Destiny Sorrow by Rod Galves (recommended ebook reader .txt) 📕

He quickly noticed a black-skinned woman in a long yellow dress holding a microphone in front of a small reporting drone. She was broadcasting the dance live, which made him conclude that people who don't want to be seen would be on the top floors. In addition, a band played on a circular stage, right in the center of the ballroom, with colorful bubbles floating around them.

He was looking for people of interest. Pharaoh Tess, or any of the guardians present. But it was someone who ended up finding him.

“Sorom,” said Garreth's voice.

Sorom turned and saw the man behind, wearing a blue asymmetrical suit much more elegant than his. The two smiled when they saw each other but were unsure how to greet each other and ended up giving a handshake.

“What would I do without you?” Asked Sorom. “Thank you for this opportunity.”

Garreth looked suspiciously at the man.

“I'm just happy to see you... This is another one of your plans, isn't it?”

Sorom made a sign for him to speak lower and pulled him back from a pillar where there were fewer people.

“You are a savior, Garreth, the world will reward you for your help.”

“I don't want a reward from the world. I want to help people, but I don't know if your way is working.”

“What do you mean?” Asked Sorom.

“After your last play, Tess created new laws, making CCCs worse, he is retaliating his actions with innocent chaotic!”

“But you are the guy who organizes the CCCs” Sorom said, confused.

“And he is the Pharaoh! His word is the law.”

Sorom was thoughtful, while Garreth got them two drinks. But Sorom refused.

“I should not drink. Garreth, I'm going to release all the chaotic, just give me a little more time.”

“While you use this time, these people are suffering!”

“They will suffer forever if they do not do something about it!”

The two of them stood silently looking at each other for a few seconds.

“Could you help me a little more?” Asked Sorom. “I have a little time to kill here and would like to meet Guardian Simeht.”

Garreth looked disappointed at Sorom and took a deep breath.

“Of course, come with me.”

He took Sorom to the second floor. On the way began to ask.

“And does your special interest in Simeht have anything to do with his daughter? Is it true the story you tell?”

“You know that stories are never true, but they are not at all wrong either.”

“My God, Sorom, you're playing with very great forces.”

“I'm not playing, and it was her choice; I'm not going to stop someone who wants to free herself from fate.”

Sorom noticed a certain melancholy in Garreth's eyes.

“Hey,” said Sorom in a delicate tone “I will do this in twenty-eight days.”

The politician looked surprised at Sorom.

“Do you remember?” Asked Garreth.

“But of course, the day you told me I wrote it down. I'm not going to let that deadline go away.”

“We don't know what will happen when the date comes,” Garreth said, trying to look confident.

“Oh, yes. Because having a destiny that is a countdown must be something very reassuring.”

Garreth raised his arm and the glyphs arose, but instead of being static as other people, they transformed themself. When translated, they showed numbers on a countdown.

“How do you expect to be able to do all this in less than a month?”

“That's why I need your help even more,” Sorom said. “And let us continue to search for the guardian.”

Garreth was still and only then remembered that he had a goal and returned to guide Sorom.

“I saw him around earlier, maybe he didn't get very far. But what do you intend to do when you see him? You're a guest here, be careful what you plan.”

“I'm not going to shoot him, I promised that. Don't worry, I just want to have a normal conversation and maybe get some essential information.”

Besides being big, the hall was very crowded, and it was hard to find people like that, until Garreth noticed a very big man. With two meters high and extremely muscular drawing a lot of attention.

“That's Guardian Dunna,” Garreth said. “Simeht may be with him.”

They walked among people until they saw the wheel where Guardian Dunna met three other people, a man and two women.

The two women wore dresses with complementary colors and were holding hands. The man was not as big as Dunna, but still seemed to be muscular underneath his white suit with blue details. He had short blond hair and blue eyes.

“Excuse me, guardians,” said Garreth interrupting the conversation “I would like to introduce a colleague to you.”

The two men said goodbye to the women and looked at Sorom.

“This is Armsés Dunna,” began Garreth, “and I imagine you've heard of Abraham Simeht. Guardians, this is my colleague Sorom.”

Dunna greeted Sorom. The leader seized the moment and gave Simeht a strong hug, who inspected him curiously.”

“Sorom?” Asked Simeht. “Are you a relative of the general?”

Sorom tried not to show irritation with Simeht's question.

“I hear this every time. We're distant relatives, we don't even know each other.”

Simeht didn't seem to be conformed to the answer, but he kept his mouth shut.

“And where do you know each other?” Asked Dunna.

“Garreth helped me once, a while ago, and since then we have become close.”

“Close enough for him to invite you to the Pharaoh's ball," Simeht commented. “And what do you do for a living?”

Garreth was concerned about the direction of the conversation. However, Sorom was comfortable.

“I have a group that helps people in need,” Sorom replied.

“But what a noble job,” Dunna commented.

“Not as noble as being a guardian of the God-Computer.” Answered Sorom humbly. “Do you get too nervous living in the Air Temple?”

“It's pretty tedious actually," Dunna replied laughing. “We prepare all our lives to protect you, but nothing ever happens.”

“It is a great honor,” Simeth replied earnestly. “Our job is not only to protect God, but also to ensure that everyone follows their destinies correctly.”

“Everyone, including the chaotic ones?” Asked Sorom without holding on.

Gerreth and Dunna looked at each other tensely and then back