– CHAPTER SEVENTEEN –

  THE VULPES VULPES

  Americ-Ana rose slowly. Her eyes were still readjusting to the lights of the Main Hall of Crown Eden.

  Everyone watched in silence: the director Popess Rock, the angel Reiyel, the patrons, the masters, the angels and demons of the Legion Orchestra, the sentinel animals of the Tree of Knowledge, the other initiates, and the Four Organs.

  Wwwyye stood up and adjusted the top hat on her head. Astyam, without delay, sprayed the nasal mist into his nose. Nioh coughed discreetly, took a sip of his syrup, and tightened the knot of his tie. Poppandacorn unplugged from the Tree of Knowledge, opened the compartment in his belly, and retrieved his USB cable.

  As soon as everyone had recomposed themselves, the four avatars on the stone ceiling of the Main Hall began to speak:

  The Commander: Alexander the Great.

  “I conquered the fire, I mastered the field,”

  “With blade of resolve and the weight of the shield.”

  “Through storms I rode, in silence I led,”

  “For kings do not shout, they breathe through the dread.”

  The Messenger: Mozart.

  “I whispered the truth in the hush of the air,”

  “Spoke riddles in rhythm, with grace and with flair.”

  “My voice built the bridge when the path split apart”

  “For those who hold words, command every heart.”

  The Strategist: Machiavelli.

  “I moved in the shadows where foresight prevails,”

  “Wove patterns of purpose through layers of veils.”

  “While others took steps, I unfolded the map”

  “For wisdom is quiet, and silence a trap.”

  The Guardian: Florence Nightingale.

  “I kept what was sacred, unseen in the crowd,”

  “Spoke soft to the broken, and listened aloud.”

  “I held every truth that no eyes dared to see”

  “For guarding the soul is what makes it free.”

  The four avatars bowed to the four young ones.

  "That which is destined for you will come in the form of temptation," said Alexander.

  "Many believe it comes from the outside in. When, in truth, it comes from the inside out," said Mozart.

  "Many believe they are distinct from one another. When, in truth, they are origin, they are one and the other at once," said Machiavelli.

  "The serpent that grants discernment between good and evil shall manifest. All here shall bear witness," said Florence.

  The four avatars remained silent for a few moments.

  "The one whose duality contains both moon and sun, though two, yet one, step toward the center of the Tree of Knowledge and insert the key of the cell that has already divided and shall now become part of an Organ," said Florence.

  Nioh Nemmesis stepped forward, gazing at the four avatars. He took the key of his duality from his pocket. A keyhole appeared on the trunk of the Tree of Knowledge.

  Nioh inserted his key and turned it.

  Then, descending from the crown of the tree, a great serpent with black and white scales slithered toward Nioh. Its mouth opened. It regurgitated a red apple and offered it to him.

  Nioh held the fruit in his hands.

  The serpent hissed and said:

  "If thou eatest of this fruit, thine eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as God."

  Nioh bit the apple. He swallowed the piece. Took another bite. Chewed and swallowed.

  When he took the third bite, something seemed to slip into his mouth along with the piece of fruit. He coughed and moved his tongue. Then he extended his palm and spat out a chain and a silver ring.

  He raised them high, so all could see.

  Then the avatar Florence Nightingale let out a cry of rejoicing and began to applaud.

  The mezzanine of Organ The Guardian erupted with screams, applause, and howls. They pounded their chests and roared at the top of their lungs. They raised their fists, punching the air while shouting, "FAC FOEDUS."

  The Legion Orchestra burst into a song of celebration.

  Nioh Nemmesis climbed the stairs with short steps and joined the mezzanine of the other scholars from Organ The Guardian. They welcomed him with handshakes, cheers, and embraces.

  Nioh Nemmesis was now the newest scholar of Organ The Guardian.

  The celebration, filled with cheers, applause, and vibrant music, lasted for several minutes.

  Until the avatar Florence spoke again:

  "Something unprecedented and rare has occurred. Three distinct dualities, Boaz, Yin, and Eve, have merged into one, forming a Trinity. Those who possess this singularity, move toward the center of the Tree of Knowledge. The three who are one must insert, at the same time, the key of this new mutant cell that has divided into three and shall now become part of an Organ."

  Whispers and murmurs rippled through the Main Hall. Some stood up in their mezzanines for a better view.

  Director Popess Rock leaned forward. The angel Reiyel mirrored her movement.

  Americ-Ana, Wwwyye, and Astyam looked at one another, the nervousness and tension clearly visible on their faces.

  The three of them walked toward the trunk of the Tree of Knowledge, where the shape of a keyhole had formed once again.

  Astyam pulled the key from his pocket.

  Together, the three held the key, inserting it into the keyhole.

  They turned the key.

  From the crown of the tree, the great serpent with black and white scales slithered toward them.

  Its mouth opened. It regurgitated a red apple and offered it to Americ-Ana.

  Its mouth opened a second time, and it regurgitated another red apple, offering it to Wwwyye.

  It opened its mouth a third time, and the red apple was handed to Astyam.

  Each of them now held an apple in their hands.

  The serpent hissed and said:

  "If thou eatest of this fruit, thine eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as God."

  The three looked at one another, uneasy.

  Wwwyye was the first to bite her apple, followed by Astyam and Americ-Ana.

  All three took a second bite. They chewed and swallowed.

  Wwwyye took a third bite. Something seemed to have entered her mouth along with the piece of apple.

  She moved her tongue. Extended her hand and spat out a chain and a bronze ring.

  She raised them high, so all could see.

  The avatar Alexander the Great drew his sword and let out a war cry.

  The mezzanine of Organ The Commander erupted in screams and frenzy. They leapt high over the railing, shaking the entire structure with their stomping.

  The two tall, red-haired identical women who had once waved at Wwwyye were now embracing each other, weeping and shouting, "FAC FOEDUS."

  The Legion Orchestra played once more, songs of festivity and rejoicing.

  The frenzy lasted for several minutes.

  Little by little, the crowd began to quiet down and fall into silence.

  Wwwyye looked at Americ-Ana and Astyam and said:

  "Let’s all stay together. Until the last one takes the third bite."

  The other two agreed.

  Astyam stepped forward and took the third bite of the apple.

  He moved his tongue, as if sensing something inside his mouth.

  He extended his hand and spat out a chain and a gold ring.

  With a trembling hand, he raised it high, so all could see.

  The avatar Machiavelli stood and shouted so loudly that the entire structure of the Main Hall trembled:

  "REJOICE! WE HAVE A NEW BROTHER!"

  The mezzanine of Organ The Strategist began to roar and beat their chests. They jumped so high that some managed to touch their fingertips to the edge of the ceiling. They locked arms and began dancing in circles.

  The Legion Orchestra erupted into a riot of sound, bursting into songs of celebration and joy.

  Director Popess Rock had risen to her feet and was applauding frantically, smiling and shouting as she waved at Astyam.

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  Until, little by little, everyone began to calm down and fall silent once more.

  Astyam stood beside Wwwyye. The two of them turned their eyes to Americ-Ana.

  Poppandacorn moved to the front and began recording everything in filming mode.

  Americ-Ana felt a bead of sweat form at the nape of her neck, right at the root of her hair. It slid down her spine and slipped beneath the fabric of her Dior “Vénus” dress. Then, she took the third bite of the apple.

  People began whispering even louder. The tension was so thick, it could almost be sliced from the air.

  Americ-Ana moved the piece of apple around in her mouth, tossing it from side to side with her tongue. Until she felt a cold object, which grew larger as her stomach accepted pieces of the apple. She could feel every millimeter of that object with her tongue. She extended her hand and spat out a chain and a platinum ring.

  She raised them high. Her arm felt as though it weighed a ton.

  People began rising to their feet, trying to see more clearly what was happening.

  Then, the avatar Mozart stood and shouted with arms wide open:

  "SHE IS OURSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!"

  The mezzanine of Organ The Messenger burst into screams, mingled with chants of victory. The scholars embraced, jumped, and wept with emotion. After all, the second scholarship student in the history of Equal One Zero belonged to them. Their newest sister. A moment being woven into the annals of history, and they had the privilege of being part of that great event.

  Seth balanced himself on the edge of the mezzanine, running back and forth with the precise movements of a feline.

  Poppandacorn was launching fireworks that, when they exploded, nearly touched the ceiling where the four avatars stood.

  The Legion Orchestra played a song that was neither festive nor chaotic.

  It was a song that, for those who listened closely, would be instantly transported to the scene of a runner who had already covered many kilometers, who was exhausted, yet kept running, and finally crossed the finish line.

  Americ-Ana felt something in her chest that she had never felt before in her entire life. Her heart, beating faster, seemed to dance between her lungs. An electric current ran down her back and discharged into the soles of her feet. She felt her hair pass through a kind of electricity that made every hair on her body stand on end.

  Americ-Ana looked toward the mezzanine of Organ The Messenger. In that crowd that danced, jumped, screamed, and sang, she managed to spot Seth among the others. He was watching her and shouting, punching the air.

  Americ-Ana looked at Poppandacorn. The little plush robot was hopping, spinning, and launching fireworks filled with the sweetest phrases that could ever be written.

  Americ-Ana looked toward Astyam and Wwwyye. The two of them were clapping, jumping, and shouting in celebration.

  Then, Americ-Ana couldn’t hold it in. All that energy. All that electricity seemed to overflow through her body. Her eyes filled with tears, and she began to cry while laughing. She began to laugh while crying.

  For the others, it was a historic moment because Americ-Ana was the second scholarship student in the history of that place. But for her, it was historic because, for the first time, she saw people celebrating in countless ways: shouting, screaming, singing, dancing, playing instruments, launching fireworks, all for a victory that was hers. For a moment that belonged entirely to her. It was the first time in her life she had seen and heard others celebrating a triumph that was exclusively her own.

  Americ-Ana felt like she was part of something.

  Americ-Ana felt she belonged to something greater.

  Americ-Ana felt like an Organ, essential within that vast Organism.

  Then, in the midst of the shouting, the music, and the celebration, Americ-Ana felt something bubbling in her stomach. It felt like a burp about to rise.

  She swallowed hard. It would pass.

  But it didn’t. On the contrary, it grew stronger.

  Within seconds, she felt a burning in her chest.

  She placed a hand over her stomach. Maybe it was the dress that felt too tight.

  Instinctively, she looked at Astyam and Wwwyye, who were also holding their stomachs. The expressions on their faces showed they were trying to understand what was happening inside their bodies.

  Astyam covered his mouth with both hands.

  Wwwyye couldn’t hold it back. She opened her mouth and vomited beside the Tree of Knowledge.

  The people who had been jumping and dancing slowly began to realize that something was wrong.

  Astyam couldn’t hold it either. He let out a loud burp and vomited immediately after.

  The crowd was now completely silent, eyes wide open, trying to make sense of what was happening.

  Americ-Ana felt as though her stomach were twisting itself from the inside.

  She brought both hands to her mouth, but she couldn’t hold it in. She vomited as well.

  Poppandacorn immediately activated YELLOW MODE. HEALTH. FIRST AID.

  Maybe the three teenagers were simply euphoric and excited by the sudden chain of celebrations, one after the other. Maybe that was all. An emotional state.

  But then, Wwwyye jumped back and pointed, shouting:

  "What the hell is that?"

  Astyam recoiled, instinctively hiding behind Wwwyye.

  "What is that?"

  Americ-Ana looked around in all directions, trying to understand what was happening. Then she noticed her vomit was moving. Her eyes darted to where Wwwyye and Astyam were pointing. Their vomit was moving too.

  Americ-Ana jumped back, pressing herself against the Tree of Knowledge.

  The pieces of apple that the three of them had chewed and swallowed were now shifting, as if they were alive.

  Everyone inside the Main Hall was on their feet, watching the vomit move with expressions of disgust and deep astonishment. Some covered their mouths and turned away, afraid they might throw up as well.

  Poppandacorn ran toward Americ-Ana and hugged her legs. He looked at the vomit and scanned it, saying:

  "Mommy, attention! Signs of life detected. Signs of life detected."

  The vomit from all three began moving in the same direction, as if trying to approach one another and merge.

  Until the three became one, forming a single mass of vomit.

  Wwwyye and Astyam ran to join Americ-Ana and Poppandacorn. All of them huddled against the Tree of Knowledge.

  Then, the vomit began to move as if it were pulsing.

  At first, a gentle throb, which gradually intensified.

  Until it matched the rhythm of a beating heart.

  It pulsed and pounded, growing stronger and more intense with each beat.

  Until the mass of fused vomit began to take shape. It started to change color.

  It seemed to be turning translucent around the edges. At the center, it appeared to be gaining a hue blended with red, light pink, and purple.

  It was nearly impossible to hear any sound, not even the sound of someone breathing, inside the Main Hall. Everyone was absorbed, fully focused on the mutant vomit, trying to understand what it was... and what it was about to become.

  The vomit appeared to shift its structure with every passing second.

  Until it finally transformed into something that looked like a thick, opaque bubble, with something inside.

  Then, the interior of that strange bubble seemed to pulse.

  It pulsed and stirred slightly.

  It pulsed and stirred with growing force.

  Until it became possible to see, through the membrane of the bubble, that a living creature was inside.

  Then, everyone realized that the vomit from the three teenagers had transformed into an amniotic sac, carrying some kind of embryo or fetus within it.

  Now, it was possible to see veins of blood circulating inside the amniotic sac.

  Suddenly, whatever was inside began to move. It started trying to come out.

  The outline of a small black mass could be seen stretching its limbs, trying to push its way out.

  It moved faster and faster. Until the amniotic sac burst.

  Americ-Ana, Wwwyye, and Astyam jumped back once again. Poppandacorn was about to activate RED ALERT MODE. DANGER.

  Everyone inside the Main Hall gasped in astonishment.

  The liquid inside the sac, a thick translucent slime marked with red patches of blood, spilled onto the grass.

  The amniotic sac began to slowly deflate as the liquid within it was released.

  Then they saw the creature inside begin to show a paw, or a claw, or whatever that thing was, pushing its way out.

  "What the hell is that?" asked Americ-Ana.

  "Looks like a creature covered in black fur," observed Astyam, frowning in disgust.

  "Is that... a bat?" said Wwwyye, suspicious, shrinking back even more.

  Then the creature pushed its tiny face out.

  "That's a little fox," said Americ-Ana.

  "A black fox," said Astyam.

  "A cub," said Wwwyye.

  "This is the Antichrist. I'm going to destroy this thing, Mommy," said Poppandacorn, opening the compartment in his belly and pulling out a wooden club.

  "NOOOOO!!!" the three of them screamed at once, holding the plush robot back.

  The little fox, covered entirely in black fur, had large, equally black eyes with a deep and penetrating gaze.

  The tiny creature managed to fully emerge from the amniotic sac.

  "YUCK! THAT'S DISGUSTING!" said Poppandacorn, watching the little fox devour the very sac it had just come out of.

  Then, the great hippopotamus stepped out of the ring of water that protected the Tree of Knowledge, opened its massive mouth, and declared as it charged toward the little fox:

  "UNAUTHORIZED ENTITY. POSES A RISK TO THE AREA. TERMINATE IMMEDIATELY."

  In that instant, several things happened within a single second, or even less.

  Poppandacorn projected a shield to protect Americ-Ana, Wwwyye, and Astyam. The three of them were shouting, trying to stop the hippopotamus from destroying the little fox.

  The hippopotamus opened its mouth even wider. As it lunged forward to crush the creature, the little fox, without the slightest signal or warning, opened its own mouth and swallowed the hippopotamus whole in a single bite.

  Gasps of shock and disbelief echoed from every corner of the Main Hall.

  Americ-Ana was stunned. She couldn’t quite grasp what had just happened. She blinked more than once. The hippopotamus had been there, and in the very next second, it was gone.

  "The hippopotamus was just swallowed whole," said Wwwyye, eyes wide, mouth agape.

  The little black fox looked from side to side, let out a tiny burp, sat down, and licked its paw.

  Then, the other sentinel animals of the Tree of Knowledge turned toward the little fox. They made a move to attack.

  At that moment, the loud sound of wings flapping filled the air.

  Director Popess Rock placed her arm around the neck of the angel Reiyel. He, in turn, wrapped one arm around her body and, with a few swift movements, leapt from the mezzanine and landed at the base of the Tree of Knowledge.

  "Stop!" said Popess Rock, raising her hand toward the sentinel animals of the Tree of Knowledge, who were already just steps away from attacking the little fox. Reiyel, with his great wings, formed a protective barrier.

  "This creature has taken the life of one of our sacred kin, who was simply doing his duty. We demand justice and reparation immediately," said a giant buffalo with sharp horns.

  "I prostrate myself before you, sacred sentinels of the Tree of Knowledge," said Popess Rock, kneeling before all the sentinel animals. "Thanks to your tireless protection, we who enjoy the favors of KING MatNat may rest our heads in peace, knowing we can count on your guardianship."

  Popess Rock rose to her feet, placed her hands together over her chest, and pleaded with the animals:

  "However, something singular and astonishing has occurred today. Something that has no precedent since this humble servant devoted herself to serving the minds who pass through this place."

  Popess Rock took a step forward, approaching the great buffalo.

  "I surrender myself to you all as a worshiper of your magnitude and splendor. In this moment, I beg, with all the strength of my innermost being, that before any decision is made, you allow me, your humble servant, to investigate and learn the causes of this unprecedented singularity that has just emerged before us all."

  Popess Rock moved even closer to the buffalo, knelt, and kissed its hooves.

  "I promise all of you, divine magnitudes of creation, that the death of our sacred kin, the Hippopotamus, shall not be forgotten, and that justice will be done. But I beg you, as the lowest of divine creation, to have mercy on me and allow me to uncover the reasons and the origin of this new being. Amen."

  Popess Rock kissed the buffalo’s hooves once more. The buffalo then said:

  "According to your request, my servant, your wish shall be granted, for now. But bear in mind that the life of our sacred sentinel kin must be avenged, and the protection of this sacred place must be preserved. Thus, in the name of all the sentinel creatures of the Tree of Knowledge, permission is hereby granted, for now, for this animal to live."

  The buffalo nodded to the other animals and stepped away.

  Popess Rock turned to the little fox, her gaze intrigued. The angel Reiyel positioned himself behind the director and, with his wings, formed a shield so she could approach the creature more closely.

  "This is, without the slightest shadow of a doubt, something curious... and quite extraordinary. Since I assumed leadership at Equal One Zero, I have never seen anything like it. Technically, this is a Vulpes vulpes, the common red fox, but this one displays melanism, a genetic mutation that increases melanin production, resulting in this black coloration of the fur."

  Popess Rock moved even closer and seemed to study the little fox with her eyes.

  "I cannot say that your union, three distinct dualities fused into one, is something ordinary. On the contrary, it is just as unprecedented as the origin of this creature."

  Popess Rock looked at Americ-Ana, Wwwyye, and Astyam.

  "I believe you must be very tired. After all, you went through the initiation, deciphered the riddle of the museum, and endured the trial of the Four Organs."

  Popess Rock turned her gaze again to the little fox, who had now laid down.

  "For now, I ask the three of you to remove this creature from here, since the sentinels of the Tree of Knowledge see it as a threat to this sacred place. I will dismiss you now, as there is still much to be done. But I promise we will meet again to address what has occurred."

  Popess Rock turned to the crowd in the mezzanines and said:

  "My brothers and sisters, something singular has taken place among us today. We are still at the beginning of the trial of the Four Organs. There are still other initiates who must face the paths that the Tree of Knowledge will present to them as a test. For now, let us take a break, and we shall resume with the trials of our new brothers and sisters."

  The crowd began to rise gradually and leave the Main Hall.

  The angel Reiyel brought his lips close to Director Popess Rock’s ear. He did not move them even a fraction, yet he seemed to have given her some kind of guidance, in a way that only she could understand. She turned to the three and said:

  "Please, before you leave, we need to settle something. This little creature cannot remain here in Crown Eden, for now. Not until we discover more about it and study its nature. If it came from you, it is because the mysteries of God, which surround the paths of all of us in the Universe, want you to be the ones to care for it. But to be sure, we shall conduct a test. One by one, each of you will call this small creature. If it obeys, comes, and remains, that shall be understood as a sign that this being, for now, must stay with the one to whom it responds."

  Popess Rock knelt before the little fox. She extended her arm and said:

  "Child of God. If I am worthy of your attention, come to me."

  The tiny creature stood up, sniffed her fingers cautiously, and gave a small lick to her hand. But then, it returned and lay down where it had been.

  "Now, one of you, do the same," instructed Popess Rock.

  But then, before any of the three could open their mouths or move toward the little fox, Poppandacorn opened his mouth and said:

  "Child of the Antichrist! Leave in the name of Jesus!"

  The little fox immediately stood up and charged at the plush robot.

  "HELP! NO! SOMEBODY HELP ME! THAT THING IS GOING TO SWALLOW ME ALIVE!" Poppandacorn started screaming.

  The little fox was licking the robot’s visor while wagging its tail.

  "Wow. That was a bit dramatic, Poppandacorn. You're embarrassing yourself," said Wwwyye.

  "I think he likes you, Poppandacorn," observed Astyam, spraying his nasal mist into his nose right after.

  "Forgive me, Director Popess Rock. Poppandacorn was a gift I received just a few days ago. Sometimes he behaves like this," explained Americ-Ana, turning red.

  Popess Rock raised her hand with a smile, gently stroked Americ-Ana’s head, and said:

  "Do not worry, child. The Poopghene robots were created by Novaxtraai. I know very well how they act and operate. But be aware that all Poopghene models are equipped with advanced intelligence to reflect the true personality and intentions of their owners."

  The director gave another smile and pretended to press a button on Americ-Ana's nose.

  "I will ask my son, Nome-Rocky, to escort you and show you the cell you will be sharing. Please rest well. Eat. And sleep peacefully. Tomorrow will be another great day. I am deeply proud of each one of you," Popess Rock concluded.

  Right after that, Popess Rock leaned on the angel Reiyel. He beat his great wings, and the two vanished as they flew across the hall.

  They heard a whistle coming from the other side of the ground floor of the Tree of Knowledge area.

  Seth was waving at them, signaling for them to follow.