Chapter 34 - Morning Glory

"If you're observant, Elisa, you'll feel that it's becoming hotter these days. Global warming is one of the causes, but there's another variable; the sun. Its rays is a tiny bit hotter than before.

For some trees and plants, it's bad news. They wither and die. It's truly sad. But for some, like us, it's wonderful! We love the sun! We get more nutrients! And so we grew and increased in numbers.

One day, an undetected radioactive meteor fell to the earth. May I remind you that it didn't become a meteorite. There's a big difference between meteors and meteorites, Elisa. Can you still follow?"

"I know. Khoohk. Continue. Khoohk."

"As you wish, the meteor exploded in mid-air. We should have died at that time due to increased heat and radiation, but we didn't. It was a cloudy, windy day and the thick nimbus clouds protected us from the deadly radiation. It still hit us of course, but only weaker. After that, it rained. The raindrops were radioactive, but we still didn't die. Based on my calculations, the reason behind this is because the radioactive material has been diluted with water. Its fatal effect is reduced to zero. It didn't kill us... It changed us, enhanced our effects, and made us stronger.

I'm the most exposed flower in the initial blast and radioactive rain. I had the most dosage. I absorbed and adapted to the circumstances and morphed into this form. That's how I came to be. Not by evolution or artificial genetic modification."

"So... You're a mutant... Khoohk."

"Mutant is such a harsh word! I prefer... A Morphed Being! It sounds more interesting, and inviting, don't you think? By the way, did you find any weakness, Elisa?"

"Last question, Andromeia. Khoohk. Why are you doing this? Khoohk!"

"That's cold, Elisa, ignoring my question like that while I politely answered yours. Still acting brave, are we? Oh well, you'll realize the truth later..."

"Answer my question! Khoohk! Why are you doing this?! Khoohk!"

"Do you really want to know...?"

"Yes! Khoohk!"

"I hope you won't be disappointed. I guess you want to know the reason why, or my motive, before I kill the two of you and die... Hey! I just made a poem right there! HA! HA! HA! I crack myself up... Well, here it goes. I hope you won't get so disappointed... The reason why we're doing this is... nothing."

Silence...

"I can see that you're surprised. I can also see that you doubt me. You're thinking that I'm lying. I'm not! We don't have any reason why we're doing this. We're designed to do this. We're flowers for crying out loud!! We pollinate! That's what we naturally do! You may say: 'You're an intelligent being now! Stop it! You're affecting us!' We can't do that! This is our nature! This is our natural life cycle! You can't stop that!"

"Tell the truth, Andromeia. Khooohk."

"HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! You're sharp and discerning, Elisa! You've seen through my lies even though I don't have a face! HA! HA! HA! HA! Okay, okay. You got me. As a reward I'll tell you. You see, we Morning Glories want all humans to be happy! We want all your dreams to come true!"

"What's the catch? Khoohk."

"Well, you'll just become our fertilizers and flower beds! We need more nutrients to live, I mean, to fulfill all your dreams! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! You humans will make good soil! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! Once you're all dead, your bodies will decompose. Then, the pollens inside your bodies will grow and become beautiful flowers! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! YOU CAN DO NOTHING ABOUT IT! IT'S OUR TURN NOW! THIS CITY IS ALREADY UNDER MY INFLUENCE! YOUR COUNTRY IS NEXT! THEN THE WHOLE EARTH! AND ALL YOU EVIL HUMANS WHO DESTROY NATURE AND THIS WORLD WILL FINALLY BECOME EXTINCT!!! SAY HELLO TO THE DINOSAURS FOR ME WHEN YOU BECOME FOSSILS!!! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA!"

Silence...

"You know what's more funny, Elisa...? I planned everything from the very beginning. I know there's one special case and one survivor in this city. I want to eliminate those two existing threats, the most painful way possible. And what do you know? Everything has been done according to my plan. I already calculated all your possible moves, predicted your course of action. With that data, I created my trap. Up to this point, I'm 100% accurate. 100% correct. I assure you, your defeat is inevitable. So near and yet so far, so close Elisa, so close! But in the end, you failed miserably."

"I... I don't get it... Khoohk."

"What is that, Lionel...?"

"You're our enemy... Khoohk. Why are you telling all of these things...? Khoohk."

"HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! IT DOESN'T MAKE ANY SENSE RIGHT?!! ! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! THIS SHOULD BE A SECRET, RIGHT?! WHY AM I GIVING IT ALL AWAY?! Can't you see? Don't you realize it? I've seen through your tactic, Elisa."

"!!!"

"I know that you're asking questions to buy some time, to think of a way or a plan to destroy me. Isn't that right? But actually, you made it so much easier. This is also a part of my grand plan. Please, have a look at your oxygen tanks."

We looked at the meters... It's almost empty!!!

"I've used your plan against you, Elisa. I've talked too much so that your oxygen supply is consumed. Now, if you may, please choose... Will you die of suffocation? Or will you die having your sweetest death wish?"

Silence...

"Lionel..."

I looked at her...

"Whatever happens, do not take off your mask..."

She removed her mask.

"ELISA, NO!!!"

Silence...

"How does it feel, Elisa, to finally have your dream at last...?"

Her eyes became clouded...

"It feels... Great..."

She walked to Andromeia...

"Based on my calculations, your dream is to become a princess, so typical. Oh well, enjoy your slow death."

She stopped... She's now in front of her...

"You're wrong."

"What did you say?!!"