After many character arcs and fun stuff...it's finally here. I really really hope that you guys like this. It took me so long to actually get things put together in threads and deciding where to put things. Anyway. Someone has put up a story warning against the stuff you're going to see here...she's somewhat right. she did warn about a song I had playing here...and I think it fits perfectly anyways. The song I've been listening to is Dust and Light by Twelve Titans. You'd recognize it from the trailer for The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies. Anyway...um...I definitely recommend starting it at the second page break or just listening to it while you read.
Chapter 1
I suppose, looking back, I should have expected it to turn out this way. People like us aren't exactly allowed to have peace. The League was an escape for us. For some, it was just a game. For us? League was a way of life. I don't mean the fact that we were addicted or anything like that, no far from it. It literally is our way of life. We chose to have a second chance at life, to have a better chance at life, to make our lives different, to bring a change. We were given that chance, and because we were selfish in wanting to stand instead of lying down and giving up, we were hunted. We are still hunted…
But…that doesn't mean that we aren't allowed a ray of hope.
Vesper skipped into the room, her little dress flaring about her in a cloud of soft gold and pink, like the dawn sky.
"Hi, Mrs. Star!" she chirped, waving as the older woman smiled back.
"Morning, Vesper," Star started, looking up from her work, "Everything ready out there?"
"Mhmm! Daddy looks nervous…but happy too!"
"I bet he is," Star smiled before returning to her work, "You know, I was expecting me to be the first to have kids…"
A soft laugh came from Cira, who was letting Star work on her hair.
"You know how I always wanted to be a Mom," Cira smiled, the room seeming to light up as Vesper came and crawled up onto her mother's lap, "Now I've got this little munchkin,"
"I'm not a munchkin!" Vesper giggled as Cira tickled her daughter.
"You're right, you're a hobbit!" Cira grinned.
"Noooooo! Maaaamaaaa!" Vesper squealed, finally squirming out of her mother's hold.
"Go see how your daddy's doing," Star told her.
"Kay!" Vesper smiled, a portal of pink and violet light opening and she hopped through.
"How in the world do you keep track of her?" Gwen asked as she walked in.
"Very carefully," Cira deadpanned as Star finished.
Cira stood, smiling softly as she looked at herself in the mirror. She saw her mother's reflection come up behind her and hug her from behind.
"I'm so proud of you," Gwen told her, watching as the red-blonde reflection of her daughter suddenly turned into a red-haired woman, making Gwen chuckle, "Both of you,"
Cira gave a soft laugh as her eyes shown gold.
"I never dreamed this day would come," Leona said, touching the mirror and admiring Star's work, "Weddings were rare on the Mountain, not many lived that long so relationships were…"
The Radiant Dawn's cheeks flared a faint scarlet as she bowed her head slightly.
"Don't worry about it," Gwen told the Champion, squeezing her shoulders reassuringly, "I suppose you will have one there too?"
Leona nodded.
"My parents would have a fit if we did not," she told her as her eyes flashed back to blue and Cira looked at her mother.
"Is it normal to be scared?" she asked.
"You of all people," Gwen chuckled, "Honestly, I thought you would have gone through worse,"
Cira shook her head.
"Tangling with Baron Nashor or a fed Vayne is less scary," Cira deadpanned.
There was a knock on the door and Cira was quickly hidden by Janie and Star while Gwen went to the door and cracked it open.
"David!" Gwen smiled, opening the door a bit wider as Arthur's father came into view, "How is he?"
"Nervous, afraid he'll say something wrong or fall on his face,"
"He thinks he's going to fall on his face?" Cira laughed, "He's not the one wearing heels!"
David Jonson gave a smile as he caught a glimpse of Cira.
"You…look absolutely radiant, Cira," he told her, getting a blinding smile from her.
"Well, it is my title…" she reasoned, "Can I ask what you're doing here? I mean…at this moment,"
The older man smiled.
"Arthur wanted to hear your voice before the whole thing started,"
Cira nodded.
"I like that idea," she told him, starting towards the door and waiting just inside the threshold, "How far away?"
"He's at the end of the hall," David told her, "Don't worry, I made sure he won't see you. Bad luck,"
Cira chuckled as she put her back to the door and felt a hand gently fold around hers.
"Hey," came Arthur's voice.
"Hey," Cira replied, closing her eyes contentedly.
"Scared?"
"Terrifed. You?"
"Same. But, more excited I guess,"
"I agree," Cira laughed as he stroked her hand with his thumb, "Today is a good day,"
"That it is," he replied.
Both Chosens closed their eyes, contented smiles on their faces. There was the faint click of the camera as someone snapped a picture of the sweet moment. There was a faint sparkle of light as Vesper popped out of a portal and skipped to her parents, hugging them both.
Another click as the two parents hugged their daughter and someone got another picture.
"It's time," David told his son.
Arthur nodded and squeezed Cira's hand one more time.
"I'll see you soon…both of you," he smiled.
"See you," Cira returned as Arthur walked back out into the hallway.
"Last touches," Gwen said, "Vesper, you got what I asked you for?"
"Yes Gram!" Vesper chirped, holding out three objects.
"Thank you, Stardust," Gwen smiled before turning to her eldest daughter, "Alright, so. Something Old…this is was your great, grandmother's necklace…your gram and I found it in her hope chest,"
She gently fastened the golden chain with scarlet gems and gilded flowers around her daughter's neck.
"Something New," Janie quoted, "I got these for your hair,"
She presented little sunflowers and brown-eyed susans and started threading them into her sister's long, red-blonde braid.
"Something Borrowed," Star said, giving her best friend a golden bracelet.
"What you wore to your wedding last winter," Cira blinked, "Where I was your maid of honor,"
"And now I'm yours," Star grinned, fastening the bracelet.
"And Something Blue!" Vesper chirped, bouncing on her tiptoes as she handed her mother a single blue lilac blossom to put in the bouquet.
"Now…you're ready," Gwen smiled, hugging her daughter, tears starting to stream, "But first…here, let me take a picture of all of you beautiful girls,"
Cira smiled, brightly as one eye flared gold and the bridal party and flower girl gathered for a picture. Gwen quickly snapped the picture, wiping the tears away as Cira hugged her back.
"Thank you for everything, Mama," she whispered.
The church was beautiful, the stained glass windows are huge and throwing multicolored shards of light upon the floor. The place is packed, people dressed up nicely amongst flowers strewn about the floor and pews. At the alter stands a pastor and next to him stands Arthur, tall, proud and eager if not a little nervous.
He watched with bated breath as the doors opened, letting the bridesmaid, groomsman, Best Man and Maid of Honor come through. Star, accompanied by Mark, was dressed in a long, dusty gold dress that looked more akin to something on a Greek statue as her dark hair was done up in a ebon bun. Janie followed, accompanied by Eric, dressed in a wine-colored gown in the same style as Star, her red-blonde hair flowing in gentle waves down her back.
Arthur gave a smile as the doors opened again and Vesper skipped out, a brilliant smile on her face. Her long, light brown and violet-orange streaked hair fluttered down her back, accented with a single gold charm that tied it in a loose ponytail. Her little hands reached into the white basket as she scattered almost luminous golden petals on the floor. She got up to her father and hugged him.
"You nabbed some fire blossoms from Targon didn't you," he teased.
"Roses are boring!" Vesper chirped, skipping up to Star and standing next to her.
Arthur shook his head in amusement…right as the sound of a cello sang through the sanctuary. The congregation stood…
The doors swung open one last time.
Arthur stood, absolutely stunned as the sunlight streaming through the windows seemed to coalesce…forming a young woman dressed in white. Her long, red-blonde hair was done up in a braid woven with sunflowers and brown-eyed susans as her gown trailed behind her as if mist.
She caught sight of him and gave a smile that made even the sunlight look dark. She made her way to the alter and stood before her fiancé.
"It's not supposed to be the groom who cries," the preacher joked, getting a laugh from the gathering and from the couple as Arthur swiped at the tears of joy, smiling as he did.
"Eísai aktinovólos," the groom whispered, one eye golden, the other blue.
"Eísai ómorfos," the bride responded, her eyes the same as his.
They locked hands and smiled as he brushed the veil rom her eyes.
"Dearly beloved," the preacher started, "we are gathered here today to celebrate the union of this man, and this woman in holy matrimony,"
He looked at the two lovers and smiled.
"The union of husband and wife is intended by God for their mutual joy; for the help and comfort given each other in prosperity and adversity; and, when it is God's will, for the procreation of children and their nurture in the knowledge and love of the Lord." He told them, "Therefore marriage is not to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly, but reverently, deliberately, and in accordance with the purposes for which it was instituted by God."
He turned to the congregation.
"Into this union, Cira Bryanne Noble and Arthur Matthew Jonson now come to be joined," he called, "If any of you can show just cause why they may not be lawfully wed…speak now or forever hold your peace,"
CRASH!
The glass windows shattered, sending colored shards over the congregation.
"Mama!" Vesper yelled, rushing to her mother and father as Cira gathered her in her arms, holding her close.
Arthur put himself between the flying glass and his daughter and fiancée, the shards pelting his back. There was a loud boom as the doors were kicked down and heavily armored, and armed, men swarmed through both window and door, leveling guns at the couple. Arthur whirled around, arms spread in a protective stance before his bride and daughter, eyes glimmering with a faint gold, a low rumbling came from behind as Cira put Vesper behind her.
"Cira Noble, Arthur Jonson, Vesper Noble, Mir Marama, Mya Grace," one of the men growled as Mir and Mya slowly straightened from being showered with glass, "Come quietly and no one else will get hurt,"
"This is a house of God!" the preacher protested, "You cannot!"
A shot rang out and the preacher grunted, falling to the ground in shock as a wet stain started spreading through his leg.
"Next one goes higher," the man stated, "Anyone else want to protest?"
"Yeah, us!" Arthur snapped, "For God's sake have you no honor? Or sense of decency? This is a wedding! A happy time! No we aren't going with you! You and your Hunters can erre es korrakas!"
"Arthur!" Cira warned, putting her hands over Vesper's ears.
"Not the time, dear," Arthur growled.
"If you won't come quietly, then we'll have to resort to some persuasion,"
"Persuasion…" Cira whispered.
The men swarmed into the congregation, dragging people out of the pews and into the aisles, beating the guests, tackling them to the ground…
"Stop!" Cira cried.
But they didn't listen, continuing to beat the screaming guests, barring the doors so that no one could escape. They grabbed Gwen by the hair and dragged her into the aisle, there was a faint click…
Suddenly, the man who had pointed a gun at Gwen found himself flying into the air, hitting the high ceiling with a dull thud before falling back to the earth and not moving. Gwen looked up just to see the inside of a large, gold and scarlet shield over her, glowing brilliant gold with solar radiance.
"Cira…" Gwen whispered.
"Mama, run," Cira growled, standing upright as a long, sharp, gold and scarlet broadsword began to materialize in her right hand, "And don't look back,"
She looked at Mir.
"Párte ti Mágia kai tréxte,"
Mir gave a blink of shock, but with a golden look from Leona, nodded, grabbed Mya and disappeared in a flash of silver moonlight.
"After them!" the leader snapped.
"Nope!" a child's voice chirped, "Sleep!"
A translucent ball of light popped over them and the men fell asleep, stellar butterflies winging around them. A circle of green light blazed around them and suddenly there was a scarlet light amongst them. The Artisan of War tore through the men as a wolf through sheep, Leona took a deep breath and held her blade aloft.
"Aftó pou mou dínete, epistréfo eléfthera," she began.
Her blade began to shine with an ethereal glow.
"Yperaspízomai tous athóous, prostatévo aftoús pou den boroún na prostatefthoún."
Pantheon roared, charging forwards, slamming his shield into one soldier and lifting him into the air.
"Eímai i Éleos tou Íliou, i Eklektí tou,"
Zoe created little stars, hurling them at her attackers, putting them to sleep and dodging through portals.
"Eímai avathís se aftí ti gi."
Leona opened her eyes, their golden irises luminous and actually spilling light through her lashes.
"Afíste to fos tou na kaíei ton aseví se téfra kai afíste tin alítheia na lámpei gia pánta perissóte-"
She stopped, her core pulsating, an uncomfortable tightness in her throat as she looked at the scene before her.
One of the luminous golden eyes turned a startling silver-blue as Cira balanced in. The Champion and her Chosen stayed absolutely still. All that could be heard was the faint thrumming of what was thought to be a machine's core.
The men stood before the Radiant Dawn, battered and bruised from their scrape with Zoe and Pantheon. But it was the fact that they all had guns pointed to the Artisan of War and the Aspect of Twilight's heads that had made Leona stop.
"Drop your weapons," the leader ordered.
"Cira don't!" Arthur yelled, "We'll be fine! Don-!"
He grunted as one of the men pistol whipped him.
"Daddy!" Vesper cried only to screech as one of the men twisted her arm harder.
Cira could hear the creaking of her daughter's bones and she started forwards...only for the men to bury the muzzles of the guns deeper into their targets.
"One more inch and they die," the leader threatened.
A low, metallic growl rumbled from Cira's chest. As fast as she was…there was no way she'd be able to reach both her fiancé and her daughter. With eyes spitting sparks…
The golden shield and sword clanged to the ground, their glow sputtering and fading, rendering the metal completely dark.
"Let them go," Cira said.
"That wasn't part of the deal," the leader stated.
"Wha-"
There was the smell of ozone and a harsh zapping sound made itself known as a jolt of energy rushed into Cira's system. Her projector sputtered as she gasped, her eyes glowing neon blue and gold. Another harsh zap…the energy didn't bring a 'wake up' feeling anymore…this was pain.
The projector glitched again as the men tackled Cira to the ground, repeatedly jabbing the cattleprod into the space between her armor and her neck. The woman howled, her body spasming in agony as her fiancé and child could do nothing but watch.
They stopped as the projector settled into a horrifying half-normal, half-Project look, bits and pieces looked like Cira as human and bits looked like Cira as a project. Cira's body seized…but she had the strength to reach to her fiancé once again…before every single circuit went black.
"System overload…guess we were right about that," the leader hummed.
"YOU BAS-" Arthur roared, thrashing before he got the butt of a gun to his head, knocking him out.
Vesper shrieked, trying to get loose, but she received the same treatment as her father.
"Take them to the base," the leader ordered, "They'll be useful if we don't off them just yet,"
"And Miss Grace and Miss Marama?" another man asked.
"We'll find them soon enough. I doubt that they'll be able to hide for long,"
So yeah, "Beware of weddings". I showed this to Aelin and she got so mad at me XD What Leo was saying is important...but she was cut off before she could finish. So...I'm not saying what it is. Not yet. It'll appear later.
Anyway, hope you liked it. If you did, please let me know!
Qui vállë tóquetë, ván tecë (If no review comes from y'all; no story comes from me)
Máriessë ar mára tecië
Farewell and fair writing
Elhini Prime signing off.