How Not to approach Zemyna...

When Mordecai arrived at the entrance to his eldest sister's domain, he expected to have to attempt to reach her telepathically and convince her to allow him and the others in. But instead, a most unsettling thing happened. The wards deactivated and the gates opened without him having to do anything.

"She's expecting us!" Prince Mordecai nearly panicked as this realization struck him. But then it occurred to him that Zemyna must have quite a strong divine tether with their father which made her aware of all that transpired. So, he took a deep breath and calmly said to others, "I can feel where she is. Let's go."

Lyra, Michael, Zara, and Lilianna were not going to leave their brother to deal with this alone. They were royalty too after all. While their main motivation was to see Zemyna fall from grace in a most spectacular fashion, they also realized what such a thing would do the nine heavens once the news spread.

Mordecai led his siblings to Mount Everatha. There he could feel Zemyna's presence coming from a hallowed cave halfway up. Upon making their way up to it, they could all hear Zemyna speaking with someone. And out of fear of the consequences of disturbing her, didn't dare to interrupt.

"The time has come, love. Remember what we spoke about." Zemyna's voice echoed through the cave as she spoke to her beloved Elijah through the body of water that connected their realms. If the Chief Archon and Head Priestess knew Zemyna would find a way to use their gift to her like this, they would have never given it to her. But it was too late now.

"Yes, I will be ready, goddess. There is no fear in my heart. Love won't allow it." Elijah said with clear conviction.

Zemyna smiled at his words. "Your countenance and spirit are as unwavering as ever. Your faith enhances my own. I know we can make the heavens acknowledge us. I saw it the moment we met."

"I saw it too. And it is all that keeps me going when we are apart. I am sure forces stronger than even the Archons are on our side." Elijah said in agreement.

"And those listening outside will bear witness to that." Zemyna looked behind her and sent s bit of ominous energy in the direction of her guests when she said this.

The hearts of Zemyna's siblings trembled.

Zemyna turned her attention back to Elijah. And when nothing else needed to be said, she kissed the pool. Once the ripples created by her kiss ceased, the image of Elijah was gone. Her love always being so far from her caused Zemyna'sheart to ache, but also gave her the courage to do what she was about to. Even still, tears began to fall down her face. While she was sure their path was the right one, it still hurt so much that she had upset her father and failed her mother. The Head Priestess always urged Zemyna to try and close the rift that had grown between her and the others.

Her mother, Meera would often say, "You are strong, my daughter. But your strength alone is not enough. If our family is not united, then our reign will cease and countless souls will suffer."

But no matter what Zemyna tried, the relationship between her and her siblings only grew worse. So, she could only trust that she had been endowed with so much strength for a reason, that her and Elijah's love was too potent to throw away for a reason, and that somehow she would be able to restore peace and her family after all was said and done.

Zemyna then composed herself and exited the cave to join her brothers and sisters.

"You seem sooo...calm. How?" Lyra was the first to voice what the siblings were all thinking. They could not tell that Zemyna was actually just crying mere moments ago and it would never cross their mind that she was. Especially since they had never seen her show weakness, let alone cry.

"I know you see my existence as a nuisance,Lyra, but surely you don't take me for a fool. You think I became the strongest warrior without learning how to anticipate and stay ahead of my enemies? And you, Mordecai. Did you actually believe you'd concealed your presence from me on Earth? As if I would miss anything observing me and my beloved."

Mordecai and the others were shook to their core when Zemyna spoke these words. Had they been playing in the palm of her hands all along? But then why would she let herself be put in such a position? What could she possibly gain from this? It didn't make sense. So, Zara assumed she was bluffing.

"You expect us to believe that you let yourself be found out, let your status as heir be put in jeopardy, and deliberately brought the Nine Heavens to the brink of war?? We are not fools either, sister." Zara scoffed at Zemyna's apparent bravado.

Mordecai and Michael stayed silent as they tried to figure out what Zemyna could be planning to do.

"I also find you intentionally hurting our father hard to believe, Zemyna. And even with all the favor he has shown you, there's no way he'll allow you to be with a mortal. It is forbidden. And it is forbidden by a law that even father cannot change." Lilianna added.

"I think this is why we never meant to be close before. Our natures are too different and it prevents you from being capable of discerning my plan. This is also why I'm the heir." Zemyna said.

Zara snapped and said, "Close with you?Don't make me sick. You're only heir because you came first and stole the love from our father that should have been ours you greedy thief!"

"Calm yourself, Zara. Father will not wait long. We must get to the council chamber before his patience is exhausted." Michael tried to re-focus everyone on their urgent purpose.

Zara always liked to have the last word though. So she said, "You're right, Michael. Forgive me, brother. And you please forgive me too, Zemyna. Here I am taking time to throw tantrums when your lover's time is soo...limited."

Before Zara could finish forming a smirk at her spiteful remark, Zemyna had conjured a sword and held it in front of Zara's throat. No one could help her either because Zemyna was emitting a murderous pressure that felt like the gravity and heat of a thousand suns!

Zemyna's siblings were terrified. In all their years, they had seen many things. But nothing could have prepared them for seeing what it was like when the strongest being in the nine heavens lost her temper.