The Rise to Godhood

Arish Kisherom felt excited as he returned to Zetani Nova with what he believed to be the Terran Zeto Crystal. He had engaged in telepathic conversations with Podixa while he was on the way home, and he had found out that she had recovered Zetani Nova’s Zeto Crystal. With two Zeto Crystals in their possession, they would be more potent than any other faction. Together, they could invade Zetani to get revenge for their exile.

As Arish got off his spaceship, Thorax Zelinkom approached him. Arish looked at the boy in disgust. Despite being only four years old, Thorax was the size of an adult, and he was a freak of nature with sharp beastly claws, lizard-like skin, and nasty fangs.

‘I better get rid of Zelinko’s progeny,’ Arish thought as Thorax spoke, “Master Arish, where is my mother?”

“Areela stayed on Earth with Gaia and Zelinko. They have a new child now. A lovable child.” Arish sneered, and he felt surprised by his contempt towards Thorax. While the failed genetic experiment disgusted him, it wasn’t a wise move to show his contempt in public.

Thorax frowned and bit his lip. He wanted to tear Arish to shreds for his comments but trying would be suicide. Arish was powerful, while True Maker had abandoned Thorax a long time ago. As it would seem, both his parents and the supreme deity stopped caring about him when someone better came along.

“I understand. I would like to go to Earth on the next occasion.” Thorax replied.

“There won’t be any more occasions. I found what I needed. Behold the Terran Zeto Crystal!” Arish exclaimed and unbuttoned his jacket to show the charged sapphire that hung around his neck.

“That is not the Terran Zeto Crystal.” Thorax stated, got down on all four and walked away.

Arish stared at Thorax and shook his head. He needed to deal with that freak, but he had to be subtle. Murdering the son of his rival wouldn’t look good, so it needed to look like an accident. Besides, he had a more urgent matter on hand. He needed to ensure that he had the Terran Zeto Crystal and not a bleak copy.

Arish grabbed his stuff and rushed to get to the train to the governor’s palace in Podixania.

***

Arish marvelled as he stood outside his beautiful palace in Podixania. It had been a messy construction site just two years earlier, but now it was a beautiful oriental palace surrounded by a serene park.

“Hi, father. How was your trip to Earth?”

Arish turned around and looked at his son Besim Arishom who had grown a lot in the last two years. Besim was now in his 60s, and he started to look like an adult, although he wouldn’t reach sexual maturity until he was around 100 years old. It was a strange feature of the Zetan race that they had an adult’s physiognomy decades before they could mate. Yet this was the consequence of millions of years of evolution within a civilised society.

“I need to see your mother. I had expected to see my family when I returned to Zetani Nova.” Arish remarked.

“I am sorry, father. Mother didn’t let me know of your arrival. She is in the crystal room of our palace.” Besim replied.

“Okay. We will discuss this later, son.” Arish sneered and hurried ahead.

As Arish arrived in the crystal room, he felt mesmerised by the intense blue light from Zetani Nova’s Zeto Crystal, which hung in a necklace around Podixa’s neck. The blue light reflected onto thousands of sapphires set out in patterns around the room that symbolised the geography of Zetani Nova. As impressive as the Zeto Crystal was, seeing it filled him with angst. When he saw the tranquil beauty of a real Zeto Crystal, he knew that Gaia had fooled him.

“Greetings, ex-husband. Welcome to my planet.” Podixa said with an arrogant tone.

“This is my planet; you are my wife!” Arish exclaimed.

“No, you are not my husband, and you are not my master. You are the father of my children, and as such, I’ll let you live.” Podixa said as she touched the Zeto Crystal and enclosed Arish in a forcefield.

“What is the meaning of this? Why are you rebelling against your master?” Arish roared.

Podixa pressed a button, and Amela Andelan entered the room. She wore a beautiful intricate dress while carrying a toddler. She walked towards Podixa and turned to face Arish as she stood next to her.

“Behold your son, Darian Arishom,” Podixa said.

Arish stared at the child that Amela held in her arms. Could this be his son, or was Podixa bluffing? The timing was right, as the child looked old enough to be his.

“Don’t harm my child, you wicked woman!” Arish hissed.

Hearing this, Podixa kissed Amela, who reciprocated her kiss. Then, after a lengthy rub, she turned towards Arish and spoke. “I would never harm Darian. I love him as my own, as I love his mother.”

“So, what is this about?” Arish asked.

“You broke our marriage contract, Arish. As such, our marriage is over. But, as it turns out, I fancy your taste in women.” Podixa said, grabbed Amela and French-kissed her.

Podixa’s actions made Arish furious, and he grabbed the Shamraz Sapphire and tried to slam his way out of the forcefield that encapsulated him. However, as he hit it several times to no effect, he noticed how the crystal started to drain. Thus, it proved that Thorax’s claim was correct; Gaia had tricked him by giving him a false crystal. Realizing his mistake, Arish collapsed to the floor and cried in anger.

“Pathetic. Guards, expel Arish Kisherom from my palace.” Podixa commanded, and a few guards entered the room to take him away.

***

Arish had his fifth glass of wine at a seedy pub when his resolve returned. He would get his revenge for this outrage. The only way to get revenge on his wife was to return to Earth and steal the Terran Zeto Crystal. With the crystal in his possession, he would be as strong as her, and he could retake his rightful leadership over the Zetan race.

Arish spotted Hadad and Dagan Raminom in the corner of a tavern. They had been notorious criminals on Disyerto-2, and if he had still been the governor of Zetani Nova, he would have summoned the city guard. However, under his current circumstances, they were his best bet. Arish approached them and spoke, “The Raminom Brothers, I could never have imagined that I would see you on Zetani Nova,” Arish said.

As Hadad glimpsed at his pistol, Arish slapped him with a psionic blast and warned, “Don’t even think about it, Hadad.”

The Brothers stared dumbfoundedly at him, and Dagan spoke. “Why are you here? Rumour has it that you died two years ago.”

“So, is that what my wife claimed?” Arish asked.

“Your fate was never mentioned. Instead, there was a proclamation that Podixa Sairan was the new governess and that she was in control of the Zeto Crystal.” Hadad replied.

‘Hmm, is there still support for me on Zetani Nova if I choose to rise against my ex-wife?’ Arish thought and brushed off the idea. Podixa had ruled the planet for two years, she held the Zeto Crystal, and nothing indicated that she faced a rebellion. So, to move now would be foolish. Yet, if he secured the Terran Zeto Crystal, he could travel to the other Zetan penal colonies and gather enough support to overthrow her.

“I have a proposition for you. Help me, and you can find endless wealth.” Arish said.

“That sounds like an empty promise since your wife deposed you.” Dagan taunted.

Arish held back his impulse to blast the mercenary out of existence. He needed men for his plan, and committing a pointless murder in front of witnesses would only cause his death.

“The Zeto Crystal is the basis of my wife’s power. I know where we can find other ones. Once we have Zeto Crystals, we will find wealth and power beyond belief.” Arish proclaimed.

The Raminom Brothers looked at each other with evil greedy eyes. They knew that Arish had been among the explorers that found this world. If he could discover another world where they were in charge, the opportunities would be endless.

“We’ll help you, Master Arish,” Dagan said.

“Good. There is a secret site in the Karmena Mountains. Gather your men and meet me outside tomorrow night. Here are the coordinates,” Arish said, scribbled a note and left it along with a gold coin.

The ball was rolling. Now he needed to find out if the brothers could deliver.