I won't let you down
It had been exactly 24 hours since her departure and Tess had already decided to stop feeling so much pity for herself. All that crossed her mind was trying to figure out how much time it would take her to reach Antar, and during this time she needed to formulate a way to stay alive and accomplish her new goal. Her constant motivation was a small test tube filled with a couple of strands of hair, if she played her cards right everything would be right again.
Damn machine why the hell can't this be in English! She slammed her fist into what she assumed was the keyboard. Assuming human English language. Tess was surprised by what she heard. Please identify your self. The ship spoke. My name is Te…uh Ava Queen of Antar. After a few seconds the ship responded. Welcome your majesty how may I be of service. Please, tell me how many earth days will it take for me to arrive on Antar? Silence surrounded her for a min. Approximately 2 days remaining. Tess was shocked, would she have enough time?
Thank…you. She felt silly taking to a machine.
A chair rose from the floor. I could get used to this treatment. Tess thought to herself. She continued to look at the tube and began planning her movements. She had to convince Kivar to let her live, use there advanced technology and get back to Earth in less than a year.
Will he let me live? Tess sighed and slumped to her side. If Nasedo taught me anything decent was to always find a way to survive. I swear that I will fulfill my mission and restore happiness to Isabel, Michael, and for you Max. When his name escaped her mouth she felt lonely. Instantly she wondered if the boy king had also had the same dream. It has to mean something. She said out loud. We are still connected.
Earth…
Max walked aimlessly through the hallways in school, he wanted to talk to Liz make her understand. Up to now she had found ways to avoid him in a polite way. The bell rang and it was now time for lunch, perhaps he could somehow convince her to listen to him.
Max! A voice called from behind him, it was Michael. What is it Michael? He was not in the mood to deal with anything. Where are you going? I need to talk to you. Michael and Max just starred at each other. Not now I need to talk to Liz. He was not getting irritated. Max you need to realize that things will never be the same, open your eyes man you can't fix this. His second in command had also had enough. Damn it Michael, why do you always have to be so stubborn. And then it clicked the whole dream came flooding back and Rath's death filled him with emotions; he could at any moment loose Michael. I'm sorry Michael but I need to do this. Max looked to the ground and then back up to his best friend. Fine Max, I get it man. I'll look for you later. With that Michael walked away.
Liz sat outside with Maria, surprisingly after what had happened the corky blonde continued to be as chatty and expressive as ever.
So what do you think Liz?...Liz?... Earth to Liz, wow that was a little too ironic. Hello Liz. At this point Maria was waving her hand in front of her friends face.
Huh, what Maria? Stop doing that. Liz seemed lightly annoyed. Hey Chica don't get all huffy with me. I'm sorry Liz said with her typical doey eyed look. I feel so out of it. Liz looked down at the table. No need to apologize I can't stop talking, this whole thing has been so crazy, I feel like if I stop talking I will cry for like 10 years. Maria reached over and grabbed Liz's hand and smiled softly.
At that instant Max walked over to the girls and cleared his throat to get attention.
Max! Liz exclaimed. What's up? She responded a bit startled. Can I talk to you for a second. Max sounded like a pathetic fool. Sure, Maria give us a minute. Maria stood and glared a bit at Max. If you need me just call me. As soon as she was gone Max sat. Liz I need you now more than ever. He was desperate for her not to be angry with him. I know I've done a lot of stupid things but I need you to understand that I did what I thought was best. Please, Liz I can live with everyone else being angry at me but not you. Max concluded and he sat waiting for her to speak. Max… I don't want to be mad, but you let her go she hurt us by taking Alex, he was my best friend. Liz looked at him and continued. I can try to get past this for us; it won't be easy. Max smiled and leaned in for a small kiss. Once they kissed Max felt nothing, which had never happened before it was almost like kissing the air. He pulled away and Liz gave him a tiny smile and he returned it but with guilt hiding behind it. I gotta go look for Maria. Call me ok? Liz stood. Sure. Max responded unsure of what was happening to him.
Michael sat from a distance watching his leader and friend he noted the strange expression he had after supposedly making up with his so called "soul mate". Max. Michael called his attention as he approached the table. Michael. Max responded surprised at seeing him again. What's going on are you and Liz back together? He now asked in a serious tone as though depending on the answer he would lecture the boy king. Yeah… you can say that. We are taking it slow. Max swallowed and waited. Like I said before Maximilian things won't go back to how it was before Tess. Why is it hard for you to accept who and what you are? The rebel now had a more concerned look on his face. I know it's never going to be the same… but Tess is gone why can't we just be normal no more alien stuff. Max started to realize that he some what missed Tess. Man, I know but it will never stop Max and I don't know about you but I believe Liz is right, we haven't seen the last of Tess. With those last words Michael got up and left Max to think.
At this point Max had had enough of the day and deep responsible conversations; now all he needed was his house and his room. As he left the school he saw Isabel standing from a distance watching him. She was still angry but her face showed no emotion she just looked empty. He had nothing he could say to her so he took off. When he reached home he quickly walked in and plopped on the bed, a second later he was out cold.
Space…
Tess' mind had finally given up trying to formulate a fail proof plan and she figured a small nap would help her clear her mind, with that settled she lay in bed and drifted into and immediate deep sleep.
Tess' Point of View
The three of them stood in a small secluded room. Zan stood above another Antarian women that sat on the floor backed into a corner with her hair in disarray and yet she was beautiful. Her skin like the queens was golden but in a darker tone, brown eyes, and long straight golden brown locks. The king was obviously angry as he spoke. How could you do this to me! I'm your flesh and blood; but you so easily surrendered me to my enemies. It was as though he spat solid fury with his words. The women glared at him with a hateful and sarcastic look and then looked back to the wall. I order you to speak Vilandra, mark my words if you continue with this insolence I will have your head. Ava had never heard her beloved threaten anyone but all she did was stand by the door with her arms crossed. What do you want me to say baby brother, that I'm sorry? Well I'm not! You have taken everything from me, the crown that you wear should be mine it is my birth right. But no, this foolish rule that only men can succeed to the throne; I will not accept the life of a princess anymore. The blood of a queen flows through my veins. Ava starred at Vilandra in shock, she had obviously lost her mind. Vilandra, where is Kivar? Now the queen spoke calmly but sternly. It is not for you to know sister. The mad princess spoke. It is not your decision whether I' am to know or not it is an order. Ava was becoming tired of this. Zan now sat in a chair looking as though he would crumble to pieces, then Rath came to mind. The king once again began. I know understand why you lacked any sadness when Rath died, you knew that he would die. You not only betrayed me but the man you were to marry. At his words Vilandra snickered. Married, please I would have killed him myself before becoming his wife. Zan looked as though he would kill her at that moment. Ava ran between the siblings. Do not do anything hasty my love, the best we can do is keep her were she can not reach Kivar.
Silence
filled the space for what seemed to be an eternity and then Zan
complied. He walked over to his sister and grabbed her forcefully by
the arm and began to drag her. Let me go Zan you have no right! Zan
laughed and angry laugh. Do not be stupid sister I have all the
right. In her mind Vilandra began to panic, she knew that he would
lock her where she could not communicate mentally with Kivar. Her
mind began to call out to him. Kivar help me! Help me I have been
found out by my brother. Please come for me please! Ava had such
strong mental abilities she could hear her call to him, but said
nothing.
Kivar was preparing his next step when he heard Vilandra's cries for help. Stupid girl, I told you to be more careful. He thought to himself. Immediately he began to respond to her pleas. Vilandra, I was not saying foolish things when I said I would kill you if you were found out by the king. I' am deeply sorry but you are now of no use to me.
At his words Vilandra's eyes widened. NO! KIVAR PLEASE DO NOT DO THIS TO ME! Instantly he sent a mind warp so strong it rendered her unable to walk and with only a few seconds to live. VILANDRA! Zan yelled as he felt her limp body collapse as he was pulling her. Ava ran and kneeled beside them both. What is wrong sister. Ava asked choking up knowing what was occurring. I was so stupid baby brother, he never loved me and I gave him all. Vilandra cried as every breath got slower and softer. Please Zan I do not want to die with you despising me. I' am sorry. Zan brought her close. Speak no more, I will make it all right again. Sleep now we shall see each other again. With those final words she succumbed to the darkness as Zan held her and sobbed like he had never before. Ava watched her husband and cried for him his pain grew deeper like a whole devouring him.
My love be consoled that they will be reborn. Nothing more she could say before collapsing and sobbing over the body of her once dearest friend.
End of Dream
Max's Point of View
The three of them stood in a small secluded room. Zan stood above another Antarian women that sat on the floor backed into a corner with her hair in disarray and yet she was beautiful. He was obviously angry as he spoke. How could you do this to me! I'm your flesh and blood; but you so easily surrendered me to my enemies. It was as though he spat solid fury with his words. The women glared at him with a hateful and sarcastic look and then looked back to the wall. I order you to speak Vilandra, mark my words if you continue with this insolence I will have your head. He surprised himself for he never thought to harm anyone he loved, he looked over to Ava who stood with arms crossed and shock at his words. What do you want me to say baby brother, that I'm sorry? Well I'm not! You have taken everything from me, the crown that you wear should be mine it is my birth right. But no, this foolish rule that only men can succeed to the throne; I will not accept the life of a princess anymore. The blood of a queen flows through my veins. Zan stood not believing the crazy words she spoke. Vilandra, where is Kivar? Now the queen spoke calmly but sternly. It is not for you to know sister. The mad princess spoke. It is not your decision whether I' am to know or not it is an order. Ava was becoming tired of this. Zan decided to sit in a chair as the queen now spoke, he felt more of his life drift away and then he was clouded by images of Rath. Once again he began to speak. I know understand why you lacked any sadness when Rath died, you knew that he would die. You not only betrayed me but the man you were to marry. At his words Vilandra snickered. Married, please I would have killed him myself before becoming his wife. Zan looked as though he would kill her at that moment. He was about to charge when Ava intervened. Do not do anything hasty my love, the best we can do is keep her were she can not reach Kivar.
Silence filled the space for what seemed to be an eternity and then Zan complied. He walked over to his sister and grabbed her forcefully by the arm and began to drag her. Let me go Zan you have no right! Zan laughed and angry laugh. Do not be stupid sister I have all the right. In her mind Vilandra began to panic, she knew that he would lock her where she could not communicate mentally with Kivar. Her mind began to call out to him. Kivar help me! Help me I have been found out by my brother. Please come for me please!
Kivar was preparing his next step when he heard Vilandra's cries for help. Stupid girl, I told you to be more careful. He thought to himself. Immediately he began to respond to her pleas. Vilandra, I was not saying foolish things when I said I would kill you if you were found out by the king. I' am deeply sorry but you are now of no use to me.
At his words Vilandra's eyes widened. NO! KIVAR PLEASE DO NOT DO THIS TO ME! Instantly he sent a mind warp so strong it rendered her unable to walk and with only a few seconds to live. VILANDRA! Zan yelled as he felt her limp body collapse as he was pulling her. Zan did not even notice when Ava ran and kneeled beside them both. What is wrong sister. Ava asked choking up knowing what was occurring. I was so stupid baby brother, he never loved me and I gave him all. Vilandra cried as every breath got slower and softer. Please Zan I do not want to die with you despising me. I' am sorry. Zan brought her close. Speak no more, I will make it all right again. Sleep now we shall see each other again. With those final words she succumbed to the darkness as Zan held her and sobbed like he had never before.
My love be consoled that they will be reborn. Nothing more she could say before collapsing and sobbing over the body of her once dearest friend. Zan heard nothing and felt no conciliation in those words he just sobbed.
End of Dream
Max!... Max, honey you have to wake up. Diane stood over Max shaking him. Tess? He was confused. No, it's mom wake up you are sweating a lot are you feeling ok? His mother's concerned voice finally made him realize he was home. I'm fine I was just having a dream… a bad dream. Max whiped his forehead and sat up. Diane sat at the foot of his bed. Why are you home honey? It's the middle of the day, shouldn't you be in school. She now had a less concerned face and a more parent expression. I'm sorry I was feeling tired and stressed out. The boy king was not lying. Stressed? Is everything ok in school? His earth mother looked him in the eye. Yes, it's nothing serious just a lot of school work. Now he was lying. I see. Diane said. Alright, but don't make this a habit. She stood and touched Max's cheek. Are you hungry? Sure. Max answered. Ok I'll make us a snack. Diane stepped out and Max just went over and over his dream. Vilandra. Isabel. Kivar you bastard! He was furious at his sister for her betrayal but even more for his enemy for discarding her so easily. But then he remembered that Isabel was not Vilandra. Max continued to sit and began to decipher what these memories meant and why they were coming to him now.
Space…
Tess awoke in a cold sweat with tears running down her face. She could swear she heard Max's mom telling him to wake up. Maybe our connection has not be severed. Joy grew up inside at the thought of that as she whiped her face. Like Max, Tess began to wonder why the memories where of how each of the Royal Four died. Rath, Vilandra, but who is next? It came to her that maybe in the order they awoke was in the order they had died and been placed in the pods. Michael, Isabel…Max and then me. I don't want to relive how you died. Tears threaten to fall. What happened in the past is not what is going to happen now. She comforted herself with those words. After all she wanted to remember her life and that included that bad stuff.
Suddenly Zan's sobbing form came into her mind, how disappointed and shattered he was. She couldn't bare to see Max like that. I will live to see you again and I will bring back what I took, I won't let you down! Again she held the tube, this held the key to going back to her family.
To be continued.
