• Fate is a bind to reality



    Lunar cloped silently under me, not talking as she usually did. The others rose their horses beside me, my brother to my left, and Teruko and Mosoma to my right. It was a silent trek, with not much splendor.

    My mind swam back and forth, always going back to the dream I'd had. I wondered softly to myself why I would have such a dream, though I knew naught the answer.

    "Something's bothering her... as usual." I heard, though I was barely aware of it. I heard Shadow talking to Kilunar, of which he spoke back. I didn't pay attention to the conversation, though. Lunar nudged me slightly, snapping me away from my thoughts.

    Earth to Nereza? She asked scornfully. Your friends adress you, you know.

    I snapped my head up, looking to my right and to my left.

    "Did something happen, Nereza?" Teruko asked, nudging her mare to a halt. We stopped our own to suit.

    "No, nothing. I'm just thinking, that's all."

    "Well, thinking is dangerous." Kilunar sighed, dismounting his horse. "Let's just set up camp and relax for the rest of the day."

    I nodded, the feeling of supressed sighs weighing on my shoulders. Sometimes I wished to turn it off... it got on my nerves very easily. It felt like intruding on their privacy, it felt wrong.

    With all those in my mind, I tied Lunar to a tree and started combing her mane. She whinnied happily, munching on the grass quietly. Her horselike attitude calmed me in moments.

    I gave her a quick hug and walked to sit at the edge of a river nearby. With the index and thumb fingers on my right hand I pulled a strand of water out of the river; I made the little strip do twirls, waves, all kinds of tricks. The water calmed me more, gave me a peace of mind untill I was able to store away the dream from my mind completely.

    "Interesting, what you're doing with the water there."

    I jumped at the sound of his voice, loosing concentration and therefore, letting the water slip back into its home.

    "Yeah, it takes concentration. Water is a very tricky and unforgiving element, though peaceful." I sighed, taking another strand of water out and playing with it.

    "I agree." Kilunar squatted down beside me.

    "Somethings bothering you, isn't it." I said, stating the obvious.

    "Perceptive."

    "It's called twin-telepathy. It's useful at times, brother."

    He pushed my shoulder.

    "What's bothering me is the thing you'll have to do when you have all Four Powers with you, back at the castle. The Ritual is risky, and can very well be the death of you."

    I sighed, pooling some water into my hands and motioning with my head. He arched an eyebrow.

    "Jeesh, just put your hands into the water in my hands." I sighed, rolling my eyes in mock annoyance. He stuck out his tongue at me, but did as he was told.

    His eyes widened, and a short gasp was heard coming out of his lips. I smiled, knowing what was happening. The water was laced with a trace of every element; it traveled up the arms and soothed the mind and body, making one feel at peace and without worries. He smiled, removing his hands. I closed mine around his, refusing to let him escape.

    "Thanks, Nereza, I needed that." He smiled sincerely, leaning to kiss my cheek briefly. I smiled.

    "It's a home remedy I used to make when I was a little kid. My couzin would often come home from his work stressed, and I'd just pool water in my hands and tell him to put his in the water. It's laced with a trace of all five elements." I smiled, looking to the setting sky.

    "You were able to use the five elements at a young age?!" He asked, looking at me. I nodded, still looking at the sky.

    "Nathaniel always told me I was special, though he just never told me why. I guess I know why now." I sighed, leaning against a nearby tree trunk.

    "What's wrong?" He sat down in front of me, legs crossed.

    "I think I know why Queen Amaterasu brought me to my couzin on March 7th. It was the day the Dark Ones tried to raid us, is it?"

    "They were looking for the 'Old One.'" Kilunar said with a sad smile. "They said that she was a mix between an Elf, a Vampire and a Witch, which made her all-powerful."

    "She protected me." I said with a smile. "I want to thank her properly once this is over."



    "Well, you were right, Teruko." I smiled, patting her on the back. She beamed.

    "The Sand village is the place where Magic doesn't exist anymore; they've stuck to communing with Nature for a long time." She smiled and turned to me. "Nereza, Mosoma and I will go on ahead and tell the Queen and king that you have found them all, okay?"

    I nodded, though a bit saddened to see her go. She hugged me tightly, setting her mare into a gallop, with Mosoma right behind her.

    Sighing, I turned to my brother.

    "Well, let's get going, brother. We have a long route." I looked to where Teruko and Mosoma had disapeared.

    "Let's get supplies first. It would help a little."

    "Point taken." I grinned, dismounting Lunar. I tied her reins to a tree, checking to see if Shadows' reins were well tied. I followed Kilunar into the small store.

    As I looked at the shelves, curious, he bought the materials he thought we would need. The owner was a nice man, very friendly. As we left, I left a nice little sum of money at the counter, which added up to about 500 rupees. I smiled as I left, happy. The store was a little sad looking, so I hoped he would fix it up a bit. He would make some more money that way.

    We trotted out of the Sand village in quiet peace, knowing all too well what awaited back home.

    The prophecy had to be fufilled someday.


    P.O.V. Kilunar Julien Keiko


    It was a restless night for me, for the entire route. The night before our arrival, I barely slept. I lay awake, hearing her gentle breathing in the dead night. When I did fall asleep, I would always dream of seeing her dieing by the hands of a Dark One. Though I awoke right before she died in my dreams, which was good.

    I trotted along behind her as we went through the archway into the village, (the archway leading to the Great Trench, not the portal) watching her back as she smiled and greeted everyone who greeted her as she passed. Some bowed, seeing the Royal Children. I hate it when people bow at me, it makes me feel too... superior, like if they are firghtened I'll punish them for not bowing.

    Nereza dismounted at the stone bridge leading into the castle, leaving her mare to a guard, whispering a goodbye to Lunar. I did the same with Shadow, though I said I'd see him soon. He nodded, simply gesturing towards Nereza, who waited for me before starting the trek into the castle.

    "I'm nervous." She whispered when I came beside her. "I'm not sure I can look at Queen Amaterasu the same."

    "Don't worry, you won't have to." I grinned, knowing all too well what awaited beyond the wooden door at the bridges' end. Two guards opened it, letting us through. I nodded my thanks.

    And as I knew, we both got immediately assaulted by Mother. The Queen wrapped her arms around us both, embracing us at the same time.

    "I'm so glad you both are safe." She whispered, and I knew she whispered whenever she was crying. She wore a green gown that was like the one Nereza fist saw her in. She held us out at arms' length.

    "You've grown so much, both of you." She smiled a gentle smile, looking at each of us in turn.

    "We're back." Nereza said, smiling. Her mind was open for all to read - for once - and her minds' view was full of happiness.

    "Did you find out?" She did not need to be specific.

    "I did." Nereza seemed to collect herself a moment. "It's forgiven and forgotten. I can't forgive something that was never to be forgiven, though, Mother."

    Mother smiled, a tear escaping her hold.

    "You speak like a true ruler of DarkNite, my daughter. You are like your brother in many ways." She smiled. "Enough of this; we will have a feast, to celebrate your return. Tomorrow, we will get down to buisness. Right now, you need a good time and some rest."

    We both smiled at the thought.

    "What date are we tomorrow, Kilunar?" Nereza asked me, as Mother led us down a stone hallway.

    "March seventh."

    "Time passes by so fast in DarkNite; unlike the human world." She sighed. "One year."

    "Don't worry; everything will be great!"


    Author's note: I'll make another chapter right away, since I believe you guys would like to read it a.s.a.p. Though the story doesn't end, don't worry!!!