Final Stars

Chapter 4 The speed of Light

Lightning and Ace locked eyes as Lightning dangled the key, swaying it from side to side. Ace gulped as he looked away from Lightning's eyes and stared at the key, suspended by a golden chain that reflected the light shining down on it and was styled to look like a roaring flame with the way it's molded and colored a burnt orange tint. The way it swayed and rattled due to the movement of Lightning's hand and the now broken window letting in a cool breeze, felt almost like Lightning was trying to hypnotize Ace into doing his bidding.

"So you are the next prophecy huh? Is this what you are trying to get? The key to the next island, to continue on your journey, on through the afterlife and see what is beyond the doors?" Lightning asked in a low tone as Ace just stared at the key.

"I will take that as a yes, I will happily give you the key but in return, I will need you to help me with my own problems. If you can help me beat Roxanne at tonight's show in the Cloud Colosseum I will bestow the key upon you . However if we lose, then Roxanne will take the key and most likely will refuse to give it to you. Let's be realistic, if she wins and you lose, why would she give the key to someone who couldn't even win against her? She will just think that you will lose against the King as well, putting us all in danger and thus ending your chances at overthrowing him in the first place. So what do you say? Will you help me in this task in hopes of getting the key?" Lightning spoke out, leaning closer to Ace as he held the key over both of their heads.

Ace turned to Olivia as she looked up at him. She nodded and hugged his leg. Ace then turned his attention back to Lightning, reaching his arm out for a hand shake.

"Deal, I will help you as long as I get the key once we finish." Ace states as Lightning grabbed his hand and shook it.

"You will, don't worry, I am an honest man and won't turn my back on you." Lightning responded as they both let go of each other.

"Perfect, now that we are on the same page let us prepare ourselves for the show and maybe I can even show you what it is we will be using to perform. Connor, please guide our guests to my humble domain." Lightning declared, clapping his hands as Connor nodded and bowed towards Ace and Olivia. Connor then proceeded to lead the line back towards the elevator. Ace picked up Olivia as she held onto his arm and Lightning walked behind them.

Ace was relieved they left that room due to the sheer amount of Lightning faces. The elevator doors opened as they walked inside and Lightning pulled out a different key and held it against the wall with the floor buttons. The first floor button then turned gold as Connor pushed it and the elevator then started going up more. The screen that displayed the number of the floor now displayed a star with the number one inside the center of it.

The doors to the elevator then opened as on the other side was a suite like interior. Lightning and Connor walked in as Ace and Olivia stood in the elevator next to each other. They began to follow not long after as the doors closed.

"Welcome you two to Cloud Suite, my home until I find a place to build a mansion." Lightning said snickering at his little joke.

The interior looked very expensive. A dark brown wood floor with smooth marble like walls for the entrance that led into a night sky wall color. The main living room area had a big couch and two smaller ones all angled to view a big flatscreen TV with a gold and cyan rug in front of it. The kitchen area had a built-in bar with a glass window that looked out into the city. This suite had two floors that were connected by a spiral staircase and on the first floor a balcony hung outside decorated with tables, lanterns and outdoor heaters, boxed in with glass railings. The whole apartment has little Columbine flowers stroon about the place to add a splash of color and life to the otherwise very expensive looking house.