Aetheran Child (34 page)

A few students of higher rank walked by past him, puzzled at his actions. Lexan waited, hoping Alary would just come out of the door and bump into him or perhaps that she would find out he was standing there. Perhaps she went out and she would meet him here when she came back. He could wait for an eternity.

“What if she's busy?” he mumbled curiously, noticing that not once during his journey did his Main Personality Interface talk to him. He dismissed the irrelevant thought. He could deal with it later.

There was no way he could knock or give her a heads up. It was not the way of this world. One could walk in wherever he or she pleased. Once more, the Aether student breathed in deeply and exhaled.

I'll just send her a message, he thought, telling her that I'm outside her door. She could come out without any fuss, and without being startled by me walking in. A little bit of Earth etiquette cannot hurt anyone, right?

“Joshua,” he started, “send Alary a message announcing my arrival at the door of her dormitory room.”

Joshua's usual voice did not reply but Lexan somehow knew the message was sent. My heads up display is gone, he thought suddenly but once more, he dismissed the anomaly. Lexan face started burning and his heart sped up. How easy it was talking to Nivua or Bloo, but trying to meet with an old girlfriend that a few days ago he thought he would never meet, that seemed insanely difficult.

“Calm down, Lexan, calm down,” he told himself and breathed deeply. He closed his eyes and cleared his mind. At least tried to but ended up simply making himself into a nervous wreck. The boy opened his eyes, half expecting for Alary to be there. But she was nowhere in sight.

Something deep inside his mind told Lexan that Alary was already on her way to a vacation spot for Sun Surfing. She was going to stay at a floating hotel that orbited close to the main star of this system.

How could I possibly know that? The boy thought and once more an answer came as if he had known it the whole time, the computer's interface worked directly with his thought pattern and did not bother to say the answers out loud.

Another message from Alary told Lexan she had no idea who he was and how he knows her. His data, it seemed, was classified and beyond her reach. He, quickly, responded with a concentrated thought saying, “Someone you knew long ago.”

Lexan thought about calling Solan and asking him if he was still up for the Sun Surfing ordeal. He could not come up with another way to meet Alary. It was either Sun Surfing or he would have to wait for two weeks.
 
Two weeks seemed too long, destiny awaited the boy. Greatness and glory too, perhaps. Lexan lost himself in a day-dream. He could picture seeing Alary, being with her forever, and then, he pictures Nangern by his side, an eternal friend. Bloo, jealous of Lexan's success, would throw herself at his feet but he would simply refuse. Jacque apologized for his out-burst at the dinner. Romul and Remu basking in the greatness of Lexan's shadows. The Aether saw himself returning back to Earth, picking up some of his old friends. He imagined power. He wanted more.

Sure, he was satisfied with his life. Up until now, he had a reasonable girlfriend that he loved. He shared a dorm with only one other boy whom, up until now, he considered a very good friend. Lexan could party it up with older classmates, well sometimes. He was in the world of Aetheri and wonders, in a world that no one, not even his own parents could imagine.

My parents, Lexan thought, they are gone. His one only downturn. But there were millions, billions, perhaps trillions of people worse off than he was in this galaxy. He stood tall and handsome, he was healthy and would live far longer than any of his Earth peers. Yet, still. In this world of wonder and miracles, he was not completely satisfied. The voice in his head repeated the destiny that hopefully awaited him. He would bring Nangern and Alary together, uniting the Nethers and Aetheri. Well, perhaps he would not be involved in such greatness but in the least, he would avert the use of the Children of Toria for political purposes.

Time to call Solan, Lexan thought.

“Yeah, what's up?” Solan's voice announced itself.

“Are you still going Sun Surfing?” Lexan asked, already walking back to his dorm to pack.

“Yeah, I'm leaving tomorrow. Why?”

“I thought I'd tag along.”

“Alright. Well, I have no plans for today so let's go pick out your surf. What do you say?”

“Works for me. I'll meet you at the Gardens,” said Lexan referring to the main Gardens at his Dormitory Cluster.

“In an hour?” Solan asked. Lexan agreed and the conversation ended.

Entertainment? Hardly a time for it, the boy thought awaiting his epic destiny to bring the galaxies together. That is my role, he thought, in all of this. I am the one who will unite Alary and Nangern and thus the two galaxies. The Main Personality Interface already rerouted Lexan's directions toward the dormitory.

“I just need to pack, then I'll go to the store with Solan,” Lexan mumbled and somewhere in his brain a task tree documented the plan.

Inside his dormitory, Lexan realized that he had absolutely nothing to pack. For the past few months, the Aether lived without many possessions. The only ones included school supplies such as books and weapons that he kept in his temporary closet space. None of the school supplies, though, could be taken off the planet. Books were useless and weapons forbidden.

Without taking anything at all, Lexan walked out of the room. He left a general message for Jacque to explain his absence. Lexan's roommate though would probably not care. After last night, I doubt he'll want to talk to me at all, the boy thought as he walked out the door which curiously enough, vibrated with energy so that the outside could be seen, however no one outside could see inside. The boy walked through as if nothing was there. He shook his head and walked to the Gardens.

Bloo, Nivua, and Jacque resembled another part of Lexan's life, a part that seemed to be a sort of play, a distraction from reality. The only normal part of his life. Well, somewhat normal. Lexan left a note for Bloo as well, that only she could access and only if she came into his dormitory and inquired about his whereabouts.

Minutes later, Lexan met up with Solan at the Gardens. The area had been completely trashed. Hundreds of containers, used to hold hallucinogenic substances no doubt, were scattered all over the area. Luckily, the nature of their chemical make-up would make the substances disintegrate within a day or two.

Solan brought his Sky Surf, the Hurricane, meant for regular cloud boarding, “Let's start.”

“I thought we were going to shop first. You know, so I could get my own Surf.” Lexan said, pointing away from the Gardens.”

Solan laughed, “You'll need a Phoenix surf board for the surfing the Stars, [Muray]. But first -”

“Wait, what did you just say?”

“I said, you'll need a Phoenix surf board. This is the Hurricane, I'll teach you how to surf in the air first,”

“No, no. What did you call me?”

“[Muray]?” Solan looked at Lexan puzzled.

“Why did you call me that?” Lexan looked at Solan just as puzzled.

“That's your name, isn't it?” Solan asked and laughed, “Or have I been calling you by the wrong name for the past few months? Now come on, let’s go.

“No, my name is Lexan, I've told you that. Where did you get [Muray] from?”

“Look man, whatever. I remember when I first talked to you, you said your name was [Muray].” Solan frowned and took his surf. He placed one hand on the middle of the board as it floated beside him.

“Well, it's Lexan,” the boy did not give it another thought and came over to the board.

Solan smiled, “First, you'll need to learn how to balance on the board. Stand up on it.”

Nervous, Lexan walked up to the board, trying to concentrate on the task. He placed his foot in the middle and shifted his weight. That's when the board turned and he fell completely over bumping his head harshly against the ground.

Solan laughed shortly and proceeded to show Lexan how to perform the task. He placed one foot at the center of the board, shifted his entire weight on it, and finally took his other foot off the ground. He placed his feet one behind the other. Solan smiled and moved his feet apart for better stability.

The boy shifted his weight a few times and the board sprang into action, “You use the foot in the back to control the speed, like so.” Solan's right foot moved around a few times, speeding and slowing the board, “Your front foot changes the direction.” the boy hovered and span in place a couple times, “And together, your footwork lets you control the whole board.” Solan proceeded to fly around the Garden until finally reaching a stopping point next to Lexan.

“You try,” he smiled.

Lexan put his foot on the board with more caution this time. The board swayed violently once more. Trying again, he simply jumped on the board. Seconds later though, he had to jump off because he could not hold his balance.

“It will take time. I've been surfing for years,” Solan grinned.

“So how am I going to Sun Surf then?” Lexan looked questioningly at his companion as he placed his feet on the board again only to end up splattered in mud next to the Garden's concrete walkways.

Solan extended his hand and helped the young Aether up. Lexan brushed the soil off his suit easily and tried to get up on the board again.

“We have two weeks. We'll leave tomorrow. I'll teach you how to Surf in the simulation aboard the cruiser that eclipses the star. You can teach yourself too, actually. You should be able to take on your first solar mass ejection in a few days,” Solan winked and laughed at Lexan falling down again, “Okay, I think that's enough. Let's go get that board.”

Lexan smiled and left the Gardens with Solan. He wondered at how he could live so many separate lives at once. Everything about Alary was serious. The situation with Nangern honestly did not leave Lexan anything to do other than plan and hope for the best. It was his “destiny”, a life he had to live, a live that he had to fulfill.

On the other hand, there was Bloo, and Jacque, and Nivua. That life seemed to be overly complicated with dramatic twists and turns. A life full of passion, fun, and sadness. It was an exciting life.

Finally, he could live just like everyone else on this world. A simple life, like Solan, enjoying the little things and having fun. Living with no concern for the repercussions of one's actions in the world. Then, only then, he could forget about the war and such. No, it was one life. A single life with a dynamic set of layers leading to a solid core, him.

The two boys walked down toward the transport station and blasted off toward one of the higher situated Spheres. From there, they took an elevator, an invisible magnet-controlled lift, toward a landing platform. On top stood a small shop with Surf boards floating outside in the air. The owner greeted them, “Hello there. Looking for a new Board?”

“Yes, a Phoenix. We're going Sun Surfing this week,” Solan said and led Lexan over to the Sun Surf section. The Boards lined up with scaly black bottoms.

“Oh I see. You kids got the two weeks off, eh? Alright. The boards are ranked according to quality left to right, ya hear? The best ones are over here,” The tall skinny Shun with deep red skin walked over to a particularly stunning group of Surf boards. They had intricate designs, “These link up with your implants. No more hassle footwork. I enjoy the foot work, if you ask me, but you don't have to do it anymore. This board over here,” the man grasped one of the boards with his thin long fingers, “has auto-stabilizers and thrusters out of this world. Even the strongest of solar winds won't knock you off into the plasma. And the acceleration. Well, you can't even imagine it.”

Lexan thought about the prices and Joshua gently “reminded” him that he could only use up to five hundred credits, “How much are these?”

“This board, the best one is fifteen hundred. Yeah, I know. Sun Surfing is damn expensive,” the store owner started, “By the look on your face, I'd say you want something cheaper. Right over here is the seven hundred and below section.”

The boards did not look as impressive. The designs seem to pale in comparison, “But these, these beauties are old-school. You'll have to be careful with your footwork. And if one of the mass ejections grabs you,” the man made a disgusting sound, “You'll be in a whirlwind of fire.”

None of the boards seem to be priced much below five hundred. And those credits had to last Lexan for all the equipment, “How about the suits?”

“You mean the Sun Suits? These aren't as pricey. Look over here,” he brought Solan and Lexan to another section of the small shop, “I've only got five different suits for Sun Surfing. It sure is popular but most people buy them on the Cruise ships,” he laughed, “they don't even know how much they're over-paying, stupid bastards.

“Alright, look over here. I've got a cheap Sun Suit over here for hundred and ten, it's the basic suit, heat protection, self-preservation. The usual stuff, nothing fancy. It will last you, well, for a couple of these two week breaks if you don't rip it up or something.” The suits resembled regular scuba dive suits. They were completely black and meshed. The only part that differed was a round helmet. The skin of it seemed to reflect strangely.

“Here are the more expensive pieces. This one is one-fifty, and here is one for one-seventy. Both have integration with thought patterns. They link up with the boards and help you out.”

Lexan looked over at the Sky Surf equipment, Joshua informed him that the average Sky Surf board cost about two hundred credits, if that. The suits, well, one did not have to buy a special suit for Sky Surfing.

The boy took Solan aside and started a private converation, “I did not realize the surfs are so expensive.”

Solan looked at the boy sternly, “Ever wondered why I never have time to hang out?”

Lexan was taken aback, “Why?”

“Because I work. I work day and night. Ninety percent of the credits I receive go to my stay here.”

“What do you mean?”

“How else could I pay for my education?” Solan asked, his eyes cold, “I work every single day to pay for my education. With the spare money I save, I buy the Surf boards.”