Chapter 5 - Hermana

A/N: Wi-Fi or DATA connection recommended to play the audio above

Please also note that RHEA is a matriarchal planet

___________CHAPTER TWO___________

MIRROR

~

"Once we're in matrimony, you'll have all the permission in the world to touch me however you like."

"That's enticing. But you deserve respect."

~

My father Raios, is an egotistical jerk that only thinks about taking more power for himself. My mother Evergreen Thyme is a woman/amazon who married her own nephew to save her siblings and mother from a public execution without no valid reason whatsoever. And me, Cyrene Mirror Verity, firstborn daughter of Raios and Evergreen Thyme Verity (Vermillion) two monarchs that rule over RHEA and I alone, am the only Antiquity Yore talent user that walks this present era that they rule over. My younger sister Virgo Vermilion is such an irrelevant excuse for a being as Father would put it as she has always failed his expectations of her..what pity? you might think no, she needs to better if she wants to be favored just like I am, great things must be earned not given upon willy nilly as it were a piece of chocolate. And I cannot believe that when she was born I was delighted, like why was I even delighted in the first place? a question asked by my Father, the answer used to be simply really--she was my sister. Mother did try her best to sway me away from Father's immoral upbringing but by the time she tried, it was already too late for me to change out of it all.

Father never bothered nor batted an eye to Virgo's upbringing and education, because he has already solely placed all his trust in passing on the crown of Helium to me and to me alone. He always has regarded Virgo as a failure and that is what she will remain to be in his eyes, she used to be fond of me when she was still a little girl but as she got older Father compared her to me more often than usual--she learned to resent me. Mother did everything to make father notice Virgo's attempts to please his ego and every time she did just that Father just laughed at her as if she were a mere joke to him.

"How did that feel dear daughter?" Father spoke up as he took a sip of whisky from his glass rotating it afterward as the ice cubes followed the circular gesture of his hand as a mischievous smile crept up to his lips and then he slammed the whisky glass on the long wooden oak table, I noticed Virgo's uneasy fidgeting of her fingers while Mother remained composed as ever as she took a sip of her soup from her bowl not minding Father's terrible behavior at the dining table "Raios," she began "You can do whatever concoction you have in mind after dinner but until then, let your daughters eat in peace." Mother remarked as she sliced a piece of meat from her platter and ate it. It can't be helped if Father loved playing favorites and Virgo got the short end of the stick.

~

When my sister was born Father told me to suppress my happiness towards her and anything else because he told me that happiness can only last for a short period of time before it gets stolen from you. As far as I can remember Father is the one who is always taught me about morals and he had set up rules for me to follow and rules for things I should not do at all times where ever or whatever it takes no matter what because if I did not do as he had told me He warned me that he shall disown me as his child and I vowed to be ever faithful to his will. Its been days since Virgo my little sister was born and Mother was still resting so Father told me to get Virgo from Mother and his chambers and take her to the garden whereupon Father will be waiting for me to arrive, but if Mother wakes up from her slumber Father instructed me to use a mind-control spell on her and if that doesn't work I should target her vital points to leave her unconscious. So when time stroke 9:24 am I sneaked out of the library away from the prying eyes of Grand Ma Doma, the old woman is in charge of teaching me the balance of the tribes when Father is busy full-filling Mother's duties as Queen of Zoldanga "Where do you think you are going, young lady?"

"Bathroom break." Her right brow arched and she had that sour look on her face despite being super old this woman doesn't look the part and she can easily deceive any dumb fool with just plain words but every time I stare nor look at her my talent does its work just by using Last Ages on her it can reveal her true appearance to my sight only, while I was so engrossed with my own thoughts and plan on how to get out of the library I didn't realize that I was already out of the library and standing outside the hall of the East Wing of the palace I was about to use one of my spells on how upon I got here but when Conri's voice rung in my head I knew that Father ordered him to carry on of what he had me do "Not to worry about the old woman. Follow his Majesty's orders I will take care of the Alpha of the Council."

Conri is the right-hand man of my Father; his King's guard and most faithful acolyte. Mother's personal chambers were just up ahead but she was not left unguarded, two Satellites were standing outside the doors of her room they're elite guards of Zoldanga that can kill their enemies using pure white talent that detects a person's intentions by simply looking straight into your eyes and sensing your talents capabilities. No matter, I started walking towards Mother's personal chambers but I stopped midway when the Satellites aggressively pointed their spears towards me "Misapprehend thy forbidden and make their hearts smitten."

"Here she is Father," I held Virgo for Father to take, and as soon as he had a good at her feature's a huge wave of distaste washed over him-Virgo smiled at him. Then out of nowhere, he dropped my sister, his own daughter out of his grasp it's a good thing I caught her before she fell and died "Father?" I asked confusedly upon why did he yeet her "THAT THING IS NOT MY DAUGHTER NOR SHE IS YOUR SISTER! DO YOU UNDERSTAND MIRROR?! SHE IS ABSOLUTELY DISGUSTING!!" My eyes widened in confusion, thunder cracked on the dark skies and the rain poured harder I removed the cloth that was covering my sister's face...she was crying I don't know why Father came to hate her therefore she was not ugly or hideous "Mirror. " Father called me without facing me as another thunder cracked leaving Virgo to cry louder "Did you do what I've asked you to? " the small bottle sitting still in the pocket of my dress "Yes Father, those two Satellites won't be able to see the light of daylight anymore."

He laughed maniacally as lightning struck the garden and all the plants burned. I took out the bottle filled with the blood of the two Satellite guards as Father watched me take off the cap and made my sister drink the blood and IT WAS SATISFYING HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. DRINK! DRINK! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA AFTER THIS YOU'LL SURELY DIE HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. Later that night Mother had called Panacea for the medication of my sister and she hated me for what I did. Father defended me against her rage because if there's one thing that I've learned through the upbringing my Dad had given me is that I should never care if it is neither right nor wrong unless I get what I wanted either way Father said she was heinous so maybe she deserved it.

A few years later

"Is it true Mirror? That when I was little YOU MADE ME DRINK BLOOD OF TWO DEAD SATELLITES? " The door almost broke and that was expensive, either way, she ruined my meditation I placed down my orb to my side and stood up from the cushions I've sat at and turned to face Virgo "I didn't do it." I simpered at her as she furiously looked back at me as I walked towards the vanity mirror and stared at my reflection and laughed "Then why are you laughing?" I allowed my laughter to die down before I answer her question "Because whoever person that commanded it was a freaking genius."

Her glare became more obscure as I said that it's not my fault that she is so gullible and naïve "HOW COULD YOU DO THAT?! I'M YOUR SISTER!" She started to walk towards me with my back facing towards her "YOU'LL PAY FOR WHAT YOU DID TO ME--" As soon as she was only an inch near me I turned around and grabbed her collar with one hand in just a swift movement and stared back down at her small figure " Pay? Do you say? just let me remind you, Virgo." I began "If it wasn't for me vouching for you here and there, Father would have already disowned no wait that's not right--discontinued you, I gave credence of pity to you from him, so sorry to say but he hates your entire existence my dearest sister."

~

"Stop thinking deep Mirror. " Father spoke up as I was reminiscing a past memory, Father never calls me by my first name unless it has something to do with Virgo's case "Raios." Mother reminded him as he dismissed her words propping his left elbow on the table while his right hand promptly took out his dagger from its sheath placing it in front of us I took a quick glance at the dagger then to Mother "I took the liberty to train your useless sister today, and she was absolutely terrible. Unlike you my dear Mirror, you do not hesitate." although I hate my Father that last part he said made me smirk at my sister "You, Mirror, allow your instinct to kill~" When Father hissed the word kill, Virgo slammed the table hard "You don't have to remind of how useless of a daughter I am to you Father! because I've already accepted the fact I will never be as good and favorable daughter in your eyes like Mirror is!"

Father chuckled at her words still seeing it as a complete joke, the chuckling slowly turned into fits of maniacal laughter this was the first time she talked back against our Father and no one ever does that to him without losing any part of their being other than me of course, Father knows my worth. A loud thud had caught my attention away from my thoughts and had me glance over at the other side of the table only to see Virgo's right eye socket empty it took her a little bit of self-reflection to realize the error in her actions as she slowly traced a finger on her cheek blood licking the tips of her fingers--- blood poured out of her empty eye socket her missing eye now floating on Mom's soup who was clearly disturbed by the scenario unveiling before the dining hall but still kept her composure knowing that Dad will not approve of her actions to aid my little sister in the process of him disciplining her.

"Evergreen darling, bring it here." Father commanded her as she picked it up with her spoon and gave it to him Father munched on my sister's eye like it was a ripe grape, I smirked at her state "I better not hear you cry Virgo." and with those last words Father left the dining hall laughing on his way out when the doors came to a close and our conversation out of his earshot Mother immediately ran to aid my poor excuse of a sister whose chocking back tears of pain as she held up her hand on her now blind right eye socket groaning in pain as she bit her lip in frustration "Mirror call Panacea hurry!" I stood up from my seat and arched a brow at my Mom looking down at my sister "And why would I? She brought this upon herself."

Virgo stared daggers at me gritting her teeth and grabbed the nearby knife trying to stab me with it tears were falling from her good eye forcing her hand to stab me but I tightened grip her wrist making her yelp in agony "Why don't you love your sister?" her words made laugh is she serious? Love her? "Are you kidding Virgo? It makes you weak that's why and the tides change if you truly care, ask Mom to pick you up not me." I threw her off back to the floor as she just stared at me walking away from her petite figure such a fragile thing.

"Mirror! MIRROR!" Mother's yelling stopped me from brushing Salt's fur and placed her down on the floor petting her head Mother's yelling voice is like scolding a little kid "You really are your Father's daughter aren't you?" she began "I know he taught you to be ruthless but never do that your own sister!" I carefully picked up one of the knives laying down on the coffee table rotating it around my hand playing with it "Do you know how it feels to be played with Mother?" I asked as she carefully held her fingers together she does that when she's nervous like a captain taking hold of the ship's helm to make sure it goes the path towards its destination careful enough to prive it away from dangerous waters.

"Are you asking me? Or your self dear?" I stopped playing with the knife making it drop on the floor, I flounced towards my Mother "Don't test me." I warned her as she raised her brow in response "We're both the same dear expect... I allow myself to break free of the shackles." I grabbed her face in annoyance and held it tight almost making her cheeks bleed using a spell on her making her thoughts bound to mine staring eye to eye with her. She may be my Mom but I cannot allow her to bear with the sufferings I have, the more you show hatred towards people the more they'll hate you--no.

There are things that she should not concern herself with especially the way how I choose to live my life or my sister will lose the only person that truly cares and loves her unconditionally that Dad had refused to accept as his daughter ---the meer imagination of how they should be the one's to love and support you never did once came true. Yes, she is my sister but she's just too weak as our Father would put it. Our mom walked out of my room with her mind completely blank of her current and previous actions before attacking me with insults I sat back down on the cushions laid out on the floor and stroked the head of my pet who was current plopped on the floor and licking her paw "My little baby, I adore you so don't leave me.. " she yipped happily in response and jumped in my arms wanting my attention. "Such a cutie"

KNOCK, KNOCK

"Milady?" the door opened revealing Hibiki on the other side having a confused look on his face "What do you want Hibiki?" his eyes wandered around and laughed at me "You need to stop doing that to you're own Mother." I stood up from the cushions I've been sitting on and walked towards the huge glass window giving me a great view of Helium as my little baby settled in my arms. "I can't disobey my Father, because if I do more people will get involved in this vacuous dispute the tribe imitators have." Helium was the summit tribe of RHEA claiming the most prestigious role of all-Balance yet our tribe doesn't have balance among anything they should have given us the role of Chaos that word fits much better than Balance.

"That reminds me... Hibiki how is the search for you're Father going? Any range?" I saw the vitally of goosebumps crawl that made him almost become deaf from the mention of his dear Father, his eyes tell me something but I can't make use of any of it. Strange my repulsion usually doesn't get blocked-and when I say usually like NOT EVER instances as this could only mean that my Dad doesn't want me to interfere with what he desires to do with the erstwhile King of Aulora. King Loki or former 'King Loki' used to be our mentor back at Ephedia, he was the younger brother of Queen Shuka and he used to be her royal adviser and general. Rumor has it that he fought against the seven Predominant Mistresses of RHEA and subdued them enough to buy our grandfather time. Therefore each one of them almost has an equal of the first generation amazons that traipsed over Rhea, causing pernicious among all those beneath them. Our Father may be evil but the noxious deeds of those women are more sinful than what the current King has done and yet we call ourselves privileged.

Aulora has an amazon, that is 10x stronger than Queen Auxe and the creator of drama. Xeris has a Bearer, that makes the tides befall an entire continent. Lireo obtained the She-Devil upon their grasp she became their salvation upon thy scorn, Borealis became proud of a Lacerate who manipulates gravity upon her will, Calix did not prevail to be in the shadows beckoning an Enchantress, Zoldanga divulges in the knowledge of a Tactician that maneuvers plots like a feather and lastly Helium held magnificence upon despair. Their names we're unknown-no it's somewhat forgotten or abolished in the terrible past that scarred RHEA until today. The only thing known thing about them is that they used to be Queens' of Rhea "Yet you yourself is an imitator of King Raios, Milady you might deny it but you seek the abyss."

My train of thought was stopped when he seemingly named me an imitator of my own flesh and blood I used to bear no ill will against my Father and follow whatever his commands and demand might be solicitude to the citizens "What's the status of our sui generis?" I knew a would smile form in his lips and it somewhat brought up dismissed memories that should continue to be deceased like organic life "Our sui generis current treatment is not up to his liking, he's being a little bit of a jerk hence he was brought to Lireo, conclusion? So far it's irretrievable." Hibiki half complained and half-joked, therefore, Sting was unfortunately taken to the home tribe of his sworn rival Zero who also now happened to be my fiance "Do the agenda's for today Hibiki and if anything goes wrong they'll have to answer to me." I dismissed Hibiki and once he was out of sight I got back to playing with Salt-

"Mirror. " I heard a voice call out as Salt started to bark at the mysterious voice calling out my name like a pocket full of something that I got let go of it made me grab my orb and used Translucent "Fi teh dlorw si gniog nwod tup er'uoy tseb sserd no" the whole room illuminated a mint color but none was scanned and the door was somewhat ajar this time around whereupon when Hibiki left he closed it. "Mirror "

"Duorhsne yht etaicnune ssalgruoh etteuohlis- etalitum " A tall voluptuous woman appeared in front of me sporting various wounds, scratches, and bruises all over her body, not to mention her left arm is somewhat dislocated or broken, her hair was scarlet and reached over her ankles. Tears fell as she tried her best to stand her lips started to tremble to form words but muttered it "Mirror..." her words are soft that they made me question her. I am not bothered by her presence but her appearance says otherwise like telling me something but I cannot conclude why? Until she fell down to her knees and cried while asking me to help her. "Help me Mirror-HELP ME D-!"

I blasted her with magic when she tried to stand up to tackle me making her dissipate into dust when she made contact with my talent. The black and white surrounding us later on melted like ice as it reverted back to its original state of color *BUZZZZ* my galva rang as Hibiki's contiguity appeared unto the screen a perfect timing to steer my attention away from the scenario that just occurred "Report?" I asked him as I pressed the loudspeaker button to hear whatever he is going to rant about as closed the front doors of my room and proceeded to my walk-in closet to change stripping down off my nightgown and into a robe grabbing the nearby hairbrush smoothing out the few tangles in my hair. The turns of phrase that Hibiki mustered caught my attention to an unrefined manner "Milady your beloved Father wants to have a one on one shooting competition with Zero--" Hibiki didn't get to finish his words as my laughter came about from my luscious lips.

"Is Father for real? Zero would wipe the floor with him in a shooting game."

"He's extremely serious about it for some reason."

"Don't tell Zero yet I'll do that, hence I want to see his reaction upon this challenge father has posed to him."

"I swear Milady I'm standing behind you if your father rages once he loses to Zero."

"By all means."

"Your father also said that they'd be shooting live beings and not non-moving ones as that is not fun he says."

"Zero has held every single firearm in existence within the palm of his hands, more so than he's ever held me."

"That's kinda sad don't you think?"

"It's fine, let him have a hobby other than me."

"Any way Milady I have to go, still need to do the task you have given me."

"I'm surprised you remembered the task."

"Honestly I almost forgot, hehehe."

"Hibiki--"

"BYE!"

The orangette ended our call before I could even think about scolding him about it, why are occurrences like this so typical of my father? it is interesting, to say the least, but if Father dares to shoot Zero, Queen Minea's oath will be at stake here, and if he does shoot to kill Zero I'm reversing time without his permission and he can't stop me, I dialed my lover's galva to inform him of my visit to him later on in the day "You called." he answered, the reloading and firing of his riffle could be heard in the background "I have news for you, later on when I come by, you're at the royal palace right now correct?" I picked Salt from the floor carrying her in my arms whilst waiting for Zero to answer "Yeah I'm at the royal palace and what might this news be? hmm?" He's curious good "I'll tell you in person." I smirked playing with a strand of my raven locks "Come over here already."

After Salt got her bath and dried off her soft fur, I picked out an outfit to wear and took and much needed pampering for myself, I made the journey to Lireo then I was greeted by a palace servant out the front doors guiding me to wear their crown prince was currently at "Oh hi," I greeted him "Finally...can I?" Zero placed aside the gun he was cleaning on the table, I nodded and he made me sit down on his lap for a fiery kiss as a proper greeting, he wrapped his strong arms around my waist pulling me close to his abdomen, the guards standing by the corner adverted their eyes up the clear blue skies "How many pulses did you empty today?" I pulled away before he starts grabbing my bust like he always does "Fifty pulses." I got up from his thighs pulling a nearby chair for myself, setting said furniture down opposite of him.

"Only fifty? how generous~" Zero picked up the gun again proceeding with his maintenance "I'm saving up fifty for each gun, to test them all out if they can still last me a few years." he ejected its magazine "Speaking of guns, want to hear the news now?" I crossed my thigh over the other "Tell away." he replied giving me a short glance to show that he was interested in the conversation I am about to commence "My father wants to have a shooting competition with you." I told him, observing closely how he'd react from such a challenge "Has your father ever held a gun before? because if he does I've never seen it." Zero slowly raised his head giving me his full attention whilst the firearm sat on his thigh, his right brow raise confused at how random the news was, even the guards standing by were unable to suppress their laughter.

"Once when he killed Sting. But on a daily? No, he doesn't, my father is already terrifying enough he's not allowed to hold a gun nor any kind of weapon whatsoever permanently." I grew up with his upbringing so my words justified that "Then why is he even bothering to challenge me?" Zero inquired "For funsies." I giggled hence father gets extremely hyper when he kills someone "What are we going to be shooting? bots?" my bluette lover rebuilt his weapon back up to its former state "No, Hibiki told me you'll be shooting live beings saying that non-moving ones are dull." Zero has been holding a gun ever since he was ten years old, and vast scurrying targets is mere child's play to him "Just so you know I'm not saying this because I'm cocky, but he'll lose." he pointed the gun at a bot that was standing off in a far corner.

"I know." I watched him shoot the same spot on its's mark in a matter of five seconds, promptly switching to another one that was strapped to his thigh "What is the purpose of this anyway?" he questioned in the midst of his gun's recoil "Funny you should ask that because I looked into his intention with this one and he wants to test you." my father values my importance in his aide "Let me guess, he wants to measure how bloodthirsty I am?" Zero emptied one hundred pulses in those two guns he just used "Exactly, my father wants to know if your lust for blood is enough to be part of our family." Zero previously had a different perspective when it comes to judgment--the judgment of killing people back then he used to say that something like that wasn't his ordeal to proclaim, nowadays? that belief of his is nonexistent.

"Your father likes to kill too much." he expressed, remembering the little incident that made Xeris crumble down to nothing but debris "It's his specialty." I materialized a glass pebble throwing it with my talent at one of the bots Zero was shooting, an evident hole became present on its head "Then it was a good thing that had my arsenal for a test run today when's this challenge going to happen anyway?" he emitted five pulses to float within the palm of his left hand loading them into his pistol "I rudely interrupted Hibiki with my laughter earlier, but I looked into it and said challenge proposed by my father will be commenced a day before our matrimony."

"You know what they say about your father around here?" he stopped shooting the bot's side facing me "What?" most of RHEA's citizens secretly hate my father's reign, they only obey him out of fear "That Raios is fresh out of a mental institution in every waking moment of his life." I knew it "He is insane." I chuckled at the thought of my father being tied up screaming to let free "So the sayings they impose on him are accurate, how deranged is your father anyway?" a servant came in carrying a tray of refreshment, bowing down to the both of us before leaving "Insane enough to almost kill Virgo on a whim, simply because she spilled a drink during dinner time." I spouted whilst Zero was pouring himself and I a glass "Virgo can't seem to catch a break from Raios."

"He's insulting her existence every day." I accepted the offered glass "How does she remain mentally strong from all that?" he asked curious to know how my father treats my little sister "Her talent is sensory sentiment remember?" I talent she learned to help her battered scape "What on RHEA--Your sister alters her feelings and emotions every day?" the tone of Zero's voice almost seemed like a yell "Yeah," I drank half of the said liquid into my throat "That's dangerous, she could end up being a black box." Virgo has fallen out of my father's favor ever since she was born "Panacea also said those words to her, and Virgo never listened."

______