Chapter 1 : Fallen Angel?
"Your Excellency, this...this...girl here killed Lord Zeithes. I saw her do it with my own eyes, "Lady Casmy declared in the middle of the huge court so everyone could hear her words clearly.
Everyone who were present in the court started whispering amongst themselves. Those present were nobles if not royalty. They came from all over the worlds to discuss this important matter. A murder of a Lord is unheard of for almost many millenniums now, for the only being who would and could murder a Lord would be the Grave Goddess. However, the existence of a Grave Goddess was of no more since the last one perished in a huge silver flame of Hell.
"SILENCE!!!"a loud voice boomed.
The court, which was once noisy with murmurings and whisperings, was still and silent as they obeyed their leader. Lady Casmy, dressed in a long dashing red dress stood with her head held high, towards a man who was sitting on higher ground in a majestic chair. A young lady in dazzling white-like silvery dress was kneeling in the middle of the court, silent as she hangs her head low.
"What say you, Lady Ames?" the man asked the court advisor with his great voice of authority.
Lady Ames walked to the front of the court and dropped into a curtsy before replying, "I should say that Lady Rayne here may be the long forgotton heir to the power of the last Grave Goddess, Your Majesty."
Gasps and whispers shot up in the court at once as soon as the Grave Goddess's name was brought up. Casmy flashed herself a grin as Lady Rayne did not utter a single word to deny the awful accusation.
"Lady Rayne? The Grave Goddess?" The eyebrows of the King shot up.
"If I may say so, Your Majesty, many have agreed to this for they have heard of the legend," Lady Ames spoke.
A younger girl ran to the front and blocked the King's view from Lady Ames, "Da-Your Majesty!!! I do not agree at all to such nonsense. Ther-"
"Shush, Lady Caryna, do not interrupt the court session," the beautiful young queen who sat elegantly next to the King for all this while spoke up.
"But, Mo-, Your Majesty, sis-, Lady Rayne's trial has no solid evidence against her. Please investigate further. There must be a scheme in it somewhere!!!Please think the situation over, Your Majesty," Lady Caryna boldly spoke up.
"I truly disagree, Your Excellency, if Rayne is truly guilty and is the Grave Goddess, the land will be of happiness and paradise no more. The Grave Goddess is destruction herself!!!We will not let a Goddess like she to destroy our homes. Your Excellency, who else will give guidance to the lost ones non other than us?" Lady Casmy spoke up clearly and proudly to the court.
"We shall not linger further, Your Excellency. The murderer shall-" Lady Casmy wanted to continue but was cut off.
"ENOUGH!!!If we shall have to get things done immediately, we shall not delay with more nonsense," the King showed signs of anger as his voice boomed across the hall.
The Queen looked at Lady Rayne, who had just looked up at her for the first time since the session started, with sad, loving eyes, holding back tears which had threatened to fall. She whispered something to the King and the court saw the King nodded in approval.
"The accused shall be banished from this Holy World of Angels. She shall be placed in the Corona Palace of the Sun in the care of the Lord Apollo in the Solar System of the Milky Way until I have my final decision after further investigations of this murder," announced the King.
The last word from the King left the court in whispers and murmurs. Lady Caryna winced. Lord Apollo, known as the Son of the Sun, is a Lord with many mistresses. He was well-known as he often takes in many beautiful young girls and ladies for his pleasure. He would never give up any beauty and would capture every beauty by charm or by force. Lady Caryna became worried that Lady Rayne was to be placed under the Lord's care. Sending a lady to the Corona Palace was like sending an angel to Hell.
Some time later, Lord Warppe, trainer of the Guardians of the Time Warp, spoke up,"Your Majesty, how are we to be sure that Lady Rayne will not be of any trouble to anyone in the future? If I may dare say, Your Majesty, an awful threat it will be if she escapes and returns for her revenge."
Before the King could speak up, the beautiful young Queen who has a beautiful and charming voice and has never raised it spoke to the Court with a firm voice instead, "Stripped of her powers, she will by me before her journey to the Corona Palace. As I, too, will not let anything happen to The Worlds."
Lady Zecnoa, wife of Lord Zeckon, snorted at the thought of the young Queen taking care of this matter. The court glanced at her. Even the King had shot a glare at her thinking the Lady is nothing but trouble to the case. But Lady Zecnoa still looked as arrogant as ever. The King would have her thrown out of the court if she was not his sister-in-law. Lady Ames turned to the well-built muscular elder, "What is it that troubles the worry mind of the Lady Zecnoa, may I ask, Your Highness?"
"Can Your Majesty be so sure that she will not turn into the Grave Goddess with her stripped of her powers? I do not think that Your Majesty can do anything to help The Worlds if there shall be any mistakes. I note the status that Lady Rayne holds in your heart but can Your Majesty bear the responsibility of the safety of The Worlds?"
A protective husband as he is, the King was about to counter the Lady's harsh words when a sceptre was thrusted firmly onto the higher ground where the King and his Queen were seated. The whole court shook terribly by the impact causing Lady Rayne to look up once again at her beloved King and Queen. Once the court had returned to its normal state, the court saw that the Queen had stood up before them, holding a stern look which surprised everyone present at the court as no one had ever seen the gentle loving Queen in such strictness, including Lady Casmy, Lady Rayne and Lady Caryna.
Using a strict voice she never has, the Queen stated clearly, "Lady Rayne will be as I said and be sent away from this Holy World of the Angels as soon as possible. I will see to it myself that everything will be fine as it should be. And the Lady shall be escorted back if she is to be found innocent as we investigate further into the case. Court dismissed."
The Queen turned to the King and curtsied deeply as a sign of apology to her actions in the court. The King held the Queen's hand and the Queen rose. Together, the royal couple walked out the court to their study. The court had not truly recovered from the shock their lovely gently Queen gave them. Never before had the Queen spoken in court sessions moreover in a firm and stern voice. The Queen had even dismissed the court without the King's approval. However, seeing that the King had also taken Her Majesty's decision to dismiss the court, the Ladies of the court curtsied while the Lords of the court bowed as the royal couple left the court.
The Holy World of Angels is a huge place where many big kingdoms and empires of Ladies and Lords were. The King and Queen of The Holy World of Angels rule all kingdoms and empires with help from the Ladies and Lords. The gathering of all Lords and Ladies in court was rare, as a gathering is only needed when there is a crucial case like this murder of Lord Zeithes.
Lady Rayne shot a deadly glare at Lady Zecnoa as the elder woman still held her nose high despite ignoring the uncomfortable glare the accused gave her. Lord Zeckon touched his wife's arm. Lady Zecnoa brushed him away and stomped off. Lord Zeckon walked away after her. The court left in groups, discussing the situation as Lady Rayne was led away by a few guards.
Lady Casmy frowned at the thrones although the King and Queen were not there anymore. Lady Caryna took a look at Lady Rayne as she was being led away and appeared to be drowning in her own thoughts. Soon, she saw Lady Casmy left the scene the way Lady Zecnoa had. Making up her mind, she started to walk out the same path the King and Queen had earlier.
¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤
Late evening on the day itself, the Queen had called forward Lady Rayne to the royal study. The King had decided to leave the place with Lady Caryna for the moment. The guards brought Lady Rayne into the study and went out after being gestured by and bowing to the Queen. The Queen faced Lady Rayne,
"Sygel," the Queen called Lady Rayne by her real name softly, "What exactly happened, dear?"
Lady Rayne dared not look up at the Queen, "I do not know, I was unsure of what I did and where I was."
"Drugged?" the Queen asked shortly, holding Lady Rayne's chin up so she can see her face clearly.
"I do not know, mother,"Lady Rayne whispered, "I do not know."
"Very well, I had a talk with your father, and we agreed to let you leave this place and learn to live on your own as we get to the bottom of all this. Juno and Vesta will aid you to Jupiter, where you will stay for the time being."
"But, mother, the Lords and Ladies will be able to track me down and knows that you planned a fraud," Lady Rayne was shocked, "I do not want you to be in any trouble, mother, do what you must to me."
"Sygel, I know what to do, worry not about me. I know many despise me for what I am but I will not let anyone at all to hurt my wonderful daughter," the Queen smiled warmly and lovingly at the princess, "However, I will have to take away your powers so as no one will know where you are to bring any harm to you."
"Do what you must, mother," Lady Rayne replied, "Do what you must."
The Queen took a step back, she lifted her beautiful sceptre into the air and began chanting,
" By the name of Queen Rayneus, of the Holy World of Angels, Princess of Syrens of the Atlanteus Seas, I cast away the powers within my second child,
Lightning cracked over the palace roofs, sending shivers down the spines of many within the area. Thunder roared dangerously as a powerful aura appeared in mists of purple and silver surrounding the outsides of the royal study. The waves of the nearby seas arose dangerously high and lapping the beach with ultimate force. Rivers flow more rapidly. However, the Queen did not stop chanting,
" The powers she was born with, The powers she possesses, Through training or practice, May they be woven away,
The purple and silver mists seeped through the windows and doors, surrounding Lady Rayne. Just as suddenly as they appeared, the mists speared through the heart of Lady Rayne, causing her to scream in pain with her voice which is as lovely as her mother's but ear-piercingly high- pitched. Strength and inner energy flowed from every part of her body to her heart where the purple and silver force had taken over. The screaming continued.
Outside, the King and Lady Caryna winced. It was the first time Lady Caryna had ever heard her sister cry out in such indescribeable pain, as if some invisible force was tearing her sister from the inside. Lady Caryna had badly wanted to storm into the room to save her sister from the agony and pain. She could not endure the thought of the pain her sister was going through. She glanced at her father, wondering if it was his first time hearing such scream of pain before.
However, it was not the King's first time, as he had heard the same cry of pain from many years ago when the Princess Rayneus had let out her full shot of power towards a huge army of soldiers which was advancing towards her kingdom in the Atlanteus Seas. The King remembered the incident clearly as he was there when the princess was close to death after that. He had fallen in love with the graceful Syren Princess who was willing to give her life for the safety of her people and eventually won her heart and made her his loving wife.
Back in the royal study, the Queen shed tears of sorrow to see her daughter in such pain. She understood the pain very well as she had felt the urge of all her powers being torn away from her body before. But it was many, many years ago...
" May they be stored away, Away from her until the time comes, When they are being called upon once more."
After a few moments of screaming, the mists seeped out of her body and into a blue bottle within the Queen's hand. The screaming faded. Lady Rayne fell onto the floor as her mother stuffed a cork into the bottle. The Queen held the bottle safely in her hands as she leaned over to check on her daughter. The King and Lady Caryna ran into the study to see the almost lifeless body on the floor.
The King carried his daughter's body to the table nearby. The Queen sat at the couch, exhausted from the spell she casted. Soon, Lady Rayne's eyelids fluttered and opened slowly. She was still weak and shocked from the sudden pain she went through earlier.
Lady Rayne sat up slowly and swung her legs over to the side of the table, clutching her heart. After recovering a little, she dropped herself on the floor, onto her knees, facing the King and Queen, and hung her head low,
"Forgive Sygel for she has to travel alone in this journey planned. I will help as many people who needs it as possible so as not to disgrace my beloved parents who had taught me for many years already. Farewell, my father. May you rule this wonderful world prosperously and wisely. Farewell, my mother. May you pour your love and kindness over this marvellous world and be happy as always."
The King bent over and lifted Lady Rayne by the arms. He brushed away the tears which had threatened to fall and gave her a peck on the cheek. Lady Rayne did the same and returned her father's hug. She then turned to her mother and hugged her as well, before planting a kiss on her mother's right cheek and receiving the same gesture.
Lady Rayne then turned towards her sister, "Caryna, thank you for always being here for me. Take good care of mother and father for me when I am away. Take much care for yourself too as I will not be around for you anymore. Do not let Casmy make you cry anymore, okay?"
Lady Caryna hugged her sister tightly, "I will, sister. Do not worry about anything on your journey. I believe in you. I will do all I can to get you back here where you belong. No one can ever replace you, ever. Take care of yourself too, sister, you must get through all this safely. We will all meet again, I promise."
"I promise too," Lady Rayne replied, letting go of her sister. Lady Rayne dropped into a deep curtsy in front of her parents, shedding only a single lone tear, despite the pain of her heart being torn into pieces. Her silver dress flowed to the floor like water from a spring flowing shimmering beneath the moonlight.
"Juno!! Vesta!!" the King called out with his great voice for two of his most trusted and loyal bodyguards. Two well-built man in navy uniform with a staff in their respective right hands, came in the door. They knelt, each at Lady Rayne's side. "Escort Lady Rayne to Jupiter immediately," the King ordered. The Queen just stared at her daughter's face.
"At once, Your Majesty," the two bodyguards stood up and bowed. Lady Rayne stood up as well and dropped into another short curtsy before walking out the door, followed by the guards. The door closed behind them. The Queen could hold her tears back no longer. She hugged her husband tightly and cried. Lady Caryna walked out to her room as her father whispered comforting words to his crying wife.
¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤
Lady Rayne's dark mahogany hair shone under the sunlight. The light breeze carried her hair, as if the strands were flying along the direction of the wind. They were at the royal gardens. Lady Rayne lifted her face, staring at the two suns setting, nearing the horizon. Her matching dark but clear mahogany eyes reflected the orange, red and yellow light from the sunset. She wondered when was the last time she had stopped her daily training to take some time out and admire the sunset.
Juno and Vesta glanced at the direction their princess was looking, both sighed as they agreed that the unfortunate lady added beauty to the scenery, but both knew they cannot delay for long. However, they did not want to interrupt the princess from taking in some last memories of the wonderful place for no one knows when she will return or if she will be able to return at all.
Both Juno and Vesta recalled the day they met the young lady. It was cold and snowing where they 'stayed'. They did not know that the King was visiting the land, bringing his family along to play with the snow. The brothers were crouching in the bushes and keeping each other warm by snuggling together as their thin piece of tattered clothing could do nothing to help. They heard laughter and shouts nearby and peeped out.
They saw three young girls running around the snow, laughing as they tried to catch the falling snowflakes. The youngest one, about three years old, giggled as a snowflake fell and melted on her nose. They were wearing thick furry clothes made with good material and it was obvious that they were a rich man's daughters. They looked innocent and carefree as they continued catching snowflakes. The scene itself warmed the young brothers in their hearts. They smiled at them, unknowingly.
They hid in the low bushes for some time, eyeing the 'angels', until Juno gave a loud sneeze. The girls stopped what they were doing and looked around. A girl about five walked to where they were and pulled Vesta's collar, demanding who he was. Juno quickly jumped out and explained that they were homeless orphans and looking for a shelter from the chilling snow. The little three year old girl peeped out from her sister's back, smiling at them warmly. She held out her hand and tugged at Juno's shirt. Juno smiled down at the young girl before sneezing to his side again.
The young girl giggled and took off her coat, wanting to give the small piece to Juno, but the elder girl stopped her, "You will catch a cold, darling." Her voice was full of warmth, concern and love. The brothers muttered an apology for interrupting their good time and began to walk away. Then, unexpectedly, a warm coat covered Vesta's shoulders, tiny hands putting the clothing properly. He turned to look at the elder girl who took off another piece of thick sweater and covered Juno with it, protectively, against the cold. Next, she took off her small mittens and handed them over to Juno.
Juno stared at the girl, not knowing what to do at all. The girl smiled at him, still offering the mittens. Juno accepted eagerly. Next, she ruffled Vesta's hair, shaking off the snow from his head, then placed her hat on his head. Her younger sister did the same to Juno, Juno accepted her kind offering, although it was a little small for his head. The brothers wanted to thank them but a huge snowball landed at the elder sister's head, covering her whole body with snow. Another one came at her again.
They looked at the attacker. It was the eldest of the sisters, she was laughing and throwing snowballs at the second one who had offered most of her warm clothes to them. Vesta quickly pulled the girl into his arms and covered her as much as possible. But she was already shivering from the snow that wrapped around her body. The eldest laughed some more as she threw the hugest snowball at them before running away. The youngest girl cried, seeing her sister being bullied.
Juno hushed her and tell her they would accompany them back home. Vesta wanted to put the coat back onto the freezing girl but changed his mind when he saw she was soaked with snow already. Yet he could not pull the wet clothing from her as it was her last clothing. He blushed furiously, not wanting to think further, he asked where they lived, still not taking his hands away from her.
She stammered the address, still shivering. Vesta carried the girl in his protective arms and headed to their destination. Juno placed the hat back on the youngest girl's head but she took it off and placed it back on his head, jumping as she did so as she could not reach his height. Juno laughed and stuffed the hat back onto the little angel's head. The girl gave a cute pout on her lips as she gave up her kind act. Juno smiled at her and took off her hat from her head to place it on his to please her. But time and again he ruffled her hair to rid of the snow, the little girl giggled every time he did that.
After some time, they reached where the girls stayed. They went in and looked for a certain room. When they found it, they entered without knocking. Vesta immediately carried the girl to the fireplace and grabbed a nearby rug to cover the poor freezing girl. Two rough hands grabbed his shoulder, "Who are you? Have you no respect for the King and Queen and not bow before them?"
Vesta turned around, shocked, "The King? The King is here?" Not bowing to Lords or Ladies was bad enough, but the King? The guard wanted to slap the young lad for his ignorance but was stopped by a loud voice. Vesta stood up and saw a man wrapped in thick and fine-materialed clothes with a beautiful lady who carried the youngest girl in her arms. Immediately knowing that he had almost lost his head by his actions earlier, he knelt in front of the couple, begging for forgiveness. His brother did the same.
The young Queen smiled warmly at them telling them not to be afraid and soon the royal couple heard the full story from the brothers. Some maids were tending to the unconscious Princess Sygel, some called her Lady Rayne. Being grateful towards the girls for being kind to them, the brothers sworn loyalty and faithfulness to their King and Queen. Hence, working for them until now...
Now...when they held the job to send the kind Lady Rayne to Jupiter, away from her home, away from her family. They did not have the heart to do so but they knew they had none other choices, not even the King. They could only wish her of her best and return, hopefully, one day, sooner or later. They had heard of the case and told themselves that they will help with the investigations for they do not believe the angel, this time literally, is the Grave Goddess.
Lady Rayne turned to them, reflecting some light off her dress as she did so, just as the suns set. It was a beautiful scene that the brothers will not forget of their princess. She crossed her arms, hugging herself and looked up, silver light engulfed her as the light slowly concentrated itself onto her back. Just as quickly as the light appeared, the light disappeared, replaced by a pair of milky silvery white pair of silky feathered wings. The wings spreaded themselves, widely.
Juno and Vesta did the same, spreading the wings their King gave them. Then, the three of them flew off into the sky. Just as the sixth moon appeared in the dark sky.
Lady Caryna's glance followed the three disappearing lights in the sky. She knew that her parents did the same in their bedroom. Turning back to her bedroom, she sighed at her sister's unfortunate fate.
¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤
Lady Rayne travelled in the vacuum space without a single word. The brothers led the way. Nearing a moon, Vesta took out a key and chanted,
" Guardian of the Dimensional Worlds!!! I, Vesta, guardian of the Holy World of Angels, Seek a path to the Solar System, Of the Milky Way, Please guide our way..."
A soft voice was heard,
" Guardian of the Holy World of Angels, Upon what reason do you seek the path, The path to the Solar System, Of the Milky Way?"
Vesta thrust the key high in the space,
" By the King's orders, By the Queen's love, My brother and I, Are to escort the grace, The Princess Sygel, To our destination as said."
Fog appeared out of the key, the voice answered,
" Very well, The path be opened, Guided, you shall all be, If by the King's orders, By the Queen's love. A safe journey, I wish the grace, The Princess Sygel, Of the Holy World of the Angels..."
The fog cleared, to reveal a majestic door before them. It opened slowly. They flew through the door. The door closed behind them, just as a lady in a maroon long dress with a staff appeared before them. The lady bowed before the princess. "Please arise," Lady Rayne stated formally, speaking for the first time since she left the royal study. The lady introduced herself as the Guardian of the Dimensional Worlds and noted how weary the princess looked.
"I see that the grace is weary," the lady glanced at the princess. "The grace has had a long day," Juno replied, not in the least lying about it. "Do not worry at all, my grace, the journey to your destination will not be far if I set the door close enough," the lady smiled at her princess. The princess nodded her head. Though sensing some pain from the princess, the Guardian of the Dimensional Worlds opened the door to the Solar System without asking any further.
The guards thanked the Guardian and followed their princess through the door. They flew past Pluto as the door closed. The next planet the came across was Neptune, reminding each of them the Atlanteus Seas where the Queen came from. Soon they reached Saturn, where the guards stopped. They called to their princess to halt also.
Lady Rayne noted they were looking at an asteroid in the asteroids belt surrounding the Sun. Hector, the asteroid's name was, it was moving unnaturally. The asteroid suddenly flew towards the princess, breaking into two as it neared. Juno noticed that there were two riders, one on each piece. The riders were masked and in black clothing.
Riders are trained fighters of the space. They have intensive training for they specialises on fighting in a vacuum area where some elemental powers fail to be useful. Fighting in space usually tests the physical strength and the transport. Riders move easily in space on rocks and asteroids, their only way of transportation as they do not have wings like the angels or space rockets like what the human race has now.
A streak of chi blast headed towards the princess quickly without any warning. Juno sent another chi blast at it, destroying it before it reached the princess.Vesta flew in front of the princess, taking a blow from a rider at his staff. Juno was fighting the other off. Lady Rayne, stripped of her powers, could not do anything but to look at the battle hopelessly. More riders, probably forty or more, appeared, but Juno and Vesta fought them off before they neared the princess.
Vesta swung his staff around skillfully at the Riders who was edging their way to the princess, sending some of them flying away, Juno hurt many Riders at one great blast of his chi. However, Juno became weary with every blast. Vesta was getting hurt. Juno, being weary, was hit by several blasts before regaining composure to counter the attack. Vesta had a hard time protecting the princess from Riders who attacked from many angles.
Both guards were hurt badly as time passed. Lady Rayne trembled for the first time. There was nothing she could do, or was there? She could not lose her physical strength then as she decided to bring the injured brothers back to the Palace with her remaining strength and continue her journey to Jupiter by herself. She would have to fly through space to get to Jupiter as soon as she can before anyone can attack her again.
Suddenly a flash of light appeared next to her. There stood in the place was Lady Caryna, "Sister, what happened here?" Lady Rayne gasped. Her younger sister came. What was she doing here? She would get herself killed at a time like this. As if to confirm her thought, Vesta took a blow of a knife on his chest to protect the princess. Lady Caryna lifted her right hand.
"NO, CARYNA!! You will not lose your strength. You must teleport Juno and Vesta back to the Palace immediately," Lady Rayne held her sister's hand down, knowing what her sister would do next if she had not stopped her.
"But-"
"You bring the brothers back. I can take care of it myself."
"Mother asked me to bring you your-"
"Caryna, not now. Vesta lost too much blood. Go. I do not want another life taken away by me. Understood?"
Without waiting for an answer, the princess concentrated and took off the spell that her mother casted as she kissed her on the cheek before she left. The protection spell. She let the spell fall upon Juno, Vesta and Lady Caryna. The three floated over Lady Rayne, where her hands had gestured. As she casted the spell, the riders took the opportunity to attack the princess, "Foolish princess!! We were called to terminate you and you put your last hope of survival away for others."
"NNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!"
Lady Caryna screamed.
The princess was hit a few times as she steadied the spell. The princess knew she still had her faith. But where was it? She cried out in pain as a staff hit her on the back. Yes, her voice!! She still had her voice!! She took one last glance at Lady Caryna and then concentrated as she gave another cry. This time it was louder and stronger. She used the gift her mother gave her since birth, since she was in her womb. She shot an awful ear-piercing cry towards the riders. Silver light appeared in her throat. It came out slowly.
The light flew towards the riders and killed every single one immediately. The last of all she had. Her strength. Her gift from her mother. Her only power that was not taken away. Her mother's syren voice. The power was so great, so powerful that even Lady Rayne was thrown back harshly by the impact. Lady Caryna saw that her unconscious sister was thrown far from where she was towards a red planet. Mars. She hugged Juno tightly as she saw a streak of red light and a staff was thrown in her sister's direction.
"SSIIIISSSSTTTTTEEEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!"
There was nothing she could do as she sees the staff left a bad gash at the right side of her sister's neck and the streak of red light hit her squarely just above her heart. She was thrown aback further by the new attack, missing the red planet, Mars. Lady Caryna teleported herself back to the Palace with the badly wounded guards as she saw her sister headed towards a beautiful blue planet. She would have to go after her sister some other time. On a blue planet that looked so much like a crystal to her...
¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤
A teenage boy was laying on the grass near his home, counting the stars. He brushed his black hair away from his eyes as the wind started blowing. He thought of school. He thought of the teachers of the school. He thought of his friends in school. The thought of canteen food almost left him to puke to his side.
Suddenly he noticed a star brighter than the others. It got brighter and brighter. He sat up. He stared at the star to see better. But was distracted when a mosquito bit into his arm. He hit the mosquito and brush the dead pest off. He looked up again. The star was gone. A bright light at the corner of his left eye caught his attention instead. He looked over, just in time to see the light disappeared in the dark night. Or was there a light? It happened so suddenly he could not remember.
The only light there was in that direction was the lamp-post and it was dim. He smiled, praising his imagination. But before he turn his gaze away, something on the road got his attention. No, it was not something. It was someone. He hurried over to the side of the fallen figure on the road.
A girl. A dark mahogany long haired girl, unconscious on the road. He tried waking the figure in a torn silver dress but she would not. He turned her over to look at her face when he noticed she was bleeding and bruised all over. A bad gash at her neck and a bleeding wound above where her heart should be. Her silver dress was soaked with crimson blood.
He tore a piece of his shirt and bandaged her neck to stop the bleeding there. Then he took out his a few tissue pieces to wipe of the blood at her other wound. He carried her in his arms. Surprisingly she was not heavy as a teenager should be, instead she was about half the weight of a normal teenager. Not thinking any further, he walked towards his home.
Just as he stepped onto the side of the road, a car tore by. He looked down at the beautiful young lady in his arms, "Why, you are not as unlucky as moments ago when you got hurt." He smiled as he noticed he was talking to himself.
He pressed the doorbell to his home as he could not reach into his pocket for the keys with the lady in his arms. His mother opened the door and gasped as she saw her son carrying a badly wounded lady. She opened the door wider for her son and called for her husband. She quickly closed the door and locked it as she went to the kitchen for a piece of clean cloth and a basin of warm water.
Her husband heard of their unexpected guest and went upstairs to his son's bedroom. His wife appeared at the door moments later and found the father and son examining the wounds. She then offered to clean her wounds and shooed both the males out of the room.
The elder woman undressed the lady, cleaned and treated her wounds. After that, she bandaged them and covered the lady with her son's blanket. She went out and told the males not to go into the room when she went downstairs to put the basin of bloody water away. She then took another clean cloth and a new basin of water up to the room.
She cleaned the body of the lady with the damp cloth. When she was done, she went over to her son's closet and pulled out a shirt. She tried to fit the shirt onto the unconscious lady by herself. After successfully doing so, she pulled the blanket up to the lady's chin. She took her silver dress downstairs to wash the crimson stains away.
Her son was told to sleep in his sister's room for the night. He went in his room and noticed how beautiful the girl looked. He got out of his trance and took a set of clothes out of his closet. He turned to walk out. But some sounds behind him stopped him from doing so. He turned around.
"Your Excellency, this...this...girl here killed Lord Zeithes. I saw her do it with my own eyes, "Lady Casmy declared in the middle of the huge court so everyone could hear her words clearly.
Everyone who were present in the court started whispering amongst themselves. Those present were nobles if not royalty. They came from all over the worlds to discuss this important matter. A murder of a Lord is unheard of for almost many millenniums now, for the only being who would and could murder a Lord would be the Grave Goddess. However, the existence of a Grave Goddess was of no more since the last one perished in a huge silver flame of Hell.
"SILENCE!!!"a loud voice boomed.
The court, which was once noisy with murmurings and whisperings, was still and silent as they obeyed their leader. Lady Casmy, dressed in a long dashing red dress stood with her head held high, towards a man who was sitting on higher ground in a majestic chair. A young lady in dazzling white-like silvery dress was kneeling in the middle of the court, silent as she hangs her head low.
"What say you, Lady Ames?" the man asked the court advisor with his great voice of authority.
Lady Ames walked to the front of the court and dropped into a curtsy before replying, "I should say that Lady Rayne here may be the long forgotton heir to the power of the last Grave Goddess, Your Majesty."
Gasps and whispers shot up in the court at once as soon as the Grave Goddess's name was brought up. Casmy flashed herself a grin as Lady Rayne did not utter a single word to deny the awful accusation.
"Lady Rayne? The Grave Goddess?" The eyebrows of the King shot up.
"If I may say so, Your Majesty, many have agreed to this for they have heard of the legend," Lady Ames spoke.
A younger girl ran to the front and blocked the King's view from Lady Ames, "Da-Your Majesty!!! I do not agree at all to such nonsense. Ther-"
"Shush, Lady Caryna, do not interrupt the court session," the beautiful young queen who sat elegantly next to the King for all this while spoke up.
"But, Mo-, Your Majesty, sis-, Lady Rayne's trial has no solid evidence against her. Please investigate further. There must be a scheme in it somewhere!!!Please think the situation over, Your Majesty," Lady Caryna boldly spoke up.
"I truly disagree, Your Excellency, if Rayne is truly guilty and is the Grave Goddess, the land will be of happiness and paradise no more. The Grave Goddess is destruction herself!!!We will not let a Goddess like she to destroy our homes. Your Excellency, who else will give guidance to the lost ones non other than us?" Lady Casmy spoke up clearly and proudly to the court.
"We shall not linger further, Your Excellency. The murderer shall-" Lady Casmy wanted to continue but was cut off.
"ENOUGH!!!If we shall have to get things done immediately, we shall not delay with more nonsense," the King showed signs of anger as his voice boomed across the hall.
The Queen looked at Lady Rayne, who had just looked up at her for the first time since the session started, with sad, loving eyes, holding back tears which had threatened to fall. She whispered something to the King and the court saw the King nodded in approval.
"The accused shall be banished from this Holy World of Angels. She shall be placed in the Corona Palace of the Sun in the care of the Lord Apollo in the Solar System of the Milky Way until I have my final decision after further investigations of this murder," announced the King.
The last word from the King left the court in whispers and murmurs. Lady Caryna winced. Lord Apollo, known as the Son of the Sun, is a Lord with many mistresses. He was well-known as he often takes in many beautiful young girls and ladies for his pleasure. He would never give up any beauty and would capture every beauty by charm or by force. Lady Caryna became worried that Lady Rayne was to be placed under the Lord's care. Sending a lady to the Corona Palace was like sending an angel to Hell.
Some time later, Lord Warppe, trainer of the Guardians of the Time Warp, spoke up,"Your Majesty, how are we to be sure that Lady Rayne will not be of any trouble to anyone in the future? If I may dare say, Your Majesty, an awful threat it will be if she escapes and returns for her revenge."
Before the King could speak up, the beautiful young Queen who has a beautiful and charming voice and has never raised it spoke to the Court with a firm voice instead, "Stripped of her powers, she will by me before her journey to the Corona Palace. As I, too, will not let anything happen to The Worlds."
Lady Zecnoa, wife of Lord Zeckon, snorted at the thought of the young Queen taking care of this matter. The court glanced at her. Even the King had shot a glare at her thinking the Lady is nothing but trouble to the case. But Lady Zecnoa still looked as arrogant as ever. The King would have her thrown out of the court if she was not his sister-in-law. Lady Ames turned to the well-built muscular elder, "What is it that troubles the worry mind of the Lady Zecnoa, may I ask, Your Highness?"
"Can Your Majesty be so sure that she will not turn into the Grave Goddess with her stripped of her powers? I do not think that Your Majesty can do anything to help The Worlds if there shall be any mistakes. I note the status that Lady Rayne holds in your heart but can Your Majesty bear the responsibility of the safety of The Worlds?"
A protective husband as he is, the King was about to counter the Lady's harsh words when a sceptre was thrusted firmly onto the higher ground where the King and his Queen were seated. The whole court shook terribly by the impact causing Lady Rayne to look up once again at her beloved King and Queen. Once the court had returned to its normal state, the court saw that the Queen had stood up before them, holding a stern look which surprised everyone present at the court as no one had ever seen the gentle loving Queen in such strictness, including Lady Casmy, Lady Rayne and Lady Caryna.
Using a strict voice she never has, the Queen stated clearly, "Lady Rayne will be as I said and be sent away from this Holy World of the Angels as soon as possible. I will see to it myself that everything will be fine as it should be. And the Lady shall be escorted back if she is to be found innocent as we investigate further into the case. Court dismissed."
The Queen turned to the King and curtsied deeply as a sign of apology to her actions in the court. The King held the Queen's hand and the Queen rose. Together, the royal couple walked out the court to their study. The court had not truly recovered from the shock their lovely gently Queen gave them. Never before had the Queen spoken in court sessions moreover in a firm and stern voice. The Queen had even dismissed the court without the King's approval. However, seeing that the King had also taken Her Majesty's decision to dismiss the court, the Ladies of the court curtsied while the Lords of the court bowed as the royal couple left the court.
The Holy World of Angels is a huge place where many big kingdoms and empires of Ladies and Lords were. The King and Queen of The Holy World of Angels rule all kingdoms and empires with help from the Ladies and Lords. The gathering of all Lords and Ladies in court was rare, as a gathering is only needed when there is a crucial case like this murder of Lord Zeithes.
Lady Rayne shot a deadly glare at Lady Zecnoa as the elder woman still held her nose high despite ignoring the uncomfortable glare the accused gave her. Lord Zeckon touched his wife's arm. Lady Zecnoa brushed him away and stomped off. Lord Zeckon walked away after her. The court left in groups, discussing the situation as Lady Rayne was led away by a few guards.
Lady Casmy frowned at the thrones although the King and Queen were not there anymore. Lady Caryna took a look at Lady Rayne as she was being led away and appeared to be drowning in her own thoughts. Soon, she saw Lady Casmy left the scene the way Lady Zecnoa had. Making up her mind, she started to walk out the same path the King and Queen had earlier.
¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤
Late evening on the day itself, the Queen had called forward Lady Rayne to the royal study. The King had decided to leave the place with Lady Caryna for the moment. The guards brought Lady Rayne into the study and went out after being gestured by and bowing to the Queen. The Queen faced Lady Rayne,
"Sygel," the Queen called Lady Rayne by her real name softly, "What exactly happened, dear?"
Lady Rayne dared not look up at the Queen, "I do not know, I was unsure of what I did and where I was."
"Drugged?" the Queen asked shortly, holding Lady Rayne's chin up so she can see her face clearly.
"I do not know, mother,"Lady Rayne whispered, "I do not know."
"Very well, I had a talk with your father, and we agreed to let you leave this place and learn to live on your own as we get to the bottom of all this. Juno and Vesta will aid you to Jupiter, where you will stay for the time being."
"But, mother, the Lords and Ladies will be able to track me down and knows that you planned a fraud," Lady Rayne was shocked, "I do not want you to be in any trouble, mother, do what you must to me."
"Sygel, I know what to do, worry not about me. I know many despise me for what I am but I will not let anyone at all to hurt my wonderful daughter," the Queen smiled warmly and lovingly at the princess, "However, I will have to take away your powers so as no one will know where you are to bring any harm to you."
"Do what you must, mother," Lady Rayne replied, "Do what you must."
The Queen took a step back, she lifted her beautiful sceptre into the air and began chanting,
" By the name of Queen Rayneus, of the Holy World of Angels, Princess of Syrens of the Atlanteus Seas, I cast away the powers within my second child,
Lightning cracked over the palace roofs, sending shivers down the spines of many within the area. Thunder roared dangerously as a powerful aura appeared in mists of purple and silver surrounding the outsides of the royal study. The waves of the nearby seas arose dangerously high and lapping the beach with ultimate force. Rivers flow more rapidly. However, the Queen did not stop chanting,
" The powers she was born with, The powers she possesses, Through training or practice, May they be woven away,
The purple and silver mists seeped through the windows and doors, surrounding Lady Rayne. Just as suddenly as they appeared, the mists speared through the heart of Lady Rayne, causing her to scream in pain with her voice which is as lovely as her mother's but ear-piercingly high- pitched. Strength and inner energy flowed from every part of her body to her heart where the purple and silver force had taken over. The screaming continued.
Outside, the King and Lady Caryna winced. It was the first time Lady Caryna had ever heard her sister cry out in such indescribeable pain, as if some invisible force was tearing her sister from the inside. Lady Caryna had badly wanted to storm into the room to save her sister from the agony and pain. She could not endure the thought of the pain her sister was going through. She glanced at her father, wondering if it was his first time hearing such scream of pain before.
However, it was not the King's first time, as he had heard the same cry of pain from many years ago when the Princess Rayneus had let out her full shot of power towards a huge army of soldiers which was advancing towards her kingdom in the Atlanteus Seas. The King remembered the incident clearly as he was there when the princess was close to death after that. He had fallen in love with the graceful Syren Princess who was willing to give her life for the safety of her people and eventually won her heart and made her his loving wife.
Back in the royal study, the Queen shed tears of sorrow to see her daughter in such pain. She understood the pain very well as she had felt the urge of all her powers being torn away from her body before. But it was many, many years ago...
" May they be stored away, Away from her until the time comes, When they are being called upon once more."
After a few moments of screaming, the mists seeped out of her body and into a blue bottle within the Queen's hand. The screaming faded. Lady Rayne fell onto the floor as her mother stuffed a cork into the bottle. The Queen held the bottle safely in her hands as she leaned over to check on her daughter. The King and Lady Caryna ran into the study to see the almost lifeless body on the floor.
The King carried his daughter's body to the table nearby. The Queen sat at the couch, exhausted from the spell she casted. Soon, Lady Rayne's eyelids fluttered and opened slowly. She was still weak and shocked from the sudden pain she went through earlier.
Lady Rayne sat up slowly and swung her legs over to the side of the table, clutching her heart. After recovering a little, she dropped herself on the floor, onto her knees, facing the King and Queen, and hung her head low,
"Forgive Sygel for she has to travel alone in this journey planned. I will help as many people who needs it as possible so as not to disgrace my beloved parents who had taught me for many years already. Farewell, my father. May you rule this wonderful world prosperously and wisely. Farewell, my mother. May you pour your love and kindness over this marvellous world and be happy as always."
The King bent over and lifted Lady Rayne by the arms. He brushed away the tears which had threatened to fall and gave her a peck on the cheek. Lady Rayne did the same and returned her father's hug. She then turned to her mother and hugged her as well, before planting a kiss on her mother's right cheek and receiving the same gesture.
Lady Rayne then turned towards her sister, "Caryna, thank you for always being here for me. Take good care of mother and father for me when I am away. Take much care for yourself too as I will not be around for you anymore. Do not let Casmy make you cry anymore, okay?"
Lady Caryna hugged her sister tightly, "I will, sister. Do not worry about anything on your journey. I believe in you. I will do all I can to get you back here where you belong. No one can ever replace you, ever. Take care of yourself too, sister, you must get through all this safely. We will all meet again, I promise."
"I promise too," Lady Rayne replied, letting go of her sister. Lady Rayne dropped into a deep curtsy in front of her parents, shedding only a single lone tear, despite the pain of her heart being torn into pieces. Her silver dress flowed to the floor like water from a spring flowing shimmering beneath the moonlight.
"Juno!! Vesta!!" the King called out with his great voice for two of his most trusted and loyal bodyguards. Two well-built man in navy uniform with a staff in their respective right hands, came in the door. They knelt, each at Lady Rayne's side. "Escort Lady Rayne to Jupiter immediately," the King ordered. The Queen just stared at her daughter's face.
"At once, Your Majesty," the two bodyguards stood up and bowed. Lady Rayne stood up as well and dropped into another short curtsy before walking out the door, followed by the guards. The door closed behind them. The Queen could hold her tears back no longer. She hugged her husband tightly and cried. Lady Caryna walked out to her room as her father whispered comforting words to his crying wife.
¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤
Lady Rayne's dark mahogany hair shone under the sunlight. The light breeze carried her hair, as if the strands were flying along the direction of the wind. They were at the royal gardens. Lady Rayne lifted her face, staring at the two suns setting, nearing the horizon. Her matching dark but clear mahogany eyes reflected the orange, red and yellow light from the sunset. She wondered when was the last time she had stopped her daily training to take some time out and admire the sunset.
Juno and Vesta glanced at the direction their princess was looking, both sighed as they agreed that the unfortunate lady added beauty to the scenery, but both knew they cannot delay for long. However, they did not want to interrupt the princess from taking in some last memories of the wonderful place for no one knows when she will return or if she will be able to return at all.
Both Juno and Vesta recalled the day they met the young lady. It was cold and snowing where they 'stayed'. They did not know that the King was visiting the land, bringing his family along to play with the snow. The brothers were crouching in the bushes and keeping each other warm by snuggling together as their thin piece of tattered clothing could do nothing to help. They heard laughter and shouts nearby and peeped out.
They saw three young girls running around the snow, laughing as they tried to catch the falling snowflakes. The youngest one, about three years old, giggled as a snowflake fell and melted on her nose. They were wearing thick furry clothes made with good material and it was obvious that they were a rich man's daughters. They looked innocent and carefree as they continued catching snowflakes. The scene itself warmed the young brothers in their hearts. They smiled at them, unknowingly.
They hid in the low bushes for some time, eyeing the 'angels', until Juno gave a loud sneeze. The girls stopped what they were doing and looked around. A girl about five walked to where they were and pulled Vesta's collar, demanding who he was. Juno quickly jumped out and explained that they were homeless orphans and looking for a shelter from the chilling snow. The little three year old girl peeped out from her sister's back, smiling at them warmly. She held out her hand and tugged at Juno's shirt. Juno smiled down at the young girl before sneezing to his side again.
The young girl giggled and took off her coat, wanting to give the small piece to Juno, but the elder girl stopped her, "You will catch a cold, darling." Her voice was full of warmth, concern and love. The brothers muttered an apology for interrupting their good time and began to walk away. Then, unexpectedly, a warm coat covered Vesta's shoulders, tiny hands putting the clothing properly. He turned to look at the elder girl who took off another piece of thick sweater and covered Juno with it, protectively, against the cold. Next, she took off her small mittens and handed them over to Juno.
Juno stared at the girl, not knowing what to do at all. The girl smiled at him, still offering the mittens. Juno accepted eagerly. Next, she ruffled Vesta's hair, shaking off the snow from his head, then placed her hat on his head. Her younger sister did the same to Juno, Juno accepted her kind offering, although it was a little small for his head. The brothers wanted to thank them but a huge snowball landed at the elder sister's head, covering her whole body with snow. Another one came at her again.
They looked at the attacker. It was the eldest of the sisters, she was laughing and throwing snowballs at the second one who had offered most of her warm clothes to them. Vesta quickly pulled the girl into his arms and covered her as much as possible. But she was already shivering from the snow that wrapped around her body. The eldest laughed some more as she threw the hugest snowball at them before running away. The youngest girl cried, seeing her sister being bullied.
Juno hushed her and tell her they would accompany them back home. Vesta wanted to put the coat back onto the freezing girl but changed his mind when he saw she was soaked with snow already. Yet he could not pull the wet clothing from her as it was her last clothing. He blushed furiously, not wanting to think further, he asked where they lived, still not taking his hands away from her.
She stammered the address, still shivering. Vesta carried the girl in his protective arms and headed to their destination. Juno placed the hat back on the youngest girl's head but she took it off and placed it back on his head, jumping as she did so as she could not reach his height. Juno laughed and stuffed the hat back onto the little angel's head. The girl gave a cute pout on her lips as she gave up her kind act. Juno smiled at her and took off her hat from her head to place it on his to please her. But time and again he ruffled her hair to rid of the snow, the little girl giggled every time he did that.
After some time, they reached where the girls stayed. They went in and looked for a certain room. When they found it, they entered without knocking. Vesta immediately carried the girl to the fireplace and grabbed a nearby rug to cover the poor freezing girl. Two rough hands grabbed his shoulder, "Who are you? Have you no respect for the King and Queen and not bow before them?"
Vesta turned around, shocked, "The King? The King is here?" Not bowing to Lords or Ladies was bad enough, but the King? The guard wanted to slap the young lad for his ignorance but was stopped by a loud voice. Vesta stood up and saw a man wrapped in thick and fine-materialed clothes with a beautiful lady who carried the youngest girl in her arms. Immediately knowing that he had almost lost his head by his actions earlier, he knelt in front of the couple, begging for forgiveness. His brother did the same.
The young Queen smiled warmly at them telling them not to be afraid and soon the royal couple heard the full story from the brothers. Some maids were tending to the unconscious Princess Sygel, some called her Lady Rayne. Being grateful towards the girls for being kind to them, the brothers sworn loyalty and faithfulness to their King and Queen. Hence, working for them until now...
Now...when they held the job to send the kind Lady Rayne to Jupiter, away from her home, away from her family. They did not have the heart to do so but they knew they had none other choices, not even the King. They could only wish her of her best and return, hopefully, one day, sooner or later. They had heard of the case and told themselves that they will help with the investigations for they do not believe the angel, this time literally, is the Grave Goddess.
Lady Rayne turned to them, reflecting some light off her dress as she did so, just as the suns set. It was a beautiful scene that the brothers will not forget of their princess. She crossed her arms, hugging herself and looked up, silver light engulfed her as the light slowly concentrated itself onto her back. Just as quickly as the light appeared, the light disappeared, replaced by a pair of milky silvery white pair of silky feathered wings. The wings spreaded themselves, widely.
Juno and Vesta did the same, spreading the wings their King gave them. Then, the three of them flew off into the sky. Just as the sixth moon appeared in the dark sky.
Lady Caryna's glance followed the three disappearing lights in the sky. She knew that her parents did the same in their bedroom. Turning back to her bedroom, she sighed at her sister's unfortunate fate.
¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤
Lady Rayne travelled in the vacuum space without a single word. The brothers led the way. Nearing a moon, Vesta took out a key and chanted,
" Guardian of the Dimensional Worlds!!! I, Vesta, guardian of the Holy World of Angels, Seek a path to the Solar System, Of the Milky Way, Please guide our way..."
A soft voice was heard,
" Guardian of the Holy World of Angels, Upon what reason do you seek the path, The path to the Solar System, Of the Milky Way?"
Vesta thrust the key high in the space,
" By the King's orders, By the Queen's love, My brother and I, Are to escort the grace, The Princess Sygel, To our destination as said."
Fog appeared out of the key, the voice answered,
" Very well, The path be opened, Guided, you shall all be, If by the King's orders, By the Queen's love. A safe journey, I wish the grace, The Princess Sygel, Of the Holy World of the Angels..."
The fog cleared, to reveal a majestic door before them. It opened slowly. They flew through the door. The door closed behind them, just as a lady in a maroon long dress with a staff appeared before them. The lady bowed before the princess. "Please arise," Lady Rayne stated formally, speaking for the first time since she left the royal study. The lady introduced herself as the Guardian of the Dimensional Worlds and noted how weary the princess looked.
"I see that the grace is weary," the lady glanced at the princess. "The grace has had a long day," Juno replied, not in the least lying about it. "Do not worry at all, my grace, the journey to your destination will not be far if I set the door close enough," the lady smiled at her princess. The princess nodded her head. Though sensing some pain from the princess, the Guardian of the Dimensional Worlds opened the door to the Solar System without asking any further.
The guards thanked the Guardian and followed their princess through the door. They flew past Pluto as the door closed. The next planet the came across was Neptune, reminding each of them the Atlanteus Seas where the Queen came from. Soon they reached Saturn, where the guards stopped. They called to their princess to halt also.
Lady Rayne noted they were looking at an asteroid in the asteroids belt surrounding the Sun. Hector, the asteroid's name was, it was moving unnaturally. The asteroid suddenly flew towards the princess, breaking into two as it neared. Juno noticed that there were two riders, one on each piece. The riders were masked and in black clothing.
Riders are trained fighters of the space. They have intensive training for they specialises on fighting in a vacuum area where some elemental powers fail to be useful. Fighting in space usually tests the physical strength and the transport. Riders move easily in space on rocks and asteroids, their only way of transportation as they do not have wings like the angels or space rockets like what the human race has now.
A streak of chi blast headed towards the princess quickly without any warning. Juno sent another chi blast at it, destroying it before it reached the princess.Vesta flew in front of the princess, taking a blow from a rider at his staff. Juno was fighting the other off. Lady Rayne, stripped of her powers, could not do anything but to look at the battle hopelessly. More riders, probably forty or more, appeared, but Juno and Vesta fought them off before they neared the princess.
Vesta swung his staff around skillfully at the Riders who was edging their way to the princess, sending some of them flying away, Juno hurt many Riders at one great blast of his chi. However, Juno became weary with every blast. Vesta was getting hurt. Juno, being weary, was hit by several blasts before regaining composure to counter the attack. Vesta had a hard time protecting the princess from Riders who attacked from many angles.
Both guards were hurt badly as time passed. Lady Rayne trembled for the first time. There was nothing she could do, or was there? She could not lose her physical strength then as she decided to bring the injured brothers back to the Palace with her remaining strength and continue her journey to Jupiter by herself. She would have to fly through space to get to Jupiter as soon as she can before anyone can attack her again.
Suddenly a flash of light appeared next to her. There stood in the place was Lady Caryna, "Sister, what happened here?" Lady Rayne gasped. Her younger sister came. What was she doing here? She would get herself killed at a time like this. As if to confirm her thought, Vesta took a blow of a knife on his chest to protect the princess. Lady Caryna lifted her right hand.
"NO, CARYNA!! You will not lose your strength. You must teleport Juno and Vesta back to the Palace immediately," Lady Rayne held her sister's hand down, knowing what her sister would do next if she had not stopped her.
"But-"
"You bring the brothers back. I can take care of it myself."
"Mother asked me to bring you your-"
"Caryna, not now. Vesta lost too much blood. Go. I do not want another life taken away by me. Understood?"
Without waiting for an answer, the princess concentrated and took off the spell that her mother casted as she kissed her on the cheek before she left. The protection spell. She let the spell fall upon Juno, Vesta and Lady Caryna. The three floated over Lady Rayne, where her hands had gestured. As she casted the spell, the riders took the opportunity to attack the princess, "Foolish princess!! We were called to terminate you and you put your last hope of survival away for others."
"NNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!"
Lady Caryna screamed.
The princess was hit a few times as she steadied the spell. The princess knew she still had her faith. But where was it? She cried out in pain as a staff hit her on the back. Yes, her voice!! She still had her voice!! She took one last glance at Lady Caryna and then concentrated as she gave another cry. This time it was louder and stronger. She used the gift her mother gave her since birth, since she was in her womb. She shot an awful ear-piercing cry towards the riders. Silver light appeared in her throat. It came out slowly.
The light flew towards the riders and killed every single one immediately. The last of all she had. Her strength. Her gift from her mother. Her only power that was not taken away. Her mother's syren voice. The power was so great, so powerful that even Lady Rayne was thrown back harshly by the impact. Lady Caryna saw that her unconscious sister was thrown far from where she was towards a red planet. Mars. She hugged Juno tightly as she saw a streak of red light and a staff was thrown in her sister's direction.
"SSIIIISSSSTTTTTEEEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!"
There was nothing she could do as she sees the staff left a bad gash at the right side of her sister's neck and the streak of red light hit her squarely just above her heart. She was thrown aback further by the new attack, missing the red planet, Mars. Lady Caryna teleported herself back to the Palace with the badly wounded guards as she saw her sister headed towards a beautiful blue planet. She would have to go after her sister some other time. On a blue planet that looked so much like a crystal to her...
¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤
A teenage boy was laying on the grass near his home, counting the stars. He brushed his black hair away from his eyes as the wind started blowing. He thought of school. He thought of the teachers of the school. He thought of his friends in school. The thought of canteen food almost left him to puke to his side.
Suddenly he noticed a star brighter than the others. It got brighter and brighter. He sat up. He stared at the star to see better. But was distracted when a mosquito bit into his arm. He hit the mosquito and brush the dead pest off. He looked up again. The star was gone. A bright light at the corner of his left eye caught his attention instead. He looked over, just in time to see the light disappeared in the dark night. Or was there a light? It happened so suddenly he could not remember.
The only light there was in that direction was the lamp-post and it was dim. He smiled, praising his imagination. But before he turn his gaze away, something on the road got his attention. No, it was not something. It was someone. He hurried over to the side of the fallen figure on the road.
A girl. A dark mahogany long haired girl, unconscious on the road. He tried waking the figure in a torn silver dress but she would not. He turned her over to look at her face when he noticed she was bleeding and bruised all over. A bad gash at her neck and a bleeding wound above where her heart should be. Her silver dress was soaked with crimson blood.
He tore a piece of his shirt and bandaged her neck to stop the bleeding there. Then he took out his a few tissue pieces to wipe of the blood at her other wound. He carried her in his arms. Surprisingly she was not heavy as a teenager should be, instead she was about half the weight of a normal teenager. Not thinking any further, he walked towards his home.
Just as he stepped onto the side of the road, a car tore by. He looked down at the beautiful young lady in his arms, "Why, you are not as unlucky as moments ago when you got hurt." He smiled as he noticed he was talking to himself.
He pressed the doorbell to his home as he could not reach into his pocket for the keys with the lady in his arms. His mother opened the door and gasped as she saw her son carrying a badly wounded lady. She opened the door wider for her son and called for her husband. She quickly closed the door and locked it as she went to the kitchen for a piece of clean cloth and a basin of warm water.
Her husband heard of their unexpected guest and went upstairs to his son's bedroom. His wife appeared at the door moments later and found the father and son examining the wounds. She then offered to clean her wounds and shooed both the males out of the room.
The elder woman undressed the lady, cleaned and treated her wounds. After that, she bandaged them and covered the lady with her son's blanket. She went out and told the males not to go into the room when she went downstairs to put the basin of bloody water away. She then took another clean cloth and a new basin of water up to the room.
She cleaned the body of the lady with the damp cloth. When she was done, she went over to her son's closet and pulled out a shirt. She tried to fit the shirt onto the unconscious lady by herself. After successfully doing so, she pulled the blanket up to the lady's chin. She took her silver dress downstairs to wash the crimson stains away.
Her son was told to sleep in his sister's room for the night. He went in his room and noticed how beautiful the girl looked. He got out of his trance and took a set of clothes out of his closet. He turned to walk out. But some sounds behind him stopped him from doing so. He turned around.