Stellar Saviors

thirteenth chapter

     Standing here now, Lightyear was with me. His eyes stood out in the bleak coloration of the dream. He released my hand, turning about to look around the void.
    I could move freely this time, walking beside Lightyear.
     "It takes a coward to pollute someone's mind. You made a leech out of yourself, Glaxxon. Won't you show yourself," his voice boomed into the dark. I could feel it echoing through and around me.
     "You think because you're so divine I should risk myself to you, you Khagvek might be more stupid than I thought," they exchanged in English.
      "A parasite has no problem blaming its host for its own deteriorating heath. Be truthful Glaxxon, are you fading?"
     A pause.
      "No, I feel stronger than ever. The forest is a wonderful place full of such beauty. You couldn't stop me even if you tried to," Glaxxon's voice didn't sound normal. There was an undertone of multiple others, and an echo that wasn't his own. LightYear paid no attention to it, his expression unbothered.
      Very far into the darkness, I saw a figure growing. Like the body of a Shakall. . . but more lumpy. The white of his pupil glowing like the moon itself. He was staring at us and I was going to tug on Lightyear to point it out. He already noticed the figure. He reached his hand down to my head again, pressing the spot from earlier.

     I came back to my senses. The Beacon of Rebirth holding my torso with both arms. My hands latched onto the windowsill. My head turned to the open window. Why was I here?
      I looked up at the Beacon then to Lightyear, whose palm was still against the circle. Milky and Ahvertaa were watching me at the other beacon, wide eyed and silent.
     Light-years.ehes returned to their fire color, locking on to my stance. They met the beacon holding me, his expression asking everything.
     "He was trying to jump," Rebirth answered, for me and Lightyear to react. I shouldn't have moved any, I was asleep right? That's why I was in that dream.
     "Not him, the Golden One. I saw him in Marlee's dreamscape. He's losing himself, but he confirmed he is still in the forest. He must've taken over Marlee's body while his consciousness was absent," Lightyear provided explanation, now Milky was the one to ask a question.
      "What did the Mothership say?"
      "They informed me we could handle him. Saying to follow your plan," pointing to Rebirth, "he is changing, becoming less of a threat. The elders didn't reveal why, said I'd see the reason in Marlee's dreamscape."
     "And did you?" Milky once more.
     "I was hoping Marlee could explain why he looked the way he did."
     I recalled how the figure looked and what the Golden One said. Lumpiness. The forest.
    You couldn't stop me now even if you tried.
     "Mutant, he's mutating. Ugly process, terrifying, truly. He's in the forest so a mutant was bound to get him. Maybe that's what he meant," I pitched in, releasing the grip I had to the windowsill. The beacon continued to hold me, maybe thinking I'd still jump. I thought I'd hate it, but maybe I did need it in case the Golden One tried anything.
      "That sounds reasonable," Milky nodded her head. Her hand fell down to cup her lower stomach, her other raising to cover her mouth. Was she and Ahvertaa both sick?
      "Beacon of Rebirth, the Mothership said you had a plan, do share," Lightyear demanded and began to wipe the blue from the wall. Rebirth released his arms from around me and took a step back. Despite the new distance, I could feel the end of his tail snake around my ankle.
    "Simply we hunt him. Marganz and I can defend off the mutants easily, we can lead the exploration teams in the forest. Other parties can be sent out with a beacon to cover more ground. Minimal risk. He's bound to be near Last Colony, their forests are very sectioned and cleared in many areas," He explained, looking Lightyear dead in the eye now, "or just send me alone to hunt him. I'll finish him off."
      "Absolutely not," Lightyear replied quickly, "you know how you are when you're reckless." Rebirth tilted his head up at this and adverted his gaze.
      "I don't get reckless often, it's nothing bad," he retorted, earning a laugh from Milky.
      "You get so stressed and blinded by the target. Definitely proving you're our lead warrior, always wanting to get it done," She joked but Rebirth didn't take too kindly. He was going to say something more but Ahvertaa butted in.
     "How many ships are currently in the docks?"
     "I counted four when I landed, Marganz is still at Last Colony however. If each team split among ships we'd have two on one. Milky, do you think it's safe for you to participate?" Lightyear turned to Milky, all eyes on her now. She simply smiled and waved it off.
     "I'll hang back. I wouldn't want to risk it out there so I'll protect people here if needed. Lolti can go in my place. That way five beacons will still be there," she explained as she stood, her hand still clutching at her stomach. Now with my focus on it, I could see the faintest smooth over a bump. Oh. That would explain the abdominal discomfort.
       Lightyear nodded then walked to the window, his steps making zero noise. He looked up to the darkening sky, a calm smoothing over his face.
       "We can wait until morning, Milky can you ask Lolti about weapon preparation. Ahvertaa inform the advance teams of the new mission. Beacon of Rebirth call Marganz and tell him what he needs to know. Marlee," he paused, "could you stay at the tower tonight. We'll want to leave at first light so the flight to Last Colony will have us there by day," Lightyear ordered, Milky and Ahvertaaesving the room. I don't think I had any problems staying at the tower.
       I nodded and was about to leave when I felt a soft pinch on my arm. Turning to look at the Beacon of Rebirth. He tilted his head to the door and I walked out with him. He was pulling the communication device out of his pocket as we entered the elevator.
     The familiar markings of Marganz appeared from the communicater as we started to lower to floor 4. They spoke back and forth in his language, Rebirth glancing at me often. I just watched.

     They wrapped it up fairly quickly because when the door opened and we walked into the hallway, he snapped the device to a close. I didn't question where he was leading me as he opened a new door.
    "This room is vacant, and I'd be across the hallway tonight. There's other on the lower floors if you'd prefer that," he revealed. The room was set up a lot like my last quarters. No windows, but a lamp gave off light from both the bedside table and a standinf lamp in the corner.
      I noticed his voice sounded strained towards the end. Looking up, he looked a bit sad again. Not a scared-sad, but more like a disappointed expression.
     "Y'know, I don't hate you, right?" I felt he might need to hear that. I needed to hear it from Ahvertaa earlier, a confirmation I was just being paranoid. Or that it wasn't me thinking those thoughts. He was hunting the Golden One, who is technically a part of me right now. Who is also messing with my body and brain. I can't hold it against him if he wanted to kill us. Him, kill him. He isnt me.
    "I know, you think I thought you hated me?" He questioned, walking closer little by little. It confused me a bit but I took steps back until I felt the bed against the back of my knees. I took a seat and he followed beside me, resting on his knee.
       "Well, the whole Golden One situation and like- him being a part of me," I nodded, reaching up to mess with the sun pendant.
      "You're not him though, he isn't a part of you. No matter what he says, you can be him even if you tried," it sounded like a joke but I knew that last bit was serious. He looked genuinely too. Which was really nice to see after the emotions I've seen on him today.
       Especially when he was scared earlier. The look on his face and the nervousness. I thought I liked it, but that was just the Golden Ones sick desire for him to die.
       I slowly fell back against the bed, looking down to watch him. Would it be back to ask about it. Maybe tonight would be perfect in case something happens tomorrow. He followed me down, laying on his stomach. His eyes locked on to mine. I couldn't ask while I was looking at him, so I turned my focus onto the ceiling instead.
      "Earlier, when Lightyear was doing his thing, why were you scared?"
      I heard his breath pause for a moment. I felt the weight of the bed shift as he stood now.
       "The Mothership has a very -- specific way of appointing the leader of the beacons. They're not really the most gentle," he took in a deep breath, unzipping the half of his shirt down. Once it came loose I watched as he pulled the entire length over his head.
      There was a large standing wound opposite of where his heart was. Reaching down his abdomen and all down his spine like the veins leading to it burned. The actual scar was a dark blue, the veins a lighter hue. He turned as more of it was revealed, the lamp providing dim light onto his skin. Small speckles of silver shined in his hair.
        "The elders took a claw to me, they can heal us no matter how fatal. As long as we are in their presence, it's as if we cannot die. Scars earn respect among my species. Mine is well known despite being covered," he ran a hand over the spot before continuing, "the elders can be very frightening and unpredictable. Despite it all, they're forever strict to our traditions. As a beacon, I'm bound by birth to listen." He walked back to the edge of the bed once more. His gaze lifting to meet my eyes, but mine were glued to the scar.
      I recalled the claw I saw at the art gallery. He was hurt by that? The claw half my height?
      His hand was snaking around my wrist, one of his fingers pushing under the bangle to settle where my pulse was best measurable.
      He lifted my hand to rest directly on top of the scar. I see now why he wanted to feel my pulse.
     Proof he's weak. Their kind are emotional. They can be harmed just as you will be. He's vulnerable, kill him now and I'll spare you.  Why does the Golden One even try with me anymore. Why must he talk to me at this moment?
      "Don't listen to him," the deep voice broke through my mind. He must've seen my change while looking at him. Just how quickly admiration can shift to hatred.
      Do I admire him? Or do I hate him?
      My thumb smoothed across the surface of the scar, his breath pausinf once more. His eyes were half-lidded by now, an atmosphere of exhaustion surrounding me. His hand took mine again and I felt his other push me back to rest against the pillows.
        He was leaned over me now, a more serious look on his face.
        "If tomorrow, you see something you don't like, please . . . Don't think any less of me," he almost whispered. Lifting my hand to plant a peck on my knuckle.
       "I wouldn't, do what you need to, beacon-" a narrow in his eyes made me quiet. He contemplated something in his mind, I could see his thinking every time his eyes flicked to a new destination.
       After a pause he spoke again, just as quiet as before, "Robreal."
      A pause.
     "Your name?"
     "My name." He confirmed. It felt special, but it was just a name. Maybe a leaders name is special among their people. Whatever the reason, it made me feel nice to know it. He was pulling a blanket up to cover me now, laying my hand down to rest across my stomach. The drowsiness in me was weighting my eyelids down. I felt a brush against my cheek as they slowly fell closed.
      "Goodnight Marlee."