CHAPTER 11

The city of Emron stood at the center of the Nine Ring. It was the capital of the world, and the best place anyone would want to be. It topped the chart last year as the richest city in the Nine Rings. Looking from above, one could see the black and white stripes, which went in and out as they stretched in the middle of the Ring. It was the city of metal and the home of the emperor. There was no vegetation or plants or trees. It was just metal. And thanks to the hands of science that have modified the genetic plants and have mimicked nature's soil. Crops can now be cultured in the laboratories and vitamins that are necessary for growth can now be obtained. All thanks to science. All thanks to Claudius and his son Dorin.

Claudius straightened his suit and he walked out of the airplane. An occasion like this would have left him working in his laboratories. He was a busy man and hated it when parties and drinks deluged him from his quest. It was the Emperor’s birthday, and if the Emperor had not invited him specially, Claudius would have thought otherwise. The ingredient he sought to complete his mission was yet to fall in place. Plus, there has been no sign of success yet. Five hundred and twenty-two experiments. That was his longest experiment. The toughest and one that has refused to yield adequate results.

“I still think this is a bad idea,”

Claudius adjusted his tie as he sat down on the hovering sports car. Dorin had folded his wheelchair and had forced his way into the back seat. But for his deformity, the boy fitted well into the black suit. Claudius did not know his parents, be he presumed that the boy must have come from a family of beautiful creatures. His dark hair and intelligent eyes always make Claudius remember his youthful age. He was not as charming as Dorin, but that was because he had paid so much attention in the laboratory to care about looks and how fine his eyes or hair were.

“You remind me of a lot of things that are choking me.”

“Sorry,” Dorin muttered from the backseat, “But I can’t help it. The current situation is rather complicated I must say.”

“Sure,” Claudius nodded. 

Dorin was referring to his failed experiment. They were working on it together, even though Claudius was the engine head, Dorin’s helping hands were making the work easier. Dorin wanted what was best for Claudius, it was written all over him and sometimes, Claudius usually feels uneasy by the burden the boy bore. He had talked with Dorin several times, to make sure the boy knew that he was not indebted in any way. Dorin had laughed on several occasions and had insisted that he was doing what he knew was best for them and EverTech. But on the other hand, Claudius could not help the sense of responsibility which the boy bore. Dorin was looking out for him like a son would for a father. And that’s the reason why Claudius loves having Dorin by his side. He could trust Dorin, not with his life now, but with his trust.

“Any news yet about the missing thief?” 

“None,” Dorin shook his head regrettably. 

It was a two-seater LX12 Hovering car and was on autopilot. So, they were alone and could discuss whatever they liked.

“But, I think Elixa is making more sales than we could imagine,” Dorin added, seizing the opportunity.

“Enjoy it, son,” Claudius said, sounding pleased, “It was your idea to upgrade. So enjoy it. How many regions has it covered?”

“That’s the interesting part,” Dorin chuckled, “We have covered every city and village in Bel Haven. About 75 percent, here in the capital of the world and about 60 percent in each state in the Nine Rings. From Osmot, Faladin, Cauka. Even as far as Arthesia.”

“Impressive, Arthesia? Wow, well-done son. What about Freetown.”

“You should guess, the capital of Bel Haven has refused our Elixa again. Calling it a demonic influence and a gift from the dark one.”

Claudius laughed. It was ridiculous how little-minded people would label things they don’t understand. They should have simply rejected the technology, instead of giving flimsy excuses.

“They will want in one way or the other, we should be there to give it to them when the time comes.”

“Yeah, that’s a fact. If I remember correctly, they had rejected the Hubot too, but now, about 45 percent of Freetown’s decapitated citizens are Hubots.”

Sure they had rejected that one at a time. It was still an irony to Claudius. Dorin too was a cripple and had joined Claudius in the invention of the Hubot. Yet, Dorin has refused to be a Hubot himself. It would have improved his life and enabled him to walk again, but the man had rejected it. And now he was glad that some people who had rejected it were now using it.

 Buildings and shops drifted in motion blur as they hovered past. The streets were congested too with people, but not on traffic. The hovering cars and shuttles had solved that problem a long time ago. However, the population of the country was increasing. It was a setback for Elixa. With its power people could find their way back to life after they had died, it was not permanent yet and such people normally transit after ten years or so. And this time, not even Elixa could bring them back. 

Claudius looked away from the city. It made him wonder if making life eternal would destroy the earth as the alarming population would lead to food scarcity, and water too.

“Dorin. I will need you to make a few more upgrades on Elixa.” 

Dorin’s brow lifted, but he nodded nonetheless.

“Make sure you add a family control, for those that would like to return to the world after they have died.”

“Oh, scared about the population I guess,” Looking back at the city, Dorin added, “I was thinking the same thing too.”

“And keep it a secret, we wouldn’t want our clients to know that they would be sterile after they had returned to life a second time.”

“That shouldn’t be a problem, sir. If being sterile was all it takes to return to this world, then I think it is the least anyone in their right senses would want to lay down.”

Claudius nodded and returned his attention to the streets. Just then, the voice activator in the Hovering Car, announced that they were 17 miles away from the Emperor’s castle. It also instructed them to place the oxygen mask and air filters on their face, as they would need it to survive the toxic air in the city.

They had just finished obeying the instructions when suddenly the white light in the car turned blood red, and an alarm blared.

“What is wrong?” Claudius asked since he was sitting in front.

“Just a little obstruction on the way sir, but nothing to worry about,” The voice activator said, “If you wouldn’t mind, the car is going to stop here for five minutes, for safety purposes.

Claudius looked in the side mirror, he thought the riot in the city had taken its course again. It had been like that for four years now, and until the Emperor had executed all the rebel leaders did the city return to calmness. If the riot had suddenly begun again, then he must call the Emperor's guards to get them to safety.

“Did you see that?”Dorin shrieked.

“See what?” 

Dorin did not answer but pointed instead towards the distance ahead. Claudius followed his fingers. He had not seen such fright in Dorin’s eyes before, and seeing them now made him swallow. What was so scary was that the boy—

Claudius jerked back on his seat as the shadow dived towards them and slammed the widescreen of their car.

“What is that thing?” He asked and looked back, towards the direction the object had disappeared. “Where did it go,”

“I don’t know,” Dorin said. His voice was shaking now and his eyes were searching every direction of the car, to make sure the shadow had not entered the car somehow. “I saw something like that two months ago after the upgrade of Elixa was launched.”

“And why am I hearing this for the first time?”

“Because I didn’t have any proof or fact about its existence. I know it could be a bulb burning or a cloud of smoke from the wires. I didn’t know it was real.”

“Open this door, now,” Claudius yelled.

“Sir, I don’t think it is safe out there,” the voice instructor said.

“Open the goddamn door.” 

The door shut open even before Claudius could finish his statement. He stepped out and searched the streets. Oddly, the people that had been roaming around the streets seemed to have retired home. There were no cars, no bikes, and nobody in the open shops. Everything seems to be happening fast.

Claudius turned to the right when he heard a whisper, that was when he saw it, the shadow, shimmering down like a balloon, and coming toward his direction.

“Get in the car, father.” Claudius thought he heard Dorin shouting. But he didn’t pay attention to the boy or careless when the car door slammed shut.

His eyes were on the smoke, which was standing in front of him, formless and shapeless.

“I have what you want,” a whispering voice from the smoke said.

“And what do you think I want,” Claudius asked, glad that his voice had not wavered.

The voice in the smoke did not reply, but in a flash, Claudius saw himself, standing beside his daughter, smiling and dancing around a Christmas tree. It was gone as it had formed and that left a hole in Claudius’ stomach.

“Bring it back,” He begged.

“I have what you want, and I can give it to you”

Claudius clenched his fist, “You want something in return, don’t you.”

“Yes,” the voice said and drifted closer, “I want you to kill the…”