by Meco Brown
Shaking my head in disappointed, I decided to try something else. I looked back at a glass vase and threw out my hand, a reaction that usually moved objects by ways of telekinesis.
But the vase stood still on top of the small brown desk; And for a moment I felt lost. Unable to form a single thought, as a rush of fear formed within me. This was something I am not use to. I tried it again, focusing, aiming my powers at the vase; Still, nothing magical happened.“This can't be happening, not now.” I told myself, while looking around. Finding a picture on the far wall, I strolled over, looking at it. It was a picture of Eamie and Taideo.
“I'm on Celestial Moon, this must be Eamie's bedroom.”
I turned and left the room, descending a wooden staircase and crossing over into a small living room.
“Well look who finally woke up.” Mr. Littleton said,“How are you feeling?” He asked.
“Human.” I simply said, and lowered myself on the lilac colored couch.
“It should pass soon. Your family has been using magic to help restore what was lost.”
“It didn't work, I still don't have my powers. How long have I been out?”
“It's February 15th.” Mr. Littleton said looking over at me.
I sat up rather quickly,“Two days? What about Taideo? Ms. Chestnut? The Red Throne Society took them?”
Mr. Littleton waved his hands to calm me down.“They haven't left just yet, calm yourself young one.” He said.
“The general is Taideo's older sister Kemiko, and his brother is part of it as well. They took him.”
“We've kept watch on them for the last few days. Stalking the shadows, watching their every move. We have come to realize they will be leaving town in a day, maybe even within the next few hours.”
“We need to fight!”
His eyes flashed to mine, and a strangled noise emerged from his throat as he said,“You're a powerless witch, they have prisoner's and a bomb.”
“A bomb?” I asked, throwing my hands on the back of my head.
“See for yourself,” he pointed towards the window.“We're all that remains in Olah.” I heard him say, just as my hand pushed aside the soft curtains hanging in front of the window. Within the distance, an ominous yet massive, swirling crimson red beam of light pierces the sky.
“That's a bomb?” I asked, as I looked on in horror; Stunned to see a shock of red light illuminating the dense forest of Olah.
“Yes. The Red Throne Society know they can't physically stop all of us. So, by DayBreak, Olah, West Virginia will be completely purified.”
I twisted around to face Mr. Littleton.“Purified? They're going to destroy our home, kill every last one of us!”
“Exactly. Take what is impure and make clean again. They're going to use that beam, to create a massive fire, that will ultimately destroy Olah, and all residentsof it, at least whose all left.” He said.“Everyone evacuated. We just wanted to be sure you were awake, before we...”
“Don't you even finish that sentence.” I warned. How could he think about leaving right now? After all we've been through.“I need your help in fighting the Red Throne Society.”
Suddenly, Aaliyah Littleton, emerged from the kitchen, carrying a tray containing several mugs of coffee, and sat them on the small table in front of me.“Snack time.” She said with a cute smile.
Eamie and Qui trailed her, bringing in a bowl full of odd crystals, that heavily resembled miniature saltine crackers.
“Do I want to know what those are?”
“They're an'sa crystals. Packed full of natural energy. We assumed, you'd like to eat them, or siphon the energy out of them. Maybe, it'll help restore your power.” Aaliyah kindly admitted.
“Thank you, but I'm alright.”
“What is it? Do you not trust us?” Qui let out suddenly. He took the black coffee for himself, and waited impatiently for me to answer.
“Them I trust,” I said motioning to his family,“You on the other hand, not so much.”
“You don't trust me?” He laughed,“Who do you think found you at the hospital, and brought you here?”
“Chloe and Maria.”
He shook his head.“No. See after the other two took off with Taideo and Ms. Chestnut, Chloe and Maria, ran after them, leaving you behind. I found you and brought you here.”
A sudden thought crossed my mind, and my eyes were immediately glued to Qui.“And what the hell were you doing visiting the hospital? Or going to Taideo's room? Why were you there?”
Qui suddenly looked suspicious. Eamie rose and stood between us.“Airius, I asked him to stop by. Ms. Chestnut has been very lonely there, and I felt that she needed someone to watch out for her. So,I asked Qui to go.” She lied.
“It's alright Eamie, don't lie for me. I'm a big boy.” Qui told her.
I crossed my arms, angry.“You better explain yourself.”
He nodded.“You, know what, screw it. For the last few months, I've been speaking with Taideo. He's been appearing to me, explained that he's part witch, and part human. That he needed my help in rescuing him. Looks like he didn't trust in you to help bring him back, Airius.” Qui said with an arrogant grin.
A heated chill went through me, as I realized how jealous I had become. I still wasn't necessarily sure if I have been speaking with the real Taideo or not, but hearing that Qui has also been seeing him, quickly disturbed me. Flinching in agony, I motioned my body toward Qui; Anger obscuring my vision, as I threw myself at him. Aided by supernatural force, Qui moved away, pushing me into the far wall. I crashed onto the floor with a massive THUD!
“What do you want a death wish? You're temporarily human dude. Your powers have been incapacitated.” He yelled.
I sat up, doing my best to ignore the sickening prick twisting about my stomach.“Why did Taideo come to you?”
Qui's eyes were suddenly vacant. He took a deep breath and lowered himself into a chair. By the look on everyone else's face, they were also kept in the dark as far as Taideo appearing to Qui.
“Qui, has Taideo really been appearing to you?” Eamie asked, sadly. Qui looked at her, and nodded yes.“Why?” She gasped.
“He...” Qui strained to speak.“Taideo came to me a few months ago. He was frightened, weak and honestly didn't seem like the shy and awkward guy he normally is.”
“Get to the point!” I snapped.
“He wanted my blood!” Qui yelled. Stunned and utterly baffled, we all silently tried to make since of this ridiculous information.“And I gave it to him.”
“You did what!” Mr. Littleton shouted, pulling himself up and out of his seat.“Qui, tell me you didn't.” He begged.
“It's true.” He admitted,“Every week, I'd inject him with my blood. H-he told me, because he was half human, that my blood could heal him. The more blood, the stronger he'd be, that he'd come back...” Qui looked around the room landing his eyes at my own,“to me, that he'd come back to me.”
His words sent a stab of pain surging through my mind.“You're lying!” I uttered through gritted teeth.
“I'm sorry, but it's the truth. Taideo needed my blood to make him stronger.”
I shuddered.“You stupid idiot.” I announced.
“Let me help you up.” Eamie said, making her way over, offering me her hand, accepting it as she helped to pull me to my feet.
“You haven't been speaking with Taideo; Neither have I. Taideo's spirit is trapped within a dark plane called the labyrinth. Something is pretending to be Taideo, in order to gain something from each of us. I don't know what that something is, but I know it needs for Taideo to wake up, for its plan to succeed. We've already used magic, and with your blood there is no telling what will happen now.” I told them.
Suddenly I understood something. Taideo must have appeared not only to Qui and I. He must have appeared to Shirocco and Kemiko as well. This thing pretending to be Taideo, brought the Red Throne Society here; But what on earth would he need from them? He got magic from my coven and I with the sp
ell we used, blood from Qui and something else from the Red Throne Society.
What the hell is going on? I thought to myself.
“If this unknown thing, needs for Taideo to wake up. Shouldn't we keep him sleeping, just to be safe?” Aaliyah asked.
“I'm the last person who would agree with them, especially if it surrounds Taideo, but Airius, if something needs for him to awaken, to carry out some plan we don't yet understand, maybe it's best to keep Taideo in a coma, just until we figure this out.” Eamie said as calmly as she could.
“No!” My voice vibrated in a wicked tone. I shook my head, clearing the distracting thoughts, as a fear of silence boomed around the room. I felt a rush of energy shower me, my powers were back, and everyone in the room were suddenly afraid. Not just of me, but afraid of the unknown, of what would befall their people, knowing a half-breed now possessed their sacred blood. I didn't care though, all I wanted was Taideo back in my life. I'd fight for him, no matter what, and they needed to fully understand that.
“I have seen the ugliness, of this Godforsaken world, ever since I was brought into it. Ancient Greece, 800 B.C., I was born.” I said to them. I once told Taideo I turned around the 1600s, that was a lie. I just didn’t wish to shock him any more than I already have. This was the truth.“I was cast out into a world, driven by greed. A world, where men and woman both desire nothing, but money, power and will swiftly kill for it. Love, was never part of the equation, only death and destruction.” I said, watching the shocked expression rise from the face of everyone that surrounded me. I could also sense that my coven and the rest of the Littleton family has also arrived, watching me from the entrance; Still I continued on.“For years the pattern never changed; And as I watched the world closely, I understood history would do nothing but repeat itself. Sure, civilizations were built, organizations concocted; Yet, someway, somehow, that deadly imperfect human desire, for money and power, brought men to the highest mountain, only to have it crumble into a dark and lonely ruin of pain and misery.” I revealed, hoping my words would spark something in each one of them.
“The toughest thing in this world, is to walk the path of life tormented by that pain and being haunted by the loneliness of it. History may repeat itself, but I won't allow it, to affect the one thing that brightens my world. So, I will break the rules. I will not obey or adjust, to this so-calledparagon of life presented to me by society. Through all the pain I've endured, the darkness that I've seen, Taideo, put the spark back in me, and now all it does is burn with the intensity of love everlasting.” I made sure to make eye contact with everyone in the room; Lillian, Brock, Chloe, Esmond, Aviva and Payton. Shifting my eyes over to meet, Mr. Littleton, Eamie, Kaler, Chance, Stefan, Aaliyah then finally Qui.
“I will instead fight, as long and as hard as I must, just to obtain my hearts true desire. I ask you here, now, not to judge me for breaking the rules men have made for us, but to simply understand my purpose. I ask for your courage. Stand with me and fight for what lies on your heart, fight for what you believe in, for what keeps you going, through the good times and bad. Whether it be for love or passion, honor or your reputation, freedom, family, loss or simply your survival; Whatever inspires you to keep pushing forward, I ask you to use that, and fight with me.” I huffed my final sentence and waited, feeling more than a dozen silent eyes beaming my way.
“I will fight with you.” A familiar voice rose upward. My head snapped to the left, finding Gregory standing among my coven.“Lillian showed me what happened to Lydia. I know you tried to save her, and the Red Throne Society cast upon her the second death. I'm looking for a fight mate, so I will stand with you.” He let out bravely.
“Where you go, we go. We're family.” Lillian confirmed, as the rest of my family nodded in agreement.
“Airius is right,” Eamie finally said,“The Red Throne Society has done enough damage. We need to fight.”
“The tribe will fight with you.” Mr. Littleton let out.
I nodded and twisted back towards the window, focusing my eyes on the red beam of energy piercing the sky.
“Let's take back our home.” I said.“Taideo, I'm coming.”
23
CONFRONTATION
After several hours, the plan was set, and we cast into motion a plan that would forever change the line of the Red Throne Society. Ms. Neely chose correctly, and decided it was time for her to leave them behind. She brought to us, a vial of blood that belonged to the lieutenant, being that we already possessed the limb of the general, a vial of her blood wasn't necessary. When the time was right, Aviva, with the help of Maria and Eamie will begin a spell to alter the hunting gene, all members of the Red Throne Society possess. Causing them to no longer wish to hunt witches, as well as forget the magical world entirely. It was a powerful spell, one that we prayed Aviva could cast on her own. Mr. Littleton would stay with them, and communicate to Aviva what the Skinwalkers felt, saw and did.
As for the rest of us, we marched straight for their camp.
A motionless color of crimson red, was strewn across the battlefield, as my family and I trailed over the crunchy grass, watching as a dense bank of swirling fog danced around our feet. Laid ahead was a complete massacre; Witches- none of whom I've come to know, were dead, murdered by the hands of the Red Throne Society. Each of them chained on flaming pyres, that were scattered about the land.
In the distance, hovered a thousand-ton space vessel. Scattered along its massive body were gun turrets, scanning the vicinity of the area, ready to rain bullets at anyone who venture too close. I easily counted sixteen ninjas, packing and stocking the ship with several cases of equipment.
Thunderous screams suddenly stuck our ears, as our attention rose to the top of that hideous space vessel. The general ran forward immediately, sinking her blade within the chest of a young male witch. I closed my eyes for a moment, no longer wishing to see the poor man bleeding copiously. His screams vanished, as he disappeared behind the other side of the ship. I didn't see him slam into the hardened dirt, but I didn't have to. He was dead before he fell. That poor witch was no more, but the general was still very much alive. This was it, this was what we all are fighting for. To bring down the Red Throne Society, once and for all.
“Sure you don't feel like running, Gregory?” I said.
He peeked over and smiled, then rolled his eyes over at Payton.
“Nah mate, I think I'll stick around if we survive this.”
“Airius!” The general screeched loudly! My eyes shifted to her, watching as her mask opened, revealing Kemiko's face.“You and that small pathetic coven of yours really believe you can stop us all?” Kemiko called out, visibly delighted. The vicious leader pointed her newly acquired sword directly at me.“You won't win.” She let out, and then lowered her sparkling weapon. Kemiko's lieutenant approached her, and stood silently, crossing his metallic-like arms. She faced him.“Have you made certain both of them are restrained. Can't have old grandma trying to escape, before we head back to Korea.” Kemiko stated, the lieutenant simply nodded.
Kemiko faced us, and looked confidently at her army below. I followed her line of site, toward her armored warriors. Dozens more of them had arrived. I immediately counted; Of the sixteen original ninjas, now was well over eighty; But I didn't worry. Several of the ninjas although brave and ready for a battle, were also drowning in fear. Others swaying nervously, I'm sure pondering between their only two options- to stay and possibly die, or go and possibly live.
“You cowards!” Kemiko screeched loudly, pointing her sword down at her own people.“I feel the fear dripping off each and every oneof you! Cast your votes my warriors. Flea or fight. The choice is ultimately up to you. But here me now! When I survive, I will find you, and I... will... destroy you!” She warned.
I was unsure of the vote Kemiko's metallic ninjas would cast; But their numbers were suddenly growing in the hundreds; To be perfectly honest, it did not matter to me who stayed or who left. Now, I was more pre
pared. I was ready to die for the one's I loved, but mostly for him, for Taideo. I felt the courageous energy beat around me from the ones I called family.
“I'm not ready!” A voice shouted from the crowd. Lowering her weapon, she turned and ran for the hills. Several more following behind her.
“That's exactly what we needed. The spell Aviva will cast, needs for some of the general's people to turn against her.” Lillian said in a low whisper. Kemiko didn't raise her head in their direction, just watched me and smiled a devious grin, then jumped high into the sky, landing directly in front of her ever-growing army.
“Losing a few...” she paused for a brief moment, taking her sword and swirling it around the fog. I saw Esmond tense up.“will not cost me this war. Your entire existence, has been deemed unworthy. You, all of you are nothing more than a walking disease. You're murders and must be vanquished.”
“What about you?” I asked. Causing Kemiko to tilt her head in confusion.“I've done some research, cast a few spells. Turns out, you alone were the one to kill your grandparents, in order to gain the attention of the Red Throne Society. You spoke before of killing humans who interact with our kind. Yet, that isn't true. The Red Throne Society, does not kill humans. Only you do that, Kemiko. You're a murderer, and a liar, the worst of the worst.” I focused my attention to the ninjas that stood behind her.“You will stand with her, still? Knowing her blade has spilled human blood! This is the woman you all wish to serve?” My voice carried over to them.“Kemiko Kavita is your general, but she is not who you should follow.”
For a second, Kemiko looked worried, and turned her face to look over at her allies.“I have no intention, of allowing you to sway my people with your demonic spells and charms!” She shouted.
“This isn't magic, but the truth. Kemiko murdered her grandparents.”
Twisting back to me, narrowing her eyes as her sword pointed atmy face.“Airius, this all comes down to you.” Her words stabbed at me.