Post 36: Sacrifice

 

Adrian was weary by the time they’d reached the home of the prophet. She glanced up at the beautiful waterfall that hid the entrance to the home. Here, where the water touched the grass, everything was brighter. It looked as if the essence of the water healed everything around it. The crushed grass, along the path, lay in the dirt the prettiest green they’d ever seen. The dirt was a dark red, as opposed to the soft brown she’d previously seen on the planet, and turned burgundy the closer it got to the stream. The water was a clear blue that ran over soft white rocks. The crowd stopped just behind her and shouted their encouragement for her to continue. Turning, Adrian smiled at those around her.

            “If I am your Healer I will do everything in my power to heal your land. I do have to go home though.” She paused at the sound of disappointment that rang through the crowd. “Don’t worry, I won’t leave without figuring something out!” She spoke above the murmurs. Turning back to the waterfall, Adrian climbed up the bigger rocks until she could get as close to the entrance as possible. Taking a deep breath, waiting for just the right moment, Adrian closed her eyes and jumped.

            With a thud, she landed on soft red dirt just behind the water. Looking down, she noticed that the cloth that still clung tightly to her body was completely dry; so was her skin. She stepped forward and looked around. The area was calming, clean. A house had been made out of the rock that formed the cave. Before her she noticed a small set of carved rocks that formed a circle of chairs low to the ground surrounding a table. To her right a small kitchen like area. She smiled as she recognized the books that sat in a carved bookshelf. One was The Essence of Earth, Arinth’s book she’d discovered in the library. A few others with binding just like the one she knew were next to it on the shelf. They each said The Essence of but they read other planets names. Respectively, they read: Arinth, Spiritian and Jungelus. Reaching out to touch the books, Adrian was unaware of the woman that had appeared from behind a rock wall further into the home.

            “I see you’ve arrived.” She spoke; her voice rang out in beautiful low tones. “I’ve waited here for you for a long time.”

            “Me? I hear you’ve been waiting for a Healer for two centuries.” Adrian spoke slowly, especially when she spoke the time.

            “I’ve waited longer for others, there was no rush. I knew in time you’d come.” The woman held out a hand beckoning Adrian to her. Adrian crossed the distance and placed her hand in the woman’s.

            “No rush? But I thought the planet was dying, Devl…their leader was going to steal Earths life source.” Adrian’s voice sounded out, exasperated.

            “You can say his name here, Adrian. I hold no fear for him. You are correct; their planet is dying. I spoke that there is no rush because it is fated for you to arrive. Malvroy would not have been destroyed without you. You make the decisions as to whether this planet will survive.” Once seated, the woman crossed her legs, clasped and placed both hands in her lap.

            “Wow…that is serious.” Adrian unconsciously lifted a hand and ran it through her hair. The soft honey brown curls bounced against the movement.

            “You have to understand, Adrian. Fate and the Light Warriors help decide things that will happen but it isn’t everything. The reason they end up having to fix things is because mistakes are made. Just because it was fated for Malvroy to be saved doesn’t mean that it will be.” She tilted her head, her hair fell over her shoulder and lay against her breast.

            “I want to save them. I do. I also want to go home. Is there a way that I could do both?” Adrian felt the tear gather and stream down her cheek but she didn’t care. Dashing it away with a quick hand, Adrian sat up straighter. “Is there a way in this that I could save Malvroy, be with Chase Hunter and also live on Earth?”

            “There might be. The answer is in the Prophecy.” Adrian leaned forward and touched a knuckle to Adrian’s cheek, catching the tear that dripped there. “Do you know it?”

            “The people told me when I arrived but it seemed to be incomplete as some where saying more than others.”

            “I will tell it to you now. A Healer of three worlds would heal the land. A woman with emeralds as eyes would appear in the sky and heal the skin. She will not appear until symbols under skin burned red and all eyes became that of devils. Then she would appear from the sky with a hunter at her side. She would be a conduit of white and through her blood and soul a world would be restored. Two with blood would share a burden of the sick and ill. Separated they have been and distant it will be but together they will work miracles.” The woman settled back into her seat. “They are correct. Two centuries ago, when I still lived on Senatus, I did prophecy that their world would be healed. I, Prophet Egeria Shen, made a point that every able spoken person would learn the prophecy and speak it aloud should the Healer arrive.”

            “It sounds like I would be here, not that I could be somewhere else. I don’t understand though, it says that a hunter would arrive at my side. Hunter isn’t here though! Should he have come as well?” Adrian’s voice cracked at the end and her breathing deepened. What if something happened to him to where he couldn’t come with me?

            “You have no need to worry, Adrian. He is with you.”

            “I don’t understand.”

            “You carry him with you. Did you think that once you’d completed the Codra Mauma that Transcending would end your connection?”

            “I…I’m not sure. I hadn’t thought. I didn’t know that anything could end the connection.” She inquired.

            “You would nearly be correct but the abilities of the Codra Mauma are a story for another day.” Egeria Shen rose to her feet and crossed over to Adrian and sat beside her. “Before you try, you must make your decision.”

            “I have a question then. If I have to stay here to heal Malvroy and Chase and I are still connected…does this mean that will be the only way I will see him?”

            “Chase has been placed on Earth for a reason Adrian. He is to protect Earth, it’s life source, it’s inhabitants and fulfill his destiny.”

            “I guess I’d have to take that as a yes.” Adrian huffed and then straightened her shoulders again.

            “Would you do that? Sacrifice being with your mate, sacrifice your sanity to heal Malvroy?” Egeria Shen tried not to smile, as this was the most important part of the prophecy; sacrifice.

            “Yes, yes I would. I love him, I do.” Adrian looked Egeria Shen in the eyes and nodded her head. Her tears clouded her sight but she continued to nod.

            “Very well.” The prophet rose from where she sat, touched a soft hand to Adrian’s forehead and exited the cave. Adrian was too shaken to follow; her chest shook as the tears overcame her.

            “Don’t worry about the people of Malvroy, Adrian. I prophesied that they would have a Healer and a Healer they will have.” Egeria had walked back into the cave; her clothes had the same reaction Adrian’s did to the water. She smiled and held out her hand.

            “Alright.” Adrian didn’t want to go out in front of the people with tears in her eyes. She wanted them to believe that she was happy to be their Healer. Standing and wiping her face, Adrian walked toward Egeria Shen and grabbed her hand. They walked forward to the entrance together, Adrian held her head high.

"The only way to be a writer is to write, write and write. The only way...is to write." -Jade Elyzabeth

Post 35: More Healers Than One

 

Chase held Adrian in his arms, felt her heart beat against his chest. It was steady and strong; she was alive and yet…not. Her eyes were closed and yet he could still see the white light pouring from behind them. Her skin seemed to glow from beneath; the nails of her hands were shiny. He looked up and made eye contact with Devlirus.

“What is going on?” Chase walked closer to Devlirus and tucked Adrian’s head under his chin. The Warriors came in behind him, protecting him. Devlirus’ army fell to their knees when they saw Adrian’s face. A few covered their tattoos; one man rushed forward and touched Adrian’s leg. Instantly, Chase kicked out at him and he fell to the ground. Despite the assault he laughed in joy. His skin glowed and he tore off the hat that covered his head. The tattoo that circled on his scalp and curled around his ear glowed out; his pale murky skin became a healthy, porcelain white. His red-rimmed eyes shined out before clearing. A gasp rang out among the army as he jumped to his feet. He danced around in circles before kicking his boots off. Joy filled him and he felt the dirt under his toes. The crowd began whispering and rising to their feet. The Warriors formed a circle around Chase and Adrian as they began pressing in. Their swords and daggers in their hands pointed out.

“Quiet!” Devlirus dropped to his knees before Chase and Adrian and lifted his hands above his head. All the soldiers quieted but they couldn’t stop the rising joy in their bodies. Everyone paused and held their breath as Devlirus breathed in deep before jumping to his feet again. He came forward and before Chase could move backwards he touched his fingers to Adrian’s forehead. His pale skin almost instantly lightened and gained a healthy glow. His red-rimmed eyes cleared out. His tattoo appeared, he’d been hiding it just as some of the others had. It was angry, fiery red but glowed and settled beneath his skin. Smiling to himself, Devlirus turned toward his men.

“We’ve found her!” He yelled out and threw one of his hands up in the air. He then collected himself and stood still. “She’s our Healer and she’s coming back to Malvroy with us.” He started forward and stopped short as Nile jumped before him.

“We can’t take her. You know she has to be here. How can she heal us if she doesn’t stay here? You know the prophecy.” He held a hand against Devlirus’ shoulder and pressed back softly.

“But she’s here, they should be happy for us to take her. If we have her we don’t need the life source. Earth can live. They just have to give up the Healer.” He shook his head angrily.

What he said made sense. One life in exchange for that of a planet. Shaman, the healer from the European team, spoke into the minds of the other warriors.

Let’s not move too fast. Did you hear what Vectio’s father said? She has to be here in order to heal anyone. Let’s figure out what all this means. 

  

He is not my father! But you are correct. We need more information before we start trying to hand her.

“What do you mean she’s your Healer?” Shepard came forward and moved right in front of Chase.

“Two centuries ago the prophet Egeria Shen prophesied that a Healer of three worlds would hear our land. She said that a woman with emeralds as eyes would appear in the sky and heal our skin. We would wait until the symbols on our skin burned red and our eyes became that of devils. Then she would appear with a hunter at her side. She would be a conduit of white and through her blood and soul a world would be restored. Two with blood would share a burden of the sick and ill. Separated they have been and distant it will be but together they will work miracles.” Devlirus recited the words from memory as if he’d said them a million times.

“If there is a Healer that could heal your land then why are you trying to steal the light source of another?” Annalise spoke with anger in her voice. She leaned toward him and pushed a finger into his chest. “And just so that we are clear, my daughter isn’t going anywhere!” She tried to continue but whirling noises sounded out and drown her words. A strong wind passed through and just inside the protected circle of warriors, two men and one woman appeared. One man, familiar to the group, stood in front of the others and whipped his sword from behind his back. He walked forward, slowly, his features set. Annalise choked on her words and stepped forward.

“Anders,” she gasped out, wiping the tears from her cheeks.

“Annalise…” he spoke just before covering her lips with his own. He used his free hand to cup her chin and lifted her off her feet. The kiss lasted but a moment, long as forever for the two. Releasing her lips, Anders tucked his face into her neck as she cried. “I came, I tried to stay away, I really did but I couldn’t. Our daughter…” He spoke, his voice filled with emotion and he couldn’t continue.

“Anders.” The voice came from one of the warriors behind him and he released her. She clung to him when her feet touched the ground. He held her as if he would never let go. “We have to go, the portal is closing.”

“Devlirus, the prophet spoke of not one Healer, but of two. Not to be in two places but two people, working in sync from separate places. Yes, Adrian is one Healer; but I am the other. My men and I will come with you back to Malvroy and help heal your land but you must leave my daughter in peace. My daughter, her friends, this race, this planet; you must leave them all alone. Leave and never return. On that, I will have your word.”

“My word, is yours.” Devlirus spoke, his face-hardened. He got what he wanted, he must be satisfied.

“But I just got you back!” Annalise gasped shifting away from Anders body so that she could look up into his eyes.

“My love, you will not lose me again. I risked everything to come down here, to see you and our daughter. I don’t want to leave you behind. Say you will come to Malvroy with me so that we may be together.” He looked down into her beautiful brown eyes and poured his love out to her. She drank in his promise and nodded her head.

“I will. I will.” I love you. She whispered into his mind, praying that he’d hear. They’d been apart for so long she wasn’t sure if the connection they once had would work.

I hear you, my love. I love you as well. Anders lifted his hand and touched her forehead softly. He then traced the lines of her face. I’ve always remembered.

“Ok, now that that is squared away; can someone tell us how to bring Adrian back? Where is she?” Chase spoke, still carrying the unconscious Adrian in his arms. The glow beneath her skin had dimmed when Anders arrived but it was still present. Though her heart was still strong, as was her pulse, she was immobile.

“I’m sorry, Chase. We can’t take her out of the trance. She’s Transcended. Currently, her body is here but her mind is walking, in the flesh, on Malvroy.” Anders spoke. He walked forward and touched his daughter for the first time. Immediately her skin glowed where his hand had grazed her arm. Her blood recognized it’s own.

“So, they are able to see, hear and touch her there?” Tristan asked.

“Yes, it’s as if she’s really there.” Anders spoke.

“So if she dies there, she might really die here as well?” Chase asked.

“That…my daughters mate, is true.”

 

"The only way to be a writer is to write, write and write. The only way...is to write." -Jade Elyzabeth

Post 34: The Healer

 

She felt as if she was on two different planes. On one her eyes were open, emerald green jewels that looked upon the soft features of the people beneath her. A group of young children with eyes filled with awe and hope stared up at her. Behind them, more wary, a group of adults with dark eyes huddled. One woman with half her face tattooed, walked up to her and reached up. Her hand passed through Adrian’s leg, as if she were a ghost. She jumped back and gasped. Her soft brown skin glowed where it’d touched Adrian. It spread over her body and seemed to heal her. Her skin was healthy, it’s soft caramel toned skin shimmered as Adrian’s did. Her tattoos glowed white just before settling back into it’s dark color.

“It’s gone!” The woman seemed to yell out. She turned toward the group of children that stood behind her, chattering. “It’s gone!” She exclaimed as she turned to the adults that began walking towards her.

“What’s gone?” Adrian spoke. Her voice was different, almost musical; she could barely recognize it. It was soft and sweet and it rang out long in the end. At first the woman stared up at her in awe again and then she smiled a deep grin that ran from one dimple to the other.

“The pain…it’s gone.” The woman then reached out and grabbed the man who stood beside her. He was hunched over; a slip of cloth covered his mouth and wrapped around his neck. His eyes seemed bloodshot. There was no pupil as his entire iris was black and rimmed with a fiery red, much like she’d seen in Devlirus. His eyebrows were almost nonexistent and his eyelashes were few. The tattoos that covered the side of his head were a fiery red as opposed to the dark or brown that covered the heads of the other men in the area. The woman took his hand and shoved it in Adrian’s direction. He jerked his hand back and out of the woman’s grasp.

“Drerline! You know you aren’t supposed to touch me!” he jerked away from the group and stood at a good distance. The woman who’d touched Adrian looked down at her hand where she’d grasp his arm. It stayed the soft brown from before. Smiling ruefully she ran back to the man.

“She heals!” she all but yelled. She smiled up at Adrian and then frowned. “Can you come down? Are you stuck?” Adrian glanced down at herself and at the cloth that was fitted to her body. She shrugged her shoulders and then willed her feet to the ground. Softly she came to the ground and landed with a soft thud. Leaning forward, Adrian grabbed the man’s arm before he could jump out of her reach. Her arm tingled slightly before his skin began to glow.

“H…how?” His voice lifted a few octaves as the glow spread across his skin and touched his tattoos. They changed and moved, as if dancing, across his scalp. Smiling, the man ripped the cloth from his neck and threw it with force to the ground. He then grabbed her in his arms and lifted her above his head in jubilance. Softly lowering her, the man danced in a circle, twirling her. She laughed as his joy filled the air. The crowd around her began to speak in disbelief. A few men shouted out.

“The Healer has come! The Healer has come! The Prophecy has come true!” He then grabbed her from the first mans arms and lifted her above his head. “Call the Speakers!” Adrian laughed, exasperated, and clung to the man’s arm.

“Please, please, put me down.” She spoke firmly but kept the smile on her face. “I’m not a healer, I’m just an editor. I’m from Earth. Where are we?” She turned to the woman who she’d first healed and took her hand. The crowd murmured again in doubt. If she wasn’t the Healer then who was she and why did she come out of the sky?

“Malvroy.” Her face fell as she saw the look Adrian had. “I know what you are thinking and it is untrue. We are not all evil; we don’t condone the doings of our leader. We are just in need of help. He sold his soul for the dark power and let it consume him and now he has gone and we are paying the consequences of his actions.”

“Devlirus?” They all gasped as she spoke his name, one man just to her right fell to his knees. The woman before her snatched back her hand as if the pain might come back at the mention of his name. “I’m sorry, I only know him as that. I will try to refrain from saying the name in the future.” The crowd visibly relaxed simultaneously. This man really scared his people, maybe even into doing his bidding.

“You are the Healer, the Prophet, she is here! She spoke of you, almost two centuries ago. She spoke of you!” They all seemed to nod and smile at her. She was some how a Healer for these people. She, herself, wanted to know the reasoning or the words of this prophecy.

“I don’t believe I am the Healer, I’m not even from here. Please, I do not want to get your hopes up. Can I see this prophecy? Is it written down?” She asked.

“No, it is in our minds and in our hearts. We don’t need to write it down. It is in our souls. You are here to save us. If you do not believe us, you can ask the Prophet yourself!”

“I thought you said she spoke of me two…two thousand years ago!” Adrian exclaimed. “How…” The woman before her, Drerline, smiled and gasped her hand.

“Ahhh, we heard that the humans on Earth no longer lived as long. A pity. You won’t have to worry about that though.” She smiled shyly and before Adrian could as what she meant, the group was hustling her off. As she walked, Adrian touched as many people as she could. She wasn’t sure if she was their Healer but just in case she wasn’t she’d pass along this healing touch before it faded.

"The only way to be a writer is to write, write and write. The only way...is to write." -Jade Elyzabeth

Post 33: The Opening

 

Chase watched as Adrian stepped to the tall man and shook his hand. His skin bristled as they touched. He didn’t want any darkness touching his woman. They looked chummy, the four of them backed by the small army that continued to filter into the same. A ways away, Tristan stood with Mendax. They motioned towards him the ‘clear’, and the ‘one the move’. He nodded and inched forward on his stomach. Again he glanced forward as Adrian’s mother Annalise had her hand kissed. This seemed more like a reunion than a bloody kidnapping. By the grace of the Light Warriors, his mate had better be just being nice to them and not actually in cahoots with them. He reprimanded himself for thinking that Adrian would even be tempted and for not trusting her. He’d known the moment they said she’d betrayed them that she hadn’t. He just had to prove it. She wasn’t exactly helping his cause at the moment.

            A soft scuffle to his left had him pausing but the instant mental search uncovered it was Vectio, appearing on his bellow next to him.

            Hey guys, there is a problem. At first no one responded. They weren’t used to Vectio using the telecommunication link they all had, or speaking at all.

            What is it, Vectio. Tristan spoke. The warriors turned in Vectio’s direction.

            That man, the one speaking with Devlirus like they are best friends? I know him. The warriors glanced over at the two men conversing and Tristan mentally let out a string of discolored and flavorful words; none of them cringed.

            Who is he? Julius spoke from his perch in a tree high above them.

            He’s my father. Vectio spoke. They could each feel the anger, the hatred, the hurt bristling inside of him.

            Umm…you might’ve mentioned that your father was a Malus when we were busy having the trust circle. Mendax spoke, his voice uncharacteristically serious.

I haven’t seen him in four hundred years but there was speculation he had something to do with my teams demise. There was some talk that he was there and that he’d led the army that ambushed and killed every member.

Do you think that might be the reason you’re the only one that survived? Arinth spoke. The team had included her and Ana in on the comms. They’d needed as many able bodies as possible. Somewhere on the other side of the clearing, just aside the house, the European team was figuring just how many bodies their opposing army included.

Tristan, you knew? Shepard spoke. He’d been the only one to acknowledge that Tristan had cursed before Vectio had uncovered the relationship.

I’d been warned that Dvakart Vymenil or “Nile” as they call him, would be here. I didn’t quite put two and two together until we arrived. The moment he began to speak I knew who he was. Vectio, will this affect you in anyway. Your duty? Maybe I should pull…

No! Vectio transported to just closer to Tristan. You will not pull me out. As a matter of fact, I believe our surprise factor is over. The game has changed. Let’s go. Before Tristan could respond, Vectio had transported them into the clearing.  

            “Ahhh, I’d been wondering when you would show up.” Devlirus didn’t turn around to face the women and warriors that appeared behind him. He walked towards Adrian whose eyes had widened with hope at the sight of her mate. Lifting a hand, he drew his knuckles across her chin, as he seemed so fond of doing. “Just in time for our fire works to begin.”

A booming sound rang out and the ground shook just before lightening struck down. The tip of the light hit Adrian right in the chest burning her clothes and moving beneath her skin. She screamed as her body was lifted off the ground. Fire blazed in Chase Hunters eyes as he darted forward. Just before he reached her, Devlirus struck out his hand, connecting with his jaw. He hit the ground hard but didn’t stay there. Adrian’s eyes turned a stormy white and her mouth fell open. Her feet crossed as if bound and her hands flew up, straight from the shoulders. She looked like she’d been placed on a cross; her head fell back and lolled. Removing his sword from its sheath at his back, Chase slashed through the air just narrowly missing Devlirus’ head. With a strong force, Nile appeared at his side and slammed Chase to the ground. His eyes, now a dark navy blue with a fiery red rim, bore into Chase’s.

            If you don’t stop this, I might have to kill you. Calm down. Adrian is in stasis. Unless you interrupt the opening of the portal, she will be fine. For now. The words bore into his mind, as Chase was rendered immobile. He didn’t respond but ceased resisting. Nile let Chase go and bowed his head slightly before stepping back.

            “By the grace of the Light Warriors, that sure escalated quickly.” Devlirus laughed a hearty laugh as Chase moved, sword raised, back towards his team. They all watched as above Adrian a portal opened. A shapeless space, just darker than the evening sky, tore open the world and a dark cloud seeped into the courtyard. The Alter she hovered above crumbled under the force of the dark power and was reduced to dust.

            Stillness filled the air and settled on everyone in the area. They came, towards where she lifted above the earth. The dress that covered her body circled her limbs and seemed to seep into her skin. She was neither clothed nor was she naked.  A skin like cloth stretched over her body and shimmered in the midnight skin. It circled her wrists and her reached down to circle her ankles. The European team that had stayed out of sight seemed to walk into the courtyard in a trance to join the others around the Alter. No one was immune to the pull that flowed from the portal.

Devlirus stood with one hand covering his heart, as did his army. He reveled in the sight of their home planet. It’s dark surface seen from just the edge of the portal. He’d picked the perfect place and the perfect portal. According to his connections and his Intel, this was the strongest portal this side of the pacific that would get them home. It also wouldn’t buckle under the force of the light source when they extract it from the planet. He’d had great Intel and now he had great expectations for the night’s events.

Reveling in the pull the portal had for his soul his heart soared. Pretty soon he’d be able to go home and so would the rest of his soldiers. They’d see their families and he’d see his. Despite the fact that no matter what happens his heart will stay darkened, at the least the hope given to his people would lighten their souls. They’d no longer be darkened by jealousy, anger and hatred. But he would. It delighted him to be filled with such emotions. If not for them, he couldn’t be an effective leader. He couldn’t make the tough decisions. Once he was back home and the light source was firmly implanted in their centre, his people would never know what happened on earth. They would just thank it for it’s gift of life given and never know of the sacrifice they’d made. That was leadership and that was what it meant to have duty and fulfill what needed to be done.

As the pull from the portal softened and Adrian slowly lowered to the ground, Chase jogged forward and pulled her into his arms. Her eyes were still open and white, her mouth closed and her breathing evened. Blinking twice, Adrian could feel his arms around her, could tell it was his heart beating against her shoulder but couldn’t see him. His scent enveloped her and yet he seemed distant.

"The only way to be a writer is to write, write and write. The only way...is to write." -Jade Elyzabeth

Post 32: Dvakart Vymenil

“I must say, it’s almost too good to be true.” Devlirus smiled in an almost twisted grin. “You would think that they would have come after her by now. Did we not leave enough clues?” He paced the grass just parallel to the alter where Adrian sat. He stopped before her and touched a knuckle to her cheek. She didn’t move, her eyes fixed open and red. Her hair blew in the wind and he used his other hand to catch the strands in his fingers. The silkiness caressed his skin and he gasped. Maybe his lust for human women had returned? He wasn’t sure. He couldn’t be distracted. Backing away from his tempter, Devlirus glanced at the woman who stood on the stone steps with her hands clasped above her breast.

            “Perhaps they won’t come. As you noticed, the mistrust is there. Maybe they figured she came of her own accord.” Annalise had woken from her trance just moments before but the handsome devil didn’t seem to mind. He knew he was stronger than her, smarter than her and even thought himself superior to her. He didn’t worry that she’d try to get away, not without her daughter. And he was right.

            “Yes, but I thought the two were mated. Wouldn’t that at least mean he’d want to come see for himself? I’m growing impatient and I’m sure my people are in a hurry to get back to their home planet. It seems almost unfair of me but I want the warrior to see his love one last time. Right before I kill her.” Annalise gasp and another round of tears wet her cheeks.

            “You don’t deserve to go back home. You don’t deserve mercy.” She spoke angrily, her clasp hands shaking. “I have never wished ill on anyone in my entire life but on you? I hope you fail, I hope your planet dies and with it, your diseased soul.” Her eyes burned vehemently as she stepped closer to him. She could tell her words were getting under his skin.

            “Would you not do anything and everything for your daughter? Would you not give any and everything to save her right now? In this moment,” he yelled. His shout startled her but she did not back away.

            “Yes, yes I would!”

            “Then you have no right to question me for the things that I am doing for my people. Adrian is but one measly unimportant human and I am saving an entire planet of people. Do not speak to me about diseased souls and mercy. For your comment I should strike you down here and now.” He threw up a hand, as if to back hand her, but he stopped. Slowly, he touched the side of her wet face with his hand. “Skin as smooth as her mothers.” He whispered.

            “I would do all and anything for my daughter but what you mean to do isn’t just murder; it’s genocide. I don’t fully understand the life source and the ways of the dark power but just think…what will come of the inhabitants of this planet should you take their life source, hmm?” She said back to him, her voice also just above a whisper.

            “That…my beautiful human, is not my problem.” He turned away from her towards her daughter. Adrian was slowly coming out of her trance, her open eyes awakening.

            “Mother…” Adrian spoke as her vision cleared. She saw the tall man standing before her, his dark eyes piercing her. Annalise dodged Devlirus and moved toward Adrian. She threw her arms around her and they hugged tightly.

            “Ok, they really are taking too long. Adrian, call your mate.” He voice boomed out over their sentiments.

            “I, uh…”

            “Call him now! That wasn’t a question or suggestion. It was an order. I want to get this over with and I want to get off this planet. They’ve opened a portal and I want my people and the life source back on Malvroy in one hour!” As he spoke, a group of warrior like men walked towards them, their heads shaved and tattooed. One man stood taller than the rest, almost as tall as Devlirus but most definitely bigger. His muscles were tight and stretched the dark leather across his chest. His eyes were a light, almost clear blue and his long hair gathered at the nape of his neck in a long ponytail.

            “I, too, find it funny that they have not arrived. Perhaps they are already here.” There was something about the man, about his voice, that seemed familiar to Adrian. She couldn’t place it but an almost instant trust formed in her mind for him. It was the same feeling she’d felt when she’d met Chase Hunter for the first time. The differences in the men didn’t stop there. His icy blue eyes seemed to contrast to the soft sun kissed glow his skin held. The rest were pale, their skin almost translucent. Adrian felt her mother draw closer to her.

            “Adrian, that man, I’ve seen him before. He and your father…they were friends.” She whispered as softly as she could, Adrian could barely hear her. “There is something trustworthy about him. But what is he doing here with them?”

            “I know. Mom, there is something familiar about him. I’ve never met him before. I think I would know.” She whispered back as the two men continued to discuss the situation.

            “Adrian, please join us in our conversation. You should know, it concerns your mate.” The man came forward as she jumped from the Alter. He stuck out a hand to her. “I would like to meet the acquaintance of the woman who will give my race back it’s home.” As she took his hand, Adrian knew exactly where the familiarity came from. She looked up, her eyes widened and her mouth gaped.

            “You’re…” she spoke and almost finished but his eyes warned her. They rimmed with darkness that told her to keep her mouth shut. “…welcome.”

            “Thank you.” He spoke, his voice loud but with an underlining secrecy to it she couldn’t have been mistaken. He was who she thought he was. She was definitely more confused than she’d ever been and yet, things seemed to make sense.

            “This is my mother, Annalise Culvert.” She spoke, her eyes wide and still on his. Breaking their trance, the man bent over her mother’s hand and kissed the knuckles.

            “I am Dvakart Vymenil. It’s a pleasure to meet you. I must say, human women are very pleasing to the eyes. Call me Nile.” He dropped Annalise’s hand with a sweet softness and stepped away from them.

            “You’ll have to excuse my partner, he seems to forget that he is a murderer, a devil himself and also my right hand man.” Devlirus looked upon him with jealously. “Nile’s as charming and as innocent as a snake slithering in a bush. I will give him that.” He came forward and clasps a tight hand on Dvakart’s shoulder. The two then turned and Dvakart, or Nile, began to report to him on the status of the portal that was opening to Malvroy.

            “Mom, I finally know who he is. I know why he’s familiar.” Adrian leaned closer to Annalise so as not to be overheard.

            “Who is he?”

            “You know how I told you there are five other warriors other than Chase? One’s name is Vectio; he’s their transporter. Strong, silent, long dark hair and icy blue eyes.” She turned towards her mother. “I think he’s Vectio’s father.”

"The only way to be a writer is to write, write and write. The only way...is to write." -Jade Elyzabeth

The Dark Warriors series, Book 1: Hunter, Finally to Completion

Hey All!

I must say that keeping up with writing this book was probably one of the hardest things I've done in my entire life. I might also admit that I did fail horribly at it. Luckily, I have decided that by the end of this week the novel will be completely finished. I will finish writing it and, as usual, upload the separated post as I go along. I will then backtrack on each post to do a "touching up" with editing and making sure the glorious parts I wrote last year still coincide with the parts I am writing now.

I've realized as things have changed for me in the last eight to nine months my "voice" has also changed. I want to make sure the story coalesces just as perfect as if I'd written it all together. I hope you guys enjoyed the story and I hope I get feedback either way. Just as I did mention, this novel is part of a six part series that I'm not sure i'm uploading on this website.

I hope that by the end of this week I will be able to get some sleep, peace of mind and hopefully my writers block will cease to exist. I won't hold my breath but I will type.

Good Readance,

Jade

"The only way to be a writer is to write, write and write. The only way...is to write." -Jade Elyzabeth

Post 31: The Clearing and The Conduit

The flowers were bright, almost neon colored, in the field surrounding her. She lay on her side, playing in the grass; curling her toes into the soil. Throwing her head back, Ana laughed as a soft kiss of a butterfly touched her cheek. It was quiet of city life and loud with nature, here in the clearing. A trickle of a lake surrounded her, rimming the clearing just before the trees formed to a forest.

            “Ana, we need your help.” A soft but strong voice spoke behind her. A softly rounded woman sat on a tree stump just barely jutting from the ground. Her outstretched legs were covered in dirt and the soft white linen dress she wore lay bunched at her knees. She leaned back, stretching her arms behind her until her palms rested flat against the top of the stump.

            “But I don’t know how I could help.” Ana rolled onto her right side so she was facing the woman. “You seem…so familiar to me.” Propping up on her elbow she took in her features. The soft brown skin, honey colored trusting eyes and brown hair called to her. There was no trickery here, she asked her of her help with hope that she’d be willing.

            “I know why you left Senatus. I know why you and Chase separated. I know you really didn’t mean to deliver his mate to that devil. They, however, don’t know this. You committed treason, Ana Guile. They have no trust in you.” The woman rose from the stump and came to sit next to Ana. Despite the soft roundness to her body and hips, she gracefully sat with her knees tucked to the side.

            “And you do?” Ana sat up, crossing her legs before her making sure to tuck her own linen dress tight around her knees.

            “Yes, I know that seems weird or rather hard to believe but I also was an Eidyia Woman. Although we might not have worked in groups or even well together in teams as the Dark Warriors, we still were a unit. I have many centuries of experience, the loneliness doesn’t get any better without someone. Knowing that Chase was not the one for you must have killed you and the thought to deceive him, that’s why you left. And initially, it was only because you had no choice; then the allure of the dark power was so bright. It seduced you, just as it had me.”

            “It’s not that hard to believe,” Ana said “you being an Eidyia Woman. I sense it in you.” She leaned forward and glanced down at the clasp hands in her lap. “I loved him, I did, just not in the way mates should love each other. I never even felt tempted to complete the Mauma, we never had the shared visions of the Codra Mauma. I’m sure our passion was..” she blushed “just as great as any. I just…”

            “Couldn’t connect?” The woman leaned forward and smiled, tucking wayward strand behind Ana’s ear. “I know, sweetheart, I know.”

            “I just couldn’t deceive him any longer and I knew the only way to get out of it all was to become a Woman of Ganesha. Being a traitor is hard. I…You have to do things you don’t want to do. I knew Devlirus was up to something. I just didn’t want to believe that my part would be the end all.” She shook her head as the tears fell.

            “End all?”

            “Yes, he spoke to me, after he’d captured the woman and her mother. He said “thank you for giving my race back its home.” I didn’t understand what he meant so I did some research. Malvroy is dying. Not like the Moen and not like Plutos. It will surely implode. The anger, grief, strife and destructiveness of the Malus tipped the balance. The dark power took over the light source of the planet and for the last centuries it’s been destroying itself piece by piece and soon there will be nowhere for them to go.” Tears streamed faster down her cheeks and she looked up and stared right at the woman. “Can you imagine? Arinth being destroyed? Us never being allowed to go back home. Can you imagine us having to move our entire race to a different planet, with a different solar system, different gravity, and different essence?” She shook her head.

            “That is their own fault.” The woman nodded as a stricken look covered Ana’s face. “It is! While not every species on that planet is evil or bad or angry, they were warned. Several times. Over my rein as Eidyia on Malvroy, I held secrets for their government. Ones that, to this day, I cannot share; not even with you. They knew, they thought they had time and despite my judgment and guidance they ignored me and the warning signs. I had to…” the woman shook her head as her own eyes misted, “leave the man I loved behind when the Council retired me. Conflict of interest, my want to save them, is what they called it.”

            “You lived there? Before the resistance? Before the attack on Earth began?”

            “Yes, and while I loved and loved deeply and tried the best I could, I couldn’t save them. But you have the chance to save a race. The Malus had their chance. Pray, what do you think they will do with Earth when they set up here? They will destroy every species on this planet all the while enveloping themselves further into the darkness.” She shook her head angrily. “They weren’t so bad in the beginning but desperation is an evil poison.”

            “Earth? I’m sorry, you have it confused. If I remember correctly, I can see it all now. By the grace of Light Warriors, they don’t want to inhabit Earth. They want to steal its life source. Earth is the center of the galaxy, is it not?” she didn’t wait for the woman to respond. “It’s the only planet strong enough to transfer life and light source to another. They need the essence of Earth to replenish the light on their planet, to heal their planet. That’s why they need a conduit! If I’m not mistaken, the only other conduit besides Egeria Shen is Anders Culvert. They are both well-guarded. Maybe they plan to use Chase’s mate to get to her father.”  

            “They don’t need Anders. Adrian is also a conduit. If her kidnapping was truly a body possession, they can make her do anything. I don’t know if she’s strong enough to resist. Removing the light source from an object not only destroys it but destroys the vessel. Adrian will die before she even knows what happened!” The woman jumped to her feet in one fluid motion and reached down to pull Ana to her feet. “Will you help us?”

            “Yes, whatever I’ve done must be undone. I will help willingly.” Ana nodded.

            Blinking against the light that shone into her eyes, Ana threw her hands up against the beams. A strong metal smell filled her nose and she took a deep breath of musky air. Glancing around, she noticed she was no longer in the clearing dressed in her ceremony linens. She stood in a cell, alone. A clanking sound from just before her face, startled her. Stepping backwards, Ana gasped as the woman she’d stood in the clearing with stepped into the cell.

            “I’m Arinth. You said you’d help willingly, does that still stand?” Her voice was still soft and strong, despite the fierce look on her face.

            “Yes, I’ll help anyway that I can.” She glanced behind her as she saw Chase and what looked to be the other warriors of his team, watching. “Hunter, I swear, I had no idea she was your mate. I promise I didn’t know what would become of her.”

            “If you really mean that then you will help us find her.” He spoke before turning and exiting the dungeon. The rest of the warriors followed suit. Arinth turned back to her, a softer look on her face.

            “By the grace of the Light Warriors, you must be hungry.”  She then turned and shuffled from the dungeon; Ana followed just on her heels.

"The only way to be a writer is to write, write and write. The only way...is to write." -Jade Elyzabeth