Royals Rise

by K. Manna

  “Whaa! Whaa!” the precious baby cried.

  I didn’t stop there, though.

  Oh, good. It’s working. Purple light, shine even brighter, absorb through his skin and heal him completely. Heal his skin together to protect all that lay inside. Focus. Imagine. Believe.

  The baby zyon wiggled again, his hand bumping into my arm, and cries ringing out even louder.

  This little one definitely has some lungs on him.

  Very gently, I laid my hands softly on his belly. No little shiny mushroom-tops peeked back at me anymore. No open skin showed his tiny insides. All that was visible was a healthy baby belly moving up and down rapidly with each piercing cry.

  “You have done it! Thank the heavens. Wonderful, purely wonderful!” The Zylo rushed toward us. “I heard Zyon Giovanni’s cries.” He peeked inside the incubator. “He is very well, I see. Thank you so very much, Margo. I will have to think of how I can repay you.”

  Um, you could send me back home, back to my family. But I won’t say these words out loud, at least not yet.

  “We will talk of this a little later, but for now I would like to bring my newborn son to my wife. The bleeding has finally stopped, and Sonya is finishing up. The Zyla will be fine, thank goodness. She is quite weak from the blood loss. Margo, you may go and rest. I’m sure you are very tired. I will come to your room to speak with you in a short while.” The Zylo smiled at me with kindness in his eyes.

  I nodded. “Okay, I’ll be waiting for you.”

  Maybe, just maybe, he will send me back home now! I have done such a great deed in saving baby Giovanni that he has to at least consider my hopes. Maybe he will change his mind. How better could he repay me?

  I didn’t forget to grab Yuni and my jade stone from the little table before leaving. Exhausted, I headed back down the many stairs that led back to my room. With all the energy that I had used, I felt even more tired and drained than I did to begin with. But at the same time, I felt hopeful and relieved after what had all happened and what may soon happen.

  Home.

  As I descended the stairs, I saw Anton stumbling down the hallway with his hands covering his ears.

  “Anton!” I called out.

  He didn’t answer. He didn’t even look my way.

  He had to have heard me.

  “Anton!” I called out even louder this time.

  Still nothing.

  Is he ignoring me? But why would he? What is going on?

  Then Anton grabbed for the wall, sliding his back against it until he reached the floor.

  What in the hell? Something is wrong.

  I ran to him. “Anton, are you okay? What is the matter?”

  Anton still didn’t reply. But when I reached him, his eyes grew wide as he looked up at me.

  I bent down to help him. “Anton, what is going on? Why didn’t you answer me?”

  Anton pointed to his ears, mumbling. “I-I ca-can …”

  Sir Felix suddenly appeared from around the corner. “Oh, let me help him, Margo.”

  Feeling very confused and concerned, I said, “Something is wrong with Anton, Sir Felix. I don’t think he can hear.”

  “He will be fine, just fine. Now, you go back to your room and rest. I will take good care of Anton. Go on now.” Sir Felix began to help Anton to his feet.

  I didn’t say another word. What could I say? I did as Sir Felix told me to do, but with a strange feeling in the pit of my stomach.

  Nothing seems right. First, I saw Preston brushing against the wall, as if he couldn’t see, and now Anton. Neither of them looked excited or happy, that’s for sure. Something is going on, and as usual, I will probably be the last to know. When the Zylo comes to talk with me, I will ask him. He, of all people, has to know something.

  “And where is Sasha?” I asked, whispering and wondering to myself.

  Not long after I had come into my room, there was a knock at the door.

  That was fast. The Zylo already?

  I swung the door open with such hopefulness in my heart. But it was Leenda, not the Zylo.

  “Hello, Margo. Sir Felix asked me to bring you this,” Leenda said, carrying a tray that held a plate of scrambled eggs and bacon topped with swirls of chocolate syrup and powdered sugar, and a glass of Enertion.

  Somewhat surprised to see her, I said, “Oh, uh, thank you, Leenda.”

  Leenda rushed into the room, setting the tray on the table near the window. “How are you holding up, honey?” she asked in a sincere voice.

  “As best as I know how, I guess. I’m hoping to go back home.”

  Leenda’s eyes grew wide. “Oh, really?”

  “Yes, that is what I want. I will be finding out if that will be possible very soon.” I looked into Leenda’s eyes. “Thank you for yesterday. Thank you for getting me to my brother.”

  Leenda gave me a gentle hug. “You’re welcome. You try and eat now. I’m sorry that I cannot stay longer. I have too many responsibilities to attend to.”

  Of course. All work and no play.

  After Leenda closed the door behind her, I sat down before the meal and just stared at it. The eggs smelled good, so warm and inviting, but my stomach turned. I scooped a bite of chocolate-covered eggs into my mouth, spitting it out right away.

  It doesn’t taste right.

  I took a little sip of Enertion.

  Blah. There is no way that is going down either. Nothing tastes right. Nothing seems right.

  My appetite had officially left the building, or the palace. Not even the possibility that I might be going home helped. I threw myself on the bed, curling up with Yuni in my arms.

  Hopefully, the Zylo will be here soon, and hopefully, he will repay me by sending me home.

  I hoped and prayed that this would be the case. Memories, both happy and sad, flickered through my mind. Mom, Dad, Gage, Eli …

  “I wish you were here with me now, Eli,” I whimpered.

  KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK.

  I must have dozed off.

  Both the Zylo and Zyon Leon stood tall when I opened the door, smiles stretched across both of their faces.

  “We have come to talk of how to repay you for healing Zyon Giovanni. May we come in?” the Zylo asked with beaming eyes.

  I stepped aside. “Of course, please come in.”

  The Zyon’s fingers brushed against my hand as he walked passed me. He sat down in the chair opposite from the uneaten plate of scrambled eggs smothered in chocolate. A weird expression came over his face when he glanced at it. With the Zylo still standing, I sat at the edge of my bed holding my hands together tightly in front of me.

  The Zylo began, “We have decided,” he paused, looking at the Zyon and then back at me, “that the best way for us to repay you would be for you to prepare over the next two years to become a proper zyness and wife. On your eighteenth birthday, you and Zyon Leon will wed, thus, you will become the future zyla.”

  I choked before I could find the words to speak. “What? Wow, that is an extremely generous payment, but I honestly don’t think that I fit that position. I had hoped you would let me go home.”

  “Really? Are you serious? You would pass up being married to me? And becoming the future zyla, all to go back home?” the Zyon huffed.

  “Y-yes, I would,” I stuttered.

  The Zyon laughed. “I don’t believe it! You must be crazy. Absolutely, crazy! Father, she must not be right in the head after what has happened to her brother.”

  The Zylo’s face grew serious. “Now stop that, son. There is no need to make the poor girl feel bad.” He sighed. “I am sorry, Margo, but being sent home will not be possible. It is not an option, my dear. Either way, you must become a royal, whether it be as my son’s wife or as a Royals Rise winner. I will leave this choice up to you.”

  Then the thought
of Anton crossed my mind.

  “Zylo Leopold, may I ask you a question?” I asked somewhat hesitantly.

  “Why, of course, Margo. Ask whatever you would like.”

  I stood up. “I saw Anton after I left from healing Zyon Giovanni, and he didn’t seem well. Have you seen him? Do you know what is wrong and if he will be all right? Anton didn’t seem able to hear me.”

  Now, the Zyon stood up, looking straight into my eyes, our noses practically touching. “Yes, I have seen him, and he is fine. He just can’t hear anymore. I have taken that from him, you see. This is my right as the royal Zyon.”

  What is he talking about? Is he joking? He has to be. This doesn’t make any sense.

  “That will be enough,” the Zylo demanded sternly, his hand gesturing for the Zyon to sit back down. “Margo, what you need to understand here is that, if you do not agree to become my son’s wife, then you will become a royal by giving up your healing ability. By doing this, you will be giving up the use of both of your hands.”

  Hearing these words made me feel sick to my stomach.

  How can this be? How is this even possible? Who the hell do they think they are? They might be royalty, but that does not give them the right to take—or steal—from others.

  Anger boiled up inside of me, but I did my best to stay calm. “Before I make my choice, may I see the others?”

  “Are you sure that is what you would like to do? It may be very difficult and upsetting for you to see, Margo,” the Zylo explained.

  I closed my eyes. “After seeing my brother die, I think I can handle just about anything. I still want to see them, all of them.”

  Plus, what is the difference if I see them now or later? Either way I am stuck here at the palace, and so are they. We are bound to see each other one way or another. I want to see Sasha before I make my decision. No, I have to see her so I can talk with her about all of this craziness.

  The Zylo nodded. “As you wish.”

  Another question came to me. “If I do decide to marry, what will happen? Who will take my place as the Royals Rise winner?”

  The Zylo leaned his head back. “Ah, good question. Well, we would have to call for Indee. That was her name, right?”

  “His name,” I corrected.

  “Yes, we would call for Indee and bring him back to the palace as soon as possible. The change must take place today and no later. You must make your decision within the hour,” the Zylo explained, turning toward the door. “We must go to see the others right now. I will take you.”

  Leading me down the long hallway and to the stairs, the Zylo walked swiftly ahead. Thank goodness the Zyon went in a different direction.

  He acted like such a careless asshole. I can’t stand being around him anymore. Really, how the heck can I ever marry him? He disgusts me. His face. His voice. Even his presence in the same room. Everything about him makes me rage inside.

  The Zylo stopped and touched a spot on the wall right above his head. Suddenly, the wall slid open. I followed him up a secret staircase that was totally unrecognizable from the hallway. Up the steps we swiftly walked until we came out another sliding door. He took me through a maze of hallways until we came upon a door that read “Preston” in silver.

  The Zylo started to open the door. “Only a few minutes, okay? We don’t have much time.”

  I nodded, stepping into the dark room. The drapes were pulled shut, leaving the room dark except for the little bit of light creeping in around the edges. A large, elegant bed sat in the center of the spacious room. Large framed pictures hung from the walls above tall, engraved dressers. In the dark corner sat a chair and someone sitting in it.

  That must be Preston. Why is he sitting in the dark? Uh, that is such a stupid question to wonder. It’s not like he can see the light, anyway.

  I rushed toward him, whispering. “Preston, Preston, how are you?”

  Preston moaned, “I c-c-can’t see. I have a b-b-bad h-headache.”

  I kneeled on the floor beside him, tears burning my eyes. “I am so sorry, Preston. I wish I could help you. If only we would have known the truth. If only we would have lost the Royals Rise, then this wouldn’t be happening. But it would have ended up happening to somebody else.” I groaned. “I hate this place. Look what they have done.”

  Preston sat very quietly in the darkness, a few sniffles escaping him. Then the door opened and light crept into the room, making it easier to visualize Preston’s face. His red, swollen eyes were closed, tears streaming from them.

  “I must go now, but I will be back to see—” I felt guilty for using that word. “I will be back to sit with you.”

  Preston moaned.

  Wiping the tears from my eyes, I got up from the floor and walked toward the door, so badly wanting to take the expensive red vase on the table and bash it over the Zylo’s head.

  Cruel, cruel man. How could he do this? How could he let this happen? He has no heart. Hateful, selfish human being.

  We walked to the next room. Another tall door, but this one had the name “Anton” on it. This time I didn’t wait for the Zylo to open the door, but instead I pushed through the door myself. This room looked similar to Preston’s except the drapes were pulled open, sunlight lighting the entire room. I didn’t see Anton anywhere in the room.

  Where is he?

  Anton wasn’t sitting in the chair in the corner or on the bed. I looked all over and didn’t find him lying on the floor or curled up in the corner.

  Maybe he is under the bed. Nope, he isn’t there. Maybe the closet. No, he isn’t there either. What the heck. Did he leave the room?

  Then I found another door that was hidden beside a large wooden stand filled with books. Opening the door slowly, I peered in to find Anton sitting in a dry bathtub with his head down, rocking back and forth, and holding his hands over his ears.

  I sat on the edge of the tub, rubbing Anton’s arm. “Anton.”

  Remember, he can’t hear you.

  His sad eyes looked up at me, tears staining his face.

  In a muffled voice, Anton said, “Go-Go, you okay?”

  I nodded yes, but was I?

  “We gotta get out of here,” Anton slurred.

  I nodded again. “I know.”

  But how? How could we possibly get out of here? We are stuck on this freakish island.

  The door from the hallway creaked open. This was my cue that our time was up.

  I gave Anton a hug, mouthing, “I have to go. I will be back.”

  His lips quivered. “Okay, but come back.”

  I tried to give him a little hopeful smile. “I promise.”

  The Zylo waited impatiently for me to come, and when I did he rushed down the hall to the next room, stopping in front of another door with silver lettering.

  Sasha. This is her room. Oh, poor Sasha.

  My stomach tightened with uneasiness. I didn’t know what to expect as I walked carefully into the room. This was another large, elegantly decorated room that anyone would have loved to have. The walls were a soft yellow that would normally give off a cozy, cheerful feeling, but given the circumstances, it didn’t. A large painting of the Zyon hung over the unlit fireplace.

  Gross. That is one of the last faces that I ever want to see.

  Then I turned and saw Sasha on the bed with her head propped up on many pillows. She lay there still, almost lifeless, her strength gone.

  What a horrible way to live.

  “Sasha,” I cried, tears spilling onto her. “Oh, I don’t even know what to say. I can’t believe they have done this to you. Just this morning you were so strong and alive.”

  One single tear dripped down Sasha’s cheek in that moment. She whispered, “Save yourself.”

  I threw my arms around her limp body. “You are such a good person, Sasha, and a good friend. I’m so sorr
y that they have taken all of your strength from you. They are heartless. So damn heartless.”

  My heart ached as it did when I found Gage’s dead body. I couldn’t take any more pain. I couldn’t take seeing these people I cared about living this way. I ran out of the room, slamming the door shut behind me.

  I can’t bear to see Ricky. I can’t bear to see what could have happened to Gage if he had won.

  “I don’t want to see anymore. Please, take me back to my room. I need some time alone to think.” My voice shook as I wiped tears from my eyes.

  The Zylo shoved his hands into his pockets. “Very well, but you must decide soon.”

  I bit my lip, tasting blood. “I know.”

  SLAM!

  The door to my bedroom slammed shut behind me. My anger and frustration were raging full force. Waving my arms in the air like a lady gone totally nuts, I took the table lamp and crashed it to the ground. I threw my painting next. Then I went for the bed, ripping the bedding apart and throwing pillows in every direction.

  “Oh, and this!” I tore the necklace from around my neck. “This piece of meaningless shit!”

  Chucking the necklace that the Zyon had given me, I stomped on it over and over again.

  Who cares? I sure as hell don’t! Ugh, there is no easy answer here. If I decide to become the Zyon’s future wife, I will only be giving in to their sick little plan. How can I have them call Indee back just so they can take his healing power and the use of his hands? Can I really let that happen to him, especially knowing that it should have been me? If I did choose that, it would only be out of selfishness. How can I even think about being a wife to such evil? How could I sleep next to a monster and be expected to have his children? Our first son would be expected to replay this whole horrible situation all over again, another Royals Rise. Ugh!