Funeral Announcements (34)

In a small Egyptian village of no renown, an echo of myself manifested at the small gate by a very normal looking abode. A woman that has aged since her short time selling meat sticks with her husband in Atlantis sat quietly by the edge of the door. I opened the gate to start down the pathway as she rose to move slowly forward to meet what appeared as the Kestrel she knew well. Her husband had moved to stop her suddenly as his eyes were locked with mine. He saw how I had cat’s eyes instead of the eyes of a raptor bird. He stood protectively in front of her as I felt her mind reach out to touch mine. The most gentle touch of her mind had her recoiling from me.

“How did he die?” she screamed at me. Her eyes had filled with tears as I slowly stepped forward to lock arms with her husband. She angrily pushed her husband aside to grapple at my shoulders.

“Be calm, dear niece.” I whispered into her mind. “I will show and tell you all once we three are alone.” I informed her but it was too late. She ripped the memories from my mind while I allowed her remaining passive towards her invasion. I did showed her my discussion with Miss Hope and how I stood in Atlantis while also being before her. She fell against me as my arms held her sobbing tightly against me. She sobbed and screamed at her loss while her husband rubbed her back as I kept her standing.

“I came to tell you but also because I will need your gifts that our family shares.” I whispered to her. She sniffled before looking up at me. “I must split my mind and hide all the information from the past until the time comes that I must rise once more as Genin’s Order.” I explained to her slowly. “His love for you exist within me to make me stand as your Uncle, whenever you need me, little one.” I concluded softly to her.

“Your mind is strange to me but not the mind of a stranger.” she replied. I wiped the tears from her eyes. “I thank you for offering to stand as he did even if it is not because you bear his mantle of duty and dignity.” she continued softly. She pushed herself an arm length from me to curtsy to me. I smiled answering her curtsy with a formal and fluid Egyptian bow. We entered her home as I explained to her the details of what would soon come and how I will return for her to seal away my mind even from myself. I left them as the sun set upon her village.

* * *

At the same moment within the hidden mound of the Secret Faeries, Serena sat trying to play a flute to accompany her cousin. My form appeared as Kestrel to them as both froze as they felt my presence. I walked towards them in a slow pace as they finally looked at each other as if disbelieving their own eyes. I moved until I stood before were they sat with their instruments.

“In the name of Atlantis and the world, I must ask an insane request from both of you.” I stated softly.

“Name it and we will make it happen, Lord Kestrel.” she replied happily. She stood to curtsy to me but her cousin only bowed while remaining sitting. He had sensed the difference in me but still respected my words enough to listen.

“I wish you watch the spirits that depart Atlantis.” I told them. “At any sign of of oddness, cloud their minds of the outside world, even upon Annianka.” I explained my request. “One sign of this oddness will be the belief in a winged wolf that never existed.” I concluded. Her eyes tightened as well as his as they both looked at me closely. The air around sparkled as I easily created a cosmic ward preventing other to see us. I let my form shift into my feline shape before sliding into my new cosmic representation.

“The one known as Lord Kestrel is no more, passing down all he has ever been into me.” I mentally told them. “This secret must be kept until I must face the entity infecting the Heartstone and making delusions push into our reality.” I continued. They glanced once more at each other before nodding to me to continue while remaining silent. “Since it bend reality into fantasies, I wish to lead it out of the stone into a delusion of my choosing to be its final prison.” I concluded.

“He who has freed us deserve to be given favors for the benefit of Atlantis and the World.” Serena replied softly. I returned into my Kestrel form and dismissed the cosmic wards.

“You may not truly look like him, but your honor cannot be questioned.” her cousin stated. He nodded towards Serena with a smile of agreement.

“Your words are like his own in our ears, Lord Kestrel of the Redpath.” she added. She smiled and nodded to me. Her cousin raised to his feet to stand beside her as she curtsied and he bowed to me in formal fairy fashion. I slid back into my feline form as she tossed herself around my neck. I felt her tear soaking through my fur at my chest. I held her gently as she mourned for Kestrel death not fully understanding that it was true death that had claimed him. She pulled back after a few minutes, gazing red eyed at me while mouthing the words ‘thank you’. She took a deep breath before sitting and bringing the flute to her lips. As her first note whistled out, the sound of the ocarina at my lips joined in. Her cousin sat slowly and added softly plucked notes from his hand harp. A slow sad song formed from our trio to commemorate the passing of Lord Kestrel. The last notes had my form dissipating from there, leaving only his ocarina behind as proof I had ever visited them.

* * *

Chichi raged had suddenly erupted as he chased everyone out of his kitchen locked them out. I appeared as myself, walking from between two cupboards set half into a solid wall. He glared at me while I easily pulled out a bottle of his finest wine from one of his many hiding spots. Using my index claw, I popped open the bottle holding it out to him.

“I had hoped this stomach twisting feeling was only indigestion.” he stated as he took the bottle. He took a deep drink before looking at me again. “So boss?” he interjected. He held the bottle out to me that I quickly took to share a drink with him. “What’s the new plan?’ he asked. We had lowered to sit on the floor passing the bottle between us for us to drink.

“Business as usual.” I replied. “I will not be able to truly recognize any of you after Atlantis sinks.” I warned him softly. “Order must disappear from the memories of this world until it can be purged in the distant future.” I divulged to him.

“Will we still recognize each other as friends?” he asked. His eyes were filled with unshed tears.

“Always!” I interjected back. I took a deep slug from the bottle before handing it out to him. We both laughed as we spoke of Kestrel with happiness as Chichi mourned in his way this great lose. He could feel that I was also with the others still living in this world. I stretched my new powers finding how limitless his true strength actually was. I was giving to those that needed to know he had passed into the final death what was needed.

* * *

Another echo of myself appeared in my own form in a space set aside by the original dragon race, the second race, connected to this world. I did not need to move as I sense Princess Muse rushing to me. She held my shoulders as she looked at me with those curious golden dragonian eyes stuck in a dusky human face.

“I have felt him passing but true death is not his ending.” she told me before I could speak.

“I hope he is with his true wife.” I replied as I felt my eyes filling with tears.

“He is with her somewhere no one can ever hurt them ever again.” she announced as her fingertips brushed through the fur on my head. “They have sacrificed too much to not receive a final gift for their honor and hard duties.” she added.

“Why do I sense you will not cry for his passage?” I asked softly. Tears were slowly and freely rolling down my cheek.

“I save my tears for the joy of reaching such a wondrous place.” she returned smiling. I sense her pull my head into her bosom. “Mourn him while here in my arms, kitten.” she whispered in my ear.

“This is not what I sensed why he wanted me to be here with you.” I replied still trying to fight off my tears.

“You are here for more than this, but first release your pain and be cleansed to receive your new name.” she informed me in the same whispering voice. My resistance melted as I yowled and mewed out my tears and my lost for Kestrel. As my last tears and sadness left my body, I felt her giggle shake against my body. “We have the duty to give the true name to those of light and honor.” she continued. The weight of my own mourning had shifted away from me. She pulled me back for her golden eyes to gaze deeply into my amber orbs. “I name thee KreGenin, the one who is Genin but not Genin.” she concluded. The name echoed in my mind as the memory of Kryel KreLey had called me a Kre like herself. I straightened before stepping back. I wiped the tears from my eyes and cheeks before looking at her eyes.

“I thank you for this great gift you place upon me, Princess Muse.” I told her. I bowed deeply to her in the fashion of the second race.

“I will send you warning of when the darkest time approaches by calling you by name in the halls of dreams and then in the flesh I live in at that time.” She informed me directly. “Continue your many visits to those that need comfort and connection, since you have given me more than I could ever expect, my pretty cat.” she concluded with a smile. I left that echo standing with her as we softly talked about everything and nothing.

* * *

Lady Nightingale had isolated herself claiming she needed to meditate at the moment Kestrel had died. I now manifest in the candle lit room where she sat crossed legged on the floor. She did not move as I walked up to her back. She held her eyes closed, breathing deeply, and in silence as the smell of incense floated around the room and tickled my nostrils.

“You would think that I would not need to do this after he warned us.” she whispered to me. She had not moved nor opened her eyes as she spoke to me. “Do not speak, just stand close to me so I can feel him one last time.” she asked softly. I sat behind her and wrapped my arms around her waist. I touched her as Kestrel would have touched her when they were alone together. She turned to face me easily sitting upon my lap while her legs and arms locked around my body tightly. I felt no reason to resist as I physically slipped inside her as she positioned her body tighter against mine. This was her way to connect with Order and all the others even if it appeared as tantric love making.

I would have felt bad not allowing Dia to be the one to claim this first time from me but it was not what it appeared and I now could understand the difference. Our souls touched and our energies circulated in a slow and soft circle that was what would give her peace. All the others would feel this moment with her as I tended to their need to connect one last moment with Order. Our pleasure was in the moment of touch and not the physical release others required the much younger races need to feel complete. That echo remained in this position with her until morning had my form dissipating from under her.

* * *

Sephina, Kestrel’s little princess, was shocked as I arrived at the door looking like the man she knew well. She had aged but still kept youth in her eyes as they sparkled with childish glee seeing him once more. I requested private time with her to discuss a private matter disturbing me. Her smile grew brighter as she escorted me into the same lounge where I had first met her. She had the room sealed in the same way she did that last time so we would not be disturbed. None questioned her request with a small mental touch from me. We sat at the game board, as I had suggested, where I had taken the black color leaving her with white.

“What is wrong, kachero?” she asked. I was waiting for her to move while she simply looked at me confused and worried.

“What could be possibly wrong in wanting to play a game you might win?” I returned blankly looking at the board.

“You picked black, you barely speak, and you do not call me kachera.” she replied. I felt her stiffening in her seat. I sighed letting my guise melt away into my furry self. “So the cat visits when the master cannot?” she added. I felt her partially relax as she placed her piece turning a single black piece to white.

“I know you can keep a secret.” I answered. I placed my piece as all the pieces flip to black without being touched. “Lord Kestrel is dead.” I whispered to her. Her eyes had remained on the board as if ignoring my words but I did notice her hand trembled and her cheek had paled.

“He could have taken me out of the game this easily?” she asked quietly. Her eyes raise to meet mine still dry.

“Yes, but would rather challenge you than crush you.” I replied. I was still watching the growing signs of her realizing what I was telling her.

“He always said that death was just the time when a spirit was between bodies.” she returned. The small bubble of water formed at the corner of her eye. “Why do I believe that you play with me today because he will never be able to play with me again?” she spoke as the tear grew in her eye.

“He is gone beyond simple death while Lord Death sung to him one last requiem.” I admitted softly. She brushed the tear away but her hands shook and her face turned the shade of papyrus. With a wave of my hand, all the pieces returned to the starting point of the game. “One last game for him, kachera?” I asked calmly. She nodded as she realized the color of the pieces had been reversed leaving her now with black.

“Alright, but try to be nice on me like he would.” she remarked forcing a smile. Hours passed as each of our moves upon the board was pensively and ponderously decided. She did get to place the last piece as the filled board was equally split between my white and her black pieces. What started as a laugh in her throat became sobs as she threw herself at my shoulder finally crying. “Why?” she repeated as her mourning wet my fur and skin. I held her gently rubbing her back as she continued crying for nearly an hour. She pulled back her face, sniffling and with red rimmed eyes to stare at me. “May I ask you to take his form again and make love to me as he had promised?” she added.

“I have that ability but it is not something that will remove your pain, kachera.” I answer slowly. These were the words he would want to tell her.

“Then allow me hurt myself forever as my way of honoring his death!” she snapped back.

“Do you believe he would want you to do this? In his name?” I growled back at her. “His honor prevented him from taking you last time you were together to keep you free of this pain caused by his death.” I explained calmer. “I will not show less honor than he would towards you, Sephina.” I concluded. I stepped back from her as her eyes grew wider. I bowed deeply to her as she brought her trembling hands to her mouth as tears returned to her eyes.

“Do not leave me now?” she begged as my form became partially transparent.

“We shall have other times in our future lives together but I will not recognize you.” I purred to her. “That is all I can offer you in his name, kachera.” I concluded and was gone from her room.

* * *

I sat on a white sand beach at the southern tip of India watching the waves. Scarabea splashed her way to the shore breathing hard. She had been on the farthest ship of the line of vessels carrying the crystals away from Lemuria. I knew she activated the detonation sequence upon the crystals on her ship knowing it would follow the chain of ships destroying all them until it hit the harbor of Lemuria igniting all the crystals they held back for defense. The portal she attempted to use as an escape route had warped and dumped her in the ocean a league from the shore in the future.

“You really should practice doing that more often if you plan using it safely to escape mystical explosions.” I commented teasingly. I had not moved from my seat on the log bearing my own form. She rose her face to glare at me while wet hair plastered half her face. The glare became a chuckle as she realized it was me.

“Order has told me that more often then I can count.” she remarked still giggling. She pushed herself to her feet. She stumble over to sit beside me. I placed an arm around her shoulders and added heat around her to dry her sodden clothing. “So this is how it feels when Order falls?” she asked softly. She cuddled against me as a blanket appeared to cover our shoulders and lower bodies. My hand took hers gently with entwined fingers.

“And the feeling of one being reborn.” I whispered.

“War and Death?” she asked as shock showed in her eyes.

“Their spirit lives on but something has been taken from both of them.” I replied. “It sits with Lockey in a bubble of space and time outside of existence.” I explained to her. “Even with all of Genin’s abilities, I cannot return them to this world.” I concluded softly.

“If you can, let her know that we will find a way to bring her and the Leviathan to home port.” she requested softly. “And inform her of Kestrel’s death.” she added.

“I will tell her all this.” I assured her. “But I believe she will need to get her side of this barrier open for us to pull her back into our world.” I added. She nodded silently before closing her eyes leaning on my side. A soft giggle escaped her.

“I can feel that you are with Famine and Pestilence, while being with me.” she stated between giggles. She moved to place a soft kiss on my lips and rub her cheek along mine. She smiled at me before cuddling into my side tightly. We held hands and sat silently enjoying this connection that was shared with the other two. Through the eyes of my other echoes with Famine and Pestilence, I saw them smile as they felt all of us together in this moment of mourning.

* * *

In a pocket outside of time, space, and everything, Captain Lockey screamed orders to her sailors who were dodging an animate flaming sword and cold scythe. She asked in bellows who had activated their rift engine at the moment the crystals of Lemuria ignited around them. Between dodging the two living weapons, the sailors fought to keep the ship from drifting deeper into the emptiness they found themselves. I stood on the deck facing the weapons in my form feline.

“Hold!” I roared my command. Both weapon froze for a moment before clattering as normal weapons upon the deck. “Not exactly what you expected, Lockey.” I remarked softly to her.

“Thank you for stopping those things from slicing up my crew.” she replied quickly. “Now can you tell me what has happened!” she hissed at me.

“You rifted your ship out of known existence to this pocket.” I explained. “And I cannot assist you to return to our reality.” I added truthfully.

“I still do not understand who activated or why that damnable contraption activated.” she retorted breathing hard. Her anger was palpable in the air around her. With a quick mental touched on the living and dead members upon the ship showed that none had activated the advanced rift device.

“I can tell you that your crew did not do it.” I replied softly. I scanned the vessel closely with my mind reversing the events to the moment of activation. “The shields prevent your crystal from igniting but received a signal through your capture attempt on the Brothers.” I revealed to her softly. “You have the ability to return but must find how by yourselves.” I added quietly.

“Thank Kestrel for sending you to help us.” she stated bluntly. She tried walking pass me towards the engine room. My feline claw now turned to liquid night skies halted her from her forward motion. She glared in my eyes from a moment before she looked down at my cosmic hand. The gasp and herself pulling back from me was violent and gained the attention of all the sailors upon the deck. I let my body fully shift to its cosmic form while my swirling twin star eyes remained locked on hers.

“You are welcome, but I cannot stay to help more than I have already done, captain Lockey.” I said in that echoing voice. Her mouth worded silently ‘NO!’ as tears filled her eyes. “Feel lucky since if the drive had not activated, you would have sunk and gotten annihilated with Lemuria.” I informed her. This simple comment shattered her self control.

“He cannot be gone!” she screamed. I could feel her anger, disbelief, sorrow, and impotence fight within her mind and body. The sailor moved their caps to their hearts as they stood at attention upon the deck. I nodded as the first tear rolled down her cheek as wails formed slowly among her crew. “What could be powerful enough to destroy a being that can crush gods, demons, and devils easily?” she bellowed at me. I remained passive, accepting her mourning as screams directed at me, his replacement. Most of the crew had fallen to one, if not both, knees as their wails grew louder.

“He was damaged long ago by an old adversary.” I explained. I could not reveal everything but gave her what information I could. “An incident reopened that deep unhealed wound, causing him to weaken each time he used his abilities carrying him into true death.” I briefly surmised for her. “To save others, he drained himself nearly empty leaving only this solution to save the rest of the world.” I added. I held out my arms as my six starlight wings lifted my feet from the deck.

“He has passed his gifts to you?” she whispered. The tears streaked her face as doubt showed in her eyes and voice. “But you can not even help us with all those new powers?” she screamed at me. “We are left to fend for ourselves in nothingness while you stand there doing nothing?” she concluded in a louder shriller bellow.

“Even at his full strength, he could do nothing to change your predicament.” I told her. My voice was calm, deep, and soothing as I spoke. “Whatever spark of luck occurred to save you from true death, is all you have left to save yourself with.” I continued. “We six will keep a beacon to help you find us once more, but we can do no more without destroying all existence from the starting point.” I explained to her. “Everything would return to a void with nothing alive and nothing existing.” I concluded.

“You will not return once you leave here?” she asked calmer.

“I cannot interfere in your new adventure and mission, captain Lockey.” I replied. “Once the battle in Atlantis ends, I cannot allow myself to remember these events until after the stage is set for humanity’s darkest hour.” I confided in her. “Only one enemy will fall in Atlantis while a much more dangerous evil waits to pull the world towards corruption.”

“Thank you for trying to help and giving us a clue on what happened to us.” she returned. I saw her squaring her jaw, standing straight, and placing her hat over her heart while her eyes burned into mine. “I shall return to our plane one day and then we will have words on all that has transgressed from this moment to that future.” she stated bluntly. “Until then, never show your face in my presence again, cat!” she concluded in a hissing growl. My nod turned into a deep bow to her before blinking out of existence from upon her ship.

* * *

It was just past noon as this last echo entered in Madame Rouge’s establishment bearing Kestrel’s form. The shocked and murmured warning of still being closed was ignored as I moved easily around them with my feline celerity now upgraded by Genin’s prowess. I danced around them moving around the room waiting from Rouge to see why her people were getting excited and loud. The door to her private lounge open as she walked angrily into the room and froze as her eyes met mine. I stood before her with a smirk on my face without speaking.

“Kestrel?” she asked then her eyes focused on mine. She gasped and motioned me into her private lounge. She closed and locked the door behind us before turning to face me again. “Drop the guise, young Kestrel!” she ordered. No anger was in her voice but a sternness of this being her domain. My smirk turned into a feline smile as my body shifted before her eyes. “What has happened?” she asked in her husky soft voice. I reached out to run the back of my claws along her cheek.

“Tell Deidra that I was never angry at being her messenger to Reina.” I stated first. “But a sorrowful event has me coming to speak to you in confidence and secrecy.” I continued fluently in the demon tongue. Her eyes grew wide as she realized what I had just did. “Yes, he has succumb to the weakness you felt in him during our last visit.” I admitted in the common tongue. “I come to inform you and to introduce you to the one chosen to replace him in the fight.” I concluded.

She reached out to take my hand and lead me to her lounging divan to sit beside her. She petted my head while I watched the reddish tears slowly trace lines down her cheeks. Her sad smile remained on her face as she simply gazed into my eyes while petting my head with slow gentle strokes.

“I would have burned my existence away if I knew he was so deeply damaged.” she whispered to me. “He only accept a small donation of my essence and a night without dreams for true sleep.” she remarked. Her smile faltered as her tears poured freely down her cheeks. “Do not be as stubborn as him, please?” she begged softly. She buried her face in my chest as the smell of her perfume soured into the brimstone stench. Her tears made my fur take on the smell of sulfur and the blood that tinted her tears. I did not mind this added scent as I ran my fingers through her hair holding her against me.

“But I must admit that the only way to catch the last enemy, his second greatest foe, I must forget everything that has come before the sinking of Atlantis.” I told her. “I will not remember you, Deidra, Reina, nor my sweet Dia.” I confessed as my tears wet her hair. “I will know nothing of this until the last darkness will besiege the humans.” I concluded.

“You will meet Diadem in every lifetime if I personally must make it happen.” she returned. She pulled away from me just enough for us to look into each others tear blurred eyes. She place a soft kiss on each my cheeks before rubbing her cheeks against mine. “She will seek you out you foolish kitten.” she continued holding my face so I may not look away from her. “Even if you do not remember her, your heart will call to hers and I will do whatever it takes to help bring the two of you together.” she concluded.

“Thank you, Rouge.” I replied in a whisper. I forced a happy grin on my face knowing she would not be able to help beyond a few lifetimes. With both Lemuria and Atlantis gone from the world, magical being would fade into nothingness if they did not blend with the human bloodline. It will create humans with abilities that slowly diminished with each new generation until it will be seen as a tale of mythic powers. “It does not truly matter, you have already fulfilled my only true need.” I admitted with a true smile to her. “I must return to Atlantis now, and prepare for the last battle of that island until the far flung future.” I concluded. We helped each other stand still holding on to each other. I placed one last kiss upon her brow. I stepped back, bowed, and faded out of existence in her closed private lounge.

Redpath's Journals: Lord Kestrel of the Redpath (33)

The doors opened and the trio walked out with triumphant smiles on their faces. Cole reacted instantly giggling like his ‘Flower’ persona would. He shouted his thanks as he rushed off to warn Sert and Meli of this victory. I nodded to Kestrel smiling while knowing this was sealing the fate of all of us. I followed behind the three as they were escorted to the harbor. Scarabea was given a chance to have a parting hug with Kestrel and a final kiss upon his cheek. She drifted beside as the Brothers made their own parting movements.

“Please do not tell him of his missing daughter.” she whispered to me. I smiled and nodded to her with a quick wink. She giggled before rushing up the gangplank before the Brothers slowly walked to stand on the deck of the Leviathan. Kestrel traded a salute to them while the plank retracted. The Leviathan glided to actually navigate the protective reefs instead of disappearing from the harbor waters. I let Kestrel turn before matching his move. We both smiled as I walked with him back to our home. We barely entered before he called all of us together. He requested our help to carry all his musical instruments to the garden where he gave all of us a day filled with music and leisure. Runners from the Royal Kitchen filled our need for food while the day was spent in joyous idleness.

I watched over everything during the next few weeks as words that the crystals were being loaded on ships ready to be spread to the other world arrived to Kestrel and the other powers in Atlantis. Kestrel, to give me more time away from him, spent his time lounging in the garden. Word started as rumors but word from outpost looking seaward confirmed what was being seen. A massive fleet was positioned on the horizon all flying the emblem of Lemuria. The rumors turned this flotilla into an attacking force ready to target Atlantis. As I reported this to Kestrel a sad mild came onto his face.

“And the world strikes out to force the hand of Atlantis.” he replied. “Once Atlantis acts, they will retreat and our last days are upon us.” he stated. “We still have time for you to complete your final arrangements before you are me.” he added in a whisper. He waved me away to continue my mission of getting all the multiple group of Guards ready to start moving people out of Atlantis. I felt a tremor under my feet before learning that the fleet had retreated. I sighed knowing nothing could divert the path we now rode upon. My path did have me keeping tabs on the Council member named Peregrine at Kestrel’s request. He stayed much closer to the Royal Enclave than the Council Chambers as time passed.

The Holy Queen was taken prisoner by a combined squadron of Royal and Council Guards under the crime of ordering and activating the device that had destroyed Lemuria without consent of all divisions of Atlantis. She had went peacefully while claiming it was the Council that had done all these evil deeds to discredit her. Witnesses told a different tale of a raging bloodthirsty Queen ordering the erasure of Lemuria from existence and proceeded to do so when no one obeyed her. She had been seen activating a forbidden device that the engineers of Atlantis could not dismantle or disarm. The sheer volume of mixed witnesses made it hard to be seen as a plot against her own actions. Kestrel still spent his waking hours in the garden commenting about the clouds or wishing he could play as sweetly as our song birds sang. Two days passed by while Kestrel sat acting the fool in our garden. We did not speak since it was not needed until the third day.

“It is time for my last act.” Kestrel told me. He had me follow him to the empty foyer as he locked arms with me. “Be ready once I call for you, my Squire, since it is the last chance to save Annianka or Atlantis.” he added before leaving. I did not try to follow him knowing where he was going. Miss Hope had been assigned as her Warden as she was placed into her tower to never leave again. The respect all Atlantis had for Lord Kestrel allowed him to be the only other person that could enter the Queen’s prison tower.

“Redpath!” bellowed in my mind and I was off running toward the Queen’s Prison Tower. I came across Miss Hope rushing in my direct.

“He called me.” I stated as I flew passed her. It took barely a minute for her to be at my side as we climbed up a back stairwell to what I presumed was her private room. My feet did not falter seeing the room having been transformed into the central circular room of the Temple of Light. Miss Hope paused as she took in the sight before her. I faced Kestrel from across the pillar of light as they spoke loudly to us while the albino tigress covered her ears.

“The only way for him to take your place is to be you in every way possible.” it told us in a single voice. “Your power and abilities mean nothing without the memories and knowledge that fuels and controls it.” it continued in unison. “Give everything you are and we will accept him as we accepted you, Great Lord Genin.” it concluded with blunt finality. Our eyes meet as Lord Death’s song sounded from behind Kestrel. Lord Death did not touch him but stood as his back sing a serenade for him to be whisked away as we nodded our mutual agreement. Tendrils of light shot out from the pillar to connect us as his form dissipated into nothing as my mind flooded with everything he had ever been.

I felt his grief of placing this upon my young shoulders but his mantle felt like a perfect weight for me. I stood discovering myself taller as I stood in a room looking towards an empty bed with Miss Hope kneeling beside it. I also knew why he could not openly attack Genia because of his promise to his mother Universe. I was not him but need her to believe I was meaning I would only attack without truly being angry at her. The plan was simple but could not fail in this case. Miss Hope still looked upon the empty bed with no trace Lord Kestrel ever existed.

“We cannot allow anyone to know that he is no more.” I stated. I did not realize I spoke with his voice. Miss Hope turned and gasped wide eyed at me. From a mirror in the room, I saw that I now had Kestrel’s appearance as well as his voice.

“The eyes he had shown me when we first met.” she whispered still staring at me. I glance to the mirror closer to see my golden amber cat eyes studded Kestrel’s face. I focused my mind remembering all the details of my previous form and watched myself shift back into my feline form. I smirked at my reflection.

“Please listen carefully, Miss Hope.” I purred out softly. “We must pretend that Lord Kestrel was removed and never let it be known that he has died the final death.” I started explaining slowly. I created a second copy of myself and manifested it standing beside me. “She, who attacks Atlantis, will not believe he would charge her unless he lost something dear to him.” I continued purring from both bodies. “She will know, upon seeing my cat formed duplicate, that I am his chosen Squire, sacrificing myself to save a weakened Lord Kestrel.”

“How have you been able to present twice?” she asked confused.

“He had many more abilities than he allowed any of us to see.” I answered softly. “He was hiding who and what he truly was to protect us as much as to protect himself from a pair of ancient enemies.” I added softly.

“You will face two enemies here?” she asked bluntly. I saw her feral nature rising in her ready for a challenge and to call all into this battle. I raised a hand to touch her shoulder.

“Only one may be defeated here if Atlantis is to survive for the far future when it will be needed once more.” I told her softly. “The second of his enemies cannot be destroyed yet.” I continued softly. “And it is best if no one else interferes in the battle since I know they will die the worse death possible.” I informed her. Her eyes turned to meet mine. “It has no form to be defeated on the last day of Atlantis being above the waves.”

“Continue with your plan.” she ordered in a half growl.

“My supposed death will allow me to attack her with the full strength of my righteous rage.” I began weaving the details. “When she think I am done, the true death blow will take her.” I explained. “In her last moment, she will see my true face and learn a secret she craved to know.” I concluded. A smirk was on my face but it was not a snarl nor were my words filled with aggression as I describe murdering her, his half-sister.

“I do not hear, see, nor smell anger in you.” she muttered. She stepped back examining both myself and my copy. I let my original body return to Lord Kestrel’s form.

“I do this for Atlantis and the world, and not for the revenge I would previously be my motivation.” I replied with a soft deep throated purr. “He has enlightened me that anger need not be what makes a person act or hold back from acting.” I said. “An emotionally empty vessel is feared more than any other since opponents cannot fathom what they will do.” I concluded in a purring chuckle.

“How long will we be forced to play this farce?” she asked. I could see how difficult it was on her to see Kestrel and myself standing before her. I let my copy dissolve but kept his countenance.

“Until Atlantis is rising again from the waves, or has been freed from the darkness hidden in its Heartstone.” I admitted quietly. I sighed softly as visions of future possibilities flashed in my mind. “A very long time, sweet tigress.” I added. I slipped back into my feline form giving her a cattish grin and wink.

“It is best you return to the others before they believe something has gone amiss.” she suggested. Her padded hand came out to touch my cheek as she looked into my eyes.

“Still the exquisite and wise tigress Kestrel could have fallen in love with, even if this life had him held in a bird’s nature.” I returned with a chuckle. One of my hands covered hers as my other hand touched her cheek. “Dia can chide me for this later.” I purred. I leaned in and rubbed my cheek along hers while we both purred to each other. “Until we meet again in the far future.” I whispered in her ear. I pulled back to look at her. “None of my future forms will remember this until the first shadows of the great darkness touches this world, unfortunately.” I added before disappearing from her room.

I had one last duty to perform since some needed to know that I was the new Kestrel and stood as his replacement for the being that has existed nearly forever. My body splintered into multiple copies ready to manifest around the globe and in other planes.

Redpath's Journals: Truth and my Plans to Help (32)

“I must know where I must be if not at your side.” I growled at him. It may have been arrogance on my part as I watched him stiffen in his seat as a snarl form on his face. It was too late for me to stop my tongue now that I truly understood what they all faced. “They have allowed me stand here seeing all of you as you truly are, so I deserve to know my place!” I roared in the room. My growling vibrated the room sparking at the cosmic wards and the central pillar of light shined brighter. All eyes grew wider as I stood at his full height without fear nor worry upon my face. Smiles and soft chuckles and giggles sounded just above the whispering buzzing of the pillar.

“You will stand between the enemy of Atlantis existing and the enemy wanting to consume the world.” Order finally answered turning away from me. “If you select wrong, none of them will be able to stand with you against the final darkness that will be upon us within the last days.” he warned me softly.

“I pray the Light guides your claws to the right target.” War chuckled softly.

“He will choose the one being I cannot face without dying.” he retorted bluntly. Wide eyes focused on him while Chaos hands came to her mouth with a gasp. From her reactions, I knew it was Genia, half-sister of Kestrel, that I would face with the light sword the pillar of light had shown me. “He already knows which must die without me, but after it will be his decision on what comes next.” he concluded. In unison, a slow nod to him and then to me showing they accepted his words and whatever I decided afterwards.

I moved swiftly and silently around the room while softer conversations and tales of their combined past whispered in the room. I was easily included in their words, answering my softly asked questions and made remarks about what I had accepted as my Squire’s duties. I could see the soft but merry smile on Kestrel’s celestial face as this quieter form of reveling surrounded me. I learned much about Order’s life and few things about his prior life as simply the Great Lord Genin. I also gained an understanding of the deities in this world that mostly were not from this plane directly.

“Was his soul bounded wife pregnant?” I asked in a whisper. I stood between Famine and Pestilence as I hazarded this odd question. Their negative answers had me worried I had mistaken KreLey’s origins but a tilted head and swirling look from Chaos had me moving to refill her tall glass.

“None but I knew.” she whispered in my right ear. Her stilted Atlantian was harsh but easy to understand. “Elyria had not told Order yet since they hunted her vile sister, Ann'Anka Anccilar.” she quickly whispered to me. “We then received words she had died and Order had ensconced himself in the Temple of Light ignoring everything in his deep pain.” she explained with a sniffle. “It took a millennium before he finally and willingly returned to his duties and our side showing only a cold empty face.” she concluded.

“His daughter lives and named herself Kryel KreLey.” I informed her. “She believes a day will come when she is born as his daughter for real, but calls Sara her big sister.” I added in a purr. She hid her smile with a hand that also silenced her joyous giggle.

“And that will have us becoming seven in our special family to make it complete.” she whispered back. She motioned me to continue serving as I learned more about all of them including their origins and race. Time crawled by like many stories and discussions until high full moon crested in the skies above Atlantis. They reverted to their human guise before disengaging the comic wards and the pillar of light blinked out of existence. The Ambassadors to Atlantis had their selected Guards escorting them home while Chichi offered to walk Scarabea back to the Leviathan. I nearly interfered in this but remained closed to Kestrel instead as we headed home in silence.

“Why was I selected as your Squire?” I asked softly. I had been purring to hide the nervousness I felt asking this simple question.

“Because you would never allow me to enter that room alone.” he replied easily. “If you would have attempted to follow me in, you would have died because of the wards erected upon the place.” he continued at a slow pace. “I cannot risk losing any of you but you are the one most likely to go against my orders in the name of honor.” he added to me.

“They knew I was your Squire.” I told him. “That is not why you asked this of me other than how limited your time here remains.” I continued. I feared I was not truly the one he wished as his Squire but only a convenience to him. “Why was I the one you asked to be your Squire?” I finally asked. We had stopped and turned to face each other. In his Atlantian form, he was a head taller than me even at my full height.

“Sert has the heart but not the will to walk my path.” he began softly. “Meli has a protective nature but does not have the drive to follow my path.” he continued calmly. “Cole has his cunning but is too easily swayed from the path he must walk to follow mine.” he explained slowly. “This leave you with the heart, kindness, and cunning plus the honor to follow in my footprints as my Squire and my replacement.” he concluded. I could sense he meant all this but held back something he felt he could not reveal to me.

“I do not fully believe your words but will follow your path without asking to know more.” I replied and nodded to him. I returned to walking as he moved to be at my side. We were greeted with another trio of worried faces that was boiling into protective anger.

“You have been doing everything to do the least possible lately.” Sert commented.

“You have been weakening since you saved that child, haven’t you?” Meli snapped at him.

“You have been acting very odd and more silent lately, sir.” Cole stated quietly.

“Do not tell us that we are over reacting due to over protectiveness.” Meli warned him.

“Every time you leave, we expect Redpath returning with word that you have been sent to Healers’ Halls because you collapsed.” Sert chimes in harshly.

“We have found nothing that could return your health before you have died.” Cole added grumbling. I looked at them in silence next to Kestrel. I had words for them at this time but a different idea started forming on how to change their thoughts away from worrying over Kestrel’s state.

“Yes, I have been avoiding many things and holding back my strengths and abilities for what I have foreseen coming.” Kestrel returned to them. He kept his voice calm but I could see his one fist was so tightly held that the knuckles were turning white. His face like his words lied of his emotions as he smiled shyly at them with a shrug. “Please understand that much may come in the near future that will force me to extend myself nearly as much as I did saving that child.” he explained. “If I am to walk away alive from this, I must channel all my strength internally until that time.” he added. I knew he hoped they would simply drop it, so I spoke.

“This is why I have been at his side to allow us a chance to prevent him needing to waste power which we can do for him.” I remarked softly. I eyed my feet as I yowled under my breath. “I am worried but we must trust that he is doing what is best for all of us and Atlantis.” I added. I looked up at them with tear soaking the fur on his cheeks. I did not know I could cry on command but it worked to get them to allow him to be excused for an early morning meeting with the Council with his Brothers. I wait until he left before requesting Sert and Meli to join me the garden for tea and discussion. They agreed more so since I was avoiding having Cole, whom they still distrusted, joining us. I could have my discussion with him outside the Council Chambers during tomorrows meeting.

“We must speak in private.” I whispered to them. “One hour in the garden, my friends.” I added quickly. I disappearing into the shadowy hallway towards the kitchen to fetch a catnip and chamomile tea to assist them to sleep in next morning. They found my sitting on the grass with the tea pot on a brazier to keep in warm with a cup for each of us. They nervously sat in a triangle with me receiving a cup of steaming tea before we started talking.

“What has happened?” Sert asked first. Meli nodded while her eyes stayed on me.

“It is not of Kestrel I wish to speak of.” I clarified quietly. I gave a shy hesitant look hoping they would see that what was on my mind was hard for me to discuss about. “I musk ask you about out Holy Queen after explaining to you some of the questions she has asked he Honor Guard, Miss Hope.” I told them. My voice soft, hesitant, and slow to match my feigned behavior.

“You wish to speak with us and not report this to Kestrel directly?” Meli asked mildly confused. I nodded slowly to her. “Why with us?” she added bluntly.

“You have known her behavior here for much longer than I.” I replied calming. “And if Miss Hope has fears I must know if you share in them with her before reporting to Lord Kestrel.” I concluded. I gave each of them a nod knowing they would accept this simplified reply.

“This is about her questions regarding the none existent winged wolf that she believes carried Sara in her infancy?” Sert asked softly. Meli looked at him with a tear rolling down her cheek.

“I have memory flashes of seeing such a guard but I know that only Valeria was assigned to watch over and tend to Princess Sara prior to Ichcui’s arrival.” Meli supplied slowly. She finally turned to face me asking for her cup to be refilled.

“That is one of the things since Miss Hope knows only of her cousin, the tigress Valeria, who would carry Sara around and care for her, as you have stated.” I replied quietly. “The queen has claimed that a dark faction within the Council Guards murdered him under Council orders.” I continued. All cups were refilled including my own. “She has claimed the Council is the enemy to Atlantis and her rule here.” I informed them sadly.

“You should mention that to Cole since he would know the mindset of the Council better than we do.” Sert returned pensively. I could see this worry growing in them as they focused on the other being they truly cared for.

“Truth and lies mix upon his tongue making his words of no value here.” I returned. It was easier for them to believe I distrusted Cole as deeply as they did with this simple comment. “I have already investigated the Council, at both Kestrel’s and Miss Hope’s request, to find they all support Annianka now while ignoring Munin.” I reported to them using casually their name. They glanced at each other but nodded as their eyes returned to mine. “But they cannot ignore the increasing stories of events that never happened nor her violent outbursts.” I added. A mewling sigh escaped me as they thought about my revelation.

“They are thinking of returning her to her prison cell?” Meli asked angrily.

“They would have no choice if she draws in foreigners into these fantasies and half lies.” Sert returned softly.

“Yes, which I believe will happen if the peace plans with Lemuria collapse.” I explained softly. I gave Meli a sad shrug as her eyes realized what could happen at this critical moment. “I fear the world will not wait for the crystals to arrive in their lands but force Atlantis into an unwarranted actions.” I revealed. This was from what I had learned from the diner with the Kestrel’s sacred family. They would already think of how to react once it starts and, knowing them, it will be to save the citizens and foreigners. “At that time, we will lose Kestrel for good because of it.” I hazarded this last fact.

“Her actions would drive him away from us here in Atlantis.” Sert returned grumbling. Another refill of their cups as I prepared to give the story Kestrel would have planned for, if I were him.

“But unlike the Royal Wedding event, he will not return in time to save us.” Meli concluded softly.

“Very true but I believe it will be the Ones that sent him here pulling him away from us permanently.” I countered softly. I gazed at them directly letting fear showing in my eyes. “And he will feel that he has failed all of us if we simply sit here and die.” I concluded. This should get them moving into planning escape routes and ways to get the most people possible safely away from Atlantis. It also meant they would not get in my way as I faced off with Genia in a deadly duel. They nodded as we had one last cup of tea together before they headed for bed. My evening friends would have to understand about my absence for this night. I climb into my tree perch receiving soft cooing from my feather companion. “I hope this works as he has seen it working.” I whispered to the small kestrel perched above me. I was spending another night in a vigil at the pillar of light in their temple until a squawk from my bird partner that it was time to rise.

I stood with Cole in the foyer when Kestrel came down to join us. We did not need to exchange words as we moved together towards the Council Chamber doors. We met Twin and Cor at the doors. Kestrel stepped forward to stand with them on one side while Cole and me were ready to wait on this side of the doors with Council Guards.

“Do you think we will have any problems with this.” Cor asked softly.

“Speak quickly and clearly.” Kestrel replied. “Do not add any doubts or negative possibilities of anything going wrong.” he continued fluidly. “And smile like we all did last night.” he added with a wink. Broad grins appeared on the Brother’s faces as peaceful happiness shone in their eyes.

“Let us complete this part so we shall be in place for next act of this play.” Twin whispered. Cole and I nodded to them before they turned. The doors opened and they marched forward together. The soft click of the doors closing had me turning towards Cole as he did the same.

“Now we should speak and get the Guards’ knowledge added to our own.” I told Cole. He looked at the Guards cautiously before grudgingly nodding to me. The Guards moved in to make a barrier around us allowing them to join in while keeping our discussion mostly secretive. “Have any seen the ‘flutter cub’ our Queen claims cared for Princess Sara in her infancy?” I asked in a whisper. At first they only shook their heads while I glanced around at them.

“Speak freely as I do.” Cole ordered softly. “Those closest to her Highness except for Miss Hope, have vague memories which they do not believe in.” he told me. “I asked Captain directly about this once the rumored comments come to my ears earning me a comment that wolves do not grow wings.” he added slowly. I nodded to him and sighed before looking at the Guards once more.

“Nothing of this bear reality but are insidious memories that are unreal.” one Guard started. A round of verbal agreements and comments of her feelings against the Council growing greater lately. I nodded to them as a soft growling was in my throat.

“Has madness taken her or are we the ones that have gone mad?” Cole asked annoyed. “I fear what her next explosion will be like if she has truly lost touch with reality.” he added with a deep sigh.

“Something is making her believe fantasies are reality to serve their own purpose.” I returned softly. “It is an omen of what is coming towards us if we are not careful.” I added. Cole’s eyes were on me with curiosity gleaming there.

“What did happen during the private dinner?” Cole asked. The ring of Guards moved back turning their back towards us. “You have changed by it as much as the other six in that room.” he added as explanation. He was revealing nothing while hoping for juicy information.

“Explain?” I replied quickly. “What has changed and noticed in the other six?” I asked more directly. He sighed before speaking.

“Chichi was both sober and up early without a guest in his bed.” he began slowly. He ticked off the events on his fingers for me to see. “Lady Nightingale was having breakfast by the dolphin pool.” he ticked off. “Lady Scarabea spent the night sitting on the prow of the Leviathan watching the open ocean.” he continued. “Lord Corëe’ap’Ręæ and Lord Twin Feathers were sitting on the roof of their residence without throwing things at passerby’s.” he ticked two fingers. He held his index up to me. “And Kestrel was smiling all morning without speaking about anything at all.” he explained, starring directly at my eyes. “And you have asked for my opinion instead of telling me what others believe I am thinking.” he concluded softer. Leeriness and happiness warred in his eyes. I did not need the ability to read minds to know he was trying to learn what I knew and why I was acting so open towards him.

“It has been a very long time since all of them were together.” I replied. “And it will be a very long time before they can all be together again.” I continued softly. “They have much to think about and accept between the long absence that they face.” I conclude. I used his own non-answer technique while sounding like a complete answer. He stared hard at me trying find any hint of me teasing him. He eventually shock his head while we return to quietly discuss the royal events of late finding moment showing a slip into surrealistic non event. None could ignore the signs of madness growing in our Queen though I did have them ignoring the festivity she arrange for the Brothers’ visit. The many hours that passed gave me the time to have direct all of them along the pathways for them to be in place for what was going to happen while keeping far from the fight I was going to be facing.

Kestrel's Last Journals (30)

Redpath and myself led my Brothers and Sister toward the hall Sister Pestilence had arranged for us. Annianka wished to join us but was rebuked by being told it is for our sacred family only. I did assure her that nothing diplomatic or political would be discussed during this private meal. She relented with one last feeble attempt by mentioning how it is impolite excluding their sister from this family event. She was still grumbling under her breath as Miss Hope escorted her away. I allowed the others to enter before me and did not prevent young Kestrel being pulled into the room. We six took places evenly separated along the curving outer wall of this circular room. One palm from each touched the wall as shimmering starlight coated the walls from where we touched it. Redpath had busied himself to fill the glasses getting a few odd glances but none complained of his presence among us. Once the walls were sealed with our cosmic wards, we took our seat around the ring shaped table. A pale manifestation of the Ley’ä’Luna’s pillar of light appeared at the center of the room within the ringed table. Young Kestrel stood behind the right side of my chair ready to serve wine or bring replacement platter from the edge heated table.

We each in turned swore the oath to the pillar of light in the original first language and concluded it in unison binding us to each other and to the first primordial race that allowed us to exist. Sealed away from prying eyes, ears, and minds and with our oaths renewed before the echoed light of the Ley’ä’Luna’s manifestation, we six allowed ourselves to truly relax while all the others looked towards my feline Squire.

“One must serve and we cannot accept the other Squires within this hall in Brother Order’s domain.” Famine informed them. A ring agreeing nods. They still glanced at him from time to time as he stood by my shoulder perfectly straight and silent in his golden touched knightly armor. A soft chuckled escaped me at this minor worry among my selected family.

“This will be the last time we can gather like this.” I announced solemnly. “It is best we revel in our own way in our own skin.” I continued. I let my human form drift into my true form on liquid starry night skies with my my stardust wings at my back. With a smile, they each slipped into a similar appearance in the form of the first five races that existed. The three pairs of starlight wings stretched out of our backs to manifest our familial bonds we had made over the multiple trillion millenniums we have existed for. “We are here to be together one last time before the great darkness engulfs the light jewel of Atlantis.” I concluded. I mild murmur ran around the table but none made remarks.

Food moved from the platters to our plates to disappear into us without being physically touched. The tongues we spoke were of the six first races and that of the primordial race. Redpath did not act as if he understood our words but would move around the room when needed to replace platters and refill the tall glasses we drank from that day. I knew he understood that what he was allowed to witness was not to be spoken about with others beyond these walls. I heard the hiss from Sister Chaos before she spoke.

“I must ask that he understands our words!” she retorted in Atlantian. “We know that your time is short, Brother Order, and I believe your replacement deserves to know the role he will play as our future leader.” she added in a deep hiss. I sighed under my breath but allowed them to decide without agreeing.

“I will go only at my proper time.” I told them softly. The echoing qualities of our voices filled the room with odd resonance. “I will agree for him to hear and understand our words my little Sister, if we all agree.” I offered to them. A smile and nod from each came around the table from Chaos at my left to War at my right. I chuckled as I nodded my agreement. A sparkling earpiece clipped onto the feline’s ear without harming him. “He shall hear and understand our words while within this hall with us.” I added.

“Thank you, sir.” young Kestrel whispered to me.

“We are founded to protect and rally the Fallen Ones, you call humans, until they face the final great darkness.” War stated calmly. It was a simplified version of our oaths but informed him properly.

“We have existed since long before Earth was formed being from the first five races.” Famine explained. “We five were chosen by the Lights of Life and through their Envoy Brother Order, for this purpose.” he added.

“The races did not start existing until Universe, beloved mother of Genin, sacrificed herself to let her blood flow and bring all things in existence from the first to the last race.” Pestilence announced softly.

“His Race bears only two beings, Genin and his half-sister Genia, the children born from Universe.” Death stated. “He is fathered by the Void, while Genia was born from an act of violence.” he added more quietly.

“We are to rally six armies to defeat the great darkness in the far future if Atlantis survives the dark knot it faces.” Chaos reported calmly. “We stand as Brothers and Sisters of the Light of the Ley’ä’Luna.” she added.

“All of us have sacrificed everything about our pasts to be reborn in this plane as defenders of the human race.” I said as Order. “Each have lost much along the way here even their own original bodies to stand together until it is done.” I concluded. They nodded as one but Chaos could not leave it end this easily.

“Some have sacrifice their true bounded pair to stand her with us.” she commented as her spiraling eyes turned towards me. “Order lost his life partner to a very evil monster that is still free.” she explained softly. My glare at her was being ignored by all five of them. “The lost had removed true laughter and happiness from him for so very long.” she added. Her tears were invisible but I could feel them as easily as I felt my own from her words.

“His wife stood by his side in all his actions as Order or Genin.” War began.

“She was willing to sacrifice her existence for him even if she was considered evil.” Famine continued.

“She died to save him from the evil released upon all existence.” Pestilence added in.

“”Know that this enemy is the enemy of all of us.” Death continued.

“He is all of us and without him, we are nothing.” Chaos concluded this tale and their personal vow to me.

“Enough of a history lesson.” I crowed in the room. “We have more important things to discuss than my darkest history.”

“True!” Famine interjected.

“What have you foreseen for us to do?” War returned calmly.

“You and Death shall stand against the hordes of Lemuria trying to run.” I answered bluntly. “Chaos will be igniting the crystals to cause a chain reaction destroying all of them.” I continued. “With luck or Lockey’s trickery, part of your essence will be trapped outside this plane until the worse of the future darkness has moved upon us, Brothers War and Death.” I concluded.

“As you order and warn us, eldest one.” War replied for the three of them.

“And of us three?” Famine asked.

“You will attempt to save many who should die because of their ships will be sucked down with Atlantis.” I replied quickly. “Pestilence will be doing the same but this will all happen before the battle hidden by Atlantis sinking.” I continued calmly. “Your survival from a rebirth will only be known by the winner of that battle.” I explained to them. They waited patiently as I looked over each of them. “As for myself, it is unsure but I will be here in one facet or another facing she who wishes to destroy Atlantis.” I concluded. I did not wish to tell them that I will be gone allowing Redpath to kill Genia.

“And my place?” my Squire asked softly. The eyes of the five shifted to him and I felt the pride this simple question caused them. My silence must have been too long for him. “I must know where I must be if not at your side.” he growled at me. His back was straightening as his face became serious with a hint of a snarl. “They have allowed me to stand here seeing all of you as you truly are, so I deserve to know my place!” His growl vibrated the room sparking at the cosmic wards. All eyes grew wider as he stood at his full height without fear nor worry upon him.

“You will stand between the enemy of Atlantis and the enemy of the world.” I told him without looking at him. “If you select wrong, none of them will be able to stand with you against the final darkness that will be upon you within the last days.” I warned him.

“I pray the Light guides your claws to the right target.” War chuckled softly.

“He will choose the one being I cannot face without dying.” I retorted. Their wide eyes now targeted me as they realized who he would face. “He already knows which must die without me, but after it will be his decision on what comes next.” I concluded. In unison, a slow nod to me and then to Kestrel showing they accepted my words.

I fell in silent contemplation while still chatting softly with my family. Redpath toured the room having his own discussions while we would, in turn, tell tales of our past that only here I can remember all of it freely. It was a much quieter celebration than in the Royal Court’s chaotic festival. I was happy like before when Elyria sat at my right through many gatherings like this one. A prayed to the Light that the sub-atoms of my destroyed soul may find hers in the nothingness at the edge of the Void’s realm. It was far passed the high moon when we finally left this place in our human skin once more. Cor, Aurora, and Twin went with their selected Guards to return to their residence while in Atlantis. Chichi offered to escort Sarabea back to the ship since she had no residence in Atlantis to stay during this short visit. Young Kestrel marched at my side as we moved slowly in silence along the our pathway home.

“Why was I selected as your Squire?” he asked softly in a near purring whisper to me.

“Because you would never allow me to enter that room alone.” I started using the most simplistic reason. “If you would have attempted to follow me in, you would have died because of the wards erected upon the place.” I continued easily. “I cannot risk losing any of you but you are the one most likely to go against my orders in the name of honor.” I concluded to him. He shock his head slowly.

“They knew I was your Squire.” he returned. “That is not why you asked this of me other than how limited your time here remains.” he told me. “Why was I the one you asked to be your Squire?” he concluded. We had stopped walking to face each other with hard faces.

“Sert has the heart but not the will to walk my path.” I began softly. “Meli has a protective nature but does not have the drive to follow my path.” I continued calmly. “Cole has his cunning but is too easily swayed from the path he must walk to follow mine.” I explained slowly. “This leave you with the heart, kindness, and cunning plus the honor to follow in my footprints as my Squire and replacement.” I concluded.

“I do not fully believe your words but will follow your path without asking to know more.” Redpath nodded to me. Our walk was still at a slow place. Sert, Meli, and Cole stood in the foyer waiting impatiently for our return. Worry lined their faces as hey stared at me upon my return with Redpath. The emotions poured out of them as their worries came out in a mix of anger and frustration.

“You have been doing everything to do the least possible lately.” Sert commented.

“You have been weakening since you saved that child, haven’t you?” Meli snapped at me.

“You have been acting very odd and more silent lately, sir.” Cole stated quietly.

“Do not tell us that we are over reacting due to over protectiveness.” Meli warned me.

“Every time you leave, we expect Redpath returning with word that you have been sent to Healers’ Halls because you collapsed.” Sert chimes in harshly.

“We have found nothing that could return your health before you have died.” Cole added grumbling.

Young Kestrel looked at them in silence as he stood by my side. He had accepted what I was placing upon his shoulders and was not going to interfere while I still stood by him. Once I was gone, he would lie convincingly and have them continue along the path they needed to follow. I still felt bad placing this upon his young shoulders but he has proven himself many times over being the me that first floated out into the spreading blood Universe to meet the first race being born. He was me as I walked the millenniums with my new Brothers and Sisters as well as Elyria at me side when my heart and spirit was whole.

“Yes, I have been avoiding many thing and held back my strengths and abilities for what I have foreseen coming.” I told them calmly. I smiled shyly at them with a shrug. “Please understand that much may come in the near future that will force me to extend myself nearly as much as I did saving that child.” I explained to them. “If I am to walk away alive from this, I must channel all my strength internally until that time.” I concluded.

“This is why I have been at his side to allow us a chance to prevent him needing to waste power on things which we can do for him.” Redpath remarked to them. He looked at his feet with a yowl. “I am worried but we must trust that he is doing what is best for all of us and Atlantis.” he added softer. He looked up at them with tear soaking the fur on his cheeks.

And this was why the others accepted him as my Squire. This was why he did not need to explain his presence in the seal hall. This was the reason that the Ley’ä’Luna chose him to be my replacement in all things. He was as tenacious, honorable, resourceful, cunning, and empathetic naturally as I had been beyond my role I played in this body. Even Annianka. whom I could love, did not know me as well as Repath did. He was truly the perfect copy of the original Genin. The Brothers and Sisters of Light would follow him feeling they are following my own orders without questions because they would see the true “Brother Order” standing with them.

My trio of worrying friends did not want to let this drop seeing my excuse as not good enough for them. Redpath claimed an early meeting with the Council allowing me to excuse myself from their midst. I ignored them as they ignored my excuse to them to retire to my private room. I was needed the next morning to stand withing the Council as Lemuria signed the treatise that would start solving all the conflicts between Atlantis and Lemuria. My sleep was easy as my body’s exhaustion claimed me. Morning had me in the foyer with Cole and young Kestrel readying to go meet my Brothers at the Council Chambers for dawn. The walk was in silence in the early predawn light along the empty streets until we met Cor and Twin at the doors of the Council Chambers’ central hall.

“Do you think we will have any problems with this.” Cor asked as greeting.

“Speak quickly and clearly.” I replied. “Do not add any doubts or negative possibilities of anything going wrong.” I continued calmly. “And smile like we all did last night.” I concluded with a wink to them. Both Brothers grinned broadly at my words.

“Let us complete this part so we shall be in place for the next act of this play.” Twin remarked with a smile. Cole and Redpath nodded to us as we entered the Council Chamber to face the them all together. This session took many hours but we were exiting with triumphant smiles on our face. Sanctions and reporting any group trying to barter or sell the Lemurian crystals to Atlantis as a whole had pushed the Council into agreeing to this treaty with Lemuria. Cole face beamed with happiness as I sensed he believed the knot had been cut away from Atlantis’ future. Young Kestrel hide his knowledge by looking as pleased as Cole including his pleased purring. Cole returned to give the good news to Sert and Meli over breakfast while my Brothers, Redpath, and myself head to the harbor to get the Peace Ambassador on their way on the Leviathan.

The only minor delay was for Scarabea to dismount to hug me and place one last kiss on my cheek. I locked arms with each of my Brothers offering them good parting and luck. Twin did whisper to me that he will request my cousin, Lord Death, to stand with me at my appointed time to give me one more hand leading my into nothingness. My three family saluted me receiving a crisp Atlantian salute as reply. All this happens before the eyes of the Guard Captains who were wordless at this sight. The Leviathan did not jump this time to silently glide on the waters through the protective reefs before actually jumping across the oceans to Lemuria.

I turned still smiling before Redpath and myself returned home. I request the help of my household to carry all my musical instruments to the garden to give them a day full of music and leisure. Weeks passed while I waited for the assigned moment of my death and avoided visiting Annianka. She would need to judge who should be saved, Atlantis or herself. Most of this time was spent sitting idly in the garden watching the clouds and listening to the songbirds. The word finally arrived that I had been waiting for. A massive fleet of ships flying the emblems of Lemuria was seen on the horizon targeting Atlantis. The multiple rumors grew quickly spreading across Atlantis like a windblown wildfire.

In my mind, I saw Cor and Twin standing upon the docks blocking the Lemurians from boarding vessels to escape the shaking city. The wave of distortion from the disintegrating of Lemurian crystals washed toward the city as it shattered and sunk under the ocean waves and their ship blinking out of existence. I was then upon the deck of the Leviathan as Lockey activated a capture ray to pull the Brothers to the ship from the docks. The new modifications failed as the rift drive goes into overload creation a spacial and temporal rift which sucks up the ship with part of the Brothers being caught with the ship. I could not detect where they ended but it was no long upon this plane of reality. I shuddered at my impotence at saving them. My replacement could not help pull them back until the far flung future. The Brothers’ souls would be reborn but would always be missing a part of themselves until the Leviathan returned to our world.

And the rumors now spoke of the Lemurian fleet retreating but all of this was a lie staged by humans that could not trust Lemuria would exist peacefully in this world. Between the humans and something within Atlantis forced the hands of the island’s military. They could have easily used other weapons to sink the fleet without risking harm to Lemuria. Just another sign of how tightly the thing in the Heartstone controlled Atlantis through our Holy Queen. The path for Genia’s bomb was set in motion for her evil plans. I remained in my garden waiting for what I knew would happen next from all the information young Kestrel carried to me.

Annianka would be imprisoned over her actions and the growing insanity within her speeches of late. I would and could do nothing to protect her, yet. I would make my offer and then she will decide what happens afterwards. I would either be taking her and her sister shards away from here or I will be simply hiding away to transfer myself into Redpath to expire. Either way, young Kestrel will take up the fight and face off with Genia in my place.

The next morning word was received that the Royal and Council Guards worked together to take the Holy Queen into custody peacefully. She had screamed only about this being a plot from the Council to dispose of her but showed no violence as they escorted her to her tower turned prison again. Unfortunately, the logs of the Council, the nobles, and multiple witnesses reported her screaming for the corrupted blood of Lemuria be removed permanently from existence. I gave her two days of solitude before I finally went to visit her this last time. I was the only person they would allow entry to her tower cell other than for Miss Hope, now her warden. I walked up to her wordlessly to deposit the jewellery box into her hand. She looked at me confused as she opens the box. She pulls out the ring and examines it closely for a moment before her eyes returned to mine.

“I cannot marry you, my sweet one.” she replied in a lilting voice. Her eyes were clouded and unfocused. “I already have a husband.” she added with a misaligned smile.

“The king means nothing to you or Atlantis, Annianka.” I returned patiently, like dealing with a child.

“It is not the farce of a King I speak of.” she returned harshly with a dreamy smile. “I speak of my husband Retrane.” she added with a sour choking giggle.

Hearing that name filled me with rage. This was the one that had raped my mother to father Genia and was destroyed beyond existence as he attempted escaping the Void’s rage by stepping into the pillar of light. Instead of merging with the Light, black flames consumed every atoms of its body, mind, and spirit. She dropped the ring into my hand without the box. I let it drop to the ground in her garden where we met. It sunk directly into the earth as the dragons ephemeral forms began circulating Atlantis under the level of the sea. I took a step back from her.

“Goodbye...” I whispered to her. The portal that open at my back was a swirling mass of black and purple tentacles that shot out to wrap tightly around my body. To her and Miss Hope’s eyes, I was yanked violently back into the swirling mass before the portal collapsed.

“What have you done?” Miss Hope screamed as tears fell from her eyes. “You have forced the Ones that have graced us with his presence to pull him away.” she exclaimed shocked and angry at her.

“I am a married woman.” she replied condescending. Her smile was bright and joyous. “He is such a brainless asshole asking for my hand now.” she added as a higher pitch evil laugh flowed from her mouth. Miss Hope rushed from the tower to her private chamber to find me laying half-alive and half-conscious in her bed. My breath was shallow and my skin paled to bone grayish white from using a skill learned from my departed wife to portal me to this secured location. I barely knew she was their in my dizzy detached state while part of me floated in the Ley’ä’Luna’s Temple of Light.

“Redpath!’ I called out. “Bring him quickly.” I added before slipping deeper into the Temple of Light.

“As you will it, Lord Kestrel.” she stated. She rushed to the street find Kestrel already rushing towards her.

“He has called me.” the panther stated. She instantly turned and lead him to her chambers.

No announcement was needed as when they entered, she saw the Temple of Light in which young Kestrel rushed to stand opposite of my position. The Ley’ä’Luna spoke clearly to Redpath and myself while Miss Hope covered her ears from the loud buzzing of thousands locusts filled the space around us.

“The only way for him to take your place is to be you in every way possible.” it told us in a single voice. “Your power and abilities mean nothing without the memories and knowledge that fuels and controls it.” it continued in unison. “Give everything you are and we will accept him as we accepted you, Great Lord Genin.” it concluded with blunt finality. I took one last look at the other Kestrel and together we nodded. Tendrils of light shot out to touch both of us as a serenade of notes from a voice we both knew too well. As darkness took me, Lord Death sung my swan song and I was no more.