Chapter 48
Forty-eight
Jada
The heavy weight of expectation begins to sink in. What will this require of me? A slew of questions breaks out behind me.
“What do we do now?”
“Can I read it again?”
“Does this mean she has powers?”
“No, I don't have powers, clearly.” I snap at Seb—rather unfairly. This hushes the group, giving me the ability to think about the words I’ve read.
To restore the balance, one must dare;
To be clever, kind, and fiercely fair.
A single choice will shape the fates;
Fail, and the worlds shall bear a heavy weight.
From mortal blood and midnight eyes,
Banded with dawnfire, the Starborn will rise.
The moment of truth, you have arrived;
the spirit of dawnfire to be revived.
But how, you may wonder, is this simply lore?
Prepare yourself for legends of never before.
Make the choice and seal your fate;
prove yourself worthy for all to be great.
Trials of character you must not fail,
find me beyond the tilted Scales.
Where twilight meets the morning skies,
only then will the fire rise.
For you are the chosen in the legacy,
Pass our tests and end the supremacy.
“We need to go beyond the Scales.” My confidence grows as the statement leaves my mouth, the surety of our next steps seemingly so clear.
“How do you know?”
“Besides the prophecy saying it right there? ‘The tilted Scales’. I saw them the morning everything changed, when Pluto made his announcement that portals were opening between Lunara and Astralis. This message was intended for me. I was meant to see those tilted Scales, so that I knew where I was supposed to go now. That’s where the trial or the dawnfire, or whatever it is, will be. ”
“It’s brilliant.” Elio nods. “This is your legacy. I will follow you.”
“Can I count on you?” Will you betray us?
An incline of his bright white locks. “Your will is mine.”
Brinn claps her hands together loudly, dispersing the tension in the moment as she comes to stand beside me. “Let’s do this then. Can you lot star-shoot us there?”
“I don’t think we all should go if this is a test for me.”
“Absolutely not. You’re not going alone.” Zellie refutes.
“Not alone—with a small group.”
“What if the Kosmos tries to stop you?”
It’s Elio who responds, “They couldn’t possibly know what we’re planning. The prophecy has only revealed this to Jada. They’re in the dark.”
“Okay, then you take Orion and me with you. The group can monitor the Kosmos and keep watch on the city.”
“You shouldn’t be going anywhere; you haven’t recovered.” Leo snaps at Zellie.
Zellie fixes an angry glare in his direction as Orion pointedly agrees with Leo.
Interrupting, I add, “Zell, they’re right. You need to rest—you’ve been through enough. Let me do this.” She has sacrificed enough; I won’t risk any further harm coming to her.
Exasperated, she throws her hands up. “Fine! Then who is going?”
“Elio. He has the powers of the Kosmos, should things go awry.”
Rebuttals and arguments break out between the group. Elio can’t be trusted; a member of the Children of the Constellation should be there as the mission pertains to the resistance; we don’t know Elio’s intentions—and so on, and so on.
Elio raises his hand, waving his palm around exaggeratedly. He doesn’t raise his voice, he doesn’t cause a commotion; he simply silently demands respect. As the group falls silent, he clears his throat. “You all are needed here. I’m… not. I will protect her at all costs.”
Side glances are exchanged and soundless conversations are held; the room is so quiet I can hear the quiet drip drip of a water droplet in the distance. I clasp my hands together and overenthusiastically confirm, “Good! That’s settled then.”
My instinct is telling me to trust Elio. I can only hope my gut isn’t steering me in the wrong direction.