Panic by D.J. Hoskins

Author:D.J. Hoskins [Hoskins, D.J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780463911501
Publisher: D.J. Hoskins Press

The bronze door opened and escorted in by Alex’s side, Melissa hovered into the expanse chamber of the grand assembly. Passing by a wall lined by guards, she turned her air-chair through a curving row of red chairs. Seated at the center of ten enwrapping rows, were two women atop a circular raised white dais. Around the head of each was a circlet, one white and one red, respectively, the colors of Kaiga.

“That’s close enough,” said a woman with curled black hair. Putting a hand on her chair, Alex stopped Melissa at the foot of the front row.

“So… who are we speaking with?” the other keeper asked, peering over ornamental spectacles. “Light or Shadow?”

“Take a guess,” Melissa said, leaning back with a wolfish smile.

“Answer the question, Paragon,” the keeper said.

“How about a story?” Melissa suggested, clearing her throat. “Once upon a time, there were two old fools who split a girl’s consciousness. One day, she almost died on the end of a spear. Somehow, she survived, and the technology which kept her enslaved was removed by unknown means. However, when she woke up, the two old fools, concerned, summoned her to an audience and—”

“That’s enough, Shadow.”

“Wrong,” Melissa said. “I’m not my extremes anymore. Just myself, binded. Two halves now whole.”

The keepers exchanged glances.

“Be that as it may,” Raya said, pushing up her spectacles, “you’re no longer the strongest mage Kagia has in their arsenal. The oddity beside you, is, in fact, a Paragon.”

Oddity? Melissa thought, shifting her eyes to Alex. He’s not Kaigan.

“Yes,” said Valorie, echoing the other keeper’s words. “You no longer stand as the federation’s most prized possession, Melissa. Therefore, your identity no longer matters. Be you Shadow or Light, you can still be controlled. Piercing your consciousness makes you no less mortal.”

“In other words,” Melissa said flatly, “I can be killed.”

Valorie nodded. “Precisely.”

The blonde girl crossed her arms. “Is that a threat?”

“It’s a fact,” Raya droned. “One which will be exercised if your loyalty is found to be suspect.”

“I have nowhere else to go but Kaiga,” Melissa retorted. “Where else do you think my loyalty could be found? Unlike your oddity, I was born a true Kaigan.”

“You were cultivated in a lab,” the older woman said, brushing back dull copper hair. “Even with Light, it was well known you harbored bitter feelings towards your birth.”

“Children often disagree with how they’re raised,” Melissa said, “it doesn’t mean they don’t love their parents any less. It is the same for me with Kaiga. The federation has taught and given me all I know. My fractured consciousness could only focus on half the picture.”

“And now that you see the whole?” Raya pressed. “What do you see? How does the nation look, in your whole eyes?”

“Glorious. Never did I realize how blessed I was to be born in such a powerful nation. I feel privileged and proud to count myself as one of its paragons.”

“Sadly,” Valorie said, pointing up with a finger. “We both know all you’ve said is a lie.” Tilting her head back, Melissa followed the direction of the keeper’s finger.

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