The guard stared down at him, his tight gray skin almost shimmering from the synthetic plastoids used to keep it tight after years of Vril usage. Thaqib though this was it, he was so close, literally feet away from Rast but he’d been caught. The guard held out a hand, something rattled within it. Handcuffs, Thaqib thought. When the hand opened though he saw much the opposite. A key.

“You need a key to get through there,” the guard said in a gruff voice. Thaqib stood dumbfounded. He was finding it hard to process what was going on. “You need a key to get through there,” the guard repeated almost mechanically. “Take the key.” Thaqib reached up hesitantly, his hand shaking, expecting it to be snatched at any moment. He took the key from the guard’s hand. The guard turned away as though nothing had happened, and walked away down the path.

“What just happened,” Thaqib said to himself. He looked at the key, then in confusion put it into the lock on the door to the holding chamber. He half expected it to stick, that this had just been some kind of joke. But to his surprise, the key turned in the lock and he heard it click open. He opened the door cautiously, taking a final glance around to see if anyone was watching then stepped inside and closed the door.

Rast sat on the bed, completely motionless, legs folded beneath him, eyes closed. “Rast,” Thaqib whispered stepping forward carefully as though any sudden movement might make an alarm erupt. “Yo, Rast!” Thaqib said trying to increase the volume of his whisper.

“Come, sit down boy,” Rast said catching Thaqib off guard, not even opening his eyes.

“Huh?” Thaqib said.

Rast opened his eyes, “I said come, sit down.”

Even more confused than he was before, he came slowly and sat next to him on the hard bunk. “What’s going on Rast? That guard out there just handed me the key!” Thaqib said.

“Of course he did, I told him to didn’t I?” Rast replied.

“You told him to? What—how—”

“Those who rely on external power are easy to control through the mind.”

“You saying you pulled some kind of—mind trick on him? Wait—is that how you got out of lock-up back then!?”

“Couldn’t leave you all alone now could I? I’m just sorry I was gone as long as I was. But enough talk of trivial things, we have little time. I told Judah not to let you come after me.”

“He said that, but I came anyway, we gotta get you out of here Rast, there’s something crazy going on, they got thousands of people sittin’ in the dirt out there all chained up, starin’ at some floating orbs!”

“Yes, it’s unfortunate, but that is a concern for a later time I’m afraid, a much later time. What you saw out there is the manner in which the Babylonians produce Vril, and soon they will be needing to ramp up their production considerably, meaning you must leave the city before that happens.”

“What about you? We got a boat—me and Halima—its crazy Rast, you gotta see it—made of a giant shell—”

“Thaqib, we don’t have much time. I cannot come with you, Shifun was infected with something from the abyss. To defeat him I had to expose myself to it and now it has ravaged my entire body, I’m using the last of my strength to hold it at bay, but I will not allow it to consume me and the knowledge I hold.”

“What are you saying Rast?” Thaqib said desperately, he saw something on Rast’s neck, a black creeping vein. He quickly pulled up Rast’s shirt and gasped in horror at the sight. Spiderwebs of black veins covered his body. Thaqib choked back tears. “Rast, wh-what is that!?” Rast sat still in the meditation pose conserving his strength, focusing deeply to keep the corruption at bay. “It is what you must defeat Thaqib. The corruption. I will teach you how, but first you must know the secret of your origin.”

“…what secret?” Thaqib asked his eyes widening in disbelief shocked at what was happening, unable to fully grasp it. He wiped tears from his eyes.

“You know that I found you as a boy and decided to raise you when I worked on the barge. You thought I found you, like you did Halima, hauled up with the net.”

“Yeah, so?” Thaqib replied.

“This is not the truth Thaqib. This was a lie I created to protect your true identity.”

Thaqib stared at him in silence, his mind unable to comprehend all that was happening. “Halima is not the only one to have come from the Veil.”

“What?” Thaqib uttered.

“I didn’t find you in the net. You wondered why I left the Order to raise you? It is because I witnessed the prophecy. It did not speak of Halima, it spoke of you Thaqib. I was called to the Veil by a being known as Gabriel. He called to me in my dreams. I went to the edge of the Veil and there I found you floating upon the water.”

“What?” Thaqib said, “No… It’s impossible.”

“It’s the truth. You came from Zion Thaqib, you were sent here for a purpose. That purpose, is to become the Czepta, the savior of Aotea.”

“This is crazy! Halima—she’s the Czepta, I’ve seen what she can do,” Thaqib said barely finding the coherence to string words together.

“No. It is you Thaqib. She was sent here to find you. To train you so that you may traverse the Veil and return to Zion to complete your initiation as the Czepta.”

Thaqib had no more words to utter, his mind was a blank void, overheated, burned out, he stared at the floor.

“This is the truth Thaqib. You must go with Halima, she will lead you upon the path of your destiny. I’m afraid I will not be coming with you.”

Thaqib turned, “I can’t leave you Rast—I won’t.”

“It’s OK Thaqib, I wouldn’t make you.” Thaqib heard something outside the door. A jolt of fear suddenly struck him. “Someone’s there!” he whispered.

“Yes, it’s Abbas. He’s arrived.”

Thaqib realized what he heard was the sound of a helicopter.

“Thaqib listen to what I say,” Abbas will try to corrupt you as he did Shifun, like he did me. But where we failed to overcome his corruption, you will succeed.”

“What do you mean?” Thaqib said spinning back and fourth between the door and Rast, panic gripping his body.

“To corrupt you he must expose himself, all you must do is realize the falsehood with which he tries to corrupt you, realize it deeply, in your heart. His darkness will be like fuel to a flame. His corruption runs so deep that a single spark of truth will be enough to ignite him.”

“But how—I don’t know how to do that!” Thaqib said getting more desperate.

“It’s within you Thaqib! You are of Zion! You will be the Czepta. The light is within you, ready to burst fourth as a piercing, blinding flame!” Thaqib sat in silence, his mind reeling he heard footsteps approaching outside. “It is time for me to leave Thaqib,” Rast said, now turning to him and smiling. He put his hand on Thaqib’s leg. “I’ll always be there for you, go within, like I’ve taught you. Quiet your mind and listen for me, I’ll be there to guide you.”

“Rast, you can’t leave—please! I’ve go no one else—”

“You’ve got Halima. Don’t worry, she’s on her way.” Thaqib heard a Bang at the door and a terse voice. He turned back to Rast who continued smiling. Rast nodded, “Goodbye Thaqib.” Suddenly the door burst open and Abbas stood silhouetted in the light, seeing Thaqib sitting beside Rast.

“What!?” Abbas bellowed.

Thaqib however did not look away from Rast, he saw a light emanating from his eyes, then, suddenly, the black veins upon his body burst into flame, catching fire like an explosive fuse. The flames rippled along the black veins, burning them with golden light.

“NO!” Abbas yelled, running forward but suddenly a flash of light burst fourth from Rast’s chest Thaqib flinched away as the white light blinded him. Abbas fell backward to the ground, as an explosion of light shot out of the room, rays bursting fourth from the door into the night. Soon the flash of light faded and darkness and quiet filled the room. Thaqib opened his eyes turning to where Rast had been, but found nothing. He sat alone on the bunk as though Rast had simply vanished with the light.

“Where is he?” Abbas yelled scrambling back to his feet, running to Thaqib, looking at the bare spot on the bunk. He grabbed Thaqib viciously by the scruff of his shirt yanking him upward to face him “What did he tell you!? Tell me!” he yelled. Thaqib said nothing, a tear dropped from his cheek, he stared blankly. “Tell me now! What did he say? That knowledge in his head was mine!” Thaqib looked at him, a newfound fury making his eyes burn like hot coals, he spat in Abbas’ face. Abbas’ face contorted in supreme anger, with a backward slap he sent Thaqib flying to the ground. “Whatever he told you, I’ll know soon enough!”

Suddenly an officer ran to the doorway, his fangs bared as he called out. “Abbas, Sir! A strange ship is approaching the compound!”

“What!?” Abbas yelled as he stomped toward the door. “Seize him!” He yelled, pointing to Thaqib and exiting the room. Thaqib was grabbed violently by two officers and dragged from the chamber, Thaqib kicked and yelled in anger, swearing at them to release him. They dragged him along after Abbas, up upon the prison wall. There below, coming toward them on the harbour was the white hull of the Shanka and upon it, Halima, Judah and a short man with a glistening bald head.

Thaqib watched helplessly as Abbas ordered a cannon to target the Shanka. “Disable it! I want them captured alive,” he yelled. The cannon heated up and a sudden red laser blast burst fourth toward the ship. It missed its mark, instead sending an explosion of water into the sky. To Abbas’ dismay the Shanka seemed to shimmer and then it disappeared.

“Sir! The ship has cloaked itself!” yelled the gunner.

“Impossible! Keep the cannon trained on water!” Abbas yelled, as he and the other agents studied the water intensely, trying to find any evidence of the Shanka’s location.

Thaqib felt something tug at the strap on his back. He looked back to see Jazib taking his staff. Jazib put a finger to his mouth, signaling him not to make a sound. When he had the staff, Thaqib heard the clack of it extending and the whine of its taser powering up. The guard that held him turned but it was to late, Jazib jabbed it into his ribs. The guard let go of Thaqib and fell to the ground.

Abbas turned, hearing the commotion and saw that Thaqib was free. “No!” he boomed.

“Come on!” Jazib yelled. “We gotta jump!” he said, pointing to the edge of the wall.

“Huh?” Thaqib said in alarm. Jazib grabbed his arm and pulled him toward it. Thaqib moved into a run and they ran toward the ledge. Below, Thaqib saw the turbulent waters of the harbour lapping against the bottom of the wall. They leapt over the edge and fell, flailing toward the water. Abbas peered over in alarm. Thaqib and Jazib plunged in to the ice cold waters. They quickly swum to the surface and made their way to a small bank that ran along the wall. Thaqib hoped Halima and Judah had seen them jump. They quickly climbed ashore, shivering with cold, scanning the water for any sign of the Shanka. They saw a shimmering light and as though from thin air, the Shanka materialized upon the water, heading straight for them.

Abbas looked up, seeing the boat approaching. “No!” he yelled, fearing that if they managed to rescue Thaqib and Jazib, the ship would disappear again and they’d be lost. “Cut them off!” he yelled to the officer manning the cannon.

Thaqib and Jazib saw the ship nearing, “What is that thing!?” Jazib yelled.

“Friends!” Thaqib replied. They were about to jump into the water again when the cannon fired, sending a blast between them and the boat. The Shanka swerved, avoiding the blast. Thaqib saw something from the corner of his eye and looked up as a dark shape fell toward him. He quickly shoved Jazib, sending him tumbling off the bank and into the water. Abbas landed behind him, grabbing him by the the neck and pulling him back.

“You’re not going anywhere!” Abbas hissed.