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…”

Latest Chapter
CHAPTER 88
Catherine's muscles sang with fatigue as she hurried through the empty hallway. Her heart raced with her feet and her blood boiled within her veins. The urgency made her take the stairs, twice at a time. Amid the rustling voice of the wind, she could hear the mockery at the back of her head. The second bell had gone off, signaling the beginning of the cooling break for the inmates and the first shifts for the Wardens. It was their signal, the clue she and her friends had been waiting for.No, never. She thought. It was a trap. She should have known from the beginning. This was never going to work, the Shadowman knew their secrets and was waiting for them to make the first move. The plan had been a mistake all along.Catherine bit her under lips when she finally made it to the last floor. The door on the exit, brown and twice her size, stood
CHAPTER 87
"What's his name," Catherine asked looking past the Founders on the field, towards the door standing on the far end."Drake." Vick breathed in before parting Catherine's shoulders, smiling in the process. " Don't worry, he is not worth your anger""How much does he know? How much did Damian reveal?""Don't get sick over that, Damian was smart to play the dumb game.""You are giving him a lot of credit, the deal was to remain quiet instead of revealing the one information that would probably get us killed.""Do be so mean. I thought you liked him""Yes I do, but not when he is dead. I like living creatures.""Hmm, someone got back their sense of humour."Catherine picked one of the cracked stones and dropped them into the wheelbarrow. The scorching sun had failed to hide under the forming cloud. It was sending merciless heat on the earth, almost shattering their skull. And the founders had not provided them with any water or shade.She needed to get away from this place, so sad Damian
CHAPTER 86
Damian has never been to prison before, and he hadn't expected his first experience to be among wayward Founders whom society had rejected. Most of them stood tall, with veins trailing the sides of their long neck like tendrils of creeping plants. Their hands were pale and faces as dark as coal. The fairness of their skin was lost from the blistering heat of the sun, which left their skins in scales as a testimony of the sun's harshness. The wall of the prison stood in the far distance. Its edges were smooth and almost touching the cloud. It made Damian wonder if he was going to die here. There was no getting out. Nothing could save him and his friends. This was their doom and end. Unless Molhin and the council changed their mind, and he doubt that would happen anytime soon."Nobody mentioned prison would be this boring," Ygon said. She was the only one who is finding being locked up, funny.
CHAPTER 85
"How can this be? All of it is impossible. It’s so absurd?" Nina fell on the couch, too tired to think. Her heart was aching and her world spun with confusion. It happened so fast. One moment she was delighted to be home, to be celebrating with her father the Emperor of the nine rings. And then, like a flash of lightning, it was all gone, replaced by a nightmare she had never had. How could this be? Where was good fortune when she needed it the most?"I don't have the answers you seek, Nina. But I must warn you, you must lie low, for now, everyone wants your head. They think you killed the Emperor." Rodian said unfazed by her sob and uneasiness."How can I possibly kill my father? It doesn't make sense.""Many would do that to ascend the throne. There is nothing man cannot do for the quest of pow
CHAPTER 84
St. Vincent’s streets were the last place Carlos wanted to be. Coming here was a mistake, it has always been a misfit for him. The people and the air and the noise, all seemed off. He had never fit into society, not before and certainly not now. Everything about the street brought back old memories. On the shores of this very street, he had been abducted by the Garrison and sentenced to jail to rot there. It was a long time ago, about ten or so years before he formed the Red Heron crew. Yet, the memory and the need to breathe through an air pipe, instead of the normal, natural air, added more salt to his injuries. He hated the streets. The city itself was magnificent, with its silver tower almost touching the blue sky. Emron was the capital city of Bel Haven and the second most prosperous state in the entire Nine Rings. It was the seat of the Emperor, the home of wealth and power. A drawback to it, however, was the structure and la
CHAPTER 83
Perfection was the best word to describe the event. From the procession to the people’s square, down to her very room. It was perfect. The last time she had seen so many people gathered together to celebrate her father was on his fiftieth birthday. She was so young then, but she could recall how everything had played out. It was a replica of today’s event, a cloned version of this one. The only missing piece was the presence of the Empress, her mother.Nina sighed and took the photograph sitting on the table. A smile appeared on her face without permission as her eyes studied the three people in the photo. Her father stood on the right and towered over them, and his younger version had a smile that Nina had never seen on him, ever since her mother passed on. The empress, a dark-haired woman, stood on the left and was laughing as well. Her bright eyes were wide and seemed to portra
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