Harmonizer's Evolution (Balancer's Soul cycle) (71 page)

“All my plans
for leaving forever
had changed when they stopped screaming. I realized that they were
weak, but
still miraculously
alive. It was a miracle to me because they didn’t die
like my dear mentor
. Unfortunately they weren’t the same once they opened their eyes and they were now as silver as mine. They didn’t know how to react, but they didn’t curse me like I
guessed or
hoped they would.

“After they learned how they had changed they were strangely overjoyed. They explained because of my confusion. They were happy to be with me and not be such an outcast among them.

“The three of us went back to the village and it was tense for some time, but because of the twin’s spirits we were excepted wholly into the lives of everyone else.
Some of the villagers wished to become like me and my wives and it was their ch
oice
, but as you know only a
small
handful survive the transformation. We also learned that we didn’t age in the same sense they did, but we eased their apprehension by making ourselves look slightly older
every now and then
so that we wouldn’t look like young men and women for so long.
I also learned that my seed cannot create a new life nor can our females conceive that life.

“After a thousand years
of seclusion from most of the world,
I met the
ambassador
Sorono.” They
smiled at each other because it was all a plan that was set up for another Harmonizer to show themselves. “I was the first Changer and he brought us with him to meet other strange immortals like ourselves. I agreed on one condition. I had him destroy the
entire
island
,
just incase someone were to stumble upon the plague ever again. We do not need something that dan
gerous to ever show itself
.

“Since joining the race of immortals I was named Head Elder for the Changers and all of my other elder Changers are from the island
that I once lived on.
They are all that remain of my village.
With that I’ve told you of my past and that of my children’s lineage.” His silver eyes met
Connor’s
and he asked “Any more questions?”

He
smiled while going over
the remarkable
story
again
. “Am I right in assuming that the twin’s on the council are your wives?”
Raphael
smiled approvingly. “If that is true, what happened? I’ve never seen you three that close before. Don’t Changer’s mate for life?”

“Yes, we do mate for life and yes they are still my mates. The problem is that they are being punished for giving their blood to unsuspecting victims in the attempts to
even our numbers with the other races. I’d made it a law to only bring over willing subjects because it isn’t right to forcibly make someone that
who
do not choose to
b
e
us
. They do not like being away from me nor am I thrilled to be from them. This all happened twenty years ago and out of a thousand deaths only fifty three survived the transition. I can bring them back home to my bed in three more years
once the punishment ends
. We try not to get too close to each other even though we want to so badly. That is why during the council that they are always on the other side of where
my throne is
. Since I made the law of separation I must endure it like everyone else.
That is also the reason why I’m not out among the humans
right now
and giving my blood over to them
,
to bolster our numbers. I will not allow any one of my children take the life of many
just
to find the few who can fight with us.
”

“Being t
he leader always has a price.” Connor
stated. “If you cannot control yourself then you aren’t fit to rule. Now I understand why you don’t like human tec
hnology.” The Elder’s eyes widened and he
gave him a one-sided knowing smile. “You know that you can talk
to your wives
over long distances, but you are afraid
that it is a sign of weakness. You do not want any temptation that could harm your standing reputation as a
ruler who leads by example.” Connor’s
eyes turned up to the tree canopy. “If only there were more leaders like you amongst the human
s
, the world would be a much more pleasant place
to live
.”

“Your words are generous and are greatly appreciated. Not many know the burden of rule, but it is heartening to know that a child like you understands it all so clearly. Thank you, Connor. I’m glad to have you by my side
,
as a friend.”

“Yeah but don’t treat me like Zeke and
ask any questions on
sex.”

Connor
dodged
Raphael’s
shoulder punch and were both soon laughing.

Not too long later they
ran through the town and found an electronics store.
He learned quickly as he was
taught about the radios
and how they work
. He liked knowing about the
nearly infinite number of
channels that could be changed
to speak privately
.

They
left the store with twenty handheld walkie-talkies and many long lasting batteries.

After Connor left with Head Elder Raphael
,
Sarah
had
accomplished quite a bit for the
day.
Jack and Jillian
had been the first to find
her and soon Kara and Mark joined her
and the kids. They wanted to know what
was discussed in the meeting and she
didn’t dare speak it aloud so
she
resorted to
an
other ability. Both Pearl and Darrel remained oblivious to what was explain
ed and they would always be if she
had any say in what they learned.
Her
family asked questions as to why certain th
ings are going to be done, but she
couldn’t come up with a reasonable answer
. They didn’t hold it against her
.

By the time she
finished reco
unting
everyone had begun looking up. When
Sarah
followed them
they
were all watching things falling from the sky.
It was soon easy to see that they were enormous crates that were exactly like what Sorono had first brought with him.
T
hirty seven crated
in total
,
parachuted down to
their
designated
location. Several Keepers flew up and guided them straight into an open area
when the wind threatened to blow them off course
. Soon each case was placed and t
old to remain sealed until the E
lders gave word otherwise. Once the spectacle had ended, the gathered crowd began doing what they were before the supplies had dropped.

After an hour of waiting together
,
Veronica arrived and asked to spar again.
They
left the kids with
Jack and Jillian
while
they
made
their
way to the arena. This t
ime
Sarah
learned
how to counter
attack.
Veronica
had shown
her
how to block or dodge an attack and then simu
ltaneously throw an attack of her own. They
went
slowly at first, but the more they
practiced the quicker
the
engagement
s
moved. Even if
their
strengths were similar, Veronica’s
experience
still
remained
overwhelm
ing
.

By the end of
the
training regimen, the
crowds had shown up to watch the exciting
match. They were still openly gawking, but
Sarah
realized that they were studying
them
and what
they
did. All races were learning how to fight just as much as
Sarah
was. Whatever they could see from
them
they added to their
style of fighting. Unlike them she
was the one feeling the painful effects from
the
lessons.

After the
match ended
they
collected
the
children and made
their
way over to the
food line. Veronica had told Sarah
that Elder Adela was granted permission to make a cooking cabin. She and a few people who volunteered began to cook for the mission preparation. They fed all who came,
well
.

Around noon Connor finally return
ed with his companion. He saw Sarah
and handed over the large bags to Rap
hael and made his way over
. His expression explained that he learned some interesting
facts
and finally solved several
of his ideas. Sarah
had entered his mind and listened to t
he story of the first Changer. She
listened in fascination as he spoke the story and it was so well told that
she
could almost see it all so vividly.

Many parts of the story were too sensitive for certain little ears, but
they
spoke around them and listened to Mark’s excuse for not telling th
at particular story. He calmly stated to her
soul mate “You’re a stickler for not telling another’s secrets and it wasn’t mine to tell. I didn’t even tell Kara, even though she never asked.”
Sarah
could tell by
her
excitable sister-in-law that she honestly didn’t know and t
he way she looked at M
ark
piqued
her interest
for the full story. Sarah
began blushing at remembering one part of Raphael’s story. It gave
her
too many ideas about
how Changers have their mates. She
only thought they were like
Balancer’s
and could only be bonded as a pair, not as a threesome or even a harem in a way.
But in a way it isn’t all that surprising that they have more animal instincts and many animals have more than one sexual partner
in their lives
.

She
realized Connor
kept
looking at
her
while also r
eading
her
mind and seeing what was being
imagined.
Some imaged were
too embarra
ssing, but he only smiled. H
e didn’t criticize her
thoughts or even have anything to give
her
as an alternative. His mind was calm and clear. His emotions were just the same and
she
began focusing on them to calm
her
self down as well.

Not too long after
another
conversation finished
did
Sorono and many of the other Elders exited the main cabin. They walked with calm determination and many began to spread out amongst the crowd. Connor watched this with more scrutiny than anyone else. He then silently asked no one in particular “Just what are you up to?”

She
placed
her
hand on his forearm and pleaded with
her
eyes to know what he could understand that no one else could.
Connor gave Sarah
a smile that held not even an ounce of worry. He placed his large and warm hand atop of
hers
and shrugged without knowing the answer.

They
then returned to watching Sorono tower over all others as he made a direct approach to the ring. Everyone parted away as his c
a
lm pace soon led him to the center of the ring. All talking and noises were quelled as he raised a single hand for complete attention.

“Last night a subject was brought to my attention
,
thanks to my youngest brother, Connor.
I
t has been the target of much debate between the Elder Keepers
and myself. We have come to the conclusion, that in the best interest for everyone’s survival that you learn some hidden secrets of the Keepers.”
She
watched as Connor sighed in relief
and
as everyone began whispering in confusion and delight at hearing about Keeper secrets.
“These secrets pertain to Balancers specifically. To serve the greater good you will learn about the hidden abilities that lie within you.”
Jack, Jillian
Ben and Amber all glanced at
Sarah
and Connor and then amongst themselves.
They looked confused and thrilled about this turn of events.