Flower 13: Cloaks and Crystals

The moon cast its gaze upon the courtyard, an eye of the gods observing their realm with wonder and awe. As Mine traversed the archway leading to the Sisters of Olympus dormitory, an alarm resonated, signaling the intrusion of a man. However, when Trey, Ryder, and Kyan followed suit, the alarm remained unchanged, failing to amplify in response. Nevertheless, the mere presence of a single man triggered the full might of the Sisters of Olympus, prompting them to descend upon the courtyard. Hundreds of cloaks billowed like thunder as the Sisters materialized one after another, their figures etched in silhouette against the canvas of the night sky. Gilda stood amongst the towering statues that overlooked the walkway with her hood raised.

“Is that me?” Mine asked across the courtyard with Neblina’s cloak draped over his shoulders. He tossed back the hood of the cloak and waved stupidly.

Gilda and the other Mine palmed their faces and shook their heads. Several crystal weapons were raised to his throat and he raised his hands in surrender. He gulped and his adams apple was grazed by the tip of a spear and blood was drawn.

“Can’t you tell I’m one of you?” Mine pointing at the cloak over his shoulders with his thumbs.

The oldest of the Sisters hesitated for a moment as recognition dawned on them, the younger sisters tightened their grips on their weapons.

“That cloak belongs to Sister Neblina,” the other Mine announced as he stepped forward and was immediately surrounded. More crystal weapons were raised to his throat, he rolled his eyes and said, “This is a bit redundant don’t you think, dear?”

“I knew that was me,” the cloaked Mine said with a smile. “You are truly handsome.”

The seriousness of the situation didn’t seem to weigh on the two men at blade point. “I can say the same about you, dear.”

“We sound like Sir -,”

“Spoilers, dear.”

“You’re quite right,” the cloaked Mine noticed Trey and the others behind him and asked, “Is Molly with you?”

“No, is Gunther with you, dear?”

The cloaked Mine started to shake his head but a blade pressed against his throat gave him pause and he said, “No, dear.”

“Hmph, should I or would you like the honors, dear?”

“Together?” the cloaked Mine suggested.

"That works for me," The two versions of Mine snapped their fingers simultaneously, setting off a chain of events. The ground started to shake as they vanished amidst the crystal armaments and reappeared in the courtyard just as Molly and Gunther fell into Mine's arms. He was clad in a midnight blue suit adorned with sil mknnn,;,,hybewsver trim. In a deliberate descent, Neblina's matching cloak draped over his shoulders. Smiling at the girl in his arms, he inquired, "What have you two been up to?"

A dense green smoke suddenly billowed from above as Doro materialized with the Trifects. Mine casually waved Neblina's cloak, dispelling the emerald haze that had shrouded the courtyard. His gaze fixed on Doro, who hovered on her broom above the Sisters she had brought with her.

“You’ve stepped onto sacred grounds and your punishment is death,” Doro stated.

“I don’t plan on dying here, dear,” Mine said simply. “I’m on my way home and I figured I’d do a favor for someone I loved.” He put Molly down as he draped Neblina’s cloak over his shoulders. “This was left to me to return home. I’m only here to do my duty and be on my way.”

“Molly!” Trey shouted and dashed over to the small voskia girl and embraced her.

Gunther groaned between the two and pushed Trey away, “Ya be too dirty to hug us ya ruffian.”

Trey started to laugh, “You guys smell really good.”

“We took a bath,” Gunther said righteously.

The gathered Sisters of Olympus were struck with disbelief. Mine's unexpected presence alone was enough to leave them stunned, but the revelation that Trey had also ventured onto Olympus intensified their amazement. It didn't take long for their attention to shift to Ryder, who was making a less-than-subtle attempt to blend in. However, when their eyes fell on Kyan, the majority—if not all—froze in place. Kyan, noticing their reaction, sheepishly scratched the back of his head and blushed under their intense gazes.

Gilda, too, recognized the tallest man among them and felt an eerie connection. Pulling her hood back, she approached in a trance-like state. As Kyan turned toward her, their eyes met, and a strange glow emanated from their gaze.

Doro could no longer focus on Mine as her eyes widened when she saw Kyan and Gilda come in contact. She darted between them and said, “What are you doing down here?”

“You know him?” Gidla blinked when their eye contact was broken, her eyebrows knit together angrily and she glared at Doro, “Who is he?”

Doro didn’t respond she grabbed Gilda’s arm and attempted to lead her away. Everyone watched the scene unfold as Gilda snatched away from her and shoved Doro. She swayed on her broom but refused to move and growled, “We’re returning to the castle this instant.”

Kyan stepped from behind Doro and smiled, “You must be Gilda.” He scratched the back of his head and said, “Sister Aggel told me all about you.”

Gilda, still in shock, stared up at the man a foot taller than her and questioned, "Who are you?"

"I'm Kyan," he replied. "Your twin brother, seven minutes younger. Don't let it get to your head, though."

Gilda took a step back, falling hard, and stammered, "What?"

Doro turned sharply to Kyan and demanded, "What are you doing here? Where are the sisters assigned to you?"

A high-pitched frequency pierced the air, causing the crystal armaments of the Sisters of Olympus to crack and crumble. The sisters were suddenly disarmed. A round device shot into the air, scanning the courtyard, and descended rapidly, transforming into Ryder's helmet as it slammed into his face.

"Ryder! You're alive," Violet's panicked voice came through the helmet. "I thought you got eaten by one of those damn apes in the caves."

Ryder, touching the helmet, exclaimed, "Oh my Flow, where have you been, Vi?"

"Looking for you, stupid. You didn't hear my signal?" Violet snapped.

"What signal?" Ryder asked, clearly confused.

"You can't hear this?" Violet cranked up a frequency that echoed throughout the mountain.

Ryder shook his head, "I really can't."

"Oh," Violet said, "Wrong frequency," and there was a loud click inside the helmet. She asked, "How about now?" An ear-splitting ringing sound brought almost everyone in the courtyard to their knees.

Ryder pressed the mute button on the outside of the helmet and asked, "Is that the sound you were making as you searched for me?"

"Yeah, and then all those apes started attacking me," Violet stated with an annoyed tone.

The ground continued to quake and suddenly, thousands of Bodoluu emerged from the archway, attacking the Sisters of Olympus surrounding the courtyard on sight. Kyan took Gilda's hand and raced over to Ryder, offering his hand to help him off the ground. Meanwhile, Mine turned and shrouded Molly, Trey, and Gunther from the beasts storming the dormitory.

The Sisters of Olympus were a coordinated and powerful unit as they began to dispatch the overwhelming number of bodoluu despite being stripped of their weapons. Their martial prowess was evident as the hundred sisters defeated the bodoluu as quickly as they arrived. Mine swept his youngest companions off the battlefield and with Molly’s guidance they made their way to the cemetery.

Kyan and Gilda joined the fray as the bodoluu attacked them blindly. At first, Kyan tried to protect his sister but quickly learned she was more than capable of caring for herself as she unleashed a barrage of punches that laid a full grown bodoluu low. Ryder screamed as a bodoluu lunged at him and Kyan saved him with his black crystal kanabo.

“You’ve got a black crystal armament?” Gilda asked as she wrapped her legs arond a bodoluu’s neck and slammed it on the ground. She reached in her cloak and removed a smooth black crystal of her own and squeezed it, “Me too… I thought I was the only one.” She rolled to her feet and stood back to back with her brother brandishing her black crystal dagger reversed grip.

“Great minds act accordingly,” Kyan said as he started to laugh and launched himself into battle, Ryder, still pinned against the wall, muttered his mantra, "I don't wanna die," Thankful for having muted the helmet.

***

In the jungle of Olympus, Royal started to stir in the midst of a quake caused by the rampaging bodoluu. He sat bolt upright and grabbed his head as it throbbed. He looked around for Mine and the boy.

“Where’d they go?”

Tor, the black, green, and pink crystal golem pointed toward the ceiling.

“How long was I out?”

Ruby, the smooth red crystal golem raised her five fingers.

“Minutes?”

Ruby shook her head.

“Hours,” Royal said with a sigh as he pushed himself from the ground. He rubbed his jaw and could feel the raised design that decorated his jawline and cheek. The ground started to quake again and he looked up. “What kind of trouble has he caused?”

He huffed and walked through the jungle and made his way to his quarters. He pressed a series of crystal buttons on the wall and hundreds of screens appeared on the wall depicting what was happening all over the mountain. He couldn’t believe his eyes as the bodoluu appeared to be going berserk throughout the mountain. They were even in the quarry but Sister NLO-8 proved to be one of the most formidable sisters as she protected the men who worked there and handled each of the assailants with ease.

He turned to look at the other monitors and watched in horror as the bodoluu ran roughshod through the mountain and attacked anyone and everyone they came across. He searched through the crystal drone feeds that fed his network of screens. Two screens in particular caught his attention and he enlarged both of them

"We need to reach Zeus," Royal emphasized, his eyes fixed on a group of Bodoluu displaying unusual composure. Equipped with crude jagged crystal armaments, these creatures appeared more controlled, distinguished by chiseled physiques, longer arms, and rippling muscles in their cores. "She's in danger. This particular group," he pointed at the screen, "is known as the Shoko Bodoluu. They represent the potential successors for the chief position. Living in isolation, they engage in internal battles to determine the strongest and most fit to lead. Due to their aggressiveness and volatility, they're segregated from the main population and aren't allowed to integrate like the others."

Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.

He placed his hand on the wall and the crystals on the walls began to hum. He turned to the screens and the enlarged the second screen. It depicted Zeus standing on her balcony overlooking the city. He was sure she could feel the tremors that tore through the mountain at the behest of the bodoluu’s rage. He wondered what her thoughts were, when Tor appeared with Poinsettia wrapped in bandages.

Royal faced the golem, hesitating to take the weapon from her. The sinister aura pulsating from it caused the new burden marks on his skin to glow faintly.

"Take me," a sinister whisper emanated from the axe.

Royal glared at the axe and looked to Tor, "Did you hear that?"

She shook her head.

"I am yours, your bloodline made manifest to cut a path and stain the universe with our poison. Wield me!" The axe hissed.

Royal's brow furrowed as he growled, "Don't tell me what to do."

"Your will means nothing," Poinsettia became animated and coiled around Tor's arm. From beneath the bandages, a bright-eyed purple snake emerged. It had horns along its body in the same pattern as the thorns. Its tail raised, and a black rattle gleamed at the tip. "I am Poinsettia, you belong to me. Fulfill my desire and accept the purpose bestowed upon you by those who came before."

Royal tilted his head, "I've pledged my life. As an armament, you will serve as I do."

"Insolent boy," Poinsettia lunged at Royal, her fangs dripping indigo fluid.

He caught the snake by its throat, squeezed, and raised it to his gaze, "My life belongs to me. Your gift is being wielded by me. You're more talkative than you were with Mine."

"Mr. Heart experienced every day for the last six years in total isolation from the rest of the universe," Poinsettia hissed, "And I still poisoned that man without hesitation just for touching me."

Royal choked the snake into submission and demanded it return to its natural form. It complied with his command and transformed into an axe again. He twirled the axe, feeling the power it exuded. Palpable, he could taste the power; it coursed through his veins as if it were his blood. His mouth pooled, and his tongue traced his sharp fangs, groaning as his mind fogged with delight and power.

He slammed the blade into the ground and released a yell, "No! I will not obey your whim. Zeus is my love."

Poinsettia's forked tongue poked through her lips, tasted the air, and whipped her snake head away in disgust. "Your love and loyalty are misplaced. This one hides you, keeps you from pursuing what rightfully belongs to you." The snake snapped, "We are royalty. Your name coincides with the originators of power in the universe. The great Montiroux Family of the Girighets hailed over Leivviel and the galaxy that housed it. How far have we fallen? You grovel for the love of one monarch when the universe bowed before your forebears with gifts just to breathe the same air."

Royal growled, "Speak not for the destiny of the Montiroux. You abandoned us, and what was once ours now belongs to the House of Monroe. Hiss, spit, and snap as you please. Our fate is now in the hands of Zeus. I’ve pledged my loyalty to her and her throne, her planet, and its people. This is what we do now. Royal is no more than the name my mother graced me with."

Poinsettia spat on the ground, "I was not forged to be wielded by a peasant. Return me to the Masterpiece; I shall see him home."

Royal bowed, "Very well." He wrapped the axe snugly in its bandage and plucked it from the ground with ease. "To serve Zeus, your presence is unnecessary."

He tossed the covered axe to Tor and growled, “Mind it, do not wield it. I fear access to your grip would prove you lost to my command.” He marched toward the stairs leading to the upper levels of the mountain. Ruby followed moments later with a clinking bag. Royal raised his eyebrow questioningly. She opened it to reveal an assortment of crystal shards. She plucked one out and gave it a squeeze, and it formed into a sword.

“For the Sisters' broken armaments?” Royal asked.

Ruby nodded, and they began their quick-paced ascent to the city to provide assistance to the Sisters of Olympus. Unbeknownst to Royal, Queen Zeus was on the move and would soon appear with all her ferocity on full display.

***

Before Thessaldonia fell under the rule of Queen Zeus Titan, the planet was governed by the first king of a united world, King Jupiter Titan. Regarded as one of the most influential rulers in Thessaldonia's extensive history of conflict and turmoil, King Jupiter harnessed his unique abilities to manipulate mass and single-handedly quell the Galva invasion. His elegance and grace were instrumental in uniting the warring nations on the planet, establishing a benevolent rule after the decisive battle, and making a solemn promise to protect the planet indefinitely.

King Jupiter's reign received widespread acceptance, and various planets expressed their support to Thessaldonia’s independence by presenting gifts, and offerings. Among the vast amounts of treasure was a living offering of allegiance – Royal Montiroux, a child of a deposed family enslaved but set free upon entering King Jupiter's court. Grateful for his newfound freedom and the chance to right the wrongs against his family, Royal pledged unwavering loyalty to the throne of Thessaldonia. He served King Jupiter with dedication, advising him to the best of his abilities. Under the leadership of King Jupiter Titan and the advisement of Royal Montiroux, Thessaldonia was unified under the banner of Olympus, the pinnacle of the planet.

When King Jupiter was propositioned by the Universal Tribunal Union to join their ranks, the hand of his daughter was requested as the terms of agreement. He agreed to participate and unite the powers of Thessaldonia with that of those who rule majority of the universe. However, before King Jupiter could oversee the union of the stars he fell ill and became sick. When his daughter Princess Zeus rose to royalty she was expected to uphold her father’s commitments. She was introduced to a young noble of Saritocious, a planet with a violent history centered around the planets arena.

Without her sister's guidance and a reluctance to heed Royal's advice, Zeus succumbed to the charms of the prince of Saritocious. She was captivated by the charismatic and optimistic man whose customs were unfamiliar but seemed perfect to her. He embodied everything she envisioned in a prince—saying, doing, and behaving exactly as she believed a royal should. He fulfilled her dreams, and the promises he made resonated with her hopes. Zeus was enchanted, convinced that this man would stand by her as king and become the father of her children, a new protector of Thessaldonia. The people would rejoice, and she eagerly anticipated welcoming her sister back to a vastly improved Thessaldonia.

However, as Zeus's belly began to swell, and her pregnancy was joyously announced to her citizens, the man she loved abruptly fled and married another. Devastated by this betrayal, a dark cloud formed over the planet, unleashing a lightning vengeance that struck down men with furious wrath. The men of Thessaldonia were forced to flee from the mountain to the countries that beyond the sands of the desert.

The birth of the twins heralded a tempest matching the unyielding fury of the queen. Gilda's arrival brought joy to the Sisters of Olympus, but that jubilation was abruptly quelled seven minutes later with the birth of the boy—a perceived blemish, a burden, incompatible with the magical realm Zeus sought to build. The twins, connected in the womb, shared a palpable bond at birth. The girl instinctively reached for her brother. In a cruel twist, Zeus cast the boy into the tunnels beneath the castle, destined to be handed over to the Bodoluu and raised among them. Meanwhile, the girl would remain in the castle, destined to join the Sisters of Olympus on her tenth birthday. Zeus's plan involved keeping them apart for as long as possible, eventually disposing of the boy when she could no longer maintain the separation, thereby elevating her daughter to the intended position.

Zeus harbored no hatred for the boy; in fact, she loved him. However, the world she had constructed would not allow his existence without dire consequences. Her harsh stance extended to all the men who once inhabited Olympus, banishing them to the desert without consideration for relation or status. Creating a prince in a realm where all other men were denied existence seemed incompatible with her vision.

Reflecting on her past and the decisions that led to the present moment, Zeus stood on her balcony and raised her hand to the sky. Turquoise eyes glowing, she commanded the clouds above the castle, orchestrating them with the subtle gestures of her hand. Spreading her arms wide, lightning danced around her, forming into an orb that lifted her from the ground, with her two blue aides enclosed within. As she traversed the city, the citizens below called out to her, expressing cheers and wishes for her continued existence. However, Zeus remained silent, and as a warning, lightning chased them from the streets. Her intent was clear—to eradicate all who defied her, to strike down any who dared violate her laws. She adamantly refused to allow any man to set foot in her world without paying the ultimate price.

***

Mine approached the bust without a cloak and Molly stepped in front of him with glowing eyes. She waved her hand and the archway behind it flickered for a moment. They stepped through and reappeared in a valley of blue and purple crystal walls that seemed to reach the night sky with all of its brilliant emerald stars offering a gentle glow. The valley sung as the wind moved through the holes in the crystals above. Trey was already ahead of the others and his scream caused Mine to snap to his side twirling the gold needle between his fingers. At the end of the valley was an expanding plain of midnight blue sunflowers with alternating silver and gold disc florets in the middle. Graves protruded between the flowers as the blew in the wind. Mine flicked a gold needle from into the valley to see if there were any traps.

“Ah, there’s no place like home,” Mine said as the cloak hugged him. He held it as the wind caused it to flutter.

“I wanna go home,” Trey said wiping his eyes.

They found a path of crystal that weaved through the flowers that led to each of the individual graves. From the ground they could see a trio of floating crystals and Mine made his way toward them. When they arrived three sisters in black cloaks with white trim appeared before them. The Fates moved as if they were ghosts and all of their faces were covered with crystal veils. Mine sighed and said, “I gotta be honest, it took you all much longer to catch up than I anticipated.”

“Your knowledge of our ways and possession of that cloak provides you admissions we are not granted,” one of the women said.

“Refrain from speaking,” the middle one stated.

“Kill the men, retrieve the cloak, save the girl,” the last one said before they all moved.

“Eh,” Mine said and plucked an invisible thread that created a reverberating twang. The Fates were suddenly seized in midair as if ensnared by an invisible spider's web. “I’ve exercised enough today and I only came here to return something that was entrusted to me. Let me do my work and I’ll be on my way.”

Trey and Molly clung to the back of Mine’s legs not wanting to be killed or rescued by the Fates. The cloak hid them as if it was aware of what was going on. Gunther on the otherhand was standing on Mine’s shoulder with his wooden sword raised.

“I seen ye before,” Gunther accused, “Ya three appeared with the green smoke girl. Careful Cap’n I can see them fer what they are and all of’em are on par with Neblina.”

“And here we thought our identities were unknown,” one of the sisters said as she removed the crystal veil. Her cloak became a light blue and she freed herself from the web with ease and kicked her legs as if on a swing. “I’m Sister Verda, Fate of Dawn.”

“ Sister Ember,” the one in the middle said as she removed her veil. Her cloak became a vibrant blue that matched the daytime sky. She hung upside in the web as if she were performing with aerial silks. “Fate of Noon.”

The third sister sighed and removed her veil and freed herself from the web. She landed on the ground and her darker blue cloak spread around her. When she stood up she introduced herself, “Astra, Sister of Dusk.”

“Mine Heart, a pleasure to meet you all,” he said as he bowed his head. Gunther tugged his ear and the man chuckled, “This is Gunther, my creed.”

“We’ve been waiting for you,” Verda said with a smile.

“You have?” Trey asked suddenly peeking from behind the cloak.

“Mr. Heart’s appearance has been foretold,” Ember stated.

“His presence is one we’ve been dreading but has always been known and passed down since the inception of the Sisters of Olympus. You are the reason for our formation and the demise of Olympus.”

Mine waved his hand as he blushed, “Oh, stop the flattery dear, I’m old but not the creator of everything you know. Just because troubles coming doesn’t mean its my fault. I just happen to be there before things go down.”

“What’re they talking about Mr. Heart?” Trey asked curiously.

“Nothin kid,” Mine shook his head, “It’s an old trope with the people’s of Tucy. Everyone needs someone to blame so why not make the Nowhere-man the fall guy.” He shrugged and turned back to the sisters. “Are we going to chat or can I do what I came to do.”

They looked to one another curiously and turned back to Mine. Sister Verda was the one to speak up, “You’re here to return Neblina’s cloak.”

“Indeed, dear. I knew you’d all understand.” Mine stepped forward and the sisters produced black crystal armaments and blocked his path.

“We were formed to end your story and prevent the fall of Olympus,” Sister Ember said as she took her stance with her halbred and raised it in front of Mine to keep him at a distance.

“Okay, I’ll bite,” Mine said with his hands raised. He rolled his eyes and waved his hand. His shadow transformed into a throne-like couch and he sat down with Trey and Molly beside him. Gunther sat in his lap as he he crossed his leg. “Go on, tell your story. Why d’you want to kill me and why should I give up on going home when I’m just trying to return my love to hers?”

The Fates exchanged bewildered glances as Mine's nonchalant demeanor caught them off guard. Ember lowered her weapon, Verda cleared her throat, and Astra awkwardly adjusted her collar, averting her eyes. The two children, seemingly innocent, sat beside the one destined to bring about the end of their world.

Verda hesitated, uncertain about how to proceed or where to begin. Meanwhile, Molly, attempting to get Mine's attention by tapping on his leg, found herself ignored or unnoticed. With Gunther too far away to convey her message, Molly resorted to pouting and played along with the unfolding events. Even though she already knew the prophecy, the subsequent events, and what lay ahead, she adopted Trey's expression of wonder. Astra, observing Molly's feigned intrigue, decided to address the situation.

"Um, there's a prophecy," Astra began, brushing off the intense stares of her sisters. She waved them off and sighed, “Might as well tell’em everything, Zeus isn’t here to silence us.”

Verda’s shock was evident and Ember giggled defiantly. Mine couldn’t help but smile, “Do tell, dear.”

Mine Imagination: Flight of the Hummingbirds

By: T. M. Ashley