Universe in Flames – Ultimate 10 Book Box Set: An Epic Space Opera Adventure

by Christian Kallias

  “It feels like a lifetime away now.”

  “And that’s perhaps the problem. You’ve always been a very proud person. I wonder if it has anything to do with the fact that you can’t remember your childhood; heck, even part of your adult life. That has to be troubling to deal with.”

  “I now know who I was; well, kind of . . .”

  “Perhaps, but you still don’t have clear memories of your past. It’s difficult to know who we are when we don’t know who we used to be.”

  Chase reflected on Fillio’s words. They made sense, of course. But there was something else.

  “Do you mind if we change the subject?”

  “As a matter of fact, I do. I don’t dare to try to understand why we are here now, talking. But there must be a reason. And I think you need to release the burden that’s bringing you down.”

  “I don’t know that I can.”

  “Of course you can, Chase. What are you afraid of?”

  “Everything.”

  “If that’s true then perhaps you must ask yourself if you’re not in the right place after all. Look, I’m fine with what happened to me. Right now I’m walking towards the end of my being. I can feel it in my heart. I don’t know how or why, but I feel this place is a sort of bridge between life and whatever lies next; when I look at that red light over there, I know it’s the end of who I was before.”

  “What are you getting at?”

  “Well, if you’re too afraid of what is expected of you, then perhaps you should let go?”

  Chase shook his head. “No, I can’t abandon my friends.”

  “That’s noble, and I’m glad to hear it, but that’s not a good enough reason to keep fighting and you know it. If you do it as an obligation and not a true calling from your heart, then you will fail.”

  “I have failed. So many times in the past few months.”

  “That’s life, Chase. It’s not the victories that matter. It’s the fact that no matter how many times the universe brings you to your knees, you have to get back up and keep fighting.”

  “You’re not really in a position to lecture me on this. I mean, after all, you didn’t want to go on.”

  “Yes, but that was my choice, and I’m not you, Chase. The fate of all life was never on my shoulders. You’re the prophecy boy,” said Fillio with a smile.

  “Prophecy boy?”

  “You know what I’m trying to say.”

  “I don’t want to be responsible for all these lives. How many in this line are dead because I failed to stop Miseo on Droxia?”

  “And how many aren’t here because you did your best to stop him?”

  “Not nearly enough.”

  “This is war, Chase. There will be casualties, and if the Furies prevail then pretty much everyone except them will take this march.”

  “If that’s supposed to bolster my self-confidence or motivate me, then I have to tell you it’s not working.”

  “It’s not my role, Chase.”

  “Then what is?”

  “I have none anymore. You’re the one who must decide what your role is. Forget the prophecy for just a little while. Forget what you think you must do; your responsibilities, your duty, what others expect of you. Just stop for a second and ask yourself one question.”

  “Which is?”

  “What do you want?”

  What did he want? “I don’t know.”

  “Of course you do, but it’s clouded by everything you think you have to do, and by everyone counting on you.”

  “I . . .” Chase wanted to say it but it wouldn’t come out.

  “Spit it out. I’m the only one listening, so don’t worry about what you say.”

  “I want a normal life. I want to be with Sarah and Chris, and live happily.”

  “See, you’re not different from anyone else. All you want is happiness. This is what life is supposed to be, but we get caught in our own web of problems, self-doubts and seemingly impossible obstacles on a daily basis. The sad thing is that most of all that noise in our heads is self-inflicted. And we often forget the basics . . . to just live and try to be happy.”

  Chase cast her a dubious look.

  “I understand why you doubt my words, Chase. Who am I to lecture you on happiness? A task I have failed at; miserably, I might add.”

  That’s what Chase was thinking. But he also knew at his core that she was right. Just because she’d failed to achieve happiness herself didn’t mean the advice was wrong. He was aware of that.

  “Chase, let me ask you something. If you want to be happy and live with Sarah and Chris, what is it you must do?”

  “Isn’t it obvious?”

  “I still want to hear you say it.”

  “I have to defeat the Furies.”

  “On your own?”

  “Who else is powerful enough?”

  “Who said it’s all about power? Perhaps it’s more a question of collective consciousness and the universe’s own will to survive. Have you ever asked yourself that?”

  He hadn’t.

  “You’re not alone, Chase. You never were. Except that day when you were found without memories of who you were and where you came from. But since that moment, you’ve never been alone. You have friends, allies. Some you know and some you don’t yet. You need to stop looking at defeating the Furies as something you and you alone can manage. If you don’t, then soon you’ll truly be here walking towards that same light.”

  Her words made sense, and she hadn’t been the first to tell him that. But now that he had no immediate threat to deal with, he could actually assimilate and reflect on these words with a calmer disposition and clearer state of mind. And reflect he did, as they stayed silent for what seemed an eternity.

  Argos was coming down from his high little by little. The snake venom’s psychedelic effects were fading away. For a moment he was tempted to go one more round. He felt at peace when he was under the influence, away from his inner demons. But soon his Zarlack destroyer would arrive to pick him up. But where was he to go now? He felt helpless thinking that he had to start over. All these battles, all the plotting, the energy spent, and for what? He was no nearer achieving the goals he had set for himself now than when he had wiped his brother’s memory.

  I can’t believe I was so blind.

  But his thirst for power was still there. Except now it was tainted with the many recent failures that had taken most of it away, through listening to his basic instincts. But why had they told him to spare Chase? If only he had destroyed the Iron Fire when ordered by Arakan, things would be so different now.

  Would they? Something nagged him. That particular Fury was mad. He didn’t care to share his power. Had Argos been manipulated his entire life? Had he just been Arakan’s pawn all along?

  This train of thought quickly brought anger back to the surface and he wanted nothing more than to smash something or kill someone. But he was alone, and destroying a piece of furniture wouldn’t bring the satisfaction he was looking for. For the first time in a very long while, Argos felt lost, and utterly alone.

  Then a sphere of golden energy materialized in front of him and morphed into a humanoid.

  Argos didn’t wait to see what would happen next. He immediately created a fireball in each hand and threw them at Ares, but they passed through him. They continued on their path and impacted with some controls on the wall. Sparks shot from the damaged equipment.

  “Your attacks won’t work on me, not in this form.”

  “What do you want, Olympian?”

  “I need your help.”

  Argos laughed out loud. “You’ve got to be kidding me. Last I checked we’re not fighting on the same side.”

  “Yet when I invaded your body on Droxia I felt that I didn’t need to convince you much to spare Chase’s life.”

  “That was you?”

  Ares nodded.

  “So my brother survived? Why didn’t he come himself?”

  “He’s still alive, but
barely. He’s in cryostasis at the moment. I need your help to bring him back.”

  “Why do you think I give a shit?”

  “You can drop your tough guy act. I felt the conflict in you when I was inside your mind.”

  “Nonsense, there is no conflict. I’m afraid you’ve traveled all this way for nothing.”

  “I don’t believe you.”

  “Believe what you want, old man, I have better things to do.”

  “I must say I’m surprised you’re not on your way back to Erevos. But then again, that would probably be your last trip there, right?”

  Argos growled.

  “That’s right. You failed your mission, and since it was not the first time, I’m thinking your boss wouldn’t be happy with you. So what’s the plan, Argos? Do you intend to hide from your fellow Furies now?”

  “Stay out of my head!”

  “I haven’t been in your head since you impaled Chase, but I feel the hatred you harbor towards Arakan. What are you going to do about it?”

  “None of your business.”

  “I think it is. I need a Fury to save Chase, and you’re going to help me.”

  “You’re in no position to dictate terms. There’s nothing you can do to me in that form.”

  “You’d be surprised. But I’m hoping you’d rather do this one favor for me.”

  “You’re not listening, old man. I will not help you.”

  “Alright, then you’ll have to explain my presence to anyone you come in contact with, because I’m not leaving your side until you agree to help me.”

  Argos swore. “You wouldn’t dare!”

  “Try me.”

  “Why do you need my help?”

  “There’s a Titan with your name on it blocking my way to one of my colleagues. He has the means to heal Chase.”

  “Wouldn’t it be simpler if I healed him myself?”

  “He’s too far gone for that. He needs a specific Olympian elixir.”

  Argos thought about it. On the one hand, he had no intention of just helping his enemies from the kindness of his heart; but he had to admit he didn’t like the idea of Chase dying. There was no turning back. He knew in his heart that he couldn’t let his brother die, not if there was something he could do about it.

  “The last Titan was no picnic, and as much as it pains me to admit it, without Chase and his friends we would have failed. What makes you think this will be any different?”

  “This Titan has a temper, but he’s beatable without any tricks. At least from what I’ve been told.”

  “What do I get in return? Besides not having to suffer your presence.”

  “Name your price.”

  “A future favor. One day I will come to you with a request, and when that day comes, you’ll have to accept, no questions asked.”

  Ares looked at Argos for a long time.

  “Very well. Should we go now?”

  “We have to wait for my ship.”

  “That’s where you’re wrong. Take my hand.”

  Argos raised an eyebrow.

  “We don’t have all day.”

  The moment Argos made contact with Ares’ energy-based hand, they were teleported away.

  Keera entered the cockpit of the ship they had commandeered on Droxia.

  “Any news?”

  “Yes, I’ve managed to access the sensor logs from this facility, and shortly after sending the signal, I found something. Your brother-in-law left us a message buried deep inside the Droxian military internal network.”

  “What does the message say?”

  “Not much. It’s a set of coordinates, off world.”

  “So he did escape?”

  “I think so. There was an attached video file, but it will only open with the right identification.”

  Keera plugged a data crystal into the Droxian transport’s computer. It required facial identification; the console scanned both passengers and bleeped.

  “Facial scan accepted,” said the mellow, synthesized onboard computer voice.

  The main holo-screen turned on and Jonas’ face appeared.

  “Ryonna, if you’re seeing this it means I had to leave the planet. I’ve embedded a set of coordinates inside the network that will allow you to track me down. I know you’re busy helping the Earth Alliance nowadays, but I think what I’ve discovered can help you. Please rendezvous with me as soon as you can. We have much to discuss. I may have found a way to even the odds on the battlefield with the Zarlack and perhaps even the Furies. Unfortunately, the data I was accessing was highly sensitive and I’ve been detected. I think I may be in danger, so it’s crucial you find me quickly. If they find me before you do, I’ll leave clues to where I go next. Please hurry.”

  Ryonna looked at the screen long after the message had ended.

  “Keera, is this transport capable of jumping us to the coordinates?”

  “No, but even if it was, shouldn’t we ask for the help of the Earth Alliance?”

  “They left the planet more than a day ago. That gives us a head start I don’t want to lose. If Jonas is right and he has found a way to level the playing field with the Furies, we must act now.”

  “What about Ronan?”

  “He already rejoined the crew of the Manticora.”

  “How does that make you feel? I know you’d rather keep an eye on him.”

  “I would, but my son is a Droxian warrior. He handled himself incredibly bravely when the planet was under attack. I trust that he will prevail on his own if he gets into trouble.”

  Keera was clearly surprised by Ryonna’s confidence. “That doesn’t sound like you. Are you sure you’re okay, Ryonna?”

  “Right now I don’t have time to think about all of this. My world is in ruins; most of my people have been killed. If Jonas has a way to exact revenge on those who did this to us, this may be the most important mission of my life.”

  “Alright, then we need to get a better ship. Any ideas?”

  “As a matter of fact, yes. Get us to RavenShire spaceport, maximum speed.”

  “What will we find there?”

  Ryonna frowned. She looked pensive and emotional. “If it hasn’t been destroyed . . . a piece of my past.”

  Chase and Fillio arrived at the edge of a deep chasm. Everything around them shone red, as if they were inside an invisible furnace. It wasn’t hot, though. In fact, it felt very cold at the edge of the Underworld. Chase looked down at the pit. It led nowhere. It was void. The marching souls simply walked off the cliff and disappeared into nothingness, one after the other, relentlessly and without end.

  “We’re here,” said Fillio.

  Chase nodded.

  “I have to go now. Time to say goodbye.”

  “Wait.”

  “Chase, you have all the answers, you always did. It’s time for you to stop seeing your imposed destiny as a burden.”

  “I know.”

  “Good. Perhaps this was my role in all of this.”

  “Still, I’m sorry for failing to bring you back.”

  “You didn’t fail. I simply made my own choice. You go and make yours now. Retake control of your own destiny, like you were always meant to.”

  “Thank you, Fillio. I’ll miss you.”

  She smiled. “So will I, wherever it is I’m going now. Thank you for your friendship, Chase.”

  “What do I do now, though? I don’t know how to get out of this place, or if I’m even supposed to.”

  “Of course you’re supposed to. This . . .” She pointed down to the chasm, “is my path. Yours is the other way. Go back and eventually you’ll find your way out.”

  Chase looked at the long, interminable line of people walking towards this place. Perhaps it was that simple. At the other end of this line should be some sort of exit. When his gaze returned to Fillio he saw tears in her eyes but she was smiling. He wanted to talk with her more. He didn’t want this to be the end of their friendship, but he knew it was time.

  She took
her last step and disappeared into the void.

  At that moment Chase felt something in him. Something strong, something primal, something pure . . . A tear fell from his eye as he looked at the chasm for just a moment. Then he levitated upward and turned the other way. Before he knew it he was flying faster than he ever had, heading away from the chasm, with renewed faith in himself.

  I’m out of here!

  6

  Daniel hadn’t left his quarters on board the Destiny for days. He hadn’t showered, hadn’t shaved. He seldom left his bed and spent most of his time looking at the dull ceiling in search of answers. The past few days had taken a serious toll on his morale. Not only had he lost Fillio, whom he loved dearly, but his best friend was in cryostasis and at death’s door.

  He wondered how they could win this war now. It had always been a long shot to begin with, but now it really seemed hopeless.

  When the doorbell rang, it took a minute for Daniel to get out of his own dark thoughts. The second ring and successive loud knocks on the door did the trick.

  “Who is it? Leave me alone!” he shouted, still not willing to get out of bed.

  “Commodore Saroudis. Please open the door, Commander.”

  “Hang on.”

  Daniel grunted as he got up from the bed. His legs had decided not to be very cooperative. Like most of his being, except his brain, they too had gone to sleep. The first few steps were painful, but he soon started getting some feeling back into them.

  When he finally opened the door of his quarters, he noticed Saroudis’ appraisal of his current state.

  “Daniel, are you alright?”

  “I don’t think so. But I’d rather be alone.”

  “I think you’ve been alone long enough. We need to talk.”

  “I’m not in a talking mood.”

  “Do I have to make this an order?”

  Daniel sighed and gestured the commodore inside.

  “What can I do for you, Commodore?”

  “We’ll soon reach Earth. I need my wing commander back.”

  “I think you’d better appoint someone else to the position. I’m not sure if I want to stay in the Earth Alliance anymore.”