by Lee Watts
Chained and isolated, Merrick leaned back against the cold metallic wall thinking of how everything he'd struggled for during the past thousand years had come to naught. The Dridmor had regained all the keys, and Alexander had fallen, leaving Salazar the one to usher in the new age for the glory of his god. Recounting the many struggles, sacrifices, and sorrows made along the way, it was the first time in his uncounted centuries of life that Merrick… felt old.
CHAPTER 53
"But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible." – Matthew 19:26
Pushing the limits of Realm propulsion technology, it still took the Indomitable more than eight hours to reach the world that Alexander and Salazar had left to find.
"I'm not picking up any vessels in orbit, or on the surface," the sensor operator reported to the ship's commander.
"Scan for life signs," Balin ordered.
"I'm getting readings, but they're faint, looks like subterranean," the crewman reported. "No way to tell what's human though."
"Wait, I'm picking up a signal," said the woman at the communications station. "It's weak but..." checking data from the signal she added, "It's a Realm frequency, Sir."
"Put it through," Blain hurriedly ordered. Cheyenne, Aulani, and Commodore Upton huddled around the HPT with Balin awaiting a word from Alexander, but no sound came from the speakers.
"Lieutenant, what's going on?" Balin questioned.
"Link established," she answered. "The line is open, there's just isn't any sound from the other side."
Balin turned to his first officer.
"Tom, take a shuttle down there. Find out what's happening."
Commodore Upton nodded and quickly turned to leave.
"Wait," Cheyenne said. "I want to go too."
"Your Majesty, I don't think it's a good idea," Balin cautioned. "We have no idea of the conditions on the surface. There could be hostiles. I implore you, please stay on the ship."
Cheyenne desperately wanted to go to find her son, but restrained herself and nodded her agreement to the cleft-chinned Admiral.
"What about me?" Aulani asked.
"It may not be safe," Balin warned. "It's an untamed world."
"Admiral, I lived most of my life on an untamed world. I'll take full responsibility for myself," she insisted.
Reluctantly, Balin nodded then Aulani, and Upton hurried from the bridge to meet a landing party in the docking bay. The shuttle launched, tracking the source of the silent transmission. As the shuttle drew near the surface, they saw someone flat on the reddish, clay ground. Before the shuttle's gangplank was fully lowered, they rushed out, dreading the worst. Aulani ran ahead of the others, her dark hair whipping back and forth. Falling to her knees beside the person, she turned the body over, confirming her fears.
"No… oh please no," she pleaded.
The king's skin was a grayish tint, his body long since cold, and numerous injuries evidencing a bitter, final struggle. Aulani's eyes welled, and she shut them hard, squeezing out the tears, hoping to expunge the image of Alexander lying dead. It was too sudden; she wasn't prepared. She didn't even have a chance to say goodbye. She always thought that, somehow, it would all work out for them. Despite Vivica, the war, tradition, deep down she always believed this prince turned king was meant for her, and they would get to spend their lives together. Her mind flashed to their last day on Acatus.
This isn't the end, she remembered him saying. There's a future for us out there... I'm not saying it's going to be easy… but we'll make it… we'll make it…
Now her future… no, she couldn't think about the future; she couldn't get past the moment. Her body convulsed from uncontrollable sorrow. Everything seemed frozen in time, she wanted to deny what was happening as if it was unreal, only some horrible dream. Tilting her head skyward, she rocked back and forth while silently praying to wake up, but it wasn't a dream, and when she opened her eyes, his lifeless body remained.
Seeing the communicator clutched in his hand, she freed it and played the waiting message, hearing his last words, "I'm sorry… I'm... sorry."
Hearing the grief in his voice, his broken spirit, it tore at her all the more. Brushing a hand on the side of his face, she thought of the first time she'd seen him. He was much the same way. She spoke to him through heavy tears.
"We… forgive you, Alex. We all forgive you."
She thought of the tremendous demands placed on him from every angle, and how he had accomplished more than anyone ever dreamed possible. Despite this, his last words were apologizing for not doing more. Thinking of how much it was like his nature to consider everyone else before himself, she wondered who his final words were to, who his last thoughts were about… were they of Merrick, his protector, and mentor - of Caedmon, his advisor, and teacher - were they of her?
Sobbing deeply, she could only whisper.
"Alex… I love you."
Bowing her head, she heaved in grief, uttering her goodbye in sounds only the brokenhearted can understand. Commodore Upton, seeing there was nothing that could be done solemnly called to the ship.
"Landing party to Indomitable."
"We read you," came Balin's voice. "Report."
"Admiral, the king… is dead."
Cheyenne gave a weak shriek upon hearing the words, and the entire bridge fell completely silent from a mixture of shock, dread, and respect for the dowager queen's grief. Balin waited a long while before responding.
"Copy that landing party," he said lowly. "Return to the ship. We'll… investigate later."
"Aye, Admiral," Upton replied and closed the channel.
The Indomitable returned to Theera, and Alexander's body was laid in state at the nearly completed main hall of the royal palace. For two days, people throughout the free worlds of the Realm came to view the body and pay their respects to the fallen king.
Cheyenne, not believing it appropriate to sit in the throne since she had abdicated, sat at a specially prepared area to the left of the main platform. For the viewing of the body, the coffin was placed in front of the thrones on the elevated dais. Royal guards flanked the left and right of their fallen sovereign, and Chief Mediator Wasi, in his most resplendent regalia, stood several steps behind the casket.
After the first half-day of the viewing, Vivica excused herself by saying she was, "too overcome to stay any longer." Apparently, her grief drove her to the warm Estrada Islands of southern Enty.
"What happens now?" Aulani quietly asked Admiral Balin as mourners reverently passed through the royal hall to see the body and offer condolences to the former queen.
"Will Queen Cheyenne rule again?"
"I doubt it," the Admiral answered. "There's no precedent for this type of situation. Her Highness was never one to crave power. When Darius was killed, she took control because she had to, and considering what happened to her last time, I doubt many of the Councilors would accept her back on the throne."
"Then who will lead the Realm?"
"That's the problem. There's no one left of the royal bloodline except Salazar, but they won't have him back. So, it will fall to the Council to appoint a new king or queen. Many of the nobles are already vying for position. The House of Mill has quite a few supporters among the inner colonies, and of course, there's the Marquis of Estrada. He's a good man, and probably the most influential person on Enty right now, but I can think of three or four others who will launch serious bids for the crown. Allegiances will be divided… they'll bicker and squabble, and when they don't get their way… they'll turn on each other."
"Turn?" Aulani questioned. "Civil war?"
"Probably," the grizzled man acknowledged. "Alexander was what was holding the Realm together, but now…"
A soft beep from his communication device interrupted Balin's comment. He knew it must be important if someone was calling him while he was at the viewing.
"Admiral, this is Central Command; we're detecting a massive fle
et approaching the home system."
"Blast," Balin exclaimed under his breath. "Send out a fleet-wide signal, code triple zulu. I'll secure her Highness and get her to a transport. Have the-"
"Sir," the voice on the communicator interjected. "We're getting a reading on those ships. They're not Ramillie; they're… Chinix."
"Chinix?"
"Yes, Sir. Most are, but it looks like they have several others with them."
"Caedmon," Balin reasoned aloud about the odd appearance of the alien fleet. "He must have secured the alliance with the Chinix Coalition."
"Looks like you're right, Admiral. We're receiving a message; it says the Faithful Voice is on his way to the palace right now. Sorry for the scare, Sir."
"It's alright. Keep me informed of any developments. Balin out."
As the admiral closed the transmission, Aulani asked, "Do you think Caedmon knows about…?"
Balin nodded.
"From what I have heard of the man, he knows even the secret things, and word of the king's demise is far from a secret."
Nearly an hour later the immensely tall double doors of the newly renovated hall opened and entered Caedmon of Tishbia - Faithful Voice of the Elder. Everyone's already hushed voices ceased entirely as the holy man marched down the center of the lengthy hall, the tapping of his ever-present walking staff the only sound. Ascending the seven stairs to the top of the royal platform, Caedmon drew back his cloak's hood and stared down on the lifeless king. Shifting his eyes, he noticed Merrick's absence and knew something was woefully amiss for the Guardian not to be there.
Yilib Wasi stood on the platform, contemptuously eying his rival.
"How long?" Caedmon asked without taking his eyes off of Alexander.
"This is the third day," Yilib snipped.
"Then… perhaps it is not too late," Caedmon whispered.
One hand on his staff, Caedmon placed the other on Alexander's chest. Then the Faithful Voice prayed silently, fervently, and the Elder answered His servant's plea.
Inhaling sharply, Alexander arched his back and shouted loudly as if suddenly pierced from behind. All in the room gasped, many fainting. Falling flat again, the King mumbled something unintelligible. Caedmon leaded closer to try and understand the barely audible words.
"I promise. I promise. I promi-"
Alexander opened his eyes, and light poured so brightly from them that Caedmon had to squint and partially look away. Within a moment the light faded, and Alexander's eyes returned to normal.
"I'm… I'm back," he whispered in momentary disbelief. "He sent me back." A deep smile crossed the king's face. "Thank you," he said in prayer, and then looked to his old mentor standing over him. "And thank you, Caedmon."
"I am but the tool the Master hast used."
Alexander smiled.
"And I've wasted too much time," he said then sat up, causing many more in the room to lose consciousness. Caedmon stepped aside, and Alexander lifted himself from the coffin, springing to his feet.
"Alex?" Aulani whispered in baffled, joyous awe.
"PEOPLE OF THE REALM," the King confidently declared. "GLORY TO THE ELDER WHO HAS THIS DAY SAW FIT TO RETURN ME!"
Aulani was in shock. Alexander lived! Not weak and slowly recovering, he was as strong and as confident as she had ever seen him, far more so. It seemed to her that his face was changed. Aulani couldn't put her finger on it, but he was different. As he spoke, she saw it in his demeanor and voice; it was him but on another level. He seemed more alive than ever, more sure, more driven, more intense. She watched in amazement of the miracle as he addressed the assembled throng.
"THIS AGE IS FAR SPENT; THE HOUR OF ITS PASSING IS ALMOST AT HAND. OUR ENEMIES EVEN NOW GATHER TO BRING ABOUT AN END TO THE WAR, AND END IT SOON WILL, BUT BE STRONG AND OF GOOD COURAGE. I HAVE BEEN TO THE OTHER SIDE AND HAVE SEEN PRECISELY WHAT WE MUST DO."
With that, Alexander strode out of the hall, Caedmon at his side. There was much work to be done before the age ended, and Alexander had made a promise to the Elder, a promise he had to keep.
***
Clearly furious, Koraden burst into the throne room of the Hegemony capitol. Detecting his rage, Imenand and the Ramillie leader Kahira rose from their seats. Saqir Nexos, already standing, halted his report upon seeing the fuming Koraden's approach. Wisely stepping aside, Saqir tried to be invisible. Ascending the platform steps two at a time, Koraden kept his eyes fixed on the other Dridmor. Reaching the top, he backfisted Imenand across the face.
"YOU SAID HE WAS DEAD," Koraden accused.
Turning back to look at the Dridmor Overlord, anger boiled in Imenand. Restraining his desire to strike back, he defiantly spat out some of the blood pooling in his mouth. With a gloved hand, he whipped wayward stands of his long hair from his face.
"Who?" Imenand seethed.
"Alexander Lyons, the Bachiyr!"
"The Bachiyr? Impossible," Imenand insisted. "I killed him myself."
"Our agent in the Theera palace seems to disagree with you," Koraden fumed while pointing to the words on the datapad he held. Disgusted, he forcefully tossed the tablet to the other Dridmor. "No, Lyons is alive, and his allies are seeing this as a sign. Since his… return, there are reports of scores of new races joining his so-called Coalition."
"Maybe it's a trick… a clone," Imenand offered.
"No, it's him."
"What do we do?" Imenand asked. "There's no way I could get near him again. They'd see me."
"So, we send one they cannot see, one they cannot defend against. We're almost out of time. We can't afford to wait any longer. The legions are ready. We must prepare the way, and there can be no obstacles. Lyons must be eliminated."
Tilting his head upward, Koraden began to chant in the ancient tongue of the fallen ones.
"Ka Tchar, Ka Tchar, tali hone. Jama'a quwwa men zalam wa isfaq."
The pupils of Imenand's eyes expanded to encompass his entire vision. Lifting his head, he joined the chant in unison with Koraden.
"Ka Tchar, Ka Tchar, tali hone. Jama'a quwwa men zalam wa isfaq."
Saqir understood some of the Dridmor tongue and tried to translate the words in his head. Soul Seeker, Soul Seeker come forth. Gather strength from darkness and fear.
Sparks shot out from sconces throughout the room. The lights went dark until at last all was like pitch. Saqir had never felt darkness before, but now he did. It was like a heavy blanket enveloping him. The words of the two Dridmor grew in volume and, somehow, were joined by other voices. It didn't sound like Potentate Kahira, but Saqir wasn't sure what the voices were at first. Though there were no windows in the throne room, wind began to blow. It became a mighty gust that whipped against Saqir's clothes. The roaring wind and unholy choir of chanting voices were deafening to him. At first, he was unsure if his eyes were playing tricks on him, but an ethereal, scarlet light intensified. It was as smoke rising from a pit illuminated by some fire beneath. Transfixed on the smoke belching from the opening, Saqir suddenly staggered back in fear as a horrific creature ascended from the crater. It was massive, with muscles bulging beneath its gray skin. A pair of forward pointing curved horns protruded from its head and its two black eyes peered around the room as if stalking. Saqir was terrified the beast would see him but suppressed his instinct to run. Steadying himself in the wind, he held his position in terrified awe of the creature. The creature's eyes bore into the Ramillie then turned to face those who had summoned it. Flickers of light from the pit partially played across the two Dridmor's faces. They were smiling wickedly.
Koraden addressed the horrific beast. His speech was fast, that, coupled with the noise of the wind allowed Saqir to catch only part of the words. "Bachyir… Theera…Gate…" The creature bellowed a deep roar then flashed, turning into a deep scarlet ball of energy. The luminous sphere leaped upward as if shot from a cannon. Disappearing as it hit the ceiling, it burst from the roof and up through the atmosphere toward space.
Suddenly, the wind died, a
nd the power to the lights returned. Koraden and Imenand's eyes were returned to normal, but Saqir was confused.
"My Lords, where… where did it go?"
"The Ka Tchar will go to Realm space, and then it will make its way to the Theeran palace and at last rid us of that accursed mortal," Koraden answered.
Focused on its mission, the soul seeker joined itself to a ship and quickly progressed toward Realm space. Moving from patrols to transports, and freighters, the beast made its way to the system of twin worlds.
On a cool, star-filled night, Aulani walked her animal companion Tooka through the gardens surrounding the palace. Unexpectedly, the beast stopped and looked up. Learning to take cues from the animal's senses, Aulani glanced up at the night sky and noticed a shooting star streaking overhead. Unlike other meteorites that burn white hot as they plunged through the atmosphere, this one left a long trail of quickly fading red. She thought it curious, but unimportant. In a moment, the pseudo comet passed out of sight as it continued its descent to the planet. About to resume her stroll, Aulani paused and noticed the night creatures had all grown suddenly silent. Her old jungle survival instincts put her on alert, and for a reason, she couldn't pinpoint, she felt in imminent danger. Calling to Tooka, she decided to cut their walk short and hurried back in the palace.
In a wooded area just outside the city, the red ball of energy splashed to the ground. Smokey red energy splattered from the impact with the planet's surface then slowly coalesced into the form of a spirit being. The Ka Tchar knew it must act quickly. The legions were on their way, and for the new age to begin, their age, Alexander Lyons must die.
