2.14 The Original Glow Boy

        Torus roamed the halls of the Underworld after hours, making his routine check for irregularities, maintenance issues, unlocked doors and night owls. He trod with care; the dimly lit corridors of the Moha Lab were now a labyrinth of storage boxes, shelving units and renovation debris, floors hadn't been swept in days. He paused stopping outside the Processing Lab, a sort of Moha Lab version of the Engine Chamber; this was a neck of the woods where those night owls would flock. He unlocked the door and made his way through the cluttered mass of stacked lab furnishings to Adon's work table, an oasis of sanity amidst the insanity of disarray surrounding it. He scanned his desk and leafed through a few folders, checking his work load with an open eye for anomalies. The product logs were stacked neatly on the file cabinet, there were quite a few shipments in progress... He picked up a tablet and studied the data, Adon, Malodon's number one was number one for a reason; he was meticulous, all the products were neatly accounted for and clearly labelled, not an eyeball was missed.

         He put the tablet down and opened the organ dryer beside the storage room. Like a nest of golden eggs, a full batch of crystallized pineals were almost completely dried on the tray. He opened his bag and slid the contents inside, replaced the tray, closed the dryer and walked out of the lab, locking the door behind him.

         The rainbow lights that cast a gyroscopic strobe of light over the dance floor of the Green Serpent were cutting edge technology. Bright, like a vimana landing light they pulsated in time with the drum beats, energizing the sea of sweaty bodies, glistening, dancing to the seductive beat. Everyone loved the club lights, they were hypnotic, inspiring indulgence in so many ways. 

        Almost everyone enjoyed them. Nolan kept his head low as he squeezed through the crowds, he hated the Green Serpent more than ever now that he was a god, the dim and flashy lights were his only saving grace, they helped conceal his presence from unwanted groupies and fans. He stopped by the bar to grab a drink before navigating his way through the shadowy alcoves of the establishment, scanning the room for Josh, it didn’t take long to find him.

         "Hey, Josh" he sat down and slid a small leather pouch across the table towards his old Culloom friend. "How are the selections coming along?"

         "I’m getting better at it..." Josh glanced at the leather pouch. "What’s that?"

         "Soloha." Nolan scanned the crowd, quickly assessing the potential business in the room. "The new Fundraising Project. We only have a few nights to launch it, this is our only chance to do so before the Farewell Celebration and we want the Invites to arrive looking for it."

         Back in his office, Torus lit the oil lamps and stoked the fire. He emptied the contents of his bag onto the table and counted the soft plump nuggets, taking the time to admire each one, glistening so beautifully in the candle light. One by one, he placed them along the top of the generator exhaust, a warm spot for them to finish drying.

         He sat down at his desk to fill out security reports but was unable to concentrate on the task. His eyes were drawn to the Crystal Skull on his desk, as if it was begging him for attention. He reached across the desk and picked it up, thinking again about what Malodon had said. It bothered him that he didn't have a pineal gland, had Malodon deprived him on purpose? Why did they give him a Crystal Skull if he couldn't even use it? It troubled him, like his tongue, why was he so different? Why couldn’t it be openly discussed? Did other gods have secret deformities and anomalies too?

         He closed his eyes, trying to feel something from the Crystal Skull, but alas, he couldn't be sure if he felt something or if he just thought he did. Did everyone just think they did? Everyone could see that Glow Boy did...

         Annoyed, he placed the irritating rock down and reached for his flask, took a swig of Bloodwine and smoked a bowl of Soloha. But as he blew the smoke at the skull, pondering his imminent financial success, the Crystal Skull became fantastically attractive, through Soloha tainted eyes, it almost seemed to sparkle... As he stared at the Crystal Skull, something really was glimmering in the eyes...

         He put down the pipe and reached for the skull, clasped it in his hands, he could feel the energy now. Like a current charging through his veins he could feel the vibrations in his heart! The skull was glowing! He was doing it! He was accessing the energy just by looking at it! He DID possess the Serpent powers! But how could it be if he didn’t have a pineal gland? Perhaps he did have one! Malodon even said himself; how could anyone know for certain until they were dead?

         Mind blown by his new discovery, Torus leaned back in his chair, reeling, eyes now glued to the Crystal Skull. The eyes were still glowing, it wasn’t some wild Soloha illusion, but the illumination faded when he let his hands go... He was another Glow Boy... The Original Glow Boy!

        He let his eyes return to the fresh stash, drying on the exhaust duct, deep in thought. He would tell no one. No one could know what he knew now. Not even Malodon!