Dark Nine [18+]

Chapter Fifteen

Jupiter and I walk along a well marked trail into Dark Ninth nature as he starts lecturing me with pride, "The three moons are our mothers, they give us our light, it is completely artificial..." Jupiter explains, "Dark Ninth is a gift from our fathers. This whole planet is the gift. The tides are equalised by the three moons. This location doesn't appear on any map, it's hidden by our moons."

"How did the Intergalactic Intelligence Agency get here then?" I wonder.

"Exactly, how? That's why the others are having discussions on your home planet right now," Jupiter explains, his eyes slits as he thinks about it, "They'll destroy all records in their files. All they need to do is threaten to pull their funding from Our Tcno."

"Oh, well that's simple and smart... humans do love their money," I laugh awkwardly, and I change subjects, "And why are there no animals aside from visiting Elions?" I ask.

"This planet never harboured animals. The planet and the moons, all four were ancient Elion weapons – Dark Ninth belonged to Elions, they were slaughtered by our fathers. The Fey were then put here by our fathers, their favoured female species in the universe. Our mothers are the original Fey. Our mothers are dead."

"Where's your fathers?" I ask.

"Busy," Jupiter grumbles, eyes turning from sharp and focused ahead on the trail we follow, to softening slightly as he turns to look at me by his side, slowly relaxing with my presence, "You need to understand some basic details about your skin. You can blend in with nature – to hide from threats if for some reason, you're scared... but I assure you, we'll always keep watch with you, Diana. I'll teach you how to blend in soon. As for fighting, you are advised to hide first, and if confronted, with no other option, we will arm you."

Now that sounds exciting.

"Arm me?" I whisper, feeling a tingle of excitement which is tinged with the danger of a Kor weapon. Neptune had electric arrows, small lightning bolts, it was fascinating. Imagine what weapon they could give me?

"Later," Jupiter smiles and laughs a bit, looking at me sideways and slowing down, "Now," he reaches out and touches me for the first time since we were left alone on Dark Ninth. There was something oddly romantic about being the only two people on a planet. I stop with his hand resting on my shoulder and I turn to face him, as he also turns to me, "I'll close my eyes for thirty seconds, Empress, and you try and camouflage around me."

"Any tips?" I ask, as he closes his eyes.

"No," Jupiter remains serious, "It's a learned skill. I'm counting."

I back up from his hand, my heart now racing in excitement.

So, I could really turn invisible too?!

How come no one told me until now!

I spin and I run into the vegetation, my mind racing as I look down at my skin.

How to turn on that special Fey feature, shared with the Kors?

Hmmmm. I choose a light green bush, squatting down under the overarching branches, I swat them aside and I sit down at the base of the plant and try grabbing the leaves in my hand.

I focus on staring at my pale skin, glowing a light green like the plume around my waist.

I try to imagine myself turning invisible.

Of course, I don't expect this to come easy – but as I focus on the leaves and my hand clenching the soft material, I watch as my skin ripples.

It's almost hypnotising to see my colour change.