The Reckoning

by S. L. Morgan

  “Very well. You, my lady, go start tweaking your mental abilities so we do not need a water wheel.”

  A week had passed since Reece began her meditations. She strained her mind daily to rediscover the abilities she once had, but nothing was happening. She felt a bit stronger today, so she spent the majority of the day alone in her room deep in thought. She was sure that on this day, it would work. Her eyes snapped open, feeling a strange confidence, and she had to see if something was changing in her.

  She ran down the stairs and out to where everyone sat in light conversation in the small living room.

  “Reece?” Levi said, standing up. “Has something changed?”

  I love you, and all I want is to annihilate Mordegrin, she mentally spoke the strongest feelings in her to Levi.

  “Reece?” Levi questioned again.

  “Did you hear my thoughts?” she asked excitedly.

  Levi frowned. “No.”

  Reece’s heart sank, and she couldn’t help collapsing into Levi’s arms and shedding tears. “Why isn’t this working?”

  “Perhaps you are trying too hard and not letting your abilities naturally open up to you,” Levi suggested.

  “I’ve tried everything.” She dried her eyes and walked over to sit on the sofa.

  Levi joined her. “Reece, we have selfishly put this weight upon you, and I believe that may be the cause for your struggles. Mordegrin—”

  “Mordegrin!” she snarled as she eyed the patterns of the rug before her. “What if he is the reason I can’t do this?” She looked at Levi. “He drained the stone’s energy from me, but he had so much power over me at the time that he could have easily blocked all of my abilities from working ever again.”

  “That is something I would not put past that creep,” Harrison added.

  “You may be correct,” Navarre said in a concerned voice. “If you think about it, we have not been approached by any dangerous beasts since we arrived here. If Mordegrin has drained Reece entirely of her abilities, he may not be able to sense her anymore.”

  Levi rubbed his forehead. “That works to our advantage for survival on this planet, but it does not serve to get us out of here.”

  “I will not believe we are defeated,” Angeline finally spoke. “None of us can feel that way.”

  “I don’t know how to feel anymore.” Reece stood. “Please excuse me. I think I need some fresh air.”

  When she stepped out onto the front porch, Levi was at her side. She looked up into the sky, and her heart pounded in her chest when Levi rushed off the porch and bellowed for Areion. Reece looked in horror to find the stallion down on his side, breathing shallowly with his eyes closed.

  “Areion!” Levi boomed. He gripped the stallion’s harness. “You must stand!” he ordered as everyone flooded out of the house to join Levi and Reece as they knelt by the unresponsive stallion.

  Reece ran her hands along his coat. “What is wrong with him?”

  Levi looked toward the woods. “The stubborn beast went outside of my orders and must have eaten that shrubbery that is poisonous to him.”

  “Harrison, go to the other side,” Navarre ordered. “We must get him to his feet.”

  Reece stood back, covering her mouth. “This can’t be happening,” she said as the men worked to get the horse up.

  “Areion, STAND!” Levi ordered again. “Stand, or I should gladly leave you to die!”

  With a grunt from Areion and the encouragement of the men, Areion finally responded. He was quickly on his feet, yet unsteady and holding his head down.

  Levi lifted his chin with his reins. “I should have just let you die, boy! You knew better,” he scolded the horse.

  “I hope you don’t mind sleeping in an empty bed tonight, Reece,” Harrison shook his head.

  “What are you talking about?”

  Levi turned to walk with Areion. “Because of my stubborn horse’s nature, I will be up walking him until this poison passes through his system.”

  Reece caught up with Levi. “I’ll stay with you both. He won’t die, will he?”

  Levi looked over at his stallion. “Right now, I should let him,” he scolded Areion again. “Due to the fact that his war skills are needed, I will forgive this and use the rest of my day and all of the night to walk it out of him.”

  Reece gripped Levi’s arm. “Let me walk him for now.” She smiled. “Areion doesn’t need to be yelled at, and I’m sure you and Harrison have more work to do on that water wheel before it gets dark.”

  Levi’s lips twisted. “I will stay with him for now. He is weak and could go down again at any moment.”

  Reece was glad Levi opted to stay with his stallion, as the massive beast struggled to lift each leg. It was a devastating sight to see the once powerful horse in such a feeble condition.

  “Come on,” Levi ordered when Areion stopped and let out an exasperated breath.

  Reece watched Areion sway toward her, but he managed to regain his balance when Levi stood in front of the horse, gripping each side of his stallion’s head.

  “You are fiercer than this,” he said, studying the horse’s dull eyes. “You will pull it together and walk this out!”

  Areion grunted and lifted a large hoof.

  “That’s a good boy,” Reece encouraged.

  Reece sighed in relief when Areion finally started to press his hooves hard into the ground, and his usual canter returned to him. Levi started pacing Areion faster once he saw the horse was getting past his illness.

  “Maybe you won’t be up all night walking him after all?” Reece said, relieved. “I think he’s already much better.”

  Levi stopped Areion, looked into his eyes, and carefully ran his hands along his belly. “He is mending, but the poison is still affecting him. This will be an all-night ordeal.” He resumed their walk. “Perhaps Areion has learned his lesson. He has never experienced an illness such as this before.”

  Areion was fully recovered by the next morning, as Levi predicted. In the days following, even though the men continued to strategize defeating Mordegrin, they were absently starting to adapt to their new life on Earth. No one would mention words of giving up, but it was becoming apparent that they weren’t making any progress. Reece continued to try to tune in to her abilities, but nothing came of it. All felt lost, and the red skies were a constant reminder that she had failed with the only chance that was given to her. The most aggravating part was that she couldn’t fix it, no matter how hard she tried.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  EIGHT MONTHS LATER

  Reece walked Levi out to the front porch of the cabin. She couldn’t help thinking the only thing that had changed since their arrival was Angeline’s swelling abdomen. Even with the excitement of Angeline being due to give birth to the twins within the month, Reece couldn’t help thinking about her daughter who she missed so terribly.

  “Do you think we will ever see Marian again?” Reece quietly asked. “I know we’ve had many discussions about not ever giving up, but I can’t help but miss her and wonder if we’ll ever have our baby again.”

  Levi turned her to face him. “I ask myself that question quite often.” He kissed her. “But as you said, and what we must keep reminding ourselves, we must never give up hope that we will be with all of our family again.”

  “I’m so thrilled for Angeline and Harrison,” she said as tears sprung to her eyes. “I just—I’m so sorry.”

  Levi brushed the tear that slipped down her cheek and looked at her with a sympathetic grin. “What could you possibly be sorry for, my love?”

  She looked up at him with remorse. “Isn’t it obvious? I probably can’t have children anymore. Marian was the only child I could give you, and we may never see her again.”

  Levi grew solemn as he embraced Reece. “Never apologize for such things. We cannot be certain that you will never be able to conceive again.” He stepped back and lifted her chin. “I will always love you, whether or not you can bear children
. Our love is much stronger than that, and you know it.”

  Reece sighed. “I feel so empty inside. I can’t explain it.”

  “I completely understand. You only had the privilege of nurturing our daughter for a week before Mordegrin forced us to send her away for her protection.” He brought his lips down onto hers. “I miss her every day as well, but I try to put my gratefulness in that she is with my mother, sister, and Shallek’s people ahead of my grief. Her safety is what is most important.”

  Reece nodded. “You’re right. And I’m pretty sure Angie and Harrison’s twins will keep us all quite busy once they arrive,” she said, forcing herself into a more positive mindset.

  “If the twins are anything like their father, we most definitely will have our hands full.”

  “I look forward to meeting them.” Reece smiled and tugged on his overalls. “Looks like it’s time for you to go hunting with the men. Angie and I will be anxiously waiting to see what our dinner will be tonight.”

  Levi chuckled. “I think rattlesnake would be an excellent delicacy for our lovely women,” he winked.

  Reece smirked at Levi’s amused expression. “I don’t believe that there are enough rattlesnakes around to fill up the constantly famished pregnant gal.”

  “Very true!” Harrison said as he walked out of the front door with Navarre. “That woman could eat an entire buffalo if we were lucky enough to have them in this area.”

  The group laughed as Levi bent to kiss Reece. “We’ll return as soon as possible,” he said, brushing a finger over her nose before turning and following the men down to the waiting horses.

  That afternoon, Reece and Angeline went on about their daily routine. They managed to plant a garden from dried seeds found in the cabin’s root cellar, and the vegetables were ripening nicely given the state of Earth’s altered atmosphere. After both women had plucked enough green beans for their dinner, they strolled back to the cabin.

  “Angie, I have to say that since you are due to have the twins this month,” Reece started as she interlaced her arm through Angeline’s, “you should probably take it a little easier. Pemdai or not, you really should be resting more.”

  Angeline smiled. “I would go crazy sitting in that cabin all day. I have to do something to keep my mind busy.”

  “Good point,” Reece responded. “Hopefully, the twins will come soon, so we will have a new form of entertainment.”

  As the women ascended the steps to the cabin, Reece motioned for Angeline to sit on the porch chair that Levi had restored. “Here’s the bucket. You’re on bean-snapping duty today.” She teased. “I’ll be back in a bit. It’s time to head to the river and do some laundry. Try not to get jealous that I have the best chore,” Reece said dryly.

  “I’ll gladly sit that one out today,” Angeline laughed.

  Reece took a wicker basket filled with clothes down to the water and began washing them against the washboard. As she washed the clothing quietly, her heart leapt when she heard loud growls coming from the cabin. Her heart started racing, and then to her greatest fear, she heard Angeline scream with an agonizing wail.

  Reece stumbled, turning so quickly her feet couldn’t catch up. She recovered herself as she ran up the hill to the cabin.

  “NO!” she heard Harrison roar wildly.

  “Go at them from the side,” Navarre ordered.

  When Reece reached the cabin, the horrific sounds she had heard were nothing compared to the sight before her. A group of scaly creatures had found them. Their tales were like razors, and their long snouts had rows of fangs surrounding them. Fiery red eyes fell on Reece as the creature began zeroing in on her.

  Before she could run, Levi ran up behind it and severed its frightening head from its body. There were at least a dozen of these creatures, and the men were at a horrible disadvantage. Unexpectedly, amidst the chaos, roars, and fighting, the creatures vaporized into black dust.

  It felt as though time had stopped, and everyone stood frozen in shock. Harrison was the first to recover as he bolted over to where Angeline lay on the ground. Her clothes were ripped to shreds in the pool of blood that she lay in.

  The group quickly raced to where Harrison was on his knees, cradling Angeline. He ran his hand over the scrapes and wounds on her face, then he brought his hand over hers, cradling her stomach.

  “Angie, stay with me,” his voice cracked as the pool of blood she lay in grew rapidly.

  Reece watched the entire scene play out in horror. There was no hope to save Angeline. Her fatal wounds were giving her just enough time to say goodbye.

  Angeline gripped Harrison’s hand. “Our sons’ hearts no longer beat.” A tear slipped down her cheek.

  “Angie, don’t!” Harrison said frantically as tears streamed uncontrollably down his face. “Don’t! You’re here. I’m here. You’re with me! Stay with me!”

  Angeline reached for Harrison’s face. “I have loved you forever.” She coughed, blood streaming out of her mouth, down her cheek, and onto her neck. “My darling Harry, I…” She gasped and smiled strangely. Without another word, Angeline’s eyes and body went lifeless as she took her last breath.

  “NO!” Harrison howled. “NO! You can’t leave me here!” He brought a hand around Angeline’s neck, supporting her lifeless body as he brought her face to his neck.

  Levi rushed over to Reece as she fell to the ground, sobbing and covering her eyes with her hands. Levi lifted her up to her feet, and she buried her face into his chest as they listened and watched Harrison beg Angeline to come back to him. Before anyone could offer support to him, Harrison stood. When he turned, the lethal expression he wore sent shivers down Reece’s spine. The grief, the anger, and the warrior all were present.

  Navarre and Levi walked toward him. “Harrison.” Navarre calmly reached out to where Harrison had Angeline’s blood drenched body cradled in his arms.

  “Stand back!” Harrison growled. “Leave us be.”

  Harrison wandered off alone into the forest, and Saracen followed closely and protectively behind as they disappeared into the thick shrubbery. If there were any other creatures out there, Reece knew that Harrison wouldn’t bother to fight them away.

  “This tragedy is unspeakable,” Navarre said shakily. “Mordegrin knows where we are now. We must find another place of refuge once Harrison says his farewells.”

  Reece collapsed into Levi’s embrace, weeping uncontrollably by the horror of what had taken place. “She is at peace with her babies now,” Levi said flatly as he brushed his hand over her hair.

  “How could this happen? Everything was fine,” Reece sobbed.

  Before anyone could say another word, the blood red sun they had seen since they arrived was unshielded by its eerie color. The red glow in the sky above them slowly vanished, displaying a brilliant blue hue. Confused, Reece looked over to Levi and Navarre, who held the same expressions.

  “What is going on?” Levi asked.

  “I am wondering the same,” Navarre said. “First those creatures are vaporized, and now this?”

  “The Great One has been destroyed,” a strange voice called out.

  In that instant, Navarre and Levi drew their swords, and Levi briskly shoved Reece behind him. She peered around his side to see a woman with feathers covering her head and shimming iridescent wings from behind her. The entire group she was with looked the same, except their colors were different with brilliant yellows, oranges, greens, and red patterns throughout their large wings.

  “What do you want from us after all this time?” Levi boomed.

  “To offer you our gratitude. Now that Mordegrin has been destroyed, we can return to our world. If it weren't for The Key, we would have been trapped here for eternity.”

  What? Reece went to step out, but Levi halted her.

  “How are you certain Mordegrin is dead?” Navarre asked.

  “We watched as he gripped onto the woman’s arm. Oddly, she disappeared, and Mordegrin simply exploded into million
s of particles. That is when the force that was keeping us in this galaxy was lifted. Most, if not all, alien species from other galaxies have returned to their homes already.”

  “Where have all of you been?” Levi asked. “We believed that after all this time you and your people must have been destroyed.”

  She nodded. “Mordegrin concocted a being to imprison us when he discovered we could not be killed. We were witness to Mordegrin learning of your whereabouts and sending beasts to destroy you.” She looked past them to where Angeline was killed. “The woman, The Key, appeared soon after. After we had been freed, we rushed to this location to stop them. We are sorry that we did not make it in time.”

  “What makes you so sympathetic to our people all of a sudden?” Navarre asked.

  “You saved our people,” she simply stated. “The woman who you refer to as Reece, The Key, is the reason we are free. We do hope that you find your way back to your home as well. You must find your warrior, and she will bring you home.”

  “Would you know of her whereabouts?” Navarre questioned.

  “We cannot sense her presence, but I am sure fate will bring you all together.” She turned to leave. “Be well, Guardians. It is time we leave.”

  Without another word, the woman and those with her turned into flames of fire. Their human-like appearances changed into birds, and they darted up into the sky, leaving a fiery trail behind them until they disappeared.

  Levi and Navarre both stood there staring at each other. “What woman killed Mordegrin?” Levi asked.

  Reece stepped out from behind Levi. “What were those things? Why were you hiding me from them?”

  “They are a powerful species that we encountered along the way before we found you. They threatened to destroy us if,” Levi turned to Reece, “you failed them.”

  “We must know who that being was that destroyed Mordegrin. As long as Celosia believes the woman was Reece, we are safe from her wrath.” Navarre rubbed his forehead. “First, let us go help Harrison with Angeline. I know the timing could not be worse, but now that Mordegrin is dead, we need to make it our mission to ensure the being that killed Mordegrin is no threat to us.”