A Time to Mourn...A Time to Die

                                    by Jonathon Pierce

I usually don't dedicate my stories to anyone or anyone factor, but seeing that this is the beginning of the end for the Story War, I feel I must say a few things here. With the end of the Story War, I loose all aspects of creative outlet in my life. As the Story War concludes, I feel part of my life ending with it. This story is dedicated to the memory of Adena Ludit, who once was, and now is lost.

The lambent sunshine drifted into the open window and caressed the twins as they lay in the sunbeam. Campuria watched closely in alarm: The twins were becoming rather ill. Their condition was grave; yet nothing could be done to halt the disease's progress. The twins, suffering from an acute case of Amobiosis-a rare form of disease invovling the death of a loved one, had not long to live.

Despite Campuria's most fervent efforts, she watched in vain as the twins slowly slipped into death. Kirstie contorted and convusled, Kyan staring at his sister in disbelief.

A single tear fell slowly across Kirstie's face. She reached out for her brother, but before she could touch him, she collapsed. Kyan screamed out in pain as his other self died. He, then, too, lay still by his sisters side. With a deep sigh, he died as well. Campuria wept at the sight of the twins and fled from the room.

* * * * *

The twins were buried later that evening on Furanose in the Ludit family cemetary. The Devonshire compliment returned home, with heavy hearts and burdened minds.

The morning, however, produced even worse consequences, as Campuria's corpse was found. The diagnosis for her death was an overdose of sleeping draught.

"She obviously felt that she had disappionted Adena by letting the twins die. The only choice left was suicide: a drastic and rather permanent answer." Iffley said, his voice quivering at the loss of his unknown love. He rushed from the room, tears streaming from his eyes.

* * * * *

As if by epidemic, other members of the Devonshire Mansion began to die unexpectedly: Florence, Ambercrombie & Fitch, Henderson, and finally, Montgomery. The Sceptre appeared in Jonathon's bedroom, predicting Iffley's death as well, for it never left his side. It seemed devoid of life, as if Ozino had abandoned all hope. Sensing a presence, Jonathon wheeled around to face the Titan.

"Time is up, dear Jonathon. The Hour of the Twentieth has come."

"Before I die, you must satisfy my curiosity: What is your quarrel with the Pierce household?"

"Long, long ago, in a land not to far from here, there was a family known as the Ludits. I am a descendant from that name, an heir to the throne. However, I disagreed with the political beliefs at that time and they cast me out into the street. I left for Alarius where I had to steal to stay alive.

"To make a long story even longer, I was caught and sentanced to twenty years in prison. I served my time, but once released, I sought my revenge on Lowr. Twenty years later I killed Marcus. But you, Jonathon, will be the culmination of my career." He then advanced and slew Jonathon with his deadly stilletto. His revenge was now complete. He smiled wickedly, sheathing the lethal weapon into his own heart.

The Quische stared at this dreadful event. It slowly rolled over to the cabinet encasing the three Chalices. It had learned quickly. In one felled swoop, it broke the glass on the cabinet, causing the golden Chalice to overturn. As the salt water dissolved his body, the Quische cried softly, mixing his tears into the ocean. The Quische could not help feeling that Adena's presence would have been decisive in saving his friends. She, somehow, must be to blame.

As the pale green water returned to its origin, a beautiful sunset cast its rays upon the turbulent sea; yet there was no one left to admire its beauty....