The Truth

As Komand'r and Ryand'r sat down, MJ watched the latter discretely while trying to enjoy the rest of her breakfast. Kori and Ryand'r started to talk amongst themselves, with the Queen and Komand'r content to just listen. Soon enough, MJ had finished eating, and by now, she couldn't help but feel curious.

“So, Your Highness,“ MJ spoke trepidly to Queen Luand'r, ”You mentioned that today was special. May I ask why?“

Queen Luand'r replied, ”While I understand your curiosity, I'm afraid it is a delicate matter, not something for light conversation.“

”It is alright, Mother,“ Kori spoke up, ”I am sure MJ can be trusted.“

MJ nodded along, saying ”Don't worry, I won't speak a word of it outside this room.“

Queen Luand'r continued, ”For some time now, our people have been struck by a strange new plague. It has already killed several of our men, and we still don't know how it came to be. The only saving grace, if you could call it that, is that it takes some time to kill its victims before spreading to the next.“

MJ was shocked to hear this, of course. ”Oh my god, that's horrible.“

”Yes, horrible,“ Komand'r said solemnly, ”and it seemed that our brother Ryand'r was fated to die like the others.“

”Until yesterday,“ Kori said, again standing up from her seat, ”when he made a miraculous recovery.” She quickly went towards Ryand'r, giving him a hug. “It is such a relief to see him well again.”

“Well, I'm glad to hear that,” MJ said, “If you don't mind me asking, Ryand'r, can you tell how you did recover?”

“I do not mind,” Ryand'r replied, “in truth, I do not know myself. I remember being in constant pain, and then sudden relief.”

“I see, again, I'm glad to hear that.”

“As we all are,” Kori said, taking her seat besides MJ, “now, MJ, perhaps we can discuss why you are so interested.”

Damn, thought I hid it better, MJ thought to herself, before saying, "Um, sorry, I'm not quite sure what you're talking about."

Kori spoke in a firm tone, "MJ, you have been acting strange since you laid eyes on my brother. While I do not wish to push you, I am hoping you repay the same trust that we gave you."

MJ sighed. "No, you're right. It's just, well, going to sound strange..."

Needless to say, they were all shocked. Queen Luand'r immediately demanded that MJ demonstrated this shard, which led to this moment: MJ standing in front of another sick Tamaranean man, shard in hand, while Kori and the others watch. She slowly held the shard closer, praying this will work. Soon enough, the shard begins absorbing energy from the dark, oozy mass covering the **** man, just like before.

However, just like before, images flashed in her mind, the same monsters approaching a crystal. Only this time, the images are just a little bit clearer, and last just a little bit longer before fading away. Once they stopped, MJ felt faint for a second. Luckily, before she could fall, Kori and Rera quickly managed to catch her, just as she started tipping over.

"Are you alright?" Kori asked, worried.

MJ stood straight, saying "I'm okay, whew, It was definitely a little more intense this time."

Queen Luand'r, Komand'r, and Ryand'r meanwhile watched in astonishment as the black mass faded away from the **** man's body. "By X'Hal," Luand'r whispered.

Komand'r, on the other hand, immediately stomped towards MJ, yelling "Give it to me!" MJ reluctantly handed the shard to her.

However, the moment Komand'r held the shard, it started glowing again, and energy began flowing from her body and into the shard. She felt her strength leaving her, and she immediately threw it on the floor.

MJ went to pick the shard, asking "You okay?"

"I'm fine," Komand'r said through gritted teeth, having already recovered.

Kori then spoke up, "Whatever this thing is, it may be too dangerous to have."

"True," Queen Luand'r said, "However, it may be the only hope we have to save our people." She then turned to MJ. "Mary Jane, I know that you do not ask for this, but the fact that the shard brought you here and that it's only safe in your hands can only mean that you were chosen to help us. If you do, I promise to do everything in my power to make sure you will find your answers and your way home."

MJ simply replied, "Well, when you put it like that, how can I say no?"