Prophecy of the Elements-5: Questions and Answers
By: pheniox-LOL
Nova stirred from her deep sleep, and began to open her eyes. She looked around her, trying to figure out her strange environment. She was lying on a dark royal day-bed, a purple pillow tucked under her head. She sat up, holding her head from a slight headache, and turned around to better her view.
Her eyes widened as she gazed at the ivory-white pillars around the perimeter of the walless room, a full gleaming moon light on one side; a blazing sun on the other. Gold and silver adorned the ceiling, and miraculous art of battles. Nova gaped at the breath-taking surroundings.
Just then, Nova heard a gong sound and the doors behind her open to see two silver fans standing beside the purple figure with bright pink eyes, similar to her own. She was wearing a white gown with a silver belt. Her hair braided onto her ponytail, a tiara with a moon shaped crystal sitting on her head. Silver slippers on her feet, her eyes warm and almost misty.
"Hello there, darling." The figure said sweetly, a slight southern accent creeping into her voice.
"Hello." Nova said, still in a little shock.
The figure snapped her fingers and a silver platter of fruit and small foods appeared behind her, levitated by invisible servants.
"You must be hungry, after tiresome run," she said sitting down on a bed opposite of Nova's. "Here, eat something. May we have some privacy please?" The fans floated out of the room and purple curtains strewn over the opening.
"You're the woman in my dream, aren't you?" Nova said, fully sitting now.
The figure picked a piece of chocolate off the silver tray and put it in her mouth, after she swallowed she answered, "I see you received the vision, and yes, I am. I am Ranger, controller and guardian of Ranger 7 and of tidal currents. You can call me mom though."
"Mom?" Nova whispered, before getting up and hugging Ranger. "You're- You're my mother?"
"Yes, I am. It's so good to see you again, my little star." Ranger hugged Nova back, tears coming from her eyes.
After a few minutes of reunion, the two females split, small smiles on their faces.
"I-I thought I didn't have a mother." Nova questioned, wiping her eyes to keep tears from falling.
Ranger stoked the side of her cheek, "It's a long story, my star."
"Tell me about it." Nova took a seat
"Alright," Ranger sighed, "It began when I was 16… I was training to one day become guardian, hunting wild game in the black night. I needed perfect eyesight in the dark. Well that's another story, but it all began on my final training session."
Flashback-
"I can't believe this is my final hunt till I'm a guardian!" Ranger said happily sharpening her arrow tips.
"Yeah, final grade, big whoop. You know what happens after this, right?" her mentor the goddess of hunt said.
"Yeah, I'll be a GUARDIAN!" Ranger screamed, standing up and twirling around in circles.
"Hey, hey, keep your cool, girl." Ranger sat down. "What I meant," the goddess said, "was you become available."
"Huh?" Ranger said
The goddess sighed, "You know, the free bird, the bachelorette, the untouched one."
"Oh, you mean marriage." Ranger said, "Well that's not happening."
"What?" the huntress spat.
"I mean, I don't need a man in my life. I mean look at me! I'm the best hunter in the cosmos!"
"Yeah," the goddess said.
"I've got my life set out in front of me!"
"Uh-huh, sure."
"And, I'm perfectly happy." Ranger finished shaking an arrow in the huntresses face.
"Ha ha, I don't think you understood me." The goddess said, stopping her sharpening wheel, "I meant you might be given away to a man."
Ranger stopped, a look of denial on her face, "Wh-what?" she stuttered, "Given away? You mean… a forced marriage?"
The huntress blew on the flaming arrow head, "Bingo."
"No, no, no, no, no!" Ranger panicked, "This can't happen to me! Why me?"
"Well," the huntress started, "usually guardians ever marry for love. It's usually the good ones who go first, and since you're 'the best hunter in the cosmos'; they are probably set you up first."
The huntress turned around to try and finish her reasoning, she found Ranger gone.
"Ranger, RANGER!"
Ranger had taken off when the huntress turned her back, she couldn't believe it. Her entire world came crashing down around her, everything she knew changed. She wouldn't be the strong guardian she dreamt of, just some stupid housewife, fought over life a trophy!
She didn't realize where she was moving; her mind obviously occupied at the moment, and found herself in the middle of a barren field. She was worried, upset and now… lost. Great, Ranger thought as she heard a sound behind her. When she turned, the sky began to grow dark with clouds. Ranger squinted to see in the thick black air, she felt a cold breath on her neck, causing her to shiver.
"Hello, my dear."
Ranger gasped, spinning toward the dark, husky voice and came face to face with another monkey. It was Storm (of course she didn't know his name, then). "Who are you?" She said, trying to prevent the nervousness from creeping into her tone.
"My name is Storm, but a better question to ask, who are you?" the male's pupils seemed to dance across her figure, a slight smirk upon his lips.
"R-Ranger. My name is Ranger." She didn't know why she was so scared. It was either Storm's suggestive eyes or her own weakness from running, she was struggling for breath.
The shadowy figure crept behind her and slithered his hands on her hips, "It's a pleasure to meet you…" His hands moved to the back of her hunting kirtle and began to undo the buttons, licking her neck hungrily "…Ranger." Ranger felt her energy begin to evaporate from her body as this, stranger touched her. She stumbled out of his arms and fell to the ground. She threw her arm over her chest, trying to hold up the article of clothing. Storm was now next her on the ground trying to pry the kirtle from her weak grip. She tried to push him away, but he grabbed her hand and placed it on his side. Ranger felt as if she was going to pass out when she heard a loud swish and she felt Storm's hand let her go. She slightly turned her head to see another monkey with a golden sword propped on Storm's neck, as if he was threatening him. Storm's face looked furious before he vanished, as the sky began to clear up. She saw the stranger turn to her, before she blacked out.
"Madam, are you alright?"
Ranger moaned as she open her eyes, the bright sunlight piercing through her weak eyes. She felt as if a truck hit her, no energy what so ever. She looked at the figure knelt down to her. It was a young boy about her age, maybe little older; with gleaming golden fur and deep chocolate eyes, staring at her with concern. She immediately sat up and tried to speak but found her body very sore. "Yeah," she finally managed to say, "I'm ok."
"Good," the yellow male said, "for a while there I thought you were hurt." He sat down next her, smiling slightly. "I'm Helios, by the way." He said, sticking out his hand to shake hers. Ranger smiled and shook Helios' hand, "I'm Ranger."
As Ranger shook Helios' hand, she seemed to feel better, as if his touch was giving her energy. There was something about him that made her like him, he was so… attractive. Helios retracted his hand from hers, and his smile slightly vanished. "Umm… you might wanna put your clothes back on."
"Hmmm?" Ranger mumbled, and then she noticed her kirtle beginning to slip from her grip. "Oh! Sorry." She fumbled. Helios covered his eyes, as Ranger slipped her garment back on. "Thanks."
"No problem." Helios said, uncovering his eyes as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small object. "Here, eat this. It'll give you energy." Ranger stared at the object before picking it up and examining it more. "What is it?" She asked, the object was dark brown and had begun to melt in her hand. "Chocolate." Helios said, he tilted his head, "You've never eaten chocolate before?"
"No, we were only given fruit at the training ground." Ranger said slipping the chocolate between her lips. The taste was divine, almost delicate, the smooth texture as it melt in her mouth and slowly traveled down her throat. "Mmmmm," Ranger moaned licking her lips, "that stuff is good! Got anymore?" She asked reaching for his pocket. "Hey," Helios said as he pushed her hand away, "this stuff is for emergencies! Too much can make you sick."
"Oh." Ranger sighed, slightly disappointed.
Helios stood up, brushing the dirt off his pants in a nervous matter, "Umm, I guess you're better now. I better be going" he said, picking up his things. Ranger tried to stand up, but only fell into Helios' arms. They both stared at each other in embarrassment, because Ranger's hand had accidentally landed on his chest. Oh how Ranger loved his touch! Her mind was reeling as their stare deepened.
"Uhhhh..." Helios' stuttered, "Maybe I should escort you home?"
"Yeah, ummm thank you." Ranger mumbled, her cheeks blaring red.
"You said you lived in the training grounds?" Helios questioned, "On the other side of the forest?"
"Yeah."
"Well, we should get there by at day-break tomorrow." He said, picking her up bridal style as he began to walk. He was silent for a while, mainly because she was too embarrassed. After a few minutes of silence, gathered the courage to speak.
"Sooo… how did you find me?"
"Oh, I was out exploring the countryside for my father, Alistar"
"Your father is Alistar?" Ranger almost shouted. Chaos was the guardian over all things, master over all guardians.
"Yes, I'm in training to become the god of the sun."
"Well, that's awkward." Ranger gawked.
"What?" Helios asked, looking at her bright pink eyes.
"I'm in training to become the guardian of the moon."
"You are?"
"Uh-huh."
"Wow, I guess it's fate then." Helios said, smiling.
"Yeah," Ranger said, looking away, "Fate."
There was suddenly a loud howl, and something ruffled the bushes near-by. Helios was poised, alert, as he scanned the area with his eyes. All of a sudden, a large wolf jumped from the bush and began to growl. Helios' eyes narrowed at the creature as he slightly set Ranger down near a tall oak tree near the path.
"Stay here." He commanded his voice hard-set and almost emotionless.
He slowly approached the beast, and pulled out his golden sword. As soon as the creature saw the metal it attacked savagely. Helios fought it off as best he could, whipping his blade to deflect the creature's mighty jaws. Finally the wolf bit his teeth into Helios' side. Helios screamed in pain as he fell over clutching his side, as if he was dying. The wolf was about to attack him again, when he noticed Ranger. She froze upon instinct as the beast walked over to her and began to sniff her fur. Ranger was still too weak to move, and these actions only made her weaker. The wolf rose his paw up in the air to scratch Ranger when it was propelled sideways, a golden sword sticking out of his side.
Ranger stared in shock at the dead beast, unsure it was safe to move. "Ranger!" she heard a voice cry, she turned to see Helios, clutching his bloody side standing, "Are you alright?"
"Me?" She muttered, "Oh I'm fine. What about you? Are you ok?"
"Yeah, I'm fine." He said smiling, "It's only a little pain." Suddenly he folded over grunting and groaning to his self.
Ranger looked at the darkening sky, "Listen. It's getting dark, and we don't want to run in with more wolves. I'll set up camp, here. You rest." She said holding him steadily, as her tail pulled the bloody golden sword from the carcass of the wolf.
"But your-" Helios started
"No 'buts'. I'm fine."
Ranger had done a pretty good job, setting up camp. Helios was lying on the dead wolf's hide she had skinned for a bed. She had a small fire going and had set off to find something to help his wound.
"Hey." Ranger said, as she walked through the grove, "I found some bark to help that bite of yours." She placed the bark against his fur as he held it there. "Now, if only I had some bandages." She thought aloud. She looked down at her kirtle and began to rip a portion of it off.
"What are you doing?" Helios said, nervously.
"Bandages." Ranger said simply as she wrapped the bandage with the wood around his side.
"Thanks." Helios said, not looking her in the eye, like he usually did.
"Something wrong?" she asked, her voice sweetening slightly.
"Uhhh, nothing. Yeah, nothing!" Helios countered. He didn't want to say it, but Ranger's leg had brushed against his, and his senses were driving him wild. He looked at her face, the fire gleaming against the purple and pink of her fur and eyes beautifully. He raised his hand and brushed his palm along the side of her cheek, the color tinting red slightly.
Ranger's instincts were kicking into overdrive when he touched her, she really did love him when all is said and done. The full moon gleaming above them only added to the awkward, romanticness of the scene.
Finally Helios couldn't resist any longer; he pulled Ranger down toward him for a deep, passionate kiss.
Ranger tensed for a moment, but then relaxed into his touch as he roamed his hands over her body. She had never felt such intimacy before and it was like poison, killing her slowly, addicting her. She placed her hands on his cheek to return the kiss as he began to strip the gown from her body.
That was Ranger's definite full moon night.
The next morning they reached the training grounds, where Ranger was immediately scolded for running off. The huntress shooed her off to her room on the way there, she noticed Helios still beside her. They smiled at each other, happily, and there was aloud trumpet heard. They dashed to the nearest window to see a tall figure with white fur and bright gold eyes.
"Dad!" Helios screamed and took off running to reach him; he stopped and grabbed Ranger's hand happily. "C'mon."
They dashed to the courtyard and right up to the figure.
"Helios?" the figure asked his voice deep and heavy. "There you are! I've been looking you boy! Where have you been?"
"Father, I'm alright." He lead Ranger closer to the white man, "I'd like you to meet someone. This is Ranger." He said sweetly.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, madam."
"It's a pleasure to meet you too, Alistair." She said, shaking his hand.
His gaze sank to her stomach, "I see I am expecting a grandchild, am I?"
Ranger immediately blushed and held her stomach lightly, "I believe so." She mumbled, still in shock that she was pregnant.
"Well we must celebrate then! I believe my son and this woman are worthy of their guardian fates!"
Suddenly a huge black mist entered, and appeared a black figure with red eyes.
"Oh no you don't." the figures voice edged.
"Ranger is my page's rightful mate!" Behind the figure stood Storm, a greedy look in his eyes.
"Never Death," Alistiar declared, "My son has won this woman's heart. She shall stay with us!"
A brutal argument broke out between the two, until finally Ranger screamed.
"ENOUGH! This is what I was afraid of! I am not a prize to be won! I will decide who I go with!"
There was a horrible silence as Ranger caught her breath, and after a few moments of thought, she picked Helios. Death was enraged.
"You foolish girl, you picked wrong!"
He sent a mist after her that engulfed her, and when Helios fanned it off, she had a black flame on her beginning to swell stomach.
"When you bear this child, it will be your demise. On the strike of 12, on her 18 birthday, it will be hexed under my control, and it will kill you all!" He laughed demonically. Then he and Storm vanished.
Helios helped Ranger off the ground and she began to cry, "There, there child." Alistair comforted, "I'm afraid I cannot remove Death's command but I can do this." He reached his handover her scar and removed it to see the black flames, changed to bright orange and yellow ones.
"It's a spell that allows it to fight Death's spell. Whether it wins… is up to it alone."
Ranger and Helios look at each other, then down at their expected child
End flashback
"Wow." Nova said, shocked everything.
"Nova." Ranger said, hugging her daughter, "I love you, and don't worry about Death's threat. He was slayed by Alistair. There is so much more I wish to tell, but now is not the time. Rest now, darling."
Nova rested her head on the soft pillows of the purple day bed and began to doze.
"Good night, my star." Ranger cooed, "You'll see your father in the morning."