Author Note: Listen, I am in a rush with studies but I've got like three other chapters planned after this one. Let's reach this finish line together! I can't respond to reviews, that will be next chapter but I hope you enjoy. This one is a 5k one so it's quite long and it's more feel good. Then next ones are going to be more crazier. Follow, favorite, review, comment, etc. Let's do this!

Chapter 28 - A Universe Without War - End of Elan ARC

Aiden Winters tossed and turned in his bed, haunted by the echoes of Jack's desperate cries. In the darkness of his nightmares, he could feel his friend slipping away, swallowed by the abyss. "Aiden, don't let me go!" Jack's voice echoed, pleading for salvation. But Aiden was powerless against the relentless pull of the void.

"Jack..." Aiden's voice was barely a whisper, lost in the suffocating darkness. The weight of Jack's words hung heavy on his heart. The last sons of Jack Cooper—why did it feel like he was the only one left?

As the nightmare tightened its grip, Aiden struggled to break free, but it was futile. "Do not let me die unremembered, Aiden, please!" Jack's desperate plea echoed in the emptiness, fading into nothingness.

Aiden awoke in a cold sweat, his heart pounding in his chest. Beside him, his faithful Suletta slept soundly, unaware of the turmoil raging within him. With a sigh, Aiden adjusted the bandage over his prosthetic eye and removed the medical instruments from his skin.

Leaving the hospital behind, Aiden gathered his belongings into a duffel bag, his mind still reeling from the nightmares that plagued him.

"That looks oddly grim," Miorine remarked, her voice breaking the uneasy silence.

Aiden's gaze turned towards her, his expression heavy with emotion. "This is who I am," he replied curtly, his eyes narrowing as he confronted her unintentional bluntness.

Miorine recoiled slightly, her thoughts racing as she realized the impact of her words. She had never seen Aiden without his prosthetics before, and the sight left her feeling unsettled.

Meanwhile, Suletta breezed into the room, her cheerful demeanor a stark contrast to the tension that hung in the air. "I'm back!" she exclaimed, brandishing a bag of drinks. "Miorine, I got you your iced coffee."

Miorine accepted the drink with gratitude, her mind swirling with conflicting emotions. Suletta's kindness was evident, a reminder of the light that still shone in their dark world.

Miorine's gaze remained fixed on the can, her thoughts swirling like storm clouds on the horizon. "She did this because she views me as one of her best friends..."

"Aiden, this one is for you," stated Suletta with a gentle smile, her voice carrying the warmth of a hearthfire on a cold winter's night.

She extended a red can of soda to Aiden, who accepted it with a determined grip, despite the challenge presented by his lone hand. "Aiden, do you need help?" inquired Suletta, her concern evident in the furrow of her brow.

Aiden shook his head slowly, his jaw clenched with stubborn resolve. "I've got it," he replied through gritted teeth, determined to prove his independence.

"I can help you," Suletta offered once more, her words echoing with unwavering support.

Aiden met her gaze, his own eyes reflecting a mixture of gratitude and pride. "Listen, Suletta... I don't want you to feel bad for me. I can handle this on my own, honest," he assured her, his voice tinged with vulnerability. "It's just been a long while since I was last limbless..."

He turned away briefly, his gaze falling upon the cart containing his prosthetics—the tangible remnants of a battle that had nearly claimed his life. Memories of that fateful duel flooded his mind, each moment etched into his consciousness like runes upon ancient stone.

As he grappled with the ghosts of his past, a haunting question lingered in the recesses of his mind. Why had fate spared him when so many others had fallen? The answer eluded him, like a shadow slipping through his grasp.

Once, Suletta had been nothing more than a figment of his imagination—a spectral vision born of desperation and despair. But now, she stood before him, a living embodiment of hope and compassion.

"Aiden, your face is as red as a tomato," teased Miorine, her voice cutting through the tense atmosphere like a knife through butter. Aiden shot her a withering glare, his frustration boiling beneath the surface.

"Shut up, Miorine," he snapped, his words sharper than he intended. Miorine recoiled, her confidence faltering in the face of his anger.

Suletta intervened once more, her voice a soothing melody in the midst of discord. "If you want to do it... you can, Aiden. But know that I'll always support you," she reassured him, her words a beacon of comfort in the darkness.

Yet, he trusted Suletta. Vulnerable and broken, she would stay by his side. So, why not...

"Here," he offered her the can. "It's a pain to get it open with one hand. Can you help me?"

...and Suletta, for a moment, stared at the can, then nodded with a smile. She deftly cracked it open and handed it to him. He nodded his gratitude towards her and drank it greedily as Miorine stood in the corner, observing the exchange.

"Thank you, Suletta," spoke Aiden, and Miorine understood that she would never stay by his side. That she was incapable of understanding him, and maybe Aiden did just prefer Suletta over her. And that thought alone caused a pang of horrible feeling in the depths of her gut.

There was a sudden knock on the door. "Is that Deacon with the car?" questioned Aiden.

Yet, the door opened a moment later, and...

"Mom!" Suletta exclaimed joyfully, shooting up to embrace her mother, even though her mother's demeanor still felt somewhat strange to him.

"Hello, Suletta," her mother called out. Aiden waved in greeting.

"Hey, Ms. Mercury," said Aiden, his attention drawn to what was in her hands. A box was held in both her hands as she walked in and set it down beside her. "What's that?" he asked.

"No need for formalities, Aiden. You're my daughter's dearest friend..." Prospera turned towards Miorine as well, her gaze heavy and unwavering. "Both of you are." Miorine averted her gaze, feeling the weight of Prospera's scrutiny, though it went unnoticed by Aiden and Suletta.

"Mom, what's in the box?" Suletta asked.

And Prospera tousled her hair slightly. "A gift for Aiden, for our new business relationship."

Prospera opened the box, revealing...

"An arm and a leg?" Aiden regarded, chuckling as he peered into the box.

"Calibrated for your height and use, these are probably the finest prosthetics that we could get," Prospera said as she took the leg in both her hands. "You mind if I do the honors?"

Aiden glanced at Suletta, who nodded in agreement. Aiden sighed. "Sure, I'll let the expert handle it," he said, with a slight chuckle at the end of the sentence.

Prospera knelt down and began to connect the leg. Aiden watched intently as Prospera started to speak. "Did Suletta tell you... that I am disabled as well?"

Aiden's eyes widened. "No, she didn't,"

Prospera chuckled and shot a look towards Suletta. "Suletta, sweetie," her mother called out. "You never told Aiden, this boy so fond of you, that your own mother wasn't like him."

Suletta's face heated up, and she averted her gaze. "Gee, mom, don't embarrass me, especially in front of…" Her eyes trekked towards Aiden, her face streaked in scarlet as she averted her gaze once again.

Prospera sighed. "I lost my arm when I was younger. It was difficult, but I met a woman, the best woman I know. Ever heard of the Ochs Earth Corporation?" Prospera asked.

Aiden's eyes widened, and he slowly nodded. "I've heard of them. They were the ones who started building Gundams, right?" He questioned.

And Prospera nodded and continued. Aiden heard a click, the utilitarian pale white limb was similar to his leg in shape and size, robotic, but it had a unique grey-white finish. It replaced the more mechanical limb he once had from the IMC. Yet, he shuddered, he kicked on impulse and narrowly missed hitting Prospera.

"S-sorry," he quickly stammered out, and Prospera only chuckled to herself.

"It's fine," she replied. "The limb is going to need some time, and you as well are going to need some time to get used to it. But this is state of the art. You've had some IMC junk, but this has some Gundam technology in it."

Aiden's eyes went wide and alert. "Gundam tech?"

Miorine's own eyes widened. "Yeah, is that going to kill…"

"God knows," replied Prospera firmly. She arose, slipping her jacket off her body as everyone began to watch. In a swift movement, her right arm detached from her body. They all looked at it. "My arm has similar tech, but yours is more… refined and experimental. Your new leg and arm are going to be fine. Don't worry, it's mostly the nerves connecting to what they think is there."

Aiden scratched the back of his head. "Too much science for me," he chuckled to himself. "I never paid attention in school, but as long as I can play my piano," and his eyes trickled to Suletta for a moment. "I'll be set."

Prospera helped him with his arm next. And it was Aiden who started to speak. "So, you were part of Och's Earth?" he remarked.

Prospera was silent at that. "I don't care," Aiden said. And Prospera shot him a look as he continued. "Witch or not, you're still Suletta's mother, and you have aided me and my brothers through thick and thin. Sure, you were never around… but you still helped. Thank you."

Prospera looked up at him, and as she gazed around the room, she realized just how young they all were. Her eyes lingered on Suletta, and she smiled at her with such pride, joy, and love. But Prospera couldn't remember which Suletta this was…

Prospera sighed. "Stand up, Winters," she spoke, dodging the prior questions of Och's Earth as Aiden rolled his eyes. He wasn't stupid, and he could figure out what sort of things she got caught up with. Yet, her daughter was at one of the greatest schools in the solar system…she ran a heavily successful company. Dead father, dead company aside, they had one another, and in this galaxy, it was easy for things to be taken away from you.

Aiden followed her command, and as he stepped onto the floor, he…

"What in the world?" And the words escaped from his lips. His eyes alight as he watched as the false skin of both arm and leg transformed. They mirrored his actual skin tone, his actual body. If they weren't lost fighting that Gundam… his leg removed on that table all those years ago, it was back, his leg was back.

As he took a knee, he was astonished, even Miorine had arisen from her seat in complete and utter shock as… his arm, his arm was back!

He was perplexed, completely in shock as he rose his arm back… his right arm, it was back! Four fingers and a thumb! Not some mechanical appendage that was cold and lifeless, but his body. Fingernails and fingertips, and his arm shook at the shock of it all.

He had dreamed he had been maimed. But it wasn't so. He was made whole. The relief of it all made him dizzy. His hand, the hand he lost… it felt better than sex, better than flying like how he did against Elan through space. He was whole, and nothing could hurt him.

"What is this?" He spoke as he cried. "I can feel…"

"It's revolutionary," Prospera stated. "Gundam tech is banned, but Och's Earth wasn't merely about mobile suits. It was about making the ease for humanity to fully reach space, making prosthetics and tools so people will be safe. Gundams were merely a byproduct of that."

…and Aiden stared down at his hands again. Two hands, two legs, two eyes. And he could feel again! "I want my piano," He bluntly stated, tears down his eyes, but he smiled. And that smile radiated.

Suletta gazed up at her mom. "Thank you, Mom," she spoke. And her mom embraced her.

She gave a look towards Aiden. "Me and Suletta had lost a lot of things," she mused. "Her father and my… it's best not to say. However, I am committed to making the galaxy into a better place. And that is why I allied with you and the Sons of Harmony."

Aiden was silent at that, but then he popped the question. "Why did you?"

Prospera chuckled. "You are boys defined by war, and unlike the others within your legion… you realized that fighting an endless war wasn't going to stop anything, and it was merely just going to hurt more along the way. That is why I chose you."

Aiden gazed up at her, and he rose his hand. Prospera shockingly backed up from it and looked at him, but Aiden's features were etched with determination. "Thank you, Prospera. I won't forget ever the debt me and my brothers owe you. Together, we'll make your dream come true."

…and Prospera took his hand with a smile. Miorine could only watch in stunned silence at the display.

"Well, that's good to hear, Winters," spoke Prospera. "Let's make this world a better place, together."

And Aiden nodded at that, but Miorine could tell there was an undercurrent in regards to Prospera's words. The way she spoke them, the loudness of them, and Miorine knew deep down that Prospera wanted her to hear. Almost like "Aiden will help me without any issue, but little ole Miorine is like her father, too paranoid, and too obtuse. Maybe if you were less obtuse, then maybe Aiden would've chosen you instead."

And that thought alone caused Miorine to want to punch a wall.

"Well, this moment was great," spoke Prospera with an added smile, and she turned towards her daughter. "You've made so many good friends, and that list surely must have many notches in it."

Suletta's smile beamed, and she nodded her head so vigorously it could've been a bobblehead. "Yeah, Mom, they all are really special to me," she replied.

And Prospera smirked and beamed. "Also, your stutter, it has slowly been going away… I am proud of how far you've grown without me here, and how you will continue to grow and be fine when I am gone."

Suletta's smile waned at that. "What are you talking about, Mom?" she questioned.

And Prospera's eyes widened underneath her mask, and an aura of melancholy generated, but no one felt it except her. "Nothing, Suletta," Prospera rushed the answer from her lips.

"But, I have spent a while at the academy… longer than I should've. I've got business that I've got to check in one of our mech garages on campus, and then I'll be heading off to the shores of Neptune," Aiden explained.

Prospera flashed a smile at that. "Been a long time since I've been to an actual beach," she spoke, and she chuckled at that. Suletta gave her mom a great big hug, and before they knew it, it was just the three of them together in the room.

"Okay, that's all resolved," Aiden stated with a chuckle as he slung his duffel bag over his shoulder. "Let's get out of here. I hate hospitals."

They left the room, but Miorine lagged behind… she watched them. Her eyes sticking to the red mane of Suletta's hair and the raven messy locks of Aiden's own hair. He towered over the red-haired girl and her, but she laughed all the same as Aiden's teases and flirts echoed through the hospital.

Miorine sneered. "So, annoying," she muttered to herself quietly.

Yet, the issue arose when Aiden went to check out the rest of his stuff. "Hey, where is my knife?"

The tired nurse shot him a look. "What you see is what you get," she bluntly stated.

Aiden's eyes widened and then narrowed. "Oh, so we're doing this," he stated. "Listen, I had it on me and I know for a fact that it didn't get damaged or confiscated by the cops. So, where is it?"

Aiden leveled both his hands on the desk. "It's a fucking heirloom, I am not going to leave without it."

The nurse glared at him. "Sir, if you keep on being hostile. I am going to radio for security."

He sneered, but it was Suletta's touch that calmed him down. "Sorry," he apologized. "It's something from my adoptive father…it's one of a kind. If you find anything, give me a call."

Deacon was in front of the hospital waiting for them. He leaned against the side of his car window. "You look better, Winters," he spoke with a smile.

Aiden shrugged his shoulders, but then he smiled himself. "I am just glad to be able to get real food in my system. Hospital food was the worst!"

"Aiden, you didn't like the food?" asked Suletta.

They went inside the car, Miorine and Suletta in the back as Aiden rode shotgun, and Deacon was driving.

Aiden groaned. "The storm knocked out the power the next day, so there was a period of time in which I was shoveling granola bars in my mouth, while nursing my wounds from Elan. Damn, it reminded me of how it was back during the long war, Deke."

Deacon sighed. "It is what it is, Oscar wants to make pasta tonight."

"Aiden," interrupted Suletta. Miorine had been oddly silent this whole time, merely watching as the other three engaged in conversation, while they didn't seem to ignore her. But they just didn't speak. Suletta continued. "If you didn't like the food. I would've picked up something for you."

Aiden chuckled. "Well, thank you Suletta…look at that everyone, Suletta can just be super sweet sometimes," He paused and whirled around to her jokingly. "It hurts my heart, but makes me feel super happy." And he erupted into laughter.

Suletta's cheeks reddened and she was glaring daggers at him. "You can be so horrible sometimes, Aiden Winters."

"…but you still like me, don't you, Suletta Mercury." Aiden spoke, and there was a silence that settled upon the car. They pulled into the driveway of House Harmony as Aiden gazed out the window.

"It's good to be back home…I can finally make music," Aiden said.

"You want to make music?" regarded Deacon. "I was wondering if you wanted to watch a movie or play some video games."

Aiden shook his head. "It's been a long while since I've last played the piano, and my clients and practice and…,"

Deacon exposed a freshly rolled joint from within his pocket as Aiden was rambling and he immediately ceased. "No way," Aiden spoke and chuckled.

Deacon nodded his head towards the house. "We can enjoy it before we all go. There isn't that many people around today…Jack is on that mission, and Oscar is at physical therapy. Let's hang out like we did the good ole days."

Aiden chuckled. "Like how it was in the IMC training camp?"

Suletta shot them a look, she leaned out of her seat to see what they were doing, her eyes glued to the roll in front of her. "Oscar was telling me that you guys met at a training camp," regarded Suletta.

Aiden's eyes widened. "Oscar told you…?"

Miorine now spoke. "After we got into that argument, Oscar hunted us down and went to back for you. He told us about Harmony and stuff like that."

Deacon didn't turn around to stare, but his silence spoke volumes. Miorine's mind drawn to what Oscar had told him about Deacon's sisters. It was a horrible thing to talk about and…

"Honestly, they had a bunch of young boys trained in armed combat, heck, even with my limbs at the time I was still a unit," regarded Aiden with a smile. "If it wasn't them destroying our home world and killing our parents…the boredom of it all would've had us launch that escape attempt just as quicker."

Deacon and Aiden both erupted into loud, horrible laughter, Miorine and Suletta's eyes widening at the dark joke in shock. "Miorine, I know it sounds bad," Aiden spoke to her, Miorine's eyes widened, he was staring at her, speaking to her. "They were housing a bunch of us in basically a reform school, but they had practically nothing for us to do."

"That was because they were trying to transfer us to an actual faculty for us to be processed," spoke Deacon. He took out his lighter and brought the joint to his lips. "An IMC officer explained it to me one time…"

"Your captors explained stuff like that to you?" questioned Suletta.

"Deacon is a very personable guy," regarded Aiden. "The officers in the militia saw that, tossed his ass straight into command training."

Deacon was coughing now, and there was a relaxed aura to him now. He paused and his head drifted to Suletta and Miorine who knew what they were doing. Miorine was annoyed, and she hated the smell of it. Especially in Deacon's shitty car. Yet, Suletta was staring at Aiden.

"At least he stopped with the cigarettes," she mumbled to herself. She knew deep down that smoking was not good for you, but it was weed and he was a music major. Great musicians have done what he was doing, and while it wasn't as bad as cigarettes. She knew deep down that he was a man, and she couldn't be ordering him around like that. And maybe she was willing to understand better.

"What was up if you mind me asking, about the time you and Suletta met?" Deacon prodded.

Aiden took a fat rip of the joint. He coughed heavily into his elbow. "Woah," he spoke between his coughs. And then his gaze drifted to Suletta.

Suletta turned to face him. He had this dreamy gaze to him now. The blues of his eyes were narrowed, and as he pulled, she felt his eyes tracing along the contours of her body. And he smiled at her. Even now, her mind was replaying the moments of their kiss…but Aiden had not brought it up yet.

She hadn't either...he had nearly died, and Elan did die. Was that just a spur of the moment thing, or deep down was that really his confession of love?

Before Miorine could answer, Aiden flicked on his phone. "Hey, what are you doing?" regarded Deacon with a chuckle.

"Deacon," prodded Suletta into the conversation. "I saw you and Nika were talking again, how's that going?"

Deacon smirked. "I may be back in."

And Aiden hollered at that. "Well done…"

"I guess, there is something about being a handler that is appealing," stated Miorine.

Aiden connected his phone. Deacon eyed it. "You got something new?"

"More like something completed," he regarded, taking the joint and passing it back to Deacon.

"This is going to knock me on my ass…," chuckled Deacon. And he coughed into his fist.

The radio swapped to a different tune. "You made this?" Suletta questioned as a slow melody settled upon them, chilling, but vibrant and spacey. Nearly ethereal.

Aiden smiled at her. "It took me over a month, but it's finally done…"

There was a distinct beat change now, swapping between melodies, as Suletta started to bob her head vigorously and even Miorine could feel a distinct shift within her bones. Then a singer started to play over the rap melody. Deacon was bobbing his own head, his fingers tapping along the wheel of the car.

Aiden watched her, and she shrieked away from him cutely. But she liked the way he looked at her now. And a thin awkward line, along her red streaked face, but her eyes filled with lust. And Aiden's gaze was unflinching.

Another song came on. "Aiden, you're amazing!" shouted Suletta, and her hand found his on the back through his seat. "You're a-awesome!" she shouted cutely through her stutter.

Miorine gazed hard through the window.

Aiden squeezed her hand again. And then Miorine heard a question arise from Suletta. "C-can I have a try?"

Both Aiden, Deacon, and Miorine's eyes widened in shock and surprise. "What are you talking about, Suletta?" Miorine regarded curtly.

Suletta seized up. "Well," she awkwardly closed her eyes. "W-ell, it's like college, the academy, and new experiences and," she paused, then opened her eyes and gazed back into Aiden's stare. "Maybe I just want to try it this once for you."

Aiden's cheeks reddened. "I don't see a problem with that,"

"Oh my god, you're such a bad influence!" Miorine hollered.

And the song had a jazzy part to it. Aiden leaned into his chair and slid to the side, taking Suletta by the hand.

"Look, do you see if I am the man worth your time," the song echoed within the upbeat orange jazz.

"Hear that, Suletta," regarded Aiden with a rosy look in his eyes. "That's me. You think I am a man worth your time?" And there was a flirtatious edge to it.

"Okay, well…I am about to leave here," Deacon awkwardly and highly opened the car door. "Miorine, are you coming…I think we should give Suletta and Aiden some time alone."

Miorine gazed at them. Aiden had pulled her close and now she was leaning against his neck. He was sniffing her hair, and she erupted into laughter, jumping from his grasp, but then she slid back into his hands.

Miorine stared at the display. And then her mind flashed to the greenhouse, the flowers of Harmony, the flowers rendered extinct and dead on their homeworld. To her greenhouse…if she had erupted into his hands, if she had been his princess, if Suletta was now here…then…then…

"Yeah, let's go…," Miorine spoke, and she opened the door, leaving the herb-smelling car. Deacon was waiting for her and walked aside, sloppily and lazily moving.

"H-hey, can you walk properly?" Miorine questioned annoyed.

"I can, it's fine,"

"Well, it doesn't look it," And Miorine helped him walk up the stairs, her head turning to the side, and she spotted how Aiden and Suletta were getting closer now, closer and closer, and she watched as for the brief passing of the columns that they had laid upon waiting for them on the day at the river.

And she watched as Suletta's lips connected to Aiden's own. The way he cupped her cheeks and ran fingers past her hair. Yet, Miorine turned away from that teary-eyed.

She helped Deacon to the car. "Thank you, Miorine. What would we do without you?" He spoke.

"You'd be fine," Annoyed spoke Miorine.

"No we wouldn't," Spoke Deacon amongst the music. "You have to understand, you and Suletta…we know you aren't as personable, but we value you. It was your money that affords us gas and you as well are a leader to us."

"A leader," Miorine sarcastically repeated.

"Yes, you are," Spoke Deacon. And his gaze locked onto her, and he took a step forward. "With Prospera's backing now…this can change the game completely. With both our resources, we can send you to Earth as well, and don't think we'll just abandon you there…"

"Earth," Miorine almost like she was in her own drug-induced haze.

Deacon didn't notice. "Me, Jack, Aiden, and Oscar…we've made you a promise."

Miorine's eyes widened. "Where has Jack been?" She questioned. "…and no lying or I'll…"

"No lies, Miorine," Deacon rose both his hands. "I spoke to him, and he agreed to go on a mission for Prospera."

"What why?" Miorine asked.

Deacon shrugged his shoulders lazily. "He was pretty lackluster about it, but I checked everything and it was him. I know it sounds strange, but I talked to him in person before he went out."

Miorine's eyes widened. "In person…and he just upped and left?"

Deacon nodded his head. "He was within the garage. His titan was being outfitted with parts for space travel, he was behind a mirror no doubt, but I saw him, got a phone call, checked to see if there was any weird business…but there wasn't."

"So, you're telling me that you know Jack is safe?" Miorine spoke, and there was a hint of something more there. "Cecilia, she's been worried sick about him. She received a lot of calls…and Deacon she told me that he always calls her before his missions."

Deacon smiled squarely. "Miorine…I shook his hand."

And Miorine did not know why. But it strangely horrified her. Cecilia was so worried, but Deacon had said all these things. Jack had to be fine then, but there was something else there.

He was within the Aerial's garage. The damned mech…the strange wonder that was believed to be one of the cursed Gundams. It was a strange mech, not only within its design, but combat-wise. There was a hollow chill she felt when she was in it with Suletta…almost like there was another with them.

But Miorine could feel it…there was something horrifically wrong.

"Listen, Miorine. I trust your judgment, but Jack stated that he was on a mission. He spoke to me, shook my hand, I know what you're thinking, but everything is fine," Deacon smiled and waved to her. "Hey, do you want to go inside?" He questioned.

Miorine stared up at him, and he was still smiling, he threw a thumb backward. "We've got pasta, and it's been a long while since me and Aiden had the house. Now, with Suletta in the mix…I could use some backup while the love birds do their thing."

Miorine glanced back into the car and found that now they were cuddling with each other on the back of the car, listening to his music, to his beautiful music that he created. Such a mixture and plethora of genres and emotions they were able to articulate. He was gifted.

"I've got some ground beef, and we've got some pasta…I am quite the cook, Miorine," Deacon spoke with a smile.

Miorine paused and stared. Maybe she should stay and support…Suletta was still her friend, and she should feel happy for her. And Aiden with all his imperfections was no Guel. They made a good fit…and Aiden was truly healing from her. Yet, all she could think of was Quiet Zero…and Aiden and Suletta's lips together.

"No, I am alright," Miorine spoke. And she turned around and walked away.

"Miorine," Deacon called out to her. Miorine paused and turned around. Deacon continued. "Don't forget that you are a dear friend to all of us. I appreciate all you've done Miorine…let's accomplish all of our goals together."

And Miorine nodded along with a worked-together smile. She started walking down the path as the dark grey of the sky started to bristle and darken. Snow, pattering downwards as Miorine couldn't help but feel the cold numb to her.

Yet, there was something of a deep red within her pocket. She found the red hard drive in her hands. Her mother's life work…a universe without war, she thought of the legion, to her friends, to Aiden, to Suletta, of her father. With this, she can be truly free while accomplishing her mother's greatest dream.

"A universe without war…that has a nice ring to it," Miorine spoke as she tightened her grip and made her way through the snow.