Chapter 68

The bright light slowly faded into a foreign place. There was a castle situated in a lush jungle, overseeing a small city.

The grand doors opened revealing Alesia with someone escorting beside her. They walked briskly through the hallway where there were Siren Minoris guarding between the pillars. It seemed they were in a rush. The air was filled with tension despite the calm atmosphere.

"Madam Alesia, would you like to be briefed again?" Asked the Siren walking with Alesia.

"No need." Alesia up her walking pace. "I could already see her from here."

"Yes Aldari." She nodded.

"Don't call me that. I don't hold that position anymore."

"Forgive me." The Siren lowered her head. "I did not mean to be insolent."

"We all make mistakes neimik (slave)." Alesia pointed to a glass door that led to a balcony. "Please open the door for me."

"As I should." The Siren servant skipped to the door to open wide for Alesia. "And Ma'am, welcome back to Terra Hewina."

"I won't be here long." Alesia nodded to the slave, she walked through the glass door. "Thank you."

The slave closed the door ever so quietly. Alesia arrived at the balcony that had a beautiful view of the city below. Someone was waiting for her, the person's back facing Alesia. Deep in her thought, cherishing the view of the magnificent castle. Wearing a silk robe, donned with laces and a tiara on her head.

Alesia stopped halfway. "I'm here sister."

"So you are." The figure nodded. "Forgot your manners?"

Alesia sighed. "Excuse me Nia. I am grateful to be granted an audience with your highness, Nia Megara."

The figure nodded again then turned her head to look at Alesia. "This is Terra Hewina, Alesia. Not some border planet."

Nia Megara had a stern face, more stern than Alesia could have ever been. Older than her by a significant amount. The angular face and the frown could cut anyone deemed unwanted. For she was the leader of The Siren Society, her beauty should not be mistaken with weakness.

"Nia Megara, I came here in a rush." Alesia rolled her eyes. "If I was given time, I would refresh my head on protocols."

"I disagree. You simply did that to poke my temper sister." Nia Megara smirked. "Or should I call you the other name, Alex? Would that make you a better listener?"

"Very well, I am deeply… DEEPLY… sorry Nia Megara." She sardonically said.

"I forgive you, Sister." The Nia turned around, revealing a round stomach.

"You're pregnant?!?" Alesia was taken aback.

"I am." Megara walked to the side of the balcony where there was a small table for two with cakes and tea.

"And then what?" Alesia walked to the table too. "You told me to come here to announce this?"

"Is more than that Alesia." A servant arrived and pulled a chair for Megara to sit. "With the things that happening right now, it should be obvious."

"Not obvious to me." A servant tried to do the same but Alesia pulled the chair first and sat down. "What's going on?"

"I'm desperate." Nia Megara looked to the view again; a servant poured tea on two teacups.

"Desperate to get a child? Are you mad sister? This is not the first time you tried."

"I know you cut ties with the society but is obvious what is going on around here." Megara turned to Alesia. "Everything is in shambles. The sister planets are warring each other. In a few months we will see a civil war right here. I'm trying to preserve whatever I can."

"Who's the father? Where is he?"

"You know him, the one with blue hair." Megara sipped on her tea then put down the teacup. "He's dead now. Killed by your student."

"Akari…" Alesia shook her head.

"She's popular now and continues to grow. The Aldarise does not support her but the people will. She'll lead after I go down. It's a matter of time."

"That Mirei of mine thinks that going back to the past would fix things? Ridiculous!"

"You can say whatever but the people believe in it. She promised to take back the sister planets by force. The moment she gets powers, she wants to wage war with all corporations." Megara shrugged. "I think you taught her well. She's a good politician."

"Then why are you getting pregnant, sister? Why now?!?"

"I don't want to be the last Nia. I won't let that happen." She stared at her younger sister. "Akari will kill me just like she killed my husband. So I've made a contingency plan."

"I can't believe this." Alesia shook her head again. "Even if your child manages to go through, you won't."

"I did this because there's no one next in line. You have cut ties, you don't want to be Nia. So this is the only way."

"Because I did my part sister." Alesia crossed her arms. "I gave my life for the Society. All I want is a normal life. You promised me that."

"To which I fulfilled my promise."

"And now you're ordering me to train the child is it?"

Megara The Stern became softer. "No, I'm asking for help."

Hearing it made Alesia paused. She never saw her sister being like this. Alesia pulled back her body and leaned onto the chair.

"Let me finish Alesia." Megara returned to her stern voice, albeit she's trying her best. "Everything has gone as planned, I just need assurance. That is all."

Alesia took a deep breath, feeling guilty. "I'm listening."

"I will deliver in a few days. All the neimiki (slaves) shall be freed except for the ones that will feed the baby. Once the baby no longer needs milk, they too shall be freed. There shall be a transport waiting." Megara pointed in a direction. "I ask that you make sure the baby and remaining neimiki safely arrive at the destination."

"Which is?"

"Athenas. There is a secret enclave of my loyal supporters there. Once you arrive there, just give the baby to a man named Jethro."

"Jethro? That slave boy you took?"

"I have discussed it with him. He is prepared. He will be the one that guides the baby. Hopefully when the time is right, the baby is prepared to take over whatever is left of The Society."

"And then?"

"That is all. You can return back to your life and family. It will be as if nothing happened. And do not worry, you shall be rewarded sister. Take all the gold you want. Just make sure the baby arrives safely to Athenas."

Alesia looked down and sighed. She shook her head again. "I will take enough gold so that Angel could go through university. The rest just give it to the baby."

"Good… that's good." Megara nodded. "I'm grateful."

Alesia looked at her sister and saw her eyes red. At the edge of her eyes the tears seemed refusing to flow down. Megara got up from her chair and bowed with gratitude.

"I'm sorry to use your time, Alesia." Megara said.

Megara walked away from the table, returning back to the view that she was cherishing before.

Nia Megara laid on her bed, hands on her chest, weak and weakening. She looked at the ceiling, faintly breathing through her nose. On her left were a few slaves ready to be there during the delivery. On her right, sitting quietly, was her younger sister Alesia. She turned her head to see Alesia, the last time of her life.

"We have not been close, sister." Said Megara.

Alesia heard her voice, then shifted her body slightly to her sister. "What?l

"I have not been kind to you." Megara looked to the ceiling again. "Perhaps I was too strict and expect too much from you. Aside from the usual work involving our race, we never made time for each other."

"Yes, it seems so." Alesia looked down to the floor, not knowing what to add to the conversation.

She turned her head again. "How is Angel? And John?"

Again, she was taken aback and looked at her sister again. "Uhmmm.. they are well and healthy."

"That is good." She closed her eyes. "That is good."

"You keep track of my life?" Alesia asked.

"No. But you once told me before you cut ties. That you're in love with a commoner named Jack. And he wanted to name your child Angel."

"So you still remember that moment."

"I do." She opened her eyes and smirked. "Oh how you went through all the work, hating every moment of it only for John the programmer."

"Now you said it, quite childish of me to do so." Alesia released a laugh.

"And to this day, you still disagree with The Society."

"I don't like that we sell our own people." She looked forward. "I never understood you never hate this Society. Mother forced us to give our lives for this kingdom. We were nothing but robots to her."

"Aldari Dremonay was always ruthless." She nodded.

"And you have nothing to say against her?"

"Nothing."

"Nothing?" Alesia got up from her chair. "This is why I hate you. You're on the edge of your life and you still can't be honest."

Megara stared at her sister. Lips remained together.

"We never been close because you always, always keep everything to yourself. Whenever I tried to talk to you, always with advice and rules. I was twelve when you made me Aldari, you think it was easy? Mother made you Nia when you were sixteen. Supposedly we should be close but no. You still keep everything to yourself."

The slaves at the side of the room were shocked to see the outward speaking Alesia. Yet remained still as to not interfere.

"For your own sake sister." Alesia pleaded. "Just be honest…"

Megara snapped her finger. Shocked Alesia and the slaves. One slave came up to her and helped her sit up. Megara continued to stare at Alesia.

"I have nothing to say…" Megara was containing her fury. "Because she was right. You have to be ruthless Alesia!"

Alesia shook by the shout.

"You know nothing about being a Nia. Nothing!" Megara breathed heavily. "Especially… especially when you are the last one. I'm giving my life so that our Society has a chance!

"Mark my words Alesia, if you don't, you will suffer!" Megara suddenly shivering, her face bitter in pain. "Ughhhh!!" Hand at her belly.

"Megara!" Alesia dashed to her sister's bed. "Help her quick!"

The slaves hurriedly moved to the bed, trying to aid Megara who was sweating like death was near. Alesia then held her sister's hand firmly, with no intention of letting go.

"Alesia!" Megara losing consciousness. "Protect yourself! I can no longer protect you…"

"Megara!"

She stood alone on the balcony in a different place. Rather Alesia was on a different planet. Staring at the serene forest similar to what she saw in Terra Hewina a few weeks ago at the castle. The place had a wooden structure, with an oriental taste to it. Situated between the mountains that had waterfalls falling down metres below.

The sound of its water had calmed her mind. Even though she was thinking nothing, her head was aching.

"Aldari Alesia." Someone called.

She immediately turned to her back. A man approached her with his head down.

"How many times-" Alesia wanted to correct it but stopped. "Nevermind. They call you Brother Jethro now, correct?"

He nodded then stood in front of her. "Yes Aldari." Jethro bowed down and then stood straight. "Forgive me for the absence, I was hunting for the order. I did not expect for you to come so quickly."

"Well… you're not the only one." Alesia sighed then shook her head. "This is a mess. An absolute mess of a situation."

"The Nia?"

"She has already passed away. Buried with previous Nia's as customs." She adjusted her throat. "That's the least thing that I could do for her."

"Are you okay Aldari?"

"I'm struggling to handle the situation.." She folded her arms, shoulder tensed. "Megara and I were not close. But she was still my sister…."

"I understand." Jethro nodded.

Jethro stood quietly. Letting Alesia have a moment with her thoughts and heart. Her face seemed to be confused. Yet her eyes remained normal, not teary red. Jethro remained prepared, waiting to be commanded at any moment.

A few minutes of silence, Alesia nodded and released a long breath. She moved past Jethro and he followed beside her.

"I will bring you to the child." She walked through the hallway, servants stood like statues. "What were you informed by the Nia, Brother Jethro."

Jethro put his fingers together and rested on his stomach. "A lot. Nia Megara spoke about this plan a few years prior. She wanted me to handle a place on a distant planet, a safe place for her daughter to be taught and care for."

"So Athenas is a good choice?"

"The temperature is cooler than average and there is no random season. The wildlife is dangerous but we are prepared. People here are cooperative. The Nia knew this before she was pregnant.""

"So you built this place within this year?" Surprised and amazed, she looked at the surrounding wooden architecture, stable and integrated among the forested mountains. "This is no small feat."

"The villagers of this planet are uneducated and poor. We offered them gold and food and they worked hard. A few dozen deaths do not concern us, Aldari."

"What is the name of the Order?"

"The Nia has named it in honour of you Aldari. Order of Impending Storm. She planned it to be the place that the Nia and Consort rebuild if things go bad. But after the loss of the Consort, it seemed that she had lost hope. Perhaps she wanted the child to be like you, Aldari."

Alesia shook her head.

"Have you already known the place?"

"I already checked the whole place. Continue Jethro."

"Forgive me Aldari." He lowered his head. "We transferred all the books and gold as much as we could to Athenas. We are preparing to build another small village for the baby. We will arm and train the local militia."

"As for the Neimiri, you know what must be done?"

"They shall be free as soon as the baby no longer needs milk."

"Good. Give them enough gold to live a new life. Then what?"

"The Nia has given me the authority to care and protect the child. I will teach her whatever I can. Train however I can. Nia Megara has told me what the child shall become. She prepared for it. She specifically stated that you will not be involved."

Alesia nodded.

"Would you like to, Aldari?"

"I'm no longer an Aldari, Jethro. Even my family doesn't call me Alesia. I now live a normal life."

"I understand. I just want to be sure, Ma'am." He nodded. "Nia Megara said that you will be safely escorted back home after you arrive. Immediately, she emphasised.""

"Don't worry, I can handle that."

They both arrived in a room that had guards far more than usual. She stopped and so did he.

"The baby is with the servants inside." She turned Jethro. "Tell me Jethro, why are you so loyal to Megara? She is gone and you are free."

"I was nothing Ma'am. But Nia Megara has given me my life right now. Without her, I would not be here. My life and the Order is hers till the end."

"Then I trust you with the task ahead." Alesia nodded. "Open the door."

The door was opened by the guards. They entered the room together and went to the slaves near a crib. Arriving at the crib, Jethro extended his head to see the baby.

His face glowed with happiness. A smile that extended to his ears. "How are you, lovely child?"

Alesia stood beside him, also smiled.

The baby sounds asleep. So delicate. Burns the heart to protect it at all cost.

Jethro looked to Alesia. "May I?"

"You may."

Jethro extended his arms and held the baby softly like his hands made of a pillow. The baby moved but did not react or awake. Jethro held her close to him then rocking his body slightly.

"Quiet niece you have here." He smiled at Alesia.

She nodded. "Just like her mother."

He looked at Alesia seriously. "The Order and I shall carry our duty. You have my word, Aldari."

"I trust you."

"Before you go, I must ask you something."

"What is it?"

"The Nia has told me to name her. She said she could not name her in fear of having a connection with the child. I think it's best that you name the child."

"Oh Megara…" Alesia shook her head. "You ruthless woman."

Alesia looked away for a moment. Breathe in deep.

Jethro waited. The slaves in the room anticipated.

Alesia looked at the baby and nodded to herself. "Her name is Maya. I think that's what Megara would name her."