Thanks to all my reviewers!

-Antarian-

"English"

Chapter 2: The Arrival

Flashback

Five Years Ago, Antar

To a unknown observer, Serke and Aranel would appear to be a couple of friends walking through the Palace gardens enjoying what little free time they had during the preparations for a war on the verge of starting . They looked like a striking couple to say the least and not in a good way.

Serke, standing well over six feet tall, had short black hair with white highlights all over, and eyes the darkest black that flashed silver as he walked through the pathways, he was wearing his full battle attire consisting of a thick black leather long sleeved shirt that looked more like armor than a shirt which was intricately designed with a braided pattern followed by matching black leather pants and black leather shit-kicker boots. At his side attached to his hips were his 'babies', his most trusted allies, his X9-P35's, two automatic pulse guns coded to his DNA. They say that there was no one on Antar that was valued enough to receive them, guess there is always a first time. They were not small weapons, they were almost the length of his forearms and twice as heavy. He loved them.

His companion, Aranel, a slim woman only around five feet tall was dress for battle as well. Her long black hair hung down her back, almost to her knees, in three spirals while short layers framed her face. Where Serke had a darker complexion Aranel's is fairer. She was dressed in a black and grey striped leather corset top framed with fur and long billowing sleeves, followed by a full length grey leather skirt which was open at the front half way between her thighs and knees with armor encasing her right leg. Unlike Serke though, she only carried two talons, not guns, knifes that if wielded correctly can kill a person is one crushing blow. These were her life line while fighting on the frontlines of the many battles she had faced over the years.

They were dressed for battle, but did they need to be to walk through the Palace? In truth they were still in the battle, just not on the front lines. The war was still brewing but had yet to begin, they were all on a defense alert, in hopes of stalling the war. They had once again been sent to the Sanctuary. It was of waste of time. Having been ordered there at least five times in the last two years, they kept saying that their arrival would be eminent, yet neither of them believed they would come.

Walking through the intricate and sometimes very confusing pathways, Serke motioned for Aranel to hurry up as he reached the end of the pathway. Aranel, never one to obey any orders just shrugged and sighed, - Why are we here again anyway? It's not like anything different will happen than the last five times we have been here. -

- You know why. - he replied in a clipped voice, not even looking her way and waved his had across the seemingly solid stone wall, in doing so activating a invisible panel, laying his had on it, a bright light shown and the wall opened to show the splendor of the Sanctuary.

Walking into the inner chamber, it was bathed in a blue light. Looking to the center of the room there was a round stone dais surrounded by four extremely detailed statues of the Royal's. Taking their positions in the front of the dais as normal, they stood and waited.

- You know as well as I do that they are never going to return. We have been told for the last two years that they would be arriving. Why don't they just give up? I mean they could even be dead by now and we would not even know it. - Aranel whispered, - And damnit, I don't want to be here when I could be out there! -

Not one for small talk, Serke just ignored her and got comfortable; it was going to be a very long week. Leaning against one of the statues, he pulled out one of his 'babies' and started to meticulously take it apart and clean it. He was just starting to relax and enjoy what he was doing when Aranel murmured, - Did you feel that? -

Looking up he scowled, - No, I did not feel anything. Stop complaining and be quiet for once! -

Glaring right back at him, - Stop being an ass, I swear the dais just moved. - She said, looking towards the center of the room, staring at the dais.

- Yeah right, - he said, motioning towards the center of the chamber. - That has not moved in over 50 years, it's not going to now. –

Smirking, Aranel slowly started moving backwards away from the dais to stand with her back against the far wall, - You know, if I were you I would move right…about…now! -

Serke's head snapped up looking strait into her eyes, knowing that look, he immediately took to the air, somersaulting in mid-jump and holstering his guns. Landing with his back to the wall just seconds before a blinding flash of light filled the Sanctuary which was soon followed by a loud crash of thunder, looking at Aranel, he quickly took to the air, instantly blending in with the background and hovering just to the left of the dais.

Aranel, walking towards the pathway to the dais, raised her hand making darkness fill the Sanctuary, all except the center of the dais. Pausing at the entrance, she stood waiting for the thunder to stop. Looking at the dais, she noticed two bodies lying in the center. Appearing to be no more than young teenagers, she could not help but wonder who they were and how they activated the granolith. Surly if they were the Royal's they would be older and not so young, needing to be sure she gave a slight nod towards Serke then backed away from the dais slowly letting the darkness fade away to light.

Rolling over and setting up Tess took a deep breath, they had finally stopped. Glancing out into the darkness, she hoped they had made it to Antar. Looking down at Michael, she could not help but roll her eyes. "Michael," failing to wake him, she hit him in the stomach, "Michael!"

Jumping up, quickly looking around and instantly on alert, "What!"

Standing up and walking in a small circle, failing to see more than a few feet in front of her, "We have finally stopped, not that you even realized it! Do you think we are on Antar?"

Glaring down at Tess, "Well obviously we have stopped. How would I know if we are on Antar? You are the one that remembers this place, so are we?"

"I'm not sure," looking out into the darkness once again, "I mean I really don't have a clue!"

"You don't know? You don't know! Last time I checked you were the reason we needed to come here any way, what with getting pregnant and all!"

Staring coldly back at him, "No, I don't know! You all assumed that I would know everything, I hate to break it to you but I don't really…."

Suddenly feeling uneasy, Michael looked to his left the back to the right, knowing instantly that they were not alone. Putting his hand over her mouth, effectively shutting her up, he leaned down and whispered into her ear, "We are not alone right now; there are two other people here, one on the left and one to the right."

Slowly walking towards the dais, Serke and Aranel could not believe it, they were here. There was no mistaking who the two in the center of the room were, they identical to two of the statues surrounding the dias. Aranel was the first to reach them, instantly bowing and switching to English, "Your Majesty, my Lord. Welcome back to Antar."

End Chapter 2

10/29/06

I hope you all liked it. I am not overly pleased with it. Getting them to Antar did not go like I planed.