The Chokka, however, inspired people. He knew that if a Chokka existed to rally the people of the world to his side, the Klopph would not be able to stand against a revolution of that magnitude.
Most of the world had never met a Chokka. Despite that, the knowledge that a Chokka existed would build the self-confidence of the people and insurgency would entail.
The Keeper looked down at the Chokka who had escaped and was glad he was dead. “No one will know of this man.” He had killed him himself. He used the blade on which his own father had died at the hands of the Chokka’s Minister of Security.
He kicked the dead Chokka and spit on his corpse through a grin. He had won. There was no one left. Later that night, he would have the body of the Chokka incinerated, leaving no body to serve as a martyr to rally the people of the world.
The Keeper went back to his office and sat down at his desk. Now that the business of the Chokka was resolved, he returned the stack of documents requiring his attention. “This world requires too much paperwork.”
The Keeper had been reviewing a report on the conditions of the farms in the Outerlands, when he heard a knock. He knew it was the Cancellarii. The Cancellarii was one of the few Klopph allowed to enter his office. “Enter Cancellarii.”
The Cancellarii entered the room. The Klopph wore solid black clothing with helmets adorning a single symbol of the Keeper. Across their faces they bore a cloth that projected the image of the mouth of a barren skull. Only their eyes were shown to the world. The Cancellarii was distinguished only by the symbol on his helmet blazoned in silver.
“Sit.” the Keeper offered. “Would you like something to drink?”
“Thank you. Tea will be fine.”
The Keeper nodded and conjured a cup of hot tea from the small refrigerator in his office. He handed the drink to the Cancellarii. The Cancellarri removed the cloth from his face and took a sip. The Keeper looked at the face of the Cancellarri. Sometimes even he forgot they were human. “This is very good. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome” the Keeper answered. “Now, what news?”
“The physicists tell me that with the help of the Klopph who returned with the Chokka, they have determined how to recreate the eye in the clouds.” The Keeper looked at the Cancellarri with an expectant expression. “It seems that those many years ago, the portal was opened by accident by our own physicists. They had no idea they had actually opened the portal.”
“So how does it work?”
“It is very simple. The portal is opened by the energy of the Chokka. The Chokka called the portal the Bejárat.”
“How did our physicists manage that?”
“They were calibrating an energy device and accidentally recreated some of the Chokka energy. The released energy is what opened the portal.”
The Keeper was amazed that it was so simple. “And what else did you learn from the returned Klopph?”
“He learned much about the Chokka. The Chokka called himself John.” The Cancellarrii looked at the Keeper. “He has a son.”
The Keeper looked up sharply at the Cancellarri. “So this is not over?”
The Cancellarri shook his head. “It is not. The son is called Babel.”
“Babel.” the Keeper repeated. “We will have the physicists open the portal and then we will deal with him. What did the Klopph say about this John?”
“It took the Klopph quite some time to find him. Once he did, he learned that John and his son had started a business, a construction company. The Klopph assumed another name and was hired by the construction company. For several years he worked for John and Babel.”
“He did well bringing him to us. Is there anything else?” The Cancellarrii did not answer at first and the Keeper knew the news was not good. “What is it?”
“There was a disturbance in the Elder Quarter. Some of the Pishacha there were burned. We investigated…and we found strong energy traces of the Chokka.”
The Keeper looked at the Cancellarrii sharply. “Strong energy traces, are you sure?”
“I checked them myself.”
“But, how…” The Keeper stopped himself. He knew who it was. There was only one Chokka left alive. “So the son followed his father here?”
“It seems so.”
“To find his father?”
“Of that I have no doubt.”
“Very well, you have a new mission. I give this to you directly. You will find this Chokka and you will kill him. He and everyone who is helping him. The Chokka will not rise again.”
The Cancellarri nodded solemnly and placed the skull cloth over his face. Inside, he was pleased. He always enjoyed death and was quite creative at making it happen.
“It is only a matter of time.” the Keeper smiled to himself. He sighed and looked down at the next document in his stack.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
He stared at the ceiling of Triana’s living room and worried about his mother. He had left before his mother’s flight landed and hoped that she was back home safe. He also felt guilty in the level of concern he was causing her by being in this world.
His bed hadn’t been very comfortable and he had slept on the couch. He could tell it was early. There was a clock in the kitchen but the time did not make sense to him. There were five numbers displayed that indicated the time.
He looked around Triana’s apartment and saw that her bedroom door was still closed.
He rose from the couch and went to the refrigerator. He remembered what Triana had said the night before about the fridge conjuring. He wasn’t sure entirely what that meant but he sure could use a cup of coffee.
He stood in front of the
