Heaven Saga 1: The Lost Hero (25 page)

“I know the texts say the Teacher was a giant, but
you’re even bigger than I imagined,” she said.

He shrugged. “To tell you the truth, I’m not that tall
when compared the largest of my people.” He circled around her, looking at her
much the same way she had just done. “You might be the most beautiful lady I’ve
ever seen.”

She blushed. “That’s inappropriate. We’re of different
species after all.”

“That’s true,” he said. “But those feelings come from
your people as well. I’m a bit of a novelty around here.”

“I remember a time when
Maigars
proudly walked
these halls. This festival would be much greater if they were here to join in,”
she said with a certain melancholy in her voice.

“It sounds like an interesting time. But instead of
dwelling on the past, let us enjoy the present and make for a better future,”
he said.

“It was by order of my mother all the records and DNA
of our males was destroyed,” she said. “Our best scientists have attempted to
create plague protected males for years, but none of those efforts have ended
in success. I’ve begun to have my doubts about it.”

He took off a glove. “As a last resort, I was given
the order to provide a DNA sample to you and your people. My species is similar
to your own genetically. Survival takes precedence over purity.”

She took his hand and felt the warmth. “I don’t
suppose you can tell me who your people are?”

He glanced from side to side, scanning the room. “Hold
on a minute.” He went to his armor and pressed a button on the arm. “There,
that should prevent anyone from hearing or seeing us. The truth will shock you,
but I think you have the right to that knowledge.”

“You make it sound like a state secret,” she said.

He moved close and whispered in her ear. “I’m from the
heart of the Great Dragon.”

* * *

Outside of the palace in the center courtyard, a
massive stage was set. Around it was a series of large tables where food from
every corner of Kalaidia was served. Nearly a thousand nobles from every house
were in attendance, many of whom came to see the long awaited Herald. Seles sat
at the table for her family and waited for Brian and her mother. Alone, she sat
impatiently while wearing a flowing silver and white dress, with matching
shoes. On her head she wore a circlet defining her status. Feeling anxious,
Seles was happy when a server came and gave her a dish of food. Eating, she
scanned the crowd, noting many of the nobles gave her an odd stare. The crowd
began parting as Celestia and Brian emerged from the palace. Her jaw dropped.
He noticed she was staring at him, along with all the nobles attending. As they
neared the table Seles was at, Celestia turned and told the crowd to carry on
as before. Seles stood up to greet them.

Celestia motioned to Seles. “This is my daughter,
Seles Daevon.”

Brian smiled as he looked at her. “I’m sorry Celestia,
but I think I’ve found a lady amongst your people surpassing your beauty,” he
said as he bowed. “Seles, was it? My name’s Brian. I’m glad to make your
acquaintance.”

Seles blushed. “It’s good to meet you,” she said,
trying her best to not tip anything off.

As night fell the stage lit up and a chorus of
musicians performed. After the brief concert a play in tribute to the first
successful gravity jump was portrayed. Later, a holographic film showed what it
looked like two hundred years ago. Little was said between Brian and Seles
other than small talk. Once the crowd started a circle dance around the stage
he stood up and went to Seles.

Looking to Celestia, “If memory serves me, it was
tradition for the
Rakna Maigars
to each take a lady and dance at the
center.”

Celestia smiled. “You’d like that honor?”

“Yes,” he said as he knelt before Seles and offered
his hand. “I’d like a dance with Lady Seles. Would you grant me this honor?”

Seles took his hand. “Please, lead the way.”

They made their way to the center of the circle as
many of the nobles watched. During this time he quickly slipped something into
her glove.

“It’s a transmitter,” he said as he took the initial
stance.

“A transmitter?” she asked, doing likewise.

“Later tonight, call for the Mjolnir,” he said as they
began circling one another hand in hand.

“Why did you come? You can’t keep up this farce
forever,” she said as they began a traditional dance.

“I made a promise to you long ago Seles. I gave you my
life as your own. I live today only because of you. I’d sooner die than see you
suffer like this,” he said as she twirled and fell into his embrace.

She twirled away and came to a stop. “Why would you
give up your life for mine?”

“Love,” he said as they circled each other again hand
in hand.

“Love?” she asked.

He smiled. “I wanted to see you again, more than
anything else. I’m in love with you Seles,” he said as she twirled again and
landed in his arms.

She blushed while silently matching his pace. “Brian…I
don’t know,” she said as they circled one last time to finish the dance.

He smiled. “I couldn’t tell the first girl I was in
love with how I felt. You can tell me how you feel later, after you’ve had time
to think about it.”

The two bowed to each other before Seles went back to
her mother. A swarm of ladies requested a dance with him. He graced those
ladies with his answer of yes for the next several hours. Off to the side,
Delne Raekar quietly sipped her wine. She stood the same height as Seles, with
long flowing lime green hair and crimson eyes. Despite being almost two hundred
years old, her beauty was hauntingly evident, especially so in her silver and
black swirled dress. She stared at Brian.
Enjoy this night Terran, upon
tomorrow’s dawn we’ll have you in our grasp.

* * *

“I enjoyed this evening a lot,” Brian said while
standing outside his chambers. He looked at Seles. “I hope to see you again,”
he said before going into his room.

Celestia escorted Seles back to her room. “It’s been a
long time since I saw such cheer at a festival, especially from you,” her
mother said. “I hope he can guide us in the right direction.”

“I wouldn’t worry about it. From what I’ve seen, he’s
an honest and caring man,” Seles said. “Anyways, from what you’ve left me to
study, you were hoping for someone like Brian, weren’t you?”

“Watch what you say Seles. Even though I’m the queen,
that means little to those who hide in the shadows. Kalaidia isn’t like it used
to be. The days of honor died with the
Maigars
. I hope he can help
change that.”

“You’re asking a lot of one man,” Seles said.

“I know, but what other choice do I have?” she asked
as they came to Seles’s door.

“Live the ideals you write of so fondly,” Seles
whispered into her mother’s ear. She took a step back and smiled. “Next you
should dance with Brian; you’d like it a lot.”

“I’m sure I would.”

* * *

Brian entered his room with exhaustion in his step.
Removing his cape and shirt, he walked over to the bed and sat down. Looking
uncomfortable, he took off his sword and placed it next to the bed. As he
rolled over to sleep, he perked up, smelling something. He reached for his
sword at the same time someone kick it away. When he rolled off the bed to take
a defensive stance, finding he was surrounded by a group of figures wearing
black cloaks and holding something familiar to him: a stun pole just like the ones
the Greys used. Suddenly, a presence filled his mind. It felt like someone was
attacking him mentally. He looked at the figure standing in the back. After a
moment, he shook off the attack and started at the figure.

“Who are you?” he asked.

A female laugh ensued, “My, no wonder you escaped
them. You can resist mental attacks. No matter, without your weapons and armor,
you’re nothing.”

The figure waved her hand and the others began
attacking him. He desperately tried to fight them off, but there were simply
too many. As each stun pole landed a blow, his movements slowed. After a few
minutes he fell to his knees, unable to resist any longer. Battered and bloody,
he looked at the leader and saw the face of Delne Raekar. Her twisted smile was
the last thing he saw as the world went black.

One of the attackers turned to Delne. “Are you sure
this is right my lady?”

She stood over his unconscious body. “It’s the will of
the goddess my friends. This man is an imposter, nothing more.” She knelt down
and turned his head to look at his face. “But first, I’ll take everything he
knows from his mind one memory at a time.”

Mira stood in the cockpit of the Mjolnir and sang an
old song the original Mira never had the chance to perform. Dancing and
singing, no one outside could hear her performance. After finishing the song
she drank some water and went into the back room. She turned to the small door
to the side and went into the tiny bathroom. She went over to the shower and
measured the water collected. She stripped and went into the shower. A few
minutes later, she emerged and put on a fresh set of clothes. The alarm
sounded. She ran to the cockpit and turned on the radar. A number of blips were
heading toward her from the air, as well as a number of troops on land. Mira
flipped a switch and activated the Mjolnir’s drive system. Looking to the
smaller monitor she noticed something strange. The symbol showing Brian’s
location was gone. She turned to the troops and vessels heading towards her and
turned on the phase cloak, surprising those camped outside, as well as the
troops heading towards the giant. Activating flight mode, she flew away from
the confused air craft and troops and headed into the thick jungle north of
Vaelis.

* * *

Brian awoke in his bed on the Avoni, lying on his
side. Next to him was Seles. She was already awake.

“Where?” he asked as he sat up.

Seles crawled next to him. “What’s wrong?”

He shook his head. “It must have been a dream.
Strange, I could’ve sworn that was real.”

She put her clothes on and watched him closely.
Looking at the clock, she took his hand. “Let’s go for a walk outside.”

He put on his clothes and armor. “Seles, where are
we?”

“Dega Jul,” she answered.

He shrugged, still confused.
Man, I’ve got the
worst headache ever.
He thought as he looked at her smile.
At least I
get to wake up next to her.
As they left his room they headed for the exit
to go outside. He shook off the headache, thinking.
That’s right; a month
ago I announced my presence on the Avoni to the government of Dega Jul. I can
walk around freely now.

The pair passed a number of crew members as they left.
At the door Mira stopped them. “Do you mind if I go along?” she asked.

Seles tried to hide her disapproval. “Yes Mira, you
can,” she said flatly.

He looked at Seles, surprised at her attitude. “I’d
love for you to join us,” he said.

As they went outside sunlight covered the cityscape
with a bright glow. The three made their way down from the rooftop dock and
headed into the city. After a few hours of shopping, they stopped in their
usual place, the
Kritkar
. While Mira was occupied ordering their drinks
and food Brian and Seles took a table.

“What do you know about her?” Seles asked as she
stared at Mira.

“You’ve known her longer than I have,” he said. “Why
are you asking me?”

“I don’t work with her very often. You’ve spent a lot
of time with her, so I thought I’d ask. She looks a lot like someone I met a
long time ago,” she said, still staring at Mira.

“Long ago?” he asked.
This headache isn’t going
away.
He thought, watching Seles closely.

“What’s wrong?” she asked, turning her attention to
him.

“Who are you? And where am I really?” he asked as he
stood up.

She smiled. “I don’t have any idea what you’re talking
about.”

Mira went to him and held onto his arm. “Don’t listen
to her. She’s lying to you.”

Seles grinned. “She must mean a lot to you if she can
defend you in here.”

Mira disappeared along with everyone else. Seles
stepped back with smug look on her face. He tried to move and found he was paralyzed.

“What the hell?” he asked.

“I can see why they fear you so much,” Seles said as
she went to him. “You’ve grown resistant to their telepathic powers, haven’t
you?”

He felt a surge of energy and with a scream destroyed
the illusion before him. He was chained to the walls of a large dark cell, deep
underground. On the floor in front of him was Lady Delne, who shook her head.