The Coming

CHAPTER 11 - LIGHT AND SHADOW

…Unfortunately all natural water ice on Earth melted after the Armageddon of The Coming when literally, Hell was released on Earth. After a few generations, Terrans had knowledge about ice only from old stories, traveling through generations by word of mouth. With no ice around, the only way Terrans could get something safe enough to drink was to hunt down the Aspects for their Dew-sacks…

Journal entry 01-03-06-19 from the Personal records of Ahien the Elder.

The rain scourged the barren land with menacing force, carving deadly streamlets and ponds of murk on the tormented ground. The morning sun was completely obliterated by the heavy rain clouds that poured death down the earth. A plethora of thunders rumbled everywhere with an ear-popping strength and could be heard even from the deepest corners of the Den. It was raining without a pause since Io’s arrival and no one had the opportunity to exit in order to hunt. Once more, all had to count on the Den’s reserve supplies in order to survive since hunting was for the moment impossible.

Ruler Karr looked like a statue, carved out of solid rock, as he sat motionless by his fire. He was Lost in his thoughts, devoid of any sense of time. He could easily be locked in the same stance for countless hours without noticing. He had to assess the situation and make the most of it to his own benefit, as he always did. What where the chances that Io would have returned back home after all this time? That little whore will have to be dealt with subtlety when the time is right, He thought. Not only she was still alive but she brought that man with her too. Ruler Karr couldn’t believe the news when the sentinels arrived last night to his settlement right after the council meeting. He knew right then that Io’s arrival would mean bad news for him. When the sentinel told him the man’s name, however, he had to work hard to disguise his fury. He had to talk to Cain as soon as possible, and then get rid of him.

Ruler Karr’s eyes twitched, as a sudden jolt of pain rushed through his ruined upper limb joints, bringing him abruptly back to reality. He let out a long, forced breath and got up to his feet. He walked a few short circles around his fire as if to let out his frustration in a controlled manner. Although he seemed to be alone, he couldn’t afford to be noticed by anyone, and even if he did, he would preferred it if his unease would go overlooked.

Last night’s council was as straightforward as he would have expected it to be, under the circumstances. They gathered to discuss the disappearance of all the children. Karr was expected to look dismayed, sorrowful and grief-stricken. He definitely put up a show to remember. He even managed to shed a few tears out right at the end of his performance as if to solidify his grief in front of the rest of the council. He talked, then listened, then talked some more as they took the decision to organize scouting parties while they investigated the circumstances during which all the children disappeared without a trace and without anyone to notice them.

He knew there was no way for the children to be found but he had to go with the flow on their decision. The scouts would ultimately find nothing and they may lose one or two of them from overexposure before they will eventually have to call the search off. Afterwards, life would slowly go back to normal. The children will be missed and mourned no doubt about that, but self-preservation would kick-in at the end. Life always goes on. More children would be born to replace the losses, and the incident that occurred two days ago would be remembered as a tragedy of the past. On the other hand, all the occupants of the Den would be left alone for a long, long time.

When Ruler Karr walked out of the council meeting chamber he went straight to his settlement, only to find that two sentinels, part of his trusted few, were waiting for his return. The ruler could immediately tell from their facial expressions that they were not bearers of good news. He felt more disdained with each step he made but he attempted with success to withhold his growing unease as he greeted both men.