Eternal Horizon: The Chronicle of Vincent Saturn (Eternal Horizon: A Star Saga Book 1) (44 page)

Farewells

It was around noon when the last of the warships left. The monks worked rigorously alongside the Urtans throughout the night, removing the bodies of the victims and searching for survivors as their warships subdued the widespread fires.

Urtans from all over the planet heard of the impossible victory and were gathering at the capital to lend a hand. It would take them years to fix the savage depredation that befell their wonderful city, but for now, they had more worries as they began to bury their brethren. More than two hundred thousand lives were lost in the Battle of Urtan—the battle that would be remembered for eternity.

Vincent and the rest of the team didn’t get a minute of sleep and aided the locals in rescuing those who were trapped. By midmorning, Spaide moved the
Serpent
from the woods, and after eating breakfast, the companions gathered at the airbase.

Vincent, Gaia, and the twins stood in the shade of the ship, listening to Spaide retell his side of the event; the Dirsalian screamed in joy, hugged everyone, and even tried to pick up Damocles before falling down.

Duell stepped away from the group and approached the Dargonian, who was heading away. “Thanatos,” he said, “where will you go?”

A huge grin appeared on the
Dargonian’s
face. “Corsair.”

Duell nodded. “I see… You’ve fought bravely.”

“Thank you, Sage Duell.” Thanatos lowered his chin respectfully.

“Have you ever thought about joining the Revolution?”

“Not my scene. I’m neutral and will always be.” Thanatos clenched his jaw and stared away. “I just want to be left alone.”

“Nevertheless,” Duell said, grasping the
Dargonian’s
hand. “You performed a very courageous act today. When we attain our goal, I will make sure to settle the issue with your homeworld.”

“It was an honor to fight alongside you,” the Dargonian said. “I hope to do it again someday.” He bid Duell farewell and headed for his small ship.

Galadan was bound for Xenon to vindicate his name and get the Republic to accept his new terms but still came to personally bid them all farewell—the heroes who saved his world.

“Where’s Thanatos?” he asked. “I’m amazed he only took a small fraction of his requested price...”
“Really?” Exander was astonished. “I may have underestimated him.”

“Without him, the outcome would’ve been different,” Galadan said. “May the One bless him on his voyage.”

Duell smiled, for he knew that the Dargonian was heading to raid the coffers of the Order on Corsair.

“What about you, Sage Duell?” Galadan turned. “Why don’t you remain here until I return?”

“Unfortunately, we can’t,” the Xenian replied. “We’ve further business to attend to. After Tetraxenes, we’ll have to make a brief visit to
Kienor
, and then travel to the Tariador systems. The Republic will send its spies here soon, so we can’t even cooperate with each other directly. Stand on alert and wait for my signal, for the time is nigh— soon we’ll strike.”

“I thought you’d help me find my homeplanet first?” Vincent interrupted.

After a second of awkward silence, Duell said, “The Grand Library’s on Tetraxenes. Worry not, Vincent, we shall look there.”

“Very well, then,” Galadan said. “My ship’s ready for departure. I hope we’ll see each other soon. May the power of the One watch over us.” He approached everyone and bid them farewell in a manner of utmost respect, and as he neared Duell, he nearly knelt.

“I’ll be going with him,” Gaia said as the Urtan headed away.

“
What?
” Duell said. “I thought you’d accompany us to Tetraxenes?”

“I… but Galadan…” she stammered, but then straightened and said, “I have to go to Xenon; my people need me.”

“Your
people
? You’re wanted! It’s dangerous now; you
must
come with us, Princess.”

“Maybe we’ll meet again, Sage Duell,” she insisted. “But there are things that need to be accomplished, and they cannot be done without me. Besides, I’m sure I can explain all of this.”

“Don’t be so stubborn—”

“I’m
going
,” she stated sharply. Two Urtan warriors came to her side as she said goodbye to everyone. “Vincent,” she said, approaching him last. She looked him in the eyes, half shyly. “Goodbye… and I hope you find your way home.” She then turned around and went after Galadan.

Vincent was devastated to let her go, yet he simply stood there watching her walk out of his life as suddenly as she entered it. Each step she took stabbed him through the heart like a Palermius sword.

“You blubbering, whining fool,” Exander said as she was away.

“What…?” Vincent turned around in confusion.

“She fell for you, man!” Spaide added. “Even a blind man can see it! And you’re just gonna let her walk away like that?
What’s wrong with you?
”

“You’ve heard it… she has responsibilities… her people…” But in his heart Vincent knew that he was just making excuses, denying the fact that he had fallen for her as well.

“Your cries ’bout
bein
’ homesick drove her away!” Spaide continued chastising him. “Don’t you realize she’ll die on Xenon? They’re gonna kill her!”

Vincent shrugged. “What do you want me to do?”

“Stop her, you fool! Tell her how you feel!”

“Was your life of such high importance back on Earth?” Duell asked calmly. “Did it have a purpose before you came to us? What is so important there that you urge to get back?”

And in that instant, everything made sense to Vincent. There was nothing back home that he required—nothing.
How could I’ve been so blind?
Like they said, it was simply nostalgia. He was afraid of the unfamiliar and missed the convenience of being safe in his cozy apartment. He began a great adventure—one he had been wishing for his entire miserable life. That is what his last dream meant. He had to make the ultimate choice—to say farewell to Earth, farewell to his former life.

Vincent looked up at Duell, opened his mouth, but then saw that the Xenian had already read his mind. Without uttering a word, he turned around and ran after the Princess.

Duell faced the twins. “Exander, Damocles, once we reach Tetraxenes, I shall begin to teach you the final secrets of the Tel Kasar power.”

“You mean the
Trials
?” the twins asked in unison and looked at each other.

Duell nodded. “Yes.”

“But aren’t we too young?” Damocles asked.

“You think you’re not ready?”

“Yes, we are!” Exander said.

“Oryon wanted to begin the Trials once you’d successfully completed the mission on Corsair, but you’ve outdone yourselves by rescuing me and defeating the Order.”

“Very well, then.” Damocles chuckled. “Sage Exander.” He bowed to his brother.

“Sage Damocles,” Exander returned.

Spaide scoffed. “Don’t get too excited. Sage or not, you’re still gonna fix the dashboard you smashed.”

*

Galadan’s saucer-shaped ship was several hundred yards away—a distance Vincent managed to clear in a few seconds. Gaia was ascending the ramp along with the Urtan escort.

“
Gaia!
” he cried out.

She whirled around with surprise, yet her face lit up in excitement as she saw him.

He ran up the ramp and stopped before her. “I…” he forced out, gasping for air. “Let me just say something… before you decide to leave.”

Gaia gestured the Urtans away and turned back to Vincent, anxious as to what he’d say.

“I believe…” he said. “I’m sorry I didn’t realize it sooner, but now I know this entire incident happened on purpose. Now I understand why I accepted Oryon’s powers. It brought me here… not to the Tel Kasar, but to you… and I… well, I messed up…” He took her hands, continuing to stare in her beautiful eyes. “I’m sorry for my peevish cries. I was scared…

“I don’t want to go back. My life had no meaning—
has
no meaning back home. I want to be with you. I’ve never felt this way about anyone and… and I think… I love you.” He exhaled and repeated, “I love you, Gaia. I don’t want you to go. Stay with me, with us. I’ll train with Duell, become a Warrior Sage, and together we can restore freedom to the galaxy. I know I may be just an alien to you, but—”

“Shut up,” she said, grabbed him by the collar, and kissed him.

His heart pounded furiously. He hugged her and held her close, nearly suffocating her. They survived, and now he wasn’t going to let her go: his love from another world.

“Does this mean you’ll come?” he managed to whisper through the kiss.

She giggled. “Yes, kiddo!”

*

The only thing they took from the Urtans was the fuel for the
Serpent
. Spaide and the big guy started the ship as Duell and Exander waited outside for Vincent.

“Well, I’ll be…” Exander muttered. “Look! He did it!”

Vincent approached holding Gaia’s hand.

“Amazing,” Duell said. “Now the Princess will join us.”

Vincent let go of Gaia’s hand, came before Duell, and got down on one knee. “Master, I was blind for not seeing the truth,” he said, “for not seeing my true purpose. I want to live up to the name of Oryon Krynne. Let me help you in your quest to bring liberty to the galaxy. Let me join you. Teach me to control these powers that were bestowed upon me and the way of the Warrior Sage.”

“Rise, my brother,” Duell said, smiling. “This quest has just begun.”

“Come on, already!” Spaide stuck his head out. “Let’s go!”

Vincent took a deep breath. His life finally made sense: he had the greatest power anyone could ever dream of; he had friends, ones that he could rely on for his very life; but most importantly, he had the love of the most wonderful and beautiful woman he’d ever met…

“We cling on to the dreams of the past as our future withers away.”

—Gaia Ferra

General Zeth cautiously walked down the dark hall. Complete silence engulfed the setting, disturbed only by his echoing footsteps. Huge columns shot upwards on either side of him with a multitude of bookshelves lined with thousands of books hiding in the shadows behind. Numerous contraptions glowing in ghostly shades of purple and blue were stacked alongside the bookshelves. The true purpose of these machines escaped his knowledge, but he didn’t care; he hated coming here. Coming here meant he could not perform his duty—that he’d failed.

But now it was imperative.

He ascended the stairs to the high platform at the end of the hall which held an enormous machine consisting of tall, round pods connected by thick conduits. A caped figure, his back turned, stood before the machine, observing a panel of monitors in its side.

Halfway through, Zeth stopped and bowed his head. “Master…”

“Have you found Oryon?” a deep baritone voice asked.

“No,” the general replied.

“Then why do you disturb me?”

Zeth raised his helmet. “Cosmos has fallen.”

Silence. The man didn’t turn around.

Zeth began to intensely sweat beneath his armor.

Finally, “How?”

“Oryon’s students, along with a… a man…” Zeth stuttered. “A man unlike any other man…”

“What do you mean? Explain yourself.”

“A creature from an uncharted planet… yet he has the powers of the Tel Kasar…”

Another moment of silence. The man turned. “Find him, Sage Zeth, and bring him before me.”