It wasn’t long before a pretty woman wearing a wreath of colorful wires, a long liquid metal skirt, and nothing else greeted them.
“Hello, Stephan. What brings you to our doorstep today of all days,” the woman said smiling. Stephan grinned Melanie, call your Jefe. I need a word with him,” Stephan said not paying attention to the woman’s nudeness. She grinned. “Rafael will be glad to see his son return,” with that said she walked off and Stephan winced. No way no how! I am not marrying Mira! Not now Not ever!
He smiled weakly at the group and followed the woman with everyone following him.
Zen found herself staring. None of the women here wore tops! They all had long hair that covered them modestly and wire wreaths. They were also beautiful with dark tanned skin and almond-shaped eyes of charcoal or some exotic color like amethyst. Hair colors varied from pitch back to lighter honey blondes and every woman had a figure that was worth showing making Zen a little self-conscious about her own body. None of the women were afraid to show off and that’s what made them beautiful in Zen’s eye.
Their self-confidence in their bodies was a unique perspective considered with the reality she lived in. A woman was breastfeeding her babe as if it was a normal thing to do in public and for the Yuka it was. Zen stared. In normal society, she would have brought a scandal and been arrested by the Enforcers and sent to the converter. Actually, most would be but here it was normal!
Zen stared at the giant metal buildings erected around a crater full of bubbling water. They were tall and completely devoid of windows. They instead had vents that carried the hot volcanic air from settlement to settlement. Several boys were out playing with metal balls, leading them to and from others in a strange game of tag. They wore metal chest plates and cloth pants like most of the men except theirs was made for play while the men looked battle-hardened.
There couldn’t be more than fifty Yuka outside. Were there more in the settlements? The woman was greeted by every single person they stopped by. She said her hellos and kept on walking towards the biggest metal settlement of them all. This one had windows made out of bars on the sides like a prison cell. Stephan leaned in. “That’s where they keep their most dangerous criminals.”
Zen frowned. “Is that where I’ll be going to spend the night?”
Stephan furrowed his brows. “Not if I can help it! Come on we’re almost there.”
Zen smiled up at him but he didn’t smile back instead he grabbed her arm and squeezed.
“No matter what you hear know that it’s not what I want ok,” he said.
Zen nodded confused.
He stood there looking down at her for a minute before letting go of her arm and walking forward. They walked into the settlement which was busy with Yuka running back and forth. Some were carrying large stacks of papers others were strange metal gadgets. Still, others marched around carrying spears and other weapons standing vigil by a large door upon which they were heading. The door was carved with images of battle and had metal wingdings sticking out as decoration. The woman pushed apart the doors as if they were made of cardboard and for the first time, Zen realized how strong the Yuka really were. The woman continued on her trek down the hallway and to another set of metal doors. These were smooth as glass and shone with an inner light. She could see her reflection in them.
The woman paused and turned to Stephan. “He awaits behind these doors. I know you never agreed with our customs but to us, it is so. Be careful with Mira. She looks to obtain you again.”
Stephan sighed and cast a look at Zen before pulling the doors open. A blur of jet black launched itself at him and he caught it sighing.
“I knew you’d change your mind,” it said before coming into view and Zen really felt self-conscious then. It was a beautiful dark-skinned girl with curly jet-black hair with blue highlights and gorgeous obsidian eyes that shone like stars. Her body was nothing to sneeze at either. Perfectly proportioned breasts and hips, like all other females she wore nothing on top. Unlike other females, she had short hair that didn’t cover up her modesty. And what modesty it is! It’s perkier than mine! How is that possible? Why is Stephan glaring?
“I haven’t changed my mind, Mira. Let me speak with your father please.” He set the beauty down on the floor and stepped toward the male in the background who was grinning at the display. He ignored her and walked up to the older male. “Rafael, how have you been?”
The older man grinned. “Better than you. Tell me what trouble has darkened your doorstep now?”
“Zen show him Ishevara. Don’t worry he can be trusted.”
Zen turned her head and pointed at Mira. “Can she?”
Mira bristled with disdain and walked up to Zen. “I am the chief's daughter and…”
“And a real pain in the ass. Yes, Zen she can be trusted. Show Ishevara.”
Zen hmmed and took the necklace that held Ishevara out. She held Ishevara in her palm letting Ishevara’s pulses of power soothe her nerves.
Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.
Everytime I show you, someone wants you.
It is the curse of being an intergalactic crystal. We were all cursed with something mine was avarice.
Would you tell me that story sometime Ishevara?
It is the story of my making and I’d be happy to Guardian.
Mira scoffed. “It’s some rock? So what?”
“Ishevara is not some rock,” Zen cried and a glow encompassed her and the crystal which made Rafael’s eyes widen.
“Stephan is that an intergalactic crystal? In my home? What have you gotten yourself into now son?”
“The Dons are after this crystal and Zen’s life. We have nowhere to go. Could we stay a few nights here? I know I bring danger to the clan but there is nowhere else to turn to.”
“How long will I have that blasted thing in my territory?”
Stephan sighed. “The ball’s in your court. We’re only staying a few days at most. At least til we can find a safe house for Zen and her brother.”
Rafael was about to say something when Mira interrupted. “Father we can’t have that here! What if these Dons come looking for it? Why not hand it over to us and let us take care of it?”
Zen narrowed her eyes and clenched her fists. “Ishevara picked me as her guardian. There is no way to get rid of me. Without me, she refuses to work at all so you can take your pipe dreams of using her to your whims and stuff them where the sun don’t shine!”
Mira actually growled. “Father! Then lock her up in the containment rooms until they leave! She is a threat to us!”
“How am I a threat! Because I refuse to hand over Ishevara? You are no better than the Dons after me for power!
Stephan grinned. “Aptly put Zen.”
Zen turned to him and smiled. “Thanks.”
Mira stomped her foot and glared at Stephan. “Are you going to let this trollop talk to me like that?”
Stephan shrugged. “Why not Mira? You started it. Trying to take Ishevara away from Zen was a bad move on your part.”
“Because I’m your fiance!”
Zen’s eyes widened and she looked at Stephan. He glared at Mira but didn’t make any rebukes to her claim.
“Stephan is this true,” Zen whispered.
“Of course, it's true trollop.”
Zen glared at Mira before glaring at Stephan. “Is it true Stephan,” she cried.
Stephan sighed. “According to the Yuka, I am engaged with Mira but…”
Zen blinked back tears and signaled Marco. “I need to leave, Now!”
Marco nodded and glaring at Stephan he took Zen into his arms and teleported away.
###
Stephan clenched his hair with a fist and turned to face Mira a fire burning in his eyes.
“That was a promise I made Asphodel before she died a long time ago Mira, which you ruined! I am not bound by the laws of your people!”
“I am still your fiance.”
“I refused you before and I’m doing so again! I am not marrying you!”
“But we are meant for each other! We can see each other’s dreams!”
“That was one time Mira! It’s not happening!”
“Yes, it is! If you want to keep that girl safe then you’re going to have to marry me!”
“In that case, we’ll leave!”
“But you just got here!”
Stephan approached her and pulled her close but it wasn’t in any way romantic. He held her with his elemental strength bruising her arms.
“Oow, hey let go!”
“If I have to marry a spoiled brat then I choose to go. You’ve already damaged something precious to me I’m not taking any more chances with you,” he growled out his usual crystalline blue eyes bleeding completely blue, in the sclera, in his anger. Mira looked at his glowing blue eyes and shivered. I might have pushed him too much this time.
She gulped and looked at her father who was shaking his head. He seemed to be saying you got yourself into this mess now get yourself out! She smiled coyly. “You wouldn’t kill your fiance now would you,” she coaxed.
“Why not? I’ve killed others before. You wouldn’t be the first or the last.” He began to siphon her body’s water from her slowly and painfully.
Rafael cleared his throat. “I need my heir Stephan...alive and whole. She apologizes for what she did.”
“I do not!”
Rafael glared at his progeny and Mira shut up.
“Go and look for the girl. You can stay for a few nights but that is all I can afford. I can’t put the clan in danger.”
Stephan dropped Mira. “I understand.”
“Go to your girl and explain things to her.”
Stephan grinned. “Will do...Jefe.”
###
Zen and Marco appeared near the crater that was in the center of the settlements. Zen collapsed to her knees ignoring the world around her. The glow encompassed her and the world slowed down around her. She could see every detail of the bubble surfacing upon the water. It was a striking silver not clear not blue silver as metal. Metal bubbles?
She stretched her hand out to touch the bubble.
Be careful Guardian that bubble is acidic!
Ishevara? How do you know that?
I can feel it if I’m close enough. We are both part of the same family after all.
Do you mean the bubble is actually a crystal?
Yes, a very rare titanium alloy crystal that is grown from old metal. Only those with the gift can grow these and this crater is the boiling spot for the crystals. This is not yet a crystal. It is but the ingredient of a crystal.
Like a great cooking pot?
Exactly. Now I’m returning time to its original state and you and he will have a talk.
He? You don’t mean...But I don’t want to...Time fast forwards and she is left staring into crystalline blue orbs.