AMETHYST: The rise of Tetra

Chapter 20

    Every individual species on Zaleon was different in a certain way. Some were human shifters, some were Witches, some were warriors, water gifted and some were in charge of the peaceful running of the habitat the entire planet ran on. Despite the barriers between Gloarian, Tetra and Crest, the nature that lay within each was the same. Therefore the Yolegs were in charge of an aspect of the planet that managed not just their own territory, but the lands of every single species on the planet, be that the Ivory, Amethyst or Vermillion. No matter where the enemy lived, the Yolegs would keep nature intact even there, having a connection with nothing else but nature. 

    A war was on the way, yet the Yolegs would protect nature on the land of the Vermillion, because if one member stood up from mediation, all nature would be at the brink of destruction for the entire planet. The four individuals that had dived into meditation the day the previous four were freed from it, was the day the last four individuals had decided to put themselves in a state of nothingness when a war would be happening around them. Would they see their friends, family and mates again? Who knew, though they did everything they had to in order to secure the smooth running of nature during a time where the biggest war in the history of Zaleon was going to take place. 

    It was a concept far greater than anything else, and required courage and sacrifice like no other. To be absent from a war because you’re unable to fight was less painful than having to put yourself through a meditative state for the planet for three years and not realise the outcome of the war till it was over. Whether or not there would be more Yolegs left to control nature while the previous three awoke was a mystery that only time would solve. In the meantime Eliana and Razaar watched with amazement at the great sacrifice of the four nature controllers that made the sacrifice as everyone around them prepared for the upcoming war. 

    The pair had spent a good week on the territory of the Yolegs, far from the drama that initially had taken place, and now had come to perfect their control over the random powers they had obtained from the flame as a sign of greatness. Ozak had been as helpful as ever, and so had Anya, despite having an element that resonated in no way with the pair. They had become friends that would last, much like the other leaders they had conquered so far, and suddenly, unity didn’t seem as far away as it originally had been. 

    Ozak had wasted no time in proposing to his mate after her return, wanting to be one with her before that freedom would be taken away from them again with the upcoming war, and they invited their newest friends to a wedding that would be beautiful beyond belief. 

    Eliana and Razaar had learned over the week that Galon’s on the lands of the Yoleg had been without any establishment of any kind, everything had been out in the open, within nature as it should be when nature was everything to you. It was small facts like these that made the couple realise how different they all truly were to each other, despite being one in the same, and believing in the same thing. Their universe was run by the power of a broken hearted Leopold, and yet every aspect had come across differently on a separate land. 

    The flame on Selina’s grounds had been underwater, blue, and the Yolegs had a flame that was green, on a land completely open and one with everything around it. The Galoness’s around Galons had been the same. Nevertheless they had all been equally as gorgeous as one another, and the feeling emanated by them had been the same strong force of oneness that the flame had always been present to deliver. 

    Despite having a human figure, like most on his planet, Leopold kept himself hidden from vision, displaying only a part of himself within the flame’s that it had delivered. The truth was that Leopold lived within the atmosphere of the planet, floating around everything and everyone on it, broken and loose in search for his Cassandra. Though after everything he had been through his main focus had now become the life of Eliana and Razaar, the very couple that were the reincarnation of himself and his love. He had given them all the strength in the world to end a war he wished he could have ended on his own planet, and live happily ever after like they deserved. 

    With excitement the couple had spent their last day on the land of the Yolegs, buried in each other's arms, getting over the old and readying themselves to dive into the new. There was much left to do before the great war would come to them, convince the Warmecks and train with them, though despite everything they had made it this far, facing any and every obstacle on the way, some of which broke them more than others, and this was something they had to do. They had come way too far to give up now, and they were only a step away from coming face to face with the Vermillion and their fate. Their powers were under control, and with more confidence they got ready for their last wedding before exiting the land of the nature controllers. Ecstatic they had been at the news of the marriage, and they only waited for the beautiful ceremony to take place. Wedding ceremonies on Zaleon had been like nothing on the human planet, and the connection that mates felt at fully accepting their fate in front of the flame had been more powerful than anything to ever exist on the planet. The pair would give their head to the flame in surrender of their acceptance, and then give their head to each other as a sign of love and loyalty. 

    The rest of the members had arrived at the scene promptly, as did the immortal couple. The Galoness stood ready to perform the ceremony in the open air, waiting for the bride and groom to come through. As they all stood and waited for their entrance together, small chatter had been going around the room, though most were only excited for the ceremony to begin. 

    All at once, gasps and turns had everyone focused on the grinning pair that arrived hand in hand at the scene, walking past everyone with a smile and nod of appreciation before arriving right in front of the flame that had blessed them with the concept of mates, creating a love so strong nothing could break it. The Galoness herself had smiled, and with a bow to the flame it all began. 

    ‘Your element of fire and yours of earth will join on this auspicious day, you will be one in body, mind and soul, and the flame will grant it’s blessing and gratitude of your acceptance towards each other. Having a mate is an aspect that the flame blesses us all with, though to love a mate truly can only come within us, and it comes from love and faith in the flame as well as in our partners. Today, you have accepted the flame, you have accepted yourself, you have accepted your partners. To get the blessing of the flame, draw your blood, merge your hands, and lower it into the flame.’ Spoke the Galoness, loud and clear for everyone to hear. 

    The emotion present in their eyes was one that struck everyone around them, and after everything they had been through in the past week, Ozak had been ecstatic to finally get a taste of pure happiness in his life. Though a war was upcoming, and that thought created more passion between the two, and an urgency to be one forever. Grabbing the blade that the Galoness had provided them with, Anya began by making a cut on her hand, all the while looking into the eyes of her mate with adoration that no one else could replace, before Ozak did the same. After handing the blade back to the Galoness, the pair joined their hands, lowering it into the flame as they continued to look at each other. 

    As nature controllers, their powers had begun emerging to merge, and the ground below their feet trembled all around, as the water that once was in a stream had collected to drop onto the couple that could not take their eyes off each other for a single moment. Their hands in the flame had ensured their natural aspects would receive their unity, though after the storm had passed, Leopold took it upon himself to bind the souls of the couple that were truly in oneness with themselves. 

    It had played only within the heads of Ozak and Anya, the day they had met each other, as Ozak had been training to control his element, and his mate had come running out of the bushes, startled when her mate appeared right before her eyes. The feeling had been so shocking and unexpected that Ozak had caused a heavy rainfall to drench him and his mate, and it had pulled out of her a reaction that till this day he loved to listen to. Her laugh had been an immediate sign that she accepted him, and with that she covered their heads with a solid barrier of earth, revealing her own element as she walked towards him, and introduced herself. 

    Their relationship had been as fluid as it could get, of course, until three years later she was chosen to go into meditation, and Ozak had been too deeply in love with her to be content about it. He had spent every waking moment wanting to stay in her arms, and mate with her like she would disappear every moment, and standing there with their conjoint hands in the flame, getting married of all things, had seemed too surreal for a man who had thought of those three years as an eternity. Ozak had no intention of spending any more minutes without his mate, war or not, and found himself smiling at the vision in their heads, before it ended and both pulled their hands out of the flame, their wounds healing immediately as rings were exchanged and the pair had become a married couple.

    Shouts and cheers had come from the crowd that was merely happy for their leaders, who had finally become one as they always had wished to be. 

    As the crowd dispersed to the celebration that had been created, the immortal pair had found themselves in a comment of silence, admiring all that was around them.

    ‘Do you think we’ll ever get a chance to have this?’ Asked Razaar, pulling his mate closer into an embrace. 

    ‘Why won’t we?’ She countered, not quite understanding where his head was at. 

    ‘With this war coming up, who knows what’s going to happen. I lost you once without warning, I only just worry that-’

    ‘Razaar, it’s not going to happen again, and you know it. You told me to trust the flame, and now I’m telling you. There is obviously a reason why the flame has done so much for us, why the flame has made us so strong. We might not understand the reason behind it just yet, but one day, sooner or later that truth needs to be unveiled. Either way we have no choice but to be grateful for our special abilities that differ from anyone else. Eiva lost her mate permanently, so did Selina and so many people out there, not everyone gets a second chance with their love. We have been lucky to have survived even that. There’s nothing more I could’ve asked for. So to answer your question: yes, I do think we’ll get this one day. Just not yet’ responded the brave leader, looking firmly into the eyes of her beloved. 

    Soon the smiling pair were approached by the newly married couple, who with the biggest grins on their faces went to appreciate the pair for a new friendship and the bravery to take on the strongest 6 to protect their planet.

    ‘Eliana, Razaar, we just want to thank you for being here with us at such an auspicious time. You have been brave, coming here to train and face the Vermilion is no easy task, though you have proven to everyone on this planet that this system of the hierarchy really doesn’t mean anything. I am glad to see the improvements in your skills, and I’m sure you will do great when the time arrives. It is evident that the pair of you were born for far greater than the rest of us, and I trust that you will succeed. You have our support in this war, and we wish you the best on your upcoming journey with the Warmecks. I will be awaiting your orders when you are ready to strike. Anya and I are glad we have found good friends in you, and look forward to celebrating with you when this war is properly done and over with’ spoke Ozak, holding his mate next to him as he spoke. The smile had yet to wipe off their faces, and it was a moment of sheer simplicity and honesty. Amongst the content, however, Eliana remained with a slight pang of guilt, and decided to address it to comfort her new friends. 

    ‘We are sorry about all the incidents that occured when we arrived. I’m sure it was not easy for you to deal with your sister the way you did, though I appreciate that you did for us. We thank you for everything you have done for us, and for your continuous support. Congratulations to you both, we are so very happy for you. Now, enjoy the time while you can before the war arrives’ responded Eliana, followed by a nod of approval by Razaar before the couple walked off into the distance. A smile danced on the faces of the immortal couple as they returned to their lonesome, and as Eliana looked back into the eyes of Razaar, the same fire that Cassandra had seen in Leopold had entranced her and held her gaze still in the same position. It hadn’t taken Razaar long to pull his mate away from the scene around them, into the quiet forest where they spent most of their time training, right by the lake that his mate so dearly loved to practice in. 

    ‘What are we doing, Razaar?’ She questioned with a chuckle as he began removing his clothes. 

    ‘Get in’ he instructed, watching her do the same with a certain excitement sparkling in her eyes. As he dropped into the water, she followed, reaching him and connecting her lips to his in record time. 

    It was a brief moment of love the pair would experience before the last part of their journey would begin, and from then onwards they would be closer to the end. Answers had yet to be revealed, though the pair were slowly finding themselves climbing the ladder of the hierarchy they wished to destroy once and for all. They had no idea how the world would function in the absence of the hierarchy, not knowing what to do with lands and barriers, though it was an issue that was buried at the very end of the list of worries they had to deal with eventually.

    Next on their list was the climb to the land of the Warmecks, where they would have to convince the leader before training to perfection, and it was not something the fatigued couple was looking forward to.

    Their faces parted, and as they floated around in the water, Eliana practiced her abilities by doing something that Cassandra had been fond of doing during her time with Leopold. 

    As the flame watched the scene from the distant, his own memories started playing right in front of his eyes, and he remembered the sparkle of the sun on the water as she stood next to it, and with a mischievous grin she would throw Leopold into the very water that triggered his fire within, and using her hands she would lift him up into a bubble of water. Laughing she would move him around, watching him get annoyed as he attempted to use his ability of fire to break out of the bubble. With time she would burst the bubble, and watch him drop to the ground right next to her as she approached him and immediately would capture her lips with his. 

    ‘Water can battle fire but fire cannot battle water’ she would whisper to him, a subtle smile playing on her lips as they would look into each other’s eyes. Wordlessly Leopold would embrace her, surrounding her in a cocoon of fire that would have no effect on her whatsoever. 

    ‘I would never want to battle you anyways’ he would respond, and would resume the process of joining lips with the woman he loved so very much. 

    Eliana had played a trick much like the person she was a reincarnation of, and lifted Razaar in a bubble of water that would annoy him to the most, and without warning, she would drop him back into the water, and laugh as his pretend annoyed figure would splash some water against her before embracing her into his arms.

    ‘I want to stay like this forever’ she commented as night began rising, and daylight disappeared. Her mate pulled her out of the water, and dressed her slowly, doing the same for himself before they were to head back. 

    ‘So do I, but right now we have a war to fight. After all of this is over, I promise this will be our life forever’ he vowed, looking deep into her eyes before with a smile he placed a chaste kiss on her temple, and returned to their shack for a last night before heading to the Warmecks. 

    They barely had anything on them left to pack, and as they collected the remaining of their stuff, they each thought back to only the good moments they shared with each other, knowing they had only a few since they barely got to spend any proper time together. Life as a couple had been hard enough for them, they wondered what life as a free couple would be like. Watching everyone around them get married or together had caused them major discomfort knowing they were in no position to escalate that quickly in their relationship, though they knew one way or another they would get there, and when they did it would be more remarkable than any other couple out on their planet. 

    As they settled into bed Leopold spent their last few hours diving back into thought on the blissful moments he had with Cassandra, sneaking around and being in love before all hell broke loose. He blamed himself partly, knowing that had he not proposed or suggested the idea of running away, she would still be alive, and they would still be together. But was it worth living a life where sneaking around was the only form of love they had? 

    Forbidden love had been all they had known, and in the midst of things they had never once gotten the chance to experience true free love like their parents had, just because they were people of opposing kingdoms. They never had the chance to travel to a ball together, to be the spotlight that everyone adored, to be married in public, to bear children and raise them together or have a moment away from the duties of the kingdoms and the fights of their parents. 

    The last words that Cassandra had uttered to him lived forever in his mind as he reminded himself of the promise he made to himself when got kicked away to another galaxy of it’s own. As he remembered the vivid memory of his planet falling into destruction he clasped onto the only thing he had left from Cassandra, the necklace she had worn on her neck everyday since the day she turned 10 that belonged to her mother, a necklace she was so fond of she gave it to the only other living person she loved enough to entrust with it. With his eyes closed he held the necklace close to his heart, tears streaming down his face, he remembered her face and every inch of her body that he ravished while he was with her. With the emotions fresh in mind, he whispered to himself over and over again the promise he had made to her -one similar to one she had made to him once upon a time-  after emerging on Horex and finding himself in a loop of loneliness. 

    ‘One day we’re going to find each other again, I promise.’