“I don’t think now would be the appropriate time,” he said as if he had an epiphany, “Let’s scrap that!”

“Really?”

“Yeah. I think with Jarad out of the way temporarily, the other members won’t have the guts to do anything against me or to try and take over. They’re weak, Richard. All of them. Besides, before they even think to do that, we’ll do it!”

“You mean you’re going to arrange a coup?” Richard whispered as if he said something forbidden.

“Just wait and watch.”

They arrived and entered the Central Headquarters. They were in a huge lobby, the size of a football field. In all directions, there were spiral staircases leading towards various government offices. John walked up to the lobby secretary and told him to call the other Council Members to arrange a meeting in one hour’s time. The secretary got on it right away.

“So where are we going?” Richard asked.

“To the Senate,” John said, still in his calculative mood.

The darkness left their eyes and they saw the remnants of the old planet, the realm of Migra.

Migra seemed desolate, barren, full of death. All around dark shadowy mountains surrounded them. The ground was reddish brown, like the clay of the Earth and it looked parched. Clearly, it had not been nourished by water for a long time. Was this how Migra really was during the reign of the Nyrax Dynasty?

Alex was mesmerized to have seen this scorched land after being so used to the perfect “Eden” that was the Regnum. “You human scum,” Jacque shouted. “What’ve you done?”

“Quiet!” said Alex, his tone indifferent to the offense.

Nick looked nervously at the boy, “Alex, don’t say anything you might regret.”

“Silence, son of Faviane.”

“How...how did you know my–

Alex laughed, “Do you really think that it is he who is speaking? Think again, nephew.”

“Anaxagoras!”

“Is that how you speak to your king?” Alex’s voice boomed.

The Imperial soldiers knelt in respect.

“What are we doing over here?” Nikolas asked, unmoved.

“You have come,” said Anaxagoras through Alex, “because I am going to show you and Alexander alone what happened that fateful day when the Red Serpent made me immortal.”

“Where are you going, my lord?” asked Jacque.

“It is not for you to know.”

The three entities vanished into the air.

“Is that really what Migra is like now?” Nikolas asked, looking all around him to see nothing but darkness. A sudden flash of light appeared and he felt the same spinning sensation from the vortex they entered moments earlier.

“No. This is only the mind, Nikolas.”

“I don’t understand. What are you doing? If you are here for me, why don’t you just kill me?”

“Because I want you to know the truth. I want you to know who I am and where I came from. You are my enemy, but only in the drama of revolution that my son created. Otherwise, I am no different from you and you are my offspring. I know the truth, Nikolas and the truth is something that will shock everyone. I know Alex is my kin, my blood and my grandson, the heir to the throne.”

“But–”

“I know he is the Prophesied One, the One Aidan spoke of and I know that he will be the one to challenge me. But there is something that he doesn’t know and neither do you. Only Aidan, Ardemis and I are party to this secret.”

“What do you mean?” Nikolas asked. He felt sick and dizzy from the constant spinning and his face turned green.

“Why should I speak thus?” He sighed and paused. “Come, we are here.”

The vortex stopped and they reached their destination.

In front of them stood a great cavernous threshold, three hundred feet high and decorated with gold and silver. The entrance arched across in four directions. The ceilings were painted with scenes from the history and legends of Migra. Nikolas realized that this place was more than just a rich and palatial resort. It was the holiest of holies. The Mausoleum of the Anu-Sa-Rimh! This palace was a vacation home for the king on his sojourns to the sacred place.

Once they reached the gates, Anaxagoras left Alex’s body and Nick could see a shadowy mist. A dark cloak without a body formed. Then a black hand, gloved and armored with metal ringlets around the fingers appeared and motioned to come forward. Alex fell to the ground. “What the hell?”

“Don’t worry.” Nikolas rushed to his aid. “Everything’s alright.”

“What’s happening? Is that, is that–”

Anaxagoras said. “Welcome, Alexandros.”

“What!” Alex said, getting to his feet.

“Alex, don’t worry.” Nikolas kept his right hand on his left shoulder. “It’s going to be alright.”

“Follow me.” The cloaked figure glided to the gate, which was bound in iron and chained in titanium. There was a large lock with a complex key-hole to confuse even the best of locksmiths. Nikolas and Alex walked forward with caution.

Alex whispered, “How the hell did we get here? And where’s everyone else?”

“They’re waiting. He brought us here alone. He wants us to see something.”

Anaxagoras turned around. “You don’t realize your importance yet, Alexandros.”

Alex felt a chill in his spine as the king spoke. But he gathered himself and said, “If you are real, why don’t you strike me down? Why do you hesitate? Is it out of weakness?”

Anaxagoras cackled. “Don’t challenge me with these petty taunts. If you really want me to prove it then, so be it.” He brought his hand closer to his chest. A black mist formed around his hand which extended in a straight line and formed a thick mass that slowly turned into a sword which he pointed at Alex.

Alex backed away.

Nick materialized his own sword just like Anaxagoras had done. “Alex, stay back.”

Anaxagoras glided swiftly towards Nick and threw him aside.

“Come with me, Alexandros.” The king’s shadow covered him. “Come and I will show you your destiny!”

Alex stood his ground. “No!”

“You must!” The king’s voice hissed. “Isn’t that what the prophecy says?”

Nikolas jumped high into the air in an attempt to drive his sword into the king’s back but before he could, he was suspended by Anaxagoras’s will. The Dark King turned around and circled him.

“Tell me!” Alex shouted. “Why did you really bring us here?”

Nikolas took another stab at Anaxagoras and this time succeeded, driving his weapon deep into the king’s back. The king fell forward as if slain but then shot back up. He knocked Nikolas over and choked him without even touching him before throwing him towards Alex. The sword in Anaxagoras’s spine disappeared like vapor and his wound healed instantly.

“Enough of this!” Anaxagoras yelled. “I did not bring you here for this.”

“It’s a trick, Alex,” Nikolas said, coming in between the two Nyraxes. “Don’t listen to him.”

“I know, Uncle Nick,” Alex said patiently. He sidestepped to the left and faced Anaxagoras. “Alright then. If what you say is true, then show us.”

“No!” Nick said. “We will not go with you!”

“But–”

“He can’t be trusted!”

“This has gone on for far too long,” said Anaxagoras, flinging his sword towards Nikolas. Alex yelled something in ancient Migritic and jumped to block Nick. Everything turned white and the light blazed once again, creating a rift between the Dark One and the two Rebels. Anaxagoras was pushed away by the light and suddenly, in a flash, everyone was back on the ship.

“What in the hell?” shouted Jacque.

“What just happened?” asked Varenkoff. “Is everyone alright?”

The entire group on-board gave a curt nod.

“Uncle Nick, what just happened?” Alex said, hyperventilating.

“It was a thought, that’s all,” Nikolas assured him. “Calm down.” He touched Alex’s forehead and Alex slowed his breathing drastically.

“What do you mean it was a thought?” Alex asked.

“Anaxagoras had access to you, through your mind. He knows the truth, everything about you. I don’t know how though. I can’t see why he wouldn’t but...”