Chapter 17: Blood Ties, Part 2
Quick note: Story has been rewritten. Start from beginning for this to make sense.
--
Starfire groaned and clenched her teeth as the restraints pricked her arms. She leaned back and heard Blackfire's talk of blood ties. Whenever Father disappeared with one of his new recruits for the Tamaranean Army, the lecture about blood ties would either start over again or pick up from where Blackfire stopped. And Blackfire, wanting to protect Starfire, never left out any details.
"Dear Koriand'r, great power does not guarantee great recognition."
Koriand'r hugged one of her pillows and tried to shut out her sister's speech. No. He won the battle through his power. Everyone must place a crown on his head and treat him as a warrior of immense strength. "You are wrong, sister." Doubt filled Koriand'r's voice as she shuddered when her sister stopped pacing.
She had no proof other than the fight to back up her position, but Komand'r shook her head and continued. "Tamaraneans fight to become stronger, but some are destined to rule over the rest. Those, such as Father and the elders, are the elite that keep people like us from becoming too strong for fear of trying to take the throne or rule the planet."
"Nonsense!" Koriand'r leapt from her bed. Her slippers pressed down on her robe and caused her to lose her footing and slip, her head crashing against the carpet. Saliva surged into her mouth as she lost the ability to speak for a few seconds. Voice hoarse, she glared at Komand'r. "Our k'norfka has made sure every Tamaranean grows stronger and earns a place in the army."
"Yet they always go missing and are never seen again." Komand'r wrestled her boot out of Koriand'r's iron grip. "If someone became so strong and could kill another Tamaranean with ease, he or she becomes a threat to the elders and Father. To them, power is dangerous in the hands of the common man. Since our inception, laws mandated that the elders and members of the royal family be in charge of Tamaran.
"Due to our unbending elders who refuse to let commoners take power, Tamaran has always been ruled under those connected to the highest family. According to the elders, letting power into the hands of the ordinary man would taint our legacy because he would not know how to conduct himself in such a position of influence over the planet. He is unworthy to lead Tamaran, but is not given a chance to disprove this since our seniors want to keep the bloodline in the chain of command pure.
"Our blood is connected to the family, Koriand'r. Our transformations do not threaten the elders. We would use that power to rule Tamaran alongside their watch, but the common man is different. The power is a gift and sign of superiority in our lineage and death to others."
Komand'r stopped and gazed at the symbol on her sister's robe. Her fists bawled and eyes narrowed, she resisted the urge to spit on the Tamaranean mark. In that symbol lies her family's deceit hidden behind smiles. Her stomach churned at the mud slinging and insults people mumbled as she passed by. As her breath rushed through clenched teeth, Komand'r opened her eyes. That power should belong to her!
"You are lying." Rising to her feet, Koriand'r locked eyes with her sister. She stuck out her chin and rocked her head like a loose bird had clawed onto her hair. "Father says all families share responsibility! Father would not lie to us! Father is…" she paused, tears threatening to stain her face, "…never wrong!" She heard Komand'r's words, but they had no meaning.
Koriand'r saw her father, who lifted Koriand'r up as a baby and showed her the great Tamaranean kingdom. One day, you shall rule this land, he told her. Use your power with care. Pain stabbed her chest as breathing became impossible for her. "It is…not true, Komand'r! Father would never deceive us! He is always right!"
Watching her sister's tirade with unmoving eyes, Komand'r snorted. "Do not deny what is in front of you."
"Father is never wrong."
"Does Princess Koriand'r believe everything adults say?"
"Father is never wrong," Koriand'r repeated, as if it were all she knew how to say. It couldn't be true! When Father checked under her bed to make sure no monsters slumbered or when Koriand'r first levitated when learning to fly, she remembered those simple words: Trust me. She had trusted him for ten years and he taught her the rules of the royal family. But no talk of hidden power or ripping out someone's intestines by accident. Was that a lie?
"So you never wondered why someone besides our relatives never ruled Tamaran. Not about the Tamaraneans who disappeared after discovering their power? That no one questions their disappearance is fine to you?" With each question, Komand'r jabbed Koriand'r's chest until she had her pinned against the door with her knee. She raised her fist and shut her eyes as a spark doubled, then tripled until a mauve sphere covered her fist. Leaning in like a lion ready to pounce, Komand'r snarled. "Do you even believe, hidden in your body, there is a raging beast waiting to kill?"
"Father is…never wrong."
Komand'r moved the ball over Koriand'r's thumping chest. "Princess Koriand'r does not even know about her curse, yet she's treated like a queen. You don't deserve the throne." The white in Komand'r's eyes faded into purple as she pulled back her fist and gripped Koriand'r's neck.
Two knocks on the door snapped Koriand'r to attention as she sucked in a mouthful of air and forced Komand'r's hand off of her neck. Five seconds and several clicks later, the door opened and all of the violence radiating in Koriand'r's fists vaporized. There he stood; the same gleaming teeth and assuring smile that helped her sleep well on endless nights. His presence had Koriand'r on her feet and rearranging her robe to clear any indication of a scuffle. How could someone so calm be wrong about the family?
"Girls," he began, his eyes scanning his ruffled daughters for signs of anger, "what you saw tonight is proof that all Tamaraneans can realize their strength when pushed. That man is a shining example to all of our people. He will be remembered as a legend and powerful combatant who ascended through the ranks of all Tamaraneans and earned a place in history. He is not of our royal bloodline, but he shall bring great prosperity to the throne when he sits on my right side. Let us not forget we must distribute power amongst all Tamaraneans. Just like you and I, he shall have his chance to rule."
Eyes focused on Father, Koriand'r felt Komand'r's gaze burn a hole in the back of her robe as she tried to swallow her questions. But when, Father, will his chance come? Where are the others who also showed great strength? Just ask, for k'norfka's sake! Koriand'r trembled as Father gave her that comforting pat on the back. The warmth chilled Koriand'r's shoulder and, for a moment, tempted her to pull out of her father's embrace.
"We understand, Father," Komand'r announced while keeping her eyes focused on the carpet.
Father's arms stopped when Koriand'r did not return the warmth from the hug, but sent a frigid shiver through her fingertips into his body. He pulled back and studied his princess' face, but her eyes refused to show any weakness. "Koriand'r, I understand that you are still frightened about what happened, but I promise you everything will be made clear when your time comes." He locked gazes with her and grasped her shoulders to the point that he thought she would vanish should he remove them. "Trust me."
A raspy cough from the other side of the door brought Father to his feet. The door swung open, revealing three of the elders in black robes. In the center stood the winner of the battle royal, but Koriand'r squinted at the shimmering iron trapping the man's arms and legs. Father removed his hands from Koriand'r's arms and stood halfway out the door. "Girls, I must attend to this matter. Our friend must go through an initiation in order to join our ranks," he gestured to the hooded elders, "and prove he is fit to rule Tamaran."
As Father pulled the door together, Koriand'r locked eyes with the man and saw a blend of horror and hopelessness etched into his face. Help me, he seemed to mouth, or so she thought. The door closed and the man disappeared with Father and the elders as Koriand'r dropped to her knees and clutched her quivering hands. The convulsing slowed when Koriand'r felt another hand on her shoulder. She looked over and saw Komand'r focusing on the door.
"Follow me." Komand'r strode past Koriand'r and opened the door. "If you still think Father is never wrong, stay here like a good little princess. Otherwise, come with me."
Father is never wrong…right? He told her the truth…right? The man must have been anxious for his commencement into leadership…right? Koriand'r staggered through the door and on her sister's heels. Frightened without Father to guide her down the hallway, Koriand'r shuddered as an enraged moon's light filtered through the windows and turned the bortha worm sculptures into snarling demons. Where was Father when Koriand'r needed someone to guide her to her room now? Off initiating another man?
"We must be quick." Komand'r told Koriand'r as they approached the palace exit. "Catching the ceremony in process may be impossible, but we can still view the results." A blade wheeled in front of her and almost taking her head. She looked up and saw one of several guards stare through their helmets as the others lowered their weapons.
"By orders of King Myand'r, we cannot allow the lesser one to leave castle grounds alone," he commented without missing a beat or showing any interest in Komand'r.
Komand'r sneered. As the guards turned their blades in her direction, she shifted into a fighting stance. To kill them all, she thought, seemed so simple. What made her less significant than her coddled sister? Why couldn't she die like the rest-
"Stand down."
Metal clanged on the carpet as the soldiers dropped to one knee. The lead guard remained standing. "But, Princess Koriand'r, Komand'r attempted to engage with a superior. She is your sister, but she is a subordinate to everyone and anyone else she meets. Her curse is the reason for her suffering, and we would prefer that she remain inside where her disease cannot infect the citizens."
"Or we could kill her now," another guard muttered.
"Already a waste of space. King should've just killed her and leave us the unbroken sister."
Komand'r added two more faces to her list and ran methods of torture through her head as she watched these peasants bend over and submit to the spoiled twerp.
"She is my sister. Regardless of her inferiority, you will respect her. Let us through now!"
The guards trembled and their armor rang as they began to gasp for air. Koriand'r closed her eyes and ignored them while she and Komand'r left the palace.
--
When someone- senior or child- died, their corpses decorated Tamaran's back woods. Fingers pointed deeper into the forest and eyes lit like Christmas lights to guide you. As a gray crow's wing brushed the air and bortha worm made its home in a decaying eye socket, the silence of the woods punctuated the feeling of death emanating from the lifeless edge of the planet.
Komand'r clasped Koriand'r's hand enough to separate it from her arm. Her pulse quickened as she watched the sets of footprints and tracks grow. She knew what had to be done. Father is never wrong? She rolled her eyes and yanked her sister so the two walked on the same line. "You walk too slow, Koriand'r. If Father is always right, walk faster and prove me wrong."
A crow's caw pierced Koriand'r's ears as she failed to break Komand'r's hold. Her eyes zipped back and forth like a convict facing the hangman's noose. As she headed deeper into the night, Koriand'r took note of the half finished bodies and strange ropes that fit around their necks. Whenever Father told her tales of the castle rooftops that could touch the sky, two headed Zargac warriors or any of Tamaran's features, he forgot to mention endless forests littered with carcasses and fog that wrapped around your throat.
"Your hand is still shaking. Come on, you may never see something like this again. It is too…forbidden for Father to discuss with us at our age."
The edge of Koriand'r's mouth twitched until it bloomed into a smile as a naughty thought crossed her mind. "I understand!" She held up one finger in discovery. "At the edge of the woods we are going to find a male and female Tamaranean taking part in the ritual dance of copulation!" She ran in front and cut off Komand'r. "And-and he will insert his klorback into her sinstax until their cries echo throughout the forest! Is that the secret?!"
Without thinking, without considering the consequences, Komand'r brought her fist against her sister's face; the impact causing her cheek bones to cry out in pain and sending Koriand'r skidding until she stopped with a thud. Komand'r, keeping up, yanked Koriand'r by her hair. "This funny to you?! Keep it up and you won't live to take the throne." She pulled harder on Koriand'r's hair. "Why is the throne promised to you? You've let Father and this kingdom taint you from the inside. That's why your eyes aren't open!
"You think this is a joke? Don't act like that fight didn't happen, Koriand'r!" Komand'r flipped Koriand'r over and sunk her claws into her arms. The nails sliced through Koriand'r's flesh, but the fog eclipsed her screams. Komand'r tightened her fist and threw a punch that connected, sending Koriand'r's head deeper into the dirt with the power behind the strike. "I should have been the heir to the throne! I should rule over Tamaran!" She hurled a second punch, a third and fourth, each one denting Koriand'r's cheekbones until a fire raged in her chest and had blood spewing from her mouth.
"But no! Father puts precious little Koriand'r over me because I can't fly or bring joy to his face! I say curse him," she ripped the emblem from Koriand'r's chest, "and curse this entire kingdom!" Komand'r rose and dug her heel into Koriand'r's forehead; grinding it into the ground. "But I'll show them…I'll show them all! Father never appreciated my power, my talent, my ability to see beyond my own eyes! He's treated me like nothing and almost had me killed!" The purple hue in her eyes glistened. "But I'll show him, I'll show them all!"
A beat passed as Koriand'r felt blood rush to her eyes. Breath escaped her, her head warbled and teeth elongated into fangs. Komand'r never threatened or disowned Father before, but now? Her mind could not take that. Her pulse quickened and the little princess grew into a little firecracker. Her fist rushed forward and stopped Komand'r's fist before it could connect.
Komand'r blinked twice to make sure she wasn't dreaming. The sudden rush of power, the green eyes now drenched with blood, the fangs? What happened to precious little Koriand'r? Her finger bones threatened to snap from the pressure of her sister's hand weighing down on her fist. Before Komand'r could blink again, she felt all of her weight leap from her body and leave her as light as a feather. Watching her sister snarl, Komand'r found herself helpless as Koriand'r punched her in the face, the hit knocking her backwards like a rag doll, and sending her skidding into the grass.
As her sister flew, Koriand'r flexed her fingers in amazement. She felt this power before at the arena, but now in her hands. Before she could smile, she clutched her head as if someone had stabbed her brain. The fingernails stretched and shrunk, her vision bled, then returned to green and red again. When precious little Koriand'r realized she became what she saw in the ring, she yanked her hair in fury as a violent wind whipped around her body. She gasped.
The power dispersed. The explosion sent trees hurdling through the air and had Koriand'r on her knees, covering her eyes to block out the enraged storm and scent of evil in the air.
She could fight back, but she chose to wait. Undeterred by the wind, Komand'r put her arm over her eyes, but could not ignore what she just saw. Was that little Koriand'r? That punch came from her? Komand'r looked at her own fists. In an instant, she knew she could kill Koriand'r and end this feud now, but…where was the fun in that? No. Much easier to wait. She didn't think that Koriand'r would release some of her own potential so soon.
Watching her sister gasp for air like treasure, Komand'r brushed her shoulders and staggered towards Koriand'r. Pathetic little Koriand'r had a taste of power and couldn't handle it. Komand'r offered her hand. "So…princess can play."
Without thinking, Koriand'r refused her sister's hand, but looked up with eyes full of sorrow and a bit of excitement. "Sister…I am-" Komand'r's hand blocked Koriand'r's apology. At least, she hoped it was an apology.
"Little sister, you are growing up. That power is inside of you, me, and everyone else on this planet. Don't be shocked or sorry that it happened." She turned around and pointed towards the bushes. "Come. We aren't done yet."
Komand'r led Koriand'r further into the forest, ignoring the sound her heels made as they dug into the ground like two gears. The gears in her heart began to turn faster as the fog lifted. The clearing, she thought. Here again. Blood clung onto some blades of grass for dear life until they dropped and became lost in the earth. Komand'r cut through the grass with caution, careful not to break Father's concentration.
"Is…is Father going to appear so-"
A shrieking cry silenced Koriand'r's question. She and Komand'r dropped to the ground in a flash. Koriand'r quivered; her eyes wandered through endless miles of grass. The light crunching of feet onto soil grew louder, but no one appeared. Her heart quickened as fear raced throughout her entire body, eager to return to that naïve little princess who believed whatever spewed from her savior. Well, that princess grew up and her savior had fallen from grace, keeping his fingers crossed and lies ready for practice.
Then it appeared.
The first robe drifted out of the abandoned building. Decade old paint coated what remained of the bricks and restriction tape, but several dents added a touch of flavor, Koriand'r figured.
Moonlight illuminated the crimson robe and passed through the cracked windows of the house. Koriand'r strained to see the several robes striding out of the building in a procession, but all she recognized were the green of their eyes. Her shaking fingers somehow managed to make it to her mouth before the air became tainted with that now foul word: "Father…"
"This one put up quite a fight," one of the robes commented.
"Yes, but he is no longer a problem."
"Still, he could have awakened the entire populace with his screaming."
"I have to admit, I placed my bets on him winning the fight, but unlocking it too? I am certain, my lord, that the citizens are losing themselves faster than we expected."
"Indeed. What of your daughters, sire?"
"Forgive me, sir, but I am inclined to agree. They, too, pose a threat."
The lead robe paused and sniffed the air. He looked to his right, and then left as he picked up a faint, yet familiar scent.
Koriand'r froze, all feeling in her body died as she locked gazes with Him. Could she see him? Could he see her? Would he see her? She clung to her sister's hand as the figure's eyes traced up and down her body, waiting for her to come out. The eyes remained transfixed for another five…ten…thirty seconds before the leader turned to the others.
"In time, they will realize their potential, but I shall eliminate the threat myself by any means. Now," he motioned for the others to follow, "let us never speak of this again."
Muffled footsteps ran across the grass, the sound continuing for life as Koriand'r and Komand'r remained in hiding. When the noise disappeared, Komand'r leapt from the bushes and followed the scent of blood. "Come on, I'm sure he's in here."
Komand'r approached the door, her sister's hand squeezing firm enough to rip off her own. The scent of blood and vomit bled together and wafting into her nose made her want to turn tail and run, but she shook her head and reminded herself Koriand'r must know the truth. Her shaking hands fiddled with the doorknob, the creaking making her turn around to make sure that Father did not return. When no one did, Komand'r pushed open the door and gritted her teeth as the door squeaked.
As her sister entered, Koriand'r's feet wouldn't budge. The odor tainted her nose; her eyes frozen on the red trail from the stairs to inside the house. She tried to speak, but nothing came. Her left foot trudged, but jumped back at the sound of something swinging with a light creak. Koriand'r's hand shot to the entrance. Her eyes peered at the shadow swinging in the breeze before swallowing her fear and heading inside.
She entered the house.
The squishing and crushing of organs under her heels, blood jumping from displaced organs and staining her dress, she saw. The crooked smile and twisted mouth, she ignored. Burning flesh made her eyes widen and the snapped neck fit well around the noose. A breeze flowing through the window made the body spin, causing shadows to dance over Koriand'r and Komand'r's bodies.
Blood rained from both eye sockets and decorated what remained of the stomach. One had been destroyed, but both black holes remained. The gaping hole hosted a feast upon intestines and still heart for lingering crows that fought over organs like worms. Layers of skin clung to the left arm for life down to the vein. Sparks leapt from the red and blackened hair, close to leaving the skull covered with soot. Most of the veins ruptured from the heat and claw marks decorated the legs from toe to the hole where his genitals once hung.
"Now you know what you're getting into."
Unmoved by her sister's words, Koriand'r tried to find make sense of it. Why would Father stoop to such…barbarity? This man should have been honored.
"I understand everything, sister. That man is going to become a great service to all Tamaraneans because he became stronger and proved his worth."
Koriand'r shook off her words as she watched the swinging carcass. Soon, Koriand'r, Komand'r told her, you will understand your blood ties. This is how Father celebrated a citizen proving their worth? She stared at her hands; would she find herself hanging six feet high while Father smiled and told her to trust him? The power felt good, the power made her feel strong! The power…led this man to his death.
"See, little Koriand'r? This same power is in our blood, and tied to the family. We may be next, I don't know. But never forget what you saw here, Koriand'r." She placed her hand on her sister's shoulder. "Never forget it."
The carcass lifted its head.
Starfire awoke with a yell, but clamped her hand over her mouth to fast enough to keep from waking the others. She examined the sheets, sweat glistening over her thighs and hands. One hand examined her forehead as she tried to bury that image in the back of her mind. But no, when she tried to black it out, it played again. The power remained dormant in her body, but he managed to drag it out of her.
I'm sorry, Starfire, but there's no turning back for me.
That bastard had put them all in danger with his leadership, turning everyone against him as Red X and making Cyborg leave the team…all his fault. Starfire clenched her fists and thought of the swinging man. Of Komand'r. Of Father. Of her own power. That power had been given to her as a blessing…as a curse…as a killing tool. Robin stood for all good in the world, and now everything should be swept under the rug because he wanted power…wanted her sister?
"Komand'r…you told me that this power is in me forever, right? This power should be used to make things better, right? That man may have suffered, but you and I do not have to, right?" Starfire felt the anger beginning to seep through her eyes and redden her vision. "Father destroyed those who became strong, but we are better than he is and we can stop another tyrant from more senseless killing." Starfire never liked looking at dead bodies. Her fingernails extended and the cot melted from the heat radiating from her body.
"Friend Robin, you believe Slade has made you stronger? I shall show you power and prove that your deceit shall lead to your death."
No longer refusing it, no longer trying to shut out those images, Starfire allowed Koriand'r in. Her heartbeat raced as the demon within took shape. No more shutting out the man's screams, no more blocking the demon's twisted urgings.
We have the power. He has betrayed you. Make him scream. Make him suffer!
That innocent part of her, the truest part that would never let her take a human life, had succumbed. Starfire was dead. Koriand'r breathed in the evening air as she pushed open the window. She stepped onto the railing and refused to look back, the moonlight casting a shadow over the new creature. Saving the goodbyes for when she brought back the body of her leader, Koriand'r lifted into the sky.
"Time to kill Robin."