Deucalion [may be edited]

Prologue

We walked in an inelegant silence as my hand was gently clasped in hers. The air was dry despite the rain that had poured a few hours prior and my throat was closed up with heavy dread.

I don't wanna go.

The thought solidified in my mind like plaster and fear coiled in my stomach like a pit worm. I wouldn't say those words aloud though, knew how much this meant and didn't wish to let the women above me worry any more than she already had.

My mother was frail, her bones fragile and mental state even more so over the years, she would never admit it to me though. We came to a stop once the metal platform was in view, she turned to kneel in front of me. She was silent for a moment, her sandy black curls hugging her heart shaped face. Her eyes were bright yet soft like the cotton fabric from Earth. She drew her lip between her teeth before sighing, dread was written clean and clear on her face. Her nose was upturned as she took a calming breath, "You remember your mission?" Mother was shaky in the way she asked this, making the question catch me off guard, her voice was too soft to sound this rough. A slight rasp was prevalent in her throat, waves of overbearing anxiety wisping over her words. Never in my twelve cosmic cycles has she ever tried to discuss my mission. It upset her too much. At least, I thought it did. I answered though, it came robotically like the first movements of a automaton, rolling off my tongue like it was as boring as the dark clouds covering the shining green sky overhead, "I am to bring peace to the known universe and regain rule over my ancestors throne."

Mother shifted, looked as if she hated the the thought of my departing. My eyes shifted to the dirt below, trying to find something to distract myself. Anything that would distract from the constricting pain in my chest and the nauseating feeling in my stomach. I felt awful. I had to wonder why it had to be me. Why was I born into the royal family? My mother was nothing more than a scullery maid when she met my father. Had I been born in a different place -- maybe even a different planet altogether then I wouldn't be forced away from her. "I'll come back," I whispered, a promise. Her eyes softened as her shoulders went slack. I wiped my hands along my tunic out of habit.

She doesn't believe me.

How could I blame her? It does sound nearly impossible given the circumstances. Her lips began to quiver as her jaw twitched. She struggled to find what she should say next and suddenly looked at a loss for words as she let out a labored breath, "I can't do this."

I looked closer at her azure eyes as clear liquid cascaded down her cheeks. I could hear her sniffling, "Mom, please don't cry." I took her around the shoulders, she felt so delicate. "You know I can't stand to see you cry."

Mother vibrated in a beautifully soft laugh, one that sounded too bitter. "My sweet boy. I hate to see you go," she confided. She loosened her hold as she sat back on her knees and I felt compelled to join her, "I wanted to be strong. Wanted to make this as easy as possible but--" Her voice strained as she attempted to croak out her next few words. I waited, couldn't form a response to make her feel happier. "The Order told me that I should be ecstatic," she finally voiced. "That my boy would be the one to save the cosmos from impending doom," her mocking tone made it easier for me to choke out a laugh. "I wanted to be happy..."

"I want you to know how proud I am of you," she explained and pinched my cheeks gently. I groaned and she guffawed making me smile. Mother's features softened further, and I felt better. I knew I'd never stop missing her. "Sweetheart?" She inquired softly and my ears flicked at the pet name, "I want you to know that you are so very, very special. You will be such a unique king someday."

"With a role-model like you I'm positive I will be."

She cupped my face and swiped her thumb across my cheek, "You're going to do some beautiful things with this vast universe. If -- no, when you rid the galaxies of the A'Salem bloodline you are going to help so many people." I nodded while Mother's hands slid to my shoulders, as if remembering me in my entirety. "Remember Deucalion, if you want to bring peace to those you rule over you must find your own peace. It will be terrifying, you will see so much and it will seem hopeless at times but please--" She pulled me close and rested her forehead on my own. "Remember what I've taught you and how I've loved you. Give those that fight with you the same courage." I memorialized those words, purred in the back of my throat at the way she gently stroked my hair.

The women in front of me pulled back with a heavy sigh, "I love you, may the lights of Copperrite guide you." She kissed my forehead and stood up. "I love you more, I'll see you again someday," I whispered; didn't trust my voice to go anything above that. Her smile was sad but I could feel that she had made peace, for now. I stood and bowed lowly in respect one last time, as did she, and with one last hug I was ready for my departure. "Oh! One more thing darling!"

Mother pulled off her necklace and admired it fondly for a moment, "To remember me," she noted, tapping my nose for good measure. I took the small crystal and examined it. It was chipped and looked ragged in a few small parts but as I looked back up at Mother I felt my resolve crack as tears spilled over. She lured me in for a bone crushing hug, kissing the sides of my face sporadically as I held onto her and the pendent. "I'll miss you so much," I urged, rubbing my face into her shoulder. It felt gross, it was sticky and raw when I pulled away from her. She took a cloth from her pocket and began to clean my face then grinned mournfully, "Go. The Order will have a fit if you're late."

I didn't want to follow the command. I wanted to stay and hug her and continue to take care of her as well as she did me.

"Off with you now, be safe, be brave, and for the love of light, please shower child." I groaned and hoped nobody heard that, kissed her on the cheek one last time while she snickered. Smoothing out my clothes I made my way to the entrance of the large ship, spared a glance towards my mother. I'll find a way to see her again.

-

"Majesty."

"Sire."

"Your Highness."

"My lord."

Gracious, so many different titles for the same position. I replied respectfully to the staff just outside the ship, my subjects. I was nowhere near ready to be crowned king but I still acknowledged them for what they were. A member of the order stood at the entrance, presumably waiting for me. I couldn't make out who it was, these people have a knack for keeping their identities. "Hello Leeah," the member said. I could tell who it was, the only person who could ever call me that god awful nickname is Grandma, or Elder Doshima as she prefers. "Please don't call me that, it makes me sound like a girl." The older woman chuckled as she bowed, "Please child, come inside now. We'll be ready to launch soon." I studied her curiously for a moment, "Aren't you going to say goodbye to mom? She is your daughter after all," I proposed. She looked upwards to my mother and for a moment her face was clear as day. She looked painfully happy, like she missed her. "I said goodbye the a fifths time ago, and you know I can't let anyone find out that we're related. That'll probably be emotional and people would ask questions. You know how the staff likes to gossip," she explained. I understood, nobody could know she was my grandmother either.

The Order won't let family members join their ranks, says that people like that let emotions cloud their judgement. But, the women of my family are tenacious and have found a way to dodge around rules a lot over the years. "Come boy, we must go now while the skies don't burn." I nodded and followed her inside.

Once aboard I took glances around. The art of the ship was antique, old writings from my people. Grandma lead me to the bridge where she bowed, "My lord, your throne." I glanced at the oversized silver chair in awe. A chuckled sounded from beside me, "Big shoes to fill, your father had the same look when he left. I was no more than a simple foot servant at the time, your mother working in the kitchen," she whispered adoringly. I smiled and sat on a throne, could see mother waving and I returned the gesture, though she wouldn't be able to see it. "May we go, sir?"

"I suppose we should."

I felt the ship rumble, people on the main deck yelling frantically making last minute confirmations before we were off. The ship was nearly out of the planet's atmosphere when I sat up and walked to the center command console. I placed my hand upon the recognition scanner and typed out memorized coordinates, "Preparing for hyper jump. Coordinates entered and ready for synchronizing, on your mark." I looked over to Thaila, a young Earth girl, she gave a quick smile of encouragement, this would be my first time initiating a hyper jump, on my own at least.

I took a calming breath as I gazed at my own reflection. I noted the changing color of my eyes. I pushed the ship forward, "Keep her steady!" My hand shook with nerve and I took another breath as I began to bend the fabric of space the farther we got from my home planet. "Proceed to jump," the ship commander bellowed. I slipped my hand across the console and navigated expertly through the space rift. I could already tell the years ahead would be quite eventful.