The Two Sides of a Sword

Chapter Nine

Rocki's head and back still ached when they left the healing rooms, but Whilin had given her a small bag with more medications to take if the pain persisted. Her wings occasionally twitched without her consent, brushing the walls of the hall she was being led through.

Faish and Kofi were escorting her to her room, though she hoped she wouldn't be expected to find her way back to the healer's. The fortress was vast, with many layers and endless hallways that would easily get her lost. She could have sworn it was bigger than even the Death Star, as vast as the fictional ship may have been.

Since she had the two valicara with no chance for them to escape, and since they didn't seem like they would be arriving at their destination any time soon, she started asking questions.

"Do valicara need to be taught to fly or do you instinctively know?" She grimaced as her new wings twitched, one slapping the wall.

"A little bit of both," said Faish. "Children know the basics of flying a few months after birth, but they are taught techniques and tips by their elders. As soon as your wings aren't so sore, you'll be able to fly yourself."

She nodded slowly. "Kofi did a... power blast thing while we were on Earth. Is that something all valicara can do or just him?"

"Everyone. Although with your mixed heritage, I don't know what you have inherited from your valicaran parent. For all we know, you also have the powers of the sariun."

She glanced at her glasses, which were held uselessly in her hand. "What abilities do I have now? What parts of me are valicaran and what is sariun?" She almost asked what parts were simply human as well. That would be silly. Nothing about me is human.

Faish glanced at her. "Your wings are obviously valicaran, as are your improved vision and hair color. The fangs, however, are sariun. Your eyes are more valicaran, but the blue is inherited from the other side. We will have to see tomorrow if you received plasma, like us, or blades, like them."

Kofi was practically breathing down her neck as he walked behind them. Rocki flicked a wing to "accidentally" whack his face. He yelped but added an extra pace between them. The corner of her mouth tipped up for the first time in hours.

"I want to know more about the prophecy," she said. "How do you know for sure that Aley and I are the ones you need?"

Faish led them down a flight of stairs, then fell back in step with her. "We've had researchers working on deciphering the prophecy since it was given to us. We've spoken with the seer, as well as several scholars from other planets. You and your sister are the only ones that match."

"What does it say about us?"

He took a deep breath. "'When the war has raged and burned one hundred years standing long, the clashing of stars will come to an end, killed by one swift stroke, cut into ribbons over latter years. Who is this savior to be? They are two, made from two. An abomination in our eyes, but a speck in the eyes of others. Find them on a planet of mystery where they live unawares. When they are found, the end of the war is near. They who have the savioresses have the victory.'"

"It's more poetic in Valicaran," said Kofi.

Rocki shook her head. "You have a seer who gave you this prophecy? I always figured the cryptic prophecies were just for entertainment purposes. Why didn't the seer just tell you where we were?"

Faish shrugged. "That's not how her abilities work." He finally stopped in front of a door. "This is your room —E79." He tapped the nameplate next to the door, then unlocked it. "We'll let you rest and discuss more tomorrow. If there is anything you need, ask anyone, I'm sure everyone will be more than pleased to help." He bowed his head. "Sleep well, savioress."