" Why are we back here? "
Xen called out in astonishment as they found themselves inside the enclosure from where they had retrieved the Heartstaff.
" Hello boys! Hi Mira! Thank goodness, you didn't keep me waiting. "
Razzak's voice startled them.
"Why is she here? " They asked in unison immediately coming in front of Mira like a shield.
Razzak laughed as she shoved them to the side and went ahead and hugged Mira, who reciprocated the action with a smile.
" Thank you for giving my memories back. "
Mira was looking extremely refreshed and strong. The fear and unease that was darkening her face was gone.
" You don't need to thank me. I took my chance. I always wanted to know more about you. Stella made it possible.
I went against my ancestors in stealing that stone for you. I put all my eggs in your basket Mira. And I am glad that I did. "
She smiled. " I will leave the rest to you. I think you might need some privacy. "
She hugged Mira once more and winked, before leaving.
" What's going on? What was she talking about? "
Another question in unison.
She looked more confident and there was literally a glow on her face that lit the confinement of the space.
" You heard that I am the Southern Star, didn't you? Do you believe it? "
She asked as she walked past them, letting her hand slide over them, touching their hands and chest.
Nobody answered.
"Come on. A simple yes or no? Ok, I will go first. I do. I am in fact the Southern Star. "
The three of them looked at each other but still no word came out.
" I was born under a prophecy but did you know, you three were part of it as well? "
Her voice held a distant melody and it was almost as if it was like a jingle.
" We have a destiny to fulfill.Do you believe me? "
" Of course we do! "
They answered.
" But I don't understand what you are getting at. " Braze put in.
" Mira , should we not be dealing with what is going on outside? " Xen asked.
" What are we even doing here? "
Kian asked.
Mira smiled.
" Patience, boys. I will explain everything. "
She turned towards Braze.
" Remember all those times in our old school when you used to get so jealous of the boys who would hit on me? "
Braze frowned but nodded.
"Well, you do know that Kian and Xen harbor the same feelings as you, towards me? "
Braze said nothing.
" Did you ever feel jealous in the same way you used to, about those other boys with them? "
Braze frowned. He tried to think hard. He knew the answer but was unable to tell.
" You won't. Even if you tried to, you would never feel jealous about one another, regarding me. We share a sacred bond. A bond that transcends space and time. It transcends this physical body confined by flesh.
You will miss each other, just like you miss me. "
Braze looked at Kian and Xen as they looked towards him.
" We need to leave the Heartstaff behind. Only that way will we be able to restore the Earth's natural barrier against external invasions.
I think we need to begin with this. "
Mira said, bending over Xen as she quietly unbuttoned him.
" What are you doing Mira? " Xen gulped as he asked the question.
" You didn't think that returning the Heartstaff would be an easy job, did you? "
Mira went to help Kian and Braze undress as well.
It felt awkward as they stood there with their legs crossed.
Mira laughed at the sight of them.
" Let it go boys. We are no longer school going teenagers from earth. "
Mira waved her hands as light started reflecting from their bodies. The light that shone from Mira's face.
Truly, their skin no longer looked fleshy, instead it had turned crystalline.
They floated up vertically as Mira finally did away with her own clothes and the entire place filled with dazzling light.
Rainbows sparkled in all colors and the boys felt for one moment like they were having a deja vu.
" Come to me my knights! Hold me in your embrace! "
She commanded as they followed without any question.
Mira arched back from their touch as their strong hands held her in their grip.
" Are you ready? " She asked as her voice escaped like a soft moan and her eyes eclipsed like in a trance.
" Never will be! "
Their answer came in a chaos as ecstasy filled their spines with an unknown elixir.
Their senses were set on fire.
***
Everybody froze in their tracks in the ravaging battle ground as a fountain of sparkling light erupted in the middle of all the darkness.
" Noooooooooo! How can this be happening! "
Kilian fell on his knees as he felt his power being stripped from him.
" This cannot be happening. This is not possible. How can they reverse everything?
! I have given away everything for this power. You cannot take it from me. "
Sitara rushed to his side as he struggled to breathe.
" Retreat! " She could foresee what was coming.
The Kakarians fell back as she carried Kilian back to their ship.
" Not so early, loser! "
Layla threw a glider blade at Kilian but Sitara moved him just in time.
However it did not miss its target. It lodged itself deep inside Sitara's heart as the door of their spaceship closed and they flew away faster than lightning.
" Damn! Missed it. "
She made a face as she helped Calex up.
He was severely injured and bleeding but he had a smile across his tattered face.
" I think she made it. She figured out the prophecy by herself. " His voice was filled with pride.
" Looks like she did! " Layla smiled back as they stood there, admiring the brilliant light bridge that beamed across the earth.
" They are rebuilding the Earth's natural barrier. "
Chaos erupted amongst the Chemorians.
" We need to leave now. Otherwise our troops will be trapped here forever. It will be impossible to leave this planet without confrontation with such large troops once the barrier is fully up. "
Panic ensued between them as the tribes fell back one after the other retreating as they watched the power of the Heartstaff and the Southern Star in action.
"Looks like you made it Mira! "
Razzak chirped as she went back to her tribe, triumphant.
"Our duty here is done. We no longer need to guard these Mountains. The Heartstaff is now scattered all around earth. "
The old woman beamed with pride as she welcomed her with open arms and pats on her back.