The Right To Rule

Chapter 9

Torch stared at the dark sky on the east which was slowly changing color to a soft orange, violet-like sky. For the second day in a week, the sky held no moon nor there will be one there the following day. Daylight mark a new month and this was the seventh month, the Crane.

“There is nothing else the queen can do than sending you recklessly against strongest Watchers in Sky Kingdoms?” asked Abinadab.

Torch didn’t reply. He will, not just yet. There was something far more pressing, sunrise. He had not seen enough of them to get used to it. This was the moment he didn’t want to miss nor Abinadab for that matter however his brother was still bothered by the fact Torch was leaving soon. Way too soon for his liking.

They were sitting on Torch’s favorite spot, Baal Zephon Tower. They have watched the sun crawl from the vast waters of Sea of Gods and west it went until it was covered by mountains of Crux. Daylight was precious, a moment to cherish and Torch always wanted to spend Daylight with his brother. He cannot bear to sit by Abinadab’s bedside as he endured his comas; he always finds a reason to be out of the city however Daylight was his day, the day he always managed to be around when Abinadab woke from his coma and spend it with him.

“There is nothing else she can do,” Torch replied his brother. “I had to take this flaming Power Artifact from the Kingmaker and Leizil will do what grannies do and make an artifact for you.”

“But you might die, which is likely,” his brother said.

“We are not immortal brother,” Torch said sorrowfully. “However, you are dying faster than any of us. I can feel your Radiation, it's not strong as it was a year ago.”

Torch watched as Abinadab looked to the ground below. They were sitting with their legs hanging midair. Right now Abinadab was using an artifact called the Dreamer, it was a thin bracelet he always wore in his left hand. Although Torch didn’t pay attention, he knew the artifact introduce a dream however Leizil has been wise; Abinadab’s Dreamer can only be triggered when he was running out of Radiation. The Dreamer allowed Abinadab not to feel any pain. Once it was triggered, he was blissfully on his own dream, regardless Torch had not seen his brother incline to talk about his dreams. They always sadden him. Right now, there was a cloud covering his face, he was thinking or remembering and it was not pleasant.

“I am just afraid of losing you, I had made peace with my death, but I didn’t want to spend your life recklessly trying to save me. You still have at least ten years to live,” Abinadab said

“Ten years will seem like an eternity without you brother,” Torch replied disagreeing with his brother.

“I wish I had never burden you.”

“You didn’t have a choice, and remember, we live with no regrets,” Torch said, he put his hand on Abinadab’s shoulder.

Abinadab sighed and nodded his head. He raised his right hand in front of himself and opened the palm. Torch sensed as his brother touch Radiation, a tickle of warmth came from him as he had suddenly stepped close to the flames. A spark of flame slowly alights on top of Abinandab’s palm until it was big enough like a fist. Torch noted the strain on Abinadab’s face he concentrate to change the spark into a ball of flame. To turn a spark into a ball of flame was only about containing Radiation, to reduce the strain on it whilst brushing than touching it. Flames were easy to make by Radiation, however, any other form of light or spark was different, and turning it back to flame need a Vulcan to keep a tight lease on Radiation.

Abinadab smiled as a ball of flame orbit around the palm. He had to keep feeding small touch of Radiation, fire always wanted to escape and burn itself out; Radiation kept it burning the way a wielder wanted it. Torch extended his hand touching Radiation, in his mind he saw an ocean of burning lava, only tapping on it, which was termed touching, enable him to able to use Radiation.

Moreover, Torch wanted to pour his Radiation, the one who touch Abinadab’s ball of flame; he had to sync his Radiation to the way Abinadab, it was more like trying to match Abinadab’s Radiation signature. Torch add his Radiation in Abinadab’s flame and it grew to the size of a head. He didn’t add much Radiation, only enough to increase its size.

“It’s easier when I do it in a dream,” Abinadab said smiling broadly, “but Radiation still kicked and thrust around like a mule. However, I think I might have found a secret, it’s much better to create a spark if you touching Radiation and weaving to a spark at the same time.”

Torch touch Radiation, only a tiny drop, and in his mind he formed a spark on top of his palm. A spark dance into life on top of his arm, the same size as Abinadab had done. He brushed his Radiation and stilled it, a spark turned into a ball of flame. He quickly added more Radiation to it to match Abinadab’s one.

“Skygods! Torch you barely put effort into it. You do it so quickly it was hard to sense what you are doing,” Abinadab said in exclamation

Torch nodded. He had learned the use of Radiation only two years prior, and he had taught everything he knew to Abinadab, if he was not wasted on a coma, he would have been able to do that as easily as Torch had, but Torch was natural gifted on Radiation, he used to touch as much as seven times compared to Abinadab’s before the tearing.

Abinadab threw his flame upwards, Torch threw his a second later smashing his brother’s flame, they both canceled each other. It was the same amount of Radiation, an equivalent amount of energy, they can only destroy each other.

“When I am in a dream, I miss you all,” Abinadab said suddenly. “I can will fragments of each of you but Jin always had a new story to tell and this artifact cannot replicate that nor Nina’s drawings of the city. I miss something original and sometimes I am afraid I might never leave a dream. Nonetheless, there is peace. It’s small comfort.”

Well, at least now I know its drawings which Nina always carries around.

“Do you see mom in your dreams?” Torch asked

“Yes I do but…” Abinadab said and stopped, he frowned looking at a distance.

“What’s wrong brother?”

“Well, Torch no matter how much I tried to control my dreams, I have stopped you from killing her. Sometimes you burned her alive,” Abinadab shivered slightly and stared at the rising sun.

“That’s what she flaming deserve. She was an excuse of a mother,” Torch said with a spat.

A golden disk finally surfaced, big as Orion, clear as light itself. The sky turned haze orange around it like it was burning. The white lights all around the city switched off and the natural light of the world washed Sky Kingdoms anew. The sky itself was no longer dark, it slowly coming to be a crisp blue. Spiral Pulser cannot dare Daylight.

Torch closed his eyes and allowed the soft light to wash over him. He felt its touch on his face smoothing all his worries, refueling him with life, with Radiation. The sun’s warmth cuddled him like a baby in his mother’s arms. His mind was still, calm, and peaceful. Only for a brief moment he knew peace.

He opened his eyes and it was all gone.

“We should head back, knowing May she has prepared a feast and she will waiting for us,” Torch as he stood up and Abinadab followed the lead.

“I didn’t even realize I was starving,” Abinadab said as he walked with a sense of urgency.

They arrived at the street below. The streets of the second citizen section were empty. People were on their balconies and in their front doors enjoying sunrise silently.

“How many Watchers will accompany the Kingmaker to Draco?” Abinadab asked.

“I didn’t ask Leizil. Radiation got better of me and I exploded,” Torch brushed his hand, grinning. “I will ask first thing when I go to the palace.”

“I presume you are going to insisting on going alone,” Abinadab said disapproving.

“That goes without saying. Vulcan hunts alone, burn me but I am not the one who came up with that rule,” Torch said.

“It’s not even a rule, Vulcans are only afraid to draw the attention of Watchers that’s why they don’t move around in pairs,” Abinadab replied with his own points.

Burn him, this was not supposed to be an argument.

“No wiser decision other than that. Once Leizil got you patched up, I will gladly let Light deal with her.”

Abinadab laughed. “I wonder how Queen Genevieve will get agreed to that.”

“It’s not like I will sing while I am slicing her head off; I will be swift as the air, and in gratitude, I won’t give a moment to scream,” Torch said with a smile. Abinadab had that effect on him.

“Oh my dear brother, flames guide you on your quest,” Abinadab said, his mood was slowly transforming.

Torch looked at his brother who was wiping tears of joy from his eyes, he looked better than the day before. His face was shiny, clear, and had the mark of being healthy. His hair was now fading brown. It will stay that way for few days until his body drained all the Radiation in his body.

Abinadab looked back at him, his eyes stern and his face no longer laughing.

“Whatever happens at Draco please don’t die,” Abinadab said.

“Not even in my scariest dream brother, I don’t dream of dying.”

“One last goodbye?” Abinadab asked.

Abinadab opened his arms to embrace Torch.

“No more goodbyes, brother,” Torch promised.

***

Torch was escorted to a rather fancy-looking room when he request the audience with the queen. The girl who escorted him was easy on the eye with a nice chest about her, she blushed when Torch talked, but she didn’t stay long enough and he had to wait for the queen and Leizil for the whole flaming hour. Nonetheless, the blushing beauty was very accommodating, she had ordered a variety of foods, Torch, however, treated himself to Perseus clear wine which was sweetened perfectly.

“First order of our little business,” Torch said before Leizil and the queen took their seat. “How many of your sisters will be in the company of the Kingmaker?”

“The initial report suggested Gairiyah will have at least twenty Watchers with her,” Leizil replied.

Torch sprung on his feet before Leizil took her seat, he had her throat by his head and he squeezed a little tighter. He meet her eyes and held them. He heard the queen gasped, but he didn’t let Leizil as yet.

“Torch restrains yourself,” the queen said, her voice clear and demanding.

“Are you sure you don’t want to see me dead, Leizil?” Torch asked.

“That would seem reckless on my end. I will simply let Radiation took care of you, I have more time on my hand than you have,” Leizil replied.

Torch released her and walked back to his chair. He took his crystal glass and took a gulp of the wine and refilled it while his charge took her seat.

“I am still amazed about you are still cynical about Leizil’s motives after everything she has done to prove herself,” the queen said.

Genevieve was wearing a dressing that exposed her arms, it was of heavy fabric, it rattle while she walks. She had cut her hair short and done it in curls. Torch was always stunned by her; her beauty intrigue him. Queens were supposed to be beautiful, not exquisite.

“You cannot fault a man for been cautious,” Torch said.

“May I, Your Highness?” Leizil asked.

The queen nodded and Leizil slide a sketch to Torch. It was drawn in color, it looked like a necklace made of diamonds with a big blue ruby of egg-shaped in the center.

“Let me guess, she keeps it by neck every time, no hopes she takes it off while she rests?” Torch said

“I heard she rests while wearing it,” Leizil replied.

“Burn me, but her neck might be stiff as May’s sense of humor while she woke,” Torch said sighing.

Leizil shrugged and said nothing.

“In ten weeks she will be at Draco?” Torch asked. Strangely he was the one talking a lot. Well, a man has to care for his own life. Nobody will and certainly no granny will give it a second thought.

“Yes, and she will stay there for a week if not less.”

Torch nodded as he took his drink.

“Tell me this Leizil,” Torch said leaning forward, “anything sinister I might know of this Kingmaker?”

“She has considered one of the strongest Watcher since the Origin and the Power Artifact of hers is formidable.”

“That sounds flaming delightful,” Torch threw his hands up.

This will be the end of me, Spiral cursed world, I can see a way of winning this fight.

“Don’t worry Torch, I had selected few Vulcans I trust and Leizil has been kind enough to find a sister who will help you at Draco.”

Torch stood up, he paced up and down. He needed his wits more than ever. It was not getting any better, he was hopeful when he came to the palace. It was certainly going to be better if the Kingmaker had grown tired with immortality and thread herself with a Moonstone. It was going to be easy to steal the damning artifact than kill for it.

Flames! He won’t mind having two or three Vulcans to tag along and set alight a few of those grannies and create chaos. However, a single newcomer Vulcan at the new city was welcomed, newcomer Vulcans in pairs, burn me but that makes few of the grannies panic and that’s the least thing a Vulcan should do.

Torch stopped pacing and look at Leizil and the queen who was looking at him silently, he cannot read their face, he was half-certain Leizil was thinking he was losing some of his wits. She might be thinking of threading right now, Torch thought. Flames! Any man with wits will certainly lose them if he has to kill the Kingmaker. Torch took his seat and refilled his glass, drunk it one gulp, and refill it again.

“No Vulcans, they will cause too much attention. No Watchers, if any granny gets closer to me I am sending you her head.”

“I understand, about Vulcans mostly,” Leizil said softly, “but it's very crucial you have someone who can sense Celestial with you.”

“Where I am going to get that one?” Torch made a sound gesturing his hands. “If I see anyone who touch Celestial I either ran a mile or let Light deal with her.”

“But you trust Lady Delforge, I am certain you had her best interests in heart,” the queen spoke.

“No offense, my good queen, I am going to a battle not some sparring in old abandon building.”

“A lesson she won’t forget,” Leizil said like she was talking to herself.

“It's either Lady Delforge or Leizil’s sisters here at the capital, make a choice Torch,” the queen said setting her foot down.

“Burn you all,” Torch said and rest his head on his hands. What a flaming mess!

In the next two hours, Torch spent it listening to Leizil lectures and remarks. She had tried to get the names of the grannies who will be in the company of the Kingmaker. She tried, by all means, to inform him about their prowess, weakness, and habits. Not only that, she had drawn a map and indicate where the grannies might be spending their time after diplomatic gatherings. Torch drank it all in, every single drop; his life depends on it, and when his life was concern he didn’t want to leave anything to chance. After the meeting ended Torch was the first one to stand up, he told them he had a place he had to go. He said his goodbyes, one last time. Tomorrow he leaves for Draco.