Noma feels the pain of separation from her sister keenly, but the light that she stumbles across belongs to a man with beautiful eyes.
In a city of the rejected, she finds a purpose, and in the investigation of her destiny, she takes people with her out of the shadows and into the light.
The Citadel takes shape under her focus, and when it comes time for their first actions, her training on Resicor is used to help the talents that it had kept under control. It goes to show that education is never a waste.
More From Tales of the Citadel
Noma fought to stand up. Her body was flat on the ground and her skin burned with energy. She hadn’t gotten the mind of Resicor, but it had split the power between the two of them.
Resicor, you trust me with all this?
There is no one else beyond my Avatar that I feel needs or deserves this more.
I know you have briefed me on what I need to do, but I am not sure I am up to it.
I am. I will watch over your sister, so do not worry. You will do what you are destined to do and you will flourish. I have already seen it.
On the other side of the cavern, Trala was stirring, her light flaring in short bursts.
Trala stood and looked around the cavern. The world was bright and vivid through her eyes.
This feels better. How are you adapting, Trala?
Noma could hear them both as if they were whispering into her ears.
I feel fine, Resicor. Where is Noma?
Noma began to stride across the cavern now that she was standing, her shoulders back. I am here, Trala. We are one.
Resicor was filled with joy. We are one, and soon, Noma will be where she was always meant to be and Trala will take control of the surface.
Sorrow ran through their link, and the sisters took each other’s hands or, rather, they tried to.
Sparks flew the moment that they touched.
What the hell? Noma heard her sister echo her thought.
You are night, she is day; there can only be transition between you.
Noma looked to her twin and saw her own sadness reflected in eyes that swirled with brilliant blue.
Their thoughts merged and clung together. If they couldn’t hug in person, they would hug in their thoughts.
I have prepared the portal, Noma. It is there whenever you are ready.
What of our connection? Can I still talk to Trala?
It will be faint, but you will hear her. I would never separate my two most beloved daughters. I will be the link between you, sunset and dawn.
Noma felt the flare of power, and she turned to look at the black silk wall rippling with energy.
It is not for you, Trala.
Noma came up next to her, and she felt the tug through the portal as if there was a hand on hers. “It is for me. I can feel it calling me. What is on the other side?”
The beginning. You are going back to the beginning, and you will know what to do once you get there.
Noma turned to Trala, gritted her teeth and hugged her sister while the energy fought them. It crackled and burned both of them, but they held on as tight as they could until the power of the repulsion of their talents drove them apart.
That was…you are crying!
Noma smiled sadly. “Of course I am crying; I am going to be parted from Trala for the first time in my life.”
Trala sniffled and wiped at her tears. “I am going to miss you, Noma. My heart will bleed.”
“And my soul is broken, but we will both go on. I will start fresh and you will take over. We will go on.” Noma smiled and backed toward the portal; a moment later, she turned and stepped into her future.
