Aermes Act 6: Reborn
Aermes stumbles backward.
Emidas gets up and smiles, before dusting himself off. His suit and body heal in an instant.
EMIDAS: “Not bad kid. Not bad.”
AERMES: “You…you’re…I saw you…in an ancient scroll, I found deep within the mountains…Wait…is that really you? How is any of this possible?”
EMIDAS: “I’ll explain everything. Follow me.”
Emidas opens up a portal and walks through. As if obeying a feeling he could not possibly ignore, Aermes follows right behind him without missing a beat…
What awaited Aermes was a sight to behold. They stepped through the portal and into a strange land.
EMIDAS: “This is my home. Welcome, to Elrond.”
AERMES: “Am…I dead?”
EMIDAS (laughing): “On the contrary my boy…you are very much alive.”
The two walk through the crystal-lined streets toward a tall tower at the center of a grand plaza. Everywhere they go, the people stop and place their hands together in thanks towards their King. The young boy’s face is caught in pure amazement. He cannot bring his lower jaw to close, mouth hanging dumbfoundedly open as his head turns from side to side. He marvels at the structures, the technology, the peace, and the serenity. There is flowing water along both sides of the main street, and when he stops to place his hands inside it, the water glows with luminosity.
They make their way to the tower (or was this a castle?). There are no doors in this place. Only the breeze of a slight, pleasant wind, seemingly brushing the leaves of the nearby magnificent plants with tender care.
RECEPTIONIST: “Welcome home sir. I take it your trip was successful. The boy is even more dashing than we had imagined.”
EMIDAS (chuckling softly): “Do not tell him that. He’s got enough confidence to last a few lifetimes.”
Making their way to the end of the foyer, they enter the elevator.
AERMES: “Hey why are we taking the elevator? Can’t you just teleport us up? I’ll be honest, I really want to try that again.”
Emidas lets loose the faintest of smirks.
EMIDAS: “There is something I want to show you.”
The elevator doesn’t make a sound as it ascends toward the throne room. As it rises, Aermes loses his composure again and his eyes begin to water. What he sees before him is the Kingdom of Elrond in all its glory. With the Carpathian Mountains enclosing the village, his eyes look upon the most beautiful city he has ever seen: skyscrapers with waterfalls pouring down the sides…vertical farms seen visible through the floor-to-ceiling glass windows in the distance…and do his eyes deceive him? He could have sworn he saw the whisper of a massive winged creature, high above the clouds.
AERMES: “You’re him aren’t you? You’re King Emidas…”
EMIDAS: “Unfortunately, I am.”
The elevator comes to a frictionless pause. The two men leave the platform and enter the throne room of the King.
EMIDAS: “Aermes, why do you think you are here?”
Having been caught up in the events of the entire day, he realizes he has not even asked himself the most basic of questions. Suddenly, he remembers what he was doing before the first portal relocated him into that dojo.
AERMES: “I was going to do something really stupid. I was about the cross the line.”
EMIDAS: “Yes…and no. You were about to do something very stupid, that is true. But you did not land the final blow against me. You paused against a foreigner who had every indication of being your enemy. I have been searching for many years. Many have come and gone and yet I remain.”
AERMES: “Searching for who…?”
EMIDAS: “I need warriors. They will soon be here at last.”
AERMES: “Who?”
EMIDAS: “Follow me.”
They make their way to a large conference room made of glass: glass floors, glass walls, and glass ceilings. Upon their entry, the panels on the ceiling disappear, inviting the warm sun and the cool breeze into the room.
EMIDAS: “Did you ever wonder why your family always kept their distance from you?”
AERMES (eyes widening, before quickly looking away): “Sir…I’d rather not talk about this.”
EMIDAS: “Perhaps another time then.”
Just then, a group of chefs enters the room bringing an array of delicacies from every nation. Emidas and Aermes share a meal. The boy cannot remember the last time he has a meal like this. In fact, he could not remember the last time he had a warm meal. The two shared war stories, with the boy incessantly asking questions about historical figures and who those people really were. Emidas doesn’t seem to mind. The two talk for hours before Emidas stands up from the table.
EMIDAS: “It is getting late. I am sure you are tired. We have a room prepared for you. Go and get some rest.”
AERMES: “Why are you doing all of this for me? Is there some kind of occasion?”
EMIDAS: “Why of course. Happy Birthday, Aermes.”
Feeling emotions he never knew he had, Aermes weakens as a single tear rolls down his face, and politely excuses himself. When he arrives in his suite, there is a box neatly wrapped on his bed. On it, is a card that reads, “To the boy who has never been understood: Your story is still being written.”
He places the card aside to reveal a box within the box. This one is made of a strange alloy he has never seen before. He opens the box and finds four new Flight Rings and a new visor; different than the ones he had before. He activates his visor and commands the rings to find their places on his wrists and ankles.
The nano suit he was wearing is replaced with new material. His body begins to glow. He looks at himself in the mirror and to his surprise, he sees something he has never seen before:
a true smile.
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