CHAPTER 56
And in a white light, the one named Adaptus got up behind Metrotitan.
The Hand offered his disciple the Jewel of salvation and disaster.
Take care, he told him. By jumping into the illusion, you risk giving up the only thing that kept you from joining the Allspark.
As they advanced towards the monument called the Adaptus' Fall, Wing could not help thinking that he would not have imagined such a place as a secret hideaway.
Dai Atlas had hidden the artifacts so that no one would find them and use them for bad motives. Such like in Messatine, which had been the last place to search for the hiding place of the Book of Epistemus.
However, if they were not mistaken, the Diamond of Adaptus was in this very place. And around them, many visitors came in and out of the building, with a satisfied and respectful look evident on their faces. Wing, Bumblebee and Rung paused for a moment to watch before resuming their march.
Here ... it was a tourist place. Everyone could access the artifact.
Everyone could steal it ...
So ... why did Dai Atlas have to hide it here?
"I think we were wrong," said Wing after a pause.
"Why do you say that?" Rung questioned him.
"Because Dai Atlas is too careful to leave an artifact in plain view."
Rung frowned.
"Still, it's here. I feel it."
No. It did not look like the leader of the Circle of Light.
As they entered the monument, they landed in a large hall. In a way similar to what they had seen in the Temples, stained glass windows represented Adaptus in all his forms. Whether it is his appearance as a blacksmith or the Hand offering his disciples the ability to transform. The place was not crowded, but a few visitors were scattered around the room.
A bot approached them. Wing was surprised to see that he was marked with a seal on his forehelm.
The Seal of Worship A red diamond.
"Welcome to the Adaptus' Fall" he addressed them with a smile of welcome. "I notice that you are not from Arkus and that you come from elsewhere."
"Is that so obvious?" Bumblebee commented.
"Everyone knows each other here. I am the guardian of this place. If you need to pray, or if you want more information, I am at your disposal."
The trio exchanged a look.
Finally, it was Bumblebee who spoke again.
"Does this Temple contain Relics of Adaptus? Or other objects that belonged to him?"
It was a good approach. Wing was sure they were wrong. But as much check by not immediately revealing the existence of the artifact, even to a guardian of a Temple.
The latter nodded.
"Please follow me. It's in that direction" he pointed out, pointing to a silver door at the back of the hall.
It was at this moment that Wing, Bumblebee and Rung noticed with surprise sentinels posted in every corner. The guards had been so secretive that they had not noticed them at first. The guards wore a red and black tunic and their forehelms were marked with the same seal as that of the Guardian of the Temple.
They were about ten between these walls and when Wing narrowed the optics, he noticed cannons in each of their arms.
"It must be very sacred objects, right?" Rung questioned him.
"More than you can imagine," said the Guardian. "The Cult of Adaptus is not recognized on Cybertron. Yet this is the symbol of Arkus. We love it a lot."
As he led them to the room in question, Rung moved closer to the Guardian, the obvious curiosity in his optics.
"Arkus has always been like that? I mean... Has this planet always worshipped Adaptus?"
"Not at first," replied the Guardian. "Arkus was a desert in the middle of the Milky Way until Adaptus appeared there to leave us his relics. And then, his early apostles built Arkus as we know it today."
He gave them a friendly smile.
"We were born under the belief that Arkus is under the protection of the Guiding Hand. And that as long as his relics are with us, the inhabitants will not risk anything."
As long as his relics are with us ...
"Do you practice worship? Without indiscretion ?" the Guardian questioned them without an ounce of hostility.
"No" said Wing after a pause. "I mean…The place where we are from worships Primus."
The Guardian nodded, looking very interested.
"So much better that you are so curious enough to come here. Arkus is very unknown in the universe, unfortunately."
A guard passed near them. He gave them a wary glance as a warning before continuing on his way.
Was that what Dai Atlas had planned? Wing thought bitterly. Had he considered such a worship? Such protection?
Bumblebee and Wing shared the same state of mind. If the Diamond of Adaptus were really here, it would be difficult to retrieve it.
" You are late "
The ship had landed at the entrance to Arkus. Scorponok kept his arms crossed, letting his comrades come to him. Hardshell opened the door and when he found himself in front of the scorpion, the war commander gave him a scornful hiss.
"You have no comment to give me, sub-Insecticon. If you had not failed during your last mission, we would not be here to compensate for your incompetence."
Saberhorn saw Scorponok tick slightly at this statement. The scorpion gave him a soft grunt but added nothing more when Hardshell's wings flapped behind him, which suggested an imminent fight if he pushed him to the limit. Saberhorn read his thoughts. Even though Scorponok was not a coward and hated those acting as such, he knew he could not defeat the war commander. If he wanted to return to the Sanctuary, he had to keep quiet and let it flow.
"The Queen is very unhappy with you," Hardshell added. "You are lucky that she is so lenient after your failure. Because if I were the one who reigned on the Sanctuary, I assure you that I would not have given you a second chance."
"I have no doubt about it. Our Majesty is too good."
"And if we go?" proposed Saberhorn, wearily.
The three Insecticons set out for the City. As they walked through the alleyways, Hardshell gave a scornful sniff at the locals, some turning around as they passed. However, they dared not let anything appear since Hardshell threatened them with his optics. This was enough for them to move away quickly.
"I do not know what's the worst for me," Hardshell growled. "The fact that I see standards having the good life while we are the ones struggling to survive ... or being stuck with incompetent sub-Insecticons."
The beetle was taking on him. Still, it became more and more difficult to endure these remarks.
"Me too, I love working with you, Hardshell," he squeaked, his tone jaded.
He paused thoughtfully. He thought back to the pictures drawn by Glowstrike and her words about the Insecticons.
"... It seems that each of us has standard energon in our lineage" he said.
"To say that you are supposed to be cultivated, you dare to utter such stupidities? We see that you are only a woodlouse without any intelligence. But it does not surprise me from someone who left one of us to die on a mission" Hardshell spat.
Saberhorn clenched his fists, without answering. He was much more cultivated than this brute, thank you very much. But he could not afford such an answer. He knew how to endure insults to him after all. This was not the case for everyone.
As they circled the corner of the alley, Hardshell voluntarily kicked a passer-by who was praying on the steps of a Temple. The latter groaned in pain as Hardshell ignored him, continuing his way.
"Really, but look at that" he taunted. "Now, everyone can invent a Cult and practice it without any shame."
"Indeed, what a disgrace," said Saberhorn, sarcastically.
In fact, he did not care about everyone's worship. Everyone was free of his beliefs but for his part, Saberhorn did not believe in Primus.
Primus would never let such misfortunes happen on his own creations.
"Better get the artifacts. Thus, the only worship they will practice will be that of our beloved Queen."
The scorpion sighed, his voice rising again.
"The Diamond would be in a place called the Adaptus' Fall."
"I wonder what his power is," inquired Hardshell curiously.
"According to Gasket's data, it would be able to show our deepest desire," reported Saberhorn, absent-mindedly. "It's rather terrifying, right?"
Hardshell smiled.
"My deepest desire ... the thing we love most ... The choice is made" Hardshell chuckled.
Scorponok and Saberhorn exchanged a glance.
He was thinking of the Queen, certainly.
"I wonder what yours is," the war commander chuckled at them. "Well ... if you know it yourselves."
Then he stopped walking. He faced the beetle.
His scornful smile widened to his audios. Saberhorn frowned, not understanding. His voice rose again.
"It seems that you offer gifts to the Sanctuary's frigid to court?"
Saberhorn took a breath, trying to calm down.
"It is not your business in any way."
"Indeed, it's mine. It's Scorponok's too."
The scorpion simply shrugged.
"I do not care, you know. He does what he wants."
"Wondering how many mechs she has practiced the interface with" scoffed Hardshell, condescending.
Jaw clenched, Saberhorn preferred not to answer. He understood the Hardshell game. It was about getting him out of his hinges.
"Frankly, you're pathetic," shouted the war commander. "You're courting the only female with a malfunction in the processor."
"Why does it interest you?" Saberhorn asked calmly.
"Well ... I'm interested in a comrade, as you say so well," said Hardshell, patting him on the back, as a sign of mockery. "She has no emotion, after all. And you, you decided to woo her while you will get nothing in return."
Saberhorn closed the optics.
All this ... he knew it. But it was unbearable coming from Hardshell's mouth.
"She is free to refuse my invitations," said Saberhorn.
"She should not be the only one to have a malfunction in the processor, then."
He did not care. He was used to Hardshell's pathetic and disgusting remarks.
What he wanted? A quiet place. With the person he loves. The rest mattered little.
It would probably be what the Diamond of Adaptus would show him, if he were to show him an illusion of his deepest desire.
He was sure of it.
Yes ... as long as he and Glowstrike survived, the rest barely mattered.
Hardshell took his chin, continuing his walk.
"Hmm ... I wonder."
"What?"
"I wonder if I can get something out of it."
It was as if the pirate no longer possessed his own body.
A feeling he thought he had lost since he was a commander of a pirate crew.
Saberhorn's fist went straight into Hardshell's face.
The war commander hadn't expected it. Oh yes. He had not expected a sub-Insecticon to dare to hit him and succeed when he least expected it.
Hardshell pulled back in shock, holding his face. Saberhorn stared at him, bubbling with fury. He expected a counter-attack. The next moment, Hardshell gripped him violently by the neck, pushing him against a wall, tightening his grip.
"YOU DARED HIT ME, YOU VERMIN?"
Saberhorn coughed. Still, he smiled.
"You dare to call me pathetic ... but in the meantime, who is the one who is courting a Queen who will never love him?"
"Do not talk about what you do not know !"
His grip almost choked him.
He did not care. He could threaten him as much as he wished, he would not threaten Glowstrike in his presence.
If he could do so much harm ...
"First news, Hardshell ... Airachnid would have mated with a standard, according to rumors" continued Saberhorn, his laughter dying in his throat. "And she would even keep a picture of him in her stuff."
"Shut up!"
"It hurts ... to know that your beloved Queen had mated with someone who is one of the standards you hate so much?"
"I TOLD YOU TO SHUT UP!"
"that's enough !"
Scorponok had interfered.
He was showing something in the distance ... the wheezing, Saberhorn could only follow optics as his digit pointed.
A monument ... in triangular form.
"We're almost there," the scorpion squeaked. "The mission matters. Remember it."
"Hm."
"The Queen must retrieve these artifacts."
His words hit home, since Hardshell released the pirate a few seconds later. Saberhorn fell to the floor, coughing violently to catch his breath.
When he straightened up, he did not see Hardshell's fist returning to his face. Saberhorn found himself against the wall, his body trembling.
The energon almost barred his view. He had apparently opened his forehelm. Even though his audios were whistling at the moment, he distinctly heard Hardshell's words.
"I swear you're going to pay for this"
He turned around.
Despite the pain, Saberhorn could not help but laugh. A laugh mixed with nervousness but with a lot of fun too.
He deserved it.
Surely ... but Hardshell deserved nothing but contempt.
"Here are the relics that were discovered on Arkus by the first inhabitants."
Besides the glow from small lanterns surrounding each of the relics presented by the Guardian, the room was plunged into darkness. Wing, Bumblebee and Rung stood in front of the remains of a deeply ancient T-Cog, but which had not been affected by Rust despite years.
"This is his first T-cog. The very first that allowed his creatures to develop their ability to transform themselves. "
A smile appeared on Rung's face.
"Awesome," he began.
The Guardian led them to another object, kept in a crystal window. It looked like part of a spark's chamber. Wing's interrogations were confirmed when the Guardian told them that it would be the chamber imprisoning the spark of Adaptus.
"According to the legend, the spark of Adaptus has really never extinguished. There would always be a glow somewhere inside."
It was obvious that the Guardian was a passionate individual. And it was clear that he believed what he was saying. His enthusiasm was enough for the trio to drink his words attentively. The Guardian presented them in turn various objects that Adaptus would have left on Arkus: his legendary forge, his imprint in a sand tablet dating back several millennia, his first writings for the attention of his disciples ...
As they approached the end of the visit, the pace of their sparks accelerated.
At the last object, the Guardian gave them a wink. Worry rising within his being, Wing could not help interrogating him directly.
"Adaptus did not leave other relics?"
The Guardian smoothed his chin, pensive.
He seemed hesitant about the answer to give.
"…Well. There is another item. But it is very precious."
"Another item?"
The Guardian nodded. Rung took a step.
"Can we see it?"
"Well ... I'm not supposed to. This is the most valuable object of Arkus."
"The most precious ?" Bumblebee smiled, hope returning to the team. "And you will leave us in the interrogation?"
"Visitors do not have access," whispered the Guardian, amused.
"Please…"
Wing offered him beaten bird optics. An air that Beak adopted to perfection. He hoped that this imitation was enough.
The Guardian hesitated again. But fortunately, it did not last long.
"Very good, follow me. But not long."
Wing and Rung exchanged a victorious smile.
The Guardian led them to a door anchored in the wall. He dialed a ten-digit code out of sight. The door opened in a long squeak.
The trio was astonished to see a elevator in progress, ready to use.
"I must warn you," said the Guardian, "you may lose yourselves."
"Losing yourselves?" repeated Wing.
The doors of the elevator closed.
Then, the latter went down.
They thought it would never end. It was as if the elevator was going down to the center of Arkus.
Yet they knew that was not the case. When the elevator finally stopped, the doors opened on a large dark room, lit by a strong red glow.
A red glow ...
They looked up. In a large crystal window, something was locked inside.
That was where the source of light came from ... Wing took a step. He heard a heavy crack under his pedes.
He lowered his optics. He suppressed a cry of terror when he realized what it was.
"What is that ?" Bumblebee shouted as he joined him.
A corpse on the ground ... that of an inanimate bot. Their optics had long since gone out and Rust had already invaded their empty corpse.
"... The reason we preferred to lock the Diamond," said the Guardian gruffly.
"Why?"
"Those who come down to the basement here may not come to the surface."
The Diamond of Adaptus locked people into an illusion ...
Wing tried not to look at the corpse. He tried to focus on the light source.
Inside the crystal ... The Diamond, red as a sunstone.
Wing blinked, slightly dazzled by such a gleam. He walked towards the artifact, followed closely by his comrades.
As they advanced, the Diamond became bigger and bigger. Wing could not help thinking that it was the same feeling that had crossed him when he'd put his optics on the Crown of Solomus the first time.
The same sacred character, unapproachable.
"It's the very first thing we've discovered," said the Guardian. "The symbol of Arkus. The seal of our worship."
Which explained the red diamond ...
It was the Diamond of Adaptus.
"We preferred to keep it safe."
"You feared that ... Someone will steal it from you?" Rung asked him.
Wing did not hear the Guardian's answer.
A hissing sound took him to the audios. The white bot frowned, trying to focus on the exchange. For now, he only saw the artifact.
"We give the choice to the visitors" they heard the Guardian, in a voice that sounded like an echo. "We always give them the choice."
"The choice?" Bumblebee asked.
"Adaptus has many powers. He has always left to his creatures their free will but that does not prevent him from judging their spark, their soul."
It was strange ... everything was getting darker around them ...
"It is said that Adaptus would appear to souls giving out the purest feelings."
The Diamond of Adaptus locked people into an illusion ...
Dai Atlas said that the artifact revealed what each person wanted most inside him ...
"You say that as long as the items are present on Arkus, you will not risk anything ..." he heard Bumblebee again.
Wing was trying to talk.
No sound emanated from his throat.
"What happens if you do not have these items anymore?"
Again, this hissing ...
He did not hear the Guardian's answer.
Then, silence.
No more sound.
"... Bumblebee? Rung?"
When Wing turned, he found himself in the dark.
Bumblebee, Rung, the Guardian ...
They had disappeared.
Wing was alone.
Is this really what you want?
This voice… Who was talking to him now?
He gazed around him. Even though it was getting dark, the sky was still clear.
He did not know where he was.
All around, flowers. A field of flowers ...
In the distance, a lake. Lake Tekapo. The one he went to visit with Father John.
So, he was on Earth?
Wing walked across the field, trying not to spoil the purple flowers around him.
Your deepest desire ...
Wing stopped. A silhouette in the distance was discerning.
When Wing called, the figure turned around.
His pupil. Drift.
Wing's spark flew on seeing him. Drift smiled tenderly, letting the white bot approach.
Noises ... all around him ...
Whispers, murmurs ...
Wing continued to approach. Drift was not going away. He let him come.
Then, earlier than he had expected, Wing found himself facing Drift, only a few meters apart.
"... I thought you would not come," Drift told him.
"You were waiting for me ?" asked Wing.
"Always, Wing. I missed you."
I missed you…
Wing realized how much he'd missed Drift too.
All this absence ...
"... I did not want you to leave the Crystal Cities," said Wing sadly.
Dai Atlas had exiled him. He had exiled him because Drift had defended himself against a bounty hunter.
Against Lockdown ... He'd killed him ... and in punishment, Drift was exiled from the Circle of Light.
"I am sorry… I'm sorry I could not stop that. For not being able to stop you from leaving."
Is this really what you want?
I wish everything to be back as before ...
"... I hope you come back" said Wing honestly.
He had not been sincere ... He had not been sincere once since leaving. Even when they had recently found themselves on Cybertron ... Wing had hidden his feelings so as not to ruin everything. He had hidden his feelings to pretend to be an understanding person, who wanted nothing more than to see his former student happy.
Nothing more. Drift came closer.
"I wish you to come back ... let's start all over again ... like if you never left ..."
"I know. Me too. This is one of my deepest regrets ..."
The regret that their story ended that way.
Wing took a breath.
Those words ... He had the impression that he had not spoken them for ages.
"... I love you so much, Drift."
Yes… When he would die, those feelings would die with him. Not before.
Drift gave him a soft smile.
"Me too ... I love you too, Wing."
Instinctively, Wing wrapped his arms around Drift, who gladly returned him his embrace. Immediately, their lips met, found themselves. Like an automatism, Wing and Drift kissed as before.
It was first of all a light touch, until Drift deepened it.
"Hmm ..."
Their kiss quickly became more passionate, Drift's glossa penetrated gently into his lover' mouth. Their lips parted, before meeting again.
In their embrace, Wing caressed the back of his former student, his caresses becoming more and more insistent as their kisses went on.
It was like before ... like before ...
Soon, Wing was drawn forward. Still entwined, he and Drift fell together on the ground, in the flowers. They laughed out of joy together, before Wing cut the orange bot in and kissed him again.
"I love you," Drift repeated between kisses.
"Hmm ... me too ..."
Like before… Wing wished it would never end. Their glossas met again, their mouths opening to taste each other.
Wing could not stop a whimper when Drift's servo went lower on his chassis.
"Haah ..."
We always leave them the choice.
Like the old days… Yes. Wing would still love Drift.
He wanted him ... he wanted to live with him ... to bond with him ...
The white bot suddenly broke the contact. In front of Drift's disenchanted air, Wing could only smile at him sadly as an excuse.
Yes ... it was before. Today ... they had changed. Everything had changed.
"Wing?"
"... Forgive me, Drift."
He pulled away from him, sitting in the flowers.
"... I would have really liked ... that we continue to be together. I wanted us to continue our story. But I know that ... that would not be right. Not for you."
"What do you mean?"
Wing rested his head against his shoulderplate.
"You have progressed well. You completed your training. And ... you have your life now. There is someone who ... needs you more than I need you."
It hurt.
It was painful ... it was painful to say goodbye to a love that had never left him.
But ... maybe it was better that way. He had to move on.
He knew that love ... meant to let the other go.
Drift looked down.
"…I am sorry."
"What? Do not apologize" Wing smiled, his optics blurring slightly. "This is the logical end Drift. And then ... nothing prevents us from seeing each other."
As long as he could continue to see him ...
"…No. I am sorry. For everything."
For everything… ?
Your deepest desire ...
Wing frowned. Drift ... was not his deepest desire?
The orange bot got up and offered him a servo. Wing caught it in his, and Drift made him stand up.
Behind him ... Something was discerning.
A silhouette ... much smaller than Wing, than Drift ...
Lights ... lights rising in the air. Like stars.
"…Who is it?" Wing questioned.
"…You know."
The person turned around.
It was a small Cybertronian. Very young. She was a child. Although her face was white, her armor was blue and gold. Her helmet was a black ponytail, while optics of the same color as her armor stared at the white bot.
She was smiling.
Wing felt ... empty. As if something had died in him.
"... Little Light" Wing guessed, articulating by monosyllables.
"Your daughter, Wing," Drift sadly stated.