A/N: I know this has been a long time coming. My mom ended up having to go bck under the knife and about a week later, my cousin passed away so needless to say, I've been busy with other things. But enough of that, here is the last chapter of the story. Please read, review, and enjoy. The Epilogue will be up tomorrow.
WARNING: Some of the scenes may be a little graphic or disturbing but they couldn't be helped. I tried to write it as goryless as possible.
A Great Loss
It had been five days since Zan exiled Princess Vilandra and the once ambassador Kivar. Five days since the rally in Charis that created a group called The Renegades that pitted his best friend against him in the press. Five days since The King of Antar slept peacefully and as he looked around the darkened room, he wondered if he'd ever sleep peacefully again.
He jolted out of the nearby chair as he heard Ava cry out in pain and rushed over to her side. "What is it?" He looked down at her, concerned.
She exhaled deeply. "I'm sorry I startled you," she raised her leg in the air. "It's just a cramp."
"Let me see." Zan placed his hands on her calf as they began to glow and started to massage the aching away. "Better?" he asked, looking into her moonlit eyes.
"Yes," she nodded as he moved to the other leg. "I didn't wake you, did I?" She already knew the answer.
He shook his head. "No."
"You were thinking about her weren't you?" she propped herself up on her elbows.
"You're the only woman I think about," he smiled at her.
"That's not what I meant," Ava sat up slowly. "I'm talking about your sister." She exhaled deeply. "Zan you have to talk to her; she sent that note, she wants peace."
"And what if it's a set up," he ran his hand through his hair. "What if she's planning something with Kivar?"
"What if she wants to get away from him," she countered. "I know she wants to do what's best for Antar and for you."
"You don't know that," he replied as she looked away. "Ava?" He peered at her.
"Look," her eyes stared out the window. "The first sun is rising."
"Ava," he spoke her name again. "Look at me."
She exhaled deeply before complying.
"You've spoken to her?" it wasn't really a question but the next was. "Why would you do that?"
"She contacted me on my communicator," she shrugged slightly. "What was I suppose to do? She wants to make amends."
"How can you be so sure," Zan asked.
"I can't," Ava answered honestly. "But I think you can." She paused briefly before speaking again. "I promise I'll stand by what ever decision you decide to make if you just talk to her."
Zan shook his head. "Ava," he exhaled in fustration.
"Please," she looked up at him with sapphire eyes. "For me."
Looking into his wife's eyes he knew he couldn't refuse her and deep inside he did want to trust Loni. "Okay," he finally conceded. "I'll talk to her but I can't promise anything else."
"Thank you," she replied and then smiled at him coyly. "What can I do to show you my appreciation?"
"I can think of a few things," Zan said before cupping her face in his hands and pressing his mouth to hers in a sensual kiss.
Rath walked to the door slowly, yawning as he trudged down the hall towards the knocking on his door. Yesterday had been a long day full of meetings, drills, and trainings that lead well into the night and The General had planned to sleep in. That was until the incessant knocking began, waking him from his slumber.
"I'm coming," he almost grunted as he approached the door. "Just please stop knocking."
Within a few moments he finally made it to the door and flung it open, finding Courtney standing there. A look of annoyance washed over his sleepy features.
"Are you still upset with me General?" she looked up at him as he continued to stand in the doorway. "Are you going to let me in or what?"
Rath stepped back, opening the door wider so she could walk in.
"I'm sorry that things have gotten a little out of hand," Courtney walked towards the center of the room.
"A little," he raised an eye brow at her. "Courtney, they're pitting me against my best friend."
"If it makes you feel better you're still losing," she laughed.
"This is not funny," he said sternly.
"You're right; it's not funny," she agreed. "This is very serious and you need to start taking it seriously."
"I understand how serious it is," Rath he shook his head and gave an exasperated breath. "Believe me."
"I don't think you do Rath," she countered. "Antar needs you."
"Courtney," he sounded frustrated.
"I'm not the only one who thinks you can lead us," Courtney looked him directly in the eye. "People believe in you. I believe in you."
"I appreciate that and the group but I stand by Zan," he explained. "I believe in him and I won't go against The King; I took an oath."
"And I know how much your word means to you but you also have an obligation to do what is best for the people on this planet," she retorted. "And you took a vow for that too."
"As Zan's second," Rath crossed his arms over his chest.
"Your loyalty is admirable," she replied. "Its part of why I believe in you so much but it may be what gets you killed."
"Is Kivar planning something?" he questioned.
"Isn't he always?" she rolled her eyes. "I don't know anything specific but Zan is losing this underground war and my brother is in over his head. I just don't want to see either of you get hurt."
"I know," Rath placed a hand on her shoulder. "But in the end, someone will get hurt. Kivar and Nikolas won't give up and neither will we; araians are going to die, it's just a matter of who."
"And what if who is you?" she replied softly. "You'd give up your life?"
He remembered how Zan pulled him up off that ledge when they first met, knowing had the young prince left him there, he would've died then. "I won't betray my best friend and my sister."
She nodded slowly, knowing there was nothing she could do to change his mind. Part of her admired him for it. "So, what do we do?"
"We agree to disagree and leave it at that," he replied. "Okay?" he tilted his head to look at her.
Courtney nodded again. "Deal."
Vilandra looked at the holographic man in the stream from her communicator as she repeated the last word he'd said. "Tomorrow?" She saw him nod. "You won't regret this; I promise."
She heard the door open behind her just as the transmission was ending. "Kivar," she turned around, no longer surprised to see him lurking. He'd done a lot of that in the last few days that she'd been here, especially after she'd found Nikolas and Vanessa plotting again.
"Who were you speaking to Princess?" he asked as he shut the door behind him.
She looked him in the eye before replying, "My brother."
"Your brother?" a scowl appeared on his face as his tone became more demanding. "About what?"
"Everything this conflict has caused the people of Antar," she answered. "I never wanted any of this."
"There ware always casualties in war my dear," he said calmly, trying to lower his tone.
"How can you say that so nonchalantly," Vilandra yelled. "People are dying; my people are dying and our economy is in jeopardy over what? What exactly are we fighting for here Kivar?"
"We are fighting for equal opportunities," he almost sounded convinced himself. "For a chance."
"A chance at what?" She questioned. "A chance for you to be king? This is all about what you want and consequences be damned. Well I can't live like this, not anymore. I won't bury my head and ignore my responsibilities any longer."
Kivar peered at her. "What has gotten into you?"
"Haven't you seen the reports and what this is doing to Antar; what this is doing to my family and how much we've lost?" She shook her head in disgust. "Or maybe it is that you just don't care." Her voice fumed with anger, both towards him and to herself. "In the past few days I have seen a side of you that I never knew existed. I have walked into conversations about things I never thought you'd be capable of doing but they were right. Zan, Ava, and Rath; they were right about you, weren't they?" She began to walk towards the chiffarobe but he caught her arm.
"You think you can just go back," he seethed. "To Rath?"
She jerked her arm away from him and began packing her things.
"That's what this is really about, isn't it?" After she said nothing, he yelled angrily. "Answer me!"
"I love him," she huffed as she continued to shove her things into the small case.
"You said you loved me that night you came back to me," he grabbed her arm and pulled her to face him. "Was that a lie?"
"No," she shrugged. "I don't know. I love certain parts of you but sometimes I feel like I don't even know who you are and who you turn me into." She looked up at him for a moment. "I'm sorry but whatever my feelings for you are, it's not like what I feel for Rath."
"Really?" he scoffed. "Then why did you leave him Loni?"
She looked thoughtful for a moment. She'd never bothered to ask herself that question until the moment Kivar had and when he did, she suddenly felt clearer than she had in a long time. "I was stupid and scared," she answered honestly. "What I feel for Rath is so big and so encompassing that somehow I thought it would eclipse who I was out. But now I know that's untrue. It's when I ran from him to you that I lost myself." She gave a bittersweet smile as she thought of her father. "I am in love with a man that brings out the best in me and he needs to know that."
"And what about what you saw?" He questioned. "What if he's moved on with Courtney?"
"If he still wants to be with Courtney after he hears what I have to say than so be it but that still doesn't change anything between me and you." Vilandra shoved the last of her belongings in the case and shut it. "Either way, I won't be coming back. I am going home." She walked to the door and opened it. "Goodbye Kivar."
He slammed the door shut from behind her. "You think it's just that easy my love," he hissed in the back of her ear. "My dear, maybe Nikolas was right about you."
She turned to face him as he continued to press his hand on the door from behind her. "Meaning?" She did not let his closeness intimidate her.
"Meaning if you leave me, it will only get worse for you brother and Antar," he replied as he stroked her face. "I won't lose both of you."
"You will never win," she said firmly.
"Perhaps," he smirked. "But it will be a long drawn out process. If you think this is bad, just wait and see how bad it can get before it ends." He lifted his palm from the door and stepped back. "Go ahead," he motioned towards the door. "If you can live with the fact that someone from The Royal House will die when this is all over," he shrugged. "Unless…"
"What do you want from me?" Vilandra pleaded.
His reply was simple. "You."
"If I stay, you'll end all this?" she wasn't sure if she could believe him.
"You will set up a meeting so Zan and I can come to a compromise," he replied. "I'll get my people to lay down their arms immediately with the promise that they will support The Royals, as long as Zan and I can come to some sort of understanding about me coming back to live on Antar." He could see the uncertainty in her eyes. "You know me Vilandra and I think you know that I love you. I promise we will just talk."
"And after you and Zan work everything out, you won't rebel anymore? You will end all of this?" She looked at him, still a bit suspicious but unable to tell if he was lying or telling the truth.
"As long as you agree to become my wife and we can both return home, I will hold up my end of the bargain." He held his hand out. "So do we have a deal?"
"If my brother agrees to let you come back to Antar than yes," she took the hand she was being offered. "You have a deal." She just hoped she didn't make it with the devil.
Zan sat alone in the meeting room with his elbows on the table, chin resting against his hands in thought. He wondered if Kivar's demands would be reasonable and if he could give in at all, knowing all the damage that man had done to his planet. Zan knew that just being in the same room without attacking him would be hard enough.
That's why Ava suggested that they all use the trithium amplification generator on themselves; stripping away their powers for about two hours so that the meeting would not get out of hand. It would be required to enter the meeting area and the aura readers would see to it that it was upheld by all under Zan's orders. Of course the guards on the outside would still have their powers, just in case a problem arose.
"Zan," Ava slowly opened the door. "I've just gotten notice that Vilandra and Kivar have arrived at the gates. One of the guards should be escorting them here soon."
He nodded. "Have you seen Rath?"
"I'm here," The General said as he walked in the room behind his sister. "Do you think we can really trust him?"
"No," Zan replied. "But I think we can trust my sister; we have to."
"She will do what is best for Antar; what's best for all of us," Ava said before taking her seat. "I truly believe if anyone can get through to that mad man, it is Vilandra."
"I hope so," Rath replied.
"Excuse me Your Majesties," Jabari gave a respectful nod. "Princess Vilandra and Kivar have arrived."
"Send them in please," Zan replied.
"Hello everyone," Princess Vilandra said as she walked in the room, followed by Kivar who gave a nod.
Zan motioned for them to sit. He spoke after they complied. "We're here to resolve the splitting of this planet. I am very dedicated to making that happen; to end the suffering of my people as quick as possible."
"I'm glad to here that," Kivar replied, settling back into the seat. "I have a few ideas on how we can come to some sort of agreement."
"Very well," Zan said simply. "Let's get started then."
Maya looked at the group in front of her, awaiting their responses to the research she' just gone over.
"It's very detailed?" Yasmine spoke first. "Is this because of King Zaid? Hasn't too much time passed for it to work?"
"To bring him back yes but this is something that we may very well need in the future," Maya replied. "With all the rebels uprising and there not being an heir to the throne, it is imperative that we have a back up plan."
"You fear King Zan and Queen Ava will not survive?" Vipan questioned.
"I have faith in their ability but Vilandra betraying us was never something I anticipated," Maya replied, trying to hide how much it hurt her to say these words about her own daughter. "She knows just as much about the workings of Antar as the rest of us and that gives her an advantage over us as long as she sides with Kivar. We on the other hand know little about his operations except for what we've seen of him over the years."
"And he's always been very secretive," Nacedo replied. "Her Majesty Maya is right; we must prepare for the worst case scenario."
"And hope for the best," Yasmine added.
"Precisely," Maya turned to the woman to her right. "Which is exactly why I had Alona doing side research on the third planet in the four hundred and fiftieth quadrant?"
"Is that where you have been all this time?" Zander looked at her. Remembering he hadn't seen her since before King Zaid and the others were killed.
"What does that have to do with us?" Vipan asked. "I know you were researching that planet but I fail to see the connection."
"If we have to keep the heir that Queen Ava is carrying safe until the rebellion is over, we could send her there," Maya replied.
"But with the baby being a girl, would that really be necessary?" Kal asked.
"Since she will not be of marrying age, if something were to happen to my son, his bride, and Rath the way it happened to my husband," she exhaled deeply.
"The baby would be the only heir left to inherit the throne before Princess Vilandra," Nacedo finished her thought. "And if The Princess were to rule, it would be the same as Kivar ruling."
Maya nodded.
"So what have you learned of this planet and its creatures?" Nacedo looked to Alona.
"They are far less advanced than us but they have the same mental capacity," she answered.
"Well, why are they less advanced then?" Vipan asked.
"They just don't or haven't learned how to use a huge portion of their minds," Alona replied. "But that actually bodes very well for us."
"How so?" Zander looked at her inquisitively.
"We can basically reach out to one of them and see things through their eyes," Alona explained. "It's like mind control. You can reach out into he portions they don't use and do things through them."
"And you just pick a random araian?" Yasmine's curiosity was piqued.
"They call themselves human," she shrugged. "The life form is a bit different biologically; their blood is significantly different as well as the pace that the organs work at. Primarily most of their organs seem to be in the same place but they are some that we have that they don't, like the inner core."
"How often can you visit them?" Vipan asked.
"I'm not sure but you have to spend a great deal of time and energy preparing their bodies," she shook her head. "I must confess; I learned that the hard way."
"What happened?" Zander asked.
"The body went into shock and I'm afraid the human may have died," she replied. "I was afraid to try to reenter, thinking if he was alive, he may die from me enter too quickly again." She shook her head, the guilt in her eyes apparent.
"It is not your fault Alona," Nacedo replied. "We are in a war; people, be it araian or human, will die."
"But this is not their war," Alona countered.
"You're right but we mustn't think of that now," Yasmine replied. "We just must make sure that we don't cause any more unnecessary deaths in the future."
"It wasn't unnecessary," Nacedo continued as all eyes focused on him. "If that hadn't happened, we wouldn't know what to do now."
"I suppose you're right but that doesn't make it any easier." Maya shook her head, then turned to the young woman to the right again. "Were you able to obtain the samples?"
"Yes," Alona answered.
"Samples of what?" Zander asked.
"Their genetics," Maya replied. "After Alona gave me her initial research, I sent her and Kal, along with two Royal Guards to the planet."
"They call it Earth," Kal smiled. "It is a very interesting place." Although he had to stay hidden for the first couple days after they arrived for his body to adjust, he'd fallen in love with the blue skied planet full of clear waters and green trees.
"So how did it go?" Yasmine asked. "What was it like?"
"It was beautiful," Kal answered. "Everything seems much simpler there."
"Yes, Kal was quite enamored with the planet Earth," Alona shook her head. "What was most interesting to me was the way our bodies reacted."
"What do you mean?" Maya asked. She hadn't spoken to her since she returned a few days ago.
"Our skin had a strange reaction; we were glowing and our form changed somewhat." She wasn't quite sure how to explain it. "Within a few days we were able to shapeshift into their form and everything was fine. That's when we retrieved different samples and studied them for the factor."
Everyone except Kal and Maya looked at her questionably. "Exactly what factor is that?" Nacedo asked what the others were thinking.
"One that will make the subject's DNA compatible with araian DNA," Maya paused momentarily. "With the research I've been doing, the gandarium would fill the gap between their life form and ours."
"We're delving into something no one else has ever done," Zander looked a bit worried. "How will we know if it will work without a subject?"
"There are people dying everyday from this rebellion," Nacedo offered. "We could take our pick of subjects."
"Nacedo," Alona gapped at the ease in his words. "You don't have to seem so pleased with it."
"I am merely stating a fact," he replied simply. "I take no pleasure in this but it is the truth."
"It seems a bit unethical to pull a dead body off the street that could be healed for our research," Zander replied. "I won't be a part of anything like that."
"I don't think that is what Nacedo is suggesting," The Queen Mother interjected. We could go to the body where the healers are only able to harness the auras; the ones it would be too late to save."
"Or one's who could not be saved, like what happened to Jaretta." Nacedo spoke again. "I know everyone in this room thinks I am cold but the survival of The Royal Four of The House of Antar is more important than any of us or anyone else. I will do whatever is necessary to protect the throne, and isn't that what each of us has promised to do by being here?"
"Nacedo's right," Yasmine replied, then looked around the table as everyone silently agreed. "So where do we go from here?"
Maya smiled slightly before answering. "Barchel."
After about an hour of the meeting with Kivar going no where, they decided to take a break. Kivar made demands about them giving Charis to him to govern as he saw fit and then accused the meeting of being unfair, saying Ava and Rath being there was tipping the odds in Zan's favor. After a short discussion, it was decided that only Zan, Kivar, and Vilandra would come back to the meeting, in hopes that Vilandra could be the buffer between the two men with such opposing views.
Ava did not count on it, and went back to Zan's office to come up with some new ideas on how to deal with the rebels. As she was shifting through some papers, she suddenly felt a presence behind her and turned around, startled.
"Good evening Your Majesty," Nikolas strolled through the door. "How nice to see you again."
"What are you doing here?" she stepped backed as he stepped closer. "Get out."
He waved his arm, closing the door behind him. "Is that any way to speak to a loyal subject?"
"You are not loyal," she said sternly.
"But I am Queen," he smirked. "Just not to you."
"Get out!" she annunciated both words. "Or I will have you thrown out."
"It's quite interesting to see someone so powerful with no powers at all," he ignored her last statement. "You look like a big cat in a small cage. I think Jareta had that same look," he laughed. "Or so I've heard."
"You killed Jareta," she'd thought it was Kivar. "Why?"
"I needed some information on Rath," he said nonchalantly. "She fought me on it so she died." He walked closer to her. "It wasn't in the original plan but it ended up being quite a bonus killing Rath's mother and sister in the same night."
"You bastard!" as her anger welled up she could feel her powers wanting to come to the surface.
"Ah aha ah," he shook his finger. "Name calling will get you no where."
Ava stood still, trying to reach out with her mind.
Nikolas reached up his arm and blasted her into the wall. "Enough, let's do this the easy way."
Ava held a hand over her stomach as she stood up and made her way in front of the escritoire. "Why are you doing this?" She tried to keep him talking as she reached for the small silver disc behind her on one of the shelves.
"Well the plan had been to leave you alive and just have you step down but Zsar needs to be taught a lesson," Nikolas replied.
"I thought he was on your side?" she questioned as she grabbed the device behind her.
He peered at her. "So they didn't tell you?" He smiled. "Your husband and Zsar made a deal to work together. It's just too bad that Zsar will never get the opportunity to hold up his end of their bargain. Timing is everything."
"You killed him too?" she wondered just how far he'd gone for Kivar.
"Now that wouldn't be any fun," the young man gave a wicked grin. "He'll suffer much more if you die first."
"Perhaps young Nikolas," she smiled softly as she turned the device behind her back and held the small button down. "But not today." Ava threw her arm out in front of her, releasing the button and sending a stream of green energy towards the Skin, slamming him back into the wall and knocking him to the ground. She quickly pulled on a book to the left, causing the case to spin around into the wall and taking her with it.
Ava hurried through the dark hidden corridors. She could hear the commotion of sounds behind the walls and she could tell The Palace was in chaos. She knew if just given some time her powers would return and she silently wished to the spirits that Zan would be safe until she found him.
She crept out of another secret opening, into the study. She knew of some stashed weapons hidden in the back and she knew if she was to go out into the open with no powers, she'd need something else on her side besides the small device in her hand.
"Queen Ava," a familiar woman's voice said quietly. "Are you alright?"
"Aimie," Ava said surprised. "Yes I'm fine; are you alright?"
"Yes," the brunette answered. "The Palace is in complete chaos and it isn't any better on the street."
"Have you heard anything about King Zan or the others?" Ava asked. "Have any of the servants been hurt?"
"I don't see how it would be possible for them not to get hurt," Aimie looked down at The Queen's hand. "What is that?"
"It's a new device called a vanadium generator," Ava answered as she walked towards the alcove in the back, where the weapons cabinet was. She continued speaking as she opened the door with a hand scan and Aimie followed her inside. "It's new." She handed it to her.
"Wow," Aimie looked around. "I never knew what was inside here."
"Now you know," Ava tossed the young woman a sword. "You'll need this; we're going to have to fight if we want to get out of here alive."
"I know," Aimie said.
"Did you see anyone on the way here?" Ava continued pulling out a couple of the devices and another sword.
"Only Courtney," Aimie replied "She was looking for Rath; said she'd been waiting for him to get out of the meeting." She followed Ava out the door and towards the front of the room. "I wonder whose side she's on."
"She's on ours," Ava answered confidently.
"You mean yours," Aimie said stalely.
"What?' Ava spun around in time for Aimie to attack her with the sword she'd just given her, stabbing her through her abdomen.
Aimie shot her with a stream of energy from vanadium generator and watched the pregnant woman fall back with a thud to the floor, sword still piercing through her. "I'm sorry Queen Ava but this is about survival." She looked down at the body whose wide sapphire eyes stared up at her. "I want to be on the winning side." And with that, the young brunette picked up the sword Ava had been carrying and left her bleeding on the floor.
Kivar watched Zan and Vilandra from afar. He wondered if either of them realized that this would be the last conversation they'd have together; that after today Zan would never speak to anyone again. He looked down at his hand as he pumped his fist, watching the electric energy building as it coursed through his hand in what looked like thin green bolts of lightning. He smiled to himself, reflecting on how he used the device for only a few minutes so his powers would return quicker than theirs would. Nikolas had joined them on the ship but waited outside as they passed through the aura readers, tampering with their minds so Kivar could get into The Palace undetected.
Kivar took a deep breath as he began reaching out with his mind. 'Nikolas, can you hear me?'
'I'm here,' Nikolas answered mentally. 'I'm on the grounds already; the aura readers at the entrance have all been taken care of.'
'So it won't be long till he hears of it then,' Kivar replied. 'Is everyone in place?'
'In the city and inside The Palace,' Nikolas sounded very proud of himself. 'It's go time boss.'
'I'll see you soon.' And with that, Kivar ended the connection and began moving towards the royal siblings.
"Kivar," Vilandra turned towards him. "I still need some time with my brother."
"I'm sorry Vilandra but your brother's time is up," he sneered.
Her face grew puzzled as she looked between Kivar and her brother. "Zan," her eyes followed his to Kivar's hand and the tiny bolts of energy that traveled through it. "Zan, I thought he used the trithium generator." She looked back at the man she'd grown to care about. "What are you doing?"
"What must be done," he replied mildly. "Now step away from him dear."
"No," she said firmly. "We are not doing this. This is not a fair fight."
"It's okay Vilandra," Zan stepped forward. "Kivar is a coward." He pressed the button on the side of the wall. "Verun," he called into the intercom. "I need Kivar escorted out."
"I'll send someone right…" Verun fell silent after a loud crash.
"Varun," Zan called into the machine again.
"What was that?" Vilandra turned to Kivar. "What have you done? We had a deal."
"Yes we did and you were to stand by me of have you forgotten?" his tone was even but there was an annoyance in his voice. "I did my part, I listened."
"No you didn't," she retorted. "You have made unreasonable demands." She exhaled sharply. "Please, let me handle the negations with my brother. Leave before this gets ugly."
Kivar said nothing.
"You heard her Kivar," Zan stated firmly. "Leave."
"I'm not going anywhere without my bride," Zsar gave a wicked grin as shock washed over The King's features. "Did your precious sister forget to tell you that?"
Zan turned to her. "Loni?"
"It was the only way I could get him to agree to stop this rebellion," Vilandra explained. "I never knew he'd try something like this."
"Then you are naïve my love," The Skin smiled again. "Now please step aside, the last thing I want to do is hurt my wife."
"Then stop this now," Vilandra stayed in front of Zan. "If you want him, you'll have to kill me first Kivar. Can you do that?"
Zan stepped back and grabbed the shield and one of the swords off the wall before stepping in front of his sister. "This is my fight Loni."
"How admirable," Kivar said before turning to the door, where three men walked in, one actually being a guard in The Royal Army. "Grab The Princess; I want her unharmed."
The three men did as they were told, pulling Vilandra to the side of the room as Kivar launched a fire ball at Zan. He blocked it with his shield but Kivar quickly attacked again, this time hitting The King in his shoulder.
Vilandra struggled to break free but two of the men held her back as she screamed, leaving the other to double team her brother. Zan lunged at the man with his sword, a determination in his eyes as he swiftly caught the man in his abdomen area, causing a shallow cut. He turned towards Kivar with his sword and lunged at him, piercing The Skin through his shoulder. Kivar cried out in agony as Zan turned the sword, widening the wound.
The other Skin took this opportunity to hit Zan in the back with a flow of energy balls. Zan buckled over to his knees as Kivar yanked back from the sword. Kivar stood back for a moment, gathering a bright ball of green energy in his hand as the unknown man once again attacked Zan from the back.
"Stop!" Vilandra screamed, steadily trying to yank herself free of the men who restrained her. "Zan!"
Hearing his sister's screams, Zan gathered all the strength he could muster and turned his body back, burying the sword in the attacking Skin's chest. The man feel with a thump to the floor as Zan dragged the sword through him before quickly removing it and turning to face Kivar.
Kivar smiled; almost impressed with the fight Zan still had left in him without his powers. It didn't matter to him though. He knew he had won as he saw The King on bended knee, brutally wounded and both physically and mentally exhausted. "I'm going to enjoy this."
Kivar lifted his arm and let go of the energy ball with great force. Even he wouldn't have believed what happened in that split second if he had not seen it himself.
"Vilandra," Zan cried as she fell in front of him. She had gotten loose and threw herself in between the energy ball and her brother.
"Zan," she said breathlessly as she collapsed.
"Loni," Kivar looked in shock. When he bent over to check on her he felt the sharp pain of Zan's sword pierce him in his leg.
"Your Majesty," one of The Royal Guards entered the room and blasted Kivar from behind. Kivar turned to return the attack and within a few moments, more Royal Guards enter the room and a fight ensued between them and the skins that'd been holding Vilandra. Within the chaos that soon ensued, Kivar ran out of the room through one of the secret passage ways, information he'd gotten from Vilandra during one of his trips to her dreams. He wanted to stop and make sure she was alright but he felt he couldn't risk his own life.
"Coward," Zan shouted as Kivar slipped through the dummy wall. "Someone go after him," he ordered. "And get a healer in here."
Two of the guards followed Kivar as the other two, who'd killed the men with Kivar, went in search of a healer, leaving Zan alone with his sister.
"Why?" he looked down at her as he cradled her in his arms. He could feel the blood seeping through the back of her gown.
"This was all my fault Zan," she replied in between breaths. "I am so sorry."
"He tricked you; this wasn't your fault," he replied, biting his lip to keep from crying.
"What happened?" Rath rushed in the room. "Zan." He looked down at his best friend, holding the woman he loved and deadpanned.
Zan said nothing, only looked up at The General with sad eyes.
"Who did this to her?" he looked around the room as if he were going to take off.
Vilandra stretched her arm toward him. "Rath," she breathed out.
The General bent down in front of Zan and held the hand that was reaching for him. "Wha-what happened?" He looked around. "Where are the healers?"
"On their way," Zan replied but with all that was going on; he wondered how many of them had survived.
"You have to go Zan," Vilandra looked up at him. "You have to find Ava."
"I can't just leave you," he said torn. He knew he had to find his wife but how could he leave his sister her bleeding to death.
"She's carrying our bloodline; you have to go," Vilandra gave a weak smile. "This isn't goodbye; I love you Zan."
He nodded before kissing her on her forehead. "I love you Vilandra. I'll find a way to bring you back, I promise." Zan gently handed her to Rath. "Keep her safe."
"With my last breath," Rath replied before watching Zan speed out of the room, sword and shield in hand. He looked down at the beauty in his arms. "It'll be okay; we'll all be fine."
"And we'll do it right this time," she smiled weakly. "I'll do it right this time for Antar; for you."
He shook his head. "Loni, you don't have to…"
"But I do," a tear slid down her face. "I might never have another chance to say that I love you and that I'm sorry I pushed you away. That night," she exhaled deeply. "That night I should have left with you but I waited," she breathed out deeply again. "I waited too long."
"It's okay," he wiped the stray tears from her face. "Don't keep trying to talk; you have to save your strength."
Vilandra shook her head. She knew that this would probably be the last chance she would ever have to say everything and she wasn't going to miss it. "I saw you and Courtney, I should've…"
"Wait," he looked into her eyes. "You came to my house?" He shook his head. "Nothing happened; it started to but we stopped it before it got any further. She knew it wasn't her I wanted. I love you Loni; I always have."
"I know," she said softly as she tried to huddle up to him. "It's cold."
He pulled her closer.
"Do you remember that poem my mother read to my father," she closed her eyes and began to shake. "That was the day," she took a sharp breath in as the room started to go dark and the pain began to subside. "That's when I knew," she exhaled again. "I had a dream… and I knew I loved you." Her eyes grew heavy. "Do you remember?"
"I remember," he said as he stroked her hair and the water filled his eyes. "That true love's bond will never fail, whether space or place or time. That I am my beloved's and my beloved…"
"Is mine," she whispered softly before her body went limp.
"Loni," he said quietly. "Loni," his tone grew after she didn't answer. "Loni!" he shook her. "Please wake up," he buried his head in the crook of her neck." Please…"
"What a shame," Nikolas said from behind Rath. "But don't worry; I'll make sure you join her real quick." He laughed before blasting Rath as he turned around.
Rath pushed his body from the floor and grabbed a sword near on of the dead guard's body. He charged at the Skin but he just blasted him again.
"This is almost too easy," Nikolas laughed as he continued to blast Rath to the ground so many times that The General could hardly get up, his eyes fluttering. "I thought you'd be stronger than this. Your mother was."
Rath's eyes suddenly popped open as he shoved the sword into Nikolas' side. Nikolas hollered as the pain brought him to his knees. Rath stood up and held the sword over his head. As he started to plunge it down, he was blasted in his chest by another Skin, named Guermo and dropped his sword. Nikolas quickly blasted him from the ground, double teaming him until he fell to the floor.
Rath lay propped up against the wall as Nikolas picked up the sword and sending his energy through it, plunged The General in the chest, killing him instantly.
"NO!" a blood curdling scream came from behind them as Nikolas was attacked with a stream of huge fireballs, setting his body into flames.
The guard turned around and swung his sword, stabbing it in her chest and running it upward. Courtney gasped as the water filled her eyes, before she fell back. She was dead before she even hit the floor. Guermo hurriedly grabbed a decorative tarp off the wall and began covering Nikolas with it to put out the fire but it was too late. He was already dead as well.
Zan hurried through the halls, dodging blasts with his shield and attacking with his sword as he made his way to the study. He was sure somehow that Ava would have made her way there for weapons.
Even without his powers, he was a formidable opponent. He survived the attacks of seven soldiers from Kivar's rebel army, leaving three of them dead and two mortally wounded. No matter how much he physically wanted to give up because of the assailment his body suffered, he was determined to get to his wife.
As he rounded the corner and finally made it to the study, he froze. Ava laid there in the middle of the floor in a pool of blood; a sword still sticking out of her protruded abdomen.
"Ava," his heart felt like it sank to the bottom of his stomach as the sting of salty tears lingered in his eyes. "Baby," he rushed to her side a knelled beside her, the blood staining his pants as he leaned over, turning her face towards him. "Ava, look at me."
Her breathing was shallow as she struggled to open her eyes. She tried to open her mouth but she was unable to speak.
"Please don't give up," he stroked her face lovingly as he stared into her sapphire slits. "You are stronger than this. Firecracker, look at me." Zan tried to push his powers to the forefront, placing his hand on her stomach and steadying her face to him but nothing happened. He tried three times to no avail. "Please hold on; I'll get a healer."
He started to pull back but Ava used all the strength she had left in her to grab his hand, albeit weakly. She could not speak but it did not matter, they never needed words. As her eyes stared up into his, he knew what she was saying. That she loved him; that she always had and always would. That the bond they shared was beyond love and that nothing, not even death could break it. He stroked her face once more as a stray tear escaped. "I'll find a way to bring you back; we'll come back together," he said as he remembered the plans left in his office by his mother.
Ava gave a weak smile as she gazed at Zan one last time, taking her last breath as she slipped into darkness.
"Ava," he shook her slightly. "Ava," he belted out in agony and then buried his head in her chest as he grieved for his wife and unborn child. Zan allowed his tears to flow freely. He'd lost his sister, most likely his best friend, his baby, his wife and felt without them he'd lose his kingdom.
As he sat up, he suddenly felt a presence behind him but in that moment of loss, he couldn't even bring himself to turn around. The last thing he felt was the swiftness of the cold metal as it connected with the back of his neck.
Maya looked around the room as Zander performed The Symbol Etching Ceremony. It had never been done this way before but this was the only way it could be done now. When a king died on any of the planets in the Vlach galaxy, the symbol certifying them as the true king returned to Zander so he could transfer it to the new king. Only the person with the symbol would be seen as the true king to The Intergalactic Council and Zander knew if he kept it, Kivar would force him to transfer it to him.
Maya tried to keep her composure but it was hard. She couldn't believe it all happened so fast. She'd been at The Granilith Hall when a man ran inside; telling them there were rebels everywhere and they were overtaking The Palace. She'd quickly gathered four guards along with Nacedo and Vipan to assist her in helping her children. She still couldn't get the images from her mind.
Maya pushed on the stone wall, opening the secret door to the study. The guards, Vipan, and Nacedo followed close behind, cautiously scanning the room before entering fully.
"Oh my…" Maya's eyes grew wide as she saw her daughter-in-law's body in a pool of blood with Zan's body lying over her. "My baby Zander." She flew to his side, using the name she hadn't used since he was a small child.
"Your Majesty wait," Nacedo said, seeing The King had been decapitated. "Your Majesty…"
"Your Majesty," Nacedo called again, breaking into her thoughts.
"Yes Nacedo," she shook her head. "I'm sorry."
"Yasmine said that you wanted to send both sets," he looked at her thoughtfully.
"Yes," she nodded. "To give them the best chance of returning; to save us." She looked out blankly as she remembered seeing Rath's body slumped against the wall and her daughter lying on the floor a few feet away. She almost looked like she was sleeping; my precious Vilandra. She shook her head slightly as she focused on Nacedo's words.
"I don't mean to question you but the first set in unstable," he replied. "Especially Princess Vilandra and General Rath."
"I know but they are to be sent as a back up for the second set, should we need them." Maya explained. "Based on Yasmine's observations, I want them put on opposite ends of the selected province. You will be the protector of The Royal Set and Vipan will be the protector of the back up set." She exhaled deeply as she walked towards Zander, checking on his progress. "Yasmine will go with you and Alona will go with Vipan. Kal will float between you two, checking on the progress and periodically reporting to me in an area away from both sets. I told the others when you were checking on the things and they have headed to the ship." She looked back at him. "Is everything in order?"
"Yes, the granilith is almost ready," he replied. "We should get over there soon. King Larek's guards are making sure everything is secure." He looked at her, concerned. "Will you be alright Your Majesty?"
She gave a slight smile. The first since the three days they'd been on Vanay getting everything prepared. "I will be fine once my children, Ava, and Rath are off of this planet. I am entrusting you with Antar's future; their survival is crucial to the survival of our planet."
"I understand Your Majesty," he replied. "I will do whatever is necessary to protect The Royal Four."
"I know," Maya said and then handed him two orbs. "One day they will need these; be sure they use them when the time is right."
He nodded and then watched as the guards came in and took the large sacks out of the room, following them to the ship that hosted the granilith. Maya and Zander stood by with King Larek as the ship that carried the recreations of The Royal Four and the arains entrusted to protecting them flew away.
"It was a great loss but we've done the right thing Your Highness," Zander replied. "We've created more than another life for them; we've created a promise of freedom to the people once they return, a legacy."
"Yes," she said as the ship became barely visible. "The Legend of The Royal Four."