Blue Roses and Lithium Thorns Part 2

I couldn't say this under the summary, but I belive it is my responsibility as the author of this to warn you that this story is very deep and is definitely meant for mature audiences only. This contains a lot of drug references, strong language, and questions about religion. If you are very sensitive about any of these thrings, this story is not for you. For those of you who choose to continue to read this story, all I ask is that you keep an open mind. Finally, I do not condone the use of drugs in any way, shape or form, and the religious references are mere thoughts and questions that have been on my mind for a long time and nothing more. My intent is not to offend anyone here. Therefore, keep an open mind, take the story for what it is, and believe me when I say that if you do decide to continue with me to the very end, you will like it.

Prologue

There is a boy. His legs are to his chest and his back is against a strange blue wall. His head is buried in his knees. He cannot move. He is stiff like a marble sculpture.

…see me…please see me…

There is another one. He looks like he is trying to talk to the boy. He pushes him. He taps his shoulder. He yells. He strikes the boy's knees. Nothing…

An echoing voice. Faint and desperate.

…wake up…

Wake up!

"Wake up!"

Da'an slowly awoke to a woman. He could not make out her face, but he could feel her hitting his shoulder and his face trying to awaken him. Feeling returned slowly to his body, but he could not find the strength to sit up.

He knew this feeling. He had felt it before.

"Da'an! Snap out of it! Wake up!"

Da'an had forgotten how to move for a brief period, and his back hurt. Whoever was calling to him was trying to help him sit upright, however, so he let her move him.

"Da'an, can you hear me? Do you know who I am?"

Somewhere in the back of his mind he knew. He recognized her face, and she had a name. He knew her name, but for some reason he could not put one and the other together.

He had finally managed to regain his sight, and now he felt a strange fatigue. It made him dizzy, and he could feel the cold air on his back. His back still hurt, and there was a strange sick and twisted feeling in his lower abdomen. The energy was flowing through his chest rapidly.

There was another woman now.

"Lay him back down. He's going into shock."

He found himself staring at the ceiling. His whole body was shaking, and he still felt dizzy.

"Da'an, can you hear me?"

Something black and heavy was now on his chest. It felt warm.

"My name's J. Street, and that's Renee. Do you know us?"

"What in the hell did they give him?"

"Liam's here with us. He hasn't waken up yet. We just woke up a few minutes ago. Do you understand anything I'm saying?"

Groaning was about the only sound Da'an could make. The moment he opened his mouth he realized that talking hurt.

"They must've given him something really heavy."

"Da'an, just stay with us. You're gonna be just fine."

Da'an could feel unconsciousness settling in. Slowly, all the feeling in his body shut down. All sounds slowly began to fade, and darkness took him once again.


Renee's head hurt like a mother, but at least they were all alive. Da'an had regained consciousness for a brief period, but their efforts to reach him were for naught. He had passed out shortly after going into shock.

"I don't know what could've done that to him," she told Street.

"Maybe it's something like morphine," Street suggested.

"Well, if it is, they must've given him enough to put down an elephant," Renee said in frustration.

"Well, there's a whole universe of drugs these people have access to," Street said. "It was probably something more powerful than anything we have."

Liam shifted.

"Good, he's waking up," Renee said rushing over to help him.

Liam groaned and sat up with his hands on his head. "What in the hell did they do to us?"

"We don't know, we just woke up," Street said. "They've drugged Da'an too."

"Is he awake?" Liam asked looking over to make sure.

"He was," Renee said, "but he passed out again."

"Do you know what they gave him?" Street asked.

"What did he look like?" Liam asked feeling Da'an's forehead.

"Paralyzed," Street said. "I think his mind was shot too. He could barely talk."

"He was shivering too. I think he was going into shock," Renee added.

"Well, whatever they gave him isn't Taelon," Liam said. "There's no drug in the world powerful enough to keep him out for this long."

"So what do we do?" Renee asked.

"We wait," Liam answered. "Find out what's happening."

Street looked up to find a strange looking man walking up them. It appeared that he was stopped by virtual glass.

"Is the Taelon all right?" he asked.

"Who wants to know?" Street asked.

"Nye," he replied, "and me."

"Well, you can tell Nye, for us, to go to hell," Renee said, "and that we want out of here right now. Who are you?"

"Under normal circumstances I would tell her to let you go, but you are in the middle of space," he replied. "I doubt dropping you off right now would help you in any way. The Taelon and I have met."

"Then maybe you can tell us what Nye did to him," Liam said.

"I just know that it's a powerful sedative not native to her home," he replied.

"Why would she give him a sedative that powerful?" Liam asked.

"Because she wants him down until we reach our final destination. If he doesn't know how he got there, there will be nowhere for him to run once the ritual is underway," he answered.

"Why are you here?" Renee asked.

"I was hoping for a chance to bid my friend goodbye, but it appears that is not possible," he said. His hand reached through the virtual glass and dropped something silver. "Tell him it's for luck. From what I've heard about the ritual, he's going to need as much as he can get. He'll know who I am."

Liam tried to stop the man from walking away, but he disappeared down the corridor. Liam picked up the object. It looked like a coin of some sort. It had a symbol he had never seen carved into it, and on the back of it was a flower that looked like a wildly alien orchid. "Thanks, I think."

Da'an was much more aware this time when he awoke. Now, there was no feeling other than fatigue. It felt as if he had slept too long. He had no trouble sitting up, and from the way he dropped Liam's jacket, he wasn't cold anymore.

"Are you okay?" Liam asked him.

"Where are we?" he asked shaking his head.

"I think we're on their ship," Renee answered. "Nye gave you some kind of sedative to keep you down for the whole trip. We're locked in."

"Mmm-hmm," Da'an said mindlessly, wiggling his fingers trying to figure out why they felt lighter than usual.

"A man came by a while back," Liam said. "He told me to give you this. He said you would know him."

Da'an observed the silver coin carefully. "This is a charm."

"He said it's for luck," Renee said. "What does it mean?"

"Nothing," Da'an shrugged. "It's just a charm."

"What does that symbol mean?" Street asked trying to be more specific.

"It is the name of the god of their religion," Da'an replied. "Carrying the mark of their god is to carry his blessing."

"What about that plant on the back?" Street asked.

"You're a curious little person, do you know that?" Da'an asked back. "What is your name?"

"My name? Oh, that's right. We haven't met," Street replied excitedly. "My name's J. Street. My real name's Juliet, but don't call me that. Just call me Street. Everyone else does."

"This is Auger's protégé," Liam explained. "She's been helping us out ever since he disappeared."

Da'an chuckled. "You're the one who likes blue algae and seaweed."

"Oh, so Liam told you about that?" Renee said poking Street in the arm.

"Hey, it's not as nasty as he makes it out to be, and it's healthy," Street defended. "There's more than just algae and seaweed in it. There's lots of healthy stuff. I got a million recipes. But back to the point at hand. You never answered my question."

"That plant is an herb that used to grow on their home planet," Da'an replied. "It is supposed to be what they take for a communion-like ritual that brings them closer to their god. It is also supposed to be a blessing."

"You know this species?" Liam asked.

"You know them too," Da'an said. "They are Shape-Shifters. Nye hired them as mercenaries to bring me to her."

"Shape-Shifters?" Liam asked. "Their planet was destroyed years ago. No one knows a lot about them. No one's ever even seen their true form."

"I know lots about them," Da'an said. "We used to hire them as spies and bounty hunters. That is about all they ever do anymore. This charm is supposed to bring them good fortune. They wear it to battle with the hope that it will allow them to return home alive."

"Why would he give that to you?" Renee asked.

"Because if I fail Nye's ritual, I will die," Da'an replied monotonously.

There was a long period of silence.

"How did you find out that those Taelons were actually Shape-Shifters?" Liam asked trying to stir up something of a conversation.

"One of them came to the Mothership and brought me to Nye," Da'an said solemnly. "I can never go back to my people."

Street was about to inquire why, but Liam shook his head. He and Renee knew what Da'an meant.

Nye and several people in those same blue robes marched slowly up to the cell. All three humans had something to say to her, but she placed her hand in the air before they could speak and dropped the virtual glass shield.

"It relieves me to see you awake, Da'an," Nye told him.

"Where are we?" Da'an asked her.

"That is not important," Nye said. "We have landed on a remote planet where the ritual shall be held. You are not alone in your quest. There were six other Taelons from Earth who agreed to the ritual."

"What happened to them?" Liam asked.

"They are on their way to the temple right now, where my followers are going to escort you," Nye answered. "I apologize for the delay, but every participant in the ritual is given his own group of ministers. Look closely at these Taelons, Da'an, for you will be allowed to see no one else but them. They will take you to your chambers where you shall be isolated for ten days. You will never see the outside, you will never see the other participants, and you are only allowed up to five witnesses."

"What do the witnesses do?" Liam asked.

"They monitor the participant's health with the nurses and the ministers. They are also allowed to provide any words of encouragement they can to the participant. I took it that from your coming to my chambers on the Moonbase that you would be his witnesses, but it is, in the end, Da'an's and only Da'an's decision to allow you to come."

Everyone turned to Da'an, but Da'an did not look back at anyone but Nye.

"Is it your wish for them to accompany you?" Nye asked. "Before you decide, you must remember that they will be isolated for the same ten days. They are allowed to leave the chambers, but they cannot leave the temple. They must also be willing to do all that we ask of them."

Da'an nodded and looked back at them with an inquiring stare. If they agreed to go with him, they could not leave until it was finished. There was no turning back after this.

"They have the freedom to do what they wish," Da'an told Nye. "I cannot make their decision for them. If it is truly their wish to accompany me, then they will follow me to the temple. But you must promise me that whatever happens, you will return them back where they belong with no repercussions."

"You have my promise," Nye said. "Follow me."

The four rose to follow the group.

"Da'an wait," Liam said stopping him in the middle of the hall. "Are you sure you want to do this?"

"Yeah, it's not too late to go back with us," Renee agreed.

"Yes it is," Da'an said calmly. "I have nothing to return to. You do. That is why I will not force you to stay with me."

"You've got us," Liam said. "You can come with us."

"Please do not make this anymore difficult than it already is," Da'an said. "This was my decision." Da'an nodded to them as a final goodbye and left to catch up with the others.

Liam looked back at the girls. "I'm definitely going with him," he told them. "I'm his protector no matter what, and…and he asked me to come. I can't leave him. You two should go back."

"No way," Renee said. "I'm not leaving you or him."

"Renee, your job and your duties are to humanity," Liam said. "We've probably been gone long enough already. You can't just stay with us for ten more days, return, and expect there to be no repercussions. The world is not going to stop turning for us. You have a bigger duty than me, Renee. And Street, you have to help her."

"But it doesn't have to be that way. I can go back alone," Street suggested. "You two are more than enough help for him, and he barely knows me. I can take care of your jobs and your duties, and anything else you guys need. It's what I promised Auger and it's my job to you. I'll take care of everything. I promise. You just bring him back in one piece, okay?"

"Renee, you shouldn't have to come just because of me," Liam argued. "There's no reason for you to—"

"What you don't seem to get, Liam, is that after all we've been through together, I am not leaving you. I cannot do that," Renee said firmly. "This is just as much my decision as it is yours, and my choice is to stay. If anything happens, you can't take care of Da'an against these people alone. And even if I did go back, the only thing I'd be able to do is worry about you."

"Renee, think of your life," Liam pushed. "Do you honestly think that someone in as powerful a position as you can afford to just take off without any problems?"

"Liam, the more we argue about this, the closer they're getting to the temple," Renee said quickly. "You can't afford to argue with me for too long."

Liam sighed. "This is stupid, Renee."

"This is my choice," Renee said hugging Street. "Now say goodbye to our friend and help me catch up with our other one."

She ran to catch up with Da'an.

"It's gonna be okay," Street said. "You two have gotten out of way worse scrambles than this."

"This isn't our scramble to get out of," Liam said. "It's Da'an's, and I don't know if he's strong enough to do it."

"Liam, if you don't have enough confidence in him then maybe you shouldn't go with him," Street said. "You have to believe in him. It's all any of us can do to help him, and I think he's stronger than he looks. In fact, I know he is."

Liam sighed. "You're right."

"Now, I expect all three of you to greet me in ten days," Street said hugging Liam. "Get going. I'll take care of everything."

Liam took one last look at her and ran as fast as he could.


It gratified Da'an that Liam and Renee had decided to stay with him, but it did not shake the strange feelings that were making him blush. Nye put her hand out to the right. She was signaling for Da'an to walk with her.

You know who I really am, do you not? Nye said in a Taelon dialect foreign to even Liam.

I do, Da'an replied in that same dialect.

Then, you are aware of the reasons why your Synod gave me those looks.

Everyone knows what happened to you.

If you are aware of my reputation, then why did you agree to my religion?

Yours is not a religion. It is a philosophy.

Call it what you wish. You have not answered my question.

You would have taken me even if I did not agree. What does it matter?

The consequences of your decision are dire. I never expected you to follow me so willingly. It intrigues me.

I do not totally trust you, and I know not what your intentions are with me.

Then, I shall ask you again. Why?

Because as long as I continued to follow the Synod and Zo'or, I would always be bound to their shame. I would always share the guilt of their crimes having stood by and done nothing. Those two humans behind me seem convinced that I am better than that. I need to know if that is true.

So, you follow me to what may be certain doom for you because of them?

Da'an hung his head low. I owe this to them, I owe it to my morals and what I stand for, and…I owe it to myself.

The priests do not need the Commonality to punish you.

There are six others undergoing this ritual. What makes me more important to the priests than them?

The priests do not fear them. They fear you. They fear you because they know that despite your falseness within the Synod, Taelons listen to you. Your influence reaches further than you believe, and it is for the same reason that you are popular among humanity. If you can free yourself, you can free them. The priests will be watching you. They have been ever since you went to them at sixteen.

Why me?

Because of what Ma'el told them about you. As long as you are alive, all your loyalty in the world could not convince them that his prophecy would not come into fruition. Your decision to come with me means that Ma'el's prophecy is one step closer to that. The priests will do all they can to prevent that, even if that means killing you.

Da'an blushed. Why are you telling me this?

You must be stronger than the other six. The priests can afford to lose them, not you. They will be taking special part in this ritual. I pity you. I should have warned you before you past the point of no return.

Da'an stopped. Nye stopped as well. She told the others to keep going. Liam and Renee followed, but they walked really slowly to remain as close to Da'an as they could.

"You think that I will not survive this," Da'an told her in firm and plain English. "You believe that you have brought me to my death."

"I am giving you one final chance to turn back," Nye said. "I am doing this because despite my freedom from the Commonality, my past has given me a distinct connection to the priests. They are contacting me. They want me to give you one last chance to return. If you choose to return now, if you ask for me to take you back to Earth, there will be no trial. The priests will compel Zo'or to reinstate you and dismantle all evidence connecting you to the resistance. You can continue to aid humanity with your position. The priests will not hold it against you."

Da'an gave her a glare of mistrust. "Why do you think that the priests care not for my activities with humanity?"

"I think you already know."

"I can only help them so much within the Commonality."

"You must realize the full extent of your decision," Nye urged. "You are about to back on your species forever. After this, there is no return, and you will be facing more than that darkness that you call an Atavus creature. You will be facing all that you originally stood for. You will be facing your entire species. You will be facing the Synod and the priests. If you doubt yourself in anyway, then I urge you to go back. Do not come with me because of humanity or me. No one should force you into this. Your life will be forever altered if you pass or if you fail."

"Whose side are you really on?"

"There are no sides, Da'an. You know this better than anyone. I am trying to help you. I am giving you one last chance—"

"No! No, you're not!" Da'an said sternly. "I know exactly what you are doing. You are trying to relieve yourself of any responsibility for my actions. You are not giving me this chance for me. You are giving me this chance for yourself. If I live, you will bear the burden of knowing that you have branded me a traitor forever. If I die, you will live forever in guilt knowing that you sent me to my death."

Nye saw Liam and Renee staring at them. They were growing worried, and it looked like they were about to come. I am not your enemy. I am trying to take responsibility.

I understand your position in this. I have been through the same thing numerous times, but you do not understand. The moment you came to me, you altered my fate. No matter what anyone offers you, there is not correcting that. You cannot expect this to just go away. You cannot take responsibility for my decisions. You can only take responsibility for your own. Let this be my burden. It is my responsibility. "Try to have some sort of faith in me." Da'an turned to Liam and Renee. "They do."

Nye blushed.

Da'an took her hand. "I would not have come here if I did not have a small bit of faith in myself. I do not have to do this. I want to do this. I am ready to face any consequence that may bear."

I am merely afraid for you because I made the same decision you are making now. This is not an easy life.

I stopped expecting easy thousands of years ago.

I honor your bravery and your virtue.

I honor yours too.

Nye smiled. Come.

Da'an nodded and followed her. Liam and Renee waited for them to catch up.

"What was that about?" Liam asked him.

"Nothing," Da'an replied. "It is not important anymore."

Renee and Liam knew he was protecting them. He did not want them worrying about him anymore than they already were.

"Da'an," Renee called pulling his arm.

"Yes?"

"Don't be afraid to tell us anything. Especially now," Renee said softly. "We can handle it."

The exit of the ship melted away to reveal a planet very much like Earth. Liam took a deep breath as he followed the others. "The air is nice here."

"It smells like mist," Renee said. "There's a lot more oxygen here than on Earth."

"Probably," Nye said. "We are deep inside the Andromeda Galaxy now. It is neutral territory, away from the Taelon-Jaridian War. We are quite safe here."

"Are there civilizations?" Liam asked.

"Pockets of tribes and a few cities," Nye said. "However, this is a mountainous region. There is very little civilization out here, and few ships have the capacity to land."

"You'd think the air would be thinner," Liam said.

"It probably is," Nye said. "You just have not figured that out yet."

Nye told the others to continue to the temple. She asked the three guests to follow her.

They stepped off of the ship and onto the land. The trees were green and lush with branches. However, the trunks of the trees were whiter than the dark brown Renee and Liam had expected. It was as if the trunks had been carved out of stone. The ground was soft and moist. In the distance, Liam could hear the wind blowing against the rocks. As they looked up, Liam could see the white clouds that he was used to back home. They were covering the peak of the mountains, which were white with snow. Those clouds had to be the misty scent Liam and Renee could smell. If not, then it was the snow that capped purplish mountain range.

"All dining and resting facilities are that way," Nye said pointing to a blue Taelon structure at a level below where the ship had landed. "Here is a rest stop we offer for weary travelers. It is also a station for our own ships. It is down there where my followers rest when not undergoing the ritual."

"Is the ritual an annual thing?" Renee asked.

"It takes much energy out of the participants and the ministers, so yes, we like to keep it an annual tradition," Nye said. "We send ships to as many Taelons as we can to recruit newcomers. Sometimes we hire mercenaries for our protection. It depends on where we are going."

"Where is the temple, exactly?" Liam asked.

"On top of the mountain, in the snow," Nye said. "We built it there for both isolation and in apperception of kaar'paaj, the ritual of spiritual renewal."

"Where are all the other ships?" Renee asked.

"There are several landing platforms for rest stops that we have built," Nye explained. "This is just one of a network. You see, the rest stops and the landing platforms act as a web circling the structure down there. That is our home. These rest stops are for our visitors and for us when we decide to travel. They are the only places where we keep the portals that lead to the temple."

"So it's a web on the mountain," Renee surmised. "Interesting. It's almost like a protection too."

"It is protection," Nye agreed. "We place volunteers on these stops all year round. They monitor the weather and warn us of any hostile invaders. However, it is rare to find any enemies here. The trees hide us well, and most people come to rest, not to fight."

"You're like Buddhist monks in the Himalayas," Liam compared.

"I suppose we are."

"How many others are coming?" Da'an asked.

"We will not know until they come," Nye said. "It is no concern of yours however. You will never meet any of them. You see, so few undertake the ritual that we can handle each participant individually. I estimate that only about ten or fifteen will come. However, most of the time we do not even get that many. Not too many Taelons are on a mission to abandon the Commonality. The priests would show more concern if there were."

"Out of the few that come, how many actually succeed?" Renee asked.

"Not many," Nye said. "During our last ritual, only two survived."

Liam and Da'an sighed.

"Follow me," Nye said. "You can rest here for now."

"How long will we stay here?" Liam asked.

"Not long," Nye answered. "When Da'an's ministers and healers are ready, then we will begin, and that does not take long."

Renee turned back to find that Da'an had disappeared into the trees. While Liam asked more questions, Renee ran to find him. She raced up the white wooden stairs to the rest stop. There was a white platform where Renee could look out into the woods. She found a clearing and gathered that he would have gone there. She ran down the mountain to find him.

"Why are some of the rocks blue and purple?" Liam asked Nye watching Renee bolt down the mountain.

"Most of the rocks contain stones inside them that the natives use for currency," Nye explained. "The purple and blue you see on patches of the mountains are probably where the people mined the rock to get to the stones. Other times the stones crystallize themselves provide the purple you see. And of course, the annual erosion of the mountains exposes the stones as well. Most of the stones here are purple. Blue is a valued color on this world."

Not too far from the landing platform, there was a tiny creek. The sand in the creek was brown and blue. Da'an was sitting on a gray rock that hung over the creek. Renee slowly walked up to him and sat next to him.

"Too much scenery for you?" Renee asked humorously.

"No," Da'an said. "It is beautiful here."

"Just getting your bearings then?"

"I think so."

Renee took off her shoes and socks and put her feet in the water. It was very cold, but it was still pleasant.

Da'an pulled his legs closer into his chest. All he did was look at the rushing water.

"What's wrong?" Renee asked finally.

"How deep do you think that water is?" Da'an asked her.

"It couldn't be deeper than about a foot or two," Renee said. "Why?"

"Do you like water?" Da'an asked her.

"Yeah," Renee said. "It's relaxing."

Da'an sighed. "I only have one memory of myself as a child. I only remember it because I had to."

"Why?"

"When I was about two or three, my parent killed me," Da'an said.

Renee felt her heart jump out of her chest.

"Um…I…never knew that," Renee said slowly.

"I was barely taller than this rock," Da'an said. "He took me out early as I rested. I awoke just moments before he placed me in the water. I started screaming. That was when he pushed me under. For no reason at all, he held me under the current. When I tried to push myself out, he held me down."

"How did you get out?" Renee asked.

"…I didn't," Da'an replied. "I drowned."

Renee didn't know what to say except, "But if you drowned…"

"I don't know," Da'an replied. "To this day, I do not know how I survived. In my memories, I did not survive. I died. Sometimes, when I look at the water, I have trouble finding my reflection. It makes me think that I am already dead."

"I…don't know what to say," Renee said. "I'm really sorry."

"You don't have to be," Da'an said. "You see, when I look at the water, it actually comforts me. I like to watch the water whenever I am afraid to die. In my memories, I died once, and yet I am still here speaking to you right now. It makes me think that dying cannot be as painful or as frightening as fiction determines it to be. How can I die when I am already dead?"

"But you're not dead," Renee said. "You're here talking to me right now. When I take your hand, I feel something. You feel warm when you're calm and happy. That's not someone who's dead."

"Water is the only substance that makes us mortal," Da'an said slowly. "Something about it makes us able to feel it. I can never tell the temperature unless I am in the water. I can never feel cold unless I am in the water. It is the only thing that can penetrate us."

"But it's also very calm and beautiful," Renee said. "Nothing's as soft on the body as water. I never feel sick when I'm in water. Sometimes it's nice to just float. It's always calming."

Da'an nodded.

"What did Nye say to you?" Renee asked. "Is that why you're here?"

"Yes," Da'an replied. "Nye thinks that I will not survive, and a part of me agrees with her."

"You can't let anyone tell you that," Renee said. "If you let people like that get to you, you'll never come out on top."

Neither said anything. They were both thinking.

"Hey, wouldn't it be nice if you found out the ritual wasn't as bad as they make it out to be?" Renee joked. "What if all they do is ask you to walk across a balance beam, or they just say a prayer and dunk you in the water for a second?"

"That would be a tad anticlimactic," Da'a said.

"But it'd be nice," Renee chuckled.

They were laughing softly.

"My mom died in a car accident…right in front of me," Renee said suddenly.

Da'an stared at her. "I'm sorry."

"It was Christmas," Renee said. "I was three. My brother was just a little baby. He was only a few months old."

"You have a brother?" Da'an asked. "I never knew that."

"Yeah," Renee said. "We were spoiled rich kids, and every Christmas, we'd fly down to Galveston for the winter. I know it sounds weird, but my dad was born in Texas. He was used to Christmas without snow, so we had to go down to my grandparents' house on the coast, where there wasn't snow. I was in this dress that I had just got. It was brand new. So was the drum set my mom had bought me for Christmas. My last present my mother ever brought me, and I was put under the impression that it was from Santa. That speaks volumes."

Da'an nodded.

"Well, every Christmas my mom's parents would fly down to Galveston and celebrate the holidays with us," Renee said. "Mom had left for just a second to pick them up from the airport. She was just a few feet from the driveway. She was pulling in. I rushed outside with my dress and the drum set to show it off to grandma and grandpa. That's when this guy came speeding down the neighborhood out of nowhere. My mom saw him too late. Maybe if she would have, she wouldn't have pulled in when she did. But she didn't see him, and he smashed into her. My mom, my grandma and my grandpa died right in front of me when I was only three years old. I spent Christmas at the hospital and New Year's in a funeral home."

Da'an blushed blue.

"I'd probably associate my mother's early demise for my inability to connect with people," Renee said. "I have an intimate conversation with someone and in the back of my mind, I always wonder if this will be the last conversation we have. Will this be my last moment to get to know someone? That scares me sometimes, and I pull myself away. I'd rather not say anything to you than have what I say to you be my famous last words."

"Then, what does this mean to you?" Da'an asked.

"It means to me that you're worth connecting to," Renee said, "and that I don't want these to be my famous last words to you. I want to get to know you, and I want you to get to know me. I guess the best words of encouragement are don't die. We've still got a lot to do together."

"Good advice," Da'an said humorously.

Renee chuckled and splashed water in Da'an's face.

"It's cold," Da'an commented.

Renee started laughing. Then, out of nowhere, Renee felt a foot push her in. She rushed out of the water soaked and wet. "You bastard!" she joked. "This shirt is dry clean only."

"Dry clean only?" Da'an taunted. "You are telling me that you go into battle in a dry clean only shirt? You are supposed to be a freedom fighter defending your race, not a Gloria Vanderbelt model."

"So what's your point?" Renee asked sloshing her way out of the water.

"Try Hilfiger. He's mostly cotton and denim," Da'an said.

"And where am I gonna get the ass for his pants?" Renee asked.

Da'an examined it a little more carefully. "True," he agreed.

Renee looked offended.

"I was joking."

"I know," Renee said.

"Renee! Da'an!"

"That would be Liam," Renee said. "So do you wanna explain this to him? Or should I?"

Da'an held out his hand. Rock, paper, scissors. Renee got a rock. Da'an got paper.

"I don't like you," Renee said sinisterly.

"Yes, you do," Da'an retorted.

"I know," Renee said lowering her head like a sad puppy. She even added a little sniffle.

"Renee?" Liam asked in shock when he saw them. "Nice time for a swim, huh?"

"Shut up," Renee shot back. "He started it."

Da'an put his hands up innocently. "I was just sitting here and enjoying the water. If my foot should suddenly find its way to her back and give a little push, I cannot control that."

Liam found himself laughing with them.

When Nye found them laughing together, it was with a heavy heart that she told them it was time to go. After all, this would be the last joyful moment they would ever have together. Who was she to end it?


Nye led the three into the rest stop area where the ministers were waiting. Da'an was taken by one of them into a blue room and given a white robe to change into. Liam and Renee were given brown robes to wear.

There were four ministers and four nurses. Liam had finally found a way to tell the difference between the two. The nurses all had markings on their faces and hands that were shaped vertically, and they always traveled to the left of Nye. The ministers had markings that were shaped horizontally, and they always traveled to the right of Nye.

The portal to the temple only went to the temple and nowhere else. There was no conversation as the group was whisked away. After the brilliant flash was gone, Liam and Renee were given sight to a giant series of white columns. The floor was jet black. When they walked on it, they felt like they were walking on glass. To the left, right and center of them where long hallways that led to different chambers. Behind them was the only door leading to the outside. The group was led down the center hallway and into the room at the very end.

The structure of the room was mostly stone with several Taelon devices decorating the walls. At the end, there was a small bath filled with warm water. There was a small brown bed to the right. The mattress was so thin that it might as well have not been there at all. The pillow was no thicker than about two inches, but when Liam touched it, he found it very comfortable. The only covering was a thin brown blanket. Above the bed was what looked to Liam like an energy shower.

"You are free to move about the temple for the duration of your stay," Nye told Liam and Renee, "but you may not leave it until the ritual is over."

"Yeah, not to sound inconsiderate of the seriousness of this situation but…" Liam whispered the rest of it to Nye so that no one else could hear.

"The what?" Nye asked.

Liam explained the situation to her as quietly as he could. Nye nodded as if she understood perfectly and whispered something back to him.

"Thank you," Liam nodded.

"What did you ask her?" Renee asked him.

"I'll tell you when you need to do it," Liam replied.

"Ohhhhh," Renee nodded. "I get ya."

The ministers told Da'an to sit at the center of the room, where a white sun had been drawn. Da'an was to sit within the circle. The ministers took their places on the spikes that pointed outward. The nurses sat in front of each minister right on the line of the circle. Liam and Renee were asked to stand at the doorway. Nye nodded to the group. "I will take my leave now."

"Wait," Renee said quickly. "You're not going to be here?"

"I do not have to be here," Nye said. "The ministers know their place. They will conduct the ritual. I will return to observe when I can."

One of the ministers waved his hand to reveal what looked to be the outside. The sun had set by now, and twilight was upon them. He took a black chalice and dipped it into the pool of water in the tub. Then he took out a strange blue powder and poured it in. He approached Da'an and sat in front of him. The other ministers brought three bowls to him and sat them in front of him. Then they returned to their places.

For a long time, neither said anything to each other. The rest of the ministers began chanting in that strange dialect of Taelon.

This is a dangerous path you are about to take, the minister finally told Da'an. In order to take it, your mind must be clear of all other thoughts. He blew some of the blue powder at Da'an.

Da'an coughed and shook his head to rid himself of the discomfort.

In order to take the path, you must be cleansed, the minister said.

He put his hand in the bowl at the center, which contained black paint. He painted a symbol on Da'an's forehead and drew two lines across his cheeks. In order to take this path, you must free yourself from all ill will.

He placed his hand in the bowl to the left, which contained a clear gelatinous substance. He rubbed it all over Da'an's neck and his hands. In order to take the path, you must have strength and tolerance.

He dipped his hand in the last bowl, which contained a white powder. It stuck to his hands well because of the remnants of the gel, and he placed his hands on the sides of Da'an's head. The powder was warm to Da'an at first, but as his skin absorbed it, it began to burn terribly. The minister removed his hands, which left two glowing white marks in their wake. The minister then dipped his hands in the chalice and washed the remnants of the three substances into the water.

The burning had spread all over Da'an's head and down his back, and he had no clue what it was he was supposed to be doing. All he could do was sit there and take the pain. He tried to show no fear, but with each breath, the burning worsened. The burning around his neck began to stifle his breathing. Had the minister put a mirror in front of him, he would have seen his whole body glowing white. Da'an felt like his whole body had caught aflame, but he tried not to think of it. When he opened his eyes, he saw his hands begin to melt and disfigure. It reminded him of when he had devolved into the Atavus creature. He forced himself to close his eyes and not think of what he had just seen. However, nothing he did could stop that terrible burning and Da'an began to grow dizzy. He was afraid that he would collapse, and he tried to maintain his focus. Suddenly, he thought about the water—that little creek he had seen Renee dipping her feet in. When he thought of the water, the pain began to subside, and he felt his body cool. Cool. Just like the water in that creek. It was very cool and soothing. Da'an felt his breathing slowing down and his head no longer throbbed. The glowing on his body subsided, and when he opened his eyes, his hands were completely normal.

The minister took his hands forcing Da'an to look at him. You are ready now. He placed the chalice in Da'an's hands. The rest of the ministers bowed to Da'an, and the nurses put their hands together in prayer. The minister in front of Da'an turned to the humans. In the event that you fail, it is the responsibility of the witnesses to handle your passing on to the next level of existence and to pass on the message of your demise to your loved ones. Are they strong enough to handle it?

Da'an nodded.

In the event that you fail, the Priestess Nye purify your soul to prevent any ill will brought on to you by the Commonality. Do you accept her blessings?

Yes.

Then, take the chalice and take your first step on the path towards freedom, the minister said bringing the chalice to his lips. "You must drink from the chalice now."

Da'an looked at the water. The substances the minister had washed into them turned the water from blue into a nasty dark brown color. After his experience with these chemicals on his skin, Da'an had no desire to put more of it into his body. But Da'an thought again about the water in that creek, and he swallowed the water. Immediately, it began to burn him. The pain had been bad enough on the outside, but inside it was ten times worse. Da'an had trouble swallowing the rest of the water in the chalice. His hands began to shake, and he dropped the chalice. A terrible cramping feeling in his torso caused Da'an to hunch over. Nausea began to settle as he tried to fight his body's instinctual desire to purge himself of the water he had just drunk. It was so painful that Da'an couldn't breathe, and his eyes began to ache as his vision failed. Breathing only brought on more agony, and the heart that circulated energy throughout Da'an's body felt like it would explode. Da'an felt like he was burning from the inside out like a Jaridian. Strange flashes and voices began to bombard his mind. All Da'an could see now were sickly colors. All sounds were ghostly echoes. Even the air blowing through the room was now just a voice echoing indistinct words to him. He thought he heard someone calling his name, but before Da'an could respond, he collapsed.