Saint Joseph School

I stared out over the waters of Talos, trying to sort out my thoughts, trying to tell myself that Yes, everything would really be just fine. Delay didn't mean and end; there was no reason to despair. My thoughts didn't calm my emotions though. In the end all I could do was try to block out the memories, focus on the present. And at that time the present was the Talos Islands, the starry sky and gleaming water, the wind blowing across the grass, catching my hair and throwing it into my face. I took a deep breath, and as I was dozing off I thought that at least this would never change.

That's when the sky was ripped apart by a green blade.

I jumped up. I could see a bright green laser slice through the water towards downtown Talos. Suddenly I noticed huge ships in the sky, all pointed at the city, crawling inexorably forward.

I heard a distant crash, and saw the flames. Cursing, I ran forward and started to lift off when a burning pain ignited in my head and I fell. I rolled over on my back to see a group of dim figures appearing in flashes of green light. One of them was pointing a hand at me, and every twitch it made felt like a kick in the face. Two of the soldiers rushed up to me, grabbed me by the arms, and faced me towards the city. I struggled, calling wind, blasting out more negative energy than I ever thought I had, but they didn't even seem to notice.

I heard a malicious voice cutting through the pain in my skull. "Look, hero. Watch as your precious city burns to the ground. Let it be the last sight you see."

I pulled myself away from the captors and whirled around... just in time to see the gigantic axe descending on me in final judgment. I threw up my hands-

-and opened my eyes.

I was laying on my back. It was raining softly. I looked up, and the peace of Talos was unbroken.

Slowly, I stood up, shaking. I was standing stiffly, waiting for the attackers to come again. As I looked around, I noticed the rain spiraling in odd patterns. It was drawing together at two points, soaking the ground there.

It started raining harder, and more of it gathered until two humanoid figures composed entirely of water stood in front of me, rippling but standing upright. One seemed thinner and slightly smaller than the other. There was a small flash and yellow lights appeared where their eyes would be. They both bowed suddenly, and voices drifted through the wind. "Lady Kierin."

I frowned. "I've seen you before. When I got my powers."

The larger one stepped forward. "Kierin. This dream is not so far off from reality as you may wish to believe."

"...I know that," I said. "Everyone knows about the Rikti."

"Yes. They will not leave on their own, and their intrusion through the Sky's realm and onto this planet is unforgivable."

"...I agree... They have to be stopped."

"Yes. And as the Sky's Chosen One, the task falls to you."

I stared at the creature in disbelief. "Are you crazy?"

"No ma'am. I am merely a messenger. I carry the Sky's commands."

"Is the Sky crazy!?"

"That is not for me to say."

I kicked the thing's leg, which shattered into droplets and reformed almost instantly. "I'm just a high school student! What do you expect me to do against an army of aliens!?"

The smaller creature finally spoke up. "No one said you had to fight alone..."

"Indeed," said the other. "There is a group within your school who has dedicated themselves to resisting the invaders."

I sighed, rubbing my head. "The CVC... great. I never really wanted to join them. Why the hell should I listen to you?"

"It is the Sky's command."

I nodded. "Right. Right. ...You know, you certainly picked a horrible time to tell me this. I'm not exactly in a good mood."

The smaller creature stepped forward, and put a hand on my shoulder. I was glad my clothes were waterproof, but the hand felt surprisingly solid. "Kierin... you have had a much-needed rest lately. Some very nice things have happened, and the Sky has left you to your relative peace for some time. Perhaps now is the time to set aside some of your happiness and take up some of your duty."

I closed my eyes and sighed. "What duty... this was all forced on me in the first place. I don't have loyalty to anyone, least of all some insane spirit without the backbone to show itself to me."

The larger rain being spoke up again. "You have accepted it, Kierin."

What was it talking about? "No I haven't."

"You have," said the other. Its shining eyes focused hard on my face. "You just do not remember."

I felt a jolt inside me. They knew. I grabbed the thing's shoulders. "You have to tell me. Please. What happened to me?"

It backed away, shrugging off my hands. "In time, you will remember on your own. For now... there is a task you must lend yourself to. Even if your effort is but a thousandth part of the war against the invaders, the Sky's Chosen must join the effort to push back these monsters."

I tried to think of something to say, to show them that I couldn't possibly do this. But all I could think of was the flames I saw in my dream.

"I..."

They stood expectantly. The eyes shone steadily without emotion. I didn't believe I could actually do anything significant in the war against the Rikti, but I also knew I didn't want to see my home threatened by them. And the Sky... I hated myself for it, but I had to admit that the power I had gotten had brought me a lot of joy, even though it was also a curse at times. Maybe it was time I did something besides complain.

"I'll give it a shot." It felt like someone else was using my mouth.

The larger creature nodded. "That is acceptable for now. May the Storm protect you and the Sky watch over you. Farewell."

A flash of lightning, the clash of thunder, and they were gone. The rain stopped. Exhausted, I found a dry patch of ground and lay down to sleep. Curfew be damned, I was tired.