"The Terra's are cruel by nature. They got no physical body. They tend to hide themselves in foul and toxic air. They are able to merge and take the form of liquid. They came into being around seven hundred years ago. They inhabited in a planet called 'XQ-299' located in Galaxy Evian, 2 trillion light years away from Planet Neptune. "
Risha raised an eyebrow. The 3D book she had in hand was titled as 'Universal Encyclopedia : Part 129 - Dangerous species'.
According to Shaan they still have to wait for 57 hours before getting off the time capsule. Yes, the thing they are inside is called time capsule.To pass the time, Noah gave it to her saying that it would give her better knowledge about Terras. Reading the last line, she was intrigued.
'The distance was compared with Neptune and not Earth? Interesting! '
She read further.
"XQ - 299 was a perfect living place for Terra's. Being an intelligent being, they were quickly developed. They had perfect mastery on advanced technology and science. They were rapidly improving themselves. They evolved themselves so that they can can control over beings with physical form and reside inside them. They had taken over 160 thousand beings without intelligence. They would've been considered to be one of the most resourceful and intelligent beings if that incident hadn't take place. Just like many other beings, their extreme intelligence caused their fall. Their countless research and experiments destroyed the land and the environment became uninhabitable. The air was filled with a thick layer of carbon monoxide, chlorine, ammonia, nitrogen dioxide, phosgene and many other gases. Even Terra, who has most survival rate in poisonous air, was forced to leave the planet.
They took refugee in a neighbour planet. But XQ-299 had countless toxic substances had countless reactions and eventually the whole planet exploded with a tremendous might. The explosion of XQ-299 reached it star, causing it to destruct which lead to the destruction of three solar system excluding its own"
"The Terra's are ruthless by nature. They have a dominant instinct. They had taken over countless creatures, controlling them like their slaves. However the authority has never taken action against them considering the fact that none of the creatures they had taken over were intelligent beings. But after they took over 'The Kaya's, the very intelligent beings that gave shelter to them after the Solar explosion incident. Although it is completely unknown how they survived in the previous 200 years after the incident. The authority warned them and ask them to stop but they didn't. Once started, they continuously ravaged other beings and destroyed their system mercilessly. The authority considered them a threat to the entire living system and decided to eliminate them. But none of the attacks worked. Each time there were attacked they would disappear completely and come back with a greater might. All the weaknesses the authority held against them were proved to be useless. It seemed like they have evaluated themselves into a perfect being that has no weakness. It is highly suspected that they could survive in any environment. There are currently no prevent measures against them. Once a being is taken over by them, there is nothing one can do. The victim could be considered dead immediately. An extremely strong will may fend them off for a few moments but no one has ever resisted them more than a minute. Not a single being has ever won against them. There are absolutely no exception. "
'Absolutely no exception! What does that mean? Were there no one who was normal after getting in contact with them? So I'm the first one. But why me?'
Countless question crossed her mind. But there was no one to ask. Noah strictly forbade her from coming out saying it would be dangerous. She wanted to ask why but she couldn't. Safe as she feels in Noah's presence, she also fears him. Shaan was hotheaded and bickered with her but at least he was easygoing. But Noah, although he smiled a lot and always had a friendly tone, all of Risha's senses warned him. Like something inside her was constantly saying,
"Do not trust him too much. He is a wolf in sheep's clothing. The moment you let you guard down he will reap benefits while you will be broke."
Risha would then wonder, 'But I... I practically have nothing. What can he possibly take from me? And I still don't understand him. He kept telling me to co-operate with him. He said I would get my family back but he never disclosed his side. How would my cooperation benefit him in any way?'
Another part her say, 'He said he would help me get my family back but never proved himself.'
'B-but we got no other choice. He is our only way'
'Still don't trust him. Trust your gut feelings. He is suspicious. The book said there is no way to prevent those Terras. So how would going back to past change anything? He could be lying, silly.'
'But he was the one who gave me the book. And the book said there are no exception. But I am an exception. Again, the book never explained how the authority survived against them or why they never attacked the authorities? Maybe the book is flawed? Maybe he knows more than the book?'
'Then why wouldn't he explain? '
'I...don't know.'
'That's why don't follow him blindly. Watch, explore. He definitely have some hidden motives. Gotta find that out.'
'What if he gets suspicious? He is not an easy one.'
'You're right. Before we find anything, it's best to listen to him. We can't afford to lose our last ray of hope. But be careful.'
'Yes, I will.'
In midst of thinking, Risha fell asleep.
A vast field, full of marigold plants. The flowers are in full bloom. The sun has gone down. All that remains is a warm orange light with a hint of red. Birds have started for their home. Colourful butterflies are flying over here and there. Soon it would be nightbreak. The fireflies are playing illuminating its surrounding. A peaceful land. Far away from civilization. A place that that has been extinct ages ago.
Risha watched in awe. She has seen the many place covered in green, surrounded with various flowers. She has seen rarest of them. But they were all grown artificially.
And here she was in front an ordinary species, falling in love with them. The naturally grown flowers were complementing the sky perfectly. It was all perfect. It was something Risha's generation never witnessed personally. Risha walked forward and saw a bunch of kids playing. They were running, making wreaths, and laughing. There was no adult. Risha wondered if the laws didn't forbade the kids to stay out. Risha was permitted to go to school alone only before three months. She wanted to ask.
But her movements stopped. Everything suddenly became dark just like that day.
'Which day' Risha couldn't remember. She lost her strength to move as she lost the fireflies. She could no longer see anything.
She heard the kids screaming in fear. They were scared of the dark just like she was. She felt her heart tightening. She could hardly breathe. And her fear was amplifying with every passing moment.
'You!' suddenly a voice screamed, it was filled with resentment.
'You killed us! For your own gain!'
"I-I didn't." Risha stammered. She had no confidence to deny their accusal.
'Yes,you did! You're a killer! A murderer!'
Each word shook her to the core. She felt an immense guilt choking her.
She could once again see the children even in the complete darkness. They were soaked in blood and keep calling her,'Killer! You are a killer!'
"No, I am not. Please stop." But no one listened to her pleas.
She felt like dying when a voice from far away called her.
"Arisha,wake up. It's a dream"
Sweating a lot, Risha woke up.She was literally shaking. Her heart was beating loudly. The worried voice of Shaan in front of her became clear, "Arisha, are you alright?"