Chapter 6

Maranu began selecting humans he considered worthy of the power of Elemency. Many of them were friends and coworkers whom he knew well from his construction company. However, he wouldn’t let any bias exist as he traveled all over the colony, using his telepathy to peer into the hearts of men and women who seemed up to the challenge. Some saw Maranu’s selection as the first forerunners for a new breed of humanity, so many third-party forces tried to influence how he would go about choosing. Naturally, the feminists thought he should choose only women. The unions thought he should choose only workers. The elites thought he should choose only the wealthy and educated, and so on and so forth. Maranu disregarded all these biases, instead looking at the heart and actions of each of his candidates so that only those who deserved the responsibility would get it. After scouring the planet of Tarrus, Maranu eventually had his thousand candidates. The process of imbuing them with his power was long and arduous, but with his newfound insight came the ability to heal as well, which allowed him to keep them alive long enough for their bodies to adapt to the changes. The Thousand Founders, as they would eventually be called, each one becoming the head of the oldest families of Elemency, including the families of Alastar and Kaves. Among the Founders, two adapted to the power of Elemency much better than the rest. Lexandar Lurranna and Sifa Hamashe.

Rachel heard someone screaming in the night.

Yelping a bit herself in surprise, Rachel threw her covers off as she fumbled clumsily out of her bed only to faceplant on the floor. Groggily picking herself off the ground, she drew up the straps over her nightgown as she headed to her roommate’s room.

I knew it would come to this! thought Rachel with a frustrated huff. She can put on a strong face all she likes, but no way will I just let it slide this time!

Rachel didn’t bother knocking as she opened Éclair’s door and peeked in. All was quiet in Éclair’s dark apartment. More white and red roses sat in a large vase on Éclair’s vanity along with some chocolates, Leon’s most recent gift. There were other vases of withering roses and unopened boxes of chocolate littering the floor around the vanity. For some reason, Éclair kept a separate smaller bundle of just a dozen white roses on the counter by her bed. The roses were suspended in a special invisible forcefield to keep them preserved, making them hover in a slow circle above the table. Rachel didn’t know why Éclair kept just those roses away from the others, or why she went to the trouble of making sure they would be preserved past their natural life cycle, but she had her suspicions. Éclair lay on her bed with her eyes closed, trying to make a good impression of being asleep with her blue, silken blankets wrapped tightly over her frame, but Rachel knew better. Even in the dim lighting, she could make out the tears on Éclair’s cheeks.

“Cut the act, sis,” said Rachel doggedly as she waited at the door. “I know you’re not really sleeping.”

Éclair didn’t respond at first, as if trying to maintain the performance. After a few moments of silence, Éclair said in a breaking voice without opening her eyes, “Just go back to bed, Rachel. I’m sorry I bothered you. It won’t happen again.”

Rachel sighed deeply as she moved in and sat down at the end of Éclair’s bed. Trying not to yawn from her fatigue, Rachel said gently, “You know I can’t do that. Granny asked me to look out for you. That’s what we’re supposed to do for each other as sisters.”

Éclair sniffled quietly as she sat up, dabbing slowly at her eyes, her pink, see-through nightshift clinging gracefully to her slender frame. “I’m sorry to be such a burden. Look at me. I’m supposed to be a strong Elemental, and I’m going all to pieces because of a stupid nightmare.”

“We’re all human, sis,” Rachel said as she drew Éclair in for a tender hug.

Éclair shivered slightly at the embrace, burying her head into Rachel’s shoulder. It was nice to share a hug with Éclair. Honestly, it was nice to be helping Éclair like this, almost as if Rachel was actually her big sister for real. Éclair had always been the most beautiful and talented young woman that Rachel had ever known. Smooth skin like ivory. Delicate nose and regal cheekbones. Tall, lean, and wiry with an athletically toned body, but also curvy enough to make any girl jealous. Deep violet eyes that almost seemed to glow purple at night. And long silver-gray hair going down almost to her waist that shined like a waterfall when it caught the light. For the longest time, Rachel could only be jealous of Éclair, not just because of her beauty, but because of the strength and authority that emanated from her in everything she did. And, of course, she was jealous that Éclair had Leon’s attention, the cutest boy Rachel had ever known ... that is, until she met Jimmy. But now, seeing Éclair so vulnerable, Rachel could only feel sympathy for her former romantic rival. That and a deep love that might actually be a sign of true sisterhood. True, Rachel had been a little worried that Jimmy might try to put the moves on Éclair given the guy tended to flirt with anything remotely feminine, but he never even batted an eye her way.

Though I guess I don’t have to worry about Jimmy flirting with other girls anymore, thought Rachel with a sudden bout of depression when she remembered their fight. It was bound to happen. I knew there would be nothing long-term between Jimmy and me. I knew it would just be for a little fun. That’s all I wanted when I went to him. Fun. So why does it hurt so bad?

Rachel quickly pushed thoughts of Jimmy away. Éclair needed her right now, not her jackass of an ex-boyfriend ... or rather, ex-friend with benefits. Furthermore, Rachel began to suspect that Éclair’s problems might stem from some unfinished business to do with a certain teammate of theirs.

As Rachel drew away, she looked at Éclair evenly and said, “Tell me honestly, is it just the nightmares of Black Star that got you down, sis?”

Éclair looked a little defensive now as she turned away with a bit of a huff. “I haven’t the foggiest notion what you could be referring to.”

“Éclair,” said Rachel firmly, but Éclair refused to face her. Groaning a little, Rachel went on. “I know the look of a woman who has been hurt ... specifically, one who has been hurt by a guy.”

Éclair kept her eyes downcast as she said quietly, “I ... I don’t know what you could mean. Leon has been wonderful. He’s attentive and kind. He takes time out of his busy schedule to see me every day and bring me gifts. He doesn’t pressure me to get back into training prematurely, and he’s always supportive. I ... I don’t have any complaints about Leon, so I don’t see why-”

“I’m not talking about Leon, and you know it,” asserted Rachel. Éclair refused to look up. She seemed like she might burst into tears again, so Rachel forced herself to speak more softly. “I don’t know everything that went down while you were gone. Your report was ... descriptive, but not very indicative of your overall state of mind. But even I can tell that ... look, something happened between you and-”

“Don’t, Rachel,” said Éclair suddenly as she put a hand to Rachel’s shoulder. “Please. Don’t say another word.”

Rachel ground her teeth. She knew that Éclair needed to talk about this. It would only keep festering so long as she refused to face these emotions. She was just about to force the issue when Éclair looked up and gave a bright smile. The smile might’ve been forced, but it came about so quickly that Rachel was momentarily thrown off her guard.

“If you want to talk about boys, then let’s talk about you and that charming Pirate Captain I’ve heard you call ‘Jimmy’ on occasion,” Éclair said with a small giggle.

Rachel frowned. “You’re deflecting.”

Éclair shrugged. “Perhaps, but it doesn’t make my question any less valid.”

Rachel figured that if she were honest about her own problems, it might prompt Éclair to open up a bit more. So, despite the fresh hurt of that recent wound, Rachel said, “Jimmy ... there is no me and Jimmy. It was just for fun. A way to lose my virginity. I already told you that I had no expectations for us.”

Rachel immediately wished she could take back what she just said. She remembered that Éclair had more conservative views when it came to premarital sex.

Éclair seemed to sense Rachel’s unease as she asked, “What’s wrong?”

Rachel blushed as she rubbed her arm. “It’s just ... I’m pretty sure you knew already, but I think that’s the first time I came out and told you that I was sleeping with Jimmy. And I ... I know from the way your Godfather raised you that you probably don’t think very highly of people who have sex before marriage.”

Rachel glanced away dubiously as a salacious thought came to mind. Then again, given how she’s been acting, I wonder if she’s so pure now herself. She and Ryan were trapped together for a really long time.

Éclair smiled soothingly for Rachel as she rubbed her hand. “You don’t have to feel judged ... not by me. It’s true that I will likely wait for marriage before I give myself to a man, not only for the sake of my own romantic whims and somewhat old-fashioned sensibilities, but also because I know my Godfather would be heartbroken if I don’t. That being said, you’re a grown woman and you can make your own decisions. I won’t judge you for your choices so long as you don’t judge me for mine.”

Guess that answers that question about Éclair’s virginity. God, I hate myself sometimes for where my mind goes.

Rachel sniffed wryly to keep herself from crying, feeling more grateful to Éclair than she could possibly express. “Why do you have to be so freakin’ mature all the time? You make me feel like a teenager sometimes even though I’m older than you.”

Éclair laughed pleasantly. “Well, of the two of us, you’ve certainly made greater strides into womanhood than I have currently.” Éclair bit her lip pensively, her features appearing bashful. “Rachel, dear. I don’t wish to sound indelicate, but since the topic’s come up, I want to know if...”

Éclair trailed off, but by the embarrassed look on her face, Rachel could guess what she was getting at. We’ve been freely talking about sex, and this is what gets her embarrassed. Honestly, Éclair’s innocence is just adorable sometimes.

“Don’t worry,” Rachel said with a wave of her hand. “We were protected. I took my Sterility Implant a few months before I met Jimmy, and he took his as well ... though he’s had his for a bit longer than I have out of necessity for his personal life.”

In modern times, most men and women took Sterility Implants during their adolescent years. A Sterility Implant is a one-time shot of nanites that prevented conception, making pregnancy impossible until the nanites are surgically removed through a painless operation. It was a breakthrough in modern medicine without any of the risks or inconveniences of condoms and birth control pills. Many people kept their Sterility Implants until after they settled down and got married. In fact, some sects of the Monastery even included a ritual removing the Sterility Implants during the ceremony as the couple declared their intention to wed and raise children together. However, there were still many purist followers of Monastery doctrine who refused to get the implants, saying that they didn’t need them because they would only have sex within the confines of marriage anyway. Rachel knew that Éclair and her Godfather were such purists, at least going on the conversations she had with Éclair over the years. Others refused the implants simply because they believed the concept unnatural, especially when the government tried to use the method to control the population by dictating who could give birth and who couldn’t ... a totalitarian practice that was quickly put to an end by the Ministries. In summation, Sterility Implants were an accessible, if somewhat controversial, fact of life.

Éclair blew out a breath of relief as she patted her chest. “That’s good to hear. I can’t imagine what Saria might do to you otherwise. If you did get pregnant out of wedlock, I’d feel honor-bound to protect you and the babe, and no doubt all of us would die in the onslaught of the Fire Minister’s wroth.”

By the tone of her voice, Rachel could tell that Éclair was mostly joking, so she laughed good-naturedly. “Granny might’ve been mad, but I don’t think she’d get that mad. If you’re that worried about it, you should think about getting a Sterility Implant yourself.”

Éclair giggled a bit as she shook her head. “My social life is not so thrilling as yours to necessitate such a thing. Besides, I already took the Lord Caretaker’s Oath of Celibacy when I was thirteen, an oath that is only disavowed by the Monastery on the day of my wedding. If I did get the implant now, it would be like rejecting that oath, and I doubt my Godfather would be pleased about that.”

Rachel could feel the fondness in Éclair’s voice whenever she spoke of her Godfather, prompting her to ask, “You really want your Godfather’s approval that much, huh?”

Éclair’s gaze went downcast. “It’s not just for his approval. Papa was very ... very kind to me. My birth mother, the former Empress, all but ignored me, leaving my Godfather to raise me by himself for the most part. My mother was not the most virtuous woman, always coming home to the palace with another suitor, or two or three at a time. I don’t think I would’ve minded so much if she just made a little time for me and wasn’t so condescending about my aspirations to become an Elemental. Papa was the one who comforted me when I was lonely ... made me feel wanted and special. Papa also told me a little about my birth father, Emperor Voelair, and how close his ties were to the Monastery. Living a life that I can be proud of is just my way of repaying my debt to both of them; my birth father for giving me life and Papa for raising me.”

Éclair’s features brightened a bit as she looked up. “Although, even if I did let Papa down in that regard, I somehow suspect he wouldn’t reject me. It’s just not in his character. Many times when I misbehaved, I expected him to get angrier than he actually did. He was stern at times and would discipline me when needed, but always from a place of love. I know I can be sure of that love even if I don’t always live up to his standards.”

Rachel felt a bit awestruck at Éclair for opening up like this. She rarely spoke of her birth parents or her Godfather. Rachel also felt a tad jealous that Éclair had so much confidence in the bond between her and her guardian. She wished she felt as assured in her own relationship with her grandmother sometimes. Still, Rachel knew she shouldn’t complain, especially with how close she’d grown with Saria lately. She just hoped that closeness wasn’t now ruined by her indiscretion with Jimmy.

Rachel sighed as some other worries crept up. “I just hope my grandmother can be as mellow as you and your Godfather. Jimmy and I have kept it pretty discreet, so I don’t think she knows. But if she does know, I doubt she’ll be happy. Can you imagine the lecture I’ll get for going out with a pirate? If the media ever got wind, the Fire Minister’s detractors will have a field day.” But then as Rachel thought about it, some of her worries diminished. “Then again, it might not be so bad since our relationship is over now. And the media is usually more interested in the social lives of actors and nobility than Elementals. Besides, he’s leaving for Nirvana tomorrow. He’ll go back to his harem of barmaids, and I’ll just be another conquest for his collection.”

Éclair’s nose wrinkled in confusion. “Harem?”

Rachel groaned as she rubbed her head. “Yeah. Back on Nirvana, all the barmaids who worked for him were sleeping with him. He actually wanted me to join them. Can you believe that jerk?”

Éclair stayed silent, which somewhat aggravated Rachel, though she didn’t really know why.

“What?”

Éclair suddenly giggled a little, and that made Rachel want to throttle her. “It’s just ... I can’t believe the man actually had a harem ... and you were almost part of it.”

Rachel scoffed. “Yeah, rub some salt on that gaping wound, why don’t ya?”

Éclair’s face flinched into remorse. “Sorry. That was insensitive of me.”

“Yep,” Rachel agreed.

Éclair gave a gentle smile as she rubbed Rachel’s wrist. “Still, I doubt it was just a simple fling. I can read facial expressions too, sis. I know the look of a woman falling in love.”

Rachel scoffed angrily as she wrenched her hand away. “In love? With that self-absorbed, cocky playboy! I’d rather get demoted back to Grunt!”

Éclair shrugged. “He is all that, but from what I’ve seen of him, he’s also kind of hilarious.”

That also caught Rachel off guard somewhat. Yeah. I thought so, too.

Trying to bury her hurt feelings with snark, Rachel said, “Maybe you should date the guy, then. I’m sure he’d love to add you to his body count.”

Éclair smiled sadly. “Captain James is rather cute in a roguish scoundrel kind of way, I do admit. But he’s not my type. Besides, I’m already spoken for.”

Éclair went silent for a bit. After a while, Rachel decided to pry with, “You think you can make it to the team training exercise tomorrow? The Medics and the Thinkers have already cleared you. Granny says you can resume your duties whenever you like, but it’s your call.”

Éclair looked up and nodded. “Yes ... yes, I’m looking forward to it. It will be nice to get back to some normalcy with ... with everyone.”
Éclair looked down again, and Rachel knew that she was thinking about Ryan. Of course, Rachel felt bad for Leon, especially since the guy had been so accommodating to Éclair lately. But still, seeing Éclair seem so dispirited ... Rachel had heard that isolation could affect people in inexplicable ways. Who knew what kind of bond had developed between Éclair and Ryan as they spent the better part of a year depending on only each other just to stay alive? Honestly, Rachel didn’t know how she should advise Éclair. Should she tell Éclair to forget Ryan and focus on Leon? Should she tell Éclair to follow her heart no matter who got hurt along the way? Still, Ryan had made a point of distancing himself from Éclair lately. Maybe that meant she should take the hint. And Rachel cared about Leon too, so she obviously didn’t want to see him get hurt ... even if it potentially presented her with an opening.

Don’t even go there. It’s been ages since you’ve crushed on Leon, so don’t even think about using him as your rebound when he and Éclair are still dating. Rachel allowed herself a brief moment to feel like a worm for even entertaining the thought.

Before Rachel could make up her mind on what to say next, Éclair suddenly caressed her shoulder and whispered, “Thank you, Rachel. Thank you ... for everything.”

Knowing that she would regret bringing this up, Rachel smoothed back her hair a bit as she said, “Ryan won’t be at the training session tomorrow, you know?”

That got Éclair’s attention as her violet eyes blazed with confusion. “What? Why?” As if betraying her interest would be betraying Leon, Éclair looked away as she flitted her own hair behind her shoulders. “I mean, why won’t Second Level Uruks be joining us? He’s a member of Squad 99. It’s in the team’s best interest that we coordinate our defensive maneuvers as much as possible.”

Rachel shook her head wryly. “I hear that ‘Second Level Uruks’ is doing some special training on Galsin. Granny says he shows the signs of being a Wielder one day, so they’re helping him attune his psions to Light Elemency. You remember how every Wielder on the Council gets a blessing from the Monks in some sort of ceremony before they can be promoted? I hear this is part of that. Still, I think it’s way too early for stuff like that, and it will only give that squirt an even bigger head. Yeah, sure Ryan’s shown some talent, but he’s still nowhere near Leon’s level in my opinion.”

“Galsin,” Éclair said softly to herself. “Then that means he might be seeing Starbeard.”

Rachel didn’t know if she heard that right as her eyes squinted in confusion. “What beard?”

Éclair’s face became impassive as she said, “It’s not important. I ... I’m glad that Second Level Uruks has this opportunity to advance his career. Despite what you may think, he has earned it. I’m sure he’ll make it to Wielder someday.”

Rachel almost protested, but then she figured there wasn’t any use arguing the point. Éclair really had changed a lot. She didn’t usually give praise to others so easily, especially not to Ryan. Desperately wanting to ask about what happened between the two of them, but knowing that she wouldn’t get an answer, Rachel decided that they should move on.

“Well, then. We should get some sleep. You’ll need your rest if you want to keep up with us tomorrow. We’ll take it easy on you since you’re just recovering, but don’t expect that sympathy to last.”

Éclair looked uncomfortable as she drew up her knees and folded her arms around her legs. “I appreciate that, Rachel. I really do.” When Rachel remained seated, Éclair lay down, drew her covers over herself, and closed her eyes as she said, “Go on to bed, now. I’ll be fine.”

Rachel felt a warm smile cross over her face. “I’m not going anywhere until you’re asleep.”

Éclair said nothing at first. Rachel was almost tempted to think that she had already fallen asleep when Éclair whispered, “Thank you.”

Rachel leaned down and kissed the top of Éclair’s head. “Anytime, sis.”

“You’re sure you up to this?”

“Leon, I know you mean well, but please stop asking me that. I need to do this. I’ve had more than enough time to recover.”

Leon smiled that same rare smile of his that used to make her swoon like a lovesick puppy. It’s not that he had become any less handsome or dashing in Éclair’s estimation. She supposed she was just a bit more seasoned than she used to be. He drew back a strand of her hair as he leaned in to kiss her cheek.

“You know I don’t mean it to reflect badly on you. I, of all people, have always known how strong you are.”

Éclair smiled back for him, albeit a bit more awkwardly. She always felt a tad more awkward around Leon these days, and she wasn’t sure why. She took a moment to take in his appearance as she tried to rekindle that flame of longing for him. Leon was tall and lean with a strong, athletic build. Though still very fit, he wasn’t quite as muscular as Ryan, but he might’ve been an inch or so taller. His pale face was perhaps more elegant as well with its thin shape and sharp, angular features. He had short, jet-black hair neatly combed back as usual, but the only things darker than his hair were his eyes with irises that were almost completely black. He was a few years older than Éclair, putting him a little over twenty-one, but he always had that air about him that made him seem more mature than his age. As always, he wore his neatly polished glasses that made him seem both intellectual and mysterious. Éclair realized that she might’ve been initially drawn to Leon because of his glasses which reminded her of her Godfather. But as far as personality went, he didn’t have that much in common with Zand other than their posh mannerisms. In some ways, Ryan seemed more alike to Zand than... Éclair immediately dismissed that line of thinking as she followed at Leon’s side towards the holodeck.

“Maybe I just need to remember that for myself,” she said quietly.

Leon gave a satisfied nod. “Then this training exercise with the whole team is exactly what we need.”

Not the whole team, Éclair thought dejectedly to herself. We could never be whole without him.

Both Éclair and Leon were dressed for battle. Leon donned that same dark armor he wore when he helped rescue her and Ryan back on Black Star. It was Shadow Plate, a type of Psionic Armor that usually only Mystics used. Leon had created a bit of a stir when he wore that armor, but Saria and Eramar had vouched for him as the armor proved quite handy in combat. As a former Mystic, only Leon could use armor like that anyway, so the Minister argued that he might as well use it for their benefit. The black armor outlined his physique perfectly with no seams or breaks, complete with a long black cape strewn about his shoulders. Purple glowing runes went down the length of the armor, the color of Leon’s psions. Though his colors were off, he still wore the golden medallion which depicted the two moving figures of the Lion and the four-legged Dragon, the emblem of the Ministry of Fire, so there would be no question of Leon’s loyalty.

Éclair’s armor was also nonconforming to the norm of the Fire Ministry colors of red and gold. But then again, Squad 99 had always been a specialized team at the Fire Ministry, so they were allowed certain liberties. Éclair’s armor was almost completely white, the same prototype set her Godfather had made for her during her journey through Black Star space. Blue glowing runes ran down the length of the white plate, pulsing rhythmically with the power of her psions. The flexible metal fibers outlined her figure to perfection, almost like a bodysuit. Having had time to make some adjustments to her Psionic Armor, Éclair had improvised a blue skirt that hung around her waist. The skirt, which had been fashioned to somewhat resemble a dress, was parted at the middle to show off her armored legs and boots so that she could move freely. Thinking about the armor reminded Éclair of where she got it ... on board North Star. Her friend, North, was a sentient spacecraft that Zand had made to protect her. Éclair had known North since childhood. The grief of North’s loss was still potent within Éclair’s heart ... along with other griefs.

Neither Éclair nor Leon wore their helmets as they walked down the corridors. They turned a corner down the metallic hallway as the door in front of them vanished in a burst of flames and then reappeared as they walked through. The holodeck was a large, bare metal chamber about the size of a football field in circumference. However, their training session would likely require an even wider area, so the geographic distortion field would enlarge the space further once the holographic projections activated. Éclair’s heart was gladdened to see her teammates waiting for them at the center of the chamber. Excluding Ryan, the whole of Squad 99 had gathered. The Grim Team of the Fire Ministry was finally reunited at last. Grafael was the first to react as he rushed to Éclair’s side, moving surprisingly agilely despite his great height of over eight feet. His touch was also surprisingly tender as he cupped Éclair’s hand in his huge, scaly palms.

“Protectorate,” Grafael T’Macor said quietly in that deep, rumbling voice of his. Even when he was whispering, his voice sounded so strong. “Words cannot describe how much it gladdens my heart to see you among us.”

Éclair smiled up at him as she caressed his clawed fingers. She would’ve liked to feel his warm scales against her skin, but she was wearing armored gloves. Despite being descended from a reptile race, Saurians were warm-blooded like all Dragons, so he always felt so warm to Éclair. Grafael was a Saurian, also called a Wingless Dragon, which made his people among the oldest and most powerful sentient races to exist. He had bright blue scales and deep, slitted azure eyes that seemed lizard-like and humanlike at the same time with white around the irises. Three white spikes curved back on top of his head, and he had small, slightly pointed ears. His face was a blend of reptile and human qualities, with a short, broad snout and a strong chin that seemed humanoid enough to still look a bit handsome in Éclair’s estimation. His fangs were sharp and shiny, but his smile was so sincere that he could never look frightening to her eyes. Grafael wore his traditional red and silver armor, depicting battles of Saurians on his chest plate. Strung across his back was his large, two-handed war hammer, taller and heavier than Éclair’s whole body, even when she wore her Psionic Armor. His sleeveless armor displayed his powerful, blue-scaled arms, each almost as wide as Éclair’s waist. His thick, long blue tail bounced on the floor behind him, allowing him to sense anyone in his vicinity by sending vibrations into the ground ... at least, so long as they were touching the ground.

“My heart is gladdened to see you as well, my friend,” Éclair said. What she loved most about Saurians was their absolute sincerity. Most would reunite with a snide, sarcastic comment, but Saurians believed in honesty above all else. So when Grafael expressed his friendship, he meant it with every fiber of his being. “I feared that I might go soft without your guidance.”

Grafael chuckled merrily, a sound that vibrated through Éclair’s whole body. “You go soft? Never. I trained you better than that.”

Éclair felt she might start bawling as her emotions rose. Grafael had always been like a big brother to her. Despite the difference in species, she couldn’t imagine anyone being closer to her heart. Éclair buried her head into Grafael’s burly chest, and he held her gently against him. No other words were needed. In the past years together, they had both suffered through and overcome greater adversity than most people experience in a lifetime.