Chapter 20 : The Light of Hope will Lead Us

To say I was heated when arriving to the meeting room would be an understatement. I had woken up with the news of my life.

While I was sleeping there was a power outage.

During the outage, Lumia was taken captive.

I was mentally kicking myself for letting this happen. If I had stayed with Lumia until she was ready to go then it wouldn't have happened. Of course any good thing happening in my life would end up into something bad.

"Any news on Lumia?"

"Nothing. But it seems highly likely that she would be taken to Rykros."

"And don't you go thinking about going after her."

"Laia! Why? She was my pupil, I promised Ethan I would look after her while she's my partne-"

"Ami focus! As much as I would love for us to find her, we can't stray from our plan. We've worked too hard for this moment."

"...yes ma'am."

"Don't give me that look Ami. I really wish we could help out."

I hated when I saw the logic of Laia's words.

The decision to not look for Lumia at all had put me into an unfavorable mood. But I had to try and hide it. Hyuga had contacted us to finalize the agenda before going on to Rykros. He noticed that I wasn't my usual self.

If it was any other situation, I would find the fact that he could read me endearing.

I assured him I was fine. If it helped any, Headmaster and Laia had told him that my current state was due to this being my first mission as a Commander. Anyway, after the brief meeting I received my orders. I was to take Mina to Moatoob with me so she could help out with the generators there. Laia had assigned everyone something to do within the entire Guardians network. Even those who had never been out in a field mission before. Laia wanted us to put our all into this mission.

But to be honest I was surprised to know that Mina would be out of the HQ.

During my time as a Guardian she was always the receptionist.

Before we actually left to go to Moatoob, I was stopped by Lou. Sometime during the efforts to get all three planets working together, a Lou unit was found. She was fixed up from the uncontrolled state she was in during Illuminus' attack on the G-Colony. Anyway, she had wanted to speak to me about a private matter. So Mina had agreed to meet me at the shuttle station before going to Moatoob.

"I'm glad you agreed to see me Ami."

"It's fine, so what is that you wanted to talk with me about?"

"It's about Lumia."

"Did you find anything on her!"

"Unfortunately no. But I want to help you search for her on Rykros."

"Why?"

"Security is part of my duties and it was ultimately my fault that she was taken. I want to help you look for her, to make up for my error."

I was surprised. Lou was the last person I thought wanted to help me. I had always assumed she go by orders, word by word. Well, I was no place to question the why. She wanted to help, I wouldn't stop her.

"Of course."

"I'll sneak onto an AMF ship and meet you there."

"Alright."

"One more thing Ami. Can I take a look at your face?"

"Yeah, do whatever. I'm grateful that you're even helping me."

One thing about when Lou was looking at my face:

I felt something familiar about how she looked at me

Like someone from long ago.

Lou promised that she would see me on Rykros, so I made my way to meet up with Mina. Thankfully, she didn't ask what Lou and I talked about. I guess she thought it was classified. Which she would be half right.

We arrived at the port in which I would go on the Landeel to arrive at Rykros. Liina took Mina to the relic site while the rest of us prepped for the trip to Rykros. I couldn't even look at Ethan properly in the eyes, knowing that Lumia is missing. He was told that Lumia wasn't mentally prepared to go to Rykros after seeing Professor Tomrain die.

I didn't want to lie to him, after so much we went through.

I stayed withdrawn to myself during the ride. I knew I was worrying the others. But I had too much on my mind. I was wondering how Lou and I were going to look for Lumia. Considering my duties, I had to stay by Karen's side the entire time. It wasn't long before we arrived at our destination though.

Of course I ran out before everyone.

One thing was going through my mind; Where Lumia could be. I was going to go further before Ethan stopped me. I think he was picking up on my behavior too. But once again, I assured them that I was fine even though I wasn't. All part of following orders.

I hadn't realized before, but Rykros looked like a mix between a Relics site and a Seed Hive.

Karen had explained that Professor was doing some research on the origins of Rykros before he died. Rykros was actually the trump card for the ancient civilization being attacked by an entity called Dark Falz. Dark Falz eventually took over Rykros and that what could have caused the downfall of that same civilization. It was then assumed that Howzer found this out and attempted to harness the power of Dark Falz. It would explain the Dulk Fakis we've been fighting and the real reason of the Illuminus creation. But alas, Professor Tomrain was no longer here to confirm or deny the data.

The party formation was that Karen, Ethan, and myself would head towards the main room of Rykros to prepare Karen for the unification while Tylor and Hyuga worked on getting all the generators online to connect to Karen. After the plan was finalized, we set out.

"Commander Satomora, wait."

"Hyuga, please don't call me that. You're not a Guardian anymore. You don't have to address me like you are."

"Right. Please be careful."

For a moment, I faltered.

Something seemed a bit different since the mission on Neudaiz.

Even more so now.

I would have to ask him later about that.

"I will, you don't die either. We worked hard to make sure you overcome the Seed-virus."

"I know. Thank you."

I think I heard Ethan snicker.

Anyway, the three of us made our way though our portion of the area in record time. It helped out a lot that we mapped it out beforehand and committed the path to memory. By the time we had contacted Hyuga and Tylor we were finished, they seemed surprised that we got through it so quickly. They needed more time to finish up their end so we took a small break before continuing on for our part of the mission.

Apparently, Ethan noticed Hyuga's change in behavior too.

I would guess it's because they were trainees together.

"Is this a new development in your life Ami?"

"Don't be stupid, no. I don't even know why he's acting like that."

The moment I said that, a thought came into my mind.

Maya did say that if I didn't tell him my feelings, she would.

I wonder if she went through with it.

It would have been horrible if she did.

After the break we set back to our mission. This part of the mission was more difficult due to the Seed-forms in the area. The area in which we would be going into hadn't been cleared of them, so we had to be even more cautious about advancing through.

We were almost nearing the designated area before I had gotten an incoming message.

"Satomora here."

"Well well well, hello dearest Ami."

The voice was female.

But it sounded so familiar.

Only one person I knew had called me 'Dearest Ami'.

I didn't like the person who calls me that.

"Who are you?"

"The one who knows where Lumia is."

"Lu-!"

"Shut up. If you value her life you will only listen. Utter a word and I'll kill her."

"..."

"Good, I see that you do have some common sense. I'm sending you a map with a place I want you to meet me at. Oh, you should already know. But come alone. Telling anyone else or having someone with you, and I'll kill her. Understood?"

I may not be a Guardian as long as the others, but I knew a trap when I see one.

But, if it was for Lumia I would take that risk.

She didn't deserve any of this.

"Understood."

"I'm glad you do. Ta-ta for now."

I stopped for a moment. The problem was trying to tell Ethan and Karen I had to go. Ethan's a very helpful person. If it could lessen the burden, he could do it all by himself. So I figured getting Karen to understand for Ethan would be the best choice.

"Hey guys, Laia detected something and she wanted me to investigate."

"By yourself?"

"Yeah."

"You sure it's wise to be by yourself in Rykros?"

"I'll be fine. Ethan, stay with Karen. Laia would kill me if she found out she was by herself."

"I see. Ethan lets go. Ami's a commander now, there are times she has to do these things."

"Alright. But if you need anything call Tylor and Hyuga."

"Right I will."

I hated lying to them. I really did.

"Hey Ethan?"

"Yeah Ami?"

"Tell everyone I'm sorry."

"Huh? Why would you be sorry?"

"Just tell them for me."

"Alright."

I ran out to the area as fast as I could. I had a feeling something was gonna happen, I didn't want that to show on my face. It was readable when it came to that. Strangely enough, I wasn't encountered by any Seed-forms while making my way to the area the woman had said.

When I did finally arrive however, there as no one there.

"Did I make a wrong turn?"

"..mi!"

"What?"

"You're in the right place, Guardian Ace. Or should I say Commander?"

That voice.

"Ami get out of there! It's a trap!"

"Lumia!"

The communication signal went dead after that.

But in front of me was a man I thought was dead

"Howzer..."

"I'm glad you haven't forgotten about me."

I wasn't as surprised as I would have been about him being alive. Something had always told me that it wouldn't be the end until I did it myself. So I glared at him. I was prepared to take that shot at him I tried to do so long ago.

If only Hyuga hadn't-

No, it wasn't his fault I couldn't shoot

"Ami, is that any way to treat a family friend."

"Shut up, there's a reason why my dad didn't join up with you."

"You have Shion's resolution. You might have been a good subordinate."

"Where's Lumia?"

"Lumia? Oh, you mean Arkguard's daughter. She is safe for now. You won't meet her unfortunately. For you are about to bring me what I want."

Suddenly, the area around me surrounded with laser fences.

Yeah, it was a big trap all along.

"I want the forfeit of your life!"

He shot an attack at me. I wouldn't give him the satisfaction of seeing me in pain. But it hurt so much. The attack hit me right in the middle of my chest, making me fall to the ground. It's weird, getting hit like that. It was a dull pain at first. As soon as I hit the ground the pain intensified. I remember hearing his laughter as he left. He left me to die alone.

I felt cold

and lonely

No matter how many times you think you can prepare for it, it doesn't really hit you until you're going down that path. I was dying. In the pool of my own blood, I was going to die. I couldn't move, the attack left me immobilized. My mind was wandering, waiting for it to all be over with. I didn't want to focus on the pain. I realized I regretted a lot of things.

I should have apologized to Mom the day she died

I should have talked with Dad more

I should have told Ethan the truth about Lumia being abducted

I should have told Hyuga I loved him

Maya was right. It was too late.

It made me cry.

Man, it's too damn hot some days ; ^;

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