by Noah Michael
This is my last call to you. We want nothing more than to be able to call you brother and sister. We wish nothing more than to welcome you to our tribe, to our family. If our truth is wrong. Please, fix it. Help us mend the rift. There is one thing on which your King and I both agree. This world has lost too much! This world has suffered too much! It is time for a new future, a new world! And so, my brothers and sisters, I beseech you! Whoever is willing to share in our near impossible mission of perfecting this ravaged world we live in, please join with me now!”
Her last word echoed throughout the room. The room was silent. Nobody moved. A torch flickered on. She looked up. Alroy stood up, his torch lit in his hand. Alia couldn’t believe her eyes. She had done it. The King took a step back.
Another torch lit up. And another.
Slowly, the entire room was illuminated with light. Marcus’s face was scarred with defeat. Roko smiled in disbelief. The knight swung his sword towards Alia.
“The Senate has made its decision! The final results: 69 against, 70 for. The alliance has official Senate approval.”
The King cried out. “You do not know what you have just done!” He stormed down and out of the room, slamming the doors behind him. The senate members who opposed the deal, followed him.
“To finalize the alliance, you must accept it on your part. The Senate already has. To show your approval for the deal, you must touch the tip of the sword. When you do, the alliance shall become law.”
“Congratulations, my lady, you are truly a wonder!” Territh said.
“Come with me,” Roko said to Alia. Alia followed Roko down from the platform and to the tip of the sword.
“You may have the honor,” he said.
Alia put out her hand. “Please. Don’t do this...”
Alia froze.
Across the room, where the King had been standing, stood David, truly in the flesh. He was held on either side by drones. He looked at Alia, eyes wide with shock and betrayal. She looked back at him, tears in her eyes.
“Do it!” Roko whispered, growing impatient.
“I...I can’t.”
“I need proof that you will follow me, that you will never betray me. This is your final test. Pass it, and you will be granted all the power your heart desires, and your sister’s full health.”
Alia looked up at David through her tears.
I’m sorry. She lifted her hand.
Gunfire echoed throughout the room. Territh fell to the floor, lying motionless in a pool of blood. People were running from their seats towards the exit. The droids holding David shot a hole through the wall and forced him out of the room. Alia tried to follow.
“Guard her! He’ll be after her next!” Roko commanded Stone as Marcus escorted Roko towards the exit. Stone caught up to Alia. “You will come with me immediately.”
“No!” Alia smashed her feet into the back of Stone’s leg. He fell to the floor. She turned and caught the look on someone’s face in the crowd. What she saw filled her with panic.
He’s not after me! He’s after Roko! If he dies, so does Bella!
Alia ran towards Roko as fast as her feet would carry her. Roko turned to her in surprise.
“Alia, what-” She dove forward. The gunshot sounded. She fell to the floor. A bullet in her broken heart.
“Medic! Someone, we need a medic!”
...Bella. Bella, I miss you. Where are you? I need you? Bella I’m scared...
Chapter Eighteen
Eulogy
Northern Greece
July 20
8:00 a.m.
“Raiden...Raiden wake up...” The voice was gentle, soothing. Raiden opened his eyes, his eyelids felt heavy. His eyes stung, his vision was blurred. He could make out the outline of a face. It was a woman. She sat beside him on the bed.
Raiden remembered. “Elasia...” he croaked.
She smiled brightly and embraced him. “You kept your promise, you saved my life.”
“I’m sorry about your mother...and Barrant. I couldn’t save them...”
“You did the impossible. You saved the village, and for that you are my hero.”
His chest throbbing, he looked around. His left arm was in a cast. His chest was wrapped. He must have broken a few ribs. “How long have I been like this?”
“You’ve been asleep for more than a day. The medics say that you will be fine, your injuries were minimal. You’ll be back to your normal self in two weeks.”
“I don’t have two weeks.” The room was small and circular, containing nothing but a simple wooden nightstand, a stool, and Raiden’s bed. In the corner of the room was a small bathroom. Elasia sat at the end of the bed still in a sparkling, light blue dress that matched her eyes. But something was different about her. Her hair was disheveled, and she seemed to have trouble keeping her eyes open. “When was the last time you slept?”
“I could not bring myself to leave your side.” She took his hand in hers. “I can never repay you enough. You have set me free.”
Raiden gazed back at her, touched by how much she cared for him. “Where is Maximus? Is he okay?”
“Maximus suffered heavier injury, but he too shall recover. Both his legs are broken, and he will be bed-ridden for longer.”
“Is he awake?”
“He does not sleep very much.” Raiden grabbed a shirt from the end of the bed and slipped it on over his bandages.
“What are you doing?”
“I’m going to see Maximus.”
“But you must rest!”
“I cannot rest until we save Sarah and bring an end to this war.”
“Who is Sarah?”
“Elasia, listen to me. I will explain everything to you later. But right now, I need to see Maximus.”
She nodded. “Very well.” She helped him dress in a simple tunic and supported him as he stood. Together they walked towards Maximus’s room. The infirmary appeared to be the only building in the entire village made of wood.
“Why is the infirmary not made of stone like everything else?”
“I know even less about this world than you do. I have only truly been in it for a day.”
When they reached the doorway, Raiden stood a moment while she opened the door.
Maximus lay awake in bed, his swords beside him. Casts and bandages covered his lower legs and feet. Both his arms were wrapped with bandages, along with his head, which seemed swollen. His eyes boiled with impatience. “What took you so long? I’ve been bound to the same bed for more than twenty-four hours.”
Raiden smiled. “It’s nice to see you too, Maximus.”
“The girl must go. We have important matters to discuss.”
Elasia looked at Raiden. “I trust her.”
“She must keep her end of the bargain. We slew the beast, now she must take us to the Shadows.”
“You and what legs? We’re in no condition to go anywhere.”
“We have no choice. We cannot wait any longer.”
There was a knock at the door. Elasia tensed. It was a royal guard. “The princess requests to see the village heroes. May she enter?”
Elasia realized it was her permission they sought. “The princess may enter.”
Ilenia walked in, accompanied by four royal guards. She dressed in black for mourning, yet she appeared calm, at least to Raiden. Maximus, however, could see beyond the mask. Despite having her mother stolen from her on the day which was supposed to have been the greatest of her life, she held her head tall. She was not the only one who had lost. The entire tribe had lost its mother, and they were looking to her for hope. “Greetings, Maximus, Raiden.”
“Greetings, Your Highness,” Maximus answered, “I am sorry about your mother. She was a woman of caliber, an excellent queen, who treated her guests with the utmost courtesy.”
The princess gave a solemn bow. She took a deep breath.
“Despite the tragic death of my mother, we must celebrate the survival of our village. My guard, Bailan told me o
f your remarkable bravery. However, I am hoping to hear the story from you.”
“I do not know what the beast was,” Maximus started, “nor how it got there. It was the most formidable enemy I have ever faced. It would have killed me if not for Raiden. Your mother made a deal with the monster. In order to save the village, she offered the beast her own life. I had seen on her face that something was wrong, and we followed her. When we realized what was happening, we refused to sit idly by. We slew the beast, but Barrant and your mother were killed in its ensuing rage.”
“How did she die?”
“She died a quick death. Her back was turned; she did not see it coming.”
Tears ran down the princess’s soft, rosy cheeks. “Thank you,” she whispered.
Elasia watched Ilenia. This was her little sister. She had never seen her before, but they were sisters nonetheless. She wished she could give the girl a hug, tell her she was not alone. But she held back.
The princess wiped the tears from her eyes. “My people and I thank you. You may stay as long as you wish. Consider our village your home. I hope for you both a quick recovery. If there is anything I can do to help, please do not hesitate. I am in your debt. We all are.” The princess turned to leave.
“Your Highness,” Maximus called out.
The princess turned around. “Yes?”
“I know you are dealing with great loss, but I have no other choice. Raiden and I must leave tomorrow on a very important journey, one which your mother would have supported. I have broken both of my legs. Are your people able to build for me a mode of movement?”
“I believe so. When you are feeling well enough to be moved from this room, I shall take you there.”
“I am already well enough.”
“Very well then. Guards, bring him.” The princess’s guards pushed the bed forward on its wheels. They followed the princess out of the room. As Ilenia passed by Elasia, she paused for a moment, looking at her as if she was someone she recognized. When the moment passed, she continued walking, leaving Raiden and Elasia alone in the room.
“So that was my sister.”
Raiden looked at Elasia. “Yes.”
“She’s even more beautiful than I imagined.”
“Why didn’t you tell her? You deserve to have a family again. You could be queen. It’s your right as the firstborn.”
“I do not wish to be queen. It is best for my sister if I do not tell her. She has been through enough. She does not need to ever know about me.”
“Elasia, you spent the past twenty-five years of your life alone. You need someone in your life. You need someone to care for you.”
Elasia took Raiden’s hands, her voice dropped to a whisper. “You care about me. Maybe you can stay here with me.”
“I can’t stay. You have an entire world you have to explore. People you need to meet. I know I saved your life, but we have only known each other for a day. You will find that the world isn’t as terrible as it was for you in the dungeon. You don’t need me to protect you. You need room, now more than ever, to pave your own way.”
Elasia looked to the ground. It broke Raiden’s heart, but he knew he did the right thing. They stood for a moment in silence. “You must rest now,” Elasia said finally.
“Only if you rest too.”
“I will be fine. Sleep now, I don’t want you walking any more than you need to. I shall wake you for the funeral. My sister will want you to be there.
◆◆◆
The sun shone brightly on the grass-covered fields. A herd of deer grazed at a sparkling, orange pond. The trees and grass were white as snow, the sky a sunset orange. Raiden walked through the field, free of worry.
“Over here!” He turned towards the voice. Sarah waved at him. “Come play with me!”
She skipped happily, bending to pick flowers. As Raiden, walked towards her she was scooped up into the arms of a woman. It was Elasia. Her silky blonde hair was filled with flowers. Her eyes were as clear as the sky above. She looked up at Raiden and smiled.
“Come on!” she said. Raiden started down the hill towards them. As he drew closer, Elasia put out her free arm to embrace him. Without warning, they disappeared. The field erupted in flames. Raiden fell to the floor, covering his head with his arms, screaming in pain.
“I know you’re here! You shall not leave this place alive!”
He could barely make out the distant figure of a man. Fire was pouring forth from his hands.
“In the name of my father, the God King, my righteous cause shall prevail!” Another man shouted, shooting electricity from his fingertips. “I was worthy, not you! You stole my father from me! For that I shall steal your life!”
One man put his hands together and produced a massive ball of fire. The second man did the same, creating a mass of electricity. Raiden was stuck between the two. The men fired at each other, both the flames and the electricity tore through the tall grass, heading straight at Raiden.
“Raiden! Raiden wake up!” His eyes shot open. His forehead was drenched in sweat. He looked up into the eyes of Elasia.
“You were screaming. Are you in pain?”
“I’m fine. Just a bad dream.”
“Here.” She placed a cold, wet towel carefully on his forehead.
“Thank you.” Raiden sat up and wiped his face with the towel.
“How does your arm feel?”
Raiden moved his left arm slowly. “It’s fine. There isn’t much pain.”
“The funeral begins in an hour. Do you feel well enough to attend?”
“Yeah, I’ll get ready now.” Elasia nodded and turned to leave the room.
“Elasia.” She stopped. “Thank you. Really, for everything. You’ve been a huge help.”
She blushed and closed the door on her way out. Raiden walked towards the shower, thinking about Elasia. He had done the right thing by not taking advantage of her affection. She was new to the world. Yet, something inside of him felt disappointed.
He showered and dressed quickly and found that his legs were feeling better. Even the throbbing in his ribs had calmed. Elasia was waiting for him in the hallway in a black dress, similar to Ilenia’s. Together they made their way to the funeral.
“Do you know how to get there?” he asked.
“We will follow others. The entire village is attending.”
It didn’t take long for them to find a man walking out of one of the black-stone buildings. They followed him through the village and encountered more and more people. As they followed others across the bridges, Elasia analyzed each and every stone. The castle, towering over everything, enthralled her.
“It’s so beautiful, yet contained such evil.” As they drew closer, they saw a great crowd gathered in the front courtyard. It looked as if a great curtain of black was hovered there. The air was filled with heavy, melancholy notes of music, creating a mournful atmosphere. Many people were crying. Facing the crowd was a large, white, wooden platform. In the center of the platform was a glass table, covered by a white cloth and decorated with white flowers. Upon the table was the queen’s coffin, made of clear, sparkling crystal and glass. The Queen’s body was inside in a white robe and tiara, arms crossed over her chest.
Raiden remembered the moment the Queen had been killed. He saw her face in her last moments. He tore away from the memory and watched Elasia. She seemed to be the only woman not in tears.
“Are you angry?” he asked her.
“My mother was given an impossible choice. I cannot judge her. But I also cannot love her.”
Raiden nodded. They stood at the back of the crowd among the tribe of mourners, awaiting the new queen. As they waited, Elasia turned and saw a line of royal guards standing beside a nearby sculpture. Behind the sculpture they could hear someone weeping. Elasia walked over the sculpture and spoke to the guard in front, who allowed her to pass. Raiden followed her.
“Your Highness,” she said. The new queen’s eyes were stained red with tears.
“Tears are nothing to be ashamed of.” Elasia knelt beside Ilenia.
“She wasn’t supposed to leave me so soon. She was supposed to meet my husband, my children, the children of my children. She was going to see me run the kingdom. She was going to guide me…yet today I am alone.”
Elasia looked into her sister’s eyes. “Only by looking deep within oneself can loneliness be overcome. It must be fought with confidence and courage.”
“I can’t do it.”
“You are responsible, you are resilient, you are brave, and you are strong. Your people need you. You can do it, and you shall do it.”
A moment passed in silence. To Elasia’s surprise, the princess threw her arms around her. “Thank you for your kind words of comfort.” She took a deep breath. “I’ve seen you before.”
“I do not believe so-”
“From the infirmary. You were there, weren’t you?”
Elasia hesitated. “Yes, I was helping tend to the wounded.”
“What is your name?”
“My name…is Elasia.”
“It is a beautiful name, fitting for such a beautiful woman. Are you married?”
“Not presently.”
“Do you live with your parents?”
“I have no parents.”
Ilenia paused. “Would you like to join me at the palace? I am in need of a new handmaiden.”
“I am honored by your offer, yet...I believe I would prefer to live amongst our people, far away from the palace.”
