Chapter 5
Neberum.
----- It worries me that the venerable Cumus trusted you so easily and so quickly. ---- The Guardian said, separating from Zuhair and hovering in front of him like a ghostly cloud as soon as he entered the laboratory room in his mansion. Zuhair was silent, he also had this thought, but he did not pay attention to it, attributing everything to luck.
As soon as they left the pyramid palace, Zuhair, like Bilosh, turned around at the noise and saw the docking of a huge ship to the upper tier of the pyramid. This world amazed him. The representatives of this world were a technologically advanced race. Here, the power of the soul was combined with scientific progress, and they harmonized with each other. Most of the buildings and structures for various purposes were pyramid-shaped, erected with calculated precision for the docking of interstellar ships. Zuhair knew that there were also huge and small pyramids on Arat. All that remained of them now were the majestic foundations. After the chaos of the disaster on his home planet, almost everything was destroyed.
------ Has someone important arrived? ---- the guy asked Bilosh, looking at the ship. Bilosh, also looking up, replied:
------- A lot has happened in your long absence, Misak Sahib. We have finally begun the expansion of Taras.
And after a moment of silence, he continued:
------- This is the ship of the advisor of one of the five clans, judging by the light codes, it is more likely a ship of the Betaros clan.
The ship hung majestically in the air, touching its nose to the pyramid, giving the impression that it was a single monument, the shadow of which covered the entire area. Protective celestial shields in the form of filaments with energy streams dimmed before the rays of the orange solar disk. Bilosh said softly, seeing Zuhair's fascinated gaze:
------- You missed a lot, and in my humble opinion, your memory is also not the same.
And he added, quickly catching the guy's suspicious gaze on himself.:
------- I meant that many things seem new to the young sahib.
------- So enlighten me, my dear, about the latest changes in the clan and on the planet. ---- Zuhair said in a steely voice.
Bilosh, ignoring the young sahib's displeasure, began to speak:
We are changing the phase of the planet due to the landing of our people on the planet Taras. According to the latest information, our military clans are currently present there. After them, there will be representatives of the geneticist clans, as it always has been. I have heard rumors that there are huge deposits of arichalcum on Taras. So, the meeting of the five clans coincided perfectly with your miraculous recovery. At this gathering of clans, there are representatives who have high hopes for you.
------ What are you talking about? ----- Zuhair asked in surprise.
Bilosh was not surprised by the question and calmly began to explain:
------- Once upon a time, an agreement was concluded between our Manshur clan and one of the five clans, namely the Betaros clan. Since the ruling head of the Betaros clan has only one daughter, and in order to strengthen the alliance between the clans, you and this heiress had a marriage planned. But subsequent events, namely your illness, almost ruined these plans.
Mariage!.. Oh, my God! Zuhair was amazed at this coincidence and the absurdity of this fact. It was clearly out of place right now and was disrupting his plans. But he was a Misaka at the moment, and he had to act like a Misaka.
------ Do you know anything about the Betaros clan, Bilosh Sahib? Well, at least that's what I missed while I was unconscious. ----- Zuhair asked modestly and complacently.
------ You probably know that the Betaros clan distinguished itself on the planet Arat. And the head of this clan is in great favor with our deity Lanu.
Zuhair tensed up when he heard about Arat. Meanwhile, Bilosh continued, not paying attention to the guy's condition.:
------- I will tell you what you will be interested to know. They wanted to cancel your engagement with the heiress Paris, or rather, replay it with your brother Khufiyaz when you came down with an illness. But the head of Betaros refused, and very harshly, although the venerable Kismir Sahib, your uncle tried with all his might, as it were. to replace you with my son. And you know, interestingly, the beautiful Paris never got married, although there were many offers from highly respected and powerful families.
And Bilosh added further, looking at Zuhair with a sly smile.:
------"There must be something about you that she's waited so long." By the way, it was probably influenced by the fact that your father was a friend of the head of Betaros, the venerable Arsun.
After hearing about his father, something slowly boiled up inside Zuhair. A piece of Misaka's soul rippled in the sea of reason, despite the weak energy. Clearly, the words about his father gave an impulse, but Zuhair's memory was not filled with new scenes from Misaka's life.
Bilosh was not averse to chatting further, but Zuhair briefly said:
------ Thank you for the conversation and the information that is valuable to me, but it's time for me to retire, venerable Bilosh, and I hope for your understanding. Bilosh nodded and stayed at the archway, wrapped in ivy at the Misaka mansion, indicating that he would protect the young man's peace.
Zuhair moved on towards the separate building where his apartments were located. Climbing up the steps, ignoring the self-moving walkway, he entered a small hall with several branches. Falla came out to meet him. It could be seen how reserved she was in front of the young master, but she couldn't contain her joy at seeing him. In the old days, these rooms were crowded, but everything became empty with the disappearance of the parents, and later with the illness of the young man. After giving orders to Falla that he would not be disturbed, Zuhair decided to settle in the laboratory and talk privately with the Keeper. The laboratory consisted of a huge, bright hall with pressure chambers, separate enclosed compartments with fancy devices and a huge repository of valuable ingredients in the form of various liquids, crystals and strange materials of various shapes and conditions. In the huge refrigerator compartment there were various creatures, representatives of the animal world, and creatures from various planets. And many of them were in a state of suspended animation. In the very center of the hall there was a huge source of ether in the form of a ball bubbling and sparkling in a whirlpool. The permanent source was created by man. In the midst of the lab's work, ether was needed in incredible quantities. The wonders of genetic engineering were once created here. The personal laboratory of Misaka's parents. In general, the entire complex was built competently and mobile. So, being in any segment of the building, it was possible to live for a long time without leaving it. They didn't know what a kitchen was here. Most of the inhabitants were immortal, having lived for tens of thousands of years and did not eat in the traditional way, as on the planet Arat or other worlds. The nourishing energy was ether. Misak was also an immortal, in fact. Although judging by recent events, immortality might not save you from death. Zuhair gradually began to master a new life and a new body. There was also a separate room for meditation and experiments, where the young sahib went. Upon entering the room, he immediately set up an energy barrier using signs and spells so that no one could feel any aura or manifestation of foreign energy. Zuhair sat down on the pedestal in a meditation position and mentally summoned the Guardian.
After listening to the Guardian's disturbing thoughts, the guy thought about it and asked the question that had been tormenting him all day:
------- Venerable, are the Lanurians involved in the death of my planet? Is that right?
The guardian, hanging in the air, said thoughtfully:
------- I'm not sure if you're ready to hear the answer, but I give you my word that I'll give you an answer when the time comes.
Seeing Zuhair's indignation, the Guardian continued:
------- The answer is so bizarre that when you hear it, you will be confused. But now is not the time. Patience, my young friend. I can only say one thing, they are guilty and at the same time not. Now you have to concentrate on other work. You have a lot of difficult tasks and problems that need to be solved. First, take out that device that Cumus gave you.
Zuhair took out the amulet and released it. The amulet hung in the air and slowly rotated. The guardian released his majestic aura and began to scan the device, sending and pouring small amounts of his energy into it. At some point, the device burst into flames and abruptly went out, slowly rotating in the air.
------ And here are the answers to our questions. ----- The Guardian said in a satisfied tone and continued:
------"Venerable Cumus has invested some of his energy here to know your condition and your location.
------"Does he want to follow me?" After all, he doesn't trust me completely. ------ Zuhair decided thoughtfully.
------- This device can indeed hide an aura and even several auras. As for trust, I think it can be understood. But you must not lose your vigilance and you must be prepared for any outcome. For now, you, too, like Kumus, must keep your eyes open. Be careful. Now put it to your chest. Get ready and pour your energy into the device. Well, as long as my aura is in you, we can at least control it. ------- said the Guardian.
Zuhair gradually began to pour his energy into the amulet. The device warmed up and slowly grew half into the guy's chest. He felt a little pain, but he endured it until the process was over.
------"Don't worry, my young friend, the amulet is very useful, and it's under my control. If I wish, I can give Cumus false information about your condition and location.
And suddenly the Keeper became agitated and began to fly around the room, examining everything around him.
------"What happened, venerable one?" ---- Zuhair asked anxiously, also jumping up from his seat.
But the Guardian's behavior indicated that he was in some kind of joyful excitement, and soon he shouted to the guy, stopping over a huge slab in the corner of the hall.:
------- That's whose energy was suspiciously calling me. Come here, my young friend. Pay attention to this thing.
Zuhair walked over to the stove, which had a variety of different appliances. And among this cluster, he saw a neatly folded steel belt with strange-looking stones embedded in it. He picked up the belt and felt the weight. It was too heavy for a belt. After carefully examining it, he found four stones around the perimeter of the belt. He felt an incomprehensible energy coming from the stones.
-----"What is it, Guardian?" ------ the guy asked.
-----"Oh, my young friend, this is a very useful and very rare item. I was not mistaken about her. I immediately felt this belt as soon as we entered here. This, my friend, is a spatial vessel, and judging by the number of energy stones, it has four compartments.
Zuhair did not understand, but the purpose of this belt began to sink in. The Guardian continued:
------- This is a valuable invention and very useful. There are four spatial halls in each stone. It is not clear to me yet what the dimensions of these spaces are, but over time it will be possible to find out. Now you can take the whole lab with you and more. You can store anything here. This belt probably belonged to the venerable Cedar. I told you at the beginning of our meeting that Lanurians are subject to time and space. It's still a little early for you to control time, but you already have a little control over space. To legally own this belt, you need to pour your energy into it and the belt will obey only you. And no one else will be able to open and take the contents.
Zuhair put on a belt and, sitting in a pose, began to meditate, pouring his energy into this object. The results of the belt scan surprised him. In the huge spatial halls, it was possible not only to store soulless objects, but also living beings, while controlling the desired temperature. It was even possible to survive in an airless space here. Zuhair, with his studies, did not notice how time flew by. Suddenly, he felt Falla's aura at the entrance to the laboratory, signaled to the Keeper and removed the barrier. Sitting on the pedestal and without changing his position, he asked:
------- Is something wrong, Falla?
Falla came in slowly and noiselessly, bowed, and said:
------- Young Sir, the head of the Betaros clan, the venerable Arsun Sahib, has arrived to visit you. He's waiting in the great hall. What should I tell him, sir?
------- Thank you, Falla. I'll do it myself. ------ said Zuhair, quickly jumping to his feet and heading for the main hall.
He was surprised and discouraged by the arrival of the head of one of the great and powerful clans in his humble abode. Why was this visit necessary and what to expect from it? What is Arsun's attitude, hostile or friendly? With these thoughts, he reached the main hall. Entering the great hall. He immediately noticed a handsome middle-aged man with gray hair and beard. He was dressed modestly and tastefully. But no amount of clothing could hide his majestic bearing. He had a clear and direct gaze. Zuhair immediately felt sympathy for him. Arsun was not alone. There were two other people in his entourage, more like advisers, the guy thought. Not far away, Bilosh stood modestly. Coming closer, Zuhair bowed respectfully and, placing his palms on his chest, said:
------- Misak, son of Cedar, welcomes the head of Arsun Sahib to his humble home.
But before he could finish the last words, he felt strong hands on his shoulders and an excited low voice.:
------"My boy, I'm glad you're healthy and back on your feet. Let me see you. If Cedar had been here, he would have slapped me with all his might for not being able to look after his son. I've told Cumus many times that everything is not clean here. And he, the old... ----- Arsun waved his hand. Then he hugged Zuhair and whispered in his ear:
------"I think I know where your father is."