Chapter 27- Prime: Kazi Alukai

The world watched in shock. Over a billion people were watching the stream live. They watched with bated breath, waiting for the madman’s next actions.

The man started to laugh theatrically like he was putting on a show, before finally saying, “So it seems that you are a queen of your people. Perhaps you don't know that you're in the company of royalty yourself right now, else you’d show proper courtesy in greeting me."

"King. Kazi. Alukai.”

The words seemed so excessive, almost like they were pre-planned for maximum effect, but no one listening to the man really cared at the moment. They wondered what he’d do next.

The harpy didn't respond, simply shivering in its place high up in the sky, unable to do anything in the presence of a tyrannical predator.

Kazi Alukai’s smile quickly faded, replaced by a frown.

“You bore me, Harpy Queen. Am I not worth your attention? Do you think yourself beyond me? Perhaps death shall make you a better communicator in your next life.”

Kazi Alukai lazily moved his hand through the air, the simple motion dismissive in nature like he was waving away an annoyance. A bug that had gotten on his nerves. He turned around and began to walk away, leaving behind the scene of carnage like it wasn't worth his time.

It really wasn't.

The Harpy Queen was no more; the upper half of its body simply erased from existence so fast that those who had blinked missed what Kazi Alukai had just done. It was dead, just like that. Arthur, who had been watching with rapt attention definitely did not understand what had just happened.

The remaining half of the Queen beast’s body quickly plummeted to the ground, lifeless. The people of Earth had just bore witness to the power of a true monster, the apex of humanity and they had found themselves lacking.

Long after the TV had been turned off, and everyone had left, Arthur was still sitting in the silence of the now-dark staff room, thinking of the description Identify had given him.

Human (Evolved rank: F) [The will of Earth] Level 151- Earth’s greatest warrior

A simple statement.

Of fact?

Arthur shrugged, before standing up to get back to work.

~Elsewhere~

"It's finally been revealed. We have now identified our first Prime Candidate. Kazi Alukai. Little is known about him from his pre-system records. Only that he has two daughters, one of whom has welcomed a child into this world. Gender has not yet been verified."

The man speaking paused for breath, looking around at all the assembled people in the room. Some of Earth's most influential people were gathered here. The select few who had been informed of the system before its arrival.

There were ministers, generals, presidents, and even a few wealthy tycoons. They'd been preparing for the system's arrival for near enough a decade now, purchasing supplies and hoarding weapons of devastation.

It was a shame the Prime candidate hadn't been chosen from amongst their number. The man continued speaking.

"With Earth undergoing its first evolution, it's estimated that it will select four Primes to ensure its continued survival and safety. Kazi Alukai is the first of those four individuals."

A woman raised her hand. It was gnarled and shrivelled but it belonged to a woman who had ordered the death of thousands of her fellow men. A harsh dictator.

"So what do you want us to do."

She spoke with heavily accented English, her voice gravelly and grating.

"Kill the fucker. The terrorist bastard obviously won't follow along with our agenda. He'll be a thorn in our side if we don't get rid of him."

She looked around the room.

"I say we kill him now."

The man leading the meeting began to chuckle, first softly until it became a full-grown belly laugh. He wiped a tear from his eye.

"What! What's so funny Charles?"

The woman's eyes were wide, her nostrils flared in rage, a vein throbbing in her temple. People had died for smaller slights. Charles just shook his head, still chuckling.

"Hassina. You speak of things you don't understand. To fight a Prime is to wage war with a planet. It is insanity. A death sentence. You think the power that man displayed was indicative of his level. No."

"On Earth, he is a God."

The man paused for dramatic effect, loving the attention that was focused on him. People, powerful people, waited with bated breath to hear what he'd say next. He smiled.

"He is human, however. On our side for as long as we do not cross paths. No, what I've called you here for, is the location of the second Prime candidate. A massive source of energy was detected in the Pacific Ocean at the time Kazi engaged in combat."

"Our research suggests that the second candidate lives at sea."

He sneered.

"A dumb animal gifted with the power of a titan. This cannot be allowed to be. We must eliminate the beast and secure the edict for one of our own. Such power cannot be left in beastly hands. It is too unpredictable."

"Simon over here," The man pointed to a young bachelor. "Has ensured that one of our own will secure that power when the creature dies. Our sponsors have gifted us with an item that will help us gain Earth's favour when she chooses a replacement."

The room exploded into chatter when Charles stopped speaking, everyone clamouring to get his attention. They all wanted that power. That's all any of them really cared about. Nothing else really mattered. It was all surplus in front of the real goal. Charles raised his hand and waited for silence, a snide smirk on his face all the while. A few more words and they'd be eating out of his hands.

"Our calculations suggest that the target is a blue whale. Estimates suggest that its level will be between 150 and 250. We are still in the early stages of planning this strike. It will take cunning, it will take preparation, but it WILL be done."

"That Prime power shall rest our hands."

"As for which of you will become the next Prime candidate. The selection process is as follows."

Charles smiled. Onto the real reason why he'd been ordered to call this meeting. Their sponsors cared little about who held power on the planet. After all, a Prime was restricted to their planet. They could not leave. His sponsors had little need for such a limited servant.

But still, what's got them so worked up? Sylvanna was the most excited I've ever seen her. She could hardly contain herself.

"The Pegitrees have tasked us with locating an individual. He is male. In the span of a week, he has flagged the system's signals numerous times. The laws of providence keep them from locating him themselves and system protocol protects his identity."

"All we know is that he is powerful. He possesses numerous ether affinities, estimated to be three. maybe even four. All we know for certain is that he is a healer."

His crowd was listening with rapt attention. Someone snorted, shaking their head in disbelief. Four affinities was a one in six billion odd. Impossible. He could hardly blame them. He'd been in disbelief too.

"Locate this man. Any suspicions, any rumours, anything whatsoever. Report it back here. Find this man and you shall be rewarded. Find this man and you'll be given power beyond your wildest dreams."

"Find him and you shall be Prime."