Goddesses of War, page 13
Mune’s eyes bulged out. “Why must I, you lazy, old man!”
Chapter 25
Star Blaze
In silence, their grave has waited
In darkness, their revenge sits unsated
Their souls, trapped inside a maze
Their hearts, cry inside the Star Blaze
North of Cassi - In the Wilderness
Raven continued in silence as exhaustion began to gnaw at her bones. She was about a ten-day walk from Cassi, and for some reason, her energy was draining at an unnatural rate.
Although the usual landscape of Titan was flat areas of sand with the occasional dune sprinkled about, this area differed significantly. It featured many gigantic dunes and mini mountains as well as random bits of grass and an occasional tree. Beasts also weren’t as prominent.
The energy waves in the air shifted and vibrated in wave-like patterns. She remembered that as a child, Maman Lilith mentioned avoiding this zone because a spaceship had crashed there eons ago, and its presence emitted something strange that somehow managed to change the landscape.
Raven stopped walking and gazed to the north. Though she was aiming to go southeast toward Cassi, she felt a pull, almost as if something called out to her. A unique energy had ensnared her.
After five days of going northeast, she came upon an especially treacherous mountain. It loomed over her ominously in contrast to its lush foliage. Surrounding the mountain was a deep ravine that extended out for miles. Its depths, dark and foggy, seemed bottomless.
An energy called out to her from the ravine. She knelt down to carefully assess how she could climb down. She caught sight of an unnaturally carved pathway not far below. It curved downward and disappeared in the haze. She eased down cautiously onto it, making sure to find her balance. She placed a hand along the ravine’s wall as she followed the path down.
As she descended, she realized her power was being leeched out. The technique felt quite similar to Shale’s in Zaria.
“But how can energy manipulation be done here?”
Teleporting to this area with any type of shift ability would be impossible as the energy-absorbing mist covered the entire mountainous region for miles in every direction. Even Shadow didn’t have enough power to emerge.
Over time, Raven’s eyes adjusted to the darkness. She could see the pathway turning into a bridge that led to a massive cave. Inside, she came upon an open area with a high ceiling where a massive spaceship sat; its length seemed to go for miles. Immediately, she could see its open hatch inviting her in.
As soon as her foot made contact with the floor inside, lights and machinery all began to whir on with a mix of beeps, buzzes and clicks.
A staticky female voice greeted her over a speaker.
“Welcome back to Star Blaze, traveler.”
The ship’s name sent her reeling with a strong wave of nostalgia. She fell onto the wall to her left and had a flashback.
There were people, nearly all Akin, running around to find pods to sleep in, while children leaped up and down in excitement. A few holders were sprinkled throughout the group; they laughed as they hugged and went to their separate pods. The scene fast-forwarded to her as a child on the deck, watching it proceed into a black hole.
Eventually, she came back to her senses, her ears ringing. Once it subsided, she steadied herself before continuing further in.
All around her were blinking buttons and interfaces. A tall single door stood to her far right.
She whispered in awe, “Hmm, is this some type of massive cargo holding area without any cargo?”
The wall opposite slowly slid down, revealing a thick blue glass in its stead. She walked up and pressed her face against it. Inside was a large room filled with pods. From what she could see, they all appeared to be empty.
Suddenly, she heard a familiar tune, so she whipped around. The song came from a small, black sphere floating in front of her. She slowly eased toward the hatch, keeping her eyes on the sphere and one hand on her sword.
A voice void of emotion that fluctuated between high and low pitches said, “You felt our call. You have come for the rest of the tale.”
Head cocked to the side, Raven remained silent.
As if satisfied, the voice continued, “We are the Watchers and have observed humans since the beginning of time. Humans landed on this moon nearly three hundred years ago on the ship Exodus, and fifty years thereafter, their companion, the lost airship Star Blaze crash landed.
Ashes was born of the one thousand bodies we took from this ship when they neared the end of their journey and entered our black hole. She was the only being on the Star Blaze when it touched down on the icy surface of Titan.
“The humans who had come on the first airship had all withdrawn to the lower depths of Titan because none could survive and withstand the cold of the surface.
“Once her feet touched the ground, she summoned a great dragon, Star, by pulling in all the energy of the planet. It grew so massive, it could cover the sky entirely. The dragon was invisible to the human eye and emitted a constant thermal energy that slowly warmed the surface. This caused much of the ice to melt into bodies of water, thereby making Titan’s surface livable for humans.”
“However, this energy caused a molecular change in the humans residing underground. They began to control and shift the free energy of the planet. You call this phenomenon a shift. This ability was muted in many though much more apparent in those with darker skin tones. This is in part because their skin could absorb energy for longer periods of time. While their paler-skin counterparts reflected much of that energy. As a result, those with darker skin, or the Akin could grow to become powerhouses.
“As Watchers who knew of humanity’s penchant for destruction, we were worried. On top of that, the unequal social hierarchy was another cause for concern. However, even with that much power, the Akin that held a decent amount were still mentally chained to the role they played, so they rarely challenged their position. Also the unique powerhouses were still a rare phenomenon, there were not enough to overthrow the balance. However, in the passing on of this ability, a ‘will’ could cause a newborn’s personality to change. They might become more enraged, protective, vengeful or even timid, depending on the most prominent emotions of the progenitor. If enough Akin were to embody rage and overthrow society, war could ensue and make Titan a battleground and eventually a desolate planet.
“To avoid this calamity, we tasked Ashes, a human puppet of our design, with one last goal: To create twelve humanoids we named the Killian to keep an eye on the humans and protect Titan at all costs. Afterward, with her mission completed and her body severely depleted of energy, she went into a deep sleep, leaving the rest to the Killian.
“During this time, in regions with high densities of similar energies, the particles amassed into an entity. As a result, dragons were birthed. As beings of pure energy, dragons could only be brought under the heel of a powerful Akin. Those with such power began to build their own kingdoms and armies.
“Though peace reigned for some time, the great original dragon in slumber was also evolving. It noticed the rise of these powerhouses and feared for its own existence. As a result, it created the destructive lightning in the open areas you call the ‘wilderness.’ These bolts seek out, destroy and reabsorb those with powers to ultimately maintain balance.”
“Even in slumber, however, Star realized the Akin had learned to create protective barriers, thereby thwarting its original intentions. The Akin’s rise over time led to Star initiating the reawakening of Ashes. She set out to live among the humans, infiltrate their kingdoms and destroy them. We gave her a kingdom to rule as a puppet leader.
“However, as she was made from humans, we failed to gauge how deep her feelings could become. She failed and fell in love with a man, ultimately bearing a child. This posed a dangerous threat as the offspring would have immense power. To handle both problems, we arranged for an ‘accidental death,’ which worked to remove Ashes but not her offspring. We suspect treason within our Killian ranks as the failure was skillfully hidden. Nonetheless, her power and will were passed onto you.”
Raven started gesturing wildly with her arms. “Wait, you want me to be your new puppet and kill her offspring? Have those Killian do your dirty work! Why ask me?”
“There is a fail-safe that makes it nearly impossible for them to kill her offspring. They can threaten and even try, but they will always fail. You were not created by her; furthermore, your potential strength and ability to fully wield ‘Void’ — if you reobtain it — is on par with hers. It’s the only power that can destroy her offspring for good.”
Her stomach in knots, she felt sick at the thought of killing children.
“They say it’s for the good of humanity and to ensure a power balance? These creatures are evil!”
“You are aliens playing God. Why do you think I would help you with such a sick deed?”
Ravened paced, looking at the black hole for the answer.
“Because we control your fate and even that of your human child.”
This brought her to a halt.
“Shadow, your dragon, is an earthly avatar of Star and merely has a shadow of its power. It’s also the reason you control the lightning so easily. When you were split, you lost control over Star. As a result, neither you nor Anja, your split half, can fully control it. We may not have the ability to directly touch beings within your realm, but don’t pretend that your power is on par with our own. We created the power you utilize so arrogantly and can easily send another of greater strength to dispose of you. You need Void from Anja to get rid Ashes’ offspring, so destroy her then them, if you wish to protect your future and your human child.”
Raven walked back to the open hatch and braced herself against a metallic bar.
Her voice was soft but menacing. “So, you destroyed the Akin kingdoms from the inside with your Killian and took away my King. You traumatized Echo and ultimately caused Mirage to fall as a result, nearly killing my own ‘offspring’ as you call her. I wonder just how far you will go, alien. Perhaps you are the threat that I should handle.”
The strange being let out a rigid laugh in a mechanical pitch like a warped version of a human laugh.
“Human, you are no threat to us. We are responsible for your power and reawakening. Do not overestimate your abilities. We keep the peace, and though we watch other beings, we have exclusively watched humankind for years. We know you better than you do yourself.”
Raven smiled as she felt the last of her energy sap away into the black hole. Her appearance reverted back to when she was Rock.
“You see, watcher, I just realized something. You have fear, and any being with fear has an existence it wishes to protect. This means you aren’t omnipotent. Otherwise, you wouldn’t need humans to do your dirty work.”
She traced the air around the black hole lazily.
“You have threatened to come for what is mine, and now I have no choice. I will crush every ounce of your essence into pieces so small, they cannot even be used for atoms. I am no one’s puppet!”
A strange wind blew into the hatch and lifted her coily hair. Raven stared deeply into the black hole. Her eyes dimly glowed golden as she hungrily pulled energy out. The immense torrent of power flowing back made her veins shine through her dark skin.
“I may have lost some of my abilities, but I don’t need you to be mistaken in thinking I have lost any of my power!”
The spaceship rattled from the whirlwind of energy. She raised her sword and released Shadow. It twirled outward in a haze and solidified beside her in the air. It gazed down at the black hole with menacing, glowing eyes.
It spoke with a deep voice, “The dragons are not pleased with this act you have forced us to play, puppet master. We must fix this imbalance you have created and erase the calamity that is you.”
Smoke and red flames flickered out of its mouth and grew in intensity.
Raven slowly backed away. “Star Blaze, the ship, has served its purpose, has it not, Shadow? Let us ignite and burn its painful past with it.”
“Agreed.”
Raven exited the ship and moved a small distance away, while Shadow remained inside. Its form changed into a black dragon by pulling in large amounts of energy particles from deep within the black hole, which shrank drastically at a rapid rate until there was nothing left. Flames covered its body and spread throughout the ship.
Shadow grew so large that it ripped through the hull, and its claws came down over the top of ship. Black wings broke free from its back and stretched outward. Star Blaze burned and crumbled into ashes.
Satisfied with its destruction, Raven knelt to the ground and whispered, “I speak to those lost and hope that you have found your peace now. The grave that bound you has been returned to the ashes it came from. Cling to nothing in this life anymore and find peace in the thereafter.”
Grabbing at the ashes in the air, Raven held it to her chest in a solemn gesture. She sighed deeply and closed her eyes for a moment of respectful silence.
The dragon walked toward her with a curious expression in its gaze. Without explaining, she leaped onto its back. The dragon went to the cave’s exit.
“The power that kept us from using ours is gone now; we can fly from here. Let us return to Cassi … my friend.”
Shadow roared and arched its neck as it pumped power into its legs and took flight.
Chapter 26
Revisiting Cassi
A home, where my heart can rest, where my insides don’t feel life’s test.
At best, I can throw my cares away, but know that I truly can’t stay.
To my dismay, I know this peace is false, that I must war outside these walls.
But it calls, and brings me back to it, so I’ll try to have peace and just sit.
Cassi
Once Shadow landed in the wilderness a mile from Cassi, Raven brought a leg over its side to dismount onto the ground. Though her mind briefly drifted back to the Watchers, she thought, “I’ll worry about them later.”
Despite being gone only a little over a month, much had changed for her. The revenge that was once most pressing seemed so trivial as she gazed at the quaint city that welcomed everyone, regardless of wealth. It was her home where she had been allowed time to grow up in peace and enjoy being a girl without the burden of hate. It had taught her that she need not fight for her place to show she had value.
On her way to Cassi, she mused, “Had I been my old self, I would have beheaded Age and allowed the kingdom’s dragon to turn into a behemoth. It would have rampaged, destroying everything and killing everyone in the city. Considering the fate Alodia experienced, it would have been fitting.”
She held her hand to her chin.
“How did that woman Anja do it? I didn’t sense blind rage like I experienced when I held the power of ‘Void.’ How did she overcome it?”
Lost in thought, Raven hadn’t noticed that she had already reached the archway into Cassi.
Shadow, who had been following, stopped suddenly. Its deep voice boomed, “I will slumber nearby and wait for you. You do not need me.”
The dragon shrunk down into a wolf before finding a cavern to scurry into. Afterwards, Raven entered Cassi. Its familiar slippery soil and rainy atmosphere welcomed her.
However, her awakened state tipped her off to something odd. An eerie sensation overcame her. Someone seemed to be calling out to be freed. A part of her felt drawn to the Matrine tower as she always had been since she was a kid.
With her memory back, she knew in full detail the cruelty of being trapped within these towers. The Akin chosen to become a Matrine was stripped of their body, leaving only a brain and spinal cord to be hooked up. This was why no one had ever met a Matrine, and why no one ever left the tower.
The sound of a door opening disrupted her thoughts and brought her back to the present. Only then did she realize she looked like she used to as “Rock.”
Maman Lilith, dressed in a black trench coat with matching boots, smiled upon seeing Raven. Her face withered in concern once she noticed the altered aura and hardened look in Raven’s eyes.
She went in for a hug, only to be blocked by Raven’s outstretched arm.
“My dear Rock, you have returned. What happened? Why did you leave?”
Just then, the rain started pattering down.
“Look into my eyes and don’t lie. I went into the Star Blaze and saw the past. You were there with all the people who have lived long past two hundred fifty years. You’re one of the Killian, aren’t you? Tell me, why are you here?”
Sadness filled Maman Lilith’s eyes. “I felt the change before you left. My job has always been to be a protector to the refugees, the Akin orphans and ultimately those who might become Goddesses of War. I have watched over you as Maman Bello has done with Song, Mimi, Vivere and Anja until it became time for us to move onto our next assignment. I never understood why her duty ended with them all so young; I assumed it was meant to make you all become strong. And all of you have, to such a level that had we pampered you, you may have never reached your potential.”
Maman Lilith let out a long sigh. “It was my job to let the behemoth in to test you. However, the Mamans are not like the Killian though all of our roles vary.”
Eyes misty with sadness, Raven said, ”You were my mother, the only one I’ve ever known, and you were a lie.”
Maman looked up at the night sky. “If it’s any conciliation, I do have human feelings and loved you very much. I have love for all of the people here, but you were my special, spirited daughter. Though it’s not what I’m tasked to do, I would still die for you, my child. I’m not powerful like you are, but I can defend this city with my limited abilities and give you knowledge to help you thrive. As a Maman, the Watchers cannot control me, and we do not have the same ideals. I am advised at times on what may happen or what I must do, but if I don’t, they will bring another to do it instead, maybe even a Killian. They are not the type you would want to tangle with, my dear, trust me.”
