Singularity

By the time Sephiroth found his daughter Kira at the market she had managed to have the entire cart sold. She was cleaning up and ready to go as he stopped before her.

“Well, look at that.” He smiled.

“Hello papa.” She smiled. “How did it go? Was the queen really mad?” She asked.

“She was fine. Wanted me to tell you she was sorry for snapping at you like that.” He replied.

“Oh, ok. How’d she get so mean?” She asked curiously.

“It’s a long story, for another time perhaps. Let’s go home.” He chuckled.

“Alright papa.” She replied and climbed up into the cart.

Sephiroth and Kira rode home in silence. He appreciated her for that. She never doubted or questioned him, just accepted his words and easily let it drift away. He knew the hell he would be in for when he was finally able to tell her the truth. If he had his way he would have already told her. But for several years now, his wife had begged him to remain silent. So, he did as she requested. His thoughts were soon interrupted by distant shouts.

“Whoa,” He spoke and turned his horse around to look.

Two guards in full armor raced toward them shouting, “Wait my king! The queen has fallen.”

Sephiroth’s heart leapt into his throat, “Drop the cart now Kira.”

“Papa?” She asked confused as the men stopped before them.

“Drop the cart and get on the horse. Just leave it.” He ordered.

She jumped from the cart to do as he spoke while he addressed the guards.

“What happened?” Sephiroth barked.

“Domascus escaped, he murdered the queen and then disappeared.” The guard replied.

“Shit,” He replied surprising Kira. She had never heard him cuss aloud before.

“Kira, ride hard and ride fast. Do not stop until we are back at the castle.” Sephiroth spoke calmly.

Kira nodded her response as he added, “It’s time to tell you everything.”

Kira watched Sephiroth spur his horse so hard she feared that he would be thrown to the ground. Instead, it responded and raced forward. She nudged hers and rode as fast as she could to keep up. The guards stayed behind them doing their jobs to protect the two of them the best they could on horseback. It didn’t take them long and they were back at the castle. He flung himself out of the saddle and raced up the steps. She couldn’t remember seeing him move that fast ever as she struggled to keep up.

“Oh my beloved.” He wept as he knelt beside her body on the broken glass.

“King Sephiroth,” A man said with a bow. “Is there anything I can do for you?”

“Clear the room let me and my daughter mourn.” He replied as Kira watched on.

“Yes my king.” The man bowed and closed everyone out of the room.

“She was my mother.” Kira replied shocked.

“We’ll discuss that later. There’s something you need to do first.”

Kira bit her lip in anger and replied, “Yes papa.”

“You’re the queen now my daughter. As the pagan queen before you it is your duty to return your mother to the earth.” He replied.

“I understand.” She said.

“You must do so publically using your power.” He added.

“But papa, you said never to do that!” She exclaimed.

“It doesn’t matter now.” He replied looking her in the eyes. “Everything is going to change and it’s going to be fast. I’m so sorry. We tried to protect you from this.” He wept.

She couldn’t even be angry anymore. The sadness that poured from her father made her entire body ache along with his. As she raised her hands the blood faded away from Sephira’s body. The castle began to shake then all at once the windows shattered bringing with it a massive wind that chilled Sephiroth to the bone. There was so much power within her that he vowed then and there to have her taught to never depend on it.

“It is ready.” Kira said ready to collapse.

“Thank you,” Sephiroth replied as he lifted Sephira’s body in his arms.

As Sephiroth carried her out into the court yard he began to understand what Kira had meant. The commotion that the power had caused at the castle had gathered the crowd. They stared in awe at the pyre made from the vines of the earth itself. Sephiroth placed Sephira’s body on top of the platform and took a step back.

“The queen is dead, long live the queen.” He spoke sadly.

“Long live the queen.” The crowd muttered through the shock.

As Kira stepped forward the blue sky faded away. She raised her arms and clapped her hands. The thunder replied and spit forth the lightening. It struck the pyre sending forth the sparks that quickly exploded into flames. The wind gusts fueled it and all too quickly Sephira was consumed turning to ash and scattered by the breeze. The blue sky returned and she was face to face with the people of Avalon. They bowed accepting her as their queen. The last thing she remembered was looking at her father, and then, she fainted.