Forgotten Evil by Quill Holland

Author:Quill Holland [Holland, Quill]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Quill Holland
Published: 2022-08-04T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 9

Reflection

2149, Common Era – Planet Earth, Inner Rim, United Earth Republic

The advisors left me to sit in one of the many green courtyards.

Sunlight streamed in through the open roof, illuminating the central area. The pool glistened in the light, rippling from the fountains and the fish that disturbed the surface. Closing my eyes, I lifted my head upward, savouring the warmth the sunlight imparted. Without sight, the senses became heightened; I could feel a light breeze passing through the outer columns of the yard, and I could hear the fluttering of wings as birds flew between the trees.

I leaned back into the shade and opened my eyes again. It was time to think about my choice. Do I become who I used to be: a cruel man, granted, but also the ruler of a multi-planetary empire?

Or did I remain as I was: a nobody, a farmer from a far-flung world, but a good man? The former guaranteed … well, everything, as far as I could tell. My power would be near limitless, and if the takeover of the United Earth Republic were successful, it would be unlimited. The entire human domain under my control.

“Yes … I can feel your desire! Like me … you’ve got a lust for power!”

The darkness’s voice had been chilling before, but now it was even more so, given what I now knew. The thought that every dark impulse and insidious idea was ultimately me … that scared the shit out of me. All this time, it’d been the “other”. Now I knew the other was me.

“We are one and the same! Embrace it! Allow two to become one again!”

But I was in control. If I chose to remain as I was, I would need an escape plan. I suspected that the advisors would force my former state upon me if I refused. Escape wouldn’t be easy – I’d learned that the world outside these walls was Earth – the hub of humanity. There were more people on this planet than on all of the other colonies combined. But how would I know who was part of the Empire and who wasn’t? I also suspected I’d be more easily recognised here as the emperor, which would only further impede any escape plans. And, assuming I made it out undetected, there would still be the matter of fleeing off-world and back to the outer rim.

“Can’t be done! Easier to stay. Embrace thy true self!”

There was one further hurdle with escaping, of course: my brain, in its current state, was a ticking time bomb with the fate of brain haemorrhaging awaiting me.

“Not if you become me …”

Not if you become me!

“Don’t be fuckin’ stupid, maggot!”

Movement on the other side of the courtyard caught my eye and drew attention away from the brewing argument. It was Alyssa, and she’d taken a seat directly opposite me. I stayed back in the shadows, hoping to remain hidden.

Another woman appeared, sitting down beside Alyssa, and the two began chatting. Their hushed tones and distance from me made hearing the conversation impossible.

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