Disclaimer:
These characters do not belong to me, but to the writers and producers
of Roswell
Spoilers:
After Chant Down Babylon, changes happening where Max is successfully
rescued, and Michael was the one who broke up with Maria.
Pairings: You’ll have to wait and see!
Pronunciation Guide: Ithilis (Ith
– I – lis)
Nadab
(Na – dab)
Ithmar
(Ith – mar)
Merab
(M – air – rab)
Chun
(Ch – oo –n)
Fiachra
(Fee – a –k –ra)
Cerideans
(Sir – I – dee – ans)
Author’s notes: Queen Fadilia
Kedar: Max/Isabel’s mother
King
Alaric Kedar: Max/Isabel’s father
Andaria: Tess’ mother
Radim:
Tess’ father
Kedrans: race from which Royal Four descended
Iturians: race from which Khivar descended, and
overthrew and killed Zan and the Kedrans
Cerideans: special core ops of the Iturian army, mostly
psyonics and telepaths
***
This is the truth: As from a fire aflame
thousands of sparks come forth, even so from the Creator an infinity of beings
have life and to him return again.
-
The Upanishads
***
Isabel felt uneasy when they had left their parent’
house. Their mother and father were
livid when they heard the news. She had
never heard the word ‘irresponsible’ come out of their mouths that many times.
Isabel had packed a few clothes before mayhem would
erupt. Max tried to explain their
reasons, but school and his disappearance remained on their minds.
Jesse had stood silently by as she grabbed her toothbrush
and a few essentials from the washroom.
She didn’t expect his resigned behavior about her leaving. In fact, Isabel expected Jesse to explode,
but there he stood without so much as a word.
“Isabel?” Max looked
over at his thought-provoked sister.
She hadn’t said a word since they had left Roswell, although he didn’t
blame her. He was still nursing the
stinging accusations by his parents.
“Hmmm?” Isabel sat
up in her seat and turned to her brother, who was waiting for a reply. “What Max?”
Max tilted his head and frowned. “It’s not like we’re moving away forever,” he said, trying to
lighten her mood. Ever since they left
the apartment, Isabel seemed distant.
“It feels like that though,” Isabel sighed. She closed her eyes and letting the late
afternoon breeze caress her face.
“Things will be fine,” Max reassured, turning his focus back
to the open road.
“How can things be fine, Max?” Isabel stared in disbelief at her brother. “Michael’s leaving earth and going to
Antar.”
Those words were like a knife turning in her chest.
“He could still change his mind,” Max said hopefully.
“He’s not changing his mind,” Isabel stated. “I’ve talked to him, and he’s not changing
his mind.” She turned away and stared
out at the flat barren landscape, which was slowly being covered by green
vegetation.
Max gripped the steering wheel and tried to focus on the
journey he, himself, had ahead of him.
“And you think I should do something about it?”
Isabel ran her fingers through her hair and tucked her left
leg underneath her. “I never said
that. I’m just stunned that he’s
going. I mean we’ve stuck together our
entire lives. Ever since we’ve known
that we were different, it’s been the three of us.”
“You went off on your own, moving with Jesse to New York,”
Max pointed out. “How did you deal with
that?”
“But Max, that is completely different!” She shook her head, confused at how Max
could possibly compare the two. “I
still lived on the planet Earth, and could hop on a plane and see you in four
or five hours.”
Max watched the short strips of gold pass beneath him. He had no idea where he was driving, but he
knew he had to get there. It pressed in
on him like a weight he had never felt before.
Somehow, it was like there was another person there with him.
The infinite rays of the celestial bodies hung in the
velvet-rippled evening sky. Max had
driven as far as he could. It was two
in the morning and the fuel gauge was on empty.
“Max, where are we?” Isabel asked, stepping onto the hard
asphalt. As she gazed out into the open
surf, which rolled serenely into the cool grey sands, Isabel couldn’t help
stare in wonder.
“I don’t know,” Max said breathily, astounded at the
scenery.
He had never been to this seaside beach before. But as he stood, staring out into the cool
white mist hovering over the rolling waves, Max knew this was it; this was the
place he had seen in his mind. He would
find answers here.
~~~
Isabel arose early that morning and wandered down a
weathered path she had stumbled upon.
After roaming the beach, the night before, for at least a half an hour,
they came across a small hotel. Max
rented a room and they settled in for the night.
The white gleam of the native air scavengers sailed
overhead. Isabel climbed up a grassy
knoll, and slid down the sleek sandy decline.
At the base of the slight hill was a dirt road. It stretched forward into the unseen
distance.
Isabel glanced behind her, where she had left her brother
sound asleep. He had wanted to seek
solitude, and she imagined exploring the road ahead would not keep her very
long. Taking a deep breath, Isabel
gazed intrigued at the golden path ahead and made her way towards it. She had her own answers to find.
~~~
Beep beep beep.
Max reached over his head and slammed the source of his
irritation. “Uhh,” he groaned. He grabbed his pillow and placed it over his
head. Who had set he alarm?
After a few minutes, Max fell out of bed, groggily brushed
his teeth and had a shower. When he
stepped into the narrow hotel room, Max realized Isabel was missing. He rushed out the door and stood out on the
seaside hotel boardwalk, searching the empty beach. She was nowhere in sight.
Puzzled, Max searched the room for any sign or clue to where
she might have gone. He found a note
scribbled on a sleek, fresh piece of notepaper leaning against the ice bucket.
I know you wanted some solitude,
so I’ve decided to explore the countryside, just outside the hotel. Don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine. I will see you this afternoon.
He felt relieved that she was safe and happy that she
understood his need to reflect and examine what he needed to do. Now since he was alone, Max turned toward
the open beach and took a deep breath.
“Okay, so what answers am I looking for?”
~~~
“Where is she?” Khivar roared, as he pushed past the tall
grey corpse-like figure standing in the entranceway.
“Excuse me Your Majesty?” Medgio asked blankly.
“Ava. Where is that
traitor?”
“She is not here,” Andaria announced, as she entered the
living room.
Khivar’s eyes narrowed as he turned to find the same hunched
over, wrinkled old woman entering the living room. “Maia.”
His legions of officers swarmed the premise as she stared
defiantly at Khivar. Her heart raced as
the men made their way towards the kitchen.
Andaria swallowed hard and masked her brief lapse of unease. They would never find the entrance.
“What is the meaning of this intrusion?” she demanded,
shuffling over to a nearby chair.
Khivar sneered. She
was part of it. There was no question
in his mind that Maia was in line with the Loyalist camp. But every time, his attempts to dig deep
into the recesses of her mind, he came up empty.
Oh there was no lack of malice or hate for him; but he could
not find information on where the Loyalist’s base was or even the fact that she
held allegiance with the Kedran clan.
It ate at him. Khivar studied
the old woman intensely. The old hag
had a few tricks up her sleeve.
“Where is Ava?”
Khivar hissed. His eyes darted
around the white sterile room.
Andaria straightened her posture, as much as the crippled
framework of the old woman’s façade would allow. “She is out this evening.”
She kept her answer short and vague.
“We know she has returned to the Loyalist camp!” Khivar stepped down from the raised foyer
and slowly stalked towards Maia. “And
it is just a matter of time before we find evidence of her indiscrete
betrayal.”
Andaria felt his hot breath on her face and closed her eyes
at the foul stench. Her fingers
clutched her crystal clear walking stick, which she had attained, adding to her
‘façade’. She looked up a t Khivar’s
beady black eyes bearing down on her.
Andaria took a step back, trying to take in a breath of fresh air. “We at Tel Edrei have no knowledge of what
you are referring to, Your Highness.”
Khivar wasn’t in the mood to play
games. He grabbed the old woman by the
arm and threw her to the floor. “I will not stand for this insolence,” he roared, taking a step forward toward the splayed body.
In the blink of an eye, Khivar
found himself occupied by the tall butler, who had stood at the entrance. The stoic servant bore down on him, crying,
“No more!”
Andaria pushed herself into an
upright position and watched in horror as Medgio flung himself at Khivar,
attempt to inflict at least minimal damage on the false king. “Medgio!” She heard the words slip
past her lips and call her usually docile servant.
Khivar would have scoffed at the
laughable attempt to attack him, if he had not been caught off guard – a
situation unfamiliar to him. As he
struggled with the tall but agile ‘domestic’, Khivar allowed the full weight of
the Antarian to bear down on him, and then with a strategic shift in position,
sent the slow attacker over his shoulder.
He pushed himself up and dusted his black uniform off. “You would be dead,” he growled, “ if I did not
have plans for you.”
By the end of the struggle,
Andaria managed to pull herself up onto her feet. “Leave!” Her eyes were
glued on her faithful companion, who laid motionless only a few feet away. Andaria didn’t know what effect her command
would induce, but there seemed nothing else to do. Unless she revealed herself as Andaria, handmaiden to the Queen
Mother, she would have to suffer under Khivar’s brutality, or at least those
whom she cared for.
Khivar turned and smirked at the
old woman’s spunk. “You dare to
order your King out of the premises?” He
laughed and spun around, signaling one of the soldiers, who had returned from
the search, to come forth. “What have
you found?” he growled.
The dark skinned Iturian clicked
his boot heels together, and saluted.
“The perimeter is clear, Sir!”
Khivar felt his blood boil at the
failure of his raid. He had been sure
he would find several Loyalist lackeys on the grounds. The Cerideans had never failed him
before. As his eyes scoured the walls
and each flat, crack, step, door, and crevice of this room. There had
to be something they had missed.
“Do it again!” he roared
angrily. “Call in our architects as
well. If they are hiding something,
they will find it.”
Andaria slowly inched her way
over to Medgio. As she surveyed the
situation, the slow crescendo of his chest gave rise to unwanted tears. He was alive. Andaria lowered herself onto the cool smooth tile. Her slender fingers brushed the almost
translucent-pale skin. “I’m sorry my
friend,” she whispered into his ear.
“Get them out of here and bring
them to the Ithilis,” Khivar yelled at two muscular, but rotund soldiers coming
in from the main entrance.
Andaria felt a pair of strong
hands grab her arms and drag her from Medgio’s side. Khivar’s cold black eyes gleamed in triumph as she stumbled past
him. She closed her eyes and let her
thoughts drift to Radim. He won’t win, not this time.
~~~
Isabel was led to the end of the
rocky dirt path. What stood before her
in the cascading rays of the morning sun was a stunning white church. It was right out of a fairytale, with its
towering steeple and brass bell, crowning the holy building.
As she approached the still,
quiet scene, Isabel felt an odd sense of finality. Her hands reached out, grasped the brass handles and pulled. They were unlocked.
The dry musty scent of the church
wafted through her nose as she stepped into the dim room. Isabel felt along the entrance wall and
found a panel of switches. When she
flicked the last of the smooth plastic tabs, a row of ceiling lamps brightened
the small building.
It was a typical one-room country
church, with whitewashed walls. The
floor was a golden cedar, while the two rows of oak pews had been stained a
dark mahogany red. There were three
perfectly centered stained glass windows on either side of the narrow building,
all equidistant from each other. As she
walked down the aisle between the pews, Isabel could hear the melodic songs of
the birds filling the otherwise silent building. What could
she possibly need or find here?
~~~
Max decided to take a walk on the
beach to clear his head. He had
expected a horde of people, but to his surprise, not one person was to be
found.
After an hour of discovering the
hidden secrets of the concealed paradise, Max decided to settle in, near a
rocky cove. The swirl of white foam and
clear blue waves crashed against the jagged rocks. The luminous sun shone down on him as he lay on his towel on the
smooth sand. He had never seen the sun
in such a withering state. The large
celestial body almost beat down on him physically with its hot rays. It made him restless.
Max wasn’t sure what was going
on. Throughout the day, a strong voice
seemed to interrupt his thoughts. It
was as if he couldn’t will the voice away.
Yet, the voice seemed so familiar.
The rush of the waters filled his
ears, as if the roaring began and ended within his head, not in the expanse before
him. Max wiped the sweat, which had
formed on his brow with the back of his hand.
He wished the roaring would drown out the voice in his head.
Looking out into the
ever-changing hues of the sleek body of blue and green, Max shook his now
aching head and strode towards the border of the sparkling liquid and the
infinite grains of sand. Taking a brief
glance upward, Max surveyed the growing intenseness of the sun before slowly
easing himself into the cool surf, which lapped against his ankles.
As he dived into the rolling
waves, Max had this feeling that would never be the same after he surfaced from
the cool wetness of the sea.
~~~
She didn’t know how long she had
been sitting on that pew which faced the large wooden crucifix, which hung
startlingly at the front of the building.
It seemed to draw her in and transfix her gaze upon it.
Over and over the question about
Michael swirled around in her head. How could he possibly see a future in Antar?
Isabel closed her eyes and ran her fingers through her hair. A draft from the door cooled the calves underneath her cotton summer dress, which hung over the pew. “Why am I so focused on this?” she said out loud.
How many
more things were happening in her life that should take precedence?
Isabel looked down at her left
hand, which she held out in front of her.
The large, multi-faceted ring reflected in the dim rays of the sun,
which danced through the carefully crafted stain-glass windows. Jesse.
She couldn’t fail in this
marriage. There was no rhyme or reason
to it. Her marriage would work. She had to make it work.
Suddenly the light reflected,
shone upon the wooden cross. Isabel
didn’t know how much faith or trust she put into this God, who existed for many
of the humans, but if there was one, she wished He would tell her what to do.
~~~
The tomb of the hidden suddenly saw the light of day. Its grave had remained undisturbed for almost two decades. But now the time had come, its resurfacing, necessary to ensure its final rest.
~~~
Max burst from his watery prison, gasping for air. He had seen something down there. Once again, his eyes stole a glance at the
strange anomaly occurring within the sun.
Max had never seen the sun’s rays so visibly evident than at that
moment. Its thick rays fell upon the
surface of the clean silky piqued liquid.
Unexpectedly, Max’s attention was diverted from the
mysterious aberration. Out of the
corner of his eye, he saw a sudden flash down at the bottom of the deep. What was it?
Max took a deep breath before he dove beneath the now rough
currents.
~~~
Disturbed. It was
disturbed. Unfamiliar hands pressed
forward through the long wiry tendrils of kept. The disturbance was minor and brief, leaving as quickly as it had
appeared.
The time had not yet come.
~~~
Max strained upward as his lungs burned. He had definitely seen something. His fingers pressed against something solid
before he had to escape to the surface for air.
Max wiped the water from his eyes and devised a plan to
extract the mysterious object. At the
rate it took for him to dive to the exact location, Max already had expended
far too much energy and oxygen to even think about digging for the
treasure. While he tread water, trying
to keep his head above the swells, an idea occurred to him. He didn’t know if it would work, but he was
about to find out.
~~~
Again the
disturbance had returned, but this time a familiar vibration surrounded
it. The fleshling hands dug into it’s
safe protective coating and drew it out into the abrasive elemental
current. It was naked and bare.
It would soon be awakened.
~~~
Finally for the last time, Max surfaced from the battling
current. He frowned as he swam towards
shore. The water had suddenly become
tepid and dark, not at all the appearance when he had last surfaced.
As he crawled back onto the shore, Max collapsed. After using his powers to trap a pocket of
air within his energy shield, Max dug for the object and then swam back up to
the surface. The metallic object had
been deeply embedded under a kelp bed.
As he rested his head against the damp sand and regain his strength, the
smooth yet jagged-edged object slipped from his grasp. Without taking any notice, the bubbling
white surf dragged it back out into the deep expanse.
Max pulled himself up in time to watch the object of his
labour return to its watery mistress.
He slowly took a few steps forward to retrieve his ‘possession’, but the
rays of the sun began to envelope the oblong object right before his eyes. Suddenly Max felt this external force shove
him back onto the sand. The light from
the sun grew more intense, almost blinding, until it enveloped the watery
expanse up and including the clear blue sky, and the luminous source of its
energy.
Max was speechless. He
thought he was in a dream, but as he pinched himself, it made the anomaly all
the more real. His first instinct was
to panic and shield himself from the intense power, but as he raised his hand,
Max found himself powerless. “What the
heck is going on?” he mumbled in confusion.
~~~
Isabel wrestled with the overwhelming silence that filled
the building. She loved Jesse. Those feelings were not going to disappear
overnight. Isabel knew she was a fool
if she thought they would. Even though
he betrayed her, Max, and Michael, the love she had for him remained, despite
the fact that the seams had begun to unravel.
He hadn’t cheated on her.
In fact he had been trying to keep her safe. Isabel felt like her world was torn to shreds and she didn’t even
know where to begin picking up the pieces.
And then there was Michael.
What was this myriad of emotions she felt for him? There was always this ‘thing’ between
them. It was like a tether, tying her
to him – mind, soul, and body. “What am
I going to do Michael?” The whispered
words begged an unanswered question.
In a sense, it would be so easy for her to leave everything
behind – the marriage, the responsibility.
The idea of joining Michael and Tess had even crossed her mind. Isabel could even reason it away by right of
destiny. She would live the life
planned out for her.
‘But why would you truly be going?’ a little voice inside
her asked.
“To get away from this mess I’ve made with Jesse,” Isabel
admitted to herself out loud. As much
as she hated it, it would be running away.
And she couldn’t do that to Michael.
Isabel loved him too much to hurt him like that. “I have to go home to Jesse.”
~~~
Michael had no idea what he needed to pack to move to
another planetary system. What about
money? Or where would he live? What would be expected of him?
What would be his first move against Khivar?
“Michael?” Tess
poked her head into his bedroom. “I’ve
arranged for your phone, electric, and water bills to be paid up to the end of
the month.”
She was glad
that Nasedo had never left her tied to anything like a house or other material
possessions. Just arranging for various
charities and other organizations to pick up the boxes of clothing and
different appliances and furniture was tiring.
Instead, it had been a blessing when Valenti and Kyle allowed her to
stay in their home.
Not that they think of the idea that way now.
“Thanks,” he sighed.
Surveying the mounds of clothes and strewn boxes, Michael couldn’t
believe all of this was happening. He
sat down on his bed, where there was minimal space.
“It’s overwhelming to think about, huh?” Tess commented,
cautiously entering his room.
Michael peered up at the blonde, with whom he’d managed to
make a connection with during this transition.
He smiled half-heartedly. “A
little.”
“Don’t worry.” Tess bit her bottom lip. It was hard getting used to talking civilly
with Michael again. “I’ll show you the
ropes.”
She wasn’t sure exactly what would happen when Michael
returned. Most likely, he would go into
hiding. Tess suspected that Michael
would be quickly introduced to the Loyalist army.
“Did it take you a while to get used to Antar again?”
Michael asked curiously.
Tess stepped over a pile of what she could only guess was
empty take out containers. “Uh yeah,”
she said hesitantly, making her way towards the bed. Tess pushed a pile of black tees aside, which had been folded
haphazardly beside him. “At times I’ve
never felt so much at home. But there
are times when I longed for friends…friends to talk to.” She tugged on one of the stretched tees and
began automatically smoothing it into neat store-like folds. After placing it at the top of the pile,
Tess smiled. “But then Zander came,”
she whispered. “And I wasn’t so alone
anymore.”
Michael nodded. “So
how are we getting home?” Home. He wasn’t sure if it felt natural calling
Antar that yet. There were so many
unknowns about Antar.
“I’ll contact Andaria tomorrow and let her know we’re coming
and…” Tess frowned. She was suddenly flooded with unfamiliar
images. There was no message, just a
flood of colors.
As she tried to clear her mind to strengthen the connection,
Tess closed her eyes, blocking out the real world.
“Tess?” Michael knew
something was happening. A distracted
and anxious expression crossed her face.
“What’s happening?”
Tess jolted herself out of the hypnotic trance. She turned and grabbed Michael’s arm. “They’ve got Andaria,” she gasped. “They’ve got my mother.”
~~~
Larek prayed she had received his message. General Steren had sent a messenger to him
and pleaded for his aid. How could
he refuse?
The lines of communications were being carefully monitored,
but he had managed to raise a pirate signal to Earth. He had prepared it long in advance, for emergencies such as this,
but he hoped the need would never arise.
But now, things were getting out of hand. There had been rumors of a weapon of power being constructed by
Khivar. It brought widespread panic to
the House of Nadab on the world of Ithmar.
Larek had kicked himself over and over for turning a blind
eye to Khivar’s growing power over their part of the galaxy. In hindsight, he realized how shrewd it had
been for Zan to refuse Khivar’s offer of a peaceful return to Antar. Zan had known something was wrong. He had known Khivar could only offer
death. And now Larek also knew.
It was time for his world to take a stand. Though he was only Second Counselor to
Czarina Merab, Larek knew that she would never abide Khivar’s continued
watchful eye over Ithmar. She was a
hard ruler, but just. The only obstacle
that stood in his way was First Counselor Chun. He had been corrupted by Khivar’s promises of power and riches.
There had to be a way to dispatch Chun from his post. There was no other choice.
~~~
Liz stroked Maria’s coarse blond hair, as her friend sobbed
in to her pillow. “Are you going to be
okay?” she whispered. Liz had never
seen Maria so upset, not since they had lost Alex.
Maria’s hand pushed at Liz, while her face was buried in her
pillow. “Go aphway,” she mumbled, her
voice muffled by the down pillow.
Liz wrapped her arms around her best friend, giving her a
warm hug. “It will be okay,” she cooed
sympathetically.
Suddenly Maria bolted up.
“How can you say that to me?” she cried. “He’s leaving.”
Liz was startled by her fierce reaction. “Did you…did you really think you would get
back together with Michael?” she asked softly.
Maria opened and then shut her mouth. She closed her eyes and sighed loudly. “No,” she sniffled. “Yes.”
Maria paused. “I don’t know!”
Liz reached out and grabbed her friend’s hand. “We were bound to split up Maria. We can’t stay in Roswell forever.” She listened to her own words and
sighed. There were so many infinite
tings awaiting each of them, and they couldn’t live in this bubble of fear
forever.
“But he’s not going to be on the same planet!” she
groaned. Her tears began to build
again, and flow down her already wet cheeks.
“And we’ll never see him again!”
Liz understood her frustration and pain. “But this is his choice,” she reminded
Maria. “There must be something telling
him to go. Maybe he’ll be happier
there?”
Maria looked at her like she had gone insane. “Are you nuts?” she yelled. “Going back to a planet to fight against a
madman and probably get killed?” Maria
rolled her eyes. “Sure.”
Liz shrugged and smiled encouragingly at Maria. “Look we’re not going to be able to solve
this in one night…if there is anything to solve.” As she rose from the bed, watched Maria withdraw from her. “Maybe if we slept on it we’ll have a new
perspective on the situation?”
“I suppose,” Maria sighed helplessly. “It’s just…I never imagined my life without
Michael in it.”
Liz’s heart broke at Maria’s admission. “It’s something we’ll all have to learn to
accept and get used to,” she nodded.
Liz couldn’t imagine how she would feel if Max left. “I don’t think I can even remember my life
before Max came into the Crashdown that afternoon,” she said wistfully.
Maria nodded. “I
know. It seems like that was just
yesterday.”
Liz looked at the clock on Maria’s nightstand. 4:30 p.m.
“Are you going to be all right?
I’ve got to be at work in a half an hour,” she said apologetically.
Maria nodded her head and waved her towards the door. “Yeah.”
As Liz ran down the sidewalk towards the Crashdown, she
almost ran headlong into Kyle. She
frowned as she regained her balance.
“What are you doing here still?”
Kyle shrugged. “I
thought I’d stick around just in case you needed a ride home.”
Liz tilted her head curiously. “Uh sure,” she said hesitantly.
“But to the Crashdown.” Kyle had
this look on his face, like he was trying to hide something. As they got into his vehicle, Liz licked her
lips before broaching a sensitive subject.
“So are you all right after seeing Tess?”
Kyle’s body stiffened and Liz knew she had hit a nerve. “Just fine,” he said automatically.
Liz knew different.
“You know you don’t have to pretend it didn’t phase you. I’d think you were inhuman if it didn’t
bring up some bad feelings.”
Kyle turned the corner toward the Crashdown. “And if it did hurt to see her again, why
should I have to tell anyone?” he asked defensively.
Liz reached out and placed her hand on his forearm. “But it sometimes hurts more if we don’t.”
Kyle turned to look at her as they pulled in front of the
Crashdown. “So what if it hurts? It’s not like it could get any worse right?”
he replied casually, though his eyes revealed his anger and turmoil.
Instinctively Liz leaned in and gave Kyle a quick hug. She wasn’t sure why she did it; she just
knew he needed it. As she pulled away,
Kyle’s face had softened and he shrugged.
“Girls are always throwing themselves at me,” he joked, though he looked
at her in appreciation.
Then with a serious face, Kyle sighed. “I’ll remember to call if I do feel like
talking,” he offered.
Liz smiled.
“Good. Cause I’ll hold you to
that.”
As she watched Kyle drive away, Liz took a deep breath
before heading into work. She was sure
she would hear about cutting school that day.
Liz sighed. Sometimes parents
just didn’t understand.
Max thought he had blacked out when he looked up and saw a
shining figure in white hovering above him.
The being floated above - its body was translucent, yet opaque. Where had it come from? And what did it want?
Isabel blinked several times, shaking her head as a pasty,
grey being floated in the midst of the church.
The faint hues of gold and crimson from the stain glass window, shaded the
mysterious guest, as its face remained solemn – the eyes closed and its hands
clasped together at its waist.
What the hell was going on?
~~~
Long it had awaited the One to awaken it, so that it could
return to its eternal resting place; but the final duty remained, one last
burden to cast off. A mere shadow of
its former self, it peered upon its intended audience.
“Hear what is Good:
‘Your ‘creators’ despaired when they fell from the skies to
this primitive society. Their plans had
been derailed, so they thought, when in truth, His Plan had yet to begin.
In the past, you had turned from your Creator and the people
followed. The Lord is. There is no other. Your forefather walked with He who was before your time, and
blessed his house and his descendants for generations. But soon your fathers and your people relied
on their own strength and chose their own path. They had turned their back on the One. Soon He who blessed Cian and the house of Kedra was forgotten and
Kedra claimed godhood.
But He alone is Sovereign!
Your creation was unholy and against His Way – begotten of
pride and arrogance. They who claimed
to be gods perished under His hand, for they had foolishly forgotten about He
who created all.
His will is unchangeable.
It shall be done. It has been
done.
Out of what is detestable in His sight, he molded you. You are now free of the darkness, which
created you. He had molded you into His
image. He tested you and saw that you
are good. You are his chosen.
And you who are chosen, a right and inheritance granted to
you by your forefathers – Cian and Alaric – are now called. For He who is faithful has remembered his
covenant with your fathers Cian and Alaric.
For almost two decades your life’s blood has been shielded
by this world’s anonymity. You have
been allowed to grow, learn, and experience things old and new. But He had not forgotten. He has heard his people’s cry. Now all will remember the Creator. He has allowed Khivar to preside over Antar
many decades, but the time has come for the True King to reclaim his
birthright.
Truth shall be spoken and his people freed. You are no longer bound by your
predecessor’s past and destiny. He has
chosen a new destiny for the Four, so His blessings may abound.
At his side the second daughter of Alaric, descendant of
Cian, shall return at her brother’s side.
All must be atoned for.
Do not cling to this world that is not your own. But go forth, anew to a world you have
inherited and now belong. To this you
were predestined. He is. He shall not be denied.
So says He who was and is.
I, Fiachra, Burdenbearer, have completed my purpose and return to He
that is Holy.”
~~~
The white figure faded as the blinding surroundings
diminished until the being had disappeared into the light. Max was left sprawled on the white sands,
mouth agape. The golden sun hovered
above radiating its characteristic warmth.
“Wait!” Max called
to the wondrous figure, his words delayed.
As he sat stunned at the unexpected spectacle, Max closed his eyes and
found silence surrounding him. His body
trembled at the meaning of it all.
The words spoken held an unforeseen weight and burden to
them. His entire being knew the truth
of it all. This ‘Fiachra’, had been
waiting lifetimes for the Four.
All this time, had he been tested? There had always been a sense of ‘expectancy’ in his life – like
there was something more. This bright
celestial being, or whatever it happened to be knew him. How was he supposed to deny what he had so
long in his heart known?
‘You can’t!’ a voice cried within him. ‘We have a life here!’
Max looked up into the clear blue sky and remained
silent. What was he going to do? Doubts remained. “So I’m supposed to go to Antar?” he whispered the question out
loud. Max was unsure whether it was to
himself or to that big Unknown in the sky.
Nothing. Even the
surging waves had fallen silent. He was
being left alone in his thoughts.
~~~
Isabel didn’t know what to make of this apparition. Just as quickly as it had appeared the being
had vanished. Return to Antar. It was a big decision, although it seemed
from the being to have already been decided.
What kind of message was that?
This resounding revelation would have been welcomed 13 years
ago, when they were searching for some purpose. “My life is here,” she said into the emptiness. “What about Jesse?”
She stared up at the wooden symbol of forgiveness, grace and
mercy. “If I remember correctly, you
hold us to our vows, commitments,” Isabel spoke frankly to the Unseen
Deity. “And I made my vows to
Jesse. What about that?”
A swell of tears surfaced as she leaned forward and cradled
her body. “Why is this happening?”
Isabel sobbed. “If this is how it’s
supposed to be, why did you bring Jesse into my life? Why did you let me marry him?”
Isabel wasn’t sure who those questions were meant for – God, Michael, the whole of Antar – she prayed for these answers. But the answers would not come in the seeming silence.