The Search

Chapter 10 Loss

"Emergency solar charging initiating, departure will commence in one hour," the ship's computer announced.

"Are you sure he's not coming back?" one of the hooded figures asked, turning to his boss.

"He's not, okay? He promised me," Planet interrupted from his position on the floor.

"Shut up, we're not talking to you," the hooded figure snapped, glaring at Planet. Then looked back to the boss. "Boss?"

"He's not coming back. He cares too much about that totem to realize it's a toy compared to—" The boss was cut off as Planet stood up right in front of him, his face contorted with rage.

"Toy? A toy?! Do you have any idea what—" Planet began, but the click of a gun interrupted him. He turned to see one of the crewmembers aiming a weapon at his head. He swallowed hard, goosebumps rising on his skin. Slowly, he sat back down, not daring to make any sudden movements.

"Departure will commence in 30 minutes," the ship's computer updated.

Meanwhile, Parrot was running back from the snow village toward the glowing beam, his lungs burning and vision blurring. He pushed through the pain, never losing sight of the bright yellow glow.

"Shuttle departing in five minutes," the computer announced.

Parrot pushed himself harder, his body protesting every step, until he finally saw the white metallic ship in the distance. He didn't stop to think; he ran faster. From afar, Planet spotted him, his heart sinking at the sight.

"No..." Planet muttered, disappointment washing over him.

Finally, Parrot arrived at the ship's stairs, breathless and frantic. "I'm sorry, Planet, I just can't."

"No! Leave while you still can!" Planet shouted, rising to his feet but staying put, the gun still pointed at his head.

The boss stepped closer, a sinister smile playing on his lips. "I'm a bit surprised you came back," he said.

"Shuttle departing in 60 seconds," the computer added, causing the boss's smile to widen.

"What do you need from me?" Parrot demanded, his voice trembling with a mix of anger and fear.

"Hehe," the boss chuckled. "I don't want anything from you. But since you're here, you must be eager to give me that totem."

"Who... who do you think you are?!" Parrot shouted, feeling trapped in an endless loop of conflict.

A crewmember stepped forward, interrupting. "I'll do the talking for you, boss. His name is Lux and he's a shuttle to the last—"

BAM! A loud laser shot echoed as the boss killed his crewmember without hesitation. Parrot stepped back in horror, and Planet, eyes wide, glanced at the crewmember holding him at gunpoint, fear gripping him.

"You don't need to know who I am," the boss said, calmly hiding the gun under his robe.

"Thirty seconds until takeoff," the ship's computer announced.

The boss glanced at the power chamber, almost filled. "Either hand it over or leave."

"Parrot, don't give it back to him. I'll be fine!" Planet urged, though uncertainty laced his words. He knew how important this town, this village, this home was for Parrot. He knew he had to let Parrot save it no matter what.

"Planet, you'll thank me later, I promise," Parrot said, looking down at the totem as he slowly began to hand it over.

"No, you'll thank me," Planet whispered, pulling out the bow and arrow the Oracle had given him for emergencies. This was an emergency, this was the moment.

He drew the bowstring back, the enchanted arrow gleaming, and released it with a swift, precise motion, hitting Parrot.

Parrot only had time to look up as he was shot by Planets arrow, only in time to see everything but unable to react to anything.

Planet then lowered the arrow along with his gaze as it was unbearable to see what he had just done.

The boss chuckled. "That works too." He turned as the strong doors of the ship closed. The computer began its countdown.

10

9

8

Parrot stood perfectly still in the last pose he was making—handing the totem to the enemy, staring inside the ship.

7

6

5

He could still see, feel, and breathe and even with all of that he could still do nothing at all.

4

3

2

His heart slowed as the reality of what was happening sank in.

1

The ship disappeared in the blink of an eye, and Parrot remained, the totem still in his hand, staring at the spot where the ship had been. Everything around him blurred with the harsh snow winds. At this point he didn't even know if he was still paralyzed by the enchanted arrow. He simply continued to stare into the white abyss.

Slowly, he breathed in and out, the cold air biting at his lungs. There was nothing he could do now. It was over.

He put the totem back in his pocket and began the long journey back home. His steps were slow, each one feeling timeless and meaningless. The white, soft snow mirrored the blank emptiness in his mind as he walked, staring down at the ground, lost in the endless expanse of cold and silence.