Fire and Ice

Chapter 25

"what?" I ask. Everyone is all ears.

"Promise me you won't die." his eyes start watering.

I look down, unable to see his vulnerability. I can feel his pleading eyes on me even though I am not looking. I choose to get up and walk across the bed into my safe place, my brother's arms. "I promise." I whisper. He tightens his hold around me while cradling me in his lap like a baby.

"When?" Moon asks. "Now." I reply.

"WHAT?!" I can hear panic in their voices, that's when I glance at Lilith who's extra silent now.

"Dad?"

"Yes?"

"I need a favor." "What favor?" "Lilith."

Everyone gasps. I am known for never taking my punishments back, but right now I have extinguished the fire that protected the strong bars of the cage.

"What are you up to?" Shabin asks, taunting me. This boy is one hell of a brother.

"Keeping the risks in mind I think the best would be to let someone be in-charge of freeing her after she has completed her sentence- I know what it feels to not be free." I clarify.

I put my palm out, flat, and the Fire Key appears there. I wrap my fingers around it forming a fist and reopen it to find the fire gone, now only the metal exists.

I walk over to dad and hand him the key, "She is your responsibility now." He hugs me telling me he's worried for his child.

Kevin stands up and comes to me. He holds me and looks straight into my eyes. I see fear, the fear of losing me, the fear of separation right when he has just found me. Slowly I lean into him, and close my eyes. He closes the distance between us and I find us melting into each other's embrace again, our memories running in my mind.

When we part, I realize others are watching us and am immediately embarrassed.

"Okay... umm.. I think.. Ugh... I think it's time dad." I say and he clears his throat and nods.

Everyone hugs me, even Kenn whispered "be safe, I have to annoy you more" in my ear before parting.

Ayah immediately looks at Shabin and both of them stand together, the Book of Olden Times lay open in front of them and they start chanting the lines off the book dedicating each one to me.

I close my eyes and start absorbing everything. I think of my only desire-Krius. I recall my memories of Nova, Mary and I filling the hallways of the Sky with our laughters and giggles. I remember my time as the Heir and the court hearings I was forced to sit through. I recall the smiling faces of the Celestanians when I was chosen heir, I am doing this for them. I find myself falling deeper and deeper into the depths of time.

And then all I remember is the freedom I feel once my ever-burning soul parts from my mortal body.

This is what the book said; anyone who tries to travel to the Olden, to the time that's buried deep in the person's memory it's only the soul that makes it to the past, the mortal body gets left behind. Goddess Merlita, upon insistence from celestanians who waited for years for the return of their loved ones from the Olden without the clue of their well being, altered this knowledge so that the ones we leave behind will have a way to know if we are coming back or have lost our battle against time, the body shall die if the person gets lost in the endless chain of time, until then the body breathes. It's like Coma, the person is a living dead.

I guess this is the magic of love, either you fall once to live forever or you live once to fall every day. What? Why does this line strike the way it did? Why does it feel like someone said this to me once?

But before I dwell on these thoughts, I find my feet finally touching a surface. I open my eyes slowly, adjusting to the brightness of the Court.

The feeling of hope rushes to me, and the Court once again feels like home. I start moving, aware that no one can see me until I want them to.

I move towards the Assembly. This is the time before I existed... but why would I be here since this cannot be my memory. My thoughts again wander from hope to nervousness yet finally resting on determination.

I walk into The Court. I can see a very serious discussion is going on here.

"...forgive me for saying this, Your Majesty but I don't think this is quite right." The master of blues confessed. "I am sure you'll have your reasons, Archer." Merlita said. "Yes, Your Highness." looking in another direction, distracted.

Suddenly everyone bows- even Merlita! What is happening? What is this power, what's this aura that is brighter than any, who is even supreme to Merlita? Who is this Star?

When I look in the Power's direction I nearly gasp! All stars and respected members are squinting their eyes, unable to bear the light of this Power and here I am looking at her straight in her eyes. Can she see me? I nearly run away but I can't run away from my reflection.

Same pair of eyes, same hair, same body, same pendant, same face! It seems like I am looking into a mirror but truth be told she isn't me.

"Rise, Court of Light, stand high and take your places." Her voice is authoritative yet humble, strong yet soothing. Even our voices are the same.

Is this it? Is this what Lilith meant when she said I wasn't even born? Was I the embodiment of the Almighty? But then why would I be cursed? Why wouldn't I remember any of this let alone know this? This doesn't relate to me because somehow this woman is not me.

"I dare raise my voice in your presence, My Creator," The lord of reds started, "but I don't agree with this system. I know there has been enough thought processing and extreme care taken while forming the Rule Book of Light-," "come straight to the point Archiolle." She fixed him with a stern face.

"I think allowing men to have supreme power has done enough damage to our laws." I am shocked to know that there existed a time when men had more power than women.

"I agree with you, Archiolle, there has been irreparable damage done to the pride of this court that I had to appear before you all to stop it as soon as I can. My motive to come here has preeminently been resolved and thus makes all doubts vanish."

"Your Majesty, I apologize for interrupting. Before you announce your justice, I may add that King Darren and his mistress, Purtava have set an example of corrupt rule and have damaged the court's rules beyond repair. My Lord, King Darren is obsessed with the powers he has attained by marrying your daughter. We can not bear to see your daughter treated like leftovers everyday. This court must belong to your leaniege and no other. I beg you, announce Merlita the supreme power succeeding you." Archiolle and Archer fell to their knees and so did the rest of the Blues and Reds.

"I the Creator of space, the mother of all the stars that exist declare from this day forth the rule of Daughters must prevail, the throne shall be ascended only by heiresses and no man shall ever have power supreme to that of the Queen hence the queen shall be given the title of the Goddess."

Before she could continue after her small pause King Darren burst like a volcano.