Chapter 63 Showdown in the desert
Lykus stood in front the huge boulder, which functioned as cover for the elevator. He was already trying to open the damn doors for a few minutes now. But everytime he waved his hand over the marked place nothing happened. The glowling handprint appeared, yet the door kept closed. Something was seriously wrong down there and he had a uneasy feeling because of that. Getting his cellphone from his the pocket of his blue jeans he was just in the process to dial the number from Larek when the elevator opened all of the sudden and Nolak stepped out hastily. He almost ran the other man over.
" Hey, what is going on? What was up with the elevator?".
Nolak startled and looked up surprised at his opponent. He was obviously in a hurry and pretty much out of his mind. The worry and fear was clearly etched on his usually expressionless face. " Maria destroyed it in her haste to run away. Now I´m trying to find her before she does something stupid".
Lykus grasped his arm to keep him from going away. But as soon as he saw the glare directed at him he released his grip immediately. No need to lose a limb because of it. " Maria isn´t in trouble. But we are if we stay out here and gossip like hags. Khivar has left us a dead line. Tomorrow he´s coming and believe me he won´t stop by for tea and cake".
" How do you know that?", Nolak didn´t trust anyone, except his funny looking companion and the small group of teenagers sitting under the ground and worrying about one of their own. He had seen too much misery already and he wanted to end it.
Lykus saw the distrust in the other mans eyes and wondered what happened to make him like that. Until today he usually had the trust of him and the soldiers at the base. It was like something had been going on and he missed it. " I´ll explain it to you another time. But not now, unless you want to get in this war with unprepared men?".
Nolak was torn about listening to him or to his instinct for a few seconds before his gut told him that he should forgot his feelings and take the statement serious. After all he could still kill the younger man if it would be clear that everything was false alarm. " Follow me. But no funny business or I swear I will let your eyeballs explode like overfilled waterballons".
" Yeah, yeah. Understood", Lykus walked behind him into the elevator and stood at his side while the box made its way down. " By the way, nice visual you gave me. Exploding eye balls. I like it".
Nolak rolled his eyes and watched the display blinking the levels. He wanted to be away from as soon as possible. Something was different with him. He could sense something darker and colder clinging to the young mans aura. Something that made him a bit scared, because it felt like Khivar. " And I meant what I said".
Lykus didn´t know if it was allowed to laugh so he swallowed his humour. What was going on here? Did something happen while he was gone? Oh god, did someone else die?" Why are you so strange towards me?".
" I´m not strange. You´re imagining things", Nolak realized they were in the underground. Satisfied he waited until the doors opened before quickly storming out of the elevator and in the direction of the headquarter of the base. He knew Larek was there.
Lykus had difficulty to follow after the older man and wondered why he was in such a hurry to get away from him. Sniffing his armpits he noticed that it wasn´t because he smelt bad. Hurrying to catch up with Nolak he gripped his shoulder to stop him in his tracks. " What is going on here and don´t say nothing. I know something is wrong. You´re acting a little weird and I´m just curious why that is?".
Nolak was tempted to fling him over his shoulder and break his back. But when he turned his face, he saw that the young man was really clueless. Didn´t he realize the smell of evil on his clothes? Or was this a trap? Unfortunately he had just one opinion to get to the bottom of his problem. " I don´t know if you are who you appear. You feel like Khivar".
" I can explain that. I had been possessed from him, but now he´s gone. I swear, I´m really Lykus", he hadn´t known that it was so noticable. But if that was the case, why was he still alive and standing on his own two feet? If he seemed to be someone different why wait so long and give him the opportunity to strike?
Nolak turned around fully and eyed the other man with intensity. He was searching for the truth in his gaze. He was surprised to see so much emotions swirling in the eyes of Lykus. Khivar wouldn´t even have the strength to fake that, because he was heartless and cold. " Is Maria really all right? Or did Khivar so something to her?".
Lykus smiled relieved and let out the breath he had been holding. Damn now he had to change his clothes, because he had been sweating through the fabric. Shit, he hadn´t realized how scary the older man could be. " She´s fine. Rath is with her right now".
" Is she safe with him?", Nolak was worried about her. She was like a daughter to him and he wanted to see that for once everything make a different turn. That she would live a long life with her family and friends, her children and maybe a husband in the near future.
Lykus raised an eyebrow at the older man, like he wanted to say " Duh". But he refrained from voicing his thought, knowing that he was treading on thin ice with him at the moment. " It´s Rath, not Khivar. He wouldn´t hurt her. As much as it kills me to admit it, he loves her. He would rather kill himself than lay a hand on her".
Nolak nodded seemingly satisfied with the answer given. He remembered the loving glances his charges threw at each other when they thought no one was looking. Their love had been so special and unique, even for their alien standards. It had touched something inside him to witness something so wonderful that he regretted never taking the time to search for a mate and maybe finding the same happiness. " Right, I forgot. But you can´t blame me for being concerned".
" Of course not. I know how much you love those kids and I´m glad that they have someone at their back they can trust and respect", Lykus would probably always love Maria and wishing her all the joy on this world, even if that meant she would find it with another man. Rath or Michael included, but just barely.
Nolak rubbed his tired eyes, feeling the need to lay down and sleep until this whole thing was over. If they survived this war, he would retire and live the rest of his life on some tropical island somewhere with no people around and no way to find it. And no computer and no phone either. Maybe he would find a new island and name it after himself. " Yeah. And I want them to come out alive from this situation".
Lykus patted the other mans back and steered him in the direction of the common hall, where most of the soldiers were hanging around at this time of the day. " That´s the reason why we´re telling everyone about the appointment now. Don´t worry I will say it. You just stand besides me and look beautiful".
" I hate you", Nolak wondered what was wrong with his fate. Firstly he was graced with Larek, who thought he was funny, but in reality was just lousy and now he was punished with the replica of his companion. Maybe they both had been seperated at birth.
Lykus grinned mischievously at him. He heard that sentence a few times in his life. Usually from women and Marianna had voiced it sometimes when they fought. But this time he knew the meaning wasn´t bad. " Yeah, right back at ya", then he opened the door in front of him and watched the many men sitting, standing, playing or sleeping.
Nolak pushed himself past the other man and coughed loudly to get the attention of the soldiers. Immediately everybody stopped what they were doing and turned to the two men standing at the entrance. " The worst has come to the worst. The battle is beginning soon. Khivar and his men will attack tomorrow", confused he scrunched his face up and faced the man besides him. " Do you know an exact time?".
" Yes", Lykus whispered through the corner of his mouth. " at noon".
Nolak nodded his thanks while he turned his head towards the men staring at him horrofied, excited or plain scared. Even through they trained for this day, it was a shock for all. " Tomorrow at noon Khivar will expect us outside this doors. The time to relax is over. The battle begins".
Lykus observed the reaction of the soldiers and saw good men forgetting their fears, ready to fight for their cause and lose their life at it. Sighing he knew that he would never forget this moment as long as he lived, even if it wouldn´t take long for him to die. " Everyone better with mindpowers comes with me. The others go with Nolak. Tonight we plan our battle strategy".
Instantly all the men got in gear. One group went into the right direction towards the practise room while the other group walked calmly towards the gym. Everybody fearing the battle ahead.
Human Army base outside of Roswell
Maria appeared in the middle of a busy hallway. People of every gender, nationality, height and weight were walking hurriedly around. Some of them were talking with someone on their walky talkies, others in turn were in deep conversations with the person next to them while another held papers in their hands and read it during the brisk steps they made. It took a long moment for them to notice the girl standing in their midst. Immediately everyone wearing an army uniform drew their weapon from their belts and pointed it at her.
Maria put her hands up to indicate that she was unarmed. Breathing evenly to get her fear under control she looked for someone authorized she could talk to. Finding a general near her she held eye contact with him. " Don´t shoot. I come in peace".
" How did you come in here?", the General with the brown uniform stepped out from the crowd of soldiers and towards her. He seemed to be in his late fourties, with slight white hair peeking from his hat and almost grey eyes looking suspicious at her. He was two heads taller than her and he had to look down.
Maria didn´t back down from the older man, even though her heart was beating strongly in her throat. She knew that she could escape without them stopping her, but she needed their help if she wanted to save earth from getting taken over from aliens. " I would say a mix between alien powers and my divine character".
Universal murmurs were heard around her. Soldiers whispered with the person next to them. Contrary to the General, staring at her with distrust and a little fear. " So it´s real what channel eight was showing?".
" Huh? I don´t know what you mean", Maria seemed to have missed something. Something big apparently. What did Khivar do this time?
The General stared in her face, deciding if she was pulling his leg or if she was honest. Noticing that she really was in the unknown, he gave his men a sign to step back a little and lower their weapon, but stay on guard. Uncertain he turned back to the small slip of a girl and wondered if she was as innocent as she seemed. " I can show you what I mean. But if you try anything my men will shoot before you can say peep".
Maria had already expected a threat from the older man. Actually she had thought it would be sooner and more angrier, but she was glad that he treated her a little nicer. Strange, in the movies it was always bloodier, more disgusting and pretty action laden. " You have my word that I´m not here to make trouble. Or do you think my people are so stupid to send a single girl into a base full of soldiers?".
" How can I trust what you say?", the General faced a few of his men and gave them the order to search the surroundings for more aliens or suspicious looking people. Then he turned his attention back to the girl, who shook her head amused. " Why are you smiling?".
Maria was surprised how much alike humans and aliens were. They didn´t trust anyone easily and they were cautious if not too wary. Too bad that a fellowship between the both would never work even through they weren´t so much different. " I would have sent soldiers to look for intruder, too", after that her face got serious. " But before we got sidetracked, you´re asking me how you can trust me. But how can I trust you? What can you give me to ensure my safety? I´ve watched enough science-fiction movies to know what happens to my kind when the army gets their fingers on them".
The General was impressed about her and her bluntness. She was nobody´s fool and she didn´t seem to be someone who would let herself get screwed from anyone. And she had a point. Trust had to be from both sides. " All right. I will send everyone except one soldier away. How is that?"
" Okay. And I promise you that I won´t use my alien powers to do something. If I should make a wrong move, you have the permission to shoot me. Do we have a deal?", Maria slowly stretched her hand towards the older man in a friendly gesture. She didn´t want to get her brain blown away, because someone thought she was a threat.
The General hesitated for a few seconds. Glancing in her eyes, he saw something that made him realize that she was really just a girl, alien or not. Pain and sorrow. Usually the aliens in the movies had no reflection in their black orbs. But she had. And he remembered his daughter, probably in the same age as her. Grasping her offered hand he shook it. " We have a deal. Now follow after me please".
Maria waited until the man started walking before getting in gear herself. For the first time she felt something close to insecurity, a feeling she just knew from others but never from experience. Noticing the loaded weapon directed at her back was intensifing this sense of fear. She gazed at the many young men lining at the sides and watching her. She could already imagine what they were thinking about her. How she looked in her true form? What kind of power she had? And most of all if there was more of her kind here on earth and if they wanted to take over the world? Recognizing a few from their visits at the crashdown, she saw their confusion and the anger. She couldn´t blame them, they had been trained to look out for aliens and they hadn´t even realized that they got served from one. Dropping her head she stared at the nice in black tiled floor under her. After a while she suddenly bumped into the backside of the General. Straigthening herself she looked up just in time to witness that she was in some strange room with a huge screen, where the fight between her and her half brother was constantly showing in an endless loop. Closing her eyes she prayed that she was still sleeping and this was just a nightmare. Unfortunately as soon as she opened her eyes she noted that everything was real. " Oh god! I jeopardized everybody´s life with that. Nolak and Larek will kick my ass".
" Are you that on this video?", the General asked stunned. Except for the blonde hair and maybe the unusual green eyes, the both seemed to be two different women. Looking closer at her he stepped back shocked, because he finally knew who was standing in front of him. The last time he had seen had she had been eight or nine years old. " You´re Maria. Jim Valentis oldest daughter".
Maria was surprised that the older man knew her. But being a family member from a Sheriff in a small town, actually no wonder and to top of it her grandfather had been Sheriff, too. So she had to be well known all over town. " Yes".
The General took her hand and patted it softly. For the first time the distrust and the suspicion was gone from his eyes. Now there was sympathy and a little sadness in them. " I´ve heard about your little sister and your parents. We all had been shocked to know that Jim and Amy are in the hospital and Lindsey dead".
Maria swallowed the tears threatening to fill her eyes every moment. Fighting the urge to wipe them, she steeled herself against anything that could break her determination. She had an important mission to fullfill. " Yeah. But that´s not why I´m here".
" Sit down and tell me the reason to get yourself in danger like that", the General released her hand and pointed at the small metal table in the middle of the room with the matching chairs.
Maria hadn´t expected this twist. She thought they would threaten her, maybe get her under control with handcuffs and armed force, but that she would be invited to sit down and talk? Thankfully she wasn´t picky and took place on the chair carefully, always being on guard. She waited until her opponent was sitting, too before telling him what she had planned and what she needed.
Antarian Army base
Kyle and Sean were side by side in front of the huge mirror watching themself pumping iron. An hour ago they had been told to prepare for the battle ahead of them, which would be starting tomorrow. Tess and Isabel had been sent to Lykus, to boost their mental power while Max was with Nolak to learn to control his more dangerous powers. The humans, well mostly just both males, were ordered to built more strength in their body to be able to handle the antarian weapons, which they would be introduced later that day. They had seen the laser guns and the swords already. Sean had rubbed his hands in anticipation, happy to fire bullets around. Kyle in return was more drawn to the laserswords, the dangerous looking blade made to cut through everything. Unfortunately they got discovered and were banned from the amoury to go into the gym section of the base, where they were now.
" Do you think Maria is okay?", Kyle was pretty worried about his sister. Even though Lykus had told him that she was with this Rath person, who would look after her, he wasn´t that convinced that she was well. And he hoped that she was coming back soon.
Sean smiled at his reflection while he tensed up his biceps, which wasn´t that big because of the years of non exercising. But it was enough to kick some alien ass, especially the ones who were after his cousin and their friends. " Yeah. She´s capable of defending herself. You know her, everybody is more afraid of her than she from them".
Kyle dropped his weights and planted his butt on the surprisingly clean floor. Letting his eyes roam quickly over the space around him and watching the few equipment in this room, there was just a trim bike, a rowing machine, some things to shape the muscles and the weights. " Still. That doesn´t stop me from worrying. She´s after all the only thing I have right now".
" Thanks. It´s really nice to know where I stand", Sean didn´t mean that seriously. He understood the other boy, more than he wanted. He was family alright, but Maria was closer to him. They grew up together under a roof. He wished he would have a sibling, too. Unfortunately he was an only child.
Kyle glanced at his cousin and felt bad. He didn´t mean it like it sounded. Sean was like a really good friend, someone you could confide in when you had trouble with girls or other things. But his sister was like the best friend you couldn´t live without. " I´m sorry. I didn´t want to hurt you".
Sean shrugged his shoulders careless. He heard worse in his life and from people he called his parents. He was also concerned about his cousin, because as much as they fought each other she was part of his family and he protected what was his, legal and even illegal if the need should arise. " It´s okay. I didn´t take your comment personally. I can´t imagine how you feel at the moment and quite frankly I don´t want to, so I will let it slide. This time".
" Are you scared? I mean because of tomorrow", Kyle felt for the first time that everything was getting serious. He knew that this day would come and yet it was a surprise for him. It was like it had been just yesterday that he found out about his sister and now they would be facing a war.
Sean stopped pretending to do something for his muscles and put the weights on the ground besides those of his cousin. If he was scared? Of course. He was ready to piss his pants of fear. But there was a small part of him that knew that it was right what they were doing. They were fighting for a good matter and he wanted to make amends for all the trouble he had caused his parents and friends. Besides those bastards had pissed off him off. " I´m scared shitless actually".
Kyle was relieved to know that he wasn´t the only one with that feeling. He had pondered if he was a coward for admitting that he was afraid. But now he was glad to have voiced it, because he felt better. " Then why are we doing this? We could stay here and wait until everything is over and let those martians fight against each other".
" Because we´re the good guys and we´re always doing the right thing. Yada Yada. Besides we want to protect Maria and take revenge for Lindsey and your parents", Sean rolled his eyes and wondered when he become such a sissy boy. A few years ago he would have taken his things and went the hell out of dodge. Today he stayed behind.
Kyle turned his head to the other man and couldn´t contain his laughter. The tension in his body left and the clutter in his mind was clearing. He was glad to have his cousin at his side or else he would have already lost it. " You sound like Maria".
Sean whirled around and stared at him with wide eyes. The horrofied expression was an act, maybe not everything. " Take that back! I don´t sound like her. She´s more like", he pitched his voice higher until he thought it was like that of a woman. " I can take care of myself. Bla bla. Girlpower.Bla bla. Menstruation. Bla bla. Phone home"
" Wait until I tell her that. She will kick your ass, dude", Kyle held his belly from laughing so much. It was just what he needed.
Suddenly the door to the gym was opened and both men stared at the guy entering. He was pretty tall, dangerous looking with his long black hair and the dark eyes. The aura around him was confident and deadly. He glanced at them, seemingly searching for something. " Are you the humans?".
Sean immediately stood up, preparing himself to pummel his freaking alien ass if he should do as much as a wrong move. One sneezer and this guy was history. " Yeah. And you are?".
" I´m Rath. Larek sent me to bring you to the armory now".
At that Kyle jumped to his feet and went towards the other man. If he was here the chances were that his sister was there, too. Hopefully she was unhurt and ready to manage a full fledged lecture about her reckless behaviour and worrying him almost to death. " Where´s Maria?".
Rath glanced amused at him, needing to lower is eyes to look directly at his opponent. This one felt like his former lover and had even the same attitude. That was probably her human brother, although they didn´t appeared that much alike. " She didn´t come with me. She said something about not worrying and she would join us later".
" I knew it. I knew she would do something stupid without me there to stop her", angrily he stepped closer to the alien and jabbed his finger on his muscular chest. He didn´t care that this man could squish him like a freaking bug without even using his hands. His sister was out there and could do god knows what. " Why didn´t you stop her? You could have dragged her stubborn ass here to us".
Rath´s eyes darkened. He didn´t liked it when someone tried to order him around, especially someone weaker than himself. Even though the boy was related to Maria, it wouldn´t protect him when he got really pissed. " If you want to keep your finger than I suggest pulling it back immediately. Even if we´re on the same side, it won´t stop me from breaking some of your body parts"
Hearing the obvious threat Sean put himself in front of his cousin to protect him. Kyle wasn´t the rowdy in the family, he had been having friends who beat up on others. But he was familiar with dealing out blows and being at the receiving end. More than once he broke a nose or something different. " You touch him and I will punch your lights out before you can use your mumbo jumbo alien powers of yours".
" Are you threatening me?", Rath bent down to look the other man in the eye. They were practically nose to nose and could feel the warm breathe of each other. It was some kinda staring contest to know who would look away first.
Sean met his glance dead on, taking the obvious challenge. Too bad that they couldn´t bet with money on that. He would wint his round, because he didn´t appear so tough, but on the inside he was silent but deadly, well on a bad day. " If I threaten you, you will notice it".
Rath gazed at his counterpart for a few seconds longer before stepping back. He clapped Seans shoulder with a smile on his face. " I like you".
" What?", Sean turned his head to face his cousin, who seemed to be as stunned as him. He thought it would give a fight and although the alien looked like someone you didn´t want to piss off, he had been excited to to do a little exercise.
Rath walked towards the door, already on the way to the armory. He rolled his eyes at the surprised faces. Couldn´t they accept that he changed his mind about them? He always admired fearless men and those brave enough to stand up to him. " Are you coming or not? We don´t have time. And I don´t want to get yelled at from Larek because you two couldn´t get your lazy butts in gear".
Instantly Sean and Kyle jumped into action and follow the big bad wolf.
Night time
Liz and Alex had escaped the madness inside the base and stole themself outside in the open air from the desert. Everyone, except them because they had been banned from the actual battle and ordered to handle the computers, prepared for the fight tomorrow. Larek and Nolak had given everyone a weapon, even if the person had enough fire power in their hands. Both hadn´t seen such beautiful swords in their lifes. They were made from pure light and could cut a body in half. The hilt was made from strange wood from antar and looked like human mahogany with a dragon and a snake engraved on it. Then there was bows and guns, but they weren´t so spectacular and almost boring. Kyle and Sean had been like little boys in a candy store and joked around with their swords, pretending to be jedi´s and fighting against the dark side of the force. Tess and even Isabel had scolded them and told them they should finally grow up and act like adults. Max had practised with his newfound power. Now he could let something explode with just his mind, a pretty neat trick he learned from Rath, who was quickly introduced into the little group of friends.
Liz turned her head in the direction of the sky and enjoyed the cold breeze hitting her face. She liked the cold more than the heat, because it gave you a reason to stay at home and cuddle with your lover. Besides it was easier to keep yourself warm than cooling down. " I hope Maria comes soon. I´m afraid she´s bailing on us".
" She wouldn´t do that and you know that", Alex was sure that his best friend had some good reason for being absent so long and she wouldn´t abandon them now. She fought so hard and for a long time that she wouldn´t give up now. Not when her anger was still raging in her.
Liz wrapped her arms around her middle and faced her childhood friend. She didn´t mean it like that. She was just worried and that caused her to say the most stupid things. And she feared that they could be losing her, too. It had been hard enough to see one of them die, but Maria would be harder, because she was like a sister to her and to Alex. " I know. But I can´t rest until I know where she is and if she´s well".
Alex laid an arm around her shoulder and pressed her body closer to his. He felt exactly the same way and he was sure everyone else was like that, too. But they had to have faith in their friend and believe that she would be taking care of herself like she had always done with them. Besides she was by far the most powerful creature he knew. She would beat Godzilla and King Kong together with one arm tied behind her back. " She´ll be here. If not today than tomorrow at the latest".
" What is going on here? Why do you have your arms around my woman?".
Both friends turned around at the sound of Max´ voice behind them. He, Isabel, Tess, Kyle and Sean were walking towards them with amused expressions. They obviously had been having the same idea and wanted to spent a little time outside with fresh air calming their jittery nerves.
Alex squeezed Liz´s shoulder and looked down in her smiling face. He gave her a wink before turning his attention to the group stopping near them. " Damn, you busted us. We thought nobody would notice our forbidden love affair".
" Be glad that I´m such a peaceful person or you would have already meet my five friends", Max waved his fist in the air threateningly in the direction of the other boy. Just the twinkle in his eyes was any indication that they were just joking around. But nontheless he pulled his girlfriend away from the lanky teen and in his arms. " How are you? We didn´t see each other the whole day".
Liz snuggled closer in his arms enjoying the embrace. It had been too long that they had been having time for just the two of them. Everything had been happening so fast that there wasn´t any time to talk or cuddle. Even sleep was a luxury. " I´ve been better", dropping her voice to a whisper so that the others wouldn´t hear her she continued. " I´m afraid, excited, worried and I think I lost at least 10 pounds in the last few days"
Max stroked her head, feeling the strain of the stress himself. Since the attack at the library he couldn´t sleep longer than two hours a night, because his mind was working nonstop. He had to force himself to eat so that he at least had something in his stomach, but he didn´t feel hungry anymore. At least the shaking in his hands and the edgy feeling inside him had disappeared. " I know. I´m feeling the same, even though I went through all that already. But we´re doing something good and a few things are worth fighting for".
" I know that. But I have all this scenario´s running around in my head. I see you dying everytime, sometimes it´s Maria. We lost Michael already, I can´t bear to lose anyone else, especially you", Liz cupped his face lovingly and stared in his beautiful brown eyes. She was afraid to never have the chance to look at him again and notice his stunning beauty. Caressing the light stubble on his cheek, she tried to remember the first time they talked without the others present. He had been so shy and she had been so afraid to open her mouth for the first few minutes. But then they had found a topic for a conversation and after that it had been smooth sailing.
Max understood her concern and to some extent he could relate. That last time everything went wrong and they died. This time they didn´t have a Plan B up their sleeve´s or someone putting their essence in someone else. They just had this one opportunity. " You won´t lose me or anyone else".
Liz shook her head, not believing him. After everything she found out about the last battle they fought against this Khivar person, she feared that it would be like that again. They had been powerful people in their last life and they died. Now they were just humans with alien powers. She had a good reason to worry. " Can you guarantee that? Because as far as I see it we´re screwed. Larek and Nolak told us that Michael and Maria had the most strength and power. But Michael is dead and Maria is missing, we don´t even know if she´s coming or not".
" Don´t you dare think that. Maria will be here", Kyle didn´t want to admit that he listened to their conversation. But it had been hard not to when he was standing so close to the couple and he heard the mention of his sister. Even Tess, secure in his arms, had cocked her ears.
Liz left the cozy place at her boyfriends chest and stared at her friend. She felt bad for him, she really did. But they had to think about every possibility. They couldn´t confide in something that wasn´t even 100 procent sure. Maybe they had to think about other things, like managing the battles themself without Maria at their side. " How do you know that? Are you psychic now?"
Kyle was on the brink to do something bad and he would have done it if Tess wouldn´t have held him back. She tried to send him some of her inner serenity. Everyone was on edge, but it wouldn´t get better if they started attacking each other instead of using their energy wisely. " Not now. We´re facing the hardest challenge of our lifes and we have to stick together, more than ever. I know we´re all pretty nervous and afraid, but it´s not an excuse to fight"
" I know and I´m sorry. I´m just wondering where my best friend is and if she´s okay or needs our help or is lying somewhere in a ditch", Liz had a bad feeling in her gut and usually it was justified. She had felt that something would be happening the day she got shot at. The moment the guys came into the restaurant she had known that they were up to no good. Maria had been taking their orders while she herself had kept them in her sight. Strangly when the shot rang, she hadn´t reacted and just stood there, waiting for the bullet to make an impact, which it did seconds later. The next thing she remembered was the worried face of her best friend hovering over her, ordering to look into her eyes.
Kyle squeezed her shoulder in comfort. They were in the same boat right now. He had been thinking about exactly that since he knew that his sister hadn´t been coming back with Rath. But thankfully he still had the twin connection with her and he would be the first knowing if she´s in trouble or not. At the moment she was scared, jittery and a little relieved, which meant she was still alive. " I´m sorry, too. I didn´t mean to snap at you like that. But I´m afraid she´s doing something stupid without us and this time nobody will be there to stop her".
Sean groaned annoyed. All this drama and talking about things that didn´t even happen was slowly driving him crazy. All right they would be facing a bloody battle, which maybe just the half of them would survive. But they would be at least die fighting for a good reason. And they shouldn´t worry so much about Maria. She was more resistant than everything he knew. Nothing would keep her from coming here to safe the day. Besides she had a bone to pick with this Khivar chap and she wouldn´t give up now that the end was so near. " Would you all stop with the moaning and bitching. You sound like a group of wussies. It´s our last night before we have to play G.I. Joe, so I suggest you try to make the best out of it".
" And what have you planned oh wise one?", Kyle had already made arrangements and he could use a spare room alone with Tess. They needed this break from everyone. She was still hurting from the death of her brother and maybe it would be best if she could let everything out before tomorrow. Besides he liked it to sleep next to her and hear the slight snoring sound she was making.
Sean grinned devilishly at his cousin while his eyes twinkled treacherous. " I´ve got a date, which I will go to now. See you all tomorrow, bright and early", winking at them he went inside.
Alex watched after his retreating back before throwing his hands in the air and shaking his head repeatedly. Although it shouldn´t be a surprise to him, it was. Sean had been always a ladies man and could be charming if he needed to be. " Unbelievable! We´re in a crisis and he stills finds the time hit on some innocent woman".
" Yeah, that´s the Valenti charme. Works everytime with women", Kyle and his cousin often went out together to see who would be picking up the most girls, which he always lost. Sean was slick and not so dumb like everybody thought, besides he used his bad boy attitude to attract the other gender.. He on the other hand tried it with the boy from next door trick. Even though he had his share of girls, he wasn´t nearly as good as his cousin in that regard.
Isabel, who had been quietly listening to the others, finally found something to say. She was still a little shocked to see Rath strolling around the base and being him. It was strange to see him after all these years again and to know that nothing had changed. He had been still in love with Marianna, not even death had destroyed the bond they shared. Looking at Alex and the way he was stunningly staring at his best friend, she was sure she had found the same. " And yet he had a really good idea. We only have this night and we shouldn´t waste it with each other. I mean don´t get me wrong, I love you guys, but I want to spent the last hours with my boyfriend".
Alex turned his head and faced her. For a few seconds they both seemed to be in some kina trance, just seeing in each others eyes and communicating without using one word. Then he drew his attention to his friends, all glancing at him curiously. " I think she´s right and I don´t say that because she´s my girlfriend".
" Then I wish you all a goodnight and see you tomorrow", Kyle took the hand of Tess and both walked back to the huge boulder, where they disappeared immediately, not even hearing the murmured replies.
Max meanwhile had successful convinced his girlfriend to go with him into the gym. He had prepared a small picnic in there, but didn´t want to spill his surprise to her. Alex and even Kyle had helped him a little with carrying everything inside and hooking up the electic things. Gazing at his sister and her boyfriend he wondered what they had planned for the night. " Are you both staying outside?", after he received a nod, he smiled at them. " Okay. See ya tomorrow", slowly guiding Liz, who winked at the other two, they both went away.
Alex turned his attention to the beautiful woman at his side. She was the best thing that ever happened to him. He didn´t know what he did right in his life, but he would forever be thankful for his reward. Usually the cheerleading types laughed at him or mocked him. But Isabel was different. She wasn´t just a breathtaking beauty on the outside, no she was more beautiful on the inside. Clasping her hand in his, he kissed the back of it softly. " Do you want to climb on a boulder with me? I know a really nice place where we can see the stars and nobody will disturb us".
" I would really love that", Isabel grinned at him happily. She didn´t know a spot where she wanted to be more than besides him. No matter where they went now, she would follow as long as he was there to hold her hand.
Next day one hour before noon
Larek and Nolak were in the armory, taking care of the last steps before they would head out. Both men were unusual quiet and hadn´t spoken since waking up that morning. The silence was heavily hovering over the whole base today. Everybody was nervous and some of soldiers excited. A few even had been so driven by hate towards Khivar that they couldn´t find sleep while their companions slept like babies. Larek had been tossing and turning on his uncomfortable bed, remembering the last time they had faced a battle and how that had turned out. He had smelt the scent of dead and blood in the air, felt the ice cold grip of loss and witnessed the downfall of the royal family. A few times he had woken up, covered heavily in sweat and a scream on his lips, which stuck strong in his throat, almost choking him. He didn´t want to be there when his friends would die for the second time, not after the short time he had to get them to know again. Contrary to Nolak, who had faith in his charges and he knew they would be more careful. Besides they had enough back up and a strong weapon up their sleeves if everything should fail. Not to mention the added bonus of a pissed off goddess on their hands. He believed that Maria would find her way to them again, after everything Khivar put her through she wouldn´t chicken out on the best opportunity they would ever have.
" Do you think they will make it this time?", Larek touched the laser sword Marianna had loved so much. It had been a present from her biological father when she joined the royal army and meant everything to her.
Nolak stopped loading the guns with bullets spiked with poison, which would slowly kill the enemy from the inside. Even if they wouldn´t murder their opponent with a shoot, they could always count on the poison to get to work. " Yes. I´m absolutely positive about that. Why? You´re starting to doubt them?".
Larek pulled his hand back from the sword and turned his attention to the cross bows. They had dissected the arrows so that they would destroy as much from the inside it could reach. As soon as they got in contact with something soft, barbs shot out and hooked themself with their spikes into organs. " It´s not that. But they´re just children. I mean don´t you think we expect too much from them?".
" We have prepared them as good as we could and their old enough to know what they´re doing. I know there will be always casualties in a war and maybe not everyone will survive it. But I don´t want to live under the reign of Khivar and his dumb idiots. Maybe you don´t like this planet very much, but I don´t want to see earth getting crushed under him and with that every human", okay Nolak hadn´t been happy to know that he got assigned to this world. But after all this years he grew to love it. Maybe it wasn´t as great as Antar had been, but it wasn´t so bad either. Well, there were still things he didn´t understand. Such things as why the politicians lived in such luxury while the rest of the people had to do everything to keep afloat, why women were so obsessed with shoes and clothes and why people tied themself in a marriage and yet slept with others?
Larek knew all this, he had seen them train. But despite their strength and their youth, they were just teenagers, getting thrown in a fight that was raging for centuries now. Michael had been having so much potential and he was lying dead in the hospital wing at the moment. Maria was so powerful that she didn´t even know how to handle all this energy and she was led from her anger. The last time she had done she and her friends died. " I´m just worried. Don´t listen to me right now".
Nolak laid an arm on the shoulder of his younger companion. They had been through so much. A war, the soft rock era, street kids battling each other with verbal fights which later was called Rap music, dance moves that looked more like a torture and they even survived the movie Titanic. Nothing would get them down so easily. If Celine Dion hadn´t killed them, nothing would. " I know how you feel. But this was meant to be. You read the same pages as me and you know that those kids can´t fight fate".
" I just wish we could do something to help", Larek was glad to be in the actual battle this time. But he wanted to do more, give everyone a guarantee to survive tomorrow. Unfortunately their hands were tied and all they could do was pray.
Nolak nodded his head, understanding what the younger man wanted to tell him. He had been having the same idea. But in the end, the small group of teenagers were on their own and no one could take their responsibility from them.
Chapel near the armory
Sean wasn´t a very religious man. But in the last few days he believed that something much more bigger than him was out there, guiding them and giving them challenges to see if they were strong enough. He saw his life that way. All his troubles, his fights and his rebellious way had brought him at this point. If he had been a good boy and a good son, he would never be here and be part of something greater, something that could change the world forever. Looking around the small dark room, just light with a few candles and a handfull benches, he knew that whoever was responsible for this, had to have a good reason for it. Kneeling on the ground and crossing himself, he started his prayer his mother taught him when he was a child. Tightly closing his eyes he chanted his words into the darkness around him, hoping that the big man above would hear him. After he was done, he opened his eyes again and looked up at the ceiling.
" Lord give me the strength to fight the enemy and to help me keep my family safe. I´m not the bravest person on this planet and usually I just bother with my own problems, but this time I need you to guide me, to give me the power to withstand everything. If I shouldn´t survive this day, please don´t send me into the hell fire, I´m allergic to extreme heat, ruins my teint. If I survive, I will be in church every Sunday with my family, I promise. Except I´ve got a date or the super bowl is on tv. Then not even you can drag me from home. If you accept my offer I want you to give me some sign".
Sean stopped speaking and listened intently for a whisper, a noise or something else. He even would have settled for a slight breeze, just a sort of reassurance. But nothing. The room stayed silent and calm. Sighing loud he stood up and looked at the cross hanging at the wall opposite him. Maybe he had been hoping too much from something that wasn´t tangible or easy to understand. But he had hoped for anything that would help him get rid of the strange feeling in his gut, like today was his last day on this earth or the apocalypse was near. Before he turned around he witnessed something so unbelievable that he wouldn´t buy it if anybody would tell him that. One of the candle shoot a flame almost to the ceiling for a few seconds and went into the normal state immediately, like nothing had happened. Grinning Sean glanced up. " Thanks. I knew I could count on you".
Common room
Isabel, Max, Liz and Alex were sitting at the table. Both couples held hands on it with their significant other and stared in their eyes. Silence was weighing down on them, the words to discribe their feelings were escaping them. There were probably nothing that could discribe it. It was every emotion mixed to a complete cocktail inside them. Everything they ever felt was in there, not one feeling was to discern from the other. Since waking up this morning nobody had been having the guts to eat a little bit. The night, despite being with their mates, hadn´t been an easy one. They had been having nightmares about soulless creatures, digging the heart of their friends or family out with his claws. The thing had been faceless and huge and extremly scary. All through the night they had awoken with a scream sticking in their throats. Thankfully they knew that no matter the outcome, everything would be over today.
" I don´t want you to go out there. I don´t want you to die", Liz couldn´t stand the silence any longer. She didn´t know how long they both had, but she didn´t want to spent it with this tension. Tears filled her eyes when she thought about the battle.
Max cupped her face with his hands and wiped the teardrops from her cheek with his thumbs. He was scared, too. But this was something he had to do. Not just because it was his destiny. No because he wanted to revenge his family, help Maria and actually do the right thing. He hadn´t chickened out the last time, he wouldn´t do it this time either. " I know and as much as I want to tell you that everything will be all right, I don´t know that. But all I can promise you is that I´ll be careful".
Liz put her hands on his and held it there for a while, enjoying his warmth and his strength. She didn´t know what he saw in her. He should be with someone like him, maybe someone like Maria or Tess. She was scared of her own shadows and usually slept with a closed window. And yet he wanted to be with her. " I will hold you to that".
" Don´t worry so much about me", Max bent over the table and pulled the face of her girlfriend closer. He wanted to taste her kiss a last time, in case he wouldn´t make it out alive. She had been the best thing that had happened in this life, she and finding the others and getting accepted to Harvard. Slowly he kissed her soft lips and thought about all the time they had spent. After a few seconds he pushed himself back and looked at her flushed but happy face. Awhile he enjoyed the expression, but then he sobered. " You have to promise me something. No matter what happens to me I want you to escape this base. If we should fail up there, I want you to take Alex and make a hasty retreat".
Liz shook her head. She didn´t want to think about that possibility, because it would mean he was dead and she didn´t want to even imagine it. She felt bad enough to be here in a safe distance while her friends were in the midst of the battle. " I don´t want to hear that. We will win. The good guys always win in the movies".
Max took her hand, which had been lying on the table and kissed her palm. He knew that she didn´t like the thought to lose someone close to her. But they had to count with everything. A war wasn´t aleays rational or fair. The better won, nothing more or nothing less. " But we´re not in a movie. This is real life and here the bad guys win most of the times. However it doesn´t mean we won´t put up a really good fight and try to take as much from them as possible with us".
" I just don´t wanna lose you. I love you too much", Liz had never had the urge to tell someone other than her best friends and her family that she loved them. But with Max it was different. She felt him so deep in her heart that she sometimes wondered how she lived before him.
Max smiled at her. No matter how many times she said that, he always felt special. Like the world was at his feet and he could walk over water. She was making him feel like he could do no wrong. Hopefully they survived so that he could make her his wife in the near future. Of course after they finished College. " I love you, too".
Isabel had tears in her eyes when she heard that. She hadn´t seen her brother so happy. Well concerning something not academically or astrology. She turned to Alex, still holding both of her hands in his and trying to find the right words. Unfortunately he just stared at her. " What is it?".
" I want to tell you so much, but I´m afraid it will sound stupid or corny or both", Alex had the words in his mind, it just was hard to get them out. Everything was so good when he thought it. But as soon as it left his mouth everyone laughed or shook their heads. He was so smart when it concerned Computers. Otherwise he was a real loser.
Isabel squeezed his hands, encouraging him to speak his mind. She didn´t care if it was stupid or corny, the main thing was it came from his heart. He was always trying to downplay himself. But he was the most honest, lovely and cutest person she knew. He had more to offer than every football player, playboy and poser together. " You can tell me everything. You should know that by now".
Alex breathed deeply in and out, hoping to calm his quickly beating heart. He was so sure that he would screw this thing with Isabel. She was such a wonderful woman and she could do better than him, much much better. And yet he was glad to have her in his life. Now he knew that not every beautiful girl was arrogant or bitchy. " I want you to know that I don´t regret one minute with you. I´m sorry to quote Jerry McGuire but you complete me. You´re the best thing and I´m in awe everyday that you choose to be with me. Geek boy. You saw something in me that made me feel like I was the most bravest hero on earth. You gave me a reason to stand up every morning and I pray every night to keep you just a little bit longer. You´re everything I ever wanted and more. Maybe we won´t have the chance to see the future, but then we see each other in our next life and hopefully we have more time".
" That was so beautiful and I feel the same way", Isabel paused for a moment. Her feelings were in the process to overwhelm her. Instantly Alex went around the table and sat besides her. Wrapping his arms around her pulled her tight into his embrace and stroked her head. At this point she started to cry. " I´m so scared. I´m afraid to never see you again and to never feel your calming presence and to never know how it feels to carry your child".
Alex tried to comfort her, although he was as scared as her, if not more. He was sitting down there and observed everything. She on the other hand was in the middle of it. He knew she was powerful and could kick ass, but this Khivar creature sounded very ruthless and seemed not to play fair. When Rath and Marianna hadn´t managed to destroy him, then nobody could. " Shh. We still have our memories. Nobody can take that away from us, not even the devil himself. Besides I heard to give birth is very painful and overrated anyway".
Isabel lifted her head lying at his chest and smiled at him through her tears. Carefully she stretched her head higher until her mouth covered his. For someone living in the virtual world, he knew how to kiss. When this was over she would have to remember to ask him from who he had learned that. Liz or Maria? Even though she would lean more towards the latter. After they had to part to breathe again, she snuggled tighter at his body and enjoyed the smell of his scent, which always calmed her. Like this they spent their last hour before the battle.
Sick bay
Kyle was sitting in the middle of the two beds his parents were in. Since leaving Tess this morning he was there and watched them, hoping for a miracle to happen. He wished his father would be here to tell him what he had to do. He felt like this war was too soon for him and he wasn´t strong enough to fight. But on the other hand he knew that he had to help and it would be something his father would expect from him. He always gave him a speech about responsibility and until now he hadn´t realized what it meant. Besides Maria still hadn´t made an appearance and he was worried that she would bail, even though he knew that she would never do that. And yet it was almost time to face the music and his sister was nowhere to be seen. Rath had been awol, too. Tess said that he was probably searching for Maria and would bring her back with him. Rubbing his face Kyle felt all his nerves starting to tingle and the knot in his stomach to tighten. His hands were sweating like crazy and his heart was thumping hard against his ribcage.
" Buddha help me. Give me the courage to stand my ground and reward my patience with success. Let my family stay healthy and bring me back my sister. Protect everyone I care about and don´t let them lose their faith. Guide me through the toughest assigment you have given me until now. Stay at my side and give me the strength to fight for this town and the people in it. Don´t let me fail my task".
Looking at the peaceful faces of his parents, he stood up to give them both a kiss on their foreheads before heading out and seeing after his cousin.
Next door
Tess was kneeling besides the cold metal table her brother was on. She was freezing pretty hard, because the room she was in was something like a cooling chamber to keep Michael from decomposing. Larek thought it was better to wait with the funeral until after the battle. She even hadn´t been having the guts to call her grandfather to tell him about the death of his grandson. It was like the loss of her twin would be real when she said it out loud or told it other people outside the group of friends. She didn´t want it to be so final. Maybe they hadn´t tried everything and there was still a chance to safe him. Holding his cold, lifeless hand in her own she made an attempt to send him some of her life force. Unfortunately the link between them was none existent anymore and she finally noticed how much she needed it now that it was gone. If she would have known that she would lose him so soon, she would have never complained about the connection, at least not so often. Trying to keep her tears at bay she watched his beautiful face, frozen in time with a content expression.
" I´ll miss you. Yeah I know strange coming from me. I always bitched about you being constantly near me or at my side. And now I want nothing more than you waking up and annoy me with your rude presence. I often made you angry just to have a conversation with you, because you´re not exactly the most outspoken person. I have to admit, I had been jeaulous when I saw you with Maria. You were so open with her. You never did that with me. But now I know that you didn´t do it on purpose and in a weird way I always knew your emotions before anyone else. We´re the same even if I was the better looking twin", she tried for a small smile, but it didn´t work. Swallowing the tight lump in her throat she looked at the ceiling to find the grit to continue her speech. Breathing evenly she turned her attention back to her brother. " I hope your happy wherever you are. Maybe you have the chance to give us a sign that you´re well. Keep your protective hands over us and especially over Maria. She´s taking your death really hard right now and I think she´s at a point where it´s make or break. I want you to help her, give her a nudge in the right direction. And take care that she get´s her safe and sound. I don´t think Kyle would survive another loss at this point. I love you, even if I haven´t said it as much as I should have and I know grandpa had loved you, too. Look after yourself and someday we´ll see each other again. Hopefully it´s not so soon".
After checking that she hadn´t left anything out and told him everything she had on her mind, she kissed his freezing cheek and walked out of the room. Larek had instructed them to be in the armory half an hour before they would go up. As soon as the door closed behind her, another person stepped out from its hiding place and walked up to the bed.
" Please forgive me. But I don´t belong in this world".
20 minutes before the showdown
Every men and every woman was in their amor, ready to face the enemy. Some were eagerly jumping up and down while others held tightly on their weapons. The long hallway was filled until the last place with soldiers. The tension was so thick that it could have been cut with a knife or better a chainsaw. The worst part was the waiting and it didn´t get better knowing that the elevator just could take 10 persons at time, which would take them a lot of time. But it was decided that the royal members, their friends as well as Nolak and Larek would be the first to go up. Nervously the mentioned group went inside the cubicle and pushed the button. The silence was almost choking and everybody was glad to step outside into the fresh air. But as soon as they saw what awaited them, they weren´t so sure if they shouldn´t get back again, because in front of them were standing a dozen tanks, a few helicopters, hundreds of armed soldiers and at least four jeeps with big guns strapped on their roofs. And everyone had their weapons directed at them.
TBC