CHAPTER 34

"Thanks for the day…"

Wing turned back to Drift. They were back to the Circle of Light base. After stores' closure, they'd left to explore the other aspects of the underground Crystal City. There had been many attractions that they could have used for free. While Jetstorm and Slipstream had tried this thing called "bumper cars", Wing and Drift had just sat down to watch them while talking with each other. Wing had offered him to join them, as the white bot didn't care much about this kind of thing. Nevertheless, Drift had preferred to remain by his side.

That's better this way.

"You're welcome" Wing replied with a smile.

His spark went faster again. Drift decided to change of topic.

"So…They'll receive their weapons soon"

"You can trust me. I know this bot. He's a good smith."

Drift glanced back at Wing's blades, still in their sheathes.

"But you switched your old weapons with these ones."

"They are weapons belonging to the Circle of Light" Wing explained, grabbing one in a firm grip. A white and silvered katana. "Dai Atlas is the one who gave them to me. They illustrate the end of my training."

He came closer.

He noticed something that he'd never caught sight of before.

"Is it beautiful, right?"

The blade…was shining.

As if a spark surrounded it.

How could such a weapon-

"What is it?" He questioned.

Curiosity killed him.

"That's a Great Sword" Wing informed, handing it over to him. "It's our symbol, the very reason why we're named the Circle of Light. They are very powerful weapons because they are linked to the spark their owner."

"Their spark…"

So…That's the reason why all these sparkles were—

Drift couldn't believe it. How could these kinds of weapon exist?

He thought they could be easily replaced. Not for these actually.

"Any member owns one. Our spark's energy makes them way more powerful, depending of our faith's strength."

"Your faith? In Primus?"

Wing nodded.

"Not only Primus. Our faith in our members, our faith in our values…"

He added, his golden optics giving a meaningful look to Drift.

"Our faith in ourselves"

He understood.

That's the reason why they were skilled fighters.

The reason why he'd difficulties to reach Wing. Why he couldn't get closer to him during their trainings.

"That's treachery" Drift pointed.

"Not at all"

"You have an extraordinary sword. How can I defeat you?"

"You'll get your sword the day you'll have enough trust in yourself" Wing stated. "Not before. The sword is only a symbolism."

His expression went more reassuring.

"That's only a matter of time"

Trust in himself…

He wasn't sure it would happen one day.

But he got it. There was an interest in it. Especially when he got Wing's sword in his servos.

Because with such a weapon, he could defend Jetstorm and Slipstream against Shadow Raker if he ever went closer to them.

He would be able to do many things…

He followed Wing to the Dojo. It was time.

Drift nearly took his servo. Only to feel comfort…Such a presence, inviting him to embrace his own abilities…

Only to feel Wing…

"Come on. It's only a cube"

Axe found himself at the Atynx Market square again. At the same time as before. She'd said she would stay around during the entire day.

Indeed, he caught sight of her from far.

She was on a bench, a book on her knees, surrounded by young bots who were listening to her.

They looked passionate by what she's telling.

During one moment, Axe got the idea to join her in her lecture. But he didn't wish to look too pushy either.

So he remained distant. He stayed apart until Esmeral finished her reading.

Unlike their first meetings, Esmeral didn't act cold or distant. Not at all. She displayed a warming smile, a listening expression, up to everything. As soon as one of young bots asked her a question, her smile went bigger.

It made her prettier…Well she already was but…it made him forget about their situation. About the conflict.

"Really"

Esmeral walked ahead, servos on her hips.

"You really do well" Axe praised her.

"Come on. Are we here to talk about the books I gave you?"

She greeted him with a smile of complicity. They were on the same wavelength.

"By the way. Did you finish them?"

"Not all of them" Axe answered back, a slight guilt in his optics. "I have three books left."

"Oh. You are a fast reader"

She came near him.

"So. A cube?"

"Yeah"

He didn't expect it to be so easy, so natural…

Apparently, his interest in her wasn't one-sided.

He couldn't wait to know more about her.

"So…You're unaligned? You are factionless?"

Axe shook his head, taking a sip of his cube. They were on a bench, facing the desert in front of them, outside the Crystal Cities. It wasn't the best place but it was nice for a peaceful talk.

"No. It doesn't interest me."

"The conflict between Autobots and Decepticons isn't interesting to you?"

It wasn't an outraged tone. It was curiosity.

"Of course it interests me. But I don't want to pick a side. Neither for one or the another. They both have flaws."

He turned back to her. Her blue optics stared at the ground.

Hopefully he hadn't got her upset. Well…he actually did. But he had to be honest.

Yet…her reaction…

"Did you choose Autobot faction because you think they'll bring peace?" Axe asked in a soft voice, without any hint of sarcasm.

Esmeral shook her head.

"No…but I would have been unable to choose Decepticons' side."

There was something.

"Is it about Megatron's policy?"

"Because they slaughtered my old village."

Her servos went shaky on her cube.

Axe remained speechless.

They'd slaughtered her village…

That was understandable…she resented them…more than understandable.

"I'm sorry"

What else could he say? Maybe there was nothing else to say.

"…They killed my parents"

Hatred…that's something else he could sense in her.

"So…If I could be in the other faction…if I could oppose them…"

"I understand"

"I'm not sure" She dryly retorted.

Of course not. Axe's parents'd died a long time ago. Yet…

"I have a friend" He said. "His parents died too. He was very young when it happened."

He paused. Outrigger already knew, after all.

"They'd been killed by Decepticons. He survived because he'd hidden himself in a closet. He was in malnourishment the day we found him."

Now Esmeral was left speechless.

"Did you take him in?"

"Yes"

He let out a sigh.

"But that's not a reason for me to hate Decepticons. Well. I don't like them. But I feel the same toward Autobots."

"…What for?"

Her tone was icy.

"…I chose this colour, this independence, this neutrality…because I didn't want to judge people due to their part in one or another faction. That's how I view it. Everyone has the right to be viewed as a person and not because of a faction. You may not like my point of view but…Not everyone shall be put in the same bag. Both Decepticons and Autobots each committed atrocious acts."

Like the murder of Gasket…

At the same time, he was thinking of Drift. He was thinking of Dai Atlas as well as his point of view on both factions…

"But here what I think. There is good and bad in both factions." Axe stated. "Even though Autobots committed crimes, you do the reading for underprivileged children…you gave me books…"

It made her smile.

"And?"

"Well. It just illustrates the good in both factions."

Was there something with her cheekplates?

Yet it quickly vanished. Esmeral went thoughtful again.

"I know…you must think I'm a naïve fool" Axe said.

"No. You are not a fool. Far from it"

She stood up.

"You have a different way of thinking…but you have good points." She admitted, an approving nod.

"Everyone has their own ways of thinking…else we would already join the Allspark."

Till all are one.

"You're right"

Esmeral threw her cube away.

"Well…thanks for this moment. I…I must admit…I didn't think you were like this."

"Same for me" Axe smiled.

He cleared his throat, an awkward look on his face again.

"So…Will we meet each other again?"

"It depends."

"May I join you for a lecture, one day or another? You do well."

Esmeral froze for a few seconds. In the end, she accepted with a nod.

"If it allows us to see each other again…"

Axe bowed. He didn't dare do any move. He didn't take her servo. He didn't kiss her on the forehelm. It would be uncalled for.

In any case, he didn't regret it. Her backstory touched him.

And she'd moved on…while it mustn't have been easy…it made him admire her way more.

"So, what about your first experience with bumper cars?" Outrigger said.

Both Minicons chuckled.

"Slipstream nearly got me ejected!" Jetstorm said.

"Untrue! That's the big bot who chased after us!"

"yeah, yeah. Whatever"

Axe sighed with a smile. Young bots…well at least, they enjoyed their time. He remembered all these times where he'd brought Outrigger for a ride in bumper cars. He loved it every time.

Who knew? Maybe one day, he could bring all three of them for fun. Outrigger seemed to appreciate Minicons' presence and it wasn't one-sided.

He could give it a try.

He headed for his flat. He would start one of three books he hadn't read yet.

Behind, laughs went again.

Axe came inside. They were on his nightstand.

But as soon as he opened his berthroom's door, he nearly jumped while witnessing the scene.

Three books…torn off, pages flying around…

Smoke coming out…

Someone had got them burnt.