STELLARIUM(BOOK ONE)

Chapter 20: Xander's Quest II

Meanwhile on Earth X, Luna, Astrid, Elysium, Aurora and Mara stood by the portal at the astral outpost. They literally bought some tents and they camped there, Elysium got worried over the fact that Xander remained stuck there since only his blood could open the portals.

       Mara asked, "May I know why everyone hid this from me? Aurora said he'll be there for a month according to the information Galen gave her. And to his foremost calculation, a month is a whole year… I. Mean… a whole… fucking year! And to what I see here, no one's pissed, worried or even alarmed about it!"

        "Mara shut up!" Elysium interrupted her, finally. The wife and the supposed side chick clash. A strange silence hits after Elysium shuts her up.

      Elysium stood up to her, "You better listen to me and listen well. You are not supposed to be here! I am the woman whose husband doesn't give a single damn about her story, her goals or any form of ambitions! I married Galen, not you! You think it's about you! No… one… cares! And if I must add my only son is on a trip, a trip to another supposed realm just like his father did. Still I don't see you with a child for him, so sit down. You are not in charge here!"

        The wind blows the dust in their midst, Aurora intruded, "Mom? Mara has been of great help to us and Dad. She's been helping since his disappearance. The least we could do right now is to wait for Xander with the information she just gave us… and…"

      "Shut up Aurora! You don't know anything about her or your father, you don't know what it feels like to be in my shoes and in my own marriage." Elysium interrupted rudely. She walked away into her tent angrily leaving them in their state of moods.

       Luna walked up to Elysium, she zipped her tent down and said, "just because you feel like you own someone doesn't mean you do. I don't care if you are my mother, you have been mean and miserably wicked all because you want someone that's not interested in you." She zipped it up and walked away. Elysium walked out of it to face her.

         "Luna, I'm your mother! If you'll speak to me, you'll speak with respect!" She pulled Lina harshly by her arm and Luna yanked her arm away from her grip.

       "No! You are just bitter at another woman looking for the peace of mind you don't have. Leave him alone! I finally saw it, they loved each other and as her best friend or former best friend you should be happy for her but instead you take her man and act like he's yours?!"

        Aurora asked, "Wait, Mara, you were the girlfriend? So she stole him then, is this the work of your own personality or the fact that the Astral Chimera possessed you Elysium? You've been playing victim all these years?"

       Elysium walked out and drove away to her car, she pulled out a bottle of whiskey and drank to stupor as she drove her car away from them.

       Apex and Xander watched the scene from the royal house. Apex asked, "So do you want to return or just remain here with us? That looks like a lot of drama from here?"

       "Apex, take me to Solstice."

     Apex opened the portal, he bowed saying, "greetings, Solstice. The young man is here."

      Solstice looked like a Greek god with his long white beard and his curly white hair on his head. He sat with his robe on his throne in the courts.  Xander admired his physical features despite his supposed age. "Sit Xander, we have a lot to discuss."

         Xander sat across him on the table, Apex excused them both. He shut the doors behind him, "So tell me Xander, what have you noticed about this Earth SDIA, it's peculiarities and it's beings."

        "Well… I noticed it's beautiful and calm. I saw the Lunaract. It described some things for me to understand… I… also noticed the royal house, and Apex. I guess."

         "Hmm. I see. You don't have a royal gesture or charisma, not even the tongue for the seat. Anyway, I'll offer just one weapon because I'm not pleased with your approach and manners. I understand you are new here, it takes a lot to flow with a new narrative. Take this document and hold it dearly, Apex will lead you from now on."

         He walked out calmly, Apex saw Solstice by the door. They discuss privately certainly about him, Xander could feel it. He turned his eyes to the paper in his hands as a source of distraction. He could feel his heart racing inside his chest.

         Shortly after, Apex walked in with an object in his hand. It was covered in leather, "You would look pretty peculiar in the eyes of the court lords." He walked toward him, he continued, "and by peculiar I mean, insulting. You don't have royal decorum Xander, it's wrong."

          Xander stood to his feet, "Maybe I'm not fit for this life you called me to."

       Apex stretches his hand forward, "take the weapon, take the ChronoBlade from me. It's an insult to reject the call of the court masters." His voice sounded so calm but stern.

       Xander took it, he exhaled and stared into his eyes. "What now?"

        "You train like your life depends on it." As they stood there, Vexis walked in smiling. That's rare.

        "Well, well, well, who do we have here? What do we have in our hands?" He tried to touch the blade but Xander held his hand stopping his motion.

       "It's fine, I'll go but you should know I'm not the bad guy when you are the rude one." He laughed and walked away from them.

        "How do you stay with that guy?" Xander asked.

       "By staying away from him, let's go. We don't have all day."