“Remember that I told you that the primitive race had the power to create universes?”
Alex nodded.
“Well, there you go; that’s exactly what they did, by creating an alternate one and so survived.”
“So it’s possible that they created this one,” Alex said, his eyes widening.
“Well...”
The ambulance arrived with Mrs. Howe in a paralyzed state. Four butlers were there to help her. The crowd at Central Square saw this and everyone remained silent as John ran towards the ambulance. They understood that something was out of place. John was in shock when he saw his mother. The paramedic team took her to the emergency room and with the four butlers, he followed them. Her eyes were closed and she was totally still.
Once they reached the emergency room, John was asked to stay outside and wait until the doctors gave their final prognosis. He waited for thirty minutes until Richard and Herbert arrived.
“I don’t know what to do,” John said. “Just a few hours back, I spoke to her about so many things. She seemed fine and now...now...” His voice trailed off.
“Everything’s going to be fine, John. Don’t worry,” Herbert reassured.
“Yeah, your mother’s a strong person. She’s not going to give up,” Richard added.
“What happened at the ceremony?” John asked.
“We’ve postponed it indefinitely,” Herbert said.
“Why?” John said. “You should have continued.”
“John, are you crazy?” Richard said. “Right now your mother’s condition is more important.”
“I know that, but I can’t have this government go into anarchy again. We should do something before it happens.”
“That won’t happen,” Richard said, shaking his head. “We have the support of the people.”
John sighed, “I hope you’re right.”
Angel and her parents walked into the small common room where they sat. “Is she alright?” asked Angel, sounding genuinely concerned.
John said, “We don’t know yet.” He shook Ken’s hand and hugged Martha, who was still sobbing. “Don’t cry, Martha. I know things are going to be fine.”
Martha shook her head, “I know,” she wiped away her tears with a handkerchief, “I just can’t believe what’s happened.”
Angel rolled her eyes. Such a drama queen.
The doctor walked into the room, closing the door behind him as they stood up anxiously awaiting his news. John hurriedly went to shake his hand and asked, “Is everything okay?”
The doctor said, “I’m sorry to inform you, Mr. Howe, but your mother’s in a coma.”
“Are you telling me that this universe, the one that’s here now was created by the Migrites and the Elemnauri and the Gaians?”
“Exactly,” Nikolas said.
Alex laughed in disbelief, “You’re serious?” He turned to the Rebels to find a different answer in their faces. They all smiled and nodded their agreement. “That’s...that’s unbelievable,” said Alex.
“Truth isn’t validated by belief; it just is,” Nikolas said, echoing God’s words.
Alex smiled and said, “Okay, so go on.”
“Right. Where was I?” He thought for a moment. “For a few years, Gaius refused him and when things were going badly during the War of the Eight Kings, Anaxagoras asked him for support. Gaius freely gave it. Anaxagoras said that if he was to help him with troops and with the five sons, he would give him half his kingdom. Of course, this was an outright lie. The kings made the pact and Gaius gave Anaxagoras the secrets to create life, actual life!”
“And he did.”
Nick nodded, “They were the strongest the world had ever seen. When the war finally ended, Anaxagoras failed to stay true to his side of the pact and Gaius took away his sons, one by one until no one was left. But, he didn’t take away the knowledge. He couldn’t because Anaxagoras’s mind was way too powerful. So, after the conversion, he created Aidan. Then, Aidan created you.”
They remained silent after that. Alex folded his legs and sat in a lotus position, his back leaning on the pillow. He pondered silently about all that Nikolas had said so far. The Rebels did likewise. He finally understood. His connection to Anaxagoras was a result of all these things. If the king had never learned these things, he wouldn’t have been able to make Aidan and in turn teach his sixth son the technique so that he could create Alex. It fit perfectly. He sat there, looking at Nikolas.
“Do you get it?” Nikolas asked him.
“Yes,” Alex nodded, “I suppose I do.”
Daniel stood outside as the morning sun lighted his crimson eyes. He clasped his hands together behind his back. He had been standing there for the last fifteen minutes on helipad eight, waiting for Mikhail and the five scientists he had ordered to do the blood analysis. He thought about the future as he waited. What glory it would be to have the power of the king, over the king! He smiled at the thought.
They arrived, the sound of their footsteps reaching his ears. He turned around swiftly. “Gentlemen!” He raised his arms as if he was going to embrace them. “You have all done well! Excellent, I tell you!”
The scientists bowed in gratitude.
“Do you have a copy of the reports?” Daniel asked them.
“Yes, Mr. President,” one of the scientists said. He looked up at Daniel through thick spectacles and handed him the file.
“Good,” said Daniel. He acted as if he was reading them. He took his time and they waited. “Now, my dear scientists, you do know what we have found out is to be kept a secret?”
The scientist nodded and said, on behalf of himself and his colleagues, “Of course, Mr. President.”
Daniel remained silent for a moment and then said gravely, “That is why I must destroy anything and anyone who knows of it.” The scientists’ eyes suddenly bulged with fear. Before they could protest Daniel took out his sword and sliced off their heads. He started with the one who handed him the file and rushed towards the other four, jumping and killing them. Their corpses dissolved into fiery ashes.
He walked away coolly and said to Mikhail, “Have someone clean this up and make sure there’s a total memory wipeout done for their computers.”
He was about to go into the Command Center when Mikhail asked him, “What exactly does that file contain?”
“If I told you, I’d have to kill you,” Daniel smirked and left.
The ceremony was an hour and a half behind schedule. The crowds gathered again and the music and pomposity returned to its original zeal and vigor. This lightened the mood, especially for John, who was constantly thinking of his mother’s condition. That was the problem with a coma. There was no certainty in it. All he could do was pray and have faith. Richard eyed him warmly as they sat in the room. John sat back with his head lifted, resting on the chair and gazing at the ceiling. He sighed, “Why?”
Bacon didn’t speak; he was totally transfixed by John’s face, which was a picture of gravity and suffering. They were waiting for the doctor’s permission to see Mrs. Howe. The rest of the visitors were asked to leave. Herbert promised he would take care of the ceremony and left to raise the spirits of the crowd. Angel and her parents wanted to stay, but the doctor was strict. So, they went along with Herbert to his office for some refreshments.
The doctor came into the hallway and said, “It’s alright. You can come in now.” John and Richard followed him quickly to the doorway. The two of them entered the room where Mrs. Howe lay. Her heart and brainwaves were being monitored. She didn’t seem to be breathing, but there was an airway that went through her nostrils so that she got the proper amount of oxygen needed to sustain her body.