The Order of Ja'el

Chapter Twelve

"And we will ensure Raya's legacy lasts today," Head Warrior Lyeka nodded at Zora. "I know you miss my daughter as dearly as I do. We pray she is with us, as Ja'el knows we need all the otherworldly help we can get. I want to believe your appearance here today, with this odd group you've yet to explain—alongside another strange and unexpected one—is also a sign that our prayers have been answered. Because Zora... this new enemy has shown no weaknesses in the villages that have already been destroyed."

Pain punctured Zora's heart to know the extent of the war waged upon the Earth Cols while she was in the Sky. Still, something Lyeka had said caught Zora's attention even more. "Another strange and unexpected group is here?" Zora pressed. "What do you mean?"

"Well, they only arrived a little while ago through a portal in the centre of the city—members of the Order, offering their assistance with a weapon we've never seen before. They claim they've halted the creatures' approach because the creatures caught sight of the weapon and are afraid to come closer. This halting has been confirmed, so it is real and... it is hopeful. We have them in the conference room awaiting our response to their offer—"

The more Lyeka spoke, the more rage and opposition echoed from the Sky group. Zora held up her hand so they would be silent. "Head Warrior," Zora muttered through clenched jaws, "Forgive their interruption. Please continue so that I may receive all the facts before I offer my crucial perspective."

"Thank you, Zora," Lyeka glanced cuttingly at the group. "The offer on the table is the age-old one: they will save us from the creatures should we form an alliance with them and give our allegiance to the Order of the Sky for whatever they may need accomplished there and here on Earth. They wish to live in peace with us once more, and upon their observance of the threat to our survival, they decided it was the best opportunity to show their true intentions and investment in the safety and well-being of the Earth Cols. We are here internally discussing their offer now, and all reports indicate we can no longer defend our people against this enemy with the weapons we have on hand. We need the Order, as much as we hate to admit it. And perhaps this allegiance may progress our larger mission to bring the gift of Ja'el's voice to all, even outside of their bloodlines. Maybe there can be unity between Earth and Sky. The fact that they aren't ignoring this threat to us and conveniently allowing our annihilation—as had been their rumoured desire for hundreds of years—speaks to this possibility."

"With all due respect, Head-uh-person," Vlad suddenly interjected, unable to bottle his reaction, "do you really think they are invested in your well-being and safety if they will only help you should you agree to submit to them?! If you do think that, then you've already signed your city's death warrant with stupidity!"

Those in the room gasped at his insolence, but it was Zora who turned and, with unexpected savagery, slapped Vlad across the face. "It is YOUR fault that the Earth Cols are in this position, you wretched betrayer! You've enabled this destruction by your many sins and darkness! It's your sister leading these monsters, the sister you abandoned! If anyone deserves to be dead, it's YOU! Instead, innocent Earth civilians have died in your place! Children! Babies!"

Lyeka rose at Zora's outburst and, with an eerie calm, asked, "Zora, who is this man, and this group, you've evidently brought from the Sky? And more than that, please provide your intel report with great urgency."

Zora glared at Vlad as she spat his introduction. "Head Warrior, this is Your Supremacy Vlad, King of the Sky Colonies." Then, as she motioned toward Jada, a softness overcame her face. "And this is my sister, Jada." Introducing the rest of the group, Zora summarised the main events of her mission to the Sky, ending with the most crucial part. "While Vlad's sister is the weapon, it is Elian who has brought this terror upon the Earth. I hate to admit it, but Vlad is right. Siding with Elian is a trap."

"Yet it may be one we have no choice but to enter," Lyeka sighed. "We cannot defend ourselves against this Tamana and her monstrous army. From all you have told me, it is evident that Elian is evil, but right now, she is the lesser evil, and we must protect our people. Their lives are worth more than this idyllic integrity you've always sought... or maybe you do understand my decision, given your prior hate of the royals yet your choice to work with the worst of them, by your account."

"It isn't the same!" Zora retorted.

"Isn't it? You despise this man from what I've witnessed here today. You do not trust him or even respect him. Yet here he is with you... the lesser of evils." Lyeka's insightful words left Zora defenceless. The Head Warrior was right. She no longer trusted Vlad upon discovering how much he'd chosen to deceive them and the resulting price that was now unfolding for her people. While she couldn't think of what difference the truth would have made to their current plight, at the very least, their agreement would have been built on honesty. Now, there was no telling what else Vlad had hidden or what he could have planned.

In her silence, Zora hadn't seen Jada gaze upon Leagus and squeeze his hand. Then, her sister stepped forward to address the room. Zora jumped as Jada's sweet, soft voice rung out with unexpected power.

"All, I must thank you for taking care of my sister when I thought she was dead. My world changed the moment Zora reappeared—on my balcony, no less. As scared as I was, having her back in my life has changed everything for me. I finally know what it means to be alive again. But... I wasn't alone on my balcony. His Supremacy Vlad was with me. And in those moments, he made a choice to help me save her—one that could have cost him the throne and his life. Vlad isn't perfect... far from... but I have seen him operate in honour. Unlike Zora and me, he didn't have Ja'el's voice all his life... but once he did, once She found him, I believe he too began to find himself. I think I hold greater admiration for the one who traverses from the depths of darkness to find the light than the one already in the light who then journeys further in... don't you agree?"

Tears welled in Vlad's eyes to hear Jada speak of him as though she saw his very soul before her. He never loved her more than he did now, except this love felt different. It was pure. Vlad wanted Jada to have the world, to see the world, to have the beautiful romance she now shared with Leagus and become who she was meant to be, even if that meant he couldn't have her. He wanted to give to her all and more she had given him in what she'd just done, feeling his soul beyond his darkest choices. Then, Vlad realised this emotion felt familiar. It was this very feeling he held for Tamana. He now knew what she had become and could only imagine the many she had hurt, but he loved her beyond it because he knew her soul. He needed to see her, to bring her back to herself and shower her with the unconditional love all humans deserved.

Lyeka responded first to Jada as Zora's head had remained bowed after her sister's display of wisdom. "Jada, thank you for shedding such a magnanimous light upon the royal. I cannot say we share the same measure of capacity for trust, but I can say I will judge who he is now under Ja'el rather than who he was before. The Goddess makes no mistakes in her choices, and that deserves much respect. Unfortunately, it doesn't change the matter at hand. Elian remains in the conference room, awaiting our response. Knowing now that she is in control of the creatures means she has us cornered. We will try to negotiate as best as we can, but we hold no cards in this, and she holds all. Perhaps your group's presence with us there may help in some way. Maybe the King of the Sky Cols can assist in this regard. Will you try, Vlad?"

The group turned to face him, but he was no longer there. Vlad had snuck out of the room with one mission and only one: he would venture out to meet with Tamana and offer her his life in exchange for the lives of all.

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Our Season Break is over, and we're back for the final chapters of The Order of Ja'el. If you enjoyed this, feel free to comment, share and follow along. You can also find me over at my brand new Patreon page (patreon.com/JeanelleFrontin - linked in my bio) for one-day-early releases, exclusive access to my sketches, character notes, and deep dives into the background of the story — or, you can simply hit me an "Attagirl" over there! :)