Chapter Nine- Heritage Revealed

"This may sound impossible," she said slowly. "But Keith may be half-Galra." She saw the others look at one another and murmur in Galra. She knew they were asking one another if it was possible. Keith himself seemed stunned at her theory as everyone else.

"What makes you say that?" asked Kolivan.

"I read Krolia's report on Blue Lion, both versions. The official one and the detailed one. Nineteen Earth years she crash-landed on the planet, was nursed back to health, and leaving at least a year later. Keith's home is not too far from where Blue Lion was hidden. It's likely Krolia fell for her rescuer and had a child for whom she left the knife."

There was silence before Kolivan said, "Krolia did say she lost her knife but did not elaborate. I gave her a new one to awaken and did not question her further. Your theory is sound, Shiro. Keith could be a legacy Blade, the child of an operative. Such a status is rare. However, he needs to prove himself and awaken the knife."

"Leader, you can't! He's just a kit. Only eighteen," Shiro protested.

"If I have to prove myself, I'll do it," Keith stated, now standing again.

Shiro moaned softly as Keith and she stood before the first door, Keith wearing a Blade suit just as she had done phoebs ago. "Keith, please reconsider. These trials are rough, I know as I did them myself."

"I have to do this. I want to know who I am, what I am."

"Just let me say this: When you are willing to give up the knife, it will awaken. A good fighter knows when to fight and when not to fight."

"Thanks and Shiro? What's a kit?"

"Term for a Galra child. Eighteen is considered a kit to them. My age barely clears me of being a kit. Also, that hug Kolivan and I shared? It's because he's my mate."

"You're mated to the leader?"

"He asked me and I considered it a great honor." The door hissed open and Shiro patted Keith's shoulder. "Good luck." Keith entered and Shiro rushed to where Kolivan and Antok stood to watch the proceedings.

"Your teammate is stubborn," said Kolivan.

"I know and so is Red Lion so they're a good match."

"Such stubbornness can hamper one's ability to know when to retreat or die for the cause," Antok said.

I just hope Keith heeds my advice. He should as he's seen my blade change forms when we retrieved Red Lion.

Keith's chest heaved as he headed for the door after beating five Blade members. He had been told five times now that he is not meant to go through the room's exit door and he went through the door anyway. He paused at the fifth door and looked at the knife he held. Shiro's words rang in his head. The solution to these trials was to willingly give up the knife. I still want to know about my past, but my future is clear or the immediate one is. I am a paladin of Voltron and maybe the discovery of my past lies in fighting Zarkon. Shiro admitted that there are Blades operating in secret within the empire's ranks. I may discover my mother as we fight Zarkon.

"You are not meant to go through that door," the last Blade reminded him.

He sighed as he went through the door, not ready to give up just yet, while Kolivan, Antok, and Shiro left the control room. "He is about to awaken the blade," Kolivan said. "His hesitation spoke volumes just now."

Six members stood before him and Keith felt tired of fighting. He had no idea how much further this went on, if there was an end, but he was worn out. His arm was at his side and he did not move. The door at the far end opened and Kolivan entered with Antok and Shiro behind him.

"Are you not going to continue the Trials?" Kolivan demanded.

"No," Keith said. "I thought about it and decided that I will discover my past by moving toward the future. I am a paladin of Voltron and I don't need to know anything else at this point." He raised the arm holding the knife. "I surrender my knife. I'm done with this."

Shiro beamed at Keith's words. He said the words and is willingly giving up the blade! She watched as did those there as Keith's knife glowed and grew into a sword that reminded Shiro of an Egyptian kopesh. "You have passed the Trials," Kolivan declared. "You indeed have Galra blood in you and it gives more creditability to Shiro's theory. He turned to his mate. "Antok and I would like to travel with you to the castle ship and inform the princess that the Blade of Marmora would be honored to join Voltron in fighting Zarkon. I know you could tell her but I prefer to tell her personally."

"Sure. We'll meet you at the lift doors." Shiro supported Keith through the back door, his sword changing back to a knife.

"It's true then," Keith whispered with exhaustion. "I am half-Galra."

"I was sure you were when I saw your knife and recalled the report I read on my mission to secure Blue."

"You said Krolia. Is that my mother's name?"

"It is and yes, she's alive but I don't know where." Shiro helped Keith back into his armor. "Keith, there are things about the Galra that we don't encounter in our battles with them. There is a softer side to my race or rather our race."

"Softer side?" Keith asked incredulously. "Shiro, with the exception of you, I find that hard to believe."

"Nonetheless, it is true. I told you that Kolivan is my mate and also part of his pack; a family in human terms."

"A family," Keith said softly, sounding wistful.

"Yes. There are others in my pack and your mother is one of them."

"She is?"

"Yes and I would think that you are part of my pack as you're her son."

"That would make sense."

"Indeed it does," Kolivan said. The paladin had been walking as they talked and had arrived at the lift where Kolivan and Antok were waiting. "Krolia is like a sister to me so that makes you a pack member. If the princess will permit, I wish to stay aboard for my sake and Shiro's as well." The four got onto the lift.

"Your sake and Shiro's?" Keith repeated in confusion.

"We are mates and mates should not be separated for too long as it causes emotional and mental pain."

"It explains why I felt a hurt that wasn't physical. I do not wish to experience that again. It could impact my ability to lead and fly Black Lion."

"And we need Voltron in order to defeat Zarkon," Antok said as they reached the surface.

Red's eyes flared to life as she crouched down and opened her mouth to admit them. Once Keith was seated, he gave a small smile. "You miss me, Red?" he murmured and he heard a roar in his head that he took to mean that, yes, she did miss him and worried about him. It made him feel good that his lion cared about him. The last one to care about him, aside from his dad, was Shiro.

But now I have a pack which is like a family.

"Can you fly this ship, kit?" Antok asked.

"Keith was the best fighter pilot in the Galaxy Garrison Academy," Shiro boasted.

"And I did fly her here," Keith added. "So, the return trip won't be a problem." Keith brought Red online and maneuvered her back along the path and back to the castle with his three passengers.