Kalrea smiled as she thought back to when she first met Zoren, before saying, ‘Dust is fine.’
‘I think we should join the others and help them disembark,’ Gulco said.
‘But they’re already on the surface and have moved the supplies to the tree-line at the top of the beach.’
‘Oh! We’d better go and join them.’
Kalrea nodded and, as they ambled into the Pojin lift, said,
‘The seatra will also have Zoren’s body within it.’
‘Don’t worry, Kalrea, we’ll look after both of you.’
The lift door opened onto the surface. Kalrea was greeted with a breeze, which carried the fresh scent of vegetation like just after a downpour. She could hear the chatter of birds in some nearby trees.
This place is exactly as I remember it.
‘Kalzor looks an amazing world,’ Gulco said, as they strolled up the gravel beach towards a thick forest of trees.
‘I know!’ she replied and stopped walking short of the trees.
Gulco carried on a few more steps before realising she was not beside him any longer. He turned.
‘You’re not coming to say goodbye to everyone then?’ Gulco said.
Kalrea shook her head. ‘No. I don’t think so... I don’t like goodbyes. They seem too permanent and... I’d only get emotional. Anyway, they all have a lot on their minds now. Tell them I said I’ll always be there if they need me.’
‘So, this is where we go our separate ways,’ Gulco said, looking sad.
‘I suppose it is.’
Gulco held up his hand to show Kalrea the telementor. ‘Would you mind helping me?’
Kalrea smiled and nodded. ‘Yes, of course,’ she replied, before removing the telementor from his wrist. She placed it in her pocket and then gazed over at the others, who were already exploring their new surroundings and disappearing into the tree-line. She held out her hand and Gulco shook it.
‘Thank you, Kalrea.’
‘My pleasure. I wish you all a good life,’ she said, before turning and strolling back to the Pojin lift.
I’m going to miss them, all of them, she thought and knowing she would never see them again brought a tear to her eye.
She entered the Pojin lift, but as the door was about to close she heard a familiar voice shouting to her.
‘Wait! Kalrea!’
Asnica ran over to the lift.
‘Where are you going?’
‘I... I have to leave, Asnica,’ Kalrea said, and staring at Asnica’s happy face thought,
I wish I could stay a while, but it wouldn’t be right. They need to start a new life on their own and forget what happened to them.
Asnica rushed into the lift with her arms wide open. Kalrea knelt down and Asnica gave her a hug.
Now why did she have to do that?
Kalrea now felt very emotional. With tears in her eyes she looked at Asnica and said,
‘Make sure you and the other children look after the Glonvis. In time there’ll be enough of them so that you will be able to release them into the wild.’
‘We’ll take good care of them, Kalrea. I promise!’
‘Good!’
Supora was watching from a distance.
‘Promise me, you’ll also take good care of your mother.’
Asnica glanced over her shoulder and smiled at Supora. She then turned back to Kalrea and nodded, before asking, ‘Will you come back?’
‘Maybe, one day,’ Kalrea said sadly, knowing that Asnica would probably be old or have died by then, ‘but one of my deactivated drones will always be with you.’
‘Can I talk to it?’
‘Of course you can. I’m afraid it won’t be able to reply, but it will hear everything you say.’
Asnica smiled and then said, ‘Goodbye, Kalrea,’ before running back to her mother. She took hold of her mother’s hand and turned to look at Kalrea.
As the lift door closed, Supora put her hand up and Kalrea acknowledged her.
Kalrea wandered out onto the bridge. She watched as the Agonian people moved off into the thick wood, but Gulco and his wife stopped at the edge.
Goodbye Gulco, I expect we’ll never see each other again.
Supora also appeared next to them, with Asnica and Doine holding each of her hands.
The Aurora lifted gracefully into the air. Seeing they were waving, Kalrea dipped the front of the ship in acknowledgement, before she turned it and headed up through the atmosphere.
Alone again, she thought sadly.
She viewed the interior of the Aurora. The spaces that were buzzing with people only a few hours before, were now empty. Construction drones were starting to tidy everything. Kalrea sat down in one of the console seats.
With this body I can experience wonderful things. I’m going to explore this area of the galaxy, meet new people, new friends. I should be happy, yet, I feel so alone.
Kalrea got up and moved over to the seatra on the bridge. The lid rose up.
Lex, I feel so guilty for keeping you here all this time. I should have let you die centuries ago. Your wife, Karunet, and son, Jameilo, souls have long since passed into another place. It was not right of me to keep you like this. I’m sorry! You always wanted to get home, back to Qintaino to them, but it’s too far; it’s always been too far. It’s time I let you go, Lex.
Lex suddenly drew a breath as he awoke from the seatra. Kalrea moved quickly back to sit at the console.
‘Kalrea, are you there?’ Lex said immediately and then rubbed his eyes.
‘Yes Lex, I’m here,’ Kalrea replied over the ship’s address system. ‘I’ve always been here.’
‘I don’t feel too good,’ Lex said. ‘My chest, it’s starting to feel tight.’
I don’t know what to tell him.
‘Where are we?’ he questioned her.
Kalrea felt she needed to lie to him.
‘We’re home, Lex. We’ve arrived at Qintaino.’
‘We’re home?’ Lex pulled himself upright, so he could see the monitor. An image of Qintaino was being shown by Kalrea. He noticed a young woman sitting at the console.
‘Londuo! What are you doing here?’
Kalrea’s drone turned around and replied with Londuo’s voice. ‘Lex, I came over to meet you. Karunet and Jameilo are waiting for you.’
‘But, you’re so young, Londuo! You should be old... No dead by now… You look just like when I left you. I’m confused...’
The seatra’s indicating his heart is now failing. This is it!
Kalrea acting as Londuo, smiled back at him. She got up from her seat and walked to the seatra.
‘I… I feel weak. I need… need… to rest,’ Lex said and laid back down in the seatra. ‘Where’s Karunet? I need to see Karunet.’
Kalrea reached in and took Lex’s hand in hers. ‘You’ll soon be with her, Lex,’ she said softly.
Lex stared into the eyes of Kalrea’s drone. ‘Londuo, I feel strange... faint… I think I’m...’ His eyes now stared into space and his breathing stopped abruptly.
Kalrea released his hand and started to cry. ‘Oh, Lex… Lex… I love you so much.’
As the tears flowed, she reached down and gently closed his eyes.
Now you’re at peace, with your wife and son. But I don’t know when I will join you.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
One thousand, two hundred and sixty-two
years later, on the planet of Kalzor.
*****
Now what’s he doing? Cherip thought, watching her eight-year-old son, Ferin, while she was sitting in the shade of a tree. Ferin was edging out onto a branch of a small tree nearby, which he had climbed.
He’ll never learn.
Then she turned to look to her daughter, Kalri, who was ten.
‘Come on you two, it’s time to go,’ she said. ‘I need to get inside. This heat is really too much today.’
‘Oh, mum, can’t we stay a while longer?’ Kalri said, as she swung from a
piece of wood slung beneath a branch of a tree. She had a pitiful expression on her face, trying to change her mother’s mind.
‘No, you’ve both had enough time to play, we need to get home,’ and then directed at her daughter, said, ‘Go and help your brother down from that tree.’
‘I’m fine. I can-’ Ferin slipped and fell from the tree onto the ground.
Cherip rushed over. ‘Are you ok?’
Ferin was feeling the back of his head. ‘Ow! That hurts, mum.’
‘Well you shouldn’t climb trees then!’ she replied slightly annoyed and then helped him to his feet. ‘Kalri, we’re going!’
Kalri jumped off the swing.
‘I’m coming!’ she said, running over. ‘Are we going past the temple, mum?’
‘Yes, why?’
‘Can I come in too this time?’
‘Well you are a young lady now, so I suppose you can. But only if you’re quiet and hold your brother’s hand.’
‘Do I have to?’ she said, looking to Ferin, who stuck his tongue out at her.
‘Yes, you do.’
They strolled along a narrow winding footpath in the trees until they reached a clearing. In front of them was a large domed stone structure with an arched entrance directly in front of them. Carved in stone over the entrance were the words, “Guardians of Kalzor.”
‘Now behave! Both of you! If not, I’m not bringing you in here again. Do I make myself clear?’
The children nodded reluctantly. Kalri took hold of her brother’s hand as they entered a circular entrance lobby.
Cherip felt the temperature drop to a much more comfortable level, and thought,
Ah, that’s better. I could stay in here all day.
Directly in front of them, in the centre of the lobby, was a large stone tomb with a statue of a teenage boy on top of it, which was being illuminated by light streaming in through a window directly above it.
‘Who’s that, mum?’ Kalri asked, as they approached it. Her voice echoed around the room.
‘That’s where Zoren’s buried,’ Cherip said quietly. She placed her hand on the tomb and bowed her head for a moment.
On a plaque, at the base of the tomb, was written, “In death he gave life. May we never forget, Zoren, husband of Sabri. Died age 19.”
‘Who’s Zoren?’ Kalri asked.
‘He’s a very famous person,’ Cherip replied. She pointed to the walls. ‘See all those names carved in the stone. Well, they’re the names of all the Agonians he saved.’
‘And those names?’ Kalri said, pointing to another list, which was carved into the floor. ‘Who are they?’
‘Those are the Agonian lives that were taken by some nasty people.’
They circled the statue of Zoren and then ambled through another large archway that led into a tall domed circular room, which was over eighty metres in diameter. Directly below a large round window, in the centre of the room, was an altar, at the top of which laid an open seatra. Carved on the steps leading up to it was one word, “Kalrea”.
They slowly approached the altar.
Cherip bowed her head before climbing the steps. The children followed. At the top, Cherip and the children peered down into the seatra, which was covered with a glass top. Inside laid Kalrea’s drone, her eyes shut almost as if she was sleeping.
‘Who’s that?’ Kalri asked.
‘That’s our God, Kalrea.’
‘Why is she in there?’ Kalri asked.
‘She’s sleeping so we must be quiet. If you look up you can see the sky and at night the stars. As Kalrea sleeps she can gaze up at the stars too.’
‘But that’s silly,’ Ferin said. ‘She can’t see when she’s asleep.’
‘Oh yes she can,’ Cherip replied.
‘Mum, what’s that on her head?’
‘That’s called hair.’
‘She’s beautiful,’ Kalri commented as she gazed at her face. ‘Can I have some hair when I’m older?’
Cherip smiled. ‘We don’t have hair, I’m afraid.’
‘She looks younger than you, mum,’ Ferin said.
‘She never ages,’ Cherip replied.
‘So why is she asleep?’ Kalri asked.
‘Kalrea watches over us. She keeps all the demons away so you can sleep at night.’
‘Really?’ Ferin said.
‘Yes, the last time she woke was over seven hundred years ago. Some demons thought they could come here, but she sent them away.’
‘Wow!’ Kalri looked intrigued. ‘Did she hurt them?’
‘I think so. Some of the old books mention she fought the demons above the planet. They say there were bright lights in the sky. They never came and you can still sleep safely at night. I need to talk to Kalrea for a moment.’
‘But she’s asleep mum,’ Kalri said.
‘I know, but I hope you will do this one day. You see, one of your great ancestors…’ Kalri looked confused, so Cherip then added, ‘A very old mother of mine once knew Kalrea. Her name was Asnica. Kalrea told her that if she spoke to her, she would hear. She passed that tradition down through the family to the oldest child and this is why I want to speak to her now.’
‘Can we speak to her too?’ Kalri asked eagerly.
Cherip smiled. ‘Yes, of course you can.’ She glanced at Kalrea and said, ‘I’ve brought my children, Kalri and Ferin, today, Kalrea. We’ve now finished the new house. The children love it,’ and then looking to the children added, ‘Don’t you?’
‘We have our own rooms now, Kalrea,’ Ferin said loudly. ‘I don’t have to sleep in the same room as my sister anymore.’
‘Shush, Ferin!’ Cherip said, looking sternly at him. ‘The whole town will hear you.’ She continued, ‘My husband is still worried about the crops this year. The rain is later than usual and the temperature is the highest it’s ever been.’
‘Dad said the rain would be here by now,’ Kalri said.
‘Did he? Well I’m sure it won’t be too many more days,’ Cherip replied. ‘Oh and the Glonvis that live next to the house, have had three flecs.’
‘Yes Kalrea and I’ve named two of them,’ Kalri said pleased.
‘I wanted to name them!’ Ferin said, looking annoyed.
‘Children! Please, not here,’ Cherip said, looking very seriously at them. ‘We’d better get back home. Your father will soon be home from the fields.’
Cherip walked down the steps and Ferin followed her. However, Kalri was still staring at Kalrea.
‘Come on Kalri,’ Cherip said.
‘Mum! Her eyes opened,’ Kalri said. ‘We’ve woke her up.’
‘Don’t be silly. Now come on!’
Kalri ran down the steps. ‘But mum, her eyes opened!’
Cherip froze when she heard a hiss of air as the seal on the lid of the seatra broke. Her hearts quickened. She turned to see the glass lid being moved sideways. A hand gripped the side of the seatra.
Kalrea got to her feet.
Cherip gasped and then quickly knelt on the floor, her eyes fixed on the ground in front of her.
What have I done? Kalrea’s awake! Have I upset her?
‘Mum, she’s getting out,’ Kalri said.
Cherip’s hearts were pounding as she stared at the ground.
I shouldn’t have brought the children in here. Then a foot appeared in front of her. What do I do?
‘Why are you kneeling, Cherip?’ Kalrea asked her.
Cherip kept her head bowed. ‘Kalrea, I’m… I’m sorry I woke you.’
‘What are you talking about, Cherip! Come on, that floor’s very cold. You shouldn’t be kneeling on that.’ Kalrea held out her hand to Cherip.
Cherip hesitantly peeked up at Kalrea’s face.
Is she mad at me?
Kalrea shook her head slowly and then took Cherip’s hand. She pulled her up off the floor. Cherip kept her head bowed.
‘Hello Kalri, Ferin,’ Kalrea said to the children. ‘Have you been to the playground again today?’
> ‘Yes…’ Kalri replied nervously.
‘How do you know our names?’ Ferin asked bluntly.
Cherip saw Kalrea smile out of the corner of her eyes. Kalrea then replied, ‘I know all your names. Why is your mother acting strange?’
‘I don’t know!’ Kalri replied. ‘Mum?’
Cherip looked hesitantly to Kalrea, wondering what to say. ‘I… I… You’re… You’re a God, Kalrea. I’m sorry if I offended you.’
‘Don’t be silly, you didn’t offend me, and I’m not a God, all right! No one needs to kneel to me.’ Kalrea sounded slightly frustrated. She gazed around the vast room and then shook her head. ‘Why you wanted to build this place, I’ll never know.’
Oh! She’s a lot different to what I’d imagined.
Kalrea marched out into the lobby. Cherip and the children followed quickly behind her.
‘Now this, I can understand,’ Kalrea said, gazing up at the statue of Zoren.
Cherip watched as Kalrea circled the statue, running her hand over its form. She then glanced at all the names inscribed around the room.
‘He should be in there, not me,’ Kalrea said, pointing to the altar. ‘It’s good to see you again, Zoren,’ Cherip heard her say quietly.
She seems very ordinary. No different to me.
‘Kalrea...’ Cherip said nervously, ‘Why... Why are you here?’
Kalrea’s expression dulled as she turned to Cherip, who then said, ‘I’m sorry, it’s not my place to ask-’
‘No... I wanted to come back here to...’ Kalrea seemed troubled. ‘I wanted to make sure you were all fine,’ Kalrea said, now looking sad. ‘I had to know you were all safe because... because... I’m dying, Cherip.’
** THE END **
Thank you for reading Immortality for Life!
Dear Reader,
I need to ask a favour. Reviews can be tough to come by these days, and as an author they are invaluable for future projects. Whether you loved or hated Immortality for Life, I do value your feedback. If you’re so inclined, I hope you may be able to take a few moments to post a customer review and rating on Amazon.
The third book in the Aurora Saga is Kalrea’s Legacy, which I expect to complete by the end of August 2014. Nevertheless, each of the books in the Aurora Saga can be read as a standalone story. If you have the time, here’s a link to my author page on Amazon. You can find all of my books here: http://amazon.com/author/adrian_fulcher. Feel free to also write to me at [email protected] or visit my blog at http://adrianfulcher.blogspot.com.
Aurora Saga 2 Immortality for Life Page 29
