In the West Tribes’ main underground city, Frank was in an office on his computer editing a script for his musical. Flint entered the office to speak with Frank.
‘I see you still have your script,’ said Flint. ‘All is not lost.’
‘I backed everything up,’ replied Frank as he looked across at Flint. ‘I’m not a fool.’
‘You’re definitely not a fool,’ said Flint as he leaned against the office wall. ‘That’s why I want to speak to you.’
‘Seeking advice from Frank, it’s always the same,’ sighed Frank as he looked at his computer screen.
‘Do you consider Shamia a good leader?’ asked Flint.
‘She’s weak, indecisive, and incompetent,’ replied Frank. ‘I have to bail her out every time.’
‘Would you agree that it might be time for her to be replaced?’ asked Flint.
‘A violent coup could really spice up Act Five,’ replied Frank enthusiastically.
‘Oh no,’ said Flint. ‘I was thinking about an election.’
‘An election!’ exclaimed Frank as he dramatically swung his arms around. ‘That’ll destroy the flow. You know nothing about the arts.’
‘I mean an actual election,’ said Flint. ‘Shamia is leading us down a dangerous path. We need someone strong and stable.’
‘I don’t think so,’ replied Frank. ‘I’m happy with the current arrangement. Now leave me alone. You’re frustrating my creative process.’
‘If you’re not going to help, I’ll just have to take the Sape by the horns,’ said Flint in frustration as he turned to leave.
A look of excitement came over Frank’s face as he quickly began to jot down notes.
A short while later, Flint entered Shamia’s office. Shamia was sitting behind her desk with her arms folded.
‘You don’t have to say a word,’ said Shamia as she held her hands out with her palms facing Flint. ‘Frank called me and has told me everything.’
‘I mean no offence,’ said Flint. ‘You’ve done well over the years. It’s just that we’re at a critical point.’
‘I know,’ said Shamia. ‘That’s why you’ve decided to leave us and live on the surface.’
‘Wait, what?’ asked Flint, sounding confused.
‘Frank told me you wanted to fulfil your childhood dream of wrestling with horned Sapes,’ said Shamia.
‘I think maybe he misunderstood me,’ said Flint.
‘I’m disappointed, but I can’t stop you,’ said Shamia. ‘The surface is now an option. Nobody should be held back.’
‘It’s not at all like that,’ said Flint, shaking his head.
‘I was planning on stepping down, but I can’t do that now,’ said Shamia. ‘You were the only one who could possibly fill my shoes.’
Flint’s mouth dropped wide open.
Shamia’s computer began to buzz. ‘Oh great!’ she said in joy as she clapped her hands. ‘Orcilla’s calling.’
Shamia pressed the button to receive the call.
‘Hello Orcilla, it’s lovely to hear from you again,’ said Shamia in a joyous tone. Flint walked around the desk behind Shamia so that Orcilla could see him.
‘I hope everyone is doing well,’ said Orcilla.
‘We’re doing great,’ replied Shamia. ‘Now that our power is fully restored, we’re almost back to normal. Well, we’ve still lost our lovely theatre.’
A frustrated groan could be heard in the room. Flint’s eyes shifted from side to side.
‘We still haven’t been able to make contact with Angelo,’ said Orcilla. ‘Cecil and his enforcers managed to capture Julio. We were able to get him back, but I fear for what they might have done to the city and those living in it.’
‘Oh dear,’ said Shamia. ‘They should have their power back now. It sounds very bad.’
‘Do you think you could help make contact with them?’ asked Orcilla.
‘Yes, of course,’ said Shamia. ‘Flint is very eager to travel.’
‘I’d like to help in whatever way I can, especially after what happened,’ said Flint.
‘Thank you, Flint,’ said Orcilla. ‘I think we can let bygones be bygones.’
‘Thank you for understanding,’ replied Flint, nodding.
‘Brilliant!’ said Shamia as she looked at Flint. ‘Now off you go. No time to waste.’
‘I suggest you bring with you a reasonably large group,’ said Orcilla. ‘You need to be careful.’
‘Don’t worry, Flint is a big boy,’ chuckled Shamia. ‘Flint can take care of himself.’
‘I’ll organise everything,’ said Flint, nodding calmly.
‘Great!’ said Shamia as she waved her fingers at Flint. ‘Now shoo!’
Flint shook his head and walked away.
‘So everything is fine, right?’ asked Orcilla.
‘It couldn’t be better,’ said Shamia. ‘I’m firmly in control.’
‘Great to hear,’ said Orcilla. ‘Contact me as soon as you find out anything.’
Shamia held her thumb up and smiled. The call ended.
Flint had walked out onto the balcony. He looked through the window of Shamia’s office. To his annoyance, he could see Shamia and Frank energetically dancing together.
‘Unbelievable,’ he said to himself as he turned and left.
‘Oh Frank, what would I do without you?’ chuckled Shamia as she danced.
‘Absolutely nothing,’ chuckled Frank as he danced along with her.
In the Downs Region, the imperial guards had escorted Lily up to Miro’s apartment. Miro was sitting in an armchair in his lounge. The imperial guards forced Lily to sit down in a chair opposite him. Head Enforcer stood behind Lily.
‘I’ve brought you here because circumstances have dramatically changed,’ said Miro. ‘Emperor Tiberius has been placed under arrest.’
‘You’ve finally realised he’s a fraud,’ chuckled Lily. ‘Bravo, looks like you might be more intelligent than a potted plant.’
Head Enforcer raised his hand to smack Lily over the head. Miro responded by raising his hand to signal for him not to do that. Head Enforcer frowned and then lowered his hand.
‘If we find Tiberius guilty of identity theft, your sentence will be reviewed,’ said Miro.
‘He’s done a hell of a lot more than identity theft,’ said Lily aggressively. ‘He’s a mass murderer.’
‘If we find Tiberius guilty of identity theft, we will investigate these other lesser crimes,’ replied Miro, nodding.
‘You disgust me,’ said Lily, shaking her head.
‘I would not expect you to understand,’ sighed Miro. ‘You’re not of good breeding.’
‘Who is to determine his guilt?’ snapped Lily aggressively
‘The five remaining members of the executive council, of course,’ chuckled Miro as he looked up at Head Enforcer.
‘The executive council he hand-picked!’ said Lily as she rolled her eyes. ‘How stupid are you?’
‘I know what I am doing,’ replied Miro, leaning forward slightly. ‘You should prepare yourself. I am very confident you will be called before the council as a witness. What you say will impact our review of your sentence.’
‘That’s really put me at ease,’ chuckled Lily.
‘That’s all I have to say for now,’ said Miro. ‘You may continue your sentence until the executive council officially convenes for this trial.’
Head Enforcer began to snigger.
‘According to the Head Enforcer’s official record, you’ve been sentenced to a lifetime of tender loving care,’ said Miro, frowning. ‘I find this an unusual sentence for treason, but it will have to remain for now.’ Miro looked up at Head Enforcer and said, ‘Take her to the hotel spa.’
‘There has been a misunderstanding,’ said Head Enforcer as he stared at Miro in disbelief.
‘Well, that’s obvious,’ said Miro angrily. ‘Right now there’s not much I can do about it until we have an official review.’
Head Enforcer yanked Lily from her chair.
‘Please, treat her in accordance with her sentence,’ said Miro angrily as he stared at Head Enforcer.
‘While I’m at the spa, I’m going to make a list of what I consider tender loving care, Neanderthal boy,’ said Lily to Head Enforcer as he gently escorted her to the apartment door.
‘This is all very strange,’ said Miro to himself as he watched Lily and Head Enforcer leave.
That evening, Flint and a team of guards reached the cult’s underground city. They were met with a cold, eerie silence and an overwhelming stench.
‘Oh, oh my,’ gagged Flint as he looked at his guards, who were also gagging.
They entered the main city area. The bodies had been removed, but the streets were stained red from the blood.
‘A most terrible crime has been committed here,’ said Flint, who had now pulled his collar over his nose in an attempt to block the stench. ‘I’ll search the High Temple. You two will join me,’ he said to two guards. ‘The rest of you will look for survivors.’
They entered the High Temple. Angelo was standing in the first room. He was wearing a black robe with a hood that covered his head and most of his face. The room was filled with a powerful and dark aura that was difficult to comprehend.
‘High Philosopher, is that you?’ asked Flint, shuddering slightly.
Angelo tilted his head back to reveal his face. ‘What news do you bring me?’ asked Angelo in response.
‘Oh yes, news, of course,’ stuttered Flint. ‘Your followers achieved a great victory against the Empire. The enforcers were forced to retreat to the Downs Region.’
‘A victory you had no part in,’ said Angelo as he walked towards Flint.
‘That’s right,’ replied Flint nervously as he stepped backwards. ‘Our command centre was infiltrated. I’m really so sorry.’
Angelo rapidly glided towards Flint, causing him to fall to the ground. ‘I’ll grant you the opportunity to redeem yourself,’ said Angelo as he looked down at Flint, who was quivering in fear.
‘Thank you for your understanding,’ said Flint as he slid backwards out of the door.
‘We’ve found survivors!’ shouted a voice from the city.
‘I can organise an evacuation for all your followers,’ said Flint as he got back up on his feet.
‘This temple is no longer sacred,’ said Angelo as he looked around the room. ‘It has been defiled by demons.’
Flint ran back to his vehicle, turned on his computer, and then called Shamia.
‘Hello, Flint,’ replied Shamia. She was sitting on her sofa wearing a flowery onesie. ‘A little after office hours. I assume this must be a personal call.’
‘No, it’s an emergency,’ said Flint, panting slightly. ‘It’s disgusting what’s happened here.’
‘Did they burn their theatre down too?’ shouted Frank, who was sitting next to Shamia on the sofa.
‘No!’ shouted Flint. ‘They massacred almost everyone here.’
‘Oh no, that’s terrible,’ said Shamia as she diverted her eyes away from the screen.
‘There are some survivors,’ said Flint in a calmer tone. ‘I want to bring them here.’
‘I’d be happy to accommodate them,’ said Shamia.
‘You should ask them if they have any experience in the arts,’ added Frank.
‘Frank, don’t be insensitive,’ said Shamia sharply.
‘How dare you!’ exclaimed Frank as he dramatically placed the back of his hand on his forehead. ‘I’m offended by the slightest thing.’
‘I will instruct the guards to usher them to our vehicles,’ replied Flint.
‘Yes, good idea,’ said Shamia.
‘I’m deeply concerned about Angelo,’ sighed Flint. ‘All of this seems to have changed him in a deeply disturbing way.’
The call abruptly cut out.
‘Oh Frank, this is all so terrible,’ said Shamia as she tilted her head to look at Frank, who was watching a recording of one of the rehearsals of his play on Shamia’s television.
‘Just a few tweaks away from perfection,’ remarked Frank as he raised his eyebrows.
‘I should inform Orcilla,’ sighed Shamia as she rubbed Frank’s knee. ‘This isn’t going to be easy.’
‘Okay, but please keep the volume down,’ replied Frank. ‘I need to maintain my absolute concentration.’
Shamia picked up her computer and walked over to her dining table.
Sapien Loop: Worlds Collide is the final book in the Sapien Loop trilogy. It continues directly after the events of the second book. The world above and the world below merge into one world. The conflicts in the underground world are brought to the surface. The new ruling elite attempt to crush any resistance from above and below in an attempt to create a new global empire.
Currently, three books from the series have been published on Amazon; see the links below:
All individual chapters can be found on my 
