The images flashed through his mind of his Elder Sister falling to her death as she was blasted away by Cadence's love forces. She hit bedrock-hard dried dirt on her back. Her papery insect wings were crumpled. She had countless cuts and deep gashes. The moment she hit the ground she coughed up about half a pint of blood from the hard contact. Then the green lights faded from her eyes and the hive was left Queenless.
Illusion stood at a cliff above the Main Level of the hive, watching a battle progress between his mother and 10 teenage Changelings. They yelled at her for something like not making her son king when she had the chance. Then she tried to blast them. The leader shot forward and punched her, a tooth flying from her mouth and her cheeks stained red. She hit the ground and the teens faded away laughing. Illusion ran down to his mother and yelled for help. Some changelings including the healer took her away to where she could heal quietly and yet again he watched a body of his kin be carried away, even though his mother was still alive.
