by Ania Bo
BALANCE OF THE 12
by Ania
Copyright © 2019 Ania. All rights reserved.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
Cover design by HiZone First Editor: Michelle Power
Copy Editor: Adriane Hesselbein
No part of this book may be reproduced, transmitted or utilized in any form or by any means, mechanical, printed or electronic form without permission.
eISBN 978-6-0580672-0-1
www.aniabooks.com
www.balanceofthe12.com
Dedicated to my beloved mother,
who has always been my North Star through
my journey,
called life.
CHAPTER ONE
Through the long and stormy night, Professor Albert Brown sat on a chair in his study and stared out the window behind the desk. He was seventy-two years old, but it was hard to tell from his appearance. He was mostly fit, dismissing the fact that he had quite the belly, and really had no wrinkles on his face. He had big eyes and head like all the other members of the Reader race. As he was half bald, the enormousness of his head was more apparent. However, these weren’t noticeable differences. Thanks to their physical similarities with mankind, it was easier for Readers to live among them without drawing unwanted attention. For all his life he hid who he really was. This was a noble fight members of the eleven races had to continually wage. The decision was made thousands of years ago by their ancestors. Mankind would freely live on earth, and none of the races would ever interfere with them again according to the Fairness Agreement sealed with the blood of the leaders of the twelve races.
However, this didn’t change the fact that the world was ruled by unknown powers. Power and order that mankind, except for a few members, couldn’t easily understand. They created many different conspiracy theories about the system and injustice in the world. Although the Fairness Agreement gave mankind enough space to live their lives as they wished and honored this persecuted race, it didn’t ignore the needs of the other races.
Albert had carried this heavy burden of truth for his entire life. He was old for mankind, yet young for a Reader. For the first time in years, sadness, fear, and hope-filled him, beating like a constant drum in his being. His feelings were like an unmerciful fighter who never stopped attacking his soul’s most fragile parts.
How much more sadness can a Reader feel for his adopted daughters?
Amy and Jane were his whole world, and now they faced a danger that might change that world forever. Every time he remembered Amy was just six years old, and Jane had just turned twenty-six, he felt like losing his mind. They were so young to be in the middle of such a war, and his fatherly love turned to terror when faced with the reality of what was about to happen. A war among the races was on their doorstep and once it started all agreements would be considered invalid and the Balance would be in danger again.
“May the Balance protect us all,” he whispered to himself.
Deep breaths didn’t help him calm down, so he started repeating to himself: “A storm always leads to a sunny day. In the universe, nothing can put existence in the shadows forever.”
He learned this sentence when he was five years old. He remembered that day just like it was yesterday, thanks to his Kama, a special bracelet he’d been wearing since he was born. Every Reader had his or her own Kama. Everything which happened to them or around them was recorded by it from the energies leaving marks on the molecules while passing around them.
Wearing a Kama is the best idea the Reader race ever had, he mused. He touched his Kama to decode his childhood and witness again the time his father said the sentence that changed his life.
At the exact moment his fingers laid on his Kama, he closed his eyes and concentrated by taking regular deep breaths. His eyes rolled under his eyelids. Soon he saw himself at five years old with his father. They stood outside on a stormy day. Albert felt the cold air of that moment again. His father looked into his eyes with the love only a father could bear. His hands held little Albert’s so tight to encourage him. Back then, Albert was a frightened little kid, just like Amy. He was still trying to understand his power, the world’s real structure, and why they had to hide from the humans. There were too many unknowns for a little boy, but it was the only way to explain to him why he couldn’t become friends with human kids or go to school with them.
While decoding his own past through his Kama, Albert experienced everything he felt and saw everything that happened around him. The past of a Reader never faded away.
A blessing and a curse.
“Look at the storm, my boy, what do you see?” his father asked little Albert.
A simple answer tripped off the tongue of the little boy, “Wind and rain, Dad.”
His father’s laughter echoed in the wind. “Yes, my boy, wind and rain are what your eyes can see. But what do you really see when you look with your soul? Try to keep in mind existence is like an ocean. Although its pieces may seem different, they are just one thing,” he said while still looking into his son’s eyes.
Little Albert closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and tried to feel the moment and his own existence. When he opened his eyes again, he saw the energy flow of the earth. Molecules ran around like hyper kids.
Atoms spun so fast they created different colors. It was just like being in an amusement park. Everything was in harmony like colorful, crazy dancers.
Suddenly the wind turned into an energy wave, and the rain became a colorful party. Little Albert saw how mother nature transferred her energy flow and created new molecule structures.
While enjoying the lively party of the storm, little Albert heard the voice of his father from far away, “Can you see the sun?”
It was the one question that changed Albert’s life forever.
As he heard it, his mind started to look for it, and soon enough, he perceived the molecules of the sun. He saw them almost everywhere. After a more detailed search, he spotted its high energy in the sky, behind the clouds’ electrical pulse; he even saw the molecules from the sun on the moon. The whole universe was like a one-dimensional sheet. Every molecule was separate enough to be perceived as one small piece, and when they were together, it was like looking at a completed puzzle. It was night, but the sun was there, its energies on the earth and the sky.
Little Albert came back to his normal perception level, shocked. His father held his arms tight, looked into his frightened eyes, and said, “That is real existence, my boy. That is the real universe; we are blessed to see its tangible state of being, a step further than the discernment of the normal mind. This difference makes us unique and special, but also responsible for the other races. In the universe, everything happens for a reason, and we are in this state of awareness to protect the Balance. Never forget, son, no matter how stormy the weather is, the sun is always there. A storm always leads to a sunny day. In the universe, nothing can put existence in the shadows forever. Always wait till the clouds fly away, then there is no reason to be afraid. In the universe, everything is balanced and harmonious.”
After decoding that memory from his own childhood, Albert became a bit more relaxed. Knowing he was just a part of the whole made him feel stronger. At the same time, the truth kept punching his soul; a world war among the races was coming yet he could do nothing more than keep in mind that the sun was always there. His oldest daughter was chosen as the Visionary Reader by the Balance. Just the idea of it was like a roller coaster, throwing about his emotions until he was confused about how to feel. He was proud because she had the p
ower to save the universe, and he was afraid because she would be in great danger. She had to hit the road to find twelve creators with an inexperienced Protector from the human race. Two young persons against an unknown enemy.
This isn’t fair, he thought, then suddenly stood, took a deep breath, and walked through the door. On the way, he told himself, “My girls are going to survive no matter how strong the storm is. The sun is always there. The sun is always there.”
He was right, the sun was there, and it was literally about to rise. It was already six in the morning. After thinking all night, he had to act and unfortunately the only thing in his power to do was prepare a decent breakfast. He walked to the kitchen, stopped at the door, and looked inside. The house was like a castle, but the big, white kitchen was Jane’s favorite room. She loved cooking and baking since she was a little girl. It was how she dealt with the trauma from losing her mother in such a tragic way.
As this day was the last Jane would be in the heavenly kitchen, everything must be perfect, Albert thought. The next morning, Jane would leave for one last training session and nobody knew if she would ever come back. She would have the honor of meeting Chancellor Liz, the leader of the Reader race, but that wasn’t as positive as it sounded. The last few chancellors were like ghosts, especially the last one. Hardly anyone ever saw them in person. Even Albert, who had notable rank, hadn’t had a chance of meeting with her yet. This meant a milestone for the upcoming war, especially if Jane was to be officially assigned as the Visionary Reader.
Albert turned on the kitchen radio and started to prepare breakfast. The soft music helped him calm down and concentrate on cooking. He brewed fresh coffee, humming along to the music. The fragrance of thyme and cheese in the scrambled eggs wound around the kitchen like a magical cloud. Having a sip from his fresh coffee, Albert looked through the window again. He sometimes grew nervous as if the enemy would attack the house, knowing the Visionary Reader was here, so he couldn’t help but look through the windows all the time. The sun was almost up, reflecting off the water from a pond near the house. Though he didn’t feel like leaving the house, the day was too nice to stay cooped up inside worrying. He had to keep his word of taking Jane and Amy to the Meridian Hill Park in DC.
“Last day, Professor, you must let them have fun,” he said to himself. Those words were like a sharp knife cutting his heart and soul.
While he poured pancake batter on the griddle, Amy walked into the kitchen. She was still sleepy, the beauty of her white skin dolled up by the redness on her cheeks. Her long yellow hair was messy, and she was still in her pajamas. Albert opened his arms and hugged her as if he wouldn’t have to let her go.
“What a nice smell,” she said then cheerfully shouted, “Yummy, pancakes!” while she was looking at the stovetop over his shoulder.
He smiled. “Let’s wait till Jane wakes up.”
Amy curled her lips in a grin. She bobbed her head and walked to the table to take her seat. Albert ignored her unhappy attitude and kept on his duty. Even before Amy reached her seat, the soft voice of Jane was heard coming closer.
“No need to wait. Who can resist this nice smell? For sure not me.” Jane stood at the door with a huge smile on her well-shaped lips. With her big blue eyes and dark hair, she had attractive air about her. Her smooth skin and beautiful hands were so remarkable that nobody would even notice how big her head or eyes were. Amy ran and swiftly hugged her. “Good morning sister,” Jane said with a huge smile on her face. Amy was her joy and only distraction from the fearful side of her life and hard duties that laid ahead.
“Thank you, thank you, thank you! I might not have been able to wait! I’m as hungry as a wolf!” Amy’s excitement made Albert and Jane smile.
For one last time, they shared the joy of having breakfast together. Everything was perfectly ordinary until Amy asked a question.
“Jane, will we go to the concert tomorrow? I promise I won’t take off my gloves even if the hall is as hot as an oven! Please!”
Jane and Albert looked at each other. Neither had an idea about how to answer that question. Jane gulped. Albert felt he had to explain it all to Amy, but he didn’t know how, so he took a second to think. Amy’s eyes were still on Jane looking for an answer. But Jane turned her eyes away, staring at her plate and playing with her scrambled eggs.
Eventually, Albert sighed. “Amy, now you’re old enough to understand our world, right?”
Amy wasn’t sure what he meant but nodded.
“Good,” he replied. “Do you remember what we taught you about the Balance of the universe, why it’s important and how we must protect it?”
The little girl nodded again but a bit more excited this time. She was so willing to prove that she studied everything properly. She started to tell them everything she knew in a rambling manner. “Of course I do, once the universe was formed, I mean after the big bang, twelve different types of energies spilled around, and those energies consisted of a universe connected by twelve strings. Humanity knows it as string theory, but they’re mistaken by limiting it with four because it has twelve dimensions. It’s not their fault because they don’t know anything about us yet. So we, Readers, respect them. Anyways these twelve energies created the universe and dimensions. Everything in existence gets its source from one of these energies, and as twelve races on earth, every one of us is an energy source. That’s why nature or existence wants us to stay in balance. If one of the races is annihilated, the universe would collapse because the twelve energies have a reciprocal relationship among each other. To avoid any possible annihilation, the universe created one race called the Zaend. They’re known as creators and it is said that they have twelve creators who get pregnant every time a race is in danger of being annihilated. If a race is really annihilated due to any reason one of the creators, whoever carries the baby of that race gives birth. It is said that the baby will have the power of regenerating the annihilated race. And in that case, a Visionary Reader from the Reader race and a Protector from the human race are assigned by the Balance to find the creators and protect the baby that may be born. The Visionary Reader sees who the Protector is in her or his visions and even may predict which creator is going to give birth. And nobody really knows why or how but the Balance assigns a human to save the baby from danger, so existence is secured.”
Amy’s sentences were so fast and true that neither Jane nor Albert interrupted her. They were both delighted and surprised that she learned it all at such a young age. Jane applauded her as Albert nodded and said, “Well done, my little Amy, well done. We are so proud of you.”
Amy was so flattered, her cheeks turned bright red as she grinned. Then she turned her eyes back to Jane as if she was still waiting for an answer to her question about the concert.
Albert interrupted Amy’s look as he said, “As you know, everything is about the Balance, how and why we must protect it, which is why if we tell you that you can’t go to the concert with Jane tomorrow, you’ll understand.”
As soon as Albert said it, Amy and Jane looked at him confused, though Jane slightly smiled. She understood his anxiety. That was an explanation she couldn’t have given to Amy so she appreciated his will to take the lead in such a tough situation. Amy was a smart girl, but at the end of the day, she was just six years old.
Amy looked upset, staring at her plate. “Okay. Who’s the Protector then? Is the war that soon?” Her questions held onto the air like a cold wind had blown into the kitchen. Jane got goosebumps. Albert was speechless. Amy didn’t say or do anything else, just stared at her plate.
Albert cleared his throat then stuttered, “Ja-Ja-Jane is the Visionary Reader, and a human man is the Protector; bu-bu-but we…we can’t say who he is. And yes, unfortunately, the war is ah, is much sooner than we thought.”
Amy suddenly stood up, tears streaming down her white cheeks. “I knew it, I knew you would leave us one day, Jane. The nightmares you had, they told me so!” She ran to Jane, hugging her tightly
then whispered so only her big sister heard, “But I’m glad your nightmares will go away now. You’ll be a great Visionary Reader, big sis. May the Balance protect you.”
Jane softly whispered back to Amy, “Thank you. May the Balance protect you.”
“Not the Balance. You are going to protect me. The Balance will show you the way.”
Amy’s answer startled Jane. Albert and Jane had always been aware that Amy wasn’t an ordinary Reader kid, but as time went by, she became more and more enigmatic. Jane could only say, “Sure I am.”
Amy looked at Albert. Seeing the tears shimmering in his eyes, she hugged him too and kissed a single tear that had fallen on his cheek. The older man smiled. With a catch in his voice he said, “We’re going to Meridian Hill Park today.”
Amy jumped around, waving her arms in excitement. Jane smiled on the outside, but it was obvious she was sad on the inside. She looked at Amy and Albert, then nodded. “Let’s clean the kitchen,” Jane said as she took her plate off the table, needing a distraction from the swirling of emotions colliding inside her.
***
While Albert drove the car to the park a little while later, Jane watched out the car window, enjoying listening to Amy sing.
The little girl’s song was about the twelve races, over and over. She sang the same song any time she was nervous. It was a method Albert taught her to help calm her down. He advised Amy and Jane to think about the whole and to see themselves as part of the bigger picture. He hoped their souls would find the comfort they needed. Amy started to sing the song for the fourth time with her soft voice:
Under the shadow of the pyramid made of glass,
There rose twelve races on one single landmass.
The Hikar were bright and lit the way,
While the Thae grew fins and in the waters, they stayed.
In the forests lived the Baresm, hunters fierce and swift,
Whereas the Kree tamed the animals as their rightful gift.
