Chapter 3: Reunion

Chapter 3: Reunion

W

hen Maya and Kaya entered the throne room their friends conversed among themselves, eagerly awaiting their arrival.

“There they are! It’s good to see you two again!” Xia exclaimed.

“Likewise!” The sisters replied in tandem.

“Still finishing each other’s sentences, I see,” Dorian said.

“Of course,” the sisters replied in tandem again.

“Wow, Kaya! You have really grown. You look beautiful in that dress. Reminds me of the time Siena wore that red leggy dress for my birthday,” Bartas complimented, gripping his chin and grinning.

Siena slapped Bartas on the back of the head glaring at him, displeased by his perverted grin.

“I know that look, Bartas. Don’t you dare go there,” she said, nodding toward Nolan’s smiling face.

“Sorry, hun,” Bartas replied, rubbing the back of his head.

“Father, what is she talking about?” Nolan asked curiously.

Bartas laughed and pulled his son closer. “I will explain when you get a tad older, kid.”

Siena crossed her arms, shaking her head with a creeping smile.

“Still having trouble with this old pirate, huh, Siena,” Rin jested, joining them in conversation.

“Of course.”

“Hey, those days are behind me, Rin. And It’s good to see you, too,” Batas greeted.

“Where are Dain and Kara?” Lucas asked.

“Late as usual,” Rin replied.

“I’m going to take a wild guess and say that it’s probably Dain’s fault,” Dorian theorized.

They all shared a brief laugh, tickled by Dain and Kara’s lack of timeliness in almost every situation. The throne room doors suddenly burst open. Dain and Kara hurried into the room, panting.

“There you are. We were just talking about you two,” Xia said.

“I’m sorry we’re so late. Someone decided to lose his boots just before we were about to leave. We spent an extra half an hour looking for them and when we finally found them they were exactly where he left them. Under the bed!” Kara scorned.

“Yep, Dain’s fault,” Dorian murmured.

Dain cleared his throat and smirked. “If you will recall, Kara, I left my boots on the floor at the edge of the bed. If you would also recall, those boots were still there before you and I had our little session last night.”

“Your point being?” Kara questioned, crossing her arms, her eyes daring him to continue.

“Well, maybe if you didn’t flail like a wild animal my boots wouldn’t have been kicked under the bed.”

Kara stood smirking, arms crossed, and hips cocked in defiance. Kaya and Xia locked eyes snickering. Bartas and Dorian took a step away from the feuding lovers, prepping themselves for the fallout of Dain’s accusation. As Dain’s mouth opened to speak again Kara interrupted. “Say one more word and I will give you something to flail about, Dainith,” Kara threatened with an evil smirk.

Dain closed his mouth and looked away. “Yes, ma’am.” Kara uncrossed her arms and joined Xia.

“I still lost my sock because of you…” Dain murmured.

“What was that?”

“Nothing…Hun…nothing.”

Dorian stepped toward Dain with a wide smile shaking his head. “I see she is still currently ruling your kingdom, Dainith,” Dorian joked.

“Don’t go there.”

“Oh, it’s all in good fun, but at least we know who wears the pants in your family.” Bartas jested, sharing a laugh with Dorian.

“Oh, go ahead. Laugh it up, you two. All I know is, despite how mad she is at me right now, and despite if she wears the pants, I can guarantee that those pants will be off. I’m still going to have a better night than you two,” Dain replied.

Dorian and Bartas stared at Dain with puzzling glances. “How so? I don’t consider a black eye a better night, Dain,” Dorian retorted.

“Like I once said, she does things with her body that I dare not speak of, Dorian,” Dain replied with a crooked smile.

Dorian and Bartas remained silent, still staring blankly. “Touché,” Dorian replied “I’ll give you that one, kid,” Bartas said with a conceding wave.

While the reunited friends reminisced, Julius and Diamos entered the throne room, being sure to close the doors behind them. Julius tapped Maya’s shoulder nodding for her to begin.

“All right everyone please listen closely. What I have to say is of the utmost importance and could mean life and death,” Maya urged.

The group gathered around Maya as she began to explain the nature of her visions and the impending doom that was to befall the continent of Zannondale. When Maya had finished her story, the group stood in silence. The horrible truth of Maya’s visions sank into their minds, embedding itself like a nagging gnat.

“M…my son and Kaya are to be killed?” Diamos questioned.

Lucas placed his hand on his father’s shoulder with intentions to comfort the worried king. “I won’t let it happen, father. I won’t let anything happen to me or Kaya,” Lucas confidently proclaimed. He approached Kaya and held her close.

“That’s quite a vision, Maya. Do you have any idea when this will happen?” Julius asked.

“No, but I feel the time is nearing. It may happen sometime soon because my visions have become more intense as time has passed.”

“Well then. We should send out a warning to all the major cities to prepare for an attack. In the meantime, I will alert the Loxx military. We will increase our defensive measures to protect the city from any impending attacks,” Diamos suggested.

“Good idea,” Dorian acknowledged.

“Will the other kingdoms follow suit? I mean…asking them to buckle down at the whim of a vision is asking a bit much, don’t you think?” Bartas asked.

“I would agree with you but tales of the Droragorian’s abilities have reached far and wide since Beldazon’s defeat. Maya’s mental capabilities are well known to the other kingdoms. They will listen. I’m sure of it,” Diamos assured.

“What about the festival? Should we call it off?” Lucas asked.

“No, we should proceed with the festival as planned. I don’t want the people to start panicking. We need the festival to keep spirits high, but in the meantime, we will prepare for the worst,” Diamos explained.

“Then let’s make preparations and get the festival underway,” Xia stated.

“While the festival and army are being prepared, Julius and I will gather as much information on the cloaked figures that Maya described,” Rin suggested.

“Good idea, Rin. Dorian, while Lucas and Diamos are readying the army, I want you to take the others and help prepare for the festival,” Julius ordered.

“Of course.”

As Dorian and the others left, Xia grasped Maya’s arm and pulled her aside. “Maya, I am so sorry you have been carrying this burden for so long.”

“Thank you, Xia. It feels good to finally get it off my chest, but now I have an even more difficult task. I can’t let my sister and Lucas die. I have to do something.”

“We will think of something, Maya. I promise.”

Xia hugged her worried friend and left the room. Maya caught wind of Julius and Rin’s conversation as she stood quietly in the doorway. A brief calm came over her. She smiled and approached Rin. “Excuse me, Rin. I don’t mean to interrupt but can I ask you for a favor?”

“Of course, young lady. What is it that you need?”

“I know you are exceptionally good at creating medicines and potions, but can you make armor?”

“Hmm?” Rin hummed, stroking his chin.

“What are you concocting in that mind of yours, Rin?” Julius asked.

“Well, I’ll tell you this. After our battle with Beldazon, I had the rare opportunity to examine Julius’ battle armor. I deduced that against Beldazon’s might the suit held up quite well, even though Beldazon’s strength was enough to pierce the armor. Despite Beldazon’s power, the material that it is forged from is extremely resilient. I have never seen anything like it. I recorded all of my findings. I’m fairly confident I could replicate it,” Rin replied.

“Do you think the armor would be enough to stop a blade?” Maya asked.

“Hmm? I believe the armor may be strong enough to stop smaller weapons like knives, maybe even short swords. However, larger weapons would most likely pierce the armor.”

“That’s a start, I suppose,” Maya whispered.

“What was that?” Rin asked.

“Rin, I need you to make something for Kaya.”

“What did you have in mind?”

“I need you to make Kaya a suit.”

“Ah, I see. Well, I suppose I could get to work on that if Julius thinks he can handle digging up any information on those cloaked figures.”

“I think I can manage. Maya’s request is of great importance.”

“Right, then,” Rin confirmed and continued. “We won’t let your vision come to pass, Maya. We will prevent these phantasms from causing harm to anyone. I will get to work on that suit right away.”

“Thank you, Rin.”

“Now, please join the others in preparing the festival, and try to take your mind off that horrible vision,” Julius encouraged.

“Yes, Julius.”

Rin and Julius politely bowed and went their respective ways. Maya joined her friends in the city center to assist with the festival preparations. The citizens surrounded them in a frenzied mob of praise nearly everywhere they went. The young warriors aided many pedestrians with their decorations and entertained curious onlookers until dusk neared. Xia helped the town baker put up the last of his colorful banners. He stepped away from his business with raised hands and a satisfied smile. “This looks perfect! Thank you, great one.”

“You can just call me Xia. I am no goddess.”

“Many would beg to differ. You and your friends have done great things for Zannondale. You are worthy of such praise.”

“Thank you, but really, Xia will do just fine.”

“Very well. Thank you for your assistance, Xia. Now I must tend to my bakery before my dog gets to the goods again.”

“Again?”

“Damn fool ate half my reserves last week. Then looked at me with these big dough eyes to soften me up. I swear that dog has it out for me.”

Xia giggled as the man stepped back inside his bakery. She glanced toward Kara in the distance as she awed a group of children with a magical display of flapping doves. The flying phantasms twirled between the children as if lost in dance. The children’s chuckles made Xia smile. A moment of silent reverence befell Xia as she watched the children play. She glanced toward Dorian smiling then joined Kara, sharing in their joyful spectacle.

After a long day of preparation Dorian and his friends gathered next to the dragon statue. They took in the fruits of their labor, gazing down the vibrant city streets while they rested. The array of oranges, reds, and yellows exuded excitement and happiness. Inhabitants walked the streets talking while the laughter of children lingered in the air.

“Great job everyone. The festival will begin tomorrow, so let’s head in for dinner. I believe we are done here,” Kaya declared.

“I agree. I’m exhausted,” Dain replied, doubling over panting.

“Oh, come on, Dain. We just put up decorations,” Kara teased.

“Correction, you put up decorations. Dorian and I did all the heavy lifting for the shopkeepers.”

“You’re such a maiden. I’ll make it up to you later,” Kara replied, patting him on the head.

The tired friends returned to the castle for the evening as night fell. Dorian and Dain walked together, regaling each other of their recent exploits.

“How have you and Kara been?” Dorian questioned.

“We’ve been great. We hit a few snags in our marriage along the way, but for the most part, we’re doing well. How are you and Xia?”

“The same, I suppose. We fight sometimes, but I learned quickly that it is best to just let her win most of the arguments to avoid further conflict,” Dorian replied, smirking.

“Oh, you have no idea. When Kara argues it’s like a volcano just erupted. I used to tell myself I let her win all the arguments to avoid more conflict, like you, but to be honest, I think I’m just genuinely scared of her.”

Xia and Kara secretly observed their husband’s conversation, intrigued by their laughter.

“What are you boys talking about over here?” Xia questioned.

“It’s nothing. We were just catching up with each other,” Dorian replied.

Kara and Xia glanced at each other smiling before walking ahead.

“You think they heard us?” Dain asked.

“Most likely,” Dorian replied.

Maya followed closely behind, staring at the ground. She stopped at the main entrance glancing back at the transformed city. The spectacle gave her hope, hope that her vision would never come to pass. She smiled and entered the castle. Before bed the group of friends shared a nostalgic, story filled dinner together. They regaled each other of recent experiences and childhood stories. Maya smiled as the stories made their rounds, feigning attention. An ever-present weight of dread still lingered, casting a shade of doubt over everything she did. It hounded her, sapping her of joy. She stared at her plate of steaming food as if she were in a trance.

“Sis, are you okay?” Kaya asked.

“Hmm. Oh, yeah. I’m okay. I’m just not that hungry.”

Kaya slid her hand toward her sister, locking hands as tight as their bond. “Everything will be okay, sis. I promise. Please eat something.”

Maya smiled and nodded. Kaya returned to her conversation with the other’s as Maya ate a small bite of finely cooked beef from her steaming plate. She smiled at her sister while she laughed and conversed with the others. Maya wanted to enjoy their happy reunion, but her powerful feelings of dread eclipsed her ability. After their eventful dinner, a warm summer breeze swept across the city and darkness blanketed the countryside. The castle grounds had grown quiet until only the faint sounds of Rin tinkering in his workshop persisted. Kaya gazed into the city below from her window. The moonlight bathed her room in an illuminating glow of blue.

“Kaya, are you all right?” Lucas asked upon entering.

“Yes. I’m fine. Close the door.”

Kaya stood from her seat at the window seal and approached Lucas.

“You look beautiful,” Lucas said.

Kaya smiled and caressed Lucas’ face. “Kiss me,” she whispered.

Lucas leaned closer, kissing Kaya’s lips with the softest of touches. Kaya rested her head against his chest as he pulled away. “If we really are going to die, Lucas, I want us to enjoy each other’s company one last time,” Kaya said.

“Don’t say that, Kaya. We are not going to die. I promise. I will never let that happen. I would give my life before I ever let anything happen to you.”

Kaya buried her head into Lucas’ chest. His scent comforted her, making her smile grow a size. “I love you, Lucas,” she whispered.

“Those words never meant a thing to me until I met you. Tonight, I can honestly say I love you more than anything, Kaya,” Lucas replied and kissed her again.

Nearly an hour later, Maya lay awake in her room unable to sleep. Her wandering mind pondered her troubling visions. The sense of dread that she had felt began to lessen in the company of her friends, yet she still felt the danger looming nearby. She took a deep breath, filling her lungs to the brim, and closed her eyes as she exhaled. Thoughts of her sister’s demise still raced through her mind.

“I should go check on Kaya.”

Maya jumped out of bed and walked to her sister’s room. As she raised her hand to turn the knob she heard quiet moans emanating from Kaya’s room. Maya felt a tinge of fear and cracked the door. She peered through the opening to see if her sister was all right only to see Kaya and Lucas lying together on the bed, laughing.

“That was incredible, Lucas,” Kaya sighed.

“It always is with you, Kaya.”

Lucas clasped hands with Kaya and gently kissed her soft lips. Maya chuckled under her breath, slyly eavesdropping on her sister’s conversation.

“I only wish my sister could understand this feeling. I love her so much. I want her to feel the happiness that I feel with you, Lucas. I want her to be happy and stop worrying all the time. She can be so uptight sometimes. I know she’s been lonely without me at the Hollow, but she will never admit it. I just want her to be happy, Lucas. I don’t know what to do,” Kaya explained.

Maya continued to listen quietly as Lucas spoke.

“You can’t force her, Kaya. Maya may look just like you but she is still a very different person. She has different needs and wants. Maybe she doesn’t need someone like me in her life or maybe she does. I don’t know. I think you just need to sit her down and have an honest conversation with her. Instead of telling her what she needs ask her what she wants.”

Kaya smiled. “You’re right, Lucas. If she does want someone like you, though, I can’t wait to see the look on her face when she finally feels what I feel,” Kaya replied, giggling.

“If she really wants to then she will, but don’t force her.”

Kaya draped her arm around Lucas’ chest, pressing her lips against his again.

“Mm…Lucas, you’re such a good kisser.”

“You would be too if you were kissing your lips.”

Kaya giggled and leaped atop him again. Maya quietly closed the door as she backed into the hallway.

“My sister stares death in the face and still worries about me. She’s just like mom and dad,” she whispered to herself. Maya returned to her room and wrapped herself in her sheets. “Don’t worry about me, Kaya. I’ll be just fine,” Maya murmured. The night seemed to drag on as if time had ceased. Maya struggled to fall asleep until her tired eyes eventually gave way with a decisive clasp. She didn’t even realize that just before she faded into sleep she had grabbed her pillow, hugging against it as if begging for warmth. The sounds of Rin’s tinkering had subsided and a faint symphony of crickets chirped outside. The castle was silent and serene. With the hum of the castle’s peace surrounding her Maya had finally drifted off to sleep.