Paladin

And It Broke My Family

The quiet coalition of voices woke Illyria up; the first thing she saw was a cupcake with a sixteen-candle sticking out of it. She stared at it for a few moments before her eyes instinctually went to her bedroom door opening.

"Salted caramel, your favourite," Umma came in with a steaming bowl of noodles. "But first, let's get your strength up."

Illyria twirled the noodles around her fork, shoving it into her face unceremoniously, "But what's going on downstairs? I thought I said I didn't want to do anything for my birthday this year."

"Oh, it's not your birthday anymore," Aaliyah gave a gentle smile. "But your father and I have decided to do something we should've done a long time ago-" Illyria stopped chewing. "We're going to bond in Ishidil. It probably is the cause of all this."

"That's not true-or safe! Or you would've bonded a long time ago," Illyria placed the bowl on her nightstand but even that action exhausted her. "If bonding would have fixed all our problems, then why didn't you do it before you sent Sofia away?"

"Because you collapsed on your sixteenth birthday, Illyria. We saw this before with Alyaan," Illyria's face blanched at the name and her mother paused briefly. "Sofia kept getting blackouts because of her powers and you collapsed because your ascension isn't going to be normal or easy. We have to go to Ishidil."

"We'll be back before you know it," Her father strode in casually and placed a dagger on her bedspread. "In the meantime, why don't you keep this safe for me?"

"What if you get caught?" She attempted to dissuade her parents and then fully took in the dagger. "Wait-isn't this the Excalibur? Am I the only one being logical?! You two are acting insane."

Her parents laughed before engaging in full-belly guffawing and Illyria was forced to really contemplate on their mental states; she remained silent when John came in with Eima and Rufus, Laith cradled in his arms.

"Why am I not surprised that you guys are involved?" Illyria flopped down in her head; her head was beginning to hurt again.

"It's a foolproof plan. Amanah is going to get them in and Rufus is getting them out," John assured her. "We have someone who's willing to bond them."

"And I suppose your staying here to babysit Laith?" Illyria said, noticing that her bedroom was becoming busy.

"And you," Baba said, and they gave her a kiss on each cheek before leaving.

"Don't get caught," Illyria shouted as they showed her their backs.

***

Illyria waited patiently and did her homework as time passed by; she didn't want to fall behind. Then she vomited and had to take a shower.

"Illyria, why don't you go to sleep for a bit?" John sat beside Illyria on the sofa, his eyes drooping as caring for Laith was much harder than he originally had thought. "It's nearly 3am and they'll be here soon."

"I'll go to sleep when they're back," Illyria switched from the news channel, determined to stay awake until they returned.

Hours passed until the sun rose and John's snoring drove Illyria insane. A three-step knock prevented Illyria from delving into the realm of dreams and woke John up, "See. Told you they'd be back."

Illyria was stiff on the sofa, the hair on her neck stood straight and she could feel bile rising from the back of her throat, "John, get a transit mechanism and go to the safe house with Laith."

"What? Why?" John rubbed the sleep from his eyes.

"I have a bad feeling. If its my parents, then one of us will come get you but you should go with Laith now," Illyria got the spare transit mechanism that was stuck under the coffee table.

"Then you and Laith should go to the safe house," John argued and then shook his head, "This is crazy. It's just your parents-"

"John, I have a bad feeling and I need you to protect my little brother. You're not supposed to be in the Human World anyway." Illyria tried to convince John as he painstakingly picked Laith up and rocked him back and forth. "If I'm being crazy, we can all laugh about it later, okay?"

"I don't know, Illyria-" Whoever was at the door knocked more insistently and they both looked at the door with trepidation.

Illyria activated the transit mechanism and pushed John and Laith in one fluid motion; she closed it, hearing John shouting at her from the other side as the door blew up and debris fell in multiple directions.

"Weapons on the floor," Someone shouted, and Illyria crushed the transit mechanism under her foot and slid the remnants of the device under the couch.

She keeled over when she felt a stabbing sensation on her stomach and slid down to the ground, curling up in ball and barely heard a commanding voice say, "Secure the premises. If you find anyone, make sure they're disarmed and bring them here."

She heard someone walking towards and he said, "Illyria Rei?"

"Who's asking?" Illyria mustered what energy she had.

"General Major Vilath," He stopped momentarily. "Also, your uncle."

Illyria giggled, before occupying herself into a fit of laughter. Ten armed soldiers looked at one another uncertainly and jumped back in disgust when Illyria vomited on the shoes of their General Major.

"I don't feel so good," Illyria mumbled, wiping sick off the corner of her mouth.