Burning Star

Joshua woke up, unable to move. Without opening his eyes, he realized that for the second time in his life, he was fully restrained. To top it, his leg itched, and he could do absolutely nothing. When he finally opened his eyes, they had to adjust to the darkness. He blinked a couple of times, realizing that there was no source of light, yet he could see. Everything had a grey colorless tone to it, and on top of being a depressing sight, he knew it meant trouble.

He cursed. Solem, can’t I get a break? His eyes settled on the ropes around his torso.

He was leaning against something. No. He was bound to someone.

The rope was wrapped around him several times, and when he moved to get to his leg, he could hear a groan coming from behind him. It was Eric, who was just waking up now.

‘What is this? Where’s Eric? Where am I? Relax, Eric. Everything will be alright.’ Joshua heard Eric’s thoughts, and once again, he rolled his eyes at the constant reminder that Eric hadn’t practiced shielding his thoughts. It certainly wasn’t that hard if he just tried.

Joshua glanced around the area. They were placed in the middle of a bare field. Beneath them was nothing but the cold ground. All signs of plant life were wholly gone, and only a small gust of wind rustled his hair. But most of all, he noticed all of the grey. Every color on the greyscale was used, in this make-belief reality. This could only mean that a Black Hole was near, and an attack had occurred mere minutes ago.

For once, Joshua praised Solem that Eric was okay. He sighed in relief, causing a blond lock to fall down over his eyes, and he blew at them while swinging his head, hoping to get them to settle away from his face.

‘Joshua? Is that you?’ Eric’s voice came through his mind—it was screaming.

“Of course it’s me,” he answered with his voice. “Who else could it be?”

Eric didn’t respond to that. Instead, he asked, “Where are we?”

“It would seem that we’re being held captive by the mourning brother,” Joshua answered. “Well… the guy who passed as a mourning brother, at least. For some reason, I’m not so sure about his identity any longer.”

“Do you have any visuals of out captor?” Eric asked.

“Nope.” Joshua shook his head from side to side, even though Eric wouldn’t be able to see it. “How about you?”

“No. Everything is so… desolate,” Eric answered.

That didn’t surprise Joshua. When it came to Black Holes, nothing was kept alive. They consumed everything, and they had no conscience. Actually, the fact that Joshua and Eric was still breathing meant that either the black holes hadn’t come near them, or they needed Eric and Joshua to do something for them.

“Do you know what’s going on?” Eric asked, shaking him out of his thoughts.

Joshua sighed. “Basically, we’re screwed.”

A manic laugh came from his right, and he turned his head, surprised to see Tom—or whatever his name was—walk towards them. Where had he come from?

“You don’t have to do this, Tom,” Joshua said. “No good will ever come from teaming up with the Black Holes—I hope you know that.”

Tom kept laughing, tears welling in his eyes as he cramped and held his stomach. “I can’t believe—“he snorted—“that you fell for my horrible act.”

“Act?” Eric asked. “What do you mean?”

“Back there, with my so called ‘brother’?” he said, air quoting his words. “I was the one who killed the old fool—he was trying to sabotage our plans.”

Joshua could feel Eric straining against the bonds. He was getting angry, but Joshua knew there was something else, as well.

‘Try and save your strength,’ he thought to Eric. ‘We’ll figure a way out of this—we have to.’

‘I don’t think I can—I want to kill this bastard.’ Eric jerked hard, causing Joshua to move along.

‘You’ll get you chance,’ Joshua tried to reason with him. ‘Think of Amelia. We have to stay calm.’

That seemed to work. Joshua could hear Eric panting, but slowly even his breathing slowed down. With that out of the way, Joshua refocused on Tom.

The man was crouched on the ground, far enough away for him to be in safety, but close enough to taunt them. His thin white hair was blowing in the gentle breeze, and when his eyes met Joshua’s, he sneered.

A memory surfaced inside Joshua’s mind. He recalled the last time he’d been tied down. At that time, a black hole had stolen Eric’s appearances, posing as the nephew of a doctor who was treating the girl who possessed one-half of Vega’s soul. Joshua hated to think of the times back then. He had many awful memories associated with that particular time. Back then, it’d been the first time he’d experienced love, the first time he got his heart broken, and the first time he died.

It was even surreal to think of it like that. He’d died twice now, and yet, here he was, breathing, with blood pumping through his veins. He shook the thoughts of his past away, and then he looked at Tom again.

“What’s the point of all this?” he asked.

Tom let out a high-pitched laughter, which he probably hoped sounded terrifying. It was dreadful, Joshua had to give him that, but not because of fear. It was because the laugh sounded more like a chortle from disturbed teenage girl rather than an adult man—the thought made Joshua chuckle.

“Don’t you dare laugh at me,” Tom demanded. “I will kill you for it.”

“Right. Like you killed that old man?” Joshua rolled his eyes. “Or are you going to be a wuss about it and do it while I’m tied up.”

Tom narrowed his eyes. “Do you have a death wish, boy?”

“Not particularly, no.” Joshua shrugged. “But death does seem to like me very much.”

He could hear Eric snort at his comment. Even with how messed up a situation they were in; the reaction gave Joshua a slither of hope that they were going to get through it.

Tom stared at him with a frown before shaking his head. “You’re lucky that I have orders not to kill you, boy.”

Joshua smirked at the comment. Tom was probably unaware of the value of that information. Without even working for it, Joshua now knew that Tom wasn’t the one in charge, and he knew that they were needed for something else.

That was priceless information.

‘You noticed that too?’ Eric asked in his head.

Joshua didn’t react physically. ‘Of course. I don’t know who his boss is, but whoever it is will have to show soon.’

“So tell me, Tom,” Joshua said with a smile. “What’s the master plan of all of this? What purpose do we serve?”

Tom narrowed his eyes, looking between them. Joshua couldn’t see Eric, but he was probably facing Tom, as well. It wouldn’t surprise Joshua if Eric was giving his award-winning smirk, as well.

“Bait…” Tom muttered.

“Excuse me, what?” Joshua asked.

“You’re a bait.” The man looked at his fingers.

“For who?” Eric asked, voicing Joshua’s thoughts.

Tom grinned. “The gir—“

“That’s enough!” a voice boomed, interrupting Tom. Joshua watched as the man cowered down, almost kissing the earth.

‘I guess we’ve found our boss,’ Eric thought.

Joshua tried to keep his expressions at bay. Out of nowhere, a man was walking up to them. He appeared in the horizon, and Joshua had a feeling something was creating and illusions around them.

Then he recognized the man. The black eyes, the dark hair with silver highlights, and his menacing grin—Joshua knew this man. No. This wasn’t a man, it was something that shouldn’t exist.

“Joshua! My dear boy, fancy running into you here,” Errai said, spreading his arms out in a mock greeting. He diverted his eyes to Eric. “And this must be your travel companion, right? Ah yes. I recognize the face… You know, my little brother certainly liked that form.”

“May he burn in hell,” Eric replied.

Errai held up a finger, wagging it from side to side. “Don’t be rude to your host.”

“My apologies,” Joshua said. “We’re just not a big fan of the décor.”

It was all a game. Joshua knew that much, and Errai had years of vengeance built up inside him. Joshua had chased him for half a decade, and his only hope was to play along.

Errai laughed, and the menacing sound caused chills to erupt near Joshua’s spine. Errai’s eyes narrowed, and he stared at Joshua. “I don’t like you very much.”

Joshua rolled his eyes. “I assure you: the feeling is mutual.”

“So feisty you are,” Errai said, and then he tapped his chin. “I wonder how you’ll manage without that Star of yours. She’s not around to save you this time.”

Joshua wasn’t surprised that Errai had guessed his secret. In theory, he shouldn’t exist either. He’d be long dead if it hadn’t been for Vega, and he refused to let himself forget that tiny detail.

Errai started pacing in front of them, muttering to himself. “You know… Solem did chose a good savior in Vega.” He stopped in front of Joshua. “Her only mistake was you.”

The statement made Joshua frown. What in Solem’s name was he talking about?

“Oh, dear boy.” Errai grinned. “You don’t know, do you?”

“Know what?” he replied.

Errai chuckled and started to pace again. “I’m sure it never occurred to you that the Star’s power wasn’t infinite.” He snorted. “It’s so typical humans, to believe that there’s something that doesn’t come with a price. As if you’re privileged enough to withstand Solem’s law.”

‘Do you have any idea what he’s talking about?’ Eric asked through thoughts.

‘Not a clue, but I’m not going to complain.’

Errai walked over and squatted down in front of him, reaching out a hand, aiming to run a finger across Joshua’s face. “This was one of the last things my brother did before he died,” Errai said. “He’d tied up Vega’s two vessels, and waited until he was driven mad by hunger.”

Joshua remembered seeing it, he’d been tied up not far away from them, and before he woke up properly, he’d seen through a hazy fog, trying to come up with a plan.

Errai spat on the ground. “My brother was a fool.”

“I remember you being close to the vessel once,” Joshua said, hoping he sounded confident. “You let an orphan child slip through your fingers.” It pained him to think of Annabell as a vessel. Even though, technically, that’s what she was.

“Ack,” Errai said, he didn’t like that. He extended his legs again, towering above Joshua. “It was a rookie mistake; I couldn’t sense her powers back then. The vessels were too far apart.”

“Didn’t you let her tramp all over you in your own realm, as well?” Eric asked.

“Silence!” Errai demanded. “The past is nothing more but a history, and once I’ve lured out the Star daughter, and gotten her to manifest a portal, I’ll devour this whole planet on my own.”

“Star daughter?” Joshua frowned. “Are you talking about Amelia?”

“Ahh, you do know something,” Errai mocked. “Yes. I’m talking about Rigel’s daughter.”

“Not that I’m complaining but if you wanted her…” Eric trailed off.

“What?”

“If you wanted Amelia,” Eric continued, “why didn’t your slaves back there grab us instead of her? She was right there with us.”

“We can’t touch her—it’s one of those annoying protective measurements that her father made.” Errai shook his head. “No. We’re going to force her to manifest a portal. The energy needed would kill her almost instantly, and her powers would be transferred to me.”

“We’d never let you get away with it,” Joshua said. “Amelia wouldn’t sacrifice herself for us. She’s not that stupid.”

“Maybe not for you, dear boy.” Errai laughed and glanced to his right. “But maybe if she believed it could save the love of her life.”