«I'm tired of talking to you. You know where to find your room» said the Arkassian, cutting him short and heading for the door.
«I'm not your enemy» Patrik told him before he could get outside. «You don’t trust me, but I’m not your enemy».
«Really, Terrestrial?! Well, if I believe you or not it makes no difference» and with that he left the room.
«Oh, it will do» said Patrik in a low voice, now talking to himself. «When they arrive, it will do…».
*
Patrik heard a knock on the door. It took him a moment to remember that he was a guest of the fortress of the black Guardians. He had fallen asleep late, overwhelmed by a thousand thoughts, and now he realized that the sun was already high.
«The gohtarma is ready to receive you, Terrestrial» a voice told him outside the room.
«Yes, I'll be right there» he replied, still standing drowsily. «Five minutes to get ready and I’ll be there».
Outside, the guard who woke him waited impatiently. The two went down to the garden to head towards the main building and Billo took the opportunity to pee.
Inside the room the arkassian Guardians were all present, including Lokkar who avoided his gaze.
«Good morning» said Patrik, addressing those present, but no one answered him.
«You have a slightly swollen face, boy. Did someonehurt you?» Gavinar asked, looking at him.
«No, sir. Inadvertently I fell over in my room» he replied
Lokkar and Patrik locked eyes for a moment, and all the others just watched the big monitor where suddenly the gohtarma appeared in person.
Everyone freed his siel as a sign of respect and so did he.
«Patrik Jones. The Terrestrial wonder. Good Kalberham has even taught you to free your weapon. Remarkable!» the old Arkassian immediately said.
«Greetings, sir. And I thank you for granting me an audience» Patrik replied, lowering his head.
«Armintala's siel opens the Flower's barrier. It is at least unusual for your solaryan friends to make you come to us. Poligon Dhaal proves to be incautious».
«I don’t deny that I have met resistance, sir. However, the events that took place inside the Chamber of the Flower made sure that the solaryan Council, including Poligon Dhaal, also agreed to allow me to come and talk with you all».
«Well, talk» the gohtarma urged, placing both hands on his elongated siel to the floor.
«As you well know, I was attacked by a red Guardian from Falaia just yesterday. He used me to overcome the barrier, which means that Armintala's siel only responds to his master».
«If this is the case, given the enormous power that has been granted to you, it would be good to make you a prisoner to get in touch with the Code before your friends do it. Or perhaps, to avoid unnecessary risks, it would be good to kill you now» said the old Guardian of Arkass, arousing the laughter of his acolytes.
«Yes, of course, sir» said Patrik, looking down and joining in in the laughter of those present. «It would be logical. But what do we do about Acqua's red warrior who appeared out of nowhere? We want to pretend that it never happened? I think we should all consider the fact that we are under attack and that this useless conflict between us no longer has any reason to exist».
«Ahahahahah. Very funny» answered the gohtarma, laughing at his young interlocutor. «Poligon Dhaal told you the tale of the imminent danger and hopes that we all drink it. Of course, it would be convenient now that he has the key to enter the Flower undisturbed».
«Enough, sir» said Mendicar, who was standing right next to him. «We take the boy's life away. This is a unique opportunity, there may not be another».
The old Arkassian looked at him with the air of someone who could seriously consider the proposal he had just heard, but before he could say anything, Patrik started talking again.
«Evidently, sir, you had no way to talk to your old friend Poligon Dhaal. The name of the Guardian of Acqua who attacked me is Berdinash».
At the sound of that name the face of the gohtarma frowned.
«Impossible!» he replied, violently beating the siel on the floor. «Berdinash died long ago, and even if he survived it would be far older than the one who attacked you».
Patrik said nothing, just looked at his interlocutor without looking away from him.
«Go on, young Earthman» he urged him.
«Before arriving on this planet, our ship found itself in a temporal vacuum. Some creatures attacked us, they wanted Armintala's siel. We managed to repel them, but in return my weapon went crazy around my forearm, burned me, and left this on my skin».
Patrik pulled up his sleeve and showed the burn, and a tattoo that the Lord of Arkass knew well. The latter looked at the monitor in front of him very carefully.
«It's not a trick, sir, and I'm ready to show it to you. What I ask is to be able to come and speak in person. As you well know, I need something from you and I'm willing to do anything to get it».
«You'll come to Arkass, young Earthman. General Greymar will wait for you halfway and will escort you to me» he said suddenly, leaving all those present speechless.
«I don’t trust Greymar. He already tried to get us out once» replied Patrik, who didn’t like the idea of ending up in the jaws of someone who had sworn his revenge.
«He will not disobey my orders» the gohtarma said again.
«I'm not alone. I can risk my life, but not that of other Solaryans, especially now that they are one less».
«What does this mean, boy? Explain!» Mendicar ordered him.
«It means that Alicon is dead» replied Patrik, giving life to the confused clamor of all the Arkassians present.
«Dead ?!» asked the gohtarma.
«Yes, sir» he replied. «I killed him. I promised someone on Kentaura that I would protect Armintala's siel from anyone. He wanted it, I had to defend myself».
«I'll go with him!» Lokkar interrupted. «If it's all right for you, I'll volunteer, sir».
Patrik turned in disbelief, happy that he had not been wrong about him.
«For me it's a sufficient guarantee» he said immediately to make it happen.
«So be it!» the Lord of Arkass ordered before closing the connection.
30
On the platform, Lokkar and Patrik didn’t speak. The situation was quite strange and nobody had anything to say. Only Billo seemed to enjoy the trip. The temperature was very pleasant and it was not raining any more.
As soon as they got out, just before entering the solaryan fortress, Patrik turned to the Arkassian.
«Lokkar, why did you offer to come?» this question had been buzzing in his head throughout the journey and finally he had found the courage to ask.
«If I realize I have misplaced my trust, I want to stay close enough to kill you» he replied without hesitation, as if he had been waiting a while for that question.
Patrik smiled in amazement at the confidence he had been given, even though the threat of death had given it a bitter aftertaste.
It didn’t matter.
In spite of everything, the answer was in line with the attitude of the "black Guardian in one piece".
The re-entry of the platform must have been noticed from afar, because as soon as the doors opened they were all there waiting for him.
The sight of an Arkassian left everyone speechless.
«What's he doing here?» Noliah asked, breaking the silence.
«He’s called Lokkar. He offered to escort the Olympia to Arkass as a guarantee that the ship will not be attacked. I was treated as a guest in their home, I expect that the same respect is reserved for him here. But it’s not my home, if the Council has an objection, we can go elsewhere».
Milostali and Poligon Dhaal looked at each other for a moment.
«The Arkassian can stay. In the afternoon you will return to the city and from there you will leave for Arkass» replied Milostali.
«I thank the Council for this. Now I would like to show ou
r guest that I didn’t lie a while ago. I need to show him Alicon's body» Patrik said, unsettling everyone.
«This is really too much» Noliah exploded in disbelief at the words he had just heard. «You told our enemies that we are one less. Do you realize, you stupid idiot, that risks the lives of us all? I've had enough of you».
The young solaryan grabbed his siel ready to attack.
Lokkar took his and Patrik did the same by standing in front of him to protect him.
«Enough now!» shouted Poligon Dhaal. «Noliah, put away your weapon. And you, Patrik, I would like to remind you that this is a Council. So from today on, before making decisions that affect it, you will do well to consult with all of us. We will show the body to the Akassian, after all, he too risks his life by coming to our house and trusting us».
Noliah put away his siel, still extremely angry.
Patrik took the scolding willingly. It was important that his enemy saw that he too took a risk believing him.
«From what I see, you risk more among your friends than among your enemies, Terrestrial» Lokkar said in a low voice, passing close to him.
«Regarding what you told me earlier, outside the door, I would like you to remember that I'm trusting you too» Patrik replied very seriously. He stopped for a moment to watch him, without saying anything.
«Hey, Patrik. Come here» Marco told him soon after. «I'll tell Napoleon that he will have his performance tonight».
«Damn, I really forgot about it. But how do we get a singer and bass player?»
«CK31 obviously» answered Marco.
«Whaaat ?! Are you crazy?» asked Patrik, widening his eyes.
«Quiet Jones. Napoleon sent me sheet music and video material. Who ever created that thing must be a genius. He learned to play and sing the song in less than twenty minutes».
«But you’re sure?».
«Do you trust me?».
«No! But apparently I have no other choice» admitted Patrik, who absolutely wanted to check that pc.
«Go and do your superhero stuff and I'll take care of it» Marco told him, winking.
Alannah arrived soon after. She was still furious, but she didn’t want to give satisfaction to that stupid Terrestrial.
Billo ran to meet her and she stroked him.
«Honey. I'm happy to see you again safe and sound, despite the fact that someone puts your life needlessly in danger» she said, turning to the dog.
Patrik didn’t pick up the provocation and remained cold. The scene he had seen the day before was still burning inside him.
«Princess Alannah. I note with surprise that you have not left for Solyar yet, maybe you are waiting for someone in particular to accompany you?» he told her more bitterly than ever.
She knew who he was referring to, and this jealousy pleased her, but now Patrik was just exaggerating.
«I don’t have to tell you about my travels, Patrik Jones. If you have problems with any of those present in this fortress, I cannot resolve them myself» Alannah replied, quite annoyed.
«Trouble with someone?» asked Patrik, pretending to be a fool, though the reference to Noliah was clear. «Let's forget, I have better things to do» and so saying he turned to leave.
«Yes of course, go away. It's the only thing that you’re good at» she shouted behind him.
Point of no return.
Patrik turned back to her, but now his expression was anything but quiet. He came back until she was no more than a foot from his face.
«Do you want to talk about your friend Noliah? Well let's talk then! Ever since I arrived here he has wanted me dead. Even two minutes ago he was ready to kill me, like many of his friends. What does it matter? Already half a galaxy wants me dead because it believes I have a power that threatens them, and for the other half it's the same thing, because it believes I have a power that I do not deserve. So you can even marry your little friend, I don’t care. I just have to understand who I can trust now. And you want to know why?! So ... let's see ... ah, here it is: perhaps because at this moment my father is a prisoner on Vortix and certainly someone torturing him, while my mother is under pressure in the hands of one of the most ruthless races in the galaxy, mine!» .
«Patrik you misunderstood, I don’t...» but Alannah could not finish the sentence, Patrik was furious.
She had never seen him like this.
«Oh I forgot! In all this, I must also decide whether to end the atrocious suffering of a handful of dying planets, condemning to death about a billion and a half people on my planet. So now get off your feet, because I have no time to waste. Go back home, spoiled little girl!»
Checkmate.
Patrik didn’t even wait for the slightest hint of response from the Princess of Solyar. He turned and started walking, disappearing around the corner in less than two seconds.
Alannah stood there with tears in her eyes. He had managed to hurt her like no one had ever done. She hated him, and she hated herself because she had allowed him to hurt her like that, because she had allowed her heart to get so close to him.
*
Lokkar said nothing in front of Alicon's body, lying motionless on what had been his bed for many years. The corpse would return to his home planet, Velado, the next morning.
Patrik decided to accompany the new guest to his room, where he would remain until they left.
«Alicon was a very powerful Guardian, it must not have been easy to get the better of him» said the Arkassian as they walked through one of the corridors of the solaryan fortress.
«No, in fact» said Patrik, looking down.
«What's up, Terrestrial? Have you been so scared that you're still troubled by the fight?» Lokkar asked, a little amused.
«Of course I was scared» he replied. «And of course I'm upset. And I'm still scared. Fear of being forced to do it again».
The young Guardian of Melai stopped short, looking at Patrik in disbelief.
«Let me understand? In the moment of greatest instability of the galaxy, has the Code chosen someone who is afraid of causing death?!»
«Exactly! I will never get used to having to kill someone. I wish the Code chose me to bring about life» Patrik replied very seriously.
«The death of some guarantees the lives of many others. It's always been like that, it's a rule that cannot be changed. If you really want to restore balance as you said yesterday, you will have to never hesitate, Terrestrial. Attack to kill, even if one day you should fight against me, because I would not hesitate» Lokkar told him almost defiantly.
«I would not worry if I were you. I believe you are the only creature in the universe for which I would not feel any remorse» he replied.
Lokkar looked at him questioningly.
Patrik began to laugh, spreading his arms disconsolately. «Lokkar, I was joking. What's up? Don’t you joke where you are from?»
«You don’t have to joke with me, Patrik Jones. I'm not your friend and I'll never be».
«Really? Well, my friend, no one is perfect!» and so saying he gave him another good pat on the shoulder like the night before, leaving him alone in front of the door of his room.
After a couple of minutes, as he entered the Guardians' room, Patrik saw that Kalberham and Poligon Dhaal were looking at some star maps. At the sight of him they stopped talking, as if they were hiding something.
«Is something wrong?» he asked.
«We were taking a look at the route to Arkass» Kalberham replied. «To go to Greymar in the arkassian territory is not exactly the best option. We were considering possible escape routes. "
«The gohtarma assured me that no one will hurt us, and then Lokkar is with us».
«There's not much reason to trust them» old Poligon stopped him. «They would be willing to kill one of their own if they were going to eliminate you. Don’t forget that they now know about the power of the Armintala siel. This is scary, my young friend».
«Kalberham, if you think it could be a risk, I'll go alone. To hav
e me there, I'm sure they'd be able to come and get me. Unfortunately I need that armor, but I do not want to put anyone's life at risk».
«Don’t talk nonsense, boy. You know very well that we would never let you go alone, starting with Tadiero who, as you know, can’t wait to get to Vortix. Consider all the options, that's all» the solaryan cat reassured him, putting a hand on his shoulder.
«If I were a few years younger, I would come» said Poligon Dhaal, smiling. «But I can’t. So now you have to make me a couple of promises, Patrik».
«What promises, master?!»
«You have to be careful over there. They will try to confuse you. Remember what the Code wants from you, without forgetting who you are. I trust you».
Patrik smiled and nodded his head. «What else, master?»
«Bring my friend David back».
«We'll be back in two or we will not be back, sir» he replied without the slightest sign of hesitation.
*
A few hours later, the group was ready to leave.
Patrik arrived at the entrance of the fortress, where the convoy that would take them back to the city awaited them.
«So, are we all here?» he asked Marco, who was busy loading the instruments with CK31.
«No. The Princess is missing, Kaira and your arkassian friend» he replied.
«I'm going to warn Lokkar» he said quickly, before someone asked him to call Alannah. There was not even a trace of Noliah around. They're definitely together, he thought inside himself, feeling a twinge in his stomach.
«Alannah decided not to come» Kalberham said as soon as he was sure Patrik was far enough away that he could not hear.
«And for what reason?!» Marco asked in amazement.
«I don’t know. Even I tried to talk to her, but there's no way to make change her mind» answered Poligon Dhaal, who was right next to the Solaryan.
«I get it. I'll handle that. Where is she right now?» Marco asked again, a little annoyed at having to waste time on the whims of those two fools who didn’t have the courage to admit that they liked each other.
Patrik Jones and the Code of the Universe Page 27
