TERRA: Age Of Terror

~7~

.Athena.

~Acies~

A very tearful Senna and worried Sylas now sit staring at me transfixed in my living room. "Athena" Sylas looks up at me. "You might want to settle in for this. Please have a seat."

So many awful possibilities run through my head. I move to take a seat on the bean bag at the corner of the room. Staring at Sylas, I anticipated his response. He stares at his hands unspeaking. Senna, her eyes red from crying, musters all the strength she could and gets up. She stumbles over and Sylas and I rush to get aid. Still weak from crying, she says "Athena, we are all in danger. M—my father is in danger, my mother, everyone!" her face now displaying more anger than sadness she continues, "Let me tell you a story."

I was so confused... A story? Now? I nodded my head however, and let her continue.

""""

Long ago, before all the 6 kingdoms we have here were formed, much before the foundations of the world as we know it was laid; there existed Verbum. An entity with intense power, capable of creating and destroying a world. The world as we know it was built from this entity. However, humankind had strayed from its presence; From Its glory. For years, rounding up to even centuries; this entity was lost. It wasn't until much later, a man named Pater, King of Fratrum re-discovered it; in the form of a crystal. It was Beautiful and star shaped

He and his household held high regard towards this crystal. They kept it in their family for generations even millennials until the great Kingdom, Roma rose to power. In their beauty and glory they took the household of Pater, and merged with it. Pater's generation had become subject to the three laws of Roma.

During this time, a young man named Mycah was born. He lived his life a humble man. He was one a fish monger in the local market. One particular afternoon, while he was sleeping, he received a vision. In the vision he saw a beam fall from heaven onto the land he stayed. This beam grew brighter and brighter, and eventually became absorbed by the ground. The ground, upon taking the beam, dispersed it everywhere, to other lands, continents, kingdoms. He told his brethren about the vision and together, they agreed to split the crystal.

The crystal was located in the heart of where the people of Pater lived. Managing to take this crystal without the authorities' knowledge, they distributed it amongst the now six kingdoms. These men were hunted down by the authorities. Most of them died protecting the integrity of this crystal.

Years later, the crystal ingrained with humanity, its essence Verbum living in us. Thereby resulting in the Eternals; us. Some of the brethren, 'the disciples' they called themselves had journals about this crystal. Power and might flowed from it, inspiring these men and women. Most of these journals and chronicles are long lost, buried with the crystal. However, Mycah's were stored in the Fratrum reliquary. That is until the king of LI found one.

""""

"I don't know how." Senna continues. "But he found one of Mycah's scrolls and stole it. It didn't mention the eternals; but it was still very important."

"What does this mean? I still don't understand." I reply.

"He intends to raid Fratrum -the descendants of Pater, and steal the crystal. These journals tell him not only where they are located, but how to get and use them. He—in the process of using the crystal; this new found power would destroy us all: only those blessed by verbum can handle the crystal. He wants there to be one government. He wants to become a god. To be worshipped. Anyone, who poses any threat whatsoever to him would be killed, Fratrum royalties would be killed. We can't let him—Ki—kill my father."

Senna burst into tears once more, falling on the floor. Sylas rushes to her. "I am so sorry." He says. He looks up to me and responds, "They have sent the threat to her father, King Titus. They intend to raid Fratrum. Fratrum is the only kingdom right now with most of the ancient scrolls, and King Titus is one of the two people that can fully understand the scrolls... the other is Senna."

"My father told me not to return, Atty!" Senna wails. "My father is afraid I will be found out or worse; die. He wants me to stay here. I'm afraid, what if they kill him?"

"Don't say that!" Sylas snaps. "Everything would be fine. Trust me."

"What can we do? We are done for. All of us!" Senna continues.

I retreat back to my room to think. I lock all doors and leave Sylas to comfort Senna. I look outside my window, and remember, how beautiful my life had been, until I got kicked out. This is different, harder, but nevertheless, change happens. Walking out of my room, and carefully moving downstairs, I head to where Cartia is. I see her sleeping, and the most satisfied smile appears on my face. I raise her hair up to expose the back of her neck. Slowly I stroke the star she had been born with. I would not lose Cartia, not now, not ever.

I march back to the living room with a new found purpose. "Here's what we are going to do. We are going to stop the king of LI. We are going to bring and an end to his reign of terror, now and forever."

"H—how?" Senna replies.

"We were given these gifts; out of mercy we received these talents. And out of gratitude we would fight back. We would fight all opposition of the enemy. We would fight to our last breath. To see our future generation happy, to know that the future is governed by light we would fight. We would fight, till all the blood in our veins has gone to the ground and dried up. No matter what happens, we will keep fighting. If Fratrum is where he is headed, Fratrum is where we are."

Senna, looking much more hopeful stands up and smiles. "Thank you." She says. "I—I will go pack my things."

"Yea, me too..." I look into the kitchen, knowing I would have to leave precious Cartia alone. I would have to give her to my grandma. I feel sad at the thought of leaving her. But to protect the ones you love, you have to let them go. I head to the room to pack my things. We would be going soon, I trust Senna. She says her thanks and prepares to leave, when Sylas pulls me aside.

"How did you do that?!"

"Do what?" I respond.

"Make her feel so... yunoo, happy, relieved. I have being trying to get her mind off the matter since we heard the news."
"No... stop trying to pretend the problem doesn't exist. It does, so let's face it squarely."

Clearly filled with new found respect for me, he and Senna leave. I watch them trail off for a while, before making a turn down the street. Obviously Sylas was distraught that we were going to stand up against LI. But it had to be done.

"For Cartia." I say

I make for the landline in the corner of the room.

I look back at the kitchen one more time. "Hello grandma... I—might be gone for a while..."

....

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