Illuminant Noctem (On Hold)

Illuminant Noctem Ch. 4

After everyone took a seat around the table, Valen introduced the two new people that I hadn’t met before. “Jackson, this is Ezekiel and Zephoria. Your mother sent for them, as they were, uhm, friends of your father.” At the mention of dad, I noticed how everyone bowed their head. What...were friends of my father?

“Valen, what do you mean, WERE friends of my father?” I asked, then turned towards the couple. “Ezekiel, Zephoria, what happened between you and my dad?” Both of them walked to me and knelt before me as Ezekiel started talking.

“My friend, call be Bones. Everyone does, you know, like Ezekiel has them dry bones?” He smiled, but I couldn’t return it, wondering what happened to my dad.

“All right, Bones it is, and I don’t mean to come across as rude, but please get to the point. What happened to my father?” Bones dropped his head for a second, before meeting my eyes.

“Jackson, your father has been killed, in battle with those opposing forces. But I wish to tell you that it has been an honor to serve with and for your father. He truly was a great man.” I sat there in shock. I couldn’t believe no one in this room had bothered to tell me this detail.

“Gray, like Bones, you can call me Riot. Your father has graced me with his skills, as he had been teaching me how to fight for the past decade. Because of him, I am now the great fighter that kneels before you.” At this, Riot took my hand in hers, and looked straight in my eyes. “But I feel the same pain you do. Gray, I will do everything in my power to avenge your father for you in this upcoming war.”

At this, I snatched my hand back and started pacing around the room. “Seriously guys, not a single one of you could have told me of dad’s passing? God, when was his funeral? And Tin, how could you have been so happy to see me earlier, knowing that dad was not here in this world anymore?” I took a deep breath before continuing. “And no one thought to escort me to his burial services, to say goodbye to my own father? Jesus, how selfish could you guys have been?”

“Jackson, we only tried to do what was best--”

“Save it Tin, I don’t want to hear it. At least you got to see his soul leave.” With that, I ran out of the house into the direction of the woods.

I found the forest in the darkness quicker than I imagined I would, and crossed the invisible barrier, knowing that within a few seconds they would be here. I kept going forward, but stopped as soon as I was caught in the light of thousands of glowing lanterns. Lincoln stepped away from the crowd, towards me.

“Gray, I can imagine why you are here.”

“Really, Lincoln, than do care to enlighten me. Is it because I found out that my father has died, and no one has bothered to tell me? How about because my own sister got to see the passing of him, while I was left in the dark, because NO ONE TOLD ME. Honestly, I can’t believe that you, of all people, my supposed best friend, didn’t even bother to mention that my own father died in one of your weekly letters? Or how about because everyone in this crowd, who call themselves warriors, and pride themselves on their strength, were to much of a coward to tell their own prince, well know I guess king, of his own chance in status?” At the mention of king, everyone around me bowed. “Get up you filthy animals. All of you disgust me. I’m going to see the former queen, you know, my mother, unless anyone wants to tell me know that she has died as well?” I didn’t wait to hear a reply as I walked down the paths that I knew oh so well. And now that I was king, no one dared remind me that I wasn’t allowed into these woods. But I knew Amelia would come looking for me, so before I was swallowed into the crowd, I dropped a pin, a cherry blossom no larger than the size of a dime, hoping she would find it and know where I have gone.

Amelia-

Feeling safe in the early light of morning, I had the sudden urge to ride my bike back towards the forest that seemed so haunting just hours before. Following the grooves my bike tire dug out last night, I retraced our path to the place we stood before. I felt quite small, standing under the ancient trees. I was reminded once again of Adam, and how much he would have enjoyed this forest. I spied a small dirt path that led into the trees, and before I could change my mind, I followed it. I could see the imprint of many pairs of feet that have trotted down the same trail I now found my self walking down. I inhaled a deep breath of the damp earthy smell, and I was immediately relaxed. That is, until I heard someone come up behind me. I turned around as their soft footfalls came closer, and saw a man.

“Ms. Amelia, a pleasure to have you back.” A quick nod as he stood before me.

“It’s a pleasure to be back, Lincoln.” I smiled before I froze, at the same time he did. “Did I just-”

“And you just-”

“But I-”

“And you-” He trailed off as we both shared an uneasy laugh. How did I know this man? He seemed so familiar, and he obviously knew me, and I guess I knew him?

“Uhm, Lincoln, don’t take this the wrong way, but how do I know you? And how do you know me?”

“I don’t think that’s for me to explain. Come, we shall find the queen.” I nodded, and trailed after him, looking at my feet as we walked. Where was I, and queen? We lived in Louisiana for crying out loud!

After several minutes of walking, I found a small pink flower in the dirt. I picked it up and studied it. It was a cherry blossom, my favorite flower. I turned it over, and found that it was a pin, with JFG engraved into the silver. I didn’t realise that I stopped walking until Lincoln cleared his throat.

“A problem, Amelia?” He smirked at me as I felt my face redden.

“Uh, no. I just, I found this pin. Is it yours?” He took it, and instantly paled.

“On second thought, let us find Jackson. A visit to the queen can wait another day.” He briskly started walking again.

“Wait, Lincoln. Who is this queen? You do know that we are in America, right? There are no queens...” I stopped as he just stared at me before laughing.

“Aye, I forgot for a second that you are currently a human. Right now you may not have a queen, but I do, and so does Jackson. Actually, most of the town’s population has a queen. But once again, we’ll save that for another day. Come. Jackson will be waiting.” I gave up on finding information, and began walking again.

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So I think that maybe the next chapter you'll find out what Jackson, Tin, Valen, Dottie, Lincoln, Bones, and Riot are. XD You'll also find out what Jackson said to his mother, and what his reaction to Amelia starting to remember things is. :D I'm excited....I still need to write it though.

Once again, point out any spelling or grammar mistakes, and I will happily fix them. :)