The Right To Rule

Chapter 5

A man who called himself Torch sat on the top of a building in the city of Eurydice. Orion was right above him curled by his silver shining ring and he sat against Hazelelponi, the smallest of all five moons. She was a tiny orb of red that blinked now and then lazily like she was bored been sucked in the sky. She was much further from where Torch was, he had had she was better viewed at Barren Lands to Nashira.

The five moons business was too much for him, he knew they were the source of grannies’ power and anyone who dare to touch Celestial but why five of them? He was sure the old guy Orion can do the job quite well. Moreover, he wondered what would happen if there were five suns and endless sources of Radiation.

Abinadab won’t be trapped in the land of dreams hiding away from his pain, Torch thought bitterly.

Vulcans have limited access to Radiation and survive until another Daylight. All Vulcans have a Well, a place in their mind which was connected with their heart, was a place they kept their Radiation. It was about a will of a Vulcan to determine how much Radiation it can be stored and how much it can be touched. A Radiation to a Vulcan was a life force, their heartbeat, and without it, they die. And too much of it tore them apart. If Sky Kingdoms had five suns, Torch’s thought still sat strongly on his mind, we will probably be gods by own rights.

However, Radiation had never seduced Torch to be anything than a provider for all who cannot provide for themselves. He didn’t seek glory or power, regardless, he was the queen’s weapon. Before he came back to the capital city of Perseus he was at Hilltop, a small town which was about a hundred miles away from Eurydice. It was the first time he was sent by the queen away from the city and he came back without killing anyone. He was supposed to collect books from a granny. Yes, for the light of the sun, books! Three bricks of tomes. He didn’t bother himself by opening them, he was already disappointed he was not killing anyone. Radiation was like steel, it rusts without use. But now he understood the importance of the tomes because Leizel was back from Europa. The tomes must be related to artifacts and how those grannies made them he didn’t know. Leizel was not keen on sharing that information. It was Watchers’ business. Burn me if I got tangled in that one.

He felt the strange warmth of Orion brushing his skin, he closed his eyes and let his thought drifted. Sky Kingdoms was surviving with no sun, but with no sun came Spiral Pulser, the heart of the darkness, and a force of destruction.

Spiral Pulser had left people with no choice but to crowd at the same place to fend the Pulser and grannies who knew everything have designed artifacts to help fight the Pulser but beyond the walls of the city, Spiral Pulser still ruled.

It meant going out of the city was deadly, no. It was only dangerous. Torch had an encounter with Pulser only once and he had survived.

Eurydice was flat on land without a mountain nor hill at sight with symmetrical streets all leading to Crown’s Keep. Around the Crown’s Keep was high-rank elites’ manor and towers; Sky Kingdoms had divided the society by their rank thus how they reside. Eurydice was the oldest model where higher ranks of the society were found in the heart of a settlement and the lesser ranked members of the society found refuge at the outskirts of the city.

Torch was still on top of Baal Zephon Tower, twelve-story high, paneled with dark glasses, and around it, it was paved by white river stones. Everything inside was of at least artifacts, lights can be dimmed or light dull blue, he once saw one room shinning red inside it. It was the most expensive apartment in the whole Perseus. It was built at Golden Rose, a section for elites which was established ten years ago, between the first and second citizen section on the east of the city. The first and second citizens’ houses were mostly white and gray roofed in wood dipped in oil and coated with dark paint. Somewhere squared, others topped on each other. It was orderly done at this section, the roads were paved and flowers were taken off.

Torch’s building where he lived with his brother, May, and other unfortunate children was at the third citizen section a few blocks away but he always finds refuge here at Baal Zephon Tower in their garden on the top of their roof, hallways displaying landscapes which he only dreams of seeing, air-cooled to match the white-lights heat. Here he was living a dream.

There were footsteps coming to the roof, he didn’t bother to look back to see who was coming, the resident of the tower had grown used to him to a point that they thought he was also a resident. The footsteps continued, paused, and turned in his direction. They had different echoes. It was two people then.

“There you are,” a feminine voice spoke. “Why you didn’t tell me you are back?”

“How did you find me?” Torch asked the source of the voice.

“Oh, well. Nina told me where I would found you,” Chrysanthe replied.

Torch turned his head, looked at two girls staring at him. He first connected his eyes with Nina who turned red on the face and looked at her feet. Nina’s past was as vague as May’s but he knew she turned seventeen a month before. She had long dark hair reaching her lower back, caramel round face dotted with freckles and besides that, she was a proper lady, she always put those dresses of women Torch is seen hovering around Genevieve; today she chose a dress with a long flowering skirt embroiled in patterns. How she goes around in that beats Torch. Alongside her court manner, she always had her sketchbook with her. Torch had no idea what she drew inside it, he had never had a chance to peak since it was always guarded but she also used it to communicate. Nina was mute, she can hear but she cannot speak the words; she often weaves signs to talk.

Illuminator burn me! Even know I hadn’t learned those signs.

And how on night cursed world she knew where Torch was? He had never told anyone he came at Baal Zephon Tower. The girl was strange.

“That’s interesting,” Torch said standing up and collecting Light and strapped her on his back. “Did she weave the signs and boom you are at Zephon?”

“She wrote it,” Chrysanthe smiled. She was the same age as Torch, however, she was Burl Delforge’s daughter, the most influential elite after the queen.

Delforge’s influence was not in starlings, it was military. Perseus’ army and all policing force were his. They march, they kill and they conquer when he ordered. He was the reason Torch met Chrysanthe; he wanted his daughter to be different than any Watcher or Celestialblessed by been one taught how to fight by a Vulcan. However, there was nothing Torch can teach her about Celestial, how to touch it, and how to will it. The energies might came from the sky but they were different.

Torch walked towards them until he was a hand’s length away from Nina who was still looking at her feet. Suddenly he saw a dagger flashed between his eyes, no one was holding it; it was moving on its own.

That’s cheating, moving things without touching them, Torch thought which was better, to walk back or to free Light. He took the former and stepped back. Chrysanthe was very protective of Nina, much deadly like a mother.

“Now I got scared pretty good,” Torch laughed. “What do you want, ladies?”

“You promised me that when you came back you will train me. You said ‘I will go full Radiation mode on you’, yes your words are not mine,” Chrysanthe said folding her hands.

“Best we find a suitable place for that. I don’t often go full Radiation mode, too much waste of Radiation,” Torch replied. He was very good at keeping his promises.

***

Torch knew an abandoned building a few blocks from Golden Rose. The girls decided it was better to bring lamps along though he promised them he will provide them with light since Torch said it was likely to be dark inside. With Radiation he can provide light, he commanded the flames but the pure fire was a forbidden flame.

In Sky Kingdoms, Vulcans' powers were kept in check by the Way of Life, a charter of laws for Vulcans to follow. Grannies plan for everything. It won’t amaze Torch to learn they were the ones who snatched the sun from the sky, such, however, was a dangerous thought.

The abandoned building was a stone structure wide and tall which was probably a factory before but now it was hollow inside, a safe haven for rats and stray pets. It was perfect for sparring.

I should bring Abinadab here during Daylight and do little sparring, kicking a girl’s backside was no fun.

The girls put their lamps in four posts, it was not as bright as outside but there was enough illumination to fight off the darkness. Nina stayed back as far as possible which her sketchbook and a bit of coal already on her hand. Torch made a note to steal the sketch while she sleeps.

Chrysanthe stood eighteen yards from Torch and fell into a stance. She had pure Moonstone blades, tall as her hand, wide as her two fingers. She stood five-foot-six, wearing a green blouse which looked a bit like a dress and brown trousers. She drew her lips in line, light brown eyes focused on Torch. He removed Light from his back and set her by the tip on the ground and leaned on her. She was dark as a Pulser itself, soft leather hilt with no gems except the red ruby on the top of the hilt. The sword was as ancient as the Origin, four feet tall and wide as his palm, it was sharp than steel cause this one can slice through rocks. She was beautiful and deadly and while with her Torch rarely need Radiation to kill.

“Ready when you are,” Torch said.

He reached for his Well. In his mind, he saw a sea of red-orange burning fire that looked more like molten steel. He willed it, control it. Radiation was about strength, to dominate it and then command it. After he willed it, he can able to touch it and it’s where it gets all sorts of fun. He gritted his teeth, still himself while he touches it, he felt it tearing him apart inside him at the same time he felt it healing him. Moreover, he felt light, powerful and here was the danger of Radiation, when it was touched it was hard to stand still. If he stood still his head will start to spin, he will see shadows that were not there.

Torch was much aware now. He can hear the thud of heart drummed on his ears, Nina blushing her paper with her hand, small feet scraping the floor on the corner of his left. Radiation enhanced his senses and physical prowess. He was no longer an ordinary man. He was a Radiator.

Torch ran towards Chrysanthe with Light in his hand. He thought he should give her a show before the Kingmaker put his head on the pike. He saw her eyes widen in surprise, he moved faster than he had ever been. But she recovered quickly, both hands on her Moonstone sword and eyes focused on him. She was anchored, it was the rule Torch had told her. He wanted her to focus her Celestial to enhance her physical prowess, to enable her to move faster than jump around like a headless chicken. Anchoring has its own merit, he had seen how well she fought while she was anchored, however, he was a swordmaster and this was his teaching.

He swung Light straight to her torso, he was starting with a common attack stance. Chrysanthe blocked Light with her Moonstone, ashen-gray against dark-black steel. There were no clicks that ordinary metals produced, a soft thud was audible, nothing more.

“While you block an attack don’t make yourself open for another one,” Torch said, Radiation raged within him.

Torch turned around in swift flow extending his left leg, he caught Chrysanthe on her heels and she lost her balance. But the girl was too clever, she Pushed herself further from Torch while she fell. She had somehow anchored herself with her Moonstone fighting with it rather than burying it in the ground.

“Although that can save you it makes you defenseless without a weapon,” Torch said picking up her Moonstone which was left on the ground while she Pushed. “Celestial and Moonstone are like sky and stars, the two cannot and never has to be separated.”

“I have thought ahead.”

Chrysanthe stood up and she had a dagger in her hand. At least she was listening.

However, I will cancel her anchors on the sword, Torch thought with a smile.

He channeled Radiation to the Moonstone sword, it started to glow bright red. Any anchor Chrysanthe had on the Moonstone was canceled, she cannot do anything about her sword as long as it started glowing and full of Radiation.

Torch saw her took a step backward while he channeled Radiation on the Moonstone, she might not have realized it, however, her body grew stiff and her breath quicken. There was fear in her eyes, they no longer shone with excitement and passion of sparring, and it was about survival. He knew once he started to touch Radiation around her it will be like that. Only good thing was that she cannot sense his Radiation, he didn’t believe Liezel, but he had not met a Celestialblessed or Watcher who can sense him.

He threw the Moonstone on the air, he jumped and kicked it on the hilt straight to Chrysanthe with enough force it hissed through the air. Torch noted that she was slightly caught off guard, she dodged sideways but she focused on her sword as it penetrated the wall halfway and that precious five seconds allowed Torch to be before her. He raised Light and pointed it straight to her neck.

“You are afraid,” Torch said softly yet he was not lowering Light.

“Skygods! It penetrated the wall!” Chrysanthe exclaimed, her face losing all its color.

Torch sighted and lowered Light. “I think you will need to get used to seeing flames.”

He walked to the center of the hall and locate all the four lamps the girls had bought.

“My apologies, Nina,” Torch said, apologizing for what he was about to do.

He touches Radiation and willed it into flame. He can feel the warmth on his index finger and flame burned into life above it. He shot down all the lamps with his flames in a heartbeat. The hall was thrown into complete darkness. He touched more Radiation, he shot ten fist-size orbs and the hall was alight again.

“Now let’s tame your fear. It won’t be easier, thanks to grannies, but this will do,” Torch said

“Skygods! Have mercy,” Chrysanthe whispered walking further from Torch without a thought at all.

***

Torch touched Radiation and wrote on the air. Words that spelled LIGHT inflame in front of him. It only lasted for three seconds. It was enough to see how well Chrysanthe react, for the past five days it had not got any easier. She always took a step when she was a flame, she paled and her eyes widen and then Torch will be talking to a brick that was deaf.

“Burn me! But it’s not like I will set you ablaze,” Torch said his patient thinning by an hour.

“It’s easier for you to speak because you are the one controlling them,” Chrysanthe replied. “Until five days ago I have not seen a flame.”

Torch held his hands on the back of his head, tried to think of anything that may come close as motivation. He was not built for this. He wanted to teach her how to fight, all the things she might learn to do with Celestial along the way. Now she was afraid of flames. There won’t be much he can teach her if he was holding back, if he was not holding back he had to use his Radiation. Yet, every time Chrysanthe saw a flaming flame she lost all she had learned and thought of only survival.

“It’s not flames, every time I touch Radiation and spar with you looks like I will kill you at a heart. You went from sparring to fighting for survival.”

“I have sensed other Vulcans while they touch Radiation, but I can’t sense you. Why can’t I sense you? Maybe if I can I will fight better,” Chrysanthe said shaking her head.

Torch spent the next hour explaining, trying his outermost flaming best to put Chrysanthe at ease. He has been doing it for the last five days, he hoped she will at least grab something from it. After Daylight he might not have time to spare, the Kingmaker will be waiting. He hoped by then she will at least get used to the flames or fighting him while full blast Radiation. She won’t stand a chance, yes, but it’s not sparring if she cannot pick up her backside from the ground more times than she can count.

“I understand Torch, I probably think maybe we should spar only with swords,” Chrysanthe said, she sounded a bit calmer. “I am afraid it will take longer for me to get used to forbidden flames and soon you will be going to only where Skygods know.”

“Let’s start with offense,” Torch said defeated.

He had tried to light the hall with his flames but only after a day, the girl started to come with extra lamps, Torch thought it was better if she used them. It was going to a lot of amount of time for Chrysanthe to stop fearing flames. The good girl Nina had not set again at the factory. The fire was not an enemy once you understand it, and for thousands of years, people have forgotten about it. The purification of the soul. Burn me! But those grannies have done well to this world. They made Sky Kingdoms forgot their roots. But every single day they look at the sky and stars never stop burning. The fire of the world.

Torch focused on Chrysanthe as she fell into a stance, her Moonstone in front of her and between her eyes. He didn’t unsheathe Light, she still can’t handle him if he started to fight back. Radiation course through his veins, seducing him to touch more.

Chrysanthe came at him, slowly, carefully trained steps without a sword moving an inch. She swung it straight at Torch’s head, he bent below the Moonstone sword as it passes overhead. He had anticipated she will swing back, the moment the sword passed his head, Chrysanthe changed the direction and the sword pointed backward while she was still looking ahead. Torch moved to the side and the sword missed him.

Chrysanthe’s feet turned gracefully with her Moonstone following her behind. He heard it hiss softly as it cut the air, he saw Chrysanthe’s eyes following him as he tried to put some distance between them. He jumped a step back, waited for her to catch up. Torch smiled as Chrysanthe came at him fully charged, moving faster than she had before; she was learning to touch Celestial much better. She didn’t give Torch time to think, he moves by battle instinct. The beauty of battle was absent of thought, it was limbo, it was survival, nothing else mattered.

They might have gone for two or more hours, resting here and there while Torch corrects her where she was doing wrong. There was no need to worry about fatigue, both Radiation and Celestial wash it away. As long as they were touching their energies, they could spar until Daylight. However, Chrysanthe has not yet been able to land a blow or a simple nick by her Moonstone, regardless, Torch was happy with her progress. If they can keep it up for a year, she will be formidable. Burn me! If I survive the Kingmaker and all her sister grannies. One thing sparring had done to Torch, made him forget about his brother’s suffering and he was grateful for that.

“I thought you elite class folks always go about with your servants,” Torch said. “They should have erect a table filled with all different kinds of foods. I am flaming starving.”

Chrysanthe laughed. “Once you start shooting down the lamps they will die with fear.”

“That was not scary,” Torch said shrugging his shoulders

“Skygods! You had no idea. No wonder Nina didn’t want to see me spar anymore,” Chrysanthe replied.

“You girls have fragile hearts,” Torch said already walking to the exit.

“You are supposed to wait for me!”

Torch sighed, he tucked his hands into his pocket and wait for Chrysanthe to turn off her lamps.