Three weeks passed after that fateful day... the electric current to my brain caused a monumental surge of telekinetic energy to envelop my body. Like Leon informed my body and brain went into self-defence mode shutting down in order to protect me. In that dark void which I later found out was a coma, memories of my past haunted me. Memories of my beloved brother and my parents, the simple times we would sit around the table for dinner talking about what we had done that day. In my heart was such a desire just to relive that in the real world one last time…
Strangely I could still feel sensation and often hear sounds, like the beeping of a machine and the warmth of something on my hand. Someone was right by my side desperately waiting for me to wake, sometimes squeezing my hand ever so tightly it would almost wake me. While stuck in slumber I contemplated my current situation and realized just how naïve I was running off to save my brother without knowing any details of his whereabouts apart from he was in the west which was miles long. Remembering my birth fathers face as he tried so hard to catch me before running into that void, calling out my name to warn me. Truthfully, I felt guilty…
Yes, I was an ignorant and headstrong child but after this incident I decided that running away wasn't an option anymore and if I wanted to save my brother, I needed the people around me. Not for personal gain but support while I gave my all to become the prodigy title, I was born in. I had big shoes to fill and an even bigger heart.
"Ria?" A signature voice disrupted her sleep as she flinched feeling the heavy pressure of a hand on her cheek. As she opened her violet filled eyes the blurred vision of white hair and red eyes overwhelmed her.
"Give her some space she must be confused." Ria froze...she knew that voice too well, letting her eyes drift to the sound of a gruff voice they landed on sunshine blonde hair and emerald green eyes. Smiling down on her gasping a breath of relief was none other than the cell shut in... Sam?
Leon, "Ria I'm just checking your vitals, everything will be fine just stay still." A cold shock on her chest caused her to gasp, somehow her body was hypersensitive, she could even feel the breeze from the window weaving through her hair follicles.
Lucifer, "I'm so sorry I never meant to drive you away." Before she could comprehend his teary eyes, his big arms wrapped around her in an embrace. The fact that he was shaking made her heart thump, had her father really been by hr side this whole time?
Ria, "I-I'm sorry too…for running away. It was stupid of me, so…please don't blame yourself." Lucifer pulled back and looked into her eyes, her mouth was too tired to smile yet her eyes did it for her. Without speaking for three weeks her throat and voice were dry, it hurt to swallow. As she reached to ask Sam was already pouring her a glass as if he'd read her mind.
Sam, "Here. Ria do you know what happened?" Gulping down her water she recalled, and it wasn't to difficult to work out. Seeing so many worried faces she decided to add some humour to relieve the tension.
Ria, "I expected my grand exit to be shocking in a different sense I think?" Lucifer didn't seem to find it funny, but Sam couldn't help himself and chuckled receiving an ugly glare from the lord.
Lucifer," Ria you almost died this isn't something to joke about, we thought you were a goner." His stern aggravated scowl made her guilt return tenfold, she couldn't imagine the waiting game they had all be playing.
Sam, "Cut her some slack, she's a tough one. Most people would have died from such a shock yet here she is. Welcome back to the lovely world sleepyhead." Sam smiled and patted her head to her father's disdain, while watching over his daughter a small annoyance also stood by his side refusing to leave her alone.
Leon, "Vitals are normal however the telekinetic energy is still unstable. Ria you can't use your powers at all do you understand? If you do, we'll be right back where we started." Usually he was quite quaint and giddy when speaking so she understood but this wasn't informed information…it was a warning. Everyone else agreed apart from her, that was a tough promise to keep in a building full of superior. Sam seemed to sense her angst and patted Lucifer on the shoulder reminding him of their deal. Ria watched the hatred fill Leon's eyes as he watched the lord and slave joining forces.
Lucifer, "Ria before your accident in that meeting I was discussing allocating you a bodyguard to protect you at all times and stay by your side." Automatically without being told her eyes landed on Sam with some aspiration, he glanced back with smile. Then he knelt down to one knee and took her hand, awkwardly he blushed.
Sam," Princess Ria would you please do me the honour of accepting me as your right-hand man?" Within seconds of not believing her eyes she burst into laughter.
Ria, "Only if you never call me that EVER again." In return he also corrected himself and laughed. Lucifer looked pleased but also on edge along with Leon which she could understand, his hand wasn't exactly clean.
Lucifer, "Very well, hand it over." Ria watched as Lucifer was handed a necklace from Sam with a ruby encrusted jewel hanging down from it's silver chain, it looked like her father's eyes…Gently he moved aside her whit blonde hair and put it on. Ria picked up the jewel and looked at it in a daze, it was stunning.
Ria, "What is this?" Knowing in a world like these things never looked as they seemed Sam wrapped his hand around hers causing the ruby to glow.
Sam, "It's a contract between you and I to pledge myself to you completely and promise never to betray or leave you, if that ever happens if you smash the stone I'll die." Suddenly her face went pale, she liked the idea until hearing the last part.
Ria, "W-Wait your trusting me with the sole thing keeping alive, I can't accept such a thing." As she scrambled to break it Sam gripped her hands and gave her a reassuring look.
Sam, "I trust you. Do you trust me?" Seeing the lonely soul trapped inside that cell begging for some form of freedom in order to do some good she stared into those green eyes and hesitantly nodded.
Leon, "We will allow him to grow at your pace until his body reaches maturity, it's your responsibility as the contract holder to keep him in check so please do your best princess." Surprised she looked at him blankly, that meant he would get a chance to grow with her instead of being trapped as an 11-year-old boy his whole life.
Sam, "I can't protect you properly with this body, every year you age I will also age."
Ria, "I like the sound of that. Well I look forward to doing business with you." She outstretched her hand firmly which he took without hesitation and then their bond was sealed. Of course, there were a few more conditions undisclosed to her hidden by her father for the good of her heart.
Time passed after making our contract and like promised he waited for me everyday outside of my room and spent almost all of his time with me while I gradually recovered from my injuries. Sam was like my best friend and the only person I could confide in about my life in the hand of Bobby Lake. Finally, I accepted my role as the prodigy and stayed close to my father's side as we deliberated how to save the humans from demise.
At the tender age of nine years old on the exact date my birthday swept, I attended my first meeting with the higher superiors with Sam valiantly by my side as support. As expected my appearance and declaration of the prodigy didn't agree with everyone therefore I was under a lot of scrutiny. Thankfully Lucifer defended by name and honour until I was strong enough to do so myself.
Facility Meeting Room- Ria age 9
Sam, "Happy birthday squirt, how does it feel to be a year older?" Unimpressed she sighed and began doodling on her paper while waiting for her father to arrive.
Ria, "What can I say, it doesn't feel much different? What about you your looking taller already?" Sam had grown slightly leaving his face more defined, his lean yet muscular built looked less peculiar and his blonde hair had curled out slightly, however those large green eyes didn't change. Seeing her staring he smirked and struck a pose.
Sam," I'm handsome, aren't I?" She laughed sarcastically.
Ria, "Don't flatter yourself." He frowned and sat down beside her clearly sulking. Sometimes she found it hilarious how much of a child he was even though his mental age was around 30.
Ria, "Maybe slightly." She said under her breath causing him to perk up triumphantly. They were always playfully toward each other, it made living in this place bearable. Seeing him staring at her she whacked him with her pen.
Ria, "Why are you always staring like I've got something on my face?" It was a habit of his that made herself conscious. It was only when she said something did he avert.
Sam, "I was just thinking you look pretty professional for a nine-year-old." It was a good observation, he usual causal clothes was now a black dress and her hair was wrapped up in a ponytail making her appear cut and clean.
Ria, "You have to look the part if you want to get anywhere in life." Maturity in this girl's mind sometimes worried him, maybe her mental ag was also advanced. Just as he pondered over the daring look in her eyes her father entered with three members all seemingly superiors. Startled she rose from her seat looking them up and down while they returned the favour. One of them was quite young, around eighteen with raven coloured hair and pink eyes, the other was quite old roughly fifty with hunched backs and crooked teeth, judging from their appearance they had lived a very long time, longer than any human. With grey hair and piercing white eyes they both disapprovingly glared at the young girl before them.
Lucifer, "Chairman this is my daughter Ria." As her father introduced her she nodded quietly before sitting back down, silence was the best medicine for judgmental people. Words could be used against the one under judgement, so she smartly chose for them to speak first.
Lucifer, "Ria this is Jasper, Raine and Carter." Jasper and Carter were the older members and Raine was the young man, they bowed and sat down pulling out their tablet for notes. They didn't even glance at Sam which annoyed her, he was also included in this meeting.
Jasper," Today we are meeting to discuss a proposal requested from the princess, please state your reasoning for this." Lucifer nodded and Ria for her que which she promptly expressed in great sincerity.
Ria, "As we are well aware the West has been dabbling in numerous slave auctions and human trafficking correspondent of the revolt lead by the archangel Michael. It has come to my attention that my brother as well as numerous other superior children are being taken in order to fuel his own selfish needs. I ask of you today to grant me permission to investigate and invade the revolt to correct this epidemic." All of them sat in a state of shock as she finished her proposal and sat down casually after speaking such heavy words. They expected this plea to be childish and quickly dismissed however hearing the sincerity of her tone they began questioning that factor.
Raine, "Wisely spoken, tell me child do you understand what you are asking, these are very powerful people?" Lucifer felt uncomfortable letting Ria take all the heat in this situation, but she didn't look phased, rather she seemed exhilarated by the challenge.
Ria, "Their power and my power are very different. Although it may be dangerous we cannot put a price on the lives of these people suffering everyday trying to survive his cruelty. I may be young and naïve but I'm not blind or misinformed. My assets and informants are very reliable." Sam watched the almost squirm with discomfort, Ria was actually a very tough contender when reaching for something she wanted.
Carter," Archangels cannot be slayed or immobilised, running into their den would be suicide. You talk a very good game young lady, but we are old enough to know better than to trust bold words. How do you propose we rescue the children?" That threw everyone but her into silence, it would be hard to convince them of her plan, but she'd been thinking about how to do this since awakening from her coma months previously.
Ria, "I've found my existence to be very valuable to Michael and I am willing to risk that fact for the sake of rescuing the children. I will set myself as bait in the city while the rest of the squad invades the den. Then as soon as I know the plan has been successful my guard will save me." Ria gestured to Sam who was hearing this for the first time and his face told to lies in exposing how much he hated that plan. He never wanted Ria to be in danger even in a controlled space.
Raine, "It's very brave of you to offer your safety in return however we are also informed that your life is very valuable to our future so accepting this deal would upset a lot of people including your father." Lucifer was looking at his daughter intensely trying to figure out what was going on inside that head of hers when her hopeful eyes snapped him back.
Ria, "I'm not that fragile to bow to the likes of that man, even if I have to fight nail and tooth…I won't let him take me." Sam clenched his jaw and looked at Lucifer darkly secretly warning him not to accept.
Lucifer, "Ria's guard is a Lachter, so I'm very confident he can keep her safe…" Suddenly the atmosphere changed and they all stared at Sam wide eyed. Ria wasn't familiar with that term, when she also looked at him he seemed afraid of her reaction.
Jasper, "Lachter? That's impossible they were wiped out years ago…" Wiped out? What on earth were these people talking about. Ria watched Sam's head drop as he frowned, seeing him affected by them she took a stand.
Ria," It doesn't matter what Sam is, I trust him with every inch of my soul to protect me. I will appeal as many times as it takes for you to accept my plea, so I am as a human as well as a superior asking you to help me." Stunned as she raised her voice desperately they all looked at one another and began whispering exchanging deliberation on their tablets.
Raine, "I supposed it can't be helped, I've been looking for a chance to take down these bastards anyway. The council hereby provides clearance for the princess's request may you're successful in your endeavour." Her face lit up as they stood and bowed handing Lucifer the acceptance letter. Conflicted whether to be happy for his daughter or worried all he could do was pat her head and smile.
Lucifer, "You did well we will start planning tomorrow so get some rest." They all left the room, Lucifer excused himself to speak to Leon while Ria returned to her bedroom followed by Sam. Worriedly he hadn't said a word or poked fun at her since leaving.
Ria," Did they upset you?" She sat on her bed ushering him in, that frown didn't suit that handsome face at all.
Sam, "Why are you putting yourself at risk like this? What if I can't save you?" Strangely he kept looking down at the floor lost in thought muttering his words rather than talking head on like usual.
Ria, "Because I trust you and…I would really like to see my brother again." He lifted his head hearing the sadness in her voice, as she sat there looking out of the window longingly he boldly sat beside her on the windowsill and watched with her.
Sam," You must really love your brother…" That pain in her heart came back like a burning hot knife, love was an understatement, after all there was no her without Ethan. How could she have left him with that man all alone…Was he eating alright? Was he sleeping well? Was he thinking of her like she was him?
Ria, "We were together even before birth so doesn't it make sense to stick close. He's like the missing piece of me lost somewhere, I just want to find him before he fades away." Breathing on the glass her reflection became blurry revealing her dull purple eyes, she looked worn out constantly trying to plan ahead. Sam wanted to distract her from her feeling for a while so asked something that had been playing on his mind.
Sam, "About what you said in the meeting room, do you really not care that I'm a Lachter?" Sam's insecurity returned along with a long face. Ria looked at him sympathetically.
Ria, "Truthfully I have no idea what that is but even if I did it wouldn't change my perception of you." Doubting I that was true he decided there and then to tell her his story, the story of the past and present…