, bowing low to the king.

  “General McAlister,” he cooed gently from his chair. “You may stand. I want to hear more of these ideas you have. As you can see our world is dying. Soon, the kingdom will be able to tell and panic will ensue. This must not happen. We need Earth. Therefore, the humans must die. I will not live alongside a weak breed of people. So, tell me McAlister, what have you got?”

  Henry opened his mouth but quickly shut it. The words he used would affect everything. They needed to be precise and concise. Taking a deep breath, Henry began.

  “As you all know, the Vanderwall family has held the throne since Jasal came to the Midland. We have tried since the beginning of our time to eliminate the human race. Why? Well the Midland was never meant to be a plane for us to live on, only a temporary fix for our ancestor’s survival. But now, after several years, we are starting to see the deterioration of our land. Our world is slowly dying. The Midland is slowly perishing, and unless we move, we will die. Now, with that being said, what better way to save our species than to eliminate a lesser one? The humans are nasty creatures, caring for only themselves. They relish in destruction, greed, death, and fornication. So, instead of their blood being on our hands, why not have it be on their own?” Silence hung like a thick blanket through the air. Henry continued, “We get the humans to kill themselves.” Moments passed as each member at the table looked at one another, as if passing a silent message between one another. Irisi was the first to break the silence.

  “So, what exactly are you suggesting? A genocide?” Mercurial croaked, scratching at his leathery face. His eyes narrowed as they focused more on Henry.

  “Yes, in a sense. We prompt them to take themselves out.”

  “And how do you plan to do that? Do you really think the humans will just bend over and let us stick it to them? Have you not learned from the last times? They are very adaptable creatures. You said it yourself, for God’s sake! They relish destruction. But if we invade them and a war breaks out, they will rally together to ensure their own survival. We are dying as a species; our forefathers are still dying to protect us! Going to Earth to ensure a mass murder will only get us killed, and with only a handful of Elders left, I think we are better off staying here,” Karsten replied, his voice deep and threatening, as though he was challenging the general. His clenched fists crashed onto the table, rattling everything as he emphasized his point. Henry stood from his seat and leaned forward with both arms extended, pushing his weight into his arms.

  Stay professional.

  “I never said we would invade Earth. Perhaps that is an option, but not yet. Not unless we all want to die. The fledglings are not ready yet and I will not risk more lives. I will go to Earth with a team. Learn about their immunities and weaknesses, and then my team and I will come back and concoct a disease, far superior to that of any mortal disease, plague, et cetera. We will make it airborne, so no one is safe. We, of course, will be. Let the humans kill each other for a cure while we sit back and reap the rewards.” Henry said with an air of nonchalance. Karsten smiled slighting, watching Henry’s facial features darken.

  “I like that,” Mercurial croaked from his seat as he raised a glass of dark red liquid to his thin lips. “No blood on our hands. Very neat.”

  “I second that notion,” another Elder chimed.

  “Then it is settled. I will give you a week to assemble a team, take both of my sons, Orian can learn a lot from you, General,” Irisi said, pushing back from the table. The harsh sounds of scraping chair legs echoed through the room as each person at the table stood. Irisi was the first to exit, his robes billowing behind him as he walked. Slowly, the room died down until Henry was alone with his racing thoughts.

  Well, that worked out well. Now the real fun begins.

  *

  Hours passed as the daylight faded, spraying its rays across the sterile white tiled floors of the laboratory. Henry’s eyes burned as he sat with the alchemist, trying to fight off sleep. Resting his head on his gloved hand, he stared at the bright green liquid.

  “And so, if we allow the mixture to sit a while, it should solidify. Once it is in its solid form, we can dice it up,” one of the alchemists chimed. Henry yawned as he pushed from the counter, stretching out his arms.

  “How long before I can gather the experiment?” he asked.

  “About a day or so. We will have it ready for you General. Though we will need authorization from the king before you can utilize it.” Henry’s face pulled into a grimace as his mind whirled. The king was an utter failure, his boss, sure, but a failure nonetheless. He could spare no chance on the moron and would need to take things into his own hands if things came down to it.

  “That won’t be an issue,” he grunted before pulling off his rubber glove, disposing of it. “I’ll get your authorization. Just get the experiment done.”

  ******

  Eight

  Hanna

  Bodies filled th
e streets as the stench of blood and death choked the air from Hanna’s lungs. It burned. Oh God, did it burn, and Hanna wanted it all to end. Screams pierced the air, sending icy chills down her spine. Red-hot pain flared through her body as her vision began to tunnel. Removing her hand from her side, Hanna watched as sticky red liquid painted her fingers, staining her clothes. Her stomach lurched as she fought down the vomit that threatened to come up.

  Blood.

  Her blood, spilling out of her like a faucet. And her life was slowly ebbing away. Eyes wide with fear, Hanna glanced down. Something had torn into her, like she had been a snack. She was next. They would find her, and then it would all be over.

  “Hanna, stay with me!” the boy cried out. She was beginning to fade as her vision narrowed. The pain was saturating as she silently wished for death to come rescue her. “Hanna, please!” the voice plead. Blond hair and bright eyes filled her vision before darkness took over.

  *

  Sweat beaded as it formed along Hanna’s brow. Everything had gone dark as another vision slammed into her, knocking her to one knee. Wincing, Hanna bit into her lip as pain seared through her patella. She reached out, for what? She did not know as she tumbled to the ground. Tears formed in her eyes as she fought back the urge to cry. The sounds of the cars passing on the streets, slowly filled her ringing ears. She was back, completely back and yet, utterly alone. The sting of hot tears pricked at her cheeks as she held her pounding skull. Her brain wanted to kill her. Heck! This world wanted to kill her! And for a brief moment, Hanna’s mind whirled back to her vision, back to her death.

  Would anyone even miss me? she wondered for a splitting second before shaking the thought away. Of course, people would miss me. Adrian would miss me, perhaps even Mom.

  Peeling her eyes open, she scowled as the mid-morning sun blinded her. She could only imagine what she looked like. Bloodied and bruised, and yet not a single person had stopped to help her. Mutters of “Freak” and “Weirdo” echoed from the kids laughing in the distance.

  “Assholes,” she muttered under her breath, rolling to her bottom. Hanna sighed, wiping away the tears that continued to silently flow. She was a social pariah.

  I am strong. I am a force to reckon with, she told herself in a half-hearted attempt to make herself feel better. Plucking at the blood-soaked strings on the now ruined knee of her brand-new pants, her mind drifted back to the boy with the shaggy blond hair.

  Come rescue me. Save me from the monsters that threaten me. Save me from…myself.

  The visions were coming more frequently and that scared the living hell out of her. She had just witnessed what exactly?

  Footsteps pounded the pavement outside of the school as Hanna turned around. Two silhouettes came into her very blurry vision. Dark at first, both shadows moved towards her. Hanna blinked, focusing on clearing her eyesight up a bit, once, twice before her world became clear. Adrian stopped, doubling over as he held himself on his knees gasping for air. His dark curly locks were disheveled as he threw down his backpack to help Hanna up. Laughter bubbled in the back of her throat. Adrian was adorable and her only friend. As he bent down, a much taller figure came into view as he slowed next to her brother, Mr. Norris, the school janitor.

  “Hanna!” Adrian cried, gasping for air. “Are…you…okay?” he huffed out in between gulps. Despite her pain, Hanna giggled. His face reddened and the more she looked, the more Hanna laughed. Adrian looked like a beached fish.

  “I’m fine, Adrian. Just— Could you help me walk?”

  “Of course, I will, but stop laughing at me.”

  “Okay, okay,” Hanna laughed, contesting to her brother’s furrowed brows and scrunched face. Adrian’s face perked as he leaned down grabbing Hanna around the waist and slowly helping her to her feet. Pain swam around her knee as Hanna put pressure on it and with a sigh she looked down.

  “It’s no use. My knee is pretty bad.”

  “J-just have some faith in me, would ya?” Adrian gritted out. Silently Hanna nodded pushing more pressure onto her knee. She winced, breathing slow, ragged breaths and began to hobble. She was close to the school entrance, she could take it from here. The last thing she needed was for Adrian to hear the nasty things people said about her. She could save him from that at least. Clenching her jaw, she pushed herself upright. Pain seared into her knee and up her leg as she bit back the cries that threatened to break free. Slinging her backpack over her shoulder, Hanna leaned down and pecked Adrian on the cheek, lingering by his ear.

  “You’re my light in the dark, don’t you forget that,” she whispered before turning and entering through the doors.

  The halls packed with kids at their lockers or talking to friends, as Hanna entered the school, each of them turning to stare at her. She didn’t understand why they hated her so much. She had done nothing to them. Coming up on her locker, Hanna froze, staring at the broken purple locket that hung smashed up on the handle. She clenched her hands into fists, digging her nails into her palms. These things were always happening. She would buy something for school, only to have it destroyed.

  Why do they hate me? she thought again. Her mind shifted to darker thoughts as the question: Would anyone really miss me? Played through her thoughts once more. Tears pricked at her eyes and her fists tightened, drawing blood between her nails.

  “Awe, the freak is crying!” some shouted, followed by laughter. Uncurling her hand, Hanna opened her locker, retrieved her books, and heaved the door with a slam. She needed to get out of there. Casting her gaze to the floor, Hanna put her head down and headed toward her first class.

  *

  The library was silent and empty as Hanna pushed her way through the double doors, hoping to score one of the computers. She needed to do research without wandering eyes questioning her, though she suspected no one would care what she did, they hardly ever did. She needed to know more about visions. What they were, what they meant and why they were happening to her…

  Darting up one of the many stairwells, Hanna approached the second floor. Her eyes spotted an empty nook with one sole computer begging to be used. Perfect! Hanna smiled to herself and briskly made for the computer, dropping her bookbag on the floor. The bag landed with a loud thump as Hanna slid into the seat.

  Reaching for the mouse, she clicked onto the internet and typed in her questions. Little by little, she gathered small bits of information but nothing that really answered her nagging thoughts. She closed her eyes in defeat and sighed. The world hated her. She breathed in, feeling as though an elephant sat on her chest and slowly exhaled. This was it. She would die from these visions, fall prey to them as they slowly consumed her. And honestly, no one would notice her gone. Not her mom, not her classmates, no one except Adrian, and he would manage. Right? Leaning down, Hanna gathered her book bag and slugged it back over her shoulder before clicking off the internet.

  Rising from her seat, two voices emerged behind Hanna cloaked by the bookshelves, but what they said peaked her interest. Silently, she moved closer being careful to not bump into the shelves and spook the girls. Hanna peaked between the books as she leaned in to listen. Two girls from her class stood arguing with one another, deep in conversation.

  “I am telling you, Clare. Ms. Tropi is the best psychic around! She knew about my grandfather before we even did. And then what about you and Ace? Huh? she knew about that, too!” one girl whispered furiously, looking about to see if anyone was listening. Hanna smiled as she ducked from the girl’s view.

  “I am not going to some whackjob. I don't care how much this con-artist knew about you and your family I am not going.” the other girl hissed back. Hanna froze. Why hadn’t she thought of going to a psychic? Surely, they would know something about her if they looked to the universe for answers. And God, did Hanna need answers. Hanna crouched, pulling her book bag from her back. Unzipping it, she ruffled through until she found a notebook and pen, recalling the information the two girls from her class spoke about. She would f
ind this psychic, and then maybe she would finally get some answers.

  ******

  Nine

  Karsten

  Anger coursed through Karsten like a riptide through water. Henry had made him look like a fool in front of his father and grandfather and furthermore, he had lied to Karsten. Henry was to be his boss? I think not. He was a prince, for fucks sake! He was in charge of the entire kingdom, sort of, and to undermine him on the battlefield, well that really pissed him off.

  What the fuck!

  Karsten stormed through the halls of the Consortium, heedless of those around him, shoving anyone who crossed him. He wanted to slap the living shit out of Henry. How dare he cross the young commander and prince! And the fact that Henry lied, pushed Karsten past his reasonable point. He stomped through the halls, not noticing a darkness that sprouted deep within him, a darkness that would change everything. His heavy footsteps crashed as he made his way through the training center towards the Militant corridors where the general would surely be located.

  That motherfucker, Karsten silently screamed. That motherfucking liar! I will not be made a fool of. I will not! Karsten was a strong man, able to take anything that life threw his way, but one thing he could not handle was being lied to. Reaching his destination, his fist angrily smashed against the dark wooden door that read:

  Room 309

  Occupant: General Hendrix McCalister

  Creaking and groaning, the door threatened to break, but that was the least of his worries. Shifting his weight from side to side, Karsten grew anxious and the more he waited the angrier he got.

  “OPEN THE FUCKING DOOR, HENRY!” he bellowed, his voice reverberating off the elaborately decorated walls. “I AM YOUR PRINCE, AND YOU WILL SPEAK TO ME!” Silence greeted the young prince as noise rustled beyond the door, faint enough for Karsten to hear as it slowly began to open. Henry’s eye poked through the small crack as he assessed the young prince. His hair was disheveled, likely from sleeping after making a fool of him at the meeting. It was late, Karsten knew that and they both were settling into their new quarters, but he had to confront the general. He had to set things straight.