Light slowly came in through my closed eyelids. With a small groan, I forced myself to open them, but I had to close them again; arh! That light! It almost burned my cornea! I waited for the pain to subside before trying again, and this time it was much better. Ah. It was a neon light. Its artificial energy shone down on me, almost making my skin tickle, and the buzzing sounds it gave off disturbed my ears, which were now used to silence. When my consciousness reminded me what had happened before, I looked around me, almost expecting a sword to come at my neck. But no. I was in a small bed, in what seemed like a medical bay, with other soldiers on other beds around me. They were all injured, and while some were still sleeping, others were staring at me with a mistrust I had never seen.

Averting my gaze, I sat up in bed, and I saw the blanket that covered me. Even though it was a pink color, not very manly, it was so soft, I was almost amazed by its textures. My hand brushed against it and a small smile disturbed my once neutral face. I heard some noise at the door and I froze, my head lifting toward it almost mechanically. It was just a nurse, pushing a carriage with strange things that gave off a delicious smell. The nurse, a small white puffball like me with pink feet, went to every bed with a smile and offered a plate of food to everyone who was awake. The smell almost made me salivate from where I was in the corner. The nurse gave a plate to the solder missing a leg next to me and offered him some comforting words, but when she turned to me, she lost her smile. Without a word, she took a simple plate with a glass of water and put them on the small rack made for this in front of me, at the end of the bed. I watched her leave with an almost desperate look in my eyes, and I turned to my plate.

Whatever these strange things in it were, it smelled delicious and aroused my hunger once more. I approached the rack and took hold of the plastic fork planted in the food with my stubby arm. Without any fingers, many would have thought this to be hard to take things, but it was rather easy. Wait… Where were my gloves? I wore gloves before coming here! Did they took them away? And my armor? Damn it, everyone could see me entirely… I did not look at them and tasted the food. After days and days of flying in space with nothing to eat or drink, it was paradise. My eyes widening, I ate everything and drank the whole glass in a few gulps, almost choking on it. I took the time to taste every bite, to munch properly and run my tongue over everything that was going in my stomach. When everything had disappeared, I felt much better. I put the fork down and wiped my mouth, hoping I wasn't smiling ridiculously at this change of fate.

I tried to stand up, but the pain in my back came back, and even though it was much less worse than before, it still forced me down. What was wrong with my back? I could see that my arm had been bandaged and cleaned, but my back… My wings! Scared of everyone looking at them oddly, I closed them tightly and tried to hide them by wrapping the pink blanket around me. I found this position very comfortable and, without me knowing after only a minute, I found myself snuggling in the blanket. So warm…

"There he is, Sir, and awake at that," a voice suddenly said from the other side of the room. Even though it was quiet and almost timid, my ears still caught it and I looked up.

There, at the door, were a strange fellow of a turquoise color wearing a strange mask and the golden knight of last time.

"Thank you, Sir Nonsurat," said the golden one, tapping the other on the shoulder before approaching my bed.

I had to gulp down my nervousness and hold the blanket higher to hide my face as I watched all his movements. He had no malice in his eyes, but I did not like to be so close to a Star Warrior…

"So, are you feeling better?" he asked me, like we were friends or something close like that.

I did not answer directly; I kept staring at him and I tried to look angry, but I failed miserably. He came up beside my bed and put a hand on the mattress, observing it intently before chuckling lightly.

"I never liked these beds," he chuckled. "I cut one in half one day. Never liked the color of the blankets. I see you like them, though."

I looked down at my blanket and I feared my face flushed, before looking away with a silly look. Why was he telling me these things? He was so… calm. It was strange, but I preferred this to being angry with me for doing nothing.

"What's your name?" he questioned, crossing his arms. "Sir Galacta told me you were called Knight, but, that's not a name… or is it?"

My face flushed again; crap, I was caught before even saying anything. Do something!

"Hum… My name… huh… I don't know."

I could feel him raise an eyebrow behind his helmet.

"You forgot?"

"I forgot everything… I don't know where I am from, nor do I know why I was in space. All I remember is Nightmare sending demons after me, but no more before that…"

"I see… Nonsurat! Come over here."

The other knight, Sir Nonsurat I guess, left his place at a computer and approached us.

"Yes, Sir?" he asked, his voice quiet. Good, he wasn't the big voice type…

"Examine his head. I think there might be an injury or something. He seems to have lost his memory."

"Yes, Sir…"

Before I could even react, the turquoise knight was bending my head so he could take a look and I didn't say anything, feeling his hands travel back and forth on my head, searching something to prove I was saying the truth.

"There's nothing, Sir, but you should look at this…" he said, worrying me once more.

The golden one took a step forward and looked at my head as well, and I heard him murmur:

"By Nova… What is that?"

"We should bring him to the Council, Sir," Nonsurat proposed, stepping back. "They will be happy to hear the news."

"Yes," the golden one agreed as well. "I shall go and tell them we are coming with him."

"Wait!" I stopped them, waving my hands. "What are you two talking about? Is there something wrong with me? What's wrong with my head? Did you see something?" I ran my stubby hand on my skin, trying to feel something, but there was nothing… I didn't understand.

"We will move you from here," the golden one announced as Nonsurat left us. "You'll come with me to a better place, trust me…"

I stayed silent a moment, and as he was about to leave me, I popped the question that has been nagging me since I woke up.

"Can I keep the blanket?"

He laughed.

I couldn't help but feel nervous. Yes, I had my blanket with me, but as I saw the great warship approach our vessel, I felt like I was not at the right place. There were tons of other Star Warriors in there… The golden knight, Sir Arthur he was called, said he had a surprise for me. Somehow, I thought this was an unpleasant surprise as I watched the great ship come closer and closer. It was big, bigger than I thought anything could possibly be, and it was shaped more like a floating city. It was all golden, and on one side there was a name carved on the ship. Hirondalio. It was a good name, for a ship…

It wasn't long for the vessel I was in to find the entrance to the Hirondalio and it passed right through the protective barrier that surrounded it, entering the hangar. The ship slowed down until it came to a stop, and it slowly came down to the ground. I saw Sir Arthur wave his hand at me and I followed him, the only one I trusted here. He was a nice fellow, for a Star Warrior. I was happy I had my armor back. My mask was broken, but it still hid the top of my face, and my gloves gave off the look that I had fingers, and that I was older than what I really was. One of my shoulder pads was loose, but it could still hold for a while. Sir Arthur stepped out of the ship and I heard clapping and cheering. He must be well known here… But, when I stepped out after him, I heard quite the opposite.

"Demon!"

"Prepare your weapons!"

"Don't let it approach the general!"

Many soldiers raised their weapons, be it bows or guns, and took me as a target. I gasped and froze in my tracks in front of the ship, holding my bundle of pink blanket close to me. Sir Arthur quickly stood in front of me and raised his hands to calm down his soldiers.

"Stop it! Drop your weapons, you lot!"

Apparently, there were some novice with them for one young soldier panicked and accidently fired the pistol he was holding. The gunshot rebounded on some walls and everyone got on the ground, gasping and yelling, and before I could even see it coming, the bullet implanted itself deep in my shoulder. At that moment, I swear the world around me turned red. Everyone disappeared and auras replaced them, blending in different colors, but the young one who had fired was red. My enemy. Dropping everything I held in my arms to the ground, my instincts took over and I screamed like a beast. My wings unfolded, the sharp claw at the tip shining, and I propelled myself toward my target. I heard a scream, soon followed by more yells, but I couldn't understand what I was doing. What was wrong with me?

When my vision faded back to normal, I was facing Sir Arthur and was growling at his face like a possessed beast. I squeaked out and back away, but his hands held me in place.

"It's alright," he told me gently. "Don't panic, everything's under control…"

My shoulder was aching, and the young soldier was farther behind Sir Arthur, hidden behind two rows of more warriors. Did I scare him? Well, he did shot me… Without saying anything, Sir Arthur took my arm and took me toward a door, which slid open as we approached. He took me in a never-ending hallway where many soldiers passed by us and saluted their leader, and Sir Arthur lead me to some great hall where there was nobody around. The place was big, and one whole wall was used as a window, which had a perfect view of the closest planet. The hall had one well-made fountain in its center and some buffet near the end of the room; it was probably some lounge where people could relax and get food after a battle, or something. Sir Arthur took me over to the fountain and took a deep breath, letting go of me. I looked around in amazement for a short moment, before looking at him again. I rubbed my injured arm.

"What happened back there?" I dared to ask him.

His gaze turned to me and his eyes softened. He gestured me to come closer, and when I did he took my arm to inspect my wound. I groaned in pain when he took out some strange instrument from his belt and dig in the wound, making me gasp.

"It is nothing," he told me. "This problem of yours will soon be under control. It is nothing to worry too much about."

I tried to believe his words and heaved a sigh of relief when the bullet was taken out of my shoulder. In a bloody drop it fell in his palm and he bandaged my shoulder right after. Why was he helping me like this? I didn't trust Star Warriors and yet he didn't stop helping me?

"Tonight you will speak with the Council," he announced, making sure my wound was sealed correctly.

"What is that?"

"The Council consists of five Elders here in the Galaxy Soldier Army. They are old leaders that cannot go to battle anymore, and when my turn will come I will join them. They are usually the last resort when an important decision must be made."

"Why must I go in front of them?" I asked him, rubbing my arm. "Is my problem this important?"

He stayed silent a moment, and he reached out in his white cape.

"You'll understand once you see them," he told me, handing me my pink blanket, which I quickly held on to. He chuckled. "In the mean time, I will give you a room so you can rest. This must be hard for you, this change of fate…"

Without waiting for any more questions on my part, he lead me farther in the ship.

My room wasn't bad. Not bad at all. It was small, but I liked it that way. I had a simple bed, where I put my precious blanket, an empty dresser, and a table. It was very simple, but I already liked it for some strange reasons. I tried out the bed; soft enough and not too hard. Perfect! For reasons I was not aware of, Sir Arthur had locked the door on his way out, so I was locked inside until he returned. I sighed and unfolded my wings, stretching them and testing them. I then saw what was wrong with my back. One of my wings had its membrane ripped. It stung painfully when I stretched it and I closed it back again. Better not move it for a while…

I went to the table and took a look at the things on it. There was some paper sheets, and a feather to write next to a small bowl of black ink. I had never learned how to write… at least, I didn't remember if I did. Taking the feather in my gloved hand, I opened the bowl and then sat down on the small chair in front of the table. I took one of the sheet and drew it closer to me. I thought I remembered seeing people do it before, or at least I had a feeling of déjà-vu… I dripped the tip of the feather in the ink bowl and watched in awe the small droplet of black fall on the sheet, staining it. Biting my lip in concentration, I put the feather on the sheet and tried to write. It was harder than what it seemed to be. People could write as easily as talking, then why couldn't I? I tried at first some letter. An M… By the stars, this was hard… Alright, a B then… Much worse. Sighing, I put the feather down. I would ask Sir Arthur how to do it later. Ink stained my gloves and black spots covered them, making me sigh with annoyance. It was hard to keep them clean.

Later on that day, I heard the door click. I turned my head just in time to see Sir Arthur open the door. He gestured me to come over.

"It's time, the Council is ready to receive you."

These people were… creepy. Simply creepy. I already didn't like them. They were five old warriors, four men and one woman, each of a different species. Even though they held great wisdom in their eyes and war scars, they spooked the hell out of me. The place I was taken to looked like a judging place. The Elders were all behind a wooden desk on an elevated platform at the end of the room and I was in the very center of the place, surrounded by steps were a sort of jury sat near the walls of the circular room. Sir Arthur was among them. The lights closed, and only one remained open, the one above me, making me the only one visible and preventing me to see the others around me. Nervous, I just wanted to dig a hole and hide inside, or at least have my blanket with me, but I couldn't. I was here for a reason, and I would know what it is. One of the Elders loudly tapped the desk, bringing silence in the room.

"We all know why we are here," an old voice said, echoing around in my ears forcefully despite its age.

"Arthur, tell us everything," another spoke, this time the woman I thought. "How and where did you find this one?"

"Why did you insist on bringing him here? You know how dangerous he is. We heard what happened when he arrived."

"My Lords," I heard Sir Arthur begin from the shadows. "My soldiers saw him descend from space onto the planet Kristalliu, and reported seeing demons retreat back in space. Sergeant Galacta Knight brought him back to the camp, where it was proved that this young one had lost his memory."

"Memory loss, you say?" It was the same voice of the beginning. Another, more rasped and older, spoke up, making goosebumps run down my back.

"And what do you want us to do with an amnesia-struck run-away? He can fall back into his primary ways anytime, you are aware of that."

"Yes, My Lord, I know. But I will train him."

Train me? Why?

"How absurd!" the woman exclaimed. "Arthur, you don't have any time to loose with a demon. Besides, you already have an apprentice, no need to busy yourself with another."

"You, the demon," the first voice pronounced loudly, making me almost gasp. "What do you have to say of this?"

I stayed silent a moment, not knowing what to say or what to do. Sir Arthur wanted to train me. He was the only one worth trusting here in this place full of Star Warriors, after all…

"I… I have… nothing to say of this." A moment of silence passed and I fiddled with my ink-soaked gloves. "I mean, it's okay if he wants to train me. After all, I have nothing. That, or just let me go."

Someone chuckled in the Elders and I tried to see whom but the light above me prevented my eyes to adjust.

"Release you?" the voice chuckled. "That would be most ridiculous. Boy, you don't seem to understand what you are, but that is fine. You don't need to know. Arthur, you may take him away. We will give our verdict when we'll see what he is able to do."

I don't know whether I should have felt relieved or scared when all the lights came back and that I could see everyone stand up. Sir Arthur descended the stairs and walked up to me, putting his hands on my shoulders.

"Come. You begin tonight."