(PLEASE STAND BY FOR THIS PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT)
THE RIDDICK UNIVERSE AND GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY OR ITS CHARACTERS ARE NOT OWNED BY ME NOR AM I MAKING ANY MONEY, I AM ONLY WRITING FOR THE PURE
ENJOYMENT
AND ALLOWING MY ALREADY CRAZY MIND WILD.
ALL CHARACTERS NOT BELONGING TO THE RIDDICK OR GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY WORLD ARE MINE, IMAGINARY, PHYSICALLY, LEAGUALLY, AND ALL OF THE ABOVE!
RHYA, BENJAMIN, AND THE TITLE OF THE STORY BELONG TO MY DEAR FRIEND JACKALOPE21 WHO HAS GIVEN ME THE HONOR AND BLESSING TO CONTINUE ON WITH BENJAMIN'S STORY SO HERE IT GOES!
PLEASE CHECK OUT HER STORIES THEY ARE TRULY AMAZING! AND OF COURSE THE FIRST INSTALLMENT OF DARK HEARTS WHICH TELLS THE STORY OF RIDDICK AND HIS MATE RHYA
ENJOY
YOURS TRULY,
DARK CREED
Mandala was the largest city in Helios in which expanded across land and water, a few miles from Corvenus one of many small cities closest to Mandala.
The moon was at her fullest that night as dark clouds covered the glittering stars; it was one of the few things she enjoyed. Staring up into the sky while the wind was cool against her bare skin, the night being greeted with nothing but silence unlike during the day where it was surrounded with on-going life and sounds of every kind imaginable. It was the night that was so peaceful and quite.
It was always her favorite time to train.
Esmeralda Douglas closed her eyes and arched her neck enjoying the night which welcomed her with open arms feeling the safety of the shadows.
"This night will be different Esmeralda…" Shirah chimed in
"All nights aren't the same…" Esmeralda answered her eyes still closed
"Not like this one…"
…Shirah…her only true friend…whispered in the essences of her mind; another Furyan like her but if she were dead or alive Esmeralda didn't know, the only thing she did know was that Shirah could speak to her in this manner; sometimes coming into her dreams and washing away her nightmares
"Really an' how's that?"
"The skies will open for another tonight" Shirah answered. Esmeralda sighed and opened her eyes. Since knowing Shirah as a small child, Esmeralda had learned how to decipher her riddles
"An' this concerns me why? People come an' go…it's very common in a civilized planet" Esmeralda said
"You're fates are entwined…"
Esmeralda could decipher most riddles but this one was interesting and confusing
"What are you talking about?" Esmeralda asked
"Everything will reveal itself in due time" Shirah answered
"Damn it Shirah…I hate it when you give me riddles…it's enough that you talk in riddles…what are you talking about our fates are entwined…? Whose fate is entwined with mine?"
When Shirah didn't respond Esmeralda released a frustrated growl as she turned her attention back to the city Esmeralda was able to scent the freshness of rain. Taking her gaze off from the city and up into the skies she caught the glimpse of thunder grumbling as flashing lights of blue and white glided through the darkened clouds.
Listening closer she was also able to hear an aircraft making its way toward the city landing bay. Rolling her eyes Esmeralda turned away and made her way toward the direction of her house before the rain was able to catch up with her.
"More tourists…" she grumbled as she disappeared into the night.
#
The rain was nothing but a drizzle as Benjamin Riddick stepped off the back hanger of the ship
"Back home…Helios…planet of the sun...ironic isn't it" he said
"We'll refuel, stock up, same as usual…be gone before any merc figures out we've been here" Rhya said as Ben began walking out into the cool night
"And where are you going?" Rhya asked with an arched eyebrow, arms crossed, Ben turned and began walking backwards shrugging his board shoulders
"Going for a walk…the night is young…maybe entice a beautiful young woman to spend the night with me" Ben said with a devilish gleam in his florescent silver eyes
"Don't attract attention…" she warned as he disappeared into the night, leaving Rhya and Riddick alone
"It's almost frightening how much he takes after you…" Rhya commented, Riddick of course stayed silent, turning in his direction she caught the sly grin.
#
Esmeralda closed the door behind her just as Alexandria Douglas walked down the stairs of the lobby
Alexandra was a breathtakingly beautiful woman with long red spirals that ran down her back and beautiful bright orange red almond eyes with a porcelain face and alabaster skin which was many of the traits Esmeralda took after all but the jet-black hair
"Esmeralda where have you been sweetie…?" Alexandra asked looking a bit worried as her small hand caressed her three month swollen belly. Esmeralda cringed, she hated to worry her mother especially when she was pregnant
"Sorry momma…" Esmeralda said feeling guilty as she placed a kiss on her mother's cheek
"You were on the rooftops again...as much as I don't mind you going out to stare at the stars it worries me a bit...your father is waiting to see you" Alexandra said smiling witnessing the huge grin appearing on Esmeralda's soft features. Running past her and into the grand living room where the holographic table stood in the center of the room.
#
Drax was famously known as "Drax the destroyer" or simply as "The Destroyer" in every known galaxy. A name very well earned. But to his beautiful wife and two daughters he was a loving, warm-hearted father and husband who loved and cherished them with everything he had within him. While the gang was asleep he stayed up and decided to connect with his family back home in Helios
Drax smiled seeing his daughter appear in front of the hologram
"There you are my beautiful daughter…your mother says you've been on the rooftops again" he said Esmeralda grinned and rolled her eyes
"Keeping up with the training papa…we miss you and the gang"
"That's my daughter; training like a true warrior do you carry your knives?" Drax asked with an encouraging smile, Alexandra appeared on screen rubbing her belly
"Always…" Esmeralda answered as Alexandra scrunched her small nose
"My love don't encourage her please…it worries me that she sometimes comes home late at night"
"We've taught her well…it is good that she trains…but your mother is right, too late at night does not fit well with us Esmeralda" Drax said on a more serious tone, Esmeralda nodded looking down for a moment before turning to her mom
"Did you tell him?" she asked, Alexandra smiled and shook her head
"Tell me what?" Drax asked but before Esmeralda could answer Alexandra went on to call Teagan into the room.
Once everyone was settled Esmeralda and Teagan placed their smiling faces on the screen and told him the news
"Momma's having a baby!" they exclaimed pulling away as they gave Alexandra room to show him her swollen belly. Drax was speechless as he stared on; all three laughed when he pulled back and pumped both fists in the air
"We are with child!" he roared with joy probably waking everyone up in the cabin but he didn't care knowing he was going to be a father to his third child.
Of course Rocket and Baby Groot were the first ones in the living room lobby section of the ship where Drax sat speaking to Alexandra and the girls.
Peter and Gamora right behind them
"What is all the racket!?" Rocket grumbled not really liking the fact that he was woken up from a good-nights sleep when he noticed Alexandra and the girls, his frustration to his beauty sleep slipping away
"We are with child! My beloved Alexandra carries our third child" Drax repeated turning to Alex and the girls who were smiling as the group joined them
"That's great how far along princess?" Peter asked
"Three months and four days" Alexandra said with a big smile showing off her swollen belly
"Hear that Groot we're going to be uncles again!" Rocket said with a huge grin forgetting all about being woken up which mostly consists of him being moody the rest of the day and the gang putting up with him. Gamora smiled
"We miss you guys will you be here in time for the baby to be born?"
"We wouldn't miss it for anything" Gamora said with a sincere smile.
After an hour of talking about the new addition to the family and planning Esmeralda had the chance to speak with Drax a little longer before letting him go.
"I didn't have the chance to tell you that I passed all my exams" Esmeralda said with a small smile
"That is wonderful…you will be a great healer" Drax said proudly though he noticed the bit of sadness on her delicate features
"Are you not happy my daughter? This brings great joy to my heart"
Esmeralda smiled
"Yes papa I'm very happy…I just…feel that I should be out there fighting alongside you guys. Adoh and Branna are here along with Cian so momma won't be alone and not to mention Teagan is here as well" Esmeralda explained Drax gave her a small smile
"Ah…I see a powerful spirit in those orange red eyes…we need of a great healer…but for now I have need of you at home to watch over your mother and sister"
At his words Esmeralda couldn't help but smile
"So I will be able to join you?" she said about to jump up with joy from where she was sitting, Drax laughed
"Your warriors spirit is too great to keep locked…you take much of your father…a great warrior" Drax said proudly thumping his chest with a powerful fist.
Esmeralda smiled tears blurring her vision. Though not his biological daughters Drax never once saw Esmeralda or Teagan as another man's daughters but all his and he never forgot to remind them.
At that moment the gang decided to reappear, Esmeralda could hear Peter talking in the background
"Irani sends her hellos and congrats and new coordinates" he said sending her a dashing smile while Gamora set the coordinates as Baby Groot and Rocket appeared on screen. Groot of course opened his tiny hand to reveal a beautiful white lily, Esmeralda's favorite flower, her heart almost gave out when Drax had told them that Groot had died in order to save them but Rocket thankfully found one a piece of him still alive and now he was growing everyday.
"Keep it safe for me Groot…so when you return home and take care of Rocket…oh and Uncle Rocket please no leaving bombs laying around…" Esmeralda warned with a smile
"Hey…first of all it's me taking care of this big...well little lug and secondly I don't leave bombs just anywhere…only in places where I can blow some people up" Rocket said defending himself Esmeralda shook her head and laughed
"Just come home in one piece you guys...I don't think momma or any of us can take another scare and Uncle Peter no leaving a trail of broken hearts you hear, Aunt Gamora kick some butt for me" Esmeralda called out grabbing their attention
"Hey sweetheart I can't keep any promises…I can't help it if the ladies come running…" Peter said with a wink as Gamora rolled her eyes and gave him a playful push before turning her attention back to Esmeralda
"Always…" she answered with a smile as Esmeralda pressed a hand on the holographic screen, Drax doing the same
"Love you papa to the stars and back and be safe"
"And I you more than all the galaxies combined" he answered pulling away Esmeralda pressed her fingertips to her lips and blew them all a kiss waving goodbye before ending the call.
#
Benjamin crouched over the rooftops of the market place, his eyes scanning every face of every person in the crowded streets; never missing a heartbeat or movement as he took a bite of his apple overlooking the crowd like a predator searching for its pray ready to pounce at any moment and yet he was so relaxed and bored at the same time.
The brawl last night had bored him to tears and the sex from the young bartender wasn't as satisfying as he thought even though it was great sex but he would be lying if it was satisfying.
Even his animal stirred with un-satisfaction and in the end it was only a great tumble in bed and there's the door.
Deep in his thoughts, Benjamin didn't catch the famine figure till the last minute and turned to see a breathtakingly beautiful girl walking through the crowded market place.
Her long raven-blue hair was tied in a loose side-braid that draped over one slender shoulder, running for miles; a few strands caressing her porcelain face.
Immediately Ben felt blood rushing through his body and his heart jolting faster than a jack rabbit on the run as his skin began to grow hot while his jeans began to feel a bit too tight as he felt himself grow instantly hard while chills ran down his spine.
Which wasn't all new to him since he had the same reaction for any beautiful female, but this one was different and the feelings that were usually attraction and lust toward the opposite sex weren't the same as something stronger shot through him like comets shooting through space
"Interesting…very…interesting" he murmured softly while watching her walk through the crowds or mostly pushing through them an irritated look on her delicate features.
He took in a deep breath, breathing in all the smells that surrounded him, though he easily blocked them out all but hers and he almost fell flat on his ass as the intoxicating scent of hers overwhelmed him. It was a sweet smell of coconut, pumpkin, and vanilla; thanks to his mother's genetically spliced DNA which passed down to him, he had heightened strength, senses, and agility which allowed him to catch any familiar smell of male, female, or animal sweat and other aromas from miles away and be able to find them with just their scent alone. Keeping an eye on her Benjamin held a predator's smile as he stood to his full height of 6'6. Walking to the side of the rooftop he stood on the ledge and stepped off.
The wind whistled past him as he rocketed through the air enjoying the rush it quickly ended as he landed on the balls of his feet with grace which was an amazing feat for a male of his size. Stepping out of the ally, Benjamin placed the hood of his dark brown cloak which covered his dark chiseled features all but his full masculine lips and followed the young female.
The city of Mandala was a beautiful city at night, full of peace and silence not a trace of movement; as if time had stopped at the very moment to rest but in the daytime it was another story as life began moving again and the silence was pushed away by unbearable noise that threatened Esmeralda to lose her mind.
When Esmeralda was at her breaking point, she began shoving her way through the crowds, getting dirty glances and some angry mummers thrown her way, but she couldn't care less.
Finally when she reached a cart full of bright red and green apples that stood in front of a large market store called 'Reedus Apples' did Esmeralda snatch a bright green one in her hand with blinding speed as she quickly but gracefully stepped to the side which allowed her freedom and relief from the crowding bodies, kneeling down she double checked Alyssa and Assiel; her beautiful hand-crafted dual wield swords that were given to her by Drax which he himself crafted from a special indestructible metal from his home planet, only to feel the twins safe in their shields which were strapped to the sides of her calves. Satisfied she stood up to find herself facing a monster of a man with long fiery red hair and thick beard. The only kindness he held were in the light green of his eyes, of course only to the people he cared and cherished most to others he didn't give a fuck as he put it so many times only to get him in trouble with his wife for using such foul language which caused Esmeralda to giggle as he walked out of his store, a broom in hand sweeping the ground.
His beautifully sown white robes which her mother had made by hand had a dirty apron over them so not to get them dirty.
"You know you shouldn't leave your cart untended…thieves might just steal all those goods" Esmeralda said with a grin as the man turned his light green eyes toward her
"Lassy!? What do I owe this pleasant surprise" the man said with a heavy Scottish accent greeting her with a big smile on his face though it quickly disappeared when he turned to find no one at the stand.
Adoh Reedus was one of few generation Vikings that existed across the Universe and was well known to grow the best apples in all Helios among many other things and which made him quite popular which was surprising to Esmeralda to find no one at the cart or stand. Adoh turned just in time to catch the green apple that Esmeralda threw at him.
"Blast that boyo! I've told him a hundred times not tae leave his post…I swear when I see him I'm going tae ring his neck! And of all the days' tae leave the stand untended! Any missing apples will come out of his pay!" Adoh boomed fixing the cart just as his wife Branna stepped out in one of Alexandra's sown dresses, her long blonde hair was tied back in a long braid as her kind blue eyes sparkled from behind specs that fell down her slim nose as she smiled at her husband.
It was the love that Adoh had for his wife that got him into growing only the best apples since she became pregnant with Cian which caused her to have only cravings for apples and peanut butter.
"What is all the fuss darlin'?" she asked
"That boyo of yers left the post and of all days!" Adoh growled as he attended a customer, followed by a swarm of others looking through some of his stands
"Maybe he had tae use the beag…" she began
"Or go run off with his friends…" he added
"Take it easy on the boyo darlin', he may be fifteen but he's still a child and may I remind you that he gets his rebellious side from you" Branna said with a humble laugh.
Branna Reedus was a kind woman with a gentle heart and a soul that could fill an entire city though if anyone messed with her children did the Viking woman come out but it was a rare occasion.
She had known Alexandra since she had arrived to Helios with nothing but the clothes on her back, hiding in the cargo bay with Esmeralda who was toddler and pregnant with her second child.
Adoh and Branna had taken them in and given them a loving home and family, taking on the roles of being parents to the young woman and grandparents to the children.
Adoh with his intimidating enormous size and stature kept all the men who wanted Alexandra at bay while she made herself at home, sowing her own line of clothes which she made good profit and helped raise two orphaned girls that was until she met Drax who came in one day to buy some apples which as soon as he set eyes on Alexandra came in everyday constantly to buy apples or at her shop which was actually right next to Adoh and Branna's market bringing in ruined clothing for her to fix. Adoh on the other hand didn't enjoy someone such as Drax being near his adopted daughter especially knowing who Drax really was not to mention that the man wasn't human but even so Alexandra's kind heart didn't see any of that and decided to give him a chance even when Adoh objected.
During the months ahead there were no secrets between them not even their tragic stories which brought them closer together becoming inseparable he also shared with her that he was part of a team named "Guardians of the Galaxy" which caused him to leave every few months on missions, when he had to leave Alexandra had the chance to meet his colleagues which more than just colleagues but family who she instantly fell in love with, enjoying their company and made him promise to bring them with him when he returned.
When he did return, he returned with the team just before Teagan's birth he arrived to be there by Alexandra's side as she gave birth to a beautiful little girl. Drax immediately saw her and Esmeralda as his own, cutting the umbilical cord himself and holding a crying Teagan in his arms.
Knowing that it would be his second chance at a family Drax asked Alexandra to become his bride which she gladly accepted.
Branna turned to Esmeralda and smile
"Esmeralda lassy what an unexpected surprise…how are you? How's yer meither?" Branna asked with a warm smile as she embraced the young woman
"Will you be coming tonight fer dinner? We miss you lasses"
"Seanmhair…you just saw us two days ago" Esmeralda answered
"Aye but two days is too long without my girls…I'm making yer favorite Apple Buterscotch Pie, Arran Potato Salad, and Baked Salmon with Tarragon"
"Sounds delicious…I'll be back later than with momma and Teagan then" Esmeralda said when suddenly all her warning bells went off as she felt she was being watched.
Going on full alert she turned her head toward the crowded streets than looking behind her to see anyone suspicious or out of the ordinary but saw no one. Branna gave her a worried look when she felt Esmeralda tense up
"You alright darlin'?" she asked looking through the crowds only to have Esmeralda give her a warm reassuring smile
"It's nothing…I just hate crowds" she answered placing a kiss on her cheek than making her way over to Adoh who was busy with some customers and standing on her tip-toes and pecking him on his bushy cheek
"See you later than Senair" Esmeralda said using the Scottish words of Seanmhair and Senair which meant Grandmother and Grandfather in the Scottish tongue
"All right lass…give yer mother an' sister my regards…did yer Seanmhair tell you she's makin' our favorite?" he asked
"Apple Buterscotch Pie" they both said in union sharing a laugh before Esmeralda went on her way, walking past the stand
"And if ye see Cian…tell him tae get his arse back over here!" Adoh hollered, Esmeralda waved her hand to let him know she heard him. With that voice of his she could be certain the entire city heard him if not Cian.
Once she was out of view Esmeralda began checking her surroundings, the feeling of being followed had become stronger.
Carefully scanning her surroundings without being too obvious, Esmeralda noticed a tall hooded figure that looked out of place, leaning against one of the buildings wall with his arms crossed over a massive board chest.
Turning away Esmeralda disappeared deeper into the crowd and turned the corner making her way into a darkened ally between two buildings where trash was thrown and rats were heard scurrying the ground. At times rough coughing coming from someone homeless echoed through the ally.
Running up the steps Esmeralda made her way to one of her many shortcuts to the rooftops and kept on high alert of the male. Catching the heavy footsteps as she ran into the clearing which led her outside giving her space to confront and fight whoever was following her.
Taking a quick survey of her surroundings Esmeralda ran to the side of the building and leaned against it, waiting for the tall brooding figure to show up.
It didn't take long though…
Esmeralda counted down the seconds, listening to the heavy footfalls of the male stalking her as he closed in on her.
CRITICISM IS WELCOME,
YOURS,
DARK CREED