Wartime Reverie

"Hold that thought." Allen said to Raxtion. Then, to Legion he thought. "Well, I was wondering about Crato. What do you know about him? Or about the Black Comet? And I wanted to see if you could get me a copy of the book Crato was talking about." Then he spoke to Raxtion again. "Alicia told you I was from another planet didn't she? I was sent here to save your world, I wanted to talk to the guy who sent me here, but apparently I don't need to be alone for that. He added to Legion, "You could've told me about the telepathic communication before I left."

 

"Ah, yes..." Raxtion said, remembering the information. Raxtion himself didn't know why someone would send this boy to help with their planet, they had everything under control.

"LOL, sorry about that." said Legion "And I got nothing for you, man. I know all my books by heart and there isn't a one of mine that holds a description such as his book. Also I know nothing about any of the people you've met today. But give me a sec and maybe I can find some files on them."

After a few seconds, Legion came back. "Well, I've got one on Alicia and one on Raxtion and also one on Torxber... Let's not worry about Torxber because he's not important." Legion then continued. "Alicia is the Goddess of Peace and Love and Raxtion is a simple boy who was raised in that very city under the watch of his father... Oh my... these two have quiet a history together. Listen to this. Alicia and Raxtion first met when he was about 8. She had made deals with his father to help him as long as he promised her faithfulness and support. She wanted Raxtion's father to avoid all conflicts and work to resolve all problems in his life peacefully. And he did just that, being known as one of the kindest citizens in that city... also known as one of the luckiest." Pages could be heard being turned through the telepathic communication. "When Raxtion was older, she fell in love with him, not for his looks, but for his pure heart and kindness to all creatures. The two started dating and he just recently proposed to her... She has since promised him that he will be a god, so that they may live together forever... My god, is this real life? Could these two have a more storybook love?"

 

"Probably." Allen laughed a little. "Look up your files on me and Jen sometime. Anyway what else? Do you know about them? Is there anything that relates to the Black Comet, or the darkness threatening their world? And do you have anything on Crato?"

 

"No... No file on Crato..." said Legion "There is only details in Raxtion's and Alicia's files that talk about their relationships with Crato. Maybe you can use it to your advantage. Raxtion studied under him and is somewhat loyal. However, Alicia is very suspicious of Crato, and Raxtion's loyalty to Crato is only second to his loyalty to Alicia. He truly loves her. The Black Comet is detailed only by what Raxtion and Alicia know. Which isn't much... I suggest looking up different leads because it seems to be a dead end here."

 

Allen was worried that Legion didn't have a file on Crato. "Okay, do you have anything on the technology I could use to see if Crato was telling the truth about what the Black Comet will do?"

 

"Dude, even if I knew all the technology, I still wouldn't be able to help you. I don't have the skematics for it." Legion said, also starting to get worried. Allen could hear the uncertainty in Legion's voice.

Raxtion just stood there watching Allen stand perfectly still while making all sorts of facial expressions. "What an odd guy..."

 

"Legion, we'll get through this All right. I'll just have to figure out another way. I'll even bring you back the schematics for the Comet and Crato's book if I can. Now Raxtion's giving me funny looks, I've gotta go." He walked to where Raxtion was standing. "Just some...internal dialogue, don't worry." He put a hand on his stomach, suddenly realizing how long it had been since he'd eaten. "I'm not going to get anywhere here, the tech's too far over my head. Where can we go for a good bite to eat?"

 

Raxtion smiled a bit and then said "Yeah, sure. There's a bar across the street. They serve some good steak."

Raxtion then took Allen over to the bar and ordered him the steak while he ordered himself some alcohol.

Music:

While he watched Allen eat he couldn't help but think of everything that had happened to him. Everyone around him seemed to be against Crato... First Torxber... then Allen... and he knew Alicia didn't like him. What had they all picked up that Raxtion had missed? Some clue to his personality? Did he say something to each of them that they couldn't repeat? No, Allen wouldn't have had the time... What is wrong with me? Raxtion thought. He knew he had to confront Crato on these issues, and he would later that night. But first he just wanted to go home and see his wife one last time before he flew off to save the planet with Crato and the other 11 desciples.

 

Allen was surprised that the bar let in a seventeen year old, not that he minded.

He was so hungry he didn't want to stop eating long enough to talk and Raxtion looked like he probably didn't feel like talking either. So Allen just thought about what he had learned over the past day. He was worried that Legion didn't know anything about Crato, after all Legion had said that it was basically his job to know everything. He wanted to see the book Crato had spoken about too, to try and figure out exactly what it was Crato had learned from the book, and, more importantly, if it might've had anything to do with the darkness that threatened this planet. He also thought about what Legion had told him about Raxtion and Alicia. Alicia reminded him of Jen, something about her gentle nature, and the way she couldn't seem to refuse any request for help. Raxtion was unlike him though, while Allen immediately questioned everything that didn't make sense to him, and wouldn't be satisfied with half an answer, Raxtion seemed to accept everything Crato said without issue.

He looked at Raxtion. The man looked upset. Allen supposed he could understand, the one person he loved most and a complete stranger were both highly distrustful of his mentor, a man he clearly trusted. At first Allen didn't say anything, then he thought about the last thing Alicia said to him. He stopped eating his nearly-finished steak long enough to say, "I can see why you like her

 

Allen's comment knocked Raxtion out of his thoughts and back into the bar. "Huh? How's that?" asked Raxtion, not clearly hearing Allen the first time around.

 

"Alicia, I can see why you like her." Allen looked up to make eye contact. "She...reminds me of my girlfriend actually."

 

"Oh..." Raxtion was surprised that he said this. "Well, thank you. I love her, I really do. She brings so much extra to my life..." Raxtion started to glow when he said this and went into his own thoughts for a moment before coming back to reality and asking "So, Allen, what's your girl like?"

 

"Jen? She's..." Allen thought for a moment and smiled. "She's really something else, y'know. She's the most kind and caring person I've ever met, or at least she's tied with Alicia for that category. I've never seen her say no to anyone who needed help, she'd show up on moving day for a perfect stranger if they just asked her to. She's tough to though, you'd never guess it looking at her or talking to her, but she's got something in her that'd scare death himself if he saw it. Maybe that's why she's so fearless." Allen laughed. "She's also incredibly gentle too though, never raises her voice, even when she's angry. She does some babysitting work and the kids love her, she could pay for this steak with just one of her tips and still have money left over. She's also the only person I've ever met more strongly grounded in her morals than I am." He sighed sadly. "Somehow she does it without ever having to choose between friends or morals. I've even seen her in situations where it looks like she'll have to choose one over the other, but she somehow always manages to always stay loyal to both. She's the only person I don't keep at arms length too, because I know that I'll never have to choose between her and my integrity. Anytime I need advice or someone to talk to I call her." There was a sparkle in Allen's eyes as he talked about Jen.

 

The officer stopped and faced Mixt “Listen kid, you may be nobility, but your seal has yet to be officially recognized, it’s a big parade they do and all that. Second even if you get officially recognized this is a military vessel, unless the Emperor himself says we take your orders or gives you a rank above out own you are still just like those other students, now I suggest you return and have something to eat” he turned and entered the bridge, closing the door behind him.

After all the students sat down a few of the ship’s crew brought in food and placed it down in front of them.

 

Raxtion listened to Allen talk and realized he could talk about Alicia in that same way, go on and on about how great she was. But thinking about her only made Raxtion want to go home and see her before they would take off. "Hey, Allen, listen, the launch is going to be soon. Do you mind if you eat that on the way. I want to go home and say good bye to her before I launch off."

 

Allen had almost completely forgotten where he was talking about Jen. "Huh? Oh yeah, sure. I understand." He flagged down a waitress and ordered a to-go box for the nearly finished steak.

 

Raxtion smiled at Allen and said "Thanks." The waitress brought his to go box and they both left, walking all the way to Raxtion's house. On the way there they each talked about their respective girls and all the great things about them. It was a fun and nice conversation.

They then arrived at the house and Raxtion noticed all the lights were off. Raxtion thought to himself "Oh, she must have gone to sleep early so that way she could be wide awake for the lift off." Raxtion brought out his key and opened the door. He then showed Allen inside and pointed at the couch "Unfortunatly we don't have another bed, you will have to sleep there tonight. So get yourself comfortable. I'm going to check up on her." Raxtion said to him.

Raxtion then slowly walked up the stairs, wanting to creep up on her and surprise her with his presence. Jumping on her when she was asleep was a thought, but Raxtion wanted to be playful and not rude. He noticed the door was slightly shut, but just left a bit ajar. He peeked into the crack to see if he could see her laying on the bed... but she wasn't there... He opened the door to a horrifying sight. A man stood over her with his sword in her heart. She lied on the ground motionless with blood all around her. The man pulled out the sword at the sight of Raxtion and ran out the window.

Silence

Raxtion began shaking with disbelief and shock. He didn't run after the man, he didn't even know what to do. He knelt down on the ground next to her and then picked her up. He looked up and down her body looking for some sign of life, but there was none. Raxtion then began to tear up. He shook her to try to wake her up but she remained unresponsive. He shook her again... and again... each time with no response. Raxtion then shook her violently one more time while he let out a shriek of pain that could be heard down the entire street. Raxtion then broke into sobs, holding her close to him. He then cried out in pain again, then back to sobs. He went back and forth from cries to sobs holding her, clutching her as close to him as possible. She was so cold. Raxtion then kissed her mouth. But it wasn't the same... the lifeless and cold lips only made him cry out once more and then sob. He kissed her all over as tears streamed down his face. Then Raxtion wouldn't move at all... he didn't shriek, he just sat on the ground, holding her. Sobbing intensely.

 

Allen was getting ready to sleep on the couch when he heard Raxtion's scream. He ran up the stairs and stopped to find where they were. Only one room had light coming out of it and he ran to it. Upon entering the room he was met with the sight of Raxtion hunched over Alicia's lifeless and bloody body. He stared in horror. "No way." He almost found it hard to believe she had died; he had assumed she was immortal. "No way." He walked over to Raxtion and knelt down, putting a hand on his shoulder. Allen was horrified. Knowing the similarities between Alicia and Jen, and hearing how Raxtion had talked about her, allowed him to understand what the other man was feeling. "What happened?" He didn't want to ask, he wanted to let Raxtion grieve, but if he knew what happened he might be able to do something, anything, about it.

 

Raxtion simply sobbed... He honestly tried to talk, but he couldn't speak... he could barely think... Alicia... Raxtion sobbed as he thought of her. Raxtion shrieked again. Then went back to sobbing... He then muttered something "Cra..." Raxtion sobbed some more "Crato..." he barely managed to say.

Suddenly Legion's voice came to Allen "Hey! Allen, there is a flower on the ground near Alicia. Take a closer look at it for me, are the petals black?"

Next to Alicia's legs, there lay a bloomed flower with petals of black waiting for Allen to examine it.

 

Allen nearly picked up the flower, but didn't because after Legion's comment he didn't know the significance of it and decided it was safer to leave it be. Then he said for Raxtion and Legion both, "look, there's a flower next to her. With black petals. What do you think it means?" He added for Legion, "Do you know what happened to her?"