Page 58 of Rhuyin

“This, obviously, isn’t going to beeverythingyou need, but it’s a good start,” she said, placing the backpack on the table. “First, and most important is this.”

She showed me how a laptop fit into a pocket of the backpack, then slid a cell phone across the table to me. The phone and laptop both were emblazoned with the symbol of a pair of hands holding fire. I looked at Elex in question, worried that she might be giving me some kind of special treatment. In Alexandria only the very rich and very powerful were permitted the use of electronics. He shrugged and opened his jacket to show a matching cell phone tucked inside.

“Do you know how to use one?” she asked.

When I said no, she gave me a brief tutorial on the use of the phone.

“We will have classes on how to use the computers. I’m having new clothing sent to your room. There are sleep clothes and toiletries here, a map of the city and a detailed map of the Tower. The clothes are plain, but serviceable. You’ll be able to access shops to purchase more once I activate your ID card.”

She must have read the surprise on my face because she paused and pulled an envelope from the bag and pulled out a small plastic card with the same symbol as the cell phone.

“This is an access card. It has several uses. First, it opens locked doors for areas you have access to.”

She demonstrated by swiping her own badge on a locked door beside her. The small red light I hadn’t initially noticed turned green.

“Your access card also gives you access to funds to make purchases. Every Mageia receives room and board, plus a monthly allowance of one-thousand obols for the first six months. We’ll teach you how to manage your money,” she said when she saw the concern cross my face.

“You’ll learn how to budget, how to use the technology to track how much you have available. You can use the laptop for communication, education, or entertainment.”

She handed me the card and my finger played over the symbol. It had seemed familiar, but I finally realized where I recognized it from.

“Prometheus?” I asked, raising an eyebrow at her.

She smiled and nodded.

“The research arm of the War Leader’s team has taken the code name Prometheus. They are responsible for most of the technological advancements we’ve made in the last decade.”

“All shalt be freed…” I whispered, feeling a familiar sense of Otherness wash over me. In my mind’s eye I saw a man, chained to a rock, his body covered in blood. I didn’t recognize him, but for a moment I could feel his agony. He twisted in his bonds. I couldn’t tell what color his hair was, it was so covered in blood. His eyes were squeezed shut.

Who are you?I thought.

“Fuck you, Elus,” he growled, his voice echoing oddly in my head.

“My name’s Luke,” I responded, moving to get a better look at the man. “Not Elus.”

He was easily Hel’s size, if not taller. His hair and body were soaked in blood and offal, but what I could see of his skin was a black so dark it was almost blue.

He opened his eyes and stared at me, his eyes a glowing gold.

“You are a son of Elus,” he hissed, his eyes raking me from head to foot before turning away, dismissing me.

“No, I’m a son of Hecate,” I responded.

That got his attention.

“Hecate. Kate. She lives?” he demanded.

“She’s a goddess, so I assume so?” I said, drawing closer.

The smell of blood and death drew stronger the nearer I came. The floor looked like it belonged in a slaughterhouse. Bits of rotting flesh and bone lay scattered about. The man shifted, his movements echoing in the cavern as the rock around us shifted as well.

“What the hell?” I gasped, looking around. “Are you Mageian?”

“Mageian? No, littlemanteio. Not Mageian.” His voice rumbled with power.

“Oracle?” I translated fuzzily. “What do you mean—” I began to ask more questions when his eyes went wide.

“He is back! You must flee! He will destroy you if he finds you here.”