Skye Silver & The Soul of Fire Vol.1
Chapter 15 Am I Alive?

Three massive flaming arrows sealed Assail’s fate as he lay motionless on the ground in front of me. The crowd of onlookers and spectators were all frozen in position and stunned. No one knew where the arrows came from but everyone knew they weren’t just any normal arrows. They were massive like small rockets and black. They looked as if they were carved out of black stones. Even the head of the arrows were a sharp concrete point that looked like a spade symbol.

Suddenly I could feel the concrete under the ground release its tight grip on my body. I exhaled sharply as the pressure from the concrete was lifted off of my chest. I could breath clear and was no longer falling into my unconscious state. I was still unable to free myself from the ground as were Kitai & Benign. We had lost so much energy and prana in the fight that being under the ground suppressed the little we had left.

We sat for a moment in the ground when all of a sudden I could hear people in the crowd. At first, they were whispering and the ones I could see were pointing down the street. Eventually, every one of the on-lookers were gazing down the street in awe of whatever they saw. I could hear a lot of feet approaching however, it wasn’t just normal feet. I could hear an entire herd marching down the street towards where we were but I couldn’t see anything. Whoever was approaching us they were coming from behind me which meant Kitai and Benign could see them but they were both still silent. Finally, the movements were within a short distance from us and came to a halt. The people of the town were all frozen where they stood and stared like they had just seen Bigfoot running down the street.

“Whats going on?” I asked.

“Shhhhh” Kitai hushed me like Ms. Cruise used to do in the library.

Then there was a sound. The sound of a pair of boots landing on the ground. They subsequently began walking in our direction with each step being slightly louder than the last. No one was saying anything and the only thing I could hear was the wind blowing and the heels of the boots making contact with the ground as the mystery person approached us.

Finally, the sound of the boots stopped. Everyone was watching and I was the only one unable to see what was happening when all of a sudden I could hear what sounded like a massive sledgehammer strike the concrete behind me. Subsequently, I could feel the ground shaking and hear it crumbling in our vicinity. Then there was another strike that I could feel completely releasing most of the concrete underground that trapped us. It felt like it went from solid to sand. Finally came a third strike that caused the entire ground around Kitai, Benign & I to crumble into mere dust at our feet. We were still standing in a triangle with our backs to each other.

I was motionless from shock more or less and Kitai and Benign were both gazing at whoever had just freed us. There was an entire crater in the middle of the street like a comet had slammed into it and the three of us stood directly in the center. The people of the town all stood in amazement because the crater stopped just before the sidewalks they were standing on. I imagined they were just as shocked as me seeing how they actually witnessed what had happened and I only heard it.

Suddenly Kitai & Benign both dropped to their knees kneeling as did every bystander on the sidewalks.

Confused and still very much in shock I turned around to see a glow that was like the sun. It was absolutely breathtaking.

“Am I alive?” I asked as the light was different from the first I had just witnessed.

I probably should have kneeled like everyone else but I was so lost in the beauty of the glow and stunned from the battle that I completely disregarded it. I stood tall staring at a woman in black boots and black dress with red tiger stripes going across. She was holding a massive bow which assured me that she was indeed the one to save us. She wore a beautiful ruby necklace that glowed like fire in the sun as the clouds of Assail’s storm completely cleared from the sky. She had long curly hair that reached passed her shoulders.

“Skye!” The woman called out as she jumped in the crater we stood in.

With tears running down her eyes as she ran towards me a memory flashed in my mind. It was me as a child and her crying as she was about to send me through a portal to protect me from an angry mob that was hot on her trail. The memory came in a vivid daydream. I could hear the angry mob that was chasing her, yelling and hunting for her location. I could hear her soft sniffles as she tried to hold back the inevitable tears that were to come. I could hear how she told me she loved me and that she would always protect me and send for me when it was safe. I remembered her kissing my forehead just as one of the hunters spotted us. She sat me down for a moment on a huge boulder that was where the portal would be while she raised a raging fire between where we were and where the hunter that spotted us was.

All of these forgotten childhood memories flashed into my mind which in turn made me realize that this was my mother. I burst into a sprint towards her with tears running down my face just as hers did. I jumped into my mother’s arms embracing her with my love. I could feel my Soul of Fire soothe as we wrapped our arms around each other. I could hear her sniffles again they were the same as in the daydream, only this time I had returned rather than left. She squeezed me tightly but just enough to where it didn’t actually hurt like beginning the bear hug on someone but not actually following through with it. I hugged back but not nearly as tightly because of my fatigued body. Finally, My mother and I had reunited.

“Oh get up Kitai.” She said in a friendly tone as she released her hold on me.

She stood back to observe me placing her palm on my cheek.

“My sweet girl.” She said.

Our vibe was radiating I was sure the rays between us were visible.

“Mom,” I said and it was nearly all I could say with the huge lump in my throat from trying to stop the flow of tears I had running.

“All of you,” She said looking to the spectators kneeling “on your feet!”

One by one they began standing to their feet until they were all standing tall. I turned to see Benign standing as well. I hugged both Kitai and Benign with tears of joy as we had Finally made it to the Cave Region and were safe with my mother.

“We actually did it,” I said as I released them and wiped the tears from my eyes. “We made it.”

My mother rested her hand on my shoulder. “Yes, you did.”

She then went to hug Kitai. “How are you?” She asked.

“I’m ok, just a little roughed up,” Kitai responded.

“You always were more aggressive when it came to battles. Even when you were young in competitions.” She smiled.

“And who is this handsome gentleman fighting for my daughter’s honor without my request?” She asked looking at Benign.

“Your majesty I am Benign Star.” He replied.

“Of the Mountains?” She asked as she noticed his tornado forehead emblem.

“That’s a long story.” Kitai interfered. “I can fill you in later but he is no less than a brother to me.”

She smiled. “Well, I’m happy to hear he’s like family to you.”

She hugged Benign. “Thank you for your compassion, it will not go unrewarded.”

Benign stood star struck as she released her embrace. He had never met a Ruler of a Region let alone been touched and personally thanked by one. He simply stood silently smiling.

“Well, Skye Silver, what do you say we go home.” My mother said looking me in my eyes with a bright smile.

“I would love that,” I responded.

She turned around with her hand pointing me in the direction she had jumped inside the crater. When we all began walking you could hear a slow clap amongst the crowd brewing. By the time we reached the edge of the crater, it was a full-on thunderous clap surrounding the crater. When I looked up to the people they were all smiling faces. Some of them even had tears in their eyes. I jumped out of the crater to the street level first, followed by my mother then Kitai and Benign last.

When we reached the street level I could see a line of Cave Region soldiers standing before us. We began walking toward them with my mother in front. The soldier in the middle of the line moved first. He took one step back made a facing movement military style to the left and marched to the end of the line. The guy that was to his immediate right followed walking in the opposite direction and so on.

When we finally reached them there was an opening between what was now two smaller lines of soldiers rather than one long. The opening revealed a matte black truck dark with tinted windows levitating slightly above the ground. It reminded me of a Cadillac Escalade but without wheels. When we approached the automobile the back doors opened automatically.

My mother unexpectedly turned around to face the crowd near the trunk of the car.

“Are there any Ground Manipulators here?” She asked so loud you could hear her voice echo down the street. It was powerful and clear.

For a moment everyone stood frozen in their places. Then a man wearing a beanie down to his eyebrows began stepping forward through the crowd. When he reached the front of his particular crowd he kneeled down facing us from across the crater.

“Your majesty I am an Earth Manipulator.” He said.

“On your feet,” Loraine responded.

He stood to his feet peering across the crater at us.

“Do you have the power to fix this ditch?” She asked.

“Yes, I believe I do.” He responded.

“Please, if you would she said.”

“Of course he responded.”

He crossed his left foot in front of his right foot. Closed his eyes and lifted his hands to about chest level facing up and pointing outward. Almost instantly the ground under us all began trembling. When all of a sudden the walls of the crater came closing in. The bottom of the crater was rising like someone was filling a balloon with air.

Finally, the ground tremors came to a halt and the crater was filled. It didn’t look perfect but potholes don’t matter much in a Country where the cars fly.

“Thank you, good man!” Loraine said as she nodded her head in approval of his work.

He kneeled once again as she turned to face us.

“Now let’s go home,” she said.

We all turned to the car in agreement and climbed in the back seat.

The interior of the truck was red and the back seat was like a luxurious limo. Benign and I sat with our backs to the trunk while my mother sat opposite of me and Kitai across from Benign. The first thing I spotted was the bottle of Golden Potion stashed in a middle console that held ice. I could see Benign eyeing the bottle. Who could blame him after what we went through? I could use a good laugh at the moment however, I was more interested in speaking with my mother than the golden bottle that sat between her and Kitai. Speaking of Kitai he was staring out of the window as the car rose higher off the ground. He was watching the people once again cheer for us as we left the area. His face expressed overwhelming relief. I’m sure it was because he realized the long devastating journey was over.

My heart yearned for Kitai because while on this treacherous journey he never got to properly mourn the death of his mother. He held it in so he could fight his way to the Cave Region for me and the journey had finally come to an end. I’m sure she was who he was thinking about as he continued staring out the window but now in the sky rather than the ground.

“I assume your journey was no easy trip,” Loraine said.

“Not at the slightest.” Benign laughed. “Can I have some of that potion?” He asked unexpectedly.

“Sure!” She laughed pulling the bottle from the console and a cup from an adjacent cup holder.

Benign’s face filled with glee as he didn’t expect her to allow it. Not only did she allow it but she poured his cup for him as well.

“Would you like some?” She offered.

“No, not right now,” Kitai answered.

“No thanks,” I said.

“Boring!” Benign said sarcastically as he stirred his drink.

Loraine stuffed the cork back inside the bottle and put it back in the ice.

“I’m so interested to hear what you’ve learned on your journey,” Loraine said. “The moment I received word you were in the Cave Region I came rushing to replace you.”

“It was a long one,” Kitai said with a sigh.

Loraine immediately noticed the sad and low tone Kitai spoke with and knew something was horribly wrong.

“Kitai.” She said as she put her hand on his shoulder.

He turned to face her with his eyes full of water.

“Oh god no,” Loraine said as she caught on to what had happened.

Tears filled her eyes as well as she pulled in Kitai and embraced him with a tight hug.

“I’m so sorry.” She said, “I can’t imagine the pain you’re in right now.”

She rubbed his back showing her care as he silently sobbed in her shoulder. She held him for a moment before they released each others grasps and she wiped his tears away.

“I will replace a way to get her back.” She assured him.

He smiled back at her speechless.

“My daughter you must tell me all of your time in a foreign country.” She said. “I have never left Astral because I fear The Guerrillas will take over the region with the absence of the Queen”

My mother was sure I had lived a fun life in another country because I was a superior being to humans. However, she didn’t know that with my skin color the country I landed in was automatically looked down upon. Without the knowledge that I was a superior being, I slipped into the world of an outcast to fly under the radar of the people in America rather than living my best life amongst the mere humans.

I was stronger than humans as well as faster and smarter. I only never noticed because no one encouraged me to do better or more than I was already doing. I never knew how strong or fast I was because I never entered sports. I knew I was smart but the school I attended in America was not equipped to develop my mind any further. After the ninth grade, everything was nearly useless unless you were looking to be a sort of teacher yourself, or scientist or maybe businessman. Either way, the school developed you for things you likely had no interest in which in turn left most people feeling like they weren’t going to be much in life or unmotivated. I was amongst the unmotivated crowd.

At 16 years of age, I was perfectly fine with leaving my schooling behind in America. I had learned all that was beneficial to me in the earlier school years.

“Well, I landed in America,” I said.

“That’s great!” She responded. “ I understand that to be the land of opportunity on this planet.”

“Well, there is opportunity for some,” I said.

“What do you mean?” She asked.

“Well people with our color skin in America are typically seen as inferior to others,” I said.

“Inferior!” She exclaimed. “How does the color of one’s skin make them any less of a being?”

“You would be surprised,” Kitai interfered. “Not all the news we hear of America here is true. A lot of their truth is hidden and false information is spread around the country and world like wildfire.”

“What?” She said baffled. “I had no idea, I was trying to send you there because it was known as the Land of Opportunity on this planet and there were people of our skin color inhabiting different parts of the land. I figured you would blend in best there. I’m so sorry.”

“It’s ok mom,” I responded. “You were doing what you thought best. It’s not your fault some people despise the fact that others are equal to or just as good as them. It happens in every country even here.”

It felt good to call someone mom and not foster mom for the first time. It brought me a sense of comfort, safety and security.

“But to send you to a land where the people pity your skin color…” She paused for a moment. “You were better off staying here at least these people had a good reason to come for us.”

“Hey don’t blame yourself,” I said. “you had no idea and I’m still alive.”

“That’s right you survived.” She said smiling at me with her pearly white teeth. “I always knew you would survive and return to me.”

We continued flying through the cave region and I observed all the different districts and different beings in them. The people of Astral came in all colors: Black, White, Red, Purple there was no shortage of races or types of beings in any of the Regions we had roamed through. The crowds were always people and some were beings I had no knowledge of yet. They were different colors but they always agreed with one another whether they were agreeing to collectively attack or rejoice. The color of your skin and what you were was simply not a factor in Astral. My mother explained to us that Astral was so advanced because problems like that did not exist.

She said and I quote “If everyone is working together everyone progresses faster but if everyone is fighting progress will be slow if at all. You’ve never seen a war end quickly but the peace treaty takes minutes to read and seconds to sign.” I remembered those words like my own name.

“Just as you saw the Earth Manipulator step forward and rebuild our street we could have thrown him out of our Region but allowing him to stay gives us peace as well as benefits. Or your friend Benign here.” She said as he guzzled down the last of his Golden Potion. “My guards could have stopped him at the wall but by allowing him in gave him the opportunity to help you.”

“Do you stop anyone at the wall?” I asked.

“Oh yes of course. The Cave Region as of right now has the most Rogue Members, However,” She said with piercing brown eyes gazing at me. “A lot of the Rogue Demi-Gods have been requesting first as well as re-admittance into the Region and would also like to prove their loyalty to me.

“Well, that’s great right! They can help you fend off the Guerrillas and bring those small towns back to prosperity.” I said excitedly.

“This is true except I’m not sure where all of them are coming from at once. It could be a ploy to take over the region. By letting in more Demi-Gods the Guerrillas could add to their forces and take over towns like Chic District rather than the smaller ones.”

I hadn’t thought about that part but then again that’s why she was the Queen. A Queen must think of every possible outcome to a decision because she knows it affects those around her that she loves and has vowed to protect.

“The strangest part is that they are led by a Demi-God of the islands.” She said. Kitai and I both glance over at each other and then at Loraine.

“Cameron!” Kitai yelled.

“You know what, I think you’re right.” She said. “Cameron and his lady Winnie are leading a Pack of Demi-Gods pledging to fight beside me in order to bring peace to the Cave Region. Do you know them?”

“Yea!” I said excitedly. “They helped us on our journey and gave us a place to stay.”

“They’re pledging their loyalty because we took down the Rogue Twins that were terrorizing the entire Rogue Land,” Kitai added.

“I see,” Loraine said with an interested look.

“They may be coming with a lot more than you expect,” I said. “Cameron was sure he could get the word out to everyone in Rogue land.”

“But I never knew they would do this.” Kitai smiled as he sat back in his chair.

“I will take their offer into consideration because they are friends of yours.” She said

Suddenly Benign arose out of his fatigue slumber he dozed into.

“Camerons here?” He said.

Loraine, Kitai and I all began laughing hysterically at Benign because of his delayed response to the conversation due to the potion he had consumed taking its effects.

After flying through the Region for another couple of hours we were finally approaching the Volcano. We came up to a wall similar to the first one only this one was smaller. As our vehicle neared what looked like a solid wall an opening suddenly began to appear right before my eyes. As we flew through the opening I was stunned at the technology it took to do something like this. I had never seen anything like it except in movies.

“Are we about to run into the wall!” Benign yelped as he looked out the window.

His reaction was so delayed we were already halfway through the wall and into what was the Royal Caves District. The back of the Royal Caves District was the actual volcano. However, there was a massive opening in the bottom around like it was a door to the biggest cave I had ever seen.

“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” Loraine said.

She couldn’t see it as she was facing me but Benign and I could see it.

“Yea, how is that possible?” I responded in awe.

“It’s your home Skye the Volcano is the Royal Cave.” She responded.

I was stunned. I had seen my home long before I knew it was my actual home.

I rolled down the window to get a better view of the District as we flew over it. It was beautiful the homes were all like brick castles with the exception of the actual caves. There weren’t as many people roaming around as some of the other Districts we had been in but most of them wore the Black and red fire emblem robes as if they were guards or soldiers.

“My Soldiers live as I do for they are the only ones who truly maintain my position,” Loraine said.

“Did you know in most of the other countries their military almost gets minimum wage.” Kitai interfered.

“Well, who would fight for people that allow them to starve?” She asked.

“Desperate people,” Kitai answered. “They would rather fight for the country and have a place to stay than rising up and take over the country themselves.”

“Hmmm.” Loraine pondered on the thought. “Well, no man should struggle if he puts his life on the line for the majority.”

I continued gazing at the District below us. the streets looked as if they were paved with gold and every building in sight looked freshly built. The only thing that looked like it may have been old in the district were some of the caves that it housed. Overall the district looked like a modern-day medieval times town because of the caves and castle looking homes and buildings. However, the signs and things of that nature were still digital like in the other regions. It was like the people of the district preferred to keep the old look with the new tech rather than a new look to support the advanced tech.

As we neared the opening in the volcano I realized that it was a sort of garage. There were layers inside and cars on every level. However, the automobiles weren’t just normal cars they were all armored. I imagined it was a fleet my mothers immediate soldiers used as we cruised through. Finally, we landed on the ledge in the far back of the garage. There were two huge wooden doors that read “RC” which I guessed meant Royal Cave directly in front of where we parked.

When we landed the car doors swung open. We stepped out and I glared at the massive doors that stood before me. We began approaching them and they suddenly began opening. Benign and I both had to pick up our chins as our jaws dropped from what we saw behind the doors.

As we entered through the doors the ceiling was actual lava. The concrete walls were lighter nearly white and looked as if they were encrusted with diamonds throughout. The ground was smooth like it had been freshly laid and paved concrete. There was a huge design that stretched across the entire room. It reminded me of the art in the Las Vegas Caesars Palace only theirs was on the ceiling and showed Greek Mythology whereas The Royal Caves manifested Maverick Mythology on the floor. We walked through the center of the large room and up a huge stairwell that was directly across from the doors we came through. We reached the top of the stairs and turned left facing another set of gigantic doors with imprints of huge tigers on both of them.

When these doors opened they revealed a grand ballroom With tables made of gold that ran across the long floor. The tables were complimented gold chairs as well as silverware. There were the faces of tigers like Gargoyles on the ends of the tables. The ceiling looked like backdrafting flames but they were all calmly flowing. The floor was another display of Maverick Mythology beings. At the other end of the room sat a huge golden throne that we began walking towards. There was a full-grown tiger laying beside the throne licking its paws. Also there was a 5 point star imprinted in the top. The bottom right point of the star had a small fire emblem covering it.

My mother explained that if Assail had managed to attain The Soul of Fire, kill her and take over as King of the region the emblem would have turned into a cloud because he was a Demi-God of the mountains.

“Each throne in every region will do the same.” She said.

“So it lets you know if someone is ruling your land that is not originally from here?” Benign asked.

“Yes precisely.” She responded.

“You should send one of these to every other country in the world,” I said in a jokingly manner but was absolutely serious in my words.

“Well, I’m sure everyone knows if their leaders aren’t originally from the land.” She responded.

“Not everybody.” Kitai and I said in sync.

“Hmmm.” Loraine pondered on the thought as we continued through the tables towards the throne.

“Kitai, maybe you should ask your father. He may know why those countries are so blinded.” She said.

“My father?” Kitai asked confused.

“Yes, Senary he’s the God of Wisdom he understands why humans do what they do as well as any other being in the galaxy.” She continued.

“No, you said I could talk to him?” Kitai asked for confirmation.

“Yes of course and Skye can communicate with her father as well no matter what planet they’re currently ambassadors of.”

“But how?” He said

“Wait, what?” I said shortly after Kitai.

“Both of you are able to talk to your fathers through your minds. You simply have to call on their name but you might want to do it in private or you may look like you’re yelling a Gods names and talking to yourself.” She giggled.

“Thanks a lot, your majesty!” He said excitedly.

“Kitai you are my family just call me Loraine.” She smiled.

“Oh ok, Is there anywhere private I can go?” He asked smiling back at her full of glee.

“Sure!”

She called one of her men to escort Kitai to a private room to contact his father. By now we were finally at her throne. I was gazing at the tiger in awe but I still decided to keep my distance even when the tiger seemed to smile and purr at me.

“Are you two hungry?” She asked.

“I’m starving!” Benign answered holding his stomach.

“I could eat,” I said smiling.

My mother clapped her hands three times and every small door in the sides of the massive ballroom burst open. Not long after, chefs began walking out of the doors with plates of food. and delivering them to the tables. It was a great feast prepared in almost an instant with food on every table from one end to the next.

“First come first serve.” She smiled.

Benign and I rushed to the nearest table and began stuffing our faces like we hadn’t eaten in weeks. My mother just watched and giggled but then she walked over to her throne and sat down. A short moment after she sat the doors we had just walked in came opening again only this time they were like floodgates for the people coming to enjoy a feast with the Queen.