Legends of the Stars

Chapter 15: The Hollow Men

Chapter 15

The Hollow Men

July 18th, 2019 AE, 6:24 PM

Jaden spent the past day recovering in Darek's garage, with his pendant back hanging from his neck. Darek had closed his bar for the day so the Champions could relax and prepare for their next mission. Kaylah stayed with Jaden to tend to his wounds, and Jesse helped Darek organize his supplies. This gave him time to make the last few repairs to Jaden's motorcycle. Astra and Revan delivered the Star of Iblis to their father after they left the mines, and the King was ecstatic when he saw it. The Ark Knight was speaking to him through a video chat on his phone as Kaylah rubbed cooling medicine on his left arm.

"Terrific job in obtaining the crystal!" King Ramon said.

"Thanks, your Highness," Jaden responded. "Has Astra had any luck using it?"

"I'm afraid not. She's tried everything she can think of, but nothing's worked. I wish there was more I could do for her."

"Yeah, I do to." Jaden had a sense of what Astra was going through. Even though he was the one in control of their powers, he knew how frustrating it was to not be able protect those he cared about.

"So what's our next move, then?" Jaden asked.

"Well, we know the last temple is in Ventasia, but the city's is under the Empire's control, so we don't know how we'll reach it yet. Revan and Astra are interrogating those soldiers they brought in. They'll let you know if they learn anything. Meanwhile, all of you deserve a break after all you've done. You all get some rest now."

"Thank you. We will."

Ramon's head vanished as he ended the call, leaving Jaden alone with Kaylah. He suddenly felt the sting of Kaylah's medicine shoot through his back.

"Ow!" he cried out. "That hurts!"

"Well complaining's not gonna make it any better," she argued. "Do you really think you're up for another mission?" she asked him. "Your body's still suffering from some internal strain."

"Don't worry about me. I can handle it." he assured before crying out from the medicine touching his wound once again.

"Are you sure? Because we're planning on walking straight into Imperial territory, and after what happened yesterday, do we really know what we're up against?"

The Ark Knight just sat there in silence, thinking about the kind of the threat they would have to face next. Even with the Astral Force, was he strong enough to keep fighting?

Kaylah finished applying her medicine, and the large cut branded on his arm had completely vanished.

"Look, I know that deep down, you want to keep us all safe, but I still don't want to see you get hurt. My brother was always the same way, ever since we were little. Growing up, we didn't have any parents, so we only had each other. He always tried to take care of me, but he was still so stubborn and reckless, I was really the one taking care of him. We were so close, I could hardly imagine myself being alone. I guess that's what I'm afraid of. I don't want to have to lose anyone else, and I certainly don't want anyone to end up hurt and alone. That's why I don't want you to push yourself too far. "

It was at that point that she put her hand on Jaden's thigh. He was so caught up in the conversation, he barely had time to think about it. He was just glad that Jesse couldn't see what his sister was doing. Either way, Kaylah didn't care. For most of her life, she had pushed aside pursuing romance and focused on herself and her brother. But after pouring out her loving heart for so long, now more than ever, she craved something in return.