h Chapter Two g

October 10th, 3104

"Helen! Come here!" Terra scolded, her younger sister. Princess of an earthen binary planet system, Terra McNelen was a very strong individual. Her younger sister, Helen, had decided to play a game of hide and seek at a very bad time. It was presentation day for the younger princess and Queen Marina had asked Terra to help her sister prepare for her debut.

"Helen! Where are you? This is no time to be playing games! Especially since we are on a time schedule! We can play later! Just please come out already…" Terra said getting somewhat exasperated.

A soft giggle floated down the hall to where Terra stood. She listened and judged that at this moment Helen was hiding down the corridor and was almost back to her room again. This was the third round around the center of the palace. Helen was only eleven, but she looked like she was thirteen and acted like she was eight. Suddenly, Terra saw her dart across the hall into her room and her light brown hair flowed as the air blew through it. Her pink dress was simple but elegant; it was very detailed with beads and some semi precious stones on the bodice. A pink sash separated the bodice and skirt and her little pink shoes and barrettes made the dress adorable. As she watched Helen's door slam, she heard the click of the lock on the door and sighed shaking her head.

Terra took off like a bat out of hell. She checked her pocket watch, and saw that it two after the first star and a quarter until the second star. She had approximately five minutes until they would announce her name and then just a few more minutes until Helen's name. "Bind her!" Terra yelled, throwing a small ball of green as close as she could to the door. As soon as the ball hit the floor, it immediately sprouted vines and slipped under the double doors. Just a moment later as Terra arrived at the doors she could hear her sister struggle with the vines. Just a minute later she heard her sister start speaking.

"You win, sissy! I give up…"Helen shouted at the door.

Terra opened the double doors simultaneously and saw her sister being held up by four vines that had her wrapped up. "Thank goodness… What are you thinking, Helen? You know Mama and Papa will be upset if we are late for your debut… and your first one no less…" Terra brushed her dark green hair back from her face and pulled out a vile of acid. She dropped several drops onto the vines and they withered away quickly as they set Helen down on the floor. Her pretty hazel eyes looked up at her older sister with adoration and respect. "Come on, we can't be late. Jump on my back, sis. I'll run us there."

Helen did as she was told and Terra took off at a dead run to the ceremonial hall. They arrived in record time just before the King and Queen were announced. Her mother saw them enter the hall together and she smiled brightly.

"I'm glad to see you both made it." Marina said happily, hugging both her daughters tightly. Her dark blue eyes sparkled and her long light brown hair was pinned up neatly. Her long sleeved, off shoulder, silver dress cascaded down to the floor as a beaded sash hugged her waist.

"Indeed. You had us worried, young ladies." Rudfur said, joyfully. He put his arm around Marina and squeezed her gently. His dark green hair was combed back perfectly and his round hazel eyes shone like the night stars. He had on a very detailed silver tunic and sash, and black pant set. A set of black dress shoes and a silver pocket watch complemented it.

'And now introducing the King and Queen of Erosa. King Rudfur and Queen Marina!' They all looked up at the speaker and Marina waved good-bye at Helen and Terra. As the king and queen walked out to meet their subjects the crowd cheered and applauded.

"Just do as Mama told us, okay? Smile and wave, Helen." Terra said fixing one of the barrettes in Helen's hair quickly.

"Okay, Terra. I'm scared though…" Helen said, looking down and tugging at her dress.

"It's all right… I went through this too. It will go fast, sweetie. Don't you worry." Terra said brightly smiling at her little sister. She quickly tugged at the form fitting green dress and adjusted her necklace.

'Now introducing Princess Terra!' the speaker yelled out over Terra and Helen.

"Okay! Here I go!" Terra said, smiling at Helen one last time. She walked out onto the wide balcony and smiled and waved at all the people. She sat on a lavish chair next to her mother and looked over at her parents who smiled and nodded to her.

'And now… for the debut introduction of the youngest princess! Princess Helen!'

Helen cautiously tip toed out onto the balcony tears running down her face. Terra got up quickly and went to her little sister and hugged her. The crowd below cooed her name and roared with cheers. They understood she was terrified. Terra looked over at her mother and father who smiled ever so gently at them. Terra led her little sister over to her parents who got up and hugged her to calm her down. Helen wiped her eyes and looked over the balcony at all the people and bravely shouted, "Hello everyone!" She was smiling and waving at all the people below.

Everyone shouted and cheered little Helen on. Helen sat down with Terra in her seat as the announcers voice came back over the speakers again. 'Ladies and gentlemen, The Queen and King wish to share a few words with you.'

As they got up to walk to the microphone, the crowd quieted down.

"Thank you everyone for being her for my youngest daughter. I appreciate the love and concern you have shown her today. It makes me want to do even more for all of you, as you have always been good to us. Even through the hardest of our times, you have never disappointed us or forsaken us. And I promise to never forsake you all. However, that's not the point of this speech.

"I wish to make a few commendations to several people. Sir Steven Reede has worked so hard and dedicated so much to the welfare of this public and nobility in this country. He has always looked out for our country financially. He also a major contributing factor in the next commendation. He has always communicated with the rest of our world and Erosy. Even in the worst of times…" Rudfur paused a moment and continued.

"Secondly, to Lady Isabella Mamour. We deeply appreciate her help with the education of our daughters. They have become very bright young ladies and its inspiration for a new public fund: The Mamour college and grant fund. We have been setting aside approximately ten to fifteen percent of all gross tax funds to build the first public college. This college will be open to everyone, no strings attached. All that will be required is the enrollment fee, a small 50 gildons, and the class fee, which is not to exceed more than 250 gildons. For parents, there will be a daycare available for a small charge of 100 gildons for every six hours." Rudfur stepped away from the microphone so Marina could step up.

"Thirdly," she started, "We wish to express our gratitude to Sir John and Lady Pearl Hyson. No matter how stressed out our palace has gotten, they have always kept things running smoothly. When anyone who lives and works here have gotten sick, they have gotten us well in record time. Impressively enough, during holidays they always manage to keep everything looking perfect. Especially during the banquets and parties. We will be honoring them by establishing a special holiday where donations of any kind will be accepted for our poverty level citizens. Food, funds, clothing, and any other items will be welcomed for the needy. We will announce later in the month what month and day and the location for this event will be. It will more than likely be the third Wednesday of every March, July, and November.

"Fourthly, we wish to express our sincere gratitude to our Defense Line for teaching our daughters different specialized tactics to protect themselves and other around them. That being said, we have recently been looking into building a new ocean side fort in which our Defense Line will be able to keep up their ever-watchful eyes and protection over our country. This brings me to another point.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we have received several threats from the planet of Zargo and their ruthless king, Zachary. He has destroyed several planets and their civilizations if they refuse to join him in his quest to control the galaxy… He came last week and asked us to turn our backs on our alliance with Erosa, Mazifik, Leikitin, and several other smaller planets. We refused his offer. We refuse to turn our backs on other planets that would be powerless against him. We are a peaceful nation! Greed and corruption would be our downfall… I apologize to make most of you nervous about this situation. But there is a very large chance that we will be attacked within the month." Marina stopped, briefly looking to her husband for comfort. She hated to deliver bad news and especially without knowing the outcome.

"On a more positive note, our eldest daughter Terra will be becoming an Earth warrior. For those of you who don't know what those are, Earth warriors are known best for their high respect of their home planet and for their specialized abilities when it comes to fighting. Terra has been studying this practice since she was ten years of age. Now that she is 20 years old, the Defense Line and High Priests have recognized her wish to move forward. She has a test to complete in a week. It could very well kill her but we have the highest hopes for her. We hope that you will pray for her. We will be updating you on her progress on the day of the test."

Marina moved away from the microphone and Rudfur stepped up to it again. "Thank you all for your attendance this afternoon. If you would like more information on any of the topics we have talked to you about please proceed to the Information Hall in the center of the city. They will have brochures and attendants to help discuss any questions, comments, and concerns you might have. Thank you and have a good day." The King and queen turned and went back inside. Terra and Helen followed suit.

Helen clutched Terra's hand and Terra led Helen to the dining hall. Marina and Rudfur were already half way down the hall when a loud boom shook the palace. Terra stopped as soon as the palace started shaking. She took her sister and picked her up and ran for her room.

"Mama! Papa! Follow me!" she shouted running past them. Marina and Rudfur followed quickly behind them. Helen was crying again and she was reaching out for Marina. Down two corridors and a flight of stairs Terra could see her room from down the hall. Heart pounding, mind racing, worries flying, she ran as fast as she could carrying her little sister. "Open!" she flung her hand out and the doors burst open. She ran in and they shut tightly and locked them in her room. She set Helen down on her queen size bed.

"Helen, I want you to stay here. I'm going to go and get mama and papa. I'll be back in a moment." Terra said, going back to the doors.

"No! Sissy stay here! I'm scared!" Helen cried running to her sister and clinging to her.

"Helen! I have to go and get mama and papa. I need you to stay here. I'll make you go to sleep if I have to. Do I need to do that?" Terra asked, looking down at her little sister.

"No…" Helen whimpered, looking down at her feet.

"Then, I'll be back in a moment, okay? I promise, Helen." Terra said hugging her little sister tightly. "But just to make sure you stay here, Garnet Fairy Guardian, come hither!"

A little pixie appeared fluttering above Helen's head. She had magenta hair, a little dress and shoes. "Yes?" she squeaked out.

"Stay here please and watch Helen. Make sure she doesn't get out." Terra said as she slipped out the door. She ran back to the stairs as fast as she could. Ran up the flight of stairs and came to a large pile of rubble. As she thought about how to get around it something caught her eyes. It was her mother's wedding ring. A diamond flanked by several sapphires on a white gold band. She bent down and picked it up.

"Mama! Papa! I'm gonna get you out! Just hang on!" Terra shouted to the rubble pile. She started throwing rocks and stones to the side. Working as fast as she could she unearthed her mother's left hand. Time was flying and Terra felt as fast as she was working time was going even faster. She was unearthing more and more of her parents and the outlook looked even grimmer with each passing minute. Thirty minutes into the rescue mission, Terra had found her mother's head and torso. She felt her neck for a pulse and there wasn't one. She knew her father would be the same way. She kept unearthing them until they were fully out of the massive pile of rocks and stones. With holding her tears and deciding to spare Helen of the sight, Terra heaved her mother's body onto her back and headed back down the stairs. She was going to go the incognito way to the family cemetery.

As she left the palace, she followed the same path she had followed for the last several years. It took her five extra minutes to get to the small cemetery carrying the dead weight on her back. She carefully laid her mother on the ground and left her there. She headed back for her father's body. Terra ran as fast as she could to the palace and then down the long corridor and up the stairs again. She loaded his body and carefully went down the stairs only this time having a bad feeling. Ignoring it, she retraced her steps to the small cemetery and set her father's body next to mother's. She started to dig a shallow grave to fit two bodies. It took her an hour to get it dug down to half a yard. She kept digging until her hands started hurting. Feeling that a yard was sufficient she dragged her father's body over to the shallow grave and pulled him into to it. Getting his body in the ground snuggly was a tad difficult only because Rudfur was a little taller than Terra had dug the grave long. So to fix the problem she slipped into the grave herself, she bent his knees and climbed out. She gently dragged Marina over to the grave and pulled her into it next to her father. Seeing the sight made tears well up in her eyes but she knew she had to do it. Shaking off the feeling, she slipped down into the grave again and interlaced her parent's fingers and tilted Marina's head towards Rudfur's chest. She climbed out again and stared down at them.

It was peaceful. Serene. Is that what death was? A sweet and quiet passing from one world to another? If it was, Terra wished she could have joined her parents. But now it was too late. She had to make sure her sister was okay. Hurriedly, Terra shove the dirt on top her parent's lifeless bodies until all the dirt she had dug out was back onto of them.

She stopped again and thought about what it now meant. She was alone now. Helen and she were alone. Finally, tears spilling over her dirty cheeks, she dropped to her knees and cried. It broke her in so many ways to know that she had to bury them with her own hands. Failing to save them killed her inside. "I'm so sorry mama… papa…. I couldn't save you. What a worthless warrior I am… I couldn't even save either of you…" She sobbed, trying to catch her breath. She looked up to the darkening sky and so many stars sparkled up in the sky. She saw dark blue Erosa high in the sky and then it hit her. Kiruna could help! She would know how to help me fix this situation.

Terra stood wiping the tears from her face and turned back towards the palace. She ran as fast as her tired legs would carry her. Back into the palace and opening the doors off the long corridor, Terra quietly shut the doors behind her. Helen was curled up asleep on the bed with the little fairy watching over her.

"I was wondering when you were going to come back, Terra… Helen wouldn't stop saying she was going to break out of the room so I made her take a nap… how bad was it?" the little fairy asked curiously.

"Well Garnet, our parents didn't make it… and now I have to raise Helen and find a way up to Erosa. My Aunt and Uncle are the rulers of the planet so I figured maybe they could help me…" Terra said as she sat on the edge of the bed. She watched Helen sleep peacefully for a few moments as she thought quickly on different ways to get help for the planet.

"I think the link between the shells is still running and if that's the case, Garnet, we can go get help from my cousin… and then we can punish Zachary for what he has done!" Terra said angrily as she fought her tears again.

"Well I will have to stay here… I am not allowed off the planet yet. Until you pass your test, at least. Then I can go anywhere you go. While you are gone ill see what I can do for the citizens…" Garnet said jumping into the air and flying off out of the room.

Terra looked down at her sleeping sister and decided to wake her up. She gently shook Helen awake and got her onto her back and they took off towards the beach. Out of the double doors for the last time and out into the darkness of the planet.

"Sissy, I'm scared…" Helen whispered clinging even tighter to Terra's dress.

"It's going be all right, Helen. We are going to see cousin, Kiruna." Terra said, following the old path through the Forest of Mystery. She had gone to see her little cousin all the time before Helen was born and before her lessons had started.

"Why are we going to Kiruna's? Shouldn't we find Mama and Papa?" Helen asked, still clinging tightly to Terra.

"No… Mama and Papa aren't here anymore, Helen. They… they died." Terra said, stopping for a moment. They were in the deepest part of the forest and no sky was visible from where they were.

"Dead? So they aren't coming back… are they?" Helen asked in a whisper.

"No… they won't be." Terra said walking forward again. She was being very careful, as she had not passed through this part of the woods in a very long time. As she walked she could feel warm drops hit her back. Helen was crying quietly as Terra was trying to get them to safety.

As she walked, silence took hold of the sisters. But not too long before they reached a clearing. Erosa was still high in the sky and the darkness was getting lighter slowly. Terra looked across the small meadow and saw pitch black. But they heard the soft sound of the ocean waves crashing along the sandy shores.

"It won't be long now, Helen. Help is just a little ways away now…" Terra said, continuing along towards the beach. As Terra and Helen neared the beach, the crashing sounds of the waves got louder and louder. Just after the clearing, Terra almost tripped in the sand. It had been many years since she walked in sand.

She set Helen down and pulled out her seashell locket from her pocket.

"Summon to me a portal, a way to another world. I command you now water, summon!" Terra said, holding it out in front of her. A large opened oyster shell appeared and Terra guided Helen over to it.

"Get in it." Terra said, holding her sister's hand as she climbed into the structure.

Helen was not one for small and cramped spaces but she understood it was just something she would have to live with for the moment.

Making sure no one was following them, Terra looked about and decided all was safe so she slipped into the shell and shut it.

[End Chapter 2]