by Terri Lane
The prince raised his sword above his head and brought the hot laser down against the throat of his enemy, savoring the sweet relief that came with destroying another one. But his joyful victory didn’t last long. Behind him, the cries of his princess could be heard over the roar of battle.
When he turned, he found a Gluon raising her above his head and pressing something against his wrist. He sprinted towards the two while waving his sword, making a path through which he could run.
“No!” he cried as they dissolved in the middle of the field. “Fenneck!”
Startled, the prince stopped in his tracks and looked around, helpless. His princess was taken. There was no way he could go on with the battle without her. It was almost hopeless to continue. He slammed at his watch and brought up the display.
“Fenneck!” he cried.
“Yes, Sire?” he replied.
“She’s been taken! We must retreat!” he yelled.
“Right away, Sire!” Fenneck replied.
A loud horn blared above them, cutting through the sounds of war. The Eflorians stopped fighting and immediately turned on their heels, following their prince back to the transportation platform. Before he could press the button, he looked up into the sky and noticed the ship lingering outside their atmosphere. It must be the main transport ship. If he could get to it, he could save his princess.
The prince looked around at his soldiers and then stepped off the platform. When one of them protested, he slammed his hand against the button and the lot of them disappeared. He turned to face the line of Gluons approaching, their deformed faces curled into what appeared to be smiles. He bowed his head.
“I am humbly giving myself over in return for your retreat,” he stated.
One of the Gluons stepped forward, placing a hand on his chin.
“Prince, that is a valiant offer. We must bring you to our leader for terms,” he said.
“I demand you leave my planet at once and take me as tribute instead. Release my princess. My people need her,” the prince said proudly.
“We will discuss terms,” said the Gluon while raising its fist.
And with a painful blow, the world suddenly went dark.
****
Melody groaned.
She felt dizzy and sick, her head lolling forward as she finally came to. While she struggled to open her eyes, she noticed the strange language greeting her ears. She focused first on the laser bars surrounding her and then on the gargantuan creatures on the other side. They gestured to her.
“Where am I?” she asked.
They stopped talking and turned to her, their round eyes studying her form.
“You have been captured by the great Orwellgo Artnoak, the guardian of the Gluon planet,” said one.
“And we have your prince,” said another.
“Where is he?” she asked, leaning forward.
She could feel the heat from the lasers on her face and recoiled immediately, hugging her knees to her chest.
“He is in another cell on the other side of the ship. It’s useless to fight. We have you now and we will end your royal bloodline,” said one.
“Like you could defeat a great prince like him,” she scoffed.
“Silence, Eflorian!” it growled.
Melody shuddered at the command, but didn’t show it, retaining her sense of composure even in the heat of his ugly breath coming through the cage.
“You’ll have to do better than that to scare me,” she challenged.
The Gluon raised an eyebrow—or what appeared to be one for he was decorated heavily in scrap metal—and then turned to a screen next to him.
“We shall see to that,” he retorted. “The king would like to speak with you.”
On the screen appeared the ugly mug of Orwellgo who seemed less than amused to see her. She waved.
“Greetings, princess. I see you’ve been caught with little effort,” he said.
“More than a little,” she said.
“Your movement on the battlefield is admirable. I see they have trained you well,” he went on.
“It wasn’t anything I didn’t already know,” she said, studying her red nails.
She noticed a chipped piece and frowned.
“With powers like yours, we could take over entire galaxies,” Orwellgo said. “And maybe even produce ample children that would wipe out that weak blood of yours.”
Melody grimaced.
“That’s a horrible thought,” she said. “Why would I want to hurt others when I can live in a thriving place like Efloe?”
“Because you are weak!” cried the king while slamming his fist. “You are vulnerable to the outside world! You have no place occupying the planet next to ours!”
“I doubt the hatred would run that deep if it were so simple,” she said.
“Your grandfathers have caused us enough pain by taking over the very commerce we created,” he continued. “And we want our trade back in our hands.”
“So, this is about greed?” she asked.
“It is more than that, Princess. It’s about being in charge. We are the mightier species and our plans to rule are far-reaching,” he replied.
“I don’t see a mighty king in front of me. All I see is a bully,” Melody spat.
“Ah, Princess. The things you don’t understand,” he said. “We’ll have to teach you a lesson about insubordination.”
When Melody stuck out her tongue, the screen switched over and she saw Prince Tezod strapped down on a table. A Gluon stood nearby with a long spear that crackled with electricity. She gasped.
“Now we have her attention, I see,” Orwellgo said. “Maybe she will listen to reason if we give her a little push.”
The screen buzzed with light and the prince cried out, his body seizing against the restraints that held him.
“No!” Melody cried while tearing up. “Leave him alone!”
“I don’t think that’s enough. Hit him again,” Orwellgo instructed.
The Gluon zapped him a few times more and Melody fell against the filthy ground, tears streaming from her eyes as she mouthed for them to stop. She begged and groveled while gripping the steel floor. Everything was blurry. Her head was still spinning and a sharp pain had appeared in her stomach. It felt like she was about to vomit.
“Please, stop. I’ll yield,” she blubbered.
As the screen dimmed, Orwellgo appeared again with a grin on his face.
“That’s it, Princess. We have you now. You’ll never see your sweet prince again as long as you are with us,” he said.
“It can’t be the end. It just can’t.” she whispered.
Suddenly, the necklace fell from her blouse and hit her chin. She looked down to find it burning against her hand, the ruby seeming to vibrate with energy. As the Gluons approached to remove her from the cage, she turned and pressed the stone into her chest hard. It exploded with red light, surrounding the cage and the creatures around it with a burst of flame.
The fire was hot, but it did not burn her. Around her, the creatures cried out in pain, their skin boiling and melting from their bones. It was a horrific sight and Melody closed her eyes while the cries faded out. The red light remained. When she opened her eyes, the cage was destroyed and she stood easily on two feet with a determined gaze.
“Mark my words, Orwellgo. I’m coming for you,” she said firmly.
She held out her hand and her bow immediately flew to her, the arrows following suit as she fixed the quiver over her shoulder. Though the screen was covered in alien goo, she still managed to manipulate the buttons on the dashboard to locate a map. It wasn’t a difficult layout, but there would be nasty Gluons on the way to rescuing her prince.
The necklace warmed up again between her fingers. She looked down at the dazzling ruby and focused on the glowing red, watching as it burned deep into her eyes. A vision of her prince appeared and she could hear him clear as day, his moans filling her brain. She grew angry.
While still gri
pping the ruby, she flew from the room and dashed down the hall, seeming to fly without wings. Her heart raced as she sprinted from one hall to the next, glancing into each room that she passed. She arrived at another map and held the stone as she studied it, feeling her arm tugging in a different direction. She followed her gut. Every turn she took felt right, the floor feeling familiar beneath her feet as she stood firmly in front of a dingy metal frame.
“This is it,” she said.
The digital display next to the door read that it was occupied and Melody placed her hand over the screen. It crackled beneath her touch, the glass bending to her will as the doors began to creak open. Behind them stood the Gluon that had been prodding her sweet prince and he immediately charged at her. She remained calmly in place.
When the creature was close enough, she hurled an arrow in its direction which went straight through its skull. It looped around and came back for another blow, driving through the chest of the alien that was now on its knees. It croaked and then hit the ground with a sickening thud.
“My hero,” groaned the injured prince from the table.
Smiling, Melody ran to his side and began quickly undoing his restraints.
“I thought this was the end,” he whispered.
“No, darling. It could never be that way,” she said while cupping his face. “Are you all right? Can you walk?”
“I’m not sure, my love,” he replied.
When he sat up, he groaned and clutched his stomach.
“He hit me fiercely, dear Melody,” the prince croaked.
“Here,” she said while wrapping a firm arm under his shoulders. “I’ve got you. Let’s go.”
“You cannot carry me all the way,” he insisted.
“I will do my best,” she retorted with a grin.
“Where is the king? Is he aboard the ship?” the prince asked.
Melody helped him up from the table and carefully guided him to the door, looking around to see if any Gluons were waiting for them. The hall was empty. They stepped out and began walking briskly. She wasn’t sure exactly where they were going, but her gut seemed to have a good idea.
“I’m not sure. He was on the screen when I spoke to him,” she replied.
“For me as well,” the prince commented.
“Hush, darling. You’re using too much energy,” she said.
“Yes, ma’am,” he said.
She giggled and propped him against the wall, studying the map that was next to his head. It looked like they were close to a loading area. There might be a few pods there for them to travel back to the planet in.
“Come on. We have to get out of here,” Melody said, nearly losing her breath as they started running towards the loading room.
Behind them, she could hear the strange language of the Gluons who were quickly closing in. Their thunderous steps echoed through the hallway, making it difficult to pinpoint exactly where they were. She wasn’t sure if she could use the ruby again for it might harm her prince. It might not be the safest tool. She pressed on.
They arrived at another steel door and she kicked the control panel hard, busting it enough to get the doors to crack.
“Help me,” she said while propping him up.
Without hesitation, the prince took one door and Melody took the other. They each pulled their ends and pried the doors open as the thud of heavy steps quickly approached. She took her prince off the wall, tossed him in between the doors, and then dashed in after him. A quick look around revealed an escape pod at the far end of the room and she dragged the prince the rest of the way, cringing every time he groaned loudly.
She approached the control panel and pressed a few buttons. It beeped and then flashed red, asking for clearance.
“Damn it,” she whispered.
The doors behind them creaked. She turned to find the Gluons prying them apart, their giant bodies trying to press through the entrance all at once. When she turned back to the control panel, the prince was pressing a code into the screen and it turned green, the door hissing open. She loaded the prince into the pod, hit the button for the door, and then maneuvered to the pilot seat.
On the other side of the steel door, she could hear the Gluons growling for them to open up. She ignored it. Stunned, she stared at the buttons beneath her fingers and started pushing a few. Her gut continued to guide her. No matter what, she continued to follow it.
The pod began to hum with energy. It vibrated briefly before a digital voice greeted Melody and announced their take off. The steel doors behind her creaked and bent under the weight of the Gluons who were desperately attempting to claw their way inside.
“Melody, hurry,” Prince Tezod said.
“I’ve got you, baby,” she said confidently.
In an instant, the pod zipped off from the ship, carrying them to safety. Melody whooped in the pilot seat and smiled as she shakily maneuvered the vehicle down towards the castle. The docking area was open. She quickly took a space and opened the side door, taking her prince with her.
“Press my watch, Melody,” the prince said. “Call for Fenneck.”
Epilogue
The great hall was packed to the brim with Eflorians as music gently played in the background. Every window was covered in bright curtains, each one different from the previous. Standing in front of the hall was Melody and her prince, the two holding hands as Fenneck stood on top of a tall stool in order to raise a crown to the prince’s head.
“Joined in beautiful union, I now pronounce you King Tezod of Efloe,” Fenneck said proudly.
The crowd erupted with applause and the new king bowed his head, overwhelmed with joy. Fenneck floated over towards Melody who was biting her lower lip anxiously. He winked with his big eye and she giggled, looking down at the ground.
“Joined in beautiful union, I now pronounce you Queen Melody of Efloe,” Fenneck said tearfully.
When he placed the crown upon her head, the room roared with cheers and King Tezod squeezed her hand as he began to weep quietly. She brushed a tear away from his blue cheek and he smiled, turning to look at her with his bright green eyes. They trailed down to the tiny blue baby in her arms who cooed excitedly at the noise filling the room.
“Shall I take a turn?” he asked after the cheering had faded.
“Of course,” she replied.
Melody held up their son and the king took him with joy, raising the blue child up into the air with a wide smile.
“Divyd, you are such a divine child,” the king said. “And I hope you’ll bring us all the glory of our old days.”
“Tez, that is quite a weight to put on our own child,” Melody teased.
“He’ll make a great leader,” he said.
“I’m sure he will,” she said.
“Would the king and queen like to sit and receive their gifts? Or shall we feast first?” Fenneck asked.
“Darling, what would you like?” the king asked his new wife.
“Let’s open our gifts,” she replied.
“Splendid,” Fenneck said.
He clapped his tentacles together and then urged the first couple to bring their gift up to the king and queen. Melody watched with joy as they set it on the ground and then lifted the top, revealing a golden chalice with their names engraved. She lifted it from the box and raised it up to the crowd with a smile. They marveled at the fine craftsmanship. She placed it back in the box and gave the Eflorian a kiss on the forehead.
When the couple walked away, Fenneck waved the next person up the steps. It was an Eflorian man wearing a cloak bearing a small satchel. She could see nothing else but his hands which made her nervous, but she accepted the gift and opened it. A glass moon was cradled inside the black cloth. When she lifted it up to the light, it seemed to glow.
“This is beautiful,” she said. “Thank you, stranger.”
“I am no stranger,” said the man.
He removed his hood and Tezod gasped, nearly scaring their child into a fit of crying. Melody
looked at her shocked king and then back at the stranger. His eyes were incredibly kind, shining a light of comfort over her that she hadn’t felt in years.
“Melody,” he said in a low voice. “I’m your father.”
Covering her mouth, she stood from her decorated chair and fell into his arms, weeping. The queen shook viciously with sobs, feeling the warmth radiating from her father who she hadn’t seen since she was an infant. Her father held her close until she pulled away and wiped the tears from her eyes.
“Where have you been?” she asked.
“I was being held captive by the Gluons. They released me when they surrendered, but I was out in the desert on the other side of the fields,” he replied. “I’m sorry it took me so long to get here.”
“It’s fine. I’m just glad you’re here,” Melody whispered.
She shook her head, tears still streaming down her face as her father cupped her cheek and gave her a kiss on the nose. She took his hand and pulled him further up the stairs.
“Come meet your grandchild,” she said.
Memnak smiled wide and held out his arms. Divyd cooed and curled his hand around Memnak’s finger, kicking his feet. It made Memnak chuckle.
“Such a strong boy. He’ll be a fine prince,” he said.
Melody nodded. She wiped an errant tear from her face and then held up her hands to the crowd.
“No more gifts today,” she announced. “I want to spend time with my father.”
Though most of the crowd appeared to be disappointed, they respectfully dispersed. Fenneck reached up with a tentacle and took her hand.
“Should I delay the feast as well, my queen?” he asked.
“No, Fenneck. We should eat at the same time,” she replied.
He nodded and rolled away, leaving the four of them alone with each other. Melody turned to her family, smiling wide. It was the perfect picture. She admired how natural her father was with her son, the sight alone causing her to tear up again. She shook her head.
No more tears, she thought. From now on, there will be no more tears.
