The Soldiers Key

Chapter 20: Home

Luna had all of the men lower their weapons and led us into the walls, Sol grabbing the key from the ground. Many people sat around the fireplaces near a somewhat concealed white building built into the side of a mountain. The men followed us closely as we walked.

Once we approached the main door to the building Luna turned to the men.

"Stay out here..."
All of them stayed still, but lowered their weapons. Afterwards we walked into the facility through the door, shutting it behind us.

Were in a long white hallway, lights all along the roof.

Luna looked back at me and Tari.

"Both of you... I'm sorry for everything that I have done."
Tari looked at Luna with a smile on her face.

"Despite all you have done... I forgive you."

I nodded.

"So... do I."
Luna wiped away tears from her eyes.

"Thank you both."

Sol patted Luna on her head.

"I forgive you too Luna."

Luna hugged Sol tightly.

"I... I wish we spent more time together."
Sol ran his hands through Lunas hair.

"So do I Luna. So do I..."
They let go of each other and we continued along our way, through a series of hallways in silence, until we reached a large room. A machine stood in the center of it, two coffin like chambers on opposite ends. A large coil on top of the machine. A small control panel stood out on the side.

Sol held out the key to me.

"Here. Use it to activate the machine after Luna and I get inside."
I grabbed it from his hands.

"So... this is goodbye...?"
Sol smiled happily.

"Yes... I suppose it is."

Tari held out her hand.

"Sol. I am glad I met you."

Sol held out his hand and grabbed Tari's.

"And I you. Same for you, Arian."

Sol let go of her hand as he walked and laid down onto one of the large chambers, closing the door over him. Luna looked at us a last time and smiled.

"Goodbye... Arian... Tari. Live for me, okay?"

I nodded.

"Of course."
Luna stepped into the chamber next to Sols and closed the door.

Together Tari and I walked to the control panel.

I put the key into the open slot in the center of the panel.

Tari held her hand over mine as we turned it.

The coil sitting on top of the machine suddenly started to spark.

A large flash of light shot out from the machine into the ceiling, boring through it and through the mountain.

I held onto Tari and she held onto me, as we walked back to the entrance of the facility.

As we opened the door, we stared outside to see the clouds start to separate, the sun shining through, and the blue sky returning.

Tari looked at me.

"So... this is where we start our new lives?"
I nodded as I smiled.

"Yes."
Tari moved close to me and kissed me softly on my lips. Our first kiss.

Tari smiled as she moved shyly back.
"Let's move forward... together."