Of Earth and Sea

Staring down in to the dark wooded abyss of what was once a thriving city. The vile words of her former commander still rang through her mind. Crushing her over and over again. Anger boiling inside of her as she relived the horrid affair. The cruel names, and vicious attacks were more than she could bare. Suddenly, the young woman was pulled from her thoughts by a tingling sensation she knew all too well. Her finger tips buzzed with energy as her eyes become a glowing violet storm of chaos. A magical outburst of raw emotion, something she couldn’t let happen again. She took slow deep breaths until she felt the tingle stop. Another amazing show of control, something Commander Caine had punished her for.

Tamarain Caine had been a motherly figure to her since the day she saved her from the hunters. Witch hunters. Not a witch herself, but a decorated Commander for the Eastern Border Militia. A mother to a sturdy war ready son, and a wanderlust filled daughter, she took in Valkry as her own and raised her to be a vicious warrior witch, but like all daughters Valkry had her own opinions on her training, so she took it into her own hands.

Down below her were a pack of rouge vamps. Killing human survivors camping in the local buildings. Without a second glance she launched herself to the forest floor, ready to attack. Before she could make her first move, she was hit in the head and her world went black.

Hours had passed before she woke up, her head throbbing. The only light was a single candle next to the candle was a small heart shaped locket. Gemini engraved on its surface. Holding up the small rose gold locket she popped it open to stare at not one but two pictures of herself. Except, it wasn’t really her she was looking at. Where her hair was a deep black the other girl was as red as fire. Where Valkry’s eyes were blue with a hint of violet, this girl’s were a dark never-ending brown. The thought hit her that she was looking at her twin sister.

“Oh, you’re awake. This is so exciting,” The woman was beaming with energy and excitement. “I’m sorry about the head, I hope I didn’t get you too bad. I couldn’t risk you killing my experiment.” She walked over with water and medicine. Valkry stared in confusion. Refusing both medicine and water.

“Where am I and who the hell are you? My twin died with my parents.” Valkry was vicious. Her words more like commands than questions.

“She in fact didn’t Valkry. I have been looking for you for the better part of fifteen years,” she was telling the truth as Valkry read her. “You always did that even as a baby to me. Read me and my thoughts.”

“How can this be? I felt the bond between us break, I felt your flame die Venissa.” Valkry started to cry as the words lost their impact. Her earliest memories were of feeling her sisters flame die and their bond fade.

“I felt it too, I don’t know why. I felt your flame die and our bond shatter. Val, I never stopped hoping you’d hear me calling to you.” Venissa sat by her sister holding her hands. “It took me years to find you. My dear sister our mother left us with a task to complete. We can restore order to the factions. We can fix the world!”

Valkry didn’t share in the excitement her long lost sister showered her with. She was skeptical as she watched the bright woman bounce around the dark room. Venissa began to open curtains letting in the late afternoon sun. Val watched her sister confusion still written across her face. She knew she had to bring reality to this fantasy.

“Venissa, you know that I can’t stay here. I have a whole camp waiting on me to come back with vamp teeth,” she got up and walked over to her sister. “I can’t just vanish. I will be charged with desertion considered AWOL.”

“Valkry, you cannot just up and leave me again!” Valkry watched as her sister surged with energy. Reaching for her hand, hoping to calm her down, instead something else happened. Both girls surging with energy colorful flames danced around them both. The locket rose from its resting place as a magical hologram projected across the room.

A large man and rather petite woman stood there before us. She was delicate like a flower. Soft red hair with daring green eyes. He was a mass of a man but not quite human like Valkry had always thought. There was something different, something lost and unknown. Memories started flooding back and Valkry began to cry, and the hologram spoke.

“Our sweet, beautiful girls, if you are seeing this the unimaginable happened-” her voice came across like silk.

“Your mother and I have suffered a horrible fate. With any hope you girls made it out together, but we both knew that may not be the case-” his voice was deep and rough yet soothing.

“You two need to know your heritage. As you both know I was a witch of the highest ranks, but what you didn’t know....” her voice trailed off as she looked up at the man next to her.

“I am Atlantean.” Those few words shook Valkry to her core. “Your mother and I met on a mission of peace. To join our worlds. Never did we expect to fall in love and have twin baby girls.”

“You girls are Gemini twins, the most powerful in both lands. Venissa, my sweet honeysuckle, you grow with the earth around you. The earth, air and fire give you your power and strength. Mind your emotions, my love.” Their mother spoke as if it had happened before.

“Valkry, you are a warrior like no other. You may have your mothers magic, but, you my child, carry my Atlantean abilities. Tap into yourself, make your peace with the ocean, and let her fuel and free you.” It was as if he was there talking right to her. Valkry began to cry hearing her father voice.

“Girls this is where your mission begins. You are meant to restore order to the world. If the humans succeeded in setting off the bombs, then magic and the veil have been implicated. You girls are the only two who can heal the ley lines. You must seek the answers you need in the cave of our ancestors. The witches and Atlanteans that once roamed the surface together.” Our mother spoke firmly yet gently.

“Find my brother, Jerza. He will lead you where you need to go. He will train you and guide you. He will be your greatest asset on this journey. Love yourselves and each other, my little turtles. May the tides guide you.” It was more of a command coming from our father.

“We love you both so much, and wish we were there to help you ourselves. Find peace knowing we died fighting together for you both. We died warriors; we will see you again loves. Be strong and fight for one another. Find peace, find love and know your father and I are always with you.” With those final words the message faded. Venissa released her sister’s hand, tears running down both their faces.

“What do we do, Valkry?” Venissa looked over at her sister, completely lost. Her green eyes flooded with tears.

“We find our uncle, and then we fulfill our parents dying wish-” Valkry had stopped crying as she held her sister. “-but this means you have to come with me. With no questions.” Venissa nodded in to her chest. Trying to calm herself so she could look her sister in the eye.

Just like that Valkry took on something she was sure she wasn’t ready for.