Heaven Saga 1: The Lost Hero (32 page)

Brian landed the Mjolnir in the courtyard of the royal
palace. He looked at the other three. “Go to Celestia and show her the future
of her people.”

Seles turned to him. “What’re you going to do?”

He looked at the monitors while watching all the
battles in space and on the surface. “It’s time that I take responsibility for
this mess. My arrival triggered this. It’s time I end it.”

Mira took the data tablets and vials. “I hope to see
you soon.”

Myden bowed. “I’ll protect the Maidens in your stead.
Do what you can to help them. We’ll do our part.” Myden and Mira dropped onto
the balcony outside Seles’s room. Brian stood up from the seat and hugged
Seles.

“Brian?” she asked.

“It’s been so long since I could do this with you,” he
said as he looked into her eyes. “You’re the best.

She held him tighter. “I feel the same.”

“I came to this place with selfish desire. But now I
see I can’t think that way anymore. The people of your world have pinned their
hopes and dreams on me. I may have lied about being the Herald, but that
doesn’t mean I can back out now.” He stepped back and took a knee. “I ask you
Seles, can I do this?”

She kissed him passionately. “You always were one for
the dramatic.” Seles made for the hatch. “Do what you want; I won’t stand in
your way. Just don’t get yourself killed.”

“I’ll try my best to do that,” he said as the hatch
closed, leaving Seles on the balcony. The Mjolnir fired up and flew high into
the air.

* * *

Celestia paced around her throne room with guards and
attendants surrounding her. She wore her battle uniform and carried
rakna
blade on her belt. Jabril came through the main door flanked by Seles and Mira
with Myden following. Celestia stopped and stared at Mira as tears formed in
her eyes.

“It’s been awhile,” Mira said smiling.

Celestia went to Mira and hugged her. “I thought you
were dead all these years Mira. Where’ve you been?”

Seles couldn’t hide her surprise. “Mira, did you know
mother?”

Mira smiled. “I slept for a long time.” She pulled
away and turned to Seles. “You could say Celestia and I were like sisters.”

“So true,” Celestia said. She noticed what Mira
carried and looked to Myden. “Where’s Brian?”

Myden noticed for the first time he had openly walked
the palace for all to see. “He has some business to attend to my Queen. I was
given the duty of escorting these two. What we brought was the last task of
Gaelic Kein.”

Mira took Celestia’s hand. “We don’t have time to
explain everything right now, but we have the vaccine for the plague,” she
said. “Father used his last days to uncover the truth. Another version floats
in every one of us and only needs a simple mental command to activate.”

“What?” Celestia asked before looking to Myden.

He nodded his head. “My Queen, the plague was the seal
in a pact with my people by many of your nobles. If nothing is done the plague
will destroy the rest of you within the next five years.” He held up a small
vial filled with yellow liquid. “Inside of each of these is a vaccine to
protect your people from further harm. Please distribute these as quickly as
possible.”

Jabril went to Myden. “Who are you and what do you
mean by your people?”

Celestia was about to step in, when Myden told her
telepathically.
“I knew this day would come my Queen, I’ll show them the truth.”

He drew back his hood and revealed his black eyes and
light grey skin. “My name is Myden Karaka, former High General of the Black
Star Knights of the Naerendi Empire.”

The look from everyone in the room, even the most
hardened warrior, was one of fear.
Now I know how he feels. They look at me
with fear and apprehension.
Myden thought to himself.

“My Queen, can we trust this creature?” Jabril asked.
She placed a hand on her pulse rifle.

Celestia nodded. “I’ll vouch for him Jabril. He’s
guided the royal family in secret since the days of my mother. Myden may come
from their empire, but he’s unlike the others.” She went to him and took the
vial. “Make as many copies of this vaccine as needed. We’ll begin distribution
as soon as this conflict is finished.” She handed the vial to Jabril.

As Jabril left with the vial in her hand another
attendant ran into the room. “My Queen, someone has penetrated our
communications array. Someone’s going to make a live broadcast across all air
waves.”

Celestia turned to the monitor. “Where is the hack
originating?”

“The point of origin seems to be moving,” the
attendant said. “Our satellites show it’s the Herald’s giant.”

* * *

Across every computer monitor, communication device,
and every ship in the star system the image of Brian appeared. In each
instance, the Kalaidians stopped moving, fighting, or speaking. They stared at
the image of their Herald and waited to hear his words.

“To everyone receiving this message, on behalf of my
home world, Terra Prime, I wish to tell you my story. My name’s Brian Peterson,
Rakna Maigar
of the Avoni. I serve Captain Valis Kein as her second
officer. To those of the Galactic Confederation, I’m the lone Terran in space
right now. I didn’t come here willingly and I would’ve returned home, but now
it’s too late. I repeat, I am the lone Terran in space and my people haven’t
begun traveling amongst the stars. About a year ago I was taken from my home by
the Greys. I fought them off and was stranded onboard their ship. I was saved
by Captain Valis and the Avoni. After many ordeals I was taken in by the graces
of her and her crew and trained onboard for nearly a year. Now I’m here on
Kalaidian Prime with a mission given to me by the late Gaelic Kein.  As you
know all of the Kalaidian men were wiped out a hundred and fifty years ago. But
what slept for longer was the beliefs those men held. Gaelic believed in
freedom and the ability to determine one’s destiny. Others of your world feared
his words and plotted against him. But the lengths they went to were extreme
and an act of genocide unseen since the incident of Geluke Don. In his last
days, Gaelic discovered the truth behind the plague and created a vaccine. I’ve
given the vaccine to those who can help you. But what I really want to talk to
you about is this war. I ask that all of you put down your arms and carefully
think about what you’re fighting for. Is fighting going to help you personally?
Are you fighting for the causes of some noble? What is it each of you is
fighting for? I can tell you, but it’s not going to be pleasant. What you fight
for now is the power and control of a few, wealthy nobles. The poor die for the
cause of the rich, all in the name of the Goddess. I’ve studied your culture
and religion closely and don’t believe Kali would subject her followers to such
meaningless deaths. From the country I hail from on Terra Prime, we believe in
the concepts of freedom, liberty, and democracy. My ancestors fought, bled, and
died for those beliefs. It’s the right of the many to not be ruled by the few.
In the land I come from there is no master and slave. Upon reading the
teachings of Gaelic Kein, I saw a kindred spirit. He was one who longed for
change on Kalaidia. He saw the many suffering and sought a solution. I was
given the order by his last writings to fulfill that destiny. But to you of
Kalaidia, I can’t do this alone. I ask for your help. I cannot save everyone or
tell them what to do. The only thing I can do is to help you save yourselves. I
beseech to you, put down your arms and end this war. I was the one who
triggered this and I’ll be the one to end it. But I can’t end it alone. Each
one of you must stop and help. Goodbye, and by the blessings of the goddess, be
safe.”

* * *

As the battlefields quieted and the Kalaidians stood
still the Mjolnir flew to the edge of Vaelis, to the largest battle. Brian’s
words echoed through many star systems while being repeated and recorded on all
frequencies. The ships above ended their fighting and floated harmlessly past
each other through space. The twenty six member races of the Confederation
heard the words of a Terran for the first time. They were not words of hate and
war, but a call for peace.

Valis turned to Zae. “Give out the order. The ships of
the twelfth Independent fleet won’t fight any longer, in the name of the
Herald.”

“Yes captain,” Zae said as she delivered the message
to the fleet.

Kivi smiled. “He’ll make a fine captain one day, not
too different from you.”

Valis nodded. “Of course, I always was one for
spotting talent.”

Zae turned to them. “It looks like every fleet,
including the rebels are listening to Brian’s request. The fighting’s ending
everywhere, space, the colonies and outlying star systems, as well as the home
world. A number of captains on the rebel side are dealing with mutinies.”

Valis laughed. ‘How come I’m not surprised? After all,
Brian did call for the masses to control the few.” She looked at her crew. “I
hope none of you are getting any ideas.”

They replied in unison: “No captain.”

* * *

As the Mjolnir landed, Brian noticed some of the
ground forces hadn’t got the message. Checking his armor and weapons he opened
the front hatch. Pulse blasts filled the sky, rifle and artillery included. The
ships flying in the air were clearing out after hearing his message and seeing
his craft. He activated his shield and headed outside while soldiers nearby
looked at him with a mix of fear and awe. He drew his sword and paced to center
of the battlefield as pulse blasts bounced off his shield. With a command the
holographic system kicked in and he began to glowing with a fierce, blue aura.
The fighting subsided as both sides stared at him. With a spin of his sword he
began the ritual to end his training as a
Rakna Maigar
. It was the
twelfth Song of the
Cou don e Kali
, the Hymn to Kali. The image came up
on most monitors and screens on Kalaidia, the image of the
Maigar
born
again. The song and dance lasted five minutes, but it felt like an eternity to
those who watched, captivated by its grace. At the end, Brian planted his sword
in the ground and deactivated his shield. The aura and images disappeared. He
gave a bow and salute to the ladies watching from their fox holes and
barricades. He heard some of them cheering.

Brian turned to both sides with his arms outstretched.
“I,
Rakna Maigar
Brian Peterson swear allegiance to the people of
Kalaidia. It’s time we end this isn’t it? Those of you gathered here are
fighting for the power nobles, are you not? Let me lead you onto the path of
freedom and liberty.”

Hesitantly, a number of soldiers on both sides began
putting down their arms and went to greet him. A number of commanders shouted
for them to stop, but their troops wouldn’t listen any longer. Many of them
looked confused at what was happening. A young blue haired lieutenant stepped
forward first.

“
Maigar
, what’s democracy?” she asked.

“Democracy is a system of government by which the
people rule themselves,” he answered while pointing at each one of the
gathering soldiers. “Each of you receives a voice in all political matters,
called a vote. In that way everyone is equal. You yourselves decide the laws of
your world by vote and thus creating a government by the people, for the
people.”

“How does freedom work?” a young ensign with purple
hair asked.

Brian smiled. “Freedom is a right of all intelligent
beings young lady. It’s the right to determine one’s own destiny. For
generations you’ve been told what to do your whole life. Having freedom means
you get a choice in the matter.”

This went on for a long time. Even some of the conservative
commanders came out to ask questions. Brian stood as they gathered around him
and explained everything he could, from what his home world looked like to the
star spangled banner.

The royal court was silent as Brian’s speech ended.
Shortly after, they watched as he stood at the center of a battle and completed
the Hymn to Kali. Myden put his hood up and stood next to the queen when a
number of soldiers came in to announce the fighting was over.

“You look down,” Mira said as she went to Celestia.

“Yes, he’s definitely changed things. Mira, did he
complete the
Cou don e Kali
?” Celestia asked.

“Of course,” Mira said. “I was the one who trained
him.” She looked at the monitor and watched Brian amidst a crowd of Kalaidians
while they asked him questions. “He may be Terran, but he has the grace and
love of one of our people.”

“I’m worried about what he intends to do. This
democracy he speaks of is heresy,” Celestia said.

Seles went to her mother. “I’ve stayed by his side for
a long time. He wouldn’t do anything to hurt us.”