"They lived as refugees on the planet, until finally they decided to call it their home. About one hundred and fifty billion of the Elemnauri race came to the Earth and later the former civilizations of the Earth dwindled. Finally, there was a hybrid race out of which a new race called Gaian-Migrites were formed. They had the combined powers of both the Migrites and the Elemnauri. This was because every stem cell of every Migrite is psychically connected. Therefore, where there is change in one Migrite, there will be in another automatically. Now, the Gaians, the original Elemnauri, were extinct. A large asteroid hit the Earth, wiping out one third of the planet's life. The Gaian-Migrites decided to create clones of their DNA and stem cells which they kept hidden in a s.p.a.ce shuttle. This was sent back to Migra, with a handful of the new Gaian-Migrite Race. They knew if they came in large numbers, the Migrites would take it as a sign of war. But they never made it."

"Why?" Alex asked.

"n.o.body really knows, but the common belief is that they got lost, or something destroyed them. So once they made it back to their native planet, for many millennia, they were looked upon as G.o.ds. But soon they too dwindled. Their race lived in the High Mountains and they had their own kingdom. It was ruled by its own monarch. This gradually turned into a peaceful reign. When it came time for the reign of Anaxagoras XXIX, he made a pact with Gaius. He said he wanted to learn more about the Elements and how to control them. Sadly, he had no sons. He wanted five sons who would be able to control each aspect of nature."

"Wait. I have a question," Alex said, gesturing with his hands.

"What?" Nick said. The others had been listening intently to him. They leaned against the walls or sat on chairs or on Alex's bed. Their eyes glistened with interest as they watched Nikolas.

"How did the rest of them survive the Big Bang?"

"Remember that I told you that the primitive race had the power to create universes?"

Alex nodded.

"Well, there you go; that's exactly what they did, by creating an alternate one and so survived."

"So it's possible that they created this one," Alex said, his eyes widening.

"Well..."

The ambulance arrived with Mrs. Howe in a paralyzed state. Four butlers were there to help her. The crowd at Central Square saw this and everyone remained silent as John ran towards the ambulance. They understood that something was out of place. John was in shock when he saw his mother. The paramedic team took her to the emergency room and with the four butlers, he followed them. Her eyes were closed and she was totally still.

Once they reached the emergency room, John was asked to stay outside and wait until the doctors gave their final prognosis. He waited for thirty minutes until Richard and Herbert arrived.

"I don't know what to do," John said. "Just a few hours back, I spoke to her about so many things. She seemed fine and now...now..." His voice trailed off.

"Everything's going to be fine, John. Don't worry," Herbert rea.s.sured.

"Yeah, your mother's a strong person. She's not going to give up," Richard added.

"What happened at the ceremony?" John asked.

"We've postponed it indefinitely," Herbert said.

"Why?" John said. "You should have continued."

"John, are you crazy?" Richard said. "Right now your mother's condition is more important."

"I know that, but I can't have this government go into anarchy again. We should do something before it happens."

"That won't happen," Richard said, shaking his head. "We have the support of the people."

John sighed, "I hope you're right."

Angel and her parents walked into the small common room where they sat. "Is she alright?" asked Angel, sounding genuinely concerned.

John said, "We don't know yet." He shook Ken's hand and hugged Martha, who was still sobbing. "Don't cry, Martha. I know things are going to be fine."

Martha shook her head, "I know," she wiped away her tears with a handkerchief, "I just can't believe what's happened."

Angel rolled her eyes. Such a drama queen. Such a drama queen.

The doctor walked into the room, closing the door behind him as they stood up anxiously awaiting his news. John hurriedly went to shake his hand and asked, "Is everything okay?"

The doctor said, "I'm sorry to inform you, Mr. Howe, but your mother's in a coma."

"Are you telling me that this universe, the one that's here now was created by the Migrites and the Elemnauri and the Gaians?"

"Exactly," Nikolas said.

Alex laughed in disbelief, "You're serious?" He turned to the Rebels to find a different answer in their faces. They all smiled and nodded their agreement. "That's...that's unbelievable," said Alex.

"Truth isn't validated by belief; it just is," Nikolas said, echoing G.o.d's words.

Alex smiled and said, "Okay, so go on."

"Right. Where was I?" He thought for a moment. "For a few years, Gaius refused him and when things were going badly during the War of the Eight Kings, Anaxagoras asked him for support. Gaius freely gave it. Anaxagoras said that if he was to help him with troops and with the five sons, he would give him half his kingdom. Of course, this was an outright lie. The kings made the pact and Gaius gave Anaxagoras the secrets to create life, actual life!"

"And he did."

Nick nodded, "They were the strongest the world had ever seen. When the war finally ended, Anaxagoras failed to stay true to his side of the pact and Gaius took away his sons, one by one until no one was left. But, he didn't take away the knowledge. He couldn't because Anaxagoras's mind was way too powerful. So, after the conversion, he created Aidan. Then, Aidan created you."

They remained silent after that. Alex folded his legs and sat in a lotus position, his back leaning on the pillow. He pondered silently about all that Nikolas had said so far. The Rebels did likewise. He finally understood. His connection to Anaxagoras was a result of all these things. If the king had never learned these things, he wouldn't have been able to make Aidan and in turn teach his sixth son the technique so that he could create Alex. It fit perfectly. He sat there, looking at Nikolas.

"Do you get it?" Nikolas asked him.

"Yes," Alex nodded, "I suppose I do."

Daniel stood outside as the morning sun lighted his crimson eyes. He clasped his hands together behind his back. He had been standing there for the last fifteen minutes on helipad eight, waiting for Mikhail and the five scientists he had ordered to do the blood a.n.a.lysis. He thought about the future as he waited. What glory it would be to have the power of the king, over the king! He smiled at the thought.

They arrived, the sound of their footsteps reaching his ears. He turned around swiftly. "Gentlemen!" He raised his arms as if he was going to embrace them. "You have all done well! Excellent, I tell you!"

The scientists bowed in grat.i.tude.

"Do you have a copy of the reports?" Daniel asked them.

"Yes, Mr. President," one of the scientists said. He looked up at Daniel through thick spectacles and handed him the file.

"Good," said Daniel. He acted as if he was reading them. He took his time and they waited. "Now, my dear scientists, you do know what we have found out is to be kept a secret?"

The scientist nodded and said, on behalf of himself and his colleagues, "Of course, Mr. President."

Daniel remained silent for a moment and then said gravely, "That is why I must destroy anything and anyone who knows of it." The scientists' eyes suddenly bulged with fear. Before they could protest Daniel took out his sword and sliced off their heads. He started with the one who handed him the file and rushed towards the other four, jumping and killing them. Their corpses dissolved into fiery ashes.

He walked away coolly and said to Mikhail, "Have someone clean this up and make sure there's a total memory wipeout done for their computers."

He was about to go into the Command Center when Mikhail asked him, "What exactly does that file contain?"

"If I told you, I'd have to kill you," Daniel smirked and left.

The ceremony was an hour and a half behind schedule. The crowds gathered again and the music and pomposity returned to its original zeal and vigor. This lightened the mood, especially for John, who was constantly thinking of his mother's condition. That was the problem with a coma. There was no certainty in it. All he could do was pray and have faith. Richard eyed him warmly as they sat in the room. John sat back with his head lifted, resting on the chair and gazing at the ceiling. He sighed, "Why?"

Bacon didn't speak; he was totally transfixed by John's face, which was a picture of gravity and suffering. They were waiting for the doctor's permission to see Mrs. Howe. The rest of the visitors were asked to leave. Herbert promised he would take care of the ceremony and left to raise the spirits of the crowd. Angel and her parents wanted to stay, but the doctor was strict. So, they went along with Herbert to his office for some refreshments.

The doctor came into the hallway and said, "It's alright. You can come in now." John and Richard followed him quickly to the doorway. The two of them entered the room where Mrs. Howe lay. Her heart and brainwaves were being monitored. She didn't seem to be breathing, but there was an airway that went through her nostrils so that she got the proper amount of oxygen needed to sustain her body.

John cried. It was the first time Richard had ever seen him like this. John fell to his knees on the floor and sobbed. He covered his face and his hands m.u.f.fled his screams of anguish. Tears flowed down his cheeks and splattered to the floor. Richard didn't do anything for a minute, partly because this was unexpected. He had never seen John cry, not for his father, not for his wife, not for anyone. Richard felt that John needed to let it all out. It was a good and long-needed outpouring for a man who had suffered so many pains, worries and uncertainties.

Richard locked the door of the room. He sat in the chair next to John. He closed his eyes and relaxed. It was time for some contemplation.

Alex remained doubtful of what Nikolas had said. But he also knew that it all fit. "Now, what do I do with this knowledge? How am I supposed to use it?" Alex asked.

Nikolas understood how he felt as did the others who watched the boy with humility. Joqetu spoke, "Alex, this is something with which we will help you. You are our responsibility now. It's obvious Aidan wanted us to teach you."

Varenkoff added, "And now that you know it, what's stopping you? If anything, this knowledge will give you a head start with your training."

Alex nodded. "I know that I have to do these things but I need to take it slowly. How should we begin?" He turned to Nikolas.

"Like all trainings," Nikolas said, "this one begins with theory."

"I was afraid you were going to say that."

"Yeah, but I don't think in your case you need to study so much. You already know a lot of it, inherently. It just needs to come out through practical experiment."

"Okay?"

"You know you were able to telepathically communicate with me, but you didn't know how. Somehow, you were able to create energy, but it happened as a reaction. When we were initiating you, you took our energy, which is something only a very powerful vampire can do. Now you did these things without any prior conscious knowledge."

"Uh-huh," Alex was weary of how slowly Nikolas explained things.

"That obviously means that you have power and it's coming closer, but I suspect something else. I think that your use of powers could be, perhaps, a direct relation to Anaxagoras's coming closer to the Earth, or rather to you. You have a link with him; otherwise how do you explain the incident, the dream, and so on?"

"I don't know about that. I have a feeling I can keep this power in control. I just need to concentrate."

"Yes. You definitely need to control it. The last time you lost control you were killed."

"So let's do it then." Alex was fired up.

"Alright. Dante," Nikolas said, approaching the vampire, "give me your sword."

"Wait, you're teaching me how to fight with a sword? What about magic and telepathy?"

"Patience is a virtue," Nikolas said.

"Yeah, and time is precious," Alex added.

Nikolas smiled and with a flick of his wrist he threw the sword at Alex, who instinctively grabbed it by the hilt.

"What the..." he looked at the Rebels in bewilderment. They too were surprised. "How did I do that?"

"You see, it's innate. It just has to come out. Now..." Nikolas took a swing at him, but again Alex used his instincts and blocked the attack within seconds of getting sliced. Alex smiled. Nikolas escaped the lock of their swords and leaped from one wall to another. He attacked Alex in midair. Alex, who was now surer of himself, jumped in the air and kicked him in the chest.

"Wow," he said and the others mouthed the same word. "Sorry about that," Alex said, grabbing Nikolas's arm and pulling him to his feet.

"That was good. But you need to be more alert," Nikolas said. He suddenly kicked Alex in the ankles, making him lose his balance. He smiled, "Remember this. Don't stress yourself when fighting. Be one step ahead of your opponent. Be alert. Don't get overconfident; and above all, feel the movements, don't force them. Use what's around you to your advantage, but don't inflict anger or force, as that's what you'll get back."

"That's something I hear almost in all martial arts."

"That's because we started these philosophies. We are the teachers of the humans," he said, smiling proudly.

"Then I'll have to do my heritage proud," Alex said.

"I think that's enough for now. There's something else that's of key importance. Do you know the best way to reserve your energy? Besides food, rest and water?"

Alex thought for a moment and said, "No."

"Meditation," Nikolas said.

"Oh yeah!"

"Don't meditate on anything in particular. Just do it for its own sake and you'll get results faster. You have to let things flow and they will come to you." Again Alex heard him echoing G.o.d's words.

"Right," he said.

"We'll leave now," Nikolas said, as the other Rebels started to vacate the room. "Meditate for the next three hours and tell me what you see and feel during that time."

They left him in peace.

Flicking a pen with his two fingers and gazing at the closed file inside a blue plastic folder, Daniel thought about the danger this knowledge would bring, not only to him, but to everything else in the prophecies. He had read them, as a relative to royal blood, but he didn't really understand much of them. As a child he thought it was all mumbo-jumbo. Was this boy, his distant cousin, really the Falsifier or was he something else? He had the Annals of the Kings of the Nyrax Dynasty with him and was tempted to read it. The pen fell and hit the blue plastic. Daniel smoothed his hands over the surface of the folder and slowly he opened it.

The door burst open and Daniel glanced up, quickly stuffing the folder into his desk drawer. Erik bellowed at the top of his voice. "What's the meaning of this? Why did you order that wipeout and where the h.e.l.l are those scientists!" His face was a furious shade of red and his veins looked like they were about to pop any moment.

Daniel couldn't help smiling and acting calm. "What are you talking about? By the way, you broke my door. Don't you know how to knock?"

Erik grabbed him by the collar and said, "What are you hiding?" He scanned his mind but found it heavily shielded. He laughed, put Daniel down and turned around, "You'll have your guard down some time or another!"

"I'm glad you came here."

Erik turned back to face Daniel as he telekinetically moved the door and fixed the hinges.

"I've sent the ultimatum and they have a time limit of twelve hours."

"And?" Erik sat down and so did Daniel.

"John Howe's coming here. To negotiate."