Chapter Ten: Kiana
It was now Saturday, and Dib awoke around 10:00 in the morning. He was thinking, mostly about the dance. Oh, he'd get back at Zim, all right. Then, he thought of what Zim had said: 'Mel, I thought you said you didn't even like the pitiful Earth creature.' She didn't like him, after all. Or, maybe it was just another one of his tricks. However, Dib had the feeling that Zim was right about that.
His life had changed drastically in the past month. Mel was a Kivoc, he was an alien who had supernatural powers, and not to mention the fact that he was considered among his kind to be of some importance...the words echoed in his mind:
"Ktch qe...Ce Dib zxinh voceh! Ghuqa qe...Ce Dib voceh! Ce Dib voceh! Suekail!"... "The child...he is the one who fulfills powers! The prophecy...he fulfills it! He fulfills it! It is true!"
'What were they talking about, anyway? What prophecy? Something must give me a clue!' He felt compelled to pick out one of his books from his shelf at random, and looked at the title: 'Alien Species: Their Legends and Prophecies.' "Eureka!" Dib said aloud. Mel shifted position, but did not waken. He looked up 'Falish' in the contents and turned to the section about them.
'The Falish are known to speak telepathically, though they once had a spoken and written language. Some ancient documents in the Falish language have been found and decoded, giving us some clues about their culture and history. Other records show that they look almost entirely human until they are about thirteen, when their Falish characteristics (including light blue skin, gray-brown eyes that are far larger than a humans', and thinner but stronger appendages) begin to show.
'At first, when their children (who were raised with human families in ancient times) changed into their Falen forms, they were thought possessed and killed. However, the adults confronted them and calmed them by teaching them how to write, read, and run society more efficiently. Among recovered literatures is a prophecy.' Dib's eyes grew wide at that word.
'Legend goes that a young child of less than thirteen would "ascend from the primitive planet [Earth] and descend on Fali [their home world] to give the gift of the primitives. He will be assisted by a Kivoc [still not translated] and she will be named Kiana [still not translated]. Her death will occur when the planet's [Earth's] skies cloud red and purple with the symbol of Irk [still not translated]. His name will be Dib [One Who Sees] and he will not get to say goodbye to her. They shall meet when in great peril, and shall depart in great peril. The child will be Earth-born, but with a Falen mother and a Seraul [still not translated, most likely a species name] father." This prophecy has been cast upon with much doubt, and it seems unlikely it will ever come true.'
Dib shut the book. He still had a reason to defend the Earth from Zim. 'I can't let Zim win, or Mel will die. But it seems like I'll be on Fali at the time...I must kill Zim. I'll kill every last one of those Irkens if I have to! They can't have Earth!' Mel stirred, yawned, and stood up.
"What're you reading, Dib?" She looked at the book. "Alien species, huh? Catching up a little on intergalactic knowledge?"
"Uh...yeah. Yes, I am. Hey, Mel, would you like to go into the kitchen for a sec?"
"What? Why would I do that?" She rubbed the last bit of sleep out of her eyes.
"Uh...breakfast is in there. Why don't you go get it?"
"I have a BETTER idea. Why don't YOU get it?"
"Hey, I'm letting you live here, the least you can do is make your own breakfast."
"Oh, okay. I've got stuff to do downstairs, anyhow, lots of important something-or-other...yep. Sure do, as a matter of fact, and I'm not lying, no sir, that's for suckers, and I'm not a sucky...egh! I mean 'sucker'! Ah, who cares...?" She trailed off as she went into the kitchen. Dib looked at his communications watch and pressed a button to contact his mother directly.
"Vhe?" She spoke to him, saying 'yes?'
"I'd like you to come."
"Dib, vhe." She immediately transported herself to him. From there, she spoke telepathically. "Is there anything wrong?"
"Mom...what does 'Kiana' mean?"
"Why do you ask that?"
"Uh...I was reading about Falish culture, and there was the prophecy..."
"Ah, yes. It does seem likely that you are him..."
"What does Kiana mean?"
"We don't know."
"What?"
"All names of the Old Language are given to those of great honor and purpose. You happen to have a name in the Old Language because it was foreseen that you would do great things. You lived your first year of life on Fali, our home world, but you were originally born on Earth when I was forced to crash land here. I had to take you back, and knew that I'd have to come back later."
"Then why don't you know what Kiana means? You know what my name means."
"Yes. That is true. A name in the Old Language must be given when a child is seen by a Falish leader to deserve such a name. Then, the Falish leader looks into their mind and who they will be. The name given is not known until found from within the individual. Each one is unique. Each person has their own traits and characteristics that distinguish them and make their name readable."
"Mom, you're a Falish leader, aren't you?"
"Yes, Dib. I am. I found your name from within you when you were first born here."
"Mom, can you find Mel's name?"
"Only if she is found deserving by the standards of the Falish Council."
"Then could you see? She's downstairs."
"Do you want me to get her?"
"No, I'll get her. Gaz might be up by now." As Dib left the room, he bumped into Mel.
"I knew you wanted to see me, so I came up here for you."
"Uh, thanks." Mel walked in his room, seeing his mother.
"I am so glad to see you again, Riva."
"Where did you get that name from?!" she exclaimed.
"It seemed to fit you."
"Perhaps my son is right..."
"About what?"
"We shall see." Riva placed her hands on each side of Mel's head, instructing the human to close her eyes. She complied, and his mother again lifted her hands, staring ahead in deep thought. "Kiana...Mysterious One. Your name is Kiana. You two...you two are destined to live and rule on planet Fali."
"What?! No, I can't stay here! I must get back to my family! They must be worried enough already! They must think that something horrible has happened to me!"
"Kiana, it is unavoidable. No matter what you do, you will be taken to Fali."
"No! I can DO something about it if I know about it ahead of time! I MUST do something! Do you really expect me to just live on an alien world without my family even knowing? I CAN'T do that!"
"I'm afraid you must."
"Mel, I think she's right," Dib said, and Riva gasped. "What? Is it something I said?"
"Dib, it is forbidden to address a companion by their name from before their title in the Old Language!"
"You mean that I can't call her 'Mel' anymore?"
"No! You mustn't! It's very rude!"
"Why?"
"It just IS, Dib."
"Riva," she began, "I don't mind being called by my name."
"Well...all right. Just so long as you do not refer to her by that name in front of other Falens!"
"What does your name mean, Riva?"
"It means 'One Who Leads.' My name is indicative of my position as a leader."
"When will I have to leave to Fali?"
"That is uncertain. I will let you know of anything important, thought. Goodbye for now."
"Goodbye." She disappeared, and Dib turned to Mel.
"There's something I have to take care of."
Sometimes winning the battle is losing the war.
--Invader Mel's Diary of Perception.
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