Hi guys, I hope you are enjoying the story. Please feel free to send me any comments via e-mail. Sorry this one is so late. I really hope to hear your reactions to the story.
I would like to thank my wonderful editor and great friend Samuel Roe (Cynus) for being an awesome person and a fantastic editor. You are amazing. Guys please Google him and find his stories, he's unbelievably talented.
Love,
H.
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This is pure fiction, and nothing else. Resemblance to actual persons living or deceased is purely coincidental, unless stated otherwise. This is not a copy, rewrite or idea from any other source but my slightly loopy mind and some knowledge about mythology. Please don't try to draw parallels to mythology or read into history to figure out possible events - You will only disappoint yourself. This is completely mine and mine alone: the concept, characters and their world.
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Illuminated
Chapter 4: Control and Power
"Try again, Helion." Arianna says, getting back into the meditating position. She looks like her ascended form in The Plane. "Remember, focus on the particles, the matter, and the atoms, and then will them to do what you want."
"I'm trying. It's just so hard concentrating when you feel so much energy around you." I say through closed eyes, trying to make the tiny space in front of my face vibrate.
A couple of minutes pass, Then I feel heat. As I open my eyes I see her smiling at me.
"See not that hard..."
I grin stupidly while playing with the pale turquoise flames, with golden flickers randomly mixed in, making them bigger and smaller; So small you could put them on your pinkie.
"Why are mine turquoise while yours were yellow?" I ask, making them split in two and spin around me.
"They reflect your inner nature. Mine are yellow because I'm a natural leader and yours...well, yours are more complex," she rises and levitates a few inches off the ground, "Yours consist of blue, green, and some variant of yellow. The blue indicates knowledge, intellect and peace. The green indicates growth, value of life and compassion. Then the golden flickers indicate leadership and ambition," she says looking at the white codex on the wall indicating various colours and their meanings. The white light in the room flickers a bit and she looks around confused.
"Oh, Okay... I want to make them bigger," I say like a toddler.
"Be careful, don't give them too much energy," she says as she drifts back a few feet.
"Okay, here we go..." I make them collide in front of me and slowly make them grow. They pulsate for a few moments, enlarging effortlessly until they are as big as I am.
Suddenly I feel a surge of power rushing through my mind. The flames implode and a ball of lightning, the size of a tennis ball, takes their place. Wide eyed I look up to Arianna. She gawks at the ball.
"Okay, Helion that's enough for today." She nervously comes closer, taking my hand and making the lightning disintegrate.
"What happened?" I ask as we lurch forward.
My eyes shoot open as the sunshine penetrates my curtains. Finally, it's the weekend. I can lay back and relax. However the incident with the lightning is still in the back of my mind. I'll find my sister later. I get up and do my morning bathroom routine and fly downstairs in my workout gear. No one is in the kitchen so I grab an energy bar and head out.
While jogging my phone goes off, it's Bill. * Our interview still on at 11:30 am? *
I reply in the affirmative. I follow my route down my street, past the park almost to the river and turn back. As usual I end my jog with and sprint up my street to my house.
I enter and hear mom and dad arguing about something. I head to the kitchen.
"No Alexei, I will not let him do it and that's final." Mom crosses her arms- Oohhh here comes trouble.
"But honey, we have to let him decide for himself. We can only advise, honey. It is his choice." Dad states firmly.
"What's with all the drama?" I casually ask, "Since I did not hear the cause of this discussion and apparently it's about me."
I take a seat at the table opposite them.
"Helion, Miss Gullien asked if you would like to come in today at two-thirty for an assessment," Dad says before Mom gets a chance to say anything.
"I think I can make it... It's time I get back on the horse if I want to compete again." I say with finality. I have been thinking about returning to the gym often.
"Honey, I thought you might want to wait a little longer?" mom says with concern in her voice.
"No mom, I need to get back to training."
"But-"
"Julia, dear, you heard him," dad backs me up.
"Just be careful," she says as she hugs me, messing up my hair. It doesn't sound like she's even half convinced.
I go back to my room to tackle some Accounting homework, no scares this time. As I reach the top of the stairs my sister comes out oc her room. She is dressed in her netball gear, high pony and all.
"Hey, what happened with my flames" I ask her.
"Let's go in your room." she takes my arm and pulls me inside. "I will need to explain our powers completely." She looks at me questioningly.
"Okay, I've got time," I say smiling.
"Good. Your DNA has almost unlimited storage capacity. Somehow, we don't even know why or how, the blue print for two additional chromosomes is stored inside. When a species is old enough according to the code, it activates. In your case we accelerated your genetics by fooling the code. They activate, mutate and you ascend at that point.
Our power finds it source in the brain. Our neurons are simultaneously firing at one hundred percent capacity. This enables us to control matter and energy to a high degree. Telepathy and telekinesis are standard abilities. We are able to impose our will on things and space around us without breaking physics' laws too much. You don't want things too crazy around you... An extension of this is a slower physical aging process and at a certain point you stop all together.
Everyone has different strengths, as is always true. For instance the twins had enhanced fighting skills because of their battle telekinesis. Apollon was one of the strongest telepaths I've ever seen. The Queen was able to rip apart five airships, each two square miles in size, in the war - she was the strongest telekinetic in our people's history. I'm a pretty good flier and pyrokinetic.
Now the flames are a manifestation raw power. Remember that you make the matter vibrate to create the flames. The faster you make it move, the brighter they become. Lightning is only produced when you reach a power level equivalent to at least ten years of training in telekinesis. You were able to do it in three days.
You are an unbelievably powerful ascended being and need to control that power. But that is why you have me."
I sat there trying to digest the information. A few moments later she left for her netball game. I mumbled 'Good luck' in her direction.
Time passed so quickly that before I knew it, it was 10:45. I guess Accounting will have to wait. I flew up, showered, put on some tight grey jeans and a slightly tight white T-shirt. I grabbed a pair of black All-Stars and left. You never know who you might meet along the way.
As I quickly walked to the restaurant I notice the blue and white election posters saying, "Vote Thompson" on the light posts. I like him. He is all about acceptance and equality, while working hard for everything you want in life. If I were old enough I'd vote for him in the upcoming elections.
I reach the tram station and take one heading to the city centre. As the tram moves I choose a seat near the back that was a little apart from the other passengers. I sat down, took out my earphones to listen to some music. At the next station my heart stopped. A god gets on the tram. He has wavy dark hair, with rich brown eyes and a sexy five o'clock shadow. Deeply tanned skin all over his body. How do I know? Because he had the shortest pair of workout shorts on I've ever seen. He had a bright orange tank-top on and his muscles were superbly defined on his whole body.
He caught me staring and winked, naturally I turned red and cast my gaze downwards. As he got off at his stop I looked up and he blew me kiss. I died right then. A few minutes later I reached the city centre.
I neared the restaurant where Bill said to meet him and saw his car, a white Audi TT, parked across the street; His father owns half of our city. I enter the restaurant and a slightly irritated redheaded woman barks at me, asking where I want to sit. I tell her I was here with someone and Bill raises his hand at the back. I go to his table with her hot on my trail.
"Hi, Helion, thank you for doing this for m-the school," he says gesturing me to take a seat.
"It's no problem, really." I say looking at the menu.
"Okay, so while you order I'll ask some quick fire questions like, 'Ketchup or mustard?' or 'Day or night?' so our readers can get a feel of you."
"Fire away." I say giving the redheaded woman my order.
He asks his quick fire questions and I answer them. After a few moments he smiles and says we're done with that.
"So now come the real questions," he says forebodingly.
He probably saw the terrified look on my face and laughed.
"Oh, we have something to hide?" he asks naughtily.
"N..No" I stammer out-so smooth.
"Don't worry, I'm only kidding. There are no questions that you should be worried about." smiling he takes out his phone and sets it on record.
"Okay."
He asks usual questions about the mutation and my accident. I answer all of them. The waitress brings my chicken salad and his croissant and we continue, but suddenly he throws me for a loop.
"What is your significant other's reaction to the mutation?"
I get my pinkish hue. "Well, I'm not seeing anyone currently."
"Oh...Okay." He says taking his phone off of the table and turning the recorder off. "Thank you, that's enough for my article."
"It was nothing." I say, smiling shyly.
We finish our food and leave a tip, a small one for that rude woman. As we exit and he turns to his car we bump into each other. Our faces are inches apart. He leans in and lightly grazes my lips with his. I pull back.
"I'm sorry, I kind of have my eye on someone." I say to Bill.
"Oh, god I look like an idiot." He face-palms himself. "I'm so sorry."
"It's okay, I feel flattered someone like you would be attracted to someone like me."
He looks at me like I'm crazy. "What do you mean 'someone like me.' You are like the hottest junior at our school. I mean look at your ass!" he excitedly blurts out and covers his mouth. He blushes and I laugh. "Uhm..uh, I uh."
"It's okay. I like yours too." I say winking at him. "See you at school, bye." I turn around and walk away, jiggling my butt more. I glance back and see him trying to open his car while watching me. I chuckle to myself.
I head home and reach my house just as my phone rings.
"Helion where are you?" my mom asks.
"Look out of the window." I say.
"Oh. Good we need to go if you want to make it to the gymnasium."
"Cool, I'll go up and get ready."
As we enter the gym I can hear Miss Gullien yelling to someone...
"No, no, no you do not have to be the best. You don't focus on any other competitor, you only have to best yourself. Never compare children, never. It is easy and requires basic intelligence."
"Good afternoon Miss G!" I yell out my pet name for her.
She spins around and her face lights up with excitement.
"Helion, It's so wonderful that you've made it." She hugs my mother and I. "So let's talk about this first. I don't want you to do anything that's too dangerous or that you're not ready for."
I walk over to the floor exercise practice deck.
"You just do your stretches and warm up for half an hour." She turns back to the rest of class.
"Continue everyone, beautiful execution is our aim, remember."
I stretch out and do my warm ups while she watches my routine with rapt attention. After about half an hour she looks at the time.
"Thank you, Helion, that's enough." She walks to my mother and whispers in her ear. My mom looks at her in disbelief. She just nods as Miss G continues while I awkwardly shift from one foot to the other...
"Helion, can I speak with you in private please?" Miss G asks me.
"Uhm, sure?" We walk to her office. She opens her door and we enter a room filled almost completely with trophies some of which I recognized as mine. She sits down while opening her drawer, rummaging for something. A few moments later she apparently finds it. She lifts a huge picture album on to her desk.
"Helion, do you recognize this person?" she asks pointing to a blonde boy in a pictures practicing tumbling.
"No, Miss G."
"That is Antonov Gemili, the best rings champion in gymnastics' history." She turns the page again. "Do you recognize her?"
"No, Miss G, I don't."
"That is Guilien Roux, me. The highest scoring floor champion in history of gymnastics." She closes the book and places it back in the drawer and looks at me...
"You need to stop doing gymnastics."
My mouth fell open.
"Why, Miss G?"
"It is not for you anymore. You see what you, me and Antonov have in common is an injury in competition. When that happens you can overcome it, but it never goes away. You are already the youngest world champion ever and I cannot teach you more." She takes my hand and squeezes it tightly ."You have reached the top in this sport and have fallen hard. You cannot stay here, in this space anymore."
"But what will I do?" I reply near tears.
"Figure skate." She replies matter-of-factly.
"Both Antonov and I changed to figure skating after our respective injuries. He became triple world champion and I'm still the highest scoring skater in history."
She hands me a piece of paper with Nova Primus written on it and a phone number at the bottom.
"Call her and confirm with her, please."
"But...Okay fine... are you sure, Miss G?" I feel broken inside. What will I do without my Gymnastics?
"Yes, you are too emotional now and need to express yourself differently. Gymnastics is not free enough."
She rises from her chair opening the door...
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I fall on my bed after a very eventful day of mixed happenings. Why is life so complicated? We called that woman and she seemed friendly enough. She said we should be at the ice-rink next Saturday. Why is all of this happening to me? Why? I fall into a restless slumber...
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"Systems engaged. Estimated arrival time, 10 Earth weeks." The ships computer announces.
He paces again. What does this mean? Why would they do this again?
"Sir, your people are awaiting clarification on this huge deviation from the main objective." Admiral Drion, clad in his luminous silver and blue battle gear says, as he enters the chamber.
The most soothing male voice answers, "It has come to a time of war, Drion." The 10 ft. High Commander rises. Stunningly beautiful, his piercing emeralds are glowing with care. He removes his crown and his fiery neck length hair falls into place. As he moves to the arena his bulging toned physique stirs feelings in Drion's groin.
"Come now Drion, behave." The High Commander chuckles as opens the door leading to the stage. Drion blushes and covers his crotch.
The deafening chanting of the crowd rises even more as he steps into their field of vision. "Mizan, Mizan, Mizan.." He nears the edge of the platform and gazes at his people. An ocean of silver and a rainbow of colours meet him. The whole arena is ablaze with light. He ascends to the centre, hovering there.
"My fellow Icruxians I wish to commend you on your efforts to rebuild our once beautiful Icrux." He points up to the massive glass dome covering the five hundred and five thousand seat arena, filled to the brim. On the outside, orbiting a white star is a planet much like mars but two times earth's size. "We have done the majority of the work needed and all that remains is the oceans, atmosphere."
Cheers erupt from the crowd again. "But something has occurred." A hush falls over the Icruxian people.
"Minerva and her three generals have made a move in the Milky way on Earth again." Whispers immediately rise and quickly become a roar. Mizan gathers a bit of energy around him.
A blinding pale-blue light explodes in all directions and his voice is amplified so much it sounds to every person like he is right next to them.
"Do not fear. They have only activated one human as we desolated their technology in the last skirmish. They cannot do much harm to us." He lowers his powers and voice, "We are still evenly matched. They have half a million troops and so do we. The reason we have stopped is to investigate what is happening on Earth. Any threat Minerva poses anywhere in the universe must be negated." He draws out his last sentence and emphasizes every word.
He turns around and lands on the platform. "Details with regards to the mission will be sent to all of you."
He re-enters his chamber with Drion's 9ft. following him. As he sits the door opens and the leader of the Defence Systems, Arionnix, enters. "Welcome Arionnix, welcome. As I understand you are the telepath who picked up on the human's signature?" He motions to the 9,5ft blond god to sit. His warm oceanic blue gaze meets Mizan's.
"Yes, Mizan, I did," he says, shifting uncomfortably.
"What are you not telling me?"
"Mizan, we might have a problem. The human's signature was strong, very strong." Arionnix taps on his chair with his fingers.
"How strong?" Mizan asks, beginning to get irritated.
"Far stronger than Minerva." Arionnix lowers his head and Drion gasps.
Mizan's face hardens and his jaws clench, "He must be terminated."
Both commanders solemnly nod thinking of the immense power that human must wield ...
To be continued....
Sorry it took so long guys. I was quite busy, but I hope the wait was worth it. Please let me know...
Love,
H.