Chapter Twenty-One: Home

Chapter Twenty-One: Home

"Mother? Mother!" Isabel raced into the room, Max jogged alongside her. Lara lay across the bed, a wound on her forehead. "What happened?" Isabel cried, looking to Tess for answers. Tess shook her head, her eyes wide with tears. "I – I don't know. When you ran out of here, she went after you. I didn't know what to do. Then, I heard her scream and I found her like this. Isabel, I'm so sorry, I should have followed her, I should have done something." Max knelt next to his mother on the bed. "Isabel," he called softly, "she's not breathing." "No," Isabel whimpered, joining him on the bed, "no, she has to be, Max. She can't be dead." Max reached across their fallen mother's body and took Isabel's hand. "She's gone, Iz." Isabel continued to shake her head in disbelief. She stretched out alongside her mother and rested her head on her chest. "I'm sorry, mother," she whispered, and began to cry.

**

Max shut the door behind him and stood in the corridor with Tess. She touched his shoulder gently. "Are you going to be okay?" she asked softly. He looked down at her, his eyes brimmed with tears. "Yeah." He wiped his eyes. "Right now, I have to get back to my people. And we have to find Michael." "I'm right here." They turned. "Michael!" Tess cried. He came towards them, sweat dripping from his face, his hands bloodied. "Are you hurt?" Max asked, holding his own wounded side. "Nah," Michael explained, "but the battle's over. The rebellion backed down. I killed Nicholas, and was informed that Kivar is dead. Once his troops heard it, they began to flee." "Yeah, uh, Isabel killed him." Michael's eyebrows raised in surprise. "She did? Wow. Where is she now?" Tess cleared her throat, pointing to the door behind them. "She's in there. The, uh, Queen Mother is dead." Michael's eyes flew to Max. "Seriously? Well … how?" Max looked at the floor and shrugged. "I don't know. I don't think we ever will."

Larek came striding down the corridor towards them. "Zan!" "What is it, Larek?" Larek stopped, looking at Michael. "You've given him the news?" he questioned, "the leaders of the rebellion are dead?" Max nodded. "Yeah, we heard. Good fighting out there, Larek." He shrugged sheepishly, a proud smile on his face. "Well, I suppose you'll be wanting to leave as soon as possible. We can have the granolith ready for you by morning." The door opened behind them and Isabel stepped out, her eyes red. "Not until we give mother a proper burial."

**

Max approached Larek after the funeral. "Hey," he said, slapping Larek on the back. Larek turned and gave him a small smile. "I just want to apologize again, Zan … Max. For deceiving you, for trying to keep you here against your will." Max looked out over the balcony. He searched the night sky. "Can we see Earth from here?" he wondered. Larek stood next to him, pointing his finger. "See that bright star right there?" Max nodded. "That's Earth. But you can't see it all the time." Max smiled. "You can't see Antar all the time either." He stared at the star. "It's so far away," he mused. He thought of Liz; pictured her sitting on her roof, staring at these same stars, trying to find his.

"Larek, there's something I need to ask you," he said, turning around, leaning against the wall. Larek raised his eyes in question. "I've spoken to you brother," Max began, "and he's agreed if you do." "Agreed to what?" Larek asked. Max gestured around him, at the palace, at the landscape, the city below. "We're leaving at dawn. I can't leave my people without a ruler." Larek was still confused and Max laughed. "You, Larek. I want to appoint you." Larek's eyes went wide. "Me?" he asked incredulously, "after everything I've …" Max shook his head, interrupting him. "Forget about that. I know you were only doing as ordered. If you wish to accept, your brother will take over your reign on your planet. You'll be the new ruler of Antar. Not the king, you're not of Royal Antar blood, but you will be sovereign, the supreme ruler. What do you think?" Larek was shocked. "Well, um … yes!" he cried, "of course. I accept." Max grinned. "Great. I know you'll do a great job. I'm just sorry I won't be here for your coronation." Larek reached over and gave Max a hearty hug. "I'll do you justice," he promised.

**

"Is everybody ready?" Max asked, as they stood before the pulsating granolith in the early morning light. Michael nodded, hands on his hips, impatient. Isabel and Tess took last looks around. "Goodbye mother," Isabel whispered. Then, they too, nodded their heads. The entire town was there to see their beloved Royals off. Max turned and nodded to Larek. With a last glance at his people, the palace, he touched the granolith with his hand. The four were transported inside and in a flash, they took off into the sky.