3034: The Awakening

The Elders of Numir

Emily P.O.V.

The bay door to the Luxious slowly draws downward revealing the welcoming party that has gathered to escort us. Two rows of guards stand in a single file line of five men each. Leaving a gap open in the middle between them. One of them with a blue stripe going down the left side of his helmet steps forward.

"Welcome, I am General Adkins, we will escort you to the Numir elders once we have searched each of you and your ship."

His tone is light yet firm he keeps it evenly balanced without a hint of him being considered a threat.

The crew and I nod in compliance. The guards gather around placing our hands on top of our heads and spreading our feet apart. One by one we are searched as the other five go to the ship to conduct their own.

After they complete their thorough search we are finally on our way to the elders. I can feel my anxiety begin to kick in the closer we get to our destination. I try my best to hide my unwavering nerves but I am sure that I have failed by this point.

I feel a warm hand rest on my shoulder. I would recognize that touch anywhere especially by now. I turn to see Z giving me her best 'it will all be okay smile, '

" Keep calm Emily, there is nothing to be afraid of, " she whispers.

"How can you be so sure? I mean we don't even know what we will have to do in return for using their lab, " I try to keep my voice low.

"Emily, you worry too much, everything is okay and will be handled, don't fret."

"How can you be so sure?" I ask my question again hoping to get a response.

"Because long ago I came to them for help, I trust them." Z replies and walks past me.

Z and her not so specific answers always end up making me more nervous and confused than I already am. This time is no different. Now I have more questions beckoning at the tip of my tongue. I don't know much about Z and I want to know. However, I don't want to push her either.

Z P.O.V.

It's been so long since my last visit to Numir. The place that had kept me safe during my darkest days in the past I wish could do the same for us all. The last time I had came to them on the verge of death. My fate had all but been sealed I was set to die and yet….I still live.

The war-ravaged all the land of any life. The fighting spared no one. And in the end, all that was left to show for it was an abandoned planet and one lone survivor that had to flee to safety after being badly injured. My wife at the time saved me and got me to Numir where they had taken me in and nursed me back to health.

For years Numir was my new home until the day came that I had to pave the way for my future, not the way others wanted me to go. And with that, I left and eventually found Neese who had given me a purpose once again. To help him find the cure to specimen X and save the Galaxy from Solarious. With that new purpose, I finally felt necessary again.

Emily P.O.V.

Coming to a stop I snap out of my thoughts. I look up at the tall brown doors that stand as high as skyscrapers.

" Open the gate" General Adkins calls out.

With a loud creak, the doors of the gate open unveiling what was hidden behind them. The doors swing ajar the sight that welcomes us is unlike anything I had ever seen.

Far off in the distance, a beautiful mountain rises from the horizon. Its peak is a pearl white color the rest is covered in a camouflage of different landscapes. Trees stand tall at its base and green patches spread on the mountain's faces.

Looking around the rest of the city doesn't look futuristic for the year we are in. Numir seems to have stopped in time at some point around what I could consider Greek mythological times.

All the building's architecture is the opposite of all the planets we have come across this far and that includes earth. Built with marble pillars that stand taller than any of us and the outward appearance each building had different material used on it. Some being with a black stone with carved out writing that I don't recognize. To beautiful sculptures that line the doorways of each building.

Even the road isn't pavement, brick or steel, not even dirt. The road is made up of a new kind of material that is unknown to me. Almost like a hard rubber maybe?

After a few left turns and right turns we finally come to a building that is closely modeled after medieval times castle style. The stone and brick that make up the walls and towers of the castle are a stunning bright white color. The windows are stained ocean blue.

I hold my mouth agape in ah at the magnificent castle that stands before me and soon I enter the belly of the castle just as the outside it is just as extraordinary on the inside. The long hallway General Adkins takes us down is lined with multiple guards. All stand still not moving and barely even notice that they are breathing.

"Stay focused and just keep moving, " Natasha brushes by me.

Realizing that I have been more interested in the materialistic surroundings I had lost focus on where we have been going and why we are here. I nod slightly to Natasha and face the front again.

Coming to a stop we are halted in place in front of a blank wall. General Adkins then turns to face us asking that we stand side by side in one row.

"May I ask that you briefly cover your eyes, "

"What for?" I blurt out.

Humored General Adkins smiles at me.

" Even friends could be used against the elders, no one must know how to enter the passage of the elders, friend, or foe."

Satisfied with his explanation his comrades blindfold us. One by one a black cloth is slid over our eyes and tied behind our heads. Slowly as are guided forward into the room and asked to kneel.

"You may remove your blindfolds, " A shaky soft voice calls out.

Sliding mine off the view is not what I had come to expect. Well in all retrospect I really shouldn't be surprised by now.

In front of us right before my very eyes are elongated stone faces connected to one another. Their eyes are closed and each has a symbol for water, earth, fire, and air that appear at the center of their foreheads.

A wave is carved for water, trees, and land for earth, a single flame for fire, and a symbol that looks to be a tornado for air.

" Well look who has returned, " the water stone face says sarcastically.

"Hello, Oceania" Z smiles.

"What brings you back here young Lycan?" The stone face with the fire symbol has a rough and deep voice.

"We have come to ask a favor of the four of you, SoZu."

"Hmmm, and what could that be?" Oceania asks.

" Your help to put an end to Specimen X and stop Solarious once and for all."

"Ah, I see, you wish to use our lab to develop that cure Neese had told you about. So tell me have you found the one then?" SoZu now sounds intrigued by what Z has to say.

"Yes."

My heart is pounding ferociously in my chest and my palms begin to come sweaty. I try my best to hold steady and remain calm.

"Who are they?" The Earth stone responds.

Standing up with a bow Z walks behind me and places her hands on my shoulders. She bends down and whispers to me.

"Have faith."

I nod.

"Elders Oceania of water, SoZu of fire, Gia of Earth, and Arian of air, I introduce to you Emily Ross, the one and only human who carries specimen X within her very body, the key to ending the bioweapon and ending Solarious."

They all gasp in unison.

"So, there was a survivor after all," Arian says stunned.

" I believe with access to your lab we will be able to develop a cure. But, I must warn you Solarious is already trying to track us down."

"That serpent scum can come if he wishes and he will die where he stands once he lands," SoZu grumbles.

I stay silent and let Z continue doing the talking. It seems things are working out in our favor for once.

"While we will honor your request Z what will we reap from our generosity?" Gia changes the subject.

" Any type of DNA samples you wish of me in the first and second form of my Lycan."

The elders coo in satisfaction of Z's answer and willingness to let them take bits of her. I feel uneasy, why would they want DNA samples from one Lycan? And why is Z so willing to do so?

"Granted."

"Thank You wise elders" Z bows to them.

"General show our guest to their quarters on the west wing. They may begin their research tomorrow."

"Yes Elder SoZu, " General Adkins quickly ushers us out of the room and leads us on our way.

Z P.O.V.

As we settle into our bunks for the night I can feel the air is thick with tension. They all must think I am crazy for being so willing to have my DNA taken from me. They don't know what I have gone through in my past. Not will they ever. I carry weight on me that will never go away. The toll it takes would be too much for anyone else to handle.

Not only that the Elders of Numir saved me when I had lost everything. I owe them my life so this is only a small offering in return of a huge favor. The facilities they have are remarkable beyond what anyone could ever dream of. A lot of being miss judge Numir based on the architecture of the planet. Failing to realize it is all just a front of the vast amount of knowledge they wield.

I lay back on my bed. It has a firm feel to it with a pillow so soft my head feels like it is floating on cloud nine. Sinking down as the pillow gently cradles both sides of my head. Our quarters is a single room that could fit a whole squadron of soldiers if need be. Sets of ten bunks line the room in even rows.

Everyone else follows my lead tucking themselves into their own beds without a single word. Well everyone except for Emily.

"Z?" She whispers.

"Yes?"

"Why...why are you willing to let them take samples of your DNA?" Emily keeps her voice low and steady.

Not wanting to go into all the details I do what I always do to Emily and the others if I want to be left alone and not answer their questions. I keep them short and as least specific as possible.

" It's what needs to be done."

Without even having to open my eyes to look at her I can tell she is pouting. She hates short and quick responses which is largely why that is all I reply to her.

"Come on Z a real answer for once," She says annoyed.

"That is a real answer and that is all to be discussed. Get some rest, tomorrow we start our research."

Emily climbs on the bunk over me and the bed rocks as she climbs in and tries to get comfy. All of her movements and vibrations I can feel until she is settled. I can tell she is irritated with me and also worried about my decision. But it is for the best interest of everyone involved.

I close my eyes feeling my strength to keep them open weakening. And soon I am off to dream away the night in my own little world.