Eclipse: the Beginning

Celestial sat alone in a holding cell. Her hands were bound in the original rope from Western Wind. She had developed a deep bruise from her captors’ less-than-gentle handling. Her closed eyes helped to block out the world. It was obvious what would happen to her. She remembered Lord Zion’s day before King Zemnas. All of Aurora plunged into chaos. The same fear might return to Heaven in the morning.

How could this have happened? How could she meet her family’s eyes? She had failed them, her soldiers, and her people. All she could do, with her pride intact, was sit in silence. Worst of all, the Light let down her most beloved guardian.

“Forgive me, Lord Zion,” she whispered with her head hung, as if the god heard her now. “I couldn’t protect your treasured sword, and now your enemy holds your blade in his palms. I have failed, even in my fated task. All this because I let my pride put a rift between myself and the others.”

She reflected on the day Samuel Watson had fallen from the sky. As she meditated on it, she realized how frightening that must have been for him. After recounting his last moments in his own world, the soldier regretted her harsh treatment toward the young man. He had done a selfless thing, giving up his own life to save someone. She had seen soldiers of Heaven do the same, but a boy without training or mission was a notable spirit to do so. If she had tried to understand him more, maybe she would have found why Samuel Watson was so special.

Saraii believed in him. She was a strange one. The soldier never had asked about her quest before the Wingie had charged them with protecting Samuel Watson. The Wind had enough knowledge of traveling to make Celestial wonder if she was a Nomad herself. Where had she grown up? Her build was liken to an Eastern soldier. She acted fragile, but it was evident in how she carried herself that Saraii was a trained fighter, perhaps not unseasoned like herself. The soldier wondered if they might have become comrades. Though from how the Wind criticized her treatment of their charge, Celestial was the weak link from the beginning. How disappointing.

“Captain?”

She tilted her head in response to the guard’s voice. She kept her eyes closed. He sounded sad. A young soldier who looked up to her in the ranks, perhaps?

“You have a visitor.” The cell opened, and a pleasant presence entered.

“Who wishes to see a traitor?”

“A messenger from your mother, Captain Celestial.”

A mystic from the Temple, an Angel. Celestial lowered her head even further than before. What words of disappointment had her mother sent to her? A pit of anxiety swelled in her belly. It seemed an eternity since she had last heard from her parents, but that was the price required of her. She did not regret her decision, but it made her destiny weigh that much more upon her shoulders.

“My Lady wishes to tell you she loves you, and she wishes she could stand at your side through this.”

Celestial looked up, glowing eyes gawking in surprise. The young mystic smiled down at her, walking up to kneel before the prisoner. She appeared close to Samuel Watson’s age. Her smaller form was graceful and slim with her white hair bound in a bun on top of her head. Her pale blue eyes sparkled like a gem in firelight, conveying her positive spirit. It took a great deal of courage to leave the Temple, because their people had locked themselves inside ages ago. Perhaps her mother wished to send her daughter strength through light and word.

“She has had a vision,” the mystic’s voice was low this time. The soldier narrowed her eyes, paying close attention. “A powerful force will engulf you before the king, ripping you from his grasp. Please fear not, Captain. Your father too sends word of his pride in your path you have chosen. They both pray that light be with you through whatever endeavors you pursue.”

“Tell my parents this,” Celestial grasped the messenger’s hand with her bound ones as she whispered back, “I have been tasked with fulfilling the Wingies’ last prophecy to restore Aurora. I only wish I could steal them away with me, but I shall hum a song for them daily.”

“That prophecy …?” the Angel gasped, covering her lips with her free hand. Nodding, she tried to contain herself. “I am sure it will pique their curiosity. Light be with you, Captain Celestial.”

“Light be with you, Angel.”

She departed, and for the first time in years, Celestial felt a burden lift from her shoulders. She raised a knee to prop up her bound arms. Before joining the military, Celestial had learned a limited understanding of Angel divination. It was because of her heritage that she had some knowledge of mystics across Aurora. She closed her eyes to reflect on all she had heard.

Just what was this force her mother had seen? Was it connected to Samuel’s prophecy? Darkness and light united against the Sun sounded powerful to her, but she still did not care for the words of the prediction. Heaven feared Darkness more than any other country in Aurora for good reason. Darkness smothered light. Her mother had sent words of encouragement with her vision, so Celestial decided Darkness was uninvolved. She wished she could ask her mother’s thoughts on the Wingies’ prophecy. The Angel would have wise council to offer on the approach they should take if she ever saw Saraii and Samuel Watson again. As her thoughts grew, the time passed in moments.

“Captain, the time has come.” The guard sounded grim as he interrupted her musing. It was evident the Royal Guard did not like this turn of events any more than the soldiers of Wind.

“The Sun will rise soon then,” Celestial said in a dark tone. Standing from the floor, she looked the young man in the eye. “Do what you must.” He nodded, opening the cell to escort her to the see the king.

Seraph’s stamina amazed Samuel. The Wind had kept a steady running pace the entire trek toward Heaven. Heaven’s Wall was in sight. He knew Seraph was strong, but he never imagined his friend was at a superhuman level. Instead of going through the gate, the Wind rounded the circular fortress.

The massive wall glowed like a colossal nightlight in the dark desert. It glowed enough to illuminate the surrounding space for a significant distance. The carvings were difficult to make out from the glow, but Samuel reasoned that during the daylight, shadows might cast intricate patterns. The young man marveled at how high the white wall reached. Why did Heaven need protection? Was it a gated community? Whatever the reason, the walls stretched skyward. The inside must be massive.

“We need to scale the wall.”

“We need to what?” Samuel cried in a hoarse whisper, as if someone might hear. “How can we do that?”

“I let Cherub go a while back to find the closest point to Celestial,” Seraph replied with an unseen grin. He had an abundant sense that they would make it in time, and that they could save her. It was inexplicable. He knew they could not lose. “He’s found us a spot! Look ahead!”

Samuel squinted his eyes to scan the space in the light given off of the wall. What was he looking for exactly? Further ahead, he saw the staff bobbing up and down before the wall. Seraph was full of surprises.

Once in the air, Seraph aimed Cherub for the sky above the wall. The bright city raced beneath them. Samuel did not bother looking below. He knew he would only get sick. That left him to stare at the sky. He gaped in astonishment. There were no stars; the sky was black. Not even the slight blue shade he was so used to back on Earth. How was that possible? Was the light from Heaven so great it overpowered the sky?

“This isn’t good,” Seraph said with concern in his deep voice. “I see light coming from the ceremonial court. The Sun god might be there now.”

“What’s the ceremonial court?”

“It’s where King Zemnas rises the Sun every day. My mentor told me it’s where he hears petitions and passes judgments as well. Celestial’s trial will be held there.”

“We have to get down there, Seraph!” Samuel pointed to the place Seraph had described. “Hurry!”

“I’ll get us as close as I can.” As hopeful as he was, Seraph still was unsure what their next move would be. He hoped seeing the courtyard would be inspiring.

They landed on the wall of the enclosed courtyard. It was open to the sky. Samuel figured that was because the king needed to see the sky for his ceremony. How amusing that the king needed to put on a show to raise the Sun. Could he not just wake up and the solar orb would be with him? Had the Inca emperors done something similar back on Earth? He would have to pay attention as it had to be a spectacle.

The two watched the guards climbing steps leading to a tall, golden throne, which looked like candles on a tiered cake. After they took their places, a middle-aged looking man – wearing a white robe over another white garment – made his way out of the building connected to the court, and took a place beside the chair at center stage. The man turned to face the entryway. After a pause, a youthful man in a white gown walked out. From the golden circlet clinging to his brow and the matching cord about his waist – this was King Zemnas of Heaven. Both Wind and Nomad gaped in surprise. He appeared no older than twenty!

“Bring the accused,” the older man called.

Celestial, with two escorts on either side of her, walked out to the courtyard below the stage. In a simple white gown, like the king’s, she wore her gold and silver cords around her waist. Her feet were bare as the two men, but the rest of soldiers wore boots just as Celestial had before her capture. She stood poised in the torchlight. From where Samuel and Seraph crouched, they noticed her closed eyes. Without the glare of her inner light, she had a graceful elegance about her.

“I hope there is a reasonable explanation why we are holding off the ceremony for a trial, Namas?” The king slouched in his throne. He reminded Samuel of Philip during the first class of the day back in England. Every world must have one of them ….

“Of course, your majesty,” the older man replied with a bow. “Your Viceroy of Western Wind has sent a traitor to you.”

“Again?” the king grumbled, as if he too were irritated with the viceroy, “Where is he?”

“They stand before you now, Lord Zemnas,” the elder replied, holding an open hand toward the soldier.

“Celestial?” the sleepy king called, “Did you bring them? I am too tired to see. You know I am far too weary for this before the Sun rises.” He leaned his face into his palm, like he wanted to go back to bed.

“Highness, Celestial is the traitor,” Namas corrected the king in a grim tone.

“What?!” Zemnas yipped, sitting up straight. He looked at the courtyard, seeing the binding on her wrists. He turned to face the elder, sharply. “Celestial is my loyal Captain of the Royal Guard! Great Mage or otherwise, unless you bring me evidence, I demand you release her!”

“How gracious of you, your highness,” Namas said in a grievous tone. He waved for someone to enter the stage. A servant brought out Lord Zion’s sword with significant struggle, as it was heavy. Zemnas gave a sharp gasp as if in fear.

“The viceroy apprehended her during an attack on his estate. This was in her possession. I see you remember the blade.”

“Celestial …” The king turned to stare in disbelief. He glared at the soldier. It was unclear if he were angry or hurt from his expression as he gripped the arms of his throne. “What are you doing with this? I demand an answer, Celestial! You of all know what this sword means to me!”

“I have guarded it,” she answered in a quiet voice.

“You dare harbor such a thing in your keep as my sword-arm?! Why would you do such a thing?!” His voice was angry, but Samuel thought he heard pain intermingled with rage.

“Waiting.” She stood unfazed by the outbursts from the crown. Her expression remained placid. She looked prepared for whatever might be in store.

“If you guard it, what do you await?” Namas asked in a dark tone. His eyes narrowed in her direction. “Do you imply that traitor will return for his weapon?”

Zemnas shivered as he settled back in his seat, losing his rage to anxiety. The captain remained silent.

“Is Zion alive then? Have you been a spy for him?”

“Lord Zion did what he believed was best for Aurora,” Celestial opened her eyes, revealing the glowing white light in her eyes that made everyone except Namas shrink back. Her resolve was unyielding. “Now, I do what I believe is best for the world I love, even if it means opposing the Sun.”

“Celestial,” the Sun god gaped back at her from where he sat for a moment. After a moment, the king stood from his throne. His face had become solemn. He had decided his judgment. “If you are so convicted, then … you should be honored to share the same sentence as your beloved guardian. Namas, after the rising, announce Celestial’s sentence to the city and prepare the grounds.”

“Of course, my liege.” Namas bowed with a hand to his chest.

The Sun god stood grounded before his throne, looking to the horizon. His hands turned outward at his sides. His expression fell placid from his earlier emotions. He closed his eyes and raised his hands before him, slow and steady. As he inched his arms upward, the gleam of the sunrise shone in the distance. Samuel disbelieved what he was seeing. This man was summoning the Sun. In his awe, he missed what was occurring beside him.

“What’s … happening … to me …?”

“Seraph?” Samuel reluctantly turned to see the Wind standing from their hiding place. His void eyes stared off in the distance at the Sun. Seraph looked “off” somehow. “Seraph, get down. They’ll see us.”

“I … I’m not worried about them,” Seraph answered in a bored tone. “I’m restless …!”

As if possessed, Seraph threw his head back and unleashed a cry of rage. Attention shifted to see the dark figure in the shadow of the dawn. Even the king was distracted, freezing the Sun in place. Soldiers pointed up at the two stalkers.

Celestial gaped in surprise. Was this the force her mother had foreseen? Could it be …?

“Heaven!” Seraph screamed in a voice that sounded beyond human ability, pointing at the startled king. “Today is your day of atonement! A day twenty years overdue!” A wind kicked up around Seraph’s feet, lifting him off the place he stood. He flew toward the throne, shrieking like a banshee.

“Seraph!” Samuel cried out. This was dreadful. He looked at Cherub. “Please carry me.” The staff nudged back, making Samuel smile with relief.

“Stand back, sire!” The Great Mage stepped before the king. Waving his left hand, Seraph flew backward into the arena by an unseen force. “Please, your majesty, you must raise the Sun. Heaven looks to you.”

“It … is Zion! He has come for me!” Zemnas gaped from beside his throne. His golden eyes trembled in fear. “Namas, it is him!”

“Raise the Sun, my liege. I shall attend to our guest.”

The mage did not falter. He narrowed his eyes at the figure. A current of wind gathered in the courtyard, focused on the levitating figure in black. This was not average magic skill, but he was hardly without magic.

“Namas! You will fall today! The wind demands it!” Seraph bellowed, dropping to the ground. His voice sounded as if it came from not just his lips but the air itself. The gusts condensed around him, forming a funnel as he made his way toward the mage. A scream roared above on the current climbing skyward. The soldiers cowered back, leaving Celestial where she stood, transfixed.

“Lord Zion …? Is it you? Have you come to take me away?”

Seraph looked in her direction. Her image was distorted through the thickening funnel wall. Celestial gaped at the black figure, flushing her pale cheeks. A hum escaped her throat as her eyes glowed brighter. She walked toward him, drawn toward his vengeful gaze.

“Celestial, no! You will be torn to shreds!” Zemnas cried out to her. The mage stopped him, blocking with his forearm. “Namas?”

“Let this being destroy the traitor for us,” he said.

“I never passed such a judgment!”

“She has chosen this, sire. Who are we to stop her?” The king silenced, looking sadly back at the soldier.

In that moment, Samuel hit the distracted servant, holding Lord Zion’s blade, over the head with Cherub. He muttered an apology under the roar of the gusts before reaching for the sword. Zemnas turned in time to see him grasp it by the hilt. They stood, transfixed in each other’s gaze for a moment. It was not until Cherub scooped the teenager up that Zemnas found his voice.

“Who are you?!” The king cried after them. He pushed Namas out of his way to follow the flying young man to another part of the arena. “Tell me who you are!”

Samuel coiled around Cherub’s shaft. He held the sword close to him, trying not to look at the yelling god king. What power had he cast over him? He wanted distance from the god, but he had to bring Seraph to his senses.

“Seraph! Seraph! Can you hear me?” The Nomad hovered over the funnel. When the Wind looked up, his eyes were solid black. “Seraph, stop this, or you’ll hurt Celestial! Please!” Seraph did not respond. He only reached a hand up for the young man as if asking for help. “I’m coming, mate! I’m coming down to you!”

The youth pointed Cherub downward, flying into the heart of the storm. Celestial was steps away now. He had to hurry. Jumping from the staff, sword still in his hand, he fell toward Seraph’s outstretched arm. The young man wrapped his own arms around the Wind’s neck, clinging. He knew something was using Seraph’s body as a host; he sensed a third presence with them.

“Let my friend go!”

The winds died. Celestial stepped into what had been a violent funnel. The light in her eyes faded to the normal glow. She gasped when she saw them, shocked to know the identity of her saviors. The Sun was just now above the horizon, illuminating the scene. Zemnas stood with his hands pointing toward the sky above, gasping for air. The displeasure on his visage was unmistakable.

“Seize them!”

“Celestial, grab the staff!” Seraph blurted. The soldier reached for Cherub, and in the same moment, another gust of wind shot Seraph and Samuel into the sky next to her. They vanished.

“Highness, are you all right?” Namas rushed over to the king’s side. He looked concerned as he reached for him, but he withdrew his hand just before making contact with the sullen king’s shoulder.

Zemnas clenched his fists in frustration. So much had happened in such a short time. Celestial had betrayed him. Lord Zion’s sword was out there, and from that attack, the guardian was still angry with him. Then, there was that boy. He trembled. It was too much. Too much had just happened.

“How should I proceed, Namas?” Zemnas asked, trying to sound better than he felt.

“My lord, we should tell no one of this. As for the people, Celestial escaped with two companions last night. I would post a reward for their capture.”

“Very well,” Zemnas said in a sad voice, “I want them captured alive, Namas. What of … Zion’s Arm?”

“We were mistaken. The blade was destroyed twenty years ago when its master disappeared.”

The king stared up at the sky, wondering who the boy was that had taken the blade. What power had he used to transfix him? Never in his life had his mind and spirit been completely ensnared by another. He needed to speak with that young man and know if he spelled good or ill fortune for Aurora’s future.

“I want the boy with them especially, Namas. Do you understand?”

“Of course, my king,” Namas bowed low before stepping away to announce the message to the people. He left Zemnas to stare and think. It was obvious the god needed time alone.