Firelight

by OCQueen96

After losing her family, her planet, and her entire race of people in a war against Tamaran, Damiana is forced to survive alone on Planet Earth. After losing everything, she doesn't need anyone and she trusts nobody. However, when a dangerous criminal threatens the entire hero world, Damiana gets involved with the Titans East. Will her views hold true as she fights alongside them?

51. Part IV: Unraveled: Chapter Fifty-One

A/N: Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, my friends! Thank you so much for reading Firelight! I know that Part IV has been incredibly long, but in this chapter, we're finally making it to the Capital City! I'm not quite sure how many chapters Part IV has left, but I am estimating one or two. It certainly will not be three. In a few more chapters, Damiana and Roy will be back in Titans Tower.

For those of you who are still reading, I'm so glad that you're enjoying Roy's and Damiana's story. Writing is my passion, and I am so happy to share it with you! Although I don't require reviews, I am always happy for praise or constructive criticism to help me improve my writing. I want my writing to be the best that it can be :)

Anyway, enough of my prattling. Enjoy the chapter. :)

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Note: NSFW

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Part IV: Unraveled: Chapter Fifty-One

Previously…

Roy and Damiana made the long journey across the expanse of Planet Dabnod and are now at a town on the border of Province Two called Torhael. Their time left on Dabnod is little more than a month, and the two Titans are starting to feel the pressure. For the longest time, they were beginning to think that repairing Black Shadow's device and escaping Dabnod was hopeless. It was cracked and without a fuel source. During their journey, they have managed to make all the necessary repairs. 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.

Sadly, zirgnant tools are rare and can only be found in the Capital City. They were concerned about being able to navigate to the Capital City and locate a zirgnant tool on their own. Their concerns ended when they met a fifteen-year-old Adriel in the Province Four city of Sclarthon. Adriel was in disbelief of their situation at first. An older, time-traveling, Damiana that needs to return to her own time period appeared, and told him that Dabnod would be destroyed, to boot! It took a lot of convincing, but thankfully, Adriel eventually believed them.

Adriel agreed to help the two Titans locate a zirgnant tool and to help guide them to the Capital City, but with the caution that they separate from Prophet Veng and the Fire Lily Tribe. Queen Guayusa and the Royal Council do not take kindly to prophets, and the closer they get to the Capital City, the more danger traveling with a prophet would put them in. After a period of deliberation, Roy and Damiana agreed to follow Adriel to Avarin and separate from the Fire Lily Tribe. Tenna and her eight-year-old son, Caen, accompanied them.

Their split from Prophet Veng and the tribe of nomads couldn't have occurred in a more timely, yet devastating, manner. When they arrived in Avarin, what followed was a display of horror never before witnessed by Damiana. Prophet Veng and the Fire Lily Tribe were put on display and were punished by none other than Queen Guayusa. "Blasphemers!" she called them. Queen Guayusa stated that they blasphemed her as the Queen and blasphemed the Fates by calling Prophet Veng a prophet. Using a move that Damiana never learned herself, the black fire known as Eternal Night, Queen Guayusa burned the prophet and his tribe to death.

Eternal Night is the only fire capable of burning a fire user, and Queen Guayusa used it well. Afterward, the informant who revealed the old prophet's whereabouts was rewarded with a medal. This faithful Knight was none other than Saeran. Damiana thought that this would be the end of Saeran's savagery, but as the Fates would have it, she was wrong.

The next morning, Damiana and Roy left for Torhael along with Tenna and Caen. During their stay in Avarin, they heard many rumors about a program called the 'Raxtin Program'. Adriel brought it up as well, warning them all to stay away from the Raxtin House. When Roy and Damiana came across the Raxtin House once they arrived in Torhael, they were unable to follow Adriel's advice. Curiosity got the better of them, and they went inside to explore. It turns out that destruction of people and entire provinces were only the beginning of the Death Queen's and Saeran's horrors.

The Raxtin House was a special home created for the production of children with powerful elemental abilities. When the most powerful of the Dabnodian clans breed for multiple generations, a genetic mutation forms that gives these clans unmatchable amounts of power. Through the Raxtin Program, it was Queen Guayusa's goal to imitate this genetic mutation, which last existed centuries before her reign. Many people from the Capital City, and some smaller clans from outer provinces, participated in this program. Much to Damiana's surprise, Saeran participated as well. Saeran's assigned breeding partner was Adriel's younger sister.

Squire and older brother were Saeran's roles in Damiana's life. Little did she know that father was another role! He and Adriel's sister, Jaegana, had a one-year-old son named Skaei who lived at the Raxtin House. Saeran seemed to have little to no interest in his son, claiming that Skaei was property of the monarchy. As for Saeran's role as Damiana's brother, this was simply untrue. The water user was born in that Raxtin House, and his parents were from the Water Flower and Sky Serpent clans. When nobody wanted to take Saeran once he became too old for the Raxtin House, it was Damiana's father, Domreiken of the Fire Phoenix Clan, who took him in. His wife was rumored to be barren, and he wanted a child.

This should have made Damiana weep, but it didn't. It made her angry, and frankly, tired. Now all Damiana wants is to leave Dabnod and return home to Earth to be with the Titans East.

---

The trio sits in a circle atop the covers of the king-sized bed. A map is spread out in the center of them. This is not a map of the entire planet, but only of the Capital City. Damiana had never truly realized how large the Capital City is. The areas that she primarily occupied, her cabin, the Royal Palace, and occasionally the Fire Phoenix compound, make up an insignificant portion of the Capital City. They only occupy a miniscule blip of the map's top left corner. The rest of the city is enormous.

The opposite end of the city, the shopping and business district, is marked on the far right side of the map. Damiana asked to go there numerous times as a child, but was always told no. Saeran, Mama, her father, and Queen Guayusa always brought back whatever she asked for, though. Next to the shopping district is the city's east side residence. If Damiana can remember correctly, it was primarily business owners and shopkeepers who lived on the east side. They were neither rich nor poor, they didn't belong to any prominent clans, and they never stirred up trouble. The poor residents lived in the slums on the south side of the city. Damiana was always told never to leave the cabin or the Royal Palace, but she was always warned that if she did leave, not to ever go to the south side. The impoverished who lived in that area were always quick to steal from people who looked wealthy.

Damiana's father grew up on the west side of the city. This is where the most prominent clans built their military compounds. They trained, ate, and slept within the walls of their clan's compound. Each clan had a collection of houses, training centers, a school, a medical center, and the Clan Center where the Clan Elders dwelt. All of these structures were, of course, surrounded by tall walls. No matter the clan, each compound followed this layout. At least this is true according to Saeran, Adriel and Daddy. Her father, Domreiken of the Fire Phoenix Clan, always talked fondly of the Fire Phoenix compound and seemed to miss living there. As for herself, Damiana never cared much for the Fire Phoenix compound. It was strict, stuffy, and boring.

As much as her father missed the Fire Phoenix compound, they never did move there. The girl grew up in a cabin in the Capital City's north side, just on the outskirts of the Palace City. The north side contained not only her cabin, but also the Royal Palace and the Palace City where the most elite members of society lived. Queen Guayusa lived in the Royal Palace, and the ten members of the Royal Council lived in the massive homes surrounding it. Some of Queen Guayusa's Advisors lived in those homes as well. There was also a mansion that housed the servants and attendants who were employed at the Royal Palace. That's where Mama lived until marrying her father. Mama had been a Noble Lady from the Larcack Clan but was never very skilled as a water user, so she ended up becoming a servant. Daddy met Mama during a banquet, was taken with her, and pursued her. The rest was history.

All of these memories zip through her mind rapid-fire as Adriel smooths out the map. Once it is situated, he points a forefinger somewhere Damiana doesn't anticipate. The Ground Badger's focus is not on the shopping district or on the Royal Palace, but on the Fire Phoenix Compound. When Damiana raises a confused, lime green, eyebrow, he explains.

"I know what you're thinking, Dami. Yes, there are zirgnant tools that are kept at the Royal Palace, but they're too heavily guarded. Accessing them will be impossible. I should know! It's my clansmen who guard them. I'm thinking instead of the Palace, we try the Fire Phoenix compound. I know from my talks with Saeran that you Fire Phoenixes have a zirgnant tool at your Clan Center."

The Noble Lady isn't any less baffled than she was before. "Yes, but my Clan Center is just as heavily guarded as the Palace. Do you really think that the Clan Elders are going to let a Ground Badger and two strangers use their zirgnant tool?"

"No, but that's okay. We won't have to ask them. The Annual Migration Festival is next week. Your Clan Elders will probably be at the Palace City celebrating, and so will the guards. We will sneak in and get it then. We will be in and out in five minutes before anyone realizes we were there."

Roy gives Damiana a searching look, trying to figure out just by her face if this is a good idea. Meanwhile, Adriel observes her with hope in his cherry red eyes. At long last, she gives a small, compliant, nod. "Actually, this might work. If we wait until the sun is down, I bet we will have more than enough time to grab the zirgnant tool and get out."

"Perfect!" The Ground Badger exclaims. "Then it's settled. We will lay low for a week until the festival. Then we will get the zirgnant tool, finish making the power source for the machine, open a rift, and get you guys home!"

"That's great and all, but I have just one question. Where exactly are we laying low?" asks the archer.

Adriel grins widely. "You can stay at the Ground Badger Compound. Jaegana is going to stay at the Raxtin House for a few more weeks to see if Saeran gets her knocked up again. You can stay in Jaegana's room while she is away. Hopefully you will both be back in your own time period by the time she comes back to the Capital City."

The archer has yet another inquiry. "Don't you have parents?"

"I do, but barely. My dad isn't on the Royal Council, but he would like to be. He spends all day at the Palace schmoozing the Queen. As for my mom…well…she tags along after my dad."

"Oh, okay. So your house is basically empty?"

"Very empty. Especially with my sister gone. It's usually just Jaegana and her friends giggling and talking about the Raxtin House."

Damiana isn't sure where the question comes from. It slips through the cracks before her filter can catch it. "And you said that Roy and I can share Jaegana's room?"

Roy's filter must be malfunctioning, too. The smirk he gives her leaves Damiana's face feeling warm and her hair turning magenta.

The Ground Badger sighs. "Yes. It's the only spare room in the house besides my own, so it's the only option. I'm donating my room to Caen and Tenna. I can sleep in the cellar or in the parlor." Rarely has Damiana ever seen chipper, energetic, Adriel perturbed, yet here he sits shaking his head at them in visible irritation. "Saeran and Jaegana are bad enough with the touchy touchy, feely feely, stuff. Please, don't you two contribute to my suffering."

The archer coughs, clearly uncomfortable. "For your sake, we'll take it down a notch."

It is here where Adriel becomes perplexed. "Wasn't it the Fire Lily Tribe that made you marry? I thought that the two of you weren't…you know…into each other like that?"

"We weren't! I mean…we aren't! I mean…uh…I don't really know…" Damiana hides her face behind a curtain of magenta curls.

"Yeah, what she said. I don't know, either…"

Adriel rises from the bed, rolls up the map, and slowly backs away. His long ponytail is fuchsia. "Well, now that our plan is set in stone, I am going to show myself out. We'll be in Torhael for a few more days. I'll come get you when my Squadron is ready to leave the town."

The door thuds behind him loudly.

---

"You know, we don't need to share a room anymore if you don't want to. We could ask Adriel for a little more money and get separate rooms for the rest of our stay in Torhael. Or we can share a room with Tenna and Caen. Whatever you want." Roy's emerald eyes are filled, not necessarily with concern, but with hesitation.

"Well, we aren't traveling with the Fire Lily Tribe anymore. We don't have anyone telling us that we're disrespecting each other by not sharing a bed. So…do you want to go ask Tenna and Caen if they want to share a room? If you don't want to be alone together, it's fine. Maybe we can share at the Ground Badger Compound, too."

Emerald eyes lock with color-changing irises which, right now, are pale pink. "Please don't burn my face off, but I'm going to be straight with you. We took a gigantic leap a couple nights ago. I'm just making sure that you don't have any regrets. Do you? Because I don't."

"No. I feel completely fine with what we did." The girl doesn't even have to think before speaking. She surprises herself with how quickly she answers.

"Okay, then. You don't regret it, and neither do I. Regret is the only reason I can think of for trying to backtrack, and that is off the table. Is there any other reason that you can think of?"

"No. If you were a Dabnodian or if I was a human, pregnancy would be an issue, but we don't have compatible reproductive systems." Hair and eyes shifting to magenta, she confesses, "While we're on Dabnod, I don't really see a reason not to…do it... Once we're back on Earth, we might need to take a step back, though."

"True. Bee would probably barge into our bedroom like an angry mom on prom night. Not that it's her business what 'married people' get up to in their free time." The redhead jests.

"Don't talk like that! If the rest of the Titans figure out we're married, I bet Aqualad, Cyborg, Beast Boy and Robin will throw us a wedding reception!"

Now they're both snickering. Their marriage license, the single slip of paper that could turn Titans Tower upside down upon their return, is tucked deeply into Damiana's bag. Of course, her bag isn't the primary thought occupying her mind right now. All she can focus on is Roy. His eyes sparkle with humor. There is also a glint of something more intense. Before she knows it, her hair shifts to orange and her eyes to copper. That mischievous glint transforms into a smirk. It is a smirk that she has only been receiving from him for a couple of days. It puts her stomach into knots, and although she would never admit this aloud, she would drag him somewhere private if they weren't already in the privacy of their room.

Feeling a tad smug, she leans in closer and smirks back at him. "Do you think you're going to have trouble staying away from me once we're back on Earth?"

"If you purposely torture me, then probably."

He leans in closer as well. Only an inch of space separates them. He twirls a glowing orange ringlet around his index finger. Damiana's response is standing up and moving away from the bed. The girl has never realized how very capable she is of teasing in this situation. The desperation and frustration painting the archer's face gives her some unexplainable sort of satisfaction. A playful smile twitches at the corners of her lips.

"You know what? I might go on a walk. Maybe we can do this later."

Roy wraps his arms around her waist and tugs her so that her back is tight against his chest. "If you can escape me, then you can go on your walk."

A grin is evident in his voice. The instant he begins kissing her neck, it becomes very clear to Damiana. She doesn't want to escape.

"You're being mean."

His response is wet, open-mouthed, sucking on her collarbone. She leans fully against him and sighs in delight. Suddenly, Roy does something that he has never done before - at least not with her. He begins rubbing between her legs through the fabric of her dress. Damiana's confusion only lasts for about five seconds. The girl hasn't a clue how he could have possibly known to do that, but the archer clearly knows what he is doing. It feels amazing! Practically against her will, she grinds against his hand. He begins rubbing harder and faster. That feels really good!

Then, suddenly, he lets go of her. The rubbing stops as does the kissing. When she turns to face him, he is wearing a smug smile. "Okay, go on your walk. You're free to go."

"I take it back. Now you're being mean."

"Why? Do you want more?"

One glimpse below his belt, and it becomes clear that she isn't the only one wanting more. Damiana isn't sure what comes over her, but in a single instant she has him pinned by his wrists. They are lying atop the covers, the Dabnodian girl sitting on top of him.

"That depends. Do you want to give me more?"

It seems that she doesn't have the archer as securely pinned as she thought. One move, and Roy is now hovering over her. "I would love to. Just remember that this isn't a library. You don't have to be quiet."

Her simper is sultry. "Yes, sir, Titan Speedy."

This seems to be the straw that breaks the camel's back. She doesn't know who the culprit is, but her dress is now discarded on the floor. He is no longer rubbing. Rather, her panties are also gone and he is using his mouth. Quiet, she is not. This feels even better than when he was rubbing.

Damiana moans. "Naxdath! Nar glitnart!"

Roy alternates between using his mouth and using two of his fingers. When he uses his mouth, sometimes it is light licking other times it is deep, long, licks and sucks. When using his fingers, it alternates between gentle rubbing and deep fingering. Damiana is beginning to sweat from grinding into him. This feels so good! She isn't sure how she is going to say no to this once they're back on Earth.

"I n-need you."

The redhead throws off his clothes with fervor. His smug smirk is long gone. The only expression on his face is one of need entwined with intense desire. "I know last time was your first time. Do you still need me to go slow?"

"I don't think so."

The answer is no, she doesn't need him to go slow. This time, she handles him just fine. More than fine. There is no pain whatsoever. It is blissful! Although, Roy does bonk his head on the headboard from the anticipation. She laughs, not mockingly, but lightheartedly.

"Ouch! Dammit that hurt!"

"Sorry about the headboard. We should scooch down."

"It's alright. It's worth it."

It feels a bit clumsy at first, but eventually they form an easy rhythm. She meets him thrust for thrust, and his grunts and groans of pleasure are met with moans of delight. When he kisses her deeply, she throws her arms around his neck and kisses back. Even after Roy finishes, they are still slathering each other with kisses.

"We should go get dinner."

"Yeah, I know."

They don't get dinner. In fact, they don't leave their room for many hours. They end up falling asleep in each other's arms.

---

Caen is playing a game of Phoenix Flight with a group of children in the inn's lobby. Queen Guayusa hadn't been exaggerating. There are no toys here whatsoever besides board games. The board games that are here are strategy games, so she supposes this is the reason they are permitted. The inn has a bookshelf for the children, too. Strategy games and books. Not a ball or a doll in sight. How fun. Tenna rolls her eyes at the thought.

While her son is occupied, Tenna's mind flashes back to Damiana and Roy. They'd been across the street at the Raxtin House that Adriel had warned them against. When they left, they ran. Only a few minutes later, Adriel had entered their room and then stormed out shortly after. The mountaineer can't help feeling curious. Whatever happened at the Raxtin House must not have been good. Tenna stands and looks over at Caen. He seems to be having a fun time. He is moving his yellow pebbles across the game board, keenly aware of Lightning Phoenixs' migration patterns. Caen will probably win. Not that her son cares much if he wins or if he loses. He simply enjoys having playmates.

Knowing that she won't be missed, Tenna makes her way up the hallway. She is about to knock on the door leading to their room to find out exactly what happened at the Raxtin House. Learning if Adriel has a plan for obtaining a zirgnant tool to get the two of them home would also be nice. But Tenna stops short. A loud thump is heard, along with conversing. Damiana's side of the conversation is in Dabnodian while Roy speaks in English. It is quite an odd exchange to listen to, but nevertheless, the mountaineer gets the message.

The only sentiment that she can understand from the entire sentence spoken by Roy is "ouch!".

"Sorry about the headboard. We should scooch down."

Shortly after, rhythmic thumping begins. That definitely isn't a quality bed. It squeaks loudly. Flustered though she may be, Tenna can't say that she is surprised. It was only a matter of time. Honestly, the mountaineer would be surprised if this hadn't happened! Knowing that this isn't a good time, and not sure if there will ever be a good time, she walks away. All the while, a medical book that she'd gotten from the Fire Lily Tribe years ago during one of their passes through Whisper Valley comes to mind. As Whisper Valley's former midwife, she was always scrounging around for medical books. Once they get their teenage lust out of their systems, perhaps the mountaineer should brooch one of the topics she'd stumbled across during her reading.

---

The Next Day

"I didn't get an English lesson yesterday, and I haven't gotten one today!"

Caen crosses his arm sullenly. The child is so upset that he doesn't eat the fried gzrif that is on the plate in front of him. Meanwhile, Roy eats and drinks greedily. After swallowing, the archer gives what sounds like a heartfelt apology. Of course, Damiana knows that he isn't sorry in the slightest at having spent the past ten hours in their room together. Especially considering that they went one more round after waking up… Her filter is no longer malfunctioning, but is completely broken, because she halfheartedly nibbles her food while staring dazedly into space with a smile.

It seems Caen can sense Roy's insincerity. "If you're sorry, then why haven't I gotten an English lesson? You missed dinner last night. What was important enough for you both to miss dinner?"

Roy chokes on his meal. It takes several hard hits to the back from Damiana for it to become dislodged. When Tenna gives them both a knowing look, the two teens become red-faced. Wow. Are they really that obvious? Unfortunately, the eight-year-old is not nearly as oblivious as they hoped.

"What? What's the matter?"

It is Tenna who answers. "Caen, my sweet child, do you remember when Zaetaka and I would take really long walks down the mountainside? We would leave you and your brothers with one of our neighbors overnight?"

"Yes. They always had fun toys for us to play with!"

"You do remember. Great! What did Zaetaka and I tell you when we left?"

"That you needed to be alone because married couples need time alone." It takes a few seconds, but at last Caen makes the connection. His hair shifts from perturbed brown to bright green. "Oh! I'm sorry. You needed to be alone with Damiana?"

The archer smiles, "Yes, exactly. But, hey, why don't I give you that English lesson right now? Where did we leave off?"

"We were talking about how to get places."

"That's right. Thanks for reminding me. If you need directions to…let's say the grocery store, what would you say?"

Damiana would like to listen, but Tenna taps her on the arm. When the girl looks in her direction, the mountaineer is nodding her head toward the dining area's exit. Although she initially hesitates, Damiana finally decides to follow her. The instant they are out of Roy's and Caen's sightline, Tenna unburies a drawstring pouch crafted out of purple velvet from her dress' pocket. The mountaineer tosses it at her. When the Noble Lady opens it, she sees flower petals. Pure white flower petals with spots of silver. She furrows her brow.

"What is this?"

"Malban daisies."

The girl scratches her head. She has never heard of these before in her life. "Malban daisies?"

"Yes. Take one now. You're still within one day of intercourse, so it should still work."

"Work…?"

Tenna sighs and buries her face in her hands. "I was a midwife in Whisper Valley. When certain families started having too many children to support, I would prescribe malban daisies. They create an impenetrable barrier around your egg and also make your body uninhabitable for sperm. At least in theory. Roy is a human, so who knows? Maybe it won't work for him."

Damiana is glad that she isn't eating at the moment. Roy would have to give her the Heimlich! "What? You seriously think that Roy could get me pregnant? We're two different species! That's impossible!"

Another sigh, this one exasperated. "I was a midwife in Whisper Valley, my dear. I read a lot of medical texts whenever the Fire Lily Tribe had them to trade. Do you know why you think it is impossible to reproduce with non-Dabnodian species?"

"Why is that?" The girl feels dizzy all of a sudden. She thinks she needs to lay down.

"Because it has never been attempted before. Never in Dabnod's history has there been a recorded case of Dabnodians attempting reproduction with other humanoid species; it has always been too taboo for anyone to try. What you're doing is a first, so it might not be impossible."

Lime green eyes widen. "It has to be impossible! Other species don't interbreed!"

"Actually, they do. Based on my medical textbooks, Tamaraneans and Kryptonians are able to reproduce with other humanoid species. So are some species of Cintarians based on which moon they hail from. As for humans? Absolutely! Humans are the blank canvas of reproduction - if the species is humanoid, humans can breed with them! So, please accept the malban daisies. You're better safe than sorry."

For the longest time, the girl doesn't answer. She merely stares at the little pouch of flower petals in disbelief. At long last, she asks, "I understand your concern, but why do you care?"

"Damiana, my dear, you have been through a lot. Don't deny it, sweet child. You have been through enough to last two lifetimes! Don't put yourself through any more stress right now. Children are a blessing, but they are hard work. Especially a child that would be a first of its kind! The last thing you need right now is a half-human, half-Dabnodian, child."

She allows the comment to sink in. Then, Damiana puts one of the petals in her mouth. The malban daisy dissolves before she can swallow. Afterward, she states, "I was always told that Dabnodians are unable to produce children with other species and that we can only reproduce with Dabnodians. I never realized that nobody had ever tried."

"Who told you that Dabnodians can only have babies with Dabnodians?"

Curled ringlets and wide eyes suddenly turn sapphire with realization. The girl smacks a palm to her forehead, shocked by her own stupidity. "Queen Guayusa."

"I see. That makes a lot of sense."

---

Going into town sounds nice. Although Torhael doesn't have nearly as much to explore as the larger cities, it will be nice to go outside for a short while. Roy tries to comb his hair, which is far too long these days, while Damiana rifles through her bag for the gems given to them by Adriel. When the archer goes through his own belongings to put his comb away, he notices a small, purple, drawstring pouch sitting on the bed between their two satchels. It must be important, because Damiana snatches it up and puts it protectively in the drawer of their nightstand.

"What is that?"

Silence. A very long span of silence. When the alien girl begins twiddling her thumbs, he has a feeling that he won't like what he is about to hear. "That is a present from Tenna. You know…Tenna…? Whisper Valley's midwife who is abundantly full of medical knowledge…?"

Roy arches a brow. "Ah, yes, Tenna. I believe I've met her. She's the lady who has been traveling with us for the past three months." Sarcasm oozes from the words, but not as much as confusion.

"Yes, her. I'm glad you've met. And I'm glad you're aware of exactly how knowledgeable on sexual relations and childbearing she is… Because she told me something funny at breakfast this morning. You're going to laugh."

Roy isn't laughing, but he does feel dizzy. "God in heaven, please tell me that you aren't-"

Damiana cuts him off. "No! No, no, no, no no. No! I'm not…that!"

He has to take several deep breaths to calm his pounding heart. "Praise Jesus! Don't do that. You scared me half to death!" After a long moment of hesitation, he continues. "If you aren't pregnant, then what's the problem, and what's in that pouch?"

She takes a large gulp prior to answering. "Malban daisies. They're a Dabnodian contraceptive - kind of like a morning after pill. Or if I take them everyday, they can act like birth control. Tenna thinks we're better safe than sorry."

Roy half sits, half collapses, onto the edge of the bed. "Why? You said our reproductive systems are completely incompatible!"

"They are! At least in theory. I was always told in the Capital City that reproduction with non-Dabnodians is impossible. It turns out that Tenna had access to medical books that we didn't have in the Capital City. The truth is that we don't actually know anything for sure. No Dabnodian has actually attempted what we're doing, so this is completely new terrain, so to speak."

Emerald eyes are the size of saucers. "Okay… So you're telling me that getting you pregnant is not impossible?"

"According to Tenna, but again, we don't actually know. Based on how I know my body works, it should be impossible. It's like I told you during the frost - Dabnodian pregnancies depend on heart energy from both the mother and the father to protect the baby. Your…male DNA…doesn't have excess heart energy stored in it, and Dabnodian women don't have periods like human women, so there wouldn't be any blood protecting the baby, either. My body can't support a human pregnancy, and your body can't help sustain a Dabnodian pregnancy, so even if something does happen where…where…"

"Your egg and my sperm unite?" Roy interjects. Despite the shock of this conversation, he can't help smirking amusedly at how sheepish Damiana still is by this sort of terminology.

"Yes… That's what I mean. Even if that does happen, the embryo will probably leave my body immediately because it won't be a viable pregnancy. I may be the first of the Dabnodians to…to…"

"Thoroughly enjoy being pleasured by a human?"

Damiana gives him the raspberry. Roy laughs.

"In your words, yes. As I was saying, just because I'm the first Dabnodian to try this doesn't mean that I'm wrong. Our bodies are incompatible, so getting me pregnant should be impossible whether Dabnodians have tried it before or not."

The archer considers what she is saying for a long, quiet, moment. "In all seriousness, I see what you're getting at, and I agree. Our DNA is different, so it would probably be too confusing for your body to try and grow another person where half of the genetics are unreadable. It's like trying to build a car where half of the blue prints are for a car and the other half are for a boat. It doesn't work."

Damiana smiles. "Exactly!" Twiddling her thumbs anxiously, she adds, "But I'm still using the malban daisies."

"Please do. And when we get back to Earth, the first place I'm going is the drugstore." Roy stands and moves toward the door. "Anyway, let's go outside. Maybe there's a trading post that we can explore."

---

Two Days Later

It is a light rapping on the door that tells Damiana and Roy that their time in Torhael is finished. Damiana has so many questions. Thankfully, Adriel answers them quickly; so quickly that she hasn't had the opportunity to ask them in the first place. Her face must be readable as always.

"Go to the phoenix barn and ask for the grass phoenixes. Those are the phoenixes that my clansmen always use when they visit this town. They will take you to the foliage outside of the Ground Badger Compound's west entrance. After you're dropped off, they will retreat back to Province Two. Wait for me until it gets dark, then I'll let you into the Ground Badger Compound. If my parents are home, they will be asleep by then. As for the guards who watch the west entrance, they usually fall asleep. If they don't, I can distract them easily enough."

There is no opportunity for either Titan to comment on a single word that Adriel just spoke. Knight Master Urrvink's voice reverberates so vociferously throughout the hallway that the ground nearly quakes. Thankfully, the shouting is all in good humor. "Squire Adriel, today is filled with joy and cheer! We finally get to leave Torhael! Light incense to the Fates in thanks once you're home, because we survived!"

The Ground Badger abruptly flies from their room. Once the door slams behind him, jolly laughter is heard. "If this was Province Four, I would say we celebrate with a round of mead, but I don't think the rest of the Squadron is as happy as we are."

Once their voices vanish, Damiana and Roy rush to grab Tenna and Caen from their separate room. Ten minutes later, they're soaring through the sky.

The girl's thoughts are in ten places at once. Not even the beautiful patchwork landscape of planet Dabnod is enough to calm her spiraling mind. Some of her thoughts are in the Capital City. Will it feel weird to see it again, especially the Fire Phoenix Compound, and if necessary, the Royal Palace? How will this very real trip into her very real past impact her?

She is also thinking about the malban daisies. As scary as the thought that she might be able to get pregnant is, it has not hindered hers and Roy's…activities... in the slightest. Ninety-nine percent of the time, they don't think twice about it. The one-percent of the time that she does think about it will eat at her if she allows it. Thus, she takes the malban daisies as prescribed and reminds herself that she is a Dabnodian and Roy is a human. There is no harm done.

Of course, there is also the state of her relationship with Roy. What are they?! Married? Boyfriend and girlfriend? Friends with benefits? It's very confusing… He does seem to care about her, and she cares about him, so she would dare to call it a romantic relationship, but she would have to ask Roy to know for sure. Asking Roy sounds awkward to say the least. When will be the right time to ask? She definitely thinks that it needs to wait until they get back to Earth.

Speaking of Earth, these are where most of the thoughts that plague her come from. Is everyone who was in the mine in Metropolis alive and uninjured? If everyone is alright, then what will she say to Saeran? She isn't sure that she wants him around anymore. Everything she has ever believed about him is a lie. Instead of a loving older brother and faithful servant to a gracious Queen, Saeran is a deadbeat dad, a dangerous person who will follow even the most extreme orders as long as it is Queen Guayusa giving them, and a hypocrite to boot. If Saeran finds out about their…activities…and tries to kill Roy, the first question the two of them should ask is how he enjoyed the Raxtin House. That would be certain to shut him up.

Hopefully Saeran won't be much of an issue and she can reintegrate into her life as Firelight as flawlessly as possible. Maybe Saeran will leave of his own accord, Adriel will return to his dance studio in Metropolis, Starfire and the Titans West will return to Jump City, and everything will be the way it was before. Maybe they already defeated Black Shadow! That's wishful thinking, of course. It's as Roy stated a few days ago. The Titans have probably been too busy trying to rescue them to focus on defeating Black Shadow. And they're probably going to have a friendly visit from the Justice League to deal with. So many consequences that Damiana doesn't want to deal with!

It is the sight of the Capital City below them that finally gets the girl's mind to stop spiraling. Her tresses become an odd combination of colors- lime green and charcoal. Her fellow Titan must be just as awestruck. For the first time since riding on phoenix-back, Roy doesn't seem horrified when looking at the ground below. He takes in the view slack-jawed.

"Wow."

"Sweet Fates. It's exactly the way I remember it."

The Royal Palace is a sight to behold from this high in the sky. The rose-colored stones are so brightly polished that they glisten. Exotic plants bedecking the Palace Grounds can be seen even from up here. These trees are more vividly violet than any other plant on Dabnod. Blossoms in varying shades of gold and silver adorn their glimmering leaves. Brilliant flowers the colors of crimson, tangerine, lemon yellow, sapphire, and beryl garment neatly-trimmed violet grasses. The massive fountain in the center courtyard is also clearly visible, as is the monument to the Fates. The emerald gemstones decorating the intricately carved landmarks glisten in the light of Dabnod's bright, white, sun. Although they're the size of beetles, Royal Knight and Courtiers are seen wandering the gardens.

Queen Guayusa is twisted. Queen Guayusa is a liar. Queen Guayusa is dangerous. Yet, Damiana wants nothing more than to go see the Royal Palace. She has yet to find a place on Earth that matches the splendor of the Dabnodian Royal Palace.

It is the archer that reins her in. "It's hard to believe that someone so demented lives in such a beautiful place."

The girl takes a deep, quivering, breath. Speaking about this memory out loud is almost physically painful. "Yes. Queen Guayusa took a lot of pleasure in the Palace gardens. She would walk through them with me each time I visited."

When Roy looks at her, it is with sympathy, but also with another emotion that she has difficulty placing. "You know, it isn't right what Queen Guayusa did to you. Isolating you, indoctrinating you and then planning to use you. That's wrong."

She doesn't know what else to say other than, "Thank you."

"You're welcome."

Roy gives her a quick peck on the lips. It is not filled with the heat or the passion that she has experienced these past few days. This kiss is simply comforting. She places her hand in his. At first she is nervous at the impulsiveness of the gesture, but when he squeezes her hand, she knows that it wasn't too forward. As their phoenix begins its descent toward the Ground Badger Compound, it suddenly occurs to Damiana what the other emotion is that Roy has on display besides sympathy. The only reason she didn't recognize it is because she has never seen this emotion directed at her before; not truly. Roy was looking at her with love.

At last, Roy says something else. He points. "Is that where we're going?"

Directly below them is a settlement with four towering walls on each side. These walls aren't crafted from rosestones. They are built out of heavy, dark gray, bricks called slabstones. Within the slabstone walls are a conglomeration of rosestone buildings. Houses are in the lower right corner of the square near the southern and eastern gates. The school, medical center and the training center are near the northern gate. The Clan Center, the homes of the Clan Elders and the home for the Patriarch of the Ground Badger Clan are on the west side of the square near the western gate. Adriel's father is the Patriarch of the Ground Badger Clan.

"Yes. That's the Ground Badger Compound."

A minute later, they are climbing off of the grass phoenix amidst a small clearing. The creature flies away with its massive wings causing small tornadoes. Several branches snap off of the surrounding trees. Damiana and Roy have to shield themselves. Less than five minutes is what it takes for Caen and Tenna to join them. They don't speak to each other. For the longest time, they stare at the towering wall through the foliage. A beautifully carved Ground Badger crest stares at them through the gaps in the tree line. The carving is placed directly above the entrance to the western gate. The ground badger's barred teeth and beady eyes almost appear to be hunting them. The guards stationed on either side of the gate look bored out of their minds.

"There is a cave not far from here. We should hide for a while. Adriel will know where we're at. Once the sun sets, he will come for us."

Damiana guides them deeper into the forest. Neither Caen, Roy, nor Tenna questions her. They merely follow. It takes a long while as she tries desperately to remember. Truly, she hadn't recalled the memory of her cave until mere seconds ago. The cave is right beside a hollow log and is hidden behind a lartberry bush. She knows! She visited that cave with Jaegana and Adriel many times. There were instances during her childhood where she would get mad at either Mama or Saeran, and she would hide there with a pile of books. Damiana had only been inside the Ground Badger Compound a handful of times, but that cave is no stranger to her whatsoever.

At last, the girl spots the hollow log. She recognizes it instantly. It has a mushroom growing out of the top and has a Fire Phoenix that she'd carved into it with a quill pen. The Deja vu almost sends her reeling backwards. Next to the log is the lartberry bush. The girl hesitates, as if touching something so familiar from her past will split the fabric of existence apart. There is a part of her that didn't actually anticipate finding this spot.

It is Tenna who says something. "Damiana…"

"I'm fine, Tenna."

Damiana finally shoves the thick, blossoming, branches of the lartberry bush aside. The cave's narrow entrance is revealed. The opening is small, though there is much more space inside. Damiana slides through the gap easily, igniting a small flame for light. Her body shudders with astonishment upon observing her hideout more closely. There are still a few books down here, a pile of blankets, and some pillows. The most recent time she came here, she'd probably planned on returning. Hopefully eleven-year-old Damiana doesn't decide to come here today. For the first time in five years, the girl wracks her brain to determine her weekly schedule.

"Tenna, do you know what day of the week it is?"

"It is the third day of the week. Why?"

"My eleven-year-old self is at the Fire Phoenix Compound. I'm training with the Clan Elders, and then I return home in the evening to help Mama make dinner. I don't think I should be here today." It feels so strange speaking this statement aloud. It must sound strange, too, because the others jolt.

"Well, that's good," Roy comments. "We don't need to destroy the timeline because of you meeting yourself."

With that, Damiana begins rummaging. Patchwork quilts sewn lovingly by her mother. Cushy pillows that were gifted to her by Queen Guayusa. Books that Saeran brought back from his training missions to other Provinces. The girl is in absolute disbelief that she is here amidst items that she has seen only in dreams for the past five years.

It seems that little Dami selected the books she brought with her well. One is a detailed account of Masters Level Techniques used by many fire using clans throughout Dabnod. Some of these clans are extinct while others have simply become generous with their information. Another book is about a dead language once spoken when Dabnodians were in their hunter-gatherer era. The rest seem to be collections of Dabnodian folktales and fairytales. The book about the dead language, she immediately tosses aside. The others, Damiana gazes over with intensity.

"Roy, how much space do you have left in your satchel?"

The redhead sorts through it. "Enough."

"Cool. Can you take these? My bag is tight on space."

He takes them, but not without reading the titles first. "These look like a valuable find. Dabnodian stories are probably very rare where we're from. So are instruction manuals for fire users."

"Yes. It's not like I have the Clan Elders to help me anymore, either. I should take whatever materials I can get. Now that I'm a Teen Titan, I need to start training again." Scratching her head, she adds as an afterthought, "It would be risky, but stopping by my old room would be nice. I have several books filled with Phoenix Level techniques that would be amazing for me to learn!"

The girl is expecting an argument, but much to her surprise, the archer nods in agreement. "Once we get the zirgnant tool, maybe we can stop by. You'll be out celebrating at the Annual Migration Festival, too, right?"

She smiles. "Yes. My cabin should be empty."

Tenna gives a small, skeptical, frown. "Are you sure that will be a good idea?"

"Considering how all of this will be dust floating through space next month, yes. I need to salvage anything I can that has to do with my culture."

Though she appears unconvinced, Tenna doesn't argue. "Whatever you two do, just be careful. Sweet Fates, you're both so reckless."

They may be reckless, but not as reckless as Adriel. He wasn't joking about hiding them at the Ground Badger Compound in the slightest. After hours of reading through countless pages of Dabnodian texts, the Ground Badger finally comes for them. He slides down into the cave without warning. The group practically jumps out of their skin.

Hair turning the color of rust, he apologizes. "Sorry. It took a lot longer than I thought for the guards at the west gate to fall asleep. We should be fine to go inside now, though. The guards are still sleeping and my parents are still at the Royal Palace."

They crawl out of the cave's narrow entrance one person at a time. Damiana gets leaves entangled in her curls, which Roy plucks out. The lilac-colored moon, a waxing crescent, is high in the sky. The girl purses her lips questioningly.

"It's late, Adriel. Late late! Your parents are still at the Royal Palace?"

"Indeed they are. Why wouldn't they be? Their Queen is generously rewarding them with kisses and praises for having a daughter that is attempting to gift multiple children to the monarchy. They're crown loyalists, so they will probably be schmoozing the Queen for hours."

Upon reaching the gates, it is immediately learned that Adriel was correct. The guards are fast asleep. The boy opens the gates himself with his rock-using abilities, and they saunter inside fearlessly. He seals the entrance behind them with soft rumbling. All the while, Damiana scans the area for the Ground Badger Patriarch's home. It stands a mere thirty feet away. Although the girl has only seen it twice, perhaps three times, she recognizes it instantly. It looks smaller, but it could just be the quaking ground making it appear that way.

"Quick. Follow me before the Clan Elders dismiss themselves from the Clan Center for the night."

They follow after Adriel hastily. Once they reach the dwelling, as grand as it is, it still feels smaller. Lavish, velvet, tapestries with ground badgers meticulously stitched into them. Vases forged from precious metals and inlaid with green gemstones. Detailed oil paintings hanging on the walls. All of it amazed her as a child. Sauntering through the halls at age sixteen, knowing what's coming, it doesn't seem nearly as spectacular. They're all pointless knickknacks. The Patriarch and Matriarch of the Ground Badger Clan aren't even around to enjoy their pointless knickknacks. The only one who ever took pleasure in any of it, if memory serves, was Jaegana. How Jaegana loved telling Damiana where all the scenes in the paintings came from! But she was the only one.

It feels incredibly strange for her to mull this thought over, but Jaegana seems frivolous and naive to her now. Back at the Raxtin House, she seemed silly. Jaegana was certainly kind and genuine, but silly nonetheless. At age eleven, Damiana had adored her for her beauty and kind heart. Now? Oddly enough, Jaegana's demeanor felt grating, if not annoying. Though, she can't help appreciating the Ground Badger girl's bubbly nature and desire to befriend people in spite of her personal feelings.

Damiana can never remember Jaegana being so grating to be around. She also can't remember Adriel and Jaegana's home feeling so empty in all of its pointless beauty. As for Adriel, Damiana never remembers him acting so serious. She always remembers past Adriel behaving lightheartedly. In reality, the gears in his head were always turning, and the smile was, and still is, a convenient front. Nothing is the way she remembers. Nothing at all. Especially not here in the Capital City.

By the time they reach Jaegana's room, Damiana is ready to pass out atop the covers. Before she can do this, however, the Ground Badger addresses her and Roy. "Nobody should come in here. When Jaegana is gone, the servants don't go in. They can't enter a room without the primary occupant's permission. It will be an aggravating week, but don't worry. It will pass fast. Plus we only have two servants. You will be able to leave Jaegana's room outside of their scheduled work hours."

Somehow, this explanation is enough to make the girl jump into a state of alertness. That's right. She is going to be trapped in this room with Roy for a week straight. For a moment, this reality eluded her.

Before she can ask for any additional details, Adriel is engaged in a conversation with Tenna. "Tenna and Caen, you will be in my room. I get up earlier than my parents for Knight training, so they won't notice if I sleep in the parlor. If I'm afraid of them noticing, then I can move to the cellar."

When the door closes behind them, Damiana can already feel the walls suffocating herself and Roy. This is going to be a long week.

---

Four Days Later

Adriel is kind enough to bring them books and snacks throughout the day. It turns out that the servants have a much longer work day than they initially realized. Thankfully, Jaegana has an attached bathroom. Adriel's room has one as well. Damiana cannot help feeling badly for Tenna. Keeping Caen quiet must be a struggle. But, at least they all don't have to hold in their urine.

The servants have not yet shown up for their workday this morning. As for Adriel's parents, they simply did not return last night. Adriel's father has an office at the Royal Palace, and his mother loves to assist in his work, so there are occasions when they don't come home at all. With the house completely empty, the four guests are gathered in the family room nearest to Adriel's and Jaegana's bedrooms. The Ground Badger is not lounging on a sofa, but is loitering in front of a picture window keeping watch over the path that the servants use to come to work. Caen isn't sitting either. He dashes around the room gleefully, happy to have even a small amount of space for playing.

As happy as the child seems, it is clear that his mother is far from happy. The mountaineer frowns sorrowfully into her cup of tea. When she speaks, the reason for her despair becomes clear. "Three weeks and three days. Is that really all we have left?"

Damiana stares astonished, but then she nods. For the longest time, the girl didn't believe that the reality of Dabnod's coming annihilation would ever sink in. "Three weeks and three days is right. Decide what you're going to do, Tenna. There isn't much time."

Silence permeates the room. Although he doesn't face them, it's clear that Adriel is listening. His hair shifts to deep, plum-colored, purple. Eventually it is Tenna who breaks the silence yet again.

"Tell me more about Earth."

They do. Roy gives detailed accounts of all the places he has traveled to. Apparently he has been to Russia and to the UK, which she never knew. Apparently these trips happened before joining the Teen Titans. He also gives a description of Star City, where he once lived as Green Arrow's sidekick. However, the most detail is attributed to Steel City. Steel City is where Damiana jumps in.

"...there are a lot of skyscrapers in Steel City, too, but not as many as there are in places like Metropolis and Star City. When you reach the outskirts of the city, it's mostly suburbs. That's where the majority of the population lives."

The girl scratches her head skeptically. "Really? I worked for a lot of people who lived in the city. I would say it's split fifty-fifty. Although, the suburbs are a lot safer than the city." Recalling the months where she sang and played guitar at Lola's Cafe, she laughs. "Not that it makes a difference. The kids from the suburbs always come to dangerous parts of the city to have fun. It's always rich kids like mini-dress girl who want to have fun in the city. I don't think they comprehend how unsafe it is."

Tenna pouts, not sadly, but in confusion. "I'm sorry. I don't understand. Mini-dress girl?"

Roy chuckles while rubbing the back of his neck, clearly uncomfortable. "I see no reason to get into all that. It's in the past."

"Yes, it is the past. I don't care anymore. We didn't even know each other when that happened." Damiana rolls her eyes playfully.

"Well, yes and no. We didn't know each other when I first walked inside. We met that same night."

The mountaineer raises a brow. "What are you talking about?"

"Oh, it's nothing important - at least not to you. We're talking about the night we met."

"Now you're making me curious. How did you meet?" Amusement sparkles in her silver eyes.

Damiana smirks. "I'm glad you asked."

"I thought you said it's in the past!"

"It is, but the past is still funny." Roy's face burns with humiliation while the girl tells the tale. "I'd been living in Steel City for six months. I lived at a motel and had multiple jobs to afford the rent. One of my jobs was as a singer at a place called Lola's Cafe. I didn't pay much attention to the Titans when I first moved to Steel City. I saw the Titans East on TV, but never in person. I just knew they were around. I mostly kept to myself. Then, one night, Titan Speedy walked into Lola's Cafe surrounded by squealing fangirls."

Although he is clearly embarrassed, Roy laughs. "You know I was searching for a bank robber when that happened. I'd been searching the city for hours and just wanted a pie break. The ladies came to me. My only goal was finding the bank robber."

"Right. Of course. That's why you told them that there's plenty of Speedy to go around, right? And that's why you took it so well when they said they wanted to meet fish-for-brains?"

His laughter grows. "Oh come on, you thought it was funny when I sent them to go find Aqualad. You were on stage laughing! And I was, too, focused on finding the bank robber. Why else would I stick around and ask for your help?"

Their banter continues for what feels like eternity, the mountaineer listening intently. It seems like their debate will never end. Then, Tenna asks a rather odd question. "You explained where Steel City is at. Can you explain where in Steel City Lola's Cafe is located?"

The two Titans exchange befuddled glances. "It's in the southside of the city on the corner of Fourth Street and Southern Avenue," Damiana replies.

"But they only opened a few months before Damiana showed up. They've been open less than a year in our time." As an afterthought, Roy gives Tenna the month and the year that Lola's Cafe opened for business. "Damiana and I met a little while after that, in March the following year."

Nobody expects Adriel to say anything. He has been silently staring out the window for almost an hour. That's why they turn in his direction with such shock. "You said you met me after you joined the Titans?"

She nods. "Yes, that's right."

"In that case, how did we meet? Were you and the Titans intentionally looking for me?"

Damiana joins him beside the picture window. Aside from a few grazing phoenixes, no life is seen in the Ground Badger patriarch's backyard. "No. It wasn't intentional. The Titans were on a mission in Metropolis searching for Black Shadow when we met. You had a job at the Metropolis Museum of History and Astrology. We crashed into each other, and it just so happened to be you who I crashed into. Pretty strange, right?"

"Okay, so it wasn't on purpose… When did we meet? It must not have been long after meeting Roy."

"I don't remember exactly," the girl purses her lips thoughtfully. "I think it was early April."

"You're right. It was early April," Roy interjects. "We came through the rift on the evening of April fifth. It was a few days before that when you met Adriel."

Pale pink eyes sparkle teasingly. "I'm surprised you remember the day we came through the rift so precisely."

"Yeah, we kind of have to. When we get Black Shadow's rift machine working, we need to open another rift as close to our present as possible."

She would like to tell Roy that he is right. Remembering the exact date they came through the rift is helpful. The fact that she couldn't remember is actually pretty embarrassing. That, however, is when two figures are seen on the horizon.

"Here come the servants. Go back to your rooms. You guys can come back out later when their shift ends. Once it's safe again, I'll give you a holler."

---

Three Days Later

He hasn't seen his father since last week. Adriel has left the house to spend a few hours at the training center each afternoon. Twice he has left the Ground Badger Compound to run drills with Squadron Thirteen at the Royal Palace. It is possible that they have simply been missing each other due to being home at different hours, but this is doubtful. In reality, the fifteen-year-old is one-hundred percent certain that Aerad, the Patriarch of the Ground Badger Clan, simply has not been home.

Roy and Damiana are still sleeping. So are Caen and Tenna. The servants haven't arrived yet. Adriel sits outside on the front stoop having a breakfast of rintcakes and starberry tea. There are several thoughts poking around inside of his head. One is that he has a training mission in two days. This will be the last training mission they need to complete to rank up from Squire to Knight. If they pass, they will attend the Knighting Ceremony next month. Adriel laughs sardonically, hoping sincerely that the Fates can hear him. If the Fates are truly as cruel as older Dami claims, then there will be no Knighting Ceremony next month.

Adriel is also thinking about the Annual Migration Festival this evening. Every single year, this festival is so tedious. His father, mother, Saeran, and Queen Guayusa use any excuse they can to put him in situations where he is alone with little Dami. She is eleven, and it feels so weird! Sweet Fates, it feels so creepy! Were little Dami the age of older Dami who currently sleeps in Jaegana's room, it wouldn't be weird or creepy. She is mature and discerning, and more than anything, someone who can consent to going on a date. Little Dami has no clue that she is being courted! He doesn't like it.

Of course, being around older Dami isn't much better. Based on the dynamic she has with her human friend, sixteen-year-old Damiana can definitely consent. He isn't sure how his twenty-year-old self handles it! The Ground Badger can't wait to help them find the zirgnant tool and finish fixing their rift machine. He isn't sure why being around older Dami makes him feel so weird. He also isn't sure why the fact that she clearly has a sexual relationship with Roy makes him feel so uncomfortable, if not irritable. All he does know is that he does care about her, and he does want to help her. Processing the awkwardness with her sex life can wait until later. His sole focus for the time-being should be getting older Dami and Roy home to their own timeline.

Plans for sneaking into the Fire Phoenix Compound are buzzing around inside of his head. It will be easy! He just has to tunnel from the forest to the inside of the western gate of the Fire Phoenix Compound. Adriel sneaks into the Fire Phoenix Compound to visit Saeran during his training with his clansmen all the time. Tonight during the festival, sneaking in will be easier than hunting a sleeping qwernal.

Adriel finishes his breakfast and stands, prepared to knock on older Dami's and Roy's door - so long as there is no thumping or moaning coming from behind it… Sometimes there is, sometimes there isn't. It's difficult to predict.

That, however, is when a voice shouts to him. The Ground Badger boy practically jumps out of his flesh. "Good morning, my son! I'm happy to have found you so easily. Your mother and I have wonderful news!"

Far up the path is the distant image of his father. It has been nearly a week, and frankly, Adriel thought that he might not see him again! Yet, here he is. His mother walks beside the Ground Badger Patriarch dutifully. Astonished by their long awaited return, Adriel rushes up the path to greet them.

"Mother! Father! Sweet Fates, where have you been?"

His father, Aerad, claps him roughly on the back while giving a hearty laugh. "Where do you think? At the Royal Palace! You're about to be a very happy man, my son. Jaegana has performed so marvelously for the Raxtin Program that we were able to convince Her Majesty to add fifteen more gems to Lady Damiana's dowry. And this is only the beginning!"

Great. What is he going to make Adriel do this time? Buy Dami a new dress for the festival? Pick her a bouquet of flowers? Dancing? Why can't they leave this eleven-year-old child alone? The Ground Badger boy paints on a smile, trying his best to hide the fact that he is wrought with internal suffering. "You've made me curious, Father. Fifteen more gems is quite the enhancement. What more could Her Majesty have possibly offered?"

"Something better than all the gems on Dabnod. I hope you haven't packed your satchel for that training mission, because it is being rescheduled. Instead, you need to start digging into those books I got you about the political implications of war. You're accompanying me to the next war meeting. You'll be sitting at my right hand."

Adriel's carefully constructed smile disappears like sand in the wind. "What?!"

Aerad is stunned. "Yes. You're attending a war meeting with me - an incredibly pivotal war meeting attended only by the most elite members of society. You should be happy."

His hair is brown, so there is no pretending that he isn't distraught over this sudden change of plans. "Can't I politely decline and go on the training mission anyway? This is the last mission we need to rank up from Squire to Knight. If I miss it, there are nine other people who will be very disappointed."

Aerad beams at his son. "This is where you are mistaken. You will miss this training mission no matter your decision. Knight Master Urrvink is attending the meeting by mandate of her Majesty Queen Guayusa, so he won't be able to act as Knight Master to Squadron Thirteen until the newest developments regarding the war are settled."

Muddy brown locks shifts to pale gray. His eyes are slate gray. "Oh. In that case, I suppose my missing the meeting wouldn't make a difference."

"No it wouldn't. In fact, it would be a grievous insult to Her Majesty, and also to the Clan Elders, and to Councilmen Two and Nine. You haven't a clue the favors I had to request to obtain Her Majesty's approval for your attendance."

Adriel sighs. "No. I don't." Silence lingers between them. At last, he asks the shallowest question that he can think of. "What am I supposed to wear?"

His father's beaming smile returns immediately. "Your full armor, of course! I can have it sent in to be professionally polished. You'll also need new boots, so I will have your mother go to the cobbler's shop as soon as possible…"

The boy barely hears a word. All he can think about is obtaining the zirgnant tool tonight. It has been a while since any Clan Patriarchs have attended a war meeting, not to mention the Knight Masters who are charged with Squires. Some time has also passed since a Tamaranean assault. There was a small battle that broke out in an asteroid belt between their two galaxies last month. There have been other small skirmishes amongst the stars for the past five months. It has been nearly six months since the Tamaraneans have broken through to Dabnod's atmosphere, let alone reached its surface alive. It has been too long. The length of time since a significant attack, along with the size of this war meeting, can only mean one thing. Something bad is about to happen.

He needs to get Damiana and Roy home fast.

---

Later That Day

Nobody has to warn them that Aerad has returned to his home. The Ground Badger Patriarch's booming voice echoes so loudly that the rosestone bricks tremor. Damiana has yet to meet a Ground Badger who is soft-spoken. She would say that the Ground Badger Matriarch is quiet and gentle, but seeing as she originally hails from the Mountain Uiikin Clan, Damiana doesn't think that she counts. Damiana and Roy sit beside the bed on the floor, hidden from view. If someone walks in, they should be able to soundlessly slide beneath the bed and out of sight.

All the while, Aerad's voice echoes from the family room. "...wash your hair tonight! Also, make sure you brush it thoroughly and tie it back with a ribbon. Don't use anything plain! When Her Majesty Queen Guayusa spots you, you need to look like the future King of Dabnod! Tomorrow is going to be the biggest day of your life! This is the meeting of the century, and we cannot afford even the smallest mistake..."

Aerad has been going on like this for hours! Although they've been trying to be as quiet as church mice, Roy finally whispers something in her ear. "What is this meeting that Adriel's dad keeps ranting about?"

Damiana doesn't answer immediately. She is too busy remembering. After this meeting was when planet Dabnod seemed to fall apart. Dabnod fell apart as a society a short while before the planet itself fell apart. The girl is not fond of these unpleasant memories, but they nonetheless exist.

"A few weeks before Dabnod was destroyed, Queen Guayusa sent out summonses to the Royal Council, all of her most highly ranked Royal Knights, and to the Patriarchs of Dabnod's highest ranking clans. I didn't pay too much attention to it at the time. All I really remember is what happened afterward." This is where Damiana stops explaining.

The archer furrows his ginger brows. "What happened?"

"I don't want to talk about it."

Two more hours pass after this. Thankfully, Roy doesn't ask any more questions. Aerad and Adriel are heard conversing loudly. The Ground Badger Patriarch refers to his son as the future King of Dabnod multiple times. Odd… Very odd… If the girl didn't have much bigger things to worry about, then she might take a moment to ponder why he refers to his son this way.

Damiana starts to think that Aaerad and his wife will never leave and even believes that they might skip the Annual Migration Festival. That is when the man declares loudly, "It was wonderful seeing you, my son! It has been far too long, but now your mother and I must go. We are required to attend a banquet at the Royal Palace. Like the war meeting tomorrow, we can't miss it!"

The son and his parents exchange hasty farewells before the front door is heard banging shut. Damiana does her best to suppress a sigh of relief. She is so happy that they are gone! The sooner the Ground Badger Patriarch and his wife are out of sight, the sooner they can get the zirgnant tool. Hopefully they can repair the rift machine and be off of Dabnod before the war meeting tomorrow. The idea of re-experiencing the last few stressful weeks on Dabnod has her trembling.

Thankfully, Adriel throws open the door to Jaegana's bedroom before Roy has the chance to notice her anxious demeanor. "If Queen Guayusa is having a banquet, then the Fire Phoenix Clan Elders are probably leaving for the Palace the same as my parents. We should go now."

"What about Tenna and Caen?" asks Roy. "Shouldn't we say goodbye?"

The Ground Badger laughs despite the grimness of their task. "We won't be able to use the zirgnant tool at the Fire Phoenix Compound. Using it to make servengat will take a while. We're bringing it back here once we get it. There will be plenty of time for goodbyes." Stepping out of the doorway, he gestures for them to exit into the corridor. "After you, Titans."

Damiana hadn't noticed when peering through Jaegana's bedroom window, but now that they are outside, it is unmistakable. The sun is setting. Somehow, the setting sun combined with the reality of tomorrow's final war meeting makes this evening feel surreal. These are the final few weeks of Dabnod's existence. An invisible shroud of despair covers her. As the trio makes their way out of the Ground Badger Compound's west gate, down a narrow trail, and to a remote part of the forest, Damiana praises the Fates that their journey is finally over. She and Roy can go home to Earth. She won't be forced to re-live the turmoil that was unleashed on her planet. She can live in Titans Tower, fight criminals, have friends, and forget about Dabnod.

Adriel explains exactly where he is guiding them - through a familiar tunnel that he has carved numerous times leading to a dim corner inside the Fire Phoenix Compound's west gate. By the time they reach their destination, it will be fully dark and they will be able to sneak inside the Fire Phoenix Clan Center without an issue. Damiana barely hears when Adriel parts the forest floor to form a narrow tunnel. All the girl can focus on are her sweet cravings for home. Although, the pitch blackness of the underground pathway after Adriel seals the entrance does cause Damiana to leave her inner musings long enough to light a fire in the palm of her hand.

The Ground Badger and Fire Phoenix Compounds always felt like they were much closer together. Of course, Damiana never had to stumble along in the dark, either. This must be why what is normally a twenty minute trek through the forest takes what seems like an hour. When Adriel finally opens an entrance above ground, the girl crawls out gasping for air.

The area where they find themselves doesn't look much different from the Ground Badger Compound. The Fire Phoenix Compound has the same impenetrable, slabstone, walls and the same polished, rosestone, structures. Yet, as similar as they appear, Damiana is stupefied when she takes in her surroundings. The girl collapses against the tall, dark gray, wall.

Thankfully, it is dark enough where they are not at any risk of being spotted. This is especially true considering that the trio is partially obscured by the corner of a phoenix barn. Grateful that she has this moment to herself, Damiana drinks in the sight. The copper fire phoenix with golden flames etched above the entrance to her Clan Center is enough to make her eyes water. Flames delicately crafted from gold are inlaid with tangerine-colored fire opals.

Nothing else is seen that could possibly make this place any different from the Ground Badger Compound. The phoenix barn is loud, and smelly, and gray. The homes of the Clan Elders are two stories high, crafted from glistening rose stones, and have flower boxes overflowing with exotic plant life. There are also the same honey yellow, hexagonal, bricks paving paths between buildings. It is as if a mold was used when these military-style compounds were created. Being in the Ground Badger Compound all week long and seeing how the two compounds are incredibly similar, Damiana is baffled at how the sight of her Clan Center is causing tears.

Roy and Adriel gawk at her openly. Damiana finally notices and smiles sheepishly. "The last time I was here, I was showing the Clan Elders the last Masters Level technique that I mastered. It was the flame wall. We discussed when I should move up to Phoenix Level techniques. They said that I would be ready in a few months. That was the last time I stepped foot in my Clan Center." Each man rests a hand on her shoulder. She adds, "That will happen in a couple of weeks. It feels weird saying that. It's two weeks away for present Damiana, but five years into the past for me."

"It's okay, Dami. We're almost off of Dabnod. Can you make it fifty feet?"

The girl gazes at the path of golden bricks. They remind her of a fifty-foot trail of honeycomb. The path stops at the Clan Center's gilded front entrance. "I watched Queen Guayusa burn the Fire Lily Tribe to death, I watched Saeran carelessly cast his son aside, and I have continued to wake up each day. If I can do that, then I can walk fifty feet."

The would-be Queen ascends the trail in front of them. There is not a Knight, a Squire, or a Clan Elder to be seen. All is calm. The Clan Center doors are usually locked, but not tonight. When Damiana pushes a heavy door overlaid with gold, it creaks open slowly. Damiana opens the door more slowly than necessary. She takes time to mull over what she might find inside. Certainly enough, it is exactly as she anticipated. A wide room with glimmering, golden, tiles plastering the floor. Polished, wooden, tables and chairs are at the room's center. The outer edges of the main room contain heavy bookshelves. Though nothing is marked, Damiana knows these bookshelves by heart. Basic fire using techniques are on the left side of the room with the most advanced techniques contained in the books arranged on the right side.

There is another gilded door at the back of the room. This door is overlaid with a bright, golden, fire phoenix with fire opals for eyes. This would be the meeting room for the Clan Elders. Damiana should be most interested in making a beeline for that door. The zirgnant tool is going to be in a locked case in the meeting room. Yet, Damiana doesn't go there. She veers toward the book shelves against the right wall.

Roy and Adriel stare at her incredulously. Adriel's hair is lime green with astonishment.

"What the heck are you doing?" says the redhead grasping her upper arm. "We need to get the zirgnant tool!"

"I know, and we will! Just let me look through these. I need to take some. These texts contain Phoenix Level techniques for the fire users of my clan."

The two men exchange glances, shrug their shoulders, and allow her to search. A Guide to Flame Crafting. The Art of Temperature Control. Fiery Coffin: The Ultimate Weapon. These are all books that could help her immensely! Damiana forms a pattern of picking up a book, reading the first two pages, and tucking it under her arm. Roy reads over her shoulders while Adriel gazes sharply around the room. It looks as if the Ground Badger is about to spur them toward the meeting room based on his jittery gait. Then, something is heard that none of them predicted. Voices.

"It will be impossible for us to read through this entire roster and the documents listed in the footnotes before the war meeting tomorrow! We'll be here all night!"

Thankfully, the person speaking isn't in sight. The voice comes from behind the gilded door. Damiana immediately ducks behind the nearest bookshelf, doing her best to keep the pile of literature from falling out of her arms. The two boys kneel down on either side of her. Roy's emerald eyes are wide while Adriel's hair has gone charcoal gray with fright.

Meanwhile, someone answers. "You know, we probably don't need to miss the Annual Migration Festival to read a few pieces of paper. Aerad will be there. We just need to let that pompous windbag run his mouth. We don't need to say a word!"

Laughter. Echoing laughter. Damiana recognizes these two voices. There are five Clan Elders altogether, these two being the most jovial of the bunch. It doesn't take long for one of the others to scold them.

"How lazy are you? We need to be prepared! Tamaran is planning a massive invasion! How are we going to prepare our Knights if we can't even look over the required materials for this meeting?"

More laughter. "You worry too much Daequel. Tamaran hasn't defeated us yet."

"We should be more worried about the fifteen extra gems that Queen Guayusa is asking for Lady Damiana's dowry. I don't care how many babies Lady Jaegana pushes out of her crotch for the Raxtin Program! Lady Damiana is the Jewel of Dabnod! The Royal Council cannot possibly compare Sir Aerad's children to Lady Damiana!"

The Elder, Daequel, sighs in exhaustion. "Lady Damiana's dowry is the least of our concerns. Instead of focusing on her betrothal, we should focus on Section Four: Part Seven, War Equipment!"

Damiana can practically hear this gentleman rolling his eyes. "Why do we need to review an entire six pages on war equipment? They're very clearly making fighter ships and escape pods, and they need help with mass producing fuel. Why else would the Royal Council commandeer our zirgnant tool?!"

"Sweet Fates, Von, just read the roster! It isn't difficult…"

It is here where Damiana stops listening. Her head hangs low. The Royal Council…commandeered…their zirgnant tool... Great! Lengthy curls can't decide between lime green and charcoal gray, so they settle for charcoal with lime green streaks. Meanwhile, Adriel's hair is pure black.

Roy whispers, "Maybe 'commandeer' doesn't necessarily mean that the zirgnant tool is gone. Maybe the Royal Council won't come to get it until tomorrow."

As if hearing their conversation, Von replies to whatever it is the other Elders had been saying. "I'm too disgusted to look at the roster, let alone read it! The Royal Council has no right to take our zirgnant tool and lock it in the Palace Archives! That zirgnant tool has been in our possession for generations…"

Curled tresses finally decide that the color they want to turn is onyx, and her eyes are darker than obsidian. She frowns woefully. "Let's go. We'll have to come up with a different plan."

They stand, fully prepared to retreat. That, however, is when the girl resumes listening. Daequel says something that turns her hair from ink to lime in a fraction of a second.

"I, too, am upset about the zirgnant tool. If the Ground Badgers can use Lady Damiana's betrothal as a bargaining chip, then I say we do the same. One of our terms for Damiana's marriage to Adriel should be the safe return of our zirgnant tool after the war…"

Frozen. The girl loiters in the doorway of the Clan Center frozen, green eyes glistening like beryl gemstones. For a split second, Damiana expects Adriel's hair to change color as well. He must be just as surprised as she is! However, his features remain charcoal. When dark eyes meet her gaze, it becomes clear. Adriel knows exactly what they're talking about.

"A-Adriel?!" Damiana squeaks.

The Ground Badger grabs Roy's wrist and then her own prior to dragging them both outside. Somehow, the girl manages not to lose her hold on the books she'd stolen.

"There isn't any time right now. Let's get out of here first."

---

The lilac moon, at its first quarter, hangs high in the sky. Somehow, it is clearly visible through the branches of the forest outside the Fire Phoenix Compound. Adriel and Damiana will not stop staring at each other. Roy feels…awkward…

At last, Damiana exclaims, "I'm betrothed to you? When did that happen?! And why was it allowed to happen?! Monarchs on Dabnod have not been allowed to marry for centuries!"

"Dami, it doesn't matter. Dabnod gets destroyed, right? So why does our near marriage concern you?"

It is impossible to miss how lime green curls shift to midnight blue. "If I was supposed to be married off like breeding stock, I have the right to know!"

The Ground Badger huffs, his hair still black. "There isn't much to say on the matter. Really, marrying us was just an extension of the Raxtin Program. We would be breeding partners, but with the extra special title of the 'Royal Family'. It's like your Clan Elders just said. My father is a pompous windbag! When Queen Guayusa mentioned marrying off her apprentice to someone from one of the original fifteen clans, my father jumped on the idea and offered me as a tribute to the Monarchy." After what feels like an endless pause, he adds, "It's not my fault. I don't want to do it. You're eleven! It's weird!"

Midnight blue deepens. "Queen Guayusa was going to make me get married at eleven?!"

Finally, Adriel's hair shifts slightly. Black is streaked with green. "What? No. Of course not! Queen Guayusa and the Royal Council had our wedding planned sometime after your sixteenth birthday."

Silence lingers. Then Damiana chuckles sardonically. Roy wants to rest a hand on her shoulder, but he isn't sure if the gesture would be welcomed right now. The archer settles for moving a few paces closer.

"You know, when I was a little girl, I wanted to be a scribe. I thought I would grow up to have a wonderful life as a Palace Scribe. Instead, had Dabnod survived, I would have been the Queen of Dabnod with a King by my side." Another fit of dry, chaotic, chuckling strikes. "I also thought that I had a loving older brother and that Queen Guayusa cared about me. Saeran isn't my brother, and he's a heartless brute. As for Queen Guayusa, I'm nothing more than a chess piece to her. What a waste my life on Dabnod would have been. The Fates knew what they were doing when they destroyed Dabnod."

Lime green becomes more prominent in the Ground Badger's lengthy tresses. "You can't possibly mean that!"

"I do. Nothing makes me happier right now than the thought of returning to Earth. Dabnod was destined for destruction."

More silence. Instead of looking at the would-be King and Queen, Roy watches as orange litkaen lights dance in the foliage. The insects almost seem to be fleeing from the area, as if the argument repels them. The redhead is very jealous of them at this moment. He wishes that he could fly away from here just as easily.

"Well," the girl says at last, "This is not worse than any other discovery I've made while on Dabnod. The night is young. I would like to stop by my cabin for some of my books."

"You don't have enough books already?" asks Adriel.

"Nope. I want more. They're going to help me a lot once I'm back on Earth where I belong." Hoisting the stack of literature up higher in her arms, she beacons Roy. "Come on. My family's cabin isn't far from here. Adriel, can you wait for us in the cave outside the Ground Badger Compound later tonight?"

He grimaces. "Yes. I can do that."

"Thanks."

With that, Damiana takes Roy's hand and scampers into the brush. The would-be Queen doesn't see it, but Roy does. Adriel appears to be some strange combination of perturbed and downcast. The very next instant, he vanishes into a crevice that he opens beneath the ground. For the entire walk to Damiana's cabin, nobody says a word.

---

A/N: Thank you for reading! This is a belated Christmas gift from me to you. I hope you enjoyed it! :)

Have a very Merry Christmas, and I will see you in the next chapter.

Forever and always,

~OCQ