“Revenge!?”
Amber was shocked at my statement, pulled back, and stood there, on the other side of the table, with a surprised and shocked look without saying anything. A shock of someone seeing through her? Or was it something else?
I stared at her intensely. Trying to gauge her response. Test her, so to speak.
“I see it in your eyes, Amber. There is revenge in there. I can see it.”
Amber, who up till now was a really cheerful and nice young woman, suddenly turned very serious and tense. You could almost feel the tension in the air and with that, I knew I had hit the mark.
“I have no clue what you are talking about,” she said with a snarky and annoyed tone, confirming it even more.
“Yes, you do. It is written in your eyes.” I started while keeping my gaze on her.
“Where I come from there is a saying that ‘the eyes are the gateway to the soul’ and that ‘the eyes never lie’.”
Amber, not being impressed with my little speech sat down and tried to divert from the subject.
“Yeah sure, but I still don’t know what you are talking about. So why do you need my parents.”
Lucian was completely entranced by the situation and just being a spectator to what was happening.
“Amber, I know we just met but you won’t fool me. I know you are out for revenge and it has something to do with the Celestial Plain”.
The moment I said that name again, Amber's eyes twitched. She tried to suppress whatever feelings she was having on the subject but it was creeping through into the public the more I probed her about it.
“How would you even know how revenge looks in someone's eyes” Amber replied a bit agitated now.
“Because I have seen those eyes before. And those eyes were my own”
This made Amber stop for a moment. She didn’t know how to reply to that. I could almost see in her eyes how her mind was trying to formulate a response until her curiosity broke the silence.
“H- ho- how do you see your own eyes?” She asked a bit unsure.
I stopped my intense stare and softened my face to remove some tension. By now I knew she would tell me sooner or later what was going on.
“If you tell me why you are so hell-bent on taking revenge on someone or for something that has a connection with the Celestial Plain, I will tell you my full story.”
Lucian looked at me in surprise.
“Are you sure Zeph?” he said with a hint of worry.
I nodded. “Yeah, If my assumption is correct, we will be working together soon.”
“Wait what? Working together? What are you talking about?” she said as she ordered all the servants out of the room.
“So… Am I right to assume you are ready to talk then?” I said a bit sarcastically.
“Fine, but you are telling your side as well.” She relaxed a bit and took a deep breath.
“I promise!” is answered while also relaxing back into the couch.
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—
Years ago when I was still little, my parents always went on expeditions to faraway places in search of something. Something that would change the world if they found it. Or so they told me.
I was alone here with the servants for most of the year but they would at least always return home for my birthday. Normally you would hate your parents for never being there but I didn’t mind. For some reason, I accepted how things were and they always brought me nice gifts from their trips. I loved them a lot and they always showed how much they loved me as well.
After I grew a bit older they started to tell me what they were searching for. This would often be along the lines of “A gate to the heavens. Where we can talk to the gods of this world”.
It sounds stupid, I know, but I was mesmerized by the idea that my own parents would find something like that and I could maybe go there as well. But everything changed after my 14th birthday.
They said they had to go on a journey to the place where they believed the gate to the heavens was located and that it would take a bit longer this time. Meaning, they probably wouldn’t be back in time for my 15th birthday.
6 months after their departure I messenger knocked on our door with a device I had seen my Father use once before. He gave it to me and was on his way again.
When I touched the device as my Father did, the device lit up and projected some sort of floating moving image of my parents above the table.
Here, this is the device. If I put it down on the table and touch it here…
*static noise*
> Hey Amber,
>
>
>
> We hope this message finds you well. There's no easy way to say this, so here it goes. We're in a bit of a tight spot, and it looks like our luck has run out on this expedition into an ancient ruin. Life's full of surprises, huh?
>
>
>
> We're sorry, sweetheart. Really, truly sorry we won't be there to see you grow up into the amazing person we know you'll become. Life's an unpredictable adventure, and sometimes it takes unexpected turns.
>
>
>
> We stumbled upon that portal to the celestial plane we used to daydream about. It's breathtaking, no doubt. But it's not all sunshine and rainbows. Turns out, the celestial plane has its guardian, and it wasn't the paradise we thought it would be.
>
>
>
> We don't want you to go on some wild quest to find us. We chose this journey, and we accept whatever comes our way. Your safety and happiness mean the world to us. Live your life, enjoy every moment, and know that we love you more than anything.
>
>
>
> Look for us in the stars, in the rustle of leaves, and in the quiet moments. We'll be there, cheering you on.
>
>
>
> Lots of love,
>
>
>
> Uzi and Bordin
*static noise*
It has been 5 years now and as I got curious, I started looking for a way to retrieve my parent's bodies and give them a proper burial.
My Father hid his research on the gate very well but I eventually found it and its possible location. The only issue is that I have no way of getting there without people I can trust to follow me into this place.
—
Just sitting there and hearing her story and seeing the message was heartbreaking.
“So you lost someone to those ‘gods’ as well?”
Amber’s attention peaked when hearing that. As the image of the message disappeared she picked up the device again and put it in one of her belt pouches.
“As well?” she said curiously. “Now that you know my story, tell me yours.”
She tried to be composed and not show her emotions but I could see the fight she was almost losing. Hoping to help her out, I quickly started my side.
“This is going to take a while. My side isn’t as straightforward as yours.”
-- Some time later
“So yeah, now we are here asking you about the Celestial Plane.”
I finished telling my story and found Amber silently letting it all sink in. After a few moments of silence, Amber seemingly found a way to process it in some way.
“Well, that is a long story for sure.” She started carefully. “It’s hard to believe that you and your sister are the same person at the moment. Let alone all the stuff with this Umbra guy.”
“If you want proof, I would suggest going to my sister and asking her about what we talked about. You know she would not be able to tell you if my story wasn’t true.” I said with a mischievous smile.
A servant knocked on the door and apologized for interrupting. As she stood in the door opening she bowed and told Amber that my sister was awake. She then closed the door again.
“Well go hear for yourself,” I said while I stayed seated and Amber stood up and walked to the door.