Four Weeks - The Beginning

Noreon

Alan stormed into Relwer's room.

'Come on, we're leaving,' said Alan.

'What is wrong now?' asked Relwer.

'They've got Elaine, Relwer! They took my father, killed my mother; this has gone far enough!' stressed Alan.

'What are you going to do?' asked Relwer, sounding subdued.

'I'm gonna take them out,' said Alan.

'Do I need to remind you about what happened at Hurung?' asked Relwer.

'I don't care, Relwer,' said Alan.

Relwer continued to look calm.

'I'll take the Neilodrons,' continued Alan.

'Neilodrons are no match for Neilons,' said Relwer.

'What? Even with their fire weapons? Plus they said they knew someone on the inside' taunted Alan. 'And I still don't understand how with that class of weapons being the best you guys have got, you plan to demolish the Earth! Something seems strange to me about this whole thing. I just don't see any way the forces of Raeon can demolish the Earth. Anyway, so I'll take on the Neilodrons.'

'You forget the queen,' said Relwer. 'She can single handedly take on any army. If the Neilodrons know someone on the inside, it would explain how they managed to infect Guroth right under Niara's nose.'

'Relwer, you have to stop countering everything I say. I'm losing my mind. Are you coming or not? 'Cause if you aren't, I'll just have to leave without you,' warned Alan.

Relwer did not respond. He still looked dull. He seemed to lack energy.

'What's wrong with you?' asked Alan.

Relwer gave no answer.

'It's Selera isn't it? You can win her back man. You're funny and hey, you know dancing! Dancing can be a real charmer!' said Alan.

'You really think so?' asked Relwer, sounding hopeful.

'I promise you, it works,' said Alan, bent on raising Relwer's spirits and also having a bit of his own fun.

Relwer smiled.

'So, are you coming? We'll figure something out, but this has to end now,' said Alan.

Relwer's smile faded and he seemed dull again, lost in thought.

'Fine, I'll do it myself,' said Alan.

Alan turned away and headed outside the room.

'Wait,' said Relwer.

Alan stopped to turn around.

'Finally,' he said.

'There is a way,' said Relwer.

Meanwhile in another part of Raeon, Noreon, the game the Neilons played once every year, was about to commence. It was important to each and every Neilon that participated. The whole race coveted a chance to participate in the games for the winner would receive the honor of placing the crown on Queen Niara's head as a symbol of their gratitude and deference to her. The venue for the game was a huge stretch of forest that lay amid tall mountains. Each contestant would start at one end, their Neilodexes deactivated, and whoever got first to the other end got to crown Queen Niara in a ceremonial gesture. Spectators gathered at various places. They could move from point to point along the stretch as they pleased, and could use their Neilodexes to avoid getting lost. Niara stood on one of the peaks and upon seeing a victor emerge, she would descend down and allow herself to be crowned. Such were the rules and the stage was set for the two hundred and fifty sixth Noreon game in Raeon history.