All the wizards assembled released small clouds of green mist directly above their heads to indicate his or her affirmative vote. Not one red cloud to be seen anywhere. Wei, counting out loud, continued, “…eighteen, nineteen, twenty. It’s unanimous. The motion is carried!”
Whooping ensued, which Wei abruptly cut off with a swooping motion of his hand. “Don’t forget,” he waggled a finger at each wizard, “that we must still follow the proper voting procedure, one council at a time, on that April thirtieth. AJI will start first, following the time zones, and then culminate with NAM.” He smiled. “Now, you may celebrate!”
Joy and jubilance erupted. Each and every wizard zapped him or herself out of their seat to materialize in the center of the sphere, where they all could hug, slap, embrace, and shake hands with one another.
Before the NAM council disbanded to join the celebrations, Indie sternly glanced at each of her three colleagues.
She stated coldly, “Under no circumstances is anyone going to inform our Supreme Liaison of this. Anyone who does so will be brought to the full attention and disciplinary proceedings of the Five Continents. Do you understand?”
All three nodded solemnly.
Inside, Regi felt a severe twang of guilt. He’d have to break off his romance with Amanda. Between the two of them, he had to choose Elsedor. It was the only way.
Chapter Forty-Eight
Amanda returned to her spacious office at Liberators’ Headquarters after a pleasant evening out with her family. She’d alerted them of developments in finding out the wizards’ secrets, and was relieved to be able to get things off her chest. Her mother always took notes, and her father always recorded everything she said. All of this information would be copied and conveyed to Partners with Liberators for private safekeeping.
As for the relationship with Regi, she’d hinted at it, but didn’t inform them that she was truly in love with him. Too complicated.
As she tossed her purse onto the chair by the entrance door, she saw a glowing yellow-hued hologram of Regi in front of her desk. This was the way they left messages for each other. She did the same for any of the other wizards using that hologram inscriber device in her office.
Her heart beating with excitement, she wondered what plans Regi had made for her. Another trip to the uninhabited Jemo Island in the Pacific, where no one would see them together? Or perhaps another trip to the moon?
“Amanda J. Fullerton, alpha one,” she stated clearly. Upon her words, the hologram activated. The three-dimensional image of Regi appeared quite stern, which concerned her before she’d even heard his message.
“Amanda,” the hologram said sadly, “I must cease all contact with you. I can’t explain. I can only see you during council functions. I also trust you will not reveal our secrets to anyone.”
And then, the hologram then disappeared.
Amanda gasped and clutched her heart.
What was going on?
Chapter Forty-Nine
Amanda read the crime surveillance reports, resting on her bed by lying atop its cover. She tried to let her body relax naturally, but she was still tensed, expecting the wizard at any moment now.
A movement detected at the corner of her eye told her Demus was here.
He sat in his usual chair, sighing with relief. He’d exhibited that now-familiar sheepish grin he’d always displayed when caught in trouble. “I got your hologram, Amanda.”
She bravely put on an act, hoping he wouldn’t subject her to more torment, like a cat would do with a caught mouse. Still, with Regi refusing outright to acknowledge her, she had to play her chips as she could. “Demus,” she said soothingly, “I really missed you.”
“You forgive me?”
“Demus, I find it impossible to resist you. I try, but it’s so hard.”
The red-attired wizard was happily absorbing all the adulation. “Really?”
Amanda nodded and patted the side of her bed. “Come here.”
He materialized beside her, and this time, he had concern in his eyes. “I’m really sorry, Amanda. I honestly thought you’d enjoy that game.”
“It’s okay, Demus.”
“I mean – I made it so easy and all that –”
She slowly pressed her index finger against his lips. “Quiet now. We always seem to fight when we’re talking. Can’t we just do some simple, fun magic?” She peered at him with pleading eyes. “You know, something that doesn’t scare or torment me?”
Demus laughed. “I know, I just like baiting people. I get a kick out of it.”
“Stop it.”
“Well, I’ve something very safe for you, Amanda.” He unclasped his hands, and a three-inch toy ballerina appeared in the air above them, dipping one leg down, then back up, then down again, in an endless cycle. Soft romantic mood played in the background. He looked at her, hungry for her affection. “It’s our version of a music box. Is that good enough for you?”
“It’s beautiful, Demus.”
He grasped her hands, lying on his side. Gazing out of lonely eyes, he implored, “Can we start again?”
Amanda sat up, frowning. “I’ve always wanted a king. It’s every woman’s fantasy.” She held out her hand, and then clutched it dramatically. “Someone who knows his way. Someone with power.”
“Power,” Demus said dreamily, “I like that.”
She leaned in and stroked gently at the V-shaped display of skin upon Demus’ upper chest, between the shirt collars. Demus sighed with contentment, not wanting to ever open his eyes again.
“Demus,” she murmured, “is something exciting going on? Are the Liberators ready to assume their rightful place in the world?”
“Do my neck, please,” Demus moaned, still at peace. “Yes, there – on the side. More.”
“So, any big plans to conquer the world, Demus? Will you be my king?”
“Oh, yes,” he grinned, then opened his eyes in excitement. “You won’t believe it.”
“Tell me more,” Amanda coaxed. “I would love to be your queen, sitting by your side.”
“Well, I’m not sure that’d be accepted by the public. But we can pretend, can’t we?” He laughed out loud. “Okay, Amanda, you really have to keep this a secret.”
Amanda’s nerves tightened and her pulse raced. Steadying herself to calm down, she murmured, “Of course. I’ve always kept Emerana a secret, haven’t I? And the way you scared me last time, not a peep out of me.”
“True.” Demus had closed his eyes again. Amanda combed her fingers through his thick brown hair.
“I really miss you, Demus. I lie down every night, just thinking of you.”
He couldn’t contain himself. “Okay, here’s the news of the century – no, make that the millennium!”
“That’s exciting, huh?” Find his sweet spot on his scalp, keep massaging.
“Yes. Effective one week from now –”
Of course. Elsedor’s birthday.
“We wizards will start The Prophecy.”
Amanda started to breathe heavily, but compelled herself to intake air normally. “Very intriguing. What exactly is ‘The Prophecy’?”
“It’s when Elsedor decreed that the wizards shall rule over the Earth for one thousand years.”
Amanda nearly recoiled from Demus upon the revelation. One thousand years? Almost choking, she managed to convey a deferential tone. “So what exactly are they doing to do, Demus?”
The wizard sat up, fully awake, full of vim. He held out his arms wide. “We’ll continue our rule, of course.”
Eyes blaring, Amanda so badly wanted to smack him. What a liar! All of them were liars! And Regi was in on it, too! She nearly burst into tears. A second later, she realized Demus was looking at her attentively, waiting for her reaction. He didn’t know if she was mightily offended or deliriously happy – or in between.
Desperate to hide her impulses, Amanda opted to suddenly hug him, greatly knocking him off balance. “That’s wonderful, Demus!” Now th
at the initial shock had subsided, Amanda felt her control returning. Now that she knew, she could prevent it. Yes. She was truly happy now – but not for the reasons Demus would expect. “That’s terrific!” she screamed at the top of her lungs, now that she had a plan. Demus mistook her jubilation for approval of the wizards’ grand plan. She stood up on her bed, and jumped up and down. “Whoopee! Time to conquer the world!”
Reacting with gleeful confusion, the wizard also stood up and, clasping her at the sides, hopped up and down with her, in tandem. In the melee that followed, Amanda lost her balance, and fell off the bed. She expected a jarring bruise to her shoulder, but luckily Demus zapped into place a bean bag chair, which broke her fall. He then zapped her back onto the bed.
“My hero,” Amanda hugged and kissed Demus, “you saved me from a nasty fall.”
“My pleasure, madam.” Demus bowed.
“I think this calls for a celebration.” Amanda then held out her hand, as if expecting a wine glass to pop in any moment.
“You mean…?”
“Yup.”
Releasing his fingers in one hand, Demus conjured up two flutes of champagne in each of their right hands.
Amanda elevated her glass, up to eye level, hoping not to choke on the bubbles. “Cheers to King Demus.”
Demus slyly winked at her. “Cheers.”
Chapter Fifty
Two years post-Liberation
At the start of the council meeting, the sense of restlessness pervaded the atmosphere. Something was up in the air. Despite her knowledge, Amanda was probably the most calm of them all. She knew what to do. She had it carefully planned from the start. She just had to play her hand when the time came.
For today was April thirtieth. The second anniversary of Liberation.
The four wizards practically could not contain themselves. They all winked at each other, smirked, and laughed at inopportune times.
Let them savour the moment, Amanda thought.
She did notice, though, Regi stealing guilty glances at her. At one point, he was about to open his mouth when their eyes connected, but he shut up shortly thereafter, glancing away.
Regi can join them in the trash heap, Amanda angrily thought. And Demus? Well, he deserved his own special place in hell. If there was a wizard hell.
Indie started the meeting. “I have exciting news for you!” The cameras were fully on, but she was more speaking to the three other wizards, as if sharing an inside joke. The millions of Mortals watching her every move did not matter to her now; they were her conquered subjects.
Stretching her arms in front of herself, she announced grandiosely, “I just heard from SUDA. They’ve approved the motion.”
Millions of Mortals scratched their heads at the statement, and then waited for more.
Almost singing with glee, she said, “AJI first, then AFRI, then EURO. They all have concurred. They all have voted unanimously. They’ve completed the rituals as commanded by our ever-great god.”
Millions of Twitter messages banded about. Wizard ‘experts’ formulated possible theories of what Indie was taking about, making themselves one hundred and forty-character fools.
The universe now revolved around Indie, and she knew it. She lavishly treasured her pivotal moment in world history. Elsedor was doubtlessly watching from above with bated breath, proud of her for her flawless execution of his thousand-year dream.
“We’re now the last council that has to approve the motion. Once we do so, we set out an irrevocable course for the greatness and majesty of the wizard kingdom.”
Millions of outraged Mortals expressed commentary, all across North America, and reaching out in vast swaths to the other continents; South America, Europe, Africa, and Asia. Not that it mattered. Nothing the Mortals could do – short of Amanda herself, sitting peacefully in her usual spot – could do anything about it.
Indie gazed at the heavens above, feeling like the star of an opera. “For exactly one thousand years ago today, the famed wizard Elsedor made the transition from wizard to god. His magic lives on, something no other wizard has ever duplicated. He set out a prophecy that reveals the path of the wizards in today’s universe. He said when the time was right, we wizards were to rule the world for one thousand years.” Indie, breathless, her eyes glazed over, gazed at each of her companions, avoiding Amanda. She pressed a finger ahead on her desk. “And the time is now.”
There were rude, loud, and irate messages crossing by the millions into cyber zone. Thousands of websites collapsed due to the overwhelming traffic. For once in its history, Twitter simply shut down, buried by the tsunami of demand. Women chatted scandalously in hair salons. Men switched to the topic of politics in bars all across the nations.
“I, Indie, on behalf of the NAM council, introduce the motion to fulfill the mighty Elsedor’s Prophecy, starting today, fulfilling a destiny for the wizards for the next thousand years. And I vote yes.” Her eyes lifted upwards; a gold six-pointed crown appeared on her head.
Amanda calmly stood up. “Just a minute.” She was afraid she was going to faint; her breathing was jagged. Yet to millions of Mortals observing her every nuance, her confidence was unmistakeable.
Indie, with crown still intact, was simply horrified to see this – Mortal – stand up out of turn. “Excuse me?”
“Point of procedure,” Amanda said. “If the process is flawed, the vote is invalid, correct?”
All four wizards expressed confusion, and started to exclaim over one another. Demus stood up, roaring, and flamed up. He shot out explosions of fire, inadvertently presenting a compelling spectacle for television. The other wizards tensed in their seats, knowing that to become aflame meant that Demus had lost control over his emotions. It was very rare to see a wizard so angry that he spontaneously—yet, harmlessly—combusted.
The aura of fire suddenly vanished from Demus’ exterior as he regained composure and snapped his fingers. Trembling with fury, he repeatedly jabbed his finger in the air at Amanda. “You bitch! You bitch!”
“Calm down, Demus!” Indie stood up, barking out her command. The effect on Demus was immediate. He sat down, glaring at Amanda, but didn’t make any further move.
“For what it’s worth,” he pointedly addressed Amanda personally, “I accept the mantle conferred by our supreme being, Elsedor.” He pointed to his head, and zapped up a six-pointed gold crown.
Indie smiled malevolently. “Justica?”
Justica hesitated for a second. Indie caught her nervous tic and resolutely prompted her once again. “Is there a problem, Justica?”
Appearing haughty, Justica frowned and held both hands up near her face. A third crown, hers, popped above her head.
Amanda felt a rush of sickening dread, tying her stomach into knots and shredding her intestines. Her carefully laid plans were about to be derailed, totally and forever. She frantically stood up. “I said I was making a point of reference. This process is flawed and is of no force or effect.” She was practically screaming now.
“Shut up, Amanda!” Indie fiercely commanded. With a twitch of her hand, she forced Amanda to sit down. Feeling an unstoppable force pulling her back down, Amanda had no choice but to step out of the way. She started hyperventilating.
“Excellent,” Demus said, grinning. He shot a glance of contempt toward Amanda, and then looked at Regi. “Regi, you’re the lucky one. The very last wizard to honor The Prophecy so coveted by our majesty Elsedor. Your name will go down in history.”
Regi, emotionless, glared ahead to no one in particular. He moved up his arm.
Amanda yelled, “Don’t do it, Regi!” She started at the space above Regi’s head, mesmerized with dread.
Demus’ crown was zapped away!
A look of total incredulity and humiliation crossed Demus’ face. Shocked, he stood up and staggered backward, while Indie and Justica gasped.
“You dare!” screamed Demus, “You dare!” Surrounding himself in a ball of fire once again, he raged on.
“Demus, shut up!” Indie yelled.
Demus quickly flamed out, panting. Indie zapped at the giant television screens to turn them off, thus cutting off any connection to the millions of Mortals on the ground.
Just as quickly, Justica pointed to the screens, turning them back on, startling hundreds of millions who suddenly saw the enraged faces of the wizards once again.
Indie opened her mouth wide in shock. “Justica?” Angrily pointing her finger once again, she snuffed out all the images, as if they disappeared into a block hole.
In a case of tit-for-tat, Justica restored the connection to the millions of Mortals on the ground. Indie’s raging visage dominated the screens.
“Why did you do that?” Indie yelled.
“It’s always the policy of the Liberators to have all our proceedings live,” Justica calmly retorted.
Amanda, amazed, had never seen Justica so defiant before.
“Fine,” Indie clenched her teeth. “So the Mortals will see us argue.” She coolly looked off in the distance, plotting her next step. “Fine. I’m surprised at you, Justica. You’ve always been a team player.”
“I am. But when the rules are not respected, then I stand up for what’s right.”
Demus shouted at Regi. “What’s the meaning of this?” He pointed at his own head, the crown still missing. “Huh? Huh?”
Regi sat back quietly. He spoke slowly and deliberately. “Amanda had a point of procedure. If we don’t do this right, then future generations will argue that we do not have a proper mandate. Let’s hear what Amanda has to say.” He gestured toward her, without looking at her.
“He’s sabotaging The Prophecy!” Demus thundered on, pointing at Regi. “He –”
Indie closed her eyes tightly as she lost her cool. “Shut up, Demus!” In the next instance, she walked away about three yards from her spot and put on a fake smile, lips flattened. “Fine. Let’s hear what Amanda has to say. I know we’re doing this by the book. All the councils have to approve the motion, which is then sealed by the presence of Elsedor’s crown on each of our heads. I can’t imagine what Amanda would have that would show anything otherwise.” She sat down again and glared at Amanda. “So, let’s see what she has to say, and then we can move on.”
The Four Kings Page 27
