𝐄𝐃𝐄𝐍 || 𝐀𝐃𝐀𝐌 𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐋𝐎𝐂𝐊

- CHAPTER SEVEN

EDEN

EMPTINESS

Adam looked at himself in the mirror after his servants helped him dress in his suit. The day had come—whatever day that was supposed to be, it had finally come. For six months, Adam went through several tests. Some were exhausting, while others were simple. The idea of greatness he had been spoon-fed grew, and of course, he began to honestly believe the High Evolutionary and all of Sovereign needed him.

Yet, since his birth, Adam secretly felt an emptiness throughout his body. Something didn't make sense. Although he knew he had killed that unnamed scientist, Adam couldn't remember why. Not that it mattered, but this emptiness had to be connected to that forgotten event somehow.

Adam didn't feel so special—not entirely. And he wished someone could tell him as to why. He wanted to learn what he had been made for and what this great thing was. However, no one spoke the truth. Unlike Eve, Adam didn't question—he followed what he had been asked and kept his questions to himself to force the belief. Ignorance seemed a lot easier than searching for the truth. That didn't ease this void. Fake it until he can make it—prove himself that he is, in fact, extraordinary.

"Adam," spoke his servant.

Looking over, the young man lowered his hand from his stomach to see the servant waving for Adam to follow him to HQ for a debriefing. Rolling his shoulders, Adam followed with a nod—raising his head. Push the narrative of greatness. Don't allow this annoying feeling to cloud any judgment. That's what Adam needed and wanted.

After a long ride inside an elevator, Adam stepped into the Sovereign headquarters to see the General and Ayesha waiting for his arrival. Adam slicked back his golden hair and grinned at his mother, happy to see her after a few days of not seeing each other. It was essential to cultivate Adam's abilities, and everyone around him believed Adam to be ready.

They'll restore their place beside the High Evolutionary by bringing P13 and Eve back. At least, Ayesha hoped. And deep down, she prayed that Evolutionary would spare Eve. Perhaps he'd see that Eve had been misguided—not that she wanted to blame her once-lover, but it would be a decent enough lie. Not to mention, if Adam could retrieve P13, then there's no reason to take Eve away.

"You haven't told me what I am doing. I think I am allowed to know now, and I demand it," Adam spoke, crossing his arms as he stood before Ayesha. His brows raised to his hairline as the General began maneuvering the holograph hovering over them. Ayesha gently whipped Adam's shoulders and then pushed the little strands of hair that had slipped from his preferred style.

"Well, I will tell you now if you don't speak," Ayesha says condescendingly. Adam only nods, not finding her comment offensive at all. The golden holographic image of a raccoon flashed in front of them. Adam tilts his head, waving his hand into the picture, enjoying the pixels moving like a tide. He could feel a soft breeze as he floated his hand, impressed.

"What is that?" Adam questioned, looking at Rocket, also known as P13, with much interest. "Is it a squirrel?"

"Yes," Ayesha says, confident by this false fact. "His name is P13, but he goes by Rocket now. He's a class C threat, but he is not a match for you."

Adam smirked.

"Your mission is to collect the squirrel and bring him back so the High Evolutionary can reclaim his pet. He is located in Nowhere—he is one of a kind. It won't be too difficult to find him. We need him alive, but if he does die...there will be no problems. It is the brain our Lord wants."

"Why?" Adam questioned.

"He's supposedly intelligent, but honestly, he's smelly and speaks with ignorance. I do not see what the High Evolutionary wants with him," Ayesha admits. From what she could recall, this raccoon was harsh. He proved himself as a thief—untrustworthy. If it were up to her, he'd be dead. Nonetheless, that wasn't her choice, despite the woman attempting his death. It wasn't her choice now.

The General looked over his shoulder for a moment before turning the knob of the controls. The holograph quickly twists with grace to outline an image of Eve. Her appearance smiled with her straight teeth exposed. The hair that Ayesha forced her to have straight now sat curly on her head. Her golden eyes appeared joyful, more than they were during her time on Sovereign. Clearly, the woman had found some joy in her new life. She was happy and knew where she belonged.

Adam stood in silence, studying the image of Eve with much interest. His arms unlocked as he stepped closer, amazed by the beautiful woman smiling back at him. Something in the middle of his stomach caused him to feel timid. That emptiness turns into a fuzzy comfort. To Adam, she was the most beautiful person he had ever seen, and he had seen many women in the past six months. Ayesha did her best to find a match for him, hoping he could perhaps fall for another so in the future—if Eve refused the responsibilities of High Priestess, he could rule her nation with a partner.

But Eve—Eve is different. Perfect.

"Who is she?" Adam questioned, starstruck by Eve's image.

"E78, also known as Eve," Ayesha watched Adam's side profile, intrigued by his interest. "Thanks to her, she is the reason why you exist."

Adam looked over to his mother, surprised to hear this.

"P13 kidnaped her. And I would like for you to bring her back home. She doesn't belong out there, out in the cold Galaxy—alone without anyone to truly love her. But if she returns home, she will be happy again and free from that thing."

"I think I love her..." Adam admits, touching his stomach with much anxiety. "It feels like something is moving in my stomach when I look at her, and—I have the urge to kiss her. I would like to sleep with her too."

"Adam!" Ayesha shouts while the General grimaces at Adam's confession. This is not what they had planned. He shouldn't feel anything for Eve. In fact, Zenith did his best to create a code in Adam's developmental stage to keep away from this. However, it is clear his efforts held the opposite effect. "That is highly inappropriate!"

"What?! It is the truth, and mum, you always tell me to tell the truth!"

"Not this type of truth!" Ayesha argues, pinching the bridge of her nose.

The image of Eve disappears, causing the void to return. Adam frowned deeply at this, wishing he could stop this feeling. Eve seemed to be the key, but what if she didn't think the same as him? She could very well hate him, think he is ugly or not enough. This desire to feel belonged to everyone should not be the only thing on his mind. He was created to be a Warlock. Not a lover or a friend. He was designed to be someone who can protect and serve without the need for approval. Yet, that's what he wanted.

"Adam?" Ayesha took a chance to settle beside him, placing a hand on his elbow to bring him back from his thoughts. "Are you stable enough to go out there?"

Turning his head to look down at his mother, Adam nods, believing that if he did do this—everything will be as it should be. The people will love him. No one will treat him as if he were a child. And if he could have a pretty girl next to him, life may be worth living.

"I'm ready!" Adam puffed out his chest, grinning at his dreams.