Singularity
Chapter 22

Domascus hit his knees. It felt as if his heart had been ripped from his chest. He panicked as he realized he couldn’t feel Kira anymore. His mind reached out for her but it was as if she had never existed at all. She was just gone and all he had to show for it was the hole in his chest where his heart should be.

“Father!” He cried out as he struggled to his knees.

“What is it son?” His father asked as he made his way into the room.

“Something’s wrong. I can’t feel her anymore.” His chest heaved in agony.

“Do not panic son. She would never forgive you for doing something rash and impulsive.” His father sighed.

“You’re right.” Domascus replied forcing himself to calm down.

“Give her two days. It may just be Avalon welcoming her home. If you haven’t heard anything by the third day we will send someone to speak to her.” His father replied.

“Alright father, it is a solid plan.” He said, not quite believing it.

“Damn right it is. Goddess forbid you stormed your way into a trap again. Wait it out and do things the smart way this time.” His father smiled.

“Yes sir,” He replied.

Domascus paced discontent for a while after his father left him to his thoughts. He feared the worst for his Kira and cursed at himself for thinking it would be safe for her to go home. It struck him then that magic had to have been involved and that meant someone in Avalon had learned to tap into it. For the first time in his long life he found fear and finally understood how he had made others feel. Fear melted away to guilt. He locked himself in his room believing he deserved to suffer alone.

It was early when the door to Kira’s room flung open. Michalei strolled right in and yanked the covers away from her.

“Get up,” He demanded.

“Kiss my ass,” She replied taking the covers back and rolling over.

He grabbed her by her hair and threw her to the floor. “I said now.”

She jumped to her feet. “What the hell is your problem?”

“Get dressed in something befitting to your stature as queen. Then get downstairs and join us for breakfast.” He stated.

“Get bent, I’m not interested.” She growled.

Michalei back handed Kira across the cheek. She was only stunned for a moment before she balled up her fist and punched him in the jaw. This only made him smile. He lifted up his hand and she was immobilized.

“Now, can you see that I’ve picked up a few things while you were tramping around?” He grinned.

“I control you now so let’s not do this the hard way alright?” He released his hold on her.

Tears fell down her cheeks. “You’re a bastard.”

He made his way to the closet, grabbed a gown and threw it at her. “This will do. You’ve got ten minutes.” He walked out and closed the door behind him.

Kira stepped into the frilly gown. It was emerald green, off the shoulder bust with an excessively full skirt of lace under satin. She looked at herself and thought she resembled a pine tree. Disgusted she went into the bathroom and splashed cold water onto her face. The pendant hung down into the sink, she put her fingers around it for a moment trying to figure out what spell had created it.

Kira got nothing from it and remembered her power was gone. She stormed back into the bedroom and pulled her boots on under the dress. There wasn’t any sign of her swords, not that they would have fit over the full skirt anyways. Her ten minutes were up. Michalei opened the door and stared her down.

“Much better.” He commented.

“Go to hell.” She replied and brushed past him into the hall.

“You’ll feel better once I fix you Kira. I swear it.” He said as he escorted her to the dining room.

“There’s nothing to fix Michalei.” She grumbled.

“You just can’t see it Kira. When I held you in my arms and watched you die, it felt as if I would die with you. But you came back different and it’s Domascus who is responsible for it.” He argued.

“Death didn’t change me, what I came back to did. The anger and hatred for another living thing is something I detest.” She countered.

“This discussion is over.” She hissed as she made her way into the dining room.

Kira took her seat, “Good morning papa.”

“Good morning daughter.” He replied. “Did you sleep well?”

“Yes papa I’m fine.” She chirped without really meaning it.

Sephiroth accepted Kira’s reply and dug into his breakfast. She moved the food around on the plate with her fork. She wasn’t interested in eating. They finished their meals and looked at her concerned noticing that she hadn’t eaten a bite.

“You didn’t eat a thing are you feeling alright?” Sephiroth asked her.

“I’m just not all that hungry. May I be excused?” She asked.

“Of course,” Sephiroth replied sadly.

“Thank you,” She replied with no emotion.

Kira pushed her chair back as she stood. The skirt swished around her ankles as she picked it up and made her way out of the room and away from them. She locked herself in the library even though she was certain if they wanted in they could easily do so. What Michalei had done to her had to be in one of these books. She would devote all the time she could to replaceing the answer.