Chapter 38: Nightmares
Terrified screams rang out in the great hall of the Dune palace located on planet Tetrid as various Mornans ran about frantically.
The worn out soldiers that had survived the initial onslaught from the ground units – which were led by the second chance group – hurriedly ushered the Dune branch family into the large hall lined with golden ornaments.
The throne placed at the top of the small stairs made the chamber resemble a throne room.
Behind it, a little white Mornan girl with short almond shade hair and ocean bright eyes hid slightly as she watched the crowd of people rush in.
A female white mornan being protected by the guards rushed over to her immediately she noticed her.
"Thank the emperor! you're still safe, my little heart!" The beautiful white mornan cried joyfully as she pulled the little girl into a tight embrace.
Behind them, a middle aged male white mornan sighed in relief as well before turning to his soldiers with a grim expression.
"What are you waiting for? Get ready! Use anything you can as cover. Tear the room apart if needed!" He screamed, watching as his men hurried to follow his commands.
The white mornan hid his trembling hand under his flowing red cape as he stared at the room's door with a determined expression.
"If it's just the system users then we can hold out till the Renegades arrive."
"If it's the witches coven... then maybe we can–"
His expression crumbled like a lie a few seconds later when a bright blue light appeared in the sky.
"No... It can't be."
Terror gripped the hearts of everyone in the room besides the little girl who had no idea what was going on.
"They... came here themselves."
After several moments of hopeless thoughts running through the mind of the head of this branch of the Dune family – he turned to his wife with an expression of pure dread.
"Get her out of here! Now!"
He looked up again as he heard the sounds of battle outside.
"It's them. They're already here!"
"Everyone get ready!" he commanded. "Shoot on sight! Don't ever stop firing!"
The Blue and White Mornan guards aimed their weapons at the chamber's large doors. They all understood this was their enemy's final destination.
Their hands trembled against their weapons as the sounds of their erratic heartbeat filled the room.
They could hear screams all around them.
Screams of their fellow soldiers dying outside.
Against all odds, they could also hear the sound of footsteps.
Slow, deliberate footsteps that reverberated across the entire palace.
They knew the person they belonged to, as well.
The female white Mornan bit her lips as she turned back to her innocent child whose large beady eyes were filled with confusion and fear.
"Mom, what's going on? Why does Dad look so scared? What is everyone doing?"
The white mornan caressed her daughter's cheeks softly in regret.
"Rin.You need to leave the palace now."
"What? Why? What are you talking abo—"
"No arguments."
Her hands slid down to her daughter's shoulders. "Go into the city. Leave the planet. Your father and I... will find you when this is over."
"What's happening? Why aren't you coming with me? Why do you want me to leave? I don't understand!" The little girl cried as tears began to flow freely from her ocean blue eyes.
Instead of answering, the white mornan pulled her daughter into one last crushing embrace. Then, she pushed her daughter towards one of the blue Mornan servants as she noticed the sounds of fighting had seized outside.
Which could only mean everyone was already dead.
Go, now!" she instructed the blue Mornan as she turned back to the chaos unfolding in the hall, her hand reaching for a weapon of her own.
The blue Mornan quickly grabbed onto Rin's hand as she ran toward a hidden exit leading into the town.
Rin cried loudly for her parents as she struggled against the hold.
Through her blurry vision, she also noticed that her mom was crying.
Everyone in the room seemed to be doing the same as well, in varying degrees.
Even the gruff battle forged soldiers that had often played with her whenever she'd asked couldn't seem to hold in their tears.
Their expressions were filled with fear, acceptance, and indignation.
She couldn't comprehend what was happening.
She felt like the world was coming to an end.
Several minutes later, Rin emerged from the dark and damp hidden passage, the blue Mornan servant – and one of her mother's closest friends – still holding onto her like a leash.
They surveyed the city streets that had already been consumed by panic.
Citizens ran in all directions, some carrying their young children or possessions, while others simply ran about empty handed.
The servant gripped Rin's hand firmly, leading her toward the travel station where evacuation ships were lifting off as fast as possible. "This way, young miss. We need to get you on a transport."
After several moments of running, the servants face brightened as she saw a transport getting ready to leave.
But then, she suddenly stopped.
Rin's face scrunched up as the blue Mornan's grip on her hand tightened painfully.
"Olia, you're hurting me! Let go, I have to get back to my paren–"
Rin's expression suddenly froze in horror as she glanced up to see a strange expression on the servant's face.
She was smiling widely.
It did not seem to be of her own volition.
"Run," the servant whispered softly for the last time as veins began to protrude weirdly across her face and neck.
Rin quickly stepped back in shock as the servant's body began to distort grotesquely.
Her skin stretched like a balloon as her eyes began expanding.
POP!
A moment later, the Mornan exploded into a mist of blood and gore.
"AHHHHH!!!!"
Rin screamed.
She screamed louder than she had ever screamed before after watching her nanny burst right in front of her.
Her gaze darted about as she noticed similar scenes happening around her to the Mornans who hadn't bordered a transport yet.
But that wasn't all.
Through the windows of the fleeing transport, she could see the figures of those that had been lucky enough to get one.
Their bodies had grown still.
Unlike the Mornans outside, almost everyone on ships in the vicinity of the planet simply died instantly – as if their souls had been snuffed out, leaving behind empty shells.
Several moments later, most of the evacuation ships began crashing down from the sky.
Rin cried loudly as she ran into a nearby alleyway.
Her entire body shivered in terror as she hid herself between two waste containers, trying to make herself seem as small as possible.
She did her best to stay quiet.
Tears flowed freely from her eyes as she thought about her parents, her friends, and her planet.
From where she hid, she could still hear the sounds of bodies popping like balloons, while ships crashed down like comets.
She wondered if her body would pop soon, as well.
After about 10 minutes passed, everything just stopped.
There were no more sounds, no more crashes, and no more screams.
Little Rin wondered if it was safe to stop hiding now. Deep down, she already knew the answer to that, but wouldn't admit it to herself.
That was when she heard a new sound.
The sound of gentle footsteps.
Her mind immediately went to the footsteps she had heard coming from beyond the great hall's doors.
Her breathing quickened as she pressed herself harder against the wall.
After a few seconds, she realised that these footsteps sounded slightly different from before.
They sounded far softer.
The footsteps grew closer and closer until finally, they came to a stop at the entrance to the alleyway.
Rin could see the shadow of the figure stretch through the alley toward her.
She didn't even realise when she had began holding her breath as she did her best not to cry.
Then suddenly, she heard another sound.
It was a strange sort of music that she had never heard before in her life.
🎶Twinkle, twinkle, little star,
How I wonder what you are! 🎶
🎶Up above the world so high,
Like a diamond in the sky. 🎶
🎶 Twinkle, twinkle, little star,
How I wonder what you are!🎶
"Nursery rhymes are popular with kids right? Yeah that's what Rory always says."
"Or was that for babies? Shit. how tedious."
Rin's lips quivered as she heard the voice of a woman at the entrance.
Slowly, she saw the shadow of the woman get closer and closer as she entered the dim lit alley.
The strange music still echoed through the silent area.
🎶Twinkle, twinkle, little star,🎶
The woman got close enough that Rin now saw a faint Orange light illuminating her form.
🎶How I wonder what you are! 🎶
Rin stared at the black leather boots of the woman in horror as she arrived right in front of her hiding spot.
She shut her eyes tightly, hugging her knees to her chest as if that would suddenly make her invisible.
🎶Up above the world so high,
Like a diamond in the sky. 🎶
Then, the gentle and soothing voice of the woman came again slowly.
"Oh, you poor thing."
Rin wasn't sure why, but it was as if something in that voice compelled her to hesitantly raise her head.
"It's all right. I'm not going to hurt you. I'm here to help."
Before her stood an almost tarokian tall woman in an otherworldly long black dress.
It resembled the clothes a female Mornan often wore after losing their beloved.
The woman held an ornate umbrella, designed with what could only be described as witch hats, despite the clear sky.
Something emitting a blinding light was hovering beside her.
From what Rin could discern, it was a bright orange musical note.
It seemed to be the source of the strange music.
Several long moments passed between them as the woman simply watched her through a veil that covered her features.
"W-who are you?" Rin asked in a whimpering voice.
The tall woman smiled beneath her translucent veil as she knelt down, bringing herself to eye level with the terrified child.
Despite the obstruction, Rin could clearly see the woman's enchanting silver eyes that seemed to glow from within.
A bright smile appeared on the woman's face as she extended a pale hand toward Rin.
"I'm... a friend of your parents."
"Or former friend, I suppose."
Rin stared at the woman's offered hand in terror as she suddenly realised something.
The being before her was not a Mornan from the Renegades, like she had hoped.
she was a Human.
The beings her parents and teachers had always warned her about.
The single most dangerous species in the entire universe.
"They did something very very naughty."
"That's what caused all this."
"But don't you worry. You won't have to pay for their sins."
"....Now, come with me dear." The human said softly, her smile widening. "I'll keep you safe. I promise."
🎶 Twinkle, twinkle, little star,
How I wonder what you are!🎶