Patrik took a step toward her, and she backed away.
«Are you afraid, princess?»
« Afraid of you?! And why?» now her voice trembled.
«Maybe someone could tell your boyfriend that we're alone in here ... who knows how he would take it?»
«Whaaat? Which boyfriend? I have no boyfriend».
«Really?! Good. Can I see your bandelai?»
The spider was dragging her into a trap.
«Are you crazy?! The bandelai is not a game. It is an eternal promise. You cannot even get close to it if I don’t allow it» she replied.
Trapped!
«What a strange thing! I saw Noliah playing around in the fortress garden a few days ago. Evidently the eternal promise has already been taken».
Alannah had an illumination. Now everything was clear. Patrik's attitude, his being detached and that annoying desire to always avoid her.
He was jealous.
He was damn jealous and she wanted to sing for it. She couldn’t hold back a smile which annoyed Patrik a great deal.
«I've known Noliah since we were children. The Code chose him at an early age and he has been visiting the palace for a long time».
«You don’t have to justify yourself to me. Just know that I will never let Kaira go to such an idiot».
The "Kaira" card was in a bad taste and Alannah didn’t like it, so she decided to play the game too.
«Oh really?! Well, let's hope your Angelica turns out to be a good mother!»
«Who!?» he asked, incredulous to have heard that name uttered by her.
«Your Earth girlfriend. Miss who is waiting for you with open arms!»
«But who told you this? Angelica is absolutely nothing to me» he replied, cursing his friend's loose tongue.
«You don’t have to justify yourself to me. Know that I will never allow Kaira to go to such an idiot» she replied using the same words.
Patrik became very serious.
The girl was definitely a very serious subject for him.
«Let's understand each other now, Princess. You're doing a lot for Kaira and I'm grateful. We are all grateful to you. But she is mine and no one will take her away from me». So saying, he opened the door to leave.
«You know very well that she is very fond of me and you have no right to her. She will decide alone».
The discussion had landed in a very slippery place.
Patrik pulled out all his determination, turned and looked at her, his gaze digging into her eyes.
«This is where you're wrong! The one who entrusted her to me said that she would always follow me. It is the will of the sacred planet and you are nobody to prevent it. You can be calm, however, I will allow you to say goodbye when you marry that idiot!»
Point of no return.
A punch caught him in the eye and he flew to the ground in the corridor.
Alannah stood with tears in her eyes and with her fists clenched.
«I hate you, Patrik Jones. I hate you and I will always hate you».
The door closed and he stood there stunned, trying to understand how he had managed to ruin everything once again.
*
Kalberham knocked on the door and Patrik invited him in.
«I didn’t see you at dinner» he asked him, before seeing the bandage on his swollen eye.
Patrik snorted with rage. He didn’t want to talk and Kalberham smiled, looking down.
«Ah! I see…».
«She's crazy! That woman is completely crazy! Nothing can be said to her that doesn’t immediately escalate. I've never met anyone more irritating» Patrik snapped as loudly as he could, hoping she was around to hear him.
The Solaryan wanted to laugh, but he knew it was not appropriate. He knew how the boy felt and didn’t want to make him angry.
He tried to find the right words.
«Patrik, tell me, did you look at Kentaura or Eta Carinae from space?»
«Yes, of course, but what does that have to do with anything?»
«What do they have in common? What strikes you as soon as you see them?»
«Well, they're very similar to the Earth. Water, land mass, vegetation, breathable atmosphere ... you said it too, so what ?!»
«You are right! The planets that host life are very similar. There are a hundred billion planets in our galaxy, yet only twenty-one are like this».
Patrik took the bandage from his eye and looked at him curiously. Where did he want this to go?
«A skilled thinker of Solyar, a long time ago, said it was love that generated them. It's a strange thing, but the unlikely equilibrium in which we find a planet that hosts life is comparable to love because, like love, it's very difficult».
«I cannot communicate with her» he said dejectedly, understanding the words of the Solaryan.
Kalberham smiled.
At that moment the internal communicator activated.
«I need everyone on the bridge. Greymar's ship is catching up with us» said Tadiero.
The two looked at each other for a moment.
«Good, boy. We are at the show».
*
As promised, navigation continued quietly.
The only contact with the crew of the Arkassian ship had been Kalberham as soon as the Olympia's engagement was completed. Darnar, the tallest able officer after the general, ordered Tadiero to turn off the engines in order to align the flexion and he had performed the task.
The good thing was that if Greymar had intended to take them out, he would have already done it.
A few hours passed.
Even Lokkar was strangely nervous despite the fact that he went to his people, and was not good at hiding it. He knew that the gohtarma was unpredictable and if something bad happened, his loyalty to Patrik would be affected.
Coming out of the flexion, the planet that housed the headquarters of the most dangerous people in the galaxy stood before him. Patrik recalled the words of Kalberham. The planets that host life are very similar he said, and it was true. Paradoxically, Arkass seemed even more beautiful than the others.
The nature and landscapes of the place were beautiful and it was no wonder that its inhabitants were so determined in giving battle to defend it.
A light signal came on in front of Marco and he activated the central monitor after receiving a nod from the captain.
Greymar finally appeared before them all.
«You will descend from the ship, you are awaited by the lord of the arkassian alliance. This being an agreed visit, all the wag warriors present can bring their respective siels. It’s pointless to remind you that any hostile attitude will constitute an act of war».
Without even waiting for an answer, the communication ended.
The Olympia’s door opened.
Lokkar approached Kalberham. «I ask permission to go down first, commander. You want to spend some time alone, I guess».
«Permission granted» he replied, appreciating the loyalty of the young Guardian of Melai.
«Thank you for accompanying me, Lokkar» Patrik told him before he came down.
«Wait before you thank me, Terran».
The Arkassian got off the ship and his words threw a little dismay on everyone present.
«Good. Patrik and I will lead the group. Marco and Tadiero will escort the princess and Kaira. Jaco will remain on guard making sure no one goes inside. This ship is a solaryan territory and access on board is not allowed without my order».
Kalberham said those things as if they were not just six against an entire hostile planet, as if the Arkassians couldn’t do what they wanted if they wanted to. In the end it was always the captain, and this role imposed on him the attitude of command.
Then he looked at Patrik and took him aside.
«So boy, let's talk with the gohtarma and not be rushed into the answers. Remember that he is the boss here and must prove that he is. Always have a humble attitude, we are not here to win the war».
Patrik understo
od exactly what he meant and nodded his head. Then he turned to the others.
«Jones, if we ever survive this thing, you know you owe me a big, big favor» Marco said, smiling and winking at him.
Everyone laughed then even if they didn’t feel like it. Just then, the gazes of Alannah and Patrik crossed for a long moment. If only they could read each other's wishes they would be together in the same place, embracing and thousands of light years away from there.
Tadiero came over and put a hand on the boy's shoulder.
«Remember why you're here and take heart. We have two people to save, and in particular to one of them I want to show that you are an extraordinary Guardian. Come on Patrik, let's go».
«You're right» he replied. He had done so much to have at least one chance to save his father, and could not hold back now.
He gripped the siel and began to walk, followed by everyone else.
32
A series of arkassian guards were lined up on either side of the long avenue leading to the entrance to the imperial palace.
The Olympia had remained in the docking area along with many other ships of the Arkass Empire, with Jaco sitting on the ramp with his eyes wide open.
From a distance, Patrik and the others saw Greymar giving orders to Lokkar, and then moving away. A girl approached immediately and embraced the young Arkassian with all her strength. He spoke to her for a moment, and together they began to approach them.
«Maliki, this is Patrik Jones from planet Earth and they are his friends» Lokkar said.
«Nice to meet you. You didn’t tell me you had a partner» Patrik told him curiously.
«No. She is my sister, the last person left of my family».
Maliki was really very beautiful. Her complexion was as dark as her brother's, and her wavy hair fell on her shoulders. Her intense, yellow eyes lit her face with perfect features.
She wore a sort of black tight-fitting suit with a light over-armor that covered only part of her body. A leather belt that had some strange accessories, and long leather boots. On her right hand she was clutching a long wooden halberd with a tip made of some strange alloy.
Listening to the confidential tone of his brother, she made a gesture of annoyance and slammed her weapon on the floor, looking menacing.
«Patrik Jones saved my life on Eta Carinae. All of them helped to save me» Lokkar told her without any kind of emotion, as if he only wanted to inform her.
And it worked.
The girl's face changed expression, she placed her weapon on the ground and knelt in front of Patrik.
Patrik didn’t understand. He turned around, but his friends were more amazed than he was.
Maliki stood up slowly, closed her eyes and approached him began to study his face with her hand, touching it gently, as if she were a blind person trying to understand the appearance of those in front of her.
«My blood and my soul will know how to reward you, young Earthling» she said in a soothing voice, in the tone of someone who makes a solemn promise.
«We should go in now» Lokkar said, nipping that erotic dream in the bud, and began to walk, followed by his sister.
Patrik turned to Marco, who was left speechless. Basically a fish trying to figure out how it ended up in a glass bubble in downtown Manhattan.
«Jones, I would say that after this, we can die in peace» he told him, looking at the black angel that was moving away.
«You said it, brother!» Patrik replied as he gave a high five to his friend.
Kalberham and Tadiero looked at each other in amazement. How did those two think about these things at such a delicate time?
Alannah was clearly purple with rage.
«Men!» she said softly, starting to walk and imagining Patrik tied up on a table with some of her knives thrust into his body.
*
Lokkar and his sister stopped in front of the large entrance door of the throne room. A guard approached and put a black cloak with the Arkass marks around Patrik's shoulders.
The young black Guardian arranged it better and then looked at him.
«You're the only one who can talk to him. Your friends will stay behind you and you will answer everything he asks you. Don’t lie, he’ll know if you do. He is a very powerful Guardian, don’t be fooled by his age. Bow your head, you can raise it as soon as he allows you to speak».
The door began to open and Alannah moved the child closer to her.
The hall was a huge square. The throne was raised and behind, two huge, dark gray statues seemed to protect it.
The symbols of the arkassian empire on long black drapes surrounded the walls all around and six gigantic columns supported the ceiling. Between the columns, rows of soldiers in full uniform and with a strange weapon in their hands stood still, at attention.
Everything was designed to induce fear and respect for the lineage of Arkass and the planets of the alliance covenant.
«The statue on the right I think is the gohtarma, but the one on the left who is it?» Patrik asked Kalberham as they walked.
«The master of your siel» the Solaryan answered, looking around.
«Armintala was arkassian ?!»
«No. They are the ones who imagine it that way. They have always been sure that it could not be otherwise. Their "unequivocal" racial superiority. The truth is that nobody knows».
Patrik thought of the fortresses on Eta Carinae. «But the image of Armintala in their Guardian room is the same as yours.»
«That is the official galactic image. They cannot change it on the sacred planet. At least, not yet...»
Kalberham stopped talking and changed his expression as Greymar approached.
«Patrik Jones! The boy prodigy. It’s a pity that you escaped me by so little on Earth, for now you would be a powerful son of Arkass».
«The Code has deemed it necessary to entrust him to me, General. As wag warriors we have a duty to serve him» interrupted Kalberham before Patrik could say anything.
Greymar gripped the siel with the expression of someone holding a dog on a leash.
«The Code will not save you as soon as I can make you taste my weapon. With a little luck it could even be today».
Kalberham smiled and put his hands together behind his back.
«Well, if you decided to take me out today, surely I would not have escaped, I would have to walk the avenue of light that leads to the Flower. Of one thing I am sure, however, you would be the first to follow me!».
«General, the gohtarma waits!» Mendicar said aloud, positioned a little further along.
The general moved without ever looking away from the Solaryan and the group arrived where some black Guardians stood still waiting for them. About thirty meters of completely empty space separated them from the steps leading to the throne.
«We stop here. You boy, you can go on» Mendicar said, waving to the two large imperial guards, who began to walk with Patrik to the lord of Arkass.
The gohtarma began to go down the stairs in the company of his faithful green animal, attached to his neck.
«Here it is, young Jones. The boy of miracles. Show me your arm».
Patrik looked up slightly and saw the old Guardian's glassy eyes. His hands saw Elisaar's pact under the burn.
«You told me your siel did it to you?» he asked again, looking at the tattoo.
«Yes, sir. At least I think so. I was under attack from forces unknown to me. They wanted my weapon».
«Armintala's siel is not “your”weapon. Kentaura made a mistake, it's inevitable».
«It answers only to me, sir» Patrik replied, looking up this time.
«Oh really?! You will not have any problems then.Let me see it».
This really was unexpected, but he could not hold back at this point. Poligon Dhaal and Kalberham had not prepared for such an eventuality.
He decided to hand it over. If the old Kentauro really had made a mistake to entrust it to him, however, he would not have left the planet alive.
>
The gohtarma gripped the sacred siel and it answered.
Patrik didn’t believe his eyes. He saw his life moving away from the horizon and his parents' fate plunging into darkness. It had all been a huge deception. He felt like a chess piece, unconscious of a game bigger than himself and asked God for help. That part of humanity spread out in him a few moments before his death.
The lord of Arkass nodded to one of the guards who, with a blow to Patrik’s legs, put the boy on his knees.
A jolt of his friends crossed the silent hall.
«Small insignificant being. Did you really think you could carry the Code better than all of us? Now that you've eliminated Alicon I'm forced to kill you. In greater numbers and with the key of the Flower of souls in my hands, this war will no longer have any reason to exist».
The gohtarma extended his siel to inflict the coup de grace to the young Terrestrial.
Kaira jerked away from Alannah and started running toward Patrik.
«Get that little girl!» Mendicar ordered two guards. She was almost to him when they blocked her by throwing her to the ground.
«Leave him! Don’t hurt him!» the girl screamed, crying, blocked by the weight of the boots of the two arkassian soldiers.
Overwhelmed by the interruption of his work, the old Guardian stared at Kaira with hatred.
«Kill her!» he ordered without thinking.
Point of no return.
Patrik, still on his knees with his arms locked by the two guards, turned to the soldiers with bloodshot eyes. Immediately, they burst into flames on the floor. The guards who were restraining him let go because something inexplicable restricted their breath.
He got up and took them by the neck. Without being able to control his anger, he put his fingers so deeply into the meat that he reached the spine. A decisive tear, and the two heads tumbled to the ground at the feet of some soldiers more than twenty meters away.
The gohtarma was still. Armintala's siel rolled around his arm at great speed and he couldn’t stop it. Patrik took it from his arm and it stuck in his hand, still dead with blood from the two unfortunates.
«It answers only to me... sir!» he told him, as Kaira reached him hugging his legs, in tears.
Patrik Jones and the Code of the Universe Page 30
