Chapter 44: Darkness and Light

The tentative peace lasted through the night, allowing the warriors some sleep. It was finally time for the shift to change and the tired crew stood and stretched as their replacements entered the bridge. It had been a long and uneventful night.

Suddenly a muted alarm sounded on the long distance surveillance monitor. The tired soldiers were suddenly alert as they spun toward the screen. What they saw sent a shock of excitement and trepidation through their core: Over two score ships, almost twice the number of Furyan battle ships, were entering the Incendia System. The small crew gathered before the surveillance screen, each wanting to get a look at the enemy that had nearly destroyed their world. Every breath was held as they saw the immense fleet flying in battle formation toward the helpless planets.

The room abruptly burst into movement as each man and woman rushed to their station; double checking results, checking in with the rest of the armada, alerting the others to the arrival of the Necro fleet, and informing the war leaders. Within minutes every war leader was standing in their perspective flight decks, watching the advancement of the oncoming armada. They were not worried about detection yet; they had the element of surprise and were hidden behind a large dead planet; virtually undetectable. Instead, a barely restrained excitement vibrated in the air as the warriors got the first glimpse of their enemy.

Riddick, Kyra and Aeron entered the bridge of their ship; turning instantly toward the surveillance monitors. Now that the Necromonger fleet was closer, the Furyans could see that the fleet was made up of seventeen massive battleship cruisers, four of the tall, evil Necromonger basilicas and, nestled in the center of this deadly armada, was the flag ship; a huge, black colossus, deadly and graceful, designed to poison the hearts of its victims with fear and despair.

As they watched; the vast, powerful Necromonger fleet split into four groups, spreading apart and closing in on the still unsuspecting planets from their night sides, cowardly hiding in the planets' shadow for the attack, robbing the planets of any chance to launch what would be a futile defense.

Riddick gave the word and the Furyan war leaders acted as one: The time had come. With the utmost skill, the Furyan fleet left the shelter of the large planet and rushed in for the attack.

Very little record of the battle has ever been found. The rumors that do fly across the Universe are hardly believable, so great are their claims: It was said that the great battle lasted for several days, continuous and without rest. The citizens of the Incendia System watched in awe as the amazing battle unfolded before them. Many brave men and women from Incendia eventually joined the ranks of the Furyans after the nature of the enemy was known, and many of them consequently died the deaths of heroes.

It has been said that the people of Incendia had to take shelter from the constant barrage of torn and twisted metal as Necromonger and Furyan ships alike fell into their atmosphere and crashed onto the treacherous planets.

It is said that after the Necromonger fleet had nearly wiped out the much smaller Furyan opposition, a great Furyan leader led the small remaining band of Furyan warriors into battle where they slaughtered the Necromonger commanders inside the impenetrable Necromonger flag ship. The tales say that blood ran thick on the evil, black stone floors as a thick darkness filled the halls.

This action alone, it is claimed, led by a man who is said to be more god-like than mere human, a man who could see in the thickest of darkness, a man who fought like the devil side by side with an equally lethal woman; a claim in itself one hardly dares to believe; brought hope and peace back to the Universe.

All that is known for certain is it was an epic battle; the two most lethal races in the history of the Universe clashed; fighting not for right or wrong, but for vengeance, for supremacy, and for the right to exist.

The Furyan race disappeared once more into legend after destroying the Necromonger scourge, but because of their strength and courage, we are still here; the Universe continues, and the rule of death is ended.

Riddick stood looking out over the lush and wild landscape of Furya. The sun was beginning to set and the two moons were rising high into the sky; birds were singing their final songs of the day and a soft breeze rustled the leaves of the towering trees. The soft twilight allowed him to watch the world fall asleep without his protective goggles and for once on this peaceful night he had them, though readily available, in his pocket and not resting on his forehead.

Kyra walked out onto the patio, joining Riddick with little Brac resting on her hip, still graceful even with her quickly growing belly. Riddick looked down at them when they stopped beside him. Reaching out to her, he took Brac, relieving the extra weight from Kyra's already tired back, and pulled Kyra close with his other arm.

It was finished. No longer did Riddick and Kyra have to look behind them for the mercenaries and those who would profit from their deaths and captivity. After the Necromongers had been destroyed, the Universal government had granted them both a full pardon; granting them their life and freedom.

It would not be an easy existence they knew, they both had many enemies and there would always be those who would try to do them harm. The Universe was a dangerous place, and their children would be raised ready and able to fight for their survival and beliefs, but for now they were together and they were content. After decades of struggle, fear, death, and pain, Riddick and Kyra now had what they had fought for, for so long; a home, a growing family, peace, and freedom.

Standing proudly in the fallen night, they surveyed their world; strong, defiant, dangerous, free, darkness and light.