A/N: Hello, everyone! It has been a long seven months, hasn't it? Originally I was going to quit writing, but here I am! :)
Put simply, I went through a lot during my half a year of hiatus. My dad commit suicide... I almost married an unemployable pornography addict... My engagement ring AND my promise ring are in Lake Michigan now. I threw a ninety dollar diamond into the water, but it was worth it! If it wasn't for how much I love my jobs and how amazing my friends are, I could very well be insane by now. It's a good thing I have such amazing friends, family, and coworkers! Somehow, despite the hell on earth I've been through, they've kept me sane. Lovers are horrible, but friends are amazing! :D
Anyway, enough about my personal life. Who's ready for more "Firelight"?! I had to reread all of Part III and most of Parts I and II to write this chapter, but it was worth it! I've missed writing so much! :,)
Who can remember every detail of a story after a seven month hiatus? I can't! Thus, I added a "previously" for those who want it. Enjoy, all, and thanks for reading!
Disclaimer: I do not own Teen Titans.
Part III: Secrets: Chapter Thirty-One
Previously…
After being stranded on planet Earth for five long years following the destruction of her planet, sixteen-year-old Damiana found herself in Steel City. Steel City was home to the Titans East, and one night after six months of living there, the young alien ran into Titan Speedy. Through a complex series of events, the girl who had previously been known as a loner ended up assisting the archer and his team against a dangerous villain. This villain is known as Black Shadow. He is a danger not only to the Titans, but also to the Justice League.
Over a span of three weeks not only did Damiana join Titans East under the name "Firelight", but she also ended up journeying to Metropolis to assist in Black Shadow's defeat. The villain had access to a machine capable of opening rifts to any planet during any historical period. Were he to find an infinite power source to keep the machine stable, he would become an even greater threat.
While Damiana had no regrets about joining Titans East, the mission still made her nervous. What if they were unable to defeat Black Shadow? What if she was unable to remain calm around Starfire, the princess of the planet that destroyed her home? That could put their entire mission in jeopardy, as well as her relationship with the Teen Titans. Not to mention the alien girl's worst fear. Being discovered as a survivor from planet Dabnod.
The thought of how many things could go wrong horrified Damiana.
Upon arriving in the city of Metropolis, however, the girl came face-to-face with many unforeseeable realities. Until Robin, Starfire, and Frostbite arrived to assist them, it was Firelight, Cyborg and Speedy's job to search the Metropolis Museum of History and Astrology. Black Shadow had sent a signal there upon the completion of his machine, and the trio was determined to figure out what he was after. Although, two of the young Titans found much more than Black Shadow's prize. What Damiana and the undercover "Roy" stumbled upon changed their lives eternally.
For five years Damiana had wandered planet Earth alone, disguised as a human and horribly isolated. Then, by chance, she bumped into an old family friend. Adriel was a Knight trained for the very purpose of protecting Dabnod, as was Damiana's elder brother, Saeran. The very fact that he was alive should have been impossible! Yet, Adriel managed to survive. Also a convenient stroke of luck was the fact that he was employed at the museum, lived in a large building alone, and was more than willing to assist the Teen Titans. True, Adriel's part-time belly dancing job disturbed the girl to an extent, but she was eager to overlook it.
As for Roy, during his short three weeks with who he knew as "Leila", he noticed a few oddities. The girl's tendency to speak in a bizarre, unknown, language when emotional. The fact that she concealed her hair and eyes using contact lenses and hair dye. Eventually he also discovered that her race of people was massacred, and that when the dye wears off, her hair changes color. All of this seemed like an unsolvable puzzle to Roy. That is, until he came upon one specific exhibit at the museum they were searching.
The exhibit was called "Planets of the Past", and the primary planet it encompassed was one known as Dabnod. The color-changing hair, the language, the massacre of her people, everything came together during that tour. Not to mention that Leila painted the walls of her room back at the Titans East Tower with pictures of violet grasses; photographs that matched her paintings to the letter hung on the museum walls. The tour guide also informed them of Dabnodian clan symbols, as well as the jewelry that was received when coming of age. Leila wore her clan symbol on a metal band on her right upper arm, just as the guide explained was common for women.
It didn't take long for the Titans' mission to slip Roy's mind. All the young archer could focus on at that point was Leila. Less than a day was what it took for him to confront her.
Damiana was petrified when Roy first found out, but quickly came to the realization the he didn't think differently of her. There was no judgement, no fear, and he did not think her an invader. Roy's only goal was learning more about her. He was genuinely curious, and this warmed both of Damiana's hearts to the core. The two of them spent all that night talking about the late planet Dabnod.
Unfortunately, happiness came to an end the very next morning. They weren't making any progress with their search, and Cyborg was worried along with the others. After communicating with the rest of the Titans, they came to a collective decision that open exhibits needed to be traded for off limits exhibits. Perhaps what Black Shadow was looking for was hidden from the public.
It was apparent that sneaking inside of closed exhibits would be impossible for three Titans dressed as civilians. As a result, Damiana helped the only way she knew how. She contacted Adriel. Both Cyborg and Speedy were surprised at the news of her family friend. Speedy more than Cyborg, for obvious reasons… Yet, they were excited nonetheless. What a convenient turn of events!
Upon meeting with Adriel, the vivacious belly dancer proved to be compliant. He assisted them without complaint or hesitation. Based on what he told them, he felt it was his duty to protect Earth from a dangerous criminal. Because of this, he went as far as showing them a confidential map of hidden locations within the museum. He also accompanied them in their search and lent them the use of his employee access cards.
Damiana and Cyborg were overjoyed! Roy, on the other hand, had a strange feeling about Adriel. Something about the man was off... When Adriel cornered Roy in an exhibit alone, Adriel's strangeness became even more apparent. He gave Roy warnings about the future, saying that it would unravel Damiana and tear her apart. Her entire reality on Dabnod would prove to be a lie, he explained. It was for this reason that he asked Roy to be a pillar to Damiana when her world turned upside down.
All the archer wanted was time to think about what Adriel told him. Was the man crazy, or was he somehow right? Before he could elaborate on it farther, however, worst came to worst. Black Shadow appeared. It turned out that he took what he wanted several days ago. A rare Earth mineral known as Zenotrum was missing. In a large enough quantity, Zenotrum functioned as a long-lasting power supply. If Black Shadow used the sample he took to locate more, it would truly be over.
Sadly, the three Titans and Adriel didn't get the opportunity to stop the villain. He vanished as quickly as he appeared, leaving a large, three-headed, dragon for them to battle. They were able to defeat Black Shadow's monster with their combined strength, protecting several hundred civilians. In the process, however, the Teen Titans were revealed to the world. Metropolis was under Justice League protection, making it off limits to the Titans. It would only be a matter of time before they were hunted down by the big heroes and punished severely.
Cyborg, Speedy, and Firelight returned to Adriel's residence, the belly dancing Dabnodian volunteering to hide them. When Robin, Starfire, and Frostbite made it to them, it would come time to share their shame and formulate a plan.
However, even with the endless surprises that those three days in Metropolis brought, it appeared that the fates had one more surprise in store. Damiana had mentioned her late elder brother to both Speedy and Cyborg. She and Adriel spoke of him continuously after their reunion. Not only that, but when she wasn't talking about him, Damiana was always thinking about him. Saeran's death affected her more than any other tragedy.
The Fates must have seen this and taken mercy on the alien girl. Like Adriel, Saeran had miraculously survived the destruction of Dabnod.
Five years of agony. Five years of longing for the past. Five years of missing her elder brother so much that her hearts ache. Every ounce of Damiana once believed that hope was lost. In one way or another, hope still feels lost. If what she is experiencing is a vivid hallucination, then the alien girl's sanity is finally slipping. In this moment, however, Damiana couldn't care less about her mental stability. This schizophrenic hallucination is one so precious that it shakes her to her core.
Standing amid shards of ice and splinters of broken glass is the spitting image of Saeran.
Her brother's medium build, his dual canteens, the unique crevices of his face, each of Saeran's features are there down to the last detail. The only significant difference is that he has aged. A boyish face lacking in facial hair now has a fair amount of stubble, and a twiggy build has filled out into something somewhat muscular. Saeran's eyes are different as well, appearing blue rather than color-changing. Why her imagination would produce a blue-eyed Saeran, Damiana could never guess.
Shivers run the length of her spine as she stares at the figment. He locks onto her gaze with tears in his eyes, a flurry of what seems like elated emotions striking the alien girl in the gut. In life, Saeran's emotions were always kept very carefully in check. The crying not only confuses her, but it is also frightening. If what she is looking at is an apparition, then why is this phantom so emotional?
Inside Damiana's head, it seems like she is only one straw away from having a psychotic breakdown. She isn't sure how long Adriel stands behind her, but eventually it is the shattering of a glass plate filled with nachos that brings the girl to reality. What brings her closer to reality is Adriel's voice. He, too, seems to believe that the sight he is looking at is a hallucination. The male belly dancer almost sounds in more disbelief than Damiana. If she didn't know better, Damiana might even call him scared.
"S-S-Sae…ran?!"
The girl screams inside her head with shock. Adriel sees him, too?!
Glancing briefly at the once vivacious young Knight, these thoughts are immediately confirmed. Adriel's eyes are a wide shade of lime green and his mouth hangs agape. It wouldn't surprise Damiana if his face freezes like this.
As for the person she'd previously assumed was imaginary, he appears in a state of astonishment. His eyes are locked onto Adriel while blinking them hard several times. This man is dumbfounded if Damiana has ever seen it. Only after processing this reaction does it begin sinking in.
Face paling, the girl speaks aloud. The language is something of very little importance in this moment. All she knows is that speaking is vital.
"Sweet fates… I don't believe this… S-Saeran?!"
The instant words leave her mouth, it's as if something inside of him snaps. For a rare time in Damiana's memory, her elder brother is crying like a small child. Never has the girl seen eyes so filled with bliss. Voice heavy with sobs, the man speaks at last. Adriel gives a visible flinch, making it known that Saeran's familiar baritone strikes a nerve with them both.
"It's okay! I'm here, Damiana! And I can't believe it…Adriel, too!"
He sprints across the room with a tear-stained face. One second he is in the dance studio's center amidst carnage, and the next Damiana finds familiar arms embracing her. She still isn't certain on whether this is real. All she knows is that she can feel Saeran's body heaving as he cries. He hugs her more tightly than the girl can ever recall being hugged.
It takes what seems like eternity for truth to fully register, but eventually the feel of skin that is cool to the touch strikes. An instant later the smells of ice and water also come to her realization. Cool skin as well as a faint, frosty, smell were common traits of water users. For strong water users, this was especially true. There was never a day in his life when Saeran smelled normal or had skin that felt warm.
Only when these sensations dawn on her completely does Damiana emerge from unbelief. This cool-skinned man that smells like ice… who she has seen during multiple transmissions… who is embracing her tightly while sobbing … is Saeran.
Three seconds is what it takes for salty moisture to emerge from Damiana's eyes. After an additional second, she is returning his embrace full-force.
"Sweet fates, this isn't real! How can it be real?! This must be some wonderful dream that I'm going to wake up from!"
She tightens her embrace at the thought, expecting Saeran to vanish in a puff of smoke and to wake up in her motel room in Steel City. The Titans East, Black Shadow, Adriel, and now Saeran? The idea of so many things happening at once seems impossible. The Titans East and perhaps Black Shadow are possible, but the survival of Adriel and Saeran? How are two Dabnodian Knights trained to defend their planet supposed to escape their planet's destruction? Saeran would have fought tooth and nail for Dabnod until the very end. Come to think of it, so would Adriel.
How did they both escape Dabnod without the other knowing?
One strong hug and one deep inhale, however, and it is immediately confirmed to Damiana that this isn't a dream in the slightest. Somehow, as unlikely as it is, Saeran is here in the flesh. The smell of ice and her big brother's touch overwhelming her, the alien girl speaks again. Much like previously, the language her words are in doesn't much matter.
"Saeran? Oh my gosh! Saeran! Sweet fates! Sweet fates! Adriel's still alive, and now you, and now… Oh, sweet fates! I can't believe this!"
Adriel has not yet joined the embrace, his posture stiff. He must believe that he is hallucinating exactly as Damiana had. It is precisely for this reason that the girl frees a hand to tug on his sleeve. Her yanks are rough and persistent.
"Adriel, it's Saeran! He's alive! Saeran is alive, Adriel!"
It takes a lengthy moment, as well as an additonal pull from Saeran, but eventually Adriel joins the hug. Oddly, his posture remains rigid. He doesn't seem happy in the tiniest quantity. Surprised, yes, but not necessarily happy…
"I never thought I would see my family again! Especially not you, Adriel! The fates have seen our suffering and have decided to reunite us! We must have done something right!"
Saeran tightens their embrace farther, his words nearly indecipherable in any language due to the weight of his tears.
"I love you so much, baby sister! I never stopped loving you for a single moment. Earth has served you well. You've grown into a beautiful woman!" He makes a strange noise that sounds like a cross between a laugh and a sob. "You're still taller than me, aren't you, Adriel? Oh, I wish you would say something! You're in worse shock than Dami, my Knight Brother."
More than anything, Damiana wants to speak. Even so, she refrains. Adriel's posture has stiffened farther. To Damiana, her family friend is acting like an escaped animal caught by a lasso. When he shares verbally, this is made more apparent than before.
"You're really here, Saeran? You're actually…alive? I thought I would never see you again for as long as I live. The only thing I had left of you were pleasant memories. It's funny the way things change when you least expect it..."
Eyes widening, she arches a puzzled brow. So dumbstruck is the Dabnodian girl that she pulls away from them both simply to gawk at Adriel. Was that…disappointment…heard in his tone? A harsh stance. A frown running deeper than a ravine. Stormy gray eyes. Turbulent turmoil roiling across his features like the foreboding sea. In this moment, Damiana sees it.
Adriel isn't normal.
Saeran, however, doesn't seem to notice the intensity of his friend's demeanor. Giving a laugh, he responds to Adriel lightly.
"Are you alright? You act like I'm Knight Master Urrvink come back to punish you." False blue eyes sparkling with joy, he persists, "It's me, Adriel. Try smiling! I haven't changed at all."
The instant Damiana pulls away from the hug, the long-haired belly dancer does as well. She only stands a short distance away from her brother, less than a foot. Adriel, on the other hand, moves away by several yards. His shoulders are shoved against an intact mirror, fear gleaming in his eyes as much as any other tumultuous emotion. Concern permeates Damiana to her core. Saeran merely stares blankly with arms crossed over his chest.
It takes a lengthy minute of observation, his irises becoming more ink with every second, but eventually he responds.
"I'm certain that you haven't changed. Alive or dead, you were always relentless and unyielding…" Taking what appears to be a desperate gasp for breath, he continues. "Which is why I'm surprised to see you…here…and…alive… I thought you died!"
Shaking his head with skepticism, Saeran laughs. "Exactly. I'm alive. Relax. I'm not a ghost, and even if I was, I promise not to haunt you." A wide smile returns to the man's face along with fresh tears. "I'm in such disbelief that the fates decided to spare two Dabnodian Knights! We must have pleased them with our undying loyalty to our planet. Life on Earth can finally be happy!"
Damiana notices it with as little as a glance at her brother. Because of this, she is certain that Adriel sees it. Shining in Saeran's gaze is an intense mixture of yearning and unrestrained joy. Were his eyes undisguised, it is more than certain that they would be glowing amber. Never has the girl seen her brother so happy. For that matter, neither has she seen him shed so many tears. Even on the night of what was assumed to be their permanent separation, he didn't cry half as much as now. Seeing Saeran not just alive, but in such bliss at seeing them both, makes Damiana want to hug him all over again! The single factor that causes the girl to hesitate is their family friend.
Adriel does notice Saeran's joy. Not perceiving it would be something impossible. Something else that is impossible is understanding the belly dancer's facial expression. Damiana thought for sure that there would be delight by now, yet there isn't. He continues staring at Saeran, dread and distress bold on each individual feature. It doesn't seem as though Adriel's world has suddenly been completed. Rather, it appears that Saeran's sudden resurrection has torn his world apart.
Slate black irises and an irreversible frown break each of the girl's hearts in two. If only she were in Saeran's state…
"Myself, Dami, and Adriel! Three Dabnodians surviving together! This is better than I ever could have dreamed!" The man laughs ecstatically. "Things can be exactly as they used to! This is perfect!"
Damiana tries smiling at her brother, but finds herself unable. Every ounce of focus is on Adriel. That is, until she hears another voice. The girl's attention is immediately shaken back to the real world.
"Um, excuse me? This is a beautiful and heartfelt moment…at least as far as I can tell… but I have been waiting for an incredibly long time. My toes and fingers are going to freeze off any time now, I'm sure. Don't even ask what else is going to freeze off!"
Like a bolt, realization strikes. She, Saeran, and Adriel are not in this room alone. Memories rushing in like a flood, it suddenly occurs to Damiana the reason she hiked down to the studio part of the building in the first place. She heard shouting from Roy as well as deafeningly loud noises. Spinning one-hundred and eighty degrees around, the girl is immediately met by the sight of her team mate's misfortune. Frozen in a massive block of ice all the way up to his neck is Roy. Emerald eyes are wide with anger. Especially disconcerting is the archer's blue-tinted skin, accompanied by the sound of chattering teeth.
Damiana notices a civilian Robin and Starfire loitering in front of Roy, but she doesn't give them so much as a nod of recognition. Gasping, she sprints toward him in panic.
"Roy! Oh, sweet fates! It's okay, Roy! I'm coming!"
The girl bulldozes past Robin and Starfire, nearly knocking them down. Once beside the red-haired Titan, she immediately ignites a small flame in each hand. Holding them mere inches away from Roy's icy prison, Damiana does her best to thaw him out safely and effectively.
"Thank you. I'm glad that bloodlust doesn't run in the family. It nice to see that there is an element user here that isn't crazy!" He grants her a partially sarcastic, partially genuine, smile. An instant later it shifts to a scowl. "Do you have any idea how insane your brother is?! He barged in here and tried to kill me! I don't even know what I did!"
Eyes expanding to the size of dinner saucers, Damiana shifts her gaze to Saeran. His arms are crossed in irritation. The frown on her brother's face makes it seem like Roy surviving his attack ruined his entire evening. Livid to the point of boiling, the girl forgets her previous happiness to shout loudly. It wouldn't be surprising if neighbors could hear from a mile away.
"Saeran, what the heck is the matter with you?! You can't just raise from the dead and attack one of my friends! Get over here and unfreeze Roy!"
Glaring, he blows a strand of blonde out of his eyes with a huff of breath. "Why in fates' names would I do that? This is the young man that touched and defiled my baby sister."
Upon hearing his words, the girl's face transforms into a shade of red brighter than her undyed hair. Roy is in similar condition, his eyes wider than previous and mouth hanging agape. Extinguishing her fire, Damiana stumbles backward slightly in humiliation.
"What? Saeran, you're talking crazy! Roy never 'defiled' me! He's never even touched me!"
"He must have at some point!" Saeran persists angrily. "You went out on a date on the dock, rode on his motorcycle, and slept in the same room together!"
Damiana's face reddens farther at the accusation. Never has a young woman appeared more flustered. Roy, on the other hand, appears less flustered by the second. As a matter of fact, the archer is smirking in amusement.
"That's true. I really didn't touch her. Everything you're saying is true, but we never did anything. Your sister is too feisty to do anything, anyway. I wouldn't even be able to kiss her on the cheek without her slapping me." Shifting his gaze to Damiana, the archer teases, "I bet she has never kissed a boy in her life."
Grimacing, the girl forgets her brother for her teammate. Hands on her hips in frustration, she does her best to defend herself.
"What do you mean I'm too feisty? What do you know?! I can be charming, too!"
If there wasn't ice in the way, Roy would be shrugging nonchalantly. Luckily, the humorous glint in his forest-colored eyes makes up for the lack of bodily motion.
"Charming? I definitely haven't witnessed that. Most of the time you act like you want to kill something." Wriggling a brow, he adds, "Or is that how you attracted your first kiss?"
Face reddening farther, Damiana counters his statement with a stutter. "What's it to you? How I attracted him doesn't matter! Just know that…um…Chad…was a very nice guy!"
Roy chuckles softly. "Ooh, Chad. That's a convincing name. Where'd you meet him?"
"I met him at…the grocery store…in the…uh…bread aisle. There was an instant connection when we reached for the same loaf of rye. Love at first sight!"
Soft chuckles turn to amused laughter. "Yeah. I bet you had your first kiss over sandwiches. Or did you connect so fast that you made out in the cheese aisle?"
"Shut up, Roy! Chad was amazing!" Glaring, she adds, "I'm sure Chad is a much better kisser than you. He was handsome, too!"
That final remark is all it takes for the humor in his gaze to transform into offense.
"What's that supposed to mean? Are you calling me ugly?!"
Releasing an aggravated sigh, the girl slaps a palm to her forehead. "Of course not! You aren't ugly at all! What the heck gave you that idea?"
"You just called 'Chad' handsome!" he states with a scowl.
"Yeah I called Chad handsome. That doesn't mean that I called you ugly! Chad just has a very nice…um…chin. It'll melt a woman's heart!"
Roy rolls his eyes. "Okay. That makes me feel a lot better. It isn't my whole face that's ugly. Just my chin!"
"What the heck is the matter with you? I already told you that you're not ugly!"
Neither Damiana nor Roy is entirely certain on when it happens, but at some point, the archer's frosty cage liquifies. He is left standing in a puddle of water, avidly arguing with the Dabnodian girl. Though Robin is horribly confused at everything that has happened since arriving at the belly dancing studio, he manages to quench his befuddlement to give Saeran an odd look.
"Why did you let him go that easy? I thought you hated Speedy!"
The water user shrugs, his gaze resting on his baby sister as she waves a semi-threatening fist.
"I do hate Speedy. Make no mistake about that. This is merely an amusing scene to watch." A small smile graces Saeran's lips, bringing one to Robin's otherwise puzzled face in the process. "It's amazing. Five years and one tragedy later, and my baby sister is still as confrontational as ever."
"I just left to get our stuff from our hotel rooms. You're telling me in the hour I was gone, Frostbite turned into Firelight's brother, and he almost killed Speedy?!"
Adriel's living room with the crimson sofa seemed massive this morning. Right now, however, the area feels very constricting. Damiana sits at the end of the L-shaped sectional beside Roy, using her fire to raise her body temperature as she snuggles against him shoulder-to-shoulder. On the other side of Roy is Cyborg, the metal man assisting in adjusting a thick, yellow, quilt. Said redhead is shuddering, pulling the coverlet around himself as tightly as possible. To the Dabnodian girl's dismay, his skin still has a slight tint of blue.
Meanwhile, glaring sharply at Saeran who sits on the other part of L between Robin and Adriel, he replies to Cyborg's inquiry.
"Yes, he almost killed me! Leila's maniac brother froze me in a block of ice! Who does that?! If the guy is angry at me, he needs to give me a lecture; not make an attempt on my life!"
Saeran merely shrugs while sporting a nonchalant frown. "You're lucky it was only an attempt. Had I gotten my wish, you wouldn't be sitting here. Praise the fates for your fortune."
Roy's eyes ignite with fury. If the archer wasn't half frozen and trying to get warm, there is no doubt that he would be leaping in Saeran's direction with his bow drawn.
"What is with you people and 'the fates'! You, Leila, and Adriel, always talk about 'the fates'! What the heck are the fates, and why should I be praising them?! Even if I knew what they were, what would it help if you tried to kill me?!"
"Actually, it wouldn't help. The fates don't listen to heretics."
"What? How can I be a heretic? I can't disagree with the fates if I don't know what they are!"
Roy and Saeran go on like this for several minutes, the others on the sofa listening to their quarrel intently. Damiana does her best to pay attention, willing to defend her teammate if she needs to. If anyone should know how dangerous Saeran can get, it is none other than her. Thirty seconds later, however, she finds herself distracted.
Sitting on the other side of the room in Adriel's crimson armchair, curled up and facing the wall, is Starfire. The Tamaranean has been sitting in that same position from the time they entered the enclosure. Normally one would assume the perky alien to be sleeping. Based on the stiffness of her posture, however, she isn't. Starfire's back is ramrod straight while her shoulders possess the tauntness of boards. Even facing away from the group, the fact that she is alert couldn't be plainer.
Damiana stares for an endless minute, taking in the form of the enemy princess. Is this truly a being from the planet that destroyed her home?
Her gaze practically burns holes into the Tamaranean's back. An additional thirty seconds is what it takes for Starfire to turn around. She does so slowly, as if sensing her stare and terrified to face it. Once she does face it, however, Damiana finds herself surprised. Her eyes are very wide, very frightened, and very much in despair. A pale orange face is wrought with a thousand thoughts, each of them muddled by emotion. She looks at Damiana, not as a stranger, but as someone she knows.
Deep, forest green, eyes backdropped by a paler green bore into Damiana's. For a brief moment Starfire's gaze trails to the Dabnodian girl's right upper arm. They rest on the metal armband, irises tracing over the copper-colored outline of the Fire Phoenix. An instant later they return to her eyes with unspoken certainty. Along with this come silent, panicked, questions.
"Why are you here?" "Do you intend to harm me?"
In response, all Damiana sends back with her facial expression is disbelief.
"I never told anyone my origins besides Roy!" "Do you know what I think you know?!"
Their gazes stay locked for an infinite amount of time, the two girls trying their best to read one another. Meanwhile, Roy and Saeran remain steeped in their argument.
"I already told you, the fates are a piece of religious mythology from our culture. Nobody needs to know the details besides myself, Damiana, and Adriel. It simply isn't important!"
"It must be important if you talk about them all the time. If you're constantly talking to the fates, telling them to curse people, and asking them for advice, then I want to know what they are!"
In the back of her mind, Damiana considers answering Roy's question. While she isn't entirely sure if she believes in the fates, merely recognizes them because they might be real, she is aware of the details of the Dabnodian religious system. Yet, the girl is unable to explain to Roy even if she wants to. Her eyes remain locked onto Starfire. Starfire's blinding green orbs brim with sharp intelligence as much as emotion, absorbing every word shared between the two. With every passing second, the despair seen in her eyes increases. It is visibly seen that she is suffering from inner conflict.
Damiana narrows her own green eyes. The Tamaranean princess looks as though she sits on a fence, deciding whether to remain silent or speak. Not only does Starfire's gloom increase, but as she looks at Damiana, terror takes over. The alien girl appears as though she fears for her life, as if speaking out could be enough to cause a war. Or, in Damiana's mind, rekindle a war that already exists. Unable to enforce self-restraint, the Dabnodian girl's eyes turn cold. If the Tamaranean princess says a single word about Dabnod, makes one crude remark about the home her people destroyed, it will take every ounce of strength to refrain from attacking.
Images of Dabnod exploding into chunks of asteroid flicker rapidly in front of her mind's eye. The massive explosion that met her eyes from the window of the tiny space pod is as vivid in her memory as if it happened only yesterday. Before that, Damiana remembers orange-skinned beings murdering Knights and Dabnodian civilians alike during their descent down the Palace stairs. Glowing green eyes, screeching Tamaranean war cries, people she knew collapsing into pools of their own blood while the monsters grinned…
As the images flood Damiana's memory, she clenches the cushion of Adriel's sofa in attempt to anchor herself to the seat. More than anything, Damiana wants to torch Starfire where she sits. Even with Adriel and Saeran sitting directly across from her, the loss of Dabnod hurts more than she can bear.
The girl doesn't realize it, but her persona looks inconsolably aggrieved. Through Starfire's eyes, there is no anger. There is no heated rage. There is no fury. All Starfire sees is anguish so palpable that it can nearly be touched. A single, silver, droplet rolls down an orange-tinted cheek to a narrow chin. Damiana doesn't have time to process a single astonished thought. Less than a second later, though it is with hesitation, Starfire is speaking.
"If I might explain, the fates are very common in many religious practices. In the ancient Greek religion here on Earth, there were three fates according to books that I have read. Other groups refer to fate as destiny; a person is bound to their fate at birth and it cannot be changed.
"There is one other exceedingly rare group that has belief in fates that I know of; I believe that this is the system of faith practiced by Frostbite and Titan Firelight. They believe in fates that they call 'The Twin Sisters'."
It is here that Starfire trails off. Although she doesn't complete her explanation, this scarcely matters. Every individual in the room gapes at her. While Cyborg and Robin raise brows of mild astonishment, Damiana, Saeran, and Adriel gawk along with Roy. The redhead shoots his Dabnodian friend a short, inquisitive, glance. So fixed is her attention on Starfire that she doesn't meet it. Even so, she can read the exact nature of his thoughts. Taking a deep breath, she keeps her gaze locked onto Starfire's frightened, saddened, and uncertain, irises.
"'The Twin Sisters' is only one name for the fates," the Dabnodian girl confesses. "They are also known as 'The Great Crossroads'. Their names are Sister Allegiance and Sister Destiny. According to mythology, The Twin Sisters are constantly working together make people choose which path they will take. Sister Allegiance is the path of faithfulness; staying unwaveringly loyal to your home and family in order to find purpose. Sister Destiny is the path of freedom; straying away from what you've been taught to find truth and enlightenment.
"You can't choose both fates. You can only choose one. That is why the fates are often referred to as 'The Great Crossroads'. They force you to choose between them."
Adriel's large living room suddenly shrinks to half its original size. The Dabnodian trio continues locking their gazes onto the lone Tamaranean, their eyes practically burning holes into her. Damiana doesn't notice, but her brother's expression is nothing at all like her own. There is not the slightest hint of pain. All any person can see is chilling, undiluted, hatred. The girl had previous visions of charring Starfire to ash. Even so, this is incomparable to Saeran's disdain. The young man looks as though he is considering three-dozen different ways to murder the Tamaranean. Not quickly, but slowly.
The girl might not perceive her brother's reaction, but somehow the belly dancer does. Upon looking at his old friend, Adriel appears more than concerned. He appears some strange combination of afraid, appalled, and remorseful. When he shifts a pair of stormy gray irises to Starfire, they appear truly apologetic. Approximately ten seconds is what it takes for gray to slowly transform into red. Once they are their vivid, cherry, hue, Adriel gives the princess a small smile.
Starfire glimpses briefly at Adriel, puzzlement overwhelming her features. A second afterward, however, her attention is taken away. Not by the men, but by Damiana. Her voice is callous, though not nearly as cold as Saeran's glower. If anything, agony has more dominance than anger as it has from the beginning. Roy gapes as she speaks.
"I was unaware that you knew about my people's religion, Starfire. You must be very learned on mine, Saeran's, and Adriel's race."
On the other side of the sofa, Robin looks from Starfire to Damiana and back again. Cyborg and Roy do the same, doing their best to decipher the situation. Meanwhile, the Tamaranean forms a hesitant response. To say the least, she is more than nervous.
"I know much about your people, yes. I am merely surprised. Until this very day, I was unaware of your existence."
An infinite moment of silence passes. Damiana and Starfire are caught in a deadlock. Even if she wanted to reply to the princess, the girl would be unable to. This time it is Saeran who speaks. Unfortunately, he is far less subtle and far less kind. His voice oozes venom.
"Unaware of our existence? I don't see how that's possible Princess Starfire. You and the Titans have been friends with me for years now. Raven figured out long ago what I am. Considering your origins, I thought that you would have learned fairly easily." Giving a smirk that contains both scorn and lethality, he continues. "It makes you sick, doesn't it? I've been hiding under your nose this whole time. It isn't just me anymore, either. Adriel, Damiana, and I have you surrounded. We're supposed to be extinct, but guess what? We're not."
Starfire no longer looks at Damiana. Her gaze is on Saeran. Put simply, there is no longer despair. Lighting up the Tamaranean princess' eyes is cold-blooded horror.
"That is not true. That is a lie. Friend Raven would never withhold such information."
The water-user laughs dispassionately. "Oh, believe me. She would! Were you also unaware of the alliance? My people and the Azaratheans were very close." Saeran's eyes turn from ice to poison. "I don't have anywhere to go home to. Thanks to you, neither does what's left of my family. What we have is what we've got. Why would Raven risk my safety by reporting my lineage to a Troq?"
Emotions remaining unstirred by Saeran's speech is an impossibility for Damiana. She feels her blood pumping the instant she hears the word 'extinct'. Before the girl is aware of her actions, she is on her feet. The Tamaranean language spews from her lips like lava. The princess couldn't look more flabbergasted at hearing her native tongue on Damiana's lips.
"Why do you look so surprised, Princess? Did you think that the Dabnodian people could be destroyed so easily? We were one of the most powerful races in the galaxy. Dabnod might be gone, but we are not!" Tears stream down Damiana's face in torrents. Even through contact lenses, it can be seen as her eyes darken. "I watched my home explode into particles of dust through the window of my space pod because of you! I've been homeless and alone on a foreign planet for the past five years because of you! I've frozen, starved, and slept in snowbanks because of you! But guess what? I'm still alive!"
Eyes locking onto Damiana once more, Starfire averts her gaze in order to cry.
"I am truly sorry," she says. "My only request is that you do not harm me. If there is anything that I can do to lessen your suffering, then I will do it."
Without realizing it, Damiana, returns to speaking English. The whites of her eyes are bloodshot.
"There's nothing you can do! If you really want to lessen our suffering, then go back in time and prevent the war! Give us our home back! Otherwise, just stay out of our way!"
All eyes are not on Starfire, but on Damiana. Cyborg and Robin gawk in bewilderment. Adriel stares in a combination of hurt and sympathy. Saeran merely seems pleased that his sister put the Troq in her place. Roy, on the other hand, appears as though he has been hit in the gut with a mallet. The quilt dropping temporarily onto the sofa, he stands up to shout at Damiana. Emerald eyes are filled with disbelief.
"Hold on! What are you talking about?! I thought Dabnod was destroyed in some kind of accident with meteors or something!"
Damiana doesn't turn to face him. She merely exits into another part of the house. So heavy are her sobs that her voice is hardly decipherable.
"You're wrong. It was nothing like that. My planet was destroyed in a war."
With that said, the girl leaves the room entirely. Exiting in the opposite direction is Starfire, her tears thicker than the Dabnodian girl's. Saeran and Roy do their best to dash after Damiana, but are immediately prevented. Robin stands directly in their path along with Cyborg. To say the least, the Boy Wonder appears very unhappy.
"No! We can worry about Firelight and Starfire later. Right now both of you are going to sit down and tell me what's going on! I'm tired of the games. It's time for some answers."
Less than a minute ago, Roy felt as though he would freeze to death. His fingers and toes were numb, his limbs felt like icicles, and it seemed as though his entire being was turning to frost. One turn of events, however, and the near-death experience is forgotten entirely.
The sofa that they sit on is far too small for himself, Robin, and Cyborg. Saeran sits on the other side less than two feet away, the alien feeling overpoweringly close. Robin scowls from his place on the end beside Cyborg. From the other end, Roy merely stares blankly. The Boy Wonder is not only confused, but he is unmistakably livid. Crossing his arms firmly, he speaks at long last.
"You're not human. Are you, Frostbite? Neither are Firelight and your friend." His glower intensifies. "We've known you for years, and the whole time you were withholding this information from us! The Titans are supposed to be your friends! Why wouldn't you trust us?"
In all his seventeen years, the red-haired archer has never seen an icier pair of eyes. This doesn't refer to any of the Titan men, but rather, who they know as Frostbite. The solo hero's persona was cold enough when he wore the mask that concealed most of his face. Without the mask, the word "cold" is a vast understatement. Frostbite's jaw is locked, and his eyes are dead. There isn't the slightest hint of kindness there. Remorse and sympathy are also lacking. All that is seen in such frigid, blue, eyes are hatred. As the solo hero stares back at Robin, malice intensifies to unsettling levels.
"Trust is not a smart decision for a survivor, Robin. You heard my sister when she walked out of here. Our planet was destroyed in a war. Not destroyed as in 'uninhabitable', but destroyed as in gone. It exploded into billions of dust particles and rocks. We can never go home, and it Starfire's fault."
Robin and Cyborg don't take time to act surprised, though Roy does. His emerald orbs light up with epiphany.
"Destroyed in a war… with Tamaran…!" The archer's facial expression morphs into one of horror at the tragic realization. "Good God. No wonder she didn't want to tell the Titans what she is…"
Meanwhile, the two Titans West men get straight to accusations.
"What? You can't blame Starfire for this! She never did anything to you!"
Cyborg is on his feet. "Starfire is the nicest person you'll meet in any galaxy! Ya can't just go around blaming her!"
Before Frostbite can retaliate against the duo, Roy is standing solidly in front of the metal man. He yells, but not with anger. Rather, his shouts are of comprehension.
"Don't you get it? Of course he's angry at Starfire! I'm sure Leila is, too! Leila told me that the Dabnodian race was massacred, but she never told me how. Two minutes ago, she said Dabnod was destroyed in a war, but she never said who it was with." Looking each of his teammates in the face, he states bluntly, "Their planet was destroyed in a war with Tamaran!"
Turning around, the archer looks at the Dabnodian man. Saeran remains cloaked in contempt.
"I'm right, aren't I? Leila has lived on Earth for the past five years without telling anyone her origins. She lived in Steel City for six months before meeting the Titans East, and when we tried recruiting her, she put up the fight of her life. Even after joining us she kept herself locked in her room most of the time. It's like Leila was afraid of something."
It hits Roy like a punch in the gut, the fear such a brave girl must have felt.
"Leila was afraid of the Titans finding out that she was from the planet that Tamaran destroyed. If we found out, she probably thought that we wouldn't trust her. We're Starfire's friends, so in her eyes, that automatically would make her an enemy."
He meets Saeran's eyes with this last statement.
"You were afraid of the same thing; distrust from the Titans."
Frostbite responds with a sharp, bitter, scoff. "Damiana told you, didn't she? I'm not surprised." The Dabnodian man glares piercingly. "And will you quit calling her 'Leila'? The cat is already out of the bag, so I may as well tell you that her birth name isn't Leila. That's some kind of human name that she gave herself. On Dabnod, she was named Damiana."
Roy takes a moment to absorb this new information. He doesn't take too much time, though. It isn't long before Robin and Cyborg are addressing him.
"Hold on. You knew that Firelight was an alien? When did that happen?!"
"You should have reported it to me as soon as you found out!" declares Robin.
"Why would I report anything to you? You're not the leader of my team! Even if you were, I wouldn't rat out a friend!"
The Titans West men tear Roy apart with unforgiving scowls. Luckily, the Boy Wonder forces his attention back to the situation at hand. Shifting his mind back to Saeran, his facial expression hardens.
"Just to double-check my facts, can you confirm anything that Speedy just said?"
Saeran gives a shrug that somehow appears stiff rather than relaxed. "I can confirm all of it, actually. Our home planet was called Dabnod, and it was destroyed in a war with Tamaran. Considering how Starfire is the princess of my birthplace's cruel destructors, you should see how it's feasible that I didn't share." Blue eyes growing more pointed, he continues. "And don't be too angry at your playboy archer. Technically, the Titans aren't required to report Dabnodians in their midst. Raven knows that I am a Dabnodian the same way that Speedy is aware of my sister's lineage. The only reason she didn't report me is because she didn't want to cause any conflict."
Robin and Cyborg stare for a lengthy minute, as does Roy. Raven keeping Frostbite's secret of all people? That is certainly out of the ordinary.
"Raven was in on this, too? Why didn't either of ya'll come to me? I'm a trustworthy guy!"
"First Speedy and now Raven? Why are all of the Titans against me?!"
The Dabnodian man gives another stiff shrug. "Why wouldn't they hide secrets from the most serious, brooding, teenage hero on the team? As for you, Cyborg, no offense is intended by any of this. You're honestly one of the few humans that I like."
An endless moment of silence elapses. The trio of Titans stare Saeran down with intensity, and finally, they look to each other. The Boy Wonder speaks first.
"Cyborg, Speedy, we need to hold a conference with the Titans at the East Tower. This is going to affect our entire mission."
The dire expression painting his features alarms Roy to no end. Emerald eyes filling with alarm, the archer makes a rushed inquiry.
"What exactly do you want to do? Whatever it is, it can't have a negative effect on Firelight and the other Dabnodians. You can't punish them just for being from Dabnod!"
Robin shoots him an irritated glare. "Frostbite and Firelight are from Starfire's enemy planet, Speedy. Did you forget that they teamed up against her and made her cry earlier? Frostbite went as far as calling her a Troq! We have our mission to worry about! We can't stop Black Shadow and keep Starfire safe with a defective team!"
Eyes wide in disbelief, Roy finds himself yelling heatedly. "What are you talking about? Even if there's tension, Starfire won't get hurt! Firelight can burn down entire cities and make lighting! Frostbite froze me in a block of ice! They're dangerous, but they still haven't made any moves to hurt Starfire! Considering how her people destroyed their planet, that says a lot."
"That doesn't mean that they won't trying something in the future," snaps Robin. "I'm not saying that Firelight is getting kicked out of the Titans, and I'm not saying that the Titans are going to ban Frostbite. What I am saying is that we're going to need to take precautions."
Cyborg opens his mouth to say something. Whether in Robin's defense or in Roy's, neither of them knows. Before the metal man can speak, however, Frostbite is heard chuckling callously. Turning to face him, they watch as he removes both pale blue contact lenses and discards them on the sofa beside him. Once this task is completed he uses his abilities to lower his body temperature, effectively freezing his blonde ponytail. A few swift arm motions, and Frostbite's hair thaws on to the wooden planks of Adriel's floor. Mixed in with the pile of frost is hair dye.
In front of them, bizarrely enough, are a pair of eyes the color of dried blood. As for Saeran's hair, it is blacker than soot. He continues chuckling, twisting a soot-colored strand around an index finger.
"Alright, fine. Go share with the other Titans what monsters we are. Frostbite, Firelight, and Adriel are enemies of Tamaran! The horror!" The Dabnodian man gives an angered smirk. "Too bad you didn't catch me on a good day. My hair would be gold and my eyes would be amber."
Starfire did not know where else to go. Boyfriend Robin and friend Cyborg are here, as is friend Speedy. She does not wish to fly out of this building and away from her friends. Yet, the Tamaranean is steeped in such powerful fear that her body has practically frozen over.
As she fled the red-eyed Dabnodian man's living room, she found her way downstairs. Unable to go back upstairs to face survivors from Dabnod, yet unable to leave this person's residence, Starfire settled for the kitchen. She does not sit at the kitchen table. Rather, the girl sits under the table with her back against the wall. Her head bumps the bottom side of it, but this scarcely matters. So long as the Tamaranean is somewhat hidden.
Unconscious shudders attack her form. Starfire rarely feels cold, but for once she cannot stop shaking. The Titans' ally, Frostbite, has openly despised her for many years. It is only now that she understands the reason.
"Miarnat nan! Nak lalithikan, Damiana! Raenathan, Adriel!"
The very instant she heard those words exit his lips, the breath was knocked from Starfire's lungs. The young princess has never heard that language spoken aloud before, and based on the word of Tamaran's previous Grand Ruler, she never thought that she would.
"We will now hold the Annual Festival of Victory!" Declared Starfire's uncle toward the latter of his reign. "The Dabnodian people have finally met extinction! Those who were not destroyed with their planet burned up in their space pods during the explosion. A single Dabnodian surviving Tamaran's ingenious attack is impossible! Because of this, we celebrate!"
Her Uncle was wrong, though. As were Starfire's parents, her sister, her caretakers, and every other Tamaranean who told her otherwise. There were those scant few who claimed that some, possibly many, Dabnodians survived the destruction of their planet.
"Dabnodians are resourceful, fierce, willful creatures," they said. "Even if it means being dispersed across the galaxy without a home, they will not go extinct without a fight."
The people who made those claims were executed. Starfire is now able to see the purpose behind this. Tamaran's leaders did not want to admit to the strength of the Dabnodian race. Based on what the critics of the war said, however, Tamaran's leaders were in the wrong. Due to what she has seen from Saeran, and Firelight during broadcasts on the News, Dabnodians are very strong. In terms of Saeran, she might even go as far as calling him ruthless…
"Saeran. I have never heard a name that sounds more from Dabnod."
Thinking back to his name for Firelight, "Dam-i-ana", Starfire does not understand how she did not place her before. The name Damiana is Dabnodian, but when translated to English, it means "Light of Fire". Firelight has been using her original name the entire time without anyone noticing.
Starfire's shudders intensify. She could not refrain from studying her armband bearing the winged flaming bird earlier. If that bird is what she assumed it to be, a Fire Phoenix, then Starfire is in the presence of Damiana of the Fire Phoenix Clan. Her name was feared even on Tamaran. Only a year older than Starfire, and powerful enough to destroy an entire Tamaranean army single-handedly.
Yet, as horrifying as the stories of Damiana of the Fire Phoenix Clan were, she somehow is not nearly as scary in person. The moment she saw that her brother had frozen friend Speedy, she went to his rescue and demanded that he unfreeze him. Not to mention friend Speedy's and the Fire Phoenix prodigy's brief quarrel. Does an alien so dangerous really feel the need to be found attractive by Earth boys?
Then there were her words to Starfire upstairs. Damiana did not truly seem angry. The girl seemed in emotional agony. The amount of pain on her face was so great that it caused the Tamaranean Princess to shed tears for her.
"… I watched my home explode into particles of dust through the window of my space pod because of you! I've been homeless and alone on a foreign planet for the past five years because of you! I've frozen, starved, and slept in snowbanks because of you! …"
Losing everything she has ever known, and on top of that, struggling for survival. Damiana of the Fire Phoenix Clan was always made out as merciless and invincible, but the girl who spoke to her in the Tamaranean language was none of those things. Damiana…no…Titan Firelight… has experienced more suffering than most others could bear. Her face is not that of a monster. It is one that is much too young and much too tired.
Too young and too tired to take on the responsibilities of being a Princess. Starfire could not relate to her better…
"It's awfully cramped under there, isn't it? Why don't you pull up a chair? That has to be more comfortable than sitting on a floor that I last mopped a month ago."
The sound of the male voice causes the Tamaranean to jump practically out of her skin. As a result, she bumps her head on the underside of the table. Bending down with a cascade of hair falling over his shoulder, observing her with kind, red, eyes, is Saeran and his sister's friend. The friend that is also a survivor from planet Dabnod. She can tell not only by his eyes, but by the fact that his words are in his native language.
Starfire does not move from her spot. She stares at the Dabnodian man in uncertainty. He certainly does not seem hostile, yet one can never be too cautious.
Giving her a small, empathetic, grin, he continues. "I know you can understand me, Princess Starfire of Tamaran. I would show respect and speak to you in Tamaranean, but I am not the genius that Damiana is. The last time I spoke in Tamaranean was during the war, and instead of making a threat, I ended up telling the guy that he had nice shoes. Unfortunately for me, he was barefoot."
The girl still does not move. She merely stares in befuddlement. Is a Dabnodian truly making jokes with her?
Cherry eyes glowing, he speaks further. "I'm sorry about all this. We didn't plan it this way. Damiana met me in Metropolis by chance, and again by chance, her brother just so happened to be alive. We weren't seeking each other out. All of it was mere coincidence."
Standing briefly, the man ruffles around atop the table for an object. When he squats back down, there is a simple, gray, stone in his hand. Gaze never leaving Starfire, he releases the stone so that it floats in the air. Many complicated arm motions and a minute later, the rock convulses violently. It eventually turns inside out in a fashion similar to a popcorn kernel, ashy gray being replaced by shimmering crystals. With another arm motion, he floats the gem-like rock in Starfire's direction and places it on the ground beside her.
"That is for you. Consider it an apology gift." He smiles brightly before sitting on the floor. To Starfire's dismay, he moves so that he is beneath the table as well. The man is only a short three feet away. "Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Adriel of the Ground Badger Clan. My clan was very close allies with the Fire Phoenix Clan. Thus, my connection to Saeran and Damiana. Saeran and I were also part of the same squadron. We were Squires together."
Upon hearing his introduction, her shudders grow more volatile.
"Please do not harm me!" pleads the Tamaranean in the Dabnodian language. "I understand that you were in the army of Death Queen Guayusa and that she favored your clan! I understand if you seek revenge, but please do reconsider! I was merely a child during the war!"
The man, Adriel's, expression does not harden the same that Saeran's always does. If anything, the Ground Badger's smile and his eyes only grow softer.
"Relax, Princess Starfire. I didn't come down here to hurt you. I know you were a child during the war. So was Damiana. Heck, so were Saeran and I. Fifteen and Sixteen are not the ages of warriors. They are the ages of boys with far too much to learn." Cherry irises growing curious, he asks, "How old are you?"
Though she does not want to, Starfire answers reluctantly. "My age is fifteen Earth years."
He chuckles lightly. "Just as I thought. You're fifteen, and Damiana is sixteen. The ages of girls with far too much to learn." Expression darkening slightly, he asks an astonishing question. "Have you ever heard of The Order of the Black Crescent, Princess?"
Starfire gapes for a second, taken aback. Eventually, she manages a nod.
"Yes. The Order of the Black Crescent was rumored to be a group of Dabnodian insurgents. They sided with Tamaran during our war with Dabnod for unknown reasons. My sister once said that Tamaran could not have won without them."
Adriel does not give a verbal response. Rather, he reaches for his blue, button-up-the-front, shirt. Pulling his left arm out of the sleeve, he raises it to reveal his left pectoral. Starfire blushes horribly at first, fearing the worst. A second later, however, all traces of fear dissipate.
Tattooed onto the man's chest, charcoal clashing against pale skin like a scar, is the image of a waning crescent.
"In that case, you have no reason to feel afraid. I was your ally then, and I am still your ally. I won't let Saeran hurt you."
Starfire's eyes fill with fear at that latter remark.
"Why do you say such a thing? You believe that Saeran would truly harm me?!"
Expression turning downcast, Adriel nods stiffly. "Yes. He would. Saeran would hurt me if it came down to it, and when Damiana makes her decision, he could hurt her, too. Saeran is a very dangerous man, Princess. I have never met a person more ruthless or more destructive than him. The only thing it takes to trigger his anger is disloyalty. He chose Sister Allegiance's path long ago. Only those who are truly brave take the path of Sister Destiny." Hesitating, he adds, "I can only hope that Damiana follows after Sister Destiny. There is far more at stake than she knows. She is more in the right than she is aware of. Dabnod might be gone, but the Dabnodians are not…"
Starfire raises a curious brow. "You make it sound as though Damiana of the Fire Phoenix Clan is not aware of the atrocities that occurred on Planet Dabnod."
The Dabnodian man frowns. "Queen Guayusa kept her extremely isolated. She never left our Province, the Palace City, or even the Palace City's West Side. Queen Guayusa and the Fire Phoenix Clan Elders have Damiana so brainwashed that she doesn't know up from down. She's going to learn the truth soon, though. She won't like what she learns, but she needs to learn it. There's too much at stake for me to keep her in Guayusa's fantasy world." Laughing in a humorless fashion, Adriel makes a blunt statement."I would try removing Saeran from Guayusa's fantasy world, but it's already too late for him."
Starfire gapes in disbelief. "Death Queen Guayusa cruelly deceived her own pupil? For what purpose? If Damiana of the Fire Phoenix Clan was to be the next ruler of Dabnod, she would need to know the truth."
Adriel gives another humorless laugh. "Queen Guayusa didn't want Damiana to know the truth. When Damiana ascended the throne, Guayusa's plan was to maintain power."
Starfire frowns, puzzled. "Why do you wish to alert Damiana of the Fire Phoenix Clan of all that has happened now? At the fault of my people, Planet Dabnod is gone."
Suddenly, much to the Tamaranean's surprise, Adriel's eyes shift to bright blue. The expression on his face is pure determination."The past is more relevant to the present than you think."
She nods hesitantly, more mystified than previously. A long moment of silence passes, the Tamaranean eventually asking another question. The inquiry is wholly unrelated to the previous topic. "Whether or not I should mention this I am uncertain, but Damiana of the Fire Phoenix Clan does not act how I thought she would. She is not cruel, and she is not merciless. She acts nothing at all like a Queen of Dabnod."
Smile returning to a small extent, Adriel chuckles. "Of course, she doesn't. The Fire Phoenix Clan Elders were going to tell Damiana who she was on her twelfth birthday. Dabnod was destroyed when she was eleven."
At this point, the Tamaranean Princess is gawking. "Damiana of the Fire Phoenix Clan did not know that she was going to be her planet's next Queen? This is…astonishing! All of Tamaran knew her to be Dabnod's future ruler!"
Adriel's grin takes on a hint of sadness. "That's right. She never knew. She still doesn't know. Neither does Saeran. It's for the best, though. Damiana always wanted to be a Scribe. If she would have known that she was going to be the Queen of Dabnod, she would have spent her twelfth birthday in her room crying."
A/N: How many of you saw that coming? I'm sure some of you did. Raised in isolation? Highly skilled and highly trained? In constant contact with Queen Guayusa? That's right. Damiana was supposed to be the next Queen of Dabnod. Also, how many of you have theories on what's going to happen to Damiana? I would love to hear your thoughts!
Thanks for reading, everyone! I'll see you next chapter. Since "Firelight" is no longer on hiatus, the next chapter is coming in the near future. :)
Forever and Always,
~OCQ