Gifted

Chapter 8: The Meeting

"What is it that you've come here for, Greelg?" asked a guard covered in black armor, who was protecting a large door behind him with another nearby guard. "We thought masters Rina and Raphael commanded you to watch over the Battle Dome until further orders were given to you?"

Both armored clad warriors standing in front of the sliding door behind them stood completely still as they firmly held on to their ornate weapons in hand. Their feet weren't a beat out of place as they stood before Greelg, upright with grace and dignity in their stance. Greelg had never seen under their helmets before, and no one but the Celestials themselves were allowed to ask them to reveal their faces.

Both soldiers held a lengthy blade in one hand that stretched many meters toward the floor. In their other hand was a great shield made from a fine material found on a distant, unknown planet located where Greelg's masters were from. Both guard's shields were colored black.

Their black armor shined within the light of the ship the two were on. The armor almost seemed to glow as the light emanated and shined off of the protective layer of gear worn by the two sentinels, twinkling in the light. It was a physical testament to their strength, position, and loyalty to their masters.

"I seek word with the masters," Greelg said. "They've granted me permission to leave my post at the Battle Dome for a meeting. My message is urgent, and I believe they will find great joy in what I have to tell them."

"Very well. Permission granted," said the other guard as he and his partner stepped aside, letting Greelg pass by them as the door behind them slid open.

Inside the large door was the command center of the ship where Raphael and Rina sat quietly at the center helm of it surrounded by large holographic screens. Immediately, both beings opened their eyes and looked over at Greelg entering the room, breaking their dark meditation. Their glowing white eyes stared silently at Greelg with intimidation.

The command center was dark, painted red and black, and predominantly gave it what little life it had along with the holographic screens. There were several decorations lined up on the walls and paintings of what looked like the two Celestial beings in different states of time in galactic history. Among the walls, decorative attire, the most potent battle swords to have ever been crafted as well as elegant armor from other races in the galaxy were displayed. Their collection of items hung on the walls brought much curiosity to the few who ever were allowed inside the command center.

Greelg walked toward the center of the room, bowing upon seeing the Celestial siblings sitting in their command chairs. They were silent but Greelg noted them observing him at every move and gesture he made.

"Masters, I've come to inform you that the Battle Dome invitation to the boy known as Landen Washington from Earth has been sent to him, carried with the blessing of the Seat. Our records have shown us that he is a very powerful Awakened, ranking higher above all the rest of his kind at his school. He is the son of Kora, the former victor of the Battle Dome from years past that you two mentioned in your visions."

As Greelg nervously awaited an answer from his silent masters, sweat slowly dripped down his grey skin. Their shining white eyes that illuminated the otherwise near-dark room locked on him as if they were looking straight into his soul.

"Most impressive, but we had already been alerted of his coming by the Seat," said Raphael, sitting patiently in his chair. "The son of Kora. It seems meeting in the Battle Dome runs strong in the Washington family. Not many participants ever survive the arena, much less a human. To even imagine that a woman who barely managed to survive her own trials in the Dome's arena was capable of giving birth to such a powerful Awakened son is astounding."

"If I may ask, masters, how did you know about Landen already before I arrived to tell you of his acceptance into the Battle Dome?"

"The boy's mother, Kora, was a former victor of the Battle Dome my brother and I were lucky enough to have met when we attended an event many years ago with the Seat. We had received powerful visions that alerted us of her coming to the arena," said Rina.

"It wasn't Kora who interested us. No, it was her child that we had foreseen that she'd carry. Landen is immensely more powerful than you know, Greelg. Strong enough to overthrow the entire Seat, and even defeat powerful beings such as we with enough training. The Seat initially wanted to destroy Kora in order to prevent Landen's birth, but Rina and I convinced them otherwise," said Raphael.

"It still sounds like Kora could've been useful. Why'd you let her go if she could've been such an asset to your plans, master?"

"She had grown powerful in the years she had been subjected to our rule. Originally, she was a willing asset. We trained a mighty warrior that could go on secret missions for us, spread our influence to other races not discovered by the Seat, and be trained to kill without mercy. We conditioned Kora to believe we were the only ones who could ever truly value her after what she had done to be sent to the Battle Dome," said Rina. "One day, Kora had become so bold that she managed to kill the guardsmen watching over her, and threatened to reveal our true plans to the Seat if we didn't allow her to leave. We obliged, but promised her that in the coming future, her future son and his power would be ours. Now, do you see the importance of not failing us, Greelg?"

"I apologize, masters. Please, forgive me for my ignorance."

"You are forgiven this time, Greelg," said Raphael. "For your sake, do not forget this talk we've had. Understood? Now leave us. You know your purpose."

"Right away, masters."

Greelg bowed before his two masters before he left the command room.

"I question why we keep him around, brother. Greelg is but an old shadow of his former self. He can't even see the truth of he will soon be disposed of," said Rina.

"Patience, sister. He is convinced that he will be spared, and he is still leading us to the human. Our salvation awaits. After we have the human, we can finish him. Until then, we must wait. Greelg is a naive fool. A tool quickly approaching its weathered use," said Raphael.

"As you say, brother. Once his usefulness has come to an end, we will dispose of him. I look forward to our rise again. The lesser races of this galaxy will know their place and rulers. No one can save them. We will subjugate them and bring order."

Rina closed her eyes, entering into her dark meditation.