Happy Birthday

THE SUN BEAMS INTO THE ROOM through the window high above Withra's bed as if it were directed it shines onto her face. She had been awake for some time but have refused to open her eyes and face the day. She wanted to enjoy every minute she had to rest. She knew it would not be long before her father would arrive to get her so that she could begin her training. She started squirming in her bed, turning over so that the sun wouldn't be in her face. No matter how hard she tried she just could not find a position that would lead her to rest.

"Computer," her tired voice calls as she throws her comforter over her head. "Close the blinds."

"I am afraid I cannot do that," the computer replies. "It is time for the young princess to awaken."

"Aww, come on just five more minutes."

"You know if I did that Lord Sabrous would have my circuits." The computer says. "I did as you said and got rid of the alarm. I thought that waking up to the feeling of sunlight would be a better morning for you."

"It is my birthday, can't you do it for me today? Just this one time."

"You know that Immortals do not celebrate the annual commemoration of their birth, my dear." The computer responds. "Although I will commemorate you for continuing function for 6,205 days."

"Happy seventeenth birthday would've been better, you know. Besides, we do not even know if I am an Immortal yet." Withra says.

"That is beside the point, milady Withra." The computer says, as two robotic arms extend from the walls and pulled the sheets off of her head. "Now it is time to wake up. Lord Sabrous will be here shortly."

Withra sits up in defeat, opening her hazel eyes for the first time today. She stands up and walks to the bathroom. She steps into the sanitizer, while the robotic arms follow her, pulling her sandy brown hair back and braiding it so that it would not get in the way of her training. The sanitizer removes all dead skin, germs and other foreign debris, cleaning her entire body including her mouth instantly without the need of soap or water.

Withra takes off all of her clothes to make sure that the sanitizer cleans her wholly. When she steps out the robotic arms present her new undergarments. She puts them on while facing the mirror to make sure that they are on properly and to see her hair. After she's done, another outfit is presented to her. This one is a near skintight under armor. She puts it on and metal boots rise out of the floor. She steps into them and robotic arms also appear from the ground, each of them carrying a different piece of armor and placing it on her body. The pieces lock into place and the suit powers up.

Withra lets out a loud sigh as she looks over the armor. "Perform diagnostic." She says completely disinterested.

"All systems functioning normally." Her armor responds. "Pilot synchronization is complete."

"Great." She says sarcastically. "How do I look computer."

"Like a great destroyer in the making—as always, Princess."

"Yeah, like always." Withra's voice trails off.

"Is something the matter?"

"Nothing a computer like you would understand." Withra says as she walks out of the bathroom.

"Wait princess I haven't equipped your helmet yet."

"When have I ever taken it? Just bring me Oli."

"Yes, Princess."

The floor in the center of her room opens up. Slowly, a case rises up. Once it is completely revealed, it opens. Inside is Oli, a highly decorated six foot long double ended spear. Withra grabs the spear and it retracts. She places it on her back and latches on the armor lock it into place. As she does this, her room door opens. Withra can feel the presence of the individual but doesn't turn around to see him.

Withra lowers her head and pats her face to knock the last bit of tiredness from her. "I just got done dressing fath..." she turns around and is happily surprised who was standing there. "Ether? What are you doing here?"

Ether is Withra's best friend despite the three year age difference. Though he won the title by default being Withra's only friend. He is a fit individual having perfected his body for combat; though you cannot see this while he is wearing his stealth armor. He has a handsome face with a few freckles peppered across his nose. His fiery red hair is cut short on both sides only letting it grow out in a flat mohawk.

"Princess Withra, Lord Sabrous will be joining us later. Something came up." Ether says with a smile. "You know what that means."

"Oh no." Withra's cheery mood quickly faded.

"That's right, I am taking over your training until he arrives." Ether walks over to Withra from the door. "It's been awhile hasn't it." He pats her shoulder. "Don't worry I'll go easy on you. Let's get going."

Ether may be Withra's best friend but he is a fitness nut more than anything. Withra could feel the soreness already setting in after thinking about the hell Ether must have prepared. Withra follows him out into the long hallway of the palace's upper wing. Android assistants scurry about each bowing as Withra passes. Her identity is a well-kept secret of her father. Very few mortals and Immortals know the face of the princess. Her care is provided mainly by androids. The two enter the elevator going up to the sparring room at the top of the tower.

The elevator comes to a stop as they approach their floor. The door opens and the sparring room is completely dark with the exception of a single light in the middle of the room. A table is set up with a small vanilla cake on it. Withra's mood skyrockets as she runs to the table. Ether casually strolls in behind her.

"What is this?" Withra asks giddily. "You got me a cake? Just like what the people on TV do!"

"I didn't know what to get you since the Immortals don't celebrate birthdays. It's nothing special though. Definitely nothing befitting a Demi like yourself." Ether admits while rubbing the back of his neck.

"No, you're wrong," Withra says with tears welling up. "It's perfect. What do I do? I've never had a birthday before."

"It's simple Princess Withra." Ether says as he pulls out a candle from a compartment on his suit. He places it in the center of the tiny cake. "First light this with your magic. Then blow it out and make a wish."

"A wish? Like a prayer to my father?"

"No-no. Just something you want really bad."

"Oh like..."

"Ah! No, don't tell me! The wish only comes true if you keep it a secret."

Withra holds her index and middle fingers to the candle making a finger gun. "Bang." She says as a wave of fire shoots from her hand in a deadly wave. Even with the massive flame only the candle is lit. "Now I just blow it out?"

"What is this?" A voice beckons from the heavens. "Is this your idea of training, Ether?"

"Milord," Ether says as he bows on one knee.

"Lord Father," Withra says lowering her head.

Sabrous appears walking in from the darkness. He is a tall well-built man wearing loosely fitted robes which does little to hide his perfect immortal body. He is adorned in gold and silver as all Immortals typically are. He has red eyes and his hair a golden blonde that actually glows as fire.

"Answer me covenant." Sabrous states again as he stands over Ether.

"Milord, we were just getting ready to begin training. I just wanted..."

Withra cuts in. "It's not his fault Lord Father, I asked him to help me celebrate my birthday."

"You are the prophesied Demon-God of Destruction, Withra. You do not celebrate mortal festivities. You must prepare yourself to take our revenge on the Gods that took your mother from us. Never forget this."

"Forget what? A woman I never met?" Withra snaps as she looks up to Sabrous walking out in front of him. "I don't want to be your damn Demon-God of destruction. I don't want to start a war with the Gods. Do you want to know what I wish, father? I wish I don't become an Immortal, I wish that I could travel the world, I wish I could make friends and most importantly I wish I was as far away from you as possible." Withra turns around and blows out her candle.

Sabrous takes a deep breath. "Child of my beloved bride." He says slowly and calmly as if to remind himself why he puts up with Withra. "You are more like your mother than I realized. However, understand this Withra. You are not given a choice." Suddenly the table and the cake are engulfed in flames. They burned to ashes in seconds. "Ether, training begins now." Suddenly, all the lights in the room turn on. "Since you want to be so far away from me, let's see how you would fair if a God or Demon were to come after you."

"Lord Sabrous, you don't mean..."

Sabrous cuts him off. "Both of you versus me right n..." Withra takes her spear off her back, it expands to its full length as she spins around. Without the slightest hesitation she stabs for Sabrous' neck. He blocks the strike with a single finger. "That was a good jab Withra; however, it was sloppily done. When you face an opponent that is physically stronger than you, close the gap with your magic."

"Withra we need to get some distance." Ether says.

"Right, of course." Withra says as she jumps back.

She spins her staff and a black mist envelops Sabrous.

"Computer run program Apocalypse." Sabrous says.

The room's hologram generators kick on and all around them are collapsed buildings. Above them the sun beams down. A gentle breeze flows through the condemned buildings causing them to howl. The holograms are completely tangible and mimic their real world counterparts. Withra and Ether run through the destroyed streets, stopping behind a broken down hovercar. Ether pulls out his two pistols.

"I'll distract him. You flank him with your magic." Ether says.

"What am I suppose to do during this plan?" Sabrous asks smugly.

Ether and Withra look up and see Sabrous standing on top of the car. Ether fires at him but misses as Sabrous backflips behind the car. When Sabrous lands, he flips the car over nearly crushing the two of them. Ether and Withra jump out on opposite sides. Ether unleashes a wave of gunfire as he runs around Sabrous. Meanwhile, Withra charges Sabrous with her spear. Sabrous waves his hand and Ether and Withra are blown way with the same force as an explosion.

Withra black outs but when she wakes, up Sabrous has an unconscious Ether in his hand. Sabrous throws Ether to the ground. Withra tries to stand up, but can't when she sees that a piece of rebar has stabbed through her stomach. Sabrous just observes her not offering any help. She knows he wouldn't even if she asked him to. Withra takes out a knife from a sheath on her right arm. The blade heats up and she reaches behind her cutting the rebar free. She then stands up leaving the rebar inside of herself and runs towards Sabrous. She jabs with the knife and punches with her free hand. Sabrous easily dodges, weaving back and forth with a look of disappointment tattooed across his face.

"Remember, whether you become an Immortal or not, pain is an illusion of the body." Sabrous states. "You are a Demi, your flesh can break." Sabrous grabs the hand Withra is using to wield the knife. He lifts her in the air by her hand. "But your spirit must never falter, only then will you die. Remember this defeat daughter and remember this pain. You must overcome them both. I cannot protect you forever."

Sabrous raises his hand and a violent lookingred energy surrounds his palm. He brings his hand down and it cuts straightthrough her armor and down through her arm. Withra falls to the ground as herarm is severed. Sabrous drops her arm and begins to walk away as she begins toblackout again. She spits out blood and tears flow. However what hurts the mostis her heart. The hologram generators shut down and she is in the empty roomagain. She tries to keep her eyes open but the heavier they feel the more shewants to give in.