CHAPTER 17: DOMINANCE OF THE SUPREMELY FLEXIBLE AND UNYIELDING
After their mother Mellisah and grandmother Beauty passed away, Clint and Bridget's perspectives on life underwent a profound transformation. The thought of embarking on the arduous journey of existence alone, dictated solely by the whims of nature, became unbearable to them. In a moment of contemplation, Clint, Bridget's brother, proposed a daring idea - returning to the ethereal realm of Uranus, where life seemed to hold a glimmer of solace compared to the harsh realities of Earth. However, Bridget vehemently rejected this notion, cautioning her brother about the perils that awaited them on Uranus. She reminded him of the relentless enemies they had encountered on the distant planet of Pluto, who were always lurking, eager to devour them alive. Bridget went on to emphasize that their mother's passing did not signify an end to their battles. Hours of heated debate ensued, until finally, they reached a bittersweet resolution - each would forge their own separate path, bidding farewell to the familiar comfort of companionship.
Clint swiftly gathered his belongings, skillfully packing them in anticipation of the arduous journey to Uranus. Bridget, deeply moved by her brother's resolute choice, couldn't help but inquire, "Clint, pray tell, what compelling reason has led you to forsake this world and venture to Uranus?" Clint, with a hint of exasperation, retorted, "Oh sister, what a peculiar query! If I were to inquire why you choose to remain, would you not answer me promptly?" In a confident tone, Bridget promptly replied, "Indeed, I would answer without hesitation. I yearn to stay here, for it is upon this very soil that my mother and grandmother rest eternally. Now, I implore you, divulge your reasons for departing."
In a moment pregnant with silence, Clint's response unfurled like a tapestry woven with the threads of his ancestral ties. "Uranus beckons me, for it is the very cradle of my existence, where the bones of my forefathers lie in eternal slumber. It is the hallowed ground upon which my late mother discovered her hidden reservoirs of indomitable strength, a strength that could conquer any obstacle life dared to throw her way. But above all, it is the celestial canvas upon which I yearn to paint the portrait of my long-lost father. Oh, envision it, my dear sister! From the moment of our birth until this twilight of our lives, the enigma of our paternal heritage has shrouded us in a cloak of mystery. Who is he? Where does he dwell? And what does he think of us? The time has come for me to unearth the truth, and I beseech you, do not impede my quest."
Bridget was taken aback by the expression on his face, a mixture of surprise and confusion. She couldn't help but blurt out, "Brother, what in the world is happening to you? Have you lost your mind? Why did you wait all these years, until our dear mother passed away, to inquire about our father's whereabouts? Why?" Her voice filled with disappointment, she continued, "You should be ashamed of yourself for trying to hold someone else accountable for our father's disappearance, when perhaps the fault lies solely with him. Let me make one thing clear: do not dare accuse our late mother, for she is innocent. The guilt lies with you, for you should have asked her. And mark my words, there must be a valid, unyielding reason why our mother chose to remain silent and keep us in the dark about our father."
Clint, tired of his sister's whimsical tales, abruptly interjected, demanding answers. "Enough with the madness! If you're insinuating that I'm insane, then spill the beans. What's this so-called significant reason you're blabbering about? Tell me, now!" Impatience and anger tinged his words. Bridget, however, urged her brother to calm down, assuring him that she would reveal everything in due time. "Brother, please, don't let anger consume you just yet. I will disclose the truth, but please, be patient and lend me your undivided attention. Our mother concealed our father's whereabouts because he vanished en route to the sacred mountain, where he intended to beseech the divine for his wife's miraculous pregnancy. You see, he was infertile, and the conception was nothing short of a miracle to him. Thus, he sought to express his gratitude to Allogally for this extraordinary gift."His brother was left dumbfounded, unable to grasp the full essence of Bridget's elucidation. He maintained a silence that stretched into eternity, abandoning Bridget to her own thoughts. Without a single utterance, he retreated to his chamber and sank into the embrace of his bed, gazing up at the expanse of his ceiling. In a quest for comprehension, he dissected every word his sister had spoken, striving to discern the authenticity of her account from the mere allure of her persuasive explanation.
While reclining on his bed, he slipped into a profound slumber and found himself immersed in a vivid reverie. In this ethereal realm, his mother materialized before him, elucidating the enigma of his father in the same manner Bridget had done earlier. Beseeching him with earnest eyes, his mother implored him not to forsake Bridget on his forthcoming journeys, and to abstain from venturing to the distant realm of Uranus. Puzzled, he inquired why he should avoid this celestial destination, to which his mother gravely warned of the perilous odds of perishing there, leaving Bridget bereft and desolate. "In solitude, her life force would wane, hastening her untimely demise." Clint, rendered speechless, gazed intently at his mother's countenance, his astonishment palpable. As the vision dissolved, he roused from his slumber, lifting his head from the pillow. Surveying his surroundings, he perceived an unfamiliar aura permeating the house, yet this did not perturb him, for he comprehended the underlying rationale behind this inexplicable transformation.
He rose from his slumber and ventured into the heart of the house, where he discovered Bridget nestled upon the couch, engrossed in the glowing screen. With fervor in his voice, he unveiled his ethereal revelation, confessing his newfound reluctance to abandon her side. "I am compelled to remain within these walls, for I yearn to embrace life's essence," Clint declared. Bridget, moved by his understanding, nodded in gratitude. "Clint, my dear brother, your comprehension overwhelms me. I am indebted to you," she whispered. United in their bond, they indulged in a cinematic journey before retreating to their respective chambers, surrendering to the embrace of slumber.
A year later, Clint made the audacious decision to depart from the confines of planet Earth, feeling an indescribable disdain for its inhospitable environment. With a clandestine determination, he embarked on this journey without a whisper of warning to his unsuspecting sister. As the sun timidly rose, casting its golden rays upon the world, Clint gathered his treasured possessions and equipment, slipping away from the familial abode through the unassuming kitchen door. Not a single word or scribble of explanation was left behind for Bridget, his sister, as if he had evaporated into thin air. As Bridget emerged from her slumber, she was greeted by an eerie silence that enveloped the entire house. A perplexing curiosity consumed her, for each morning prior had been accompanied by the harmonious melodies of her brother's voice, intermingled with the tantalizing aromas of his culinary creations. Yet, on this particular day, the symphony of his presence was conspicuously absent.
That day was a complete departure from the norm; the house lacked its usual symphony, not even the aroma of a morning feast. Determined, she called out her brother's name thrice, but the echoes of her voice were met with silence. Curiosity propelled her towards Clint's chamber, only to discover its vacancy. Bridget stood in awe, a mixture of astonishment and disbelief washing over her. The meaning behind this perplexing situation eluded her, so she retreated to her own quarters in silence. Perhaps Clint had chosen to embark on a leisurely stroll through the town, although she knew deep down that such thoughts were unnecessary, for the truth lay right before her eyes and resonated within her very soul.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow over the land, Clint's absence weighed heavily on Bridget's heart. Determined to find her beloved brother, she embarked on a journey to the police station, hoping for a glimmer of assistance. Alas, upon arrival, she discovered that fate had dealt her a cruel hand - the officer in charge was nowhere to be found. Defeated but undeterred, she trudged back home, her plea for help left unanswered.
In a quest to reclaim the celestial treasures that once graced her mother's possession, she ventured to the sacred spot where the 23 mighty stars were meticulously tucked away. Time had woven a tapestry of shared memories between mother and daughter, and now she sought to ensure their continued existence. Yet, to her astonishment, a cruel twist of fate had snatched away three of these luminous gems, leaving only a mere twenty nestled within the confines of her briefcase. The gravity of the situation weighed heavily upon her, for she understood the implications all too well. There was no time to waste, no moment to spare in futilely awaiting the aid of the authorities. With resolute determination, she resolved to embark on an arduous journey to the distant reaches of Uranus, where her brother languished in the clutches of Pluto's formidable guardians. The path ahead was treacherous, fraught with peril and uncertainty, but her unwavering spirit would not be deterred.
Returning to the sanctuary of her humble abode, Bridget sank into her bed, the weight of worry pressing upon her weary frame. Sleep eluded her, as thoughts of her brother's mysterious whereabouts consumed her every thought. But as darkness enveloped the world outside, a vivid dream took hold of her restless mind.
In this ethereal vision, Bridget found herself transported to the distant reaches of the cosmos, where she beheld her brother amidst the celestial wonders of planet Pluto. The dream's power jolted her awake, her body springing upright in the moonlit room.
In a quest to reclaim the celestial treasures that once graced her mother's possession, she ventured to the sacred spot where the 23 mighty stars were meticulously tucked away. Time had woven a tapestry of shared memories between mother and daughter, and now she sought to ensure their continued existence. Yet, to her astonishment, a cruel twist of fate had snatched away three of these luminous gems, leaving only a mere twenty nestled within the confines of her briefcase. The gravity of the situation weighed heavily upon her, for she understood the implications all too well. There was no time to waste, no moment to spare in futilely awaiting the aid of the authorities. With resolute determination, she resolved to embark on an arduous journey to the distant reaches of Uranus, where her brother languished in the clutches of Pluto's formidable guardians. The path ahead was treacherous, fraught with peril and uncertainty, but her unwavering spirit would not be deterred.
As twilight descended, she gathered the dwindling stars and embarked on a celestial journey to the enigmatic realm of Uranus. Arriving amidst its ethereal expanse, she was awestruck by the ancient metamorphoses that had transpired since their earthly sojourn. Bridget's searching gaze failed to locate her late grandfather's opulent palace or the hallowed grounds where her departed mother reigned as queen. Everything had undergone a profound alteration, including the very essence of its inhabitants. The once familiar faces of her companions now bore the grotesque visage of monstrous beings, their humanity warped by the passage of time. Undeterred, she traversed the alien terrain, determined to unravel the mysteries that had reshaped the very fabric of Uranus.
While on her journey, Bridget unexpectedly crossed paths with a weathered gentleman who inquired about her destination. With a mischievous smile, Bridget revealed that she had no particular place to go, but rather was indulging in a whimsical exploration of the planet. Intrigued, the old man probed further, seeking knowledge of her origins. Bridget, unreservedly, divulged her background, causing a flicker of astonishment to dance across the old man's face. In a bold move, he invited her to accompany him to his secluded sanctuary. Trusting her instincts, Bridget followed the old man without a trace of suspicion. Upon reaching their destination, the old man graciously offered her a comfortable seat, ensuring her ease and tranquility. With a formal exchange of introductions, they embarked on a profound conversation. The old man, with great purpose, unraveled the mystery behind his summoning of Bridget to his sanctuary.
Once upon a time, whispers of a peculiar gentleman's arrival on our celestial sphere reached my ears. It was rumored that he hailed from the distant realm known as Earth. Eager to uncover the secrets of his ancestral palace, he embarked on a quest through our humble town. Alas, the passage of time had eroded the memories of our aging inhabitants, rendering them oblivious to their own planetary history. Ignored and met with indifference, the young adventurer's spirit waned.
Undeterred by this disheartening reception, the intrepid youth resolved to carve out his own sanctuary, a haven where he could patiently await the elusive information he sought. I stood witness to his plea, possessing the very knowledge he yearned for. Yet, fear gripped my heart, for the planetary elite had decreed that the cherished lore of our abode should remain a secret, shared solely amongst its rightful inhabitants. Thus, I dared not disclose the coveted truths to this stranger, lest I incur the wrath of those high-ranking overseers.
I made a solemn promise to myself, vowing to carve out a special moment to pay him a clandestine visit, delivering the classified intel in utmost secrecy. As the sun gently caressed the horizon one fateful morning, I embarked on a journey towards his abode, only to discover a disheveled sanctuary devoid of any human presence. My heart sank, for I instantly comprehended the grim reality that unfolded before me - the inhabitants of Pluto had surreptitiously whisked him away, leaving no trace behind.
In the realm of time, Bridget's ears were attuned, captivated by the unbelievable tale that unfolded before her. With astonishment etched upon her face, she revealed to the aged storyteller that the very gentleman he had eloquently portrayed was none other than his own flesh and blood, her long-lost brother. Departing from Earth without a trace, he had left her bereft of any knowledge of his whereabouts. It was this very quest that had propelled her to the distant reaches of Uranus, in search of her kin.
Naturally, their mother possessed a celestial birthright, a star of unparalleled power that bestowed upon her the fortitude to conquer life's adversities. Her extraordinary visions, a gift from the heavens, had guided her in rescuing countless souls from imminent peril. And now, in Bridget's possession, lay the remnants of a regal legacy - twenty mighty stars, once belonging to the ancient king of Pluto. Alas, three of these celestial gems had vanished, their whereabouts concealed within the enigmatic grasp of her brother. These stars, acquired through her grandfather's betrayal of a sacred covenant with the Pluto king, had ignited a tempestuous feud between the two realms.
In the heart of a fierce battle stood my mother and her mirror image, her twin sister. In the midst of that chaos, tragedy struck and my grandfather's life was cruelly snatched away, leaving my mother as the rightful heir to the celestial wonders above. And so, we divided the stars amongst ourselves, each claiming our fair share.
But the tale doesn't end there, for destiny had more in store for us. In a time long past, my brother, mother, and I united forces and ventured into the legendary Battle of Hastlings, a clash that echoes through the annals of history. With unwavering determination, we emerged victorious, claiming the illustrious title for our beloved planet, Earth. Yet, our triumph did not come without a price. As word of our conquest spread, envy and resentment began to fester within the hearts of all creatures. Their eyes glimmered with a dangerous longing, yearning to challenge us, to test their might against ours. And so, the battle for supremacy rages on, fueled by their burning jealousy. This, my friends, is the conclusion of our tale.