Chapter Fifty: Genesis

Ilias
Gemma, it’s almost time.
He grabbed her hands.
Ilias
After it is done I want you to help me to my bedroom. I will be very weak after.
Gemma nodded.
Ilias
Are you okay?
Gemma
Yes. Just worried is all.
Ilias kissed her cheek.
Ilias
There is no reason to be. The time for a new world has come.
Gemma half smiled.
Ilias
After this is all done and I’ve regained my strength I will take you somewhere special to me.
Gemma
Special?
She said interested.
Ilias
Yes, very. Until then you will have to wait.
Gemma
I can do that.
He let go of her hand.
Ilias
We have ten minutes. It’s time I go.
He kissed her on the lips.
Ilias
I will see you soon, beautiful.
She smiled and he walked away. As he left she couldn’t help herself from feeling sad. She knew he’d be okay but it wasn’t him she was worried about. It was Arkain.

Merdos
Stay here. We will help Suri.
Conor looked back to see a white tiger racing towards Suri.
Suri
Get the hell off!
Suri kicked and pushed them but there were too many. Suri could not take on ten Orthaks. And then two were tackled by the white tiger and Orthak screamed and they all jumped backwards from the Tiger and Suri.
Suri
Masato!
The tiger transformed into a tall man with long white hair in a ponytail.
Masato
Orthak, you monster. How dare you attack a youngling.
Orthak screamed.
Masato
I cannot forgive you for this.
Merdos appeared as a man with long orange hair.
Merdos
This is where you die, Orthak.
Orthak screamed again.
Suri
We have to go!
Orthak began to scream so loud everyone covered their ears. It was then they all saw it happen. What was once ten Orthaks now became a hundred.
Conor
Oh shit.
Emmylou
This can’t be good.
Masato stepped forward.
Masato
Merdos, you cover me. I am his most formidable opponent in the white coats.
Suri
Why is that?
Masato
As you know, my hands absorb things. He knows very well what they’ll do to him.
Merdos smiled.
Merdos
Suri, you will cover me. Together we can defeat him.
Masato
Or at least get him to run home to, X-man.
They charged the hundreds of Orthak.

Amya opened the door to Akasha’s room.
Akasha
May I help you?
Amya
I thought you might need an ear.
Akasha looked up at her from her bed.
Akasha
You were wrong. I’d like to be alone.
Amya
I once told you something similar to that. You didn’t leave me alone though. It would be disrespectful to myself if I didn’t show you the same persistence.
Amya walked in. Akasha almost laughed.
Amya
What’s the matter?
Akasha
You know the answer. My brother is alive. My sweet little Simon is alive. I thought you killed him.
Amya
I thought we did as well. It would seem my brother has some secrets still up his sleeves.
Akasha
It would seem. I just don’t know what to do. I got into this many years ago simply because I wanted a new life, I wanted Ximendos, and I wanted to be with my brother. I’ve been under the illusion that my brother has been dead for so long while he hasn’t been. I could have been looking for him. I could have saved him. I never abandoned him. No, Ximendos forced me to leave because he said he was dead. I would never leave little Simon like that. Never.
Amya smacked Akasha.
Amya
Pull yourself together.
Akasha stared at the wall for a moment before she spoke.
Akasha
If he has joined their side, he must believe I abandoned him. He must want to kill me.
A tear began to fall down her face. Amya wiped it and sat next to her.
Amya
If it means anything to you, my daughter wants to kill me also. You aren’t the only one who is dealing with a loved one trying to kill them.
She hugged Akasha.
Amya
I’ve hated you for so long. So long I wanted nothing more than to kill you myself. Yet now I do not feel the same way. You are a lot like me. We have the same struggles and we will get through them. Trust me Akasha, we will get through them.
Akasha smiled.
Akasha
You know, I always wanted to kill too.
They laughed.
Amya
The time will come when we have to face our loved ones. Let us just hope words will prevail rather than swords.
Akasha nodded.

Cameron
He, he said that in my dream.
Zuma and Soren kept them both at the same level.
Arkain
Cameron, it wasn’t a dream.
Cameron
What are you saying?
Arkain
I was the boy in the cell.


Nicholas knocked on Anna’s door.
Anna
Come in.
Nicholas opened it.
Anna
Oh, it’s you.
Nicholas
I’m sorry for coming in so late at night but I wanted to apologize.
Anna
Apology accepted.
Nicholas
But I didn’t apologize yet.
Anna
But you will. So why not skipped the words.
Nicholas
Anna, are you okay?
Anna put her pillow down.
Anna
Okay? Just what is okay nowadays? It’s obviously not normal, Mr. President. I’ve been trapped down here with the last living free humans for months.
She walked around her bed.
Anna
Then after so long we find the hope we need. When it gets here we’re told that we’re going to wait. Wait for them to attack. Those monsters asked us to-
Nicholas
They’re not monster.
Anna
Yes they are.
She walked up to Nicholas.
Anna
They’re just on our side. Wait, you know what, they aren’t even on our side. They’re on their own. Secretly plotting on how the oncoming oblivion will benefit them. Well you know Mr. Romberg, I don’t care.
Nicholas
You’re being unreasonable, Molly.
Anna
Am I? Think about it for a second.
She put her hand on his shoulder.
Anna
How else am I suppose to be? The end of the world of humans is coming. The end of us thinking and doing as we please is here. Soon it will come. After that we will be killed in the night as well. All that if we wait here.
Nicholas
Anna, you need to rest.
Anna
No, rest is the last thing I need. What I need is my Gear unit, a gun, and God.
Nicholas grabbed the door knob.
Nicholas
If that is so, I don’t know what to tell you.
He opened the door.
Nicholas
What I will say though, is you’ve lost your mind. You’ve allowed your desperation to twist your mind into madness. When we humans feel powerless we push the blames on others and act like we could have done something. In truth, Molly, we can’t do anything. Yes, maybe the time of human has ended. Maybe it ends tomorrow. But what can we do? What can we do against such powerful beings? We’ve fallen to the bottom of the chain and they’ve defeated us. There isn’t much else to say nor do. We just have to accept it. Stop turning hope, fears, and desires, into false truths to avoid reality. It will never be. All we can do is accept things as they are and continue on after they happened the best we can.
He began to shut the door.
Anna
You were never the president these people needed. They needed one ready to fight.
Nicholas
No, actually you are wrong. They needed one ready to lead them into the most reasonable path in order to survive. Were it up to you they would all be dead now.
He looked her straight in the face. For a second he thought she was going to break down.
Nicholas
I retract my apology. You’ve come to a position that I cannot get you down from. They say you can’t reason a person away from a place they didn’t get to with reason in the first place, they were correct after all.
He shut the door. Anna pushed the small table next to her bed over.

Cameron
You were the boy in the cell?
Arkain
Yes. And so were you.
Cameron
Zuma, take us to the ground.
Zuma dived down followed by Soren. Once the reached Cameron jumped off and met Arkain by Soren. Cameron grabbed him, turned him around, and hugged him.

Syn
Do you feel that?
Fallen
Yes I do. It is Orthak.
Syn
Should we go to his power?
Fallen
No, I don’t think so. Why waste our time?
Syn
You might be right. The only thing is, and we both know this, Ximendos only uses Orthak on special occasions.
Fallen rolled over on his side.
Fallen
While that’s true, I don’t care. Let Ximendos have whatever he’s after right now. It means nothing to do. As of right now I have both of the pieces I need to the puzzle.
Syn
Cameron and Arkain?
Fallen
Of course.
Pathion rubbed Fallen behind his ear.
Pathion
You are such a wise little fox.
Fallen laughed.
Fallen
Not really. I’m just playing the game very well. Better than most, to be honest.
Pathion
Well I’m glad you’re not playing against us.
Pathion laughed.
Fallen
I’m more pleased you are on my side.
Syn
Well you made an offer I couldn’t refuse.
Pathion
Akasha’s head.
Fallen
I’d say it’s a fair trade.
Syn
A very fair one indeed.
Fallen
Now that Arkain has his sword and he has been trained by you we don’t really have to worry about him. We just have to wait until Ximendos makes his move. After that we will go in for Ilias.
Syn
Ilias is the key, correct?
Fallen
Yes, yes he is. Once we’ve captured Ilias Darby will twist him to our will. After that we will dispose of Ximendos, Akasha, and Iris.
Syn
What of the white coats?
Fallen
We don’t have to worry about them. Believe it or not they’re on the same page I am. It took a lot of talking to them in the past but I’ve convinced them to go along with the same plan. They’re our cavalry.
Pathion
As if we need it.
Fallen
We won’t. But it’s nice to have it. We both have the same goal. The changing of the world, of humans, and then the removal of the Gods.
Pathion
I love it.
Syn looked down at Pathion.
Pathion
But I love you more, of course.
Syn smiled.
Fallen
All we’re doing is waiting for the first move.


Emmylou
You stay here Ian. Conor and I are going to go get Suri.
Ian
I’m scared.
Conor
Don’t be little guy. If you stay here you’ll be alright.
Ian
Okay. Just come back real fast.
Emmylou
I will.
She kissed him on the cheek.
Emmylou
Let’s go.
The pulled out their handguns and went forward towards the fight. Orthak was hit by three bullets and two missed him. He screamed and turned towards Conor and Emmylou running towards him. He was going to run forward but Masato jumped in the way to stop him.
Masato
It ends here, Orthak.
Orthak turned into Merdos.
Orthak
Is it, Masato?
He laughed.


Iris
Ready?
Ilias
Of course.
Iris and Ilias walked up to where Ximendos stood.
Ximendos
It is time.
Ximendos turned around. Merdos stood behind him at a distance.
Ximendos
Orthak, you made it in time.
Merdos
I did. I’ve also brought a gift for you.
He moved to the side an exposed Suri on the floor.
Ximendos
I knew you’d come through on it.
Merdos
I never fail.
Ilias
How did this happen?
Merdos
I entered her body and then made a copy of her. Then Merdos and Masato appeared. They weren’t aware that I switched out her body. I must return to kill Merdos and Masato.
Iris
Don’t take too long. You don’t want to miss this.
Merdos
That’s fine. I get much more pleasure in getting my own kills. I’m off now.
He looked down at Suri who began to move.
Merdos
Oh look, she’s awake.
He disappeared.


Cameron let go of Arkain.
Arkain
What was that for?
Cameron
You did it. It was you.
Arkain
It was nothing.
Cameron
Don’t say that. It was everything to me. You saved my life.
Arkain
It’s what friends do.
Cameron felt it behind his eyes and at the back of his throat. That word, its meaning.
Arkain
We’re friends.
Cameron, after fighting it for a moment, let it happen.
Arkain
Are you crying?

Suri fell to the ground.
Masato
Suri!
Merdos
I’ll go to her.
Masato
You fear me.
Merdos helped Suri up.


Ximendos bent down so Suri could see his face.
Ximendos
So you are Suri. Daughter of Hayden and Arkain’s secret lover.
He stood up straight again.
Ximendos
This is marvelous. I can’t think of a way this could get any better.
Suri struggled but she was tied together by Orthak’s energy.
Ximendos
Struggle all you want but it won’t do you any good. Relax a bit.
He motioned to Iris. Suri flew up into a standing position.
Ximendos
You’ve just bought the best seat in the house.
He put a seat under her and Iris lowered her into it.
Ximendos
The show is about to begin also. You made it just in time.
Ximendos clapped his hands together.
Ximendos
Thank goodness Orthak was kind enough to bring you in time. Don’t you think?
Suri couldn’t say anything.
Ximendos
Oh that’s alright. I’ll take your silence as excitement.

Amya and Akasha walked out into the moon light where Ximendos and Suri sat.
Akasha
And whom might this be?
Ximendos
You’ve both made it just in time. This is Suri.
Amya and Akasha took the seats beside Ximendos.
Ximendos
Orthak dropped her off for the show.
Akasha
How touching.
Iris
We’re ready.
Ilias
If you are, father.
Ximendos
Proceed. Start the Cleansing Operation. Bring in the new genesis.
Ilias and Iris were now in the center of the entire area the empire called their base.


Cameron
Yes, and I can’t help it.
Arkain laughed.
Cameron
Why are you laughing?
Arkain
I think it’s great. It’s not like you’re crying because you are a crybaby.
Cameron wiped his eyes.
Cameron
If it wasn’t for you Arkain, all this wouldn’t be happening. If it wasn’t for you I’d still be the old me.
Arkain
Just forget it bro. You aren’t the old you anymore, and that’s what matters.
He grabbed Cameron by the shoulders.
Arkain
Now you can show the world you really are a good person. Now you can show me you really are a hero.
Cameron
I can do that. I will do that.
Cameron felt it. Cameron felt as if he finally had something.
Arkain
You’ll have me to help you. I’m your friend after all. Your 2nd friend, you said.
They laughed.
Cameron
I appreciate you, Arkain.
Arkain
I know, man. I know. I feel the same way. There was no fate, no reason, no anything that brought us together. Things just happened. We changed each other.
Cameron
We did.
Arkain
That’s all that matters.
Cameron
Thank you Arkain. For saving my life. For teaching me just how to save someone.
Arkain
No problem. It was nothing. Like I said, it’s what friends do.
Cameron felt like releasing another wave of tears but he held them in. The word friend used to mean so little to him. Now it meant more than it ever did. Cameron finally had his 2nd real friend. He found some happiness. All he wanted to do was find his brother and his 1st friend and his life might be normal again.


Iris and Ilias both released their energy into their bodies.
Ilias
I think now is the best time to tell you.
Iris
I can’t wait until after.
Ilias
No. It’s the best time because you can’t hit me and you can’t go back from doing this.
The world began to shake.
Iris
If that is so, tell me. At least before I lost consciousness.
Ilias
I love Gemma.
Iris
Is that it? I thought at least this would have been something surprising. I knew you fell hard for her. It was obvious.

Fallen jumped in between Cameron and Arkain.
Fallen
Sorry to interrupt your bromance, but we have trouble.
Everyone felt the ground begin to shake. The entire New Order appeared.
Velis
So this is it? It’s coming?
Fallen
Yes.
Darby
My barriers are up. We will be fine.
Malic
How can I trust you?
Velis smacked him.
Velis
Knock it off, moron.
Vesper
I also set up a barrier if that means anything to you, Malic.
Malic smiled.
Tusa
This is so fun!
Pathion
Tell me about it.
Cameron
And so it begins.
Arkain
Is it going to hurt?
Syn
Not at all. You’re safe with us, little one.
Fallen
Brace for impact.

Hayden and Amros ran into the meeting room where Nicholas was.
Hayden
The time has come.
Nicholas sat at his desk.
Nicholas
So soon?
Amros
I’m afraid so.
The entire base was shaking so hard Nicholas wondered if it would hold.
Nicholas
Are we going to be alright?
Amros
Yes. But the rest of the world won’t be.
Roselyn and Grey entered the room.
Roselyn
That must be Ximendos.
Amros
It is.
Grey
We’ll be okay though. We have Hayden’s power to keep us safe.
They all stood in the base’s meeting room as they waited for the passing of the old world.

Masato
Damn!
He said as the ground began to shake.
Merdos
What do we do?
Masato
Grab the kids.
Merdos grabbed Conor and Emmylou.
Masato
I’ll take care of Orthak. Release the orb.
Merdos
But you will die!
Masato
A price I’ll have to take.
Orthak
There is no need.
Masato turned to Orthak.
Orthak
You’ve already lost.
Suri hit Masato in the face and he flew into Merdos who caught him.
Merdos
Suri! What are you doing?
Suri turned into Orthak. The Orthak that took the appearance of Merdos spoke.
Orthak
If it were really Suri he wouldn’t have his head anymore.
The Orthak that was Suri walked into the Merdos Orthak’s body.
Orthak
The girl is ours. You White Coats can’t do anything right. Now die!
Orthak attacked. From his back shot four sharp black spears. Merdos threw the orb into the ground. Orthak’s spikes were blocked by a giant blue barrier that was forming.
Emmylou
What’s happening?
Merdos
It’s a barrier to protect us from what’s coming.
Conor
What’s coming?
Merdos
Death.
Emmylou
Wait! My brother is out there.
Merdos
We can’t leave the barrier.
The barrier began to expand.
Emmylou
I need to get my brother.
Merdos
You can’t. I’m sorry girl, but you can’t. Those who enter this bubble do not leave it.
Masato pulled himself together.
Emmylou
So I have to stay here while my brother dies out there?
Masato and Merdos both said yes to her.
Emmylou
Let me out!
Conor grabbed her arm.
Emmylou
I won’t stay in here. I would rather die too.
She began to cry.
Conor
Emmylou, you can’t.
Emmylou
Let me out! I can’t fucking stay in here!
She hit the blue barrier but it only moved like water.
Emmylou
My brother is out there!
Merdos and Masato looked at each other for fear of looking into her wet eyes.
Emmylou
You can’t do this to me.
She fell to her knees and Conor caught her.
Emmylou
He’s out there.
She was now crying harder than she could ever remember.
Emmylou
He’s going to die. You killed him. I killed him.
She cried into Conor’s shoulder.
Emmylou
Let me out. Let me out.

The ground shook harder than ever. The entire world felt the quake.
Ilias
Iris, I’m going to marry her.
They both began to glow bright until they were no longer human bodies but floating lights of energy. Iris’s energy pulled apart the ground between the world and the palace and it began to rise up to the sky. And then from Ilias came two waves of energy that expanded and flew forward in a circle. They began to cover the earth. Anything above the ground disappeared at the touch of the wall of energy. Everything not directly under the earth’s soil was obliterated. Nothing stood that Ilias did not want to stand. No humans who were not under Ilias’ control survived.

Adam called for his wife who stood down the hill.
Adam
Eve!
Eve ran up the hill to him.
Eve
I am here.
They held each other as the ground shook.
Eve
Is this it?
Adam
I don’t know, my darling.
Their little house stood above the world on a high mountain. They saw it. A white wall of energy coming fast towards them that they could not see past.
Eve
I’m afraid.
Adam
Me too.
They held each other closely. The wall hit them and left the mountain clear of their existence. This was the new world. This is genesis.