Gateways: COE THE ALMIGHTY, page 9
“Answer me!” Arian screamed into his face. “Mother checked your account to make sure you had enough to live on. You are being paid too much money and you are going to say why. You are going to say it right now!”
“I build stuff for rich people!” Coe said as Arian dropped him. Coe grabbed his head in pain from being slammed into the wall and could see Arian was in thought. Coe reared back and activated his time bubble and gave his brother the best punch he knew how. Big or not, Arian was hit square on the chin and stumbled backwards. Coe was sure he had broken his hand as pain shot up his arm. Coe heard the crack of his bones snapping as he cried out and held the arm. Coe dropped to his knees and looked up. Arian was bleeding from the mouth. He had been hit solidly and Coe knew the punch hurt. Coe’s hand hurt a lot worse. People started swarming him again, intent on helping out his brother.
Coe bit, scratched and hit anyone he could in the genitals. Coe was in pain and didn't have the strength to hold everyone off. Someone scratched him across the face. Coe pushed whoever it was back and saw it was Cynthia. Arian grabbed him from the ground and slammed him through the wall this time, the plastibricks being no match for Arian’s strength. Coe was brought back into the hallway and dumped on the ground.
“I should make you pay for all of this,” Arian said as he wiped the blood from his mouth. “You could have avoided all of this.”
“I don't answer to you,” Coe said as he fell over so he was now laying on the ground.
“Kick him!” someone screamed as Coe moaned.
“He is not a criminal,” Arian said. “He is my little brother.”
Coe could hear the silence in the hallway. The crowd went from screaming and yelling to stunned silence. Arian hauled him to his feet. Coe was in too much pain to spit on him or anything else. Coe saw that Arian was also wary, he held Coe out at arm’s distance and was searching for any signs of attack. Arian dropped him on his feet and pushed him against the part of the wall without the Coe sized hole in it. Coe started to slowly gain his faculties but was sure he suffered a concussion.
“He’s your brother?” Cynthia asked.
“He is my little brother and should be in Oxford University right now instead of here,” Arian said. “He is disrespectful and our mother sent me to check on him. I now see he was just trying to impress you is the reason he hasn't called or come by.”
“I, uh,” Cynthia said as Coe started stumbling away.
“Where are you going?” Arian asked. “You need the infirmary.”
Coe ignored him and stumbled through the crowd. “Tempy bring a vehicle around to pick me up. I think I have a concussion.”
“Right away my brave warrior,” Tempy said.
Coe continued to stumble down the hallway when he felt Arian grab him again. Arian was trying to stabilize him as Coe tried yanking his arm away. Arian’s grip was like a vice. Coe stopped walking and instead leaned up against the wall. “What do you want now?”
“You are going to the infirmary,” Arian said.
“I am not going anywhere with you,” Coe said as he started to brace himself.
“If you punch me again I am going to put you through another wall,” Arian said. “Now start walking. Your girlfriend can come too if you want.”
“She is not my girlfriend,” Coe said as he tried yanking his arm away.
“I’ll go with him,” Cynthia said.
“I am not going anywhere with either of you,” Coe said. “Tempy, call the authorities and let them know that I am being assaulted by Arian Turé, codenamed Boulder of the Guardians.”
“Who is Tempy?” Arian asked and looked around. Arian was about to say something else when he heard a chime. Arian tapped his ear. “This is Boulder. What? It's my kid brother being a pain. Yeah. Nah, I don't need any help.”
Coe used the distraction to free himself from Arian. Cynthia tried to steady him as Coe shoved her away hard, sending her into the opposite wall. Coe finally made his way outside. A car was waiting on him and was parked in an unauthorized area. Coe had just climbed in when Arian came outside. Coe had just shut the door as Arian grabbed for it. Coe took off and could see an angry Arian looking at him.
“Is he following us?” Coe said as he laid down on the back seat.
“He is,” Tempy said. “He has a self contained flying apparatus that attached itself to him as soon as he stepped outside."
“Will he catch us?”
“No,” Tempy replied. “He is currently holding that skank you shoved."
“Temper temper Tempy,” Coe said. “Take me to an infirmary. I also need something that I can fight idiots like Arian with.”
“Don't you already have something?”
“If we were in Gaia I would have magic,” Coe replied. “I could have dealt with him thoroughly. Maybe if we were outside I could have dealt with him. Inside he was too much for me.”
“Your fighting ability seems to be too much for the Unevolved,” Tempy said. “If you needed something to pound on, I’m still at home.”
“Funny,” Coe replied.
Coe arrived at a medical facility and walked inside. It was in a poor area so it was overcrowded. Coe however could pay right away and was seen right way. The scans showed he had a concussion and he was made to wear a special helmet to fix everything. Coe had to lay down while this was happening and had just finished when Bruce walked in and crossed his arms.
“What do you want?” Coe snapped. “You told me to leave and I did. Now why are you bothering me?”
“Who do you…”
“I am talking to you!” Coe said cutting his father off.
“He said he has been working for rich people,” Arian said and he entered the room with Cynthia. “I have already checked it out. He has been seen a few times around people with a lot of money and expensive stuff has been sent to his home, none of it paid for by him.”
“At least you are not a total disappointment,” Bruce said. “Why are you not at Oxford?”
“None of your business,” Coe snapped. “I don't like or respect you.”
“You are still angry you were put out of the house,” Bruce laughed. “I can't take care of you forever. Now you have found a little girlfriend and suddenly you think you are tough.”
“What can I do to get both of you to leave me alone?” Coe asked. “You wanted me gone so I left. I haven't come running back or any other fantasy you have about me. I am doing well without the both of you.”
“Just because this girl is here doesn't mean I will not give you the spanking you must need,” Bruce said. “Your brother just didn't want to hurt you.”
“Go away,” Coe said as he stood up and took off his helmet. “And why are you here?" Coe finished as he looked at Cynthia.
“I brought your girlfriend,” Arian said. “You can at least act grateful.”
“She is not my girlfriend and after falling all over you I don't want anything to do with her,” Coe said. “She even attacked me.”
“I thought you were a criminal fighting Boulder,” Cynthia said. “And you shoved me into a wall.”
“Why are you here?” Coe repeated. “Don't you have something better to do?”
“He is mad at his girlfriend and the other Unevolved that tried to subdue him for me,” Arian said.
“This girl is below you,” Bruce said. “Even if you are Unevolved. You are leaving that place and going to Oxford.”
“I’m not below him,” Cynthia said, speaking up for herself.
“You are surrounded by poor girls in a poor place to learn,” Bruce said. “At least try not to be an embarrassment for once in your life. You need girls with money and power.”
“And who are you to tell me anything?” Coe asked. “I am not using your money, your power or even your name. “Why don't you and your real son run off and do whatever it is you were doing? My business is my business. I am out of your house, you don't get to tell me to do things anymore. Weren't you all spun up and wanted me out of your house? Well I am out, why are you here?”
“I don't have time for this,” Bruce said. “If I find out that you are doing something illegal I am going to take you down, hard.”
Coe watched his family leave and then looked at Cynthia. Maybe at one time she was something to behold but not anymore. Coe frowned to himself when he thought about changing the area where he received his education. He definitely couldn't go back to College #94603. Too many people saw what transpired between him and Arian. Coe didn't want to explain his familial ties to anyone and wished to live as just another faceless person. Coe went to leave.
“Where are you going?” Cynthia asked.
“Home,” Coe replied.
“Are we still on for our date?” Cynthia asked.
“What do you think?” Coe asked as he walked by. Cynthia reached out to grab his arm as Coe spun around. “Stop touching me.”
“It's just that Boulder was there and I didn't know you were brothers,” Cynthia said. “I thought you were just some criminal when he started talking about money and stuff.”
“He is just my stupid older brother,” Coe replied. “And yeah, you blew it big time. You could have had a rich boyfriend, instead you blew it to make an idiot feel proud of himself. Nice going.”
“I don't care if you have money and I don't need your money,” Cynthia replied angrily. “I asked Coe Future out on a date. You never even told me your real name.”
“Coe Future is my name. You still blew it. Now get away from me.”
“Let me make it up to you,” Cynthia said as Coe walked away from her. “Did you hear what I said?”
Coe continued walking and eventually was out of the building. He was thinking about his family. Of course they would realize where he lived and what school he went to. They had the full power of the Guardians behind them. At least they could only be nosy in this life. Coe was still anonymous in Gaia and Tempy had been collaborating with other portal users about their worlds. Coe offered something many of them couldn't. Coe could walk them into a persona as a rich and powerful mythological figure while they could only put him in another place. Tempy brought the vehicle around. The door opened and Coe climbed in. Before the door could close Coe felt himself pushed to the side and Cynthia climbed inside.
“I don't have a way home,” Cynthia said. “And I am not letting you go that easy.”
“I’ll bring you home,” Coe said.
“You can bring me to your home,” Cynthia said. “Boulder was cute and I got to meet Shockwave. They are all celebrities and it was fun, even your father. But I went after you before I knew who any of those people were. We never have to see them again. Now where are we going?”
“Not happening,” Coe said and then frowned a little. “I do have a proposition for you.”
“I am not that kind of girl no matter how much money you have.”
“I am not paying you in money,” Coe replied. “I am paying you in experience.”
“What does that even mean?” Cynthia said confused.
“I know an Evolved who has access to other worlds. I can bring you there. You can be a very rich woman there. A very rich and powerful woman. Just don't kill anyone or make a nuisance of yourself. In return I only need you to keep your eyes open for me and perform small tasks. Tasks only a human can accomplish.”
“I'm just looking for a date,” Cynthia replied.
“Yes or no,” Coe said seriously. “I will not make this offer again.”
“What do I have to do?” Cynthia asked.
“I need an Oracle,” Coe replied. “Some people have things that I really want and I want to trade you for it.”
“Trade me?”
“I am sure you have heard stories about people who go to other worlds,” Coe said. “The world we are going to is very primitive. Things we have here would be seen as magic by them. I want you to pretend to have magic. You can live like a Queen and be worshipped and I can get the knowledge I want. You can come back at any time.”
“I want to visit this place first,” Cynthia said.
“We can do that,” Coe replied. “Walk around and see if this is something you would be interested in.”
CHAPTER 10
ORACLE
“This is really happening,” Cynthia said from behind Coe. “This is amazing. I need my own transportation.”
“You would bring too much attention to yourself,” Coe replied as he turned the scooter towards Delphi. “There are strong people here posing as Gods. They have done some horrific things to the people here. They don't like to share and would kill you if they found you. That is why we keep things secret.”
“But you have one,” Cynthia retorted.
“I also know when Olympus is empty. I can come and go as I please and manipulate the recording devices that are there. I can bring you other places in Gaia that are filled with people like us. Strong people who hide in plain sight. You are going to be the Oracle. You would greatly help defend Delphi and I doubt the Queen of Delphi would reject you.”
“How would this work?”
“I have began secretly placing technology everywhere,” Coe replied. “It should help you predict weather patterns. The recording devices should help you determine when enemies are coming to Delphi. The devices all over the street should be able to tell you a whole lot of things. Any criminals would be easily found out and other things. It would seem like you can see the impossible. The longer you stay, the more cameras can be placed everywhere.”
“And what if someone sees me away from wherever everything is set up at?”
“You can have a visor,” Coe said. “My virtual assistant should be able to help you out.”
“Who are these other people in hiding?”
“There are a group of women calling themselves the Amazons. The majority have had surgery to become more muscular and to get rid of any fat. Nothing but women there really. They have a ready supply of male slaves and are building a jungle paradise.”
“Slaves?” Cynthia asked.
“I hear most of the men really want to be there. I am not sure and I don't get into their business like that. I am sure more than just hard work happens there. I also have another place called Ogygia. There are a bunch of women and men who have turned themselves into Glamour Dolls and uh, other things you will just have see. They get off on having as much sex as they can with anyone who wants it, then you have me. This place is helping grow my fortune. I can trade metals and other things here for profit. I am thinking about going into the clothing and laundry business. With our technology I could quickly clean dirty items and return them for a fee. You could increase your fortune a lot here. Some things from here you can take back with you. I recommend trading your wealth here for precious metals like rhodium or gold.”
“I could be rich,” Cynthia said.
“And all you would have to do is be my eyes and ears,” Coe said. “You could make a lot of money.”
“I feel normal, I thought you said this place would make me sick?”
“You are with me and my vehicle has special properties that takes away the sickness,” Coe said. “Wherever you live I will help you get the same type of things.”
“You are doing a lot for a girl you are not interested in,” Cynthia said. “Now I need a cool name.”
“Just make it close to your real one,” Coe replied. “I am called Coeus.”
“Just like that?”
“Just like that.”
“Um, Pythia,” Cynthia said. “That is close enough to Cynthia. I have a lot of friends that would love to be someplace like this.”
“I can bring them but there is one big downfall. If they do something stupid here that could give me away, they are leaving permanently and so are you. This could be as simple as letting someone see technology they shouldn't or telling things they shouldn't. They could see it all as a big joke. You would be held responsible.”
“Even if I didn't do anything?” Cynthia replied.
“You are responsible for inviting them here in the first place. It is your call. You could be rich or you could stay like you are trying to help out a friend. You have a much higher percentage of making more money here and taking it back than you do if you graduate from College #94603 and finding a job.”
“Maybe after I have made a little bit of money,” Cynthia said as Coe could tell she was thinking.
“You also have to worry about jealousy. You would be the Oracle and they would want to do stuff here as well. Then you have people wanting to bring their boyfriends, cousins or whatever. Any of them mess up and it is on your head. Somehow, an apology wouldn't seem enough to replace all the lost money and other things you can get from here. Make sure your friend is a real one. I am not playing around when I say things will be closed to you. I want you to take me seriously.”
“I heard you the first time,” Cynthia said as they continued traveling.
The pair eventually reached Delphi and Coe was happy it was under the cover of night. Finding the Temple of Apollo was easy. It looked just like the one he had first learned from. Coe had plenty of small cameras with him and went to setting them up all over the city with Cynthia’s help. Whenever Coe ran out, it was easy to just pop open a portal and have Tempy send more through. They were small flying devices that could be placed anywhere. Coe thought he had placed over three hundred of them before he decided on approaching the Temple.
“This is drafty,” Cynthia said as she shivered.
“Your clothes have to match with what the women here wear,” Coe said. “Well yours is a bit more fancy since you are supposed to be a priestess. I have one more thing to give you before we go through.” Coe opened a portal and a wooden stave was sent through.
“I knew it!” Cynthia said. “You are Evolved!”
“And this is a secret that you tell no one or I will kick you out of here,” Coe replied. “Not your mother, not your father or anyone else in the utmost secrecy. You tell no one. If I find out I am not going to accept an apology and our partnership will be dissolved.”
