by Beth Hodgson
Emerald was alone.
Kyle, I’m sorry. So sorry…
Remnants of the last moment when Emerald saw Kyle’s bloodied head and lifeless body in the wastelands stood still in her mind. Through her drugged state, she managed to reach out past the authorities and heal him, or at least she hoped she did, because she didn’t remember anything beyond that point.
Please be okay…
Emerald found herself in a strange prismatic room that was not familiar to her. The walls themselves looked like they had been cut from one large stone, with intricate details delicately carved throughout and no cracks in the corners to be found. On one side of the room was a glass door that led outside to a private deck. Next to that door was a window overlooking an endless sky, with no sign of the ground below. In the middle of the room was a fire pit. Emerald felt a magical connection to it; it was not a normal fire fueled by wood. No, it was fueled by magic.
Emerald turned away from the fire and saw a tall, slender woman sitting at a vanity, and two servants were fixing her long, floor-length violet hair. Startled, she got up and hid behind a couch in the far corner of the room where the door was.
What is going on? How did I get here?
Curious, Emerald peered at the woman from behind the couch. The woman was gorgeous. She had narrow violet eyes and a long neck that she held high. Her proud face remained perfectly still as one of the servants painted her lips a bright fuchsia.
She has the gift!
The servant women fixed the violet maiden’s hair into a large ponytail, split in two sections, then secured it with large fuchsia and silver hair combs. The regal woman stood up, her silky white under-robe flowing around her slender legs. She held her hands out as the two servants retrieved a lavender kimono embroidered with silver and pink designs. The woman gazed in her vanity mirror, appearing satisfied at her appearance, then fixed her bust line, opening the robe slightly to reveal her cleavage.
As the servants finished dressing the woman, another servant dressed in similar robes came into the room, then bowed to the violet woman.
“Princess Ikaria, Emperor Ojin has summoned you to the private hall,” the servant said.
“It must be something to do with the ceremony,” Ikaria stated, still looking at her reflection. “What does Father want this time?”
“I don’t know, Princess, but he wanted you to come right away,” the servant urged.
“Fine.” Ikaria waved at her servants to open her door, turning and heading in Emerald’s direction.
Emerald quickly ducked her head behind the couch again, but it was too late. The violet woman looked directly at her. Emerald’s heart stopped, scared of what the princess might do or say. But to her relief, neither the princess nor her entourage of servants seemed to notice her as they exited the room.
Emerald exhaled in relief.
What is going on?
It was like Emerald didn’t even exist, or better yet, was invisible to everyone.
Maybe this is a dream?
Emerald peeked out from behind the door, then decided to follow the princess, walking down the hall behind Ikaria’s servants. The group of women stopped suddenly, causing Emerald to walk right through one the body of one of the servants, as if she were a ghost.
The princess turned her delicate neck, flashing her light violet eyes. “Do not let the kimono drag on the ground. I cannot get it dirty before the ceremony!” She turned away, waiting for her garment to be held up. The servants quickly picked up the back of the robe, ensuring that it did not drag on the marbled floors.
The group of women approached what looked like an audience hall. It was so expansive that Emerald knew she was in either a palace or castle. There was another set of women servants standing outside the entrance wearing robes similar to what the violet princess was wearing, but in a different color, a light gold.
The servants dressed in gold bowed low to Ikaria. Ikaria continued to hold her pose, not greeting them in return. Just then, the door in front of her swung open.
Through the doorway, a younger woman emerged who looked just like the violet woman, albeit with dark features. She was shorter, smaller, and had long flowing black hair, dark eyes, and small lips. The woman’s eyes looked similar to Ikaria’s—narrow, elongated, but not nearly as thin.
The smaller woman lowered her eyes to Princess Ikaria. “Princess,” she said quietly, bowing her head.
Ikaria acknowledged her with a bow. “Sister,” she said in response. The black-haired woman and her servants walked away, disappearing down the hall as Ikaria entered the private hall alone, her servants waiting outside. Emerald slipped into the hall after Princess Ikaria.
The black marbled floors in the hall were highly polished, and the blackened glass walls and ceiling echoed eternal images of the people within the room. Emerald walked up to one of the walls, seeing if her reflection was there. To her dismay, her image was unseen, and all she saw was a set of tall stairs leading to a marbled circular platform in the middle of the room. Several white lights illuminated the top of the platform, highlighting two thrones.
On one of the thrones sat a man with the same features as the two sisters. He was dressed in the most ornate robe Emerald had ever seen, with a golden scepter in his hand and a large golden crown. Next to him was his wife, no doubt, dressed in a similar fashion.
Six people stood on the far side of the thrones, all perfectly composed. She assumed that they were some people of importance by the way they held themselves high and how elaborately dressed they were, more so than the man who sat on the throne. What was even more fascinating was that all six people had the gift. There were two red-gifted, one orange, one yellow, and two blues.
It was so beautiful to Emerald, seeing people like her having magic. She felt power radiating from the gifted. It was as if gifted were meant to be with other gifted, that this was magic in its natural form, all of the colors coming together to form the God of Light’s power, forming perfect harmony. It was only natural to feel drawn to the others.
To the right of the thrones was another gifted man with dark skin the color of ebony, with stubby yellow hair. He had the most intense golden eyes Emerald had ever seen. The man was dressed in elaborate golden pants and a gold shirt a collar and large sleeves. In his hand he held a long staff with a translucent prismatic crystal orb mounted on the top.
Ikaria approached her father, giving him a deep bow, then turned to the six gifted off to the side, doing the same for them.
“It is an honor to be in the presence of the High Court,” Ikaria murmured.
The High Court nodded slightly, holding their posture. It was apparent to Emerald that these people were in charge and not the Emperor himself.
“You summoned me, Father?” Ikaria’s voice echoed through the chamber.
“Ikaria… there has been a vision,” her father said.
Emerald could see the anguish in the Emperor’s eyes for what he was about to say. He closed his heavy eyes while the Empress put her hand gently on her husband’s hand. The whole room was silent, waiting for the Emperor to continue.
Ikaria looked at her father, then looked around at the other gifted, her face now wearing a mask of worry.
“What is it, Father?”
The Emperor sighed loudly, then opened his narrow eyes. “I am sorry to say this, my daughter, but you are not in the future to rule this sector. Your sister has been seen in your place.”
Emerald saw the shock on Ikaria’s face. She was stunned speechless by the news. Ikaria turned to her mother, shaking her head in panic and disbelief.
“I don’t… understand,” she said, her voice trembling.
One of the members of the High Court stepped forward. He was an older man with startling blue eyes, dressed in a silver robe with a circular back piece showing his authority. His hair and beard were mostly white, but Emerald could still see the blue that had faded away from it.
“My dear, as much as we know this unfortunate news is hard for you t
o take, we must always follow the visions from the yellow-gifted.” He paused. “Always.”
Ikaria shot him a look, her violet eyes intensifying.
The old man noticed Ikaria’s glare, continuing. “We must all do our duty to our sector.” He returned her look with serious eyes, almost giving her an indirect warning. “And follow what the magic has directed us to do.”
Emerald felt the air thicken as emotions flooded in the room. The only ones in the room that didn’t appear to have any sort of emotion were the members of the High Court. They appeared to be gloating. Nothing on their faces showed it, but Emerald could sense it.
“You. I suppose this was all your doing!” Ikaria raised her voice, pointing a finger at the man with the staff. He raised an eyebrow but didn’t move or speak otherwise. “Typical,” Ikaria spat under her breath viciously. “Just because I don’t fit the ordinary school of thinking that the court has adopted, doesn’t mean I am not fit to rule!”
The golden man eyed Ikaria, remaining silent. Just by his look, Emerald could see that it was his vision that had brought about this change in plans.
Another member of the High Court spoke up. “Do not blame Auron. This is exactly why you are not fit to rule,” said a middle-aged woman with long red hair and flaming eyes. “We have heard several reports about your… fascination with technology. One would think you would like to introduce it back into society.”
“So I am being denied my right to rule because of some rumored reports?” Ikaria asked the woman, scoffing.
“No, Princess. You simply were not seen in the yellow’s vision as the future Empress, unlike your sister, who was. You are making this more difficult for yourself than it needs to be.”
At the woman’s cruel words, Ikaria fell silent, her entire body trembling now. Then she whirled in the direction of her father, collapsing on the floor, sobbing. “Why have you done this, Father?”
No one said anything. They merely continued to watch as Ikaria sobbed. Her tears sprinkled the floor, creating small little reflections, her heated breaths making cloudy impressions in the shiny floor.
Emerald felt sorry for this Princess Ikaria. Even though the woman appeared to be self-centered, she felt the pain radiating from the woman’s soul. It was genuine. Raw. Emerald would never wish ill toward the proud, even if they deserved it. It seemed like everyone was against her.
I wonder what they meant about introducing technology into society? Am I somewhere in the past that doesn’t have technology? Or possibly the future? Or is this all a dream? Do I need to wake up?
The sobs continued to echo through the hall, and finally, the Emperor spoke.
“We will ensure that you have a position at court when your sister assumes the throne,” the Emperor said, not unkindly. “Until then, you will continue your studies on magic. Hopefully you will discover how to wield your violet magic to better the court and our sector.”
Silence settled upon the room. Ikaria lifted her head, glancing at her father with a tear-stained face. Her narrow eyes were bloodshot, but the beautiful halo of pale purple irises within her pupils still burned bright.
“Yes, Father,” Ikaria answered in a whisper, then bowed her head.
Walking over to the sobbing princess, Emerald placed a hand on her shoulder. Ikaria suddenly stopped sniffling, and Emerald could sense a calm, bitter resentment within.
At that moment, both blue-gifted members of the High Court turned sharply at Emerald.
“Who are you?” the man with the beard called out.
“How did you get here?” the other one asked.
Emerald looked behind her in case he was talking to someone else. There was no one behind her. They were talking to her.
Emerald stumbled backward, mortified. “Please, I didn’t mean to intrude. I don’t know how I got here!” Emerald answered, her heart racing. Her head whipped wildly as she glanced in every direction. No one saw her but the blue-gifted men, and Emerald could tell they were confused and had no idea who they were talking to.
“What is the meaning of this?” the Emperor asked, puzzled.
Both blue-gifted men of the High Court gave Emerald a dark look and jerked their hands outward, calling upon their blue magic.
The world quickly started shifting in all-blue tones, and the movements of the people slowed in motion.
Time was freezing.
I just want to go back to my time! All I want to do is see Kyle one more time… Emerald cried in her mind.
Emerald closed her eyes, calling forth her power. A deep sadness washed over her as she remembered once again that Kyle was gone, angry with her. But he’d come for her. He didn’t want her to go. That thought in itself gave her comfort, even though she was alone again.
Emerald felt a surge of power flowing through her core. It was not her life-giving magic. It was one she had accidentally stumbled across before, one that was close to her green magic. The magic continued to feed off her thoughts of Kyle, growing in size, welling up in her soul.
With a sudden flash, her eyes opened, and Emerald extended her hands, causing a massive green-yellow transparent barrier to engulf her just as the men’s blue power struck her. Their blue magic was immediately absorbed into her green shield, saving her from being frozen in time. With another movement of her arms, Emerald shot another blast of magic around her. This time, the magic was green-blue.
Like a giant tidal wave, the magic washed over her.
Wake up, Emerald! Wake up! Emerald ordered herself.
Emerald saw space, stars, and galaxies swirl around her, fading from greenish-blue to the blackest night.
Wake up!
***
She heard sounds at first. Familiar sounds. Glacia’s low humming mixed with muffled sounds of the city.
Her eyes felt heavy, but Emerald managed to open them. She was back at the palace in her quarters.
What happened? Had she been dreaming? Why did she feel so tired? The recent events were such a blur, and Emerald had a hard time gathering her thoughts. It was like someone was tickling her mind, leaving her unable to complete a coherent thought. She couldn’t muster up the energy to use her voice, just a small moan.
Just as Emerald made a sound, she heard soft footsteps nearby. They were Glacia’s, as she had a particular walk about her.
“Princess,” Glacia whispered under her breath, blotting a damp rag on her forehead. “I was so worried about you.”
Emerald tried to move her lips, but her voice cracked, and the muscles in her mouth felt stiff.
Glacia noticed and fetched a glass of water, then sat Emerald up to drink it.
The iced water shocked her system, giving her the jolt she needed to awaken her slow-moving body. Emerald closed her eyes, continuing to drink the water, shutting out the sounds and sights around her.
Kyle’s image filled her mind. He had come for her, out in the wastelands. He didn’t want her to leave. Neither did she, but she had no choice. She couldn’t keep running from her father, and she had to help the desert peoples. A pang of sadness filled her and she recalled leaving Kyle the way she did. But in the end, he was right. She had to do something. Emerald had let her father have his way over everyone long enough. It had to stop.
“Glacia, how long was I out?”
“About sixteen hours or so,” Glacia replied, blotting her forehead again, wiping the wet hair away from her face. “We have been so worried about you. Prince Derek has not left your sitting room, waiting for you to wake.”
“Derek?” Emerald’s mind was still clouded with fog, and Derek was lost within it. “He is still here in Arcadia?”
“Well, yes. Your father has accepted Derek’s proposal.”
Emerald’s gaze suddenly jerked toward Glacia, and the fog of her mind lifted. “What? He has?” Emerald asked in disbelief.
Glacia stilled for a moment, then continued. “Princess, your father has fallen very ill.”
Emerald’s gaze met Glacia’s. “Tell me what has h
appened.”
“The night after you have left, it was rumored that your father was out of sorts, and he signed Arcadia away to Derek, naming him heir. Since then, the King has been in his chambers and sees no one but Derek or the Inner Council. It has been whispered that your father sees them once a day to give direction and refuses to do anything else.”
Shocked ran through Emerald. “Truly?”
“Yes, Princess. I am sure you have much to talk about when you see Prince Derek. Shall I let him know you are awake?”
Emerald shook her head. “No, not yet. Let me gather my senses.”
Glacia bowed, then disappeared into Emerald’s bathroom, starting the bath water.
Prince Derek… heir to Arcadia now? My father fallen ill?
If what Glacia said was correct, Emerald couldn’t confront her father about using magic. He was too ill. Besides, if she married Derek, she wouldn’t have to worry about her father anymore. Derek would listen to her about the desert peoples and the experiments conducted on them. He would put a stop it, surely. And she could convince Derek to stop the taxes on the lower levels. The two of them could unite the kingdoms, ensuring that her father’s harsh rule would end.
Emerald’s head was spinning at the thought of all the good she could do marrying Derek.
A sudden, conflicted feeling overcame her. Kyle. She would have to put Kyle behind her. Out of her thoughts. And that depressed Emerald. Would he ever forgive her? He had to understand that it was the best for everyone. For his people and for Arcadia. She was going to right her father’s wrongs. But why did she feel so terrible about it? The mere thought made her feel sick deep within her soul and her heart heavy with grief. Part of her wanted to hop on the back of Kyle’s motorcycle and just forget the world around her. But she couldn’t do that. She had done that for the last week, and it did nothing to help Arcadia. The city was left in ruin, taxes were still high, and cyborgs were roaming the city.
She felt so confused.
Emerald could hear the bath water filling the tub from where she was sitting, and every so often Glacia swished the water with her hand, mixing oils into the water. Out of the corner of her eye, Emerald saw the air by her window fluctuate, like a drop of water falling into a pool, causing the image of the city to flutter. It came to a stop as a shadowy image of a man began to form in its place.
