Chapter I

Central Command Station, Autozam

Geo and Zazu, Eagle's closest comrades, were busy preparing for the welcome. The president personally appointed the two to be in charge of the welcome.

"I am excited to see the commander again." Zazu couldn't hide his excitement. For most of his visits in Cephiro, Eagle had been asleep. Although he was able to connect to him mentally, seeing his commander in flesh was better. On another hand, as a soldier under his command, Eagle's return would boost the morale of the troupe. But Eagle, of course, is more than a commander. For Zazu, Eagle is a brother in both martial and familial sense.

"Yeah me too but I don't think Eagle would appreciate this sort of hero's welcome complete with parade. " A frown was painted on Geo's face. He knew that Eagle is not the type that would bathe in glory. Even though Eagle is a glorified and dignified man, Eagle is still someone who would appreciate small but meaningful things rather than a grandiose welcome. Reluctantly, Geo accepted the task. He didn't have much of a choice either. Eagle's father, the president, assigned the task to them. Geo knew that the word "no" is not included in the president's vocabulary. By any means, any man would be proud to call Eagle a son. Even though he is a young commander, he has shown valor in fulfilling his duties. His sacrifices and triumph over a colossal adversity made him a beacon of hope for Autozam. Rumor has it that his miraculous recuperation from his coma further elevated him in a god-like status.

"He would rather sleep. Hmm but I think he had too much of it already." Zazu lazily programmed the digital fireworks in the computers. "I think these fireworks would be fun. Do you think Eagle would like a candy-shaped firework"

"Right about that. Eagle would rather sleep. Well, that's our commander. Anyway, for the candy-shaped firework, Eagle would surely remember all those candies in my stash and get them for himself. For a commander, he sure acts like a three-year old boy."

"Come to think of it. He is not just a hero now. He is like a living legend. Every soldier would now be measured up against him. I hope I can be like him..someday" A gleam of hope was shining on Zazu's eyes.

"You have to grow up first. A gnome like you has a long way to go" Geo quickly pulled him back to reality.

"Hey, Guru Clef is vertically-challenged too but he is a great mage."

"He is from Cephiro. A man like him possesses great willpower. You are just an ordinary gnome in the garden."

" Hmmp…. At least I am not a scary giant like you."

" You, garden gnome." Geo pretended to take away the life out of Zazu.

"Let go of me you giant pestilence…"

A soft murmur stopped the two from taking each other's lives. It was Lantis. Tall and brooding as ever.

"Lantis, you're here early. How's Eagle?" Geo was happy to see the cail for it meant updates on Eagle.

" I am here to accompany Eagle." His voice was deep and dark devoid of emotion.

"Whoa,, Eagle is here. I wanna see him." Zazu remarked as if he consumed all of Autozam's sweets.

"Cut it out Zazu. It is customary for him to meet with the president first." Geo was wearing his I-know-it-all attitude.

"Hmm,,,Geo, I think you might really have a brain inside that thick skull of yours." Zazu teased him mercilessly.

"You garden gnome." Geo towered over Zazu and strangulated him. Zazu's color was almost blue.

The two were busy trying to kill each other that they were not able to see another figure approaching. It was a figure of a young girl.

" You two are funny." The young girl remarked. She was wearing a cute school uniform.

"Hikaru" Both guys were surprised to see the Fire Knight. It was as if an angel has descended to Autozam. A physically absent yet mentally present cherubims were singing.

Zazu was about to give Hikaru a hug when he noticed the dark expression on Lantis' face. He felt his piercing eyes were tearing his flesh. The expression sent shivers to his spine.

"Nice to see you Hikaru…."Zazu gave a nervous smile.

Geo, meanwhile, was smiling secretly. He also noticed Lantis' I-can-rip-your-heart-out-and-feed-it-to-the-dogs attitude. Personally, he wanted to give Hikaru a hug for he is fond of the knight too in a platonic kind of way. Based on Lantis' expression, he came to a conclusion that Lantis was not there to accompany Eagle but to guard Hikaru. The cail might not be too forward when it comes to love but he surely knew how to keep his lady safe.

"Nice to see both of you." Geo acted cool.

"I am happy to be here too. It is just like what they feature in science fiction movies." A girlish giggle escaped her. Amazed by the colossal high tech surrounding, Hikaru was curiously looking around.

"How about we arrange a tour for you."

"That would be nice Geo but I could see that you are busy."

"I.. c-c.." Zazu was about to volunteer when a mysterious force prevented him from doing so.

"I'll tour you around Autozam. I have lived here for quite long. I am familiar with everything here, right Zazu?" It was Lantis. He gave the nervous Zazu the look again.

"Yay! … See you around Geo..Zazu" The fire knight said her goodbye.

"Looks like, you, my gnome friend, are out of luck."

"I thought it was my end….." Zazu was relieved. He knew deep inside Lantis is nice but his reaction earlier was somehow new to him. He had never seen that side of Lantis before.

"Go back to your garden and try finding a gnome girlfriend."

"Hey, how about you go to Chizeta and find the sister of the princesses' Djin. I bet you two would look cute together. I can actually imagine your children. One of a kind. They can be Autozam's mascot for its next martial games."

Geo's expression was picture of disgust. The visual that he processed was too much. He pictured out Chizeta's Djin all-muscled yet wearing make up and jewelry. "I think I won't be eating for weeks. It totally ruined my appetite." Geo was about to vomit.

"Me too." Almost instantly, Zazu's attack backfired. The visual was too much for him to bear.

Meeting Room, Autozam

"I am glad you have recovered. Autozam asked too much from you on the last battle." The president's voice was deep and authoritative but one can sense a father's love to his son.

"Father, as a soldier and citizen of this planet, I am bound by my duty to serve."

"You are indeed a fine soldier Eagle. A father like me could not ask for more." The president also wanted to voice out his worries but he opted not to. He believes that his son is strong. His place belongs to the battle ground. His son is a born warrior. He did raise him among the lions.

"I am deeply honored too Father for you have given me this important mission."

"Anyway, I am glad that you have come back. If I may ask, have you met a lovely lady while you were in Cephiro."

"I have met lovely ladies in Cephiro but my heart has yet to be captured." A boyish smile escaped his lips.

"Is that so? How about the knight from Cephiro?" The president somehow inquired on his son settle down but there was this usual expression on his face. An expression that he has seen moments before his military assignments.

"Father, I believe that somebody else has her heart."

"How about the one of the princesses of Chizeta. They are lovely ladies. If you marry one of them, it would be good for our diplomatic ties with Chizeta." The president continued to probe but he was still wearing the same expression. His mind was definitely off somewhere.

Eagle has sensed early on that it was not about a romantic rendezvous his father wanted to talk about. He knew there was something else is on the agenda. Definitely it was not in his father's nature to just act like a father. Since time immemorial, his father has always been his commanding officer , a president. He addresses him by way of his familial bond with him but in his tone there was always respect.

"Father, I don't think this audience with you is about progeny. What is it that you want to tell me?" A smile played on his lips.

"Indeed, the military trained you well. After all you are my son. Personally, I don't want to tell you this right away but since you know something is up, here it is." The president's stern expression got even darker. He handed out a dossier.

Eagle received the dossier. He browsed through its contents. For others who would read them, it would be like the end of the world all over gain but for him it was different. It is another battle to win. He felt it again. The rush. He is alive again.

"Looks like I am officially back to work…Father." He smiled like a boy but in his mind, he was already making a battle plan. " I'll go ahead Father"

"You may go now." The president ordered. As soon as Eagle was out of sight, the president let out a sigh. Welcome back son.