Cyber Chronicles 2: Prime Voyage

Chapter 27: Present

Aytrex's gaze bore into Lincoln's eyes, looking for an answer as Lincoln tried to brush it off. He could feel a faint whisper in the back of his head, almost threatening not to say a word about what he had just remembered. "I just zoned out, sorry," Lincoln said, his voice trembling slightly. "Had a small flashback," he added and turned away from the statue.

"What was it?" Aytrex asked, concerned. Lincoln shook his head slowly. "I don't remember anymore," he replied, suppressing the uneasiness in his voice, as he moved to go down the stairs. Aytrex followed behind him as they walked in silence down the stairs of the shrine.

As they descended, each step felt like a weight on Lincoln's shoulders, and his mind was shrouded in a fog of troubling thoughts. Aytrex followed silently, the air heavy with unspoken questions.

"It's probably time to go," Aytrex spoke, and Lincoln nodded, his brows furrowing slightly. "Yeah, we're going," he replied. The weight of their predicament pressed on them as they exchanged words beneath the towering titan statue. Aytrex hesitated, then added, "No, I mean, we should go to Seno soon."

Lincoln stopped in his tracks, his eyes locking onto Aytrex's. "Why's that?" he said, a hint of concern creeping into his voice. Aytrex continued walking for a moment, his gaze fixed ahead, and then turned to face Lincoln. "I'm their messenger. I can't go missing for too long," he explained with a sense of duty. He resumed his pace, and Lincoln followed suit.

"But then again," Aytrex continued, his expression clouded with worry, "it'd be too dangerous to bring you." Lincoln's steps slowed as he absorbed this revelation. "Does the council know that you escaped there with me?" Lincoln inquired.

Aytrex shook his head solemnly. "Probably not," he admitted, "but they'll know once I return." Lincoln raised an eyebrow, curious about how this revelation would unfold. "How?" he asked.

"Telepaths," Aytrex replied with a sigh. "You can't hide anything from them, not with proper training." He continued walking, and Lincoln kept pace beside him, troubled by the gravity of their situation. "Aren't you trained for that?" Lincoln probed further.

Aytrex nodded, his expression tightening. "Yes, but only against enemy telepaths. Our own know our training, so they'll know when we try to bypass their prying. It'll bring more problems," he explained, the weight of their situation pressing down on both of them. "Besides, we don't have to hide you from the council, they can provide better protection for you."

As they walked on, Lincoln's expression tightened, a subtle frustration brewing within him. He didn't like the idea of being protected; it made him feel vulnerable, and he was used to being self-reliant. He sighed and shook his head slowly, his thoughts churning.

He's being protected because he's weak, a troubling thought sprouted in his mind. It gnawed at him, stirring a complex mix of emotions, as they continued their journey through the city streets.

Lincoln's troubling line of thoughts was interrupted by another pressing question. "Can we really trust the council?" Lincoln asked, the weight of doubt evident in his words, causing the alvan to slow his pace.

"Yes, we can. Why do you ask?" Aytrex questioned, his tone reassuring, but Lincoln's questions were anything but reassuring. His inquiries began to form a troubling web of doubts and uncertainties that he couldn't easily dismiss.

"How did the tyrants know I was in Seno? Heck, how did they get to Seno? Wait, how did they even know I was in Alvanian? The only people who knew about it were Edgar, Crescent, you, and the council," Lincoln voiced the perplexing questions that had been nagging at him, causing them both to stop in their tracks, their thoughts entangled in a web of suspicion.

"They have their ways," Aytrex tried to defend, his voice carrying a hint of unease. "They've figured out a lot of our moves the past few years," he added, clearly grappling with Lincoln's concerns.

Lincoln pressed on, his scepticism pushing him to seek answers. "How do you think that is?" he inquired, not willing to accept vague explanations.

"I don't know, they must have an ability," Aytrex suggested.

"Or there's a traitor. It's the first thing we'd assume on Earth," Lincoln proposed, his voice laden with doubt.

"That's not possible," Aytrex countered, his faith in the council unwavering.

"Have you really not questioned it?" Lincoln pressed, his own scepticism fueling his persistence.

"No, because the council will never betray what the Guardians believe in," Aytrex defended sternly, revealing the depth of his trust.

Lincoln didn't push further, realizing that Aytrex's perspective was rooted in a different set of beliefs.

"See, you know about them more than me, so I won't argue," Lincoln conceded. "Maybe things are different in Alvanian. But let me tell you this. If Earth was dying and the humans had an option to kill another planet's life so they could live, they would do it," he asserted. "Even if they had morals and religious beliefs. Religion can only tame a person so much."

Aytrex fell silent, the council was something the alvan had dedicated his entire life to, and he couldn't be expected to change his perspective in a matter of minutes, or even days or years. Lincoln even doubted the conversation was enough to plant a seed of doubt in Aytrex's mind.

"I'll stay," Lincoln declared, resolute in his decision. "Tell them that I'm staying hidden for the time being. By the time they come to find me, if they come, I won't be here." He recognized this as an opportunity to learn more about Obsune and the mysterious dreams he had been having.

"Lincoln..." Aytrex began to say but was intercepted. "You trust them, and I get it. I really want to take your word for it, but I feel it's too risky. I'll meet you when I feel it's time; I just hope you can accept that," Lincoln encouraged, trying to bridge the gap between their differing viewpoints.

Aytrex's concern remained, and he voiced it. "What if you lose control again?" he asked, genuinely worried about his friend's well-being.

"Then that'll make finding me easier," Lincoln replied, acknowledging the potential risks but standing firm in his decision.

Aytrex sighed and turned away from Lincoln, accepting his friend's choice even though he remained concerned. "You sure you'll be okay?" he asked one last time, a hint of worry in his voice. Lincoln didn't answer but gazed at the people wandering down the streets, contemplating the path he had chosen.

"Just be careful," Aytrex sent his parting words, before disappearing with a flash, leaving behind only the swaying leaves on the ground as a reminder of his presence. Lincoln stood alone on the path ahead, ready to face the uncertain journey that lay before him.