Annihilation Prequel - Psychic Beginnings (28 page)

Jerry stood up and turned around. Lydia froze in her tracks. Jerry looked at her and smiled, “You are far too beautiful to be going out with me.” He turned to AG and said, “You need to find someone that’s not an angel on earth for the likes of me.”

Lydia stared at Jerry and felt his heart. She walked forward and took his arm, “Don’t be silly. You know you’ve been waiting on me your entire life.”

Jerry looked into Lydia’s eyes and his expression softened. His eyes were bright as he said, “I knew that the moment I saw you. The real question is whether or not you see it as well.”

Cynthia stared at Lydia as she said, “I do.”

Jerry pulled Lydia into his arms and said, “I’ve seen your face in a thousand dreams. Now you’re here.”

Lydia hugged him tightly and felt her heart come alive for the first time. She looked over at AG and said, “Thank you.”

AG nodded and Jerry said, “You didn’t tell me the friend I was coming here to help was me.”

“You wouldn’t have come if I told you. Now let’s go have a good time.”

Jerry looked at Cynthia and said, “Why the grey coat. It makes you look huge.”

“How do you know I’m not?”

“AG has shown me pictures.”

“Well, this is how I’ve always dressed here. I don’t want to shock anyone.”

Jerry smiled, “I can see you’re wearing heels. I suspect what’s under that coat will be a surprise.”

Cynthia looked at AG, “This turkey is smart. Where did you find him?”

“Actually, he found me.”

“That figures. Let’s go boogie.”

Lydia followed Jerry and knew that she had finally found the one that measured up to AG. She could feel his inner strength and she knew he would be taking care of her for the rest of her life. Today was her first full day at Harvard.

• • •

The two couples entered the door and Lydia signed Jerry in as a guest and Cynthia and AG showed their student ID’s. No one noticed Cynthia and AG. Everyone immediately saw Lydia Gonzalez in an evening dress and everyone on the dance floor stopped and watched her go to a table with a young man no one had seen before. Many of the men were jealous of Jerry and some even angry that she had agreed to go out with him instead of them. The co-eds started punching their dates and the dancing resumed. Cynthia went and got everyone something to drink and was ignored by everyone as she went by in her bulky grey coat. Some of the co-eds were starting to stare at AG. How in the world did the troll get someone like him to take her to the dance? Some of them decided they were going to find out who he was and move in before the night was over.

The two couples talked for more than an hour catching each other up on all that had happened and then AG heard Jay and the Drifters start singing This Magic Moment. He stood and every woman in the building watched him offer his hand to Cynthia. Cynthia stood and took off her black rimmed glasses and removed the ubiquitous hat she always wore. Their first surprise was when her shoulder length blonde hair fell out. Next she unbuttoned her coat and AG took it off her shoulders and put it on the back of her chair. Silence crashed down on the room and the only sound was of the Drifters singing. Cynthia was in a lime green evening dress that was mid-thigh and shimmered when she moved. AG took her hand and they moved out on the dance floor and waltzed to perfection. Everyone was stunned. Cynthia was absolutely beautiful and her hair swayed with their dance in perfect rhythm.

The one’s shocked the most were the girls that had scorned her over the last two years. They looked at her and all of them immediately felt reduced. Most of them took their dates off the floor leaving it to the couple that moved with a grace that was unbelievable. Emily and James joined Jerry and Lydia at the table and Emily said, “Looks like we may need some ambulances for some of the sorority girls.”

Lydia looked up from Jerry and said, “Looks that way.”

They watched as AG and Cynthia continued to dance.

• • •

One of the faculty members at the dance was Dr. Monroe. She was the one that made the selections to Harvard’s Medical School. She had looked at Cynthia’s request the week before and had turned it down. She just didn’t fit the image they were looking for in their doctors. She saw the beautiful woman on the dance floor and her smile was dazzling. She immediately felt her shame. She had discriminated against her because of her appearance. Now she was going to change that but she regretted that she had not done it before she saw Cynthia’s true appearance. She vowed to never let that happen again.

Many of the sorority officers knew that there was no chance Cynthia would accept membership in their organizations after all the cruel things she had endured. Four weeks later when Cynthia was elected the Home Coming Queen, they had a conversation with their members about how they would change their selection processes in the future. This was not going to happen again.

• • •

AG settled into college life and discovered that history was a subject he was intrigued with and made it his major. His professors were amazed at his insights and memory of small details of events that were monumental in the creation of the modern world. After a year, AG decided to add economics as a dual major.

Cynthia graduated and began work in the medical school. Their time together was greatly reduced due to her work load but they made the time they did have count. Jerry began his studies at MIT but found time to be with Lydia who was happier than she had ever been. Both couples were married during Lydia’s senior year. Life became a moment away from the real world and a place to grow.

• • •

AG was sitting with Cynthia in the student center on a Saturday afternoon when he suddenly stood up. He ran across the room and put a quarter in the pay phone. Cynthia followed him and heard him say, “I’ll be there. Please make it as fast as possible.”

“What’s going on!?!”

“The clan is in danger.”

Cynthia grabbed her throat and said, “What are you going to do?”

“I don’t have time to explain; I’m going to see if I can save them. I’ll be back as soon as possible.”

“Can I go with you?”

“No! This time there is too much danger. I couldn’t protect you.” AG ran out of the student center and Cynthia felt her fear. Something terrible was happening.

• • •

The Kahn of the Wang-dao sat among the gathered clan leaders and watched as the champion of the Jung Clan killed the Kahn of the Jow-len Clan. He had been forced to attend the conference or his clan would have been attacked by the others. There was no way he could have refused to attend the gathering. The Jung champion had systematically killed all the other clan champions and the Jung Kahn was now the absolute ruler of all but the Wang-dao. He knew he would be next. He looked over at Tao and saw that he realized he was no match for the Jung Champion. There was no doubt he would fight but the Kahn knew he would lose the contest. The Kahn of the Jung looked at the Kahn and said, “I now challenge you to the right to lead the Wang-dao.”

The Kahn started to respond but a loud noise exploded from the giant doors at the entry of the gathering room. Everyone looked and saw the huge bamboo rods used to bar the door fall to the floor. The six of them had been cut through the center and they fell out of the u-joints holding them. The two huge doors flew open and a young man walked through them with a sword in his hand. He said, “I would think that a great clan like the Jung would follow the meeting rules of the Khans.”

The Jung Kahn yelled, “Only the leaders of the clans are allowed entry. You are the one breaking our rules.”

The Wang-dao Kahn stood and said, “He is the Kahn of the Wang-dao; I am only serving in his absence.”

The Jung Kahn said, “You should have informed us of this before the gathering. Kill that trespasser.”

Ten Jung Warriors drew their swords and rushed the lone intruder. Everyone in the room was stunned with how quickly the ten were cut apart. All ten were dead on the floor in less than four seconds. The young man said, “If you show such discourtesy to my clan again, I will kill every Jung Warrior in this building.”

The Jung Kahn looked up at the upper level and four arrows zoomed out at the young man. The young man cut the arrows out of the air and all four archers fell from the upper level with a knife sticking out of their right eyes. The young man strode forward until he was directly in front of the Jung Kahn, “You know that any Clan Leader is to be admitted at any time of the gathering.”

The Jung Kahn was frightened. This warrior had killed faster than he could see. He said, “Take your place with your clan.”

AG walked over and the Kahn stood to welcome him, “I wondered if you were going to arrive in time.”

“I was slowed up by traffic.”

“Is now the time?”

AG took off his shirt and raised his arm. Everyone in the room saw the blue and green tattoo. The mark of Wang-dao’s chosen. The Kahn bowed and sat down. Tao stood and said, “It’s good to see you again. Their champion reminds me a lot of how you fight.”

AG looked at the huge warrior standing next to the Jung Kahn and smiled. The huge warrior saw his expression and Tao saw his instant tension. “It appears he knows who you are.”

AG looked at Tao, “He’s only just realizing his destiny.” AG turned to the Jung Kahn and said, “I am the champion of my clan and I will fight for their honor.”

The Jung gave a sigh of relief. Now things were back to normal. He was scared the warrior was going to kill him on his throne but now he could be eliminated by Kong. He turned to the huge warrior and said, “Kill him.”

Kong possessed the ability for things to move in very slow motion. He was able to see everything happening and respond in time to defeat his opponents. He had watched the intruder and saw everyone moving slowly but him. He moved at what looked like normal speed and he knew there was no possibility of defeating the new Kahn of the Wang-dao. Kong looked at the Jung Kahn and said, “I will not fight this warrior.”

The Jung Kahn’s smile disappeared and he roared, “You will kill this man now.”

Kong looked at his Kahn and said, “I will not do as you order. Do you choose to challenge me on this?”

The Kahn was frozen on his chair. If he chose another champion he knew they would lose to the Wang-dao Kahn. He turned back to the room and everyone present saw his fear. AG walked forward and everyone heard a sound of something moving through the air. The Jung Kahn’s features turned slack and then his head rolled off his shoulders. AG looked at Kong, “Who is your Kahn?”

“You are.” Kong bowed and laid his sword at AG’s feet.

“Why have you killed the champions?”

“I was ordered to do so and I firmly believe we are stronger united than separate.”

“Then why did you not fight me?”

“Because I could not defeat you and it is clear to me that you are a better leader than any present.”

Kong stood and looked out at the angry Jung Warriors. “You should know that he was not boasting when he said he would kill every one of you in this room. It would happen faster than you can imagine and he’d finish with me first. I have no chance against this brave warrior. Every one of you knows the ego of our former Kahn. He placed himself ahead of those he ruled. This Kahn is not like that. You will welcome him into our clan and give him the honor he deserves.”

Suddenly everyone heard a tapping from the entry doors. A very old man using a cane moved into the room and he was immediately recognized by everyone present. The former Kahn of the Wang-dao rushed forward and embraced the old man. Tao arrived directly behind the Kahn and bowed to the floor. “Where have you been, my Kahn?”

“Why, looking for my chosen successor. You know it had to be done.” The old man looked down at Tao and said, “Rise my son. You have finally made me proud of you.”

Tao stood and hugged the man that had pulled him from the garbage dumpster and saved his life as a small boy those many years ago. Tao’s tears were from his heart and the old man said, “You have become what I’ve always known you could be.”

Wang-dao was assisted forward by Tao and the Kahn and AG met them at the throne in front of the room. “Please take your throne, Kahn.”

The old man smiled and said, “Did you not hear me say you are my successor. You are the Great Khan and I am counting on you to save my children.”

AG hugged Wang-dao and looked out at the huge gathering. He sat on the throne and said, “Kong, you are now the leader of the Jung. Tao, you will replace the Kahn of the Jow-len and lead them.”

Tao bowed and moved over to the front of the Jow-len leaders. The leaders saw the giant warrior approaching and all of them were frightened. Tao arrived and said, “You should never fear me. I am here to protect our clan and you will assist me in that effort. I need all of you to make our clan what it should be.”

The leaders saw the huge warrior meant what he was saying. They all bowed to him and he told them to rise.

AG watched the Jung Warriors and they were frightened of Kong but they also respected him. He knew respect would make the difference. He said, “All Khans will remain and everyone else will return to their clans.”

Twenty five Khans remained in the room and AG said, “Gather around me and listen to what I have to tell you.” They all moved forward and AG told them what was coming. Most of them didn’t believe him at first but after the former Khan of the Wang-dao told them about his first meeting with AG they started listening. What finally convinced them was when Wang-dao himself said, “He has the power of vision. He is being honest with you.”

The meeting lasted ten hours and at the end AG said, “I will not order any of you to join me in my efforts. However, if you refuse, I will not be responsible for your safety.”

The Khan of the New York Clan said, “So if we choose not to follow your vision, all of us will die.” AG nodded. “And if we choose to follow your vision our lives will become extremely hard and difficult.” AG nodded again.

Wang-dao said, “The choice is whether or not you are willing to suffer for the survival of your children.”

“So we will have to give up being warriors?”