Chapter 31
It.

I was ushered briskly into the room. It was unexpectedly small and rectangular, wider than it was long. The soft, furry carpet was a golden beige colour, and appeared enticingly comfortable. The walls were painted a similar shade of violet to the carpet in the main entrance, and bare- void of a single painting or tapestry. However, on the left wall, an old fashioned fire place flickered with warmth as it spat sizzling embers into the air and licked up towards the chimney with great vigour. Over by the back wall, five luxurious armchairs stood, curving around slightly into a suggestive semi-circle. Each chair was identically shaped, yet decorated differently, and every one was occupied by a different species representative. Before the main five seats, separated quite deliberately from the others, stood a tall, unyielding golden chair. Green ivy wound its way in and around the chair, perambulating the main metallic frame and, as I could only see the back of it, I assumed there was some sort of head Emperor sat there, hidden by the towering backrest. I shuddered with nerves, and glanced fearfully at Quentin. He smiled discreetly, before formally escorting me towards the centre of the room. I stood tentatively, with the golden throne to my right- which I then discovered was vacant- and stared in awe from one leader to the next. The closest of the five was of Mermaid origin. She had chocolate-brown hair that fell in thick ringlets about her bare shoulders, and bright eyes that flickered warmly like soft flames, and were framed by stylish, rectangular glasses with thick scale-studded legs. Her chest was covered by a silky, sky-blue bikini top, with long sleeves that started halfway down her biceps, exposing her shoulders. Her skin was tinted with a hint of bronze, and her complexion was clear- she had no spots, freckles or scars that were visible to the eye. Her features were distinct and beautifully set into a welcoming, glowing smile. Below her flat, toned stomach, a sparkling golden tail kicked at the air lightly, forking at the end into two almost transparent fins. Her chair was turquoise, with soft suggestions of gold woven into the canvas-work. She flashed her pearly teeth and eyed me with nothing but conviviality.
Beside her sat a man whose species I could not determine. His skin was dark, paling only in comparison to his dreadlocked hair, which stuck out at strange angles, and was the colour of coal. His thin clothes were multicoloured and bright, and clung to his body as he reclined lazily in the chair. Two small eyes twinkled excitedly, startlingly white against his auburn skin, with lavender irises inked onto the centre. His nose was wide and quite flat, and sat above a long, thin mouth that smiled politely as I met his gaze.
Quentin gestured for me to sit and, with a little bewilderment; I perched gingerly in the extravagant throne, and continued my observation of the Emperors.
Thankfully, the third leader was of a more obvious species than the previous one. I recognised her immediately, although I had never seen her before, and impulsively flashed a beaming smile. Serephina, the Fairy Empress, had long, amber hair that sat in delicate waves over her perfectly rounded shoulders, and ran down her body, finally coming to a stop just short of her closely set knees. Her eyes were like crystal balls, slightly sunken in her pallid face, with silvery irises that burnt with wisdom. She had a perfect, heart shaped face with soft, full lips and a dainty, rounded nose. Her beautiful face was mirrored by her elegant, flowing gown, and her aura radiated a strong lemon colour (inner-beauty and generosity). She sat regally, with her body held at an angle and her legs pressed neatly together with her hands clasped precisely on her lap. Her position gave the freedom of movement to her wings, which batted softly at the air. They were mostly bronze in colour, and curved stunningly into tiny silver spirals at the top and bottom of each delicate wing. They were long and very dominant in her appearance, and I got the feeling that my eyes would have been drawn to them even of they hadn’t been softly wafting at the air, stealing my attention for the Empress’s face.
I gazed in awe at the beautiful figure, and when she spoke, it took me a few seconds to register her words.
“You came at last, Storm Featherstone. We were beginning to doubt your arrival.” I blinked, drawing myself out of the trance her dazzling smile had ensued, and considered her words in confusion. Eventually, I shook the haze from my mind, and straightened my spine.
“You knew I was coming?” I frowned, my eyes caught in hers.
“Of course we did,” a voice snapped to my right. I tore my eyes from Serephina’s and turned them on the Empress which had spoken.
She was instantly distinguishable as an Angel- a glowing hoop hovered lightly above her head, and two large, white feathered wings stuck out awkwardly on either side of her muscular body, flattened against the back of the armchair. Wrinkles were etched deep in her harsh face, and her lips her thin as she stared at me with hard eyes that were filled with the wisdom of experience. She was clad in a tight, military fashion uniform, with dull, metal medals pinned precisely over her breast. She briefly reminded me of my old form teacher- Mrs Thistle- and I rapidly achieved a fear of the Empress.
“Excuse me?” My voice trembled slightly, all of the reassurance that I’d gained from Serephina obliterated in an instant. The Angel flicked her dark, short hair from her eyes and glowered.
“Insolent child, we can see mild images of the future- of course we knew you were coming. Ignoramus!” She spat, her lips pursed and white, her face contorted and bitter. My eyelids fluttered in astonishment, and I hesitantly turned back to Serephina, seeking some comfort or kinder explanation. She gave a single short nod of her beautiful head, and smiled sweetly.
“She speaks the truth;” she said softly, “the spiritually gifted Emperor of Silver Dragons beholds the power to form images from coloured smoke in the air which portray the future- a process known as Aelianopus. Unfortunately, they are not always completely accurate.” She ended her explanation with another dazzling smile, and gestured to the Emperor next to her.
He was an usual looking man, with the outer shell of a human, and short, blond hair, simply styled. Although he, too, was sat in an armchair, I could tell that he was tall, and of thin stature. His fingers were slightly longer than average, and the bones were more defined through the pale skin. He wore a very light, silk robe, which clung to his body, resulting in the toned muscles being visible through the thin cloth. His eyes were a deeper blue than the ocean, and they were as hypnotising as the rhythmic waves as they gazed at me with an expression of calculation. He was very attractive and his smile instantaneously sent a jolt of electricity through my heart.
We held each other’s eyes for more than a minute, and afterwards I thought it strange that the other Emperors had allowed the silence between us to survive, and that I never noticed the absence of life around us until later when I reflected on the meeting. It was he who broke the silence at last, and the sound startled me back into life.
“You’ve had a great loss. You are here to regain what has been taken from you. You have always been scared of being alone, but suddenly found yourself isolated from others by…” he frowned, seemingly trying to select the most appropriate wording, “an event; which occurred due to no fault of your own. You fear something- someone has made your quest more taxing than was necessary. But despite this great sense of loss and having so much robbed of you, you don’t feel bitter. You feel hope against all odds.” His face- which had been set with sincerity during his speech- suddenly relit, as though someone had flicked a switch inside him. I didn’t reply, I just stared, dumbfounded, at the fascinating Emperor. He didn’t press me for a response, instead he moved on, allowing me time to think over his predictions.
“I am Othenil,” he smiled, promptly lifting himself out of his chair, and gliding over to me. He then suddenly, and without warning, grasped my right hand in both of his, and bent down, pressing his forehead to closed fist. He then lowered my hand to my side, and swiftly returned to his seat. Completely taken by surprise, I glanced in puzzlement at my hand, and then back at Othenil.
“Storm,” I muttered hesitantly. A smile flickered across his face.
“I know.” He replied laconically, and I returned his smile.
“Of course.” After another prolonged silence, I reluctantly turned back to face Serephina, who had been smiling delightedly at the scene between the Silver Dragon leader and I.
“I’m very sorry; I haven’t introduced our Emperors, how inconsiderate of me!” I smiled at her sincere apology, and shifted uncomfortably in my throne. “Storm, this is Adaro, obviously she is the Empress of the Mermaids.” I nodded at the innocently waving Mermaid, and she continued: “Ravindra is our Vampire representative,” she gestured to the man in colourful clothing with the dreadlocks, and I blinked in astonishment.
“Really?” I blurted out without thinking, and as soon as the words had left my mouth, I snapped my fingers over my lips, ashamed of my insolence. The man smiled.
“Yes, I am of Vampire origin. Many people do not recognise my species, because the stereotype portrays a paler, bonier figure. But I assure you, I am one hundred percent Vampire.” He spoke with a thick, Jamaican accent, and there was something about the way he looked at me, that made me think he was hiding something, something I ought to know already. I blushed and nodded, forcing a smile through the embarrassment, and discreetly studied the white fangs that had become visible as he began talking. I realised I should have worked out that he was the Vampire when I was told that the other indistinct Emperor was a Silver Dragon, but ignored the notion of my slow mind. Serephina moved swiftly on, gesturing airily to Othenil and noting that I already knew his name, and then told me that the Angel on the end was called Phoenix.
“Oh yes that’s right!” I cried, once again without thinking, and flushed scarlet as I struggled to get out of it.
“What’s right?” Phoenix asked cagily, narrowing her eyes and running them up and down my body.
“Erm… well… I… err…” I cursed myself over and over in my head, but finally retired from attempting to coin an alibi. “Well, to be honest, everyone told me that you were… well… a man…” The Angel’s eyes narrowed further, so that I wondered briefly if she could still actually see me. She inhaled deeply before speaking again.
“Oh yes, all you insignificant little people seem to be under the impression that simply because I lead my people to battle and believe in bravery and physical strength rather than cowardice and mental capabilities, I must therefore be male. Is that what you thought?” The idea flashed through my mind as she spoke that, considering her appearance, I could see how people would confuse her as a male. I’d just opened my mouth to stutter another apology, when Adaro interrupted.
“As enthralling as this debate and political lecture is, we have a lot to get through, so can we put the argument on hold for now?” Her voice was soft and tuneful, as though she wasn’t talking at all, but singing every word she said. Phoenix grimaced briefly at the Mermaid, before sinking back into her hard armchair in resignation. I gave a short smile of gratitude, and then scanned my eyes over the Emperors before me. Again, it was Othenil that broke the long silence.
“Now Storm, we know the basics of your story up to now,” I made to interrupt him and his voice turned briefly sharp and abrupt, “and we have neither the time nor the necessity to hear it in great detail now, perhaps when this is all over, but at this moment it’s best we do the most we can, in the limited supply of time provided.” I nodded, and smiled apologetically.
“So,” he continued in a very business-like tone, “we have revealed my power to form images from coloured smoke to mirror the future, and so we know as much of your story as is absolutely vital in piecing together this puzzle.” I bobbed my head to show that I understood, and he leant back in his chair.
“However, Storm,” Serephina said, picking up the story, “What really intrigues us, is when our loyal friend Quentin informed you that Fairies cannot pass through the gate to the human world, why did you still desire to speak to us, knowing your dreams could not be fulfilled?” I frowned, again confused by the Empress’s words, and considered her question.
“I guess I just didn’t want to come all this way, and then return home having not met you all, nor found Cloud.” I said slowly, staring around the semi-circle, waiting for a response- of which there came none. I tried again. “I don’t know, maybe I’m still clinging to the futile hope that you’d be able to help me one way or another. Perhaps help me get home faster and more safely.” A grin rippled across the faces of the Empresses- even Phoenix’s expression showed mild satisfaction.
“You hold on tightly to your dreams,” Adaro sang softly, and her fellow Emperors acceded, “and you shall be awarded for you loyalty to them.”
“What-” I began.
“Not now,” Phoenix cut through my words like a dagger, and I instantly fell silent. “We have information that may be of interest to you, so I suggest you stop asking questions and start using those pointed ears the Godparents bestowed on you for such a purpose!” The crimson returned to my cheeks, and I hung my head a little in shame and humiliation. I stayed silent as I waited for someone to speak again, not wanting to upset the Angel further.
“The thing is,” Serephina said softly after a short pause, and I inclined my head so that my eyes met hers, “you came here in search of your friend Cloud, who came here in pursuit of his Mother, Spiral. Well I’m afraid we have some bad news.” My eyes expanded in fear. All of my blood seemed to rush to my head, and I gripped the hard arms of my chair in anticipation. This is it, I thought in a panic, they’re going to tell me Cloud’s dead…
“You see, when Cloud arrived and explained what he sought, we were a bit confused.” Othenil continued, “You see, Spiral never came to us. She never passed the gate, I asked the Aelianopus for an explanation of what happened to Spiral, and it revealed that she never endeavoured to visit the Palace of the Species. In fact, she never left the Birch.” A stunned silence burst into the room and pressed down on me, and I writhed uncomfortably under the pressure. The silence stayed in the room for a few minutes, an unwanted guest that intensified all of the emotions I was experiencing. Confusion. Fear. Fatigue. Awe. Incredulity. The sensations were putting a strain on my mental capability, and I fought to keep the overwhelmed tears from spilling down my face. After a while, I gathered the courage to speak with confidence, and shifted in my seat.
“Is she OK?” I asked hoarsely, gazing at the faces around the room, all of which looked solemn and set. I nodded, the absence of response delivering the answer. I glanced over the fire on the wall, and quietly watched the flames dance and spit as they devoured the wood and coal.
“I’m afraid she’s been taken Storm. She’s not in the best of conditions, but she is alive, and if our plans come to pass, she still will be when you next see her.” I flicked my eyes furtively to Serephina, and then back to the fireplace. What plans? My brain asked cautiously, but I resisted the urge to vocalise my queries. The following silence was an extended one, and throughout I could feel the patient eyes of the Emperors on me, which surprisingly reassured me rather than putting me under pressure.
“Who has her?” I breathed, not taking my eyes from the fire.
“I’m afraid we can’t tell you that just yet, we wish to tackle another issue.” The fires leapt up, angrily licking up the chimney.
“What about Cloud? Can you tell me that yet?” I said with increased ferocity, my eyes still trained on the mesmerising flames.
“Actually, that’s exactly what we wanted to talk about.” Adaro chirped with a cheer that was out of place in the current atmosphere. The flames tamed a little, soothing to a constant flicker, and I tore my eyes from them with a mild reluctance.
“He didn’t cross the wall.” I stated matter-of-factly, and stared impatiently around the faces of the leaders.
“Actually he did.” Ravindra said simply, taking me by surprise. He hadn’t spoken since our introduction, and I’d almost forgotten he was even there. He, too, used a factual tone, and my eyes flew open in an instant.
“He did?” I asked incredulously, and the Vampire nodded, a look of boredom dominating his relaxed face. “How?! He’s a Fairy!” I pushed him, having to grip the arms of my chair to stop myself from leaping to my feet in frustrated impatience. Ravindra shrugged, and gazed about the room uninterestedly. Thankfully, Serephina took over.
“Your best friend is not what you always thought he was. And nor are you my dear.” She spoke with the upmost kindness, and her voice was increasingly soft and gentile. I frowned, my head shaking from side to side subconsciously.
“I don’t understand…” I breathed, furrowing my brow and casting my eyes down at the soft carpet.
“Come on Storm,” Othenil pushed, “you must have noticed that you were different. How many Fairies have you ever met with lavender eyes? How many have unusually sharp teeth? Why do you think you and Cloud managed to get on so well all these years and bond like you’d never been able to bond with anyone else? Do you honestly think that the blood of a tree would have had the same effect on you friend Shimmer, or your other classmates?” Othenil was speaking quickly now, his deep eyes flashing excitedly, and I shook my head rapidly, my breath heavy and laboured.
“I don’t understand!” I cried, putting my face in my palms. When I looked back up a second later, Othenil was standing before me.
“Cloud managed to cross the gate because he’s a half-Vampire. And so are you.” He whispered.