Well, here's the next chapter. I thought about what you said, Nutzoide, and tried to change to a less "objective" view. Telling Samus's memories from the viewpoint of younger Samus, with more emotion.Can't really tell if I did or not, so review and tell me.
Chapter 6: Of Blood and Understanding
The sound of gentle rain was carried in through the open window by a crisp breeze. The cool wind made the soft linen curtains sway as the sound drifted to Samus's ears. She was sitting upright on the edge of her bed looking out to the ocean. Pale, gray morning light fell on the floor at her feet, while she remained in the shadow.
Through her window Samus saw the ocean scene, like something out of a painting. The ocean and sky were of varying grays, the single color displayed in all its hues. Light mist and drizzle formed a cold fog low on the beach and the sound of cresting waves echoed in the distance.A sound like none Samus had heard before. All in all the sight was one of subtle distress and retrospect of brighter days. She could easily sympathize with the dark attitude.
Samus sighed deeply, the gloomy but beautiful ocean called to her. I've never been to the ocean before, nearly everywhere else, but not here.
Samus reached across the bed and grabbed the remote from the bed stand. She pushed a button and the wall opposite her bed lit up with the Galactic News.
"…it is 8:04 Polarian time here at the Galactic headquarters, the top stories of the day, in Yetre…" Samus tuned out as she stood by the window. Looking below her she could see a pavilion for eating, no one was there. Beyond the pavilion was a cliff, below that the sandy beach where the waves roared.
Eros's Ocean Resort was on top a cliff, not particularly steep or tall but still a cliff. The stretch of beach it was located on was full of dunes, far from any of Nebulon's noise. The sands rolled on, making the coast look like a second ocean.
Samus's interest was refocused she heard the word "Tallon IV" from the TV.
"…numerous Space Pirate facilities were found by Federation Troops last night during a routine sector sweep. Strangely, no Pirates were found to be living there and everything seemed deserted. TheTroops didfind evidence of battles though, such as forced enterance and Pirate bodies. The Federation is investing and we'll have more on that story later. Now to…"
Samus switched the TV off, she had heard enough. There was breakfast served in the lobby until 10 and she was hungry. Slipping on some jeans and her only sweatshirt, Samus put up her hair. She left a "privacy" tab on the door and headed downstairs.
Roughly 15 minutes later she sat alone out on the pavilion. It wasn't raining anymore, and the tables had been dried. Samus sat looking once more to the sea, eating an omelet. She took small bites, savoring each one. It had been so long since she had been served an actual breakfast.
Okay, what am I going to do for the week I'm here? She silently asked herself. I need to restock my inventory. Missiles, jet fuel, food for the ship. This time I'm getting some decent food, no darn granola bars! Soap, shampoo… she went on creating a mental checklist. This list, she had decided, would have to wait for tomorrow. She had no zeal for shopping in this weather today.
Samus finished her omelet and gently set the fork down on her plate. Studying the coastline through the haze, she noticed a hill amongst the dunes. It was far from the resort, even with her good sight it was blurry, and the mist didn't help. There was something about that hill, a feeling much like the one she had felt when she first saw Maelos's dark eyes. It was a feeling of inevitability and connection, one that's couldn't by conveyed with words. It was so strong now in Samus that she rose to travel on the beach to this place.
She exited the pavilion and strolled down the slope leading to the beach, not bothering to ask herself what she was doing. The sands on the beach were hard and packed in from all the rain, no longer soft and shifty like yesterday. This made for easy walking as Samus stayed above the tide.
Walking for what felt like hours and at the same time felt like only a few minutes, Samus pondered. She thought about her dream, reliving it numerous times. Battles reoccurred in her mind, her thoughts turning to death and what may lie beyond. It was thoroughly possible that she might die in battle, and if not there then in the course of her natural human life. Her own fragility frightened her, and she wished she could be back in her bio-suit, feel its power, and banish these thoughts of death.
The bleak sun was nearing its climax when she reached the hill. She stopped in front of it, and studied it. It stood isolated from the world, surrounded by high dunes on all sides. The side facing the sea was broken and steep, giving it the appearance of a miniature cliff. It was far from the high tides' limit, grass coving its top.
When she was done, she climbed to the top and looked around. The fog was gone, but the sky was still gray. Far in the distance, she could see the resort, high on the cliff. The waves were in low tide but still tall and violent. What a desolate sight.
Samus sat down on the cold grass while the wind billowed, blowing her sweatshirt around her. Her hair swirled and flew into her eyes. Not bothering to remove the strands, she started up with her thoughts again. I can't remember a lot about those first days, when the Chozo rescued me, she reminded herself. The hill though, with its strong feeling of understanding, seemed to promise her memories, so she tried.
She couldn't remember how many days it had been since she had killed the Space Pirate, maybe it hadn't been a day at all. She was rummaging through the debris trying to find something, but honestly, she didn't know what it was. Her mind was blank. She had became immune to the sorrow that filled her heart. It was so strong, that sorrow, that soon her eyes were dry; it was impossible to cry anymore.
I look for this thing, but can't find it. Soon I stop, too tired and frustrated to continue. I sit in the rubble, the smoke from the fires has covered everything in ash. I'm disgusted by the smoke and ash. It smells of charred flesh.
There's something coming, and immediately I take out my father's gun. I've kept it not just for protection but because I love him, and I want something to remember him by. I want to remember my parents; I want them back! Space Pirates, they took them from me, and I know they're coming back. This rage swells in me. If they come, I'll kill them all! It blinds me and scares me too. I've never felt like this.
Samus dropped her head into her hands. Back in reality she felt betrayed because soon that feeling would dominate her life.
Whatever it is comes around the corner. I don't even look, I just fire. I scream my vocal chords hoarse and charge. Suddenly, I'm down on the ground, my shots have turned and hit me. What? My rage stops as quickly as it started, now it's just confusion.
My chest hurts, that's where I was hit. I touch my chest with my hands, expecting blood, but there isn't any. I try to stand, but I can't. I hear something. This thing is speaking, and I try to listen while my head spins. I'm starting to black out. If it's a pirate, then I'm going to die. I don't what to die like this! Not before I get my revenge!
I can feel something lifting me up. Strong arms pull me tight to a soft chest. This isn't a pirate, I know it. I feel a sense of safety, and my thrist for revenge fails. This creature is here to protect me; I feel like I'm back with my parents.
The creature is speaking, and another is responding. Their speak is strange but not like the Space Pirates. These creatures that hold me, I can tell they are peaceful because their language is flowing and graceful. It's makes me think of how chopping my speak sounds.
I'm moving. My first instinct is to shout and kick, to get away, but I fight it. These things will help me. I'm sure of it. My sight is black and their voices start to sound distant. I wish I could still hear those voices, they're so comforting, but I can't. I'm being carried away, but I trust these creatures and I don't even know what they are. A voice in my head tells me I'm crazy for letting them take me from my parents, from my home. The pain inside me comes back, the sorrow fills me up. I feel safe but so sad.
All my senses are gone. I can't see or hear or feel the soft chest anymore, but, still, I know I'm crying. And it feels alright. This creature understands my grief.
When Samus came back to reality from memory she reflected on her rescue.
The creature that had held her to itself was a Chozo Warrior named Kerune, the mate of Chonena. They had become her Chozo parents, so it did not surprise her when she remembered her sense of safety. I feel like I'm with my parents.
She had no memory of the few days after that. She had been told later by Kerune what had happened. When he had found her and held her in his arms, he knew she would become their daughter. Kerune told her how she had fainted while he and his fellow Warriors had returned from K-2L with nothing but her. Immediately, she had been taken to the Grand Council where Tubela, the Grand Councilor, had ordered she be given an infusion of Chozo blood. This, Kerune had explained, allowed her to live with them. Their home planet was one of extreme terrain and altitude, so their blood would be needed to breathe in the thin air. Also, it gave her many health benefits, like her heightened senses and metabolism.
Samus could not remember that first meeting with the Grand Council, but she could remember the second…
It's been 6 days since Kerune rescued me, and, finally, I am ready to go before the Grand Council. I'm a little nervous, but not scared. I really like it here, on Creto. This planet is beautiful, a lot prettier then the research buildings back home. I guess I'll soon call Creto home, since Kerune told me he and Chonena are going to adopt me. I miss my parents, but I like these creatures too.
These creatures, they're really funny looking. They look kinda like birds, but walk like me. I really can't explain it. They wear long robes, made of the softest fabric I've ever felt. Softer even then my mom's silk dress. They gave me clothes like them too, except they had to be measured for me.
These creatures, they call themselves Chozo, are interesting. They are so different from humans. The way they do everything is different, more patiently and more peacefully. All the time I've been here they haven't argued once. Back at home, K-2L, they were always fighting, someone was always mad. It's not like that here, and I like it.
The Chozo, they also speak my language, the Common Tongue they call it. That's how I can understand them. It'd be really hard to try and speak their language, Chozian.
At that moment Chonena leads me into the Room of Council. It's huge!
Samus paused, recalling the Room of Council, a room she would often enter. She could recall it's scaling walls on the exterior, smooth and sleek. A Chozo Elder statue loomed over the entrance, the Chozian words for "May truth guide you" engraved below it. She remembered the inside-a massive, circular hall, its walls adorned with script of Chozo lore and Chozo statues. Samus remembered how intimidating the seats of the Grand Council were--a semi-circle of 13 large stone seats at the end of the hall, with several dark exits behind them. 12 of the seats were made of dark stone and covered in the names of the previous Elders that had sat there. The 13th and middle seat, was made of light stone and engraved with the names of all the Grand Councilors.
We walk in, and then I see the Grand Council waiting for me. Chonena stops at the door, and I stop too. Why did she stop? She tells me I must go alone and to have courage. So I keep going like she told me to; the butterflies in my stomach won't calm down.
I walk into the semi-circle and sit on the stone stool in its middle. I can feel the heavy gaze of the Elders fall on me, and I get goosebumps. I look at all of them and I'm relieved when I see old but gentle faces. Then Tubela, the Grand Councilor speaks to me.
"Samus," she says, "the Council is glad to see you so well. Tell us, how do you feel?"
"I feel fine," I say. My voice sounds small and weak in this big room.
"Have Kerune and Chonena told you of your infusion with Chozo blood?" she asks me.
"Yes," I reply.
'Do you know what that means?" she asks me.
"Ah, that I have your blood in me…"I say timidly. I know she wants me to say a certain something, but I don't know what.
Tubela smiles at my reply, and some of the other Elders do too. Tubela turns to the Chozo on her left, and he speaks. His voice is deep, and he speaks deliberately. I think he must sound funny when he laughs.
"No young one. The Chozo blood that now runs in your veins means that you are now one of us. This is your new home." He pauses so I can think about it. I decide it wouldn't be too bad, I can't go back to K-2L, there's nothing there.
"Kerune the Warrior and Chonena the Musician are now your parents. They will look after you as will the whole community and this Council," he continued. "You will live among us and participate with us in the daily life. You will learn our culture and be taught the Ways of the Chozo."
When he stops and the Elders look at me with their patient eyes, I don't know what to say. The butterflies are even more restless inside me, so I don't say anything. I don't know what to say. The Elder at the end of a row now stands up and walks over to me.
Gorbeta the Elder, is her name Samus remembered.
She comes and stands next to me, and I turn to look at her, wondering what she will do. I forgot how tall they are. She towers over me.
"I sense great things for you, Samus" she says to both the Council and me. "I can't see them clearly now, but I know you will learn and grow into both a great human and Chozo."
She looks directly at me, and I have to turn away. Her gaze is too strong, and I am too nervous. "There are great things in your future, Samus Aran, and you must be strong."
She looks at me for some time, then goes back to her seat.
I sit, completely unsure of what to do. I think, great things in my future? I try to imagine what she means, but there's not enough time. Tubela dismisses me, and I go home with Chonena.
The wind blew fiercely, and the waves were now at high tide. The sky was now a darker gray, and Samus knew it was time to leave. She was reluctant to leave though. She wanted to stay, but, inside, she knew she had to get back to the resort.
Slowly, Samus got up. Wrapping her arms around herself to fend off the wind, she started the long journey back, all the while thinking about the Chozo blood inside of her.