An Apocalyptic Invasion

a bunch of stuff that happens

I heard some chirps outside my window.

Opening it, I saw Carlos's bird friends perched on a branch outside.

Hi.

"Hey. Um... what are you doing here?"

We're just sending you a letter from your loved one, Koa said.

"Oh. Thank you!"

Don't mention it. Here.

He handed me the letter using one of his talons. It was a regular, white envelope with a wax seal on the flap.

"Can I ask why you're in a hurry?"

Well, Carlos needs some assistance with something, and if we're not there on time he won't give us granola bars to eat, Kaia explained.

"Oh, okay. Got it. Bye!"

They flew away. I rummaged through the drawer on the bedside table and pulled out a knife.

I poked it through a hole under the seal, then sliced it nearly across. The flap sprung open.

I pulled out the letter and tossed the envelope to the side.

Hey, Marissa. Sorry I haven't visited in so long.

"Yeah, no kidding," I muttered. I continued reading.

Even though you're immensely pregnant, I want you to go outside for me.

My belly was small enough for me to walk around with no problem. I hopped out of bed, slid on my slippers, and went outside.

I looked at the letter again: Now that you're outside, do you see the two palm trees that have like a mini-beach between them?

"Yeah, I see what you're talking about." I don't know why I was saying that out loud, but it's just a habit I have.

Walk towards them, then step back from the middle.

I did what it asked. Once I was there, I read it again: Just wait for a minute for it to pop out.

"For what- oh."

The sand started bubbling like water in a pot. Soon, it collapsed inwardly and revealed some obsidian perfectly made into a sphere. Next to it, a hammer popped out of the ground.

Use the hammer to break the sphere, then turn around when you're done.

I grabbed it and started hitting it. It was a good workout, I'm not going to lie.

At first, the hammer just bounced off and almost hit my leg, but I soon found out to hit the sphere in the exact middle to break it.

When I did, the obsidian cracked perfectly in half, revealing a ring.

"Do you like it?"

I turned around to see Carlos behind me. "How- when did you get here?"

He closed his wings. "As you were doing what the letter said. It's not hard to fly quietly."

"Why is there a ring in the broken ball?"

"Well, I know you've been wanting something similar to the powers I have, so I want to ask you something. You don't have to say yes."

"Okay..."

"Marissa Reagan, will you be my queen?"

The question shocked me quite a bit. I'll admit, it took me a bit to register what he just asked.

Once he did, I nodded profusely. "Yes, of course!"

He blinked. "Wait, what?"

"Just put the ring on my finger, Carlos."