"Ugh! Heron come on!" I pant swinging my sword above my head, bringing it down to clash with his. Heron laughs and swings again, I block it but I could feel my fatigue setting in. "I.. I need a break!" I yell.

Heron whips around me bringing the sword down lightly on my armored back. "Say it." He breathes as I fall to my knees, his sword pointing at my face. I lift the helmet off and gasp for air, pushing his sword away. 

The sweat drips off my face as I stare into his gold eyes, "I yield.." 

Heron sheathes his sword and gives his hand to me. Taking it he pulls me up and we walk into the shaded area of the training ground. I start to strip my armor off so I could be in the padded cloak and let my skin breathe. 

Heron does the same and throws me a flask of cold water. I nod in thanks and sit on the bench, gulping it down like it was my life force. 

"On the bright side you lasted five minutes longer then when we last sparred." He breathes smirking at me. 

I throw one of my armor plates at him and he laughs blocking it and combing back his sweaty black hair. I fix my own ponytail and sit in the shade, enjoying the cool water as I sip away. After a few moments of silence I smirk, "I did last a bit longer, but at least I didn't trip like someone did earlier in the match."

Heron laughs nodding, "I'll give you that one your highness.."

Finishing the rest of the water I set the flask aside and begin to put my armor and sword back. "We can still spar if you want Princess." Heron says still sipping his water. 

I shake my head, "I need to look presentable for the rest of the trade meeting today at noon. I'm pretty sure our guests wouldn't want to have me sweaty and covered in dirt Heron. As much as I love sparring I have duties I must attend to." I exclaim hanging my sword on the rack. Turning around I meet Herons slightly disappointed gold eyes. 

Sighing I give him a smile, "How about after I attend the meeting we practice lightning conjuring?"

He perks up at that and nods, "Just don't burn me again Princess." I roll my eyes at him and let my powers flow through me to have a little of my lightning shock him. "Ey! we haven't begun yet!" 

I laugh and wave him goodbye as I leave the training grounds. 

Stretching my arms over my head as I walk up the cobblestone path I catch a whiff of myself and gag. "Lightning I need a bath..." Rushing into the castle to clean up and get ready to go to the trade meeting. 

"Princess you look lovely." My maid, Omelia, tells me as she finishes putting my hair in a braid. Little jewels are weaved into the braid and I applaud her efforts. 

"Omelia it looks beautiful thank you." 

She curtsies and goes to get my crown. Coming back she places it on my head. The crystals and gold matched well with the jewels Omelia weaved into my braid. And as I sit admiring my reflection a knock echoes through my bedchamber. 

"You may enter!" I call out to the person at my door. The door opens and Mira waltzes in humming. 

Coming to sit on my bed she sifts through her datapad. "You done? The meeting begins in about fifteen minutes. We don't want to be late." 

I nod and stand from the vanity chair following Mira out into the corridor with my baby blue dress flowing behind me. 

"Is father already there?" I question hurrying to keep up with her. Our footsteps echo on the marble floor and Mira barely looks up from the datapad as she turns left at a corner. My guards are following behind me and struggling to keep up with Mira's fast pace as well. 

"He is in the study, we will be having tea as we discuss the finalities of the trade. Then later tonight Knight Katlina will depart and Jacen will leave the following morning." Mira exclaims coming to a halt in front of the door to the study room. The guards open the oak doors and my father sits at his desk typing away at his data screens. 

"Thank you Mira, you may take the rest of the evening off. This is simple stuff so enjoy your night." My father says smiling at her as she sets the datapad on his desk. She bows and takes her leave giving me a smile and wink before the doors close behind her. 

"Mr. Bliss and Knight Katlina will be here shortly. Katlina had to take a holocall from the Knights of Peace on Kireina. Sit my daughter."

I take a seat next to his desk and he finishes typing on the data screens before pushing a button on his desk for them to turn off. Turning to me he smiles, "I heard you lasted five minutes longer in training today."

I roll my eyes and laugh, "According to Heron I did. I could have beat him if I used my powers.'

My father laughs twirling a pen in his hand, "Although true what happens if you can't use your powers one day?" He questions looking me in the eye with a serious look. I inwardly groan. Here he goes again trying to teach me another lesson. 

"But I'll always have-"

"Raina repeat the saying." He says giving me a stern look.

I sigh and huff. "My power isn't a toy, it's a gift from the magician. It is sacred. Any form of misuse or abuse makes me no better then a powerless." 

My father nods pleased, "I know you haven't been off of Tacta ever. You haven't been to any other planets except your home. But outside of Tacta on other worlds are bad people and those bad people have made and invented things that can take your power away if only temporarily. The reason I have Heron train you in two different fields is because you need to learn how to fight even when your powerless." 

I understood now. How foolish I was to think I would always have my powers. Father was right such things could happen even if they seem far unlikely.

"I understand father." I exclaim giving him a knowing smile. His stern look vanishes and he smiles back. Then he perks up as if he remembered something.

Scrambling around he opens the drawers on his mahogany desk until he opens the one he needs. "I almost forgot.." he mutters.

He grabs the item in the desk and hides it behind his back before turning to me. "Raina I know your not Queen yet but I feel it is the right time," Pulling the item from behind his back he reveals a beautiful box the size of a small notepad. It was engraved with silver and shimmered in the light of the fireplace and lights of the study. "This was your mothers, I was going to give it when you were Queen but I feel as if I should give it now to give you strength." He breathed opening the box hesitantly. 

I gasp remembering my mother slightly and recalling her wearing it all the time. "Her Airthen crystal?" I ask confused. He nods taking it out of the box and into his hands.

My heart ached at the sight of the gold chain leading down to a amber colored crystal. The airthen crystal came all the way from the planet of the Airthens, Lucht. My mother had received it as a gift from the Queen of the Airthens when I was but a child. After her passing I thought it was lost or buried with her. 

But no, my father had it. Waiting to give it to me when I was ready.

"Raina Lucien Tarro I bestow upon you your mothers necklace. May it bring you strength and guidance in these days of your rule." My father exclaims putting the necklace around my neck and stepping back to admire it. 

"Thank you father.. I don't know what to say." I breathe, tears starting to form in my eyes. My father sits in his chair and smiles. 

"All I ask is you wear it with pride."

I nod and admire the craftsmen ship of the necklace. My heart ached but I was happy. 

The doors open, shaking me out of my trance, wiping the tears quickly I stand up with my father to greet Knight Mercy and Mr. Bliss.  "Your majesties.." Jacen states bowing to my father and I. My father allows him to rise and invites both of them to take a seat. 

The doors shut and Knight Mercy sits in the chair opposite of my father at his desk. As does Jacen. Soon after a servant enters with the tea, setting it down on the desk. Pouring it she hands my father a cup and hands one to me before handing one to Jacen and Katlina.

My father thanks the servant and she leaves, shutting the large oak doors behind her. My father takes a sip of his tea, pulling up the data screens. I take a sip of mine and my father gestures to the numbers. "Your wanting twenty holocrates of tinium per month. The cost is about four hundred Chronocoins. I could lower the price if you want to add something to your end that we can benefit from." 

Jacen drinks some of the tea and nods, "I will see what we have back at our headquarters and discuss it with the other members. Until then we will pay the four hundred Chronocoins." Jacen says taking another sip. 

Risky, four hundred is a lot of coins. His group could go bankrupt if they didn't plan this right. My vision goes a little blurry but I shake my head a little, sipping some more of the tea. Heron's sparring session wore me out more then I thought. 

My father types somethings and takes another sip of the tea. "Is there anything that you need? anything else besides tinium and food? Tacta is rich in resources so our planet has plenty to offer." He asks rubbing his temple a little.

Jacen shakes his head but then stops and ponders, "Actually there is one thing..."

My father shakes his head a little and my vision goes blurry again. Something was wrong I could feel it. "Father.. I can't see.." I stammer out, afraid, as my vision went black.  I hear my father rush to me but then hear a crash. 

"Sorry your majesties, but I need you." 

My blood goes cold as the once polite Jacen's voice turns cold. "Father!" I call out. reaching into the darkness. A hard object slams across my face and I fall to the cold marble floor. Everything was fading now. 

I tried to call for my power to defend me but it wouldn't come almost as if it wasn't there. "Raina.." is all I hear as everything disappears. 

"Raina! Raina wake up.. come on darling..." I hear someone whisper as my vision comes back to me. I groan as the aching pain on my cheek echos through my body. My instinct was to touch it and make sure it wasn't bad. But my hands were bound. 

"Raina, Darling are you alright?" I hear my father ask in a panicked tone. My vision focuses and I find myself on the floor of the throne room. My father is kneeling over me, his own hands bound. His nose was broken and dried blood was all over his face. Lightning it looked like it hurt.

"I'm fine..." I groan attempting to get up on my knees. I look around and see Jacen standing at the throne room window over looking the kingdom. Armed men littered the throne room. Where were our guards? "What happened?" I croak.

My father nods towards Jacen and in a hushed voice explains, "He drugged us and then bound us with these cuffs we can't use our powers in them. He took my sword and it seems like our guards were captured."

My heart sinks, we were both injured and had no wepons or our powers. To top it off no one was coming for us. My dad looks at the guards and Jacen studying them. That's right! Heron's training rings through my head.  If I have the opportunity study my enemy. 

The men had guns, Jacen had his sword and whatever kind of power from his race. What was his race? Did he mention it? I wrack my brain trying to remember the information I read up on before they came. Knight Katlina was a Strellian, she can read minds. 

That's when it hit me. The Knight! Did she get drugged too? I never saw. But she could help us!

"Father, the Knight. Where is she?" I mutter still studying the room.

My father's face turns into confusion, "I don't know but maybe she can help. Wait, Mira.. Raina where would Mira go on a night off?" He asks.

I ponder for a bit, "The field, where we planted the tree when I was a kid. She goes there to meditate and become closer to nature." My father nods. We both knew Mira would be okay and she could probably figure out something was wrong and come help. She could free the Knight and then come apprehend Jacen.

I started to feel hope again. We may be at a slight disadvantage but we still had allies.  

The doors open and I see a familiar crest become illuminated in the throne room lighting. The Knight! She escaped! My father nudges me and nods towards the Knight who stands in the doorway. She walks in and looks at my father and I. "When are we moving them?" She questions. Ignoring us and walking toward Jacen at the window.

My heart sinks, she..... she was with him. I look to my father and his own eyes hold the same despair. Jacen turns and walks over to us. "We'll move them to the ship as soon as the kingdom is destroyed and we find the seer. The seer knows what we've done and if our men couldn't find her before it means that she will still be able to get a message out to The Knight's or a neighboring planet." 

He looks at me and smirks, "Princess, good to see your awake. Your cheek is looking a little red but it should heal. I know you were close with the seer. Would you happen to know where she is?"Crouching down to my level on the cool marble I stare into his icy blue eyes before doing the riskiest thing in my life. 

I spat in his face. 

He growls and wipes it away before punching me in the face. "Hate to break it to you princess but you don't get away with that stuff now."

I lay on the floor staring at the granite ceiling. That hurt. 

My father is kneeling over me with a look of hurt on his face before turning to Jacen with pure anger. "You will not get away with this, the Knights will hear of what you've done. You'll be put to trial on Kireina and sentenced to die in Blacktomb." 

Jacen smirks and laughs at my father before kicking him down to the floor, "Your rule is over old man. The Electron royals will die with you and your daughter. Just as soon as I get what I want from you."

Spitting on my father he gives him one last kick and walks to the castle doors Katlina follows him as the oak doors slam open. "Watch them! If they escape it will be on your head! We have a seer to catch.." Katlina bellows. Her voice echoes off the granite ceiling all the way to the marble floor where I lay. The men all nod, pleased Katlina slams the doors and silence envelops the throne room. 

My father groans and picks himself up, getting onto his knees again I see fresh blood drip to the floor and a new cut on his forehead. It must have happened when Jacen kicked him. Father kneels there for a bit, muttering under his breath. 

"Father.. are you alright?"I whisper still laying on the ground. He opens his eyes and looks at me on the ground nodding. 

"I'll be okay, Raina whatever happens promise me you'll defeat this man." He pleads looking into my eyes. I didn't know what to say, what did he mean 'whatever happens'? Confused but determined I nod.

He sighs and smiles, "I love you darling don't ever forget that.."

"Father what-"

"Hey! I demand you release me! I am King Aurnad Tarro and command you to release me, imprisoning a royal is punishment by death!" He yells as my father begins to stand. 

One of the men points his gun, "Sit down or I'll shoot."

"Father.." I mutter getting on my knees. My father looks at me and shakes his head giving me a stern look not to interfere. 

"I'm going to try to give you an advantage.." He whispers before turning back.

My father looks back to the guard and mutters one thing, "Make me.." before charging the guard. 

The man, caught by surprise, freaks out and stumbles back towards the fireplace. My father continues to charge and the man moves out of the way, stumbling back and tripping over some logs near the fire place. 

"No!" I yell, as a shot rings out. 

The logs roll around the room and I watch as blood drips to the floor. "Father!" I scream my heart breaking. The man stumbles back to his feet before aiming again at my father, shooting the final shot.

'Bang' 

I watch in horror as my father falls to the ground in front of the fireplace, his crown rolls across the marble floor and comes to a stop near the man who shot him. 

My breathing comes out labored as I gasp, hot stinging liquid staining my face, "Nono no.. no.. he's okay.. It's all a bad dream Raina.." I sob to myself as the one of the other men rush over to the man who shot. 

"You killed him!" I scream as the other man takes the gun away muttering angrily to himself.

"You idiot! The boss wanted both of them alive!" 

A pool of crimson liquid pools around my father's lifeless body trickling slightly. I sob more and fall to the ground letting my tears overcome me. Nothing mattered anymore. My heart hurt, it was breaking.

I sob harder, gasping for air in a pained expression. "Cas! Just leave the damn body! Grab the girl and lets go. The boss want's us there now!" Someone yells. My vision is blurry and I let whoever it is grab me and carry me into cold night air. 

"The boss said he found the seer, but she managed to send out a distress signal so he wants us to hurry before anyone comes to investigate."

So Mira was alive but captured. Haha what a funny thing. Life. It can either go your way or not your way at all. I chuckle.

"Dude she's starting to creep me out. How much farther?" The man carrying me asks. I hear a response but it was muffled as the wind was flying past me. Whoever was carrying me certainly wanted to get rid of me. 

Finally we come to a stop and the person sets me down on the metal ground of the Starship Port. Staring at the ground I heard whispering. "You killed the King huh?" I hear a familiar voice question.

The scared response of 'yes' came from a man close to me. I assume Jacen just found out what happened. "Well damn Cas.. I was starting to like you.." A shot rings out, echoing in the metal chamber and I feel a body drop near me. 

"Howdy Princess, sorry Cas killed old Pa back there. I'm assuming that's why your so quiet.... Well on the bright side I have a small surprise.." Jacen grips my chin and lifts my head so I look at him. Smiling he moves so I can see what was behind him.

"Mira.." I croak out. 

Her dirty blonde head perks up and her rose gold eyes meet mine. She curses under her breath seeing my hands bound. "You'll pay for this.." she hisses at Jacen, blood trickles down the side of her face from a nasty wound on the side of her ear. 

Jacen laughs, "Will I seer? Even though you saved the last of your people by turning them to stone? No one is going to stop me! Not even your puny spells saved your people!" He shouts. Shrugging he gets down to her level, "I mean seriously stone? That turns them nonliving hun."

Mira tries to lunge at him but he backs up laughing, "Fiesty! I love it! Such fire! Ooo.. has chills going down my spine.." He smiles at Mira who stays silent, glaring daggers at him. Jacen chuckles and walks to one of the ships, gripping the pole to one of the landing gears he twirls himself around. 

"Man, so quiet from someone with so much fight! What is it seer? Prophecies got your tongue?" He teases. His men laugh and Mira's eyes turn a bright blue. She was having a vision. This peaks Jacen's interest and he comes to lean on a wall, watching as Mira stared off into space. 

"This should be good.." is all he mutters before Mira is back, gasping for breath and regaining her strength. Looking at me she smiles sadly.

"You wanted a prophecy? I'll give you one." She exclaims looking at Jacen.

Looking at me she smiles, "Your mistakes have been made and will be dug up with regret, for on a day of darkness the price will be paid. While the heir rises and never forgets. Beg for forgiveness all foolish one, for the heir has already won."

A moment of silence passes as we all process it. Jacen speaks first, "You forget sweet cheeks, I'm going to kill the heir once I'm done with her." 

Pulling out his sword he comes up to Mira and my eyes widen. "To bad you don't get to see it. Now any last words?" He asks.

Mira looks at me and smiles sadly, "It was an honor to serve by your side Raina, stay strong Princess. Thanks for being my friend."

"No.. please don't Jacen.. Please I beg of you..." I plead trying to fight the men holding me back. I needed to get to her, save her. She was all I had left. I couldn't lose her too.

Jacen ponders for a bit, "Nah.." Smiling he lets the sword pierce her body. 

And my whole world crumbles before my eyes.