Ashes of the Realm: Book 04 - The Return of the Realm (15 page)

Trey said, “And so will I.”

Valerie bowed, “Jake and I will also follow you, my Queen.”

Cassie smiled, “I look forward to doing the things that must be done and you are the one that must lead us through this critical time.”

Trey said, “I was amazed at the realization that Tag could defeat me in a fight. How could someone from so far in the past with less psychic power still be the strongest warrior? Now I know that he is not the only one that’s the strongest ever created; you are as well, Danielle. We may have more psychic power but no one can match the abilities the two of you have been given. The two of you together are invincible.”

Tag bowed to Danielle and said, “You’ve never known how much beauty your soul possess. You’ve always possessed a modesty that is natural and such a part of who you are. But I would be nothing without you. Now it’s time you accept what you are, my love.”

Danielle looked into Tag’s eyes and smiled, “I guess it’s like I told Trey; he’s Royalty but just refuses to accept it.”

Trey said, “Exactly like that, Your Majesty.”

Valerie stood and said, “I formally abdicate the throne of the Stars Realm and name Danielle Gardner as my successor. I sincerely mean it when I say, long live the Queen.”

Trey and Cassie bowed with Tag and Valerie. Danielle said, “Please rise and let’s decide how we are going to remove the Demons from Creation. They have killed innocent worlds too long and now is the time to end their existence.” Trey stood with Cassie and felt the change in all of them. Now they were one. The Realm was back.

T
he Citizens in two universes had been receiving an announcement for a week that a very important message was going to be delivered by the Bristone Emperor. Most of those in the Empire assumed that it was going to be Trey and Cassie assuming the throne. They were excited at the prospect and the upcoming announcement was the main topic of conversation in the Empire. Then they started worrying that maybe the announcement was about a coming attack. The Empire grew nervous and wondered what was happening.

The members and former members of the Stars Realm were excited as well at the opportunity to see their new Ruler. Little was known and everyone wondered what was going to happen. Valerie had announced that she had abdicated to the Emperor and most planets in the Realm were worried about the change. Millions of worlds waited for the message and wondered what was going to happen.

The day finally arrived and more than ninety nine percent of the citizens of both universes were tuned in. Cassandra Gardner and Junior Valrico were sitting in the main throne room on Bristone waiting for Trey and Cassie to start the proceedings.

Cassandra looked at Junior as he went around the room and said hello to everyone. He always had that big smile. He was so personable and it appeared everyone liked the young man. He finally came over and sat down with her. “You know a lot of people.”

Junior smiled, “It comes from being raised in the Royal Family. Everything that happened in the Empire came through my living space.” Junior looked out at the people in the room and said, “These are good people, Cassandra. Their hearts are pure and they love life. Being so close to death has taught them to live each moment they are given. War is all they’ve known.”

Cassandra looked around the room and sensed their minds. She knew most of them had lost loved ones, but they were happy. Their worlds may have been at war but they had found peace in striving to survive. She thought about losing Tommy and knew that she had not come to terms with that loss. It dominated her every waking moment and made life one sad moment after another. She thought about how anyone could recover from the loss of a soul mate that was created just for her. When he died part of her died with him.

She saw a young woman with a baby and knew that she was Trey’s aunt. Her parents died with Trey’s when Bristone was destroyed. She saw her happiness with her new baby and her husband. Her smile was genuine and she had found peace. Why can’t I…she decided to ask Junior. She touched him on the arm and he turned to face her, “Junior, why can’t I find happiness. Every day is a miserable existence. I see people here who have suffered as much or more than I have and they seem to be happy.”

Junior’s expression softened to a small smile and he slowly shook his head, “You lost more than just a husband. You lost someone that was part of your thoughts every day. He was with you wherever you went. You lost a part of you when Tommy died.”

Cassandra looked out at the people and said, “I know; but they have as well.”

“You haven’t noticed one thing about them that is missing with you, Cassandra.”

She looked at him quickly and then turned and looked around the room. She didn’t see anything she was missing, “I don’t understand.”

Junior put his hand on her chin and turned her face back to him. He looked in her eyes and said, “They have found someone else that has helped them with their pain. They chose to love someone and that is what healed them. You’ve chosen to be alone and that kind of pain can’t be removed in isolation. It will only grow.”

Cassandra stared into his eyes and then Junior was called from across the room, “Junior, we need you here with the Royal Family.”

Junior smiled and released her chin. He stood and went to join his parents. Cassandra stared at him as he walked away and felt her heart breaking. Just that touch reminded her of Tommy and she missed him more than she could bear. “Alex, please take me from here.” Cassandra disappeared in a silver flash.

Junior saw her leave and his smile disappeared. He wanted so much to help her but knew that she had to find her way out of her misery. He took a deep breath and forced a smile, which was something he didn’t have to do very often.

Danielle watched Cassandra and Junior until she teleported away. He’s a good man. Maybe, just maybe, he could help Cassandra find her way back to the land of the living. She knew that Cassandra was important to the survival of the Realm. She didn’t know why, but she knew it was true. She turned her head as Trey began speaking to the trillions tuned in.

• • •

Trey stood on the huge balcony looking out at the hundreds of thousands that had gathered to hear the important message that was being delivered. He saw their faces and felt their concern about what was going to happen. So many had lost loved ones in the Black Ship’s attack on their former universe and they worried that war was coming to their world. He felt their fear but he also felt their determination to survive and drew strength from it.

“All the planets of the Empire, the Algean Galaxy, and the Stars Realm are watching today’s event. It’s important that everyone understand where we are going and how we will arrive at our destination.” Trey paused, “I often wondered why my grandfather did not choose anyone with psychic abilities to replace him. My parents were available, but he chose Emperor Valrico, who did an outstanding job of leading the Empire. Now Cassie and I are here and we are the most powerful psychics to ever exist.”

The huge crowd started to feel their excitement grow. Trey was going to assume the throne. His next statement stunned all that were watching.

“However, we are not the most powerful.” Trey waited as the huge crowd below gave vent to their surprise. He paused for a minute and said, “My grandfather once allowed me share his memories when I was five years old.” The huge crowd grew silent. “I saw him and Jingo sitting on a hill staring up at the stars on El Prado. He was so amazed by the fact that they had once all been united by a glorious Realm that protected them all and brought peace and prosperity to the universe. He told Jingo that before that Realm would return, we would have to build something better than what they had. He worked his entire life to prepare us for the return of that Ancient Realm. He knew there were millions of planets suffering after the Realm had left. His destiny was to try and end that suffering and he gave his life to protect the ancient Realm from being discovered by the Black Ships. I felt his sacrifice was misplaced. I was angry that the Realm had not come to our defense when the Black Ships destroyed all intelligent life in our former universe and I blamed them for the loss of my parents. In my heart, I hoped they would be destroyed by the Demons to pay them back for the loss of my family.” Trey paused and looked out at the huge crowd that was motionless and silent.

The civilizations in the Realm and Algean Galaxy were growing fearful. This young man was the real power in the new Empire and they were concerned about where this was going.

“Then I contacted the Realm and informed them that they were going to be attacked by the Demons. I felt great satisfaction at seeing their fear.” Trey took a deep breath and continued, “Then I met the original couple that founded the Stars Realm more than 20,000 years ago and something happened. I discovered that the Realm I thought dead was alive. I saw that the Realm I hated that had lost its way and forsaken the principles we all believe in was not the true Realm. The Realm lost its way because it lost the leaders that gave it its heart. I found that those leaders are far more powerful than I and that they stand by our beliefs even stronger than I do. They also saw things that I’m blind to and have helped me find my way through the discoveries I had to face before I could see what we should be.”

Trey paused and looked out at the multitudes, “I realized that our Empire was created not to rule the Realm, but to save the Realm. We have done exactly that and it’s now time for us to go home. The reason there has not been a psychic Emperor of the Empire is because our ruler was chosen for us thousands of years ago and has now come back to lead us in this time of danger. All of us in the Empire have abdicated our rights to the throne and have sworn our loyalty to Queen Danielle Gardner. Our planets will be joining the Realm shortly and working together to fight the Black Ships and their makers.” Trey turned and looked at Danielle. She stood and walked to the balcony. The crowd was shocked silent. Even the members of the Realm were fearful of the Empire accepting Danielle.

Danielle stepped up and looked at the massive crowd below and everyone recognized the most famous face in history. The blond hair and blue eyes were exactly as the pictures depicted her. They also saw the anguish on her face. She looked out and said, “My heart is breaking here looking at you. The Realm turned its back on you two thousand years ago and we were not here when you needed us most. I thought that others could see things more clearly and I went along with their decisions. I have learned that was a huge mistake and you and your families suffered as a result. I bear the responsibility of that decision. I am so very sorry for not doing what should have been done. I know this is too little too late but this much I can tell you; we will never …ever…allow you to face danger alone again. We will stand by you even if we perish in the process.”

Danielle paused and said softly, “All of you are descendants of families that were once part of the Realm. You are descendants of those that made the Realm what it once was and what it can be again. I will never again forget those promises we made to our citizens. We will come to the defense of our planets and never allow a member to mistreat another. We will defend those that cannot defend themselves, and we will make the universe a better place than we found it. I need your planets to help lead us in making sure we never again stray from our promise. The Robbins family has paid for our complete loyalty with their blood and I will never forget their sacrifice or what it means to all of you. I ask you to come and help us become what we should have always been. The Realm needs you to live again.”

Danielle lowered her head and bowed to the huge crowd. There was a long moment of silence and then the eruption of noise was overwhelming. The crowd began chanting her name and celebrating in the streets. The Empire was going home. All sixty six planets felt the need to rejoin the Stars Realm. They had all read the histories of the Realm and knew what those glory years were like. The celebrations started and grew louder as millions came out of their homes to join in.

Trey walked up to Danielle and said, “They can see your heart.”

Danielle hugged Trey and the celebrations started in earnest in both the Empire and the Realm. They saw that the leaders were united and they felt safer as a result.

“Trey, I’m so humbled by this. I don’t deserve this.”

“Great leaders never think they do, Danielle. My grandfather was also a reluctant ruler and he was our best. You are exactly what we need.” Trey bowed to Danielle and the noise skyrocketed from the streets below. Cassie and the rest of the attendees on the huge balcony came forward and bowed as well. Cassandra walked forward and took Junior’s hand as he moved toward the balcony. He jerked around and saw her and lightly squeezed her hand as he went to bow to the new Queen. Cassandra said, “I couldn’t stay away.”

“I’m really glad you didn’t.” They bowed to Danielle and she saw Cassandra’s smile. She motioned them to rise and went to hug her. Cassandra felt Danielle’s love for her and felt safe in her arms. Tag joined them and everyone began clapping. The mythic giants of history were back and there was a sense of destiny that was felt by all those trillions that were watching history being made. They would survive. Nothing was going to stop them.

Almost immediately the Searchers and Algeans began arriving at New Hope and the Celebration took on a new level. Beings that were so different were now joined by a Queen. All of the psychics could feel the good will and happiness from the thousands in the streets. Jingo and Grang walked up to Trey and Jingo said, “Scotty would be proud of you.”

Trey smiled, “Are you proud, Father?”

Jingo said, “More than you know.”

Grang lifted Trey off the ground and gave him a hug, “Well done.”

“Thanks, that means a lot.”

Cassie came over and hugged Trey. He looked around and could hear the soft music in his mind. Cassie smiled and said, “I think this new birth of the Realm has pleased more than those here.”