The Order of Ja'el

Chapter Two

Jada gazed desperately at Vlad, who, in return, stared expectantly at her. Sighing, she gave up and gave in. "Yes... I admit it. I can hear the whispers of the Sphere..."

Without another word, Vlad descended on Zora, whipping out a charmed, gold bracelet and clasping it firmly on Zora's wrist.

"Is that a—" Jada started in awe.

"Yes, a shifting piece," Vlad confirmed. The most exquisite tech in the Sky Colonies was also reserved for royalty. This particular piece of alchemy allowed the matter around the body to shift into different forms so that the royals could do anything from changing outfits instantly to securely disappearing into the night. It was said to have been made from the same otherworldly elements as the Goldberg Sphere with a supply that was so limited, the price was beyond even the Order's vast access.

Vlad's fingers moved swiftly over the shifting piece in a combination of symbols that altered the clothing Zora wore, the strands of her hair, and even the dirt on her hands and face. As an elaborate adornment took the place of Zora's worn garments, Vlad's voice softened with unexpected openness. "When Ja'el told me of her arrival at the dawn of the night, She impressed upon me the need to help conceal and heal the stranger. I came prepared, although I didn't know what I would face. Ja'el shares only what is needed and nothing more, I suppose."

Jada's eyes widened. "You mean you also..."

"Yes," Vlad nodded as he rose, mostly in approval of the shifting piece's work of art upon Zora, "but it is a secret I can only share with those also willing to share theirs with me."

"You mean there are others?" Jada gasped. "Wait... can everyone—"

"No, not everyone. And only in the past five years have a few of us been awakened to Her voice. I stand among them, but if you and your sister have heard Her words from birth... well, I don't quite know what that means. But from what I can tell, Ja'el only selects those who are ready, and those who are being made ready."

"Ready for what?" Jada asked.

Zora rose slowly with their help and steadied herself, impressively observing the bracelet on her wrist. Then, she and Vlad soberly glanced at each other as they uttered in unison to Jada her most dreaded words. "Ready for the war of wars."

***

Leagus and his men rushed to the Skyview balcony a mere minute after Zora rose to her feet.

"Leagus!" Jada exclaimed, rushing to his side as his men charged around every inch of the balcony and then their home. Before Jada had a chance to say another word, Leagus suddenly halted. He stared wide-eyed at the new guest, his suspicion rapidly rising like a tidal wave. Zora's menacing expression at the sight of the Sky Forces didn't help to deescalate the interaction. Her narrowed eyes and tensed body contradicted the delicacy of the gorgeous gown that had dipped her body in royalty. Confused, Leagus's hand inched towards his shockgun.

Jada squeezed her hands together, terrified of the unfolding reality. Still, she would not lose her sister again. She was about to shout at Zora to run when Vlad suddenly reacted.

"Commander!" Vlad stepped in front of Leagus, causing him to jump. "Allow me to introduce my sister, Tamana, who I asked to join me here so that together we could make our way to our accommodations. Tamana stays out of the public light for security reasons, and it is her first time being seen in the Capital. I wished to demonstrate to her that she had nothing to worry about, so I set off the shocker. I must commend your men for their attendance to the alarm even after I turned it off. It was a useful test of your Forces' reaction time within the Capital, albeit a bit slow. With my little sister here, and the news of your shocker event earlier, I needed to see you perform outside of the demonstrative drills that I am sure you have planned for when I take the throne."