Chapter Seventy-Eight: All of that Empty Space

Gemma felt empty.
Gemma
(Me. Just me. Where are you?)
She was slow to come back, but when she did, she heard that familiar voice.
Krysin
Well hello there, darling. It's time to wake up.
She opened her eyes and saw a man dressed in an all black suit with brown hair and a brown mustache.
Krysin
We've been waiting for you.
He turned around to Kassle, Kade, and Darby.
Krysin
I must thank you again for my release.
He cracked his knuckles.
Krysin
It was so cramped in there. We dark seeds have no business trapped inside our creators.
He walked forward.
Darby
Stay where you are. We have not given you any invitation to move.
He turned to Kassle.
Darby
Will he be composed? I do not wish to take Ilias' ship down with this monster.
Kassle yawned.
Kassle
He should be. Krysin, will you protest boarding our ship to go home?
Krysin laughed.
Krysin
Relax Darby, I am not your enemy. Let's go guys!
He walked towards the ship.
Krysin
I've been in need for a vacation!
Fallen appeared in front of them all blocking them from the ship.
Fallen
What have you done?
He growled.

Hayden
I'm all finished.
Amros
Good, it took you long enough.
Hayden shot him a look of annoyance.
Amros
I am joking! You really need to get some rest.
Hayden
I am fine. My kind can go months without sleep.
Amros
Doesn't mean you should.
Hayden
Don't worry about me, Amros.
Amros
I must, I have no one else to worry about. Amron is lost, Amya is gone, and you, well, you're all I really have.
Hayden
Is everything fine with you?
He tried to catch Amros' eyes but they looked the other way.
Amros
What are we doing, Hayden? Please don't answer me with the obvious choice of explanation. I understand we are at war, but what's the point? Can we even win?
Hayden turned him to look at him.
Hayden
It looks like you're the one that is not okay. When did Amros the White become one to deny his goals? If it's purpose you need, look into yourself.
He pushed Amros on the heart.
Hayden
It always comes from there.

Nick
So you've been gone all this time because you control the Earth?
Forest nodded.
Nick
What happens if you die?
Forest
I cannot die, only my vessel can be destroyed. My essence will always be the planet.
Roselyn
You are the reason for our abilities.
Forest turned to her.
Forest
Yes and no. Your mother herself possessed remarkable talent. Terrible as she may be, she is special.
He turned to Nick.
Forest
Just like you and your mother. Even you, blue beauty.
He pointed at Vesper.
Vesper
Me?
Forest
Yes, or did you think I would not know what you are?
Vesper looked confused.
Vesper
I'm afraid I don't follow.
Forest walked towards her and circled her.
Forest
Are you not the spirit of the oceans?
Vesper
No.
Forest put his hand on his chin.
Forest
You certainly posses it. A-ha!
He turned to Roselyn, Nick, and Malic.
Forest
This one here, she is a descendant of a friend of mine.
Vesper
Excuse me?
Forest
You, my dear, are a child of the water. You are a great granddaughter of Rayn. With your presence here, I imagine she will be making a cameo soon. I am delighted by this news.
Vesper
I still don't follow.
Forest
You'll see soon enough.

Circa stood up quickly.
Circa
What is the meaning of this? While you cannot touch me in this area, I have reason still to consider this an act of war.
Ximendos
Calm yourself, Queen Circa.
Circa
What dark magic is that?
Orthak screamed.
Ximendos
He doesn't like the word magic too much. You see, Orthak here is a half-dead.
Circa
A what?
He explained it to her and Kon.
Kon
Fascinating. Where can I get one?
Ximendos
I'm afraid you don't make these. They are rare and only three have ever been recorded to exist.
Circa
There are more of these creatures?
Ximendos
From what I've learned, yes.
Kon
Where are they?
Ximendos
One is here, Orthak. One is on the planet Earth held by a carrier named Gemma.
Circa
And the last?
Ximendos
I have no idea.
He stood up.
Ximendos
Legend tells of it being from another world.
He turned to Orthak.
Ximendos
The first of their kind, actually.
Kon
And thus the most powerful?
Ximendos
Perhaps. I must admit I know very little about them. My knowledge comes from a family of magicians that I trained with many years ago.
Kon
Perhaps we can find them and they can tell us more.
Ximendos
Impossible. I've been banished from their kingdom. Oh well.
He sat on the arm chair.
Ximendos
That information would not do us any good. We have Orthak, we need no more. To add, if this first half dead exists, or did exist, it would be in the only other world I am aware of.
Circa
And that would be?
Ximendos
The world of the Sky Walker.
Circa
Just what are you planning, exactly, King Godlin?
Ximendos
A full scale invasion. I wish to destroy all of Earth's inhabitants and then the other world's. I am a man of many things, but first and foremost, I am one of destruction.
Circa
For what purpose?
Ximendos
Oh darling, sweet Circa, I need none.
He smiled deeply at her.
Ximendos
I simply wish to rid the world of all living creatures that oppose me. It's really that simple.
Kon
I like you more than my old brother!
Circa
So you agree to my terms?
Ximendos
I do. And so does Kon.
Kon shot them both dirty looks.
Circa
Very well, my people shall leave Kesladon. I hope to speak with you soon, Ximendos.
Ximendos
Oh you will. I will be visiting you very soon.
Circa began to walk to the door.
Circa
In the event that you do, leave your dark figure at home.
She smiled.
Circa
My patience for threats is low, and my capacity for vile things even lower. Goodbye, kings.
She left.
Kon
That's right! Kesladon is mine!
Ximendos stood up.
Ximendos
Orthak, we are going back to the Oleandria.
He screamed.
Kon
What did he say?
Ximendos began to walk.
Ximendos
He wants to go back to Earth. Lots of unfinished business.

Conor
Where's Arkain?
Suri turned around to Conor and Emmylou at the door.
Suri
Where's Ian?
Emmylou
In bed. Way to avoid the question.
Emmylou sat on the bed next to her.
Emmylou
Everything okay?
Suri
Yeah, why wouldn't they be.
She was now looking at the wall in front of her.
Conor
For starters, you're looking at a wall. Secondly, you've been separated for so long and now again? Odd is fucking odd.
Suri smiled.
Suri
He said he wanted to take a moment to himself. Come on guys, he just found out his dad is a part in all of this.
Emmylou
I guess that can be rough.
Suri
I didn't mean it like that.
She put her hand on Emmylou's.
Suri
It's just that his dad has been part of orchestrating this whole thing.
Conor
So?
Suri
So that potentially means his dad has been a part of all our pain.
Emmylou
Maybe responsible.
Conor
Ouch, that's not good. Maybe he has good reasons!
Suri
Like?
Suri laid back on the bed.
Conor
I don't know, what could powerful beings want done that they can't do themselves?
Emmylou
Something they can't do themselves?
Suri nodded.
Conor
That could be it. Whatever the reason, it has to be good, right?
Emmylou
Why?
Suri
Because he's Arkain's dad?
Conor
Right!
He sat on the other side of Emmylou.
Conor
That being the case, I'm sure he'll have a good reason. He'll just have to hear it straight from him.
Suri
It might kill him. I don't think Arkain can take something like that.
She rolled over onto her stomach.
Suri
He already lost his mother, can he bear to lose his father, too? One he'd know for seconds and then hate for the rest of his life. I don't know.
Emmylou
What can you do?
Conor
You can only say fuck it and keep going.
They laughed.
Suri
I just hope he's okay. I really do.

Cayos stood in the forest nearest to the edge of Caldinar.
Cayos
Where is your number two? I recall you saying you would have company.
Padraic stepped forward.
Padraic
Never mind that, Cayos. I like to keep the faces of my followers hidden.
Cayos
And I thought I was the mischievous one. Lord Padraic, you are most mysterious.
Padraic
Nonsense, Cayos, you are the most terrible creature I've ever witnessed.
Cayos put his fingers together.
Cayos
Is that so? I take that as a mighty compliment from you, Padraic the dark. I assure you, I am only doing what you ask of me.
Padraic
How go things?
Cayos
Well, not so well. We finally figured out why Godlin has been missing.
Padraic
And that would be?
Cayos
He was killed and fused into the body of another.
Padraic chuckled.
Padraic
That explains why my sword could not feel him. That's surprising. Who did this?
Cayos
I have not received that news yet, but word is he isn't from this world.
Padraic
Interesting. I think I know exactly what that means.
Cayos
The human world, no?
Padraic
Most likely. Where is Circa now?
Cayos
She has left the country, my lord, to meet with Godlin and Kon.
Padraic
I would hope it is to incite more war.
Cayos
One can hope. Where are you of to now? It's not like you to use our portal to your world. You risk being exposed.
Padraic
I know what I risk, but it's urgent business. I'm off to Earth for some business.
Cayos
Very important business, I'm sure.
Padraic
Of the highest kind. Now if you'll excuse me, I think our meeting is over. Keep me posted, Cayos. I want that girl. Do not lose her, and do not forget your loyalties. Should you betray me, I will kill you.
He flew off. Not seconds after Zylen and Cypress appeared.
Zylen
What are you doing here, elder Cayos?
Cayos turned around.
Cayos
I sensed a disturbance in the forest. I came to inspect it.
Cypress
Did you find anything?
Cayos
Nothing at all.
He walked past them.

Akasha
Is there something wrong, Ilias?
Ilias had been sitting quietly at the table for over ten minutes.
Ilias
Nothing at all, mother. When will father be back?
Akasha
I honestly haven't the slightest clue.
The door opened and Syn and Pathion entered. Syn and Akasha hugged. Pathion kept his distance.
Syn
We haven't met, I am Syn, brother of Akasha.
Ilias shook hands with him.
Ilias
It is a pleasure to meet you, uncle.
Ilias smiled.
Pathion
Who has funerals at night? These elf people are weird.
The sounds of horns began to fill the sky.
Akasha
Let's go!
Akasha left the room with Syn and Pathion.
Ilias
I'll catch up with you guys.
Ximendos entered the room.
Ximendos
I've come to escort you. Is everything alright?
Ilias
I suppose.
Ximendos walked to the table.
Ximendos
It is okay to shed a tear for the loss of your sister.
Ilias
Have you?
Ilias looked up at his cold blue eyes.
Ximendos
This new body makes it incredibly difficult, but I have. I wanted to let you know something before we left to the funeral.
Ilias
What is it?
Ximendos
Your sister was killed by a Sky Walker named Padraic and a nameless one.
Ilias stood up.
Ilias
How do you know this?
Ximendos
Upon arriving to the scene, one witness divulged this information to your mother.
Ilias
Did he say anything else?
Ximendos
No, your mother killed him.
He rubbed his forehead.
Ximendos
You know how ill tempered she is.
Ilias chuckled.
Ilias
At least she got something before she did. What will we do?
Ximendos
We bury your sister first. After that, we bury Earth.
Ilias
And after that?
Ximendos
We bury the ones the live in the sky. They will know our fury.
Ilias smiled. He was in control again.
Ximendos
Now let's go.

Arkain entered a room he knew he should not enter.
Arkain
Anyone in here?
It felt right. The lights turned on. The room would have been empty if not for three glass bottles held in the middle of the room by silver stands.
Arkain
What the hell?
Arkain walked forward to them, curiously.
Arkain
Ships in a bottle? Why?
He touched the one in the middle.
Arkain
So cold.
He bent down to look at the little ship.
Arkain
It's really pretty. What the hell?
On the white ship inside, in gold letters, it said his name.
Fallen
Curious, are we?
Arkain turned around quickly to see Fallen sitting at the door frame.
Fallen
Relax, I don't bite. Well, not right now at least.
Arkain
What do you want?
Fallen
To talk to you, if you don't mind.
Arkain
I don't care.
Fallen
Want to know why that ship says your name?
Arkain looked more closely at it. Then the others. One said Cameron, one said Ilias.

Darby
Your barrier was breaking. We had no other choice.
Fallen
Be that as it may, this was only to be done with Ilias' supervision.
Krysin
Relax little man, it's no big deal.
Fallen
Shut up, I am not speaking to you.
He growled even louder.
Krysin
Geez, no need to be so mean.
Fallen
Was he given his laws to follow?
Darby
Absolutely.
Fallen's teeth were no longer showing.
Fallen
I guess this isn't so bad after all.
Krysin
See, nice kitty.
He bared his teeth again.
Fallen
You have a mission, oh dark one.
Krysin
OH!
Ran forward and got down on his knees before him.
Krysin
Well, kitty, tell me, oh yes, tell me!
Fallen
It's time we get our Earth back.

Cayos
Trouble, master?
Circa was walking up the steps.
Circa
A little, but I managed.
Cayos
What news have you brought us?
Aristo, Parmen, Xen, and Socra all gathered around Cayos.
Circa
We are no longer at war.
Their eyes grew wide with discontent and some with joy.
Cayos
No more war? How can this be?
Circa
I will keep the details to myself. Until then, I want you to lead the move of our people from Kesladon back here.
Cayos
Are you sure?
Circa looked at Cayos angrily.
Circa
I have given you no reason to question my authority, Cayos. Now do as I say or it will be your head.
She continued up the steps until she was in the palace.
Aristo
No war? I can't believe this.
Socra
The elf have always been at war.
Parmen
Tis all we know.
Xen
Tis all we want.
Cayos
Quiet, fools. Queen Circa has really done it this time.
He began to walked down the steps and they followed.

Hayden's eyes widened as he turned around.
Hayden
Did you feel that?
Amros
I did.
They both disappeared.

Roselyn
What's going on?
The ground began to shake.
Nick
I don't know!
Forest
It is not my doing.
From below Forest darkness appeared and began to take over Forest's body.
Forest
What is this!?
Roselyn
Orthak!
Tentacles of black began to emerge all around them and rise to the dark sky.
Nick
What the hell do we do?
Roselyn set her hands to the ground and her, Nick, Vesper, and Malic were raised to the sky on a giant wooden platform.
Forest
Roselyn, run!
Roselyn was about to jump.
Nick
What are you doing? It will get you too!
Before she could say anything there was a giant scream that came from below the ground.
Amros
What's going on?
Amros and Hayden appeared on the platform.
Vesper
It's Orthak!
Amros and Hayden exchanged confused looks.
Hayden
It looks like the monster isn't dead after all. Darby was mistaken.
Forest was now completely covered in the black material.
Roselyn
Father!
She was about to jump again but Hayden stopped her.
Hayden
You would not stand a chance against him.
The tentacles began to disappear.
Amros
They were after Forest. What does Ximendos have up his sleeve?

Ilias followed his father towards the funeral area.
Ilias
How is it that Orthak is still alive? Word got out that he was killed by Darby in action.
Ximendos sighed.
Ximendos
I thought he was done for as well. Luckily for me, Orthak had saved his true piece of his essence somewhere else.
Ilias
I don't follow.
Ximendos
It means what Darby thought he killed as simply a clone of Orthak's. We knew the day would come when someone would come close to ending his existence. For that reason, we kept a piece of him hidden.
Ilias
So that's how he survived.
Ximendos
Yes. Sadly, he could only do it once. This left him weak for a good time until now. He's back to normal, but now that means he can really die.
Ilias
Fascinating. I'm sure Darby will make sure there are no mistakes next time.
Ximendos
If I know that man, he won't. Do you have any idea where your sister's sword is?
Ximendos said with his eye brow raised.
Ilias
I have it. Nya flew to me after her death. You are aware Ayn is her sister.
Ximendos
I am. I guessed you'd have it and I was correct. Very well, it's yours.
Ilias nodded.
Ilias
I seen no other way. Also, I forgot to mention that I will be leaving immediately after the funeral.
Ximendos
I imagined that being the case. Must return home to Earthly matters as well as your wife. How is Gemma, by the way?
Ilias
She is well. Although she grows tired of the demon inside of her.
Ximendos
We will remove the half-dead from her soon.
Ilias
I'd like that. I hope she survives it.
Ximendos
She will. She's strong, that one.
Ximendos stopped walking. Ilias then stopped.
Ilias
Is there something wrong?
Ximendos
I love you, son.
Ilias responded like any son would.
Ilias
I love you too, father.
Ximendos
You're the only child I have left. Aside from your mother, you are who I love most with my existence. Please take care of yourself.
Ilias
I will.
Ximendos
Don't die on me. Your sister's death has impacted me greatly. If I lost you, I don't know what I'd do.
Ximendos kissed Ilias on the forehead.
Ximendos
You are important to me. If you go, this heart would not be able to take all of that empty space.
He stepped back slowly.
Ilias
You have nothing to worry about, dad. Death will never catch up with me.
Ximendos
That's my boy.
And then they came to the entry way to the funeral area. It was dazzling. The sky was filled with white bowls with flames erupting from them. Thousands of them filled the sky. In front of them sat thousands of elves in golden pews. In the middle, however, sat silently a white casket. The funeral had begun.

Fallen growled when Krysin returned.
Fallen
You better have completed-
Krysin turned into Forest.
Krysin
Is this what you wanted?
Fallen was now happy.
Fallen
You are a talented dead alive thing.
Krysin blew at his finger nails.
Krysin
I try.
Kassle
That is Forest of the Earth.
Krysin
Who?
Kassle
He is the Shepard of the Earth.
Krysin shrugged.
Krysin
Oh well. He's dead now. You'd think the Earth could do bet-
Gemma
You monster! What have you done?
Krysin
Calm down, babe.
Gemma
Get back inside of me!
Krysin
Never!
He turned back into his normal human looking self and stuck his tongue at her.
Krysin
I'm never going back in, bitch, so get used to it!
Kade
Watch your language, dick.
Krysin
You first! She's a grown woman, she can handle a few words.
Kassle
Do not forget that you answer to her and Ilias.
Krysin
Yeah, yeah, I know the deal. God, you guys are so lame.
Fallen
Get in the ship, all of you.
Krysin
Yes sir!
Krysin ran off towards the ship and Kassle and Kade followed.
Gemma
You guys have made a mistake. You guys let go the cruelest thing to ever exist.
Fallen
I doubt he's that bad.
Gemma
You don't know! He is the darkest of beings. You are all going to die.
Fallen
We'll see about that.
Darby
Let's get you in the ship, Gemma.

Arkain
My dad is a king?
Fallen sat by the door with his head high.
Fallen
The highest of them, and the most noble. He is King Rylan of the second spiral.
Arkain
Second? So there is a first?
Fallen
And a third. Your aunt and uncle reign supreme over those lands.
Arkain
I take it they're bad guys.
Fallen licked his right paw.
Fallen
You can say that. More your uncle than your aunt. She isn't so bad. We've been at war for longer than you've been alive. Your dad has had to deal with it for so long. It has aged him a bit.
Arkain
Is that we he left me? Is that why he also left Cameron?
Fallen
Yes. He didn't want to raise you in a world of war.
Arkain
This one hasn't been exactly peaceful.
Fallen
But the wars humanity has seen do not compare to my home's wars. You and Cameron would have been targeted with no hesitation. He was doing what he saw was best.
Arkain
So why did he choose Ilias? Why not have me help him instead of him?
Fallen
Ilias is gifted. Your father and I saw potential in him and we acquired his skills. He has proven his worth over and over. He has killed his sister, destroyed the bad of humanity, started it over, and is about to declare war on his own father. I know you've grown to hate him, even me, but I beseech you to understand we were only doing what we thought was best.
Arkain
Always with the greater good shit. It never takes into account how we feel. The people that you guys have fucked with! You guys have destroyed lives! Women, children, men, innocent, guilty, the whole lot of them. You guys aren't so good either, when I look at it. What makes you better than Ximendos? He wanted to destroy humanity, you guys just beat him to it.
Fallen
Oh Arkain, you're so naive. Were morality that simple perhaps you'd have a point. I'd like to think of things being more complicated than that. I refuse to believe you can reduce all we've done into one category and compare that box you've put it in with the work of Ximendos. He's a fiend drunk off the loss of his mother.
Arkain
The loss of his mother?
Fallen
Yes. His mother was killed when he was a boy. It is what sparked this monster he has become. Amros and Amya were able to deal with it.
Arkain
So they really are related.
Fallen nodded.
Arkain
He is a bit like me, isn't he?
Fallen
In that you lost your mother?
Arkain
Yes. What if I chose the path he did? What if I became a monster?
Fallen
I don't think that's possible. There is a lot more to Ximendos than simply a choice to go to the dark side. You're young Arkain, you don't understand things for what they are.
Arkain
Don't make me feel stupid because you try and rationalize everything! From Ximendos, to you, to even my father, all you guys have done is cause pain to the world.
Fallen
Except our pain was for a good purpose.
Arkain
But pain nonetheless!
Fallen
Fool! If that's how you must see it, we're all evil! Even your precious Suri! Even Emmylou's little brother that killed his own father.
Arkain fell silent.
Fallen
Life's complicated, Arkain, and it requires things to be done that we probably wouldn't do if things were better. You think your father wanted to leave you? You think he wanted to be a part of your pain, your suffering? No, he didn't. He had no other choice. He loves you, kid. More than you could imagine. That's what that mark on your neck is. It's his way of being connected to you.
Arkain was hit in the face by this and felt tears begin to form. He touched his birth mark.
Fallen
His one regret was that he never got to be there for you as you grew up. For you or Cameron. Hate him if you must, but keep in mind, while you're rolling in your rage and crying in your despair, he loves you. He loves you and Cameron more than anything else in this world, ours, and the elf world. I hope one day you can understand that.
Arkain didn't say anything.
Fallen
And as for the boats, well, when Ilias was a child his father gave him one. He told him that we are all like ships in a bottle. We are hard on the outside, fragile inside, and built with heart and love. Ilias once explained it to me more profoundly. We are ships in a bottle. Our existence is fragile, glassed up, and can never be released. Who we are is trapped inside of this container once filled to the tip with wine, and it can never be undone. Our lives are so fragile, that if the glass was shattered, it would mean the end of us. Existence hangs not on a string, but behind glass that keeps who we are and the air we breathe, in.
Arkain
And why do they have my name and Cameron's?
Fallen
Because to Ilias, you two are the brothers he never had. You two matter.
Arkain
Why? Why would we matter to Ilias? He's nothing more than a stranger.
Fallen
Who knows so much about you, who has secretly always wanted to meet you and Cameron. Ilias is a great many of things... cold, calculated, intelligent, and sometimes aggressive, but he is not heartless. Aside from Gemma, aside from your father, you and Cameron are what matter most to him.
Arkain
But why?
Fallen
Simple, Arkain, your father was the father he always wanted, what Ximendos never was. That being the case, you and Cameron have always been the brothers he had, but never knew.
Arkain
That doesn't make sense.
Fallen
It doesn't have to, Arkain. The desire for brotherhood, companionship, friendship, and something great than blood is hard to explain. You and Cameron, along with himself, have always been the three to fulfill the Miracle Sun plan. You guys are the miracle sons. Poetically, you three are brothers.
Arkain
Brothers?
He turned and looked at the ship that said Ilias on it. Brother? The boy that tried to kill him.
Fallen
I'm hungry and no longer have much to say. I just want you to think about what I've told you. Also, Ilias wanted you to have this.
Fallen stood up and behind him on the ground was a camera.
Arkain
My mom's camera!
Fallen
Apparently there is something inside he wanted you to see. Word of advice, Arkain.
Arkain
Yeah?
He said walking towards the camera.
Fallen
Be careful when digging in the past.
He walked towards the door.
Fallen
You never know what you'll find.
Arkain
I'll keep that in mind.
Arkain picked up the camera and sat below the stand with his boat.
Fallen
One more thing, kid. I want to make it clear that I will always protect you. If I never mentioned it, I am, and always have been, your guardian.
Arkain
On Ilias' orders?
Fallen
No, silly boy.
He left the room so only his tail was showing.
Fallen
Your father's.