The Usurper Queen (10)

I awoke late the next day and found the silence in the home odd. I peered out the front window to see an arriving messenger nearly colliding with one that was departing my home. I dressed quickly to head down to discover the meaning of this near collision at my door. I found Sert running back toward the doors while Meli and Cole rushed into the reception hall. I followed Meli into the room but paused at the door seeing the stack of messages that had arrived.

“What is the meaning of this?” I growled. Meli turned to look at me with a pained look that I could feel coming from her. Cole gave him a quick glance before returning to the pile of letters.

“Invitations Sir.” Meli interjected. “Most of the minor nobles wish a chance to meet with you personally.” she added wringing her hands together.

“Start making an itinerary with notes on each.” I told her. “I am here for all of Atlantis not just those in power Mekiliean.” I stated with a smile.

“Most live on the outskirts of Atlantis or the satellite islands.” Cole remarked. I peeked at his mind to find the arrogance he felt for these beings. “None of them willing to even help run this place.” he muttered under his breath.

“Would you rather one of them take the throne?” Meli retorted. I did not need my gifts to feel the anger that raced through her. “Maybe the Royal Guards would be less inclined to spare their lives this time.” she added.

“Maybe this is the perfect time for me to learn of the Usurper Queen directly from Atlantians.” I commented. I took a seat at the table looking from one to the other. Neither meet my eyes as they looked through the letters placing them in neat order before them. “Or would you rather explain why the nobles seem scattered in cluster as far away from central Atlantis?” he continued. I could see in their minds that they did not wish to speak of the events that formed this separation of the nobles.

“They thought it best to be away from where the Council seats.” Cole admitted grudgingly. “But it had been a really bad time for everyone to live through.” he added softly. I suddenly felt a need that formed in this man my other two companions saw as a snake in our midst.

“How the Royals of Atlantis were being attacked by mysterious strangers after the Usurper Queen was executed by her own cursed Royal Guards.” Meli returned. An edge was in her voice. I knew anything Cole told me would be corrected by Meli as she believed a different tale of the dark events that transpired. I knew the story from books I had acquired but hearing what the Atlantian themselves thought would be refreshing.

“It does not help to understand when starting a story in the middle.” I stated calmly. Both finally looked at me as I sat between them at the table looking at one of the invitations. “And knowing what each of you believes as truth helps me see the hidden reality behind the tales like in rumours.” I added. I glanced quickly at Meli who nodded to me.

“The story is simple before her fall.” Cole stated bluntly. “She claimed the throne even if a princess did exist but with the deaths of King, Queen, and the former Royals in power it was believed she had died.” he commented slowly. “But the throne was not enough for her as she also took the role of Heart of Atlantis by force from His Holiness at the time.”

“She slaughter him in the Heart chamber before that great crystal that powers all of Atlantis.” Meli interjected. “Or so the rumours claim.” she added quickly.

“Tales state that she had to fight with the crystal before it allowed her to finally touch it.” Cole continued casually. “Once her hand touched the stone she glowed like an unholy candle burning black.” he said softly. “Then she ordered the foreigners gathered and executed as enemies of Atlantis.”

“And all the Guards gather together to collect and slaughter them to the last man.” Sert stated from the door. “It was also the last time both Council and Royal Guards acted as one group.” he added. A sad derisive chuckle escaped Cole.

“She turned Her Guards against the Council's Guards in what could only be described as a blood bath because she called the Council as traitors to Atlantis.” Cole replied. He stared at Sert with something akin to sadness in his eyes. “Meanwhile more and more of the higher seated Royals turned up assassinated within central Atlantis.” he continued.

“The lower nobles decided to try escaping but the did not get the chance as the Royal Guards received the order to murder the Council members.” Meli said softly. “Their honour had them stop seeing the fear and innocence in the members' eyes.” she explained. “They pulled back and the remaining Council Guard had locked up the roads out of central Atlantis.”

“The Usurper Queen did not take it well when Her four Captain told her they would not follow her orders.” Cole returned quietly. “I do feel pity for what happened to them because they acted with nobility and honour.” he added.

“All of Atlantis morn the curse placed upon their shoulders that day.” Sert commented bluntly.

“That is when they became half beasts.” Meli stated. “Some more beastly in form than others but all had animals come out and upon them.” she explained. “A beastly rage took them and the four Captains slaughtered the Usurper Queen on her own throne.”

“The Council moved to take control of Atlantis trying to protect its citizens but the remaining nobles disagreed.” Sert told them from the door.

“And more murders of Royals remained the last few that could have taken the throne of Atlantis.” Cole returned without emotions. “Many believe the Council was behind the deaths but I cannot believe it was just the Council's doing.” he continued quickly. A derisive snort came from both Sert and Meli at his words. “Too many died all at once all over central Atlantis for it to be the work of just one group.” he added. I felt the frustration pulsing through Cole at defending the Council alone.

“Next thing the Atlantian people knew, the minor nobles were vacating the central parts of the island if not leaving for the satellites of our nation.” Meli stated with a shrug.

“They had been offered seats upon the Council to mend the rift between them.” Cole retorted. “They refused and selected leaving everything on the shoulders of the Council.” he continued. I felt the anger he held in check against the nobles of Atlantis. “The Council survived the crushing responsibility but became a villain in the eyes of the populace while protecting the best interests of Atlantis.”

“Consolidating their power and control over Atlantis as completely as possible.” Meli remarked angrily.

“Until about five decades ago when Annianka appeared out of nowhere and took the position of Heart of Atlantis.” Sert whispered softly. “The story states her walking into the crystal chamber unopposed and gently brushing her hand against the crystal.” he continued.

“The chamber glowed the purest white anyone had ever seen before she exited the chamber.” Meli reported. “The Royal Guard Captains dropped to their knees before her swear to protect Her Holiness.” she continued. “She fought with words of wisdom to have the Council bow to Her will as Heart of Atlantis making it a religious title.” she concluded.

“Her Holiness Annianka, Heart of Atlantis gave all the people hope once more to return Atlantis to its glory seat of honour and nobility.” I said calmly. I did not comment on the fact that 'Hope' was the name I had given to this shard of the last Light of Life that existed. I had at the very least found a clue at the source of corruption here and abroad. The Heart of Atlantis had showed a dark face with the Usurper Queen while one of light with Annianka. The curse placed upon the Royal Guards was a genetic trait sitting in their genes from the start but none of them would accept it yet.

Another thought interfered in my mind as I realized that Annianka was the lost Atlantian princess that was supposed to be upon the throne. Her special origins made it easy for her to survive in her Atlantian form for centuries beyond other Atlantians. She was over a thousand years old but looked no more than her mid two hundred years. If discovered, I could not be sure what effect it would have upon Atlantis. A civil war as bloody as the Usurper's short reign of murder and destruction was the most minor path I saw occurring.

I ignored the less toxic comments now being made between the trio around me as my thoughts slipped deeper into my past. I stood with my true mother, Universe, as the last of the Ley'ä'Luna tried to step into the pillar of light to join the rest of her race. Her actions would have snuffed the Light of Life stopping any of the races seeded in Universe to be born including the last race, the humans. Before she could enter the pillar with the other, a great force took her from existence. My mother with one hand on her stomach bearing my unborn sister turned to look at me sadly.

“Your sister will be very angry with you having done this little Genin.” she whispered to me.

“I have not done it yet mother but it was the right action.” I answered. I remember the tears welling up in my eyes before I rushed away unable to understand my future action. I walked half blinded by tears until I was near the corner of the temple. I looked up with bleary vision to suddenly understand the writing upon the outer walls. I spent days reading all the story of what the Ley'ä'Luna had planed for all the races until the Fallen Ones, the humans, came into existence. I now understood what the one word all could understand truly meant. I walked into the temple and knelt before the pillar of light swearing I would protect them from the others who would prey on them.

It took Sert three attempts to draw me back from that moment. He held out a list of the nobles to me arranged in time and days we could possibly visit them. A short list of comments was scrolled down beside each name. I stared at the list in silence making my companions glance at each other in confusion.