The Realms of Ethair (2 page)

“
My lady, His Highness sent us to escort
you home. You are no longer safe here,” the young rider
said.

“
What did my – His Highness offer in
return?”

“The kingdom must assist in capturing the
human offspring of a Caseer female. The creature is said to be of
twenty-one years of age.”

Alena touched the multi-faceted sapphire
stone adorning her index finger. The only memento left of her
mother.

“We have enemies here, my lady. Let us leave
at once.” The young rider stepped toward her. His body language
screamed of impatience.

“You will carry out my brother’s orders
without question?” She stepped back, her hands curled into
fists.

“We have sworn fealty to our king.” The young
man frowned.

“
My brother knows the identity of the
Caseer’s offspring and why the Zertans are desperate to have
her.”

“You know her.” He glared at her while the
other rider’s expression became inscrutable.

“I am she.” Alena dropped to a defensive
stance.

Both riders rushed at her. But, before the
young rider could touch her, the older man seized him by the arm.
In two swift movements, the latter broke his companion’s neck. The
lifeless body dropped limply on the forest floor inches from
her.

“Are you alright, my lady?” he asked.

Bewildered but somehow feeling that the man
had saved her, she gave him a nod.

He did not attempt to approach her.

“
You may have to tell your friends to stand
down.” The amusement in his eyes belied his bland face.

She looked around. Friends indeed
surrounded her. The beasts of the forest and of the sky had come to
aid her, including Devatas she had never met. They were all tensed
to attack the Drogun riders. Alena assumed a non-aggressive
position. The creatures relaxed and dispersed from the area, save
for one chimera. Behind her, the creature lay on its stomach and
watched the proceedings.

The other warriors dismounted from their vehicles
and joined Alena’s protector, who introduced himself as
Kasador.

The Caseer is a highly advanced race from
the planet Caser. Humanoid in appearance; their limbs were long and
slender; each hand consisted of four fingers; their silver eyes
lacked pupils; and the ridges in their forehead functioned like
human ears.

It was by accident that a small private
ship was sucked into a wormhole and transported it to their solar
system. The pilot, a Caseer female, learned from other planetary
beings the paradise called Ethair. A century later, she discovered
Rituvan. Alena’s father was visiting a small village when he and
the Caseer Shilahanasa met. A recent widower, he had been charmed
by the foreigner’s otherworldly grace and kindness. His invitation
to the palace which the Caseer accepted soon developed into
something deeper. Eventually, they became lovers and produced a
child.

The Caseer died shortly of a mysterious
illness and the people began to forget her appearance and origins.
The daughter inherited the Rituvan’s features and fair coloring.
The heritage the Caseer passed down to Alena was her compassion for
all.

Alena’s father had watched his children grow
to adulthood. His son from his wife displayed the intelligence and
decisiveness of a leader. But he also took from his mother’s side a
cruel streak and unforgiving nature. The prince resented his father
in taking the Caseer, a foreigner from an unknown planet, as a
lover. He demonstrated cold indifference with regards to his
half-sister.

The Zertan’s desire to acquire a specimen for
their genetic experiments was common knowledge. Alena’s father
feared that in his demise, his son would betray his sister at the
first opportunity. So, the late king had taken precautionary
measures to ensure his daughter’s safety. First, by having the
princess trained secretly in the Indariki martial arts by the best
teachers. Second, he had entrusted his friend and most loyal
subject a mission to be carried out in his sudden death.

“
The Caseer is a being of light and air.
Ours is of earth,” Kasador explained as they camped in one of the
secret caves. “You are a child of both worlds.”

“Why would the Zertans want me?”

“They need your blood, my lady.”

“What knowledge could they possibly glean
from my blood?”

“
It holds the key to correct a mistake they
had made when they experimented on their DNA in the past.
At present, they are in league
with the Cabal. They continue to create chaos and fear to control
humanity. They have also been encouraging the Atlanteans to play
god, resulting to the severance of the portal connecting us to the
moon. Now, the Cabal has given them and other countries technology
to play their war games.”

“Considering that I am an invaluable resource
for them, perhaps I can negotiate for peace in exchange of my
surrender?”

“
Then, you would have condemned all peoples
of Mother Ethair,” a familiar voice said. The Devarian noble
appeared from the shadows. Heads turned and weapons emerged from
hidden pockets.

“Don’t!” Alena shouted. “He’s a friend.”

The warriors looked to Kasador, who inclined
his head. They relaxed but kept their weapons in hand.

“
They search for you, Princess, because you
have not fully awakened to your potential. Their main objective is
to enslave us all for eternity.” Kelor-run came nearer and sat
beside her, their knees touching. “A creature of light and air but
born of earth. To my people, you are Liyanna Mother Ethair speaks
of. The Mother has,” he paused, “plans. For the moment, we shall
have to wait and see.”

“
You hesitate, Devata,” Kasador
commented.

“
The Mother does not always show her hand,”
another masculine voice interrupted. The other Devata, Pellinor,
strode to the nobleman’s side amidst the nervous energy of the
warriors.

It was Kelor-run who reassured Kasador’s men
this time.

“Devatas are attuned to the slightest change
in Mother Ethair’s moods and behavior. Your race, on the other
hand, has shown nothing but disregard for life and the foolish
notion that you control everything.”

“
Your friend is quite articulate than most
of your kind,” Kasador remarked to Kelor-run drily.

“
Please forgive him. He has not been
himself ever since the Great Fire,” Kelor-run replied
calmly.

Pellinor was about to retort but his mouth
remained shut. His eyes widened in confusion. Comprehension
followed; he glared furiously at his fellow Devata.

“
We have seen the destruction caused by our
comrades. We would have done more than voice our grief if our
princess was harmed,” Kasador said. Kelor-run glanced quickly at
Pellinor. “Please understand that the new king commands our army.
We are not allowed to question his orders. By day’s end, our little
troop and our families would be forsworn and deemed traitors in
Rituvan.”

“
We cannot stay here,” Alena said. She
watched the glow globes intently, avoiding the warriors’ gazes. “I
have outstayed my welcome when the Old Wood burned to the
ground.”

Alena could still remember the different
stares directed at her: uncertainty, pity, and accusation. She had
thought of running away until Pellinor came.

“That is the reason I have come, Princess
Alena. Allow me to intercede for you and your people in the next
Council meeting.” Kelor-run offered his hand to her.

There would surely be a price for his
services but she was now responsible for the lives of twenty-nine
Drogun riders and their families. The latter were already in
hiding, waiting for someone to fetch them at the border shared
between Rituvan and Merleina.

Alena placed her palm on the Devata’s waiting
hand.

“Very well, Kelor-run. Intercede for us.”

“I shall not fail you, Liyanna.”

2012

Gray clouds hung overhead. A thunderclap followed
by several fat drops of water from the
sky; suddenly, rain came down heavily. People ran
for cover. With the wind blowing so strongly, even those with
umbrellas sought shelter from the downpour.

In one of the classrooms of a public
college, a girl fixed her gaze outside the window. Her eyes watered
as she sneezed for the third time. Classes had just been dismissed
and most of her classmates were streaming out of the room. Some of
them groaned and complained how the rain would inconvenience their
ride home. The girl inwardly sighed as she gathered her
notes.

She retrieved a red jacket and umbrella from
her bag. She was in no hurry as she headed for the gate while
weighing her options. Since it was still early, she could wait and
see if the rain would let up. Or, she could just try her luck and
hope for the best.

The first option was a waste of time and she
felt that the rain would continue until late evening. A slight
quirk of her mouth was the only indication of her frustration as
she stepped into the rain. The girl tilted her umbrella forward
against the wind and rain, slightly obscuring the view in front of
her.

“Kristina! Wait.” Recognizing the voice, she
resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Kristina turned to see him
running towards her. “You’re going home, right?”

“Yes.” She waited for him to continue.
Sensing that there wasn’t any forthcoming, Kristina continued:
“Don’t you have practice?”

The tall lanky boy suppressed a grin.

“No. I quit, remember? Have to get serious
since we’re graduating this year.” He swung his backpack onto his
shoulder. Then he added quickly: “Actually, I was wondering if we
could share the umbrella since we take the same route, if it’s
okay?”

“Sure.”

“Thanks.”

Kristina deliberately ignored Peter when he
offered a hand to hold her umbrella.

She warily observed her companion at the
corner of her eye as they waited for the bus. He shifted his weight
from side to side, a sign that he wanted to discuss something
uncomfortable.

“Tina.”

So, he’s calling me by my
nickname now
, she
thought.

“Tina, I want to apologize for not telling
you sooner about Ina and me. It’s just that I couldn’t help it –
what was happening between us – I know you think I’m making excuses
but it’s true. I was going to tell you. The right time just never
came.”

Does he really mean
that?
Kristina wondered.
She was the one who broke off with him sensing that there were a
lot of things to consider. To begin with, they didn’t have much in
common. He was sporty, laidback and outgoing. She was studious,
introverted, and led a not-so-ordinary life.

He easily accepted her decision to revert
to being friends. However, it upset her when he suddenly turned his
attentions toward another girl a month after the break
up.

The whole class witnessed Peter and Ina’s
growing feelings for each other. It was only when one of her
classmates thoughtless question if she was okay with it, that
Kristina became completely aware of what was unfolding right under
her nose. At the end of the day, she was no longer sure which part
of her was more hurt – her heart or her pride.

“There’s really nothing to forgive.” She gave
the tiniest of smiles to reassure him that she meant it. Peter
looked relieved.

“You’re too good.” Smilingly, he shook his
head.

I’ve heard that
before
, she
thought.
Well, that happened a year ago and he’s broken up with Ina
two months ago.
Kristina
stared at the road in order for her companion not to see her amused
expression. “Bus is here.”

Thankfully, the seats available were few and
separate providing her a chance to get away from her
ex-boyfriend.

As expected, the bus ride took less than an
hour; however, it did not save her from getting soaked as a strong
wind blew the rain towards her back. Its unexpected assault almost
knocked the umbrella from her hand. As she fumbled to get a better
grip, she nearly collided against a stranger. Muttering an apology,
she proceeded homewards.

Shortly, she noticed the splash of feet
behind her, in spite of the sound of rain hitting the pavement.
Footsteps drew closer making Kristina tense. To end the suspense,
she forced herself to look back and see who it was.

No one.

The street was empty except for a number
of people going the opposite direction.

With a sigh of relief, she turned
forward.

Her heart jumped as she saw a young man
standing before her. He stood at least six feet tall, his dark hair
and clothes dry in contrast to the weather. He held an umbrella
which served more as a costume prop rather than carry out its
initial purpose. The rain didn’t touch him, not even his “prop”. It
seemed to hit an invisible barrier surrounding his person. Taking a
step closer to Kristina, a warm sensation hit her face and coursed
through her. A tiny part of her noted that she was out of the rain
thanks to him. Involuntarily, her alarm faded and calm set in.
Looking up at his eyes, she was suddenly overwhelmed with
emotion.

Something trickled down her cheek.
Touching it, her fingers came up wet. Kristina realized that there
were tears. The man smiled at her softly, embraced her, and
whispered something in her ear. She couldn’t understand the
language he used. Whatever it was, it felt like a heavy burden was
lifted from her.