Chapter twenty-two (14)

Matriarch Lilac nodded to her nuns and Ten of them stepped into the centre of the arena. They moved like wind without tripping, even though their faces were veiled completely. They moved in unison as they flipped and manoeuvred through the air in movements that looked like a martial arts dance, accompanied by the drums. Soon, one could see soft streams of light mimicking their dance. These lights seemed to make tearing sounds through the air as space above the dancing nuns started to distort.

The light swept up those holding their tokens, drawing them into the distorting space. They all disappeared a moment later and the dance stopped.

Many looked up at the distorted space and could now see their representatives standing on a long cracked road. The visual spread wide in the sky, revealing that they were not alone. One could start to see thousands of representatives from other worlds, gates and realms. The alignment made it possible to see the link to other realms and worlds, and these worlds could see them too. The cracked road was attached to a world, gate or realm by a golden string, letting one clearly see the hierarchy. It was a beautiful sight.

The cracked road expanded into a stage with many portals. If one looked hard, one could see two other stages reflected above the heads of the representatives. These were the middle realms stage and the higher realms stage. These stages were much grander and more beautiful than the lower realms stage on which their representatives stood.

"The middle realms and higher realms. I never thought I would be able to see it, even though it is but a glimpse," someone said in wonder.

Lucy looked up at the web showing the hierarchy and got up.

"Bring up the Harnian gate," she said softly, yet all could hear her. Those from the Harnian gate, who had sneaked into the arena, froze at her words. Matriarch Lilac nodded to the drummers and they began to drum a different beat. Many wondered what kind of drums these were, as the scene started to change, exposing a world floating in space and surrounded by soft orange clouds. Those from the Harnian gate recognized home at a glance. Many were confused as to what was happening. Were they not supposed to be watching their representatives fight on the battleground? Why were they seeing this instead? They were not the only ones worried. What many did not know was that this image was the only image everyone from all realms could see.

"Harnian gate, it's beautiful. A pity," she said and those on the battleground and other realms paused. They could hear her speak, but only those in the arena knew she was the one speaking.

"As you can all hear me, Let me introduce myself. My name is Lucy Sharterux, Duchess of Wickshire. I believe many are now in the habit of referring to me as Lucy Wickshire," Lucy said and silence reverberated across all realms, even to the higher realms. In one of the worlds, a very familiar young man sat drinking tea when he heard her voice. He chuckled lightly, "My wife is up to no good again," he said.

Lucy smiled lightly at the silence, knowing she had gotten their attention.

"Today is the anniversary of my birth. After spying on Thriegor for so long, I thought it only right that you join the festivities. Especially the Harnian gate, they have enjoyed poking around in Thriegor, it is only right that they are my special guests. For this day, I cooked up some special fireworks," she said, turning to Professor Lorgh. Professor Lorgh dropped the large box he was holding and opened it.

Like a box from hell, the black lid was opened and a human head was revealed. Those in the arena recognized that this was Lord Hane of the destroyed Marjiont Valley. Lord Hane opened his eyes abruptly and a cosmic explosion ensued.

Crack. Everyone saw the image of the Harnian gate crack and start to cave into itself. Being so close to a core, the tearing space caused the atmosphere and land to tilt into each other. The centre of the crack heated up and suddenly exploded.

Threo, standing in the arena, felt like he was the one that exploded. Those from the Harnian gate who were not in the gate when it exploded, felt the same. Hope seemed to fly away in a snickering fleet of birds, for those on the battleground. They had stepped onto the stage to gain glory for their homeland, but it was no more.

It did not help that Lady Steinhouse clapped away at the sight excitedly, "It's beautiful," she said. Her claps were like a hammer to their already shattered hearts.

The explosion caused a wave in the form of hot wind, that swept through the worlds in charge of the gate. Because of the alignment, the speed of the travelling wave was faster than should be. The wind from the explosion reached Thriegor after a while and hit the icy arena like an angry storm. The audience had to fend for themselves under such intense winds, but the Thraines were protected by Matriarch Lilac, who formed a barrier around them.

It took a while for the winds to calm down. By the time, it had cleared, the icy pillars that encased the arena were no more. The ice floors were cracked and slightly melted. As the winds cleared, many wiped ice off themselves and looked at Lady Wickshire in horror. The Bloom Thraile Isle had always held no regard for her were now stuck in place, trying to calm themselves. If she could destroy a gate, they were nothing before her eyes.

"Those were... children, families, young and old. Why?" Threo choked. Hermin worried about his master. Though he had indicated that he would be leaving the Harnian gate soon, he was not sure if the old man had had a chance to leave yet.

"You do not like my fireworks?" Lucy asked softly and Hermin almost fainted at her words.

"Why?" he asked.

"Why not?" Lucy asked coldly, "Worry not, this lady did not know the fireworks would be this good. Why save it for birthdays alone, when it should be enjoyed every day?"

"My, you through great parties, Lady Wickshire," the grand dowager empress of Khul complimented with a smile.

"It was certainly beautiful," Linna nodded.

"I wish you many more beautiful anniversaries, Lucy," Vion said.

"Thank you. It is a shame though, I may not be here after this anniversary," Lucy said.

"Are you going far?" Vion asked.

"Yes, very far," Lucy answered. People would have thought that a feast was going on by the way they were conversing.

Lucy did not stay to see the beginning of the battle nor did she care about the outcome, she left with her entourage back to the nunnery. Her steps, slow and heart, light; a deliberate pace for Walter and company to follow.