Outer space -
As they pulled her past Earth's atmosphere, Mira noticed that her captors were pixelating and slowly vanishing piece by piece. She thought they would take her down the same route that she used to travel to the Chemorian borders. However that was not the case. After crossing the earth's atmosphere, it started to feel like they had entered a different dimension. Its matrix was not the same. Mira could feel it. Even her own body started to feel heavier and strange.
" Where are you taking me? Why? "
She tried to utter but no word left her mouth.
That same feeling of helplessness that she often experienced in her sleep, was back.
Mira felt like she was getting sucked back inside her nightmares.
The space around them was unusually dark even for outer space. The further they went the weaker her captors became. Mira thought it might be her only chance but she was mistaken.
She tried to summon her fire but nothing happened. Little did she know, she had already entered the Dark World. She was already trapped.
Her captors shoved her inside what looked like suspended glass hanging in the middle of space.
Mira saw them let out an inaudible shriek as they pushed her inside before disappearing completely.
Mira was alone.
She was floating. The air around that place seemed like it was in a plasma state. She looked around but found no one.
She lost her sense of time and it seemed like she was trapped there for eternity.
Her ears caught a distant hymn.
It was more like a chant, a chorus coming from somewhere far away.
It sent chills down her spine.
She tried to move around, finding a way out, any opening.
But it seemed like she had absolutely no knowledge about her surroundings and also no control.
***
Yvonne's place -
" He took her, " Kiara had appeared out of nowhere and turned Yvonne's entire room upside down. But he looked unusually calm about it.
Even Martha seemed docile.
" He took her... my daughter... my Mira.... do you have any idea what that means? "
Kiara's eyes were bloodshot.
" What do I do? Where is that sneaky brother of mine when I need him? Where do I go? Call for help Yvonne
... If not for my child, then for the future of the universe. "
She looked desperate as she caught Yvonne's collar and shook him violently.
" I can do that. I can call for all the help that you ask for. There will be no shortage of Guardians willing to help... but you do realize what will happen next... Don't you? "
Kiara was staring at him blankly. Whatever rationale she was left with had flown out of the window.
" If the Galactic Guardians come to help, we might be able to save Mira from the Dark Devil, only for them to kill her themselves. They would definitely not want a liability like Mira to roam free anywhere around the universe. Wouldn't they? "
He was calmly packing something in a visibly large bag.
"Our only shot is the Heartstaff. Let's find the boys... We are in this on our own. "
Yvonne grabbed her by the arm and dragged her out and she followed like a rag doll. She had no ounce of resilience left in her limbs and her tears fell relentlessly.
" My baby... My Mira.... She knew no peace from the moment she saw the light... I tried to protect her, Yvonne. I tried my best. Didn't I? But he still got to her, despite the barrier that I created around my baby. I gave everything I had... but it still was useless."
Yvonne tried to ignore her rant.
Kiara laughed and scoffed as they kept steadily moving.
" I thought it was love... a child.... '' her hands traveled around her belly, " But it was all in his game plan. He was impregnating me with a seed from the depths of darkness. The darkest night in my life... but I was so lost in ecstasy. "
Kiara clenched her fists as she muttered through gritted teeth,
" I should have killed you when I had the chance Caleb. This time, I am not going to flinch. You better not harm a single strand of hair on my daughter's body... Even dumb animals take care of their own young... You have been the biggest enemy to your own child. "
She stood up straight with determination flooding through her eyes.
" Do you think those boys will be strong enough to retrieve the Heartstaff? Do you think we will be able to use it against his darkness? "
Yvonne shrugged.
" We will have to try. I don't see any other way. Do you have any other suggestions? "
Yvonne spied Kiara through the back of his eyes.
Kiara simply nodded.
" I might. You go ahead with the plan. Get those boys working and fast. I will try and see if I still have any old fire left. "
Before Yvonne could understand or stop her, she sprinted out of his grip.
Kiara breathed in as much air as she possibly could.
Her flesh made way for her feathers to rise.
" I never wanted anything for myself brother. But this, I will have to do for the sake of my daughter. You promised me you will take good care of her. I know you are playing your own games but I do not have any intentions of being a mute spectator anymore. I will claim what is rightfully mine. You will give it to be... either willingly... or I will force it out of your system..... no more mercy.... no more compassion for anyone. "
With that Kiara tore through the layers of Earth's atmosphere and was set for a voyage back to her homeland. A place she had vowed never to go back.
But for Mira... she was willing to do anything.... she was willing to risk it all.