Trial21: Siblings

Soaring over this beautiful place

The air splashing against my face

Leigh's grip begins to loosen

As I sense her smile

This might be the first time for her inquite a while

After twenty minutes

Our ride's over

Landing, Leigh groans “Did ithave to be that close?

That was actually kind of fun.

Please, can we go again?”

She almost sounds like she's ten

Jack and I look at each other

As I'm starting to feel like a bigbrother

“Less than half an hour agowasn't she crying?”

Jack gives a grin “Yeah, you'dthink she was dying.”

“And now look at her.” Ismile “She had so much fun.

But sadly, Leigh I'm afraid we're done.

For now.

We've still got a kid who's missing.

Please don't lose sight of themission.”

“Lets go you two.” Jacksays with a firm tone

And we follow her down a path linedwith stone

I feel Leigh pouting

But I keep my mouth shut

Better not to risk getting punched

As we approach a giant marble door

Two fairy guards begin inching forward

“Halt!” They call “Whyhave you returned?”

The air around Jack begins to churn

“You know the price!

But you obviously haven't learned.

Leave now

Or risk our scorn!”

Suddenly they flap their wings

Four each

As the song from earlier sings

“Perhaps you've forgotten,”Jack barks as the air starts to freeze

“To whom you are speaking.

Now be silent and get on your knees!

Your wings may be your pride,

But do not underestimate one whose havedied!

I can still kill you without my wings.”

She raises her arm as if ready to swing

Instantly, the guards cower

With eyes of shock in the presence ofJack's power

“Thank you.” She says as wewalk through the doors

Into a beautiful blue-torch linedcorridor

“So,” I say “I guessyour reputation is big here too, huh?”

“No.” Jack replies “Here,they're far too dumb.”

“And the deal with the wings?”I ask

She takes a breath and then she speaks

“A fairy without wings isconsidered weak.

For most fairies their wings are theirpride,

Lose that and you might as well die.”

“And yours?”

“Mine were taken as punishment.”She says cold

“In a time long, long ago.”

“And...”

“Nate, enough questions.”She cuts me off

I think about how much she's lost

Finally, we arrive at a blue crystaldoor

“You two might wanna guardyourselves.”

Instantly, I'm sure

She doesn't like it here

Leigh and I step back

Jack starts to freeze the door

It gets so cold so quick that it cracks

More and more, the structure giving way

Until the foundation begins to quake

Finally, the door shatters

Shards crashing to the ground

Like wind chimes, it's a beautifulsound

“Chop chop.” Jack says, theshards crackling beneath her feet

“Nice to see my empty seat.”

“You dare!” Booms a voice

“Frost! Why have you returned?!”

There are seven crystal thrones

Six of which are filled with a fairy

But these fairies are scary, very

Their wings are massive, not to mentionmajestic

At the very sight, I feel restless

If the mana in the woods was dense

The mana in this room I can see, butnot sense

It fills me with dread and fear

Even Leigh knows we shouldn't be here

As she clings to me, shaking to herbones

I can't even speak

Which is good, I know

If we were to utter a single word

It's likely, from the inside, we'd burn

A seventh throne stands vacant

Somehow it makes me feel complacent

“Hold your tongue Zathiel!”Jackbites back

“The council finds your respectlax.

Know your place sister!

Or shall I teach it to you?”

“Xemnas. Little brother.”Jack's tone firm “You speak half truths.

It's true I don't respect any of you.

As for teaching me anything at all,

Do not forget that I can make thischamber fall.”

“You think you still intimidateus?” Asks a female voice

“It would very well,” Jackresponds “be a prudent choice.

Minora. dear sister. Always the bravestof us

But foolishness confused with braveryis not just.”

Minora gives a wince

Instantly, the magic of the room beginsto flare.

Each a different element withoutcompare

Water, earth, lightning and fire

This magic is a hundred levels higher

All I can do is shiver and stare

The fire in particular puts Leigh's toshame

Zathiel, I believe was his name

“Enough!” He calls

As they each let off a blast

Each one so potent it would result in aworldwide bloodbath

I'm starting to get weak in the knees

Tell me Jack survived that please

The smoke lingers for what feels likeeternity

Finally, it starts to settle

And I'm not the only one surprised tosee

“How is it you survive?!”Cries Zathiel

“Why does Mother Nature protectyou every time?!”

“Because,” Jack states“unlike you I feel.

Now that you know that's a waste oftime, let's get down to business.

And please don't bring up my crimes.”

“What business could you possiblyhave with us?” Snaps Zathiel

“Have you forgotten that you werebanished from here?!

That you committed the ultimate sin!

You meddled in human affairs!

And to make matters worse

You came to care

For a human more than your own peopleor family.

You married one and had offspring.

Now you come here and dare startasking?”

The disgust in his tone as he mentionedJack's heirs

It is a loathing without compare

Jack's temper begins to spark

As ice again forms on the air, hard

“I have come to collect on yourdebt Zathiel!”

“My debt?!” He barks

“Yes.” Jack's tone stark

“My banishment does not void anydeals made with me.

No matter how old, no matter how weak.

So, you will grant me what I'm owed

Under fairy law and fairy code.”

“And just what is it that youdesire?”

Minora asks

Jack watches Zathiel's confidence crack

“I simply ask for the location ofone human child.

Leo The Toll.

And I don't have time to wait awhile.”

“Why do you seek the child?”One of the other fairies asks

“Because Luxord, the child isplanned to be used to attack.

The mortal plain

May be turned to black.

My companion here wishes to stop it.”

Gesturing to me, Jack goes quiet

Followed by the rest of the room

Finally, Zathiel says with a boom

“You brought humans here!”

As his mana shakes the ground

I do my best to stand proud

“You have defiled our chamber,you wench!”

Minora chimes in once again

“We will send you three straightto the child,

But promise me this dear sister.

Swear you will never again return tothis realm, or else suffer the fires of hell.”

“Done.” Jack repliesstraight

“Good.” Minora says “Thenbe on your way.”

Suddenly, the floor is gone

As we begin falling fast and long

So, that was Jack's family

I learned more than I could've hoped

As finally our decent begins to slow

I guess we're about to find the kid

I guess we'll see how it goes