Dark Awakening: Echoes of Destiny (The Children Of The Gods #88)

16. Ell-rom

16

ELL-ROM

E ll-rom walked hand in hand with Jasmine toward the clinic, their footsteps echoing in the quiet hallway.

It was such a big place, and yet mostly deserted. Ell-rom tried to imagine it the way it was before Annani's clan had moved out of the keep.

Had these wide corridors been teeming with people?

"You are quiet." Jasmine pulled the door to the clinic open. "What's on your mind?"

He shrugged. "I was thinking about what a waste this place is. So much could be done with this facility."

Julian's office door was open when they crossed the waiting room, which wasn't unusual, but Gertrude sitting next to him behind his desk and watching his computer screen definitely was.

He waved them over. "Do you want to watch the assembly with us?"

Jasmine glanced at Ell-rom. "We were on our way to visit Morelle."

"Come on," the medic insisted. "It's a good opportunity to see how things work in the clan."

Curiosity piqued, Ell-rom nodded and led Jasmine into the office.

As they sat down on the other side of the desk, Julian turned his screen so they could all watch. The multiple camera angles showed different aspects of the assembly, displaying them on the different quadrants. Two were focused on the crowd, and two on the raised platform, where a large semicircle of high-backed chairs were all occupied except for the two in the middle.

"What's the assembly about?" Jasmine asked.

"There are two types of big assemblies," Julian said. "One includes every member of the clan in all three locations. We gather in our respective assembly halls, and the other two are projected on large screens. This assembly involves only the local community. Usually, life and death decisions or those that greatly impact everyone's lives are put to a vote. But this time, Kian is simply informing everyone of what's about to happen. Every resident of the village has an obligation to attend, but since Gertrude and I need to stay here to watch over Morelle, we've been allowed to participate by watching it remotely."

Ell-rom's eyes were drawn to the platform, where he recognized Jade sitting next to Toven.

Julian followed Ell-rom's gaze. "Those are the council members."

Jasmine leaned in. "Who are the two missing in the middle? One is for sure, Kian, but who's the other?"

"Most likely the Clan Mother," Julian said, "although she usually doesn't attend in person."

Ell-rom's attention shifted to the part of the screen showing the crowd. He was surprised by the number of Kra-ell faces. He hadn't expected there to be so many.

Suddenly, a memory surfaced, vivid and unexpected.

He saw himself and Morelle as young adults, watching a crowd of worshippers from their bedroom window. Morelle didn't have her veil on, which meant that they were alone and were not expecting anyone to come in. His sister was stunningly beautiful and achingly familiar, her features sharp and refined. The air was filled with the powerful, harmonious sound of the communal prayer, and Ell-rom felt moved by the sincerity of devotion his people showed the Mother of All Life. It was palpable even from a distance.

His sister, however, didn't look impressed.

Her expression was one of disdain. "Religion is nonsense," she sneered. "The Mother of All Life doesn't exist. People invented her to give their lives meaning."

"What meaning?" Ell-rom remembered asking.

"Exactly." She snorted. "There is no meaning. It's all pointless."

"Shush," he cautioned, anxiety constricting his chest. "The head priestess will punish you if she hears you talking like that."

Morelle's eyes were hard, defiant. "She's not here now, is she?"

The memory faded as suddenly as it had appeared, leaving Ell-rom feeling disoriented. He blinked, focusing back on the screen just as Kian and Annani entered the assembly hall.

Annani's presence was powerful even through the small screen. She moved with otherworldly grace and authority, and it occurred to him that this was what it meant to be born to rule. Every gesture and every step exuded a regal air that commanded respect and admiration.

The entire congregation was on its feet, including the Kra-ell, their heads bowed until she took her place. Annani smiled and motioned for them to sit down.

Kian was the first one to speak.

He sounded confident and forceful when he spoke. He outlined the situation facing the village. Small thefts, some minor sabotage, and the need for a thorough investigation.

Ell-rom couldn't fathom who could possibly want or dare to disrupt the peace of this hidden paradise.

Toven's speech followed, explaining the process for questioning the Kra-ell residents, and then it was Annani's turn.

She started with a heartfelt blessing of her community, and it seemed to touch something deep within him.

"My beloved children, hear these words and take them to heart. May the light of wisdom guide your paths and the strength of unity fortify your spirits. In these times of uncertainty, remember that you are not alone. Each of you is vital and cherished, an essential thread in the tapestry the Fates carefully weave."

Ell-rom felt a lump form in his throat. He glanced at Jasmine and saw that she, too, seemed affected by Annani's words. There was something about the goddess that inspired not just respect but love.

As Annani continued, her words painted a picture of resilience, clarity, and hope, and Ell-rom found himself reflecting on his place in this new world. He was part of this family now, this community.

The thought thrilled and terrified him at the same time.

"Remember that even in the darkest of times, we are family," Annani's voice resonated through the speakers of Julian's laptop. "And family, above all else, endures. So, stand tall, stand together, and know that you are loved."

The assembly hall erupted in applause, and Ell-rom felt the urge to join in. He turned to Jasmine, seeing his own emotions reflected in her eyes.

"She's incredible," Jasmine whispered.

Ell-rom nodded. "She is."

As the assembly continued, Ell-rom's mind wandered back to the memory that had surfaced earlier. The contrast between that scene and what he was witnessing now was stark. The cynicism in Morelle's voice and the hardness in her eyes seemed at odds with the warmth and unity he saw in this community.

He wished she could see this.

It wasn't about religion. It was about leadership at its best. Annani's people admired and loved her.

A pang of sadness hit him as he thought of Morelle waking up and not sharing his admiration for their sister and what she had achieved.

Would she view it all with the same cynicism she had shown toward the worshippers in his memory?

"Ell-rom?" Jasmine's voice pulled him from his thoughts. "Are you okay?"

He managed a smile. "Yes. It was a moving speech." He took a moment to gather his thoughts. "It's inspiring to see how the entire community respects and loves Annani. The Kra-ell are a new addition to the village, but even they got snared in her charm."

Jasmine squeezed his hand. "And you're part of it now. We both are."

The memory of Morelle's hard eyes still bothered him, but he pushed it aside for now. There would be time to reconcile his fragmented past with his new present. For now, he should focus on Morelle's recovery and building a life with Jasmine.