Chapter eleven: Aktarus

Willow's POV

"You're a what?" Tak exclaimed.

Willow hesitated. Go on, you've already told her! "I'm an Aktarus."

Tak stared blankly at her. "Which is?"

Willow sighed. She pulled up a chair and set it next to Tak's bed. She settled into it and Tak propped herself up on one elbow. "Every few thousand years, a certain smeet is born." She paused. "These smeets are unlike any other. Well, at first they are but as they progress in their lives, certain…changes I guess you could call them start to happen. Mostly internally, but there are a few external changes."

"Like what?"

She thought about that. "Well, for one thing, we get a birthmark. It marks us and tells us that we are part of the Aktarus. We also have slightly shorter antenna."

"Can I see your birthmark?" Tak was bouncing on her bed. Willow nodded and rolled up the sleeve of her healer's uniform. There, on the middle of her shoulder, lay a series of circles intertwined together in the shape of a star. Two half-moons surrounded the star as if for support and protection. Willow swelled with pride as once again she gazed at her birthmark, a reminder of who she was.

Tak's purple eyes were round with awe. "Wow." She breathed.

Willow nodded and covered the mark up again.

"What about inside you? What happens there?" Tak inquired.

"I'm surprised you haven't guessed it yet. At least one of the many things I can do." Willow answered.

She watched as Tak's forehead scrunched up when she thought very hard about something, and couldn't suppress a giggle from escaping. Tak looked up at her friend. "What's so funny?"

"Nothing."

"Uh-huh." Suddenly, Tak snapped her fingers. "I've got it! When you put your hand on me, I felt calm and you read my mind!"

"Well, technically, I didn't read your mind. I just sensed what you were thinking. And when I was calming you, I was indeed giving you my strength." Willow replied.

"What other stuff can you do?" Tak asked eagerly.

"I can cure even the deadliest sickness, I can read into your soul if I place my hands a certain way, even though I've never actually done that and I never plan to."

"Never say never." Tak muttered.

Willow smiled. "I can hear the sound of a trigger of a laser being pulled from 100 yards away, and…"

"And what?" Tak questioned.

"I can bring people back from the Other world. I did that to you just now when Urdu brought you in."

"Wow." Tak whispered. A thoughtful look came across her face. "Why have you been given these powers?"

Willow pondered that. "You know I've never really known why only certain smeets are born into the Aktarus. Heck, I don't even know what were supposed to do with these powers!"

"That's odd."

"I know."

They were both silent for a minute but then Willow heard something. Her antenna pricked up and she sought out muffled yelling and shouting. People were shooting at each other. Oh, no! Willow leaped up and grabbed Tak by the arm.

"Willow! What are you doing? What's wrong?" Tak shrieked as she was pulled down the hallway.

"We have to get out of here! Now!" Willow shouted over the noise that was steadily growing louder.

"Why? What's happening?" Tak yelled.

"It's happening! We must get you somewhere safe before-" Willow's scream was drowned out by a sudden explosion right in front of them. Willow screamed as she was flung backward. She hit a wall and crumpled to the ground. She lay there for a moment before climbing to her feet. She stared around wildly around for Tak and spotted her punching and kicking a Vortainien until he fell to the ground and didn't move.

"Tak! What are you doing?" Willow screeched.

Tak met her friend's gaze. "I'm going to fight."

"You can't! You're still-"

Tak cut her off. "I'll be careful. Promise me you will be too."

"I can't be sure if I'll be safe or not…"

"Promise me that you'll at least try!" Tak's voice had gotten fierce.

"I-I promise." Willow stammered.

Tak nodded and with that she turned and ran to the clearing where the battle was most heavy.

Oh, Tak. Stay safe!

The battle had begun.