Chapter 6
In a small dingy cell flooded with bright light, where the walls were inbuilt with a large screen. Mubarak and the Tamarisks were strapped to a cold stainless slab with their eyes suspended with magnetic clips. Eyeballs danced with terror in anticipation of what was coming next.
"Stay strong, my brothers. Allah would not allow us to die like infidels!" Mubarak cried.
But his words did little or nothing to ease the fears of his fellow fierce warriors. Acrimonious moans erupted from their throat. This was not the future they had imagined when they emigrated from their village. At that moment, the Halycones entered, each carrying a small containment of tiny robotic spiders, and the operation started. From behind each slab, a tiny dart of tranquilizer pierced into their neck and within a matter of time they became senile. Their limbs became suddenly heavy, heads reeling out of control. As the drugs took effect, the Halycon moved close to each slab of Tamarisk and opened the container, and the bionic spiders crawled upon them and disappeared through their orifices. Immediately, the spiders remain secured inside the bodies of the Tamarisk; the walls came alive with artificial images. There was a projection of memories of each Tamarisk on the wall. Different images interchanged, and the Halycones observed each image with great precision and communicated with one another in their irritating humming sound.
At the same time that the Halycones were observing the images, Thantys also got a telepathic signal. His throne room suddenly became lighted with ethereal images of the Tamarisk. But Thantys was more fascinated with Mubarak's memory. Every fiber of him vibrated with pure hate and he wondered how someone could live with so much odium without breaking down. Then he noticed something else, that all the negative energy was channeled at the thread of connectivity between the specimen and the Ark bearer.
Thantys could not help but take a moment to interpret the relationship between them. He found out the host and the ark bearer were indeed brothers, yet the host never considered him a brother, but a thief for stealing their father's affection. In some way, Thantys was sympathetic towards the host, for he shared his abhorrence with parents who did not understand how to balance their affection. Suddenly there was a bang and a connection between the host and the Ark bearer ceased to be. Thantys snarled and fumed, for he became apprehensive for the Ark bearer to come into the hands of the Tivs. His anger burned at the Tamarisk for their careless mistake.
Thantys signaled the Halycones and at his behest, they should wipe away the memories of the Tamarisk. At that moment, the bionic spiders released a malignant venom into their brains and the correlation of images on the wall became distorted, once the synchronization with the host became lost. A wave of discombobulation erupted in the test room. Their bodies were so traumatized that they couldn't fathom what was happening. Sibilant sounds shot through their eardrums, heightening the pang of confusion.
Then Thantys rose from his throne and flew majestically into the panopticon. He walked towards the glowing stone and raised his hands. Immediately, the entire legions of Halycon that were dormant came alive, fiery eyes brimmed with utmost evil.
"Now is the time for evil to rule"
The army of Halycones stomped their feet.
* * *
Zillah and Ibrahim sprinted to the top floor and into the secret chambers. It amazed the Xipetuses who had never beheld a human before at the fine healthy stock standing in their midst. He wasn't much different from them except for his short limbs and his milky skin.
"Council of the supreme Oldes, I present you the great Isah... Known previously as Ibrahim Abdulsalam, son of Kabiru Abdusalam," she announced.
A sudden fear came upon Ibrahim. He trembled and unable to focus. .
"Please step forward, Ibrahim, the Ark bearer!" the Oldes chorused with no delight.
But Ibrahim seemed to be unconscious of their droning voice. His eyes gazed into the space, as he imagined his little village and the loving face if his father. Then something cold touched his skin, and he turned to look into the concerned face of Zillah. Ibrahim quickly regained consciousness of where he was and ascended the flight of steps.
As he walked slowly, his heart pounded, beads of perspiration formed on his forehead and trickled down his cheek almost the same way he had felt on the day of his exhibition that never became a reality. Myriads of thoughts blasted his mind. What if the Ark did not fit? What would happen then? He wondered if his life would be the price of atonement for their survival. Deeply engrossed with his thoughts that he did not realize he was already standing at the summit. Suddenly there was a click…
Ibrahim blinked and murmured something to himself as he looked from one grim face of the Oldes to another.
"Ibrahim, the Ark bearer can you place the Ark in the chest, and unlock the mystery from within"
Without a second glance at the Ark, as if he was desperately trying to get rid of it. He inserted the Ark into the slot, and it fitted perfectly into the engine, and immediately the needles ticked momentarily. Transmitting electrical sparks into the engine and it sprung into life. Metals clanked and chimed. The faces of the Oldes widened in wonderment at the scene unfolding before them. Zillah and the rest of the Xipetuses at the base of the staircase could hear the engine ticking and became swept in a rapturous excitement. They could feel what was about to happen in their world.
Finally, the lid of the chest slid open, and a greenish stone glowed. The Oldes exchanged glances of reverence amongst themselves, utterly confounded with no words to say as the truth glared at them. They had no choice but to bow before the mortal! And every other creature followed in their action, with their chest heaving with sensations.
"Welcome to Alazend! Oh great Isah, the manifestation of the great masters, the primogenitors of Tiv"
Ibrahim was caught in this giant web of scientific display, but strangely, he felt different and to some extent; he recognized everything happening around him as real as the air he breathed. In that epiphanic moment, he said "Thank you_"
It was only after the words had issued out of his mouth that he realized what he had said and he flushed deeply. But relieved when none took notice. They were all thrilled to have their Isah with them. Then the Oldes decreed that Ibrahim be taken down to the Primose cave for a ritual to complete the reawakening process; and the meeting came to a triumphant end.
The very moment Ibrahim got outside of the chambers, he felt slightly better as he sucked in some air. Deep down, he knew his betterment wasn't about the air; it was about the Ark. He was partly glad that he did not disappoint Zillah and her clan, and the biggest part was that the Ark would be put into good use. At least to save a civilization on the verge of extinction. Although there were mind-boggling questions like what the rituals would be that they would carry out on him and if he were ever going back home, and be with normal human beings again. But he restrained himself from asking any more questions. This was a very sensitive moment in the world of Alazend and talking too much might just ruin that moment.
He raised his head to look at Zillah walking in front of him. Her demeanor had suddenly changed since the Oldes declared him their great Isah. She could not meet his gaze, and her head was bent in a servile manner. His lips twisted in a wry smile. Indeed, power was an intoxicating drink he did not mind getting drunk with. As Ibrahim stepped inside his room, his eyes almost popped out of their sockets. All the high technological gadgetry was gone, now replaced with a glass of water and a red pill.
"What is this?" he asked irritably.
"The truth, it's part of the ritual. Great Isah!" she replied calmly.
"Stop calling me that," he cried. "Between us, I am Ibrahim! The same Ibrahim!"
He said assertively and threw his hands into the air in frustration.
"Okay… but you say these things because you don't really know who you are, and it is expedient that you swallow the truth pill. You have to know the truth if you are going to defeat Thantys"
Ibrahim heaved a sigh, terribly upset.
"Why do I have to swallow this? Your supreme Oldes believe I am the great Isah, so do you. Let us just go and fight the evil guy."
Zillah almost burst into laughter, but restrained herself.
"You are the great Isah! But you have to see things for yourself, live through the moments that make you a god. Nobody can tell you this except you take the truth pill"
Their eyes met and Ibrahim could perceive she was speaking with a sincere heart, and there was nothing he was going to say that would convince her otherwise. Slowly, he reached for the pill and swallowed it, and washed it down with the glistening water. There wasn't much difference from the way he felt when he took any other medicine.
"Thank you, oh Great__"
"Enough already"
He screamed and plumped into the bed. "I am not seeing anything yet, Zillah," he taunted her.
"Or do I need to shut my eyes?"
Zillah lowered her gaze in utter mortification.
"I am sorry, but the truth pill takes time__"
"Takes time?" he interrupted her.
He sprung out of the bed, vibrating in anger.
"For goodness' sake, you can't make people into what they are not… I have given you the Ark, everything you can think of! Please I need to go back home, to see if I can help my brother and salvage what is left" he implored.
"Stop fighting your destiny! This is huge, bigger than what you can ever imagine"
Ibrahim hissed and laid back on the bed, and with that, the room fell into silence. He understood how useless it was to argue with Zillah. She was totally rigid and uncooperative. Her words even seemed like something out of the script. He wondered if that was what she had been telling all the mistaken Isah that had crossed path with her. Contemplations of how he was going to get out of his nightmare inflamed him. If he were their Isah according to their entire world, how come he wasn't feeling anything? For all he might know, they might be just some blood sucking demons leading him to his sudden demise. What other explanation for Mubarak and Tamarisk's total disappearance? Of course they must have been eaten by this alien race of monsters. Now the same fate awaited him! Hot tears stung his eyes as a wave of helplessness washed over him.
In the corner, Zillah watched him closely, and compassion filled her heart for him. All she wanted to do was help him out of his misery. Then, in that glum moment, something popped into her mind, and she beamed.
"Em,"
She said, pondering whether to call him the Isah or his name.
"Ibrahim, there is something I would like to show you"
He glanced at her and hissed venomously between clenched teeth.
"It is one of the most beautiful things you would ever see in your life," she continued, still smiling.
"I promise you, you are going to love it"
He heaved a sigh, contemplating what to do, but her offer seemed tempting.
"What is that?"
"is not what, is where?"
Zillah smiled broadly, and Ibrahim smiled back. They walked out of the room, sneaked through the hallway and into the elevator.
"You haven't said where we are going to?"
"It is a surprise," she replied.
Ibrahim was thrilled, for he loved the idea that he was doing something forbidden, and energy surged through his veins.
* * *
The elevator stopped at the antechamber, Zillah and Ibrahim rushed past the four sacred rooms, outside the obelisk structure. The sky was the same dull red, nothing much had changed. They ran in the open space towards the edge of the village, inhaling the fresh air. Somehow, Ibrahim was happy in a strange way that he could not explain. Soon, they stopped at the border where Shi'gunter, a forest of beautiful stately trees with broad branches that sparkled. Ibrahim became stunned, with his jaws dropping open. At least she was right when she told him they were the most beautiful things he had ever seen in his life.
As Ibrahim moved closer, the roots of the trees twitched, and the branches of each tree formed into a shape of a human. All their sparkles moved towards the top of the tree and segregated into a facial feature. Quickly, Ibrahim drew backwards and hid behind Zillah, totally terrified and enamored by their presence.
"These are the sacred photosynthetic Shi'gunter. They preserve our Eco-state. Every living organism gets its nourishment from them."
Ibrahim stepped out from her behind, eyes darting around in bewilderment.
"Thantys used their energy to control his nefarious experiments. These are all that is left of their kind"
Zillah reached out and touched the tree.
"They need us to keep them alive," she said sadly.
Ibrahim felt a little comfortable to touch a tree and at once, a globule of light emanated from the contact. Ibrahim was startled and extricated his hand.
"Don't be afraid! They acknowledge your presence"
Ibrahim looked at Zillah, and this time he wasn't angry. All he felt was compassion for the mystical plants. Suddenly, the alarm blared, and the ground quivered, with lights flickering in the sky.
"Something is wrong," she said.
She grasped his wrist, and they sprinted back to the building.