Hello, lovely readers!

1)I hope you all had a fantastic Thanksgiving. Thank you so much for your kind words, and for sticking around. I treasure every review, even if I don't respond directly to all.

2) My final exams weeks are coming up, so posting might be a little weird for the next couple of weeks. Your patience means the world to me.

3) Again, never hesitate to ask anything, and if it won't give away any major plot lines, I'll try my best to get back to you!

4) Shoutout to SunflowerFran who takes each chapter and makes them sparkle.

5) The only character I own here is Lua; the others belong to Stephanie Meyer.

6) Finally, Enjoy!


PART I: Lyrebird

Chapter 6

Isa stares in the mirror with her head twisted at an odd angle so that she can view the design that adorns her skin. Her insignia is the only thing that remains the same after she has transformed into her alternative appearance. Seeing another face assigned to her person is an odd sensation. On the one hand, Isa knows that the person she sees in the mirror is herself. However, there's a new foreignness to her body that unsettles her. It's been four weeks since Alice had sent Jasper to the Pylae's border to collect her, and since then, Isa's been perfecting the art of transforming her appearance.

Lua presses her nose to Isa, evaluating the new form of her owner. Isa knows that she must smell the same, so she doesn't worry that Lua will be unable to recognize her.

"I do look quite different," Isa agrees as she wraps an arm around the large cat. Lua purrs happily, nuzzling herself in her owner's brown locks.

Isa doesn't know if she will ever get used to her new appearance, but she knows she will have to for an indefinite amount of time. She could hardly believe the amount of information she'd learned from Alice over the past few weeks, but every morsel of it was vital. She'd learned so much about her mother and her ancestry, including the names of those in her lineage who had led Forxx before they'd been killed.

Isa hadn't even known that Forxx used to have a ruling family. Her mother, Esmeralda Swann, had been next in line when she had decided to marry Aro Volturi. The crown had then been passed onto Charles Swann IV, Esme's brother, after his predecessor had passed. Unfortunately, Charles –a king with no heirs –had an untimely death, resulting in the country being left without a ruler for over a decade. The people refused to accept a family of a different name as the governing power, so they exchanged their monarchy for a panel of representatives.

This fact has Isa longing to know the land more, but she knows she has limited time here before she is meant to go to Cullenia. When Alice had revealed that she knew of Aro's assassination plan, Isa had stared at her in disbelief. For a moment, she wondered if the Whitlocks were a part of the plan, but she then reasoned that they had nothing to gain from the assassination. Once Alice recounted several moments of Isa's past, Isa knew that Alice's knowledge of the foul play was a product of her omniscience.

"But if you saw it, why can't you just tell the king and stop it," Isa asks.

Alice sighs, "While the insignia of the guardians is passed down to one child in each generation of the royal families, the spirits and powers of the guardians are only awakened when there is a need for them. There has not been need until now. But the elapsed time since the creation of the guardians has caused the royal families to stop believing in their existence altogether. Both King Aro and King Felix view the guardians to be myths. Any claim you make on the basis of being the guardian will be dismissed as folly unless you have proof. Remember that even you were skeptical when I mentioned their existence."

"Then you should stay at the palace," Isa argues, "I am not equipped to execute such a complex mission."

Alice shakes her head, "I have no believable excuse to stay at the castle. The Cullens know me, and know that I do trade in Forxx. You are unknown, and, therefore, less noticeable. Isabelle, you are a guardian, you are more powerful than you could possibly imagine. I cannot be the one to do this because you are destined to."

"But if you, who has foresight, does not know anything about the actual assassination attempt, how am I meant to do anything?" Isa presses.

"It's all in the timing, Isa," Alice reminds her, "Sometimes my visions take time to come to me, and can be spurred on by a little prompting. With you in the palace, you can tell me of all occurrences and I can update you as my visions come."

"By myself? I'm meant to do this on my own?" Isa clarifies.

"There is the other guardian, who is unaware of his potential," Alice says, "He is one of the Cullen sons. But as well as this, there are Lunellas, 'stars,' Isa –those who bear a sign on their insignia that shows they believe in the guardians. The ones who bear that sign will help you. You can do this, Isa. Un'i Is'ia Forxia."

"What does that mean?" Isa questions, unable to translate the Forxian words.

Alice draws Isa into a hug and whispers, "In you, there is flight."

Ironically, with her wings retracted, Isa is currently unable to fly. She is required to remain in disguise anytime she leaves the confines of the cabin. Isa slips out of the Whitlock's small abode and walks towards town. She has made this journey a few times with Peter in the past month, but never on her own. When they go, Peter helps her to read the signs scrawled in Forxian, and converses with some of the merchants on her behalf due to her pitiful accent. He has spent a great deal of time laughing at her, tickled at her attempts to speak the broken language. Isa would only huff in frustration, and silently wonder how Peter could effortlessly transition between Volturian, Cullenian, and Forxian.

Despite this relentless teasing, the two of them get along well. Peter has inherited more than Jasper's blond curls and dark blue eyes; he also has his father's playful swagger. His lightheartedness draws Isa to him, and they often find themselves spending most of their day together. Most of their time is spent practicing Isa's abilities while Peter showcases his. Given his young age of fifteen years, Peter's control over his ability –manipulation of air –is impressive. Once he revealed his talent to Isa, it was no mystery how he survived his jump into the Pylae. Using currents of air, he had been able to slow his descent into the canyon, as well as aid himself out. His mastery of his gift had proven invaluable when he most needed it. Isa witnesses this expertness whenever Peter challenges her with his ability. The duel always turns into horseplay when Isa lobs objects at Peter, and he deflects them with his gusts of wind.

A small smile creeps onto Isa's face as she thinks of her new friend. For the first time, she has been able to interact with someone without the looming reality of her cage. With every sprint and every jest, Isa feels some of the coldness of her heart warm from being in the Whitlock's loving presence. Peter, with his abundant joy, inspires a feeling of youthfulness in Isa that she'd been previously denied. The long days of staring at the bars of her cage had withered away her childhood, and she'd had to grow up much too quickly. Although Peter's friendship can't take away the years of confinement and insanity that Isa often felt close to, he proves to be a constant reminder that there are enjoyablethings in life.

Going into town without him is a lonely venture, but Peter is too busy to escort her to the markets. Her only comfort is Lua, who rests quietly in the pocket of her cloak.

During the day, the town is much more silent compared to the lively spirit of the night. The brush of Isa's slippers against the dirt roads seems amplified as she wearily walks towards the merchants' stalls. She catches the eyes of a few, but reasons that it is because newcomers are noticed in a tight-knit community. Isa wishes she were a part of such a community, but knows that this not a possibility for her. Instead, she pretends that she is a mere visitor, casually perusing the jewelry of a large stand. She trails her fingers over some of the gold jewelry before a misplaced item catches her attention. She strokes the braided silver longingly, as a memory overcomes her.

"But how do they twist it like this," Isa questions as she weighs her mother's ring in her hand. The ring is made out of three different types of silver, all entwined together.

"What do you mean, fia?" Esme says, trying to control the squirming four-year-old.

"It's so hard," Isa continues, completed astounded, "how can it bend like this?"

"Sometimes a lot of effort is needed for something to become even more beautiful," Esme summarizes.

"Vi ech'e?" a young woman approaches Isa, signaling to the ring.

"Qua?" 'What,' Isa mistakenly responds in Volturian.

"Oh, I'm sorry," the woman switches languages, but stumbles over a few of her words, "You look Forxian. You have the nose."

Isa reaches for her nose automatically, "I do?"

"For sure. Now, I ask if you would you like to purchase this ring, sister?"

"Sister?" Isa questions. Her encounter with this woman is making her more confused with each second.

The woman points to the sun on Isa's left shoulder, and then reveals the insignia on her own torso. Isa finally understands, unused to being acknowledged by other sunchildren.

Isa blushes in embarrassment, "I … I'm sorry, I have no money."

The woman gives a nod, and is about to leave before she stops, "Are you sure you are not from here? You look familiar."

Isa grips her skirt nervously, wondering if her transformed form is too similar to her mother's. It is the only form into which she can change, and if it is too noticeable, the Whitlock's plan could not work. Lua rustles and brushes her wing against Isa's palm. The small action gives her confidence.

"No kup'a," Isa answers, formally addressing the stall owner using the word for 'ma'am' that Peter had taught her.

"So polite," the vendor smiles, "I must be only five years your senior. You remind me so much of another woman –sweet, just like you. What is your name?"

Isa freezes.

"Are you afraid of me?" She laughs wildly, her brown ringlets swaying as she throws her head back. They brush against the small red wings that adorn her body. "Ask anyone here, I am the least harmless person around. I am Jessica, and I make most of this jewelry. I've never seen you around, are you new?"

Isa nods, "I am just passing through."

"To the sun or to the moon?" she asks, a common expression used in all lands meaning, will you be traveling to Volturia or Cullenia?

"Volturia," Isa lies thinking it unwise to reveal her true destination.

Jessica nods, "So, your name?"

Isa hesitates, struggling to figure out a name since Alice hadn't picked one for her as yet. She needs something close enough to her real name for her own ease, but one that won't cause people to be suspicious of her. Too many people have called her 'Isa,' so that is certainly out of the question. Perhaps 'Belle?' That is not a common name for sunchildren … but Bella is.

"Very well, don't tell me then," Jessica begins to walk away.

"Bella," Isa answers, "I am called Bella."

"Pleased to make your acquaintance, Bella," Jessica smiles. "Go ahead and take the ring. You remind me a lot of a woman I treasure, and you have brightened my day."

Isa hesitates, not knowing if she is being conned; Peter had warned her that Forxian vendors had a way of trapping you into sales.

"Take it," Jessica insists. She picks up the ring and tosses it to Isa, forcing the her to catch the jewelry. "If you return here, look for me. And don't let these other vendors bully you, do you understand?"

"Yes, kup'a," Isa bows slightly out of respect, right after slipping the ring onto her pinky finger. She wants to take the hand of the kind woman, but doesn't trust herself to touch her without causing harm. She hopes her eyes can convey her gratitude, "Thank you."

"Un'i Is'ia Forxia," Jessica bids her farewell.

Isa now knows to respond, "Un'i Is'ia Ett'io."

In you as well.

~lyrebird~

Isa sits around the large fire toward the back of the crowd, surveying the activity around her. One of her hands plays with Lua's feathers while the other scratches under the bird's beak. Meanwhile, Peter is beside her, providing a constant stream of chatter. Admittedly, Isa is unable to pay close attention as she is too caught up in the festivities around her. The town is more animated than she'd ever seen it over the past month.

Children skip and fly through the fields, carrying colored lanterns that add to the illumination of the night. Young adults laugh wildly, nursing cups of o'vrasi, a liquor that Isa had yet to try. Peter has been sneaking sips from Jessica's (the kind vendor from earlier) mug whenever she places it down; unaware that Jasper has been slyly regarding him for the past hour. Not for the first time, Isa finds herself wanting to release her wings and fly around with the playing children. Staying in her transformed form is draining on her powers, but the worst part is having her wings restricted. At nights, in the privacy of the Whitlock's home, she allows them to breathe, taking care to brush them, and stretch them as far as they can go.

Along with Peter and Jessica's playful interaction, the camaraderie between the families at the town bonfire reveals to Isa just how tightly knit this community is. Everyone knows everyone, and even if they aren't intimately related, everyone makes the effort to be welcoming. Jasper had explained to Isa that this is the way it's always been in Forxx. In the time of monarchy, the royalty would join the townsfolk in the capital and enjoy the fraternity. After the monarchy had dissolved, Forxian communities drew even closer together, relying on each other for stability. This means that once you're trusted and accepted into a Forxian community, you're family. Isa would give anything to experience that kind of belonging.

Peter tugs on the end of Isa's hair to catch her attention, "Want to see something cool?"

"Does it involve that massive fire?" Isa asks, raising a brow in suspicion.

Peter grins devilishly, "Maybe it does, or maybe it doesn't."

"Your mother will skin you alive if you play with the fire," Isa shakes her head, "She told me to watch out for you. Troublemaker."

"She worries too much," Peter waves a hand dismissively.

"You give her reason to worry;" Isa rolls her eyes. "Can you not go more than an hour without using your abilities?"

"You're the one who has to be forced to use yours," Peter points out, "Sometimes I question whether you can even do anything more than telekinesis-,"

Isa digs her elbow into Peter's rib to silence him, "My absorption is not something to be played with. I don't like using it."

"Is that why you never take any more powers?" Peter asks, "You told me you can take and dispose of them as you please, but you never do. Why?"

Isa releases a long sigh, "I do it only when I need to. Taking powers can be addictive. Aro is a testament to that."

At the mention of the evil king, the conversation dies. Peter grunts in disapproval and kicks the stick in front of him. Isa sighs, and nudges him with her shoulder, prompting him to lose his scowl. She hates to see Peter angry; it's unsettling to see such an easy-going person overcome by the hostile emotion. He opens his hand as an invitation, much like he has other times. And like those other times, Isa declines, because she doesn't want to risk hurting him, and because she knows that Peter will misinterpret the action. Frequently, Peter voices his feelings for Isa, stating that when the war is over, he is going to wed her. She knows that the crush is harmless, but she would rather not give Peter the wrong idea.

"You know, you aren't that much older than me," Peter chuckles.

"The issue is not the age difference," Isa corrects him; "You know this."

"So what if I'm fifteen!" Peter throws his hands in the air, "I know that I like you."

Isa pats his clothed shoulder lightly, "You are too wonderful a boy to find someone like me, Peter. You need to find someone you love."

He looks at her for a moment before asking, "Have you … ever been in love?"

Isa concentrates on the fire in front of her, wishing it could burn away the question Peter had asked. She has thought about it many times, whether or not she could ever be in love with someone. Part of her thinks she's incapable of having such feelings, and the other part knows that if she were to fall in love, she would love the person so fiercely, with all of her being.

Both thoughts terrify her.

Isa clears her throat, "No. I have never been in love."

Peter nods, "Well, I guess you haven't been out of that cage long enough to meet people. Don't worry, I –Bella, it will happen for you too. But promise me this; if neither of us finds someone else to love, we'll give each other a chance."

Isa releases a laugh, one that frees the tension from her chest, "Yes, Peter. I promise."

~lyrebird~

Come on, Isa, stop being so paranoid.

No, you are no longer Isa. You are Bella now.

Bella stumbles along the uneven road, trying to keep up with the rapid pace Jasper is stalking. It is hard, considering her wrists and ankles are shackled. She can't even pet Lua for comfort as the animal rests in her shirt pocket. Jasper had apologized profusely when he chained her just outside of the town's limits. She had nodded in understanding, disliking being held in chains, but knowing that it was necessary. From then on he acted as a bounty hunter, dragging his prisoner to be deported. Bella knows that in order for their plan to work, she must act the part. So she keeps her head down under her hood and follows Jasper to the boat docks.

It will take two days by boat to reach Cullen Isle. Cullenia castle is separated from its mainland by a river; therefore, the ship has to sail around the mainland in order to reach the castle port directly. Jasper had wanted to transport Bella by carriage, but such privileges would be highly suspicious if Bella was meant to be a criminal. Now, they make their way to the boating docks, which, in itself, is a half days' worth of travel.

They approach a large, stone structure. As the sun begins to rise, its beams hit the shell of what seems to be a dilapidated castle. Bella stares in amazement as the stones glitter, and the diffracted light dances across her skin. She longs to go inside and explore but knows that she doesn't have time. Jasper watches her reaction and smiles knowingly. He checks his surroundings before saying,

"It's your birthright."

"What is?" Bella questions.

"This is Swann Castle," Jasper informs her, "You're meant to rule here."

"Why has no one else tried to claim the throne?" she asks, "Forxx is such an advantaged piece of land … and the people are incredible. Surely, someone has tried?"

Jasper shakes his head, "No one will accept anyone other than a Swann sitting on the throne. That's the way it's been for centuries, and that's how the people want it to continue."

"But you know the people Jasper, and you are already on the council of representatives," Bella continues, "You would make a splendid king."

His cheeks turn bright red, "You are too kind, kya. However, I have no desire to be king. But should you become ruler, I will forever be loyal as an advisor, should you please."

Bella chokes on her air, "Do not joke about that, Jasper. I couldn't possibly rule a nation."

"If you are able to save the nations, what is to stop you from governing them?"

She shakes her head, "I'm not even confident in my ability to do that, but I will try. Ruling, however, is out of the question. I hardly know myself, let alone the people of these kingdoms."

Jasper places a finger under Bella's chin, and raises her head to look at him, "Bella, what does 'Un'i Is'ia Forxia mean to you?"

"In you there is flight," Bella answers.

Jasper has a small smile as he shakes his head, "Exactly. You must figure out what it means to you. When you are able to answer that, then you will know who you are."


Terminology

**Note: Isa will be referred to as Bella from now on.**

Esmeralda Swann (Deceased) –intended heir to throne of Forxx. Former wife to Aro Volturi. Former Queen to Volturia. Mother of Bella (Isa).

Charles Swann IV (Deceased) –former King to Forxx. No heirs.

Lunellas – Stars [All languages] / those who believe in the guardians / they bear a sign on their insignia.

Un'i Is'ia Forxia –In you there is flight. [Forxian] Used conversationally as a greeting, or to bid farewell. Also used as encouragement. Interpretations may vary.

Un'i Is'ia Ett'io –In you as well. [Forxian] Response to "Un'I Is'ia Forxia," and is also used conversationally as a response to a greeting/farewell.

Fia –Daughter [Volturian].

Vi ech'e –Do you want this? [Forxian]

Qua –What? [Volturian]

Kup'a –Ma'am [Forxian]

To the sun or to the moon - Will you be traveling to Volturia or Cullenia? [All languages]. Because, historically, most sunchildren originated from Volturia, Volturia is considered to be the "sun" while Cullenia, historically the land of moonchildren is considered to be the "moon."

Peter –Son of Alice and Jasper Whitlock. Aged 15. Able to manipulate air/wind.

O'vrasi, -bitter, Forxian liquor. Peter is much too young to be stealing sips of this.


"I'm thankful for every moment." ~Al Green

~CH