Singularity
Chapter 28

Michalei stormed into Credos castle. His rage tore tapestries from the walls and cracked the floor beneath his feet. It was all Sephiroth could do to keep up as they searched room to room. When they reached the library they realized the place had been deserted in a hurry.

“We must have missed them.” Sephiroth commented as he looked at the candles that were still burning.

“He was in Avalon.” Michalei hissed as he picked up the book and threw it across the room.

“Son of a bitch.” Sephiroth cursed. “Kira knew we’d come here.”

“They went back to Avalon.” Michalei replied wide eyed.

“The gate.” Sephiroth gasped.

Michalei tried to connect to the castle gate. When he realized it was sealed he muttered more curses than Sephiroth could count.

“That bitch,” Michalei finally said audible enough to be understood.

“Easy there,” Sephiroth growled. “She is still my daughter.”

“Of course my king, I apologize.” Michalei replied and took a deep breath.

“We can’t get straight back to the castle but I can get us back to Avalon. It’ll be a long walk from where we land though.” Sephiroth replied.

“It’s better than nothing.” Michalei stated. “Open the gate and get us home.”

Sephiroth nodded and waved his hand. The portal opened and Michalei stepped through. Sephiroth was right behind him. The portal closed leaving them in the orchards south of Avalon.

“Start walking son.” Sephiroth smiled. “It’s quite a way to the nearest stable.”

Michalei cussed but followed Sephiroth up the dusty path. He could all but imagine what horrible things waited for them when they reached Avalon. His mind wandered as they took the painfully slow walk back to the city.

Domascus laid out the items on the pedestals as Kira stood in the center of the room. As he rejoined her there, they placed their hands together over the center podium and took a deep breath.

“Earth, air, fire, water, I call upon the ancient power.” She began.

“In this time of our darkest hour, rise up guardians of this place.” He continued.

“Stand firm, stand tall, stand fast, I give of myself so your strength will last.” She spoke as the clasps came up and closed upon her wrist.

“I got you.” He whispered as she flinched. “Keep going.”

She nodded and continued. “Devour those whom wish to harm. I now sound the ancient alarm.”

Kira’s blood flowed down her wrists, across the podium and through the floor. It reached the pedestals surrounding them as she called out.

“Rise up guardian of the watch tower of the north. Power of earth so divine,” The ground beneath their feet trembled.

“Rise up guardian of the watch tower of the east. Power of air so pure,” They could hear the wind begin to howl.

“Rise up guardian of the watch tower of the south. Power of fires burning fury. Rise up guardian of the watch tower of the west. Power of waters cleansing grace.” She began to feel faint.

“You’re almost there Kira. Hang in there.” He urged.

“Rise up guardians rise! Protect all those whom dwell inside.” She called out at last.

The clasps gave way. Kira fell into Domascus’ arms. She felt exhausted until he pulled her to her feet and kissed her passionately. Her strength returned slowly as he held her tight.

“Feel better?” He asked as she smiled up at him.

“Much better.” She replied.

“Good, let’s go topside and see what you accomplished.” He smiled.

“After you,” She smiled.

Domascus laughed as the darkness swirled around them and took them to the balcony of the queen’s chamber. From there they could see the glow of the guardians as they watched over the city. Kira smiled and turned to go back inside. That’s when she saw it. Domascus’ father lay in a pool of blood in the middle of her bedroom floor.

“My goddess, no,” She wept and raced over to him. “I’m so sorry.”

“Oh Kira,” He said nearly weeping himself as his heart broke for her.

“He didn’t have to die for this.” She cried.

“He believed in you. I believe in you.” He replied. “It’s alright my darling.”

“He deserves an honorable king’s funeral.” She said wiping the tears from her eyes.

“We shall give it to him. But first, we should get cleaned up. It would frighten our people if they saw us covered in blood.” He replied

That was the first time Kira noticed it. Her silver gown was ruined. She had blood stains running down her arms and along her skirt. Domascus was covered in both their blood, his shirt was soaked in it where he had held her. She giggled for a moment.

“We look bad.” She said.

“Yes we do.” He called forth their leather clothes and weapons then carried them into the bathroom.

Kira ran the water and discarded her ruined dress. For moment Domascus stood there looking her over. His eyes traced every curve from her ankles to her eyes then when he saw that she noticed his gaze he turned crimson. She smiled, walked over to where he stood, and placed her hands on his chest.

“You act as if we’re not already one.” She teased.

“In the chaos, I nearly forgot we are, was all. Your beauty, and your power, and your grace, I don’t deserve you.” He snorted with half a smile.

“You know, people say they would wait forever for something like what we’ve been given. You had to do just that. If my joy has ended your suffering then I am pleased.” She stood on the tips of her toes and placed a kiss on his lips.

Domascus wrapped his arms around Kira. He never wanted her more than he did in that moment but he knew it would have to wait. He reluctantly pulled away and nudged her into the running water. He discarded his own clothes and stepped into the water stream beside her. They gently sponged the dried blood away from each others’ skin and washed the sweat from their hair. They left the shower behind and dressed quietly. They had the pressing matter of a funeral for an honorable man to deal with. Everything else could wait until that had passed.

They set out to prepare it for the evening. Kira cast the elements and released the body to the pyre that waited in the court yard. Domascus urged her to rest a while before performing the rites. He nudged her over to the bed where they lay in each others’ arms until dusk.