Sora-Angel Food Binge
Author: Bitz
Story: The Soramerica Sagas
Characters: Various
Rating: R (language, murder scene)
Challenge: Angel Food Flavor Binge
Topping/Extra: hot fudge (The Corrigan Empire), caramel, sprinkles (Esben and AJ), cherry on top (3rd person)
Summary: Knowing right from wrong and beliefs are different when it comes to the Organization and the Sentinels
Characters: Seren, AJ, Khaleb, Prince Esben, Emperor Corrigan, Empress Tora, Chloris, Princess Genesis, Freedom, Graven, Baydon
Word Count: 4023
A/N: Most of these are when Seren is in undercover at the Corrigan palace and others are not in order. Also, I wasn't too sure about the "Oath in Vain" one. Hope I'm right.... :P
1. Divinity
As soon as the Emperor let me, I took a tour of this so called "soaring city". Before I barely had time to look at it, dashing between guards and buildings to get to the palace. But now as I strolled, I could see that the chosen people for the cure were so much more well off than the people down in Relic City. The buildings were shining white, tan and brown stone, the windows gleamed in the sunlight like crystals, and even the streets sparkled. It was unreal and for a moment I could feel a pang of jealousy for what these people had. It wasn't like they had to fight in cages to the death for half of their lives. It wasn't like they had to scavenge for food or have to find good doctors for their health. They were cured.
I felt my heart fuming in anger. These people were cured and I believed that none of them were helping anybody down in Old America. They were so into their lush lifestyles, that they didn't have the time...or the heart to help us. I rubbed my arms, bringing them closer to me and trying to keep my tears in my eyes.
"Praise the Lord, my child." A scraggly voice called out to me. I stopped short in front of a flower store, seeing an elderly long haired woman smiling softly at me. The fact that she was referring to the Lord, intrigued me and I after briskly wiping my eyes, turned to take a look at her gorgeous blooms. Roses, tulips, gardenias...they all smiled at me as well with their beauty. "Beautiful flowers, ma'am." I said, tenderly touching a petal of a red rose. "Thank you, child. Even though we are blessed, we still have to survive and keep jobs, you know." I blinked, surprised by her comment. So they weren't as spoiled as I thought.
"I see. Do you sell these in Old America as well?" I asked, cautiously. I genuinely wanted to know her heart.
The woman chuckled. "Oh no, my dear! These old bones wouldn't last a day down there! Better to stay up here where it's safe."
I was silent and the woman noticed. She put her soft wrinkled hand on mine and when I looked up she replied, "But I pray."
I cocked my head. "You pray?"
"Yes." Her voice hissed out. "I pray for all of you." I felt a huge lump in my throat as she continued, "Nobody deserves to live like they do. Nobody deserves to be sickly and wonder if they will live. So, I pray so that possibly lives would be unburdened. The Lord is not dead. He still lives and many people like me still believe..."
Instantly my arms flew around the old woman's shoulders in a hug. I hugged her tightly, tears flowing down my face. Her arms hugged me as well and for a moment, she and I were in the same country. Pulling back, I smiled and said, "Thank you. It's people like you that make living worth it."
"You only have one life, child." The woman said, beaming. "Make something of it."
2. False Idols
The view never changed... Emperor Corrigan realized with a smirk.
They always looked up to him. He was a god.
They worshipped him for his technology and his wisdom.
So what if a few people died here or there? So what if a few were beat by his soldiers?
The fact that mattered was that they always came back to him and that...
...that felt pretty damn powerful.
3. Oath in Vain
"Goddammit."
I looked up in surprise to see Khaleb sighing in frustration as he erased a problem on his homework. I was amazed that slur even came out of his 11-year-old mouth.
"Khaleb Anthony!" I yelled out.
He looked up, just as stunned that I was yelling at him. "What? What did I do, Sis?"
I stood over him, pointing at him exclaiming, "I don't ever want you saying those words ever again. Don't you dare use the Lord's name in vain!"
Khaleb shook his head and shrugged. "Why not? It's not like he's helping us any."
I crossed my arms. "Oh really? Truly you don't see how blessed you really are, sir."
Khaleb frowned. "Blessed? What are you talking about?"
"You think that you were just lucky to find your ass living here with the Sentinels? If you weren't blessed, you would still be living in that broken down boarding school working on kindergarten shit instead of working your brain!"
Khaleb looked down and I wished he didn't have that eye patch so that I could see the emotion in both of his blue eyes. "If you weren't blessed, Khaleb...you would be dead. You wouldn't have had the help of AJ and the doctors keeping you alive."
Khaleb sniffed but I wasn't finished.
"If you weren't blessed, little brother...you wouldn't have me. Not many people can say they have a sister that loves them as much as I do for you."
I reached down and put the pencil that fell on the floor back on the table in front of him, then caressed Khaleb's soft brown hair. "You may not see Him, sweetie...but God is here. Maybe you just need to believe."
Khaleb was silent and that was my cue to leave. "Think about it." I replied, heading out the door. Before I left, I heard a tiny " 'Kay..."
After leaving him alone...I shook my head, wondering where the little boy I knew was. This war was making him grow up faster than he needed.
That wouldn't do. Not at all.
4. Holy Day
Glancing up at the calendar, I noticed that the day was Sunday. Back when I was living in Julien's mansion with the other girls, Sunday was neither here nor there for me. I had too much on my plate. But now that I was fighting for my life constantly, I felt the time had come for me to pay tribute to the Lord above. I stood up from my bed and headed out my doors but before I did, I looked at the screen where Jade's face looked back at me. "Jade, where can I find the chapel?" I asked, almost nervously.
"The chapel is in section 4, Seren." Jade's digital voice answered back. I thanked her and went on my way through the underground sectors. On the way, I thought to myself. When I was younger and before everything had happened, Nadine always took me and Khaleb to church. I learned what I needed to know and I always had faith in God. So...what happened? It was like I put Him in the back seat of my life and for that I felt extremely ashamed.
People waved at me and smiled, happy to see me. I greeted them back and then found my way to a cave with multicolored crystal glass doors. I paused in front of them, taking a deep breath and holding a closed hand to my heart. I remembered Nadine always told me, "You can always ask the Lord for forgiveness, Sere. Don't ever hesitate."
I held those words in my mind strongly. Sure I could ask for forgiveness, but will He forgive me?
I had to know and opened the chapel doors to start my journey on finding out.
5. Honor thy Mother
Prince Esben stared down at the gray marble gravestone gleaming in the sunlight. He couldn't understand how everything had turned out they way that they did. He was now without a mother and a sister. He was now alone in his opinion. Never mind his father. His father was too busy going out and killing everybody that he didn't even have the time to actually pay respects to Genesis and Tora's grave. He swallowed hard, clutching the flowers he had in his hand to his chest and using his other hand to touch over the stone.
"Hello, Mother." He said in a feather soft voice. "I'm glad I found the time to see you. I don't want you to think I forgot about you. I saw Gen yesterday before I went to a meeting but I wanted a lot more time with you." He wiped a tear from his eye and cleared his voice. "I hope you can forgive me." The wind blew in his face and he took that as Tora's answer. "Thanks."
"I don't know how this happened to you, but I tell you right now...I don't believe anybody down in Old America did this. You were nice to everybody, so nobody really had a motive."
Esben crossed his arms gently and his eyes took on a fierce light. "Something fishy is going on in the palace. It reeks of conspiracy and betrayal."
His eyes looked down at the patch of grass below the stone and he kneeled down, putting the bouquet of purple roses on top of it. He stroked the stone one more time before declaring, "I will find who did this to you and Genesis, Mother. I swear to you, that whoever did this, will get their just desserts."
Another wind blew in his face and Esben smiled, tears coming down his face. "I love you too, Mother. 'Til next time."
6. Murder
Empress Tora's wide horrified eyes stared at the unmoving body of her only daughter and the pool of blood pouring from under her back. Genesis' eyes were open still and her mouth was slightly open as well. Before she could scream, a shifting turned her eyes to the curtain where a nearly insane Chloris jumped out with an already bloody dagger clutched in her fist. "Die, bitch!" she shrieked, lowering the knife. Tora jumped back with a scream of her own, the blade hitting the sheer material of her dress; tearing it with an appalling rip. Tora barely had the time to dodge the frantic swipes that Chloris kept throwing at her and then with a burst of courage, managed to kick the concubine's abdomen before the next one could hit her. Chloris yelled out in surprise and Tora put the concubine's hand's behind her back, clutching the hand that held the dagger.
"Why?!" Tora asked incredulously. Chloris glared back with blue gray eyes.
"Why are you doing this? Why have you killed my only daughter?!"
Chloris chuckled then gave a full out laugh, before giving the empress a wicked grin.
"Why? Because when I get rid of you, just like I got rid of the princess, then James will have no choice to make me the new Empress of Soramerica. "
Tora just stared for a moment at the concubine in disbelief. Then to Chloris' surprise, she gave a laugh of her own. Chloris' anger flared. "I don't see what's so funny when you're about to die." she growled out.
Tora stared calmly at the concubine before giving her some advice, "You are deranged to think that the emperor adores you that much, my dear." Chloris' eyes softened a bit in hurt. "He...loves me."
Tora scoffed as she tried to keep the wiggling girl confined in her arms. "He barely loves his wife, so what makes you think that you are above whatever love he has for me?"
"Because he spends more time with me and he buys stuff for me and he tells me how much he cares for me. I know he doesn't do that to you!" the concubine spit out.
"Indeed, but I guess when you legs are open most of the time, what else can a man tell you?"
Chloris gasped, insulted and that action made the empress laugh even more.
"How dare you get offended?! You are a whore! That's what James has you for! The proof...is in the collar beeping on your neck."
Chloris' eyes turned dangerous and Tora gave the finishing blow, "Even if you kill me, Chloris, don't you think for one minute that he will make you the Empress. He's all about himself and there's no way in hell that a slut like you will make it to the top of his to-do list!"
Having heard enough, Chloris shrieked in rage, head butting Tora forcefully. Tora cried out in pain, stepping backwards and holding her head. Another yell rang out and Tora gasped, feeling the blade sink into her chest. She looked down seeing her normally purple dress, now stained burgundy. Tora's life started to leave her body and she summoned the last of her strength to stare boldly into Chloris' smug face.
"You...won't...win..." she gasped out, before collapsing to the floor, lifeless. Chloris stared at the woman who now lay prone on the ground; her eyes cold and callous. Finally, things were going her way.
"I just did." She said, before turning and walking out the door, leaving the two women behind.
7. Adultery
As I crept pass the Emperor's bedchambers, I stopped hearing what I knew were moans. A crying out of his first name, let me know that Chloris was in the bedroom having sex with him. It didn't offend me to tell the truth, I mean...that's what her job was anyway. But what got me the most was the fact that I was pretty sure that when the Empress was alive, he was probably having more sex with Chloris instead of his own wife.
In that moment, I felt for Tora and I wanted more than anything to beat down the woman lying underneath the man.
8. Theft
"I can't believe this..." I whispered, seeing that my hand of cards was the losing hand. I had lost mostly all the money that I earned in the other games earlier tonight. Bay gave a hearty laugh. "Well well, Seren. How does it feel to be knocked off your pedestal for once?" I looked up at him and gave him a sweet smile.
" I know that in a few minutes...you won't be the only one laughing."
Bay stopped mid laugh and frowned. I kept my smile and then with a yell, kicked the table up and at his face.
Bay yelled out as he fell backwards in his chair, table on top of him and all. I ran off hearing his lackeys coming to his aid.
"Are you all right, boss?"
"Get her!" I heard Bay order out.
"What?"
"Go after her! She has my damn money!"
I glanced behind at the mob starting to follow me then grinned down at the shiny gold coins that I had robbed.
Did I feel bad that I stole his money? No, fuckin way! I had a life to live, remember?
9. False Witness
After the distraught Emperor left the throne room, I looked down on the floor at the love struck concubine who stared after him with a look of desire. My eyes widened as things were starting to make more sense now. I chuckled at that thought and it didn't go unnoticed by Chloris.
"What's so funny? The Emperor is upset! Can't you see that?!" She hissed out. I raised an eyebrow, also noticing how defensive she was over him.
"I can see it just as well as you can, sweetheart. I'm not blind." my calm reply came.
"Then what?"
"I just thought it was funny; the question you asked him. 'Who's going to be your next empress, my Master?'" I emphasized the question with her high pitched voice.
Chloris wrinkled her nose. "So?"
"Strange question to a man who just lost the love of his life."
Chloris seemed offended. "How do you know that Tora was the love of his life?"
I shrugged. "She must have meant something if you know...he married her."
Chloris thought about what I said before giving a shrug of her own and putting up her nose. "That might be, but we don't have to worry about her or Genesis any longer."
I was slightly taken aback. "Hold on...did I say anything about the Princess? Why is she even in this conversation?"
Chloris whipped her back at me in alarm and we stared for a long while before I finally nodded, comprehending.
"Aha, I understand now...pretty little Chloris. Well, you don't have to worry any time soon about being empress either."
Chloris frowned. "What do you mean?"
I slowly stood up, stacking the Emperor's papers together, before turning slowly and meeting the woman's eyes.
"I mean that as long as I know that you killed Empress Tora and Princess Genesis...there is no way that you will ever be queen."
Chloris was frantic. "What are you talking about, you insane woman? I killed nobody!"
I rolled my eyes and came closer to her, her eyes watching every slow step I took. "Please, don't play me for a fool, Chloris. Better yet, go ahead. Tell me that story you told the Emperor again."
"I told him that I found them dead and there was a note with the Sentinels emblem on it. I told him that they killed them." My head nodded slowly.
"But they didn't, did they?"
Chloris stood up, her eyes hysterical. "They did!"
I nearly rushed at her, my fist clenched and raised. "LIES!"
My yell bounced off the walls of the throne room and Chloris stumbled back onto her floor pillow.
I advanced toward her once more, my voice deep and meaningful. "You wanted to be with James Corrigan always and in that twisted mind of yours, you figured you would one day be queen!" Chloris' eyes widened as I continued, "But you can't be queen when there was already a queen, huh? So, you wanted to get rid of Tora as soon as possible."
"Seren, I...I..." Chloris stuttered out. I held up a hand. "I'm not finished. Genesis had nothing to do with your plan at first, but then you realized that if Tora died, she would be next in line to be queen and so you decided to kill her as well."
Chloris stared up at me and I took a deep breath. "Am I right?"
The woman kept her stare at me, calculating what she had to do to get out of this. "No..." she finally whispered out. That didn't convince me in the least.
I chuckled. "Keep telling yourself that." I was at last so close that my shoes touched her pillow. I leaned down close so that she could see the seriousness in my face.
"You're a coward and you're despicable. Don't worry...I won't tell anybody your secret. What goes around, comes around and I have other things more important to worry about."
Chloris sighed and I said, "But understand this...you better not be getting any ideas about trying to kill me."
The concubine blinked as I stated, "Because Tora and Genesis were caught off guard and were defenseless. But I guarantee you...if you come after me..." I glared and she gasped, seeing the golden of my eyes.
"I will be ready and I have no problems with fighting you to the death."
10. Thy Neighbor's Wife
I can't explain the feeling I always had for Serenity. She was always something special to me and for many various reasons. She was damn beautiful; like some kind of Persian princess with long midnight hair. Her personality was that of an angel; a angel that turned into a sexy wildcat when it was time to kick ass. She was kind, caring and courageous. She was what every man wanted.
But she wasn't what I had. She was in love with and belong to one of my own. Graven was definitely a Sentinel in and out. He was a great commander and he had some pretty good fighting skills. But that wasn't what made him a friend in my list. He took care of my Serenity. He made sure that she was protected, and loved. He was there in ways that I couldn't be. For that, I was truly grateful.
Back then...I would have found the time to be with Seren. But circumstances and her being a slaved Fighter prevented that. I would have done it. But now...
Now as I see Seren walking next to Graven and calling out, "Hey AJ!" in greeting, now as I see how big her smile is as she smiles up to him and now as I see how protective his hand is around her.
I know that my choice to let her go...is a good one. I have no regrets.
11. Thou Shalt Not
I looked down at my 3-year-old daughter, shaking my head at the milky brown proof of evidence all over her face and attempted to get the story again.
"Freda...did you take some cookies from the kitchen even when Mommy told you no sweets?"
Freedom thought about it; thought about what her answer should be and I knew it was going to be a doozy.
"No."
"Who did then?"
"Cadey. Cadey took the cooks."
"I don't think that he did." I said, kneeling down to her level. Her green eyes met mine and I grabbed her hands looking at the chocolate on her fingers. I think that you did this, right?"
Freedom then gave me her best puppy dog eyes as she nodded sadly. I nodded with her. "That means that you lied to Mommy." She nodded again. "Yesh."
I gave her a very stern look. "Freedom Hope...you don't lie and you don't steal. That's wrong to do. Mommy is very sad that you did this."
Freedom took one of her chocolate covered hands out of her mouth and put her arms around my neck. She hated when I was sad. "No. Don't be sads, Mommy. I sowry, okay?"
I smiled softly, knowing she would learn sooner than later. "Ok." I said, hugging her back.
12. Damnation
"I can't believe you, James." The emperor glanced from his paper to see his wife looking down upon him with a let down light in her eyes. He sighed and after putting his paper on his desk, lowered his crossed feet to the ground.
"Now, Tora...what's this all about?"
The empress crossed her arms. "I heard about what you have been doing to those abandoned children in the lab."
Corrigan stared at his wife; wondering how she could have found out and then stood up to come her way, staring at her royal purple gown and amethyst necklace. He reached out to hold her but she shook her head.
"Don't you touch me, sir. Explain yourself."
Corrigan stopped in his path and put his hands behind his back. "I needed more research on the cure. They seemed like the perfect candidates."
Tora was appalled by his untroubled demeanor. "James, they're children!"
The emperor held up a finger. "Ah...but they are orphaned and abandoned children. Nobody would miss them. Remember I'm doing this for us. "
"That makes it right? It would be all right if people were doing painful experiments on Genesis?"
Corrigan frowned deep. "Nobody would touch my daughter." Tora shook her head. "I'm sure there's father down there who thought the same damn thing you just said."
The spouses stared at each other intensely as Tora's lip curled in repulsion. "This is sick and I'm definitely against it."
"Tora..."
"You are disgraceful...and I pray that God has mercy on your soul, husband even if you don't deserve it."
The queen turned on her heel and walked out the office, leaving a silent emperor staring after her.
13. Heaven
I was still having trouble comprehending what I heard. Nadine was gone. While she was in the clutches of that...that asshole, Dunn. I heard it was some other sickness than the Translusence but still, the thought of not ever seeing her again, hurt my soul. As I walked around the building where we once all lived, I came to the front stairs and kneeled down, putting Khaleb's teddy and a bunch of red flowers on top.
"Thank you, Nadine. For trying. You were the best mom that I could ever have." I whispered.
Story: The Soramerica Sagas
Characters: Various
Rating: R (language, murder scene)
Challenge: Angel Food Flavor Binge
Topping/Extra: hot fudge (The Corrigan Empire), caramel, sprinkles (Esben and AJ), cherry on top (3rd person)
Summary: Knowing right from wrong and beliefs are different when it comes to the Organization and the Sentinels
Characters: Seren, AJ, Khaleb, Prince Esben, Emperor Corrigan, Empress Tora, Chloris, Princess Genesis, Freedom, Graven, Baydon
Word Count: 4023
A/N: Most of these are when Seren is in undercover at the Corrigan palace and others are not in order. Also, I wasn't too sure about the "Oath in Vain" one. Hope I'm right.... :P
1. Divinity
As soon as the Emperor let me, I took a tour of this so called "soaring city". Before I barely had time to look at it, dashing between guards and buildings to get to the palace. But now as I strolled, I could see that the chosen people for the cure were so much more well off than the people down in Relic City. The buildings were shining white, tan and brown stone, the windows gleamed in the sunlight like crystals, and even the streets sparkled. It was unreal and for a moment I could feel a pang of jealousy for what these people had. It wasn't like they had to fight in cages to the death for half of their lives. It wasn't like they had to scavenge for food or have to find good doctors for their health. They were cured.
I felt my heart fuming in anger. These people were cured and I believed that none of them were helping anybody down in Old America. They were so into their lush lifestyles, that they didn't have the time...or the heart to help us. I rubbed my arms, bringing them closer to me and trying to keep my tears in my eyes.
"Praise the Lord, my child." A scraggly voice called out to me. I stopped short in front of a flower store, seeing an elderly long haired woman smiling softly at me. The fact that she was referring to the Lord, intrigued me and I after briskly wiping my eyes, turned to take a look at her gorgeous blooms. Roses, tulips, gardenias...they all smiled at me as well with their beauty. "Beautiful flowers, ma'am." I said, tenderly touching a petal of a red rose. "Thank you, child. Even though we are blessed, we still have to survive and keep jobs, you know." I blinked, surprised by her comment. So they weren't as spoiled as I thought.
"I see. Do you sell these in Old America as well?" I asked, cautiously. I genuinely wanted to know her heart.
The woman chuckled. "Oh no, my dear! These old bones wouldn't last a day down there! Better to stay up here where it's safe."
I was silent and the woman noticed. She put her soft wrinkled hand on mine and when I looked up she replied, "But I pray."
I cocked my head. "You pray?"
"Yes." Her voice hissed out. "I pray for all of you." I felt a huge lump in my throat as she continued, "Nobody deserves to live like they do. Nobody deserves to be sickly and wonder if they will live. So, I pray so that possibly lives would be unburdened. The Lord is not dead. He still lives and many people like me still believe..."
Instantly my arms flew around the old woman's shoulders in a hug. I hugged her tightly, tears flowing down my face. Her arms hugged me as well and for a moment, she and I were in the same country. Pulling back, I smiled and said, "Thank you. It's people like you that make living worth it."
"You only have one life, child." The woman said, beaming. "Make something of it."
2. False Idols
The view never changed... Emperor Corrigan realized with a smirk.
They always looked up to him. He was a god.
They worshipped him for his technology and his wisdom.
So what if a few people died here or there? So what if a few were beat by his soldiers?
The fact that mattered was that they always came back to him and that...
...that felt pretty damn powerful.
3. Oath in Vain
"Goddammit."
I looked up in surprise to see Khaleb sighing in frustration as he erased a problem on his homework. I was amazed that slur even came out of his 11-year-old mouth.
"Khaleb Anthony!" I yelled out.
He looked up, just as stunned that I was yelling at him. "What? What did I do, Sis?"
I stood over him, pointing at him exclaiming, "I don't ever want you saying those words ever again. Don't you dare use the Lord's name in vain!"
Khaleb shook his head and shrugged. "Why not? It's not like he's helping us any."
I crossed my arms. "Oh really? Truly you don't see how blessed you really are, sir."
Khaleb frowned. "Blessed? What are you talking about?"
"You think that you were just lucky to find your ass living here with the Sentinels? If you weren't blessed, you would still be living in that broken down boarding school working on kindergarten shit instead of working your brain!"
Khaleb looked down and I wished he didn't have that eye patch so that I could see the emotion in both of his blue eyes. "If you weren't blessed, Khaleb...you would be dead. You wouldn't have had the help of AJ and the doctors keeping you alive."
Khaleb sniffed but I wasn't finished.
"If you weren't blessed, little brother...you wouldn't have me. Not many people can say they have a sister that loves them as much as I do for you."
I reached down and put the pencil that fell on the floor back on the table in front of him, then caressed Khaleb's soft brown hair. "You may not see Him, sweetie...but God is here. Maybe you just need to believe."
Khaleb was silent and that was my cue to leave. "Think about it." I replied, heading out the door. Before I left, I heard a tiny " 'Kay..."
After leaving him alone...I shook my head, wondering where the little boy I knew was. This war was making him grow up faster than he needed.
That wouldn't do. Not at all.
4. Holy Day
Glancing up at the calendar, I noticed that the day was Sunday. Back when I was living in Julien's mansion with the other girls, Sunday was neither here nor there for me. I had too much on my plate. But now that I was fighting for my life constantly, I felt the time had come for me to pay tribute to the Lord above. I stood up from my bed and headed out my doors but before I did, I looked at the screen where Jade's face looked back at me. "Jade, where can I find the chapel?" I asked, almost nervously.
"The chapel is in section 4, Seren." Jade's digital voice answered back. I thanked her and went on my way through the underground sectors. On the way, I thought to myself. When I was younger and before everything had happened, Nadine always took me and Khaleb to church. I learned what I needed to know and I always had faith in God. So...what happened? It was like I put Him in the back seat of my life and for that I felt extremely ashamed.
People waved at me and smiled, happy to see me. I greeted them back and then found my way to a cave with multicolored crystal glass doors. I paused in front of them, taking a deep breath and holding a closed hand to my heart. I remembered Nadine always told me, "You can always ask the Lord for forgiveness, Sere. Don't ever hesitate."
I held those words in my mind strongly. Sure I could ask for forgiveness, but will He forgive me?
I had to know and opened the chapel doors to start my journey on finding out.
5. Honor thy Mother
Prince Esben stared down at the gray marble gravestone gleaming in the sunlight. He couldn't understand how everything had turned out they way that they did. He was now without a mother and a sister. He was now alone in his opinion. Never mind his father. His father was too busy going out and killing everybody that he didn't even have the time to actually pay respects to Genesis and Tora's grave. He swallowed hard, clutching the flowers he had in his hand to his chest and using his other hand to touch over the stone.
"Hello, Mother." He said in a feather soft voice. "I'm glad I found the time to see you. I don't want you to think I forgot about you. I saw Gen yesterday before I went to a meeting but I wanted a lot more time with you." He wiped a tear from his eye and cleared his voice. "I hope you can forgive me." The wind blew in his face and he took that as Tora's answer. "Thanks."
"I don't know how this happened to you, but I tell you right now...I don't believe anybody down in Old America did this. You were nice to everybody, so nobody really had a motive."
Esben crossed his arms gently and his eyes took on a fierce light. "Something fishy is going on in the palace. It reeks of conspiracy and betrayal."
His eyes looked down at the patch of grass below the stone and he kneeled down, putting the bouquet of purple roses on top of it. He stroked the stone one more time before declaring, "I will find who did this to you and Genesis, Mother. I swear to you, that whoever did this, will get their just desserts."
Another wind blew in his face and Esben smiled, tears coming down his face. "I love you too, Mother. 'Til next time."
6. Murder
Empress Tora's wide horrified eyes stared at the unmoving body of her only daughter and the pool of blood pouring from under her back. Genesis' eyes were open still and her mouth was slightly open as well. Before she could scream, a shifting turned her eyes to the curtain where a nearly insane Chloris jumped out with an already bloody dagger clutched in her fist. "Die, bitch!" she shrieked, lowering the knife. Tora jumped back with a scream of her own, the blade hitting the sheer material of her dress; tearing it with an appalling rip. Tora barely had the time to dodge the frantic swipes that Chloris kept throwing at her and then with a burst of courage, managed to kick the concubine's abdomen before the next one could hit her. Chloris yelled out in surprise and Tora put the concubine's hand's behind her back, clutching the hand that held the dagger.
"Why?!" Tora asked incredulously. Chloris glared back with blue gray eyes.
"Why are you doing this? Why have you killed my only daughter?!"
Chloris chuckled then gave a full out laugh, before giving the empress a wicked grin.
"Why? Because when I get rid of you, just like I got rid of the princess, then James will have no choice to make me the new Empress of Soramerica. "
Tora just stared for a moment at the concubine in disbelief. Then to Chloris' surprise, she gave a laugh of her own. Chloris' anger flared. "I don't see what's so funny when you're about to die." she growled out.
Tora stared calmly at the concubine before giving her some advice, "You are deranged to think that the emperor adores you that much, my dear." Chloris' eyes softened a bit in hurt. "He...loves me."
Tora scoffed as she tried to keep the wiggling girl confined in her arms. "He barely loves his wife, so what makes you think that you are above whatever love he has for me?"
"Because he spends more time with me and he buys stuff for me and he tells me how much he cares for me. I know he doesn't do that to you!" the concubine spit out.
"Indeed, but I guess when you legs are open most of the time, what else can a man tell you?"
Chloris gasped, insulted and that action made the empress laugh even more.
"How dare you get offended?! You are a whore! That's what James has you for! The proof...is in the collar beeping on your neck."
Chloris' eyes turned dangerous and Tora gave the finishing blow, "Even if you kill me, Chloris, don't you think for one minute that he will make you the Empress. He's all about himself and there's no way in hell that a slut like you will make it to the top of his to-do list!"
Having heard enough, Chloris shrieked in rage, head butting Tora forcefully. Tora cried out in pain, stepping backwards and holding her head. Another yell rang out and Tora gasped, feeling the blade sink into her chest. She looked down seeing her normally purple dress, now stained burgundy. Tora's life started to leave her body and she summoned the last of her strength to stare boldly into Chloris' smug face.
"You...won't...win..." she gasped out, before collapsing to the floor, lifeless. Chloris stared at the woman who now lay prone on the ground; her eyes cold and callous. Finally, things were going her way.
"I just did." She said, before turning and walking out the door, leaving the two women behind.
7. Adultery
As I crept pass the Emperor's bedchambers, I stopped hearing what I knew were moans. A crying out of his first name, let me know that Chloris was in the bedroom having sex with him. It didn't offend me to tell the truth, I mean...that's what her job was anyway. But what got me the most was the fact that I was pretty sure that when the Empress was alive, he was probably having more sex with Chloris instead of his own wife.
In that moment, I felt for Tora and I wanted more than anything to beat down the woman lying underneath the man.
8. Theft
"I can't believe this..." I whispered, seeing that my hand of cards was the losing hand. I had lost mostly all the money that I earned in the other games earlier tonight. Bay gave a hearty laugh. "Well well, Seren. How does it feel to be knocked off your pedestal for once?" I looked up at him and gave him a sweet smile.
" I know that in a few minutes...you won't be the only one laughing."
Bay stopped mid laugh and frowned. I kept my smile and then with a yell, kicked the table up and at his face.
Bay yelled out as he fell backwards in his chair, table on top of him and all. I ran off hearing his lackeys coming to his aid.
"Are you all right, boss?"
"Get her!" I heard Bay order out.
"What?"
"Go after her! She has my damn money!"
I glanced behind at the mob starting to follow me then grinned down at the shiny gold coins that I had robbed.
Did I feel bad that I stole his money? No, fuckin way! I had a life to live, remember?
9. False Witness
After the distraught Emperor left the throne room, I looked down on the floor at the love struck concubine who stared after him with a look of desire. My eyes widened as things were starting to make more sense now. I chuckled at that thought and it didn't go unnoticed by Chloris.
"What's so funny? The Emperor is upset! Can't you see that?!" She hissed out. I raised an eyebrow, also noticing how defensive she was over him.
"I can see it just as well as you can, sweetheart. I'm not blind." my calm reply came.
"Then what?"
"I just thought it was funny; the question you asked him. 'Who's going to be your next empress, my Master?'" I emphasized the question with her high pitched voice.
Chloris wrinkled her nose. "So?"
"Strange question to a man who just lost the love of his life."
Chloris seemed offended. "How do you know that Tora was the love of his life?"
I shrugged. "She must have meant something if you know...he married her."
Chloris thought about what I said before giving a shrug of her own and putting up her nose. "That might be, but we don't have to worry about her or Genesis any longer."
I was slightly taken aback. "Hold on...did I say anything about the Princess? Why is she even in this conversation?"
Chloris whipped her back at me in alarm and we stared for a long while before I finally nodded, comprehending.
"Aha, I understand now...pretty little Chloris. Well, you don't have to worry any time soon about being empress either."
Chloris frowned. "What do you mean?"
I slowly stood up, stacking the Emperor's papers together, before turning slowly and meeting the woman's eyes.
"I mean that as long as I know that you killed Empress Tora and Princess Genesis...there is no way that you will ever be queen."
Chloris was frantic. "What are you talking about, you insane woman? I killed nobody!"
I rolled my eyes and came closer to her, her eyes watching every slow step I took. "Please, don't play me for a fool, Chloris. Better yet, go ahead. Tell me that story you told the Emperor again."
"I told him that I found them dead and there was a note with the Sentinels emblem on it. I told him that they killed them." My head nodded slowly.
"But they didn't, did they?"
Chloris stood up, her eyes hysterical. "They did!"
I nearly rushed at her, my fist clenched and raised. "LIES!"
My yell bounced off the walls of the throne room and Chloris stumbled back onto her floor pillow.
I advanced toward her once more, my voice deep and meaningful. "You wanted to be with James Corrigan always and in that twisted mind of yours, you figured you would one day be queen!" Chloris' eyes widened as I continued, "But you can't be queen when there was already a queen, huh? So, you wanted to get rid of Tora as soon as possible."
"Seren, I...I..." Chloris stuttered out. I held up a hand. "I'm not finished. Genesis had nothing to do with your plan at first, but then you realized that if Tora died, she would be next in line to be queen and so you decided to kill her as well."
Chloris stared up at me and I took a deep breath. "Am I right?"
The woman kept her stare at me, calculating what she had to do to get out of this. "No..." she finally whispered out. That didn't convince me in the least.
I chuckled. "Keep telling yourself that." I was at last so close that my shoes touched her pillow. I leaned down close so that she could see the seriousness in my face.
"You're a coward and you're despicable. Don't worry...I won't tell anybody your secret. What goes around, comes around and I have other things more important to worry about."
Chloris sighed and I said, "But understand this...you better not be getting any ideas about trying to kill me."
The concubine blinked as I stated, "Because Tora and Genesis were caught off guard and were defenseless. But I guarantee you...if you come after me..." I glared and she gasped, seeing the golden of my eyes.
"I will be ready and I have no problems with fighting you to the death."
10. Thy Neighbor's Wife
I can't explain the feeling I always had for Serenity. She was always something special to me and for many various reasons. She was damn beautiful; like some kind of Persian princess with long midnight hair. Her personality was that of an angel; a angel that turned into a sexy wildcat when it was time to kick ass. She was kind, caring and courageous. She was what every man wanted.
But she wasn't what I had. She was in love with and belong to one of my own. Graven was definitely a Sentinel in and out. He was a great commander and he had some pretty good fighting skills. But that wasn't what made him a friend in my list. He took care of my Serenity. He made sure that she was protected, and loved. He was there in ways that I couldn't be. For that, I was truly grateful.
Back then...I would have found the time to be with Seren. But circumstances and her being a slaved Fighter prevented that. I would have done it. But now...
Now as I see Seren walking next to Graven and calling out, "Hey AJ!" in greeting, now as I see how big her smile is as she smiles up to him and now as I see how protective his hand is around her.
I know that my choice to let her go...is a good one. I have no regrets.
11. Thou Shalt Not
I looked down at my 3-year-old daughter, shaking my head at the milky brown proof of evidence all over her face and attempted to get the story again.
"Freda...did you take some cookies from the kitchen even when Mommy told you no sweets?"
Freedom thought about it; thought about what her answer should be and I knew it was going to be a doozy.
"No."
"Who did then?"
"Cadey. Cadey took the cooks."
"I don't think that he did." I said, kneeling down to her level. Her green eyes met mine and I grabbed her hands looking at the chocolate on her fingers. I think that you did this, right?"
Freedom then gave me her best puppy dog eyes as she nodded sadly. I nodded with her. "That means that you lied to Mommy." She nodded again. "Yesh."
I gave her a very stern look. "Freedom Hope...you don't lie and you don't steal. That's wrong to do. Mommy is very sad that you did this."
Freedom took one of her chocolate covered hands out of her mouth and put her arms around my neck. She hated when I was sad. "No. Don't be sads, Mommy. I sowry, okay?"
I smiled softly, knowing she would learn sooner than later. "Ok." I said, hugging her back.
12. Damnation
"I can't believe you, James." The emperor glanced from his paper to see his wife looking down upon him with a let down light in her eyes. He sighed and after putting his paper on his desk, lowered his crossed feet to the ground.
"Now, Tora...what's this all about?"
The empress crossed her arms. "I heard about what you have been doing to those abandoned children in the lab."
Corrigan stared at his wife; wondering how she could have found out and then stood up to come her way, staring at her royal purple gown and amethyst necklace. He reached out to hold her but she shook her head.
"Don't you touch me, sir. Explain yourself."
Corrigan stopped in his path and put his hands behind his back. "I needed more research on the cure. They seemed like the perfect candidates."
Tora was appalled by his untroubled demeanor. "James, they're children!"
The emperor held up a finger. "Ah...but they are orphaned and abandoned children. Nobody would miss them. Remember I'm doing this for us. "
"That makes it right? It would be all right if people were doing painful experiments on Genesis?"
Corrigan frowned deep. "Nobody would touch my daughter." Tora shook her head. "I'm sure there's father down there who thought the same damn thing you just said."
The spouses stared at each other intensely as Tora's lip curled in repulsion. "This is sick and I'm definitely against it."
"Tora..."
"You are disgraceful...and I pray that God has mercy on your soul, husband even if you don't deserve it."
The queen turned on her heel and walked out the office, leaving a silent emperor staring after her.
13. Heaven
I was still having trouble comprehending what I heard. Nadine was gone. While she was in the clutches of that...that asshole, Dunn. I heard it was some other sickness than the Translusence but still, the thought of not ever seeing her again, hurt my soul. As I walked around the building where we once all lived, I came to the front stairs and kneeled down, putting Khaleb's teddy and a bunch of red flowers on top.
"Thank you, Nadine. For trying. You were the best mom that I could ever have." I whispered.