The Countdown Begins

Aiden peered out the ship's window, his eyes fixed on the vast expanse of sky that now lay before them. Gone were the turbulent gusts of wind that had carried ashes on their breath, and in their place, a magnificent rainbow stretched across the distant horizon. A wistful smile curled at the corners of his lips. The day had started with a promise, a promise that the tempestuous night before had delivered in spades.

Last night's storm, with all its fury and chaos, had turned out to be a strangely productive affair, a harbinger of good tidings. It was as if the heavens themselves had decided to send a message to Aiden and his shipmates. As he reminisced about the night, his thoughts drifted towards Leah.

Leah, with her normally carefree and happy-go-lucky demeanor, had transformed in the face of adversity. She had risen to the challenge with confidence and power that had left Aiden and the rest of the crew in awe. It was her unwavering resolve and sheer determination that had steered them through the maelstrom.

Not only had she ensured their survival, but she'd also managed to secure a bountiful catch, guaranteeing them hearty meals for days to come. And, if that wasn't enough, the news of their earlier-than-expected arrival at the port had spread like wildfire amongst the crew. The thought of reaching their destination sooner filled the air with an infectious sense of jubilation.

Aiden couldn't help but feel a surge of gratitude for the storm, the rainbow, and, most of all, for Leah's indomitable spirit. It was a day that had begun with an unexpected twist, and he couldn't wait to see where this newfound energy and fortune would take them on their seafaring adventure.

He also reminisced about that moment when Leah unexpectedly fainted; she appeared so fragile in Aiden's arms. Immediately, she came down with a fever, and she'd been unconscious since last night. Aiden didn't want to disturb her peaceful slumber. She was nestled under a sheet on the infirmary bed, worry-free and serene. Just as he was lost in thoughts of Leah, a sudden rumble and groan shattered his train of thought.

It was Leah, and she was tossing and turning in her sleep, almost like she was attempting to peel open her eyes, squinting in the glare of the infirmary's harsh lighting. Aiden sprang from his seat, rousing Victor from his chair-nap. With a gentle touch, Leah coaxed her eyelids apart, greeted by the silhouette of a caring guardian. Aiden, that is, broke into a reassuring grin and orchestrated a comfy seating arrangement, shoving a cushion behind her back.

"Everything alright, Leah? Let me take your temperature," Victor inquired, his hand hovering over her forehead to assess the heat. "You seem to be holding up okay," he declared with a hint of a smile, offering her a sip of water and a few antibiotics.

"Hey, what went down last night?" Leah inquired, finally feeling her curiosity kick in.

"You passed out and caught a fever," Aiden replied with a gentle tone. Leah formed an 'oh' with her mouth and gave a slight nod. "You did a stellar job there," Aiden added, tenderly cradling Leah's head, which brought a smile to her face. Leah began to rise from the bed, but Aiden stopped her, firmly gripping her hand. "You're not in the best shape. Take some rest," he said, concern evident in his eyes.

"I'm good, Aiden. My fever has cooled down, and I think I'm hungry." 

"She's fine, Aiden," Victor chimed in, offering his unwavering support to Leah's statement. At first, Aiden was a tad reluctant, but his hesitation quickly dissipated when the unmistakable sound of a grumbling stomach reached his ears. It had to be Leah; she hadn't so much as nibbled on a morsel since yesterday's lunch. Aiden let out a hearty chuckle and extended a helping hand, guiding her gently off the bed and leading her toward the bustling main hall.

Stepping into the main hall felt like entering a realm of pure joy. The air was thick with the delightful aroma of food, and the room buzzed with the animated chatter and laughter of people who hadn't been this content in a long while. Their conversations paused, forks mid-air, as all eyes turned to Leah and Aiden. 

Appreciative smiles adorned every face in the room, their gratitude shining through with a genuine warmth that touched the heart. Leah had unknowingly become the bringer of happiness, and everyone, in their way, thanked her with a smile that spoke volumes.

From some distance, the chief sauntered over to her, and he bestowed upon her a nod of acknowledgment, one she promptly reciprocated with a warm smile.

The lunch concluded with a triumphant note, accompanied by a chorus of joyful countenances. After days of miserably short rations, they were finally able to relish six whole days of fish. Even if the flavor grew mundane over the next few days, at least their bellies were filled. With all the recent happenings, Leah had transformed into the unsung hero of the cargo ship, at least in the eyes of most. There were, of course, a few who weren't quite charmed by her unwavering confidence and her eerily serene demeanor.

For days, Rukbat had been on a personal mission, trying to find her way into Aiden's better graces. She couldn't help but feel relieved that Leah hadn't joined Aiden's entourage of volunteers. No matter how hard Rukbat attempted to create some space between Aiden and Leah, he had a knack for circling back to her, and it was getting on Rukbat's nerves.

Consider this moment, for example. It was after lunch, and Aiden had immediately returned to Leah's side, chatting non-stop like her personal cheerleader.

"Aiden, sir," Rukbat interjected, positioning herself between Leah and Aiden. "What's the plan for our next missions? What are we diving into next?" She asked, eager to shift the conversation and perhaps steal a bit of the limelight for herself.

Leah found herself drawn to Rukbat, appreciating the fierce competitive spirit burning within her. It was quite the spectacle. Aiden, on the other hand, paused to mull over the situation. His attention shifted from Rukbat to Leah, and then he casually shared his thoughts.

"I think we should hold off until the chief gives us some orders or until the next meeting," Aiden proposed, realizing there wasn't any urgent task at the moment. Rukbat, however, wore a slightly disappointed expression. She chimed in, aiming to be helpful, "But you can always go check on the passengers and make sure they're doing alright." With a delighted grin, Rukbat skipped her way over to the deck.

Aiden couldn't help but admire the young girl. He spoke with a hint of affection in his voice, saying, "She's a great kid."

Leah nodded in agreement, a warm smile gracing her face. "You're right," she responded. "Alright then, my dear Aiden, I'm about to dive into the world of books," she said, her words filled with excitement. Just as Aiden seemed to have a sudden realization, Leah was already gracefully making her way toward the realm of literature, her steps brimming with anticipation.

"Leah," Aiden's voice quivered as he desperately wanted to stop her from leaving. He was burning with curiosity about the book and the mysterious contents concealed within its pages. Leah turned towards him, her eyes filled with anticipation, waiting for him to break the silence that surrounded them. However, Aiden was lost for words, a strange hesitation silencing him.

"Nothing," Aiden mumbled, a heavy sense of disappointment clinging to his every word. He yearned to understand why he couldn't muster the courage to ask her. Yet, no logical explanation emerged, leaving him with an inexplicable sadness that weighed heavily on his heart.

"Looks like you've taken a liking to her, huh?" Jeff slyly whispered, his grip on Aiden's shoulder akin to a limpet clinging to a rock. Aiden shot him a startled glance and then cautiously scanned their surroundings, making sure no prying ears were eavesdropping.

"What are you going on about?" Aiden hissed at Jeff, his voice somewhere between a whisper and a shout. Jeff couldn't help but chuckle at Aiden's discomfort.

"She's just..." Aiden started but was suddenly at a loss for words, leaving an awkward silence in its wake. Jeff peered at him, testing the waters with his eyes.

"A-ma-zing," Jeff prodded, drawing out the word for extra emphasis, a mischievous grin spreading across his face.

"A riddle," Aiden mused a word that had danced its way through his thoughts, pirouetting in the realm of his mind as he tried to encapsulate Leah's enigmatic essence. "Yeah, that's it. She's a riddle – a puzzle I can't resist solving." His voice held a sense of wonder and a dash of admiration.

Leah, in Aiden's eyes, was a paradox, a conundrum with depths that stretched further than the ocean's abyss. She spoke with a cadence that hinted at profound secrets waiting to be unveiled, words flowing like rivers carrying ancient wisdom.

He continued, his gaze distant yet focused, "She's content, you know? Content like she's found a treasure trove of joy within herself, and nothing in this world can add to it. It's like she finds happiness just by watching others be happy. She's not of this world, man."

The memory of their countless encounters and conversations painted an ethereal picture in Aiden's mind. His eyes glimmered with the vivid recollection, and his smile sparkled, a radiant testament to the magic Leah seemed to carry with her.

Jeff, on the other hand, didn't quite share Aiden's fascination with Leah's enigmatic charm. His brows furrowed in an unamused expression as he interrupted, "Aiden, seriously, you've gone too far with this whole 'Leah's an alien' thing. She's just a girl with a unique charm. You're not deciphering the Da Vinci Code here."

Aiden chuckled, momentarily breaking the spell of Leah's allure. "Maybe you're onto something, Jeff. But sometimes, it's the mysteries that make life interesting."

"Man, you're talking as if you're head over heels," Jeff quipped with a sly smirk. Aiden playfully but somewhat irritably shot Jeff a look and gave his friend a light smack on the shoulder. He preferred to keep things low-key, even though he didn't fully embrace Jeff's suggestion. However, he wasn't ready to outright deny it either. Aiden found himself in a somewhat bewildering situation, caught between his emotions and a sense of confusion.

"Hey, man, what's that?" Jeff inquired, squinting at the approaching ship on the horizon. The scene unfolding before them felt like something straight out of a fantasy flick. The sky, awash in mesmerizing shades of orange, made perfect sense considering the storm that had rolled through the night before. But it wasn't the storm's remnants that had Jeff and Aiden wearing matching expressions of bafflement.

No, it was that pristine white halo encircling a patch of cloudless sky. That was the kind of stuff you'd usually find in a science fiction tale, like an alien invasion flick or a scenario where a rogue black hole suddenly decided to snack on Earth. Jeff and Aiden exchanged wide-eyed glances, both equally taken aback by the surreal sight. 

"Must be somethin' that happens after storms," Aiden mused with a hint of cluelessness in his voice.

"Never seen that thing in the last six years, not even before," Jeff declared with a confident air of knowledge. "So, what say? What do we do?" he asked, turning to his companion.

"Should we tell the chief?" Aiden proclaimed his words more like a question than a statement.

"Is that even a question?" Jeff and Aiden exchanged a determined glance and then sprinted toward the sheltered inside deck. Luckily, no one else was out on the exposed deck, and only the two of them had borne witness to the enigmatic occurrence. With urgency, they advised everyone to stay indoors and promptly followed suit, their minds racing with curiosity and concern.

As they made their way inside, just as they were nearing the second-floor deck, Jeff collided head-on with someone who came charging in from the opposite direction. It turned out to be Leah, and the impact was so forceful that it sent her sprawling, landing unceremoniously on her rear end. An involuntary curse escaped from Jeff's lips as he rushed over to Leah, shouting out apologies.

"Are you okay?" Aiden asked, genuine concern etched across his face. But Leah didn't seem all that concerned about her well-being. Instead, she kept glancing back toward the staircase, her eyes wide with a sense of urgency. She appeared to be making a beeline for the outer deck, but the question that gnawed at Aiden's mind was, "Why?" 

"I'm okay, I need to go," she exclaimed, her voice quivering with urgency. With a swift maneuver, she wriggled free from Jeff's grasp, determined to make her way to the stairs. But before she could escape, Aiden intercepted her, his strong hands firmly holding her shoulders.

"No, you can't go outside now," Aiden asserted, his brow furrowed with concern.

"You don't understand, Aiden. I need to go. I've got to see for myself if it has already begun," she pleaded desperately. Jeff and Aiden exchanged puzzled glances; she was, indeed, an enigma, as Aiden had pointed out. Jeff couldn't help but think to himself.

Aiden's grip on her slackened, and Leah shot towards the stairs, clutching that very same book. A whirlwind of confusion swept through him, rendering him momentarily dumbfounded. He trailed in Leah's wake, the urgent call of Jeff echoing behind him. He pivoted and shot back, snapping at Jeff, "Go tell the chief, I need to go." Without waiting for a response, he pivoted and resumed following Leah, his curiosity outweighing his concern for Jeff. The latter dashed off in the direction of the chief's cabin.

"Leah, wait! What's going on? What's begun?" Aiden panted out, the words tumbling from his lips as they ascended the stairs, Leah's figure growing more distant with each stride. 

But Leah offered no response, her focus fixed on the seemingly endless climb ahead. Aiden doggedly continued his pursuit until they emerged onto the outer deck. There, Leah's gaze fixated on the colossal halo hovering in the sky, and her jaw dropped in awe. Aiden watched as a shadow of fear cast its pallor over her features. It struck him as peculiar; he'd never witnessed her frightened before. 

Questions whirled like a tempest in Aiden's mind. What did this halo signify? How did Leah alone possess this knowledge? He searched for answers in her face, but they remained elusive.

"Leah, look at me," Aiden implored as he firmly gripped her arms and compelled her to meet his gaze. Her expression didn't reflect fear; instead, it was filled with an overwhelming sense of guilt, leaving Aiden utterly perplexed. Tears welled up in her eyes, and she briefly shut them, bracing herself for Aiden's forthcoming question or statement. In a hushed tone, she finally responded.

"Doomsday," her voice barely rose above a whisper, gravely solemn.

"What are you talking about? Has the doomsday already begun?" Aiden inquired, his gaze unwavering, determination gleaming in his eyes. "Look around you—wars, killings, natural disasters, people are dying. Isn't this already a doomsday?" he added.

Leah's reply came softly, almost lost in the weight of her words. "You don't understand."

"Then help me understand," Aiden pleaded, his eyes filled with longing, the very thing he had been wrestling with internally, yearning to uncover the knowledge Leah possessed, the secrets hidden within the pages of ancient texts. He needed to know it all. "Please, tell me. Tell me what I'm unaware of, what you know," he urged.

"They are coming to end it once and for all," Leah's voice quivered as she revealed this chilling revelation.

"Who's coming?" Aiden pressed.

"The Supremes."

Aiden was certain he had heard about "The Supremes" somewhere, but where exactly? He couldn't pinpoint it. Perhaps it was in a fiction book he'd read or in the ever-present rumors that swirled through the air. However, what did these wars have to do with "The Supremes," and, more importantly, what did they intend to bring to an end? This uncertainty led Aiden and Leah to find themselves in a dimly lit room on the lowest deck, a place rarely frequented by anyone. It was the same area where Dwayne's killer had been incarcerated.

Aiden was resolute, leaning forward with his elbows resting on his thighs as he gazed at Leah, who sat in a chair right across from him.

"Tell me everything, starting from the beginning," he urged.

Leah let out a sigh, breaking her silence. "You've probably heard those rumors about the world coming to an end, with the whole planet exploding and everything going down the drain. But what if I told you that these weren't just rumors, but ancient predictions that were written ages ago?"

Aiden, still poker-faced, didn't display any signs of fear or surprise. Leah pressed on, "Believe it or not, there's a kernel of truth in those rumors. It all started eons ago when a few people, now known as the supremes, decided to take over this world."

Aiden's demeanor suddenly shifted; he was utterly baffled. Take over? What on earth was Leah talking about, he wondered.

In 2024, the Supremes made an unexpected appearance, descending upon our world with an ominous ultimatum. They gave us a choice: humans could either accept a life of servitude under their rule or face utter annihilation. It was a moment that brought our divided world together, uniting us in a common cause: to stand up and fight against these otherworldly invaders.

The battles that ensued were brutal, marked by a sea of bloodshed and countless lives lost. Nearly half of our global population was wiped out, leaving behind a world scarred by the devastation. Amid the chaos and destruction, there emerged a fortunate few, some might say chosen ones, who somehow managed to survive the cataclysmic clashes.

It was as though we were engaged in a massive, albeit temporary, evacuation. The Supremes eventually withdrew from Earth, leaving behind a haunting promise of their eventual return. The world had been forever changed, with the survivors left to ponder an uncertain future in the shadow of their menacing presence.

"But why?" Aiden asked, his curiosity piqued. 

"I don't know, but they managed to steal our premium weapons, strategies, and technologies that had been studied for thousands of years. That's why, even after all these years, our Earth is still stuck with 2024-level technologies. We were left completely helpless and without resources. Since then, we've been surviving, but it's not the kind of life we used to know. Nobody has any idea when they might reappear. The folks who saw them put all their experiences into this book, but they couldn't quite put into words what these supreme beings looked like."

The story doesn't stop there. One of the Supremes, Alpheus, stood in opposition to the entire concept of slavery and didn't align with the views of the other Supremes, yet his voice fell on deaf ears. Unexpectedly, he found himself falling in love with a human woman who was unwell, and tragically, she passed away. This devastating incident sparked rumors that Alpheus, in some way, had a hand in her death.

Humanity turned against him, and even his kind distanced themselves from him. People claimed he aimed to assist, but he met an untimely end. The Supremes, overwhelmed with anger, concluded that humanity needed to be eradicated. However, we possessed certain weapons and managed to drive them out, although they plundered everything from us. However, before departing from the Earth, they disclosed their intentions toward us.

"And how does that connect to the book 'Vastaus?'" Aiden inquired.

Leah replied, " The book was authored by an individual to whom the supreme beings divulged their intricate plans. This person, with the utmost diligence, meticulously recorded all these profound predictions in the fervent hope that they would guide and assist people in making wiser and more informed choices. However, rather than being taken seriously and regarded for its profound insights, the majority of individuals dismissed this valuable book as nothing more than a mere fairy tale."

She continued, "Now, that yellow halo we witnessed earlier is a part of what's foretold in the book. We don't have months or years to prepare; we're looking at just a few days."

Leah sighed, providing Aiden with a concise summary of the book and the urgency of the situation.

Leah couldn't help but let out a deep chuckle when Aiden posed the question, "How do we stop this?" She casually flipped open the book resting on her lap, lazily turning its pages before she replied, "We can't stop it. And if my understanding is on point, it's set to go down in the next 10 days." She slid the book over to Aiden, who eagerly took it and dove into the page she'd opened for him. 

"Parts of which shall be encircled in a radiant hue, where two-thirds of the celestial expanse and two-thirds of the boundless ocean shall dissolve in a gentle, golden glow. A vivid rainbow, thee shall witness thrice, heralding the hour for creatures both winged and furred to take flight. Fret not, those who bear the key in their grasp, for the master shall return to reclaim his dominion. It is the righteous alone who may persevere until the end, but how many shall truly behold or hearken ere they are but dust and shadows?" 

"We don't have time, Aiden," Leah exclaimed, a tear escaping her eye as she rose to her feet. "We must inform everyone about what's coming." With determination in her stride, she began moving toward the door. However, Aiden swiftly rose, grasping her arm and halting her in her tracks.

"No, we can't divulge it," he declared firmly.

"But," Leah started to protest.

"Can you grasp the consequences, Leah? If we reveal this, many will dismiss it as a mere joke. The people are already living in fear for their lives. It's the women and children who will bear the brunt of the fear, and pandemonium will reign. We won't be able to save anyone, or even worse, we might not make it to the port," Aiden explained in one breath, exhaling heavily. His grip on Leah's arm loosened, but she remained still, not attempting to break free.

"If you were aware of this, why didn't you inform me, the chief, or the others?" Aiden inquired, her voice filled with a mix of frustration and guilt.

" While I was pretty confident about this book, there was a part of me, deep down, that pondered whether we actually had enough time or if, perhaps, it might not even happen—like maybe I was just dreaming," Leah explained.

"Then how are we supposed to inform them now?" Aiden asked, a valid question that left Leah crouching, her head heavy with guilt.

"I don't know," she whispered.

"Hey, hey, Leah," Aiden crouched down in front of Leah and gently cradled her head while she was sobbing. "Though we can't reveal the truth now, we must wait until we reach the port, and then we'll try again." Leah looked up with her tear-filled eyes, and Aiden spoke softly. "Until then, let's keep this between us. Can you do that for me?" Aiden extended his palm for Leah to hold, a sign of their promise. Leah nodded, taking his hand as a pledge that she wouldn't tell anyone. She then broke into a fit of crying and hugged Aiden. "Shhh... I'll be there with you every step of the way."

In the two years he had spent observing Leah from a distance, and the brief encounters they had shared over just three or four days, Aiden found himself taken aback by her current state of fear and sorrow. It wasn't a reaction to some impending apocalypse; Aiden was quite certain of that. Leah's tears were the manifestation of guilt that weighed heavily upon her. She yearned to divulge the impending catastrophe to the world, yet deep down, she understood that even if she were to reveal the impending doomsday, it would inevitably come to pass.

The last time, in the fateful year of 2024, humanity had met its near end, leaving only a select few fortunate survivors. A question gnawed at Aiden's thoughts: What would transpire this time? Would anyone be spared, or was the world doomed for certain? Even the books held no answers to this conundrum, as though the powers that be deliberately concealed their plans for when they finally made their presence known.

Aiden grappled with numerous thoughts and questions, but to his dismay, no clear answers or solutions presented themselves. At this moment, all he desired was to provide solace to the young woman before him—Leah, the one who had captivated his thoughts since the day of her arrival.

"I couldn't have known earlier, Aiden. I failed him even though I knew about this book," Leah cried, clinging to Aiden's shoulder, hugging him tightly as he cradled her sideways, trying to calm her down.

"Who is 'him'? Whom did you fail?" Aiden inquired. Leah had stopped crying by now; she just sniffled, but before she could utter the next words, someone knocked on the door.