Contest Fiction

The Three

The Third let out a sad sigh as she stared down at the project, her ethereal figure slouched in a manner unfitting for such an elegant being. It had hurt every time she had watched an aeon of evolution destroyed, but this was by far her favourite aeon.

 

The humans were fascinating, the intelligence they showed even in the Neanderthal era was intriguing. They had an uncanny ability to adapt to their ever changing harsh surroundings which she accounted to their fierce survival instinct; even to a superior being such as herself, it was inspiring.

 

This made knowing the human’s end was almost upon them, all the harder to swallow. She’d been so sure that this woman had been the one, the one that could turn the tide and put an end to his relentless pursuit of revenge.

 

She came so close to achieving the impossible; if only she’d had the support and knowledge, she may not have failed. It wasn’t fair, he didn’t play by the rules, why should they?

 

In that moment a steel determination coursed through her. She couldn’t watch it again, this had to stop here, something had to be done.

 

---

 

“Do you honestly believe it should continue like this? I can’t just stand by and watch it again.” The Third said, her words coated with desperation.

 

“It goes against everything we swore when we began the project!” The Second made no effort to hide his anger and dismay at what she suggested.

 

“He swore as well, he has no problem going against the rules.” she challenged.

 

“That is precisely why we banished him in first place.” he said pointedly

 

“Which is what started this endless cycle of destruction,” she said in frustration, “He clearly does not tire of this vengeful game. We need to stop hiding behind archaic rules and take action, or give up altogether and end the project.” She prayed he would not call her bluff on ending the project, that was the last thing she wanted, but she needed to make her point clear.

 

“Why now? We’ve watched the same happen aeon upon aeon, why her?”

 

“Because there has never before been one as capable. In all those aeons none have achieved close to what she has,” conviction and certainty rang through her words.

 

“But she failed,” he said dismissively.

 

“She came so much further than any before her. If she’d only been able to find the strength on that day.” She was almost pleading for him to hear her, to understand.

 

“Did you not meddle enough when you made the resurrection possible?”

 

She should have known he would throw that back at her. “I have already apologised for not consulting you both on that.”

 

“But not for doing it.”

 

“No, it was necessary; as is this.” She refused to back down, unless The First opposed her, she would stand her ground. “This is not how it should end, it can’t be. We have to do something!” Uncontrolled anger tore through her words; how could he be so detached from the project they had put so much into for so long?

 

“Enough!” The First bellowed, sending an echo through the empty space with a commanding air. Until now she had stayed silent, absorbing the opinions laid out before her.

 

This human was unique, of that there was no doubt; even at her weakest she had achieved a great deal. But was action the right course? Could they justify intervention? They had put the rules in place for a reason. She addressed The Third “If we did intervene, how do you propose we go about it?”

 

The Third’s heart skipped, a ray of hope, she was willing to listen. The Second’s disapproval radiated off him like heat off an inferno, but she would not let that distract her, she knew the future of the project rode on her next words. She took a moment to compose herself and did not dare take her eyes off The First.

 

“We must not control her; her choices must remain her own, but to succeed she must eventually know what she is up against, what the true odds of their fight are. We must start subtly though, go back to the worse day of her life and help her see the strength within, the strength she could not see alone. There were so many that wanted to stand with her that she never allowed in, that must change, she must not hide this time round.” as she finished she held her breath, waiting for judgement to descend.

 

The First took a moment to consider the proposition; it was a fair proposal, control was not an option, but occasional guidance could help tip the scales in their favour. If they did nothing, the destruction would indeed continue and there may never be another opportunity like this.

 

The Third was right, if they were not even willing to fight for the project, they may as well put an end to it altogether.

 

“That is…an acceptable solution. But it must be the only form of intervention; if it fails, if nothing changes, then we end the project once and for all.”

 

Joy filled The Third’s heart, she had barely dared to hope The First would agree. “I will happily be her…”

 

“No. You are too attached, you cannot be trusted to be restrained. I take this task upon myself.” She looked upon them both, “Is that clear? Are we in agreement?”

 

She could see the burning desire to object in The Second’s eyes, but she knew he would not, he was a follower, not a thinker.

 

There was confliction in The Thirds eyes, her desire to be the one to guide the human was strong, but her desire for the project’s salvation was stronger; she would agree.

 

A simple nod from both the figures in front of her and they made the biggest decision since the day it all began.

Comment using Facebook, or use Disqus below.

comments