The Rise to Godhood

“Aowww!”

Areela grimaced in pain as she bent down to pull some lint away from the filter of a cleaning robot. Being a servant, she maintained the array of robots that did most of the cleaning and maintenance in Ronesia. Under normal circumstances, this was an easy enough job, but her pregnancy was giving her complications. Worse yet, she hadn’t dared to visit a medical professional out of fear that Xialiab would denounce her and request her deportation.

A colleague rushed over, got seated on the floor next to her, and spoke, “Are you okay, Areela? Why haven’t Supervisor Nimbin given you easier tasks since you are pregnant?”

“I am okay, Saronka. I haven’t asked Nimbin for easier tasks as I don’t want special treatment.” Areela replied.

“Don’t be silly. You are not asking a favour for yourself. The favour is for your future baby. Our society wants every baby to have the best gestational period possible. So if you work too hard, you might harm the child.” Saronka replied.

“I guess...” Areela mumbled.

“Come on. Don’t worry. I’ll ask Nimbin to give you easier tasks because of your condition.” Saronka replied.

Hearing this, Areela froze. She feared that Xialiab would find out about her pregnancy if Saronka spoke to Nimbin. But then again, she was six months pregnant and half-term, so it would be impossible to hide her pregnancy for much longer in any case.

‘Please, help me, Zelinko.’ Areela thought and held back her impulse to cry.

Saronka hugged Areela and soothed her, “You don’t seem happy about the pregnancy. Do you have a bad relationship with the man the genome masters appointed to you?”

“It is complicated,” Areela said and sobbed.

“So, so, my dear. It is natural to doubt the man the genome masters appoint you, but it will work out for the best.” Saronka replied.

“Do you think so?” Areela asked.

“Yes. I wish I had followed the genome masters’ advice. I gave up on them when I found my husband. We have been together for 98 years without a conception taking place. It has been a long and sad time.” Saronka revealed.

‘Perhaps you could solve the problem by having sex more than once per year.’ Areela thought, but she held her tongue. Conceiving outside of the allowed period was a severe crime on Zetani, and she was a fool to even think about it. ‘At least I didn’t break against that law,’ Areela thought in a desperate attempt to be optimistic.

“I am sorry to hear that,” Areela said.

“Don’t worry about me. Go home and get some rest. I’ll talk to Nimbin for you.” Saronka said and forced a smile.

“Thank you, Saronka,” Areela said, got up from the floor, and left the facility.

***

“Come on, sister. Let’s go to the midwinter celebration.”

Areela opened her eyes and looked at her brother Kailow. He seemed as happy as ever, unbothered by the worries of the world. And why wouldn’t he be? Kailow was still young and excited about living. She had felt the same in her youth, which had ended less than a year ago.

“Uh, what’s the point?” Areela moaned.

“The point is for you to get out of bed. You are not sick; you are pregnant with a successful man. It should be a cause for joy.” Kailow replied.

Hearing her brother’s enthusiasm, Areela knew she had to tell him the truth. She couldn’t lie to her closest friend in the world. She could only imagine the shock he would feel if she didn’t prepare him for the dark times ahead.

“Brother, I need to tell you something,” Areela said solemnly.

“Don’t warn me about the dangers of having a good time. I can look after myself.” Kailow teased.

“I am not pregnant with Xialiab,” Areela replied.

“What? Does he know this?” Kailow exclaimed.

“Since we didn’t sleep together, I’d say so,” Areela replied.

“Tell me what happened?” Kailow replied.

“I rejected Xialiab. A few days later, he confronted me. Zelinko protected me against him, and we had an instant attraction.” Areela revealed.

“Zelinko Siblexom? The mayor’s son?” Kailow asked.

“Yes,” Areela replied.

“But he is getting married to Shauwana Xiblenkan tonight,” Kailow replied.

“Yes, I know. That’s why I am so depressed.” Areela replied.

“Don’t be. The wedding day is the perfect day to confront Zelinko. If you bring your fling to public knowledge, he has no choice but to take you in as a concubine.” Kailow exclaimed.

“But he told me to lay low and that he would look after me,” Areela whispered.

“Bullshit. Those rich pricks are all the same; Zelinko will send you away unless you publicise your relations.” Kailow replied.

Areela considered Kailow’s words. Her brother was correct. Six months had passed, and Zelinko hadn’t taken any actions to protect their unborn child. Clearly, he was waiting for her to give birth so he could send her away to a fringe world. After all, Zelinko had said that she was to give birth to the chosen one. Thus, it was the child, not her, that he worried about.

“You’re right. We need to confront Zelinko today. This has gone on for long enough.” Areela said.

“Good. Let’s get dressed and hurry to the venue.” Kailow said and helped Areela out of bed to head to the wedding ceremony.

***

Areela and Kailow wore conspicuous clothes as they headed to Mancin Island, where Zelinko’s wedding took place. They needed to hurry as it was close to midnight, and the ceremony would begin soon. Areela needed to reveal the truth before it happened, so there could be an amendment to the marriage contract that allowed Areela as a concubine.

They were almost at the ferry crossing when Xialiab approached them and spoke, “Areela and Kailow, where do you think you are going?”

“We are going to Zelinko’s wedding. We need to set things right.” Kailow exclaimed.

“That’s not going to happen. The two of you are coming with me.” Xialiab replied.

“No, we are not. Come, Areela.” Kailow replied and turned in the direction of the ferry crossing.

*Pow*

Xialiab blasted Kailow with a psionic blast, who collapsed and broke his nose in the landing. Kailow groaned as he tried to get up, with silvery-bluish blood streaming from his nose.

“Uh, what happened?” Kailow mumbled.

“You were being disobedient, and I punished you for it, servant!” Xialiab taunted.

“I’ll tell the others. You won’t get away with this,” Kailow replied, closed his eyes, and passed out.

“No! What have you done?” Areela exclaimed.

“His pain will be passing. He should survive.” Xialiab stated.

“Why are you doing this?” Areela sobbed.

“To look after my unborn child. What kind of father would allow the mother of his child to act irresponsibly? I am the one the Zetan genome masters chose for you. Therefore, it is my right to take you to protected custody.” Xialiab said and smirked.

Areela looked at Xialiab. He had a cold unemotional gaze, and she feared his intentions. She could have tried to appease him if he had acted in anger. However, his current mindset indicated a calculated move by the prominent scholar.

“Okay, I am coming with you,” Areela said.

“Good. I am glad you came to your senses.” Xialiab replied.

“Can I please put my brother in a recovery position? I don’t want him to choke on his own blood.” Areela pleaded.

“Yes, your brother is worth more to me alive,” Xialiab said.

Areela nodded, got down next to her brother, moved him into the recovery position and whispered. “Be strong, brother; everything will be alright. I love you.”

After that, she got up and followed Xialiab to a nearby vehicle without resisting. As she got into the vehicle, she heard how the wedding bells rang for midnight. Her love interest was now a married man, her brother was unconscious, and she was the captive of a psychopath. What an awful winter equinox!