January 20, 2112
James Stone
We were outside the door to ending the war. Behind it was Airra. This was a fact we knew. For almost a week, the three knights of the brotherhood, Cathy, and I tailed Airra's starship as we kept tabs on Airra, and she never suspected it. Now here Airra was trying to hide at some Wersillian Legion safe house at the bottom of the Draynought System. Ghost had pinpointed a distress signal sent from this safe house to who knows who or where about two days ago and a starship had landed in response. It was what Sunfire hoped for, and all the pieces of her plan were falling right into place.
Present company included Sunfire, Ghost, Cathy, and myself. All of us had a burning taste for a fight. For each of us had a bone to pick with Airra.
Within the halls of the safe house, Sunfire burst through a door, to the surprise of Airra. She jumped backward and fell over herself. The room was completely devoid of any kind of décor or furnishings.
"You!" Airra nearly cried out the words.
In desperation, she duplicated into six of herself. Sunfire signaled for all of us to wait at the door. Ghost put a stasis shield down at the entrance.
All six clones of Airra surrounded Sunfire and lashed out vines and thorns. An entire storm of it, looking like a tornado was unleashed in there. Then there was a flash of fire, which incinerated it all. Even the stasis shield in front of us busted.
In a swift motion, Airra, trying to save herself, managed to use one of her clone bodies to jump in front of herself to lessen the blast against her. Still, she was launched to the other end of the room, partially on fire.
She broke off the parts that were on ablaze and regrew. Then she cloned again, but Sunfire blasted it apart in a mere second with a burst of flames.
Airra lay weak and battered in the corner of the room. There was no begging, no mercy to be had. She had fought and given all she had. It wasn't enough. Her efforts did nothing to stop the threat before her. Sunfire was too much. And I felt happiness that she was going to die, here, right before my eyes.
Ghost led us inside and closer to the scene.
Sunfire pointed her palm towards Airra, who let herself relax, appearing to accept her fate. "How 'bout a story?" Airra groaned.
"I don't think so," Sunfire countered immediately.
"You remind me of my dad. I killed my dad."
"A threat from a cornered rat is nothing to me." Sunfire stared down at Airra.
"So I get no last words, huh? Just like that?" Airra sighed. "I just want to tell you why I wear this jacket."
Sunfire nodded. I felt like Airra was just trying to buy time for herself. Even still, was it right for Sunfire to let her speak?
Airra started her story, which was to be her last, and spoke with slow words. "Within the tribe I was born into… they had this unorthodox way of living. I had an identical twin, a sister, born a minute after I was. By our tribe's law, I was firstborn and given the opportunity to be a great warrior. But my sister… she was born stronger than I at the time. All I needed to do was complete a test to claim my heritage. Hours prior to it, my sister… my beloved sister, betrayed me. She ambushed me and took my place and got everything I was supposed to. I was shamed when I went to our elders-- See, my sister claimed I was not myself and she was me. I was cast out… tossed away like garbage. Never had I felt so lonely and defeated. That was the moment I told myself nobody would ever hold dominance over me again."
"Too bad you had to face me." Sunfire's eyes lit ablaze. Her palm followed, and a stream of red hot fire engulfed Airra. The heat radiated throughout the room, warming my face and body.
The moment was so surreal. Can it be? Could we have finally won? With the head of the snake finally cut, the legion would surely die off. The moment felt unreal. Like I was in a dream.
"We won." The words felt fake rolling off my tongue.
The fire was still ablaze in the corner. Sunfire, turning back to me, said, "Not yet. There are still two warlords to eliminate." She was right. Including the head warlord's death, we had killed four of the six left.
Ghost jumped in. "Last two are a mystery to us. It won't be easy to track them down."
"Sounds like a job for you, Ghost. You were one of the best at it before I went under and still are after I rose again," replied Sunfire.
"So she is capable of giving a compliment," Ghost nudged a little jab her way.
"I wouldn't get carried away. You may have the other knights convinced, but with me, you have a long way to go."
"Noted. And--" Ghost started.
I interrupted. "I hate to interrupt this little internal power struggle, but look." My eyes and finger were glued to the same location. The location of the corner, the location of Airra's would-be grave. But instead, there was a rock; harder and denser than any I'd ever seen. It protruded from the floor and created a prism over the spot where Airra had been. It folded back into the ground and revealed Airra; still alive. She was gleaming, now more than ever.
Sunfire snarled, "You! How? Answer me now!"
"I have powers you've never seen," Airra lied in a tone apparent to us all. Something was different about Airra. She no longer had the hint of fear in her tone.
The room was silent for a moment, and in that moment I heard footsteps from behind; loud and boisterous, similar to a boultha. I wasn't alone. We all turned back to see. The silhouette was massive!
"I think this conversation is long overdue," the voice boomed.
Sunfire stepped forward, heading the crowd of us. "Conversation? I don't even know who you are."
"A natural born leader… I like that. A quality we share. And--"
Sunfire interrupted. "Either you tell me who you are and why I should care, or you catch fire and burn. It is your choice, but choose fast. 'Cause sometimes I can be in the mood to fire first and ask questions later."
In the shadow the hall, the man, the beast of a man, smiled with charm at her threat. Still walking closer, he spoke. "Asserting dominance with speech. Don't think that will intimidate me. And nor should you feel the need to, as I come to you in peace… to talk. And I hope you would return the same courtesy to me." His tone softened. "Airra, dear, come to me." The man finally stepped out from the shadows and into the light of the room. And he was massive, easily larger than a maelkii. Crystal-rock, jagged skin, ice blue in color, with hints of smoky black deeper in the crystal skin. Similar to a maelkii, his feet were bull-like feet, and spikes followed his spine to the top of his head. Even the black abyss eyes were spot on, with only a pupil colored to match his skin visible.
The being raised his arm, palm toward the ceiling, and curled his arm toward his chest; his fingers motioned like he was squeezing an orange. The floor rose and formed into a chair made from dense rock and minerals.
I heard an audible gasp and looked to Cathy, whose eyes popped with shock and surprise. Before anyone could speak another word, she yelled, "Kaizerious! You! Y-you… what a-are you doing here? Are you with them?"
Airra was now at the being's side after creeping along the walls, making an extra effort to stay far from Sunfire. "Dearie, he is my stepfather," she responded to Cathy.
"Go, Airra. Leave this place," said Kaizerious.
Airra didn't hesitate to leave, and as she left, Sunfire let off another round of fire. Only this time, Kaizerious shielded Airra's escape with rock.
Kaizerious sprouted more chairs from the ground behind us. "I invite you all to sit. Each of you has had a long day of fighting. But now is the time to catch your breath…breathe…we are in peace talks."
"Peace," Sunfire echoed the word. She didn't bother sitting; only Ghost did. "There is that word again. Funny coming from you - father of the woman who started this war."
"No. That was me," he admitted.
"All the more fitting, then."
Cathy was still in shock, and even had a tear forming. "You are responsible for the state of this galaxy, the many that have died in the war or because of it, the planets now barren of life and resources to fuel this storm! You!" She was stuck, looking for words to say. And I was oblivious as to why this was or how she knew him for that matter. So many questions, and not enough time.
Kaizerious said, "I'm deeply sorry you had to see me in this light. And since you are here, you should know I was the reason behind the attack on the brotherhood. As you left, I snuck a tracking device on your leg. It went in the portal before you. Though it never made it to the other side, I was able to see its direction."
"You betrayed my trust!" There was heartbreak in her voice. Like she had been stabbed in the back by a dear friend. "I thought you didn't fight?" Cathy said.
"I don't," Kaizerious reaffirmed.
Sunfire continued. "Ironic. A man who will not fight yet started the greatest, longest, and largest intergalactic war known in the history of every species that inhabits this galaxy."
"Flaws were never something I claimed to lack. And yes, know that I see where you are coming from. I can see how, in your perspectives, I must look like a madman, a murderer, and worse." There was a pause.
Something about him was different than all the warlords. He didn't come out here throwing around insults. He shrugged off each of our threats, turning the other cheek. He didn't start throwing punches. In fact, he had only shown us respect.
Kaizerious began again. "I now sit here before you, ready to answer the questions you may have and hope to arrive at a conclusion we all can feel confident in."
Cathy began. "Are you just another warlord we have yet to meet?"
Kaizerious let out a quick chuckle before responding, "I am not. I am a father. Some have indeed called me an overlord, but the word doesn't fit my taste."
Sunfire, annoyed, raised her voice to Kaizerious, "Look. From now on, you will speak to me alone--"
Kaizerious raised his distinct voice over hers. Being the deep, powerful voice it was, her voice was no match. "I have invited all here to participate in this conversation. You do not have the privilege of setting the rules here. I expect more of a leader than to silence those whom she leads." It was clear Sunfire was not the only alpha-personality in the room. In the wild, situations like this never turn out well for one of the alphas. I like to think we are more civilized about such things.
"Gods don't concern themselves with the opinions of a peasant," Sunfire fired back. I turned to catch Ghost's reaction to this. He has never been much of an expressive individual, but I could see his distaste for that statement.
"Gods who feed on the worship of those peasants, yet fail to uphold that for which they are worshiped for, shall only fall to the ground that much harder," Kaizerious countered.
"So much for not fighting. Those are fighting words."
"A mere attempt at a joke. I apologize… I have never been good at them. All the same, don't misinterpret my attempt at shifting your frame as a threat. I mean only to be friendly with you. And I still offer you a seat."
Still she didn't sit, and by now she was the only one who remained upright. "I don't want your damn seat." Sunfire flared her lip.
"Frame?" I whispered back to Ghost, who was the closest to me.
"He is referring to the unstated beliefs that give context to interactions. Frames are what give meaning to the words we say, like the difference between me using 'Be silent' in one tone as opposed to using 'Be silent' in this tone. Put yourself in his position for a moment. A highly capable and powerful fighter beat and nearly kill his daughter, yet he talks and treats her and us as his guests, even inviting us to come to peace. Sunfire still engages him as a hostile in each word she speaks to him, and he is trying to shift her frame into his much friendlier one. Quite good this one is at the art of language," he answered.
The thoughts rattled in my head. Give me a mission, a physical task to complete, I'm your guy. But this. This was nowhere near my area of expertise.
Kaizerious was still locked with Sunfire in words. He said, "Is that really how you see yourself? A god?"
"I was born into the Brotherhood of Relics, a legacy, destined to make my vision a reality. All my life, I was looked on to make this galaxy a better place. Then I got my powers, and the truth only became that much clearer. I was prophesized to be the light that would keep this galaxy in order. Your war puts it out of order. And from where I stand, I believe I'm the only one who can correct that mistake."
"For a god, you sure don't see the forest for the trees. I get that this war may seem like it is only hurting the galaxy, but down the line, I see a galaxy brought together in unison. I see the forest, the big picture. Does that not fit the order you seek?"
"Not if it means the Wersillian Legion holds all the cards in the end."
"Who says it has to?"
"You did when you brought them together and promised them everything."
"And whoever told you that misinterpreted my promise. After all, this is their war with the ARW, not mine. The outcome of who wins remains to be seen."
"You're saying you don't care who wins?" I jumped in. I caught a sour look from Sunfire. "And if that is the case, why start a war in the first place if the result makes no difference to you?"
"I appreciate your effort to get at the truth. I picture anyone in your position would do the same. But put yourself in my position for a moment. Would you want those who seek to do your family harm to know the means to do so? If I make my motivations clear, you will know my next move. That is something I can't afford."
"You said you were here to answer questions," Sunfire added.
"And to talk peace. We should focus on that. I gave the dytircs what they wanted when they sought leadership and land. I gave the lycargans what they wanted when they sought religion. I gave Cathy what she wanted when she sought you, the Brotherhood of Relics. I am here to give those what they want. And now I know what you want, an end to the war. I can give that to you."
"And what do you want in return?" Sunfire asked.
"This war will end the moment I have the remaining keys… and James Stone."
Kaizerious's words hit me like a brick. Me? What would he want with me?"
"Off the table!" I threw the words at him.
"The hell you can!" Cathy added.
Sunfire, also surprised, said, "I get the wanting of the keys, which is bad enough, but why Stone? He is just a man."
Kaizerious, dead serious, replied, "If he is only a man to you, what is the harm in making this deal? You want the war to be over, for all worlds to once again destine their own fates-- James… he is of no use to you, no use to the Brotherhood of Relics. He has not done anything for you and will likely never do anything for your benefit. This deal is a steal for you."
Sunfire paced around in thought. Ghost looked over at her. "I shall inform the knights that we need to vote," he said.
Sunfire stopped. "Wait!"
"Sunfire?"
"I know what the consensus will be, and this decision is far too important to be made wrongly."
"Sunfire, we vote on every--"
"Enough!" She intensified, and her eyes lit on fire, followed by the palm of her hand. But instead of using it to intimidate Ghost, she turned and marched to Kaizerious. She held her palm uncomfortably close to his chin and neck while her face was centimeters from his. Their eyes were locked, but Kaizerious hadn't flinched in the slightest. I sat on the edge of my seat. "Kaizerious, you almost had me for a fool. But I'm a god, and even you, with your silver tongue, can't fool a god." Sunfire moved her palm a bit closer until the now blue flames nibbled at his chin. "Do you feel the heat of intimidation?"
"You sure enjoy your fire puns," he smiled. "I really wanted to help you, Sunfire. Truly, I regret I was unable to satisfy your ambitions and desires. For they could've changed the galaxy for the better. But I understand now that you can't handle the idea of not being the most respected individual in the room. Even your own has witnessed you fall today."
I gazed over at Ghost, and what I saw made me believe in those words, however unlikely it seemed.
"When you're dead, when the warlords are nothing but dust and the galaxy is rid of the legion, all respect for you will've long been forgotten. And had you not shown to be the manipulative worm you proved to be, I may have taken your deal. But you manipulated Cathy, the dytircs, lycargans, and now you are trying to manipulate us. That is why I can't trust a word you say or a promise you give. There is only one way this ends, and that is with you dead. And I've never faced an obstacle I have not been able to conquer. No being in this universe can match my power!" shouted Sunfire.
"You act as an impulsive child who has never heard the word no."
This was getting bad fast. I wasn't the only one to notice. Ghost motioned for me and Cathy to group with him, and we did. "Sunfire!" Ghost yelled. "He has seen what you are capable of and isn't afraid. Why isn't he afraid?"
Kaizerious grinned. "Because I've seen stronger."
Sunfire was done. She lit up her entire arms and fired blue flames straight towards Kaizerious's heart. The flames roared and split around his body. Nothing was burning, and Kaizerious stood up. He towered over everyone in the room. "I said I don't fight, but I will defend my family and myself."
Ghost gestured for us to leave, guiding us to the back wall. He planted a device on it, and it began to drill a hole round enough to walk upright through.
"The situation is dire. We don't want to be here as it escalates," said Ghost.
"What about Sunfire?" Cathy added.
"She's just getting started," Ghost assured, with his trademark brand of near-emotionless calm.
As the hole went deeper, I looked back to catch Sunfire punch Kaizerious in the jaw. He winced but barely took notice, and yet her hand was somehow not in pieces. What are those two made of? This time, Sunfire lit her entire body ablaze before taking it to him.
We were leaving in a hurry. In the tunnel, I was sweating bullets. Whatever was going on in there, it was getting hot!
"Almost there," Ghost insisted. Running, he was pressing a series of controls built into the cloth of his armor at a furious rate.
The drilling device burst through to the other side. A starship waited.
"I had this brought to us," said Ghost.
The hatch on the ship opened to a ramp, and Cathy and I jumped inside before the ramp touched the dirt. That's when I noticed Ghost was not among us. I looked back.
"You two have a duty to your ARW. Go. Return to your people. The bishop piloting the ship will see you there," said Ghost, and he headed in the other direction.
"What are you going to do?" I asked.
"Just as you have a duty to your people, I, too, have a pledge to mine." He then stopped and pulled out a small device shaped like a poker chip. He put it into the cloth on his wrist and then tossed it my way. I caught it. "I made that to work with your cyberwatch," Ghost said while looking over his shoulder.
"What is it?"
"You remember I looked into your past when I was assigned to hunt you?"
"Hard to forget," I mumbled.
"You deserve to know the truth." His words left me standing in my own confusion, but he gave me no more time to question him. He was gone, dashed off to rejoin his brotherhood.