Heaven Saga 1: The Lost Hero Page 25

  “What’s he talking about?” Maya Obril asked, looking to Celestia. Others followed, asking similar questions.

  “Is he speaking the truth?” Daes Rilmai asked.

  Celestia turned to her fellow nobles. “What the Rakna Maigar speaks is the truth. I’ve been receiving reports for the last five years on this subject. The commoners’ feelings on this matter are clear. If we don’t change something, our economy will fall apart and that in turn will spread chaos.”

  “Such insolence!” the nobles shouted.

  “We’ve never experienced anything like this before,” Ryn Milriel said.

  Celestia turned to Brian. “What can we do to stop a revolution?”

  “Begin with the immediate emancipation of the commoners,” he answered.

  “But that’s against the will of the goddess,” Maya Obril said. “To go against the laws of Kali is blasphemy.”

  He laughed, shaking his head. “Your laws can only shield you so long.”

  Chapter 48 – Callun Kamiya

  Standing outside the hall where Brian was meeting with the nobility, Jabril stood quietly and listened. Her second, a lieutenant commander with short green hair stood next her.

  “Everything’s ready commander,” she reported.

  Jabril smiled. “It’s sooner than we anticipated, but the day’s finally come.”

  “What if the nobles don’t accept his demands?” asked one of her subordinates.

  Jabril pointed to Brian. “There stands the Herald sent to us by the Teacher. If we’re to ever take back Kalaidia, today’s the day it’s going to happen.”

  The royal guards massed together and rallied behind their leader.

  * * *

  “How far has the threat of revolution spread?” Maya Obril asked.

  Brian calmly looked at all of the nobles. “The revolutionaries have infiltrated every part of your government and military, including the royal guard.”

  The nobles were beside themselves and whispered fervently about what to do.

  He paced the perimeter of the hall. “You feel time isn’t on your side. All I ask is that you end the age of tyranny and free the people of your world.”

  “That’s an easy thing to say, but not to implement,” Maya Obril said. “If we free them, how are they to live? Are we required to compensate them, what about their homes?”

  “That’s true!” Ryn Milriel shouted. “The chaos of freeing so many might destroy us faster than the revolution you’re speaking of!”

  “What gives you the right to judge us?!” Daes Rilmai asked.

  More nobles shouted at him, making similar remarks. Brian turned to the doors leading out. “I believe that’s your queue Commander Jabril.”

  A moment later, Jabril and the royal guards stormed in brandishing their rakna lances and pulse rifles.

  Jabril went to him. “You could tell just by looking at me I was the leader?”

  He shrugged. “It was a guess actually, but I figured you knew something about it.”

  Celestia stood up, shocked to see her trusted guards point weapons at the nobles. She glared at Jabril as she stood next to Brian.

  “Jabril?” she asked.

  “I’m sorry my Queen, but this was inevitable. Kalaidia has stagnated for over a hundred years and the time for change is now! What Brian speaks of is the path we must take. None of us wants to revolt. Neither do we wish to kill anyone. We just want the nobles to wake up from their slumber and see the horror that is our world.”

  * * *

  Seles flew the Mjolnir to Vaelis. As she flew over the city, she saw the streets filled with people watching massive screens at various hubs across the capital. They watched as Brian and the royal guards took control of the High Court. She landed the Mjolnir outside the High Court and opened the front hatch.

  “It looks like another mess out there,” Mira said as Seles went outside.

  “Yeah,” she said. She stared at the crowd and seeing their expression of uncertain hope. “Take care of everything until we get back.”

  Mira nodded. As Seles lowered herself to the ground, she was beset by a horde of confused soldiers and commoners. Each asked the princess what was going on and who to listen to. Seles waved her hands to quiet the crowd.

  “I know you’re afraid!” she said. “My fellow Kalaidians, he speaks the truth! Once you’ve tasted freedom, you’ll never give it back! Now let me through so I can set things right!”

  The crowd split to allow her through.

  * * *

  Celestia was defeated. “I‘ll hear the grievances given by Brian for the commoners. In addition, we’ll set the commoners to their own design. Please Brian; end this before it turns violent.”

  Brian turned to Jabril. “Take the guards outside for now. I don’t think they like having weapons at their throats while they make major decisions.”

  Jabril raised her hand and the guards began filing out of the chamber. She turned back to him. “If we’re needed, just ask.” She saluted. “You’re the Herald the Teacher said would come. Please guide us back onto the right path.”

  * * *

  Seles was nearing the main chamber when she ran into a number of royal guards. She noticed they weren’t wearing the royal crest on their uniforms. When she came to the main doors she ran into Jabril.

  “What are you going to do Lady Seles?” Jabril asked.

  Seles smiled. “Please don’t call me that Jabril. As for what I’m going to do, I’m not sure. I’ll do as I must and nothing less.”

  “Good luck Seles,” Jabril said as she left.

  Seles went inside and saw Brian taking a verbal beating from the nobles. He turned and stared. The nobles went silent as she joined Brian. Celestia looked down at her daughter.

  “I’ll consider concessions only if you return Seles to my custody,” Celestia said.

  “Brian,” Seles said he turned and smiled at her.

  “Don’t worry,” he said before turning back to Celestia. “As I said before, Seles is not for me to give. You say that concessions will be given, so give one now Queen of Kalaidia. Words are hollow; give your people an action that speaks the truth! Set your daughter free!”

  The nobles remained silent while Celestia stared at the pair. “No. Seles is vital to our government. I can’t allow her to run free.”

  He could tell Celestia was speaking for the nobility and not herself. She’s bound by the nobles around her. He looked at the crowd and then to Seles. It’s time I use their special law. He kissed Seles passionately, catching her and the nobles off guard. After a moment of silence he pulled away.

  “I love you,” he said. “Since the first time we met, you’ve always been there giving me hope. My life would have no meaning if I never met you Seles. I give my life to you. I’d suffer any hardship, be it the Kai, or death itself.”

  The nobles stood with their mouths agape. Seles smiled playfully and slapped him lightly on the cheek. “You’re such a big fool. Don’t forget I feel the same as you.” She pulled him down to her level again and kissed him again. She pulled back, blushing. “What’s the plan?”

  “Something that hasn’t been done in many years Seles,” he answered.

  He drew his rakna blade and walked to the center of the floor before driving the blade into the ground. Looking up, he knew the older nobles recognized this ritual. He looked directly at Celestia. “As you’ve said yourself Celestia, I’m a citizen of this world now. As such I’m subject to its laws and rights.”

  “What are you doing?” Celestia asked.

  “Zin du monda lan manu e Kali, ju Brian Peterson, hondi mon san do e Callun Kamiya ave Seles Daevon. No one in the lands of Kali may dispute this right, save for the Kali, her direct representative, or that representative’s proxy. If this right is disputed, please step forward now.”

  “But you aren’t Kalaidian,” Maya Obril said. Many of the other nobles repeated the sentiment.

  He smiled. “I‘ve read your laws extensively and found
that nowhere in the right of Callun Kamiya does it state I must be of the same species. It simply states that I must be a male of the age of majority. I’m male and twenty two years old.”

  The nobles called up the law on their computers and found it in the very unused section of the legal system. Celestia drew her rakna blade and walked down the stairs to him. The other nobles tried to stop her, but she walked through them while brushing them aside. Brian stood next to his sword waiting for her to act. She stopped in front of him.

  “You’re well versed in our laws. As I have no Rakna Maigarda, only I or the goddess may dispute this union. Does Seles mean that much to you?” she asked, looking to her daughter.

  “Yes,” he answered.

  “You could simply steal her away, so why go through all this?” Celestia asked.

  “One act of liberty can begin washing away the pain of tyranny,” he reached out with his hand, “Let us begin anew Celestia. It’s time to set them her free, once and for all.”

  Celestia stood for a moment, pointing her rakna at him. Sighing, she lowered her blade and set it on the ground in front of him. “Even if I wished to, there’s no way I’d be able to defeat you in single combat.” She turned to the other nobles. “Brian may be Terran. He may have round ears. His eyes and hair are colors we’re not used to. Even his beliefs are foreign. His size is larger than we’re accustomed to. But if he and Seles are to be as one, I cannot dispute it.” She turned to Brian and took his hand. “Let us hope this union bridges a lasting alliance between Kalaidia and Terra Prime.”

  “Thank you mother,” Seles said as she hugged Celestia.

  Celestia whispered into Seles’s ear, “For a long time I’ve wanted to do this, but I didn‘t have the strength to let you go. I’m sorry I wasn’t the mother you needed all these years.”

  The nobles began grumbling again. Celestia waved them off. “I recognized Brian Peterson as the Herald spoke of by the Teacher. Let his words be heard and let us know their worth. As Queen of Kalaidia, I declare the commoners be free!”

  Across the worlds of Kali the crowds cheered in celebration. The nobles stood stunned and eyed their queen like she’d gone mad. Brian stepped forward.

  “Nobles and commoners of Kalaidia, I propose a transitional period of ten years. The nobles will continue meeting and the queen will still have power. I suggest to the commoners and revolutionaries you set up a body similar to the nobles, a House of Commons so to speak. To ensure the transition occurs, the House of Commons will have equal power to the nobles and the queen. I’ll forward plans for such a governing body to your leaders shortly, as well as to the queen and nobility. Should ten years pass and my words not are made real, I will return to ensure that you, the people of Kali, are free at last.”

  * * *

  Jita stood in the hall and watched the scene inside the High Court. Myden appeared from the shadows and stood beside him.

  “He’s set into motion something that can’t be stopped my friend,” Myden said telepathically to the Mylor ambassador.

  “Many think he’s too dangerous. Words of freedom ring like warning bells to those amongst the younger races,” Jita said.

  They watched as Seles and Brian embraced. “Are any charges to be pressed against them?”

  “No,” Jita answered. “He’s a special case. The laws against interspecies mixing will likely be waived by those in power.”

  “One of his crew members, the Maiden of Life is trying to find a way to mix his blood with theirs. Are you against such research?” Myden asked.

  Jita turned to leave. “The Maigars of old will walk the stars again one day. A great war is on the horizon and we’ll need all the capable warriors the galaxy can offer. If they are pure blooded Terran or half breed, it matters not. The power Terrans’ hold is the most powerful of all, even surpassing ours General Myden.”

  * * *

  Mira sat alone in the Mjolnir and watched the spectacle between Brian and Seles. If I see them looking at each other like that one more time I’m going to throw up. She thought to herself as she let out a long sigh. Brian and Seles emerged looking happy as they headed towards the Mjolnir. As they went up they kissed again on the elevator. Once they reached the top they found an irritated Mira staring at them.

  “If you two don’t stop that I’m going to leave you here,” Mira said.

  Seles was surprised when Brian winked at her and proceeded to kiss Mira. After a moment of confusion, she pulled back.

  “There, now you don’t feel left out,” Brian said with a smile.

  Mira slapped him, “Jerk.”

  Seles scowled at him.

  “Alright, I get it,” he said as he sat down in the pilot’s seat.

  “He doesn’t get it, does he Seles?” Mira asked.

  Seles sighed while shaking her head. “No, I don’t think he does.”

  He flew the Mjolnir into the sky. “Let’s go home.”

  Epilogue

  Celestia sat at her desk in her night gown and read over copies of the documents Brian had sent to her. Frustrated, she stood up. How am I supposed to figure this out in only ten years? She looked down at the documents. “How could anyone think that this form of government is the best?”

  Myden stepped out of the shadows, much to Celestia’s chagrin. “The Herald put forth the task of change to you my Queen. It was very considerate of him to give you a decade to complete the task,” he said telepathically.

  She turned to him. “I know that Myden. But still, I don’t know why we should change so drastically.”

  “Despite his youth and inexperience, Brian understands the needs of others much better than one would think. You see my Queen, what you lack isn’t talent in ruling others, but perspective on their feelings. I can sense the thoughts of the commoners and their minds beg for change.”

  “But democracy is dangerous, even difficult. Why does he think that this form of government is the best of all?” Celestia asked.

  “Democracy isn’t perfect, but its strengths more than make up for its flaws. As long as your people don’t choose madness like my own and give in to slavery.”

  “I know I’ve asked you before, but you’ve never told me what happened to your people.”

  “Long ago we were free and powerful, the proud first race of this galaxy to travel the stars. But like Terrans, we were warriors, cursed by the inability to do anything but battle. We fought for centuries and finally the vote was cast. On that day, a God was born. It wasn’t a God of love or creation, but a God that demanded obedience. It feels no love or happiness, only hatred and the desire to control. My people got what they wished for in the most horrible way possible.”

  “A God?” she asked. “What do you mean by God?”

  “Live free and never give in to darkness my Queen. Each being must determine their destiny. Mortals like us should never create Gods, lest we be drawn into the night forever,” he said as he faded into the darkness.

  Looking down at the papers, Celestia sat down again to study them. Why did they need to create two houses of Congress? That seems so inefficient. She looked up into the mirror. “So his people created a God? I wonder what it looks like.”

  * * *

  Brian walked into the HDC and made sure to seal the door behind him. He looked around and saw no one was in here at the time. Good, I don’t really want to take care of this with anyone else around. He walked to the center of the room.

  “Program Layla 1, November Rain background,” he said. The image of Layla came up, a beautiful blonde girl with bright green eyes. She didn’t move or speak, but stood like a mannequin. Around them the cold rain trickled down on the backdrop of Brian’s hometown. It was later in the night with only street lights revealing the scene.

  “It’s been a long time Layla,” he said to the hologram. “I know that you’re not really her, but an image that came out of my memories of her. But still, I need to air a few things out.” He walked up to the hologram. “You’re so beautiful,” h
e said as he brushed her face. “I regret I could never say those words to you. But I was scared, scared of never seeing you again. In those years since I last saw you, my heart grew cold and my thoughts dark. But something miraculous happened.” He turned away from the image. “I found someone else. She’s not exactly the kind of girl you’d expect. She’s an alien, short, slight, with pointy ears. Her hair and eyes look like something out of anime, but that only adds to her beauty. Her name’s Seles.” He paused to gather his thoughts. “Seles gave me hope when I didn’t have any. I want to stay with her. I still and always will love you, but it’s time for me to move on. I hope to see you again someday, but I doubt you’ll live long enough to do that.” he walked up to the image again. “Goodbye Layla.” He left for the door. “Computer, erase this program and every attachment to it.” As he opened the door the image and background disappeared.

  Goodbye.