The Sunbeam

A Story by Steven Jermaine Saint Aubin Jones

The world is occupied by four races of beings different from us. This the beginning of their adventures.

The Sunbeam

The sunbeam hovered high above the world, the orb hung fat like the moon, waves of orange, reds, and yellows flowed from it like clouds. It was only visible to those of Cessani blood and it's presence marked to those with knowledge a warning of trouble ahead. A man of half blood looked up at the sky and smiled. His human blood filled his heart with elation. The sunbeam had finally revealed itself. He leaped from his perch into the city below.

-

Ligor of the Cessani stood up from his seat and ran towards the large glass window of the restaurant. The sunbeam flashed into his eyes. He could sense and feel the urgency rush through his veins. He looked back through sad eyes at the woman who would be the future mother of his children (or so he hoped.) Her brown eyes were wide in puzzlement. He didn't know what to tell her. He couldn't formulate the words, "I'm not human and my race might be at war." She was human, this was bigger than her.

"Ligor.." a voice in his head thundered through his thoughts. "Do you see?"

He ignored it in annoyance and made for the nearest exit. Out of his right eye he saw her move to leave the table. He turned and made the international "give me one second phone call" sign. She nodded slightly and lowered her small frame back down on her seat. Ligor soaked her into his eyes, rolling them over her small oriental face and down to her American sized breasts. He hoped she would understand. He prayed to those above as he made it through the door.

" of course I see it... Who called for it's rise? The Jilani attacking?"

The voice belonged to Cesak, the ear of the king, and Ligor's closest friend.

"Much worse.. Come quickly... Shadowstep if you have to.."

-

A lone man floated above the city of Grencel, a large American city filled with high rises, people, and pollution. He floated amongst the clouds and questioned his existence. Why was he here? Why was he born? What was his purpose? Questions all seek but none could truly answer. He looked from the sky down to the city below his feet. Are they prepared? Would they know what hit them? His father once told him," we were born to fight... To serve those who lead.." he questioned his father at every turn but yet here he was, hovering above a human city in preparation for battle.

-

The call to shadowstep revealed to Ligor the danger they were all in. A trip from the human realm into the shadows was not something easily concealed. All those around would take notice and questions would be asked. It was forbidden amongst the Cessani and yet here he was in contemplation. Ligor sighed as he turned to reenter the resturant. He was ready to throw the life he collected away for the service of his people.he thought of the words he would say but couldn't find them. She wouldn't understand... None of them would. He let his fingers fall from the handle of the door. He sighed as he thought of all the dark wet smoke about to be released into the world.

She truly wouldn't understand.

-

She sat up from the wet grass and dirt. Her sleep was interrupted by odd warmth. Her purple eyes grew wide in anger. Who dared raise the sunbeam? She brushed her naked body clean as she stretched her mind out to listen to the thought waves. She tilted her head and frowned. No one had consulted her. No one deemed fit to enlighten the queen of the Cessani. She was terribly annoyed and the resulting shadowstep was loud and filled the air with smoke for miles on end.

-

In a city as large as some countries, a lioness stalked it's prey. It's eyes glowed a silent orange as it moved amongst the humans. They moved out of the large cats way with no memory of doing so. To them, the night was a dull consistency that would always be. The lion smiled as she slinked around legs and feet. The sound of running feet tickled her ears. It brought it's large head high. She sniffed slow and deliberate, drawing in the sour scents of a big city. She seperated them all until she found the one she recognized the most; fear. It moved fast and away.

"Not tonight.." she thought. "Not tonight."

-

The sunbeam... He thought as he ran. He had to make it to the meeting place of the Cessani. A shadowstep would shorten his trip but for some reason the magic in his blood could not conjour up the lanes of shadow. It was that oddity that caused him to bolt from his apartment. A voice of urgency in his mind now ran rampant throughout his body in the form of fear.

"Prince... Why have you not ..."

" I will be delayed.. The shadows elude me..."

Fear shined through in his voice.

" I'll dispatch help..."

-

The Prince Kelial of the Cessani second son of the King moved quick through the crowd of people. He bumped and thrashed about as he attempted to protect his life. His fear had yet to manifest itself into reality but he knew it was there. In his haste and distracted mind, his true appearance flashed in and out. His hair went from short brown to a long stringy orange. His wide face went to long and attractive. His heartbeat threatened to escape his chest as he rounded the corner.

"Prince," exclaimed the voice of a large man dressed in a dark tailored suit. His skin was an albino white which matched the hand tied hair on his head. The prince's eyes fell in elation. He felt safe now in the presence of Umai of the Sacred Guard. In his hands sat the emerald handle of a dark shining sword which he now brought high over his head.

In Umai's mind during his travel through the shadows was the thoughts of how foolish his Prince was. Kelial was one of solitude, he liked to keep away from the affairs of royalty. Umai could not understand it. But more importantly he couldn't wrap his mind around the Prince lack of knowledge in self defense.

"Such a fool"

He brought the sword down in a fast stroke. The blade, sharper than anything humans could create, went in and through the flesh of the beast now in the air claws outstretched. Umai pulled the prince behind him and awaited the changing of the beast.

"Umai..." hissed the mass of bubbling, stretching flesh. It became more humanoid as the seconds ticked away.

"Cassandra," whispered Umai.

The prince looked upon the now standing woman. He did not recognize her nor did her name ring any bells. She looked Keran but had traits of Cessani in her face.

"Damned half breed.." growled Umai. "What do you want with this Prince?"

Cassandra cackled in her nakedness. She wrapped her hands around her stomach and ran her fingers through her fur. She was beautiful and the Prince couldn't take his eyes away. Her Keran/Cessan blood caused her hair to be long yet straight, green yet dull. The dark green strands ran the length of her back. Her eyes expressed her duality, her right was a deep blue while the left a sad brown.

"The sunbeam... revealed an opportunity... A child for a child Umai.. You knew the risks.."

Umai cursed himself for allowing emotion to spread across his face. His memories took him back to a time of war between the Kerans and Cessani. It was in that war that the daughter of the the Keran leader, Princess Victoria was slain.

"You must release the past.." said Umai as he turned to the prince. " We must go.. You're late."

He returned his eyes to Cassandra as he sheathed his blade.

"Till forever Cassandra..."

Their eyes connected as she smiled. Opportunities would arise once more and her sisters death would be reconciled.

"Till forever dear Umai...See you again sweet Prince.."

She laughed again as she released the veil on shadows. She resumed her lioness form and disappeared amongst the mortals.