Reia- A Novella (COMPLETE)

Chapter 4

They stood in silence for a few more minutes before there was another dinging noise- this time from the door. Morai burst through as soon as it slid open, looking exhilarated. He was followed closely by four people- the Four. They were the rulers of Reia and beyond- officials chosen to lead and protect the lands by making major decisions for the good of the people.

Kisa Goiya stepped forward. He was the physical antithesis of Marfa- with thin, spindly legs and an angular head. He had bright, cold eyes the color of the sea. Yet, the two were not so different. Goiya was the scientist of the Four, the one chosen to make decisions from a purely mathematical, analytical standpoint. Marfa put his hand out for Goiya to shake.

"Welcome to the WSEC," Marfa said. He paused. "Ah, that's the Word String Enhancement Chamber, just to clarify. I assume Morai Paira told you what we do here?"

"Voro Marfa," Goiya said, ignoring Marfa's hand. "Paira said that you have been studying transmutation acoustics. Am I to believe this?"

"You are, sir," Marfa said, leaving his hand up and smiling kindly. There was a long, awkward pause. Finally Goiya glanced at Marfa's hand, shook it briefly, and let go as if worried he'd catch a cold.

"Transmutation acoustics..." another man, Toran Hora, muttered. "I never thought I'd see the day our future rested in an area of science like this." He was soft spoken, of medium height and stature, and appeared essentially average in every other way. He was, however, exceedingly intelligent in governmental sciences. Hora was chosen to make decisions from a social standpoint, protecting the rights of the people.

"Is there any proof that this is even a real theory?" Bola Ehkra asked. She had dark, defined eyes, and perfectly straight hair. Ehkra was the economist, chosen to make decisions for the finance of the country and its people. "I've heard it was just a myth."

"It's entirely true, as I have explained," Morai said eagerly. He looked at Marfa. "A demonstration, perhaps, to bolster the confidence of our audience?"

"Demonstration?" Goiya repeated, eyeing the mark on Marfa's face. "Is this safe?"

Marfa shrugged, poking the red slash on his cheekbone. "Is any area of science perfectly safe? Is any area of study at all perfectly safe?" Goiya squinted at Marfa, who stepped closer, saying, "The bulk of my research is, essentially, lexicology, Mr. Goiya. Have you ever heard of a safer field of study? I assure you, everything is safe here unless you're an idiot."

Goiya raised his eyebrows, unsure as to whether be offended or not.

"Entirely safe," Morai agreed, trying to keep tension out of the air. He scooped up a book and trotted down to the far black dot, where a podium waited.

"This should be interesting," Rha Parulo said, in her deep, thick voice. She was the largest of the Four, the warrior, chosen to make decisions based on military and security strategy.

"Marfa!" Morai shouted. "I'm going to read A-039!"

"Got it!" Marfa shouted back. He went over to the console, which monitored areas of audio volume in the room. Marfa then hit a button and gates sprung up around the platform they were on, keeping the viewers on the ledge and away from the experiment.

Morai read straight out of the book, clearly pronouncing every sound. The Four seemed curious and skeptical, especially Kisa Goiya, who watched with an air of someone who didn't want to be caught looking interested. After a few seconds, Morai reached the end of the word string. With a hiss and a flash, a thin ribbon of fire spiraled out of thin air just above the closer black dot, twirling magnificently through the air before vanishing into a puff of smoke.