Chapter Twelve

The Next Day

Arus Embassy

Balto

Chip's transport ended up being cancelled due to an ionic storm in the area so he made his way to the Arusian Embassy to join the staff there to await word on Arus. Everyone was on pins and needles after learning of the incident that occurred at the Castle of Lions. Messages were going back and forth so Chip was able to send word via embassy communications that he was there. All he could do was wait and pray that Keith makes it. The ambassador was keeping Chip apprised of the latest word on both Keith and Larmina's condition so he knew what was going on.

V

Galaxy Garrison

It had been a day and a half since communications with Arus had ceased. Everyone was wondering what the hell was going on there. Jonathan Hawkins was wondering the same thing and so was everyone else on the Voltron Vehicle Force. Word from the Arus Embassy was that it was only temporary and that communications would resume shortly once an issue had been resolved. So they waited.

V

12 Hours Later

Arus

Allura was in Larmina's room sitting by her bedside. She was showing slow improvement but hadn't woken up yet. The doctor said that was to be expected considering the injuries she suffered. Larmina was still on life support. As she sang a lullaby, she used to sing to Larmina when she was a child, it seemed to have an effect as her heartbeat steadied and even the nurses noticed that her stats were stable as well. Allura had been alternating her time between Keith's room and Larmina's as she established a schedule of sorts trying to balance her time between Keith and Larmina the medical wing. She glanced out the window and saw the second sun was setting, and it would be dark soon. With all the distraction of the machines, and her humming, she didn't hear the commotion down the hall. She knew Lance was in Keith's room keeping her husband company while she was in here. He would let her know if anything happened.

V

Lance's POV

It was my turn to spend time with Keath. Allura was in Larmina's room She had headed there a half an hour ago when I came in to take her place. There had been no change in Keith but he was hanging in there. I ran my hands through my hair frustrated that there was nothing I could do. We had gotten an update, that the Ionic storm that was near Balto was starting to clear and so hopefully Chip can get out of there and make his way to Pollux where one of us would pick him up. He's been basically camping out at the Arus Embassy there so he knew the situation along with the rest of the embassy staff. I kept looking at my best friend just lying there. Keith was in a coma from the head injury and was still hanging by a thread due to the other injuries that Daniel had inflicted on him. I hadn't realized how tired I was until I dozed off in the chair I was sitting in.

I thought I was dreaming when I saw Keith looking at me. I nearly jumped when I saw those dark brown eyes with relief. Then there was a bright flash. The next thing I knew, I was startled awake when alarms started going off. Dr. Gorma along with other staff rushed in and a nurse pulled me out of the room. I stood by the door frantic and worried and waited as I heard the commotion inside Keith's room. It was an eternity before Dr. Gorma came out and the look on his face said it all.

Keith was gone.

V

Lance and Dr. Gorma walked down the hall to Larmina's room. He was dreading telling Allura that her husband was gone and it wasn't just Allura, it would be the rest of the team. This was going to be a nightmare he knew but he had to do it.

Both he and Dr. Gorma entered the room where they saw Allura humming something to Larmina. She stopped when Lance had come and placed a hand on her shoulder. She saw Dr. Gorma and so as not to disturb Larmina, they walked back out into the hall. Allura didn't have to ask, she knew and literally broke down in Lance's arms. After a few minutes, Allura turned to the Doctor and whispered, "can I see him?" He nodded and the two led her back to Keith's room. The machines had been turned off as she walked over tears coming down her face. Taking his hand in hers she sat in the chair and brought the hand it to her face. As she cried, Allura had blocked everything and everyone around her, her vision on her husband laying there on the bed. So she didn't notice the roar from Black Lion who was sitting on its perch on the pedestal at the main entrance to the castle or Dr. Gorma and Lance talking among themselves briefly.

Lance then had stepped out of the room and called everyone to Medical. As the rest of the team arrived, Pidge, Hunk and Vince were discussing the lions roar that was heard from all the dens and Black's roar that was heard throughout the castle. But then all conversation stopped when they saw the look on Lance's face and at that moment, they all knew. Keith was gone.

That explains the roar. Pidge told himself as things clicked in his head. One glance at Hunk and he knew the big guy had also made the connection.

They all quietly walked into the room to find Allura at Keith's side crying uncontrollably with Dr. Gorma near her. They all surrounded the bed and one by one said their goodbyes as the tears flowed down their faces.

V

Somewhere at the edge of the Universe on the fifth planet which was part of the creation of Voltron, a woman screamed in agony. The prophecy that had been foretold eons ago about a leader who would come to lead the forces of good against the great evil that was returning would now not come. The prophecy of a man who would lead two Voltrons and an alliance of planets across many galaxies to defeat this returning evil had just been shattered and the woman knew, the universe was now in great danger of being destroyed.

TBC ...