VERMILLION: The fall of Zaleon

Chapter 30

The one thing the Galoness had been excited about as the plans had commenced their execution, was the grand revelation that was about to change everything for everyone. Eliana and Razaar had decided to wait till the end of the war for the revelation about the flame, and as noble as that was of them, it was time for the flame to reveal himself, and let the planet know what they were really up against. 

Leopold had sat back for too long, and had now decided that it was time he showed himself to a planet where every creature was his creation, creatures he had created for a war, but had now come to love and care about. This was his planet, and he was the God of it, and it was time they knew what they were up against and why they were up against it to begin with. The fight with the Vermillion would end with them, and after it would come a peaceful life on Zaleon, one where Leopold would step back and let happy endings complete as they were meant to and as he had wished for himself.  

He had no idea how to address a nation of creatures that he had created, nor what he would say, only that everyone had come too far, and it was time they knew the truth. Of course, there was also the truth of why Daraz Vermillion was still alive that needed to be revealed, but in the meantime the flame stuck with one revelation at a time, and this particular one was larger and far more important for the world to know of. The Vermillion, of course, wouldn’t get the broadcast, but the rest of the planet would know the reality of their lives, and Eliana and Razaar would finally know why they felt such an uncanny connection to Leopold with all that they had seen and experienced. 

The world he had so dearly created fell into deep slumber, and with it Leopold rose, and began the speech that would be projected into the minds of everyone that night, so that when they woke up, they would be enlightened by the truth. With all the love in his heart for the species he had created, and for the love he had for his dear Cassandra, he began his speech. 

‘Children of Zaleon, I have been keeping myself from you for far too long, and it’s time that you knew the truth. The whole truth. I am the one you call the flame, though my true name is Leopold. I originally come from a planet named Boraq, one that existed centuries ago, where I was a God, the God of fire. The planet consisted of 2 kingdoms, the fire and water kingdoms, both of which hated each other. On this planet of hate I was thrown in between the turmoil my parents had created and was one day captured by the water kingdom, and held in their cells. There, I met a woman, the most amazing woman. The love of my life, and the daughter of the water King, Cassandra. She and I liked each other from the moment we met, we would read to each other every night when I was locked up, and eventually she helped me escape when her parents planned on murdering me. I thought I would never see the woman again, I lost all hope, but as fate would have it, I ran into her again, and when I did, I planned on never letting go. Cassandra and I stayed together through thick and thin and for a long time, overcoming all sorts of obstacles on the way. The one thing we couldn’t get past, however, was our parents, knowing that they would always hate each other, and never come to terms with one another. For this reason I decided that I wanted to run away, and elope with my beloved. We ran away, and got married, then decided to live in the forest until we could find a place to be with each other freely. You see, in a world where the only lands that existed were either of my kingdom or hers, it was hard to find an escape, one where we would be unrecognised. The life of a Royal had never been easy, but in that moment it was unbearable. We were barely there for one night when our father’s found us, and we attempted to fight them. We arrived at a holy place, where we found ourselves cornered and about to be murdered, when my dear Cassandra did something that no one had ever done. She used her powers to destroy the entire, including herself, blasting me out of the planet into space, where for centuries, I was alone. I cried and wailed for centuries, knowing that I would never get my Cassandra back, ever again. I was angry, furious at our parents, for keeping us apart and trying to break us up, and I wanted revenge. It was for that reason that I turned into a flame, and spat out this planet called Zaleon, and created the galaxy of Horex. The plan had been to create a hierarchy, a system, just like my parents had, where the 4 evil reincarnations of my parents and Cassandra’s had to be taken out. The only way to do that was to create more and more species and creatures, and make the line of hierarchy permanent, so it could be broken with ease. Over the years, the Vermillion grew, and my plans had commenced failing, so I created an alliance between a Fairen and a Doirekh, Reigar Doirekh and Priscilla Viet, who you know today, as Dregov Doirekh and Clea Menso. They were responsible for the first great war of Zaleon, and for good reason, because I needed the Vermillion to shrink, I needed Gregov Doirekh to leave and take revenge, I needed Belinda Vermillion to cheat on her husband with his brother, and I needed the Vermoca family to be psychopaths, all so I could get to this point. The prophesized couple, or as you know them, the immortal couple of Zaleon: Miss Eliana Genova and Mr Razaar Solonov, are not only immortal, but they are reincarnations of myself and Cassandra. They are the only ones capable of bringing down the Vermillion, and only they can bring peace to Zaleon, because by doing so would be to fulfill my revenge, and restore the balance of Horex. With the great war coming it was time you all knew the truth, about yourself, about me, and about the people on this planet that are destined for greatness. Everything has happened as it had been planned, and despite the tragedies so far, I am on your side. I cannot take back what has been done, the only thing I can do now is give you the truth, and empower you to overcome the challenge and fulfill your destiny. You are all children, my children, children of the flame, and you must bring back peace to Zaleon, bring back peace to Horex. This is the greatest war Zaleon will see, this will be the fall of Zaleon, and the rise of Horex. So I command you, go my children, go and do what is necessary for Horex’ Leopold finished his speech, and retracted immediately by daylight, and every person on Zaleon, excluding the Vermillion opened their eyes, having been enlightened with the truth. Not only had the truth come about about Eliana and Razaar, but also about Dregov and Clea, and now there was nothing left to hide. 

The prophecy had commenced making sense, and all things had been put into perspective. As Eliana and Razaar looked at each other, they knew something was different, they knew now what had been going on and why they felt such a large connection to the flame to begin with. They were the flame, they were everything he stood for, everything he loved most dearly. Words refused to come out of their mouth as they looked at each other, and the only thing they could do was look at each other in recognition, and embrace each other for the longest time, feeling overwhelmed with all that had been revealed. 

Creatures around the planet began awakening with thoughts flooding through their mind, most thinking the same thing: Eliana and Razaar were not just an ordinary couple of Ivory, they were the very reincarnations of the Gods of their planet, they were Leopold and Cassandra, and they were destined for more greatness than anyone on their planet. 

No one had any idea on how to function that day, and as soon as the day began, and normality fell upon them, the only conversations they could all had revolved around the flame, the immortal couple, and the upcoming war. 

Trekking out of their cottage to get to their office, the pair noticed their entire pack standing outside, their second and thirds standing in front, bowing at them with adoration. They simply couldn’t believe it, their leaders were the reincarnations of the flame. They felt beyond grateful and joyful. 

‘No, please, everyone, get up’ Eliana began, feeling beyond overwhelmed. She appreciated the way everyone was coming across to them, though it was the last thing she wanted. They were fighting for equality on a planet tarnished by a hierarchy, and this was certainly not going to help them achieve that. It was pressure enough to be the immortal couple of Zaleon, but adding the secret of their reincarnation to that was only adding to the already mounted up stress they had. As honoured as they were to carry out the task, they were not Gods, despite being reincarnations of Gods, they were not it, neither did they want to be treated like it. ‘I know that all of you want to now change the way you treat us, knowing what we ourselves had no idea of, but that is the last thing we need. We are fighting to eradicate the hierarchy, bring peace to this planet, restore order and fulfill the destiny that Leopold wanted us to fulfill, but if we fall back on our intentions and start putting ourselves as superior then it defeats the purpose of what we’re trying so hard to achieve. So please, we ask you not to treat us any differently than you do. We are still your great Alpha and Luna of Gloarian, and co-leaders of Hybrids, nothing more. The flame may have just told us that we are the reincarnations of Leopold and Cassandra, and as flattering as that is, that does not mean that we’re automatically Gods. We are still ordinary beings like all of you, sent to restore that equality. So let’s start with equality now, let’s keep treating each other like we always do, with mutual respect’ she requested, and the entire pack and community listened, taking into account what was being said and accepting immediately. ‘Thank you all, you may return to your duties’ she mentioned, and the crowd dispersed, leaving behind only the Beta and Omega couple. ‘The same is said for you 4, no difference in treatment please’ she added to them, and they all chuckled. 

‘As you wish, your majesty, I mean, Luna’ Demillo joked, and they all laughed as Eliana gave him a light punch on the arm. 

‘We need to head back to Tetra, something went wrong with our last operation and we need to find out what it is. Will you be alright to handle things here? Hopefully their demise doesn’t take too long and we can come back and take over, I know how much all of you deserve a break and some time off. Melia as soon as you feel like you need to step away, do so. Demillo and Fiorena can take over for you guys. Should you need anything, anything at all, give us a call. You remember how the telephone works, don’t you?’ She asked and confirmed, and they all looked at her with even more adoration than before. Their leader, a reincarnated God, had been treating them with such love and care, it made them emotional, though they hid it, knowing that she didn’t want them to make it obvious that they saw them through a slightly different lens. 

‘We will be alright here, honestly. You two have enough to worry about as it is. Now go, do what you need to do’ Melia responded, and they nodded, taking their leave after a final goodbye. 

The immortal pair, Dregov, Clea, Remo, Amana and Paulina reunited in the office where the previous night they had discovered the shocking news that Daraz Vermillion was still alive when they all clearly killed him by throwing him into the flame. So what happened? Deciding it was best to get some rest, they had all headed off to their respective lands to get some well deserved sleep, though reunited early at daylight to carry on understanding what the truth was. 

Though before they did they obviously had other truths to face, and certain awkward differences to sort out. 

When they entered the office, everyone had already been present, including the reincarnations of Reigar and Priscilla, and the great Alpha and Luna of Gloarian ignored the fact, imagining that they probably wished for their own peace as much as the immortal couple did, to ignore the awkwardness of interactions that were to come. 

‘So, Daraz Vermillion, we need to figure out-’

‘Before we do that, maybe we should just talk about the elephant in the room and get it over with?’ Amana suggested, and everyone looked at her confused. 

‘Elephant in the room? What do you mean?’ A puzzled Razaar questioned, and the woman realised that they were not on Earth. 

‘Right, nevermind, I forgot. It’s a Human expression. I mean, we should probably talk about the thing that we all saw and get it over with instead of being all awkward with each other’ she rephrased, and Eliana found herself sighing again, ready to recall her earlier speech and deliver it. 

‘I really don’t think there’s anything to talk about. Your brother and Clea are the reincarnations that put the play into action, and now they’re back to help end things. Razaar and myself are the reincarnations of Leopold and Cassandra and we’re here to put things straight. That’s it, nothing more to it. We are here to banish the hierarchy and set equality on the planet, and we should bear that in mind whilst interacting with each other. No need for formalities or to make things awkward, we carry on as we are. Simple’ the woman brought up, and Amana nodded, looking down in intimidation. Her view had changed completely, whether she liked it or not, and even Paulina had remained silent at her words, clearly not seeing herself as worthy of talking back to someone who technically was superior to her. Having noticed all of this, Razaar stepped in, knowing how much it was bothering both himself and his mate. 

‘Look, we’re not Gods or anything ok? You can talk back to us, do whatever you want. Paulina, you’re sitting silently in a corner, but please remember that you are still our commander. You tell us what to do. Please, can we all get this idea of superiority and what not out of our heads. The whole plan is for us to work together as equals to restore the peace of Zaleon, or as Leopold said, cause the rise of Horex, so can we please focus on that?’ He spat, and everyone around him nodded, including Paulina, who clearly had to get used to bossing around the reincarnated versions of their Gods. Why Razaar and Eliana were not seeing this as something grand that was a mystery to everyone, though sooner or later one or the other would have to get used to it, and it didn’t seem like the immortal couple were going to be too happy about the reactions they had been getting so far. As much as they respected the flame, a part of them wished that he would have kept that revelation to himself, or even if he had just mentioned it to the pair on their own, it would have made the process much easier for themselves. Though they didn’t understand that Leopold needed all of them to know, because the fate of their planet lay in their hands, and that was something that needed to be justified, or at least it did in Leopold’s eyes. 

‘So, Daraz Vermillion, can anyone explain that? Paulina?’ Eliana mentioned, attempting to restore normality as she could, and Paulina nodded, getting her head back into business and doing her best to be her normal self again. 

‘Right, well, that’s an unexplained incident, and I frankly have no idea why or how he is alive. Throwing someone in the flame has an immediate effect, they die, even for a Vermillion. That’s how most people were assassinated in the first great war of Zaleon, I don’t know why it didn’t work now’ she began, and they all settled down in their seats, unable to understand what to do with themselves. 

‘Dregov, you said he had no recollection of his murder?’ Asked Razaar, attempting to get somewhere, though in reality it wasn’t getting them anywhere. 

‘It sure seemed like it. There’s no reason for him to pretend around his sister. If anything he would have outed us, the fact that he didn’t clearly means that he didn’t remember. I don’t know what exactly happened. He said that he woke up on his bed so must have fallen asleep’ the Doirekh said, and the room silenced again. 

‘So not only are we immortal, they are immortal too?’ Eliana tried to confirm, though no one could really do that as no one knew what was going on. 

‘I wish I could answer that, but like I said, I have no idea what’s going on. I don’t know why he didn’t die, and I don’t know if there is a way to kill them’ the Doirekh said again. 

‘Well it makes sense, doesn't it? It seemed all too easy, just killing him like that. If it was that easy, then Eliana and Razaar would not have been the prophesized immortal couple now would they? They have a greater purpose, and clearly so do Dregov and Clea, let’s figure out what it is. There must be a way to kill them, the flame is on our side after all, he said so himself, now let’s find out how to do this’ Amana suggested, being the first one to slightly bring back the normality between them all. 

‘By now they would have read our letter, and understood that the open war has been declared. It’s too late to take that back now’ Paulina mentioned, and Dregov felt a sense of guilt for not having retrieved the note before returning. 

‘I can go and get it back, or see if-’

‘Absolutely not’ Clea interrupted, and she wasn’t the only one having the thought. 

‘Clea’s right, Dregov. It’s far too dangerous for you to do that now. If they have read the letter, then they will have started preparing for the way, and surely they’ll have some measure of protection instated already. I recommend we leave the letter be. Now that the war has been declared, we take them down one by one, including Daraz again, there is no no need to pull away and pretend like you’re all one big happy family when no one really believed it to begin with. We all knew this war was going to happen, including the rest of the Vermillion, so let’s let this play out. First, we need to find out why Daraz is alive, if the Vermillion are immortal and if so how to kill them, and we can take things from there’ Paulina added, coming back to her senses and restoring her commander position.

Everyone around her nodded and agreed, though they still had to ask themselves the main question. 

‘How do we figure out why Daraz Vermillion is still alive?’ Remo posed, opening his mouth after a while. His question had suddenly thrown Eliana back to the previous day, to the strange reactions of the Galoness with them, and she realised that the Galoness knew what was coming. She knew the announcement was coming, and she knew that Daraz Vermillion was not going to die. She knew more than they did, and therefore she would be the only one capable of helping them get their answers. 

‘There’s only one place we can find answers. As always, the Galon. We need to ask Leopold himself’ she revealed comfortably, noticing that everyone had taken her words seriously. Looking between one another, they all shared a glance of agreement before Paulina stood up from her seat. 

‘Well then, I guess it’s time for another trip to the Galon’