Dark Descendants: City of Domes

Chapter 7:The Alchemist & the first Signus

FIVE days had passed, I and the other guardians did training alongside with their new buddies. The five guardians who were new in the legion had also trained hard. Now is the time, due to our trainings and rush things about being a chosen guardian, I almost forgot about Selene and this day. The Day of Annunciation. I talked to King Alexandrov yesterday and requested if I can have a live video feed on the Announcement he’ll be making where I, along with my other guardians and comrade in the Raven Legion, will be announced dead and casualties in the recent mission. Luckily, he approved my request.

While the announcement is held outside the Palace where all citizens of the City of Domes are summoned to attend, all of us Guardians and Ravens are locked up on our bases. Nobody is allowed to roam outside the base. Even the doors to the training grounds are closed.

“It’s about to start.” Alexiese announced as he looked into the clock here in our barracks. I’m shaking as I turn on the thin screen King Alexandrov provided me for live video feed.

“Alpha Guardian DuTritz, you may now turn the screen on. We’ve already connected the signal for the live feed.” Commander Rusty said through the high-tech nanochip implanted inside me 3 days ago by the Palace scientists; it works mainly as locator and communicator exclusively for us guardians. Only us can hear and communicate with others who were also implanted with it, alongside with King Alexandrov and Commander Rusty. It can also work like private communicator between two guardians or guardian to King Alexandrov or Commander Rusty. With this, we don’t have to speak into a device or what, the chip works into our whole body system mainly with brain, vocal cords, ears and optical nerves. It can even detect injuries in so as medics could be immediately summoned to us in case. We only need to use its features by our brain; like talking or responding by just using our brains, then the nanochip sends the signal to the receiver/s.

I turned the screen on, seeing crowds of citizens waiting for the arrival and announcement of King Alexandrov, not knowing that the announcement is about the casualties and our fake deaths.

“Don’t worry, Solem. Everything’s gonna be fine. Selene will get through this, we know she’s as tough as you.” Alexiese consoled beside me, also watching the live video feed.

King Alexandrov then appeared in his Balcony walking towards his microphone set up. The crowd cheers.

“I wonder if all that will be announced is just part of the Raven’s.” I said. Then Lexxus replied to me using the microchip implant.

“No actually. Some of those who’ll be announced were really part of the casualties from the mission against the wolves.” He sighed deeply. “I’m sad for all of them.”

“I wonder how my family will handle my death.” Michael said. “That’s my mom, the Japanese woman standing near your sister, Alpha Cardinal.”

“Wait…Are you all watching through my eyes?!” I exclaimed.

“I’m not, I’m reading some books here.” Johann replied, while the others denied though their obviously guilty.

“He’s about to start his announcement.” Alexiese informed.

“All citizens of the City of Dome’s, please lend me your ears for a moment. I summoned you all here for an important announcement.” He stopped, making the crowd nervously silent. “Last week, our warriors were sent for a mission chasing after a pack of wolves that brought destruction and panic on dome 12. That dome was then closed, citizens living there were sent for a temporary evacuation place here in Central Dome.” He heaved a deep sigh.

“Unfortunately, the pack is more in numbers than we expected. The mission was successful, but a lot of our brave warriors had to give their lives for the success of it.” The crowd gasped, murmurs starts to spread to the whole area. “I’m here to announce the list of casualties, wherein some non-legion citizens had been also included…” Then the King started to announce numbers of names. “…Solem DuTritz; Delta force member, Dome 12 citizen. Alongside with her Battle buddy, Alexiese Morgann Ce’ Vieze citizen of dome 1. Ian Pasivoch; Food house worker, citizen of dome 5. Aaron and Lewis Santiago; Clothing house workers, citizen of dome 3…” The King continued as Guardians and Ravens were announced next after next.

When my name was called, the live feed focused on my sister. She was wide-eyed, doesn’t seem to have absorbed the news. After a minute or two, tears start to travel down from her eyes. She wiped off her tears though it continues to fall. I touched the screen, my heart ached in too much pain that quickly crawls throughout my whole being.

“Selene…” My eyes started to swell.

“Solem…” Alexiese held my other hand and slightly squeezed it. “Pull yourself together. She’ll be alright I promise.” He then pulled me for a hug, and I can’t stop myself anymore to cry myself out. I also heard sobs from my microchip implant, looks like the other Guardians are also having a hard time with this.

“This is why were all locked up here, right?” I murmured while crying. “To prevent us from backing out, to prevent us from spilling the beans about the Raven Legion, to prevent us from running away. To… torture us just to prove our obedience and loyalty.” I cried harder with the thoughts flooding my mind.

“We need to sacrifice for the sake of all, that’s why we’re Legion warriors. These things, all of these, is part of the sacrifices we need to do.” Alexiese said while gently patting my back.

Commander Rusty’s voice boomed through my head.

“They’re calling us now.” I informed Alexiese for he hasn’t been implanted with the nanochip.

“It’s now time for the announcement of our first mission.” He said as we quickly fixed ourselves. We then head to the HQ, that was just placed at the center of our base. As we arrived, the other guardian’s also did. Observing them, I knew that they’ve also gone into crying as they saw what I saw from the live feed.

“That’s the backfire of peeking through Guardian Solem’s eyes.” Gabrielle whispered, addressing to our other fellow guardians.

“Whatever.” Kylie murmured. “It’s not as if you didn’t peek even a moment. Don’t be hypocrite.” She said, addressing directly to Gabrielle.

“Will you please stop? The two of you.” Liam commanded. “Your pissing my ass off.”

Then, Commander Rusty entered the HQ holding a pile of folders in his both arms and dropping it hard on the table that made us flinch a little.

“Warriors.” His voice boomed, making us all stand straight just because of his simple word. “Here you see the set of missions you will be finishing this month.” He said as he points his finger to the pile of folders in the table. “The base will still be in lockdown, and some of your missions on the other hand, will be finished here inside the base.” He walked and looked each of us.

“Your missions should be finished by sequence, as for now I’ll be handling you the first five missions on hand to you. After you all finish that, I’ll be handling you the next five then.” He stopped. “Is all clear?” he asked, face still serious as ever.

“SIR, YES SIR!” we answered in chorus.

“Good then. Now Guardian Solem, here’s your first set of mission.” Commander Rusty said as he gave me five pieces of thick folders and disappeared immediately, leaving us all looking to each other and to the five thick folders in my arms.

“Let me carry those instead, Solem.” Alexiese insisted as he carry the folders from me and put it down to the table. The other guardians then gathered and sat around the table, waiting for me to open and read the first folder that contains our first mission as guardians and as ravens.

“It’s an efficiency test.” I informed them as I finished reading the contents. “Our mission is to recover an underground city once built by the former survivors of humanity. According to the data, its center point is found underneath the central dome. Our entry point is actually at the training field here in the base.” I continued as the folder was passed from one guardian to another.

“That’s it?” Johann exclaimed.

“Nope.” I shook my head for disapproval. “We actually need to finish that in 2 weeks, starting tomorrow.”

“And alongside with five researchers whose scientists that will go along with us.” Lexxus said as he reads the folder.

“That’s ridiculous. Are they going to sacrifice or spare those researchers? This could be a suicide for them, you know.” Michael commented. I just sighed.

I whispered on my mind.

Kylie also whispered.

Johann grimaced.

Jacob commanded that silenced us all.

“Could you just please talk? Stop using your minds will you?” Jacob said, putting the folder back to the table. “We need to communicate with each other efficiently by words, not by our minds.”

*KNOCK* *KNOCK* *KNOCK*

All our eyes then looked to the doors direction, wondering who will be the person knocking this time.

“Good afternoon guardians, we are the researchers and scientist summoned to be here for your first mission.” A voice outside announced.

“Come inside, please.” Lexxus replied to them. “Thank you.”

“Hi everyone, I’m Charles. Head Scientist of the Royal Palace and the primary head assistant of this mission. We are here to prepare for the mission deployment tomorrow.” He started.

“How do we start this though? We were just starting to talk about the mission, I’m sorry. Please explain to us, will you?” I asked.

“Oh. We will start the mission by digging under the training ground of this base. By then, we’ll be tracing the tunnel way used by those who built it. Your actual mission is just to help us for manpower, and the other will be our work.” Charles explained.

“That’s it? We will be digging for two weeks?” Michael asked.

“By the looks of it, yes.” Charles replied. “It’s mainly to help us excavate down there. And because this is a confidential mission given by King Alexandrov himself.” He added. Jacob sighed deeply.

“So, let’s all get some rest for the digging tomorrow.” Jacob suggested. We all then walked to our barracks to grab some sleep.

A WEEK after, we already had dug for 20 kilometers underground and found the tunnel way. It was easy because of the help of the scientists and their techs, now were up to using each other’s location to triangulate which point would be the probable entry point to the underground city.

Lexxus asked. We were parted separately through every tunnel way, wandering by threes to locate the entry gate. We’ve been here for 3 days now after discovering the tunnel, armed with giant bags that contains our food, water and blankets for sleeping.

I replied.

“Let’s rest in here for a while.” Alexiese suggested. Looking behind the other way of the tunnel were walking for days now.

“I’m exhausted.” I said as we sat through the alley.

“How long would it be to locate the entry gate, Charles? Were here for days now. Still only dark endless pathways are what we see. We’ve been mapping for so long, but still no results.” Alexiese asked the scientist with us.

“By the map were creating from the signals of the other guardian’s and from those we gathered to compare, it looks like this underground city is the biggest of all. Were done recovering the 75% of the tunnel way. By my calculations, one of our groups will find the entry gate by tomorrow. If we compare the digital mapping we’ve got as we wander here to the closest similar mapping of the underground cities, its maybe 10 km ahead of one of us.” Charles explain.

I announced. Addressing to every guardian with receivers.

Ethan answered, who’s wandering the tunnel way 20 km away from us here, heading to 100 degree Northwest.

‘Roger that, Alpha.’ The others replied.

“Solem, let’s eat.” Alexiese said as he gave me some food and a bottle of water while Charles was already eating his own.

“By my calculations, tomorrow we can already get back up there.” He pointed up, meaning the City of Domes above ground. “Just some more patience, then these scientists could already start their research about that city.” He sighed, looking intently to the dark pathway ahead.

“What exactly is your mission again, Charles? Why are we recovering and mapping again that certain undercity?” I asked the scientist with us, as I remembered we haven’t asked him about the mission they were assigned to finish after we find the entry gate of this undercity.

“We were assigned to recover some important things buried along the city.” The Scientist shortly replied.

“Then?” Alexiese asked. Intend for the scientist to explain further.

“That’s all.” Charles replied, which made Alexiese and I exchange looks.

Liam said through an open line.

Kylie connected.

Johann also connected, joining the discussion.

Lexxus reminded, as he also joins the open line. He also seems a bit irritated.

“Who wouldn’t be? This is a test of patience guardian.” Guardian Ariean showed up. I disconnected from the open line of connection of the guardians as I talk to her. “Lucky I was when it was my time as a guardian they were no cities like this. We only protect the above land from the cycle of apocalypses. Not as complicated as your time here in earth now.” She added.

“Yeah lucky you.” I snorted.

“But if I were the one to ask, it’s really suspicious to have a mission like this. It’s been a long time since the domes were built, right? Why haven’t they tried to locate it back then before? Why just now?” Ariean commented about the matter. “As a guardian, all of you should know everything. Every single thing that is connected to your responsibilities.” She added.

“It’s still not our decision. The King only decided for the sake of everyone so we should just trust him, right?” I retorted. “After I knew about the Raven Legion, I slowly realized how everything works for the King as he shoulders all the responsibility for the survival of the last humanity. He sometimes need to keep secrets just to protect everyone.” I said, then Ariean vanished without saying anything more. I then looked Alexiese who’s now taking a nap before we get back to walking in this endless pathways. I decided to take a nap too then.

I got woken up by a unique smell hovering near me, and as I open my eyes I saw Alexiese and Charles whose both tied up by a golden tie. I looked around and saw an old man holding a small flask where the smell comes from.

“WHO ARE YOU?!” I shouted as I struggle due to my tied hands and feet. The man carries I and Alexiese’s sword on his shoulder. “WHY DID YOU TIE US UP?! HOW DID YOU GET HERE?!”

“I should be the one asking you that, young lady. Who are you and what are you all doing here?” he asked back to me.

“I am the one who ask you first, so answer me first before you asked me the same question old man.” I retorted, giving him a sharp look.

“Don’t negotiate with me, young lady. I won’t mind burning you into ashes if you won’t answer me.” He warned, but I didn’t give in. “I repeat, who are you and what are you all doing here?” he asked again, pointing me my own sword.

I touched the ring on my finger and asked a question. ‘Who is he?’

Then visions whirl in my mind, but only one vision caught me, answering my question.

“Why are you here, Alchemist Peter?” I asked him, he stilled upon hearing his name. “How did you get here?” I asked him again. While the golden tie slowly burns from my wrists for hell I don’t even know how but I don’t care as long as it helps me free my hands.

“How…?! That tie is unbreakable!” he exclaimed. “I was the one who created that tie! That’s unbreakable!” he steps back, now full of horror. I stood up as the golden tie were now burnt into ashes falling to the ground.

“Thank me later.” Ariean appeared, though I know only me sees her. “And don’t hurt Peter. He’s a good man. I know him from old times, I just didn’t expect that his experiments became successful to prolong life.” She added before she vanished again.

“Mr. Peter, I’m Guardian Solem. The new Aries Guardian, warrior of the Raven Legion, serving King Alexandrov and the City of domes. Please state your name and how did you get down here.” I politely asked, as if he didn’t tie me up minutes ago. “I won’t report to imprison you, but only if you will answer my question.”

“You are a warrior of Alexandrov?!” he exclaimed, now holding my sword tightly and pointing to me to defend himself. “Get out of here! You have no right to enter our undercity! I won’t give him all my elixirs and resources. Go back to the aboveground now!” he shouted. Trying to s***h me using my sword. I dodged and disarmed him, getting my sword back to my hands and pointing its edges to him as I push him to the corner of the alley.

“Why are you so hostile? Old man? Aren’t you also a citizen of the city of domes—” he cut me off.

“I will never be! And following Alexandrov will be the biggest mistake I’ll be taking for my whole life! I if were you, young lady, I’ll s***h him instead by using that sword and pierce it directly to his heart than following his futile orders.” He smirked as he pushed me unexpectedly and ran to the dark alley and disappeared. Confusion filled me, my instincts are telling me something’s not right about this and I know only this scientist can answer the questions running in my mind right now. I untied Alexiese and wake him up before talking to the scientist or running after to chase the alchemist.

“W-what happened?” Alexiese rubbed his eyes and looked around. “Why is Charles tied up? Where did you got that golden tie?” He asked.

“It’s not me who tied him up nor you. It was Peter, an alchemist who had just run away from me before he even gave me answers. Now help me to make this scientist talk.” I replied, tapping the shoulder of Charles to wake him up.

“Why?” Alexiese asked again. “Is this about their mission?” he said, talking about that scientists. I just nodded as I wake up the scientist.

“I feel this has something to do about their real mission on finding that undercity, Alexiese. Because that alchemist recently shouted at me about the King as if he’s not a citizen of the domes and even tried to s***h me using my own sword.” I said, looking to the direction of the alley where Peter ran way.

‘What happened, Guardian Solem? We sense danger signal from you a while ago.’ Johann asked, opening a line.

‘Tie up all the scientist with you, guardians. Time to know the truth.’ I replied.

‘Are you sure about that? What’s happening?’ Gabrielle asked as he connected to the line.

‘Just do it, everyone. Trust me. These scientist has somethings to spill to us.’ I commandeered to them. Pointing the edge of my sword to Charles who’s slowly gaining back his consciousness. ‘Stay connected.’ I added.

“Hi, Charles. Do you mind if I would like to ask you some important questions that you need to answer honestly?” I grin evilly, making sure it’ll give him goosebumps.

“What’s happening, Warrior D-Du ‘Tritz? W-why are y-you pointing your s-sword at me?” he horrified asked.

“Time to talk, Charles. I just met Alchemist Peter minutes ago and we talked a lot. I even know where’s the entry gate now. But before that, I want to hear the truth about your mission. Why are we walking through these tunnels, Charles?” I asked him, lying about what I knew about Peter and about the entry gate.

“I-I don’t k-know what a-are you t-talking about.” He answered, fully horrified about my menacing actions.

“You want me to call Alchemist Peter then? Just to spill us about the Elixirs? Or you want me to kill you and bury you down here? Choose one Charles. I suggest you to just tell us what’s your real intention recovering the lost undercity instead seeing my rage.” I asked him again, pointing the sword harder to his chest.

“F-Fine!” he’s stuttering. “We are ordered to capture Alchemist Peter and Prophet Simon. According to our sources, they’re hiding into a certain former undercity just near the domes. After that, we will bring all the elixirs and whatever that alchemist has in store back to the palace!” the scientist confessed.

‘What the hell!’ Kylie exclaimed through our open line.

‘We’re being deceived all along here? Prophet Simon is an ally. Alchemist Peter is a known alchemist who have elixirs that were proven to prolong life and elixirs that can heal all illness.’ Johann commented.

‘Capture is the word he used right? So if we include that information from Johann, we are going to imprison them? Imprison allies?’ Lexxus added.

“HANDS UP EVERYONE! SWORDS ON FLOOR!” a voice boomed interfering our interrogation. The whole tunnel lit up, the walls of the alley disappeared. We then saw each other meters away from ourselves. We are now being surrounded by about a thousand archers infront of a tall wall just infront of us. “LET’S STOP PLAYING. TELL US WHY ARE YOU ALL HERE!” An old man who looks like the leader of these persons shouted at top.

“This is a misunderstanding everyone. Let us explain.” Michael demanded. “We are warriors from the Raven Legion—” arrows rained as he spoke the word ‘legion’. But before the arrows reached us, a wind blew up changing the direction of the arrows and piercing it to the giant tall wall infront of us.

“WE ARE THE NEW GUARDIANS. PLEASE LET’S TALK PEACEFULLY.” Aaron negotiated to the old man leader, who’s one of those who were shocked for what they saw when one of the Gemini twins wielded their power. “WE PROMISE NO HARM IF YOU’D DO THE SAME TO US. WE’LL SURRENDER OUR SWORDS JUST TO ASSURE YOU.” He added. The old man leader then vanished from the top and appeared infront of the sturdy gate of the undercity.

“All of you are the new guardians?” he asked, walking slowly towards us. “Can you please let me see your marks?” he added, which we obliged without any further words.

“We want to talk to you, Prophet Simon. This is a huge misunderstanding.” I said, just as I removed my hamlet to reveal my mark. “I’m the new Aries guardian.”

“Capture them! THEY ARE TRAITORS!” Charles shouted, pointing his finger to the Prophet.

“It’s your KING who’s the TRAITOR for betraying us!” Prophet Simon shouted back to the scientist. “He deceived us and trapped us down here! It was him who betrayed us for snatching the first elixir I made that can prolong life! It was him, the traitor you are saying!” he added, full of rage as he walks toward the scientist.

“Simon!” a voice commanded, then a body appeared beside him. It was the Alchemist. “Let the guardians inside, trap the scientists here outside and let them walk endlessly through the imaginary loop maze.” He suggested.

“Your Peter right? Can you give back Alexiese’s sword?” I asked as he turned his eyes to look at me.

“Oh yes. I’m sorry Guardian for the misunderstanding earlier.” He apologized as he bowed to me for courtesy. “Here.” A sword materialized from the air to his hands. He gave it back to Alexiese the moment it fully materialized.

“Open the gate!” Prophet Simon commanded to his henchmen’s. “Please come in, Guardian’s. We will have a long talk.” He added as we entered the gates. On the other hand, being true to his words, they left the 5 scientists outside the gates. Then, the moment our feet’s pass the gates, the outsides came back to dark.

“We made some projectors to protect this undercity. We’ve been monitoring you for the whole time you’ve been wandering in those imaginary tunnels. It’s in loop maze style. No end and no beginning. Since you entered from the aboveground, you automatically entered the trap but you’ll never see our entry gate. But then again, Peter came outside the gate and was about to loot your swords but unexpectedly you woke up when he was about.” He explained. “He noticed your tattoo’s and reported it immediately to me. So we decided to face you.” He gave me a thin smile.

“But why did you let them rain us arrows? If we weren’t true guardians, you could’ve killed us all.” I exclaimed.

“It was a test to know what’s true actually. The arrows are all imaginary projections only.” He laughed. “Were not like your King, guardian. We’re not monsters.” He retorted.

We were surprised the moment our eyes roamed around inside as we pass the giant gates. It was a stair-like city, leveled and engineered like stairs from high altitude. The central ground however, is the center of the city with the market and government tower which I think is where the base of Prophet Simon’s henchmen’s is located.

“How did you build this city?” I asked, amazed on what I am seeing.

“We create our own resources from the original we have. We also took some other from the other abandoned undercities to reform new reusable resources. Then there’s Peter to provide us what we need. He’s an alchemist after all. He can create gold from common metals we can dig up in the mines, he can create elixirs, he did provide us seeds to plant to generate food for the people. If it wasn’t for him, we wouldn’t survive here for the longest time though. We also have scientists here who help Peter to create and invent things here, and one of their greatest inventions is the trap loop maze outside the entry gate and those arrows we used on you a while ago.” He proudly said as we walk down the stairs into the central ground.

“Why do you loathe King Alexandrov so much, Prophet Simon?”

“It’s a long story to tell, Guardian. If you mind, we’ll talk about it in out library while taking something to eat instead?”

“That would be great, but how about my fellow comrades?” I asked.

“Let Peter take care of them. Let them wander the city, there’s no other way out here than the entry gate on the other hand so don’t worry.” He assured me as we walked to their city library.