Across Worlds - Chapter 6

A/N: Ages have changed. Falyn is 16 while Akia, Mina, and Sam are 18. Zeke is 19. (wordcount: 1,967 for the LMSC)

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Akia

The blue light blinded her as it got closer. But before it could reach her, Zeke stepped in front of her and conjured a shield which deflected the spell. The shield grew until it covered all of them, Falyn, Mina, and Sam included, creating a barrier between them and the Force.

For several minutes there was nothing but silence. The Force was in shock and awe of the shield; Akia could see it in their faces. Their eyes danced between their comrades and the shield.

Zeke was the first one to speak up. “Why are you here?”

There was no answer until one of the guards stepped forward.

“We have your partner,” he said. “We came for you.”

Zeke laughed. “Bristan? He’s not my partner.”

“You were at the scene of the crime with him.”

“That doesn’t prove anything. I had only just met him. It’s sad that you’ve come all this way for an innocent man.”

“We came for her too.” The guard pointed at Akia. It didn’t surprise her. She knew that the Force would come for her. But they couldn’t get to her. And they never would. She was too smart for them.

“Well I’m not going to come with you either.”

“What’s going on here?” A man’s voice rang out through the room. Akia watched as the men parted.

A tall man entered the room. He wore a uniform similar to the rest of the Force; black pants and a navy blue overcoat. But by the badges on the overcoat, it was obvious that he was the one in charge.

Great. We’re so terrible that they had to bring the big guns in. She snuck a look at Zeke. He wasn’t bothered by any of this which only boosted her confidence. He would back her up. At least there was someone on her side.

“Dad,” Falyn said in a voice that was barely audible. Akia looked between her and the man in disbelief. There had to be a mistake. That couldn’t possibly be Falyn’s father.

Her eyes met Sam’s for a second. She could see it in his eyes too. Something was wrong.

The man looked at his daughter, equally as surprised that she was there. “Falyn, what’s going – why are you here with them? You should be at home.”

“I was home,” Falyn responded softly. “But then there was this—“

“A Hund Warrior destroyed your house. We were just trying to keep your daughter safe,” Akia snapped. As an afterthought she added, “Sir.”

He turned to face her. His face was plain, but he managed to sneak some confusion into his voice as he said, “What’s a Hund Warrior?”

Akia scoffed and folded her arms. “As if you don’t know.”

“I don’t.”

Akia looked at Sam again. He had the same expression on his face as she did; a look of disbelief. At least she wasn’t the only one that was confused.

When they moved the moonstar to Agathi, they sent her family with her. But this man wasn’t her true father. Akia could see right through his façade. They didn’t even look alike. Falyn’s supposed father had red hair and green eyes. And his skin was much darker than Falyn’s. What was the chance that Falyn got all of her mother’s genes?

This man wasn’t going to convince Akia that he was Falyn’s father. She knew better.

“So,” Zeke said, drawing out the word. “Are we gonna steamroll over these guys or are we gonna sit down for tea?”

“We’ll get you some tea when we get to your jail cell.” Falyn’s father responded.

Zeke raised a finger to his chin in mock thoughtfulness. “That’s a tempting offer, but I’m sure the tea would be cold by the time we got the. Let’s get ‘em guys.”

“I’m all for it,” Akia said. “Ready?”

“Whoa, wait a second,” Falyn said, frantically waving her arms. “I’m not going anywhere until I talk to my dad.”

Akia sighed. “Say a quick goodbye and then we have to leave.”

“No,” Falyn snapped. Akia turned to glare at her. She shrank back a bit, but stood her ground. “I won’t leave my father.”

The words hit Akia like a hammer. They echoed through her memory.

“No!” she cried out, rushing forward. She dropped to her knees in front of her father, shielding him from Rhys. “Please, I’ll do anything. Anything. Just don’t hurt my father!”

“Akia, honey,” her father said softly. She turned to face him, tears in her eyes. “I’m beyond help.” She looked at him, searching his eyes for the truth. She found no fear; as always. Her father was the strongest and bravest man she knew.

She pulled him into an embrace. Her father, the same man that taught her how to live life without any fear, was teaching her one last lesson: how to die for something you believe in.

His shackles held him to the ground, not allowing him to return the embrace. But she could feel his love for her regardless. She had always been able to read him well.

“Well isn’t this cute,” Rhys purred, twirling the dagger in the palm of his hand. Akia glared at him which only made him laugh. “I’m not afraid of you, daughter of Kit. Why did you even bother coming?”

“Because you threatened to kill my father.”

Rhys chuckled, running a finger along the blade of his dagger. “It wasn’t a threat, my dear. Trust me.”

“I won’t let you do it.”

Rhys narrowed his eyes. “And how are you gonna stop me? Unless you’ve learned some new tricks. Which I doubt you have.”

“I won’t leave my father.”

“Pity,” Rhys said as he flexed his fingers and Akia’s father twitched in pain. He relaxed his fingers and Kit collapsed to the floor. Akia rushed forward to comfort him.

“Don’t,” Rhys roared, making her jump. She turned to look at him. “If you touch him I won’t stop with him. I’ll kill your entire pathetic race, starting with you. Is that what you want?”

“Akia,” Kit said, his voice barely audible. “Save them. I don’t need you, they do. Just remember, I’ll always love you.”

Tears welled up in her eyes as she blew her father a kiss and turned to leave the room. She had no choice. She couldn’t sacrifice the entire population just for one spot of emotion. As much as she wanted to stay, she had to leave. Her father told her to.

“One more thing, daughter of Kit,” Rhys called out from behind her. The second she turned to face him, he forced the dagger through her father’s body.

She squeezed her eyes shut. When she opened them again, she was back in the present and the memory was gone. The pain of losing her father still lingered in her heart. Her chest was heavy, making it darn near impossible to stand.

Her attention turned to Falyn. She was staring back at her, determination etched upon her face. But it was the sadness in her eyes that made the pain worse in Akia’s chest. How could she see another person go through the same pain that she had?

But then she remembered that the man in front of them was not Falyn’s real father. He was just a random person. He meant nothing to any of them. Not even to Falyn. She’d learn soon enough.

“Look,” Akia said, trying to find the right words. “I know that you’re not so keen about leaving your father. But we have to go. And don’t take this likely. If you want to live, come with us.”

When Falyn didn’t protest, Akia nodded at Zeke.

“Alright boys, listen up,” he said to the Force. “We’re getting out of here. Either get out of our way or we’ll force you out. Force, ha!” He laughed to himself at his own pun. Sam groaned and Akia rolled her eyes.

When no one moved, Zeke shrugged and said, “Have it your way.” He snapped his fingers and the shield disappeared. Before the Force could react, Zeke was on them.

He rushed forward, knocking down guards as he went. Akia had never seen anyone move so fast. He smashed one guard in the face and turned around to kick the other one in the stomach. Turning to his left, he opened his palm. The guard raised into the air parallel to Zeke’s hand, unable to escape the spell. He forced his hand forward and the guard flew backwards, taking down at least three guards with him.

Light filled the house. Spells flew back and forth between the groups. Akia caught a glimpse of Mina cowering in the corner. She made a mental note to drag her out of the house when the fighting was over.

A guard stepped in front of Akia and grabbed her by the shoulders. She grabbed his arms and thought of the hottest thing she could. He started to scream as his flesh began to steam. He let go seconds later. She pushed against the air, sending the man flying down the stairs.

There was a scream to her right. Falyn had just barely avoided a stunning spell. Some of her hair was stuck up in the air, singed. Sam had her pinned up against the wall. Akia couldn’t help but chuckle to herself. He had obviously just pushed her out of the way. But there was no doubt in her mind that they were both enjoying it.

Suddenly, there was a blast of red light and Sam collapsed onto the floor. He had a red glow surrounding him. His body seemed to be pulsating. Her breath caught in her throat. It was a spell she hadn’t seen used in years. It definitely wasn’t one she wanted to see again.

The color drained from Falyn’s face. She fell to the ground and reached out to help him up. Akia rushed towards her, calling out for her to stop. But she couldn’t get the warning out soon enough. The second Falyn touched Sam, she went limp and collapsed next to him.

Akia cursed under her breath and sent a shielding spell their way. They were wrapped in a tiny bubble against the wall. They’d be safe until she could get rid of the rest of the Force.

“Come on,” Zeke yelled suddenly in her ear. “We need to get out of here!” He pulled her toward the stairs.

“Wait, we need them too!” She pointed to Falyn and Sam.

“Then get them and let’s go!”

“No one leaves.”

Akia turned to see the man claiming to be Falyn’s father staring her down. He had one arm wrapped around Mina’s neck and the other was pointed at Akia, palm up. Mina looked at her with a terrified expression, silently begging her to help.

“I am only going to say this once,” Falyn’s father said slowly. “Either you stand down or this girl dies.”

Akia’s heart pounded. She usually wouldn’t worry about threats, but this one was serious. There seemed to be no way around it. Even if both her she and Zeke attacked, there was no guarantee that the man was going to let Mina go. And she knew that Falyn would never forgive her if Mina died on her watch.

“I’m not coming with you,” she said, standing tall. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the rest of the Force on the floor either knocked out or injured. As long as Zeke was there by her side, she was sure they’d get out with Mina in tow.

“Suit yourself.” The man pushed Mina towards them. Akia caught her, stumbling in the process.

It was déjà vu when she looked up. The blue light blinded her as it got closer.