A World of a Thousand Lights

Chapter Two

"Your greatness, and mistress Stormflare! You must come. You have a meeting soon," Techa urged as she and two other servants forced Nova and Stormflare through a hall.

"I never agreed to this!" Stormflare argued as she struggled against Techa's grip.

"You did when you became Nova's second in command," Techa hissed as she strained against Stormflare.

They entered the throne room as the three in command took their seats. Stormflare and Talina sat on separate thrones on each side of Nova.

Stormflare quickly fell asleep after a few moments. Talina read off of a holoscreen, a bored expression drawn across her face. Servants swam around, asking if the three needed anything every once in a while.

A grey rug split the entire room in half and matched the thinner ones on either side of the hall, while banners with adorned corners swung gently on the walls. Between each flag sat a shrine-like ornament covered in glowing lights. A few of the lights were on and illuminated the statues of the Lutani's, senilorian gods. Veils coloured blue with gold outlines bordered tall, tinted glass windows. A large throne of Senilorian fabric remained beneath two overlooking statues of the first Lutani.

The four almost identical seats for Echo, Pharadox, Talina, and Stormflare rest just in front. The modest pillows are white with golden ridges, with symmetric sculptures covering each throne.

Two guards entered the room with two Senilorians. A tall navy blue female with a shorter pastel red male following behind. Nova straightened up before looking over to her second in command. Her eyes glowed a bright gold as she used her domination on Stormflare.

Stormflare woke up with a start, looking from Nova to the guards before fixing her posture.

Talina coughed, holding in a laugh towards Stormflare, and leaned back in her seat.

The guards and the guests swam forward and bowed when they reached the stands.

The female smiled at Nova, but the male seemed tenser and more apprehensive towards the three.

"Your majesty, we apologize for coming unannounced, but we have something that we need to talk to you about." The female explained, motioning to the male. "I am Kersuva, and this is my partner, Tralion. From the council in Lessing?"

Nova nodded her head, signalling for them to continue.

Lessing, the fourth-largest colony. It was the most agricultural of all the colonies. They provided most of the food for the colonies, along with two smaller territories that Lessing controlled. They also instructed the other cities on how to care for the plant life.

Tralion hesitated. "It's... It is about the andusk preparations in... in Lessing,"

Kersuva flinched and stared down as Talina swore out, which also caused Tralion to jump. Stormflare seethed at Talina as Nova raised her left hand, rubbing her forehead with her right. A sickly feeling was growing in her stomach as her mind started to run. She forgot about the andusk festival. The celebration of Eremis, the Lutani of Andusk, is more known as the warm waters season.

"Kersuva, Tralion, I apologize dearly. I must have forgotten to let you know. You have my full permission to prepare,"

Kersuva looked up, beaming as Nova announced this. "Thank you, your greatness,"

They took their leave as Nova fell back into her seat, hiding her face. Talina swam up as Stormflare observed, still half awake.

"How could I forget?" Stormflare moved up and rubbed Nova's shoulder as she continued. "The andusk festival is Echos favourite festival and one of the biggest celebrations. How could I, her older sister and the empress, forget?"

"Don't feel bad, Nova. You have had to deal with an entire tunnel route collapsing last week. You can't get mad at yourself,"

"I know, but...," Nova mumbled, trailing off.

"But nothing," Talina scowled at Nova. "Do not blame yourself. We have had a long week Nova, and you can not push yourself down for that. Echo will understand, and if you didn't notice, I forgot too,"

"I think the entire room noticed, Talina,"

"Stormflare shut it,"

***

Neon lights played across the walls and streets within the city of Silica. Lanterns glowed bright purples and reds as they floated around the city, the colours of Andusk. Music played loud as Senilorians danced together, laughing and singing. Others still decorate the streets with more lanterns. Some younglings chase each other around the adults, while others paint the streets with pictures.

From a window, Echo vaguely observed what was happening down in Silica. The shine in her eyes could be seen from across the room. A soft yell escaped her lips as the handmaiden, who was fixing up the dress, pricked her with a needle. A cry left her lips, the handmaiden looking up at Echo and telling her off.

She sighed and checked out the outfit she was being fitted in for the celebration. It has a long, light blue trumpet skirt that fits perfectly with her thin body. The halter neckline and the long shoulderless sleeves added an elegant look, and a dark blue sash hung to her waist. Beads attached to the top of the skirt, covering it. She turned her head as the handmaiden placed a cape matching the sash onto her shoulders.

"Mistress Echo, you are almost finished, but you must stop moving," Her personal maid, Iphail, says as she swims into the room, examining the dress. Iphail smiles at the handmaiden and nods. "Well done. You may leave. I will take the dress from the princess,"

With a quick bow, the handmaiden exited the room, leaving Echo and Iphail alone. Echo turned towards the window with a sigh as Iphail carefully stripped the dress off of Echo. She wouldn't call it a dress. It was just a skirt and a shirt. She quickly changed back into her much comfier shirt. This was much better. It was much softer than that piece of fabric she just had on.

"Are you alright, Princess?" Iphail asked, concern in her voice.

Saying nothing, Echo nodded and fixed her shirt before leaving the room with Iphail. She isn't sure of what she is feeling. Its dullness mixed with something she can't quite identify. It wasn't a good feeling, that's for sure. She turned, swimming into the next hall. The hall of rights. The name is nothing even close to what it was, but that's what's enjoyable about the room. It is unexpected. She gazed at the glowing paintings that held the main fragments of their history.

The 12 who created their species, their planet, and their life source. Everything painted on this surface, recorded here. Most don't even know what happened after the creation. Only those who have ever been in this part of the castle have seen this, and only they would know.

Soft but firm arms wrapped around her shoulder as someone's head is rested on her own. "Hey, Nova,"

Her older sister smiled softly, gazing down at her. Pharadox swam in place at her side as he waved gently to her.

"Iphail told us you seemed upset. Are you okay?"

"Yeah. I am now," Echo asked as she leaned against Nova, staring at the ceiling. "Nova?"

"Yes?"

"Could you tell me that story of the two libito siblings again, please?" Echo looked up to Nova, who nodded. The three sat down on the floor, looking back up to the ceiling as Nova started to tell the story.

* * *

Talina admired the colour-filled city with tired eyes as the lights in the megalopolis dim. Another star cycle had passed in Silica. The meeting with the Pacatas was short. The rant about it was for nothing and wasted their day, in Talina's opinion at least.

A crash resounded through the room, which prompted Talina to turn. Mercedies knocked down a cup. The reason why is because she is having a face-off with the prince.

Mercedes lunged at Pharadox as Echo and Genafire cheered for them. Talina moved towards Stormflare, who watched with an unamused expression. She leaned against the counter by the bar that could slide in and out of the wall behind it. The table was gone and replaced with smaller tables and chairs.

Several other higher-ups watched the fight in silence as

Talina just shakes her head and goes back to the city scene. She saw Stormflare's reflection in the window swimming towards her, two cups filled with thick alcohol in her hands. Stormflare handed her one and stayed silent as the cheering became louder. Talina let out a sigh, not sure of what to consider of the two drunks. They shifted and stared as Pharadox pinned Mercedes to the ground. She struggles against Pharadox for a moment before going still. The gills on her neck flared as Pharadox smirked in triumphs and got off her. Low grumbling sounded from Mercedes as she swam over to the table and took a huge gulp of her drink.

Three female servants crowded around Pharadox as he crossed his arms with a cocky smile. Mercedes rolled her eyes at his little party and took another sip of her drink. Her head bobbed up and down before finally resting on the table. A familiar guard tilted her head at Pharadox with his little fan club with a curious look as the empress entered with her. Nova raised a brow to Echo, who sat beside a sleeping Mercedes. Echo nodded and continued drinking her drink.

Nova looked up to the guard and said something before the guard gave a smile and bowed. Seranta left as Nova swam over to a seat, sipping her drink as Talina and Stormflare sat with her. They gazed out the window in silence, that is until Stormflare spoke up.

"I can't believe that it has been almost 18 amphre's since we first came to this planet,"

Nova nodded her head in agreement. Silence fell upon the three. The events that happened during those few years were rigorous. The times they lost three members of the royal family and millions of senilorians to their sworn enemy were the hardest. Nova gazed down, trying to forget what happened during all those cycles. Stormflare noticed and nudged Talina.

Talina leaned back, trying to remember something to help distract Nova.

"What was that thing going on when we first sneaked out of Silica?" Talina asked. They go silent as they think about it.

"Didn't humans call it an age?" Stormflare mumbled.

"Yes," Nova said to no one in particular. "but there was something particular about that age. Oh, what was it?"

Talina snapped her fingers as she lit up. "The Bronze Age! Bronze... What is that? Whatever. It had something to do with that,"

"Well, clearly if it's called the Bronze Age, Talina,"

"Shut it, Stormy,"

Nova shook her head, laughing with the two as they leaned back in their seats. Loud but slow music started over the speakers on the floor and ceiling. The lights dimmed as almost everyone in the room danced.

Nova listened carefully, not recognizing the song. She looked over to Stormflare, who shook her head.

Echo suddenly hugged Nova tightly from behind. Pharadox joined them with Echo. Soon, Genafire, Mercedes, and Nerio came over with more food and drinks as they all talked.

The hour went by, and Echo, Mercedes, and Talina were all passed out. Nova and Stormflare had moved off the couch, allowing Talina to sleep. A soft groan came from Echo as Pharadox picked her up and left the room. Nova watched the two swim down the hall to their rooms, a soft chuckle escaping her lips.

"Empress Nova!"

Nova turned as a young female approached her. She was the student to Elder, the guardian of the crystal. The crystal gave life to the senilorians, and without it, their technology and their very existence would cease to exist.

"Empress... Its Elder! He needs you. He...," She paused, catching her breath, "He seems in distress,"

"Understood. You go to bed. I will go myself." She ordered the student as she swam down the halls to Elder's chambers.