RAVEN BLACK: LOST MEMORIES

CHAPTER 4: GAIA

Year 8092, Earth no longer is inhabited by any form of life. Quiet, dark deserts spread far and wide with only echoes of what once was humanity. After decades of natural disasters due to global warming, acidic soil and the fading sun, all bodies of water and green forest on planet Earth have vanquished along with all of remaining humanity. The last of mankind were but a mere 120 men, women and children. In what was known as Earth's last days the remaining few build a large ark, a large space craft memorialized as Orion. The ark was filled with provisions, different plants and animals. They left behind the world they knew in hopes to find a new way of life. With what little they could carry, they boarded Orion and traveled far away through vast space and different galaxies seeking hope and a chance at survival. After several years of traveling through uncharted space, they lost all form of resources and crash landed on an unknown small planet.

In the beginning they lost some plants, animals and many good men and women to the harsh environment and different life forms in the new planet. Thanks to those that were lost the remaining survivors were able to start life anew in the foreign planet. They build a temporary home with the remaining metals of the ark. With a safe sanctuary, the last 80 survivors, were able to start to build, plant, grow, and flourish in what was later known as Gaia.

GAIA, year 1, humanity welcomed a new child, born in foreign soil. Gaia, a strange new land where time flowed differently. The days and nights were longer, 5 Earth years was equivalent to that of 1 year in Gaia. The air was more dense, the weather more erratic and the soil was more firtle. All life forms were more advanced genetically down to the lowest life forms. After hundreds of centuries of consuming Gaia's waters, animals, plants and fruits and breathing the dense air humans began to adapt, and change for the better. Humanity, once a primitive alien race in Gaia, became smarter, faster, stronger and genetically aging at a slower pace. Now being able to live long pass 100 years of age anything was possible for humanity. Their molecular structure became that of a mythological God and their knowledge capacity increased 70%. Our species had finally overcome one of our greatest weaknesses, our humanity. As their strengths grew so did their egos and their hunger for power. Can Gaians overcome their primitive instincts of self destruction?

All remaining 80 survivors agreed if they were going to continue to thrive and survive in Gaia they had to divide and conquer.All residents were split into four factions to gain order and protect themselves from deadly species. The four factions came to be Northern,Southern, Eastern and Western Factions. Each fanction had a militant leader to maintain peace and order. As time passed, they began to adapt to the foreign planet, it's different species, plants and resources. With a lot of trial and error they learned to use and survive with their surroundings. Laws were established, and oaths were made to ensure a better way of life and Earth's history would never repeat itself. Even after the laws were established, the four factions started to struggle for control of the new found walled city, leaders came to the realization that humanities survival was more important. It was decided, each fanction would dispart throughout Gaia and build their own walled nation; Northern Gaia, Southern Gaia, Eastern Gaia and Western Gaia. Decades later the original 80 passengers became known as the founders and leaders, thus therefore, immortalized and worshiped as royalty. After decades the militant leaders became known as royalty of the Four Nations.

With the passing years all of Earths history was abolished and forgotten. It was kept that way for centuries, only the Kings/Queens along with their close council were given the knowledge of Earth's history. It was handed down as a precaution under oath of secrecy to help never repeat the past. To all others, Gaian life began when their ancestors descended from the heavens and graciously build their nations. Gaians knew no other life or species existed outside of Gaia. They now prayed to and worshiped their planets Mother Gaia and other great Spirits, whom they believed reincarnated in their Queen and royals, along with other divine elemental forces that helped them manifest their powers.

Gaians were blessed throughout the years with many different abilities that helped them shape a better life in their new universe. All of Earth's species and plants had evolved. Abilities such as time travel, teleportation, telekinesis, cloning, superhuman strength, heightened senses, manifestacion or manipulacion of the elements had become the new norm. It had become a normal way of life for Gaians to thrive with abilities. It was all made possible through natural DNA metamorphosis over time exposed to Gaias resources along with alchemy manipulacion and modern science with new environmental advantages. Some had stronger abilities than others but a peaceful way of life was possible for many years. Individuality and strength were celebrated and admired by everyone. Often events were held to showcase their mastery and strengths. Sadly there existed those whom abused their powers and had to be punished, be exiled or executed. Gaians deeply believed everyone and everything was connected to their planet and all life was sacred.

Gaia, year 5087, Western Nation Kingdom. Prince Ian, future King of the Western Kingdom, age 7, is swimming in the Patriarch Memorial Garden Waters. Leon, head butler awaiting for the Prince to finish his morning swim. Leon stares at Prince Ian astounded at his agility at such a young age.

Leon calls out to Prince Ian, "Master Ian it is almost time for your fencing lessons with Master Phillip. Please, you must not be late or you will be scolded again. Leon extends his arms with a large towel. Prince Ian emerges out of the water, drenched he reaches for the towel and dries off. Ian smiles and looks up at Leon while he procedes to help him put on his robe. Prince Ian emerges out of the water drenched he reaches for the towel and dries off. They rush through the massive garden, " Make haste Master Ian, but do not run you could fall." Leon called out to Ian as he sped off into his family oversized royal manor.

Ian in such a rush did not notice his sister Princess Everly, age 6, in the terrace gazebo having tea with her bestfriend Royal Eminence, Queen Akari, age 6, from the Northern Nation Kingdom.Princess Everly and Queen Akari playing with their dolls and tea sets notice Ian rush by with Leon on his trail. Akari surprised, "Was that your brother Ian?" Everly stunned, "Yes that is him, always causing a ruckus." They both giggle and continue to play. Everly then suggest, " Let us go to the stables,father has just brought back the most beautiful steed and a young mare back from his travels.Would you like to go see? " Akari smiles and nods her head. Everly smiles, "Okay! After we finish our brunch, we shall go to the stables."

Akari remembered their friends Kai, 8 year old Prince, future King of the Eastern Nation Kingdom and Adeline, 7 years old Princess, future Queen of the Southern Nation. Akari looks around bemused," I thought Kai and Addie would join us today. Why have they not joined us yet?" Everly still playing with the tea set, "They both are undergoing training after falling behind in their studies. We will not get to see them for a while." Akari smiles and nods and continues to play with her tea set.

Ian in his sleeping quarters just finished being bathed by Leon, now getting dressed. Leon rushes to get his sparing clothes on, "Okay Master Ian, almost ready. Let me just straighten your dress shirt, and we are all set. Let us head downstairs, Master Phillip must have arrived by now." Leon escorts Ian down to the courtyard were Master Phillip awaited.They rush through the wide halls in the manor and made it downstairs to the drawing-room area. There, Master Phillip awaited patiently while drinking warm herbal tea with milk and honey. Leon out of breath finally arrives with Ian. He inhales and humbled by the Masters presence blurts out,"Good morning Master Phillip, thank you for joining us this fine morning. I hope we did not keep you waiting long?" Ian fusses with his shirts collar, Leon quickly pulls his hands away and laughs awkwardly. Master Phillip quietly observing the two, suddenly chuckles and says, "No I have not, it is an honor to finally be able to instruct one of our future King." Leon proudly smiles and says we should make our way to the courtyard now. Once we get there you will be supplied with everything you need to begin the lesson." They quickly make their way through the halls and out to the terrace where everything had been previously prepared for his lesson. Leon along with the other servicemen quickly assist Prince Ian and Master Phillip into their sparing gear. The training commenced, Master Phillip started his lessons with demonstrating Ian different stance he could master. Leon requested to the servicemen to bring refreshments for Master Phillip and Ian, as well as brunch for Everly and Akari.

Princess Everly and Queen Akari still playing and giggling in the distance. Akari notices Ian awkwardly trying to do a stance and giggles. "Your brother is so amusing, I would love to have a sibling." Everly annoyed at Ian, "He always plays horrid tricks on me and picks on my poor kitty Nala. As far as I'm concerned, you may have him. "Akari giggles, Come now, I am certain you love your brother very much. He will most certainly be a brave King someday and protect you in the future." Everly smiles, "I guess so, but he can be a real pain at times." Akari smiles and waves at Master Phillip, from a distance she sees him wave back. Everly curiously asks Akira, "How do you know Master Phillip?" Akira then replies, "He's been one of my Master since I was 3 years of age. I have many Masters that teach me many different things.

Three maiden approach them caring large trays filled with a variety of different foods. A large carafe filled with fruit juice, another filled with milk and a large spread of different cheese, sautéed sausages and peppers, finely sliced fruits, muffins and buttered croissants, baked to perfection. They quickly eat their meals and make their way to the stables.

A large wooden barn filled with different kinds of animals. Everly and Akari take their time petting and playing with all the different animals. The newborn baby piglets were Everly's favorite. The baby chicks and the baby goats were Akari's favorite. They continued all the way to the end of the barn where a large door led to the stables. In the stables you could see a line up of different beautiful horses, all different colors and breeds. Akari became fearful when she heard the horses stomping and neighing. Everly reassured Akari, "Do not worry, they are well trained and will not hurt us. I ride with my Mother often, and she even lets me brush them and feed them sometimes." They both giggled and made their way down to the end of the stable, to the last stall. There a beautiful tiny black mare that laid sleeping on a pile of hey. Everly unlocks the stalls latch and opens the gate to get a better look at the mare. Everly walks in and begins to pet it and play with its hair. Everly smilingly, "Akari, come on, pet it, feel how soft it is." Akari fearfully walks over and gently begins to pet it's hine legs. Suddenly a baby piglet that had unknowingly followed them rushes in. The piglet, squealing in fear of the horses stomping, ran into the stall squealling and hid behind Everly. The young mare got startled from its slumber and its burst up quickly neighing and kicking in fear, trying to free itself from the tied rains. The mare kicked its hind legs into Akaris' chest with great force sending her flying into the stalls wall, hitting her head and knocking her unconscious. The mare broke loose and ran off leaving Everly stunned, crying and Akari unconscious on the ground.

Master Phillip and Ian were still training when suddenly they see the mare run across. Leon and the other service men ran after the mare frantically, trying to catch it. Master Phillip stunned, stoped and looked at Ian, "Where are the girls? They were there just a moment ago!" They both pause and hear Everly screaming in the distance. They both rush to the stables to find Everly crying and Akari unconscious. Akari had hit her head against the feeder when she hit the ground and began to bleed profusely. Ian and Master Phillip rush to Akaris' side. Master Phillip then looks towards Everly, "Tell me exactly what happened?" Everly explains while still crying, scared and startled. Master Phillip holds Everly in his arms to quiet her down and settle her nerves. Master Phillip reassures her, "It is okay, she will be fine, but you have to settle down and let me help her." Ian wasted no time and tore his shirt sleeve off and pressed it against Akari's wound to try to stop the bleeding. He laid his head against her chest to hear her heartbeat. Ian looked towards Master Phillip, "I can hear her heartbeat it's faint but she doesn't seem to be breathing."Master Phillip looks at Akari, her beautiful mocha complexion now turning grey and blue." We cannot move her just yet. She seems to have internal injuries. We have to get her to start breathing, she's losing a lot of blood. "Ian deeply inhales and exhales into Akaris mouth trying to help her breath. Master Phillip still holding Everly trying to quiet her down while she cries frantically in a state of shock. "Ian, I'm going to get help and get Everly inside. I can run faster, I will run to the manor and get the house physician and be right back. You must stay and continue to try to help her breathing. Do not move her, keep track of her heartbeat and keep pressure on her wound." Master Phillip stood up and with Everly in his arms ran to the manor. Ian, now alone with Akari, for the first time noticed how tiny and fragile she was. He continued to breathe into her mouth with all his might. Praying to see her forest green eyes once more. Pressing down on the wound, his hands now filled with her blood, Ian continued to breathe into her mouth trying to keep her alive. Tears ran down his face onto Akari's cheeks as he continued trying to resuscitate her, he was scared and trembling. Her curly raven hair drenched in blood, her small hands lifeless and cold. Ian looked towards Akari's pale face, "Akari! You must wake up! Wake up! Do you hear me!? I'm sorry that I was mean to you, I promise to play with you and be by your side always. I promise to take care of you and not get angry when you beat me at games. I promise to take care of you, please! Wake Up!" Ian filled with tears gives one large breath onto Akaris lips, and she gasps for air and starts slowly breathing. Master Phillip rushes in with the house physician. After the physician wraps her head wound, Akari still unconscious, is carried back to the manor. Once there, the house physician aminesters a full examination, cleans and bandages her wounds properly. The house maidens assist the physician to remove her clothing and cleanse her body properly and dress her with warm garments. Akari laid unconscious for 3 days unable to be moved, Ian never left her side.

Akari was brought back to her kingdom later that week with four broken ribs, a bruised chest and several stitches on her head.Her father furious vowed that she would never travel outside their manors walls. Word got out in the Kingdoms of the Queens injuries in the Western Nation. Rumors spread like wildfire of an assassination attempt. So began, the bad blood between the two kingdoms and a fated love between the two innocents.

Present day, Earth, year 20xx. Ian awakens to the sensation of tears running down his face. At first confused of his surroundings, then startled with the realization; He was currently in Earth, a different planet, a different dimension, several millenia in the past. Then a sudden feeling of relief to be lying so close next to Akari. Akari now laid in his chest, their naked bodies intertwined, nothing felt better. She belonged to him and he belonged to her, that is all that mattered. They were kept apart for so long, it didn't matter to him where, as long as they were able to finally be together.

"Ian, are you okay?" Akari looks up at Ian with her deep green eyes while caressing his large chiseled chest. Ian smiles flexing his dimples and perfect smile, "I'm okay, just thinking about us and everything that has happened so far. Everything we have been through. We had to travel so far to finally get to be together after so long. This place, here and now is like our little haven." Akari giggles," So romantic." Ian tickles her and she laughs uncontrollably, then he holds her tight, "I'm serious, I've come so close to losing you so many times, my heart can no longer bear the thought of losing you. Promise me you will always be by my side?" Akari looks up at Ian and smiles, "No matter what fate decides, I promise to find you and always stay by your side, always. You, also have to keep that promise you made in the stables and be by my side. I need you, Ian. He softly kisses her on the lips and smiles, "I promise to always stay by your side no matter what." Akari reliefed and worried, " I am so scared for our future and our people but with you by my side, I feel like I could do anything and nothing and no one can stop us."

Ian kisses Akari on her lips, "No, you are wrong, I know you do not need me, you are only saying these things to make me feel more at ease. Thank you for trying to confort me but I just wish for once you would let me handle things and let me protect you for once. Your strength and support is the only reason why I am able to keep fighting and keep going. I know you are so much stronger than I would ever hope to be but you are so kind and so selfless. Akari you can save them all, you have to. I promise to be there with you every step of the way."

Ian lays back down cuddling with Akari, "Come on, lay with me and get some rest. We have to leave as soon as it gets dark. We still have a long way to go and I doubt that we will be able to get much rest along the way." Akari just lays in his chest with her eyes open.

Ian then suddenly ask, "Soon you will become one with Eden, Akari what do you wish for me to call you?" Akari silent, deep in thought suddenly replies, "I am her and she is I, fate has made it so. It does not matter my love, wether you wish to call me your Queen, Akari or Eden. My feelings for you will always be true. Truly, I am Gaia. My power is for my people, my heart is with all. As Mother of our planet; I am Queen, I reign true. It is not an easy task to be one of the most powerful beings in our universe and hold such power, it weighs heavy on my shoulders. Just know that my heart belongs to you Ian. No matter what shape I take, it will always remain true. I love you."