by Morgan, SL
Navarre spoke gravely in return. “Even if I sought such things, the map cannot be retrieved to locate the stone. It may be in her mind, but it is absolutely inaccessible.”
Another voice echoed in the room. “So you admit to having tried to access the information, Emperor? What would be the reason for such an act? If you have taken the Key into your dimension for her protection alone, as you so claim, why would you have that knowledge?”
Before Navarre could answer, Movac spoke. “The reason is power. That’s what the Pemdai are after. They say they serve all of us by keeping Earth unharmed—but from whom? From us—all of us—the other worlds that only seek to learn from the peculiar planet. We do not need anyone to police us!” He snapped. “I do not remember any world, asking for the Guardians to protect Earth. We all rightfully have access to it.”
Navarre faced him squarely. “We do not require anyone’s approval to do what is necessary to protect the Earth. Your kind is not to be trusted.”
He looked around, catching the eye of each being in the room. “I ask everyone here to remember the last confrontation with the Ciatron. They used their knowledge to manipulate the people of Earth into believing that they were their gods and creators. If it were not for the creation of the stone by this woman’s ancestor, we would all have been enslaved or destroyed by this enemy who stands before us now. If you believe Movac would not attempt this again, you are greatly deceived.”
Movac snarled viciously. “Those days are gone!” He stepped aggressively toward Navarre. “You stand there and resurrect the days that almost destroyed our entire world. You treat me as if I were a fool! Of course I remember the Battle of the Ancient Guardians; our world will never forget it.”
Levi brought his arm up and embraced Reece, bringing her closer to him. Movac turned to look at them. He walked over and stood towering over Reece and Levi.
Reece felt strangely calm. In fact, as she stared into Movac’s black, almond eyes, she felt an odd desire to withdraw from Levi’s tightened embrace and walk to her enemy. He smiled down at her as Levi’s arm tightened even more around Reece.
“Step away from her, now!” Levi commanded.
Movac smiled. “You love this human. Ah, this is all the more interesting.”
Navarre interjected from behind him. “Movac! Leave the woman, and my son, now! If you are to be trusted, then why, may I ask, are you trying to persuade her to go with you?”
Movac turned to face Navarre, releasing the mental hold he had over Reece. As he did, she felt her panic return, and clung closer to Levi. She shook her head, trying to figure out what had happened to her.
“You may ask nothing of me!” He turned to face the rest of the room. “Members of the Unification, may I ask what your final word is on Emperor Navarre, and the rest of the Guardians who have controlled our well-being in their own way for all these years?”
Navarre stepped back to Levi and Reece. He exchanged a glance with his son. Reece felt as though they were losing any hope of coming to a resolution. There was no sign of Harrison and the rest of the men, and she stood ready for whatever Levi led them to do.
A young man who was seated at the elevated table, one of the few in the room that looked human, stood. “I see no reason to trust the Pemdai any longer. All these years, we have believed they were protecting us, when in reality, they were limiting us. Emperor Navarre, I may speak only for myself and my land, but we do not need the Pemdai to have any say over what we seek out of Earth. You have used the power we have given the Guardians to break the treaty, and bring the Key to the stone into your own world. I believe the woman should be taken from them and kept on Earth, where she belongs.” He finished and resumed his seat.
Another stood. “I agree with Lucas! I, too, have underestimated the control we have given to one world, by allowing them to rule over a land that is not theirs. The woman must be returned to Earth.”
The one with the dragon-like face stood. “Let the Council know, and understand, that the removal of the woman from her place on Earth is a direct violation of the Xylander treaty, signed after the great battle. As such, this Council is justified in whatever retribution they so choose.”
Others in the room eventually stood and agreed, leaving Navarre helpless.
Movac turned around and smiled. “I agree, as well. By breaking the treaty, these Pemdai have overstepped their boundaries as Guardians. I will insist upon a punishment for them, and for all of the inhabitants of Pemdas.”
Navarre remained silent as the room proceeded to discuss the punishment. One stood. “There can be no greater punishment than to require them to stay upon their own soil, never to return to Earth.” The room agreed in unison.
Reece realized it had all been decided before they even entered the room. She felt sick. Levi stood as still as a statue, and Navarre stepped forward to say, “You all have been gravely misled. I am sorry for your ignorance.”
Movac looked back toward where Levi and Reece stood, and nodded.
Instantly, Reece was removed from Levi’s grip. Two beings held her, one on each side. They were not the Ciatron, but very tall, slender, orange beings with elongated heads. Levi had three dragon-faced beings attempting to restrain him as he fought violently to free himself. It took another three combatants to finally overpower and restrain him.
Tears welled up in Reece’s eyes as she watched him in this vulnerable state. She turned to see what had become of Navarre. She was surprised to see him standing there, unrestrained. His eyes began to brighten as he stared at his son, who was being held up against a wall. Levi’s enraged expression began to fade, and his eyes became vivid as well.
Navarre turned and addressed Movac. “Release my son, now!”
Movac laughed. “Navarre, have you not been listening to anything? We will no longer live under the Pemdai Guardians. Your son will be released when you both are returned to your land for confinement.”
Navarre turned back to Levi, and continued to stare deeply into his eyes. Levi’s eyes closed and he exhaled. Were they defeated? Reece felt the room spinning around her. She could not remember how to breathe. A black blur came over her vision; the voices of the council members rang in her ears, and she began to lose consciousness. It was over. She no longer felt her heart beating, and no longer felt her legs beneath her, as she drifted off.
As she lost consciousness, her mind began to display comforting images of Levi and the safety he had provided for her…
All of her memories of their time together flashed rapidly through her mind—every moment they had shared, from her first sight of him in Philadelphia, to the present day.
She remembered his words on the airplane from earlier that morning when he told her, “I have my own plans, if theirs fail. I love you Reece. I will protect you. Do you trust that I will?” The words echoed in her head. “Do you trust that I will?”
Reece slowly came to, only to see Levi being dragged toward the front of the room, as the Ciatron leader approached him. Navarre stood captive between two Ciatron beings.
She could not bear to witness this, but she knew that neither Levi, nor Navarre, would let it end like this. She knew they had the power and superior strength to free them somehow.
Just then, the two doors in the front, and the two doors in the back of the council chamber opened simultaneously, and in charged countless Pemdai warriors.
The warriors parted as Samuel and Harrison entered, followed by even more Guardians. For the first time, Harrison looked fearsome and ready for war. When he looked at Reece, his face was rigid and dark with fury. “It would be wise to release this woman…now!” He demanded. He stepped forward, and in a seemingly effortless array of movements, put one of her captors on the floor, and restrained the other. Harrison moved so rapidly, that Reece couldn’t figure out what he had done to send the second captor to the ground, writhing in pain. Harrison offered Reece his left arm, and she took it.
Everyone in the room appeared to be frozen, except for
the Pemdai warriors who swiftly secured the room. Levi and Navarre were released. The room was silent. Their accusers were at a loss for words as they found themselves surrounded; their lives subject to Navarre’s next command.
Navarre’s voice broke the silence. “It is no mystery, now, that you all sit in this room at my mercy.” He made his way to the center of the room. “If I were the untrustworthy man you believe me to be, answer me now; why should I not take action against all of you this instant?” He walked down through the tables. “Do I not have every right? All of you insult me with your foolish accusations, and threaten to exile me and enslave my people to our land?”
The Ciatron leader stood silent as Navarre continued to question them. “I may forgive your ignorance, but I will not forget your foolishness! Everyone in this room has proven to me they can never be trusted!”
The same young human-looking man that spoke earlier, stood. “Emperor Navarre, you must be reasonable. Regardless of whether or not you allow us to live, or by your authority, we perish; if you leave this room with anything less than an agreement with this Council, you will have signed a declaration of war, and subsequent extinction of your people.”
Navarre turned with fury. “You speak of declarations of war, Lucas…after you enslaved thousands of my men? You speak of agreements with the Council, after you lured me here by a plan of entrapment? Know this! Pemdai are ruled by no council. The Pemdai are ruled by honor and duty. We will defend our lives, the lives of those on Earth, and the lives represented by every member of this Council. If you view this as a declaration of war, then so be it! Let me remind you, the treaty was that the stone was to remain on Earth. It mentioned nothing of the Key. We leave this Council by the treaty, justified in our actions! I came here today only to gather what is mine, and to return to my land with the Key, which was entrusted to us by your ancestors. We will defend her with our lives. If you seek her, be ready to exchange her life for your own, for that will be the cost. The Key will reside in Pemdas; if you seek to pursue it, then you shall bleed on our soil, as we have bled on yours for thousands of years while defending it. If you decide to question this plan of action, then maybe you should question the one who deceived you all to begin with.” He glanced darkly at Movac.
Navarre turned to leave, when a voice of reason spoke out. “Emperor Navarre, if I may have one last word before you leave us on these terms.”
Navarre stopped and turned back to face the council.
“Your Excellency,” the voice continued. “You have reminded me of the legends told to me as a child. Legends that spoke of the bravery and sacrifice your people have endured for us all. It shames me greatly, that this Council, in its lack of wisdom, has forgotten that history lesson. Trust is not given, trust is earned. And the Pemdai have earned the trust of all worlds, time and time again. Never before has this Council parted without a unified directive. Therefore, I ask that all members present stand in support of Emperor Navarre’s declaration to return the Key to the protection of Pemdas. I ask not that you blindly give your trust to the Guardians, but that you simply remember who they are, and respect their resolve.”
As the Council stood in unison, Navarre acknowledged their concession with a nod, and a sent silent command to Samuel. At Samuel’s word, the Guardians stood down, and fell into formation behind him and their leader, as he exited the council chambers.
Chapter 30
As the Guardians followed Navarre and Samuel out through the doors, Reece saw Levi quickly making his way over to them. Without hesitation, she walked briskly toward him, and they collided into a powerful embrace. Reece buried her face into Levi’s neck, and sighed with contentment.
Levi’s lips brushed along the side of her cheek as he brought one hand up to tenderly caress the back of her neck. “It is over, sweetheart.” He said softly.
She closed her eyes, and relaxed further into his sturdy embrace. She tightened her arms around his slender waist, grateful she was safely in his arms again. She felt Levi rest his chin on the top of her head as his hands tenderly caressed up her back.
He slowly withdrew, and stared deeply into her eyes, “Let’s get you out of here.” He said as he drew her arm up into his.
Levi escorted Reece toward the doors where they met Harrison. As the three of them followed the last of the warriors making their way out of the room, Levi reached over to Reece and plucked the translators from her temples.
Reece glanced back at the room. The council members were not speaking to one another, but were making their ways out of front doors to the room. The entire atmosphere of the room had changed; instead of the thick, condemning pressure from earlier, humility reigned.
As they exited the castle, the Guardians filed down the countless stone steps, while Levi led Reece and Harrison to the edge of the balcony, where Navarre and Samuel stood.
Reece could not believe her eyes when she saw what awaited them. The balcony overlooked acres upon acres of flat, neatly trimmed grass, surrounded by a stone wall. She stood in awe of all the space crafts, which were being boarded by the council members, waiting to travel back to their own dimensions. Some of the crafts glowed, and then quickly disappeared, without ever moving. Four triangular ships rose simultaneously from the ground, and sped off sideways before they vanished. One by one, she watched the different shaped vessels disappear.
She watched Movac, who was trailed by about twenty of his men, as he walked up onto a platform, and into a large, round spaceship.
“Have we lost any men?” Navarre asked while staring intently at Movac’s ship.
“We were fortunate to not lose any of our men, Emperor. We have had only four wounded, and they have already been taken back to Pemdas.” Samuel answered.
“I wonder,” said Harrison, “is this the same triumphant feeling that the Ancient Guardians experienced after they defeated the Ciatron? Because I must say, there is nothing more enjoyable than watching Movac get up into that ridiculous craft with the knowledge that all of his scheming was for nothing. Now, he must return to his lands, and hope that the leaders in the Council today did not recognize his true motive!” He laughed. “Once again, The Pemdai have sent the Ciatron home wondering if all the worlds will choose to unite against them.”
Navarre continued to stare straight ahead as he answered him. “Indeed, I believe that the feelings of victory felt by our ancestors were the same as what we are feeling at this moment.”
He turned and addressed the four of them. “However, we all must understand that today Movac will return home with his men, only to begin plotting his next move. The Ciatron never have, and never will, give up their pursuit of the Key, or the power that comes with the discovery of the stone. However, we shouldn’t be prideful over this victory. We must never believe that we have ended their cause.”
Navarre turned back to watch the departing vessel. “I suppose they will leave Earth today with heightened motivation for finding more creative ways of pursing Reece.” His features softened. “For now, let us all enjoy the short reprieve we have been given.”
The Ciatron were the last to leave the grounds, leaving only the Pemdai men below. Reece watched as the crowd of Guardians made their way to their cars, and quickly sped away from the castle.
Navarre turned to Levi and clapped him on the arm. “Well done today, Levi. I know it was not an easy task. I am proud of you.”
Harrison interjected, “And here I thought Samuel and I had a hand in saving the day, too.”
Navarre chuckled. “Harrison, you and Samuel have made me, and all of Pemdas, proud today! No doubt your father will be honored by your achievements, as well.” Navarre went on, teasing his nephew. “…Although, your timing could have been a little faster.”
Harrison laughed. “I’ll have to keep that in mind for the next time I’m ordered to ambush a hundred men with a company of thirty soldiers. Please excuse my tardiness.”
“Here we go,” Levi smiled mischievously at his cousin,
“Samuel will need to document the facts of their rescue mission, because Harrison is sure to embellish this story each time he reminds us of it for the next sixty years.”
Harrison laughed loudly, “I only repeat the stories of my victories because I know how much everyone loves to hear them.”
Navarre broke through the jesting and said, “I am grateful to each one of you standing here with me; for, if any of us were absent today, we would most likely not be standing here with each other now. Now, let us return home, I am certain the Empress impatiently awaits us. I should not like to be chided for taking my time returning home when she is so eager to see all of us safe and sound.”
He looked at Reece. “As you heard in the council meeting, I have made it very clear to all that you will be living amongst us in Pemdas. I know this is your home, and we will never stop trying to find a way for you to return, if that is your wish. For now, I must insist that you to return with us. I know that my wife and daughter will be thrilled by the news,” he glanced at Levi with a subtle grin, and looked back at Reece, “as well as the others in my family.”
Reece smiled, unsure of how to respond.
Navarre then offered, “Harrison and Levi will escort you back to your apartment to retrieve anything you wish to bring with you. I would ask that you use this time to bid your farewells to any friends or family members that you have. This may not be easy, but it is not only for your safety, but for theirs as well.”
He turned to Levi. “I am only comfortable with your remaining on Earth for three days, at most. I will have Samuel dispatch a Guardian unit to stand by, should you need backup during your stay. I know the Ciatron will not return, but I will not take any chances. Use every minute you have on Earth wisely. Our men will be waiting and watching from the minute your plane lands in Philadelphia, until they have seen you back through to Pemdas. We will see you all then.”
