Hello everybody. Acxa is curious, how Ronan would have tried to solve their problems and she got an offer, which she never ever had expected. I wish all of you a lot of fun with this chapter.
Make It Stop
Acxa observed Ronan on his seat. Pidge was already in the cockpit to prepare take off. Krolia had joined Keith in the black lion and so Acxa, AMRASU and Ronan were alone. The man had closed his eye and was rubbing the fingers of his left hand with the left thumb. She wasn't sure, whether it had been Jessy's or Kathy's efforts for her. Or Veronica's. Or maybe Ronan's, but she wanted to know it, before the mission would start.
"How Ronan?"
The man turned to her with an observing look.
"How would you have solved the problem? What was your plan for the duel? What in the whole universe could compensate a loss like yours?"
He sighed, almost like a teacher, who had to explain the simplest thing to a child over and over again.
"Nothing could compensate my loss, Acxa."
Her face turned into a mask of shock, but Ronan stood up and walked over to her. He took place beside the woman.
"Can you imagine anything, which would compensate your losses, Acxa? Anything, which would compensate your dead parents, for example?"
The eyes of the Galra filled with tears and she shook her head with a weak motion. To her surprise, she felt Ronan's arms wrapped around her shoulders and the man pulled her close, so she was able to rest her head on his shoulder.
"See, that's the bitter truth. And accepting it, is my daily struggle. Our daily struggle, I think."
His voice had a soft strength and he gently rubbed her shoulders. Acxa did her best to keep herself from sobbing and for now, she was successful.
"So I have asked myself, what could at least compensate a part of this pain. Fulfilling Abby's last wish, is the answer for me. You have killed me and my family, Acxa. What could hold up enough honor to purge this guilt. Helping rebuilding a new one was my final idea. I have seen you with Kathy. And I have seen you with Veronica. It's a chance for peace for both of us."
Acxa jumped up in shock and confusion. She stared at him in total disbelieve. It dawned her, what he was up to, but she simply couldn't believe it. He gave her a weak laughter.
"It would be the harder way. For both of us. But Kathy has already welcomed you to the family. You have felt it, too. And war has taught me, that there is always a place for one more or two. A new life for my old, Acxa. A new family for my old one. Become part of us, of our family, to build something new. Help me to make the rest of our lives filled with happiness and peace. Let us help each other to live with our 'outchies', like Kathy would say."
Acxa still stared speechless at Ronan, with silent tears running down her cheeks. The man continued his explanation.
"I could be impulsive, Acxa. You would have to deal with days of anger and accusations from me, I'm sure. But you would also have my compassion, my help and my guidance, if needed and wanted. And not only from me, from all of us. We care for us in our family. And I'm sure we could work it out on long term. Together. We could become part of your strength, like they are part of mine."
He gave AMRASU a sign and the robot walked over to him. A case opened at the side of the machine and Ronan took something out of it. Acxa took a teary gasp, as she recognized her blade. The man pulled the palm of his hand over the sharp edge. It started to bleed, instantly. He offered her his right bleeding hand and the heft of her blade with his left.
"I know, the Vocazz is ruined, but I don't care. You're worthy, Acxa. Worthy to get a chance. Take my offer and reclaim your honor. Help me to find some peace. Don't let me down in my struggle."
Acxa stared with open mouth at his hand and at her blade. She was shaking heavily, but she felt Ronan's look resting on her. Her mind was blanc.
"Kathy, Veronica and your friends have opened my eyes for your scars, Acxa. Freyda and Jessy have given me the idea and their approval to give you this offer, now it's your turn. Will you help me to find some peace? Do you dare to make it stop today?"
Acxa almost stumbled, as a teary sob escaped her mouth. She pressed her hands before her mouth to muffle the next ones. Ronan's begging eye was filled with tears as well. He stretched himself a bit further to repeat his offer. His look was focused on her shaky hands, as the Galra reached out for her blade. She barely managed to raise it up before her eyes. Ronan's blood was to be seen on the sharp edge.
"Do you think, I deserve it, Ronan?"
His strong and gentle smile grew on his lips.
"The hard work, the quarrels, the worries and responsibilities? Everything what is needed to make this idea working? Why do you think, you don't?"
Acxa focused on her blade with quivering lips.
"I don't offer you a free way, Acxa. It's a hard way, but filled with honor and love. For both of us. I have sworn my Abby to make it stop. She helps me swallow my hate. Now what should it be, Acxa? Struggle or surrender? Risk or resignation? Who should have the last laugh, Acxa? We or War?"
Acxa closed her eyes. She tightened her grip around her blade as she took a deep breath in. The visions of her battles for the Galran Empire flashed through her mind. The fires of Tantalus. She could hear the mocking laughter of the faces within the flames. She opened her eyes again and her look got determent.
"We fight!"
She pulled the edge of her blade through the palm of her right hand with a fast motion.
"Together!"
Acxa grabbed Ronan's bleeding one with her fresh cut hand. She felt the firm grip of man tighten around hers and he placed his left hand over hers, too.
"May our blood clean your guilt, Acxa. An new life for an old, a new family for an old, to help accepting, what war has taken from us. To help to find some peace."
The Galra kept focused on his eye. She could see a new fire burning in it. Hope. He had already finished his words, as he got pulled in a close embrace by her. Acxa started to cry heavy tears of relief. She felt his hand rubbing gently her back.
"Now you see it, Acxa. Finally."