Chapter Two: On the Other side

“Zion, the place of infinite power. The home of the elemental powers Earth, Air, Water, Wind, Fire, Lightning. The sanctuary of the higher calling ones like Time, Magic, Life, Death, and Telekinesis. Resting place to the highest powers of them all Light and Dark, Good versus Evil the never ending battle. And to all the powers of the elements, skies, seas, universe and the heavens we grant you as our audience. Today, we have come to discuss the troublesome and grievous news that will happen,” Emperor Horace informed the congregation of Zion.

He stood in the center of the vast, white opal courtroom where strange designs were carved along the pillars of stone. The pillars raised the thick, clean white walls and on each one was a different symbol representing a different protective or owner power that has been passed down for over three centuries to all alien races who were worthy with the expection of humans. They were too primitive. Elders, priests, priestesses, ministers, kings, queens, princes, princesses and leaders aligned the rolls rotating the center with grim faces that displayed fear and anticipation.

Emperor Horace fixed his weary blue eyes to the outer reaches of the courtyard where the pillars surrounded the room. He was trying to find the four people he cherished the most before he continued his speech. There behind the pillar that represented Wind were from youngest to oldest Dylan, Miguel, Bianca and Ethan Cruz. They were his godchildren and he loved them dearly. Dylan gave a slight wave but he was immediately rebuked by Ethan who was scolding him on blowing their cover.

Despite, the circumstances it made Emperor Horace give way to a small smile but his moment was caught short by the whispers among the frightened congregation.

“My brothers and sisters, I’ m sad to say that Zion shall fall. The pillars shall be no more, to where the powers reside they shall collapse, and the spiritual realm will be taken over by Lilith.”

"What can we do about Lilith she can control all states of matter while are strongest warriors can barely contain two elements?" Questioned, a buxom elf priest. "And now Zion is now falling. We are doomed."

“That’s not possible,” objected a priest from the middle eastern universe. “The Pillars of Light and Dark has provided a safe haven for us for seven centuries. Why in the world would Zion be destroyed when the powers still reside in the them?”

“And if they choose not to leave who shall be their keeper?” A yellow haired minister of the planet of Neptune ask. “I say that the element of water stay in my grasp for it belongs to be in its home.”

“I cannot expect that!” Objected the priestess of the icy moon of Pluto. “Water is a major product of ice and it deserves to be with its sister. Water and Ice belong together and I will not allow the element to suffer under such false degree.”

“Well, I deserve the absolute product of time, my people has suffered under such slavery and if I could reverse it then…”

“Oh, don’t you dare Fredrick,” snapped Queen Yolanda. “Don’t dare try to make this into a charity case when the only reason why your people are in secret slavery is because they are too weak to fight for themselves.”

“How dare you!” Fredrick was hurt. He would never try and be the cause of his people’s pain and despair. His brows slanted against his bland gray eyes, which increased his fury ten folds. “I love my people and all I wanted to do was make them happy.”

“Lies, I say the Tubilies shall reign with the power of fire!”

Shouted the King his fist held high within the room. Suddenly, the whole room was clouded with agitation and hunger for such power and ambition. They shouted at each other and demanded to what they think they deserved.

“Enough!” Emperor Horace had his fill of their selfish ignorance and false accusations. He knew fear was an ultimate figure that made several snap, but he was very wary with their demands of certain powers that should be kept within everyone’s reach. The courtyard was deathly silence everyone took their seats and refrained from saying another word to one another. Horace ran his long pale fingers through his wispy, coarse black hair gazing up through the gray sky. It was growing darker and darker with each passing moment and if he didn’t come up with a decision that satisfied everyone than the congregation would be at each other’s throats. He glanced back at his godchildren hoping their stares would encourage him to find a resolution.

Dylan was sitting down concentrating on his PSP 2 Nintendo Game Boy System as his thumbs and fingers worked over time. Dylan is African American fifteen year old boy with soft, understanding brown eyes and beautiful curly lashes. Warm, mocha brown skin and a smile that would had filled your soul with unknown happiness. Dylan was prone to sleep in school, eat tons of raisin boxes, have a slighter skinner frame from his older brother, Miguel and was at least five foot seven feet tall.

Hovering over him was Miguel whose hands were jammed in his dark denim jean pockets. Miguel is African American sixteen year old teenager with hormones from Hell. He has smooth dark brown skin and whenever he would release a grin dimples would pop into his cheeks and the girls would swoon. His eyes were deep, and hyponitizing making you fall into a trance. He was muscular, enjoyed eating almost anything that had to deal with meat, and was five foot eight feet tall.

Dylan must have went up to upgrade mode because Miguel's eyes bulged out his skull and he oowed. Ethan peered over their shoulders but rolled his eyes at the excitment returning his focus to the courtyard. Instead of gazing at Horace he was trying to read the expressions of the members of the Congregation as if they're faces had some hidden code. Ethan was the eldest sibling and had gleaming hazel eyes, a Crest White Strip smile, with warm brown skin that made women's skin crawl. Ethan was twenty two and a bit goofy even though he acted serious when on duty.

On the far side of the courtyard, beside the Heaven Pillar Bianca rested her head and closed her eyes. Bianca like her family is black. She has long, glossy raven hair that comes at her waist but she usual wears it in a soft, braid. Her skin is a smooth glowing light brown, her beautiful almond eyes are covered by a flutter of thick black eyelashes. Full red lips pursured in a confident, mellow smile and her head bowed humbly. If it wasn't for her looking so young then you would think that she was oldest child, but she was only nineteen.

Emeperor Horace wanted to hold them, but instead he really examined them. He knew his god children had a quality that other alien races had that made them understand and explore their powers deeper. He always yearned to figure it out because he wasn't human, but was always interested in their emotions, morals, and intelligence. He had a long opportunity to raise them ever since they came to live with him thirteen years ago and he loved them like they were his own. That's it! Horace was overcome by an abrasive wave of realization that made his body quiver. He knew where he was going to send such power and make sure they were in responsible hands.

"I now, know what I will do," his voice was firm. He stared into every pair of eyes so that they will not question his choice. "I will send every single power to a certain race and that person will have be the Keeper."

Every, congregation member nodded hoping secretly in the backs of their minds that their race was chosen.

"Until, Zion rises again then the powers shall never return," Emperor Horace glanced at his children. They were waiting expectantly for his answer but with mere curiosity not hunger for power. He sighed. Maybe, its good that Zion shall fall so all this greed can be removed from this once glorified place.

"The powers shall be given to the human race, and whosoever is Keeper shall become the children of Zion," everyone was dumfounded. There was an unsettling silence that was quieter than the one before, because no one knew what to say.

"You can't be serious," Queen Yolanda gasped. "Humans are the most feeble things in this universe they are a waste of creation."

A round of murmurs agreed. After all, she was the only one to speak their thoughts without questioning the Emperor's authority.

"I'm serious, Yolanda and I shall stand by my resolution," Emperor Horace stated coldly. He never knew the woman to be so judgmental until now and he was immediately turned off by her attitude. "And if you don't like it then leave. I feel that the congregation can survive without you and your petty remarks."

Everyone's eyes flew open, Yolanda's mouth snapped shut and her face burned with such intensity.

"Now, we shall release the powers altogether." He said. "All hands rise to release them from their home and let them fly to their desired being!"

"Bianca," Miguel shook his sister slightly on the shoulder. She opened her eyes and said, "Lets go to the Annemarie Mirror we can see who the desired beings are."

They quietly tiptoed from the courtyard and entered into the wide hallways of Zion where they melted into shadows preventing themselves from being seen. The last thing they wanted was for Horace to be accused of betraying the congregation when he didn't even know what his god children were doing. Once, they were behind Horace's door quarters that were made from dragon iron and metal Miguel checked if the coast was clear. He gave them the okay sign and they all entered into the large, white room that belonged to their guardian. Miguel helped himself to a plate of beef jerky on the nighttable next to his king sized bed. He sucked on his fingers hungrily.

"You think he has any slim jims?"

"Or an outlet?" Dylan wondered holding up his charger for his game glancing around the quarters.

"Guys look!" Ethan shouted. The Annemarie hung over Horace's dresser. It was made of pure gold that wrapped around its rims intertwined with heavy iron and metal that was shiny and clean. Emeralds, rubies and diamonds decorated the sides of the mirror and craftmanship was acquired when the gold around the rims had symbols carved on it. The siblings attention ws drawn to the center where the mirror displayed images of what they wanted to see and what it allowed them to see.

"Look," Dylan cried. "That's the air sign!"

The air sign shot across the black blanket of outer space entering into Earth's atmosphere. The air sign was nothing but two high loops that symbolized the winds gentle but strong curves. The air sign glowed a radiant orange color and brought the view into a more rustic side of the United States. Along with the air sign traveled the Earth sign which was represented by three connecting triangles that resembled jutting mountains. Another sign, was unknown, but Bianca knew it partially, it was the Telekinectic sign rarely given and rarely anyone knew how to use it. It was represented basically by a crowd like symbol. Traveling oppositely was the Lightning sign, which was obviously a thunder bolt, the water sign represented by waves, and then another sign that they couldn't see were heading around the same area. The signs erupted through the clouds, flashes of light danced off the streaks of light and landed towards a small, shabby home.

"Bianca," Miguel began. "You have all that you need right."

"Yep," she answered. "The moon may be behind the clouds but I know exactly where they went."

Taraji: Hope you liked it. And I know your probably wondering why in the world do they have powers when humans were never given any in the first place. I'll explain it later.