*I'm finally here with a new chapter at long last! So sorry for the super long wait and suspense. Things happen, y'know? Ya.*
*And "new" it is! So many new things. Wow!*
*The new POVs will only appear sometimes, so not all the time. Only sometimes. Like when I feel like it. And when it's like important. Ya.*
*The names actually do mean something. Go search for yourselves! Ancient languages combined with creativity. Yay.*
*This chapter is pretty emotional, too. Just to warn you!*
*Well, now read! (hehe)*
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CALLIAH
"
No!" I shriek, a sudden rush of adrenalin rushing through me. "You'll never get away with this. Not ever!" Tears stream down my face as I run up to the guard from behind and force his arm down, intercepting him from any further actions. I start breathing heavily, feeling that sudden rush of adrenalin escape my body.
The guard, who is much stronger than me, turns around. His dark black eyes stare right on through me. My hazel eyes are no match to the intensity of his gaze. I tremble, a feeling of fear rushing down my spine. He blinks and says calmly, his voice like that fabric. Like silk. "Care to tell me what you are doing, miss?"
I still tremble. "I... I..."
He rolls his eyes. "Then I best be on my way. I have things to take care of." He turns around halfway, in the direction of the door- to freedom. But I won't let him enter the freedom of the world. Not just yet.
My eyes flash as I control myself again. "He is the only one I have. He is the other one you are looking for. Us two are the last living cursed ones. Cursed by despicable acts done by hatred and love. But I won't let you get a hold of him. Not today." I pause, my eyes still wet even though no more tears come. "I... I murdered his father to protect him. I knew that he'd stop at nothing to wipe any phantom-related descendant off the face of Jamaa. If I hadn't done what I have done, we will both be dead at this very moment. His job had rushed to his head. Relationships would just become past memories, vanishing into the dust. He worked with the government to fight against the phantoms. Eternal was dedicated to his job. He was very dedicated indeed. He would stop at nothing. Nothing at all." I take a breath.
"Along with our Jamaasian names, stuck to the code, Duke and I also have names in the ancient language of the phantoms. My name is Calliah, which means "concealing shadow", and his is Fierdan, meaning "little fire." His name truly symbolizes who he is, even though he doesn't even know he has a second first name."
The guard looks at me, then back to the door again. "Very well then." Before I can realize it, the door opens and shuts. Leaving me alone in the room. I close my eyes.
"I don't care how much you despise me. I admit, I do deserve all of it. It's my fault for not sharing the truth to you. And that is why I am the most regretful. We might be bound by the forces of evil, but I will try my best to protect you from the true evil. At all costs, I will protect you. Including my life. Duke, please forgive me..."
I open my eyes and sigh, knowing the answer would be "no."
FAUNA
Recently, Eternal has been acting different. He's not as open to us as he usually is. Or once was. It's almost as if a fading shadow surrounds him. He won't even talk to Duke's aunt and uncle. He's trying to isolate himself from us. But why?
I shrug. I look at the surrounding atmosphere. Beyond the golden colors of heaven, I see a warm rainbow of colors. Iridescent glass. I marvel at the beauty of it all. There are always going to be harder things to reach that are unable to be reached. Some things do exist. Even in "heaven."
But it's not only the iridescent glass being unattainable. So much more...
DUKE
We're both well beyond the usual forest-type areas back at home. I don't even remember the last time we saw an actual tree. Or bush. Or any green grass. I look down at the dead, brittle grass, longing it to come back to life. I then sigh. I kick the dry ground with a toe in frustration. I should be the one to know that once something is dead, it can never be alive again. And nothing can ever bring it back.
I fight back the tears. All the memories of dead loved ones coming back to me. Twinkle was so close to adding on to that list. The list of the dead. Why am I thinking this now? I look up again.
"We can take a break here if you want. We've been walking all day." I hear Twinkle's soothing voice over one shoulder.
"Yeah, " I say, then sniff. "Let's take a break." I lay down in the brown grass. It isn't as comfortable as the flowing green grass near the Tall Tower back at home.
Despite that, I fall instantly asleep. The heat, hot as boiling blood, washing over me.
TWINKLE
Since I'm exhausted as well, I curl up beside Duke and fall asleep. My head against his rising and falling chest. Falling asleep to the rhythm of his heart.
After sleeping like this for quite a while, I suddenly feel Duke's chest rise and fall in its not usual pattern. Starting to get worried, I get up. I push my hair away from my hot and sweaty neck. It's so hot where we are. So hot that it looks like we are the only living creatures here for miles. I take a long breath.
I'm interrupted by the sound of coughing. Unusual coughing. Concerned, I look towards the direction of his face. Right in front of the tip of his nose, I see a puddle of blood. I gasp. What happened?
As if by cue, I watch Duke's body convulse and cough up blood. His body then quivers like it's cold. But when I place a paw on the top of his snout, it feels like my paw just got burned.
I go up to whisper in his ear, "Duke, wake up. Oh, please wake up!"
"Huh wha?" I hear him mumble as he slowly blinks open his eyes.
"Oh thank Zios," I say before looking at his eyes. When I do, it feels like I am staring at the eyes of death. I see a drop of blood clinging to his bottom lip. It also feels like I'm staring at the face of death.
This isn't just ordinary heatstroke. It's something far more serious. I want to cry out for help, but my throat is too dry to do so.
"Anyone there? Anyone?" I weakly call out, my throat raw. "We need help. Please somebody..."
After losing my hopes of anyone finding us, I curse the mysterious voice. Why did it lead us here?
I sniff. I look away from the dark blue sky, and focus my gaze on Duke. I whisper so faint it's barely audible. "Survive.... It's the only thing we have left."
I don't fall asleep again for the rest of the night.
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