Chapter 8: Harmonea's Decision

[Author’s note: Most of the following conversations should be in the high language of Cignus. However, for the sake of time (and my sanity), I have left them in English. I may translate them later.]

Monea watched the ball of light as it weaved and bobbed above her palm. It had been a long time since she had allowed herself to use her powers in such a carefree manner in the open. On Cignus, with the imperial forces hunting down anyone from the resistance, particularly the ones with powers, such an action could have easily lead to her capture.

Jupiter was so different, she realized. The princess and her family didn’t hide their powers and used them openly to help the people. This is what she wanted for Cignus and its people. Suddenly, that dream didn’t seem so far-fetched or so far away.

With little concentration, she made the ball of light shift shapes into a flower bud. The color of the light deepened, changing from a bright yellow to a dark red. The bud slowly began to open until the flower was in full bloom.

“That’s a neat trick.”

The flower disappeared as Monea jerked her head up. She felt her face flush as her eyes locked with the calm, green eyes of the Guardian of Hope. She couldn’t believe that she had let herself get caught but couldn’t finish the thought. The only word Monea could come up with was playing and she felt even more childish.

“I’ve been looking for you,” the Guardian said.

“Why?”

The Guardian didn’t answer immediately. She took a seat beside Monea on the bench. She gazed so long at the skyline of the city that Monea wondered if she was ever going to answer the question.

“You are Alcyon’s granddaughter. She served her duty well as a Guardian.”

Monea shook her head. “I never knew her, but Mother told me stories about her and the other Guardians when I was young.”

“And after the loss of your parents, you joined the resistance?”

“No, I merely continued my parents’ work. I guess you could say it was my legacy.”

“Your legacy?” Cassandra repeated, her eyes switching back to the skyline. “Yes, I could see that.”

Monea let the silence settle over them. She could understand the Guardian’s curiosity about her past. However, the emphasis on her link to Guardian of Harmony and the Melion clan were beginning to nag at her. What was Cassandra up to?

“There’s more to this visit than reminiscing about a grandmother I don’t remember,” Monea said aloud.

Cassandra turned to the younger woman with a smile. “Yes, there is. I’ve got a proposition for you.”

“What kind of proposition?”

There was no way to be subtle. Cassandra had realized that much earlier. “I am asking you become a Guardian of Cignus.”

Monea’s jaw dropped, indicating her total surprise. She opened and closed her mouth several times before crying, “A Guardian? I can’t!”

“Why not?”

“There are plenty of reasons. I’m a leader of the resistance on Cignus. I can’t turn my back on that! And there’s Ren.”

Cassandra waited but there were no more outbursts. “That’s not the main reason, is it, Harmonea?”

“You know the other reason,” she said, her violet eyes flashing angrily.

“What is it that you think I know?”

“Stop playing games with me! You know that I’m half-caste. I can’t be a Guardian.”

Cassandra shook her head and stood up to look down at the girl. “You are letting old fears cloud your thinking.

“Being half-caste doesn’t mean you can’t be a Guardian. The twins are a perfect example. Besides, the gods look at more than blood to judge a person worthy.

“You are being offered a wonderful opportunity to help Cignus. Don’t let fear and doubt steal it away.”

Without another glance back, the Guardian left the garden, leaving Monea to her troubled thoughts.

* * * * *

With a sigh, Monea entered the modest bedroom she occupied. She undid her braid and brushed her hair out with her fingers, still dwelling on her conversation with Cassandra. However, she stopped when she noticed Ren was sitting on her bed.

“Ren, why are you here?”

“I’ve been looking for you,” he replied. “One of the guardians told me you were talking with Cassandra.”

She nodded. “I did.”

“She asked you to fight with them, didn’t she?” he asked, not bothering to hide his anger. “She wants us to fight for Jupiter.”

“It’s more than that,” Monea said, sitting down beside him. “Cassandra asked me to become one of them.”

“One of them? What are you talking about?”

“A Guardian of Cignus, Oriren.”

He stared at her, the magnitude of the proposition hitting him. Knowing Monea, she would accept it to free Cignus from the Shadow Moon. However, he didn’t know where it would leave him or their relationship.

“You’re not saying anything,” she said quietly.

“What would you have me say?”

“What you are thinking? What you are feeling?” She paused, waiting for a response but got none. She looked away and closed her eyes to fight the tears. “Just talk to me.”

He knew that part of her hesitation was because of him. His silent treatment was only making matters worse. “What are you going to do?” he finally forced himself to ask.

“I don’t know.” She turned to face him, her violet eyes swirling with emotion. “What do you think I should do?”

With a soft smile, Ren caressed her cheek. “What you think is right, Harmonea. You must do what you think is right.”

She covered his hand with hers, never looking away from his face. “I wish I had more time to decide. I don’t want to be rushed into this.”

“You’ve already made your decision. You’re going to do it. It’s the doubts that you’re having problems with.”

Smiling, she arched an eyebrow. “Think you know me pretty well, do you?”

“I know you like I know my own heart.”

As he encased her in his arms, she whispered, “I love you, too.”

* * * * *

Monea found Cassandra an hour later. She was going over some maps with Dido. The two Guardians were discussing which routes Naffid would use to attack the palace. However, when Cassandra noticed Monea’s presence, she pushed the maps aside.

“I have made my decision, Cassandra.” Her voice was calm, betraying no hesitation or doubt.

“I see. What have you decided?”

Ignoring Dido’s confused look, Monea kept eye contact with Cassandra. “I will become a Guardian.”


Harmonea's Decision [Author’s note: Most of the following conversations should be in the high language of Cignus. However, for the sake of time (and my sanity), I have left them in English. I may translate them later.] Monea watched the ball of light as it weaved and bobbed above her palm. It had been a long time since she had allowed herself to use her powers in such a carefree manner in the open. On Cignus, with the imperial forces hunting down anyone from the resistance, particularly the ones with powers, such an action could have easily lead to her capture. Jupiter was so different, she realized. The princess and her family didn’t hide their powers and used them openly to help the people. This is what she wanted for Cignus and its people. Suddenly, that dream didn’t seem so far-fetched or so far away. With little concentration, she made the ball of light shift shapes into a flower bud. The color of the light deepened, changing from a bright yellow to a dark red. The bud slowly began to open until the flower was in full bloom. “That’s a neat trick.” The flower disappeared as Monea jerked her head up. She felt her face flush as her eyes locked with the calm, green eyes of the Guardian of Hope. She couldn’t believe that she had let herself get caught but couldn’t finish the thought. The only word Monea could come up with was playing and she felt even more childish. “I’ve been looking for you,” the Guardian said. “Why?” The Guardian didn’t answer immediately. She took a seat beside Monea on the bench. She gazed so long at the skyline of the city that Monea wondered if she was ever going to answer the question. “You are Alcyon’s granddaughter. She served her duty well as a Guardian.” Monea shook her head. “I never knew her, but Mother told me stories about her and the other Guardians when I was young.” “And after the loss of your parents, you joined the resistance?” “No, I merely continued my parents’ work. I guess you could say it was my legacy.” “Your legacy?” Cassandra repeated, her eyes switching back to the skyline. “Yes, I could see that.” Monea let the silence settle over them. She could understand the Guardian’s curiosity about her past. However, the emphasis on her link to Guardian of Harmony and the Melion clan were beginning to nag at her. What was Cassandra up to? “There’s more to this visit than reminiscing about a grandmother I don’t remember,” Monea said aloud. Cassandra turned to the younger woman with a smile. “Yes, there is. I’ve got a proposition for you.” “What kind of proposition?” There was no way to be subtle. Cassandra had realized that much earlier. “I am asking you become a Guardian of Cignus.” Monea’s jaw dropped, indicating her total surprise. She opened and closed her mouth several times before crying, “A Guardian? I can’t!” “Why not?” “There are plenty of reasons. I’m a leader of the resistance on Cignus. I can’t turn my back on that! And there’s Ren.” Cassandra waited but there were no more outbursts. “That’s not the main reason, is it, Harmonea?” “You know the other reason,” she said, her violet eyes flashing angrily. “What is it that you think I know?” “Stop playing games with me! You know that I’m half-caste. I can’t be a Guardian.” Cassandra shook her head and stood up to look down at the girl. “You are letting old fears cloud your thinking. “Being half-caste doesn’t mean you can’t be a Guardian. The twins are a perfect example. Besides, the gods look at more than blood to judge a person worthy. “You are being offered a wonderful opportunity to help Cignus. Don’t let fear and doubt steal it away.” Without another glance back, the Guardian left the garden, leaving Monea to her troubled thoughts. * * * * * With a sigh, Monea entered the modest bedroom she occupied. She undid her braid and brushed her hair out with her fingers, still dwelling on her conversation with Cassandra. However, she stopped when she noticed Ren was sitting on her bed. “Ren, why are you here?” “I’ve been looking for you,” he replied. “One of the guardians told me you were talking with Cassandra.” She nodded. “I did.” “She asked you to fight with them, didn’t she?” he asked, not bothering to hide his anger. “She wants us to fight for Jupiter.” “It’s more than that,” Monea said, sitting down beside him. “Cassandra asked me to become one of them.” “One of them? What are you talking about?” “A Guardian of Cignus, Oriren.” He stared at her, the magnitude of the proposition hitting him. Knowing Monea, she would accept it to free Cignus from the Shadow Moon. However, he didn’t know where it would leave him or their relationship. “You’re not saying anything,” she said quietly. “What would you have me say?” “What you are thinking? What you are feeling?” She paused, waiting for a response but got none. She looked away and closed her eyes to fight the tears. “Just talk to me.” He knew that part of her hesitation was because of him. His silent treatment was only making matters worse. “What are you going to do?” he finally forced himself to ask. “I don’t know.” She turned to face him, her violet eyes swirling with emotion. “What do you think I should do?” With a soft smile, Ren caressed her cheek. “What you think is right, Harmonea. You must do what you think is right.” She covered his hand with hers, never looking away from his face. “I wish I had more time to decide. I don’t want to be rushed into this.” “You’ve already made your decision. You’re going to do it. It’s the doubts that you’re having problems with.” Smiling, she arched an eyebrow. “Think you know me pretty well, do you?” “I know you like I know my own heart.” As he encased her in his arms, she whispered, “I love you, too.” * * * * * Monea found Cassandra an hour later. She was going over some maps with Dido. The two Guardians were discussing which routes Naffid would use to attack the palace. However, when Cassandra noticed Monea’s presence, she pushed the maps aside. “I have made my decision, Cassandra.” Her voice was calm, betraying no hesitation or doubt. “I see. What have you decided?” Ignoring Dido’s confused look, Monea kept eye contact with Cassandra. “I will become a Guardian.”


Chapter 9: Rituals Jupiter's Gone