A/N: It is the final countdown ladies and gentlemen! Not just the countdown to the final chapter of Part IV: Unraveled, but the final countdown to the end of my sanity. My 10-month-old has decided that it is super cool not to sleep, and I still have to get up and go to work the next day, and I'm also up in the middle of the night on work nights folding laundry. Frankly, writing this story has been the only thing keeping me sane. In addition, knowing that there are still people who read this warms my heart. It's okay if you don't leave reviews. I see those of you who read each new chapter, and I appreciate it. I love sharing my writing with you all!
I plan on having one more chapter after this that takes place on Dabnod. After that, I plan on bringing the journey back to Earth. Anyway, enough prattling from your humble author. Enjoy the story!
Disclaimer: I do not own Teen Titans, but Dabnod is of my own creation.
Part IV: Unraveled: Chapter Fifty-Two
Previously…
Roy and Damiana made the long journey from the Dabnodian wilderness to the Capital City. The time that Dabnod has left is exactly three weeks - the final hours before Dabnod's detonation. During their journey, they have managed to make all the necessary repairs to Black Shadow's rift machine. They also have two components that they will need for the device's fuel source - a ser stone and vengat clay. The only ingredient that they still need is a zirgnant tool - a device used to combine the ser stone and the vengat clay on a molecular level to create a potent fuel supply.
The two Titans and fifteen-year-old Adriel made a plan to steal a zirgnant tool from the Fire Phoenix Compound during the Annual Migration Festival. They would just have to hide for a week at the Ground Badger Compound until the opportunity to invade the Fire Phoenix Compound arose.
When the opportunity to leave Dabnod finally came, Damiana was ecstatic. Learning that Queen Guayusa was a homicidal maniac and that she was Queen Guayusa's apprentice was difficult enough. Learning that Saeran followed all of Queen Guayusa's orders no matter how bloody, and that he also fathered a child with Adriel's older sister was even harder. Saeran seemed to care very little about his son, calling him property of the Monarchy. He also thought very little of Prophet Veng and the Fire Lily Tribe, even being gifted a medal for turning them in and helping them meet their deaths.
Damiana no longer recognizes the childhood home that she once craved so desperately. Queen Guayusa, her older brother, and planet Dabnod as a whole now feels strange to her. When young Adriel guided them through an underground tunnel leading to the Fire Phoenix Compound and the zirgnant tool, the girl craved her home on Earth so much that it hurt.
Imagine her shock when she learned that not only was the Fire Phoenix zirgnant tool seized by the Royal Council, but her Clan Center wasn't empty. The Fire Phoenix Clan Elders were preparing for a war meeting to take place the following day. Adriel was supposed to attend this very same war meeting with his father, the Patriarch of the Ground Badger Clan. This war meeting was supposed to be the war meeting that would determine the fate of Dabnod.
In addition to discussing the war meeting, they also heard discussion of Damiana's betrothal from behind that closed door. The Clan Elders unknowingly revealed to her that she was to be married to Adriel. Enraged, Damiana questioned Adriel once they'd escaped the Fire Phoenix Compound. He'd known about their betrothal the entire time and had never told her.
Damiana's emotions were tumultuous. Not only was Saeran not her brother, and not only did Queen Guayusa use her as a tool, but the time Adriel spent with her as a child was not of his own free will. Adriel came around her because they were engaged. In a state of emotional distress, Damiana left with Roy to visit her old cabin. There were books in her cabin that she wanted to obtain before Dabnod's detonation. As for Adriel, he agreed to meet them in her secret cave later that night to grant them entrance to the Ground Badger Compound.
Now, Damiana and Roy are primarily focused on reaching her cabin. Meanwhile, the war meeting hangs over Adriel like a dark cloud. Although he is aware that Dabnod is experiencing its final days, this meeting makes him anxious. A bad feeling forms in the pit of his stomach. Exactly how bad will life on Dabnod get in the last weeks before its detonation?
Earth: April 7, 8:25PM
Saeran has been staring at the massive screen in the common room for countless hours. It isn't because he has spent his day on the sofa watching shows on Netflix, or because Beast Boy's Game Station has beaconed him. No. The screen that the water user is obsessed with is a map of the galaxy from five years into the past. Damiana's and Speedy's orange blips are still blinking where Dabnod used to be.
The screen is split, a map of the past galaxy on the left side, and a map of the present-day galaxy on the right side. An endless, black, void is all that is shown on the right half of the screen. If it wasn't for the few stars lingering outside of Dabnod's blast radius, one might assume that part of the screen to be malfunctioning. The left side of the screen leaves a lingering sadness. Red, yellow, and white dwarf stars polka dot the map, as do asteroid belts, Dabnod, and all of Dabnod's moons. Nothing is there now. All of it is gone. The knowledge that all of it is gone washes over Saeran anew. Short ponytail and narrowed eyes turn onyx. It's funny. Saeran thought that he made his peace with Dabnod being gone.
Of course, he doesn't sit in front of this screen to mourn. He is waiting for something to happen. Anything that might indicate that the rift machine is working and that they are coming back. A large mass appearing near their blinking, orange, blips. Orange blips transferring from the past map to the present-day map. Their blips disappearing completely. It has been nearly three days. Something should have happened by now! But nothing does. The map looks the same as it has since the fifth of April. Saeran sips his fourth cup of coffee in a combination of anxiety, fatigue, and exasperation.
Suddenly, his mug of coffee is torn from his grasp. A different mug is put in its place. Jolting, Saeran turns away from the screen for the first time since eating lunch around noon. Raven stands directly beside him. The coffee mug is covered in a dark aura and is being poured down the kitchen sink. The water user glimpses at the foggy liquid that she gave him.
"What is this?"
"Herbal tea."
Saeran sips it. It tastes alright. It's better than the coffee at any rate. "Why?"
"Because you need to relax. You're on edge, and caffeine won't help."
"I'm not on edge!" He exclaims, all the while keenly aware of his muddy brown ponytail and putrid green irises. For the first time since being rid of it, Saeran misses the hair dye and contact lenses.
Violet irises glisten with concern. "When was the last time you slept?"
The water user stares deeply into his mug of tea. He has tried these past two nights to sleep, and slumber always eludes him. "I'm not actually sure."
"Then you should go to your room and try to sleep."
Raven isn't the only person occupying the common room. Beast Boy is lying on the sofa playing video games on a portable Game Station, Aqualad is in the kitchen cooking something, and Bumblebee, Robin, and Adriel are sitting at the kitchen table conversing. Saeran allows himself a moment to soak in the oddness of Adriel's presence. After Adriel was allowed out to use the restroom this morning, he was not returned to his cell. The Ground Badger is allowed in the common room as long as Robin and Bumblebee are present. Releasing his feelings of irritation, Saeran realizes that there are certainly more than enough eyes keeping watch over Dami.
Exhaustion washes over him like a wave. "That might be a good idea. I suppose I should try to rest."
Raven gives a small smile. Normally pale gray skin starts to flush with color. "I will come get you if anything changes."
The Dabnodian man's features shift to their soothing colors of amber and bright gold. He takes a long sip of herbal tea and clasps Raven's shoulder. The light pink dusting her cheeks becomes notably darker. "Thank you, Raven. I don't know what I would do without you."
He stands with the intention of exiting, but he doesn't get more than halfway across the room before Adriel scowls. Irises and long locks are shifting from orange and cherry red to midnight blue. At first Saeran hasn't a clue what could be the matter with his former best friend, but then the Ground Badger peers in Raven's direction before looking back at him. Saeran merely continues toward the sliding door leading into the hallway, all the while rolling his amber eyes. Ridiculous.
As the door closes, the water user catches a brief snippet of conversation between the dark girl and the Ground Badger.
"Raven, it isn't necessary for you to get Saeran tea. He's an adult. He can take care of himself."
"I understand that. I got him tea because I wanted to."
Saeran shakes his head once the conversation is cut off by the hulking metal door. His former best friend has never liked it when Saeran has taken interest in a girl. Adriel is unbelievable.
Meanwhile on Dabnod…
"Are you sure your cabin is this way? We've been walking for a while."
Roy isn't wrong. If Damiana had to guess, she would say that they've been walking for a half-hour, maybe longer. They finally emerged from the forest and are now trekking across the grassy hills outside of the Palace City. The Palace is seen on the horizon. Logic tells the would-be Queen that the cabin she grew up in cannot be far. Yet, she is growing doubtful. Her cabin should be in sight by now.
As they ascend yet another hill, she sighs defeated. "It's possible that we took a wrong turn after we got out of the woods. It has been a long time, remember."
Thankfully, she speaks too soon. The instant they reach the top, a very familiar sight greets her. At the bottom of the hill is a pond. The lilac moon reflects off of a flawless, glassy, surface without a ripple to be seen. Flowers spotting the tall grasses are washed strange colors in the moonlight. Damiana spends a long moment soaking in the essence of her childhood. This place, gone forever in the present, sits before her in all of its perfection like a Thomas Kinkade painting; a much more purple Thomas Kinkade painting. The countless hours spent swimming, playing Phoenix Flight, and chasing her brother through the water flood her memories in a tidal wave of nostalgia.
"Saeran has a son that he should have been chasing through the water. Not me," Damiana thinks sadly. As for the games of Phoenix Flight with Adriel, that was probably assigned companionship time mandated by Adriel's parents and Queen Guayusa.
The only thing that manages to shake her from her stupor is Roy's voice. "Is that where we're going?"
The archer points at the top of the next hill. There it sits, staring across the valley at them - her cabin. Damiana's features had been rose red and pale pink. Now her curled ringlets shift to dark plum and her eyes to stormy gray. A soft glow emits from the small stone dwelling, but that is as expected. Mama always leaves lanterns lit if they're going to be out at night. That way they don't have to stumble through the dark when they get home. Mama, herself, and Saeran are most certainly celebrating the Annual Migration Festival in the Palace City right now.
"It is."
The archer furrows a skeptical, ginger, brow at the sight of the lit house. "Maybe we should go back to the Ground Badger Compound. It looks like somebody's home."
"It looks that way, but nobody's there. Trust me."
Roy stares her down in a way that she has rarely seen. It is an expression that reminds her that he is 'Titan Speedy' and not just Roy.
"We'll move forward, but only if you're sure. I know you want to see your old home. We just have to be careful not to let emotions cloud our perception." With hesitation, he asks, "Is there somewhere we can hide until we're sure it's clear?"
"Under my bed if we need to, but we probably won't need to. If we hear someone before entering the house, we can also hide in the cellar."
Nodding, he grasps her wrist and navigates down the hillside, past the pond, and to the darkest area at the base of the next hill. This side of the hill just so happens to face the back of the cabin, and it also has the tallest grass.
"This looks like a good spot to start climbing. If we see someone coming, we should be able to get down without being seen easily enough."
"Agreed. And I don't want to take long. I just want to grab the rest of my books about Phoenix Level fire using techniques, and maybe a couple collections of Dabnodian folktales, then we can run."
Another nod. Then they begin their ascent. Damiana feels like she is in a dream as they draw ever nearer. The four room cabin is bathed in the light of the waxing, lilac, moon. Everything about her surroundings makes her feel as though she is walking on a cloud. The sweet smell of the flowers. The gentle sound of the breeze whooshing through violet grasses. The feel of the foliage tugging at the hem of her royal blue sleeveless dress, and the orange litkaen lights bumping into her. Damiana truly feels as though she were in a trance.
Everything else that she has re-experienced on Dabnod has not been as she has anticipated. Seeing Queen Guayusa, past Saeran, and past Adriel. Viewing the Royal Palace from phoenix-back. Her secret cave in the forest. Seeing the Ground Badger Compound again. All of that felt different. Although all of those places and people were familiar, Damiana was keenly aware of who she currently is and knew on some level that everything is different this time. Approaching her childhood home, on the other hand, feels surreal. It almost feels as if she is on her way back from the Fire Phoenix Compound after a hard day of training with the Clan Elders.
The only thing keeping her from coming unraveled besides the Fates is Roy. Emerald eyes are concerned to say the least. "Dami, maybe we should go. You don't look good."
They stop halfway up the hill. They are close enough to the bottom where they can turn, run, and vanish back into the forest in a matter of minutes. For a moment, Damiana considers it. Perhaps visiting her old cabin is unnecessary. Then, in a rush, she remembers the present. She is not Damiana. Now she is Titan Firelight. Titan Firelight needs to learn higher level fire using techniques. Dabnod is gone. There will never be another opportunity to salvage these valuable Dabnodian texts again.
Hugging herself tightly in an attempt to hold shudders at bay, she replies softly. "I want to go inside. It will only be for a moment. Remember, I lived here. I know exactly where to find what I'm looking for."
"Okay. If you say so. Just keep in mind that we need to be careful."
With that said, they continue walking. Phoenixes fly overhead, cawing. Qwerthzigs scurry past. Insects are heard buzzing down by the pond. This familiar walk is exactly the way she remembers. The entire time, not once does Damiana allow herself to be released by Roy. When he lets go of her wrist, she grasps his hand tightly. She needs to remain grounded in their present.
Upon reaching the top, they don't move forward immediately. For an eternal moment, Damiana drinks in the sight of the home that she was raised in. Glistening pink rosestones appear dull in the luminescent light. They stand twenty feet away from the back of the structure where her bedroom is located. White lace curtains flutter in the breeze of the open window. Mama left a lantern lit on her nightstand, washing the entire room in a soft orange glow. They cannot see much from where they loiter. All that is in sight are her nightstand, the lantern, and the white lace curtains. Directly beneath her bedroom window are the double doors leading to the cellar. The yellowing wooden doors are held securely shut by a heavy stone.
Ready at last, the would-be queen tugs on the forearm of the archer. "We can go in through the window. That's my bedroom."
Roy does not voice a response. He merely follows. Not once did it occur to her during the entire duration of her childhood how convenient the placement of the cellar is. Damiana boosts herself up on the cellar's double doors and pulls herself through the window effortlessly. She hardly makes a sound. As the Fates would have it, the same can't be said for Roy. As he pulls himself through the window, his tunic catches on the edge of her nightstand. Neither the nightstand nor the lantern falls over, but Roy crashes to the floor with a loud thud. Damiana is about to help him to his feet. That, however, is when an astonishing sound is heard. Footsteps.
Horrified, Damiana and Roy exchange glances. In the space of an instant, their gazes scan the enclosure. Somehow Damiana doesn't remember this, but her bedroom does not look like a child's bedroom at all. Perhaps five years of living on Earth has tainted her perception of what a child's bedroom should look like. The girl expects to see walls painted bright colors and toys littering the floor for the briefest of seconds. Instead what is seen is a tidy room with neatly arranged bookshelves, and a bed made with perfect precision. There is nothing decorating the tops of her dressers, neither is there anything scattered across the floor. Every page, pillow, and article of clothing is in its place.
Damiana never would have expected her first thought upon seeing her childhood bedroom to be of her room in Titans Tower, but all she can think about is how vividly she suddenly wants to decorate it. Perhaps she will go out and buy some posters and some knickknacks when they get home.
It is the speech accompanying the footsteps that spurs her into action. Female voices float in through the cracks of the closed door. Damiana grabs Roy's hand and drags him with her under the bed. The plain white bed skirt is pulled over their faces just in time. None other than Mama and Queen Guayusa enter the space. The door gives an eerie creak and footsteps saunter ominously amongst her belongings. Although the women themselves aren't seen, the two Titans can see their shadows cast on the floor.
"I told you that Damiana is gone, my Queen. See. Nobody is here."
"I just wanted to make sure. I thought for certain that I heard someone."
Instead of leaving, Queen Guayusa takes a seat atop Damiana's bed. It dips down low and nearly crushes them. Mama must remain standing.
"In case it interests you, My Queen, Lady Damiana was quite excited about the festival before she left with Saeran. I believe I heard Adriel's name come out of her mouth, too. I'm sure it will please you how much she has taken a liking to Adriel."
"She does seem rather fond of the boy. It's all in a day's work, of course. Getting the two of them to spend time together is no easy feat. I can tell that Adriel feels awkward due to the girl's young age. But it doesn't matter. I'm certain that he will change his tune once little Damiana grows into a woman." The Queen's voice takes on a derisive, yet amused, tone. "Damiana will grow into a beautiful woman rivaling all others, just like her mother."
Astonishingly, Mama laughs. "You can't possibly mean that, My Queen."
"I don't. It wasn't your womb that bore her." Queen Guayusa gets up and crosses the room, likely to go stand by Mama. She sounds less scoffing and more sympathetic. "Don't mind my rudeness. You have brought her up well. Damiana is very brilliant. I just can't help being bitter."
"I understand, your Majesty. It must be difficult for you." Mama sounds wholly genuine, especially with her next statement. "Although this whole situation has been less than ideal, I am grateful to you. A woman with my…condition…unable to bear children… I thought I was destined for a life of sorrow. Instead, the Monarchy granted me two beautiful children. Regarding Damiana, my husband actually is her father, so that has made raising her even more meaningful to me. Sometimes I hear Damraiken when she speaks and see him when she smiles."
They exit and close the door, though the Death Queen's voice still echoes through the corridor. "It has been hard for me, but it will be different for Damiana. I think this war with Tamaran has scared the Dabnodian people enough to the point of a Royal Family sounding appealing."
"Yes, that does sound nice. Lady Damiana will get to have it all - her throne, a husband, and children."
They must leave the house entirely, because the slamming of the front door is heard and the sound of conversing vanishes. Damiana crawls out from under the bed, though the books she'd initially come for are not very interesting. All the would-be queen can do is stare blankly at the wall.
Unbelievable. She'd heard Saeran state that Mama is barren at the Raxtin House, but she'd assumed herself to be a lucky gift from the Fates that came years after Mama and Daddy adopted Saeran. She didn't know that she was adopted, too! Or, adopted by who she'd assumed to be her mother, anyway. Mama did just state that Damraiken of the Fire Phoenix Clan is her biological father.
"So, if Mama isn't my mother, who is?"
The girl doesn't realize that she'd spoken aloud until Roy answers. "Your mother is probably closer than you think."
Turning abruptly toward him, her mouth hangs agape. "What? What do you mean?"
"Wait. You mean you haven't guessed? I mean, I don't know for sure, but I have an idea…"
The archer appears uncomfortable to say the least, and that is being generous. In reality, Roy is two shades paler. Damiana has a clue what the redhead is thinking, and Sweet Fates, she is hoping that he doesn't say it. The girl fidgets apprehensively. Curled tresses are suddenly blacker than the night, and irises glisten like obsidian.
"You know what? I'm sure both of my parents are dead in our time period. It doesn't even matter anymore. Um…let's just look for books and uh…get out of here."
They don't have to say anything else. Their interlocked eyes reveal that they're both experiencing the same thought. Damiana banishes the idea from her mind.
"It doesn't matter anymore, Dami. You don't need to know. You'll go home to the Titans East Tower and forget all about it."
The would-be queen doesn't even take the time to skim through half of the books that she'd planned on. Knowing already what books will be the most useful to her, and what books will be the most relevant to the lost Dabnodian culture, she swiftly browses her shelves. Seven works of literature are plucked with quick precision. Two are squeezed into her bag, the seams nearly bursting. The other five are tossed in Roy's direction.
"Let's go."
It is very clear to Roy who Damiana's biological mother is. The archer can tell that it is clear to her, too. The girl just doesn't like admitting it. Of course, Damiana isn't wrong. Nearly everyone died when Dabnod was destroyed, so the reality of her birth mother really doesn't matter where they're trying to go.
They have made their way back across the hills. The tree line that they'd previously emerged from is in sight. This is where they should go. Yet, the archer finds himself hesitating. His attention is on the Palace City. It is loud - very loud. Enthusiastic fiddle music is heard. Other instruments that sound like flutes join in. Rambunctious cheering comes from that general direction, too. Much to his astonishment, he isn't the only person who has stopped to stare. Damiana has as well.
"What exactly is the Annual Migration Festival? I don't think I've asked."
For the first time in a small eternity, Damiana giggles. "It's very difficult to understand if you weren't raised on Dabnod. This festival is incredibly unique to our culture, but I will try to explain." She taps a finger on her chin as she ponders. Eventually Damiana continues. "If you haven't caught on already, phoenixes are a sacred animal. In short, this festival is meant as one big offering of celebration to the Fates. If the Fates hear us, then they will protect the phoenixes as they migrate from the inner provinces to the outer provinces."
"Oh, okay. That's easy enough to understand."
"Well, there's more to it than that. Phoenix feathers are seen as sacred objects. Some people believe that they have special properties that protect us from danger. When phoenixes migrate, their feathers rain down on the land. We want the Fates to protect the phoenixes so that their feathers will protect Dabnod." The expression on his face must be amusing, because she snorts with laughter. "I know. It sounds weird to you, but you're not a Dabnodian. I promise that it makes perfect sense to us."
The redhead smirks. "Like the hair thing?"
"Yes. Exactly like the hair thing!"
Damiana delves into an explanation of why Dabnodians are not allowed to cut their hair. It seems that there is an entire theological history about how the Fates blessed the hair of the first man and woman and gave them special powers that other beings in the universe don't possess. The excess energy from their second heart, the energy that gives Dabnodians the ability to wield the elements, is stored in their hair. To cut their hair would be to reject the gift of the Fates. In theory, this would lead to the Fates smiting them all.
Rolling her eyes playfully, the girl jests, "Maybe someone cut their hair before Tamaran invaded."
Roy chuckles. Neither of them seems to notice, but their feet do not carry them into the trees. They draw nearer to the Palace City, though they remain very close to the foliage. It takes the deafening BOOM of a brilliant green firework to make them realize where they've walked to. Although, neither of them seems alarmed by where their aimless wandering has brought them. The shadows of the forest conceal their forms. From where they loiter, they look down upon gleeful civilians dancing, eating, and playing instruments. Royal Knights are also seen making merry.
Damiana peers down at the crowd. "It's early enough. Do you want to experience the Annual Migration Festival firsthand?"
"Sure. I would like that."
They cover their faces using the hooded cloaks given to them by Adriel in Province Three, and then the Titans meander down the hillside. Roy hasn't a clue when their fingers became entwined, but he must have reached for her at some point. For a split second, it occurs to him how strange it is to hold a girl's hand. He has never held hands with anyone before! Not that it bothers him, of course. The sensation is soothing. With the stress that they have been under, soothing is a feeling that they both need.
As they near the city, Roy can't help being amazed. The dull, pinkish-gray, stones that he has grown accustomed to seeing on planet Dabnod are not at all similar to what he is seeing right now. Each edifice has rosestones that are so pristine that the buildings appear to be crafted from pale pink polished marble. If Roy had sunlight, a sponge, and a bucket of water, he could probably make the buildings shiny enough to see his reflection. Then again, "building" isn't the right word for the structures lining the street. Neither are "houses". The correct word would be "estate", almost like Green Arrow's estate in Star City. This is the best Earth equivalent that the archer can think of to describe these beautiful houses.
Truth be told, these mansion homes are not far off from what Oliver Queen's mansion looked like. They're as tall as they are wide with elegant masonry. Roy would say that these Dabnodian mansions appear similar to the English Gothic style of architecture, especially the arched windows, the buttresses, and the spires. Although, Oliver Queen's mansion did lack the spires, so Dabnodian buildings aren't too similar to the home he lived in as a child. Ollie certainly didn't have Royal Knights moving with the elements in front of his mansion, at any rate.
Roy doesn't see anything that looks like a shop, though there are some outdoor vendors selling food. Women wearing kerchiefs and long, gray, dresses pass out what appear to be flat, oval-shaped, cookies without frosting and with dough dyed green. They also have sandwich cookies with cream filling. They look something like mint green macaroons. There are other vendors selling a beverage served in stone goblets. The liquid appears fizzy and is flamingo pink. For a minute the archer assumes it to be some sort of Dabnodian wine, but then he remembers that alcohol is banned in Provinces One, Two, and Three. Also, children are seen enjoying the beverage.
Damiana clearly knows exactly what the vendors are selling, because hair and eyes turn gold with glee. She digs out their few remaining gems. "Ooh! We'll take two xints and a two yartax please! Oh, and a tindat to share!"
The vendor smiles, passes her the requested items, and then claims a surprisingly significant amount of gems. Emerald eyes widen. "A few treats and a beverage cost us a third of our cash?!"
The girl shrugs. "Yeah. I didn't realize it until traveling through the outer provinces, but everything in the Capital City costs a lot of money."
They meander further into the Palace City until the Royal Palace is no longer a hulking monument on the distant horizon, but a looming structure. Damiana gawks as if under a spell. Her joy clearly fades, because golden tresses are streaked with plum. All the while, Roy gapes at the Dabnodian Royal Palace feeling intimidated.
Although it is secured from the rest of the city by a high, wrought iron, gate and guard towers, the Royal Palace is impossible not to stare at. The Palace's tall, pointed, towers glower down at them, the only thing keeping them from collapsing being ornately carved buttresses. There is a carefully constructed combination of round windows and arched windows with pointed tops. All of them contain swirls of tracery from the highest windows to the lowest, as does the Palace's main entrance. The main entrance is a wide, pointed, arch, making those coming and going appear the size of insects.
A luminously polished staircase leads to the main entrance. A fountain is placed at the foot of it. The fountain has an intricate sculpture of two hooded women, each bound by the opposite end of a rope by their wrists. Roy's mind briefly flashes back to the against-his-will wedding where he and Damiana were bound by a similar rope. The archer finds the whole statue, especially the rope, odd to say the least. Upon a second glance, rough images of these two women are also melted into the stained glass windows, and their outlines have been molded into the buttresses and into the tracery.
Regarding the stained glass, Roy believed that this was an architectural feature unique to Catholic churches on Earth. It seems that this assumption was untrue. Large windows reaching from the ground to the ceiling on each level are made from stained glass. Although, the glass doesn't show clear illustrations like Catholic churches do. The windows' illustrations of the two women are abstract so that it takes concentration to notice them. The colors used for the glass are golden yellow and silver along with varying shades of green.
Roy tries to gauge how large the Palace is, and he is unable to. The number of levels and the number of rooms seem countless. Damiana must not be feeling any extreme emotions right now. When she speaks, Roy notices that her features have returned to their natural colors of rose red and pale pink.
"Breathtaking, isn't it?"
"Yes, and I don't mean the castle." The archer smirks and tugs on rose red curls.
The would-be queen smirks back. "Come on. We need to go to the city center. That's where the best view is."
He uses his free hand to eat his cookies while following. They don't taste at all like cookies. They're gritty with a sour aftertaste, but not altogether unpleasant. The cream in the center of the macaroon-like cookie helps alleviate some of the grittiness. Roy isn't at all certain where they are going, but for the first time since arriving on Dabnod, Damiana knows. It suddenly sinks in that, for once, he is the only one lost at their current location. The girl shoves past people and navigates a complicated web of streets with ease. All of these estate-like homes are practically identical, but somehow she knows which is which.
"...Oh, Councilman Three lives in that home! His wife likes to help tend the Palace Gardens. I always thought that she was nice. And that one is where Queen Guayusa's top Advisor lives! He was so upset when he wasn't given the house with the skylight. Personally, I thought he was being petty…"
She prattles on and on, but Roy doesn't mind. He rather enjoys it. Very rarely has he ever seen her glow with this level of enthusiasm. In this case, the phrase is quite literal. Rose red tresses turn the color of gold once again. Roy absentmindedly tries taking a sip of the beverage she'd gotten them. This halts her detailed explanations of which houses they're passing abruptly.
"No! Don't drink that!"
Roy arches his ginger brows. "Why not?"
"Because it's not time yet. I'll let you know when it's time." She glimpses up at the moon, gasps, and then starts running. "Sweet Fates, it's almost time! We have to go!"
He doesn't ask. He runs after her. When they finally stop, it is in the center of a massive clearing. The archer hadn't noticed when looking down on the Palace City from the hillside, but all of the magnificent manor homes are arranged in a circle. In the center of that circle appears to be a park filled with lavish gardens and ornate fountains, though there is nothing as marvelous as the glimpse he'd seen of the Palace's front courtyard.
Damiana leans against a hedge trimmed into the shape of a larkack while gesturing up at the silver night sky. When he points his gaze in the indicated direction, it doesn't disappoint. Hundreds, possibly thousands, of phoenixes burst into the air. Their normally pale feathers are glowing neon colors. Crimson, tangerine, lemon yellow, violet, and magenta fill the sky. There are also a few specs of electric blue and lime green. Their caws are thunderous enough to deafen anyone, and the flapping of their wings shakes the ground. Of courses, this is nothing compared to the cheering of the lively Dabnodian civilians. When feathers of every imaginable shade and tint rain down, Roy swears that his ears will be ringing until tomorrow morning.
He risks glimpsing at his fellow Titan. She is cheering just as loudly and just as rambunctiously. He chuckles. As feisty and as serious as the girl always seems, Roy didn't know that she had it in her. Beaming, Damiana points once more at the sky. The phoenixes are starting to become fewer and fewer until, at long last, the final phoenix flies past. The girl grabs two phoenix feathers in mid air as they float down. One is deep maroon and the other is sapphire blue. The sapphire blue one is arranged neatly in her curls, and then she replaces the hood of her cloak. Roy takes the maroon feather and tucks it behind his ear without removing his hood. Apparently this is wrong, because Damiana arranges it so that it is sticking out of his hair, then she moves his cloak back into place.
Once the last phoenix is gone, the crowd hollers in a clamorous unison, "May the Fates protect the phoenixes, may the Fates protect our families, and may the Fates save our Queen!"
"Now," she says in his ear.
Damiana sips from the stone goblet and then extends it in his direction. The sweet pink liquid tastes vaguely familiar, but he cannot place where he has tasted it before. Then the archer suddenly remembers. This is the same beverage they sipped from the goblet at their forced wedding.
"What is this?"
"It's supposed to be fermented starberry juice, but this is just starberry juice. It's ceremonial." Hair turning magenta, she explains hastily, "I could've grabbed you your own goblet, but I guess I wasn't thinking. It's traditional for husbands and wives to share a goblet."
The archer smirks. "I've shared a bed with you, and I've shared my body with you, but sharing a goblet? You've gone too far."
Roy had assumed that the crowd would disperse for the night, but it isn't so. The music and the fireworks pick up from where they left off. All of the surrounding couples begin dancing. They aren't doing a slow dance like Roy has witnessed at fancy parties on Earth or at high school proms. Yes, the couples hold each other while dancing, but they are moving very fast-paced. Roy immediately tries to move out of their way.
He must look petrified, because Damiana giggles. "Don't tell me that the big bad superhero I met back in Steel City is afraid of dancing."
"What? No! Of course not!" He blushes. "I just don't like it."
"You didn't like Earth dancing, you mean. Have you ever tried dancing on Dabnod?"
"Well, no. I haven't. But you know that! We've barely left each other's sides since coming here!"
Roy didn't think this was possible, but the smile that she gives him causes butterflies to flutter in the pit of his stomach. Since when does any girl make him nervous?
She gently takes his hand. "One dance? Then we'll go back to the Ground Badger Compound. Please? Humor me."
Remembering exactly where they're at, and recalling the exact number of Dabnodian festivals there will be in the future, he takes her hand and smiles softly. "I don't see why not."
It isn't just one dance that he gives her, but several. By the time the moon is high in the sky, the archer thinks that he has these fast-paced Dabnodian dances down very well. This is despite tripping numerous times. Each time one of them trips, they laugh. Damiana may know these dances, but it seems that she is out of practice.
What neither Titan realizes is that they are being watched from the other side of the garden. Cherry red eyes transform into stormy gray.
"Adriel, what's wrong?"
A small girl, age eleven, looks upon her dance partner's face feeling baffled. They'd just been having such fun! Now, all of a sudden, he appears so distraught. The girl follows the direction of his gaze. There are two hooded people, a man and a woman, who he seems to be watching. They keep falling and are dancing horribly, probably due to the massive satchels that they're both carrying. Despite how poorly they dance, they are clearly having a good time. The couple guffaws loudly. A single stone goblet sits on the ground near them, so it's clear that they are married.
The girl's unanswered question hanging in the air, she turns her gaze toward the unhappy Ground Badger. As if just noticing that she exists, he smiles at her comfortingly. "It's nothing, Dami." Features returning to brilliant orange and cherry red, he exclaims enthusiastically, "Oh, this one's a good song! I'm sure Saeran would love a dance. Let's go find Saeran!"
They move between the tall hedges in the opposite direction of the couple. Sixteen-year-old Damiana and Roy never noticed that they were spotted for even a second.
The Next Morning
Light filters inside through the kitchen window. Mother spreads starberry jam across a fresh rintcake while Father drinks a hot cup of tea. The two of them chat exuberantly, not about the Annual Migration Festival last night, but about the coming war meeting. Adriel shoves greasy pieces of reizen around his plate without eating it, thankful that talk of the meeting is distracting him from thoughts of the festival. Roy and Damiana looked so…happy. If their marriage was against their will, then Adriel is a Gordanian named Fred! Not that them being happy makes any difference. In a few weeks, he will have much bigger problems than discomfort about his almost-wife's love life.
At last, the Ground Badger boy is brought back to the present as he listens to his parents' conversation. His father strokes his short, orange, goatee thoughtfully. "Having a war meeting the day after the Annual Migration Festival is unheard of. This is going to be a big one, I can tell."
"I bet Her Majesty is unveiling a new weapon. I can't think of a better time to introduce us to a new weapon to protect the Dabnodian people than after the Annual Migration Festival!"
Father grins. "That is too true, my darling. You're as brilliant as you are beautiful."
Mother's hair instantly becomes fuchsia. Gagging silently, Adriel is about to dump his reizen in the trash bin and move to the wonderful solitude of the family room. That, however, is when Aerad addresses his son.
"The war meeting was originally going to be this morning at sunrise, my boy, but Her Majesty graciously moved it to late morning. She is kindly giving some of her more wild Royal Knights time to sleep in. So wonderful of her!" Adriel's raised brow tells him that he should get to the point. Chortling, he continues, "I'm going to the Palace early to prepare my notes in my office. Go run your drills at the Training Center, then join me at the Palace shortly after."
Adriel nods wordlessly. With that, Aerad and his wife bid their son farewell, and they leave the house almost before the Ground Badger boy can blink. Adriel sighs and rises from his seat at the table. How he wishes that he didn't have to go! He should be focusing on getting Roy and Damiana home now that every zirgnant tool in the Capital City is being kept at the Royal Palace. This war meeting is going to be a good waste of a day. Although, it might also pose a good opportunity to sneak Roy and Damiana into the Palace. They're going to need to be at the Palace to get the zirgnant tool anyway…
Holding onto that thought, Adriel saunters down the corridor leading to the house's various bedrooms and spare rooms. Anxiety pulses through his veins. He doesn't know what to do. He needs to figure out how to get Roy and older Damiana home! If he doesn't get them home, then they could die in the explosion! And he has to get them home without thinking about their relationship, to boot… Then there is the single, nagging, reality that he has been trying so hard to ignore. In three weeks time, he is going to be homeless on planet Earth. The Ground Badger Compound, his status as a Royal Knight and as "Lady Damiana's" fiance, none of that will matter anymore. The entire Dabnodian culture will be wiped from existence. Adriel looks at his hands. They will not stop trembling.
He'd planned on knocking on the door to Roy's and Damiana's bedroom, but he stops short. Instead, Adriel turns into the room directly across the hall. This room has been out of use for nearly a decade, but he remembers it well. It smells of dust and mildew, but everything is exactly where Mother last placed it even down to the spark rocks. They are in a glass jar on the fireplace mantle.
Using said spark rocks, he lights a lantern that sits on the only piece of furniture that bedecks this simple space; a low table in the center of the room. The lantern sits directly beside a small statue of Sister Allegiance and Sister Destiny, the Fates. A rope binds them together. Realizing how dusty the statue is, the Ground Badger grabs a rag from the mantle beside the jar and dusts it off. He also ends up dusting the low table and the shrine containing the sacred symbols of the Fates. A stone goblet, a phoenix feather, and a knot of golden rope are arranged on the triangular shrine's three corners. Adriel doesn't only dust the sacred symbols, but he takes them into the bathroom to wash and polish them.
The boy clearly does not comprehend the racket that he's making, because Damiana and Roy exit their bedroom to investigate.
"Hey, Adriel, we saw your parents walking down the front path away from the house. What are you up to- Oh!" Sixteen-year-old Damiana's hair turns lime green. "I didn't know that there were any homes left that had these rooms."
Roy looks around in puzzlement. The Ground Badger can't help smiling at him amused. More to the human than to his fellow Dabnodian, he says, "Yes. We don't use it much, but my home has a prayer room. The only reason we haven't deconstructed it is because my mother is afraid that the Fates will punish us if we do. I don't see her point, though. I mean, she hasn't destroyed it, but she never comes in here, either."
"Oh," says Roy. "So this is like a church?"
"If you mean a place of worship, then yes. A lot of Dabnodians don't actively worship the Fates anymore." Adriel explains as he places the newly cleaned sacred symbols back on their shrine.
The girl's curls return to rose red as she backs toward the door. "If you were about to pray, we can go. We'll leave you to it."
"No. Actually, come light the incense with me. You've never done it before, and it's important." Or at least it's important now, anyway. It hasn't felt important to him in a very long time, but something feels different now.
Hesitantly, Damiana comes to sit beside him. Adriel isn't at all certain on whether or not non-Dabnodian beings are permitted to worship the Fates, but he shrugs off the thought. "Roy, you can come over, too. You're an honorary Dabnodian, right? Maybe the Fates will hear you."
"I'm not really religious, but sure, why not?"
It is with hesitation that Roy sits down, but Adriel is not offended. Many Dabnodian think that prayer is a waste of time, so of course a human being might not be comfortable with it. Using the spark rocks, Adriel lights two sticks of incense. That is one stick of incense for each of the Fates. There is an incense holder at the base of the statue that Adriel tucks the sticks into. A few minutes is all it takes for the room to flood with the smell of freshly cut flowers. Adriel gets into a low bow in front of the table on hands and knees. His hands are neatly folded above his head. It is only due to the Ground Badger's immense focus that he does not see Damiana's fumbling as she moves to copy him. Roy remains seated at the table.
"Fates, Sister Allegiance and Sister Destiny, hear our prayer. Direct our paths as we navigate these troubled times. You have a path for each of us. Help us choose the right path as we reach our Crossroads. The decision is ours as is proclaimed in the sacred texts. Nonetheless, guide us, because we do not know which path will have a desire for destruction or a desire for life. Give us wisdom. Fates be praised."
"Fates be praised," Damiana repeats after him.
Roy scratches his head of ginger hair. "Uh, yeah. Fates be praised."
The Titans exchange glances and exit the room. Damiana looks rather at ease. Roy seems uncomfortable. Adriel puts out the incense and follows after them.
"We need to wake Tenna and Caen, and then we need to get out of here before the servants arrive. I still haven't thought of an actual idea for how to get a zirgnant tool. All I know is that we need to go to the Royal Palace for a zirgnant tool. The archives are huge. I'm thinking that there might be a place for all four of you to hide in the Palace Archives until we can make a plan."
"It sounds to me like we're winging it," states Roy.
"Well… Yeah. Basically," confesses Adriel with a sheepish grin.
Damiana shrugs emotionless. "Alright. At this point, it's the best we've got. I'll go get Tenna and Caen."
"I'll go grab our things from Jaegana's room."
Realizing that he left the door ajar, Adriel turns to seal the prayer room. Hopefully neither of his parents will realize he has been in there. As he touches the doorknob, however, the strangest sensation overtakes him. It is all in the space of a second, but he sees everything clearly in his mind's eye. A green and blue orb back-dropped by the void of space. Tall, strange, buildings that he has never seen before. Oddly dressed people and four-wheeled vehicles fill the streets of this bizarre landscape with a bright blue sky. Then he sees an unknown room with a wall of mirrors, a cavern full of dangerous, mechanical people, and lastly, a T-shaped tower. For all of the details that he'd just seen, the Ground Badger is surprised that he saw it all so quickly. What did he just see? Was that…Earth?!
Before he can fully close the door, he swears that the statue of the Fates is staring at him intently, as if to tell him that his path has already been chosen. It's as if they're reassuring him that he can be at peace, because they already know what will happen. Adriel stares at them, seriously considering if the Fates themselves are trying to talk to him. Then he laughs. That is ludicrous! Nobody hears from the Fates besides the prophets!
Adriel shuts the door firmly behind him. He has a strange desire to go back later.
Damiana has never been in this part of the Royal Palace. It turns out that there is a small servants' entrance that leads to the kitchens, and it is well hidden by the phoenix stables. At first Damiana had been horrified that the Royal Knights standing guard wouldn't let them pass. Thankfully, the two guardsmen from the Water Flower Clan saw Adriel, gave him beaming smiles, and waved all five of them through to the Palace kitchens.
"It's nice of you to give your servants a day at the Palace. Maybe they will get new ideas for meals."
"Yep, that's right!" Adriel exclaimed. "I also don't know how long this meeting will last, so I wanted to bring them in case I get hungry for a snack or need my boots shined. They know my snack preferences and they know what kind of polish to use."
"Smart man," the Water Flower guard complimented. "Also a good idea using the servant's entrance. We wouldn't want Her Majesty Queen Guayusa getting upset because you think her servants are incapable of meeting your needs."
"Exactly! The gears in my head are always turning."
Once they'd entered, Damiana was equally afraid that the cooks would say something, but they didn't. They were absorbed in their tasks and didn't give the group a second glance. It turned out that there was a door in a small hallway in the kitchens leading to the Palace's basement. Adriel led them down that stairwell the instant they were out of sight of the cooks. Now here they stand, at a level of the Royal Palace that is beyond the Palace laundering facilities, beyond the storage areas, and even beyond the armory. The basement is such a tangled web that she is astonished that Adriel was able to find this area. This labyrinth of dusty rooms and drafty corridors is known as the archives.
Damiana lights a miniscule flame in her hand. There are rows of shelves that stretch forever along the musty, gray, walls into eternity. The shelves directly in front of her have books, but farther down the corridor, there appear to be scrolls.
"Scrolls," she says to herself. "Scrolls haven't been used in over three-hundred years!"
There is another archive on one of the upper levels; a clean space with carefully cataloged shelves. The archive that Damiana is thinking of is located in a room with a skylight and a staircase with gem-embedded handrails. The tables are polished wood, and the chairs have soft, velvety cushions. This archive is so…different! There are tables and chairs in the most distant of corners, but they're covered in dust. There aren't any cushions, either. The tables and chairs are splintering. There are torches, but they have to be lit as they enter each area. This deep beneath the Palace, there are, of course, no windows. The biggest difference, however, is that there are no scrolls in the archive on the upper level.
"Adriel, how did you find this place? I didn't even know that this was here!"
"I'm a Squire. I use the armory," the Ground Badger chortles.
That makes perfect sense. The armory is only a few hallways away. Caen sneezes whilst Tenna browses the discolored ancient texts. Roy is busy answering more of Caen's questions about Earth. All the while, Damiana gawps at Adriel, not skeptically, but with concern.
"You're going to come back for us, right?"
"Of course I will. I also think that taking the time to search the archives right now is a good idea. Who knows what information you might find? However, staying here too long is also a bad idea. We'll either head back to the Ground Badger Compound, or find a new place for all of you to stay."
"How much longer will the Ground Badger Compound be safe?" Damiana frowns.
"Jaegana will be back any time now if her pregnancy tests are all negative, so not much longer." He backs toward the exit with a forced smile. "Anyway, read what you can. Maybe you'll find something out about the zirgnant tool. I'll be back after the war meeting."
The door clicks shut behind him before she can say another word. The would-be queen sighs, saunters over to the shelves, and begins rummaging. This is going to be a long day.
Adriel's head has been pulsing all morning long and doesn't show the slightest hints of subsiding. He stands in the men's restroom doing last minute adjustments to his ensemble. His silver-colored armor is brightly polished; especially Dabnod's Squire emblem, a simple image of a bronze shield. Tall, knee-length, boots are so shiny that spending that many gems on shoe polish should be illegal. As for the Ground Badger belt, the creature's eyes crafted from green gemstones glint brightly, and its barred teeth are as intimidating as ever.
Adriel looks like the son of Aerad, Patriarch of the Ground Badger Clan, and the future King of Dabnod. Or, at least he would look that way if he were happy. The boy has been doing everything he can to appear happy. He tells himself jokes. He thinks of childhood fairy tales about cities where there is no famine, no disease, and everyone is a friend. He imagines Jaegana being free of Saeran. Yet, no matter what he imagines, it is no use. His waist-length ponytail is dark gray, and normally cherry red eyes are the color of obsidian.
He is probably late for the meeting by now. Knowing that he should not keep Aerad the Ground Badger Patriarch waiting a moment longer, Adriel exits the restroom. The grand double doors stand directly across from him. They are massive and ornate, being crafted from gold and silver. A bold image of the Fates is carved into the door. The Fates' eyes are dark green gemstones, and the rope binding them is inlaid with amber gemstones. Queen Guayusa's office is directly beside the meeting room. A "Do Not Disturb" sign hangs from the gilded door knob. Voices still come from behind the closed door. The Queen hasn't even entered the meeting room yet. She is still consulting with her top Advisor.
"Praise the Fates. I'm not late!"
Light, carefree, laughter rebounds from a few feet away. Startled, Adriel whips one-hundred and eighty degrees around. Loitering in the middle of the hallway is none other than Saeran. "Not yet you're not. You'd better hurry. You're about to be late for the opportunity of a lifetime!" The water user's hair and eyes are their usual colors of sparkling amber.
Adriel sighs perturbed. Not now. Sweet Fates, not now! "Oh! Uh… Hi, Saeran."
"'Hi, Saeran.' What are we? Vague acquaintances making polite conversation at a dinner party?"
"No. I'm just surprised to see you." Digging through the recesses of his memory, it occurs to Adriel where Saeran should be and where he most definitely isn't. This is especially true, considering how their training mission was cancelled. This causes him to scowl. "Jaegana is getting her results today. Shouldn't you be at the Raxtin House for…I don't know…moral support?"
"Eh. The results are what they are. My being there won't change them." The water user embraces him around the shoulders cheerfully. "So why so glum? What could possibly be the matter on a day like today?"
Adriel squirms out of his grasp, backs away, and collapses against the nearest wall. Gaze meeting the ground, the boy ponders for the longest time about what to say. His friend has made some questionable decisions, to say the least. Yet, Saeran is still his friend. This is why, even with all that has happened, Adriel makes the slightest attempt at being genuine.
"I'm not sure if I can go in there. Call me crazy, but I have a bad feeling about this."
The instant the words leave his mouth, the Ground Badger regrets it. Saeran chuckles as lightheartedly and jovially as ever. "Adriel, of all the times for you to shove aside your optimism and worry, why now? You're attending the meeting of the century at your father's right hand. This is something to be happy about!"
As difficult as it is, he meets his best friend's gaze. It feels as if there is a gaping chasm between them that only he can see. Yet, he tries again. "Do you know that for sure? We don't know what this meeting is about, Saeran. Nobody does. If Queen Guayusa put so much effort into keeping the topic of this meeting a secret, then it's going to be something big. Even if I'm in the minority, which I probably will be, I have a feeling that I won't like what I'm about to hear."
More laughter. More of that infuriating laughter. "What's not to like? No matter what strategy she has, everyone knows that it is going to be something meant to defeat the Tamaraneans. It doesn't matter how big it is. If it gives us enough power to defeat the Troqs, then we should do it no matter the cost."
"No matter the cost? That's a steep price to pay, Saeran. Don't get me wrong. I want to defeat the Tamaraneans as bad as everyone else. I just don't think it's worth making sacrifices on such a large scale." Who is Adriel kidding? Saeran has no clue what he's talking about. Knowing Saeran, he also won't care what he's talking about.
Saeran tsks and shakes his head. "You're putting too much thought into this. Just go into the meeting room and take your place beside your father. By the end of the meeting, I'm sure you'll realize that whatever Queen Guayusa is planning is a good idea."
The Ground Badger should be angry, and not just angry. He should be fuming. Instead, for the first time since he was a small child, the boy feels almost like he wants to cry. Of course, he doesn't. Instead, Adriel gives a heaving sigh. "It was stupid for me to think that I could talk to you about this. You don't understand at all."
Adriel tugs open the double doors and slams them shut behind him with a thud. Honestly, Adriel would prefer it if he never had to see Saeran again. He has never confessed this to a living soul, but he hasn't liked Saeran in a long time. He cares about his friend the same way that he cares for Dami, but he doesn't like the water user. Adriel is only now beginning to realize how possible it is to care about someone while simultaneously disliking them. Thankfully, he doesn't dislike Dami; neither young Dami nor older Dami. She has always had more sense than Saeran.
Somehow, the slamming of the double doors doesn't attract much attention. Everyone glances at him for a moment, takes a collective sigh of relief, then goes back to reviewing notes and texts on the desks in front of them. There are five rows of desks in the balcony above him, all divided by station. The highest row is for Queen Guayusa's Advisors and Royal Council members, below that are the Royal Knights, and the other three rows are for the highest ranking Clans in the Capital City. The Ground Badger Clan is in the middle row, Aerad sitting front and center. The Fire Phoenixes and Water Flowers also share this row. The Sky Serpents, Larcacks, and Mountain Uiikins are directly beneath them. Adriel hardly notices which Clans are seated along the bottom row.
Right now the Ground Badger boy stands in the pit, a place in the center of the room reserved for speakers. There is a large stone podium which Adriel doesn't touch. Deciding it best not to linger, he rushes for the stairs leading to the balcony. The pit looks intimidating from this height. The podium is back-dropped by a large golden banner bearing the crest of Dabnod, which is a silver and green orb. Adriel doesn't realize how motionless he is standing or how tightly he'd been clutching the railing until the Ground Badger Patriarch hollers.
"Adriel, my boy, please come sit down." Once he climbs an additional flight of stairs, meanders past the Ground Badger Clan Elders, and sits at his father's desk, Aerad inquires, "What's the matter? You're grayer than the sky during a storm!"
Sweet Fates! His hair probably hasn't changed a bit. As futile as it seems, the boy forces a sheepish grin. "I can't help it. I'm nervous. I've never been in the meeting room before. It's such..uh…an honor!"
There is no doubt that sixteen-year-old Damiana and Roy would see right through the grin, as would Tenna. That's why he likes them. They seem to understand him. As for Aerad, the Patriarch doesn't question it in the slightest.
"It most definitely is a great honor. I'm so happy that you've recognized that! And don't be nervous, my boy. You won't have to say a word. You're here to make your presence known, and that is all."
If it wouldn't cause trouble, Adriel would roll his eyes. Instead, he smiles once more. "Of course, father. I suppose I've been silly."
Praise the Fates that Queen Guayusa chooses now to enter. Adriel doesn't have to speak another word to his father. Of course, little does Adriel realize that his father's frivolous concerns over status are about to become the absolute least of his worries.
The archives are eerie. Water can be heard dripping in distant corners. The torches cast strange shadows on the walls. Green beetles and blue caterpillars crawl amongst the yellowed pages of ancient literature. If this was Earth and not Dabnod, Damiana knows that there would be spiders, too. Thankfully, spiders don't exist here. Caen and Roy seem fine, though. They sit at one of the splintering tables doing an English lesson. One of the old shelves has blank parchment and full inkwells, so Roy is showing Caen English writing in addition to speech. The child is baffled by the alphabet, but also fascinated. Meanwhile, Tenna is nowhere to be found.
The would-be queen is delving into a scroll. It has nothing to do with zirgnant tools as far as she can see. It was written by an ancient king that lived nearly four-hundred years ago based on the date that is written. The tube that the scroll is kept in is labeled "The Final Testament of King Huvrad". The girl is well aware that she should be searching for something more useful to their current set of circumstances, but this document is really quite fascinating.
This is when Tenna, who'd disappeared quite a while ago, sprints up the corridor in her direction. Damiana immediately puts the scroll away and dashes to meet her. "Tenna, what's wrong?"
"Nothing," she pants. "Nothing is 'wrong', but something is very right! Follow me! Roy and Caen, you come, too, but please make sure you're quiet!"
They follow along after the mountaineer while being as silent as possible. They make four right turns and two left turns, each corridor the same as the one previous. Once they finally reach their destination, Damiana examines the area with care. At first there seems to be nothing here that is significant. Then she hears it. Voices. She looks up. High above the topmost shelves are air vents. It takes a moment of intent listening, but the voice's owner is finally recognized. It is the callous, business-like, voice of Her Majesty Queen Guayusa.
"It seems that these air vents connect with the Palace's meeting room," Tenna whispers in her ear.
Without responding, the girl immediately climbs the dusty shelves like a ladder, thankful that they are so sturdily built. Scrolls clatter to the floor, which Tenna catches. It is much easier to hear now that she is directly beside the vent. It's as if Queen Guayusa is across the room from her instead of floors above them. Roy climbs to the top shelf as well, though with more skill and fewer fallen scrolls. Before Caen can try to climb, Tenna holds him back.
"Meetings are very boring, Caen. I think I saw a book of myths and legends that you'll like."
"But I want to hear the meeting!" The child pouts.
"Aww, alright then. We can stay and listen to the meeting. I'm disappointed, though. I wanted to read about the flying lizards who lived in the ancient swamp."
That seems to convince Caen. A few seconds later, Roy and Damiana are alone with only the Death Queen herself keeping them company. Why the girl wants to listen, she isn't sure. Maybe it's because the few weeks on Dabnod were so horrifying. Maybe it's because of how much everyone talked about the meeting in general when she was a child. Talk of this meeting overshadowed talk of the Annual Migration Festival by a long-shot! Regardless, now that she's here, the girl knows that she won't move. Damiana wants to know what Queen Guayusa's plans were. Who knows? Maybe her upcoming war plans are what helped bring about Dabnod's end.
Queen Guayusa looks like she should be attending a gala. The sleeveless yellow dress that she wears has an elegant train and a tapered waist. Topaz gemstones sparkle around the gown's high collar, the tapered waist, and the train. The train is fully bedecked by them, not just along the edge of the hem. The only thing that shines brighter than the gown is the golden crown embedded by emerald-colored gemstones. Guayusa the Death Queen straightens it with a ring-bedecked pointer finger. Her top Advisor smooths out her train and then takes his seat in the uppermost balcony.
How someone so elegant can also appear so menacing has always been a mystery to Adriel. Death Queen Guayusa's pale pink eyes skim the crowd shrewdly. "I see that everyone I summoned is in attendance. Excellent. You all know why you're here, so there's no need for introductions. Councilman Six, the reports for our outpost on Azarath, and our outposts on the Cintari Moons numbered Five, Eight, and Nine."
Councilman Six of the Fire Phoenix Clan, a man in his mid forties with a bushy beard, stands. He straightens his emerald green cape with a flourish and adjusts his jeweled sword hilt before speaking. Adriel looks more at his golden armor than at his face.
"Thank you, Your Majesty. Each outpost has seen a vast increase in births. On our Azarathean outpost, births increased from thirty-one to forty-seven in the time elapsed since our last annual census. Similar increases were seen on our Cintari Moon outposts. Moon Five increased from twenty to twenty-nine, Moon Eight increased from thirty-eight to fifty-two, and Moon Nine increased from fifteen to twenty-two." Councilman Six smirks. "As an unofficial request, may I suggest transferring some of our more attractive participants from Moon Eight to Moon Nine? It might help with the numbers there."
Chuckles ring throughout the room. All the while, Adriel's hair shifts to lime green. He was aware of their military outposts on other planets, but he'd had no clue that so many people resided there! According to his studies, military outposts contain the bare minimum number of Royal Knights needed for it to function. They're primarily meant to act as temporary shelter to Knight Squadrons that are passing through the area. But based on the number of births provided by Councilman Six, it sounds as though there are entire towns at these outposts!
Once the chuckles die down, Queen Guayusa continues. Surprisingly, a smirk teases at the corners of her rouged lips. "Yes. I will keep that in mind. Anything to further increase our numbers." Smirk fully escaping, the Queen points to someone different. "Councilman Nine, there are many beautiful girls in the Sky Serpent Clan. There are also a few handsome boys that are reaching the age of fertility. Can you send six more girls and six more boys to Moon Eight within the next lunar cycle?"
Councilman Nine stands and nods eagerly. "Absolutely! Their parents would be honored to have them volunteer. When they hear that they are going to one of the original Raxtin Houses established by King Brulein, the parents and their children will be ecstatic! After learning that these Raxtin Houses exist, of course. And we will make absolutely certain that they hold to the statute of secrecy."
"Perfect. Councilman Seven, I will need three more girls and three more boys from the Water Flower Clan as well. I will give you two lunar cycles to be sure that enough participants become of age."
Councilman Seven stands, utters a brief "Yes, Your Majesty", and sits back down.
Silence ensues. Queen Guayusa's footfalls echo as she crosses the pit to stand behind the podium. She straightens her notes and observes the crowd once more. Any hint of amusement that had previously been there drains from the room at her stony gaze.
"In case the numbers of new births does not express the excellent success that we are having with the original Raxtin Houses, Councilman Two shared some detailed information about the Squires on those outposts who will soon be ranking up to Royal Knight. The total number this year will be two-hundred and seventy-three, and that is excluding the six outposts that we have on Karna, and the three additional outposts on Azarath. In total, our numbers of new Royal Knights from our outposts will be approximately fifteen-hundred; I will have an exact number after our next official census in another month."
Adriel cannot help staring blankly. Comparing the number of soldiers they need with the amount of soldiers they're getting, fifteen-hundred is not a lot. Anywhere from three-thousand to five-thousand is the amount of soldiers they will need to defeat the Tamaraneans. Then again, Adriel supposes that this is where their alliance with the Gordanians comes in.
Apparently he isn't the only person who thinks that fifteen-hundred isn't that impressive. Queen Guayusa glowers at them, her rose red curls shifting to midnight blue. "I understand that this number seems miniscule compared to Tamaran's forces, but you have not heard what our new soldiers are capable of. Councilmen Two and Five have been focusing on our four oldest outposts and researching our new children. It seems as if thirty years of selective breeding is beginning to glean results. Councilman Two, would you like to share the results that you and Councilman Five have gathered from your research?"
Councilman Two of the Ground Badger Clan stands so abruptly that he almost falls over. "I would be honored, Your Majesty. The young men and women who we have studied are showing a significantly higher aptitude for advanced elemental usage than any prior generation. Their aptitude may be higher than Lady Damiana's, the most talented prodigy that we have seen in two decades! The fire users that we studied are able to manifest Eternal Night at an average age of eight. On average, their fire burns hot enough to effortlessly burn through rock, and in many cases, the plirtkin alloy used for our fire-resistant armor. Not every fire user can burn through our plirtkin alloy yet, but another decade of carefully selecting our Raxtin House candidates, and they may be able to."
To everyone's astonishment, Councilman Five of the Mountain Uiikin Clan bursts from his seat. The man's hair gleams brilliant gold with uncontainable glee. "You are withholding information, most esteemed Councilman. The children we examined possessed the capability to incinerate stone buildings in less than thirty seconds if there is a group of five or more. Tamaran's third-largest military base is only gone because of the children. We, of course, did not put them to further use as was requested. We understand that their abilities require further study."
The only thing more frightening than this newly revealed information is the smirk on Queen Guayusa's face. It is a twisted smirk of delight and malice. "Excellent. What of the air users, Councilman Five?"
"The air users have arguably exhibited more progress than the fire users. These children are able to remove the oxygen from the air, as well as from the lungs of living creatures, and they typically manage this at an average age of ten. Some of the children manage the feat of oxygen removal with humanoid species, but many can only achieve this with animals. It may take another generation before they can manage humanoids in large numbers. Although, the few that possess this ability were very effective against the Tamaranean captives."
"Do I have permission to speak, Your Majesty?" asks Councilman Two.
"Permission granted."
"Thank you, Your Majesty. Arguably, our water users are showing the most promise. All of our water users in the Raxtin Houses we've examined were able to cause flash floods, and all of them did this by age nine. They can also breathe frost and cause snowstorms, an ability that we thought was lost to the era of the Ancient Kings."
As inconspicuous as possible, Adriel hugs himself tightly. He is trying to stop shaking. This… This can't be happening… Air users haven't been able to remove air from people in hundreds of years! As for Eternal Night, that is an incredibly difficult fire using technique. He isn't even sure if sixteen-year-old Dami can perform Eternal Night! This is…petrifying! It's like he is in the middle of a bad dream.
When Aerad claps him on the shoulder and whispers in his ear, it feels as if Adriel is being spoken to by an envoy of evil. "You and lady Damiana will produce children with abilities of these extreme magnitudes, my boy! What they're saying is only the beginning."
Much to his terror, it is only the beginning. Councilman Two continues. "I would go into more detail regarding our rock users, but additional detail is not needed. Our very own Adriel has exhibited all of the skills that the rock users in the Raxtin Houses are exhibiting. They rearrange the molecules of stones to form different materials. They can cause earthquakes and open crevices in the ground single-handed. Some have displayed an ability to control particles invisible to the naked eye. This may prove to be helpful if this can be used to choke and destroy our enemies, but it needs more research. Rock users were the first to display magnified abilities, so it seems we've let our research on them slip for the past decade or so."
Disappointment is visible in the Queen's eyes, which are shifting to midnight blue. Of course, nobody would know that she is angry from her cool, business-like, tone. "Adriel is still the most advanced of the rock using Squires that are ranking up this year. I suggest starting with him. Learn about the smallest possible particles that he can control, and continue on from there. I want results by next month's meeting, and then we can determine how to research the rock users at our outpost Raxtin Houses."
"Yes, Your Majesty. The Clan Elders and I will meet at our Clan Center after this meeting and develop a new training regimen for Sir Adriel."
"Excellent. Councilmen Five and Two, you may both be seated." Queen Guayusa's gaze travels from the topmost row of desks to the row directly beneath it. Her eyes land on the person sitting directly above Adriel, a grizzled-looking man with a scar over his right eyes. "General Haezen, your report from the war front, please."
The General is grinning. "Much progress has been made, your Majesty. The trials that you enabled the Raxtin House children to complete was of great benefit. Being able to capture the military base on Tamaran's Glargnek continent has set us on course to win the war." Pausing to clear his throat, he continues, "My men and I are requesting further use of the Raxtin House children. With their abilities, we may be able to win this war in two months' time."
For whatever reason, Queen Guayusa appears skeptical. She raises a midnight blue eyebrow. "Please, General Haezen, clarify what you mean by 'win the war'."
"To win the war, Your Majesty, we would need to capture the military bases on the Slarnak and Murgledorkian continents, and we would also need to capture Tamaran's Royal Palace. Whether this means total annihilation or bringing Tamaran under Dabnod's control is to be determined."
The Death Queen chuckles dryly. "This is why I'm glad that we have these meetings, most highly esteemed General. These meetings help me ensure that we are all following the same plan. To help you and your subordinates be rid of any confusion, Tamaran will not be annihilated. We are going to bring Tamaran under Dabnodian control. If you engage in the total destruction of Tamaran, I will have you court martialed." General Hazen pales as the Queen speaks once more. "If it helps, we will continue using the children from the outpost Raxtin Houses. Under my direction, we will seize immediate control of Tamaran. They will need more time to train, of course. They will need to learn battle strategies and how to take instructions. That should take roughly….six weeks, would you say, General?"
"Yes. The children are already very well trained. An additional six weeks of basic training should be all that they require."
"Excellent. Once they are ready, I will join you on the battle front. Tamaraneans are brutish creatures. They will be enslaved quickly. Who knows? Three, maybe four, more decades of the Raxtin Program, and we may be able to expand our reach past Tamaran. It has been a long time, but we could control the universe again."
It happens astonishingly quick, but midnight blue curls shift to brilliant gold. The entirety of the room applauds. All besides Adriel, that is. For whatever reason, the boy risks a glimpse in Knight Master Urrvink's direction. To his surprise, Squadron Thirteen's Knight Master is frowning. Urrvink's hair is stormy gray, and his eyes are bruise-colored purple. For a split second, Adriel is thankful that he isn't the only person who is unhappy by what he is hearing.
Enslaving Tamaran is a bad idea. Recreating Dabnodians with unmatchable strength is a bad idea. Enslaving other creatures being morally wrong is only the start of the problem. Tamaraneans have formidable strength of their own, as do other species. What would stop them from revolting and enslaving the Dabnodians in revenge? Or worse yet, what would stop Death Queen Guayusa from enslaving her own people if they were to rebel? She keeps a tight leash on the Dabnodian people as it is, and it can always get worse…
Suddenly, Knight Master Urrvink meets Adriel's gaze. They seem to be sharing the exact same thoughts. Neither of them seem to think that enslaving the people of Tamaran is wise.
At last, they are interrupted by a member of the Royal Council. Adriel is too caught up in his inner musings to notice which one. "Your Majesty Queen Guayusa, do I have permission to speak?"
"You may speak, Councilman One."
"Thank you, Your Majesty. I have an inquiry. If you are away, then who will keep watch over the home front? Will you appoint someone to take charge during your absence?"
Guayusa the Death Queen gives a genuine smile. "Yes. Damiana's birthday is next month. Once she turns twelve, I will formally announce her as Dabnod's next Queen and announce Adriel as her betrothed. However, since she won't be of age to marry or to rule until sixteen, Councilman Six of the Fire Phoenix Clan will act as King Regent. Councilman Two of the Ground Badger Clan will act as an Advisor to the King Regent. Of course, the Clan Elders of the Fire Phoenix and Ground Badger Clans will also be of magnificent guidance for the future Queen and her King."
"So they will be in charge of the home front indefinitely?"
"Yes. I will make frequent visits to oversee their growth as the future leaders of Dabnod, of course. As for you, Adriel," she turns to look at him, her features shifting back to midnight blue, "you are expected to continue your military career. The Dabnodians need a strong King to look up to. You and Damiana will also produce children of your own. My grandchildren will be third generation Raxtin children, and l expect them to be even stronger than the two of you. I expect the two of you, and eventually my grandchildren, to continue our conquest. We will have the Andromeda Galaxy back under control, and we will annihilate anyone who wishes to stand in our way.
"Adriel, my dear son-in-law, do not disappoint me."
The boy's hair and eyes are pure soot with terror. Yet, Adriel's voice comes out sounding strong. "Yes, Your Majesty."
"As for those who will be left in charge of Damiana in my absence, if she is ideologically misled or harmed in any way, I will execute you. Not with my fire, but with my bare hands. Nobody will harm a single hair on my daughter's head or give her poor guidance without repercussions."
Silence lingers. Adriel is no longer the only person in the room with soot-colored locks. Even when Queen Guayusa's spirits seem to lift, their hair doesn't change back. It is only when she continues speaking that the atmosphere of the meeting room seems to change.
"With the exception of Councilman Ten, everyone is dismissed. Councilman Ten, meet me in my office. I would like to discuss how construction on the Tamaranean Education Center is going…"
Even once they're dismissed, Adriel doesn't move. He doesn't move for a long time, even at his father's urging. Did Queen Guayusa just call him her son-in-law?!
"...Nobody will harm a single hair on my daughter's head or give her poor guidance without repercussions."
This phrase is spoken loudly enough so that it resounds throughout the archive.
A/N: Thank you for reading! I will write what I intend to be the last chapter of Part IV as soon as I am able. Admittedly, I write most of my chapters between calls at work, as I do information and referral for a living. When calls are slow, I get a lot of writing done! However, my call center has a tax program that we schedule for, and we start scheduling tax appointments next week.(Don't get me wrong. I love my job whether or not calls are slow! I talk to a lot of good people on my job.) So unless I have time at home, it could be a little while before I'm able to write. And I would rather spend time with my baby, so a lot of times, I don't write at home. My nugget is starting to walk now, so my job is making sure that she doesn't chew on my phone charging cord or crack her skull open on the coffee table. (I love my cute danger baby xD)
In short, with tax season and being a mama, it might be a little while, but I will write another chapter as soon as I can.
Thanks for reading!
Forever and always,
~OCQ