Flaws in the Sky

The Sun

  "The sun, the moon and the stars would have disappeared long ago... had they happened to be within the reach of predatory human hands."

-Havelock Ellis

  I stood quietly in the middle of the bedroom. I could still hear the ringing from the slammed door. Kalyo has officially left my life, so why do I feel this way? The weight from my chest is still there, pressing up against my grieving heart. I rested my hand on top of my heart and ever so slightly, I let my hand drift to the hill of my stomach. The living being in my stomach, doesn't have a blood relation to my husband. I've completely betrayed the entire Onishi family. I looked at the family ring that laid snug around my thumb. The burning in my throat intensified with every breath. Suddenly, the door opened with great force. My husband, Sin'ichi appeared before me. Though, I wish it was Kalyo. We made eye contact and a large smile ran across his face. I wanted him to say it. I wanted him to tell me that my children were found, or that this was all just a bad dream. He walked up to me and pulled me into a tight embrace. "We haven't found them yet." He whispered smoothly in my ear. My arms refused to wrap around his body. My heart continued to crack and crumble.

  I was plagued with sadness and anger. "Then why are you back?" I asked. Sin'ichi seemed shocked by my answer and broke the hug. "Well, I need more reinforcements and horses. There appears to be a strange force in the Lavalher Forest.. That's where Ayako and Ayumi were spotted in last." Shock hit me like an arrow when he answered me. Nothing but fear followed. "A strange force? Do you mean something similar to a ball of light?" Sin'ichi tilted his head to the side slightly. "How did you kno-" With adrenaline rushing through my body I ran past Sin'ichi and raced out the door. I could hear him yelling my name but I ignored. I had to get there before him. I ignored every maid, butler, and guard I sped past. They also called for me, but there was nothing anyone could do to stop me. The Portal of No Return was in that forest and I'll be damned to lose my children to such an evil life force. Every turn I took, Every flight of stairs served as an obstacle between me and my children and I had to overcome it. I used to be a soldier, I can save them.

  I reached the large front doors that belonged to the castle, They were already wide open. A violent thunderstorm was awaiting outside. It didn't matter to me. I rushed outside and saw horses lined up in front of the open gates. The rain was pounding everywhere as I rushed to a white stallion. I softly rubbed his snout to calm him down before jumping up on his back. As I grabbed on to the ropes to guide the horse I let out a hearty "Yah!" . The white stallion took no time to hesitate as he ran off with the speed of 10 stallions.  I could hear the sound of metal clanking together and stressed cries from behind me. Thankfully the guards didn't get to me before. Then I heard him yell, "Humiyah!" my husband's voice roared louder than the storm. But I couldn't stop now.

  I raced through the streets of the kingdom. Why was the night so busy!? Civilians walked along the roads as if this was a peaceful afternoon. Even the marketplace was still bustling with vendors and buyers. "Move!" I yelled from the bottom of my soul before I reached the group of people before me. They all looked in shock and made sure to make way for me. I passed the busy people hastily and made my way to the large gates of the entire kingdom. An exasperated "Ah!" left my lips as the gate was also open. Before that gate stretched empty land. But if you were to make a slight left, that forsaken forest could be found. How on earth did they make it here?! The dark terrain of trees reached my vision. In the heart of the forest is where that portal was. My grandparents told me about this place long ago. My mother went missing once entering the forest and that devil-made magic is why. Years ago this forest was called the Point of No Return before Sin'ich's great grandfather renamed it. He should've kept the name.

  I cannot lose them, my only source of happiness was in that forest waiting to be found again.

  Once entering the forest, The storm got worse. But this stallion was a strong one as he hasn't faltered yet. "Yah!" I yelled once more to milk out any motivation he has left to run faster. We were almost there I could feel it. It was faint but I could slightly see the light. "I'm almost th- " Suddenly, a bright and defined bolt of lightning hit one of the large trees before us. The crashing sound made my ears ring and the ground shook. The crack of lightning terrified the horse and he tried to buck me off. The ropes I were grasping tightly to guide the horse were so slippery with the rain my hands slipped. I had nothing to defend myself against the scared horse and successfully, the horse managed to send me flying off. He pushed me off to a large tree and but I never got the chance to hit the ground. My reflexes caused me to grab a branch from the tree I was hauled to. I landed on my feet safely and looked around... Shit! 

  There he goes, the horse was running away from where we came from. I shook my head. It's fine, I'm not that far. I started running towards that light. I was so close. The rain was beating against my back and I slipped multiple times because of the wet mud under me. But finally I was there. The portal shined before me. The Portal of No Return. Once you enter you can never come back. I yelled with all my might "Ayako!... Ayumi!" there was no answer among the violent rain fall. I tried to call again "Ay-" I sucked my teeth In pain. I stepped on something relatively sharp. I lifted my foot and picked up the shiny object. The family ring.. tailored for only a child's finger. I examined the ring and looked at mine on my thumb. Its the same design. I examined it more to only see the name "Ayako" engraved on the inside of the ring. I looked at the portal to my right and back at the ring.

  Immense pain raced through every vein in my body. The realization that they've left this earth filled me with despair as I fell to my knees. Even though the thunder and rain were as loud as a stampede of cattle, my wails towards the sky were louder. I screamed for the loss of my children knowing I'll never see them again. I could hear the guards catching up with their horses yet I still continued to scream in grief. "Humiyah!" Sin'ichi called out for me. I looked over and saw him in front of me on his horse, a white horse alongside him. That was the same horse I rode on. Through my torn vocal chords I managed out the only words I could think of. 

  "There.. gone"