“Wakey, wakey sis…” Sakiya said as she shook Kahree’s shoulder. “We have to go.” She looked around at the mountain of trash, clothes, and empty alcohol bottles that covered the penthouse floors. It smelled of stale alcohol and men’s cologne. The after-party stench was not something Sakiya wanted to be around first thing in the morning. The smell burned her nostrils which made her even more irritated. After gathering her long locs in her hands and tying them into a bun, she walked over once more to her sister to awake her but this time with a little more push. “I said let’s go.” Sakiya grabbed Kahree by the shoulder and pulled her off the king size bed. Only then is when she noticed Kahree was not alone…

  The hairy muscular man’s chest got exposed when the sheets moved off the bed. Luckily that wasn’t enough to wake him. He turned to his left while pulling the covers back over his shoulders. Kahree moaned and groaned while stumbling to her feet dizzy and hungover. “What the hell, Sky? That was a messed up.” She grabbed her clothes in one bunch dragging them into the master bathroom.

  “You know what’s ‘messed up’ Kahree? Father always sending me to come get you instead of sending one of his minions.” Sakiya snapped back as she looked again at the large, assumed to be, naked man asleep in bed. “Besides, isn’t he your target? You’re supposed to kill him Kahree, not sleep with him.”

  “Say it louder for the neighbors to fucking hear you, Sky.” Kahree quickly sprung up from the toilet to gently close the bathroom door. “Yes, he’s my target and no I couldn’t help myself. He’s too fucking hot not to get a taste. I mean damn have you looked at him? Don’t worry though, I took care of it.”

  “You took care of it?” Sakiya sighed as she watched her sister casually walk to the other end of the bathroom to wash her face and sprinkled water in her hair. The enormous, marbled bathroom could fit as least ten people inside. “Well, from the sounds of him snoring out there, it doesn’t seem like it me.”

  Kahree huffed as she finished cleaning up. She waved her long thick bronze colored hair back and forth then grabbed a towel to dry her face. “Goodness Sky, you worry too much. I said I took care of it. Now why did Father send for me again?” Kahree turned to face her sister who leaned impatiently against the door. Her hazel eyes met Sakiya giving her a serious look. In certain lighting, Kahree’s eyes looked to be mixed with a hint of red.

  “I don’t know. All the message said was to get you and to return within twenty-four hours.”

  “Twenty-four hours huh? He hasn’t said that in a while… Ok let me grab my bag and we can go.” Kahree turned to mirror one last time, making sure her caramel color skin was still flawless. She winked at herself with approval before turning off the light and closing the door. The girls quietly walked out the penthouse door to the elevator.

  Sakiya pushed the gold-plated button to go down to the lobby of the grand luscious hotel. Only the rich and prestige can stay at this hotel. Once inside, she let out a sigh before side eyeing her sister. “I don’t know why you choose to play with your food Kahree?” Sakiya quickly checked her appearance from the mirror elevator doors. “Why can’t you just go in and get out like Luna and I do when it comes to taking out our targets?” She pulled out her bun ponytail allowing her braids to follow down her back.

  “Because it’s no fun…” Kahree flipped her thick mane like hair before continuing, “One day Sky, you too will come across a target you wish you didn’t have to kill. One day dear sister, you won’t be able to help yourself to a taste just like me. Besides, what better way to meet your demise than to get laid first? We’re assassins not nuns…”

  The girls walked out of the elevator together only to be met by a group of armed guards. Without blinking an eye both casually walked past them. The group of six formally dressed men nodded and opened the door for the sisters as they paid them no mind. There was no need for alarm or suspicion because Kahree’s target wasn’t dead… yet.

  “No Kahree, you’re wrong. Never a target… I have my fun every once in a while, but not like you do. I swear it’s like a trend or an obsession for you sleep with them.”

  “Mock my words, dear sister, mock my words.”

  “You didn’t even kill the guy!” Sakiya mentioned matter of fact and loudly, “You left him naked and snoring in his bed.”

  “Say it any louder why don’t you?! What is it with you screaming today?” Kahree tried to swiftly walk through the crowd of people that filled the streets of the Tenth District on the planet Eval. “Ugh! What time is it?”

  Sakiya stopped in her tracks and two people almost collided with her. She lifted up her sleeve to her black sweater and responded, “It’s quarter pass time for you to get a watch.”

  “Let me see the damn watch!” Kahree grabbed her sister’s wrist and pulled it closer so she could read the time. “Aw, just on time for you to see for yourself.” She turned around back towards the twenty-story hotel and pointed up to the penthouse.

  Sakiya followed her finger and looked up towards the penthouse balcony. Her target was walking aimlessly towards the edge. Without any hesitation, he fell over the rail splatting on the pavement ground. The sound of him hitting the ground made them both jump. Sakiya slowly turned her head giving her sister the side eye. She noticed Kahree’s smirk then said, “Your whiskers are showing… Really Kahree?”

  “What? The instructions were to make it look like an accident, so I did. Did you notice how no one came to his aid? That’s because suicides happen like ever two seconds here. You have to be rich in order to live here. Very rich. If you so happen to lose your fortune, you are shunned and shamed until you leave. The grand city of Eval in the Tenth District does not tolerate the weak or any homeless filth. So, when they saw my target leap to his death, they simply thought it as taking out the trash.”

  Sakiya rolled her eyes as she knew her sister was probably right since she spent majority of her time here. “Well, come on. We don’t have much time to return home.” Just as the girls both turned around and started walking to the destination, Sakiya collided with a very tall man. She completely got face planted on the guy’s chest. The impact made them both stumble backwards and fell to the ground.

  The large man stood up tall towering over Sakiya complaining as he shook off the dirt from his clothes. “Watch it! How could you not see me coming? I’m as large as an apartment building! Dammit! You made all my papers fall out!” The man’s black briefcase he was carrying flew opened when he dropped it on the pavement. All his papers started to scatter in the wind. The man kept throwing insults at Sakiya while chasing the moving papers, but she wasn’t paying him any attention. Instead, her focus went straight to the metallic rock that laid on the ground by her feet, it fell from the man’s briefcase. As she got closer, the rock began to glow bright blue. So bright, the light was almost too blinding to stare at. Just then, she knew what it was and so did the passing people around her…

  A woman who was walking, quickly noticed the glowing blue rock as she tried passing by the tall man. He was still focused on retrieving the rest of his floating papers. She suddenly stopped in her tracks and looked Sakiya directly in the eyes then turned to Kahree who peeked over her sister’s shoulder. “Aw shit…” Kahree murmured as the woman began to scream.

  “Oh my gosh! It’s, it’s one of those Star Monsters! Someone help! Call the authorities!” The woman made everyone surrounding her stop in their tracks. Even the tall man who just finished gathering his work. That’s when he noticed his special rock was missing… He pushed through the crowd then pushed Sakiya and Kahree out of the way to retrieve his possession.

  “Back away you monsters! Back!” The tall man waved the glowing rock towards Sakiya and Kahree. In Sakiya’s disbelief, she took a few steps back. She wasn’t used to this much attention, let only bad attention. Kahree, however, was not surprised at all.

  The crowd that surrounded the two Star Children were of mixed beliefs. Some scattered like wind as if they were getting attacked and the others went straight towards them. One was a man who wore a blood red banner on his arm with a symbol of a black snake eating its tail. His face was also covered with the same banner. The military uniform was unknown to the girls. He also seemed to come out of nowhere. The camouflage military attire was green with orange lining. One aspect that stood out to Sakiya was the uniform didn’t match with the red snake banners. It seemed out of place as a matter of fact. The man ran directly towards the sisters and began attacking Sakiya first. He grabbed her by the arm and punched her in the jaw. Before he could get in a second hit, Sakiya countered his swing then grabbed him by his forearm. Her hand began to turn bright red and orange making the skin on the man’s arm begin to sizzle. He screamed in agony before yelling out, “We rebels will kill all you… AWW! You can hurt me all you want, but there will be many more!”

  Sakiya threw the rebel soldier to the ground and took her red fire hand to his face melting him away. That’s when she noticed more soldiers were right behind him. Kahree got behind her sister and said, “We need to get out here… a diversion would be nice.” Sakiya nodded in agreement. She inhaled a deep long breathe before letting out a thick cloud of gray and black smoke. It was thick it quickly filled the surrounding area like a volcano erupted. It was virtually impossible to see, let alone breath. The only one who wasn’t affected as much was Kahree, but even she can take so much.

  Sakiya grabbed Kahree by the arm then propelled them both into the sky by shooting a burst of fire from her hands. Both flew into the sky above the gray clouds landing into the next district for a clean escape. Only one saw them leave… Only one. He stayed behind to watch as his soldiers tried to weaken and kidnap the sisters. He stayed behind to study them, to learn what he could about them for this time the hunters were being hunted. “Till next time, Child of Fire and Child of Dreams.”

  By the time the girls got back to the carrier ship it was already nightfall. “Fuck! Since when did anyone think they had enough balls to go against us like that? We need to hurry and get back I’m sure Father knows what the acrual fuck is going on.” Sakiya threw her seatbelt up against the door. She huffed before powering on the carrier.

  This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  “It has something to do with the glowing rocks. The same metal that killed our sister, Brooke fifty years ago. I should tell you this now Sky… Rumor has it there’s been more and more attacks on the Star Children. A lot of them are either missing or dead. So much so, that the Counsel can’t keep up to get them to refuge. These ‘rebels’ are completely changing the game…”

  “They’re going after us first then the Star Counsel…” Whispered Sakiya as she turned on her two-seat carrier ship.

  Kahree nodded, “It seems that way… the real issue is how quickly they have managed to turn the people we been protecting against us. They act like they want to make us extinct.”

  “We’ll see about that…” replied Sakiya as she lifted the carrier off the ground and rocketed into the night sky.

  Usually, their assignments came through as a message on the telecoms. Little devices specially made for the girls, so the Star Counsel knew where they were at all times. Fun to be micromanaged in such way, but it was for their own protection. Times were getting bad for the Angels of Death and Star Counsel. The number of people increased who wanted to join the Rebels and their cause. Maybe a change wasn’t so bad, again thought Sakiya. Speaking such thoughts and desires aloud could result in a severe punishment. Instead of pondering on such things, she decided to rest her head back for the remainder of the ride.

  *

  When the sisters arrived at their home planet Stella, they were amazed by what they saw. The Star Counsel’s army filled the front courtyard of the Grand Hall with at least fifty thousand soldiers. Their metallic black armor each had the symbol of their beloved star and founder of the Star Counsel Arkaminus, the Ancient One. He was the architect to the Star Lord idea than eventually the Angels of Death. Along his side was four other ancients. Four other architects who processed their own special gifts that contributed to the design.

  From the number of horns that sounded off from the Clock of Kin Jinga, the time was a little after ten. The sun shined bright throughout the beautifully sculptured halls of the Matres, where the Star Counsel of the Twelve Queens reside. Stella was a green medium size planet that was second from its sun. Five large moons orbited the planet at all times of the day and night. It was the planet in the ‘center of the universe’ according to the Counsel. Something they took pride in... For centuries, those the Counsel have protected looked to Stella as a safe haven of peace and refuge. Now however, the rebel clans are telling a different tale.

  The girls only got a few steps into the hall before being greeted by their father’s most trusted advisor, Jaca. “Come with me ladies, your father awaits you.” The tall skinny creature towered over Sakiya and Kahree. His pale blue skin made him look almost transparent. They had to look up to see his long skinny face. He wore the required attire for an advisor which were long white silky robes that reached the floor. They were lined with gold stripes on the sides with same constellations the military wore on their armor.

  “What’s going on, Jaca? I haven’t seen the military out like this in almost a hundred years.” Sakiya stated as a matter of fact. The sounds of the army preparing outside were quickly drowned out by the crowd inside. Groups of refugees and Star Children alike from neighboring planets rushed to gather their belongings from their living quarters. Many panicked to get to the large carrier ships that waited for them outside. Something Sakiya and Kahree noticed as they exited the own carrier.

  “Let’s focus on getting there, shall we?” Jaca was quick and swift for creature that was almost eight feet. The sisters quickly picked up their pace in order to keep up with him.

  Jaca had to use both hands to open the doors to the Sanctuary of the Queens. The large circular dome sanctuary was set up like an old-style court room. There was a set of large wooden chairs on each side with one layer higher than the other. In the center back sat twelve throne-like chairs on a podium. Those chairs were reserved only for the Twelve Queens. There was only one chair that sat below the twelve and was reserved for Councilman Esio. To the Angels, they know him as Father…

  “Councilman Esio, Sakiya and Kahree have arrived, sir.” Jaca announced while taking a bow. This was unusual for the girls. This was not their usual meeting place which was in a smaller dining room. It would be filled with a table full of food and drinks. It was safe place the girls to let their hair down... The sanctuary felt a bit dramatic, thought Sakiya.

  Esio had his back turned facing the middle center of the podium. The chair where his mother once sat before, she became sickly. He held his dirty silver war helmet tucked under his right arm. Dressed in full armor, there were dark scuff marks, dirt and what looked like blood smeared over of him. After Jaca made his announcement Esio snapped out of his trace and turned to face his company. “Finally! Sakiya and Kahree, it is always a pleasure my daughters!” Esio’s voice sounded weak and a bit raspy. He tried to cover the pure exhaustion with a big smile. Although that took more energy than it looked. His full thick brushy goatee semi covered his full lips and broad chin. The Councilman almost stood as tall as Jaca when standing side by side to another. Today however, he seemed hunched over, wounded even. There was something different about him.

  Sakiya and Kahree noticed their father’s demeanor right away. He may not be their biological father, but he was the man who raised them. He spent majority of his life studying the philosophies and ideologies of the Star Counsel, for Stella was his birth home. He has never really traveled far from home, only when his mother had to travel. When the new concept of splitting the Star Lord’s powers into four Star Children Esio was the first person that came to mind to guard and train them.

  “Father...” Sakiya reached Esio first and got to ask the first. “What happened?” When she got closer, Sakiya could see how many dents almost penetrated his armor.

  Kahree stood behind her sister with the same shocked expression on her face. “Father! Why are you not with the Medics?”

  Esio put up his hand up stopping Kahree from ranting anymore. He slowly walked over to the girls and placed one hand on each of their shoulders. Up close the girls could see little cuts and soot smudge marks on his face. “Listen to me... We were attacked early morning yesterday. A different rebel clan I’ve never seen before was behind it. They dressed up like the refugees and pretended to seek asylum just to get inside. Once they got in, someone blew themselves up in the middle of the courtyard killing at least fifteen of my soldiers.” He looked away in thought still trying to piece together what happened for his own sake. Everything seemed a bit fuzzy still. “The number of Star Children seeking refuge nearly doubled since the rebellion started.” Again, Esio drifted into thought. Reliving the moments before the explosion went off. Seeing his men fly into the air covered in flames. Most were dead by the time they hit the ground. Others died from their wounds. “If I had been only ten feet closer, I wouldn’t be talking to you girls right now.”

  “Father.” Sakiya said in a low voice. She was worried this attack did hit her father in a different way. An attack on Stella has only happened once and one time only...

  After a brief moment of silence Kahree stepped in. “Where’s Luna?” Her tone was more of annoyance than worry.

  The Counselman returned to seat and let out a huge sigh while sitting down. “Luna is not here... She went against a direct order and got herself kidnapped in the process.” The news shocked the girls. Both gasping waiting to hear the rest. He delivered the news like it was no big deal. “Unfortunately, getting her back is not our main priority.”

  “What?!” said Sakiya.

  “Father? How come? We need to get her back if we’re going to find the rebels who did this.” Kahree exclaimed. Both girls looked at one another while shuffling around waiting for an answer.

  “Listen!” He put up one hand while coughing in the other. Esio hadn’t slept in two days, and the exhaustion was getting to him. “There’s a lot going on right now. A lot you girls don’t understand, and I need you to just follow my orders. Arkaminus is missing... We believed he’s been kidnapped by one of the main rebel clans. Not the ones who attacked us here.”

  Kahree and Sakiya looked at their father confused and not sure they understood him correctly. Kahree was the first to speak. “He’s still alive?” Both laughed out loud together. Filling the dome sanctuary with echoes of laughter. Esio however was not amused. His face stern and smoldering.

  “The real problem at hand is our way of life and everything we hold dear is in jeopardy. And you make a joke?” Esio’s voice roared through the sanctuary as well. The girls both quickly put their heads down from the scolding. “It was confirmed he was kidnapped after my men found another Navigator dead. The Fallen Star that night just so happened to be a damn Ancient.”

  “I didn’t know an Ancient can be one of the Fallen. I thought that privilege was for the stars who wanted to you know, procreate?” asked Kahree. “They die after their offspring is born.”

  Esio and Jaca gave one another a look before he replied, “We, the Counsel, believed it to be a rumor about Arkaminus going down to different planets visiting its inhabitants. We didn’t know it was him until lower ranked Ancient reached out to us. She mentioned Arkaminus didn’t show for their gathering which is a pretty big deal since he’s never missed one.” The information Esio had disclosed to his girls was next level above their pay grade stuff. Sakiya and Kahree as well as Luna were considered to be high ranked officials of the Star Counsel. After hearing this, the girls realized they weren’t included in everything. Jaca walked over and handed his superior a yellow folder and a small black box. “The rebels have grown more sophisticated and organized. The method to take them will have to be the same.” Esio held up the black box within his four fingers. “Does this look familiar?” When he opened the box, the blue metallic rock glowed so bright they all had to shield their eyes.

  “How do we know Arkaminus and the others aren’t already dead?” asked Kahree after taking her hand down once her father finally closed the box.

  “Trust, I believe we would know. His power is so grand and concentrated that some of the queens believe the rebels would have more than enough power to take the Star Counsel out. Just from Arkaminus alone.” The thought of the rebels having enough power to completely wipe them out put a chill in the air. This mission above all others was by far the most dangerous.

  “The Essence Stones… that’s what they’re calling them. Sky ran into a guy who was carrying one earlier today. Once the damn thing started to grow, a swarm of rebels came out of nowhere and attacked us.” Kahree stated. She lifted her right index and pointed straight in the air with question. “How do they know where the Fallen is going to land?”.

  “The missing navigators…” Sakiya answered in a matter-of-fact kind of tone.

  “Yes.” Esio replied. “This group call themselves the Essence Stealers and they are making a fortune turning the Essence of a Star into this...” He held the box back up in his four fingers and shook it. “This used to be someone... a son or a daughter. A mother or father, you get the picture.”

  “Oh, my goodness! That’s what these stones are? How are they turning people into a rock?”

  Sakiya side eyed her sister as if she asked a dumb question, “How do you think, Kahree? The bones.”

  Esio continued. “The Counsel is having a hard time pinpointing exactly how and where they are creating this stone weapons and keeping the Star Children. If we can find where they are manufacturing the essence, we might be able to find our people before it’s too late. There was a time when the Tour of the Fallen used to be one of the most honorable and special times of the year. No matter what planet you were on. People would gather and welcome the newly fallen star with open arms. Some would even help the Star get on their feet and help them find a mate. Being half Star a hundred years ago meant you were truly something special. Now it’s viewed as the complete opposite. The tours had to stop because as soon as a Star would hit the ground, rebel clans or whoever would gather its ‘essence’ while still in raw form. If the Star doesn’t get the chance to take shape and form into a breathing being, they will remain a stone. That is the other way they are collecting the essence.”

  “So, what do you want us to do? How do we go about taking down these sons of bitches?” Asked Sakiya.

  “I have a different assignment for you girls. One you’ve never been on before. The way the Counsel sees things is we must do this a different way. We must become one of them to destroy them from within.”