The final chapter.Read.Review.Thank you all for supporting me.You are the ones that made this story possible.Thank you.
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Chapter20:
Go Now Your Lords Are Dead
Blackfire woke and stretched,feeling the fine silk sheets wrap around her body.She smiled and looked at her sister-lover.Starfire was still sleeping peacefully and Blackfire smiled with love.She slowly got up,hoping not to wake her.She showered,dressed and got out of her chambers.She took her time walking towards the Imperial Chamber,constantly beeing saluted by guards and servants.Ensis was already there,discussing something with lord Kitsar.She didn't want to bother them.Besides,if it was something of greater meaning she would be informed.Instead she summoned Nightfire and asked her how is her daughter doing.Old tradition prohibits the ''male'' to see his child untill it was three months old.Naturally,Blackfire was impatient.
''She is fine,Blackfire…you ask me the same question at least hundred times a day…and the answer is always the same.'' The childs guardian said with a smile.
''I know,I know…but I can't help it!'' They both laughed.
''So…the evil Blackfire,ruler of the worlds and the destructor of the Universe-is a gentle mommy after all!'' Nightfire teased her Empress.
''Hey!Don't spread it around.I have a reputation to keep!'' Blackfire giggled.
Their conversation ended when Ensis came to Blackfire,and Nightfire retreated,knowing that they hate when someone listens to their discussions.
''I am happy to say that our conquest against the Tarakwilians was succesfull.'' Ensis said in his trademark ''we are superior'' voice.
''Good.Another system now belongs to us.So…why are you still sedate?''
''…''
''Ensis…I respect and admire your faith,but those prophecies are simply false.Our reign is undisputed.'' Blackfire looked at him with a mixture of annoyance and pity.
''Think what you want.'' He frowned.
''Ah…Ensis.We killed all the separatists and anarchists.Those two old bastards from the ex-Council died and we are adored or feared.Your warriors think that you are a god and they think that I am your Mothers daughter.And you will soon have a child.Admit it.You are happy.'' She tried to reason with him.
''Well,yes.I am happy.I love Raven and I love my unborn.And I rule the biggest Empire in the Universe.'' He spoke silently.
''We rule the Empire,Ensis.Uh…lets celebrate.'' Blackfire looked at one of the servants and he immediatly brought a bottle of the strongest liquor he could find.Two hours later(and a few bottles more) Ensis tried to ride a wild grabnak and Blackfire puked all over the Imperial Seal.They concluded that you should never go to war without being drunk.And yes,they were happy.
XXX
''Poison?''
''No.He would smell it.''
''Assassination?''
''He has dark powers…he would sense that something is wrong.'' A old man coughed and looked at his fellow conspirators.
''I managed to assure Starfire to do our bidding,she was easy to turn around.Blackfire will be killed and the Cradle Lizard also.And Ensis will feel the wrath of the Sun God.'' He showed them a jewel that glowed like the sun.
''Where did you find such a artifact!''
''My Council brother gave it to me.I don't know where he got it.Oh,he is not with us because he has gone to west,to our allies.Leave me now…you all know what to do.For Tamaran!''
''For Tamaran!'' They all saluted and scattered.
XXX
Two days laterIt was a warm summer night.Ensis and Raven were sleeping together in tranquility.On the opposite side of the palace Blackfire was cuddling Starfire,feeling her softness before falling asleep.Her scent,warmth and love…she felt something stab her and she screamed in surprise.Starfire jumped out of bed and Blackfire saw a long needle in her hand,shinning on the moonlight.She felt her body getting cold.
''But…but why?Starfire…?'' She spoke through tears.
Starfire looked away.
Three soldiers barged in and grabbed the paralysed Blackfire and dragged her out.She saw many unknown faces running through the palace.'Commandos…' she thought before passing out.
Ensis opened his eyes.He heard it…a sound any experienced killer can hear.A sound of a neck breaking.He grabbed his saber and watched.The doors slammed open and with a roar he formed a shield around his bed.Bullets showered it harmlesly,Raven woke with a scream,and saw one of the attackers being crushed by Ensis's power,and other cut in half by his saber.Powerful explosions were heard in the palace and in the city.Two guardsmen ran to Ensis.
'My Lord,we are under attack!Intruders are in the palace!'
'Kill them all!' He shouted and grabbed Raven.It was bad.Very bad.He took his suit, summoned a few guards and went towards the control room.He called Kitsar.
'Kitsar!Send me backup!'
'My Emperor!Ships are coming from all directions and we are fighting to stay alive!All communications are failing and I am surprised that this frequency is not jammed,we saw countless dropships heading towards the surface…it's a invasion!' Kitsar shouted,neglecting his request.
'A invasion?By who?' Ensis asked in shock.
'Everyone,my Lord.'
Ensis heard the sounds of war in the city.Most of his army was fighting on other worlds and the few legions he left on Tamaran are now probably being slaughtered.Their familys too.
'Kitsar!Hold the position.I'm ordering mass exodus.Open the subspace portal to Paradise and wait for the ships that will come from the surface!'
Kitsar nooded and the screen went black.Raven was shaking in his arms.Ensis focused and used his power to contact those who were still loyal to him.His voice echoed through the minds of his and Blackfires people.
'We are under attack.I,Ensis,Emperor of the new Hyperborean Empire am ordering a exodus.Use any ships you can find and meet with the Imperial Fleet.Those of the Imperial Guard will stay and protect the space ports.All others must evacuate immediatly!'
In the streets there was chaos.Many Hyperboreans and Tamaranians were killed in their homes.Imperial Guard was stretched thin,trying to protect the ports and fight off waves and waves of attackers that came from all parts of the Universe.They knew they were all going to die.And they didn't mind.But life is the Emperors currency,so they fought like mad.No one could know it,but all systems that were defeated by the Empire were in a middle of a rebelion.
Ensis and Raven went towards the secret passage that would bring them to his old ship.He found Lemmi surrounded by guards nearby.Luckily,Nightfire was with her,covered with blood,but with Blackfires daughter in hands.Ensis opened the passage.
''Raven.'' He called
She looked at him.He kissed her passionatly and hugged her tightly.
''I must leave you now.'' He softly said.
''What?What are you talking about?We can go!'' Raven shouted.
''No,Raven.I'm staying.Blackfire is still here,and shes alive.I can't just leave her.And…I just want you to know that I love you,and that I will always love you.'' He said and kissed her again.
''You…you are saying goodbye,aren't you?'' Raven began to cry.She hugged him and inhaled his scent she loved.
''Yes,I am.Lemmi will explain everything to you.Take this and give it to our child.'' He gave her his war suit. ''Now turn around and don't look back.Don't look back.''
Raven walked through the passage like a machine,knowing that she has lost the only person she has ever loved.Not turning back,not soiling their love with pathetic exclamations and empty words.Just walking,just walking…
'Lord.We wish to follow you into battle.' One of the dozen guardsmen said.
'No.Protect the Dark Lady and follow her orders.Leave now.' He calmly said.
'But Lord we…' Ensis punched him and he fell to the ground.
'YOU SHALL OBEY!' He roared and the soldiers slowly started to go into the passage.Ensis walked towards the part of the palace where he felt Blackfire.He could hear his guardsmen shout 'Emperor be praised!' behind him.He ignited the saber and started to run,wearing nothing but boxer shorts.His bare feet left footprints on the bloody floor.He saw a dead guardsmen and checked his utility belt.He took one cigarette and lighted it.It will probably be his last.
He saw two attackers pointing their guns at him.He moved so fast that they couldn't hit him,and they were dead before their heads touched the ground.He went on.After five more minutes of running he could smell her.And then he saw her.She was lying naked on the cold floor,surrounded by three men.They were snickering and obviously choosing the first one to rape her.
'Stay calm Blackfire.Don't move.' Ensis tried to send a message to her but almost instantly he felt sharp pain rushing through his body.He hissed.With shock,he saw Blackfire raise her arm and a bolt that came from it exploded in the attackers stomach.His companion screamed in surprise and shot Blackfire in the chest.A second too late Ensis killed him and the other scum.
He held Blackfire in his arms,and she was bleeding all over him.
''Ensis…she betrayed me…Starfire betrayed me…'' She barely spoke.
''She will pay.I promise.'' He spoke with anger.
''N-No…leave her.I still love her…''
''Blackfire…don't talk.Rest.I'll find some help.'' Ensis said,feeling of loss rising in him.
''Don't screw with me…I'm dying.I-I just want you to grant me my last wish.'' Her voice only a whisper.
''Of course Blackfire…anything you want.'' He said,tears running down his face.
''Don't let them have my body…destroy it…and…and…''
Blackfire was no more.Her lifeless corpse felt heavy in his hands,and her long black hair seemed like her burial gown.He hugged her and gently kissed her forehead.Beside Raven,she was his only true companion in life.He placed her on the floor and wrapped her with purple light.He screamed,but not from the pain of his body;rage was consuming him as he saw his best friend turn to ashes.
He walked to the center of the hall and waited.He was soon surrounded by hundreds of soldiers who pointed their weapons at him.He remained calm.A old man spoke to him.Ensis recognized him as one of the Council members.Even thought he should be dead.
''Well,well,my emperor…looks like your reign of terror is over.You will join the Tainted Whore and the Cradle Lizard soon.Give yourself up and your death shall be quick!'' He said,taunting Ensis.
''You have no idea what praise have you gave Empress Blackfire by calling her a whore,a Mothers sacred daughter.And the ''Cradle Lizard'' is alive,asshole.So is Raven,and my child.They escaped.'' Ensis smiled.
''So what?We will find them soon enough.Look at this,you hyperborean swine.'' He pulled out a jewel.
''That thing has been blocking my power?'' Ensis asked mockingly.
''The heart of the Sun God,destructor of darkness and bringer of light!'' The old man proclaimed proudly.
''You are aware that you are all going too die?'' Ensis asked.
''Liars.All Hyperboreans all liars.''
''You are a idiot.It is true,the stone causes me pain…and blocks my power.But all power demands sacrifice…and sun is related to fire.Fire is related to steel.Steel is related to blood!Did you wash the stone in blood?No?I thought so.''
''You lie!The Sun God doesn't…''
''Shut up old man!I have only one thing to say to you…when half-gods leave,gods arrive.And I consecrate this death to me!'' Ensis spinned his saber in his hand and before anyone could react he pushed it deep into his womb.He felt his warm blood cover his hands…and then his power exploded.He screamed,feeling the power rush out of him and devouring everything around him.The very foundations of the palace shaked and twitched,walls crumbled and purple power destroyed all in its way.It lasted for less than five seconds…but it seemed like a eternity.It was like Mother personally visited this place.But Ensis was no more.
XXX
Raven,Lemmi,Nightfire and the guards flew around the city,teleporting those who were left behind.The ship was soon crowded and screams of anger and despair were heard.The ship was upgraded with powerful weapons so it defended the swarm of weaker ones while they were trying to reach high orbit.Raven was unaware of all this.Her eyes were empty and emotionless.A familiar chill rised in her heart.She felt her lovers death…Ensis was gone!He is dead!And now,all that remains is the void…
Then her water broke.
Nightfire was with the child in Blackfire's old room.She gently sung a lullaby and cradled the baby girl in her arms.''Poor thing…Ravens child will at least have something from it's father.And you?'' She sighted and went towards the closet to find some clean clothes.She smiled when she realized she has found Blackfires old suit.
Starfire pleaded the officers to tell her where was her daughter,what did they do to Blackfire?She got no answer.Realizing what has she done she went into a room and cried.
The very few Hyperboreans that were left behind died with the Emperors name on their lips.The Imperial Fleet suffered heavy losses but they managed to escape along with the ships full of refugees.Through the pain of birth Raven swore to herself.
'This will be our last exile.'
Epilogue or Legacy of the EmperorsThe Council was again ruling Tamaran.Starfire remained on Tamaran for one more month before returning to Earth.Some say that she spent most of her time at the Tamaran's holy mountains,watching an old drawing on a rock that showed her and Blackfires name,along with a symbol of love.They made it when they were children.She was now with Robin,and she was not happy.She didn't love him.
The exiled Hyperboreans and Tamaranians builded a huge base on Paradise.It was a small and hospitable planet that rotated around one star,in the void between the galaxys.Uncharted,unfound.Similar thoughts ran through Ravens mind as she watched her five year old son play with the slightly older Nightfire.He had purple eyes…and so much power that only Raven could keep him under control.He was a true Hyperborean.And a true demon.The future Emperor,the real Divine Emperor…Raven now understood why Ensis allowed himself to be killed.He wanted to clear the path for the children.The Book of Blood prophesyed two futures.In the first,under the rule of Ensis's and Blackfires descendants the Empire would exist for centuries.In the other future,it would last for thousands of years.
Nightfire was a strange child.She smiled so innocently and was very curios about things.And she already showed the strength and viciousness of Blackfire,but only when she fought.
'Ensis and Blackfire…' Raven thought '…had a dream.And the children will fulfill their dream.' She smiled and called the children to her.It was practice time.
In the eternal Void,in the eternal Darkness,beyond Time and Space a omnipotent entity that many refered to as Mother watched the Children with her all seeing eyes.It ''smiled''
There.It is done.20 chapters of Imperial rage,forbidden love and supernatural.If you still didn't reviewed do it now…I hope to write more stories,but I'm going to the army in about 20 days.I hope you liked this little story of mine,that was written while smoking,listening to music and daydreaming…
'We live-We die.Mothers will.'