Myelin's neurattachment played a ding, and the glass doors separating the man from them swung open. Atal obscured the way. From around his brother, Myelin could see the environment that surrounded them. Grimy, dark, and no less crowded than the halls above, yet it was eerily quiet. Campfires crackled, with groups of ungroomed men huddled about. There wasn't an advertisement in sight, nor did anyone travel in any sort of groups. Tents were set up around the walls, almost a mockery of the shops and stalls in the city. They were lined up with chalked-up pieces of carved wood. Nobody paid much attention to the tents. Each individual moved alone—at a brisk pace eager to leave, or a zombified one with no plans to ever.
"I'm surprised to see you, my friend," said the man. Myelin peered around his brother to see him and his smug look better.
"I know you're not," said Atal.
The curiosity in him succumbed to worry as Myelin observed his brother's arms shake and twitch. What's his deal? A posse of armored soldiers with masks that hid them from the world encircled the elevator, their chatter muffled but loud. All eyes in this quiet part of town were on them now, the crowd drawing itself as the only place of attention to all down in the caves.
"Not you," said Morado. His gaze slid past Atal's and locked straight into the eyes of Myelin. "You."
Myelin's heart stopped. An overwhelming sense of fear had returned to him, one that had come and gone since the alien attack weeks prior. He thought his new powers could shield him from the trauma, a shield that now felt cracked and vulnerable.
"He's not a part of this," said Atal, stepping out of the glass chamber into the caves. "It's me you want."
"We're all a part of this now," the man bellowed. He motioned for the boys to come along with him. "I want to show you two something."
"We're not going anywhere." Atal burst into his wispy aura, clear yet it sent chills down Myelin's spine as it blew a cooling breeze upon release. From the few days the two had spent training, Myelin felt a sense of comfort as he knew just how capable and powerful this aura was. It had punched him all over and sent him flying enough times now for Myelin to have complete faith.
"Don't be hasty." The Governor unleashed a deep, purple hue that surrounded him. It sped through the air with tremendous speed. It felt like a cold tidal wave had washed over Myelin's face, choking him with the pressure of the wind. Suddenly, Myelin came to understand that the brothers stood no chance, that his brother was simply brave and nothing more. We're screwed. The world around turned to a standstill as the harsh pressure of the soul energy snuffed out fires and sent chills down the spines of all around.
Myelin, in pure haste, had put out an aura of his own—what he was once proud of now stood pathetic and weak. It barely ran with the pressure to fly far from his own skin, let alone cause a chilling breeze in the air. He heard whispers and rattles of the onlookers as they scurried amuck into hiding. Where they hid, Myelin had no clue. He could only make out dark pits in the walls of the grand cavern that they disappeared into.
First he heard a thwip, surrounded by the rattling of metal as it bounced and scraped against the ground. Two chain links of metal came flying into the elevator and wrapped themselves around the brothers. They squeezed tight and cold pressed onto his skin, binding his arms to his body. Myelin began to squirm and panic. His breaths became shallow and quick.
"I'll handle this Myelin, we're gonna be fine—" Atal was yanked out, pulled by the chains into the grasp of The Governor.
Myelin was left alone in the glass chamber for a moment and no more. He felt the tug as the metal's grasp tightened. He tried to plant his legs and dig his feet into the glass floor. His shoes slipped around as he began to lean forward. No, no, no, no! He resisted until he couldn't. When his head came level with his chest and his feet lost hold of the ground, it felt as if he was to fall face first until the pull sent him flying away. The glass beneath him gave way to the solid white rocks of the cave as he slammed into the hand of Morado himself. Myelin was now being held up by his shirt, kicking and pulling away at the chains that constricted him. Following the trail of the metal links, he saw they led up the Governor's sleeves, the other ends tucked away in his shirt as if it was a magic trick.
"Relax, boys," said Morado, however his aura left nothing to be relaxed about. It was fearsome, leaving goosebumps across Myelin's skin and throwing his heart into a pounding fit of fear. "Let's take a walk, shall we?"
"Get off of me!" Myelin yelled, kicking and swinging his legs, moving in any way he could to free himself to no avail. To his side, Myelin could see his brother had given up fighting. Atal only had a look of anger smeared across his face like the snarl was painted on. It was then that he, too, followed suit—saving his anger, fear, and energy across his body, though he was sure his face showed it all the same as well.
"Leave us and guard the posts. It's imperative you let nobody through," said The Governor, to which the soldiers responded in their scrambled noises. Each nodded and dispersed, marching on into the different veins of the caves below.
Myelin found himself dropped back onto his feet, arms still bound tight. He felt the rocky surface of the moon's caves for the first time; the uneven terrain dizzied his sense of balance. Myelin was only used to the smooth marble floors. Even leaving Neo York was something he could have only dreamed about. Yet here he was, finally setting foot out for the first time, only to face a world that was so much more dangerous than he was led to believe.
"Screw your walk. If you're gonna lock me up then do it," said Atal, bitterness stinging his tongue stiff. "You leave my brother out of this or you got something comin' your way! I ain't the only bastion in on this plan."
"You are now." He smiled bright and eerie, but it only mustered fear. Myelin could only understand it one way. That bastion from Mars, he's dead. It shut up his brother. He'd never before seen him backed into a corner. The sight of Atal's face turning pale sent Myelin's head into a spiral of panic.
"Now, if you two will follow me."
The Governor turned his back, and that very second both the brothers dug their heels into the dust of the surface below them. They pulled back and scraped at the floor as they tried to peddle back, straining themselves of every last bit of fear and soul energy into the floor. Myelin leaned away, trying to spread his arms out and off his sides, feeling the chains slide ever so slightly looser. Almost, almost, come on…
The Governor took one step, flicking his wrists forward as he held onto the chains that stemmed from inside his sleeves. Myelin felt the links snatch tight, moving him one step forward all the same. He felt his aura drain as it flickered and slowly began to dissipate, just as it did that first night he had it, but there was no rescue this time. Atal's aura was no longer there. Only a sense of fear and helplessness appeared on him, and it jumped straight to Myelin all the same.
Yet this strange man's purple prominence bore its weight through the air all the same. Morado took another step, yanking the boys forward; another and they jerked forward once again. Morado took one more step and the brothers did too. He turned his head back and grinned at them before continuing walking them along like dogs on a leash. They passed by scurrying men who looked as if they were rotting away. Morado paid no attention to them as they parted. Some 'Governor' you are!
They approached a cavern entrance just ahead of them, a long dimly lit hall that had only appeared as a dark concavity earlier before. Morado tugged them through the one that lay straight across from their elevator. As they entered, two men came across to exit. One buff, grayed, and holding a long cloth wrapping something clearly bloodied as it spilt through its surface. The other, lean, tall, young and quiet, holding a wooden ball in his hands.
"Did you both find what you were seeking?" said Morado.
"We've got the illusionist artifact, and the arm off that Orakzai kid right here," chuckled the burly man, showcasing the bag in his hand.
"You bastard!" shouted Atal, quickly silenced as Morado flicked the chain, slamming him into the wall.
"Quiet!" growled Morado, before composing himself. "Let us continue with what we are seeking. You two go on ahead. I'm sure the treasures you found will be quite useful for our future."
As the two strange men passed them, they continued along their way in silence. It was a walk that lasted so long it almost cooled Myelin's nerves—so much so that he could've been calm being led to a slaughter. For half an hour they walked straight in one direction, until they came about their first intersection. When they turned, so did the walls of the caves, as it shifted from the rocky lunar surface to a carved out and smooth hall. The floor, walls, and ceiling all around were made of a darker material, with carved out lines going in seemingly random directions in a maze. Morado kept them walking.
"What do you really want? Say it, it's not like we can get anywhere," said Atal, still struggling to push the chains. "You have your own powers, clearly, so why even bring us?"
Morado laughed, a much more sinister yet genuine laugh than the ones that came before. "Don't worry, I need you two alive," he said. "Otherwise I would've killed you hours ago."
"Yeah, alive for what? Get on with it you lazy sack of—!" said Myelin, interrupted by a yank of the chain.
"For your reward, young boy. Power beyond comprehension," said Morado.
"What do you mean? What do the aliens have to do with all this?" said Atal. Morado could only laugh more in response.
"Who cares about power? It'd probably be better off gone than in your greasy hands," said Myelin.
"Power... you ask me what good power is in this life? You truly are a young boy," said Morado. He tugged the brothers' chains to pick up pace. "Strength is everything. If you cannot be stronger, if you cannot look down onto your opponents and press your foot onto them, then they will step all over you. How do you think I run this sector?"
"You're a tyrant!" said Atal. Myelin wasn't used to such ferocity from his brother; it felt uncanny.
"Yes, a tyrant indeed. I'm a tyrant who keeps your streets safe. A tyrant who punishes those who do wrong. A tyrant who keeps money flowing. A tyrant who keeps food plenty. My power brings me authority, my authority brings peace."
"Yeah, peace, where poor kids get dragged down caves against their will. Quit the act!" said Myelin.
"I'm sure your brother understands. The state of the other sectors, and the many conflicts across the solar system—they're all unending hells. Order is all I seek. Soon, it will be yours to grant," said Morado.
With each intersection they passed, the halls became increasingly intact and lavish. Vases and tables were all neat and tidy, blocks of wood lay around carved in strange shapes, floors carpeted, and everything was lined in solid gold. They began to come across paintings of the planets, all framed in patterned gold frames. First came Pluto, the dwarf planet. Then came along Neptune, Uranus, Saturn, and Jupiter.
They then passed by a painting of Mars, patches of green blotted its famously red texture, an entire ocean of blue covering the top. "Mars was the first planet to be terraformed, that is, to be made hospitable for human life. What was once a giant desert of red soil was made into the oasis of palm trees and beaches we know of today. Fittingly, its people rebelled against the Earth's reach the first moment they had the power to do so," explained Morado.
Next came the painting of Earth, displaying its classic vibrant green and blue. "The Earth was the cradle for life itself. Pure in its forests and oceans, their people sought to reign control of the solar system. They never expected a planetary divide in humanity. While some people saw themselves as Lunar, Martian, or Mercurian, the people of Earth acknowledged the truth of our origins: that we are all of Earth. Neo York is merely another city of Earth's sovereign rule. We recognize this truth," continued Morado. He makes Earth sound like a cult.
"If you're gonna go on about history why don't ya just kill me!" said Myelin.
"Myelin, relax," said Atal, glaring at his little brother.
"Oh but I'm sure you will enjoy this next one," said Morado. "You two are Mercurians, aren't you?" The brothers went silent, careful as to not even breathe too loudly.
The Governor tugged them along to the final planet, Mercury. The planet was a dull gray, with stretches of dark green across. "The harshest planet in our solar system, politically and naturally. The radiation is deadly on its own, it was considered inhospitable. But, the riskiest places always have the highest return, and in an age of energy and metal Mercury had it all. The sun blasting enough power to move planets, and the metal being embedded into the planet's surface," Morado's calm face shifted into a look of disgust. "Naturally, humanity sent the people they valued least, those with darker skin—trying their hardest only to excuse themselves. They gave facades about their complexions keeping them safer from the harsh radiation, or that it was an opportunity for the poor and downtrodden to find wealth."
"Now it is a land of chaos, war, extreme wealth, and extreme poverty. Mars and Earth have been playing an endless game of tug-of-war over it. I considered myself a Mercurian as well. That was until my powers arose, and the people of Earth took me into their ranks. I finally came to understand the order of this world. I seek peace, boys," said Morado.
"Now, Myelin!" shouted Atal; the brothers sprinted forward, closing the distance between them and the governor. At the same tempo, they leapt into the air, attempting for a last-ditch effort kick. A simple flick of the wrist had them slammed back onto the floor. The Governor stepped onto Atal's chest. "Do you understand now? It's all futile without power," said Morado. "Get up!" With their backs aching, all hope for an escape was lost. The Governor led the boys like a shepherd and his sheep.
Eventually, they came down to an intersection, but this one was different from the rest. The hall across was considerably wider, leading to a pair of giant gold-plated doors. "This is the final one. We're here at last," said Morado.
Myelin was sore all over. Whatever it was down there, he was glad for it to all be coming to an end. There wasn't much for him to say to his brother either, mostly out of fear of being flung around by the chains once again. "Let's get on with it," he said.
"Very well then," replied Morado. The doors creaked at the touch of The Governor's hands, hardly giving way to open as if they were rusted shut. "Behold, the greatest conquerors in the universe's history, the Alien Kings!"
The red carpet diverged to two thrones at the end of the spacious columned room; the corpses resting peacefully, heads slumped back in their cushioned chairs. They're so... human. Humanoid as they were, their skins each had their own distinct color—the left one a calm green, the right a cool blue. They could've been muscular in their past life, but time spares none—the bodies were like dried up alien raisins left in the sun. Fingers were missing, limbs were limp, and rotten patches covered all over. They've been underneath us this whole time?
The Governor brought them closer to the thrones, close enough to see how deep each wrinkle folded. "From now on, try not to move too much. It'll make things easier," said Morado, sending the other ends of his chains to wrap around a column. Myelin found himself in the tight embrace of the right pillar, facing the blue corpse. He could hear Atal breathing heavily.
"Myelin, if anything happens to us... I'm sorry, just know I'm sorry. I should've been stronger," said Atal, staring at the green corpse in shame. Myelin couldn't find the words to respond.
Morado approached the corpses, placing a hand on each chest. "Oh great conquerors, awaken! I bring new life unto thee!" he yelled, flaring out his purple aura once more. Myelin turned to the blue alien lying in front of him. The Governor lifted his hands, a blue heart erupting from the corpse's body. "I present to you, two hosts. Brothers in human flesh, just as you were before!" announced Morado. The heart now floated on its own, glowing in every shade of blue Myelin could imagine and more. Hosts? Did he say hosts?
The lightning-edged heart began to hover towards him, a quick glance told Myelin the same was happening to Atal with the green one. Directly in front of his face, Myelin could feel the invigorated pulse of this once dead organ. His own heart was beating in sync, battering his chest. Yet, looking at the heart he felt a sense of familiarity—as if this was something that belonged to him.
The heart came closer, now pressing against Myelin's mouth. He tried to keep his lips sealed, but the heart kept the pressure up until a small opening pried up.
It was like sucking it up with a straw—the organ's physical presence quickly dissipated into the mass of energy. The blue light went right down Myelin's throat, warming his insides. His eyes rolled back, and his mind incapable of thinking straight. When he felt it reach his stomach, the warmth exploded across his body; head to toe cooked by the corpse's energy. All he could see was blue.
When the fireworks inside his body settled, he was left with nothing but a slight headache. Looking down at his arms, however, his misty white glow was no more. Instead, Myelin glowed the same deep sea hue as the rotting body in front of him.
"Myelin! Are you all right?" said Atal, surrounded by his own aura of blinding green.
"Yeah, I think I'm fine," said Myelin. Laying beside him was a blur of orange hiding. Gatito? The cat raised its head and purred.
Morado let out a growl, staring at the door. "Did you come here to die again?"
Myelin twisted his neck back to see: standing at the door was Atal's friend from before, fiery red, blazing in his aura, holding his sword with the only arm he had left.