"Sukan, we have to get out of here." Rey's eyes were wild with fright, a look that I had never thought I would see. "Now," I didn't hesitate to follow my father as we swerved through the crowd of unsuspecting citizens, pushing past them as we made our way to the exit. I almost shout a warning to Sandor, but I've lost sight of him in the crowd and I'm not even sure if he would believe me if I told him we were all in danger. When we were outside, Rey began to vomit.
"Rey," I placed my hand on his shoulder but he swatted it away. When he stopped puking, he started frantically pushing buttons on his identity band before standing up straight, his eyes filled with determination.
"I have to get to Nikio," His voice sounded confident, but I could hear the fear. "It's happening, Sukan. Lorien is under attack." As soon as his words were spoken, there was an explosion nearby, a huge cloud of smoke filling up the sky.
"That was the Lorien Defense Academy," I gasped, my eyes widened. There were lots of cepans who lived at the academy, Garde too; I wondered if they had made it out in time. Screams now filled the streets, followed by shouts from Garde who came out of their homes, rushing to aid in Lorien's defense. Without another word, Rey started sprinting. I had never seen him run so fast in my life, it was hard to keep up with him.
When our Garde's home came into view, we slowed down a bit, catching our breath. My heart was pounding so hard that I thought for sure that it was going to explode. When we approached the door, just like last time, it swung open before we could knock and Makai's grandmother stood there, her eyes wild.
"You know why I have come," Rey gasped for breath. "It's time for Nikio to come with me. We need to leave immediately."
"I understand," she dipped her head, moving aside to allow us entry. "I will retrieve him for you." As she disappeared, Rey placed his hand on my shoulder. When she came back, Nikio's eyes were wild in fright. He looked as if he had just been awoken, his hair a tangled mess. He clutched the wristband close to his chest, looking at my father curiously.
"I'm here to take you away," Rey told him as his grandmother placed the scared boy at Rey's feet.
"Where are we going?" Nikio asked quietly. "Can Makai come?"
"No," I shook my head. "Makai is going to have some fun right here with me," I told him. "And you get to go have fun with Rey. This is part of your training,"
"Okay," he nodded. He hugged his grandmother, kissing her cheek gently. "Bye, see you soon." he smiled, waving his tiny little fingers before intertwining them with Rey's.
"See you soon," she smiled, her eyes clouded in sadness.
"Sukan," Rey's eyes teared up. "I am very proud to call you my son," he pulled me in tight for one arm embrace, and I felt my entire world collapse before me. I wanted to stay in this moment, safe in my father's arms, just like when I was child, but the explosion in the distance snapped me back to reality.
"Father," I cried, as we pulled away from each other. "Take care of yourself on Earth,"
"Nikio's life comes first," His words sounded robotic, like they had been rehearsed a dozen times. He took the boy in his arms, and looked at me one last time. "Goodbye, Sukan."
"Goodbye, Rey," I sniffled as he went out the door. I covered my ears as another explosion went off in the distance. Rapid fire and screams were echoing in from outside, they were getting so close. A loud roar from a foreign beast bellows somewhere nearby.
"Sukan," Makai's grandmother said slowly. "I am Garde, and it is my duty to defend Lorien at all costs, so I must join the fight. I leave my last grandson with you," she stared directly into my eyes, and it felt like she was looking into my soul.
"I'll protect him with my life," I promised her. "Makai's life comes first." I add, repeating Rey's last words.
"I know you will," she smiled. "But before I go, you must know this. As a seer, I have seen many things. Not all of them come true, but," she trailed off.
"What's wrong?" I ask. "Something about this attack?"
"My grandsons have a lot of darkness inside them, more than anyone I have ever known." She shakes her head sadly. "They will need you to help them see the light. Please Sukan, help them, will you? I sense a lot of anger, and something sinister taking control of them. You mustn't allow it to happen."
"I'll do my best." I promise her. What does she mean? What darkness? And how am I supposed to help Nikio if he and Rey are going to Earth? She isn't making any sense.
"Farewell, Sukan." Just like Rey, she disappeared. A tiny wail came from down the hall and in an instant, I burst into the small bedroom. Makai was sitting up in his bed, his tiny hand outstretched for me. I lifted him up into my arms, trying my best to comfort him.
"Sukan?" he sniffled. "Nikio's gone. I want grandma."
"Everything's gonna be okay," I lied. "It's nothing to worry ab-" A roar from the street cut off my sentence and I couldn't help but run to the window, opening the curtain to peek outside.
A large hideous monster stood in the street, towering over somebody as they screamed in agony. Sinking to my knees, a sickening realization came over me; I knew that scream. I'd never heard it with such fear, but the voice was unmistakable.
The monster, seeming to find better prey, dashed away from the screaming body in the street. I cried out when I saw Cimorene's familiar blonde hair stained with her own blood. Somehow, I gain the strength to get back on my feet and I was out the door in an instant, sprinting to her aid. I didn't even notice that Makai had followed me and was standing at the edge of his yard, watching with wide eyes at the destruction of our planet. The sky is red, and everything is on fire while screams fill the night air. I know I should be sheltering him from all the carnage, but I can't bring myself to leave Cimorene like this.
"Sukan," she gurgled painfully, blood escaping her beautiful lips. Those lips, the ones I always imagined myself kissing one day. How could this happen?
"Cimorene," I cried out. "No, this can't be happening. Not to you."
"I've failed them," she coughed, her arm clutching her stomach. Whatever the monster was, it had torn her apart awfully good; her arm was the only thing keeping her insides intact. Blood gushed from her wound, covering both of us in the warm fluid. "I've failed the Elders,"
"No," I shook my head. "You didn't fail anyone. They failed us. We were supposed to be ready for something like this." I found myself getting angry, angry at the Elders, angry at the invaders, angry with our whole world. How could they let something like this happen?
"Yes," she nodded painfully. "I did. But," she winced, her other arm shaking as she brought it near me. Her torn sleeve fell back to reveal her flashing red identity band. "But that doesn't mean that she has to fail them too." Cimorene coughed up more blood as she tried to get all the words out. It was turning a darker colour, a sign I know couldn't be good.
"What are you saying?" I asked, although I had already figured out what she wanted.
"Please," she pleaded, she flicked her wrist so the large identity band slipped off her hand and into my lap. "Find Thalia. Get her to that air strip. I l-love you, Sukan I always h-have. I know you can do it." As her arm fell limp, her eyelids slowly closed and I screamed in anger as Cimorene's last breath escaped her lips. I picked up the identity band, slipping it onto my own wrist.
"I promise, Cimorene." I cried, tears falling onto her motionless body as I cradled her head. "I love you too. I promise that I will get your Garde to that airstrip."