by Lora Palmer
"Kara!" I screamed.
At the same time, I heard Brian shout, "Get back!"
Heavens — I knew they couldn’t. With the ground shaking so violently, they had little control over their movement. Still, David rolled away from the ledge with Kara as far as he could before another wave tossed them closer. They were going to go over. They were going to die. I screamed as they fell, powerless to stop it. Kara’s eyes fluttered open, wide with shock and terror as she registered her predicament.
No! This was not going to happen. Clenching my jaw, I summoned my magic to create another energy net, even as I was flung high into the air and slammed down on the ground. My head struck hard, unyielding earth, and the net that had begun to form fizzled and faded away. Black spots swam across my vision. Even when the spots cleared, I saw the world through a blur of tears. I tried again to create a net, but this time nothing happened. Horrorstruck, I examined my outstretched hand. I’d failed. Dazed from my fall, I crawled and rolled toward them, only to be stopped by Brian.
"Leah, don’t! You can’t keep trying to risk your life like this!"
"Let go — I can’t lose them, too!" I struggled to escape his hold, but his strength outmatched mine. My body stilled, but I reached out toward the ledge. "Help me save them."
Out of the corner of my eye, I watched Caleb anchor his feet to a nearby tree root. My heart leapt as he caught hold of David’s hand, the last part of my brother still visible. Caleb began pulling him up with Korin's, help. Together Brian and I added our magic, creating a net to bring David and Kara the rest of the way up. I collapsed against Brian in relief. We were all safe, and now the ground finally began to settle until the shaking stopped completely.
"Do you think it’ll start up again?" Kara asked, finally sitting up. She was clutching David’s hand. "Tell me it’s not going to."
"We’re fine, Kara." David pulled her against him, and she collapsed into his arms, her body trembling. The two of them stayed together like that, clinging to each other. He kissed her forehead and rubbed his hand in small circles on her back.
Brian and I stood, and slowly the others followed suit. David taught Korin and Jaedyn how to high-five in celebration of surviving the ordeal.
"It’s getting worse, much worse." I glanced out at the new valley far below and gasped when I saw the remains of domed houses, their pink, purple, and blue blossoms that once adorned the outside, now scattered everywhere. "If anyone’s alive down there, we have to find them and get them out."
"Leah, nobody could have survived the fall." Brian’s expression was pained, and he ran a hand through his hair in frustration. I slipped my hand into his free one, and he managed a small, grateful smile.
"There has to be a way, then," I murmured. "If we have this gift, we have to be able to do something good with it. I tried so hard to save Melinda, but I couldn’t — I can’t fail again. Let's go back and…"
"And what?" We both turned to Caleb, who had stalked over to us, trailed by my family. "If you try to, you could end up dead yourselves in the process."
"We won’t." I shook my head firmly. "If it would be too much of a risk to go, we at least could use the nearest mirror to talk to someone a few hours before this happened to warn them to evacuate! Maybe, if we succeed, there was never anyone left in those homes down there. Whoever lived there already got to safety well ahead of time because of our warning."
Brian’s eyes lit up at the thought, and we exchanged a brief hug at the idea of saving all those lives, of salvaging something from this awful disaster.
Caleb shook his head and pinched the bridge of his nose, staring at us as if in disbelief that we could understand something like time so intuitively. "Time travel gets to be way too convoluted. Fine, go ahead if you can manage it without getting yourselves killed. But know this: if someone dies, mirror-travel cannot change the outcome."
Brian’s expression became thoughtful as he considered his dad. I wondered whether he was thinking of the relationship between his parents when his mom was alive. Had Serena’s gift — our gift — remained a mystery to Caleb, a part of her he could never understand?
"We have a large mirror in the town commons." The chief elder gestured toward the path we’d come to get here. "This way."
We made our way toward the mountain village, encountering devastation everywhere we went. Chunks of the mountain peak littered the area, knocking over trees onto the path. Closer to the village, we found the remains of scattered homes on the outskirts buried in rubble.
Kara gripped David’s arm. "I can’t believe this is happening!"
I shared a glance with Brian, both of us solemn and determined. "Was there anyone in there?" we asked in unison.
"I hope not," the chief elder said, his expression grave.
"Let’s get to the mirror." I sped up, the others joining me in practically racing to the village commons. There, we found an enormous building of multiple domes joined together, otherwise appearing much like the single, smaller buildings surrounding them.
After the chief elder delivered the evacuation order, with a little MirrorMaster help, we MirrorMasters set to work finding villagers trapped beneath rubble in their homes. As I suspected, not everyone had heeded the evacuation order. Though I held out little hope for discovering anyone left alive, I had to try. Brian and I glimpsed house after house where dead bodies lay sprawled on floors and across furniture. It became a relief to find empty houses. When we did find survivors, Brian and I took turns holding open the mirror-portal for the rescue party. Much to my disappointment, I wasn’t allowed to help in the rescue. I wanted to make a real difference here, not just stay safe acting as a door-holder while others risked their lives.
We first discovered a family of four — a young mom and dad, a little girl and a toddler-aged boy. Brian held open the portal, while I guided them through to the safety of the village commons. Fortunately, nobody had serious injuries, but all four were badly shaken.
Viewing the next home buried in rubble, we found a little girl and her wounded grandparents. The moment Brian got them through the portal, they were taken to the healing wing. Next, a mom and three older children, who looked to be in their teens with the youngest, a preteen, were rescued. The dad was there to greet them and rushed to pull his family into his arms. I figured he must have heard through the grapevine at the village commons about the rescues. During the rescue, a friend must have gone to call him in. I’d seen someone slip out of the room for a few moments, returning with the man. The emotional moment, as the father cried, and as his family cried, brought tears to my eyes. Through my tears, I was beaming.
Brian and I worked tirelessly to locate victims and give the rescuers access, until I became so dizzy I struggled to remain on my feet or keep my eyes open.
"Leah, get some rest. You’re exhausted! I can finish up here." Brian’s expression became worried, as he saw how pale I had become.
I shook my head, resolute. What did I care if my brain felt as though it had been stuffed with cotton, or my entire body ached? Brian reached out to steady me, and I found myself swaying against him. His arms wrapped around me.
"No," I said, pushing myself to stand up straight, blinking my eyes in a vain effort to focus them. "Not until everyone’s been rescued."
"You’re dead on your feet!" Brian glanced over at King Korin, as if searching for his help in talking some sense into me.
"There’s just a few more," I said, an edge of determination in my voice. "I’ll rest soon, but not yet."
"Leah...," Korin began.
"We’re wasting time talking about it. Let’s go. Brian, hold the portal open for me?" I strode through the next houses, willing my body to last just a little longer. Everyone who was able helped out this time, quickly getting the remaining few families to safety.
When we were done, I collapsed into a chair. The little boy I’d first rescued sat on my lap and hugged me, thanking me for saving him and his family. He hugged Brian, too.
"
Let’s let the First Daughter sleep, Kayn," the little boy’s mother said, picking him up from my lap and smiling softly. "Thank you, First Daughter Leandra. And you, King Korin and Advisor Drake. All of you have made a world of difference after that disaster. We can never repay your kindness."
Korin held me and whispered against my cheek, his breath tickling my skin, "You performed admirably today, my Leah."
Finally, I collapsed into bed. I was asleep the moment my head hit the pillow.
Chapter 24
The following morning, the group travelled to the plains. All around, there were signs of devastation from the flood. Trees were bent and broken, their branches scattered everywhere. Groves of fruit trees, berry bushes, and wild edible plants had been uprooted and now swayed, limp, in the waters. A surprisingly few belongings lay strewn about the marshy grass in the hills least affected by the flooding. I also noticed a lack of debris from homes. Nearby, a river had swollen to overflowing, and in the distance, a huge lake had formed. Beyond the lake, the forest of crystal trees glinted in the sun.
"That’s new." Caleb shielded his eyes from the sun as he, too, noticed the lake. "It’s lucky there was somewhere for all the water to go, or the plains-dwellers would have nowhere to come back to."
"Where were all their homes? There’s not even any wreckage here except from the trees and other plants." Grateful for the waterproof boots we had all worn as a precaution, I privately thought it would be a long, long time before anyone would be able to come back here to live.
First Lady Rhianna wrapped an arm around my shoulder. "They lead simple lives here, in tents they pack up and move when they migrate south for the winter. This is why they keep so few possessions. The land provides all they need."
I nodded. It must be a hard, but free, lifestyle.
I checked my data pad to review the fourth part of the prophecy. "The fourth warrior journeyed to the Eldyn Plains, where a crystal forest grows. From these rare crystalline trees, he formed a crystal of Knowledge, which carries the information stored in all the crystals of all of Jantyr as well as the memories of all past wielders. It is necessary to learn from history and form a new path at each renewal, moving forward and carrying forth all the lessons learned so the mistakes of the past are not repeated. Learn and remember, just as the plains-dwellers, the keepers of knowledge, do. This crystal is said to be kept by the tribe’s leader always, passed from generation to generation for the next wielder."
Had Aedalina convinced the tribal leader that she was the next wielder? Of course — how else would my sister have managed to obtain the Knowledge Crystal from the man, unless she’d stolen it?
"I had a feeling you’d be here."
I turned to find Aedalina standing behind me with a feral grin, accompanied by a smirking Erik. Security Commander Lars and his army had also followed us here to the plains. My heart plummeted. I’d never fought anyone before, much less an entire army!
"Surprised to see us? We’ve made a political move to secure the rule of all of Jantyr: their allegiance in exchange for stopping you. We’ve even convinced some of the elders’ council councils from the mountain region, as well as the plains, to join our cause. They have all pledged to be our army."
I shrugged, doing my best to appear casual when inside my stomach was clenching and tying itself in knots. "Fine; you may be able to get rule over the world for now, but you’re not going to be the one to activate the device. It won’t work for you, even if you managed to trap me in the Soul Crystal again—which you won’t!"
"Keep your voice down!" Aedalina glanced over at Lars, seeming relieved when he didn’t appear to have overheard our conversation.
Then I understood. Aedalina and Erik neglected to tell Lars how they themselves planned to end the disasters on Jantyr if all the world’s leaders would cede them rule over the entire planet. He had to believe that this was about nothing more than establishing a centralized rule, and that the device would not be used.
Commander Lars waved his hand over his data pad. "This is Security Commander Lars of Astoria, with an important announcement." He’d established a communication link with the entire world, I realized then. "Time and again, First Lady Rhianna and Prime Minister Roland have failed us. Time and again, they have proven that without magic, they cannot be up to the task of leading us. And Astoria has always been the province the world looks to for innovation and guidance. Astoria has always been the backbone, the strength of this planet."
He paused, glaring at the two monarchs, gesturing widely to show those behind him agreed and were willing to back up his assertions with force if necessary.
"Now," he continued, "it is time to repeal the amendment allowing those without magic to rule. It was an experiment that failed. With the threat of cataclysmic disasters and the impending return of the sky-gods, we must establish centralized rule. Aedalina Florian and Erik Drake have shown themselves dedicated to this cause, strong in leadership, and willing to do whatever it takes to establish a command that will keep all of Jantyr safe in the face of the looming threats. Friends, we must now grant recognition of their rule over Jantyr."
Other leaders of their army stepped forward, announcing their support for this bold political move. I stared in shock as the army advanced. If I had to fight, I would, but I couldn’t risk them stopping me from activating the next crystal.
First Lady Rhianna tapped her data pad to make her own announcement to all of Jantyr. "Join me in aiding my daughter in this quest, our quest, to save Jantyr from the disasters unleashed by Aedalina Florian and Erik Drake. We will establish a centralized rule — with the appropriate measures to ensure that this does not lead to a dictatorship — but these criminals are not fit to lead us. These are the ones who have ensured our doom if our last hope, the genesis device, does not renew the world."
First Lady Rhianna’s words were met with a rallying cry from the more progressively minded regions, but others vowed to follow Aedalina and Erik due to their strong, bold actions.
I could take no more. Acting on impulse, I blurted out, "Aedalina and Erik, I believe you once had the best intentions, but the disasters you’ve unleashed have killed millions already and could annihilate billions more. Then you align yourselves with him? Lars thinks the device will destroy Jantyr! He’s going to do everything he can to make sure I don’t activate the device. But he’s wrong. Why would you align yourself with someone willing to let the disasters go unchecked?"
"First Daughter, you did not grow up here. You’d be well advised to allow those of us who do understand what's going on to work this out." Ex-Commander Lars sneered. "These disasters, as most people well know, are cyclical. Yes, they have become more extreme every 10,000 years, but they certainly won’t destroy the planet, much less the galaxy. Our people do not need fairy stories about prophecies and a mythical device. They need action and a clear plan to stop the threat of the sky-gods."
Aedalina stepped forward, reaching out to play with a lock of my hair. "Sister, dear, I am truly sorry for...before. You must understand, nothing can be left to chance."
"Yeah, I know the planet needs centralized rule!" I protested hotly, pulling back. Bile again rose in my throat as I remembered the attack. "I agree with you. About that, anyway. Mom and Dad agree with you."
"Then why was nothing ever done about it!" Erik roared. He approached the group to stand by Aedalina. Brian and Korin moved in front of me, edging me backward to shield me from them.
"You know why." Prime Minister Roland crossed his arms. "Negotiations fell apart when we failed to come to a reasonable plan to achieve it."
"Sister?" First Lady Rhianna went pale. She stared hard at Aedalina, as if seeing her for the first time. It was a moment of revelation, and the first lady’s emerald eyes widened. She delicately held one hand to her chest. "They lied to me — they told me my baby girl died."
"You may have given birth to me, but I’m not your ‘baby girl’, " Aedalina spat, fire flashing in her own eyes that so resemble
d the first lady’s.
Prime Minister Roland glanced from his wife to Aedalina, his expression shocked. He wrapped an arm around First Lady Rhianna to support her. "All these years, we never knew. Where did you grow up?"
"With your greatest enemy, who once was queen of the desert lands—Merlene." Aedalina lifted her chin defiantly, resembling me in that moment. "She saved me from growing up with traitors who stole the throne...and murdered her husband! I’m grateful my sister grew up away from you as well."
The revelation had everyone talking at once, bickering with each other. "Enough!" My shout rang strong and clear above it all, shocking them all into silence. "We need unity, not war. Find a way to create a centralized rule before the sky-gods get here, or you know what’s going to happen. If we fight among ourselves, they win."
"Oh, this will be settled long before they get here," Erik assured me. "There is only one way — eliminate the opposition."
Aedalina’s and Erik’s army lined up, raising swords, energy spheres, crystal weapons, and all sorts of weapons I couldn’t begin to identify. Before I could blink, a major battle ensued between their army and the ones fighting for me. Fast and furious, the blows struck. Brian, Korin, and I protected all those who had come from Earth with energy spheres, though I once saw Korin use his crystal sword to absorb and deflect incoming magic. My birth parents and Caleb rushed forward to attack with energy weapons, the same kind I’d seen in my vision long ago, the night this all began.
Aedalina advanced on me. "Let’s see what you’ve got, Leah. Show me you’re strong enough, and I may consider letting you be the one to activate the device."
"Bring it." Staying in place, I formed an energy sphere. I would not allow myself to be drawn away from my family and friends, to leave them unprotected. "You know it wouldn’t work for you. Do you know what that device does to the person who activates it, Aeda? None of the wielders before me have survived. Their souls might not even have survived, not intact anyway. Are you willing to give everything up for that?"
