The Destiny of Nexus

Chapter-16

                      I was totally in an unknown territory now. There were no buildings or any kind of structures. All I could see was flat land with grass one foot high. It appeared like I was on the outskirts of this dimension. It was dark. So I assumed it as night time. I started to hear some sounds like something was rushing towards me. I turned to see what was causing it. At a distance, I could see the grass moving rapidly but the thing is there was no wind at all. I was sure that something is rushing towards me. I stood still. The movement of grass stopped at a distance of 2 feet from me. And something rose from the grass. Holy s**t, it scared me. But I didn't move from my position, It looked like an Armadillo but has no tail. Unlike Armadillo it could f*****g talk. It is half my height. Who are you? It asked me in a soft voice. I remained silent. It appears that you do not belong to this world. Don't be afraid of me. I mean no harm. Let me introduce myself. My name is Shu and I am like a gate keeper to this dimension. I inform the King when people jump to other dimensions or come to this dimension. Using portals is forbidden except for the higher class of every race. Listening to Shu calmed me. I felt that he was telling the truth. I assumed it to be male and decided to address it as ‘he’ in my mind. My name is Steve and I came from the Earth, I said. Let me smell you and understand what specie you belong to. He came closer to me and walked around for 2 times and again moved away from me. What's wrong? I asked. I detect many scents from you and I'm not sure which category you fit into. This never happened before. What is your father's name? He asked. "Augustus Weisman," I replied. What? He said in a high pitched voice. Wait, do you know him? My anxiety reached peak levels. Before Shu could answer me, someone from behind held him and whispered something in his ears and he fainted.

                     Who is this guy now? Is he here to hurt me? Questions kept popping. He appeared to be middle-aged with loads of hair and a long beard. He didn't have a haircut over a long time I guess. He looked like a person who has lost his mind. But it was too soon to judge him. He came to me. You... yo... youu. He kept stammering. Are you August's son? He asked finally. Yeah? How do you know that? Did you know my father? Who the hell are you by the way? I shot him with multiple questions. It's not safe here, come with me he said. Shu was still in an unconscious state. He closed his eyes and a purple-coloured sphere generated around us. It floated in the air and whooshed forward. We travelled at super speed. Things we could with the mind, I thought. Within a minute the sphere came closer to the ground and disappeared. He again closed his eyes and a portion of ground moved, creating a hole. Go in, he said. After you, I replied. He smiled and went in. There was a ladder through which he went down the hole. I followed him. As soon as I went in, the ground above me closed. We climbed down the ladder and then there were steps. He led the way and I kept following. I couldn't be silent as I was filled with questions. Where the heck am I going with a stranger? I thought. The only reason is that he knew my father. Finally, I broke the ice with a question. How do you know my father? I'll answer all your questions once we reach my place, he said calmly. The calmness in his voice made me think whether he is calm because everything is going according to his evil plan? He might be delivering me to someone for rewards or maybe I'm being paranoid. Anyway, we continued walking and finally reached his place. It was not that luxurious but reasonable for someone living in the underground. So this is where you live. Not bad, I said. Have a seat. Would you like to eat something? He asked. Yeah, I would prefer some answers. He sat opposite to me. Shoot, he said.

‘Okay, let's start with how do you know my father?’

‘Well, your father and I were friends from childhood. We could die for each other. When your father, my friend, August was in authority. He made me his Advisor to help him rule.’

‘Isn't my father from earth? Isn't he a human?’

‘No. August is much more than just a human. We belong to specie called "Arcana."’

‘What are Arcana?’

‘Just like humans, vampires and all, Arcana are also a race.’

‘What do they do?’

‘It is said that when an Arcana achieves their true potential they can alternate reality at the cellular level, read minds of large groups of people without them knowing, hypnotize and many more. The usual Arcanas can control objects and read the minds of individuals but they'll know it.’

‘What did you whisper to Shu back there? And how did you find me?’

‘I didn't whisper anything; I went close to him and put him in a temporary sleep. Before your father first left to the earth, he gave me a stone and said if my heir lands in our realm, it'll glow and lead you to him/her. I'm giving you this, just in case. That’s how I found you. So, as soon as it glowed, I rushed towards you and today is the first time I've been to surface since I went underground.’

                   He then showed me the stone and it is glowing with golden colour. It was delightful to watch it. The moment I held it in my hands, I felt warmth inside me. Like the warmth that comes from holy mystical light. I handed him back the stone. You answered many of my questions and yet I still don't know your name, I asked. My name is Luther Wing, he replied. I still have a lot of questions to ask you Mr. Wing. We don't have much time, son. Before that scentier Shu reports back, we should go to the kingdom and introduce ourselves. What's a scentier and what happens if he reports back? A scentier can recognize what specie you are just by your scent, no matter what realm you are from. It's harmless. And in the report, it would say that an unauthorized specie portal jumped here and is now in the wind. Then the soldiers of Arcana kingdom will search for you and hang you without giving you a chance for explanation. I wanted to say to him that the scentier couldn't recognize my scent but seeing him tensed silenced me.

                    He asked me to sit and went inside. After 10 minutes he came out and looked entirely different. He cut his hair and beard short. He wore a suit. The sudden transformation surprised me. He came closer to me and held my hands. Are you ready? He asked. I replied with a nod. He then closed his eyes and boom we were in another location. I felt a little dizzy. We were standing in front of a castle. The Citadel of Arcane, he said. It was a big fortress which is located at an elevation. It's high above the ground level. Two people were guarding the gate. As we tried to enter the castle, they stopped us. How dare you stop me? Don't you recognize me? I am Luther Wing. He said in a fierce voice. They recognized him and walked back and opened the door. We entered the castle. The castle looked magnificent. Everyone present there has the power of telekinesis. Seeing them overwhelmed me. But it was so common for them. Everyone was looking at us as we entered. I don't know if it's me they were looking at or the dude that came from the underground after these many days or years. Mr. Wing walked as royalty while I struggled to walk cause of everyone's stare. Finally, we got inside the castle; it has a very big hall just like the kings had in history.

                     I thought you were dead said the person who was sitting on the throne. His name is Archie Tardiff and he ascended the throne after your father's demise, Luther whispered in my ear. I am very much alive Archie. You might want to address me as Lord as I'm the King now. Forgive me, Lord Tardiff.

‘Where have you been all these years?’

‘After my friend's death, I remained in exile. I have no faith or hope in anything.’

‘So, what changed your mind and who is he? I've never seen him here.’

‘Well, he is the one that had brought my hope back. He is none other than Steve Weisman, son of Lord Augustus Weisman.’

               Everyone was shocked. His voice was so loud that it echoed in the whole royal hall. Archie stood up with a mixed feeling of anger and frustration. Nonsense, he said. Perhaps call your scentier to clarify your doubts, Luther suggested. Shu returned to the citadel right at that moment. Shu, the individual here claims that he is the heir of Augustus. I order you to verify his claims, said Archie. Yes, my lord, said Shu. Shu approached me and asked for a drop of blood. I didn't have a knife as I left it behind in Luther's underground house. They provided me with a needle. I pierced a small hole on my index finger and the scentier licked it. Eww, that was disgusting though. After a minute he reported back saying that my claims were true. Archie turned furious but couldn't do anything. The people who were close to him didn't react well to the news. I don't know what their beef with my father was. The rest of the people were happy but no one talked to me. Archie ordered his soldiers to guide me to a room. Luther also walked with me. Now everyone in the citadel knows that I'm royalty. Newcomers are always bullied generally whereas I was a newcomer with royal blood. The other people of my age looked jealous and wanted to bully me. One of the guys pulled my pants down. Everyone started laughing. I became furious and wanted to smash his head against the wall. Immediately Luther put his hand on my shoulder and said, control yourself kid, you have to win everyone's heart to claim the throne and fulfil your father's dream. As soon as I heard that I pulled my pants up and walked along with my uncle. The soldiers then escorted us to a room where we will be residing. If the guests were provided with such a room, I can't imagine how the room of a king would be, I thought in my mind. I jumped onto the large royal bed and began to think about what my friends were doing.

                        Meanwhile, the portal disappeared on the earth too. Where the heck did it go? Ronny shouted. Maybe Steve closed the portal for now, Nyssa said. I guess we should return to our suite as Steve suggested and come back here when he calls us, David suggested. Not when he calls, David, we'll return tomorrow in the morning, Nyssa said nervously. They headed back to their suite.