Immortalia

Chapter 8 - The Last Test

Chapter 8 – The Last Test

”Puny little humans,” Milada said with a snicker.

Aurora glanced up from her shoes to look at the redhead, noticing the Immortalia staring out of the large glass wall. Once again, they were in the practice area—they’d spent so many hours in here by now. Aurora feared she might begin to enjoy this room. The thought alone made her shiver.

She finished tying the shoelaces on her sneakers before walking, across the wooden floor, to join Milada. The soft rubber didn’t make any sound, causing Milada to jump when Aurora spoke, “What do you mean?”

“Geez, Aurora. Are you trying to kill me?” Milada asked and pressed a hand to her heart.

“Of course not.” Aurora scowled before staring out onto the streets. They were on a higher floor, causing the humans walking on the sidewalk below to resemble ants.

Milada pointed outside. “They fear anything that’s not like them.” She turned around to face Aurora. “Just look at how they treat us. We are far superior, yet they still try to undermine us, making us their slaves.”

Aurora didn’t know how to respond. It had never occurred to her that some Immortalias were unhappy with their destiny. They were helpers—they’d been helpers for as long as she could remember. It didn’t surprise her that Milada was the one to act out, though. The red-haired beauty was the youngest of them all, and she’d worked for Haw Tech all of her life. She’d been born here.

Valeria hadn’t said too much, but apparently, Haw Tech had started to breed Immortalias thirty years ago, Milada was the only survivor from the experiment. The organization had taught Milada how to fight even in her sacred youth, and the Immortalia had never seen life on the outside.

She’d never experienced the joy of sunlight on her face as she strolled down the streets with no worry in the world. Aurora’s heart bled for her. Sure, she didn’t have the most glorious life in any of her past lives, but she’d had some free years before her memory surfaced.

Immortalias’ lives worked that way. Twenty years in solitude, with non-existent powers and memories, then, when they reached adulthood, their true nature would surface, and they’d have to sign the contract to avoid dying.

Milada never experienced the joy of freedom. Instead, she’d been experimented on for the twenty-two years of her entire existence. Aurora discovered that the Milada's knowledge of the outside world was lacking in various places.

“They just want to survive,” Aurora finally said. “Just like we do.”

“Well, I just think they shouldn’t undermine other species and force them to be slaves because of it,” Milada said, averting her eyes.

Aurora found that Milada was tough on the outside, but she respected their Elders. Apart from the first day they met, she hadn’t laid a hand on Aurora without permission. There were times when Aurora thought she saw specks of fear crossing over Milada’s face now. This was ridiculous since Milada could kick Aurora’s ass, even with her powers.  

“We owe the humans our service because they provide us with the contracts to save our souls. You know that we’d be wandering the earth without form if we ever died before it’s our turn.” Aurora pointed outside the window. “The humans are owners because it’s their names that rescue us from a fate worse than death.”

“I never signed a contract,” Milada muttered.

“I know. But you’re young; you will understand the importance in the next life.” Aurora turned away. She didn’t want to fight, and even though being around her kin helped her relax; she still didn’t like talking about contracts. She shuddered and averted her attention towards the task laid out before her.