Read The Deaths of Tao for Free Online Page B

standing opposite of him. “Children, you are to beat Brother Enzo until he loses consciousness. Begin.”
    The fight attracted several new viewers. A small crowd of his brothers and sisters gathered around the mat to watch. Many of the servants stopped as well to watch the spectacle. Enzo had to be careful. Even in training, he could lower his standing among them, and that standing would be important for all these future leaders of the Genjix.
    Enzo’s mind raced. This was not a situation he could win on his own, yet Elder Mother would not put him in a situation that did not have a solution. They spread out, cutting off his escape routes as they closed in on him. He anticipated he had about twenty seconds to solve this encounter. It came down to his opponents. Matthew and Austin would not change the outcome of the fight regardless of which side they fought on. Akelatis was injured but the most malleable. Azumi would give him the decided edge but would require the highest price.
    “Sister,” he called out, not looking her way. “Why do you fight me?”
    “Mother has ordered it so,” she answered. “And I obey, praise be the Holy Ones.”
    “Mother,” Enzo kept his voice calm. He had to work hard to appear in control. “What if Azumi chooses to not engage in this encounter?”
    “She must,” Patron Master said. “Or she will stand guard at the west wing for the next two nights.”
    “Sister,” Enzo said quickly, “I offer to take your place at guard if you come to my side.”
    “Your offer gains me nothing,” She cracked her knuckles and stretched her shoulders and settled into her Muay Thai stance. The other three were already closing in. If they were smart, they would attack immediately to prevent him from negotiating with Azumi. However, none was willing to lead the charge against him.
    “Then what do you wish?”
    “Such an open ended question, Brother. I wish for world peace and a Holy One.”
    “Something I can offer you.”
    “It seems there is not much you can offer me at this time.”
    Before he could respond, Matthew lunged. Though he was the least threat, he recognized that any successful negotiation with Azumi would turn the tide to Enzo’s favor. His decision to attack was tactically sound, if not a bit suicidal. Just as he charged forward, Azumi turned and threw a forearm to his neck, leaving him writhing on the ground gasping for air. A murmur of surprise swept through the audience. This turn of events surprised everyone, including Enzo. However, he quickly reappraised the situation and pressed his attack on Akelatis while Azumi destroyed Austin. The melee was short and ugly. Akelatis and Austin were no match for them. The fight ended with Akelatis unconscious on the ground and Austin suffering a dislocated shoulder. Enzo glanced at Azumi and nodded. She gave him a quick two finger salute and walked off. Elder Mother smiled.
    “At this time” is what should have given her away. Enzo had thought today’s test was for him. It was then that he realized that he was just a part of the test. Azumi was Elder Mother’s real focus. Now Enzo, an already blessed vessel of the Council, was beholden to her. That future favor was far more valuable than anything he could offer right now. Furthermore, her standing in the Hatchery had just skyrocketed. She had proven to be a cunning vessel. Enzo bowed and was about to leave the floor when one of the servants came in and whispered in Elder Mother’s ear. She listened attentively, her eyes locked on Enzo.
    “Enzo,” she called out. “You have been summoned. The plane leaves within the hour.”

 
    FIVE
    REUNION
    Our crash sparked a chain reaction of destruction and climate change that wiped out the majority of life on the planet. Less than a third of the survivors lived through Earth’s transition as the planet underwent massive seismic shifts.  
    For millions of years, we struggled to stay alive, flitting from one dying creature to another.