"Face it Talia! Our wings are gone!" I could here Serenity's shouts, but I wasn't listening. How could our wings be gone? And why is Mira falling?? Was it something to do with Malpercio? Was that his plan? To cause the Islands to fall? What purpose would that serve? I was lost in my own train of thoughts, and the next thing I knew, Bane put his arms around me and pulled me into a hug. I felt my cheeks go red.
"Talia. You have to understand now. Malpercio is gone" He cooed, as if he just read my thoughts "The Islands are falling because his evil is gone, and the Taint Clouds have been dispelled. We're able to live on the Earth again" I didn't want any of this to be happening. I started to cry. I looked up at Bane; at his calm smile
"But why? Why are our wings gone?!" I stammered in between sobs. I could here Serenity's tuts behind me.
"Because we belong to the Earth now. We don't need our wings anymore" Bane looked as sad as I felt, but he was not crying. He was always so strong. I wished now that I could be like him.
"But I don't want to live on the Earth, I want to live in the Sky!" I cried, subconsciously pushing away from Bane's embrace. I instinctively put my hand to my necklace. It was calming. It was mine. I turned from the others "I don't want to live on the Earth..." I muttered again, and summoned my scythe. But something was wrong. Instead of feeling that sense of power surging to my hand, instead of feeling the element of air gathering, I felt nothing. Simply nothing. I looked down at my necklace. It was unchanged.
"What?! What's going on?!" I shouted, more tears falling.
"I think…I think that, the magic that once resided in the Islands and in their people, has…gone…" Serenity said sadly. No! I wouldn't believe it!
"That can't be! It can't!" I shouted, knowing that nothing could be done about it. First my wings, now my magic! If this was how I was to live, then I would rather die. I clenched my fists, and went silent, tears still streaming.
"Talia?" Bane said warily. I did my best to ignore him. I restrained my self from running to him, and throwing my arms around him.
"I'm going now. Don't follow me" I said quietly, turning around and beginning my slow walk to the Miran docks. I walked though Reverence, though the cheering, happy crowds, and to the bridge. Someone grabbed my shoulder before I could go any further.
"Talia. Think about what you are about to do. Will it do any good? You'll adapt over time, I know you will. You're strong. Think about it. I know what it's like to be wingless." A kindly voice spoke. I turned, my eyes blurred with tears, and saw Kalas smiling down at me.
"But you weren't wingless. You did have one wing" I stated. Kalas chuckled
"I know that, but do you think it made much difference? I was still the odd one out, the one who had to adapt"
I did think about it. What good would come of leaving Mira? Bane would be alone again. I don't think I would be able to put him though that. No. I will stay. I should accept what has happened to us, and start a new life here on Earth.