Vaalbara; Visions & Shadows (33 page)

~*~

After making sure Sarah and Sky were still holding on, we left them in the care of Isobel and Anna. Carlo was there to give Sky more attention and, of course, Jason made sure Sarah didn’t feel left out at all. Doug just smiled at the attention his sister was receiving. Antonio seemed to have accepted his fate, although he kept to himself, not able to look me in the eyes. Evin and Eamar stayed behind to make sure Antonio didn’t try something, and to guard our precious Chosen Ones.

             
That left me with Lee, Raighne, and Carter to retrieve Ben-Ami.

             
Carter shimmered us to a few feet outside the broken structure I had last seen Ben-Ami in. The plan was for Raighne and me to go in, while Lee and Carter flanked us.

             
Raighne held my hand as we made our way to what seemed to be the entrance. I could hear Ben-Ami’s cries as we began to get close. Immediately tears sprung to my eyes. I couldn’t help it; I felt connected to him. It felt like I shared his heartbreak.

             
As we entered the structure, which could once have been a house, I decided to call out to him so we wouldn’t startle him.

             
“Ben-Ami, can you hear me?” This was the one time I hoped I would start to stutter, it might put him at ease hearing how much we were alike. We heard him moving around in the room, though he didn’t come out. Slowly we edged our way closer.

             
“Ben-Ami, my name is Alchera. We mean you no harm.” I could hear him sniffing. We froze when we heard sounds of a gun being loaded.

             
I looked at Raighne, shaking my head, while mouthing the words not to hurt him. Raighne pushed me behind him.

             
“Sir, we are not here to harm you. You have been chosen by God to be saved from this dying Earth.”

             
Ben-Ami came out of the room. Although he held a gun in his right hand, Raighne couldn’t stop me when I moved towards him. I couldn’t stop myself. It felt like I was gliding on air. A feeling of wonder began to stir in my heart right before we heard Michael’s voice.

             
“You have come far, my dear Alchera.”

             
“Not without you forcing my hand.” Michael was the last Angel I ever wanted to see again.

             
“Alchera! Watch what you say.” Raighne’s voice was soft, but carried a firm warning.

             
“Do not fear for her, Raighne. She does not understand why these sad events have come to pass.” Michael moved closer to Ben-Ami and myself, though neither of us moved. We stood our ground, and that made me wonder how much Ben-Ami had to endure within his lifetime.

             
“Alchera, you have known hardship. Therefore you will understand the precious one standing before you now, for he is the
most
precious of them all. Just as you have lost your father and brother, he has lost his whole family. Just as you have been tortured, he has been tortured. Just as you have seen death, he has seen death.

             
“He also feels like
he
is in the clutches of evil. But what you both do not understand is that feeling of evil is nothing more than sorrow. Both of you only need time to mourn your losses, heal your wounds, and you will feel no evil.”

             
We stared at him, as if he’d just revealed hope - a way to escape from the shadows.

             
“Mourn, my children. Do not blame yourself for what has come to pass, but go home now and heal.” Michael looked down on Ben-Ami. “Awo would like to speak with you. Kneel down, child.”

             
Ben-Ami fell to the ground without any hesitation.

             
I stood in front of this broken man who had half of his body burned. Suddenly, wave after wave of pure bliss washed over me. I had never felt so at peace before. The feeling of love exploded in me; it was so overwhelming I thought I might burst. My skin tingled as a light shone around us. I felt…cleansed.

             
The voice we heard was as sharp as a double-edged sword, yet as gentle as a healer’s touch.

             
“Why do you still cry, my son? Forgiveness is mine to give, is it not? You ask me for death, yet I have promised you life. You ask me for death, yet I have promised you all the riches of the world. Your father, Abraham, stood before me not so long ago, and I promised him that all twelve tribes of Israel would thrive. It is the end of this Earth now, but I still hold my promise to my son. I have given you the name Ben-Ami, for it carries true meaning - ‘son of the people.’ You carry the blood of all twelve nations, Ben-Ami. Go with my son, Raighne, and my daughter, Alchera, for you were not responsible for the death of those children. I wait to hear your new prayers of joy, my child.”

             
I don’t know what happened after that. The light of peace seemed to swallow me whole.

~*~

Carter’s voice woke me, but I wasn’t fully awake. The land we were standing in was foreign; the atmosphere was tense.

             
I always thought she was the most beautiful sister until I saw you.

             
I followed Carter’s gaze until I saw what he was looking at. It was Elora, and she was as exquisite as ever. She was floating up in the air, her arms lifted towards the churning heavens. The skies were filled with the most ominous clouds - they were painted so many different colors I couldn’t begin to describe them all. Yet, they felt deadly…an announcement that this was truly the end.

             
Where the asteroid began to enter the atmosphere, the clouds absolutely blazed. The amazing varieties of pinks, purples, and blues, that faded into bright yellow and blistering orange were mesmerizing. This was the storm from Hell. A lead-in to the force of destruction that was about to be unleashed on Earth.

             
My vision blurred, and I could hear Elora’s voice whispering to me.

             
You will find her clothed in innocence. Do not waste time.
 

             
Elora’s voice scared me; she sounded so tired - drained of all her essence.

             
I couldn’t see anything around me anymore. And all I could hear was a baby’s cry echoing in the darkness.

             
She is so beautiful, Alchera.

             
My breath caught in my throat. Alandra had spoken.

Chapter Thirteen

Alandra’s Missing

I waited for you while you were gone.

I stayed while you remained absent.

I continued to look for you but you were lost.

Nowhere to be found…you remained missing.

You had simply vanished.

Why?

We were standing outside a large city in the middle of Vaalbara. The walls were made of jasper; their red-brown color shone like copper in the brilliant sunshine.

             
Aster and Alder were waiting for us with big warm smiles on their faces. “Welcome home, children. Come, bring Sarah and Ben-Ami, let them drink first.”

             
With Aster as our guide, we entered the great city through a high gate that seemed to have been carved from a huge pearl. And although the streets were pure gold, they looked as transparent as glass. I couldn’t resist; I knelt down to touch it. It was absolutely breathtaking!

             
This amazing light was all around us, making the world look as if it’d been created from small, sparkling crystals.

             
Aster’s smile grew wider as she watched the amazement in our eyes. Her lilting voice filled my ears, “The foundations of the Holy City are garnished with twelve layers of precious stones. The first layer is jasper, the second sapphire; then chalcedony, emerald, sardonyx, sardius, chrysolite, beryl, topaz, chrysoprasus, jacinth and last but, by no means least, our significant amethyst.”

             
Seeing some confused faces, she continued our education, “For those of you who know nothing about gems and crystals, more information is available in the Chapel. You will also attend classes to learn about your new home.” The Ten Chosen Ones followed behind her, as if caught in a trance.

             
In the middle of the city was a river flowing with crystal-clear water.

             
“This is the River of Life, children. It runs through the Holy City.” She smiled at each Chosen One in turn. “It is written that the Ten Chosen Ones are to drink from the River of Life, for there will be no more death.”

             
Sarah was the first to drink.

~*~

Leaving Jason and the others in the care of Alder and Aster, we moved back to our old camp.

             
Alandra was missing and we needed to concentrate on bringing her home.

             
Raighne, Carter, Evin, and I, were all who remained to go and search for Alandra. It felt odd being just a quartet.

             
It felt like I had run into a brick wall and everything around me was still moving along at full speed while I stood still. The vision I had right before we’d returned from Earth had left me with a huge feeling that things were very far from over. And that the worst, perhaps, was still to come.

             
Rolling my shoulders, I attempted to ease the tension away.

             
Fleur’s excited squeal came from behind me. “Alchera! Alchera!” She came storming into my tent. I hardly had time to stand up before she flung herself into my arms. It felt so good holding my dearest friend again. We both broke down in tears, standing like that for what felt like the most precious minutes of the past few days. I had missed her so much.

             
“Look at you.” She held me at arm’s length, her eyes gliding over me. “You are so thin.” Her soft pink eyes fixed on mine and lost their sparkle as she shook her head, her palm resting against my cheek.

             
“What has become of you, my friend? Your eyes, they have turned charcoal. Where would I begin to heal you?”

             
I smiled at her, taking her hand in mine. “You’ll have to wait on the healing, Fleur. Alandra’s missing. I have to find her first. After that I’ll be yours to do with as you wish.”

             
“I apologize for the interruption but we need Alchera in the palace.” Raighne looked refreshed after his bath and change of clothes, whereas I had spent my time worrying about my vision.

             
“Why?”

             
“Queen Azalea may be able to assist in finding Alandra. Evin is already there waiting for us.”

             
“I can’t meet her looking like this!” I looked at my pants stained with dried blood. I was filthy; my hair and clothes were covered with volcanic ash and dust. “Raighne, I can’t meet her.” Raighne and Fleur both realized I was begging for far more than just clean clothes. I was really not emotionally prepared to meet my mother for the first time.

             
“Fleur, can you give us a moment alone, please?” She squeezed my hand before leaving the room. I felt uncomfortable talking about the subject, and needed something to keep my hands busy, so I made for my bedroom.

             
I started washing my face, hoping I could wash my confusion away at the same time.

             
“Why do you find it so hard to meet with her? You had no problem meeting with your father?”

             
I jerked my head up, my eyes blazing like charcoals set alight. “My father came to me when I needed him the most! His arms were the first thing I felt that night. His voice was the first sound I heard; his tears were the first I saw.” I took a moment to breathe. I wasn’t going to cry, not for this woman I was expected to call mother who’d abandoned me. “Where was
she
when my soul was torn? Where was
she
when my body was broken? I ask you, Raighne, where was my mother when I needed her most?” I bent forward again, trying to get all the dirt out of my hair, but failing. My hands were shaking too much.

             
Raighne began to wash my hair for me. Something so trivial, yet it meant so much. “She wanted to come but your father had instructed her to remain in the castle. He did not want her to see you like that, Alchera. He wanted to spare her the sight of you.” He pulled me up to dry my hair. “She is the kindest, most loving person you will meet. You will see that when you meet her. She loves you.”

             
Raighne kissed me on my trembling lips.

             
“Cherish your mother while you have her, Alchera. Do it for me.”

~*~

We were waiting outside the throne room for the Queen to see us. I didn’t think I would be so nervous waiting to meet my own mother but, here I was, ready to start biting my nails down to the nub.

             
We were sitting like ducks in a row. Raighne first, then me, followed by Carter and Evin.

             
“She said she could sense you.” My head snapped up in the direction of Evin’s distressed voice. “Sense her, Alchera. Sense her! Surely you can
feel
where she is?” He came to kneel in front of me.

             
“What feeling?” I felt bad for not knowing.

             
“She felt you, how can you not feel her?” He began to get angry with me, causing Raighne and Carter both to rise.

             
“Calm down, Evin. This is not her fault.” Raighne’s words were barely out when the door to the throne room edged open. Eamar stepped out, his eyes set on his kneeling son.

             
“The Queen will speak with you now.” I frowned.

             
“What is the matter?” he asked.

             
“Are you sure that her
Highness
has time for an audience with me? I really don’t want to impose.” I was being really snippy now. The teenager in me couldn’t be stopped.

             
“I apologize for keeping you, Alchera. I wanted to look my very best for you. They say it is the first impression that is the one that lasts forever, though it does appear as if I have failed to make a good impression on you after all.”

             
I wished I could’ve taken back my words when my eyes fell on her. She looked like an older version of Elora with her golden hair, though she had Alandra’s dark eyes. Damn! She looked so vulnerable - this beautiful woman who stood in front of me. I moved closer, taking in a deep breath. I couldn’t see myself anywhere in her face.

             
“I am sorry for my thoughtless words.” She smiled at me and that’s when I saw the resemblance. I had her smile.

             
“It has been so long, my daughter, yet you stand there and not in my arms?” I looked at her powder blue gown, then down at my dirty clothes, and shook my head.

             
“I do not care what you are wearing. It has been too long for these empty arms of mine!” She took hold of me with such urgency that tears formed in my eyes. The smell of lavender surrounding me. “Oh, to hold Eryon’s baby in my arms. Awo has blessed me again.” She held me at arm’s length, her fingers tracing my face. “You truly look like your father.”

             
“My Queen, I hate to sadden this moment for you, but there is the matter of Alandra.” Eamar’s voice was so caring. I’d never heard him talk like that to anyone before.

             
“You need my help.” My mother didn’t take her eyes off me.

             
“We need your help in finding Alandra, my Queen.” Raighne stepped forward, bowing slightly as he addressed my mother.

             
“Please teach Alchera how to sense Alandra. Alandra is somewhere out there and we need to find her before it is too late. Please.” Evin was so out of character; the worry was written all over his face.

             
“It is not something that can be taught. They were born with this bond.” My mother took my hands. “Alchera, you need to look deep within yourself to find it.” Her voice was soft and even. Then she looked so deep into my eyes it almost felt like I was looking at Alandra for a second.

             
“Your sisters are a part of you. You share the same bond - the same blood. Look into your heart. They are there, as you are in theirs. Alandra is out there calling for you at this very moment, you just have to answer her.” My mother suddenly inhaled sharply, horror flashing across her face. “Alchera! What stirs inside you?”

             
I yanked my hands away as pins and needles set in, shock registering on my face. What had just happened? I looked at my mother with large eyes before turning and running blindly from the throne room.

             
Raighne caught up with me just outside the door. I had better luck becoming pregnant from wind pollination than outrunning him.

             
“Alchera, what happened?”

             
“Nothing, I just need some time alone. Please, Raighne, just give me space. I need to think.” I appreciated that his arms were always there to comfort me, but this I had to do alone. I had to find Alandra and I had to start inside me, where there was still only shadows.

             
“All right, but I will wait for you at your tent. We do not have long.” He gave me a quick hug. I could feel his intense eyes following me as I ran down the passage and out of the castle.

             
Innocence!

             
Elora’s one word made me trip over my own feet and I slammed into the grass. Somehow I had ended up at the Virtutes Falls. I waded my way to the curtain - the doorway to Alandra. I didn’t have a destination in mind, but I could still feel Elora and, strangely enough, through her I could also feel Alandra.

             
I closed my eyes and, for the first time in my life, took a leap of faith.

~*~

When I came through the other side I fell into a pool of icy cold water. The pool was deep and I had to kick myself to the surface. It was a short distance to the muddy bank, though with my clothes weighing me down it felt like I had done a few laps before I’d reached shore. I stood on the bank, shivering in the snow and chilly wind, not knowing what to do next.

             
There was a worn out trail leading somewhere which I decided to follow. Not that I had much of a choice, it was that or stand still and freeze my butt off. Maybe Alandra had come through this waterfall and headed down the same trail. It was the best I could do at the moment.

             
The trail was steep and long. By the time I got to the end I was half dry and frozen stiff. A small gift shop, a restroom, and a parking area greeted me as I rounded the last bend. This was obviously some sort of tourist attraction I had stumbled upon. I made for the gift shop, hoping I would be able to find out where in the world I was.

             
The shop was closed. Just my luck. I tried peeking through the windows, but it didn’t help much. I was still stuck outside freezing to death.