A Love That Destroyed Time

by Melanie Ray

  When all the green was dissolved away, warnos would only have red and pink left. Murder and rage. "That's how they did it," he said to himself. Armageddon can be achieved, if you turn the enemy...into you.

  Some green must have continued to exist, but only in smaller areas, causing warnos to almost be depleted. Once the majority of green is gone, it's all done. "But, no, then why is the Waryes Kingdom green?" He reared up and yelled to the sky. "Why was their kingdom green?!"

  The sky could not answer his question back, but he began to understand. The rain wouldn't fall upon their kingdom, so it wouldn't destroy the top layer that was green. Perhaps, green was needed too? Red and pink, they caused mayhem and destruction, but perhaps the green was still the only thing that kept them sane?

  Maybe, this is where the pink eyed came from. Their lust for blood and war had been unquenchable. They didn't speak, didn't think much at all. Had that been the future of the warnos?

  Yed trotted back slowly. So, that was the end. If his family had fresh water, they'd survive the rain, but the inhibitor was getting hit badly. They could survive, but then become those soulless waryes. If he left Chronicle Sanctuary, he'd have no fresh water to live on.

  Hm. What a way to go. Still, at least it would be ending soon. Not all of the mysteries of the world would be solved, but it was enough for him to know why the warnos would go extinct.

  Once changed, warnos don't return. No one except Guy ever had. Ezra's scent, one of the only reasons he felt a small amount of hope for that rhyme.

  Ezra's scent would only last so long, and the green inhibitor would only be around for awhile. The acid would become stronger as it hit, day by day. There wasn't much time left.

  Yed went back inside and lied down beside Ezra. He glanced toward Guy, but he was finally sleeping soundly without the red inhibitor near him. Yed nuzzled her cheek. "Ezzy, I need to talk to you."

  Ezra groaned. "What's wrong, Yed?"

  "Prepare yourself. Tomorrow, we're leaving. We have to accomplish the rhyme." She looked at him like he was crazy. "I know, but we aren't going to get changed back to normal before the end of us. The rain won't kill off the warnos before they change into savages. The green inhibitor is being melted away." He heard her gasp. "Worse. The red and pink will remain underneath, it's tougher. We will all be changed to waryes against our will. That's what happened to the warnos. Evil will consume us."

  "Oh." Ezra spoke softly. "We have no choice."

  "Yeah, but look on the bright side? After we do this, it's all over, for good." Yed almost laughed. "Waryes don't become warno again, except for Guy. Your scent is something special, but it won't always be there. We've got to go. Agreed?"

  "Agreed, but how do we protect ourselves?" Ezra asked. "A vehicle will only last so long, eventually it will run out of energy."

  "Eventually everything does, except one thing." Yed gestured around. "It rejects the acid, purifies everything. I can't guarantee everything will be perfect, but we have to try." He gave her a kiss on the forehead before sinking to the ground.

  It was almost over. The journey wouldn't be easy, but they couldn't hold it off any longer, and once it was done?

  The pain would be over.

  Chapter 79

  SEE

  Xiam remained silent as he stood in front of the king of the Waryes Kingdom. Fayu.

  "Xiamipoc Vallencio." Fayu held a yo-yo in his hand. "Your friend Yeducavich has been a pain in my side. He's jumped three different timelines, but can't keep from coming back to this one. Probably bonded with it." He approached Xiam slowly. "Do you know who I am?"

  "The Waryes Kingdom's ruler," Xiam said. He waited to see if Fayu would speak again.

  "I am more than that. Surely you've met that fool AnoNymous?" Fayu laughed. "There is nothing that can be done. All she's done is rid herself of her old personality. She's just a shell. Me? I did better, do you know why? I leave contacts. She doesn't connect, she's aloof. Me? I know the Yed here has traveled to two other times. This isn't even his original time, he just took it over. I have no qualms about killing a past me to take its place. If I die tomorrow because another Fayu overtakes me, so be it."

  "What?" Xiam couldn't understand what he was saying.

  "The only difference between me and AnoNymous was that I was smarter." He held up a mineral that looked like inhibitor, except it was pink. "More powerful than the green inhibitor by many times. Have you seen it before?"

  Xiam shook his head. This guy was making his brain hurt. "Leave me alone."

  "Telling a king to leave you alone? Aren't you bold?" Fayu held the inhibitor closer. "If you keep green inhibitor close to pink inhibitor, you are given powers beyond dimensions. You, your brain is closed off, solid and unreadable. Protector Yeducavich? Open. I can see into his future, each future he created for himself. Do you think this is the first time we met?"

  He held the pink inhibitor closer to Xiam. "I wasn't afraid of him then, and I'm not afraid of him now. Oh, there are parallel times he learned about my time machines, but he's never made it. He always loses his life right before he loses the ones close to him. He's easy to beat, and it never changes. It's always the same. Only his closest friends are involved in his stupid little show." He patted Xiam on the back. "You’re the lucky contestant this time."

  Xiam couldn't think of anything to say, all he wanted to do was punch Fayu in the face. He took Iri away, and he captured him. There was no quick death, whatever he plained on doing, it would be painful and prolonged. He was only captured because of Yed. Yed, that idiot, somehow pressed his buttons. He growled as the king pushed the pink inhibitor closer.

  "Don't be afraid, we'll be fine together." King Fayu brought out a red inhibitor beside the pink one. "The best is green for sanity, but you don't need to be that cognizant. Only a little piece, which causes more torture than peace. Now, just let your mind wander..."

  "What are you doing?" Xiam didn't understand, nor like any of what King Fayu had been doing.

  "Oh, I can't take you through time. Last thing I need is another thorn. Sheward, Yed, AnoNymous, they are all annoying. I don't let anyone do that anymore." Fayu bopped his head with the inhibitors. "But you can see different times, and with the red beside you? Oh, the things you'll be drawn to see."

  "No." Xiam felt himself tremble as he started to see actions in front of him. Opaque worlds, yet so alive around him. He closed his eyes, but images wouldn't go away. "No, stop, Iri!" He watched as she hung her head out of a jail cell and an axe landed on top. He saw her dying from starvation, his eyes rolling back. He watched Ezra and Iri both get taken away in waryes vehicles, screaming. So many scenes, so many tragedies.

  "NO!" He broke his chains as his hands shot forward to punch the wall. A scene of Ezra and Yed, crying and then jumping off into a valley below. He watched the king get dragged away, keelhauled to death.

  He heard Fayu's laughter. No matter what he did, he couldn't escape the visions. Crying, cutting, bleeding, fighting!

  "Yes! Keep it up, Xiamipoc Cattral." Fayu's voice entered his thoughts murkily. "When you are ready, you'll be my finest work yet."

  Chapter 80

  FOLLOW THE RHYME

  "May our ancestors forgive us." Yed looked toward everyone. "Also, may we not be slain by the fashion police." He giggled as he watched everyone with fastened Chronicles on their heads, feet, and sides. They still had some of their rain gear, but if things got desperate, they had a backup. Not only that, but walking on all fours made it harder to wear regular clothes.

  Each of them would even carry a couple Chronicles to the vehicle, just in case.

  "Okay, how do we begin this?" Muiny asked.

  "From what Xiam and I had gathered, together, I think we've pieced it." At least Xiam figured out the last part before being taken. "It's not easy, but um...we have to separate to different places. Ezra need to be at the wall, and the babies each need to be somewhere."

  "Each need to be somewhere?" Muiny question. "Wait, what?
"

  Yes, this part wasn't easy. "Two will need to go to the castles in the Warno Kingdom, and the Waryes Kingdom."

  "I am supposed to bring my kids to the freakin' Waryes Kingdom?!" Muiny turned and hugged Zaria for support. "I can't do that."

  "The other places are here, and where it is massively green. At the exact tip top of the inhibitor mountains." Yed watched her get angry again. "No one said it was easy. Someone will have to stay with the children."

  "I'll stay," Guy spoke up. "I can watch one of the babies here."

  "No, oh no. I am not trusting that thing with my children." Muiny pointed at Yed. "You had to, I don't."

  "Then you or Zaria stay."

  "Yes, and then those evil waryes will come back!"

  "It's a possibility," Yed yelled back. He tried to put his hand on her shoulder. "Muin, we are either going to turn to waryes or die. This is our only slim chance."

  "Following some stupid rhyme?" Muin bent down lower to Cooey and Zaria. "Some foolish rhyme, is that all we have? Why are we even risking this?"

  "That foolish rhyme is by my daughter," Yed said. "Decide who is staying. Stay in the very back, toward the Chronicles, and don't come out."

  "I'll stay," Zaria volunteered.

  "Zaria?" Muin pulled on him. "I don't want to try this."

  "Aww, Muinela, I know. This isn't something that I can agree with you on though." He gave her a gentle kiss. "You can hit me later, but I won't give in. You go with him, there aren't many of us, and the babies are going to need someone beside them."

  "Dangit." Muin turned to Yed and crossed her arms. "I should have stayed on Fala." She glared back at her husband. "You better be watching it damn closely Zaria! This isn't merely babysitting while I'm out on a stroll."

  "I will." Zaria shook Yed's hand. "I'll keep Junior here."

  Yed nodded and looked toward the mountains. Ezra couldn't watch the babies, and Xiam and Iri were gone. Him, Guy, Muin, and Regwallis. He didn't want to use Guy, but there weren't enough of them. Regwallis was too small, leaving him alone wasn't an option. He didn't know anything about Guy. He wasn't a friend, and not someone he wanted to hand over his daughter too.

  There was little choice though.

  "Yed father? I can't get this." Regwallis walked over with the string to tie the Chronicles on his head.

  Yed helped him while Muin was kissing her family goodbye. "There you go. This is going to be a long journey. Are you ready?" Seeing him nod, Yed gestured his head toward the mountains. "Muin, Cooey will be up in the inhibitor mountains."

  "Better than the Waryes Kingdom." Muin looked toward Ezra. "Oh, sorry."

  "Guy, you're going to be taking care of my daughter in the castle. You need to be careful, and watch out for her." Yed didn't want to assign him to it, but he couldn't leave Tigeravich alone in the Waryes Kingdom.

  "Yes, Majesty." Guy bent down toward Yed.

  "This is so stupid," Muin complained again as she gave Zaria, Jr. another kiss. "Mommy is going to miss you, but she'll be right back. You just need to be a good big boy, okay?" Zaria cooed his understanding. "Good. Momma's big brave - this is so stupid!" Muin yelled again. She trudged over to Yed and poked him in the chest. "This is barbaric! Zaria is stuck on all fours, just like you and Ezra! What if someone attacks? What about the babies, how do we hold them and walk? What about when I watch Cooey, and someone comes? We've already lost Xiam and Iri, and I'm not losing my family or life for a stupid rhyme!"

  "Muiny, back down," Zaria insisted as he brought her back over to him, giving her another hug. "I won't come out of here for anything. We've got plenty of food, and pure water. No one is going to go wandering in here just because. Okay?"

  Muin groaned slightly, but agreed. "What about the rest of us? One encounter and we're gone. Just one! Rain? Water? Did we all forget about these facts?"

  "I have extra food and water for each warno. We've got baskets for around the neck we'll strap around before we go." Yed gestured to the mountains. "As for the mountain, its large, and chances you'll be spotted are slimmer. Just stay in a forested cave area. If anyone comes by, don't make a sound."

  "Sure, yeah, let me just tell my baby not to make a sound. Oh yeah, and while babies can now understand us, I'd really like her to feed herself too." Muin's sarcasm had been turned to high. "I don't like this."

  "Noted. Let's go."

  Chapter 81

  EZRA’S DANGEROUS SECRET

  Her sister didn't make the trip any easier. Yed gave her children the absolute best chances. Inside Golden Wood, and safe up in the mountains. Their children though? Oh, they would be in the castles of the Warno Kingdom and Waryes Kingdom. She had to trust a stranger with her child, and she had to depend on Yed in the Waryes Kingdom.

  The Waryes Kingdom! Ezra wanted to break down, complain that it wasn't fair. Yes, someone's children had to go somewhere, but couldn't they have at least split up the safety? Honestly, she was ready to smack Muin. She hadn't seen her sister in some time, but she was making her wish she could have left her behind. Every few feet she complained and kept saying 'are we there yet?' They were going deep into the mountains, of course they weren't there yet!

  Oh, she had to keep it together. Her own mood wasn't pleasant, Ezra knew that. Leaving their babies in some of the most dangerous spots on Pagnia didn't set well. There wasn't even a guarantee anything would happen. Yed only wanted to try it because it was Carressella who delivered the message, or because he needed to do something to feel like he could help. Protectors always helped, and it may have been too much to lay down and accept fate.

  Her hope was decreasing again, but she couldn't help it. Looking around her, she just couldn't see any happy conclusion. When Yed looked back toward her, she tried to smile, but it was weak. The way his concern flashed across his face, she knew it didn't register like she had wanted.

  She thought back to what they were talking about earlier in Golden Wood. Jumping off down into that valley. Going down with him, and ending it all. No more running, and no more fright. What about the children though? Tigeravich and Carressella. Could they find someone to watch them, or should they end it with them too?

  The thought, the single thought about ending their lives while she was holding her son in a basket was too much. Her eyes started to flood with tears. Her innocent babies were supposed to have a wonderful life with family visiting and spoiling them every day. They were supposed to grow up, enter Dens, find love, have children and slowly grow older. They were supposed to have jobs, find a passion, or begin a career. They were supposed to do so much. Yed had let on they could survive, which meant they made it through before, but what kind of warnos could do that? Who could get through a war without turning cold?

  That's not life, and it isn't what she wanted for them. She saw her clothes getting wet in spots from her tears. She had tried to be silent. If she could be strong, she could do this. As long as he didn't look back at her, she would be fine. She stared at the ground, hiding her face, and watching the rocks and grass pass by.

  "Muin, go ahead and walk in front. Carressella, Regwallis and I will be behind you."

  Oh no, Yed was telling Muin to move forward. She kept her head down as he walked beside her.

  "Can you at least believe a fraction? A tiny fraction, Ezzy?" Yed's voice was soft but demanding. "I need you to believe. You don't have to with your whole heart, but enough that you're not contemplating our death already."

  Oh he knew her well. "Yed, I'm doing this rhyme. I can't change much more than that. How can I hope?" Ezra hid her face again, realizing she had lifted it too much. Yed probably already knew she had been crying. "I don't want to be here."

  "Here, walking with me? Or here, on Pagnia anymore?" Ezra felt Yed grab her hand. "I know it's hard, this is not someplace that we want to live. Our loved ones will disappear, either die or turn soulless. Only the bravest are going to make it."

  "I don't want to be brave, Yed."

  "Well, you are, whether you like it
or not." Yed smiled and tapped her nose once. "Smile. If you can't smile because you don't believe, then smile about it being almost over. Either way, this pain is going to end."

  "What about the children?" Ezra asked him. "Raised in this world? It's...not right."

  "Oh. No, it's not." Yed's smile fell again. "I get it. You're thinking we should jump with them too."

  "I didn't say that." Ezra felt her grief travel back even further. Her tears increased, and this time, it was too much to hide.

  "Don't think about that, all its doing is making you sadder. These might be our last days, I don't want to see you cry. That's the future, and this is now." Yed's hand tightened around hers. "I don't even want you thinking two hours in the future. All that matters is the here and now. We're talking and holding hands, that means something. Maybe not to you, but to me? It's priceless. I wouldn't want to enter armageddon with anyone else by my side."

  I hated when he did that. Words like that, how did he want me to react? Holding hands, and talking so sweetly with me. Just another thing that died in this war. A chance at love.

  "Queen Ezraponia, are you okay?"

  What? Ezra looked over toward Guy. He showed grave concern for her welfare as well, which was okay, but what did he call her? "I'm not Queen."

  "Of course not, Majesty." Guy simply smiled. "I hope you feel better." He bowed slightly toward Yed. "Sire?"

  "Why don't you head up ahead with Muin some?" Yed requested. He looked directly behind him at Regwallis kicking rocks. "You go ahead and head up with Guy too. I can watch you better in front." Regwallis nodded and ran around Ezra toward the front.

  "What was that about?" Ezra asked as she looked toward Yed. "Queen? How did he know?"

  "Regwallis, remember?"

  "Oh, Regwallis." Ezra looked away fast, but Yed's expression let on that he caught something. Shoot.

  "Ezraponia, what was that just now?" Yed held his hands in front of her, forcing them to stop. "That tone, I know that tone. Isn’t it time to stop hiding a secret from me?"

  "Oh, what does it matter anymore?" Ezra shrugged. She hid it forever from others, no one was supposed to ever know. The world would be ending for her soon, so it didn't matter much. Being honest with Yed, with no secrets between. It would be nice. "Yed, I was sworn to secrecy. Much like your situation with the children. Even as a child, the whole family was threatened with being a traitor if we told anyone." She patted his arm. "I'm pure for a reason. My biological grandmother was a princess. She didn't want to be involved in running things, so she ran away. The records show that she died by some unknown plague silently with no one knowing, but she simply didn't want involved. Back then, things were only starting to get hard between waryes and warno. She saw it, and she bowed out."