Chapter 17: Quality Time

Kefka and Hikaru were taking another walk through the castle gardens after the meeting with Admiral Harkoss.

"Well, that was an interesting development," said Hikaru, still mulling it over in her head.

"I knew Harkoss was part of the invasion force, but I certainly didn't see him defecting like this," said Kefka. "Especially with his reputation in the military."

"What's he like?" asked Hikaru, turning to look at him.

"I only served under him once, during a conflict on a planet called Altyria," said Kefka. "That planet had been locked in a civil war for close to a century, split between two factions. Harkoss was assigned to pacify both factions and bring Altyria into the Imperium."

"How did he do?" asked Hikaru.

"He pulled it off, believe it or not, through genius tactics on the battlefield and on the diplomatic front," said Kefka. "He directly intervened in several key battles, but without favoring either side. When the factions tried to meet secretly behind his back, he captured the delegation and forced both sides to the negotiating table. Accomplished more in a matter of months than the Altyrians had in almost a hundred years."

"Wow, he sounds like someone who knows what he's doing," said Hikaru. "Do you think we can trust him, though?"

"I don't know," said Kekfa, his ear flicking. "He's one of the most prized Fleet Admirals in the Imperium, and I would have never considered him capable of going against the Emperor." He paused and thought for a moment. "Then again, I know he's had an issue with Rahksha for years. I suppose one of his motivations is personal vengeance, but for what I couldn't say."

"I guess we don't have a choice," said Hikaru. "We'll have to wait and see what happens. I just hope we don't come to regret letting him in."

"Yeah, same here," said Kefka. "On another note, you really impressed me back there."

"What do you mean?" she asked, looking back at him.

"The way you talked down the Black Dragon," said Kefka. "I was prepared for a full-blown fight to break out, but you slapped him down with cold hard facts. I guess you're the first person to ever talk back to him without backing down."

"Well, I couldn't stand his attitude," said Hikaru, looking straight ahead with a serious face. "Someone with all that potential, and he just does dirty work for other people and doesn't care who he hurts in the process. I can't understand that kind of selfishness. How does someone even get that way?"

"Trauma can have a terrible effect on people," said Kekfa. "I've seen it thousands of times in my life. I once knew a bright-eyed, energetic young private in the infantry who could make any of us laugh, even in the worst of times. After two combat tours on the front, he was unrecognizable. Just an empty shell of a Zill, who was only good for soldiering. I don't think he even remembered how to smile at that point."

Hikaru was quiet, trying to picture this young soldier Kefka had described. "How did you manage to not lose yourself, Kefka?" she finally asked. "You must have seen all kinds of horrible things while you were fighting for the Imperium. How did you not end up like that?"

"Honestly I couldn't give you a definite answer," he replied. "I guess I've always been resilient, even when I was little. Another part of it is I knew my squad was depending on me to keep it together, and one of my biggest fears is letting people down. So, I just held on for dear life and pushed through."

Hikaru smiled and slipped her hand into his, taking hold. "Well I'm glad you did," she said, smiling up at him. "Because it means I got to know the real you."

He smiled back, leaning down and nuzzling her. "Yeah, that's true," he said. "Hey Hikaru... Do you really think it's possible for me to see your world one day?"

"I don't know, but I really hope so," said Hikaru. "I'd love for you to see Tokyo and meet my brothers. Though they might take some getting used to. They're really protective of me."

"A sentiment I can understand," said Kefka. "I certainly want to protect you with everything I have."

"I know," she said as she stopped walking and stood in front of him. "But, even if I can't bring you back with me, all that matters to me is that I can be with you." She looked up at him, stroking his furry cheek.

"I feel the same way, Hikaru," said Kefka, sliding his arms around her. "You're the most important thing in the world to me, and as long as we can be together, I'm happy."

Hikaru's smile widened and she leaned up and kissed him. "That makes me happy, Kefka," she said. She kissed him again, this time kissing more deeply.

Meanwhile, Umi and Raxx were in another part of the gardens, sitting beside a large decorative fish pond. Mokona was with them and had provided them with a small picnic to enjoy while they shared their quiet moment together.

"You know, after everything you've told me, Umi, I'm still fascinated by this little guy," said Raxx, patting Mokona on the head, rubbing behind his ears.

"Puu puu, pu!" said Mokona, clearly loving the attention.

"Yeah, Mokona is something else, isn't he," said Umi with a smile. "He can take some getting used to and his antics can drive you crazy, but we owe a lot to him. I don't know what we'd do if he wasn't here."

"I'm surprised he's taken to me and my friends so quickly," said Raxx, taking a bite of a small cake. "If he's really a higher being like you've told me, he has to know about me and my fellow Zill. The things we've done."

"Hey, don't get distracted thinking about that," said Umi, putting a hand on his. "Right now, it's just us and this beautiful spot. Focus on that." She smiled, looking at him with her blue eyes.

"You're right, I'm sorry," said Raxx, touching his forehead to hers. "I can worry about all that nonsense later. For now, I just want to enjoy my time with you."

"That's better," said Umi with a giggle. "So, what made you want to become a doctor?"

"Following in my father's footsteps, that's one reason," said Raxx. "My father was a military doctor as well, one of the best surgeons in his unit. He was my hero growing up, and I wanted to make him proud by carrying on his legacy."

"What was the other reason?" asked Umi, nibbling a cake of her own.

"I've always wanted to help people in need, especially those that are hurt or suffering," said Raxx. "Even in combat, I would do my best to save wounded enemies. Those who survived ended up as prisoners of war, yes, but at least I could keep them alive. Even if I couldn't keep them out of the camps."

"That must have been hard for you," said Umi. "Having to choose between saving someone knowing the fate that awaits them, or just leaving them to die."

"Hard choices, not being able to save everyone you want, it's part of the life I chose," he said. "I learned that in my first trip to the frontlines, before I joined the mechanized infantry." He paused and shook his head. "I probably shouldn't talk about this, not right now."

"No it's alright," said Umi, coming closer. "I want to know more about you, the good and the bad. I want to be closer to you."

Raxx looked at her, his fur fluffing up a bit. "Alright, I'll tell you," he said. "I was on a world called Zeva, some mining world out in the far reaches. I was working on this kid, fresh-faced recruit right out of training. He'd been shot up to hell and back trying to take some ground from the enemy. I remember he was lying there, just begging the gods to let him live. He was so sincere about it, I thought that just maybe he would pull through. That I could get him back on his feet and he'd make it home. Next thing I knew, he was gone. There was nothing I could do."

Umi listened, blinking as her eyes teared up. "I'm so sorry, Raxx," she said softly. "I know you must have done everything you could to save him."

"Yeah, I did," said Raxx. "Sure didn't feel like it at the time, though. That was the first time, you know. Not just the first time I ever saw someone die, but the first time I ever truly doubted myself. I kept thinking, what was the point of all that work, that training, if I couldn't even save one person? I felt like the biggest failure in that moment."

"So how did you get through it?" she asked, coming even closer.

"Well, one of the senior medical officers heard about what happened, found me drowning my sorrows at the local watering hole," he said. "Sat next to me, and we started talking. While we were talking, he started telling me about some of the patients he'd lost, and he said something to me. He said, 'nobody can save everyone, but that doesn't stop you from saving as many as you can.' Let me tell you, that hit me hard, but in a good way. So, I had myself a little cry, I dusted myself off, and I kept pushing forward."

Umi smiled, putting her arms around him in a soft hug. "I'm sorry, Raxx, but I'm glad that you told me that," she said. "And I'm glad that you're here now. You've helped so many people here in Cephiro in the short time you've been here. And... You've made me really happy as well."

Raxx smiled and hugged back, nuzzling her gently. "Thank you, Umi. I needed to hear that, especially from you."

"Anytime, Raxx," said Umi, her blues eyes practically sparkling. "I love you." She leaned in and kissed him deeply.

Raxx kissed back, neither of them seeming to care that Mokona was watching the whole thing. It may have been a trick of the light, but it seemed the little creature's smile actually got wider as he watched them.