Children of Sun (Oracle's Legacy)

by R. B. Holbrook

  "No, you need to stay here and keep the family protected. I'll call Granger. He can help us better than you could, considering all of us are dealing with …" Ellis felt the pain of her loss. It would never go away.

  "And you think you can do it? You're a mess yourself," Geo scoffed. "All of us are responsible for Bones--"

  "I need to do this. I need to be the one to find him." Ellis walked to the door. "I've made up my mind. And I won't be back until he's found," Ellis said, going to pack his bag.

  He had just lied to them. He had no intention of looking for Bones directly, as instructed. If anything happened to his little brother …

  After packing, he headed for the roof, where all of his remaining brothers and sisters waited. They all looked morbid. Ellis didn't say a word as he headed for the helicopter.

  "Ellis!" O-no yelled, strolling casually up to the helicopter.

  Ellis looked down at O-no. "Yeah?"

  O-no hugged him. The others came to hug him as well. "Come back home," Vlad whispered in his ear.

  "Right." Ellis smiled.

  "Umm, in the copter, I left ya a gift, priddy bow and everythin'. Ya know, fer good luck." Wolfe smiled sheepishly. Cee looked at Wolfe, frowning. A gift from Wolfe came in the form of weapons and ammunition.

  "Thanks," Ellis chuckled before climbing into the helicopter.

  "If you don't come back alive and with our brother, you'll be on my list." Geo scowled, stepping away from the helicopter.

  "Good to know," Ellis said before powering up the vehicle.

  ()()()

  Temple of Octarchy

  The wind blew over Mary's books as she looked out the window at the island. There was no need for her to sit in on this meeting; in truth, she was no longer a Grand House member--Augustus Granger was. Though he allowed her to do as she wished, when he felt like it, he would pop up in her head. As annoying as it was, it was also frightening. She feared any wrong move. She consulted him on everything, because any moment, he could pull her strings, and she would be powerless in her own body.

  They called him a soul possessor, but he was more like a body snatcher.

  She felt him laughing at her, and she cringed.

  "What is this meeting about again?" Mary snapped.

  Logan Brashire, an acquaintance of Granger's, just looked at her, frowning. "Haven't you been listening? There is some important information that is being brought to our attention. River will be the first to receive it, and if our sources are correct, it will help give us the edge against other Houses."

  "If this news is as good as they say it is," Sadhu said, leaning back in his chair, "River will have the next Oracle position."

  The three of them sat waiting as Sadhu and Logan continued chatting like old friends. Mary never had gotten along with the other two Grand House members.

  When the door to the meeting room opened, her old assistant Marissa walked through the door with three other people. The three people Mary had never seen before looked … unusually otherworldly.

  Mary was uncomfortable looking at Marissa coming into the room with such authority. She scowled at the woman, who smiled with such arrogance that Mary wanted to smack her face off.

  "Good afternoon," she said with that strange accent.

  "Marissa?" Even Logan was surprised by this woman, who was known as a gifted assistant to both Mary and the late Nikolai. "Why the hell are you here?"

  "I called this meeting."

  Mary looked at the other two Heads as they looked at her and each other, bewildered.

  "I assure you, this is not the only shock you will receive today. I wonder if you have realized it yet, but the Oracle has yet to address the issue of her death or even when the choosing process will be held." Her narrow lips pinched tight as her eyes pierced them all.

  "I am sure she will," Logan said.

  "She will not. Because she believes she is the last Oracle."

  Mary perked up. "How can that be?"

  "The Structure is scheduled for destruction." Marissa's hands came up, and a very visible ball of energy formed in her hand. Soon the ball grew in size and became a large globe that began to show images. Mary gasped.

  "What is …?" Sadhu backed up in his seat, trying to climb out of it.

  Logan's jaw dropped. None of them had seen anything like this.

  Marissa smiled. "Let me introduce myself. My real name is Fiala, but that is not important. What is important, though, is …" The skin on her face changed, darkening where the River seal appeared, covering her face, neck, head, and hands. And probably her whole body. It shimmered and twisted with life. "I am a River Pillar."

  Mary sat frozen as she felt Granger close off the connection, fearing she would see him. He would come back later for a full report.

  Sadhu shifted uncomfortably. "How is … can this--?"

  "Explain yourself," Mary demanded.

  "Impatient as always." Marissa laughed. "I will tell you that you will step down and allow me to assume the role for all of you. So that I will also become Oracle when the time comes."

  "Excuse me?" Mary stood, only to sit back down when all her energy was drained.

  "You heard me."

  "Why? Why would you do something like this? You are enlightened. You shouldn't care about such things." Logan looked at her, confused.

  "I don't. I care about the Structure. I care what happens to the Structure. But the Oracle has forced my hand. She has allowed forces to act against the Structure. She is working to help destroy it. And the power she is supposed to pass on to her predecessor … she plans on letting it die with her."

  "Where the hell is your proof?" Mary shouted.

  "Watch the globe." The globe showed images of war, destruction, and chaos. It was a global catastrophe. "This is what will happen in the next couple of years if the events are allowed to continue. The Structure will be made public, and seal-less humans will fight us and fight among themselves because of fear, plunging us all into another dark age. The Structure will fall."

  "Why would the Oracle do this?" Sadhu asked, looking at the globe.

  "There are those who believe that the fall of a civilization will give rise to an even greater one. The Oracle feels the same. The fall of the Structure could give rise to an even greater Structure?" Marissa laughed. "That is ridiculous. The fall of the Structure will give rise to a weak, pathetic civilization worse than the one we are now living in."

  "If our civilization is so pathetic, why save it?" Mary slumped down in her chair, feeling the strain to her energy.

  "Because I want to make it as great as it once was. As great as Uni'ki was." She stood proudly. Even Mary was in awe. Uni'ki was an empire; it had ruled the world at one time, not hiding like the Structure was doing now.

  "But are we ready for such a thing? We only represent a fraction of humanity. And how would we achieve such a thing?" Logan sat forward, intrigued.

  "I'm glad you asked. The Oracle has a power known as connectivity, I'm sure you all read my letter. If we all obtained this power, connecting ourselves to one another and using our vast amount of knowledge and power, we would be strong. United, in a way the foundation could never achieve. And there would be no need for an Oracle or Grand House. We would all be equals.

  "The best part is that once the foundation sees the potential, they will join us. And we will finally have the unity that humanity has craved for so long."

  "But last time we were defeated because the powerless outnumbered us," Logan reminded her. Sadhu nodded, agreeing.

  "That was only a small part of it. The truth is, we lost because a small handful of our own people turned against us and destroyed us from the inside out, allowing the powerless to finish us off."

  "What?" Mary and Logan said at the same time.

  "There were a jealous few who could not join the rest of the Uni'ki but still commanded energy. Their jealousy destroyed the Uni'ki. That power has been eliminated, though." Marissa clasped her hands in front of her and bowed h
er head. "But that does not mean it will not return. The Oracle attempted to bring the power back, but it was destroyed before it could be created. The power of the void."

  "You mean, it is real?" Sadhu gasped. "Unbelievable."

  "It was very real and very dangerous. But it is no more." She beamed a radiant smile, and those around her smiled as well. "That means we are free to create the new world and strengthen the Structure to its full potential. But to do this, we need the Oracle or the secret to connectivity. Will you step aside and allow me to establish the new Uni'ki?" She looked at them, daring them. None of them could stand against a Pillar. None of them even had the nerve.

  River belonged to Marissa now, and the only one capable of stopping her was the Oracle herself. But after hearing what Marissa had to say, Mary wasn't sure she wanted the Pillar defeated. This new Structure sounded like the solution to a multitude of humanity's problems. But there was another threat to Marissa's plans, a threat that Mary could not even hint about, who shared her eyes and mind. And it was in Mary's best interest to be on Granger's side, because if he died, she died.

  ()()()

  25

  Heart of Gold, Gulf of Mexico

  Granger watched the helicopter land on the top deck of his yacht. He had hoped for a break from the Mason family after Ollie's death, but that wasn't going to happen. Ellis had said it was extremely important that they meet, which was odd, because Ellis should still be in a nasty funk.

  Granger himself was fighting the urge to shut himself up in his room, but nothing would come of it. The world would still turn without Ollie. He rubbed the back of his neck, trying not to think of the sleep that he'd lost despite his philosophy.

  Joc had left him the moment he returned home after Ollie's funeral. He didn't say much, but it was clear the man was in turmoil. Joc felt betrayed, and it would be a long time before he forgave. Granger told him to call if he ever needed anything from him. Joc offered the same olive branch. They had gone from college friends to best friends to acquaintances. Maybe one day Granger would get his best friend back again.

  Ellis walked down the steps from the upper deck. His hair was wilder than usual. Over the last two weeks, he had grown a beard and mustache that made him look more bohemian than he did before. Ellis's carefree appearance reminded him a lot of Ollie. It was bad enough that the twin looked just like her, but now …

  "Sorry to drop in like this, but we need to talk, and we don't have much time." Ellis had an air of business about him, which surprised Granger. If Granger didn't know any better, Ellis's energy level had increased as well. As far as Granger could tell about the twin, he was a Level Two. But now he was starting to think Ellis was far more advanced than a Level Two. Was Ellis hiding something that Granger could not pick up on before?

  As Granger tried to read Ellis, he found nothing. Ellis was locked tight. He could have hammered his way through Ellis's defenses, but he didn't feel it was necessary. But he wondered how much Ellis had been keeping from him even since their talk a week ago.

  "Since you are in such a hurry, why don't we …" Granger felt a thought slip through and paused. Ellis looked at him intently, as if he knew what Granger was thinking. Ellis had let that thought slip intentionally. "Is that why you are here? To find your brother?"

  "No," Ellis said honestly. Now Granger was confused. "And we won't talk about it further."

  "Then …?"

  You are being watched, Granger. I will say nothing important to you. So if you want to know anything substantial, project your thoughts to me. I know you can do it. I've studied your powers, Ellis thought while Granger stood dumbfounded. "Am I assigned to the same room as before?" Ellis asked, walking past Granger. Granger watched him leave.

  Ellis was definitely different from the quiet bookworm he had been. He still had that quiet strength about him, but there was a focus that was unbelievably similar to Ollie's. Granger frowned, thinking. Ellis had always been that focused, but it was always toward Ollie. Now, with Ollie gone, his focus was on Bones--or had it focused on Granger?

  Okay, this is weird. Granger looked around, wondering what exactly was going on. And who the hell was watching him?

  Granger spent most of the day with Arjun after learning what Mary had found out from Marissa. He was not at all surprised; he was getting used to learning the unbelievable. His mentor was concerned. With this new information and Ellis's presence, the man saw past visions that were confusing and very dark. Arjun had to stop using his abilities to keep from getting a sensory overload. Granger wondered what Arjun saw that was so disturbing.

  Most of all, how was he going to handle this Pillar? He couldn't just sit back and do nothing. While the idea of a united humanity sounded great, there was something not quite right. Something was missing.

  ()()()

  Temple of Octarchy

  Marissa stood over the Mouth. He sat back in his chair relaxed, looking up at her with a smug grin. She had been questioning him for two days in the small windowless room. And he had said nothing. She was above torture, but hoped he would weaken enough so she could probe his mind. Yet he did not waiver.

  He was under the Oracle's protection.

  She slowly walked around him thinking. How was she going to find the Oracle?

  Her phone rang.

  "Yes." She answered looking down at her guest who just grinned.

  "Have you found out anything?"

  "Nothing. Her power protects his mind."

  "Then might I suggest talking with her power."

  Marissa frowned looking down at the Mouth who seemed to be waiting.

  "Bethea?" Marissa asked.

  "Yes, Fiala, how are you?" the Mouth said a self-satisfied smirk on his face.

  "I'll call you back," she said hanging up. She opened her mouth to ask a question.

  "Don't ask me where I am, because I won't tell you."

  "Why are you running? What are you up too?"

  "Running?" he chuckled. "You and I both know I don't need to run."

  "Why are you doing this? What can you hope to bring about, other than destruction?"

  The Mouth's blue-green eyes grew into a pale aqua color. "You really don't understand do you? You have lived far longer than I have and yet you know nothing. How many prophecies have there been, Fiala. How many?"

  "Prophecies can be avoided and corrected. You and I both know--"

  "When the death march begins, the soulless shall rise up like an army, then the old shall be cleansed until new."

  "That could mean anything. Plus, Dietti proved that the destruction could be avoided."

  "Then I have a present for you." The Mouth closed his eyes and opened them again showing pure white eyes. The Oracle was using a vast amount of power if the eyes were completely blank.

  "In the last age of the second wave, God will release the barrier. Energy will flow free, without control. The appointed one will resolve her position. She will remove her hand. Then death will overcome her.

  "Blood will spill to conceal a truth. Blood will spill to preserve my legacy." Color slowly came back to his eyes as they focused on Marissa. A knowing smile crossed his lips.

  Marissa had only heard those words once before. Only once.

  "Tesen." She frowned. "He was no god and you are not unstoppable."

  "If you want to go up against the tide Marissa you are welcome. You and your friends. I will not stand in your way. In fact, I wish you much luck and countless blessings."

  "Then release the rest of my powers."

  "Not yet."

  The Mouth's head dropped and Bethea's energy vanished from the room. Marissa frowned.

  If Bethea wanted to turn her back on the Structure, then she did not deserve her position. Marissa would take it from her grasps before the woman died. She would save her people and revive Uni'ki. That was the Structure's true destiny.

  ()()()

  Heart of Gold, Atlantic Ocean

  It took Granger two days to confront Ellis. The man
looked too much like Ollie to suit him. Every time he thought he could get over her, he would remember her kiss, how she smelled of peppermint, her eyes … he could even feel her skin in his sleep. She was dead in reality but alive inside of his heart and breaking it to pieces. How the hell had she mattered so much to him in such a short amount of time? Though he had spent five years with feelings for her, this new agony could destroy him.

  He hadn't cried when she died. He didn't cry at the funeral. But when he saw Ellis's face, felt the twin's pleas to God to give her back, Granger went to his room and locked himself in. It was the first time he had broken down since his mother was taken and killed. This was a hell he couldn't take again. And the twin's ache was only making it worse.

  It was that third day after lunch when Granger sought out the source of his discomfort. Going down to the yacht's library, he found Ellis neck-deep in books. Sitting at a table, the young man had his head buried in a book as he read feverishly. Books were stacked up around him like a fort as he went from book to book. His mind was wide open, but the thought processes were so rapid that Granger couldn't keep up.

  "You're a Level Three." Granger frowned as he pulled a chair up to the table.

  "No secret," Ellis answered, looking up over the stack of books at him. His large brown eyes blinked several times to focus his vision on Granger. Have you ever heard of the forbidden text?

  Granger thought for a moment. Yes, it relates to how the Structure was recreated after its destruction. But no one knows where it is.

  "Because it's not a text." Ellis leaned back in his chair. "I'm so dim-witted." He groaned, wiping his hands over his face.

  When Ollie and I were younger… (Granger could feel the pain in Ellis with each word he thought.) we were teenagers when we met our mother's family. That's when Ollie was introduced to Moon and their operations. It was their leader named Devil's Trill--or Creed, as Ollie called him--who introduced her to that world. And because Creed was devoted to our late mother, he inducted me as well. Ellis lifted his shirt up around his neck and stood up. On his chest, just above his left pectoral muscle and below his shoulder, was a symbol branded into his skin. Ellis looked like he was going to be sick as he put his shirt back on and sat down. "Does it look familiar?" Ellis said, rubbing his hands over his face again.