by Lynette Noni
Feeling utterly spent, Alex moved from Saefii’s tense side and back to the safety of her friends. Immediately, Kaiden’s arm curled around her, holding her close as his lips gently brushed the top of her head in a silent offer of comfort. On her other side, Bear reached for her hand and gave her a quick squeeze before letting her go again, but not before she saw the tears gleaming in his own eyes.
The Tia Aurans surrounding them were supernaturally quiet in the wake of her impassioned speech. But then, of all people, Zaylin stepped forward, breaking the uneasy stillness by placing her own spiralled cone onto the water, pushing it lightly away.
One by one, the silent Tia Aurans followed after her, and Alex’s friends too, until the golden lake was covered in the pearlescent coils.
Only then did Saefii speak again, her voice a throaty croak of emotion as she repeated Alex’s final words: “Remember Aes Daega.”
The entire audience echoed the sentiment, their voices rising to the heavens as the tell-tale flap of wings came just moments before a familiar shadow dropped out of the sky. Vibrant blue flames gushed from Xira’s mouth as he flew over the lake, the fire catching on the waxy coils and igniting them from the top down.
Xira? What are—What’s—I didn’t know you were—
Aes Daega was a friend to my kin, too, Alex, he interrupted quietly as his bulky figure vanished into the night once more. To those of us from Medora, and to those who knew her here before she left this world. This is my tribute on behalf of all draekons; and on behalf of my mother, who held her in great esteem, as you will remember.
She did remember that—how Zaronia had listened to Lady Mystique, had weighed her opinion and followed her advice regarding Alex’s time in the past.
Quietly, Xira finished, This is my offering to help honour her memory.
And Alex understood what he meant a moment later when, one after the other, the first of the ignited coils shot up into the sky, exploding in a shower of light.
Over and over again the spirals rose and blasted like brilliant fireworks over the lake, the most spectacular pyrotechnical display Alex had ever witnessed. Together with her friends and the Tia Aurans, she marvelled at the sight, allowing it to dry away her lingering tears. She’d said what she’d felt compelled to say, just as she believed she’d driven her point home enough that even if they failed one of their two remaining challenges, the Tia Aurans might still consider her words. Now that it was done, it was time to do as Zaylin had said earlier and celebrate Lady Mystique’s life.
As soon as the final spiral exploded above their heads, the music picked up again, morphing into a lively tune that was at odds with the earlier stringed lament. Soon enough, the Tia Aurans broke away to start dancing along the shore, a backdrop of embers lethargically drifting down into the water beyond them, like fiery snowflakes.
“Please, mortals, join us,” Saefii said, raising an arm towards the growing revellers. “You have earned a night of frivolity. Especially as it might be one of the last you experience for some time, given your pending return to Medora.”
Reading Alex’s expression, the empress was quick to say, “Forgive me. All I meant was that you should enjoy what time you can”—she stumbled to finish—“while you can.”
For the first time since Alex had met Saefii, she seemed to be tripping over her words. Unsure of herself, even. Not at all like how she normally behaved. Alex hoped it was because her speech had left an impression on the empress, leaving her struggling with her usual confidence.
“You know what?” D.C. said, reaching for Jordan’s hand and in doing so, helping Saefii save face in front of those watching. “I do feel like dancing.”
“Sounds good to me,” agreed Declan, and he gripped Kaiden’s shoulder with one hand and used the other to guide Bear forward as well, following after D.C. who was all but dragging Jordan into the masses.
Kaiden looked back at Alex and she waved him on, telling him without words that she’d catch up. He cocked his head and hesitated before realising she must have her reasons, so he continued with their friends, his expression saying he was there if she needed.
More than ever she appreciated that they weren’t at risk of becoming one of those couples—the ones who had to do everything together and couldn’t survive unless they were by each other’s sides. Alex was much too independent for that kind of relationship, and she knew Kaiden was as well. She was especially grateful right now, since the reason she wasn’t joining her friends was because a familiar face had appeared at the edge of her peripheral vision; a face that gave a swift hailing gesture, calling discretely for her attention—but also signalling for her to come alone.
“I think I’m going to grab some refreshments first,” Alex fibbed to the empress. And, when Saefii hummed her agreement before turning to one of her approaching subjects, Alex snuck away into the darkness of the night.
Twenty
Weaving through the crowd and further along the shore, Alex soon ventured deep enough into the shadows that not even the city lights reflecting off the water revealed much by way of detail. But once she reached her destination, while she could note little around where they stood, she could still make out Raife’s handsome features, along with the equally stunning face of the woman beside him.
“Alex, there’s someone here who wants to meet you,” Raife said, gesturing to the woman. “But away from the crowds. She hoped to avoid prying eyes.”
Her interest snared, Alex looked at the female Tia Auran, taking in her dark skin and moon-white hair and wondering why she’d gone to the effort of singling her out for an introduction.
The woman offered a small smile, the motion lighting up her already radiant face. “I am Aes Orsa. First Oracle of Vardaesia.”
Alex stilled at the name. “Aes…?”
Understanding, Aes Orsa quietly answered, “Aes Daega was my baby sister.”
Her… baby sister?
Alex couldn’t keep her eyes from wandering over the woman’s physique as she stammered out, “You, uh, look really good for your age.”
Lady Mystique had been old. As in, old-old. She’d been wrinkled and weathered by time. And yet, her sister, who supposedly topped her in years, appeared as youthful as any young woman. She was the picture of vitality. In fact…
Casting her gaze over Raife and then back to the celebrating Tia Aurans dancing along the lake’s edge, Alex realised that she had yet to see anyone in Vardaesia aged beyond their thirties. But she also hadn’t seen anyone much younger than their twenties, either. While curious, she figured now wasn’t the time to question it, especially when Aes Orsa huffed out a quiet, understanding laugh.
“This world keeps our bodies preserved in a manner yours does not afford to our race,” she said. “My sister would have looked much different to me at the time of her passing.”
That was certainly true. Not only that, but Lady Mystique had looked just as ancient when Alex had met her thousands of years in the past as well. Just how long had it taken for that kind of ageing to show? How old had Lady Mystique been?
Having no idea how to respond, Alex decided to keep her reply light. “I’m guessing she would have envied your skin-care routine. I’d be keen for some tips myself, if you feel like sharing.”
Another laugh, this time heartier. “Unfortunately, only Tia Aurans inhabiting this world can enjoy the luxury of eternal rejuvenation,” Aes Orsa said, but with a smile. “One of the benefits of our particular immortal heritage.”
Right timing or not, Alex couldn’t keep from asking, “If that’s what’s keeping everyone here from ageing, where are all those who haven’t yet reached whatever age is considered maturity?” At Aes Orsa’s puzzled look, Alex clarified, “Where are your children?”
Comprehension dawned for the woman and she shared an unreadable glance with Raife, who answered, if slowly, “There are no children in Tia Auras.”
Alex couldn’t keep from raising her eyebrows. “You have to come from somewhere. I struggle
to believe you’re birthed fully grown.”
She shuddered at the very idea.
“I should clarify,” Raife said, his voice quiet, almost like he feared it would carry. “What I meant was, there are no children now. And there haven’t been for many, many ages.”
Dumbstruck, Alex said, “You can’t have kids?”
“Long ago, we could,” he said. “But not since the fallout from Nesana Karn—the Immortal Wars.”
Reading Alex’s bewilderment, Aes Orsa explained, also quietly, “Children of our race are conceived only from the coupling of one of us joining with a Meyarin.”
Alex jerked as she began to understand.
“It takes both a Meyarin and a Tia Auran to create a child, with our side of the gene pool being dominant enough to ensure the child is Tia Auran,” Aes Orsa continued. “Amongst only ourselves, however, we are unable to reproduce. So ever since banishing the Meyarins after the Nesana Karn…”
She trailed off, but her point had been made.
Zaylin had mentioned that the war had caused a loss still felt to this day, but Alex had never imagined…
“Is that the same for Meyarins?” she asked, unable to recall seeing any immortal children running around Meya. But then she realised that couldn’t be the case, since Roka and Aven had been birthed to Astophe and Niida—both full-blooded Meyarins. Then there was Niyx and Mayra as brother and sister born to Cykor and Kosett; and Vaera as daughter to Gaiel; and… well, the list continued.
Even as she realised that it couldn’t be true, Aes Orsa was shaking her head back and forth. “Unlike us, Meyarins are able to reproduce with each other and thus create a pureblood child. But it’s a rare happenstance and a blessing to those fortunate enough to conceive—so much that one child is considered favoured by the stars, and two are thought a precious miracle.” She paused. “In all the ages their race lived here with us, there was never an instance of three siblings or more in the one family. I do not believe such a thing is possible.”
Alex thought over what she knew of the Meyarins and realised everything Aes Orsa had said fit. She’d only met two pairs of siblings—Roka and Aven, and Niyx and Mayra—in all her time in the past and present. And, again, she hadn’t seen any children in those times, either. She’d never given any thought to population control, but given their immortality, if they’d been breeding like rabbits over the years and only dying in the rare cases of lethal wounds, they would have exploded out of Meya long ago. Their inability to conceive with ease made much more sense.
“I’m sorry,” Alex said, frowning at her wayward thoughts. “That was the most unexpected tangent ever. Forgive me— I’m sure you didn’t call me over here to give me a lesson in reproduction.”
She certainly hoped not, at least.
With another soft smile from Aes Orsa and a quiet chuckle from Raife, the female Tia Auran said, “No, I wanted to meet you for another reason.”
She handed over a scrolled piece of parchment.
Curious, Alex opened it, only to see a familiar prophecy written in an equally familiar hand.
“I’ve seen this before,” Alex whispered, since it was a similar scroll to the one Lady Mystique had first handed her in Raelia, only this version didn’t have the translation written in the common tongue underneath, and the parchment was much better preserved.
“I made two copies when the words first came to me,” Aes Orsa said. “This is one of them. The second I gave to my sister upon the Meyarins’ banishment—on the eve of her exile.”
“First Oracle of Vardaesia…” Alex repeated softly, the title from earlier only now processing. “Was it—Did you—” She tried again. “Are you saying you’re the one who spoke the prophecy?”
Aes Orsa held her eyes and nodded. She then licked her lips before sharing a nervous look with Raife, who nodded encouragingly in return. Through this, apprehension began swirling within Alex, their behaviour setting her on edge.
Slowly, Aes Orsa turned back to Alex and hesitantly said, “The thing is, that’s not the prophecy I uttered. Or rather, that’s not all of it. And what it is, is slightly different to what it should be.”
Alex’s brow furrowed as she tried to comprehend the faltering statements. Swallowing against her suddenly dry mouth, she waved the parchment in her hands and said, “Wait—is this or is this not the prophecy?”
When Aes Orsa shared another look with Raife, this one not just nervous, but also revealing a hint of guilt mixed with regret, Alex croakily guessed, “It’s not, is it?”
“It’s… part of it,” Aes Orsa said. “But it’s also… not.”
Her heartrate stuttering, Alex whispered, “What does the real one say?”
Aes Orsa tentatively drew a second piece of parchment from her robe. Then another. And another. She handed all three new pages over to Alex, who took them with shaking fingers.
Glancing down, the first thing she noticed was that they were written in a different hand—instead of a flowing calligraphy, the words, while still penned in an ancient script, were neat and efficient. But that was all she took in before she began to read, each new line causing her breathing to become shallow while her heart conversely increased in speed. But still, she couldn’t stop reading, the translation coming automatically to her mind.
The day will come and be at hand
For changes most timely
When hails a girl of mortal blood
Touched by destiny
Both Called and Chosen from beyond
Straight through the Library
She’ll make her foe (but once a friend)
While on her past journey
When present calls and life restarts
Then troubles more shall be
For mortal she no longer is
(Or only now partly)
As her struggles become known
Much training will she see
For help will come from sources rare
With power more than she
Through it all she’ll fail and fall
Her strength from unity
For friends like hers are more than blood
They are her family
Together they shall venture forth
With top priority
Seeking aid and pleading for
Allied diplomacy
Nothing more shall they receive
But frank hostility
Which leads to loss and numbing pain
From deathly certainty
Fleeing to a far-off world
In search of loyalty
Through tasks of six for six shall need
For all to prove worthy
But will they win or will they lose
The tests are not easy
For troubling are the Gates of old
Well known for trickery
Yet to their world they shall return
When they are all ready
To join the fight and fight the war
A battle bloodthirsty
Hope may flee as heartache comes
From choices most costly
As darkness reigns and shadows fall
Through many a killing spree
When comes the end and all is done
Not even I can see
If destiny that once was true
Will turn to tragedy
But there is more, so listen well
For always will there be
A hidden chance, a secret hope
For one true victory
So here it is, do take note
And follow perfectly
What now I’ll say and speak so well
One final mystery:
If Day and Night combine and fight
Against one Enemy
Then Dark and Light shall meet mid-strike
And set the Captives free
… If, however, darkness wins
There is no strategy
To keep from all that will be lost
And so will always be.
>
After reading the prophecy three times, Alex became alarmingly aware of the black spots dotting her vision and the ringing in her ears—both effects only increasing as she re-read the final two verses over and over again.
It was amazing how much a single word could make a world of difference. And when Alex was finally able to push those two letters through her lips, she did so while looking at Aes Orsa and Raife with wide, accusing eyes. “If?”
Comparing the parchment to the first one she’d seen the copy of in Raelia, she quickly confirmed that in the early version, that word had definitely been ‘when’. And while Alex had never put much stock in prophecies, she’d at least presumed that it allowed some semblance of hope for their current mission—that when Day and Night combined to fight, freedom would come.
When.
Not if.
Nothing had ever been guaranteed, but it sure as hell had been at least a little less indefinite before than it was now.
Furiously whispering an overview of her thoughts to both Raife and Aes Orsa, she finished with a hissed, “And don’t even get me started on that final verse!” The one that basically said all hope would be lost—forever—if darkness prevailed. Not that Alex hadn’t already known that, but still. Seeing it in writing was just—was just—
“Why would you do this to me?” she asked, her voice hoarse as she struggled to repress all she was feeling. “Why not just hand over the whole prophecy to begin with, rather than sneak around with missing verses and changed words?”
“Other than you, only three people in all the worlds know the prophecy in its entirety,” Aes Orsa said, pointing to the pages held in Alex’s white-knuckled grip. “Myself and the two who were with me when I spoke it—Raife and Zaylin.”
“Zaylin knows this?”
No wonder the Tia Auran was so temperamental towards Alex—and no wonder she’d presumed from the beginning that Alex was going to fail. The full prophecy wasn’t exactly a glowing résumé of Alex’s achievements to date—it was basically a list of all that she’d endured since her arrival in Medora until now.