Beyond the Stars- Awakened

by Angela Morales

  Meretseger didn’t stop there. She knew that someone would eventually have to protect the princess, and her visions continued to tell her Zech was the one. So, she created yet two more portals, one over the Theodore Roosevelt Lake in Arizona, and one over Clearwater Beach in Florida. The two most important portals that would keep Zech connected to Inanna for years to come. Although Zech did find the portal much sooner than Meretseger had anticipated, someone else had accidentally stumbled upon it before him. Zech found it by fate, when he was only ten years old, and he landed on the ranch in Arizona where Inanna was staying with family. This day changed everything for Zech, Inanna, and Ria. But the one who found it sooner, had already began quietly protecting Inanna.

  Meretseger knew that the portals could not remain open forever without great consequences. Eventually, Ria found out Meretseger’s talent of opening portals, and the real reason why the Core Disease was spreading so quickly. The portals had been open too long and were now accelerating the Core Disease. However, closing the portals could kill both planets, because at this point, both planets had become reliant on each other’s energy.

  Ria felt she had no choice. She convinced Meretseger to open yet another portal, right over the ocean on California’s coast, in order to get Inanna into Cova. Ria would stop at nothing to save her planet, and Meretseger was part of that plan.

  Present: Zech’s Past Continues

  I na continued in her dreamy trance, between her own memories and Zech’s.

  Salixz and Zech listened to Ria in this memory flashback.

  “Febus wants to marry you off to a troll!? And, and…” Salixz couldn’t find the words. He was equally shocked and disgusted.

  Zech sat there, processing everything. Sickened and sad for his friend Ria; grateful she no longer had to endure the fate of marrying an old troll.

  “…and his son is horrible! He killed his cousin just a few days ago because he was jealous that we were talking in the trollyard. Then he threatened to kill me if I spoke to anyone without his permission.”

  “We’ll take you to our parents. They will give you a place to stay,” Zech said.

  “Uh, Zech, can I speak to you? I really don’t think that’s a good idea,” Salixz hushed to his brother.

  “What should we do, leave her to die in the woods?” Zech said. “We’ll try. If our parents won’t help, we’ll think of something else.”

  “Is everything okay?” Ria asked.

  “Yes, it’s fine,” Zech said quickly. “Can you read minds?” Zech changed the subject.

  “No. Why?” Ria said.

  “I guess I just assumed, since you can let others read yours,” he said pensively.

  “My main gift is smell. I can smell blood from here to the Diamond Sea. I can’t read your thoughts, but I can manipulate certain aspects of your mind to sense your powers or erase your memory. Sometimes I can communicate my thoughts to others, but it doesn’t always work,” she said very calmly, as the boys sat in astonishment.

  “What about you?” she asked casually.

  “I’m still working on mine,” said Zech, a bit embarrassed. “Salixz can control his powers better than I can.”

  “I’ve had more practice. And you should never share your gifts with someone you don’t know; then your powers can be used against you,” Salixz said.

  “He has visions,” Zech explained.

  Salixz punched Zech’s arm and Zech cringed.

  “They’re not consistent visions. My main gift is strength,” Salixz admitted, modestly.

  “He can uproot a whole tree with his bare hands!” Zech bragged.

  Salixz smiled and nodded modestly.

  “I don’t know my full powers yet, but I know I was able to sense your fear tonight,” Zech said.

  “He needs more practice, he’s a bit of a slug,” Salixz teased.

  Zech bolted towards Salixz and pinned him down. “I’m still quicker than you!”

  Salixz laughed, “All right, all right, you’re not a slug.”

  “I can help you,” Ria said eagerly. “I’m really good with my powers. I’ve had a lot of practice. Especially since I’ve been planning my escape for so long.”

  Ria’s expression changed, as she remembered her pathetic life with the trolls.

  Ria shook it off and noticed Zech’s hesitation. “Do you not want my help?”

  “I think,” Zech said with uncertainty.

  “Put your hands out like this.”

  Ria put her palms out in front of her. Now palm to palm with Zech, she closed her eyes. After a few moments, she opened her eyes.

  “I can’t sense your powers?” she said confused. “That only happens when you’ve never truly known love.”

  Zech pulled away.

  “How do you know about love anyway? You’ve been with trolls your whole life. How many other beings have you really been able to sense powers from?” Zech said defensively. “Never mind. I think I can figure this out on my own.”

  Ria stood there, studying Zech. She knew better than to let this boy hurt her feelings, even if his words were a bit harsh.

  “I have seen many beings come through the tribe – it’s why Febus kept me for so long without killing me. He’s been selling my powers since I was five years old. If I’m not tending to him or the other trolls, I’m locked in a cell where I meet beings who come from all over to learn of their powers. Or creatures who just want to forget their pain. So, while I am able to help others, I can’t do that for myself. I have to live every day, remembering my pain.”

  She took a deep breath. “See, some powers are so evident, I don’t even have to touch a being to know what their powers are. But when someone has never felt love, I can’t help them.”

  “Do you want to help them?” Zech asked.

  “Even I know my powers, from the bit of love – if you can call it that, I guess – that I received from Shakra, my mother troll. You are different though – very different.”

  “I’m sorry, about your life and how Febus treated you all these years. I didn’t mean to...”

  “Zech,” Ria interrupted. “You helped me by not leaving me alone when you sensed I was afraid. I will help you in return, but I can’t help you if you’ve never loved another being.”

  Zech just nodded, ashamed he had become so defensive. More ashamed to admit he had never felt love for anyone, not even his parents. The closest he had been to loving someone was his brother, Salixz, but his parents taught him to not love, so he turned that emotion off.

  Salixz just stood watching, wondering if this ‘power and soul-searching encounter’ would get him into trouble with Kah and his parents if they found out. He too wanted to know more about his powers, and he was beginning to take a liking to Ria.

  “Can you tell me my powers?” Salixz said anxiously. “And, can we keep this a secret?”

  Ria laughed at Salixz. “Of course, your secrets are always safe with me.”

  Ria held her palms out once more and touched Salixz. She closed her eyes. “You have a little love in your heart, and it’s still more than your brother.”

  Zech shuffled his feet uncomfortably.

  “Your power of visions has been skewed by evil, just as your heart. You must be careful. You definitely have the power of strength.”

  There was a short silence.

  “Don’t you love your brother?” Ria asked Zech.

  “Of course – I – do,” Zech said uncomfortably.

  “Someone has planted evil in both of your hearts,” Ria said. “It’s holding you back from attaining your truest powers.”

  Salixz sat quietly, trying to figure out if he was in disbelief or if Ria had confirmed an inner evil, he knew always existed within him. He knew very well that Kah has planted evil in all of Kahnroch, but would he and Zech continue on that path? Only time would tell.

  Ina’s eyes shot open for an instant and she gasped for air.

  “Inanna!?” Meretseger went to her side.

  Before sh
e could catch a glimpse of her eyes, Inanna closed her eyes again. She was still trapped within Zech’s mind.

  Past: The First Mission

  O n one hot summer night, about fifteen years after Inanna and Nefertiti were released from their squanters, the people of Kahnroch began getting desperate and hungry. They felt nothing had happened after so many years of Khanroch’s existence, and although King Kah’s promises always failed, the people were blinded by his manipulation. Now the Core Disease was taking over the land. Although King Kah knew his nation was full of criminals and evils, he made sure they knew not to commit the crimes against their own nation. He had brainwashed the nation of Kahnroch to hate Euron, and all who abided there.

  When the people of Kahnroch grew hungry, they began fighting against each other and stealing food from the markets. Kah knew this would only get worse if he didn’t do something. So, he offered riches in exchange for their sons to fight in his army. And those with daughters suffered through the famine or simply starved to death if they could not afford food.

  Kah stood on the balcony of his palace, before the crowd of cheering people. He raised his hand for the crowd to be silent. His atavan features looked evil, with his reptilian-like skin, and claw-like fingernails. All of his features had continued to morph over the years to match the evil of his soul.

  “Kahnroch, my people. These are times of peril. You know Euron has stolen our Princess – our only hope for Cova’s cure. As of last harvest, our crops and plants have been contaminated by the Core Disease. Our planet is infected and the disease is continually rising and spreading. If we don’t find the lost princess, Cova will cease to exist!” He paused as people cried and pleaded from the crowd. “Do you want Euron to hold our fate?!” he yelled.

  The crowd yelled in anger.

  “We must get what’s ours! They have turned Princess Inanna against us! She has been raised by the greedy people of Euron – we can’t take the chance that she’ll come back and kill us! Now they have two powerful princesses in their possession – their squanters have been opened by now – we are no longer equal! We are in danger.”

  The crowd grew impatient and began hollering over each other.

  “We must bring the princess back!” yelled someone.

  “Haw! Find Princess Inanna!” the crowd hollered over each other.

  “Princess Inanna belongs to Kahnroch! She has been unrightfully taken from us, and now raised in evil ways that will only hurt us all if we don’t find her and bring her back! I want her brought back to me. Alive!”

  The people were running wild, chanting and chittering away in gossip. Zech, a quiet teenage boy now, thought of the girl he secretly visited for years. In his heart, he knew this was the lost child. He didn’t speak of it – no one could know. He would protect her no matter what.

  Salixz sat there quietly, oblivious to his brother’s daytime and midnight rendezvous over the past five years.

  “Parents of Kahnroch! Surrender your young soldiers!” King Kah announced.

  “Go!” Zech’s mom pushed him to move forward.

  Zech tried to pull back.

  “Go, you little coward, or you’ll never be called my son again,” Zech’s father said.

  Zech stepped forward. Wishing he indeed hadn’t been born to such heartless people.

  “We have our first soldier!” cried Kah as the crowd roared.

  “I’ll go too.” Salixz stepped forward to join his brother.

  And so, it went, lad after lad stepping forward to find the lost princess.

  Salixz looked at Zech, “At least we’re together, brother.”

  Zech glared at Kah with a hardened expression.

  “You,” Kah pointed to a lanky boy in the lineup. “You’re too weak. Guards, take him away.”

  “No, please! I can fight!” the boy rebutted as they dragged him away.

  Kah’s guards quickly grabbed the lanky boy, injected him with something that instantly put him to sleep, and then tossed him onto a wagon that pulled him away.

  Some parents cried, but most surrendered their sons with pleasure. Everyone was brainwashed and blinded by Kah’s power and rule. It was almost as if a spell had been put over the land.

  One by one, the young boys marched like cattle going to the slaughter house. Some willingly, others poked and pushed with guns to move forward. The young soldiers were gathered up and brought into the Kahnroch palace. Servants immediately began following the young men with platters of food, fine silks, and others even offered lustful favors. It was like entering a different world.

  Kah shooed all of the servants away, and brought the young men to a room filled with armor and artillery.

  “Soldiers, today marks a new day for you. Before you are shown to your rooms, listen carefully. You will not live unless you live for me. You will not eat unless you are fed by me. You will not want unless it is given to you by me. You – will – not – breathe – unless I give you permission. You will submit to the Kahroch Army, and you will complete your designated missions – one by one – as you’re told.” He paused. “Haw!”

  “Haw, haw!” the soldiers yelled back in agreement.

  “And what happens in these walls, stays in these walls. Treason is punished only one way, by death.”

  “Haw, haw!” the boys concurred.

  “Good.” He whispered in satisfaction.

  “We will first find the lost princess’s stone. Without the stone we are nothing. I have received word that the stone is in Euron’s castle – and the lost princess has been relocated somewhere unknown.” He paused. “I will pick a young lad – a new soldier in training – to go to Euron and woo Princess Nefertiti. When this young man gains Nefertiti’s trust, she will surrender Princess Inanna’s stone to him. This young man will then bring the stone to me. Only then can we figure out how to find Princess Inanna.” Kah said.

  “Haw!”

  “You.” He pointed at Salixz. “You will fulfill this first mission.”

  Present: Keith Gets a Visitor

  M arjorie walked into the jail and finished signing her name. The officer pointed her in the direction of the phone cubicle where she would be able to talk to Keith.

  She waited anxiously as he sat and grabbed the phone opposite of the glass.

  “Hi Keith,” she said, tears already filling her eyes.

  “Hi Marjorie. Have you heard anything about Ina?” he asked hopeful.

  It was obvious Keith had not slept. His eyes were puffy from all the crying, and the dark circles looked more like purple bags.

  “No. But it’s all over the news and I can’t watch it anymore.” she said defeated.

  Keith just watched her. Hoping for good news.

  “Your attorney seems good.” She hesitated.

  Keith was silent.

  “So, do you think she can help you?” said Margie.

  “I don’t really have a choice at this point. Everyone already thinks I’m guilty,” he said.

  “You have to tell them what happened, Keith. You’re the only one that would know – I mean, you were there, right?”

  “That’s the problem, I don’t know what happened, Marjorie. I never saw Ina, and believe me, I wish I had now,” he said.

  “I know you would never hurt my daughter, Keith. But things are looking bad…really bad…”

  “They’re acting as if she’s already dead. They need to find Ina, Margie. What if she’s still out there? What if someone has her?”

  There was a long silence.

  “I want to believe she is alive, Keith. I wish there was more I could do. This is all my fault. I saw it coming – I pushed her to go to California.” Marjorie tried holding back her tears.

  “No. This is my fault,” he said.

  “What?”

  “I did this. It’s my fault she left. It’s my fault she’s gone. It’s my fault I’m a damn coward and I didn’t go see her as soon as she got to California. And now, I have to pay the consequences for that – for the rest
of my life,” Keith said, forcing back the tears that only fed his rage.

  “Keith, please,” Marjorie said.

  “I did this Marjorie. Please, just find her,” he said.

  Marjorie sobbed.

  “Please,” he said again. “Don’t come back here until you find her. I’m sorry.”

  Marjorie put her hand on the glass and watched Keith hang up the phone. He stood up and just like that, Keith shut her out. For a moment, she sat there, with the empty receiver on her ear. Hoping – expecting – that he would come back.

  For a moment, Keith almost reconsidered. He wanted to jump through the glass and hug Marjorie tightly. But he knew she nor him would win this battle. It was easier this way. He would endure the punishment. He walked back to his cell, escorted by the officer, and refused to look back.

  Marjorie just cried. For a moment she wondered if Keith really did murder her daughter.

  Past: Inanna’s Stone

  K ing Kah had made it clear – Princess Inanna needed to be found and returned to the Kahnroch nation. Before the lost child could even be found, they needed to find her stone. Without her stone she had no power, and her stone would help them track her.

  Salixz knew his mission; it was clear. A young man of eighteen, and his fate was already dictated by Kah. He was to make his way into Euron’s Annual Festival, acting as a Euron himself. His plan was to make Nefertiti fall in love with him, and then to find Inanna’s hidden stone. Would Princess Nefertiti even know where the stone was hidden? He would have to find out.

  Salixz walked into the palace walls confidently and cautiously. He had been through all the physical and mental training, and he could probably kill any of the guards bare handed, but he was still careful. He also wanted to blend in. Salixz was sure that he would woo Nefertiti in an instant. He knew that he was tall, handsome, and charming. He was sure that getting the princess to fall in love with him would be the easiest feat of his mission. All the ladies in Kahnroch loved him. This is all he believed to be true until he actually saw the princess.