Sunrise Reunion
The wind gently blew in from the east dark sky as she stood in front of a full length mirror, staring at herself as she faded in and out at the touch of wind. Even the slightest wind made her waver.
Minx swallowed nervously and drew a shaky breath, shit what have I gotten myself into? She asked herself, pressing her hand against her stomach. She felt the wind touch her neck and face, her skin felt clammy; it had ever since she woke up this morning.
She was pale, and her black robes made her seem even more chalk white. The door opened behind her as she continued to freak out. "How are you feeling?" Aereon asked, her face serious but soft.
"Scared as hell."
She smirked as she came to stand behind Minx, for a long moment they both looked in the mirror, "You look so much like your mother." She added, "I know you have her rebellious strength, but save it for the morning's light."
Her hazel eye's pierced back at Minx as she caught her gaze, "You'll need it to face him." She whispered gently, "You know even better than I do that he dislikes weakness."
With that Aereon walked away and exited her room, Minx closed her eyes and felt herself tremble slightly. It had been five years since she'd gazed into those silver eyes, but there hadn't been a night when she didn't think of him.
Turning slightly she gazed over her shoulder and picked up the veil that lied on her bed. Slipping the material over her head she took a breath slowly and pulled it into place, concealing even her eyes.
A thin screen of mesh made it so she could see, for that she was thankful. Minx straightened and looked at herself in the mirror once again, another gentle wind brushed her and again she faded then came back to normal.
Ten minutes later a soft knock came to her door, "They're ready for you." Mensa informed gently. Minx tore her eyes away from the mirror and walked across the room to the door, the metal door knob felt cold in her hand.
Her stomach quivered as she opened the door, only to see Mensa standing a couple feet from her, waiting against the wall. Mensa's eyes slipped over Minx from her feet up to her head and then slowly back down, by the time she was finished her eyes were as round as plates.
Minx felt herself smile as Mensa quickly looked down the hall, "Come this way."
As they descended the stairs Minx looked in front of her, a group of eight people were waiting at the foot of the staircase; they seemed to be all dressed in black robes much like her, although the other women were without veils.
Minx looked up to find that Aereon was also dressed in black robes, the crystals sparkled in the minimal light, making her hard to miss. Her white hair was pulled back into the hood on her head, leaving only her face exposed.
Aereon gave Minx a once over, then nodded approvingly, "That's good, you're completely covered."
Minx looked at Aereon although no one else could tell, "Why is that a good thing?"
"We must bring you in undetected." She explained, "Some Necros and other travelers aren't exactly at peace with Elementals." She paused to guide Minx towards the door, "It is not safe for us to travel."
Minx noticed immediately that the rest of the people formed around her, leaving her in the middle of the group, almost as if they were her bodyguards. Mensa stiffly stood at the doors with her head down, almost as if she was sad.
The group stopped before the huge double doors seeming to wait for something. Then a door opened to Minx's right, and a hazel eyed woman came gliding in. Two men in black robes next to Minx stepped aside as the hazel eyed woman headed straight for her.
The woman was obviously someone important; she had that suffocating air about her. Gently the woman's hands came up to hold Minx's shoulders; her touch was light but arresting.
Somehow the woman caught her gaze, then a small smirk came to the woman's lips, "I am Bara, the leader of the council Journeys, you don't know of us, but we've known much of you."
She paused when her smile disappeared, "I hope you don't let the universe corrupt you farther. Accompany the Furyan Riddick to the Underverse and cleanse it, then return home."
Just as quickly as the hazel eyed woman came, her hands dropped from Minx's shoulders and she walked away, making the same men step aside to let her pass. The group began moving again just as Mensa opened the main doors to the outside.
Into the night they went, onto a ship that was slim and dark, but built well, way better than a Merc ship. Minx walked up a ramp, pulling up her robes to keep from tripping and falling on her face.
She entered the semi-dark ship, knowingly taking a seat and strapping herself in, but Aereon looked at her, "Follow me." She commanded, going into the back of the ship.
Minx stood up unsteadily, the mesh in front of her eyes obscured her vision in the dark. She ventured down the shot hall and entered the only other door. The light in the room flickered on to reveal a bed and nothing more in the cabin.
Aereon sat delicately on the side, her dark eyes studying Minx, she met the woman's eyes and waited, Aereon drew a breath and looked down at the bed under her, "You're venturing into the Underverse with Riddick to purify it….but there is a little more to the tale that you must know."
Minx looked at her, "One of us could die?" Apart of her cynical the other serious, she didn't know what the hell to expect these days.
But Aereon just shook her head, "There are still two people who are strong Necromongers, the Lord and Dame Vaako. I'm guessing Dame Vaako might not like the idea of another strong female muscling in on her territory."
"What is her territory?" Minx asked somberly, feeling a tightness grow in her chest.
"The Necromonger's fate, Lord Vaako," She listed, then looked up from the bed to Minx, "Riddick."
Minx stiffened and felt her fists clench, "Riddick's never been anyone's territory."
Aereon nodded, "We know that, but she doesn't." Then a small smile flitted over her lips, "You will clash with her, and she will be a dangerous rival." The small smile stayed on Aereon's lips as Minx felt the ship hum under her feet, "But if you work it right, all of her 'territory' shall be yours."
She felt a weight settle on her shoulders as she looked at Aereon, her dark eyes suddenly taking on a passionate glow, "Can Elementals predict the future too?" Minx asked with a smile.
Aereon's expression turned grave, "Elementals calculate." She corrected, "And as of now, the odds are against you."
(Back on New Mecca)
He stood in the library that Iman once called his own; the air around him was slightly crisp and blowing, touching his arms and neck. He breathed in slowly and looked around him.
A slight running could be heard up the stairs, youthful strides that could only belong to one little girl named Ziza. Her voice filled the room as the door soundlessly opened, "Riddick?"
He turned slightly to gaze over his shoulder at the little girl, only her head and frizzy curls were poked into the room. Her black eyes were wide with wonder as she met his silver stare.
"There's someone with Jack." Ziza said quietly.
Riddick looked at her for a long moment, "Say that again."
Ziza took a visible breath, "A person is standing where Jack is, they are looking down at her."
Riddick followed Ziza down the stairs to look out the back of the house. Through a tattered blown window, he gazed over the yard, past the rubble and the dry sand. In the distance he saw it, an unmoving black figure standing where Jack was buried.
He felt the pricks of rage start to dance down his spine, painful hot jabs that left him from under his skin. His vision blurred then refocused as anger clouded his mind.
"Can I go with you?" Ziza asked eagerly, although Riddick couldn't answer her.
"What is going on Riddick?" Lajjun asked, somewhere behind him.
He slipped on his goggles and straightened from the window, "Stay in the house." He whispered, walking around the little girl and out of the back room.
The hot morning sun was just rising from the horizon to his right, his steps quickened to close the gap between him and the black figure. As he walked, ten minutes passed, and the black figure still hadn't moved.
The wind whipped up around him, a sudden gust ripping over the flat land. The black figure suddenly disappeared, what the fuck?
Riddick suddenly stopped walking, the black figure was gone, but its presence around him wasn't, it was still there, he could feel its energy, its grief. He waited a moment longer, feeling the wind whip at his skin.
He closed his eyes, taking a breath in. His heart skipped a beat as the wind died out again, leaving everything still. Riddick opened his eyes and the black figure was back, right where it had been before.
His feet started to move as if they were pulled to the figure with magnetic force. The gap closed between them quickly, then their weight knocked against his chest as he brought his knife to their throat.
Slowly he pulled them away from Jack's grave, the black figure obeyed heavily, its feet dragging in the dust. Riddick tightened his grip on the black figure and pressed his blade farther down, "It's been a long time since I smelled fear." He purred, the person's terror like a drug to his blood.
The black figure started to struggle; by its graceful movements he could tell it was a woman. Her strength wasn't enough to shake him; even her elbow to his gut only stoked his rage.
Throwing her to the ground he landed on top of her and ripped the veil from her shoulders. Bright honey eyes flashed up at him as Aereon's voice filled the air, "It wouldn't be wise to hurt her."
He met the honey eyes and felt something kick him inside, an ache of recognition from his chest to his skin. It can't be…
Minx said nothing but somehow held his eyes with hers, even though his goggles she somehow knew. He felt his breath leave him fast and heavy, for a long moment neither moved, then the wind came up and woke them.
Slowly he got off of her, his knife still in his fist by his side. Her eyes never left him as she bent and stood from the ground, then she stopped and stood before him. The sun hit down on her black robes as the winds blew them this way and that, her hair had grown long and her skin was paler then he remembered it, but she was still the same beautiful Minx.
The wind kicked up harder and a part of her disappeared once again. He could do nothing but stare at her, she looked at the ground then back to him, "Riddick…"
Her soft voice hit his chest as he continued looking at her, he sensed that Aereon was gone and they were now alone, standing over Jack like they had 5 years ago. A gentler wind blew her hair; Riddick caught it in his fingers and felt the strands glide against his skin. He touched the side of her creamy skin, then his thumb caressed her lips. His hand glided down the length of her neck and stopped.
She watched Riddick take a step closer to her, she braced herself for his nearness, but when he was an inch from her she felt the tears blur her eyes. His hand stayed on her neck as his lips brushed hers, so gently she barely felt it.
His lips touched hers again as he drew even closer, his arms slipped around her neck and back so she couldn't run. He held her loosely in his arms, his skin grazing hers every other heart beat.
She could feel the warmth of the sun along with his presence filling her skin. A long moment passed and slowly he pulled away, their kiss broke as he reopened his eyes. She looked up at him, feeling helpless to what he was going to do next.
He took a step away and slipped his hand into his pocket, slowly he drew out the sparkling bracelet she'd given Jack the day she left them for New Mecca. He wrapped his fingers around her wrist and picked up her hand.
Turning it over he dropped the bracelet into her palm and met her eyes, "There's no more for us out here." He said quietly, then started walking back towards a derelict house, "Follow me."
Nodding Minx started to follow, feeling the cold crystal of Jack's bracelet press against her palm.
Thanks to the great people who've stuck with me through this story, I'm going back to school soon, but I'll try to write as much as possible. More to come. If you feel like it, leave me a review, if you don't, just keep reading...
Dreaming, Anne