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Chapter 2
Rebels
As Connie's feet found the centre of the room, the atmosphere subtly shifted. Col had flown off with Skylark, reassuring her that he would stay close and return when her meeting with the Trustees had ended. It was just the Universal and the eight leaders of the Society, in their various points of the compass, in the room.
Since she had defeated Kullervo, Connie's presence made a noticeable impact on her surroundings when she was with beings as powerful as the Trustees. All mythical creatures indentified the change, but few were powerful enough to locate the source. The Trustees, more aware of the world than most, could easily sense it; both the mythical creatures and the humans felt drawn to her, hanging on her every emotion.
Effortlessly, without waiting to be asked, Connie extended the tendrils of her awareness to the others in the room. As they fell into the ocean of her mind, she smoothly created shining islands for them.
Momentarily stunned by the sudden transition from the real world to Connie's mind, the Trustees said nothing as the Universal skilfully constructed an image of herself in the middle of her awareness.
Kinga broke the silence.
"Universal," she greeted her. "You are no doubt wondering why we have summoned you here without prior notice."
Connie waited expectantly for an explanation, but none came. It appeared the Trustees were waiting for a response.
"So...? Why?" she prompted.
Kira took over from Kinga as spokesperson.
"What happened the night you killed Kullervo?" she asked abruptly.
Connie's heart sank, despair settling over it in a thick cloud. They knew. She realised now that it was a bad idea to hide her secret for so long – now she had lied to them for the last six months, they were going to distrust her even more.
As panic slowly began to overwhelm Connie, the Trustees could sense the turmoil building in her mind. Seeing this, the Universal struggled to regain her composure; she didn't yet know for sure if her shape-shifting ability had been exposed.
"Why?" Connie enquired hesitantly, echoing her earlier question. She would allow the Trustees to explain before she jumped to any more conclusions.
The Trustees paused, wondering at the unexplained agitation they had felt in the Universal's thoughts, but dismissed it for the time. Instead, Kinga chose to explain.
"Despite Kullervo's apparent defeat, rebellions have once again risen among the mythical creatures against humans and the Society. You must understand why we are curious as to whether Kullervo was truly overcome or not – you never did fully explain to us what happened that night."
So that was it. Relief washed through Connie, only to be abruptly dispelled as she fully appreciated the gravity of the situation.
"Kullervo is gone." She responded firmly to the Trustees' doubtful thoughts. At least, she added silently, gone in the sense that you mean. Fractions of his personality were still there, a part of her, but the shape-shifter himself no longer existed. Connie's judgement had been final, the night she had vanquished Kullervo; his exile was permanent.
The human leaders of the Society exchanged uncertain glances, but the mythical creatures seemed convinced; they found it much harder than their Companions to distrust the Universal's words.
"That is both comforting and disturbing to hear," muttered Eagle-Child. Seeing the others' querying looks, he then went on to explain in a stronger voice. "Naturally, it is good that the shape-shifter is not free to wreak havoc on the world once again. However, this means that, somewhere, there is someone who sympathises with Kullervo's old ways and has decided to replace him in his fight against humanity. As this new person, or creature, remains unknown to us, they could easily be as powerful as Kullervo was, if not more so."
Kinga shook her head. "The shape-shifter was exceptionally powerful. It is much more likely that this impersonator is weaker than Kullervo was."
"The element of mystery is enough to make them a formidable foe," Eagle-Child disagreed. Both Trustees seemed prepared to launch into a heated discussion over the matter; however, before this could happen, Morjik unexpectedly intervened.
"Is it possible that the rebels could be the remains of the shape-shifters forces, acting of their own accord?" The room – or rather, Connie's mind – fell silent at this, a contemplative mood settling over it as each of the Trustees considered this possibility.
"I don't think so," Mr Chan, who had been quiet throughout the whole meeting up till then, finally spoke. "The attacks have been too organised. There must be someone who's making the tactical decisions for them; someone who's leading them."
As one, Connie felt the Trustees dismiss the idea of the rebels working independently. It seemed that they actually were dealing with a second Kullervo, though how strong remained to be seen.
However, something else was bothering Connie; surely they hadn't just called her to confirm that she had, indeed, killed Kullervo? There had to be something else.
"So, why did you send for me?" enquired the Universal, startling the Trustees out of their individual thoughts.
Remembering the real reason they had called Connie, the Trustees, unsure of how she would react, silently debated over who would tell her. They all recalled painfully clearly what it felt like to be ejected roughly from the Universal's mind, and they had no intention of this happening again.
"Well," began Kira hesitantly, "it has become apparent that a new Kullervo has risen, and it would seem that they have the same aims as the original. I must admit, I think each of us already suspected as much. In light of this, we thought it best if you took up your place as leader of the company of the Universals and, consequently, the Society."
She looked cautiously at Connie, hoping, from the smoothness of their earlier transition into her mind, the Universal would be able to control herself enough to remove them in a similar fashion.
The Trustees winced as Connie threw them from her thoughts.