dimensions | original

Night Sky

Mark gently tipped back Luma's head, trickling some of blue liquid into her mouth. She stirred in her sleep, a more comfortable look on her face than before. Mark hoped that meant she was more Luma and less Phoenix, but he would never know.

"I'm surprised he didn't stop you." Mark looked up from where he sat with a sleeping Luma to see Asha still trying to get the built-in-emergency-flying-motorcycle all situated.

"What do you mean?" asked Mark hesitantly. Asha gave him look that questioned his sanity and intelligence. Mark's eye's lowered apologetically, pressing his lips together.

"I mean that Luma is a danger. If you don't succeed- which is likely- Phoenix gains a new body and second chance at life that he does not deserve. If we rid us of him now, he should be gone for good. Phoenix might have been a powerful man, but we was greedy and cruel and unjust, Mark." Asha took in a raggedy breath before continuing rambling. "Kinglyn trys to do things with a steel fist, and he forgets that he is only human. He forgets empathy, and he forgets friendships. But this nonsense has angered and confused him. He is a small boat in a raging storm, and Carressa is his only anchor. The only thing he knows to do is end it. Please don't blame him. It's hard to try and take charge of dangerous situations."

Mark wasn't sure how they had transitioned from small, awkward talk had morphed into Asha begging him to understand her leader and father-figure. He blinked suddenly when he noticed something else.

"Asha... Are you okay? You're crying."

"No, I'm not." Asha furiously wiped at her misty eyes, a furious sort of pride about her demeanor.

Mark didn't argue. "Okay. Okay. You're not crying." he agreed quietly. "And for the record, I don't blame Kinglyn. I'm mad at him, but I don't blame him totally. I can't blame him because I see his side. And I hate myself for it."

Asha tilted her head. "Don't hate yourself for that. It's just in our nature to wish for an easier way. It's just that the sometimes the easiest way isn't the right way." Mark had nothing to say to that.

"I'm going to go find Emersyn. I need help fixing a gas leak."

"Where are they now?" asked Mark carefully.

"I think they're taking samples of that fire tree they saw. I heard that there are plans for a new weapon engineered from a species of fire tree, and it's a lower priority for most VItae members to figure out."

Mark nodded. "Right." Once again, he was struck by astonishment at the Vitae's enormous wealth yet lack of situations to use them in (like his).

Mark looked back down at Luma. Now that she consumed a full vial of the smooth blue potion, she seemed much more calm and at rest, whereas before she had twitched and jerked randomly, as though fighting an invisible enemy.

Mark didn't want to admit it, but he was afraid. Two lives were on the line- Luma's and Phoenix's. And it was no secret that Phoenix was debately the most powerful prophet ever, whereas Luma was just a little girl. Then again, hopefully with Keme's potion she'd be able to hold off until they got to the domain of the two twin gods with the power to save her.

Then again, their machine was malfunctioning, Mark had probably ruined any last chance of peace with either Kinglyn or Carressa, and it seemed that even Asha was frustrated with him. Not that he couldn't blame her, but it still made him feel bad.

A sudden realization came to Mark, as he watched the sun lower in the sky, and the first stars begin to gleam. What day would it be now? October 10th? (It would only be a few days until Luma's 14th birthday, but Mark hadn't been in that conversation. But I know. I know everything that goes on with these characters, these people that I follow and guide. Don't worry. I won't fail to inform you of the little, oddly significant things.)

Asha soon returned, Emersyn in tow. The blonde girl had shadows in her normally bright eyes, and her pink bow in her hair drooped. "That fire tree is fierce." Emersyn was telling Asha as they walked to the motorcycle. "Full of energy. Even I could sense it, and you know how I am about magic!" Asha just nodding, a slight blush coloring her cheeks.

"Asha, what day is it?" Mark asked as the two neared the malfunctioning motorcycle. He left Luma's side, walking over to where the two were going.

Asha blinked. "Oh... Wow..." she looked at Emersyn. Emersyn also seemed astonished.

"What?" questioned Mark curiously.

"It was just earlier that we were talking." Asha said blankly.

Emersyn nodded. "Yes, and Luma's 14 soon, if it was only earlier this day that we talked and it was the 8th, so by sunrise it will be the 9th."

"Luma's birthday?"

"The thirteenth." answered Asha.

Mark blinked. Asha took this as the end of the brief conversation, and knelt down to take a closer look at the malfunctioning machine. Emersyn joined her, and Mark took that as his cue to leave. He walked back towards Luma, where she had curled up on the soft grass. He smiled to see that she had moved from her original position. It showed that she still had a sort of life about her.

Mark sat beside her sleeping figure, his eyelids drooping ever-so-slightly. He was exhausted. He laid down on the solid below him with a yawn, allowing a dark curtain of sleep overtake him.

***

"Asha, you're practically asleep." Emersyn laughed softly. "Go take a break, I can finish myself."

Asha tried to shake herself awake. "No, Em, we'll fix it together."

Emersyn smiled back at the tired huntress. She was determined to stay up as long as Emersyn, despite the fact that Emersyn was a complete night owl that could never fall asleep. Carressa and Kinglyn were both inside the cave with Keme, supposedly discussing politics and trying to negotiate something, but Emersyn got the feeling that they were just talking like they were old friends (Carressa did seem to have effect on people). Mark was asleep by Luma near a ridge that had a sharp drop, giving a beautiful view of the lands beyond (but both of them were too tired to see or appreciate it).

"Here it is!" Asha said, sleepy voice suddenly eager.

Emersyn smiled. "All done, then. You'll leave come tomorrow, right?" Asha nodded, stifling a yawn. Emersyn stood, dusting off her clothes and ignoring the smears of engine grease that

"Here." Emersyn extended her hand to Asha, pulling her up and off the ground. Asha yawned again, leaning into Emersyn's shoulder.

Emersyn, hand still in Asha's, led her to a different section of the same ridge Luma and Mark rested near. The drop-off made for a spectacular view, and Asha sighed happily at the sight. They both sat at the edge, and Emersyn scooted close enough that her feet dangled over the edge. It sent a rush of excitement through her body, and Emersyn felt a little kid again. Asha sat by her, her legs crossed together and her eyes only half-open.

"The night sky is beautiful tonight." Emersyn's soft voice broke the chilling silence gently, as if a still day was interrupted by a lazy breeze.

"Yes." Asha agreed.

"The stars in this dimension are brilliant." Emersyn whispered. There was a long pause as Emersyn admired the colors. Splashes of sparkling orange and pink like the earlier dusk, dark violet streaks and yellow patches. The assortment of colors, swirling and contrasting like a piece of art where the paint was splashed randomly. Emersyn was reminded of a picture she had once seen of a phenomenon in the human dimensions called "Aurora Borealis."

It was breathtaking. Emersyn turned to see what Asha thought of it, only to find that she had finally fell asleep.

Emersyn stood, tipping her head back to take the beautiful sight in.

And quietly, she sent a prayer to the night skies above, a plea for everything to be okay. 

A/N: well this is pretty much filler but it's okay filler, so I am fine with it. Warning, the next chapter will be more difficult for me to write, so I'm hoping to finish within the following week or so.

Dedicated to @xEmiliaForestx for her helpful spell/grammer checks and votes.