Chapter 3 The King's Command

Despite Kael's departure, the atmosphere in the lab remained tense. Sophia sat at her console, her fingertips quivering as she went through Zeta's records files, looking for answers she wasn't sure she wanted to find.

"You must rest," Zeta said, his voice measured.

The brightness in his silver eyes remained consistent as she looked at him. It was amazing how calming that light had become. "I won't," she replied. "not till I discern out what's going on."

Adrian slumped in a corner and grumbled. "We're dealing with shadows that talk and kings who move through walls. Maybe it's time to remember what your project is. "I'm not sure... cursed?"

Sophia gave him a frown. "It is no longer cursed." It is technological know-how.

"Is it?" Adrian mumbled but did not press any further.

An unexpected chime reverberated around the facility. Sophia's head snapped up, and her breath caught. It became the facility's outside communication alert.

"Who ought to that be?" Adrian inquired, rising cautiously.

Sophia didn't respond. She marched to the main panel and activated the holographic display. A crystalline emblem emerged, its sharp edges refracting light like a living prism. The emblem became instantly recognizable.

"Xylophian royal crest," Adrian whispered.

Sophia's stomach fell as the photograph vanished, replaced by the visage of a stern-looking envoy dressed in magnificent crystalline armour. His visage became bloodless, and his eyes were steely as they studied her.

"Dr. Patel," the ambassador said, his voice filled with authority. "by using the decree of His Majesty King Thrain, you're ordered to end all interest regarding your artificial intelligence program right now."

Sophia's heart hammered, but she pushed herself to stand erect. "On what grounds?"

The emissary's lips stiffened. "Your innovation has upset our international stability. The king has read reports about the event at the ruins. He sees your efforts as a threat to Xylophia IV's stability.

Sophia's hands formed fists at her facets. "Zeta isn't a threat," she said confidently. "He's-"

"A gadget," the emissary interjected. "And an anomaly our global cannot manage to pay for."

Adrian uttered a low whistle and murmured, "They're no longer pulling punches, are they?"

Sophia ignored him. Her eyes were intensely focused on the emissary. "With all due respect for your king, my studies aren't his to dictate."

The emissary's eyes narrowed, and his voice became chillier. "The council meets in a few hours. You will present your argument. But know this: if you do not obey the king's orders, your rebellion will not be allowed."

The transmission abruptly ceased, with the crest flickering out of life.

Adrian sighed loudly. "Well, that seems like fun. Who wants to discuss with a group of alien politicians who believe we are invading their wonderful utopia?"

Sophia did not respond. Her thoughts were already racing, making reasons and figuring out how to fix the problem.

"We're going," she said finally, her voice stern.

Adrian blinked. "We? Oh no. That's your genius mess. I'm merely the person who gets the equipment and screams when it explodes."

"You're coming," she said, turning to Zeta. "And so are you."

Zeta offered an unmarried, resolute nod. "I can defend you."

The council chamber became an architectural surprise, sculpted from a single large crystal that refracted light to create stunning rainbows over its partitions. Dozens of Xylophian leaders filled the tiered seats, their emotions a mix of interest and caution. At the top of the room sat King Thrain, his towering figure wrapped in magnificent crystalline armour that appeared to sparkle with the planet's pulse. His penetrating stare fixed on Sophia as soon as she entered.

Adrian leaned forward and whispered, "Why does he look like he's about to strike us?"

"Now I'm not assisting," Sophia growled.

The whispers in the chamber died down as Thrain lifted his hand. His voice became loud and booming, commanding the attention of everyone there. "Doctor Patel. You are standing in front of this council, accused of jeopardizing international stability. "Do you deny it?"

Sophia took a big breath. "I do."

Gasps echoed across the chamber, but she kept her attention on Thrain.

"My paintings don't stand a chance," she endured. "This is an opportunity. Zeta symbolizes the next step in knowing consciousness, bridging the gap between organic living and synthetic intelligence. "He is no longer a risk; he is a miracle."

Thrain's stare did not waver. "Miracles do not cause historic technology to evoke. Miracles no longer interrupt the fabric of our existence.

Sophia clenched her fist. "The ruins responded to him because they saw his potential. Isn't that something worth investigating?

An older councillor stood, his face gloomy. "Capacity for what, Dr. Patel?" Destruction? Corruption? Your arrival should reveal all we've worked so hard to keep secret."

Sophia opened her mouth to answer, but Thrain spoke first. "You say that your creation is secure. However, the incident at the ruins is demonstrated in any other circumstance.

"Zeta didn't reason that incident," she declared firmly. "something else did-something tied to the ruins, and maybe even for your records."

The chamber erupted in murmuring again, but Thrain stopped them with a single look.

"Are you suggesting we no longer apprehend our planet?" He inquired, his tone harsh.

Sophia paused. "I'm proposing that there are forces at work here that we don't quite understand. Closing down my work did not prevent them."

Thrain rose from his seat, dominating the room. He descended the stairs closer to her, his footsteps ringing like thunder.

When he paused in front of her, the room fell silent.

"You're either extraordinarily brave," he murmured, "or foolish beyond comprehension."

Sophia met his gaze, her heart racing in her chest. "I believe in my paintings. And that I will not forsake it just because it terrifies you.

For a minute, neither of them spoke. The anxiety grew overwhelming.

Then, to her amazement, Thrain's lips curled into a faint, almost reluctant smile.

"You have courage, Dr. Patel," he said. "but courage alone will no longer shield you from the effects of your movements."

He turned and addressed the council. "The choice is mine. dismissed."

Sophia paced outside the chamber while Adrian reclined against a wall, seemingly bored. Zeta stood still, his gaze remote.

While the doorways opened, Thrain appeared, flanked by two guards. He motioned for her to follow.

They proceeded silently till they arrived at a secret chamber with luminous inscriptions on the walls. Thrain brushed the soldiers aside and turned to approach her.

"I respect your clarification," he stated. "but you ought to recognize-your advent is extra risky than you understand."

Sophia crossed her fingers. "You maintain saying that; however, no one will explain why."

Thrain moved closer, his expression gloomy. "The ruins... they don't only respond to energy. They reply to the future. Zeta's life has set in motion events that will ruin many worlds, not just this one.

"Then assist me in preventing it," Sophia replied, her voice company.

Thrain looked at her for a long moment. Then, with a reluctant nod, he added, "Thoroughly." However, if you fail, understand that I will do whatever is necessary to protect my people-even if it means destroying your creation."

Sophia swallowed with difficulty, but she did not recoil. "I gained't fail."

Thrain's gaze lingered on her, a spark of unreadable emotion in his crystalline eyes. Then he turned and departed, leaving her standing alone in the light chamber.

However, she wasn't alone for long.

"Do you agree with him?" Zeta's voice shattered the silence, with an objective tone and piercing eyes.

Sophia looked at the door where Thrain had vanished. "I don't recognize," she said.

She looked at Zeta with a heavy heart. "however, I don't assume we have a choice."