Grace

"Skyla...it's your turn." Sighing, I turned to see Brillan standing at Her chambers. One hand still shakily clutched at the amethyst curtain, the other caressed the 12-pointed star pendant around his neck. He wouldn't meet my gaze. Long, dark hair, was secured away from his face with twine so as to not interfere with his work. "Is there any hope left for her?" I asked tentatively. Deep down I already knew the answer. He averted his eyes quickly.

"She requests your presence...go see her." Brillan pulled the curtain away from the entryway. My stomach sunk. "Very well. Go tend to the others in my stead..but clean yourself up first." What was once a brilliant linen smock, now was soaked with what I assumed to be blood. My first inclination was to wince, but I pushed that away quickly. Suddenly I felt severely sick. He nodded and evaporated leaving me alone. Taking a deep breath, I pushed through the heavy fabric.

~~~

Emerging on the other side, the first sight that greeted my eyes was her bloody, broken body. The Elders sat in a circle around her, heads bowed, and whispering soft words. Syrupy-sweet words, with promises of love, peace, and assurance. Her body was clad in purple silk, caked thick with blood. Her head rested weakly on her son's lap. Her eyelids, matched the dark cloth around her, and were shut tight. My Lady was dying, and there was absolutely nothing I could do to save Her. 

~~~

  "How was she?" 

"I don't want to talk right now." I was shocked at the coldness of my voice and immediately felt guilty. But it was true. I stared blankly through my reflection in the wide glass window. I didn't want to see red,tear-stained cheeks and stressed eyes. I definitely didn't want him to see it. 

Almost immediately, strong arms encircled my waist, pulling me backwards into a warm hug. "I understand." Revon's voice was soft, and compassionate. He kissed my cheek carefully, then rested his chin on my shoulder. 

He did understand. He understood completely. I didn't want to talk, but I did need him right now. Just his presence eased my mind. "I'm always here for you."

We weren't lovers-never had been- probably never would be. We just cared very strongly for each other. Others found our race very peculiar in the fact that we loved so much. Morphs. That's what we were called. We have survived for thousands of years based on the principal that so many others were too shy to embrace.. love. Without it, life would never flourish. It's why we left Sera in the first place. Some called us cowards..others brilliant. It didn't matter anymore. Soon, we would end. Just like the rest of them.

Energy tickled my neck, jolting me from my thoughts, and brought me back to reality. "Pooka!" The little ball of energy turned a bright yellow at the sound of it's name and expanded into a golden mist around me. I giggled and softly patted the air. The mist turned a rosy pink hue. "I still can't believe you named her, Pooka.. of all things. Just doesn't seem befitting for a celestial being to me." Revon shook his head and sighed. I shrugged. "Where have you been? I've looked all over the ship for you! Were you with Brillan, helping the survivors?" 

Pooka faded to a dull silver and rested along my neckline. Yes. Many have deep gashes in their side that ooze freely.. The cuts are infected, and emanate a strange green aura. These weren't normal machines of war. This has to be the work of Nero.

Sera glows with that same eery aura. Pooka was right. I looked through the glass again to gaze at what was once my home planet. A thick green and black smoke engulfed Sera, constantly moving with the wind, yet never breaking up. Though what I was seeing was only a glimmer of what Pooka could sense, it was sickening all the same. 

I placed my hand against the cool window and watched as it fogged up around my fingers. Our ancestors believed that there was a strict balance in the universe. An ebb and flow that should never be disrupted. Everyone and everything deep down were childlike, and had a soul. Even the night stars had souls. According to legend, when one of these stars died out a fragment of their soul stayed on the dark plane, forever bound to drift and watch over us. The children called them "shooting stars." We refer to them as angels.

You're thinking very hard about this. I could hear Pooka's tinkling laugh throughout the statement. I forgot that she could read my thoughts. 

We're really not all that complicated. she added. I stroked the current flowing around my neck, and smiled when I felt her buzz. I suppose that was a sort of purr. 

Why am I the only one that can understand you? I whispered softly, through our telepathic connection. How did you even find me?

I am not certain, my own-self. I was drawn to this ship by the strong aura of pain it held. It reverberates through the dark plane. It was at that moment that I realized Revon was gone. Don't worry, he left smiling. She tried to comfort me, but I couldn't help feeling guilty. "I think I'll go search for him to apolgize."

Suddenly,the ship shook violently and jerked to the side,  scattering provisions and medicine across the floor. I fell forward and should have face-planted, but strong arms once again caught my own and hoisted me up.

"Brillan.." 

Brillan was breathing hard, and his eyes were wide, frantically searching. His dark hair had fallen loose and pooled over his broad shoulders "They've..found.. us!" he spluttered between breaths. His grip on my arms tightened. "Brillan...Brillan you're hurting me!" His grip tightened still. "We need to evacuate. Now. Before it's too late." 

"Has the Empress been notified of the situation? What did she say to-" 

"You are our Empress now." he cut me off, eyes burning holes into my own. 

"W-what? Stop joking, Brillan, this is serious! We need to find-"

"LISTEN TO ME. THIS IS NO JOKING MATTER." He shook me vigorously. "The prince is dead." He was starting to lose it, but hugged me close. "You are all we have left. As Her niece, it is your right, and responsibility to ascend. I know it's immediate, but we have no choice. I'll explain everything that has happened once we reach safety." The ship lurched again and I could hear screams echoing down the hallway. 

"Ready the escape pods. For now, escort the Elders through the Network. I'll go search the ship for others. Get our people out of here." Brillan kissed my forehead and bowed low to the ground. "As you wish." He turned and ran off. 

You make a wonderful leader.  Pooka emerged as a golden halo above my head. I jumped, grabbed the glowing ball, and stuffed her into my pocket. 

GACK! 

What an unceremonious thing to do. You know, I hate it when you do that.

"No time. I don't want to lose you too." My pocket warmed slightly and she quieted down. I heaved a heavy breath, and took off at a sprint after Brillan. 

~~~

 The click-clack of my boots thundered through the metal hallway. At one point, it was keeping time with my heat-beat-which just made me run faster. Pooka invaded my thoughts again. Why are you so passionate about this? Is it because you were just crowned Empress? Because it's your duty? I didn't mind the question. Pooka was very wise, but human motives were still a mystery to her. No. Title or not- I love these people. I want to protect them.

A very astute answer, My Lady.

"Help...Help!"  I stopped dead in my tracks, listening in the dark for the small plea. It was a child. "Please..please help me!" I ran towards the sound and found her leg impaled by a large spike. Horrified, I knelt down beside her. "Shhh...shh sweetie. I'm here to help."

I took the glove off of my right hand and held it up to her. The tips glowed a light blue. Her eyes widened at the sight. "It will be okay, I promise." I placed my hand behind her head and brought her forehead to my lips praying. Her eyes closed and her body grew heavy. I layed her head against the wall and turned to the spike. 

I pulled hard, placing one hand on her leg and the other on the spike. It came out clean, but blood splattered my face and clothes. Tossing the spike aside I started to work on her leg. Empress..give me strength. 

I may not be your Empress..but I'll do what I can.. I took Pooka out of my pocket and held the gray ball up to my face. "You have healing powers?" 

She exploded in a flurry of color and light over the child. I can't use it very often.. Are you sure you want to use my energy to help this child?

"Of course, I do! Please, if you can." 

If this is what you wish.

She hovered over the wound and then disappeared inside it. The child's leg glowed blue and started to regenerate right before my eyes. When it was done, Pooka resurfaced slowly and I out stretched my palm to catch her. It is done.

The little girl opened her eyes and blinked rapidly. She threw herself into my arms. "Thank you so much!"

Thank you, Pooka..

I hoisted the little girl onto my back and continued trudging down the hallway. I had to make up for lost time. Surely the pods hadn't left yet. "What is your name?" I asked her.

"Tepa." she replied smiling brightly. "What is yours?" 

"Skyla."

"Sky-la.." she giggled sounding out the letters. "Like the bright blue sky at home? That's pretty!"

I smiled back at her. "Thank you. Tepa is a very pretty name too." The hall finally came to an end and twisted into a large open room.

My heart dropped when I saw the hangar. All of the escape pods were gone.

"Skyla!" Brillan and Revon appeared from behind a large wooden supply crate. "We had to move the Network, the control room was crushed. All of the Elders made it out safely though. The escape pods have all been launched but the Network is still connected. We stayed behind waiting for you." I handed Brillan, Tepa. 

"It's your turn, Tepa." I whispered softly to her. Brillan placed her on the torrent mat. She gave me a lopsided grin. "Thank you so much!" She blew me a kiss, before closing her eyes and disappearing. 

The ship creaked and jerked down, harder than ever. "We need to go." Brillan outstretched his hand and I took hold of it. "Revon?"

I turned around to see him staring out the window intently. "Revon, please, we have to hurry." He glanced over his shoulder at me, providing a sad smile. "I love you."

At that moment, another ship crashed through the window slinging Revon's body to the farthest corner of the room. It all happened in slow motion. Pooka exploded in an intense flash of red light. My stomach lurched with the ship, and I screamed for them both. Before I knew it, Brillan was pulling me backwards and waves of raw energy engulfed our bodies. 

 

 

 

    

Author's Note

If you read, please leave me a review so that I know how I did! I love constructive criticism, any comments are welcome. :) Was this chapter too fast/slow paced? Was the dialogue okay? Thank you so much for reading!

Reviews

[nenestarrs]

I really loved the dialogue. The scene of Sera you created is very vivid. I like that. The pace of the story I thought was fine. I loved that it moved along naturally. The ending is what captured me, because I want to know, what happened to skyla and did she loose pooka, also Revon died which is sad, I liked him. All in all great story.

[Rae Elizabeth]

Simply wonderful :) Very well written and enticing might I add. I love it. Keep writing!

[Raven Starhawk]

Profound. That word alone describes the fascinating quality of this piece. I am attracted to the first line and thereafter follow along with imagery that plays upon emotion like a great melody.