Union of Fire

Chapter 2: My Sister’s Keeper

Chapter 2: My Sister’s Keeper

The next morning, Maya gathered her things and met her private carriage driver in front of her home. Despite the sunny weather, Maya bore a glum grimace, more so than her usual contemplative scowl.

“Good morning, Lady Maya. Where will you be traveling today?” The man politely asked as he opened the carriage door.

“Loxx today, Mason. Thank you,” she replied, stepping inside.

The kindly carriage man Mason was only slightly taller than she was. His well-kempt red locks hid beneath a dapper cap, one that gave him an air of a sophisticate. Mason noticed that Maya seemed distant and quieter than usual. “Lady Maya, if you don’t mind me asking, are you all right?”

Maya forced a smile and nodded. “Yes, Mason. I’m fine. Thank you for your concern.”

Mason nodded and closed the carriage door. He took his seat at the helm and grabbed the reins. Mason knew something was troubling Maya but he didn’t want to risk upsetting her with a persistent inquisition. Mason slapped the reins and guided the horses onward toward the city of Loxx. During the soothing morning ride, Maya methodically recounted her reoccurring vision. She murmured to herself, examining each moment of her nightmarish experience. “I can’t let this happen,” she said.

The nearly sleepless night had taken its toll and Maya began to slip in and out of a light sleep as the carriage gently rocked. While she slept, Maya caught a glimpse of a group of cloaked figures destroying a magnificent city. Their hoods were removed but their faces were too hazy to identify. Her vision quickly shifted to the flooded, ruined city she had seen the previous night in her dream. Suddenly, her vision changed again. She saw Kaya running through a wooded area. The destroyed city crumbled in the distance. Kaya ran deeper into the forest and entered an open area. Suddenly, a figure appeared in front of her. Maya was unable to discern the face of the mysterious figure.

“Where do you think you’re going?” A crazed voice taunted.

Kaya slid to a stop readying her bow.

“You can’t kill me with that pathetic weapon, girl,” the stranger retorted.

“Wanna bet,” Kaya countered and released her arrow.

The arrow stopped in front of the stranger’s face, suspended by some mysterious force, as another hooded figure emerged from the woods.

“Give up, Kaya. You can’t win,” a feminine voice declared.

Kaya slowly backed away and attempted to run, only to slam into an intimidating cloaked man behind her, arms crossed and scowling. Kaya’s eyes widened with fear as she attempted to fire her bow. The man wrapped his right hand around Kaya’s throat and lifted her off the ground. Her bow dropped at the stranger’s feet. “Which one of them is this?” The man asked.

“She is one of the daughters of Alakin,” the woman replied.

The man smiled and looked into Kaya’s eyes. “Your old man was quite smart and fast. I guess you didn’t take after him,” the man taunted, grinning.

“L…let me go!” Kaya yelled, struggling to break free.

“It’s a shame. I heard your father had much more dignity before he died. Are you scared of death, little one?”

“N…no. I…I just don’t want to hurt the ones I leave behind,” Kaya murmured.

The man chuckled. “You just might be your old man’s daughter after all. You are a brave one, and for that, I’ll make it quick.”

Tears flooded down Kaya’s cheeks as she stared death in the face. “Consider this a gift to Maya for showing me such a great time,” the female voice taunted.

Another figure emerged from the woods. One that gave Kaya hope.

“Kaya!”

“L…Lucas. H…help,” Kaya cried, struggling to speak.

Lucas ran toward the man as fast as he could. The sadistic assailant looked back at Kaya scowling. “If you have anything to say, young lady, say it now,” the man urged as Lucas sprinted closer.

Kaya locked eyes with Lucas from a distance and smiled. “I love you, Lucas,” she whispered.

The attacker materialized a pulsing blade of dark aura from his free hand and c****d his arm.

“Kaya, no!” Lucas screamed, stumbling to reach her.

“Die with dignity, little one,” the man whispered and pierced Kaya’s chest with his blade.

Kaya gasped. Her body went limp, dangling from the man’s hand like a puppet. The attacker’s swirling blade of energy dispersed into thin air as he released her body.

“No!” Lucas screamed, falling to his knees.

“Such a brave girl. Pity.”

“K…Kaya,” Lucas cried, crawling next to her still body. He gently nestled her head in his arms, caressing her face as he whispered to her.

“If it’s any comfort to you boy you will be meeting her soon,” the man said.

Lucas rocked with Kaya as he watched the shadow of the murderer’s spectral blade form next to him. The killer c****d his hand into the air in preparation for a killing blow.

“Do it,” Lucas whispered, dropping his head in defeat.

The man grinned and swung the pulsing blade, leaving a ghostly after image as his blade slashed through the air.

“Kaya!” Maya screamed as the horrific vision jarred her awake.

Maya’s scream startled the horses. Mason quickly restrained the frightened steeds with a few coaxing tugs against the reins. Maya covered her gawking mouth. She began to sob when the image of her lifeless sister flashed through her mind.

“Lady, Maya, are you all right in there?”

Maya took a breath, another, then another, forcing herself to remain calm. “I…I’m fine, Mason. It was just a nightmare.”

Mason nodded and returned his attention to the horses.

“I can’t lose you, Kaya. I won’t lose you,” Maya whispered.

When the carriage finally arrived in Loxx the bustling city greeted her with its usual fervor of cheering citizens and respectful bows. The many inhabitants packed the streets in preparation for the annual festival of heroes that the city held in honor of the warriors that defeated Beldazon and brought peace to Zannondale. Maya watched the city’s inhabitants from the carriage window decorate their homes while others danced to the ballads of musicians wandering the streets.

“We have arrived, lady Maya.”

Mason pulled the reins and guided the horses to a standstill. He leaped from his seat and opened Maya’s door with an eager smile.

“Thank you, Mason. Please stay in town if you wish.”

“I intend to Madam. I was rather hoping to enjoy the festivities.”

“Then enjoy the festivities you shall, Mason,” Maya replied with a smile.

“Thank you, lady Maya,” Mason replied, bowing with his hat in hand.

Mason wrangled the horses and carriage toward the stables as Maya approached the castle. She examined the vibrant decorations draping from the citadel and surrounding buildings. Many of the city’s inhabitants had become novice practitioners of magic ever since Rin’s teachings had become commonplace years prior and the townsfolk used various spells in their everyday lives. From cooking, washing, to even romance, they indulged themselves in the magical arts to ease their everyday burdens, including the dispersal of the extravagant decorations strewn throughout the city. Maya’s wandering eyes caught sight of a massive newly constructed statue of two dragons locked in conflict in the city square.

“Well, hello there, young lady,” a familiar voice called. Maya turned to see Julius approaching with open arms.

“Julius!” She exclaimed, hugging him tightly.

“How have you been, Maya?”

“I wish I could say great but that would be a lie.”

“Tell me, child,” Julius insisted, walking with her toward the castle.

“I will once we have gathered inside the castle. Where are the others?”

“Dorian and Xia are already inside. I believe I saw Bartas around here somewhere. I haven’t seen Dain or Kara yet.”

“Looks like we made good time. I’m surprised I got here so quickly.”

“Well, once Beldazon fell, roads once blocked by bandits and debris were cleared, facilitating faster travel. Our homes now seem but a stone’s throw away from each other.”

Maya glanced toward the Droragorian statue. “So, Julius, is this a statue of the battle between you and Beldazon?” She asked.

“Yes, I believe it is,” Julius replied with a stern glance.

“What? You don’t like it?”

“It’s a beautiful statue. However, what it means is much more powerful.”

“What do you mean?”

“My race was once thought to be nothing but a myth. A fairy tale lost to time. Now humans are once again aware of our existence in this world. I worry that the fear the humans once felt for us will return. I fear there are dark times ahead, Maya.”

“Sadly, I agree,” she replied as they neared the castle doors.

“Halt! State your name and business here,” the guard ordered.

“You i***t, don’t you recognize them? It’s the hero Julius and the princess’ sister. Stand down, you fool,” the second guard ordered.

Julius laughed. Maya smiled and shook her head.

“I…I am so sorry sir and ma’am. I didn’t know. Please come right in,” the guard frantically replied and beckoned them inside with shaky hands.

“I’m sorry, Lady Maya. He’s the new guy. He still doesn’t know up from down,” the second guard explained.

“It’s quite all right.”

Maya and Julius entered the fortress and ascended the grand staircase. “I’m going to speak to my sister. Try to find the others and gather in the throne room. I will meet you there,” Maya said.

“Understood,” Julius replied.

Julius veered right, as Maya went left. She analyzed the various segments of her premonitions on the way to her sister’s room, muttering under her breath, trying to work out how best to tell Kaya about the visions. When Maya rounded the corridor corner she nearly bumped into Lucas.

“Maya! It’s good to see you. I got your mental message or whatever you call it. I have to say it is quite creepy,” Lucas greeted.

“You’re not the first person to tell me that.”

“If you’re looking for Kaya she’s in her room getting fitted for a new dress. She has been a little shaken up ever since last night. She kept telling me that you were in some kind of trouble or were in pain,” Lucas replied.

“We are twins, Lucas. We have a special bond.”

“I don’t doubt it. You two are like two sides of a coin.”

“Yes, we are. By the way, Julius went to gather the others, please make your way to the throne room as soon as you can,” Maya urged.

“You got it, Maya. I’ll see you there,” Lucas replied and continued down the hallway.

Maya approached her sister’s door and knocked three times.

“Who is it?” Kaya called out.

“It’s your better half.”

Maya heard rapid footsteps approach the door and a fussy woman’s voice telling Kaya to be still. The moment the door swung open Kaya had latched herself onto her sister, embracing her with an explosion of bubbly excitement. “I’ve missed you so much, sis!” Kaya exclaimed.

“I missed you too, Kaya.”

“Ma’am I haven’t finished fitting the dress yet,” the seamstress griped.

“It’s okay, Eugenia. We can finish later. This is important,” Kaya replied.

“Yes, ma’am,” Eugenia replied. “Hello, Maya. Don’t keep her too long. I don’t like leaving my work unfinished.”

“I won’t, Eugenia. Thank you.” Eugenia closed the door as she left. “Stand back and let me look at you, sis.”

Kaya took a step back giggling. Kaya’s beautiful vibrant eyes glowed with excitement. “How do I look?” Kaya asked, spinning in a circle, giggling.

“You look beautiful, sis,” Maya replied with a sad smile.

Kaya noticed Maya’s familiar glance of worry and anxiety. She smiled and stepped closer. “I know something is bothering you, sis. I can feel it. Talk to me.”

Maya smiled and began to tear up. She looked as if she were in pain and hugged her sister tighter than she ever had before.

“Sis, are you crying? Please don’t cry. We don’t live that far away. We can visit anytime. It will all be okay. I promise.”

“It’s not that, Kaya.”

Kaya smiled and wiped her sister’s tears away. “Maya, I love you. You know you can tell me anything. Talk to me.”

Maya wiped her eyes and collected herself. “I had a vision three years ago on your wedding day. I couldn’t make out what was going on but I saw several hooded figures in what appeared to be a resurrection ceremony of some sort. I saw a hand protruding from a large mirror in a dark room. I remember back then that I felt dread. Like something was wrong, but I thought nothing of it at the time. I just wanted to enjoy your wedding and lose myself in happy memories, but, recently I keep having this one particular vision. Each time I have it the emotions and the fear that I feel become stronger,” Maya explained.

Kaya listened carefully as her sister continued.

“I keep having a dream of a grand city in ruins. The hooded figures from my vision three years ago are destroying the city, but I can’t make out their faces or their motives. I didn’t recognize any landmarks, so I’m not sure which city is being destroyed. My vision then shifts to you running through the woods and you’re being pursued by the cloaked figures. One of them gets a hold of you and Y–you…” Maya hesitated. She couldn’t say it.

“I what, sis?”

“You died, Kaya. They kill you in front of Lucas. Then…they kill him too. I couldn’t stop it. I keep living this nightmare over and over again and it won’t stop. I have to watch you and Lucas die almost every night, Kaya. I c…can’t let it happen,” Maya explained, tears shimmering in her eyes.

Kaya smiled and hugged her sister tightly. “We won’t let that happen, sis. I know we will find a way to change it. Our father never let fate stop him. We can’t give up because we have been dealt a bad hand. We’ll be okay, sis. I promise.”

“Kaya? You have grown so much.”

“I always tell you, sis, you need to open up. Find someone special. If they are the right one you learn and grow together. You make each other stronger. I’ve learned a lot from Lucas and him from me.”

Maya released her sister wiping her eyes.

“You’re a silly one, Kaya, you know that?”

“Yep,” Kaya replied with a bubbly giggle.

“Now, let’s go tell the others so we can prevent this from ever happening. We have to maintain the peace, sis. We have these gifts now and yours may be the most important of all. Don’t be afraid of your visions. Act, Maya, don’t fear. Fear cripples your ability to shape your future. Don’t let your fear hamper your ability to act,” Kaya replied.

Maya smiled. “You sound just like mom.”

Kaya returned her gesture, all giggles again. It was a sound Maya loved. It always comforted her in her time of need. “Let’s go,” she said. The sisters left the room together, hands clasped, headed to their friends in the throne room.