The ashes were weathered away from the
spot where the twelve met. Erosion and time swept away the memories of what occurred there, but the tale created, and the
thoughts of those who made them spread to the far corners of the globe. They heard the tale, some of the fortunate were there
to experience and write about it. Things they witnessed soon succumb to legend. But unlike most legend that passes on into
myth, this legend became nurtured by the twelve for as long as they had life left in them.
Succeeding to sway those in power the last of the twelve set into motion what
the rest had planned. They secured their seed into the future, and passing on with it a dark secret, a secret to the truth
of a legendary myth...
Hundreds of generations later, built on the solemn ground of the gathering met
on the one hundredth and sixty fifth day was a much more advanced building than the one burnt to the ground centuries ago.
Though the building was filled with modern day advancements, in design it was supremely primitive. A towering glass rectangle
with the interior sprinkled with uniform cubicles and even smaller square offices was all this place had to offer. It was
aesthetically pleasing only to the reflection painted on the glass windows.
Normally, the cubicles were quiet and those inside worked diligently. No complaints
and no fusses were made there, except for today. Today they had something to celebrate, and something to be proud of too.
They were all given the day off but decided to show up together anyway to unite in their accomplishments.
It was still quiet though, not a party normally associated with an event of
this magnitude. Everyone simply joined together to discuss their part to arrive at this day. This collective was strongly
bonded with the task they were about to complete. It wasn't work for them; it was about building a future, a safe future.
They would marvel at this accomplishment for centuries to come. Their names would be forever etched in time and glorified
as saviors. By the end of business, they were all about to make history.
The exception to this mass of conformity lie in the main office oddly placed
in the center of the structure on the twenty second floor. And contained within that office is centuries of planning soon
to realize the final stage in the ultimate plan. Running this revolutionary ideal is Walter Vakks, the last link to the lineage
of the twelve through blood and tale.
Due to unexpected misfortunes through centuries of secrecy, Walter Vakks wound
up inheriting the last five hundred years of planning to get to this day. What came with that inheritance was the knowledge
of how it came to be as well. Everyone around him is convinced the tale is unquestionable truth, but Walter knew different.
Everyone saw Walter as the highest authority on the fable, but Walter knew better and it was for the better, that he was the
only one that knew.
His office stands apart from the rest paved in pale blue and other blue extracts.
Instead, he surrounds himself in iconic figurines adorned in the guises of a belief structure he's helped continue. Aside
from those are illustrious tapestries hung from the wall bordering a large window to the outside. Though, there are windows
all around him, he keeps them covered with silk curtains strung with golden fibers. He has but one desk, the only structure
that provides use. It contains all of his valuables and important documents that only come out to be stamped, signed, and
copied. Lastly, he has a large book only he has read. He skims through it now and then to remind himself why he continues
this charade.
Carrying the burden of thousands of years of secrets, Walter Vakk's only interest
is in the previous five hundred.
Five hundred years, that's what it’s come down to. Sitting in his office,
marveling at the thought, Walter cannot believe he's the one to see it end. What's more is he gets to see the future begin.
The seed was planted, laid out for him, grown from those who spent their time watering it, and now built by those dedicated
most.
"The Dome of Equality."
"So, you've finally decided on a name sir?" Mrs. Vickrham, Walter's secretary
said.
"Yes, that's a perfect name..." Walter stands in his office surveying the completion
of the construction.
Outside are men on scaffolding carrying large power tools putting the final
touches on the last panel that will cover all natural light. The dome itself has been built to produce a newly developed technology
called "Sun-Lighting" that mimics the radiance and nutrients provided by the real sun. Ironically enough, all of that is run
on solar power.
Mrs. Vickrham stands proudly next to the charismatic Walter Vakks. He's done
so much in his life she awes at the thought of his experiences. She looks up to him like most do to their fathers or mothers.
He personally hired her himself. She had no prior experience before this and he took her in. It maddened her to this day how
much confidence he had in her with absolutely no idea what to expect from her. Eleven years later and next to Walter is where
she remains, and where she'll always want to be.
His white robe shown brightly against the light of the window, though his dimly
lit office from the candlelight assisted that.
Looking into his old gray eyes, Mrs. Vickrham could feel he felt an immeasurable
sense of accomplishment.
"Finally sir, we'll have a world that 'HE' will be proud of."
Walter started to laugh but held it in at the ill informed dialog of his dimwitted
yet dependable secretary. "This world you long for won't be completed until centuries after you and I are dead and gone."
Mrs. Vickrham became startled by the comment. Rushing to his side by the window
she stared out wondering if something had gone wrong. Everything was still in order and on track. "But sir, the construction
is nearly-"
"-Yes, five hundred years of construction has met its final day," Walter exclaims
with his arms opened up toward the structure. Turning quickly to Mrs. Vickrham he continued, "But a large dome isn't going
to contain the immorality that has already spread."
Mrs. Vickrham began to get angry. "But sir! That goes against...against!" Shaking
the large book clutched in her hand wildly in the face of Walter, Mrs. Vickrham lost her temper.
Walter swiped the book from her hand, "Against this?"
She nodded vehemently, "Yes, it says all those confined within the structure
under 'HIS' grace are all 'HIS' people prepared to renew the world from its evil past."
Walter Vaaks, a man renowned for keeping a level head and his priorities in
order couldn't contain himself. Perhaps it was all the years he's watched people spin a highly sacred and revered tale to
whatever they pleased and accepted it as truth while knowing full well where and how it all came to be. It was the biggest
inside joke of all time and he had no one to share it with. Putting on this charade, Walter often felt alone in the world
unable to share his knowledge. But he knew why he couldn't. It would cripple his society and ruin centuries of planning. But
he finally gave in, and let it off his chest. He had nothing to lose now.
So, he chose Mrs. Vickrham to share all of his secrets with. Not by a well thought
out decision or preference, but by proximity.
"Sir, what's wrong?" Mrs. Vickrham said worried by the long stare and silence
from Walter.
"Nothing, that's what's so funny. No one sees anything wrong with any of this,
no one that matters anyway." He went back to his desk to sit down after feeling rather light headed.
"Why should they, this is 'HIS' divine will." Mrs. Vickrham said almost biting
her lip.
"You really believe that? That astounds me." Walter sets down the book he took
from his secretary and pulls out his own book from his desk. This book is much different than that of Mrs. Vickrham's, much
smaller. Her book is the most popular text in the world while his is a one of a kind. He turns a few pages not really reading
it, "The passage you gave me about the structure being built for the chosen people, when do you think that was written?" Walter
leaned back with the book and began flipping through the pages. Kicking up his feet on the desk he lowered the book from his
face and raised his brow tempting her to answer him.
Staring into the front cover of her own book, Mrs. Vickrham couldn’t find
her answer. "Dates and times are not important. What’s important is that it is written."
Walter sneers at Vickrham dogging the question. "So, factual evidence isn’t
important?" She nods in agreement. "Well, what if I told you that particular passage was written around six hundred years
ago. It gave one hundred years for people to forget it was added so my ancestors could sway the populace in building this
structure," Walter said with an air of sarcasm.
"You’re playing with me aren’t you Walter?" she said with an unsure
smile. "This is just some kind of test of my obedience. Don’t knock yourself out trying Walter, I’m as faithful
as they come."
Walter began to laugh, "I know, isn’t it hilarious?"
"What sir?"
"How can you be so sure? How can you go through life believing whatever comes
out of these pages? Is it fear?"
The candle-light flickered over Walter’s face making it appear misshapen
and distorted. From Mrs. Vickrham’s distance, Walter didn’t look like the sweet old man that brought her into
his loving and caring world. He was transforming before her eyes, something she didn’t understand, maybe something she
couldn’t understand. She began realizing the words Walter was speaking. Normally taking everything that came out his
mouth as unquestionable truth, she was now hearing his words for the first time. And for the first time she found herself
defending what she believed not for the betterment of Walter, but for her.
"It’s faith." Her words weren’t as profound as before.
Walter could sense a change within her.
"Ah, yes faith. Let me tell you a little story about that word
Mrs. Vickrham. An ancestor of mine from hundreds of thousands of years ago met with the King of that time in England. He was
a bright King to be sure, not the gene pool of a mess they once were before him. My ancestor’s goal however, was to
get the King to make a certain belief official throughout the land. Why make believers out of commoners when you can go after
the King himself right? This wise King, after hearing the tale of my ancestor begged an interesting question. The King wondered
how my ancestor could have such strong feelings for a being that could not be seen.
"Responding to
many strange questions, this was one he had not dealt with from the commoners. Quickly, he devised an answer. He told the
King it was faith. Explaining this word as unquestioned belief in his divine lord, the King was stunned to hear such devotion.
"Maybe it was for political reasons; maybe it was because he too believed my
ancestor; but in any event those beliefs became the standard of that time, and time ever since. You sway those in power, those
in power sway history and the path it takes."
Mrs. Vickrham was infatuated with the tale, but she didn’t take it the
way Walter had intended. "That’s an amazing story Walter, I’m surprised you’ve never told it in a service."
Frustrated, Walter stands from his chair pushing his book off the desk sending
it airborne at Mrs. Vickrham. The book loses its flight, and falls to her feet making a crashing sound echoing through the
office.
"Don’t
you get the point? My ancestor didn’t believe in the garbage he fed the King. The point is my ancestor knew that he
could be an advisor to the King and take a respectable place in social hierarchy. With the following he had generated earlier,
there would be no stopping my ancestor’s line. Look where I am today Mrs. Vickrham! I oversee the masses set on building
a land to ensure my line forever remains in absolute power."
Mrs. Vickrham began to sob. Her world as she knew it was being stripped bare
from the one man she looked to for guidance. Standing there behind his desk, Vickrham finally saw him for what he was. A withering
old man bent on control, not of renewal. The dream of creating a peaceful land was slipping away from her. All she could see
now was corruption in the one place she found solace in. That plague took the form of a man dressed in white, blinded with
power. And it wasn’t just him, he grew up with these notions of dominance through the history of his family.
Mrs. Vickrham broke her trance realizing the entire history of the book she
clutched in her arms was tainted by a family who sought to control the history of man by playing to their hearts and minds;
worse, they’re souls. Dropping her book beside Walter’s still lying in front of her, she spoke but two words,
"Why me?"
Brushing aside what little hair he had, "It had to be someone. I was driving
myself insane with this secret. I don’t know how my family has done it. But it doesn’t matter anyway. In a few
minutes, I’ll be addressing the public to further coax their fears about war, and bring them hope for the future."
Openly crying, Mrs. Vickrham poses a question to Walter, "This is just for power,
for control?"
Walter stands next to Mrs. Vickrham. In a soothing voice he tries to console
her a bit, "Oddly enough, no. It’s about belief still, just not what it should be. The belief I’m working towards
is the truth. It is a truth no one would ever believe."
"What Walter,
what is the truth?"
Walter was about to speak when his office door abruptly opened. A man dressed
in a long black robe with a tall dark hat enters to get Walter. "Your Excellency, they’re waiting for you."
"Thank you, I’ll
be right behind you," Walter responds. The dark robed man turns away, and leaves the door open.
Looking back to Mrs. Vickrham, Walter wants to continue his conversation with
her. He realizes he has said too much, and pats her on the shoulder instead. "I’m sorry for what I’ve done Mrs.
Vickrham, I didn’t intend to take it that far. It was just so liberating I had to continue."
Walter leaves his office to a helpless Mrs. Vickrham. She catches him before
he exits entirely. "Wait, what about the truth?"
Not looking back at her Walter responds, "You’ll find out in the centuries
to come my dear. Now is not the time. Go and live your life out in this dome where it’s safe. Don’t repeat anything
that was said here today, for your own safety.
Mrs. Vickrham understood, and Walter left. She bent down to get her book. Without
really looking, she grabbed it and took off never once looking back at the building she poured so many of her years into.
Halfway home, she realized the book she was carrying was a little lighter than
she remembered…
The newly named Dome of Equality stood silent as his Excellency Walter Vakks
made his way out onto the balcony of his building. Everyone had gathered to hear him speak. The streets were lined with people
ready to witness history. Walter was about to chime in a new era of peace secluded from the harsh world outside predicted
to end itself in a matter of decades. Some would say only the lucky were chosen to be a part of the society that will be raised
on ethics and morality. Others would laugh it off and live their lives outside of the confined walls that spanned nearly four
hundred miles in diameter.
Walter watched over his people from his perch and awaited the proper moment.
A single worker hung idle atop the dome giving Walter the thumbs up to begin his speech.
"I, Walter Vakks, humbly welcome all of you here today. Thank you
for coming and joining me in this vision of peace. We are to embark on a great adventure together. We will travel through
time and space together, instead of feuding together. Look to your left and look to your right. Look all around you and see
the faces of many that have come to offer peace and prosperity.
"Now look high above. The last ray of pure sunlight will be covered
up by our hope for a new light to shine upon us all." The worker slid the last panel over the hole blocking out the sun forever
in the Dome of Equality. The lights went out, and everyone was shrouded in darkness. The Dome’s lights soon buzzed on
with a mild hum over the crowd. They cheered at the sight of it.
"These lights
shine anew," Walter continued, "over all who sought them out. We stand together for a new beginning. Let not the trivial matters
of life separate us, instead let them bind us closer together. Our politics, our morals, our race, our faith, and our beliefs
will no longer be points of conflict; instead they will be points of community!"
Everyone cheered the words of Walter Vakks. He watched their mindless faces
smiling with joy. Some were brought to tears, others embraced strangers as brothers, but all of them were under his control.
It sickened him. It was demeaning to the human race. But what did he care, he was done carving his future anyway.
A boy no older than ten came up behind Walter and was brought to the forefront
of the crowd. Walter showcased the small blonde child donning a deep sapphire robe emblazoned with rich golden designs similar
to Walter’s.
The appearance of the boy silenced the crowd allowing Walter to continue. "This
is why we’re here today. Children are the most important part of this society. We built it sure, but they have to maintain
it. And with proper guidance they will. I give you my son, Donald Vakks soon to replace me in the years to come. May you look
at him as fondly as you do me, for it is I who will live on through him." Walter’s tone suddenly changed though no one
took notice. He came off cynical with his final words. "I will teach him all that I know, for that is the way of things. People
only know what is passed onto them barring any interference from evil outside influence. That is why we’re here, to
keep the outside…out."
Walter pats his son on the back and waves to the crowd. Donald, with his pale
blue eyes looks up to his father looking back at him, and smiles.