Part 10

Max’s eyes went from the Liz look alike in front of him to the Liz in the ice. Tess was thinking to herself, *Great, just what I need. Another Liz Parker to deal with.* Michael looked as confuse as ever and Isabel was trying to comprehend everything that was thrown at her.

“When I was in your dream, what did you mean when you said that our mother betrayed you and who is this Yiran person? Were you with us in the crash?”

Michael, Max, and Tess’ head looked sharply at Isabel. She hadn’t told the other three what was in the dream except that Liz wasn’t Liz.

“I see they did a pretty good bang up job in erasing your memory. By the way, the name’s Celia,” Liz/Celia said.

“Celia,” Michael mumbled. *How come the voice sounds so familiar to me?*

Liz/Celia turned to look at him and there was a brief flash in her eyes that stuck a chord deep inside of him. It was gone a second later but Michael knew in him that there was something about her than meets the eye.

“Like I told Vilandra here, I don’t give a shit about you being the Royal Four and before you start throwing stupid questions at me, let me explain, and tell you the real story.” Liz/Celia emphasized the word ‘real’ and the chains bounding the Royal Four to the wall vanished. “This is going to take a while so you might as well get comfy. If you try to escape, I can guarantee you that I’ll make your life a living hell with my bare hands.”

Chairs appeared behind them and they tentatively sat down on it, eyeing Celia with unshielded suspicion, and maybe even a tint of fear.

“As I was saying, the whole ‘I’m royalty so you have to do whatever I say’ is nothing but dog shit to me. My story starts way back, back before you were born. Before Zan, Vilandra, Ava, and Rath ever existed.”

“Did you know that your mother and I were once best friends?” she suddenly asked.

Max and Isabel looked startled at the new information presented to them. They were about to ask her about it but she continued on, trapped in her own world of reminiscing.

“But as they say, the perfect enemy is someone closest to you. And aside from Yiran, who I am sure will never betray me, is Riyila Neoma, your mother.”

Max and Isabel yet again exchanged glances. They were finally able to put a name to the face of their supposed mother.

“I’ve known her since we were diapers, her parents and mine were close friends too. We went to school together, did our duties together, everything. We even gave birth in the same month together!” Liz/Celia almost wanted to cry at the pleasant times before it all went spiraling downward, almost. She had done a lot of crying when Riyila resented their friendship and when she ordered Yiran’s execution.

“What happened?” Michael asked softly.

“War was what happened. But I won’t get into that just yet. Got to save the good parts for later right?”

“Vilandra, to answer your question, Yiran was my lover, husband, and partner on the battlefield. I met him roughly around the same time your mother met your father. Yiran and Hroan Plin, that’s your father’s name by the way, were best friends too. They grew up in the palace together, both of royal blood. Hroan was the prince of Antar and Yiran was a soldier, the general of the army. Yiran’s parents were cousins to Hroan’s parents so that technically made them cousins too.”

“Riyila and I were at the market buying food for dinner when we bumped into him. Apparently Hroan had grown tired of the palace grounds and wanted to go out for a stroll without causing a commotion. He disguised himself and to be simply put, fell in love with Riyila at first sight. Riyila didn’t know at that time that Hroan was the prince, but she probably wouldn’t have cared anyway. They started secretly visiting each other at the gardens and a few months later, Hroan announced to everyone that he was to be wedded. Everyone was surprised by this announcement, especially the queen since they were unaware that Hroan was even dating anyone.”

Flash

“Doesn’t this look fresh enough?” Celia asked Riyila, “Stop being so picky!”

“Celia,” Riyila said, “Don’t be so impatient. We have to find the perfect ones our else how can we celebrate your mother’s birthday?”

“It’s not like she’s your mother!” Celia retorted.

Riyila gave her an amused smile, “yeah, true. But that doesn’t mean that I don’t love her the same as one?”

Riyila was too involved with surveying the food that she didn’t notice the man dressed in black clothing. Celia tried to tell Riyila that she was going to collide with the man but her words came too late. Riyila bumped into him, causing her to fall backwards. She closed her eyes and braced for the pain she expect to come. Nothing happened; she didn’t feel the pain of the ground slammed against her back. She only felt someone holding her, preventing her from crashing down onto the dirty ground. Looking up, she met the eyes of a very handsome young man. She could easily get lost in those pools of emerald eyes. And he equally the same in her crystal clear blue.

End Flash

“The queen was uneasy about her son marrying someone not of royal blood but that ended soon because Riyila managed to charm her all the same. I had met Yiran when I was at the training ground, studying the arts of fighting. I was determined to become the best woman general they have yet to see. Yiran was assigned to be my partner, and as a partner, he was to help train me, teach me, and show me the ropes. I didn’t have any romantic feelings toward him until after the wedding.”

Flash

Celia wiped the sweat from her forehead, gripping her trusty sword in her hand tighter. “Come and get me if you can,” she taunted to her opponent

Yiran grinned and lunged at her. He aimed for her vulnerable spot, but Celia could easily deflect his blow.

“Is that all you got?” Celia remarked again.

She swung her sword at his side and paralleled and exchanged shots. It was normal to insult each other during their sessions. It was even considered tradition. Celia would start off and Yiran would follow. In the beginning, she had been skeptical of having to insult someone but that quickly went away because she found that it was a great way to relieve her stress and frustrations.

“Oh please,” Yiran replied, “you’re talking to the Master of Swords here.”

“Master of the Dogs is more like it.”

End Flash

Flash

“They sure look very happy don’t they?” Yiran asked Celia, observing the newly weds.

“They deserve it. They’re finally together, it’s like a fairy tale ending,” she commented, studying her gloves. She was the maid of honor, and he was the best man. Celia couldn’t help but notice that Yiran looked very dashing in the traditional robes they were assigned to wear. His charming ways didn’t hurt much either.

“But not for us,” he said softly.

Celia raised her head questioningly at him. He brushed away a stray hair from her face, and said, “It’s only the beginning.” Leaning down slightly, he kissed her on the lips, relieved that he could finally express his true feelings after so long. Celia was caught by surprise but quickly melted in his arms.

End Flash

“Six months later, we married. And two months after that, we gave birth to my baby boy. That very same month before I gave birth, Riyila gave birth to Zan and Vilandra. Riyila was glowing with happiness and Hroan was grinning widely with pride. Despite the merry times, war broke out and I had to leave my son to train with Yiran, preparing ourselves for the war to come.”

Michael interrupted again, “Why did you have to train and leave your son? I mean, I understand that you had to be ready for the war, but why you? You had a family, doesn’t that count as anything?”

Liz/Celia spared a rare smile at Michael. “Well, Riyila didn’t it see it that way. Apparently she had a plan for Yiran and me all along.” Liz/Celia gave them all a strained grin. “She took my son from me while Yiran and I were away on the field defending what we believed was right. I confronted her and do you know what she told me?”

Flash

“Where are they Riyila? Where are my son and husband?” Celia demanded, tears ready to be shed.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Riyila told her calmly, her face emotionless, an exact replica of her husband’s who was sitting next to her.

“Don’t know what I’m talking about?” she shrilly exclaimed, “I’m talking about my little baby boy that you ordered to take away from my parents! I’m talking about people coming to my house and locking my husband away when he didn’t do anything wrong! Why Riyila? I thought we were friends? Sisters? Why are you doing this to me? Please, give me back my baby! Why are you doing this?”

“Why? You dare ask me why? After you have leaked our top secret information to our enemies, you dare ask me why?” Riyila’s face turned into a mask of fury.

“Guards!” she ordered, “take her to the prison. Please her next to her husband’s! Since they already live together, might as well die together!”

Celia’s jaw dropped open as she stared at Riyila in shock. She felt numb, questions racing through her mind. Questions of why this betrayal when she did nothing but protect and defend her majesty.

End Flash

“We were placed in the farthest prison there was. They accused us of working for Kivar, and took our son from us. We did no such thing, but they didn’t bother to listen to our side of the story. What they didn’t know was that I had a daughter a few days back before they threw me in jail. We named her Werilla, and sent her away to some distant relatives of ours.”

Flash

Carrying the bundle close to her heart, she waited for her cousin to come. Yiran stood besides her, fidgeting and shifting from foot to foot. Once her cousins arrived, she handed little Werilla to them but not before saying a farewell. Celia took her pendant off her neck and placed them onto Werilla. Something inside of her told her that it would be the last time they would see each other.

End Flash

“What does this have to do with you being with us in the crash?” Isabel asked impatiently.

“Be quiet child,” Liz/Celia said sharply, “you never had the proper manners of a princess.”

Isabel’s face turned beet red and smoke steamed out of her ears. “Now listen here lady, we want to know …”

Liz/Celia waved her hand and a small piece of duck tape glued Isabel’s lips together, preventing her from saying anymore.

“Years have passed. Many lives have been taken. During the process of delivering your pods to Earth, the Queen knew that they needed protection. Riyila knew that only Yiran or I can protect the Royal Four well enough so that they have a chance of survival in a new world. So, she made me a deal.”

Flash

“Protect them on Earth and I will return your husband to you. If not, he will be executed,” Riyila stated simply.

“If? You know full well that no matter what I say, we’ll be dead anyway. There’s no deal on my end.”

“What if I told you where your son is? Will you do it then? How about I let your husband free? Will you do it then?”

End Flash

“Of course I couldn’t turn it down, I get to finally see my son. And my husband would get freed from that horrid place. So, I agreed and bid my farewells to Yiran. He was still in prison when I left but they told me that the moment the ship leaves, he would be released. I should’ve known that she would turn against her word.”

Flash

“Remember, your duty is to protect the Royal Four. Listen to Nasedo, he will be the captain of this operation,” Riyila reminded Celia.

“What about my son?” Celia asked.

Riyila smiled, “He’ll be on the flight with you. I think you would be able to figure out which one is he. But, you are not to say anything about you being his mother. He is not to know for if he did, our planet would be doomed.”

“Yes your majesty,” she spat with venom.

“Guards,” Riyila called, “close the door and lock it.”

Celia got strapped up in her seat. She looked longingly at her son. Tears welled up in her eyes.

“Remember to your part of the deal! Don’t forget to let Yiran go,” Celia yelled after Riyila.

She turned, her robes swirling around her. A smirk formed on her ruby lips. “What deal?”

Celia froze, her eyes widen in realization.

“That’s right,” said Nasedo from across of her, “your husband dearest will be executed at dawn. It’s such a pity to see such a fine young man to die at such a young age.” He emphasized his words, making sure Celia heard him clearly.

“You promised!” she screamed at the Queen.

“Goodbye, sister.”

The door slammed shut and the lock was in place. It blocked the frantic screams of a crying mother and wife. It was going to be hell for her.

End Flash

“I was the lucky one,” Liz/Celia told them, “I was taken by the FBI and died before they could experiment on me like they did to the others. I only had one regret, to not be able to watch my son grow up. Twice, that had been taken from me. The loss of both my children can never be replaced.”

“Both? What happened to Werilla?” Michael asked. The name rolled off his tongue, and he had a flash of a petite girl with brown hair and brown eyes in a white blood stained gown.

“You don’t remember? None of you remember?” Liz/Celia questioned. She thought that by now, their memories would return. Apparently she was wrong, again.

They shook their heads.

“You killed her; all of you. You didn’t care who she was; you thought she was part of the resistance. You killed her with no remorse or guilt.”

Flashes flew before Michael’s eyes. He was the one who ended the little girl’s life. He could see himself plunging the glowing sword into her small body. Her screams bounced around in his brain.

“But what disgusted me the most,” continued Celia, “is the fact that her very own flesh and blood killed her. Her brother.”

Michael’s eyes snapped open, the flashes fresh in his mind. “But you said we killed her? How can it be her brother then?”

Celia looked at him dead in the eye, “What you heard is correct. You did kill her.”

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