Ximendos
My children, awake.
The clouds moved slowing as Ximendos’ voice flowed through the world.
Ximendos
Genesis has arrived. The new world is here. Open your eyes to a new day. The Solace Empire has brought you happiness. And soon the final step will be taken to ensure peace to this world, forever.
19 years ago…….
Ximendos
How is she doing, doctor?
Doctor
She’s doing well. In a few short hours you both will be parents.
Ximendos smiled. He was relieved.
Doctor
I know you were worried she wouldn’t make it but she’s a strong one.
Ximendos
Is the child a boy or a girl?
Doctor
It’s a she.
Ximendos smiled.
Doctor
And a him.
Ximendos could not believe his ears. He looked down on his clipboard.
Doctor
She already gave us a name for one of her children.
He looked up at Ximendos.
Doctor
She said the boy was yours to name.
Ximendos was a bit shocked.
Ximendos
She did?
Doctor
Yup. So any ideas?
Ximendos
Well can I have a few minutes? I didn’t know I was going to have to do this.
Doctor
Sure. I have to go back inside anyways.
Present time…….
Ximendos
Since the dawning of your kind, you’ve been at war. Either because of religion, resources, or other animalistic reasons. Never did you find true peace. Never did you truly want to have it.
Flowers bloomed on grassy plains.
Ximendos
We could not sit and watch anymore. Life is not a movie. Not one for us to sit back and enjoy as children die and innocent burn.
The oceans were still.
Ximendos
You all decided your fate. Which was our intervention.
Akasha
Come here, baby.
Ximendos walked up to her bedside. She looked so pale, he thought. So beautiful at the same time though.
Akasha
It’s all done. You have a son and a daughter.
He smiled so big she thought she could die right there.
Akasha
Just what you wanted. Just what I’ve always wanted.
Ximendos
I know, I know.
He put his head against hers.
Akasha
You gave me it. You gave me it all.
Ximendos
All but your brother. I am truly sorry about him.
Akasha kissed his nose.
Akasha
Don’t you worry about that. It wasn’t your fault.
Akasha tried to sit up.
Doctor
No, stay where you are. Don’t want to exert too much energy.
She stood put.
Ximendos
I thought of a name.
Akasha smiled.
Akasha
Let me hear it.
Ximendos
You first. I want to know what you named her.
Akasha
Her name is Iris. My beautiful little Iris.
Ximendos held Akasha’s hand.
Ximendos
His name will be Ilias.
The doctor brought Ilias and Iris in. It was then Ximendos saw the gray eyes his children would forever have.
Present time……
Ximendos
History shows you were incapable of governing yourselves properly. You drew swords on each other. Laid bullets in the heads of your brothers and sisters. Dropped atomic bombs on others. You created races to divide you. And in your ignorance, hopes, and fears you created Gods.
18 years ago……….
Ximendos held Ilias in his arms.
Ximendos
You’re my son.
He touched his finger and the Ilias giggled with joy.
Ximendos
I can make you happy at any moment of your life.
Iris was sleeping in her crib.
Ximendos
You will never know sorrow. Neither you nor your sister. Always happiness.
Present time……..
Ximendos
Even in that you couldn’t decided on one. You created religions and used them to justify atrocities and horrible actions. You went too war for such things.
17 years ago……
Ilias walked up to the couch where his mother sat. He was now two years old. 2 year old Iris sat on the floor playing with her toys.
Akasha
Hello, Ilias.
Ilias
Hi.
He tried to climb up on the couch.
Akasha
Don’t you want to play with your little sister?
Ilias looked back at Iris. He then turned back and again tried to get up on the couch.
Akasha
Let me help you.
She picked him up and sat him down next to her.
Ilias
A ball.
He pointed at the red ball on the floor behind Iris.
Akasha
Yes, a ball. You can’t have it anymore though.
He looked up at her sad.
Akasha
You chose to sit up here. You wanted to be with mommy.
He pointed at the ball.
Akasha
You can’t always get what you want. I won’t hand it all to you.
He looked down.
Ilias
A ball.
The ball began to roll his way. Akasha could not believe her eyes.
Akasha
You’re so young.
Iris looked over at Akasha and then at the ball rolling past her.
Akasha
You are a brilliant child. You are truly my son.
Present time……
Ximendos
You slaughtered for oil and other resources in your march for world dominance. You looked down at your loved ones and said you’d do anything for them while you looked into the face of another and denied them their desire to do anything for the loved one.
16 years ago…….
3 year old Iris sat on her mother’s lap. They were sitting on a bench outside watching Ilias play in the grass.
Iris
Mommy.
Akasha
Yes, baby.
Akasha looked over Iris’ little shoulder at her face.
Iris
Illyis.
Akasha looked at Ilias.
Akasha
Yes, Ilias. He’s your brother.
Iris looked up at Akasha with her finger in her mouth.
Iris
Brober.
Akasha laughed.
Akasha
You sweet little thing.
Iris
Brober.
Ilias got up and walked over to them.
Ilias
Hi, mommy.
He grabbed Akasha’s hand.
Ilias
Mommy, play with me.
Akasha
I can’t. I’m holding your sister.
Ilias
She play too.
Akasha
No, Ilias.
Ilias walked off to go sit in the grass again with his toys.
Akasha
Your brother wants us to play with him.
Iris looked at Ilias with her finger in her mouth still.
Iris
Brober.
Akasha felt a weird feeling on her back. As if she was gently being pushed forward.
Iris
Illyis.
Akasha
Ilias, I said we can’t play with you.
Ilias looked towards his mom.
Ilias
What?
Iris started jumping up and down on Akasha’s lap giggling.
Iris
Illyis, illyis, illyis.
Akasha stood up because of the pushing now. She put Iris at her feet.
Iris
Brober.
Iris walked off towards Ilias to play with him. Ximendos came and stood by Akasha.
Ximendos
What’s wrong?
Akasha
They’re beautiful.
Ximendos put his arms around Akasha from behind.
Ximendos
I know.
Akasha
They’re our children.
Ximendos
Did you doubt that?
He chuckled.
Akasha
No. They just really are.
Present time………
Ximendos
Hypocrisy and hate drove you. Yes, there was love but there was very little of it. You saw humans dying in 3rd world countries and the only time you thought to lift a finger, the only time you put them in your prayers, was when there was a natural disaster of the sort.
Humans all over the world looked up to hear their God.
Ximendos
But just as with the genocide with the Jews, gypsies, and more, you were a little too late.
9 years ago………
Iris held Ilias’ hand while they walked behind their father in the night.
Ilias
How much longer, daddy?
Ximendos
Not much further. Quit your whining.
It wasn’t him whining, it was Iris. He was only speaking on her behalf.
Iris
I want to go home.
Ximendos
You won’t after we get there.
Ilias
What is it you’re going to show us?
Ximendos
The stars.
A few minutes later they reached the top of a green hill.
Ximendos
We’re here.
Ilias and Iris looked around.
Ilias
It’s just a hill.
Ximendos
Not just any hill, Ilias. It’s my favorite one.
Ilias
Big deal.
Ximendos sat down.
Ximendos
Come sit.
Iris
Okay, daddy.
Iris sat down next to him and got under his left arm.
Ximendos
Will you sit, Ilias?
Ilias
When I feel like it.
Ximendos
Do as you please.
Ximendos lied back with Iris to look up at the stars.
Iris
Why are there lights in the sky?
Ximendos
They’re stars. They’re just burning fires in the sky.
Iris
Can I be a star?
Ilias
You don’t want to be on fire, do you?
Iris
No, but I want to be as pretty as them.
Ximendos
I think you’re far more beautiful than they will ever be.
Iris hugged her daddy.
Ilias
I don’t want to be a star. I want to bring them down from the sky.
Ximendos
Why would you want to do such a thing?
Ilias walked over and sat by them.
Ilias
Because they should be down here with us. There shouldn’t be anything or anyone above us. Everything should be equal.
Ximendos
You think so?
Ilias
We’re all the same, dad. We’re all just living.
Ximendos
You have a lot to learn.
Ilias lied back next to Iris.
Ximendos
Humans used to think the stars were some kind of heaven. A place where their lost loved ones used to watch over them.
Iris
That’s sweet.
Ilias put his arm up and in his hand he acted as if he was holding a star.
Ilias
I wish I could touch them though.
Iris
Your hand would be on fire!
Ilias
They won’t hurt me. Nothing can.
Ximendos
Not while I’m around.
Ilias
What happens when you’re not?
Ximendos
Well I will train you both soon so you can protect yourselves.
Ximendos turned on his side and put his right arm over both of them.
Ximendos
Ilias, I need you to promise me something.
Ilias looked over at his dad. He now wasn’t paying too much attention to the stars.
Ilias
Yeah?
Ximendos
I want you to promise me you’ll always protect your sister.
Iris closed her eyes on her father’s chest.
Ximendos
There will be times that your mother and I won’t be around to stop pain from coming to you both. In the event that we’re gone, you must protect your sister. You must put her above even yourself. I know you said that no one should be above someone, but that’s not entirely true. People we love should be above us. Always and forever.
Ilias
I promise, dad. I would never let anything happen to my little sister.
Ximendos held them both in his arms.
Ximendos
I’ve done a lot in my life. I probably will do more in the future. But in retrospect, it was all worth it. Just to feel your little hearts in my hands when you were born. That was enough to destroy any regret I ever had.
Ilias
Dad, are you sad?
Ximendos
Sometimes.
Ilias
Don’t be sad dad.
Ximendos
Were it so easy.
Ilias held his dad’s hand.
Ilias
You have us.
Ximendos
I do. I really do. And I love you both very much.
Iris fell asleep.
Ilias
We love you too dad. Just don’t be sad.
Ximendos
I’ll try.
Ilias smiled. The moon shined in his grey eyes.
Ximendos
Now go to sleep.
They slept under the stars. They slept in times of peace. Ximendos felt it for the first time since his mother held him in her arms. He knew he found his heart again.
Present time……
Ximendos
For such evolved creatures, you allowed yourself to be enslaved by money and things that would only lead to further dividing yourself. You forgot that you were all in this together. Let it slip your mind that this life is short and fragile. You were always expecting a hand to help you up while you kept yours crossed to others who needed it.
8 years ago
Ilias sat in the grass with Iris.
Iris
Why does the world hurt, brother?
Ilias
So many reasons. It would be wrong to try and pick one.
Iris
I wish it didn’t. I wish there was some way to make everyone happy.
Ilias
There isn’t. Not from what I know. If you think about it, it doesn’t even seem like they really want to be happy.
Iris crossed her legs.
Iris
I’m glad our training is over. Now we can relax.
Ilias
I as well. Dad pushed us really hard. He wants so much from us.
Iris
I suppose it’s out of love. He has good intentions.
Ilias
I agree. He is just so dedicated.
Iris
And he’s trying to instill that in us.
Ilias
Dedication. It can really be someone’s downfall.
Iris
Oh well.
She waved her hair around.
Iris
Do you think it would be possible to travel?
Ilias
Where would you want to travel?
Iris
I don’t know. Maybe
Ilias
I don’t think so. Mom isn’t too fond of going anywhere. She says we’re to keep to ourselves.
Iris
I know. I just wish though. One day I’d like to see the whole world.
Ilias laughed.
Iris
Why are you laughing?
Ilias
That’s a silly dream.
Iris
Why is that? The world is beautiful. I’d like to see it before the humans destroy it.
Ilias
I’ll show you it one day.
Present time………
Ximendos
You’ve done more damage to this planet then any other earthling. You’ve denied it and you’ve continued with your normal ways so you wouldn’t have to change your way of living. Change is hard, I should know. But at what expense would you stay the same? The life of this planet? The life of your kind? It has become rather disgusting.
5 years ago……
Iris held a baby pig in her hands while Ilias played with a white husky dog.
Iris
What did you name him?
Ilias
The dog?
Iris
Yes, the dog.
Ilias
Nothing. He doesn’t have a name.
Iris
Why is that?
Ilias
Well he can’t choose it so I thought it would be rude to give him a name. It’s not like he has given me a name.
Iris set the little pig down.
Iris
Well now I feel bad for naming her Maple.
Ilias laughed.
Ilias
It’s okay. It’s not like you’re going to eat it.
Iris felt repulsed.
Iris
I can’t believe people actually eat these animals.
The dog licked Ilias’ face.
Ilias
They don’t understand they’re animals as well. They don’t understand that they have the brain power to deny the murdering of these defenseless creatures.
Iris
It’s pathetic. They’d rather a delicious meal than knowing they let these beautiful creatures breathe.
Iris felt her eyes watering up.
Iris
If only there was a way to stop it.
Ilias stood up straight.
Ilias
There isn’t now. But there will be. One day humans won’t eat animals. One day they’ll treat them as if they’re friend. For now I need you to keep control of your emotions. Remember what dad said.
Iris
Keep control, I know.
Ilias
That’s better.
He hugged her.
Ilias
You can only cry when I cry.
They laughed.
Present time…………
Ximendos
You’ve not only destroyed your own kind, you’ve also slaughtered your fellow earthlings. Yet you consider yourselves the masters of this planet? Who is the lesser beast? The lion who cannot tell themselves they don’t need to kill or the human who can? The answer is you. You’ve turned these defenseless animals into a luxury for your tongues. And you never gave it a second thought. You put an animal to sleep when it hurt your kind but when did you ever volunteer yourself to be executed when you killed theirs? Never. Well it all ends here.
4 years ago……..
Akasha and Velis stood before Ilias and Iris.
Ilias
Hello Velis, long time it has been.
Velis
Hello kids!
Iris smiled.
Akasha
We have a surprise for you.
Velis stepped aside to reveal a boy behind her. He was the same size as Ilias. He had short black hair and blue eyes.
Velis
This is Cameron.
Akasha
Your new brother.
Velis stood behind Cameron and pushed him forward.
Velis
Don’t be shy, Cameron.
Ilias looked at Cameron and then lifted his hand.
Ilias
My name is Ilias.
Cameron lifted his hand and shook it.
Cameron
I’m Cameron.
Iris
I’m Iris.
They shook hands too.
Akasha
Velis and I have things to do. We will check in on you later.
They left the room.
Ilias
How old are you, Cameron?
Cameron
I’m fifteen.
Ilias
That is the age we are.
Cameron smiled.
Iris
Where did you come from?
She said excited.
Cameron
A burning fire.
Ilias
That’s a rather odd place to have come from.
Cameron
My house blew up. My brother and mom died in it.
Iris
That’s horrible. How did it happen?
Cameron
I made it happen. I left the gas on and my mom turned on a fire.
Ilias
That is terrible.
Cameron
If you guys don’t mind, I’d like to sit down and think.
Ilias
Feel free to do so.
Ilias walked towards the exit.
Ilias
We’ll speak with you later, brother.
Cameron
Don’t call me that.
Ilias
Excuse me?
Cameron
Brother. I had a brother. I don’t want another one. Especially one that was chosen for me.
Ilias
Very well.
He left.
Iris
I’m sorry about that. But I’ll leave you to yourself as well, Cameron. It was nice meeting you.
Cameron
Thanks. It was nice meeting you too.
She smiled and walked away. She sat in the other room and listened to his thoughts.
Present time………..
Ximendos
It’s all over now. The time you had to save yourselves, to change everything, is gone. But don’t let your hearts be troubled, change has come. You’re now in a new world. One where happiness and peace will reign forever.
3 year ago…….
Ilias
When the time comes, we must act. We must follow father in all that he asks of us.
Iris
It will be done. I see no other way.
Ilias
That perfect world we’ve always wished for will be ours.
Iris
We’ll all be happy. The world will be happy.
Ilias
Yes we will.
Iris
Promise it will all work out?
Ilias
I promise, Iris. We’ll all be happy and I will never leave you.
Ximendos and Akasha walked into Ilias and Iris’ bedroom.
Ximendos
We just wanted to tell you two good night.
Ilias
Goodnight.
Iris
Pleasant dreams.
Akasha kissed them both on their foreheads.
Akasha
Goodnight, babies.
Present time………..
Ximendos
I promise you that you will love the world the Solace Empire has given you.
He stood in the palace with Akasha and Amya standing around him.
Ximendos
This is your new world.
The sun was rising.
Ximendos
And soon you will all be new humans.
ohmygod this chapter was beyond touching.
ReplyDeleteit really confuses me because it makes it harder to choose a side. I've noticed the bad guys have more touching moments than the good guys. hmmm?
I love how you portrayed them as children it made me go aww they're so cute.
Hm, tell me what side I should choose? GO GO GO!
I love how you slipped in the vegetarian agenda there buddy. Maybe someday i'll be vegetarian again.
The cleansing feels so calming and what Ximendos was saying is all so true and sad to say when you think about it..
ReplyDeleteI liked how it went back and forth from Iris and Ilias being young to present day..keeps me from being bored lol..
Whats next?! :D
I think you'll know why but i skipped the first bit of the chapter, just sorta hit home. It was a really good chapter nonetheless, if Ximendos wasn't such a bad guy id love him, his ideals are awesome, but his way of going about them, not so much...... Very gripping chapter. want more!!
ReplyDeletegeez! you're making it so hard to show which side is good , bad. maybe this proves that they're really isn't good vs evil. because i guess in some way everyone is good and everyone is evil. this is chapter is really good.
ReplyDeleteand you really captured how much a parent really does love their children. soooo good <333
i cant wait for the next chapter
For some reason, this chapter has been put into my list of favorites. Even with the no action/intensity scenes which I really like. It conveys Ximendos's and his family's dreams which are currently turning into reality. So now I have been convinced their plan isn't evil at all. It shouldn't even prevented, maybe to an extent? I don't know.
ReplyDeleteI love how this whole chapter was written too. Past and Present. bits and pieces of it after another. One of the longest chapters I've seen yet I read it pretty quickly. I now saw how Ilias and Iris were raised like and how Akasha and Ximendos were very good parents to them. They didn't hide very much from them at all and told them the truth.
My favorite line for some odd reason was Akasha's to Ilias, "You can’t always get what you want. I won’t hand it all to you."
As a young boy, Ilias already knew he had to work for what he wanted.
So yessss much love to this chapter and to ARKAIN.
we're already at FIFTY-ONE.
I remember the day when it was only Chapter 13 I'd be waiting for. :D
Damn this chapter is something else.
ReplyDeleteThe way that Ximendos is talking and proclaiming how things
makes ne want to be in there empire.
Iris and Ilias hve such a strong connection between them
that it makes you wonder what would happen if they
had to save one anohters life.
I feel that Ilias would so it in an instant, I'm not so sure about Iris.
There is no action taking place in this chapter.
Ximendos, my favorite character, makes up for it with the powerful
messages that he says to all the people who are listening.
Akasha shows her live for her kids like a mother should,
there is no doubt that she genuinely lovesher kids and would do
anything in order togve them always happy.
I love how Ximendos shows the hypocrisy that the humans have in the world
and how he tells them that he will give them a new world to be proud of.
This is one of my favorite chapters up to date and cannot wait to
read what the next chapter will be about.
Keep it going Morales.
I think this section was very touching and I like the whole back and forth. BUT I find the characters rather stilted and the description of the surroundings sparse. For example, instead of saying "he turned around to face her", say "as he turned around to face her, catching the light of sun shimmering in her hair, he was reminded of why he fell in love with her to begin with. Her hazel eyes blazed as the light hit her face.
ReplyDeleteOk, this is a bit exaggerated, but do you see where I'm going with this? You may as well put more thought into that because if you intend to turn this into a movie, you will need to take notice of those details. Don't wait until later...
i really liked the usage of the present and the past. i like seeing both sides. it is always fun to see what a character is like in the past and how they are in the future or how the situations have changed.
ReplyDeletei love love love loved the commentary on eating meat. poor little animals being eaten so saddddd :( i like how you put it in here.
i never really paid much attention to these two characters. i loved gemma and of course arkain but, now i want to know more about these two characters
Wow, very thoughtful. It's crazy what is written in this chapter is in your mind. I wouldn't even think of the things you've written xD
ReplyDeleteAmazing, superb! :D
Not every one can appreciate a chapter like this to be honest.
ReplyDeleteI loved this chapter so much. I love when you show the human side of ximendos.
He is a father and a husband. It makes you step back and realize maybe there really is no bad side or good side. There are just people with ideals and beliefs of what should be. Everyone is fighting for what they believe in. Does that make someone good or bad? No. It just makes them passionate. Once again I must applaud how you set the scene up. It can truly be put on film or in an animation. I can see it switching from scene to seen all the while he says his speech.
I loved watching the birth of his kids and how they grew up; we get to see the first sign of the powers. I must say I loved the ball seen. You know what it reminded me of. “You are truly my son” UGH it was so good. Loved that. I love how you take inspirations and make them your very own.
We also get a taste of the brotherly and sisterly connection. It scares me what may come to happen with the whole gemma and ilias thing as the story plays on.
Also the introduction of cammi was nice. As we can see he has always been a free bird. He has always seemed to have his own thoughts and be his own person.
It’s a beautiful and poignant chapter I must give u praise for. Wonderful job.
I already know in the future you will go in and probably readjust some things or add on. I would like even more “imagery”.
Amazing.. I kept reading it and just visualizing the flash backs and the moving around and it's just amazing. The story is really pulling together. To be honest, I've been scared to get caught up because then I won't have anything to read! Haha, but I'm moving on. Yet another amazing chapter.
ReplyDeleteer...what? I had no idea Velis was so much older than cameron, seeing as she introduced him to Ilias and Iris as kids. Perhaps she is a woman version of a pedobear.
ReplyDeleteWow! What an amazing chapter! The transitioning between the two stories is soo smooth and awesome! I love this chapter.. it just shows how Ximendos' cleansing plan of the new world has a deeper meaning.. It shows how everything starts new for both stories! i cant wait to read how the world is going to be now, now that the cleansing is done!
ReplyDeleteSo cool...the names Akasha and Ximendos choose were very simalar...
ReplyDeleteSeeing the kids discovering thier powers was intresting..My kids don't have magical powers...lol those are some powerful kids!
Ummmm I kind of agree with Ximendos' speech he makes alot of good points..
I completely agree with the part about how we should put people we love before us! yesss
that was so wonderful to just fall asleep with your kids under the stars...
love it..
and that bit about the killing of animals was great! "you put an animal to sleep when it hurt your kind but when did you ever volunteer yourself to be excuted when you killed theirs?"
how great is that! oh my lord lol
I like how you kept going back and forth from ximendos speech, that was great!
What does he mean new humans? :O I thought he was just going to kill them all? :D Oh and I think this is another one of my FAVORITE chapters. I don't think the other ones compare to the emotion and detail that this one has.
ReplyDeleteXimendos' speech is definitely my favorite part, but I love that you also included flash backs of their past, especially when Iris and Ilias were born. I think going through their childhood was great and kinda reminds me of my own sibling relationship.
The part about the "killing other meat" part was funny because I was like "Oh. here goes the vegetarian bit" hehe.