The Prophet's Test

Chapter 8

The audience bowed their heads.

'So, the Final Test.' The audience leaned in, hooked on every word. 'Every single human on this planet will be offered a choice of whether to be upgraded to the next phase of human existence. In one hour, my clinics will open across all the holy mega-cities, the upgrade will be available to all at no charge. After the process, you will become much stronger, able to lift great weight with ease. You will no longer need to sleep, never tiring. All the weaknesses of your body will be removed, you will become immortal, able to do what no other humans have ever been able to do. You will reach your true potential. Best of all, you will never again feel pain again, all your worries will disappear. All that will exist is your divine purpose. You will become what you were always destined to be. Please, make the right choice. Thank you all for listening. I hope to see you all in your new forms very soon.' The lights turned off; he was gone.

Mother immediately got up when it ended. We left, making our way back to the pod. The guards formed a square around us, ensuring we made it back safe. I was thankful. Didn't want a repeat of earlier.

'Well, that was certainly an experience,' I clambered inside.

'I told you that it would be didn't I,' Birthmother said as she sat opposite.

We flew through the sky, passing through clouds, far above the city below.

'I knew he was fake. That creature wasn't him, he doesn't even exist, does he?' I mocked.

'Of course, he does. You saw him, same as I did. Don't be put off by his appearance, he did it for a reason.'

'Which is? I'm still not sure what he meant.' I sneered.

'He was teaching us that what we look like doesn't matter. It only matters who we are on the inside. 'It's because of the upgrade... It changes what people look like.' She pointed to her chest with her finger.

'What does it change?'

'It doesn't matter, the pure of heart don't care what they look like do they? I know you two will be first in line, along me with me. I've already booked us in.' She smiled.

'I'm not doing it. He said it's a choice, well I've chose, alright. I'm not doing it, I'm not throwing away my body for him!' I shouted.

There was silence, Felix looked at the floor.

'Don't you see, this is what we are all meant for. You heard him, you'll never age, never get sick. Never have any pain every again.'

'I said no! I don't want to do it, I don't trust him.'

'Is that your final decision.' She looked pleadingly.

'Yes.'

Birthmother sighed. We arrived back home.

I stepped out of the pod, two men were waiting, I hadn't seen them before. They wore all black, most of their faces covered by a mask. They looked at Birthmother, she nodded.

They grabbed hold of my arms, pulling, me away from the pod. I screamed, 'Let go of me. Don't you know who my Birthmother is?'

I punched and kicked but it did nothing. Their grip was too strong. 'Stop.' Birthmother shouted.

Their grip released slightly, but they still held me.

'Ezra, this has to be done. I don't have a choice; I can't allow heretics to taint us. Not even my own son. This is a gift, they'll fix you and you'll come out the other side as a better person. A pure person who is ready to embrace this new world that we're creating. 'Birthmother said

'Noooooo, you're not taking him!' Felix said as he ran towards me, tears streaming down his face.

'Get back in the pod, he's made his choice,' Birthmother hissed.

'Let me talk to him first and I'll go,' I said.

'Fine but hurry up.' Birthmother said.

The men released me.

I reached my arms out, Felix ran in for a hug. I grasped him tight, tears continued to fall down his cheeks. 'You can't leave me. Please, don't go,' Felix screamed.

'There's nothing I can do. Birthmother saw to that.' I said.

'I hate you! I wish you were dead!' Felix screamed at Birthmother.

'You don't mean that. I'm only doing what needs to be done. What I think is right for all of us.' Birthmother said.

'Felix, listen to me. You've got to hold it together. I'll be fine.' I grabbed his shoulders.

Leaning in I whispered, 'I'll come back for you, don't worry. Just do as you're told, I don't want her sending you as well.'

'Alright, I'll behave,' Felix said as he wiped away his tears.

'Let's get this over with.' I said to the men. They marched me away into a waiting pod. They sat either side of me, glaring every time I looked over. After some time, we landed, a hood was put over my head. I exited the pod. They pushed my head down as we entered a new room. There were two chairs next to a small table, a giant screen the other side. The hood was removed from my head. 'Please take a seat.' The man said as the guards exited the room.

The metal doors slid closed behind them. I could hear a faint humming coming from inside the room, the air smelt stale and dry. He gestured to a lone chair. I sat down.

'So, Ezra why do you hate the Prophet?' he asked.

'I don't, I just don't believe everything he says,' I said.

'And makes you so special? Why do you know better than the Prophet, he was sent by our creator, after all,' he said.

'I'm not special, but you saw him, he's a monster. He wants to turn us into abominations,' I said.

He slammed his fist upon the table, it shook. 'He wants us to achieve our destiny. These weak bodies don't matter anymore. Under his hand, we'll live forever. Do everything our ancestors only dreamed of.'

'No. It's nothing to with our destiny. All he cares about is himself, I don't trust a word he says.'