Heaven Saga 3: Sojourn Into Despair

by Marcus Johnson

  “It that’s true than you have much to show me,” Dreka said.

  “Yes, I’ll let you have a look at it once you tell me how you figured out how to build a Talon on your own.”

  “Sure,” Dreka said.

  * * *

  “I’m going to check on Jesela and the others now,” Mira said. She pulled something in a small case out from her pocket. “But before that, I have a gift for you Brian.” She handed the case to him. Seles watched with the look of annoyance on her face. “Think of me when you wear this and know I’ll always watch over you.”

  “Thank you Mira,” he said. He opened the case and found that the tiny object inside was an earring.

  “I’ll help you put it in sometime,” Mira said as she left.

  Brian closed the case and placed it on the table next to the bed. He closed his eyes and sighed. “I should have told her that Baed and Zae are official before she left.”

  “When did this happen?” Seles asked.

  “A few months in is when,” he explained.

  “Have they?” Seles asked.

  “Stop that,” Brian shook his head, “I wouldn’t know and it’s none of my business.” He stopped as she started laughing. “I missed you Seles.”

  “I missed you to,” she said before kissing him. “I was worried I’d never see you again. There were times when I could see you in my dreams.”

  “I’d hope you didn’t see me at my worst.”

  “I did,” she said. “Mira did as well.”

  “Strange.”

  “Not half as strange as the recording of the last battle you barely survived,” she said.

  “I remember Celi came and saved me,” he said. “It was the strangest thing I’ve ever experienced.”

  “Hearing that makes me a little jealous,” she said.

  “Don’t worry,” he said. “Once we reach home I’m taking a long time off.”

  “I’m looking forward to it.”

  Epilogue

  Myden watched the video on Grigon’s monitor alone in silence. After a few minutes the old Malcovin entered the room.

  “Pretty impressive, isn’t it?” Grigon asked.

  “Yes,” Myden turned to him and held out his hand, “It’s been too long.”

  Grigon took his hand and shook it tightly. “Twenty some years I believe?”

  “Indeed,” Myden said. “I’m glad you made it back in time.”

  “I take it we’re entering the eighth stage of the plan.”

  “Yes,” Myden said. “With the awakening of Brian and Celi it’s arrived. And after reading through his plans I know he’ll move us towards the ninth stage.”

  “What happens next?” Grigon asked as he sat down.

  “With each successive awakening he’ll learn to control it better,” Myden explained. “It’ll probably be another twenty years or so for him to completely master this new power. The same can be said for Celi of course. I’m sure the other Maidens and Dreka will start down the same path soon enough. What this leads to is a blending of consciousness. I can tell that for a brief period in time everyone onboard this ship was connected mentally.”

  “Yes, it was quite a strange experience,” Grigon cawed. “Although an Avian feels some emotion I wasn’t prepared for those my mammalian companions have inside them. But what are you getting at?”

  “Stage nine will bring about a new force for justice within the Confederation. An outside force, independent from the main governing body of the Confederation, is the only solution to the problem. This was anticipated long ago. In a few short years it’ll come true. After stage nine has run its course the unification of Alden will be completed.”

  “Are we to just sit back and watch?” Grigon asked.

  “No,” Myden answered. “We’ll do as we always have done and throw our support behind him. This time my people didn’t succeed in killing the one we both wanted to aid.”

  Grigon looked Myden in the eyes. “A long time ago we believed we could change the galaxy. But then the plague came and Gaelic passed away. All the elements were in place to do this back then. We had to wait a hundred and sixty years to finally see it through again.”

  “Even if he dies it won’t end things now,” Myden said. “He’s set into motion a new era. If he dies then one of the others can take his place.”

  “It’s good to know that from now on.”

  * * *

  Valis turned the video off before closing her eyes. She tried to not get too emotional. Kivi had a similar look on her face.

  “Words alone can’t describe the horrors I have seen,” Valis said. “That’s what he said to me. And now I know it’s true.”

  “If this is the truth, then what other horrors exist in the Greys’ territory?” Kivi asked.

  Zae listened from the other side of the room. “It was like staring madness in the eyes,” she said. “Those who survived this journey will never be the same. Of that I’m sure.”

  “Are you alright Zae?” Valis asked.

  “No Valis, I’m not,” Zae looked up, “Like Brian I need some time off. There are things I need to sort out.”

  “The job will remain open as long as you want,” Valis said.

  “Thanks captain,” Zae said as she left the room.

  * * *

  “I’d better go and see the pilots,” Seles said as she stood up.

  “Come back later,” Brian said.

  “I will,” Seles said as she left. After a few minutes of silence Brian heard some footsteps heading towards him.

  “Who is it?” he asked.

  “It’s me,” Celi said. She took his hand and sat with him silently for a few minutes.

  “Why were you so determined to save me?” he asked.

  “Because I believe in you,” she answered. “I believe in the future you’re trying to create.” She paused. “I knew at that moment you weren’t supposed to die.”

  “Is life that precious to you?” he asked.

  “Yes, because as long as you’re alive you have a future,” Celi said.