Chapter 18: The Mark
Riddick was frozen in shock, "What the fuck!?" he thought as he gathered her limp form gently into his arms. "SHIRAH! Get here now!" he yelled.
Within seconds Shirah ran into the room, "What? What's going on?" She asked. Her eyes went straight to Kyra, and then back up to Riddick's shocked face. After accessing the situation quickly she visibly relaxed. "Riddick, it's okay." She said walking toward them.
"Bullshit!" Riddick spat. "Prep the med lab. Now!" he roared when he saw that Shirah didn't respond but continued to walk towards them.
Shirah lifted her hands towards them, trying to get him to calm down. "Riddick, it's alright. Put Kyra down, she'll awaken shortly. Here, let me take a look at her." She said and laid a hand on Kyra's shoulder and looked up into Riddick's eyes, "Lay her down… She'll be okay Riddick."
Shirah watched the momentary struggle take place behind Riddick's mercury eyes. Finally, gently, Riddick kneeled and laid Kyra on the padded floor. Kneeling also, Shirah took Kyra's vital signs. "Everything is fine, Riddick. She is as strong as ever." With a slight laugh she added, "Maybe even stronger."
Riddick's eyes darted up questioningly from Kyra to Shirah.
"There is something I should tell you…Maybe I should have told you about this sooner, but I wasn't sure…" She shrugged. She scooted back and leaned against the wall that just moments before Kyra had been pinned against. Riddick remained kneeling next to Kyra, holding onto her hand feeling as though he couldn't loose the physical connection with her yet.
Shirah began, "On Furya, men and women share much the same rolls; there are those who are given to study and the mystical – they often become priests, priestesses. Like me. There are those who are given to animal husbandry and agriculture – the farmers who provide our world with food, clothing. Then there are those who are given to battle, honor, and strength – The warrior's who fight and die to give our world freedom, and life.
"These are, of course, very broad categories and are by no means a 'rule', but they are as generally true on our world as they are on others. Furya is different than most worlds, however, in that the warrior calling is by far the most highly honored. The warriors provide us with the two things we Furyan's value above all else; freedom and life.
"There are different levels of warriors. There are those that have the basic skills; then there are those that are amazing to behold in battle, those that can wield the power of the entire Furyan world – alpha Furyans. I had believed for years that they are all dead; killed by the Necromongers when they attacked our world without warning to murder our sons."
Shirah paused for a moment looking at Riddick, "But I was wrong. You are the last alpha Furyan, Riddick, you proved that you are when you wielded your power at the moment I gave you your mark on Crematoria.
She waited a moment for that to sink in, then continued, "As I said, men and women share similar rolls on Furya including the roll of warrior, women are as lethal of warriors as the men are on Furya, because what they may lack in strength, they make up for in speed. After watching your Kyra, I had begun to wonder if she was not also Furyan. Now after today, I know she is."
Looking down at Kyra's face, Riddick asked, "How do you know? How are you sure?"
"Because you chose her." Shirah answered simply, he looked back up at her and she smiled as their eyes met.
"On thing you need to understand is that Furyan's are a race of survivors –warriors - and we are stronger as a people when our individual families are strong. Since the beginning of history each family on Furya has been almost unbreakable due to one trait we all share: We are drawn to our perfect match; the one person who can complete us, the one person who has strength where we are weak, weak where we have strength. For example, Furyan warriors are typically drawn to other Furyan warriors; this creates a perfect team in battle. Each protects the other.
"How I know that Kyra is at least part Furyan, is because alpha Furyans are always drawn to other Furyans, never to anyone outside our race, and almost always to other Furyan warriors." She said looking at him, "I have seen how you two interact; Kyra is an extension of you, you are an extension of Kyra. Together you create a formidable team to be reckoned with."
"But what is wrong with her now?" Riddick asked, tired of listening to a mystics poetic speech, "Why did she pass out?"
"One of the biggest differences between men and women on Furya is their marks. Men are given the mark by a priest or priestess as they grow into adulthood, as are women. However when a woman is chosen by, and accepts, a man her mark is changed. It becomes a sort of link between the man and woman.
"Now unless I am much mistaken, you did something that showed Kyra your feelings towards her and she must have accepted it. Am I right?"
Riddick nodded slightly.
"Kyra has never been marked; so you, in essence, gave her the mark – a mark that matches yours. Kyra is probably not a full blooded Furyan, so that is why it was so difficult for her to receive the mark. But do not worry Riddick; your Kyra will be fine."