by RF Hurteau
“My brother?” he whispered, and she nodded.
It was too much. Felix began to pace back and forth across the room. “They tried to destroy it,” he said. “We stopped them. Well, not we. Ripley did.”
“Ripley?”
“My best friend. He died saving Sanctuary. Saving me.”
“I'm sorry,” she said, her voice tinged with regret. “I wish I could have met him.”
“So do I.” He couldn’t talk about this now. The situation felt bizarre, surreal. He held his head in his hands, trying to quell the thousand voices in his head, screaming questions at him. “You’ve been here? All this time?” he asked.
“Yes.”
“Father said they’d sent you to the Geothermal Plant. He said that’s where they sent all the criminals.”
She watched him, her body still, as her eyes tracked his movements across the floor. “They sent Human criminals there, certainly. Someone needed to operate those systems. Do the hot, dirty, dangerous work below ground.” She sighed. “But the Therans feel differently about their own kind. Even a traitor’s life is precious to them.” She nodded toward the door. “We’re all traitors here, the whole village. The Council exiled us. Some are from Sanctuary, like me. Others, like Gavin, crossed the Elders one too many times.” She leaned back, folding her hands in her lap. “They think they’re punishing us,” she continued, “making us work the land and eek out an existence. That a life based around just surviving, with no luxuries, no technology, would break our rebellious spirits. But they were wrong, just like they’ve been about so many other things. There’s a certain satisfaction about life here. Things are simple. Things make sense.” She paused, then added, “Most things.”
Felix looked at her wary. “Gavin, was it? He didn’t make it sound like you found satisfaction in living here. He said you’re basically wasting away up here, all alone, not eating.”
She tilted her head back to stare at the thick wooden beams supporting the roof. “I could have been all right here,” she said after a time. “I would never have stopped regretting losing you, losing your father. But I could have been all right, if I’d been allowed to raise your brother here in peace.” She scowled. “I begged the Council, pleaded. I would have given my life if it would have made a difference. I couldn’t lose another son, I told them. I couldn’t bear it.”
She stopped speaking for a long time, lost in thought, until Felix sat back down, and she looked at him again.
“The Council in Sanctuary was a pale shadow of the one that rules here. Nero and the others, they weren’t leaders. They were scientists. They viewed Humanity with contempt, yes, but those who rule in Imradia are much worse.”
“I’m not sure how that’s possible. I knew Nero. He was a monster.”
She nodded, considering. “Yes, I suppose Nero would be an exception. He has always had a short temper. But his rage has only intensified since returning to Thera. He’s been given a Lordship now. He has taken his place among the true Council.” She shook her head bitterly. “I’m sure he’s very proud,” she said.
She paused for a few moments, then continued. “The Council here didn’t know what to do with me and my half-breed son. There was no precedent. No Halfsie had ever come to Thera, let alone been born here. They debated whether they should send him back to be raised in Sanctuary. But that would potentially lead to all sorts of questions the Council did not wish to answer. It was a scientist named Pike who proposed a solution. He came to me not long after Laevus was born. He offered me an ultimatum.” She bit her lower lip, shaking her head slowly. “He said he would raise the child as his own. He had assured the Council that they could shape him into an excellent tool and that his Human half could be overlooked if they trained him up right. He said it would be an excellent opportunity to study the effects of the Human-Theran hybrid. In short, my son was to be an experiment.”
Felix’s eyes widened in surprise. “And you agreed to that?”
“Pike said I didn’t have a choice. I either gave my child to the Council, or they’d kill him. They’d murder my infant son. I couldn’t allow that to happen. I’d given up everything I’d ever loved to give him life. I wasn’t going to let the Council take it from him.”
Felix nodded. He understood all too well the fear of losing a child. He’d paid a high price himself to avoid just that. A very high price.
Onyx’s eyes filled with an intense rage as she went on. “I will never forget that day. His greedy look as he took my child from my arms. The way his eyes were full of hunger as he smiled down at his newest test subject. The way I was helpless to stop this…monster.” She shook her head. “Pike’s a sadist. He would bring Laevus to visit me just to show me how loyal he’d become to the Council. I had thought that, if I could just get Laevus alone, I’d be able to make him see what they were doing. Show him how much I loved him.” She began to sob again. “But when he was older, he began to come by himself, and it became harder to lie to myself. To tell myself he could change.”
She sat back, reaching over to trail her fingers along the delicate tendrils of a plant that adorned her kitchen table. It spilled over the sides of the pot, its vines covered in thick, waxy leaves and dotted with tiny, bright purple flowers. His mother continued. "I tried to move on. I made friends in the village. Gavin, especially. He was always so kind, always there to comfort me, pick up the pieces when Laevus left. I discovered I had a knack for plants, too. I had such a beautiful garden. I poured all my emotions into my flowers; they were watered with my tears. I could look out my window and see everything, right there in that garden. All the memories, good and bad, that make up a lifetime." She sighed deeply. "I loved that garden. But that last visit, when Laevus said Sanctuary was gone—well, it all became too much. I stopped caring about my garden, my friends. I didn't seem to have anything left to give them.”
Felix pointed to the plant on the table. "Well this little guy seems to have done all right," he said, hoping to cheer her up a bit. He reached toward it, wanting to get a better look at the intricate blooms.
"Don't touch them," she cautioned. "They're beautiful, but they're also extremely toxic."
He pulled his hand back, and she seemed to know what he was thinking.
"The life of a Theran is long," she said with a small shrug. "Too long, I think, if there's nothing to live for."
Felix gave her hand a gentle squeeze, and Onyx smiled a watery smile. “I’m sorry. I know you have more questions. But I have questions, too. I want to know what I’ve missed these last thirty years. I want to hear all about it.”
The muffled sound of static interrupted them, and Felix realized it was his radio. He had no idea how long he’d been gone.
“It’s my friends!” he said. “They’re probably worried about me.”
His mother looked shocked. “Friends? You mean you brought others through the Gate with you?”
He nodded. “Yeah, and they’re out there right now, probably looking for me. I can’t believe I forgot!” He pressed a small button on the side of the radio. “Toby, can you hear me?” More static. “I think I must be out of range.”
“Well, come on!” his mother said, grabbing his arm and pulling him toward the door. “I haven’t been for a walk in a long time.”
Outside the door, Onyx nearly plowed into Gavin, who had been loitering front of the house. He looked concerned, and that look only deepened as he saw her, holding Felix by the wrist, nearly dragging him behind her.
"Gavin!" she said, surprised. "What are you doing out here? I told you to go home."
"I was worried about you," he admitted, casting a sidelong glance at Felix, as if afraid to say too much.
Onyx looked back and forth between them. "Oh! Well, everything's fine. Don't worry. But we need to go."
Gavin looked startled as they passed by him and followed them down the path. "Go?" he repeated. "Go where?"
Onyx gave a small huff of impatience. "Come with us," she said. "I'll explain on the w
ay." She gave Felix a reassuring smile. "I would trust Gavin with my life," she assured him. "It's alright."
Felix led them as they went back through the village, following the path into the woods. People scurried out of their way, casting worried looks in their direction as they passed. Onyx spoke in low tones with Gavin who let out a gasp.
"Felix?" he said with disbelief. "You're certain?"
"Of course, I'm certain, you great oaf!"
"But why was he acting all—all—" he paused. "And he looks just like—" he stopped, apparently too baffled to finish a thought.
Felix let out a small, awkward laugh. "Yeah, uh…sorry about that," he said, scratching the nape of his neck uncomfortably.
Suddenly, he found himself speaking. Not knowing where to start, he began at the beginning. He told them about Willow and about the twins, and Onyx stopped him abruptly. "You mean, you're a father?" she demanded. "And I'm a grandmother?"
Felix smiled. "Hard to believe, I know. But it's true. That's how this whole mess began. But they're so worth it, Mother. They're amazing. It's so incredible…" his voice trailed off. She reached forward and gave his arm a light squeeze. "I want to hear all about them," she said. "But there will be time for that later. Try your radio again."
Felix did, but received only static. They continued forward, and he went on with his story.
They listened as he explained how he'd come to be there. He told them about Ripley, the plan to destroy Sanctuary, and how they'd foiled it. He told them about Pravacordia, Ambrose, and the Ministry. How they'd been shot at coming through the Gate. Felix’s emotions swirled around him like a storm as he told them everything. It felt so good just to get it all off his chest. Neither of them interrupted until he explained about Culei and their hopes to ally with the Elves.
Gavin let out a low growl. "That isn't going to end well," he said, his gravelly voice serious. "If the Culeians make an alliance with Imradia, the Therans will play at peace for as long as it takes to conquer the rest of your world and then turn on their so-called allies. They're only prolonging their own destruction."
Felix nodded. "I know. Everyone knows, except, apparently, Culei. That's why I've been sent here to sabotage the alliance talks. They're trying to find a way to destroy or bury the Gate back in Pravacordia, but they need to buy themselves time. Pravacordia doesn't want Culei to do anything that might entice the Elves to speed up their return to Earth."
"Sabotage the talks how?" asked Onyx.
"To be honest, I'm not entirely sure. They don't really have much to go on back in Pravacordia. They basically asked me to wing it."
Onyx frowned. "I don't see that as having much chance of working," she replied.
Felix shrugged. "Neither do I, but I am pretty good at improvising." He cast an apologetic glance at Gavin, who nodded.
"I'd have to agree," he muttered grudgingly.
There was a chirp from the radio, and Felix stopped, holding it up to listen.
"Felix, can you hear me? It's Tobias."
"Yes, Toby, I can hear you," he said hurriedly. "Listen, I'm so sorry. Something came up and I lost track of time."
"I'm glad to hear your voice!" Tobias exclaimed. "We were really getting worried!"
"Well, don't worry anymore. I'll be there soon. Oh, and I’m bringing friends."
Felix looked up, studying their surroundings. "This way," he said. "We’re almost there."
As they approached the clearing where Pluto had landed, Felix looked up. The sun shone brightly above them now, and he could see where the tops of several trees had been severed by the ship's passage. Pluto sat like a small silver hill in the grass, silent and still. Felix was just about to call out when Gavin tackled him to the ground, throwing a calloused hand across Felix's mouth. Onyx dropped, too.
"Quiet," Gavin growled. "Floater."
Felix wanted to ask what a Floater was, but there was no need. A brilliant white craft appeared between the trees to the west of the clearing, humming gently as it came into full view. It was eerily familiar to Felix. With a start, he realized that it reminded him of Sigil. The construction was strikingly like his former workplace, all smooth lines and pristine workmanship. It came to a stop, hovering a foot above the ground, and three figures in hooded gray cloaks disembarked. One carried a menacing looking crossbow, the others had delicate-looking rapiers hung at their waists.
"Who are they—" Felix began, then stopped.
He watched with a mix of awe and disbelief as he saw himself, stepping out of the vehicle and onto the forest floor. The doppelgänger strode forward, toward Pluto, the three cloaked figures fanning out around him. Ambrose, Penelope and Tobias came out of the ship, moving to greet him. Ambrose's face was concerned as he approached, eying the three tall hooded Elves “Felix?" he asked, hesitantly. "Who are your friends?"
One of the swordsmen moved with such grace and speed that Felix almost couldn't follow. He was suddenly behind Ambrose. Without a word, without even drawing his sword, he had knocked the old man to the dirt. Ambrose came up sputtering, and Tobias rushed forward to assist him. "Felix!" Penelope exclaimed, her tone a mix of surprise and fear.
"What's going on?" Tobias demanded, "Why are you doing this?"
"Leave him," sighed Laevus dismissively. He walked around the three, sizing them up, and gestured at his guards. "Humans," he said with disgust. He turned to face their ship. "So, this is what happens when you try to reason with Humans," he declared. "We offer to treat with them, and instead they send this, this—I'm not even sure what to call this." He threw his hands up, turning to address Tobias. "Sweet Evenmire, is this supposed to be a ship? We were not told there would be a ship. Is this some kind of nasty Human trick?" When Tobias just stammered, Laevus cocked his head, looking somewhat concerned. "Where is the Ambassador?" he pressed, speaking very slowly and enunciating each word, as if he suspected Tobias was having trouble understanding. He looked at Ambrose, who was on his knees now, wiping dirt from his face. "Surely, it's not you, Tubby?"
"Wait, what?" said Tobias, caught off guard. "No, he's not an Ambassador. We're—we're just—"
"What's this now?" snapped Laevus, pointing at a mound of dirt not far from the ship. Felix knew it must be where they had buried Wilks. Laevus was muttering to himself. "Tearing up our trees, digging up our dirt!" He stopped listening and turned to Onyx.
"We have to do something," he whispered.
Gavin was the one to answer. "Those are Envicti. They're the personal guards of the Elder Council. Highly trained."
"I didn't ask about their qualifications," Felix said, frustrated. "How do we stop them?"
Onyx reached down near her feet, drawing up the hem of her skirt to reveal a small leather case strapped around her ankle. She flipped the top open and pulled something out that Felix couldn't see.
"We have surprise on our side," she said quietly. "Gavin, circle around and take out the crossbowman." Her eyes narrowed. "I'll handle the swords."
Felix looked at her skeptically, and her eyes met his, unwavering. "I'll handle the swords," she repeated confidently.
"What about me?" asked Felix quickly.
"Whatever happens,” she said, "you must not let Laevus return to the Floater. If he reports this, reinforcements will be here quickly." Felix nodded.
Gavin gave Onyx one last look. "Are you sure you want to do this?" he asked. She nodded, and he got up, crouching, and disappeared into the trees.
The two guards with rapiers were standing to either side of Ambrose as Laevus approached Pluto's hatch.
"Your Lordship—" one of them began, but Laevus held up a hand and disappeared inside the ship.
Everyone in the clearing had their eyes on Pluto, but Felix was watching the crossbowman. Gavin materialized from the cover of the trees, arms raised, clutching a large stone. He brought it down on the man's head with a sickening thud, and the guard crumpled.
The other guards whipped around, both with swords ready, but Onyx was already up and mov
ing toward the clearing. Felix watched in amazement as she raised her hand, and it flashed forward from her body like a striking snake. Something shiny covered the distance between her and the closest guard, slipping easily between the folds of his robe to embed itself in his chest. He looked down at it, surprised, then began to quiver. The other guard grabbed Tobias by the shirt and pulled him up, wrapping one massive arm around the smaller man's neck. Tobias reached up, trying to break the man's grip as he struggled to breathe against the sudden pressure.
"Let him go!" screamed Penelope. She started toward them, but Ambrose grabbed her arm and pulled her back as the guard raised the tip of his sword, motioning for them to stay back.
"Felix," Onyx said, her voice calm and commanding. He realized that he'd been frozen, watching the scene unfold. He forced himself to move, arriving at the ship's hatch just as Laevus reappeared in the opening. For a few moments, Laevus simply stared at him, confounded. Then, Felix did the only thing he could think to do. He shoved Laevus backward, knocking him back inside the hold. Felix slammed the hatch shut and turned, leaning against it as his brother began banging and shouting, his voice muffled by the metal hull.
Felix saw Gavin holding the crossbow now. He had it pointed at the guard, but the man was too smart to give him a clean shot. He was backing toward Felix, turning slightly to keep Tobias between him and both Gavin and Onyx.
"Stop struggling!" Onyx shouted at Tobias in frustration. He was making little gasping sounds, clawing at the Elf's arm around his neck, his feet dangling several inches off the ground.
Suddenly, Onyx's hand came up in the same striking motion, and an instant later Tobias let out a cry of pain as the spike pierced his hand, penetrating through to the guard's arm. The Elf let out a loud curse and his grip loosened enough for Tobias to squirm free, the spike still lodged in his hand. Gavin raised the bow and let his bolt fly. It struck the guard in the forehead. He remained standing for a moment, arms outstretched. Then he dropped to his knees before falling to the ground.
