Darrengiy didn’t answer. He didn’t know how to respond to such a hurt little girl.
“Look,” Shalina stood up from the chair, “you can have my power, take it! Just let me go back home!”
Darrengiy took a deep breath, “I can’t do that.”
“Why not?” Shalina cried.
“Because I can’t. Taking it now would most likely kill you, and that’s not what I want to do,” he sighed, “look, I promise, you won’t feel the need to go back home ever again. In fact, you’ll love it here,” Darrengiy said softly. He looked over to the picture on the wall, “it really is a great coincidence. You have no connections to your bloodline, and yet...you bear the name of my deceased fiancé.”
Shalina frowned, and wiped her eyes, “what?”
Darrengiy shook his head, “nothing, but like I said before,” He smiled, “you’ll like it here.” he started towards Shalina, but stopped when he noticed her backing towards the fire.
Shalina shook in fear. What was he going to do? In less than a second he had disappeared, and reappeared behind her, but before she could run away he had already rested his index fingers against her temples and pressed against them, freezing her in her spot.
“Soon, you will never want to go back,” Darrengiy said.
Shalina clenched her fist and bit her bottom lip in pain. She suddenly had a massive headache that spread throughout her entire body.
“Shalina, hey get down from there,” Angel laughed, “you’re going to hurt yourself if you fall off.”
Shalina looked down at her friend and smiled, “I’ll be okay! I promise!” She held on to the tree branch tightly, so not to fall. She had climbed it just to impress Angel, but now she regretted going so high.
“I’d rather you just come down from there!”
Shalina took a deep breath and nodded, “here I come!” She looked down again and saw that Angel was slowly starting to fade, “Angel?”
“Shalina stop playing around, and get down from there!”
Shalina started to panic, “I’m coming A-” she couldn’t remember his name. What was his name?
“Shalina!” his voice was nothing more than an echo in her ears, and his presence was no longer there.
“Boy?” She looked around, “hey! Where are you?” She gripped the tree branch tighter as it started to fade, “oh no-”
The tree disappeared all at once, and she slammed hard against the green grass. The world around her had become hazy, and then there was nothing but darkness.
***
Year: 6016
Sixteen year old Shalina sat in her room with her closest friend, Cenyera. Cenyera was another one of the servants, but she only served Shalina on Darrengiy’s orders. After the servant boy had started to gain feelings for Shalina, he kicked him out of the castle, where he most likely starved to death, or froze in the winter cold.
Shalina felt bad for the servant, but he had betrayed Darrengiy, and convincing him not to kill the boy was the best that she could do. Instead Darrengiy banished him form the castle, and left him to die out in the poor lands.
“All finished,” Shalina had just finished braiding Cenyera’s long red hair down her back, “now, my turn,” she turned around to get her hair braided.
“You have such beautiful hair,” Cenyera said.
“You think so? I feel the same way about yours,” Shalina blushed a little, “so what has Darrengiy been up to? I haven’t seen him in months.”
“His usual work. I don’t really know what he does for most of his days. I only see him in the halls, or frowning over some papers at his desk.”
Shalina sighed, “He works so much. He needs a break.”
Cenyera didn’t respond.
“Oh, I’m sorry, I forgot you weren’t too fond of him,” Shalina giggled.
“It’s not that. He can just be cruel at times.”
Shalina nodded, “I bet it’s the stress, you know? I’d be cruel if I had to work at all hours of the day.”
“All done,” Cenyera said, brushing off her friends comment.
Shalina turned around and faced her friend, “thank you.”
“Your wel...come...” Cenyera looked as if she’d seen a ghost.
Shalina frowned, “what?”
“Nothing, you just look...you resemble the lady in the picture, that’s all.”
Shalina thought back to the picture in Darrengiy’s office, the one of the woman on his wall, that she would find herself staring at while visiting him during work hours.
“You have to be her great, great, great, great, granddaughter, or something.”
Shalina shook her head, “don’t you think if I was, then I would have Verna running through my veins? That woman was the most powerful person in the kingdom. She was supposed to marry Darrengiy, but...”
“But what? Do you know the story? Because no one else does.”
“I only know that she betrayed Darrengiy, and then she disappeared. That’s when the kingdom started to crumble, and the revolution started.”
Cenyera sighed, “guess you don’t know anything either. All I know is that her disappearance had something to do with Darrengiy’s brother.”
“Brother?”
“Oh-there are no pictures up of him. Darrengiy’s father adopted his brother, Darrassa, when he was just a baby.”
“I didn’t know,” Shalina sighed.
“Don’t be so down, he’ll come around and tell you eventually,” Cenyera gave a reassuring smile.
“Yeah.”
“Well, it’s getting late. I’ll see you again soon,” Cenyera stood up from the bed and walked to the door, “goodnight, princess.”
“Good night, Cenyera,” Shalina waited for the door to close, then laid back on her bed. Darrengiy had so many secrets that he was keeping from her, and still, after so many years, he never took the time to tell her anything. She asked about the woman in the picture before, but he gave her no answer.
Shalina knew that her presence in the castle had something to do with the woman, but tried her best not to pay it any mind. Maybe he kept her there because she resembled his former lover, or maybe he planned on marrying her one day? She couldn’t help but smile at the thought, because after so long of receiving his kindness, she found herself falling for him.
The time Darrengiy wasn’t working, and spent with Shalina, was deeply treasured. She loved when he would tell her stories of his adventures over dinner, or take her dancing in the ballroom. Darrengiy was nothing but kind and loving to her, but when it came to the complicated things, like telling her where she came from, he became cold. Shalina eventually gave up and decided to go with the flow of things. She still couldn’t help but wonder though.
Year: 6017
Shalina walked through the courtyard with a blue flower in between her fingers, and held it to her nose. She was excited that Darrengiy would be coming home today, and decided to wait outside for his return. She walked slowly, not realizing how quickly the flowers around her had begun to grow. He had suppressed her powers along with her memories, but it seemed that her powers were beginning to come back.
After their trip to Varenwhile, Darrengiy brought Shalina back home to calm down while he went off on business. She had agreed that it was a bad idea to go to such a place, and promised to never ask to visit there again.
Shalina knew that Darrengiy had regretted telling her about her past and her home, and wished that she had never asked. All he wanted to do was protect her while others wanted to use her, and she knew that now.
“Shalina,” Darrengiy stood there with a slight smile on his face.
“Darrengiy,” Shalina turned around and smiled at her husband to be, “welcome home.”
Chapter 6: The Sector-part 1
The bus came to a hard stop, causing Marian to slide forward and slam his head against the back of the seat in front of him. He would have been able to stop himself if it weren’t for the electric chains around his wrists.
“Let’s
go!” The officer in the front of the bus yelled. Marian took a deep breath and stood up, then jangled into the isle behind a tall Oceanian man. He figured that the Oceanian must have been captured during the war, and shook his head. One of the main reasons he didn’t want to go to war was because if you were captured, you were automatically sent here. To the sector.
The sector was nothing more than an oversized prison full of humans from various worlds. Sure, all the worlds had their own prisons, but for war prisoners, murderers, and terrorists, this was where they would most likely to be serving their time. It was the sector, or death.
Marian stepped down the steps and looked down at his feet while trying to hold back tears. He had lost his friends, his world, and now his life. As if watching his comrades die wasn’t enough.
Marian followed the line while slowly looking up, and his mouth dropped. If any thoughts of escaping were on his mind before, they were gone now. The sector was a large stone building that looked like it stood passed the clouds, and stretched at least a mile long. He couldn’t even imagine how far back the building went, but that’s not what shot down all his hopes and dreams.
The sector had electric gates surrounding it, with small sharp blades facing inwards in case anyone ever tried to escape. Next to the exit of every gate stood two officers with guns ready. There were even a few watchtowers with multiple guns pointing out from the top.
When Marian looked at the grass next to him he spotted, what looked like a finger, and quickly turned away. There was blood surrounding the area where the finger laid, and he wondered what happened to the prisoner.
“Keep it moving,” An officer said, pointing his baton at Marian. The officers wore the same kind of material that the Machinian’s wore, only there were small sparks every now and then, like electricity ran through their suits.
Marian looked ahead while continuing forward, but lost his concentration again when he noticed the pink and purple barrier that surrounded the sector. It looked as if outside the barrier there were nothing but storm clouds, and if you got caught in it then you would be shocked by lightning.
Behind them the bus started running, then drove forward into nothing. It disappeared.
Marian snapped back around and entered the sector. Once inside, the prisoners were led up a set of stone stairs lit by dim flicking lights. It looked as if they were heading for their deaths.
Marian took a deep breath when he made it to the top of the steps, then he continued behind the line and took a look around. He glanced back when he heard a gate slam shut, then back around to his new home.
The sector wasn’t very different from the prisons back in Firow. The inside was silver and filled with metal, including the doors, the ceiling, the tables, and everything else. It was created that way, so that none of the prisoners would find any resources that they could use to escape.
Marian followed the line a little longer, then was broken off with a different group to be led to their cells. His heart raced when the last person was dropped off, and now it was his turn to meet his permanent cell mates.
They walked down a dim hallway, then finally stopped in front of Marian’s new bedroom. The officer unlocked the door and slid it open, then removed the chains from Marian’s wrists and ankles, and waited for him to enter before slamming the door shut.
Marian clenched his teeth and stepped inside the four man cell that had three occupied bunk beds on both sides of the room.
Tren looked up at Marian and frowned, then became even more hostile when he noticed that the bunk over him was empty, “just what I was looking forward to,” he said shaking his head.
Angel looked over at Tren, then turned to face the wall. Zyas just looked down at Marian, “welcome.”
Marian frowned at Zyas, then headed for his bunk, but right before he climbed up on the ladder, Tren shot up and stood in his way.
“No way you’re sleeping over me, Firow,” Tren said. He looked Marian up and down, and saw no threat, but still felt hatred for the Firow nation and its citizens.
“Move out of the way you-”
“Machinian,” Tren pushed back Marian, “you and your Firow freaks destroyed my home.”
Marian frowned, “maybe you deserved it. They should have burned you alive,” he pushed Tren back, causing him to hit the back of his head on the bunk bed, “get the hell out of my way.”
“You fuckin-” Tren threw a punch at Marian, but missed. Marian dodged the punch, then held out a flame in the palm of his hand right in front of Tren’s face, “you’re powerless without your guns.”
“Guys, come on,” Zyas said, jumping down from his bunk, “cut it out.”
Suddenly, there was a loud beeping sound, like some kind of alarm, and seconds later it was raining down on their heads. Marian’s flame died out, and Tren smiled, “guess you can’t use any of that fire in here.”
Tren threw another punch, but Marian dodged again, and the punch ended up slamming into Zyas. Zyas slipped and fell onto the tile floor with a thud. Both of the boys looked down at Zyas, then it suddenly stopped raining on them. The three of them stood there soaked and wet while staring at each other.
***
Angel laid in bed while looking up at the bottom of the bunk over him, and thinking about Shalina. He couldn’t get passed the thought of her being on Darrengiy’s side, and trusting the very person that took everything away from her. He knew that Darrengiy had to be the reason that Shalina was acting that way, because she wasn’t doing it on her own. Maybe he had brain washed her? Or was it really possible that he could take away her memories? Was he really that powerful?
Angel sighed. He knew he had no reason to think about her anymore, on account that he was locked away in the sector, and just like everyone else, he saw what surrounded the large prison. There was nowhere for him to go, and if there was, he had no way of getting to Shalina and saving her. Only officials had the ability to travel to other worlds with the help of an item from the First Kingdom. It was said that during the revolution, the items that were taken were magical items, created by the royals, and were used to travel to different dimensional worlds. If you didn’t have an item, then you would have to be exceptionally powerful to open a portal.
Zyas looked up at the ceiling and rubbed his stomach, “man, I’m hungry.”
Tren sighed, “Do you know when they plan on feeding us?”
Zyas looked down at Tren, whose face was seen in the moonlight coming from the small opening in the wall, “no. I’m just as lost as you are. I have no idea how this place works.”
Tren sighed loudly, “I could really use some of my girls cooking right now.”
“Your girls?”
“Yeah, I have a hottie back at home,” he clenched his teeth, “I hope that she’s alright.”
“Don’t worry, my friend. I’m sure that she is,” Zyas said.
“I’m not your...” Tren had no energy left to argue again.
“I bet she’s strong, just like my sister,” Zyas smiled at the thought of his sister being safe.
“What’s your sister’s name?” Tren asked.
“Zaray, and your girls?”
“Ara.”
Marian turned his head and watched Zyas. This guy seemed pretty friendly compared to Tren, but he could tell that he was a Varenwhile citizen, and didn’t know if he could trust him or not. Marian sighed, it didn’t matter anymore. They were cell mates, and might as well be friends. He remembered that he didn’t even want to be in the war in the first place, and saw no reason to hate someone that he didn’t know.
“So, what’s your name?” Zyas noticed Marian looking over at him.
“Marian,” he said blandly.
Tren laughed, “Marian? Like Merry Ann?”
“No you idiot, it’s just Marian.”
“Oh, I get it. Your parents thought that you were going to be a girl,” Tren laughed louder.
“And what’s your name?” Marian snapped back.
“I’m Tren.”
“Yeah, and I see your parents forgot to finish yours,” Marian shot at him.
“Maybe, but it sounds masculine doesn’t it?”
Marian didn’t respond.
“And what about you?” Tren asked Angel.
Angel slowly turned his head to face Tren, “Angel.”
Tren clenched his teeth. Angel didn’t have the same attitude as the rest of them, and decided to back down.
“Well, I’m going to bed,” Marian turned to face the wall.
“Yeah, me too-”
“No one asked you,” Marian snapped at Tren.
“Whatever,” Tren pulled the thin cover up to his chin.
Zyas leaned over the bunk, “goodnight, Angel,” he whispered.
“Goodnight, Zyas,” Angel turned to face the wall.
Zyas’ smile faded, and he laid back down and stared up at the ceiling. This was his life now. These three boys, and the sector. He was no longer free to run through the trees, or to compete with his sister, or to impress his father, and it crushed him on the inside. This was all he had now.
The metal doors slid open, waking up all four of the boys, and an officer stepped in the doorway, “shower time,” he knocked his baton on the wall, “let’s go.”
The four boys got out of bed and walked into the hallway, where most of the new prisoners were already up, and headed for the showers while rubbing their sleepy eyes, or yawning.
“What time is it?” Tren asked Zyas.
Zyas yawned, “What’s that?”
“Nothing,” he looked over at Marian, who was the only other person between the four of them that knew what time was, but didn’t ask.
The hallway was full of prisoners, old and young, that all walked in one direction towards the showers. They were moving incredibly slow on account that the hallway was packed, and it took forever for them to make it to the bridge that was protected by bulletproof glass.
Zyas’s mouth dropped as he looked out and saw another bridge like the one he was on, only those prisoners were women. He was amazed by the technology that wouldn’t be found anywhere on Varenwhile, but then shook his head when he realized that he was inside of a prison.
Angel's Blade: Power (Angel Series Book 1) Page 6