Animorphs 2.0

Ax

<Yes, brother.> He replied. Jake looked at me. I nodded silently.

"Do you want me to leave?" He whispered.

I shrugged. "You can stay if you want." I didn't care that Jake was here. I was too focused on my father and uncle.

<How is this possible, brother? Your ship crashed. You died.>

<I didn't, brother. I survived. I came to this planet to live.> My father's voice is strained. I know he's trying to keep the shame out of his voice.

<Where are you, Elfangor? Let me see you.>

<There is no need for that.>

<Why hide yourself from me? Like your associates told me, you have nothing to fear.>

<There is much you do not understand Aximili, I do not wish you to be frightened.> My father was scared. I realized. For all his pride and acceptance, he is afraid to face his brother. I partially start my hawk morph in order to speak to my father privately.

<Father, don't be afraid. Think of me. He is your brother. He deserves to see you.> I think my words helped because a moment later, he stepped out of the shadows.

"Hello Aximili." He said with his mouth.

Aximili, shocked, takes a step back. <What is the meaning of this brother?>

<I told you there was much you don't understand. I know you are wondering so I will tell you. This is my form now.>

Aximili narrowed his eyes. <You were wrong Elfangor. There is a traitor here. Someone who betrayed all his kind and lied to all those closest to him.>

Elfangor stepped closer. "Aximili, please."

<No Elfangor. How could you do this to me? To Mother and Father! You were my hero! I grieved when you died, we all did.> Aximili's face looked in pain. <You were supposed to have died a hero! As someone who had saved us all. This, this unthinkable. You have destroyed your own legacy.>

"Aximili." My father pleaded. "You do not understand because you did not go through the pains of war as I have. You have not had to make decisions that broke your heart. You have not had nightmares of the screams of those you have destroyed all in the name of good." I saw tears in my father's eyes as he spoke of his past. "I understand your anger; I have never forgotten the shame of that decision. But if I had to go back and choose again, I would not change what I have done. I was not able to continue in the life I was living. In a way, I did die. But I was reborn as this." My father spread out his arms, presenting himself to his brother. "I was able to continue living, in a way I could no longer do as an Andalite. I built a life for myself here. I was able to carry my burdens, but only where I was comfortable. Where no one knew me and the only legacy I had was what I did further."

Aximili no longer glared at my father, but he was still visibly upset. Jake beside me had looked away. I could tell he felt he didn't belong here. Yet he stayed. I think he stayed for me and I felt gratitude towards him.

<Why, though, Elfangor? How? What made you come here, to this rock to live, away from your family, all alone? Why Earth?>

"It's a long tale Aximili. But I will share it with you. It was before you were born..." This story I knew by heart. After my mom had died, I had made my dad tell it to me over and over again. I loved it. It was full of sorrow, and had sad ending, but it was also the story of how my parents fell in love. The story of the Skrit Na and their cargo. I watched Jake beside me. This story was new to him. I was sure a lot of the things were unfamiliar to him, but he recognized the significance of this tale.