Chapter Sixty-Two: Born for This

Amya

How can this be?

Fallen licked his paws.

Ilias

He is my accomplice.

Amya still could not believe what she was seeing.

Amya

How long has the heart of the White Coats been working with you?

Fallen

Numbers are irrelevant.

Amya turned to Ilias.

Amya

He pulls the strings to the White Coats.

Fallen

I used to. I quit that. More importantly, I control the New Order now.

Amya’s eyes were wide with shock.

Amya

How amazing…almost unfathomable. Your reputation for influencing others clearly precedes you. To think you’d be able to move both groups.

Ilias

All this chaos pleas for disciplined action. Wouldn’t you agree, Fallen?

Fallen nodded and jumped into Ilias’ arms.

Ilias

He is doing his part to fulfill the conditions for the Miracle Sun Plan.

Fallen

The preconditions have been met. Everyone will be arriving tomorrow.

Ilias stroked Fallen’s head.

Ilias

Perfect.

He looked down at Fallen.

Ilias

The Syn clan will work with our mission, correct?

Fallen

As long as they get to kill Akasha.

Ilias

That works for me.

Amya

No second thoughts considering she is your mother?

Ilias

None at all. I am not bound to such trivial connections. She gave birth to me, she doesn’t hold my heart.

Fallen

I love that about you, kid. You cut ties like they’re nothing.

Ilias

Foolish, are those who bound themselves to emotions.

Amya

And what of Gemma?

Ilias

While I do sincerely love her, she is apart of our plans. My love for her won’t get in the way.

Fallen

I’m counting on that.

Ilias

You have nothing to worry about, fox.

Ilias smiled at Fallen.

Ilias

My father has brought into our midst a family of magic. They are known as the Christ Family. From what he has said they are quite powerful.

Fallen

Oh really?

Ilias

I’m not sure if it was hyperbole or straight truth.

Amya

I don’t think it would be wise to underestimate them.

Ilias turned to Amya.

Ilias

My thoughts exactly.

He turned back to Fallen.

Ilias

Do you think you can dispatch a team to kill them tomorrow?

Fallen

I’ll have to reorganize my plans but it should work out. As of now I assigned Arkain and Cameron to kill you.

Ilias chuckled.

Fallen

I’ll move some pieces around to get it done. How many of them are there?

Amya

He has brought two with him. I’m not sure if there are more.

Ilias

I concur. Just calculate two into your equation.

Fallen

Will do.

Ilias rested his head on his right hand.

Ilias

Tomorrow is going to be perfect.

He let out a breath of air and then pulled more in.

Ilias

The Miracle Sun Plan will enter phase two.

He began to laugh.

Ilias

Let us just hope your friends can kill Ximendos and Akasha.

Kassle set his fork down.

Kassle

What an excellent meal.

Akasha smiled.

Akasha

We have the best chefs the humans can offer.

Kade

They are good for something.

They all laughed except for Gemma.

Ximendos

So the plans for tomorrow are almost complete?

Akasha

Yes, my love. All that’s left is for Forest here to create a marvelous alter for them to wed.

Forest nodded with delight.

Forest

It will be an honor.

Ximendos

Good, good. I am pleased with all this.

Akasha

I’m glad.

She kissed his cheek.

Iris

Gemma asked for me to be her maid of honor.

Everyone looked at Iris and Gemma who are sitting next to each other.

Akasha

Is that so, Gemma?

Gemma

Yes. I thought it would be the right thing to do.

She was nervous sitting at a table with the world’s superpowers.

Iris

It’s going to be spectacular.

Akasha

Yes it will be. You will be officially with this family, Gemma.

They all looked at her with smiles even though she could not see them.

Ximendos

Oh the anticipation.

Conor and Suri left the hospital room. Suri kept walking as Conor slouched against the side of the door.

Conor

Where you going?

Suri

To see Ian.

Conor

Are you okay?

Suri

Yes.

She stopped.

Conor

This is a bit too much.

Suri

Fuck it.

Conor

What?

Suri

You heard me. Fuck it.

She turned around.

Suri

Everything that happened, happened. No more being sad and no more regretting things. That’s not what Arkain would do.

Conor

Arkain?

Suri

We’re going to fight, Conor.

Conor

Amros said we’re staying behind though.

Suri

We’ll figure something out. I know Emmylou will be with us on this. She’s damaged now, just like us. There is no going back.

She turned around to walk.

Suri

You with me Conor?

Conor ran to her side.

Conor

Course I am. We’re best friends.

He smiled at her. She smiled back.

Suri

I’m glad you’re up for all of this.

Amros stood outside under the moon’s light.

Amros

What took you so long?

Hayden appeared in front of him.

Hayden

Long? I made sure I wasn’t tracked.

Amros

Mission successful.

Hayden

If you call being disappointed beyond measure successful, yes.

Amros

Give the girl a break, Hayden. We were all young once.

Hayden

That was a very long time ago.

Pathion

Do you really trust him?

Syn was sitting down with Pathion on the beach.

Syn

Fallen?

Pathion

Yes, him!

Syn made a heart in the sand with his long right index finger.

Syn

Yes.

Pathion

I figured as much. I love the little fox but something about him rubs me wrong.

Syn

At least I rub you right.

Pathion lied back in the sand.

Pathion

I know. I just don’t want anything to happen to you.

Syn

What could happen to me?

Pathion

You could die.

Syn

Who could pull off such a feat?

Pathion

Apparently Ximendos can.

Syn

Unless he was bluffing.

Pathion

He never seemed like the type. If it’s true, you’ll be his main target out of us all.

Syn

I’d think so. He knows very well that Amanda’s death is my main reason for joining this war.

Pathion

If he gets to you first I don’t know what I’ll do.

Syn

You will just do you.

He rubbed his hand over Pathion’s stomach.

Pathion

It tickles when you rub my abs.

Syn put his head on his stomach instead.

Syn

How’s that?

Pathion

Just right.

It was awfully quiet.

Pathion

If you die, soon I will follow. If he gets you, I’ll kill him.

Pathion felt a drop of water fall on his stomach.

Syn

Don’t make me think about that, Patrick.

Pathion

About what?

Syn

You dying. One thing is for me to vanish from this world, another is you. The idea alone is hard to stomach.

He dried his eyes.

Syn

If it does happen, stay alive. Do that for me.

Pathion

Why?

Syn

Because even though my ability to feel you leaves after I am gone…you are still here. If you are here you can still feel me. One of us must survive through the other. That’s enough for me. That will make me smile when death comes to me.

Pathion

One of us must survive through the other? I can’t promise you that.

Syn

I need you to promise though.

Pathion

I won’t. I’ll just promise to do my best to keep us both alive.

Syn smiled.

Roselyn

I was waiting for you.

Nick walked into his mother’s room.

Nick

Where’s dad?

Roselyn

He said he had things to do.

She motioned for Nick to sit on the chair by the bed.

Roselyn

I take it things went well with your mission?

Nick

Very well. You might even say a little too well.

Roselyn sat back on her bed.

Roselyn

Look at you, my handsome son. You are all grown up.

Nick

Don’t start with that.

Roselyn

You look so much like me. Yet you have your father’s nose.

Nick

Stop it.

Roselyn

You’re still my little boy, you know that?

Nick

Yes, mom.

Roselyn and Nick talked for quite some time about the things they missed while apart.

Azusa was on the floor with her lynx.

Azusa

You are so lazy, Sasha.

The Lynx purred.

Keir

All your things are ready.

Azusa rolled onto her stomach.

Azusa

You’re so fast with these things, Keir. I must arrive in style. What shall we do when we arrive?

Keir

I haven’t the slightest clue.

Azusa

We have to figure something out.

Keir

Why not just appear and that’s it?

Azusa

Must you be so boring?

Keir

Must you be so annoying?

She shot him a dirty look.

Azusa

I have to do something over the top if I’m going to win over Ximendos’ heart from that woman of his.

Keir

You’re lucky I don’t love you anymore.

Azusa

You knew the stakes when we got together.

Keir

I did. I knew my wife was a whore.

Azusa

Oh that hurts.

She laughed. Sasha moved away from her.

Ian

Suri!

Ian ran up to Suri and hugged her.

Conor

Don’t forget about me.

He hugged him too.

Luciana

Thank you guys for visiting him.

Conor

No problem. We just got back from seeing Emmylou.

Luciana

I saw her right when she got here. She’ll be okay and that’s all that matters. There’s no point in me even bringing up what happened.

They all agreed.

Ian

Emmylou is going to be alright! I was worried sick.

Suri

She’s a fighter.

Conor

Hell yeah she is.

Suri

(How do I tell her?)

Conor looked at Suri wondering what she was thinking.

Suri

Mrs. Gunner, we have something to tell you.

Ilias

The boys, how are they?

Fallen tried to bite Ilias’ fingers.

Fallen

They’re fine. Arkain has grown so much over the past weeks. He and Cameron are almost at the same level.

Ilias

Of course this accelerated power is from being a Sky Walker.

Amya

So then it is true, he is one?

Ilias

Very much. I had planned to try and kill him when we hung him on the cross. He didn’t die despite going through much more than a mere mortal could have gone through.

Amya

His recovery rate?

Fallen

Quick and easy. Without a doubt he is a Sky Walker.

Ilias parted his hair.

Ilias

We were right all along. To think we almost discounted him. Now let’s hope we’re right about the second one.

Fallen

We mainly have to worry about Hayden.

Ilias

That is my main concern. I have not allowed that to leave my mind. Out of everyone he is potentially the most dangerous. It will be tricky but we’ll manage.

Amya

He is a big part of our plans, we have to.

Fallen

Don’t sweat it, we will.

Ilias

Once he is out of the way all conditions will have been met and then we can proceed to the next phase.

Amya yawned.

Amya

That one will be the most difficult of the three part plan.

Ilias

It most definitely will. Phase one, the Cleansing Process was simple. Phase two has its complications. Yet phase three will push us to our limits. Let us hope we have the Syn clan as allies. We will need all the help we can get.

Fallen

The thought of it gives me the chills. I haven’t had those in so long. What about your father? Maybe he can help us with phase three?

Ilias

No, that won’t work. Ximendos has to die.

Luciana was crying with Ian in her arms.

Suri

We had to tell you.

She cried even harder. Conor grabbed Suri’s hand.

Conor

Let’s go.

Luciana

I can’t believe it.

Suri

We’re going now.

They left the room.

Conor

That didn’t go too well.

Suri

Does death ever really go well?

Nicholas opened his door.

Grey

I’m sorry to bug you at this hour but I was told to inform you that our unit will be dispatched tomorrow evening. You are to stay here with your fellow humans.

Nicholas

If that is the will of Amros, I shall accept it.

Grey

Being that we are all going we have assigned you a guardian.

Nicholas

That would be nice. Who have you chosen?

Grey

Amros chose daughter of Hayden, Suri Monroe.

Nicholas

Great. I know her well so that should be simple.

Grey

I am glad you are pleased with this decision. I shall relay it to Amros.

Nicholas

One more question, before you go.

Grey

Yes?

Nicholas

Is it true that the Empire is building a palace where Los Angeles used to be?

Grey turned around to walk away.

Grey

They finished their Western palace a day ago. Goodnight, President Romberg.

Cameron grabbed his neck.

Cameron

Did you feel that?

Arkain looked up to the sky grabbing his neck too.

Arkain

Yes. That was the strongest beat I’ve ever felt.

Cameron

Something’s must not be right with the universe.

Velis

What’s wrong?

She said as she came into view with Malic behind her.

Cameron

Nothing, just an odd feeling.

Velis hugged him.

Velis

Are you worried about tomorrow?

Cameron

A little.

Arkain

What are you worried about?

Cameron

Everything going wrong.

Malic

It could happen.

Arkain

We’ll give it our best though! We’ll keep fighting until we’re dead. That’s the only thing we can do. We’re humanities only chance. If we lose, they all lose. I’m not giving up. I’m not retreating. We’re either winning or dying.

Velis

Well said, Arkain.

She winked.

Cameron

We shall do that, Arkain. If we die, I’m happy to have died with you four.

Malic

Can we not have a sad face moment?

They laughed.

Arkain

As far as I’m concerned, let tomorrow come. I was born for this.

Kassle

I created a section for us to sleep during our stay.

Ximendos

Always thinking ahead, Kassle.

Kassle

I am. I hope to meet your son tomorrow.

Iris

You’ll get to see him in his tuxedo.

Kassle

I look forward to it. Goodnight, my friends.

Kassle walked off leaving Kade with the others.

Kade

The night is still young, I shall take to the sky.

From out of his back sprouted two large blue wings.

Kade

If anyone cares to join me, feel free.

He flew up into the dark sky.

Forest

Shall I keep guard for the night?

Ximendos

Nonsense, nonsense. Ilias had most of our military come up to our palace. We have nothing to worry about.

Forest

Then I shall find Amya.

He walked off.

Iris

Come on, Gemma.

She grabbed Gemma’s hand and led her away from Ximendos and Akasha.

Akasha

Shall we retire?

Ximendos

I think so.

Ilias

It’s a little bit funny, don’t you think?

Amya

What is?

Ilias

The fact that we’re here discussing this while they are all living their lives. Unaware that death approaches them.

Fallen

Ignorance is a great weapon. Humans used to say it was bliss, but I disagree. It’s the enemy of all beings. If you don’t know, you’re dead.

Fallen laughed.

Ilias

Precisely. Speaking of dead, have you figured out a way to kill Orthak?

Fallen

I have. More to laugh at is the fact that I just recently found the way.

Amya

Do tell.

Fallen

Darby is in possession of a sword made out of the same material Orthak is.

Ilias

Is that so?

Amya

Impossible!

Fallen

I tell no lies. He would have killed Orthak already but Akasha saved him.

Ilias

Pity. That would have made things a lot more easier.

Amya

Things can’t always be that easy.

Fallen

As life has shown us.

Roselyn

So there’s no way I can persuade you to stay?

Nick

Nope.

Roselyn

Are you sure?

Nick

Yep.

Roselyn

What if I forced you?

Nick

You can’t.

Roselyn

I think I could.

Nick

You could try.

Roselyn

I won’t though. I just can’t believe you’re going off to join the New Order.

Nick

Like mother, like son.

Roselyn smiled.

Roselyn

You really are my son.

Grey

Because he’s as persistent as you are.

Grey walked up from the stairs to the outside area Nick and Roselyn were at.

Nick

Hi, dad.

Grey

So you’re leaving us already?

Nick nodded.

Grey

Finally got the family back together and now we’re splitting. No bueno.

Nick

I’ll be back soon. Holidays forsure.

Grey hugged Nick.

Grey

Don’t go forgetting you’re a Kasper.

Nick

I won’t dad. After this long I don’t think it’s possible.

He let go of Nick.

Grey

I’m proud of you, Nicolas.

Nick

Thanks dad.

Roselyn

Please stay.

Nick

Can’t.

Roselyn walked up and stood directly in front of him.

Roselyn

I want you to have this.

She took off a ring with a green ruby on it.

Roselyn

Your grandma gave this to me. She said it is our family jewel.

Nick

I can’t take this, mom.

Roselyn

Yes you can.

She put it on his finger.

Roselyn

It fits and everything. I want you to take that. It’s yours now.

Nick

Thanks mom.

Roselyn hugged him tightly.

Nick

You’re going to suffocate me.

Roselyn

You’ll live.

Nick’s eyes began to water up.

Roselyn

I love you, Nicolas. Just come back to me alive.

Nick

Will do, mom. I love you too.

In her arms he began to turn into leaves that flowed into the wind.

Roselyn

Just like mom and grandma.

He was gone. Grey held Roselyn in his arms as she cried.

Grey

It’ll be okay, baby.

Ilias

I have a surprise for you, Fallen.

Fallen

Oh really?

Ilias

It’s the reason I summoned you.

Fallen

What is it?

Ilias

Well, it is actually a she. This she would not stop bugging me.

Ilias tossed a silver panel on the floor and it lit up.

Fallen

No flipping way!

A hologram appeared in front of them of a small cat.

Ilias

Say hello, Luna.

Fallen

Luna!

Luna

Fallen!

Amya

What is the relationship between these two?

She said to Ilias.

Ilias

They are married.

Fallen jumped off of Ilias to stand in front of the projected image of his wife.

Fallen
It has been too long!

Luna

I know, I know. I miss you, idiot.

Fallen

I get to see you tomorrow!

Luna

Ilias is finally bringing you home to me.

She ran in circles.

Fallen

I’ll see you soon, okay?

Luna shook her head.

Luna

Goodbye, Fallen.

Fallen

Bye.

Their paws met and his went through and then it turned off.

Ilias

I’m sorry it could not be longer. I figured I wouldn’t spoil you with cookies when dinner is tomorrow.

Amya stood up.

Amya

Forest is calling me. Goodnight to you both.

She went inside.

Fallen

I can’t believe you’d tease me like that.

Ilias

Get over it.

Fallen jumped onto the balcony wall.

Ilias

I will be seeing you tomorrow, Fallen.

Fallen

I can hardly wait.

Ilias

Very well, goodnight.

Fallen

One more thing, Ilias…

Ilias turned his head.

Fallen

How do you know he is one also?

Ilias

You are talking about the second Sky Walker?

Fallen

Yes.

Ilias

You can call it a hunch. In the end I could be wrong.

He laughed.

Ilias

That’s highly doubtful though. So let’s just call it a lucky guess.

Fallen

That’s why you wanted me to release his power, isn’t it?

Ilias

Spot on, Fallen. It seems as if he is lagging behind the other in progression. All isn’t lost though. I am sure I am correct.

Fallen

How sure?

Ilias

Ninety-nine percent.

Fallen

He better be, Ilias.

Ilias

He is. Without a doubt Cameron is a Sky Walker.