Emotional, vulnerable, insecure.
... for who would lose,
Though full of pain, this intellectual being,
Those thoughts that wander through eternity,
To perish rather, swallowed up and lost
In the wide womb of uncreated Night,
Devoid of sense and motion.
Agony Three months later. Rakurai sat on a coach in his dorm room, enjoying a day off when his communicator started beeping, urgently demanding attention. The Chief Administrator, Anndraia appeared on the monitor, Laenia standing in the background. "Cadet, come quickly. Ael has been attacked in her home !"
* * * He arrived at her home a few minutes later. Pushing and shoving everyone out of the way as he entered her sleeping quarters. The attacker was lying in the doorway, mirror shards protruding from his chest and neck. His dark purple clothing and a small ankh-like symbol on his hands marked him as a member of a former syndicate 'the Black Blood.' Ael led a raid against the Black Blood just two days ago. The bastard organization was effectively eliminated, their homes and 'business' offices were cleaned and converted to housing for the people of the city. Twenty- nine key players in the syndicate were captured. This one was not present at the kingpin's meeting for some unknown reason. He kicked the body. Now look what happened, he thought miserably. Rakurai looked around the room, a rather intense fight occurred here. Two chairs was laying on their sides. The full length mirror was smashed and used to eliminate the intruder laying at his feet. The room had a fuzzy carpet and a ceiling with a mixture of many shades of pink and purple. Lime coloured walls were decorated by dozen small gem-like stones. A pair of nurses treated Administrator Anndraia for shock and moderte injuries, nine Guardians in full combat armor patrolled the building, another two older Guardians just outside the door to her room. Doctor Dileia and Laenia still standing vigil around Ael's bed. Slowly, Ael opened her eyes as the doctor scanned her again. I have never seen anyone seem to be in so much pain. It's amazing she's still conscious. She is really strong-willed!, the doctor thought to himself. "I am sorry. There is nothing we can do. The poison is incurable, customized to your DNA." the doctor said mournfully to Ael. Cold sweat covered her forehead as Ael ordered the medical staff to leave. Laenia, Anndraia and the doctor treating her stayed behind. I'd be damned if my face shows the kind of pain I am in, she thought when she saw her partner, standing there, unsure of himself, unsure of what to do. "Rakurai, let me take a good look at you." Rakurai felt like he was hit by a boulder as he knelt at her bedside. Clearly shocked by what he was seeing and what he heard. "Don't talk like that Angelfish." "You have grown into an honourable adult. Thank you. I have to go." "Don't say that Ael !" "Other that you I have no family", she reached for her t'santari hanging around her neck and pulled it off. "Take it. Pass on my namesake." He started crying. "Don't leave me. Don't die." "Oh, Rakurai! You always did wear your heart on your sleeve, didn't you? I think that's what I liked best about you. Me, with the chip on my shoulder. You were the best thing in my life, and I will never leave you, really." She brushed his cheek with one hand, a show of affection. He almost recoiled, no one had ever touched him like that before. "Goodbye, Rakurai, goodbye. You have to guide someone too, you know." When he refused to do as she asked, she took his hand into hers, their fingers interlacing. The t'santari caught between them. She looked at him, "From now on you have to carve out your own destiny by yourself." "Take my ship and ..." she said, her voice dropping to a whisper as she fought the darkness clouding her mind, "get out of here." Her strength depleted, Ael closed her eyes. She passed out, but was still breathing. The room fell into a dead silence, punctured seconds later by Laenia's anguised wail "Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa !" Rakurai left the room and the apartment building. Burning fury, sorrow and pain nearly blinding him as he walks through the streets, on the very edge of breakdown and complete insanity. He thought of Ael, poisoned and dying in bed. She proberly feels terribly ashamed of dying in this manner. Always the fighter, her greatest trait: fierce determination. A crusader, champion of justice, a feared Guardian to those who pray on the innocent and the helpless, everyone who takes pleasure from harming and killing others. This ISN'T HAPPENING! The woman I love is dying and there was nothing anyone can do about it ? Sick with grief, and the injustice of it all, he tried to compose himself just enough to see the road ahead. His head turned towards the sky, he let out a scream of rage that could be heard 800 meters away.
Tears It offered little or no relief to everyone when the people who attacked Ael and Anndraia were captured. But it is too late now. The terrible deed has been committed, a hero has died. The unstoppable team, the perfect duo, Cadet Rakurai and the Guardian Ael Grene was no more. Laenia nearly cried herself to sleep in her room. Ael was so noble, so brave. In the service of others. Of an alien race. Maybe one that is not worthy such a gifted soul such as her's, protecting them. Now she paid the ultimate price of heroism. What kind of coward recruits five thugs to assist in an attack on a single person ? They obviously did not know Anndraia was visiting. But still, six versus two is hardly a fair fight. It was so cruel, so unfair. It was terrible to see her dying. Rakurai loved her dearly, how will he handle her death ? Imprisoned by her own thoughts, Laenia tossed and turned in a vain attempt to sleep, or atleast short-term shelter from this sensation, an unbearable ache and sadness.
* * * Rakurai stood alone on the Guardian Academy balcony. He has been standing here since sundown, staring at the sparkling stars now spreading across the sky in the sun's absence. Ael died an hour ago, her funeral to be held at sunrise. Laenia came to his side. "You can't sleep ?" She stared ahead as well. "What ... am I doing ?" He let out a long sigh, his eyelids were swollen from crying. "Everything seemed to be going fine... But now... Ael is gone. Of course I want to avenge her death, but what am I to do ? Should I fight ? If so, what for ?" A brief silence. "I have been pondering those questions almost every minute of every day since Jate died." Laenia finally answered, looking out across Termi's skyline, twinkling lights visible in some of the houses - candles set against a dark blue canvas. "And .... ?" "And, I just don't know." "Why are we here Laenia ?" She wiped out at a couple of tears. "Are we here because we believe we can change the world around us for the better. We do it, because it is who we are." she said, her hand across her t'santari locket hanging from a necklace, the Sentinel of Justice. "Have you forgotten ?" He felt and looked utterly defeated, "No. I have not forgotten ... Yet, I cannot stand this place anymore." A long silence. Laenia looked at him, "She gave the Landale to you." He nodded. "She said, Take it and get out of here." Another long silence. "Maybe that is a good idea. You better think it over." she said. She went back inside. Left alone with his thoughts, he started considering options. Where can I go ?
Hurt and Pain On the viewscreen, Nekise and Suelo looked at Rakurai with concern. "Since Ael died, I fear my own thoughts, I fear the feelings inside of me. I want to latch out, strike back. To kill." Rakurai admitted bitterly. "Little One," Suelo said with affection. "The emptiness inside of you, revenge won't make it any better. You think it will, but it won't. It'll only make the darkness swallow you whole." "Just hold on." Nekise said. "We will be there in four maybe five days." "I am leaving this planet tomorrow night. Going to Reees." Rakurai told his adoptive parents. "Why ?" both asked. "Reees trains pilots, it is something I always loved doing. If I stay here any longer, I might snap." "Stay there." Nekise said gently, but Rakurai cut him off. "I have made my decision. She was torn away from me. I must leave this place." he cried. He shut off the comm-link because they could respond. In the dark room he fell to his knees as he broke down, weeping again.
Requiem At sunrise; Zelan, Laenia, Anndraia and Rakurai was joined by sixtyfour others, most of them Guardians. Rakurai stood in front of his mentor's grave. After a few moments of painful reflection, he shared his dedication to her with the others, "Your life came, borne by a tide of blood and tears.
From that, you rose as a hero who worked to better lives
and saved countless for certain death and bottomless despair. Requiem to the Sacrifice
Ael, strong Ael
Bravery of a Lion... Essence of a Protector A woman that is a part of my Soul
She had the Heart of the magnificent Guardian
You did all that you could do for others.
Now beyond darkness, beyond time,
Your will to fight injustices still shines starbright. Watch over and protect us Ael.
We remember and love you." | |
Next Chapter
Consequences
Back to fiction
... for who would lose,
Though full of pain, this intellectual being,
Those thoughts that wander through eternity,
To perish rather, swallowed up and lost
In the wide womb of uncreated Night,
Devoid of sense and motion.
Agony Three months later. Rakurai sat on a coach in his dorm room, enjoying a day off when his communicator started beeping, urgently demanding attention. The Chief Administrator, Anndraia appeared on the monitor, Laenia standing in the background. "Cadet, come quickly. Ael has been attacked in her home !"
* * * He arrived at her home a few minutes later. Pushing and shoving everyone out of the way as he entered her sleeping quarters. The attacker was lying in the doorway, mirror shards protruding from his chest and neck. His dark purple clothing and a small ankh-like symbol on his hands marked him as a member of a former syndicate 'the Black Blood.' Ael led a raid against the Black Blood just two days ago. The bastard organization was effectively eliminated, their homes and 'business' offices were cleaned and converted to housing for the people of the city. Twenty- nine key players in the syndicate were captured. This one was not present at the kingpin's meeting for some unknown reason. He kicked the body. Now look what happened, he thought miserably. Rakurai looked around the room, a rather intense fight occurred here. Two chairs was laying on their sides. The full length mirror was smashed and used to eliminate the intruder laying at his feet. The room had a fuzzy carpet and a ceiling with a mixture of many shades of pink and purple. Lime coloured walls were decorated by dozen small gem-like stones. A pair of nurses treated Administrator Anndraia for shock and moderte injuries, nine Guardians in full combat armor patrolled the building, another two older Guardians just outside the door to her room. Doctor Dileia and Laenia still standing vigil around Ael's bed. Slowly, Ael opened her eyes as the doctor scanned her again. I have never seen anyone seem to be in so much pain. It's amazing she's still conscious. She is really strong-willed!, the doctor thought to himself. "I am sorry. There is nothing we can do. The poison is incurable, customized to your DNA." the doctor said mournfully to Ael. Cold sweat covered her forehead as Ael ordered the medical staff to leave. Laenia, Anndraia and the doctor treating her stayed behind. I'd be damned if my face shows the kind of pain I am in, she thought when she saw her partner, standing there, unsure of himself, unsure of what to do. "Rakurai, let me take a good look at you." Rakurai felt like he was hit by a boulder as he knelt at her bedside. Clearly shocked by what he was seeing and what he heard. "Don't talk like that Angelfish." "You have grown into an honourable adult. Thank you. I have to go." "Don't say that Ael !" "Other that you I have no family", she reached for her t'santari hanging around her neck and pulled it off. "Take it. Pass on my namesake." He started crying. "Don't leave me. Don't die." "Oh, Rakurai! You always did wear your heart on your sleeve, didn't you? I think that's what I liked best about you. Me, with the chip on my shoulder. You were the best thing in my life, and I will never leave you, really." She brushed his cheek with one hand, a show of affection. He almost recoiled, no one had ever touched him like that before. "Goodbye, Rakurai, goodbye. You have to guide someone too, you know." When he refused to do as she asked, she took his hand into hers, their fingers interlacing. The t'santari caught between them. She looked at him, "From now on you have to carve out your own destiny by yourself." "Take my ship and ..." she said, her voice dropping to a whisper as she fought the darkness clouding her mind, "get out of here." Her strength depleted, Ael closed her eyes. She passed out, but was still breathing. The room fell into a dead silence, punctured seconds later by Laenia's anguised wail "Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa !" Rakurai left the room and the apartment building. Burning fury, sorrow and pain nearly blinding him as he walks through the streets, on the very edge of breakdown and complete insanity. He thought of Ael, poisoned and dying in bed. She proberly feels terribly ashamed of dying in this manner. Always the fighter, her greatest trait: fierce determination. A crusader, champion of justice, a feared Guardian to those who pray on the innocent and the helpless, everyone who takes pleasure from harming and killing others. This ISN'T HAPPENING! The woman I love is dying and there was nothing anyone can do about it ? Sick with grief, and the injustice of it all, he tried to compose himself just enough to see the road ahead. His head turned towards the sky, he let out a scream of rage that could be heard 800 meters away.
Tears It offered little or no relief to everyone when the people who attacked Ael and Anndraia were captured. But it is too late now. The terrible deed has been committed, a hero has died. The unstoppable team, the perfect duo, Cadet Rakurai and the Guardian Ael Grene was no more. Laenia nearly cried herself to sleep in her room. Ael was so noble, so brave. In the service of others. Of an alien race. Maybe one that is not worthy such a gifted soul such as her's, protecting them. Now she paid the ultimate price of heroism. What kind of coward recruits five thugs to assist in an attack on a single person ? They obviously did not know Anndraia was visiting. But still, six versus two is hardly a fair fight. It was so cruel, so unfair. It was terrible to see her dying. Rakurai loved her dearly, how will he handle her death ? Imprisoned by her own thoughts, Laenia tossed and turned in a vain attempt to sleep, or atleast short-term shelter from this sensation, an unbearable ache and sadness.
* * * Rakurai stood alone on the Guardian Academy balcony. He has been standing here since sundown, staring at the sparkling stars now spreading across the sky in the sun's absence. Ael died an hour ago, her funeral to be held at sunrise. Laenia came to his side. "You can't sleep ?" She stared ahead as well. "What ... am I doing ?" He let out a long sigh, his eyelids were swollen from crying. "Everything seemed to be going fine... But now... Ael is gone. Of course I want to avenge her death, but what am I to do ? Should I fight ? If so, what for ?" A brief silence. "I have been pondering those questions almost every minute of every day since Jate died." Laenia finally answered, looking out across Termi's skyline, twinkling lights visible in some of the houses - candles set against a dark blue canvas. "And .... ?" "And, I just don't know." "Why are we here Laenia ?" She wiped out at a couple of tears. "Are we here because we believe we can change the world around us for the better. We do it, because it is who we are." she said, her hand across her t'santari locket hanging from a necklace, the Sentinel of Justice. "Have you forgotten ?" He felt and looked utterly defeated, "No. I have not forgotten ... Yet, I cannot stand this place anymore." A long silence. Laenia looked at him, "She gave the Landale to you." He nodded. "She said, Take it and get out of here." Another long silence. "Maybe that is a good idea. You better think it over." she said. She went back inside. Left alone with his thoughts, he started considering options. Where can I go ?
Hurt and Pain On the viewscreen, Nekise and Suelo looked at Rakurai with concern. "Since Ael died, I fear my own thoughts, I fear the feelings inside of me. I want to latch out, strike back. To kill." Rakurai admitted bitterly. "Little One," Suelo said with affection. "The emptiness inside of you, revenge won't make it any better. You think it will, but it won't. It'll only make the darkness swallow you whole." "Just hold on." Nekise said. "We will be there in four maybe five days." "I am leaving this planet tomorrow night. Going to Reees." Rakurai told his adoptive parents. "Why ?" both asked. "Reees trains pilots, it is something I always loved doing. If I stay here any longer, I might snap." "Stay there." Nekise said gently, but Rakurai cut him off. "I have made my decision. She was torn away from me. I must leave this place." he cried. He shut off the comm-link because they could respond. In the dark room he fell to his knees as he broke down, weeping again.
Requiem At sunrise; Zelan, Laenia, Anndraia and Rakurai was joined by sixtyfour others, most of them Guardians. Rakurai stood in front of his mentor's grave. After a few moments of painful reflection, he shared his dedication to her with the others, "Your life came, borne by a tide of blood and tears.
From that, you rose as a hero who worked to better lives
and saved countless for certain death and bottomless despair. Requiem to the Sacrifice
Ael, strong Ael
Bravery of a Lion... Essence of a Protector A woman that is a part of my Soul
She had the Heart of the magnificent Guardian
You did all that you could do for others.
Now beyond darkness, beyond time,
Your will to fight injustices still shines starbright. Watch over and protect us Ael.
We remember and love you." | |
Next Chapter
Consequences
Back to fiction