Hijacking Reality

Chapter 17

Footsteps clicked desperately on the marble floors in a flurry of quietude. It was such a deafening silence of new revelation and deep hidden concern, everyone's ears rang. It was one of the only sounds that penetrated the dead air around the group that was trying to keep up with Attis's staggering pace. Lance held a stiffened posture, back straight and hands down at his sides in fists of a resentment laced from Keith's denial of what he did or did not want. He was a tree overflowing from underneath concrete, breaking free with a goal to only get further and further away from its source, but all in the same to accommodate its sources deep hunger for nutrients. Which could only mean that Keith came to Lance last night to fill that aching need and void to feed the very bond that grew between them both. No matter how far away one would be from the other, there would always be that one connection of a never ending cycle of starvation.

"So that is the throne room up ahead" Attis pointed to the double doors of solid gold; the Cybelion signia in all of it's expensive glory, "Lady Nylena sleeps in here only so that it is easier for her to attend meetings. She struggles to even walk on her good days."

"Is she sleeping now," Allura stopped when they reached the door, "I don't want to disturb her rest if she is ill."

"She knows that we are coming," Attis made sure to knock, alerting her that he had arrived with the guests and not short after he pushed open the heavy set doors.

They opened slowly revealing a blinding white light as their eyes adjusted to the change in illumination. For a woman who was in a fragile state, she sure did like the brightness. Most of it though was natural light that drifted down like delicately beaming curtains. The walls were not just simply made out of wood but, had glass paneling that sparked like crystals from the sunlight. Some paladins wished they brought sunglasses but others, like Lance, embraced the dazzling glow of the room. It made warmth bubble up through his fingers from something that seemed so 'homey'.

"Pardon the intrusion," Allura's echoing voice faded in awe.

Attis was unfazed by any of the sights and bowed after he stepped into the room, "I have arrived with the guests. The paladins and princess of Voltron."

All eyes gazed up at a throne that was placed typically at the top of a set of red velvety stairs. Normally thrones were grand with heavy expensive metals and plush but this throne was made solely out of a cherry type wood, varnished with a silky coated gel. Plant life sat in pots and vases all about the room but was the most prominent by the large chair itself. It was like a forest that a single soul had not tainted with the cruelty of an axe.

"A warm welcome to my new allies," a soft familiar voice rode on the pollen scented air of the room, "I do hope you are enjoying your visit as of now."

The sky itself was wrapped in a chiffon fabric that lay as a veil over the individual who occupied the wonderfully sculpted throne. Her cheekbones were illy prominent and her face was a dull blue that saddened her features. Her eyes were abnormally big but held not a single blaze of the luminosity she so seemed to love. Lance knew right away that this lady was a sullen version of the Princess Nylena he had the pleasure to meet in one of his dreams.

"It is a pleasure," Allura curtsied with her hand hovering the air since she had the pleasure of wearing pants and not her dress, "Let us speak of the terms quickly so we can leave you in peace to get well."

Nylena's silvery smooth voice had yet to match her appearance as she answered earnestly, "It comes in waves my dear. I am fine for now."

Her owl like eyes turned to Attis not yet giving a glance to the paladins who were standing tall and strong like the guardians of the universe they were. In her own way she was respecting them. If she had stared them down, they would feel unwelcomed, or she believed that would be the case. That and she had more serious family matters to deal with at the moment as it seemed when she locked eyes with Attis.