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Reia and I have spent years traveling together and we’ve become close friends. To some our friendship is seen as more than just friendship, and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want to be more that just friends. Reia is aware of my affections for her as I am aware of her love for me, but long ago we agreed that a relationship would be dangerous to the quest. My job is to guard her and give her guidance unclouded by emotion, but how can you when you love the very person you’re putting into danger. It is a constant inner battle between my love and my logic.
The sound of a bass speaker thumping in the distance alerts me to Chris’ car turning the corner a few blocks away. Squinting to see the car I realize it is the same car Chris drove years ago. Now more than ever before I began to question how everything here seemed the same. I know fifteen years had passed yet here things looked like I had only left days ago.
The gray car thumps its way towards us, the sound becoming more and more reminiscent of church bells chiming the final hours to the apocalypse. The sound become almost defining as the moment of truth drives the little gray car to the ultimate choice. Will Chris and Amanda join us in the quest to save Nosis; will they embark on the journey of a lifetime? It’s possible that he may refuse to believe me and avoid the call of destiny. If so then Nosis is doomed. The Saekoo will destroy the Tu’ralota and Kalato, burning the villages and slaughtering the people. Then they’ll grow in numbers until every resource is depleted, and when they render Nosis unable to sustain life what then? They’ll be forced to find a new world. Earth will be the next to fall, my world will be destroyed. Against the Saekoo Earth wouldn’t stand a chance.
Though the fate of both worlds lay on the choice Chris makes I know I can not force him to say yes. If he does choose to say no then Reia and I will simply have to continue the quest. Reia too is aware of our chances if we go on alone, but it’s the fate we have come to accept. If we fail in our quest then Nosis’ final string of hope will break. The fact is that if we fail, no one else will try.
“Is that Chris?” Reia asks looking at the approaching car. “Yes it is.” I answer in reply. The car comes to a halt in front of the house. The passengers arrange themselves before the driver opens the door and steps out. Chris looks to me questioningly. “He looks exactly the same.” I muttered to myself. The same blue baseball cap covers the same short blonde hair. His face thin and slightly bony has the same slightly tanned look I remember. Out of the passenger seat stands an equally identical looking Amanda. Her brown hair cut in the same style. Her clothes the same ones I remember seeing before I left. Fifteen years had passed and they hadn’t changed a bit. The car alone should be in a scrap yard but now, it was old when I left and known for breaking down, but there it sat still in running order. The body rusted and muddy, the front end missing a section of grill from the same accident he was in a month before I left, but how?
“Stay here and guard Shetiga.” I order Reia. She tightens her grip letting me know she is with me no matter what the out come before letting go. I take the few steps toward Amanda as Chris walks around his car quickly to head me off. Stopping only feet from each other he speaks, “Can I help you?” His tone was authoritative and direct.
I reached into my shirt and pulled out my necklace. Attached to it was the only possession I had kept the entire time in Nosis, a key. Not just any key it was the key Chris had given me, the key to his house. As children we were known for forgetting our keys everywhere so we both had one made for the other, just in case. All the time in Nosis I had kept it as a memento to remember Earth, but now it was the only proof I had of who I was. Chris may look the same but fifteen years had taken its toll on me. My hair black now and my face had aged, a scar drawn over my face made it hard to see Ben under Zero.
Zero was the name I had chosen to go by in Nosis when I started my new life. Ben was my old life, when I was just a normal man, I lived a normal life and knew nothing of adventure. When I arrived in Nosis I underwent a rebirth as Zero, the warrior, whose everyday was an adventure. It was right to change my name as now I’m nothing like I used to be, I am a different person. Ben is just a memory, someone else’s memory.
Taking Chris’ hand I drop the key into it. “What’s this?” he asks unsure of its meaning. Looking at it he examines the grooves, looking at every angle and every aspect he realizes what it is, “This is my house key. How did you get it?” I take a step towards him bringing my eyes level with his and answer, “You gave it to me.” Chris looks at me unable to understand what is happening. I step back giving him space as I begin to explain, “Chris you gave that key to me. I’m not exactly sure how long ago but you gave it to me to keep incase you couldn’t get into your house. Remember?”
Chris tilts his head skeptically as he responds, “The only person I gave one of my house keys to, was Ben, but he’s gone. He went missing fifteen months ago. How did you get this? Do you know where he is? If you do, tell me or I swear I’ll…” Cutting him off I exclaim, “It’s me.” Chris looks me up and down, stopping to look at my eyes. Taking a minute he studies my face. Suddenly he gasps and falling back into his car. Amanda, watching the ordeal, now takes her turn to examine me in an effort to know what Chris now knows. She too gasps holding her hands to her mouth in awe, exclaiming, “Oh god. It’s you. Ben?” I look to her and confirm her remark, “Yes. Look beyond the age and see. I don’t understand how, but I’ve grown-up fifteen years.” Chris utters, “But its only been fifteen months. I don’t understand.” I chuckle in reply as Chris and I hug, “I said I don’t understand it myself, but I guess time moves faster in Nosis.”
Chris steps back taking in the change in me as he inquires, “Nosis? What are you talking about? And while I’m asking, who is that and what is that?” Chris directs me to Reia and Shetiga still on the porch. Moving aside I motion Chris to greet Reia, “This is Reia and that is my sword Shetiga.” Chris and Reia greet one another as Amanda hugs me speaking through her tears, “It is so good to see you. Where have you been? We were so worried.” At the mention of seeing me I realize that we were being watched. Looking around I saw Brad watching through the bay window, and neighbors all around observing as the reunion unfolded before them.
Turning to Chris I explain, “I think it might be a good idea to take our reunion else where.” Chris, looking about notices the attention we had gathered, agrees and motions for us to get in the car. Walking to Reia I speak, “Reia I know how you feel about cars but we…” Reia completes my sentence sympathetically, “We need to leave because we can’t afford the interest. I know and don’t worry, I’ll be okay.” Taking Shetiga from the porch and sheathing it I guide Reia to the back seat of the car. Amanda takes a seat in the back of the car knowing Chris wanted me in the front. Sitting down in the car I lay Shetiga in my lap and over my shoulder as I close the door. Chris starts the car and it reluctantly grumbles to life. Shifting into gear Chris takes the car around the corner slowly and I breathe a sigh of relief as we pass from sight of Chris’ house.
After a few minutes of silence Chris turns on his stereo, the bass throbs loudly and Reia screams in fear. Chris turns down the music as I turn and comfort Reia, “It’s okay, it’s just music. It’s like the stadium in Xon, just smaller.” Chris apologizes, “Sorry I forgot I left the volume up.” I respond, “It isn’t the volume, she didn’t know what it was.” Chris looks at me wondering, “What? She doesn’t know what a stereo is?” “No, Nosis doesn’t have stereos. The only way to hear music is to listen to a band play.” I answer, as Chris inquires, “There is that name again. What is Nosis?”
We continued to drive about aimlessly as I began to explain where I was. I told Chris and Amanda about Nosis and the war, I told them about the quest, Reia, Bishop, and Lilith. Finally we stopped the car at Grey Park as I began to explain why I came back to Earth. Leaving Shetiga in the car we began to walk through the park. I felt that the environment might prove more comforting to Reia and me I explain to Chris and Amanda what our intentions were. For people who had just been told that there was another world where they had to go and become the saviors of a people they didn’t even know they took it well.
“You’re freaking crazy!!” Chris bellows, “Magic, monsters, and quests, it sounds like some fantasy novel. How can you expect me to believe all of this?” We stop in a clearing and I look to Reia, “Give them a light show.” Reia smiles and holds her hand out with her palm up. Chanting quietly she concentrates her power as a blue sphere of energy forms in her hand. Growing larger the sphere begins to sizzle with energy reaching the size of basket ball, Chris and Amanda step back cautiously. Reia tosses the sphere up, climbing faster and faster it continues until stopping suddenly hundreds of feet from the ground. Reia winks before snapping her fingers. The sphere immediately explodes in a vibrant blue display, a second passes and the wind blows from the explosion forcing Chris and Amanda to the ground.
“What? How?” mutters Amanda unable to make sense of what happened as she and Chris stand up. Looking about to see if anyone caught us in the act I explained, “What you just saw was Reia using her Wind Shard.” Amanda looks to me speaking skeptically, “Wind Shard? What is that?” Pulling back my sleeve I begin to undue my gauntlet. With the final band undone I hand the gauntlet to Amanda. Motioning for her to turn it over I explain, “Those small pieces of crystal are Mage Sphere Shards.” She examines the crystal shards secured to the inside of the gauntlet as I continue, “They are what give people the abilities that you just witnessed. Mine are secured to my gauntlet for protection, but more for easy access.” Chris looking at the Shards asks, “Easy access? But they’re hidden.” “I mean it is easy to access their powers. See, to be able to use the shards they have to be in contact with your skin. I keep my Shards in my gauntlet so I don’t have to search for them in battle.”
Amanda hands the gauntlet back as Chris speaks, “So what do your shards do?” I being to walk as I put my gauntlet back on and speak, “I have a Fire Shard, a Strength Shard, and a Speed Shard. Each does as their names imply. The Fire Shard allows me to create and control fire. My Strength and Speed Shards raise my overall strength and speed.” “Wind Shards, Fire Shards, and Strength Shards, how many different kinds are there?” Amanda asks walking along with Reia and me. I reply, “There are ten different types naturally. The Elemental Shards; Fire, Wind, Water, Earth are the most common ones. Then Strength and Speed are the Physical Shards that are not as common as the Elementals but not too hard to come by. The third type are the rarest, the Special Shards. These are next to impossible to find unless you are a Mage. Mages are people who have been trained in how to use and control the shards. The Special Shards include Life, Shadow, Light, and Death.”
Chris raises his hand to stop me, “Okay, I’m getting confused.” Amanda cuts in, “You said there are ten naturally. Why did you say naturally?” “You noticed that pretty quickly. Well I said naturally because there are also some that have been created using technology. The Lighting, Wall and Fog shards are just a few examples.” I explain. Chris finally asks the question I knew would come up sometime, “Where did these things come from?”
I clear my throat and continue, “According to the Tu’ralota scriptures it is said that ten gods created Nosis and left the Mage Spheres to its people. The people would then use the Spheres to control all aspects of life allowing them to exist in perfect happiness. Like Adam and Eve of Earth one of the first inhabitants of Nosis wanted to control everything and everyone, and had the Spheres shattered so he could possess part of each one. When he shattered the Spheres the immense power they had was distributed among the Shards, therefore the power to control the world was lost to the people of Nosis and it became the place it is now.” “I guess the one who wanted all the power was the ancestor to the Saekoo.” said Amanda. Nodding Reia replies, “That is what we believe.” “But there is no proof that it is true.” I say turning to Amanda.
Stopping by a bench Reia and Amanda sit. Chris looks me in the eye and moves his head, motioning me to follow him. I nod to Reia to stay while Chris and I walk out of earshot. Next to the pond Chris bends over picking up a stone, and tosses it in his hand before throwing it into the water. “Is it worth it?” he asks. I look at him as he watches the ripples make their way to the waters edge, “Is what worth it?” Making eye contact he continues, “Is Nosis worth all this fighting and war. I mean is it worth putting our lives on the line to finish this quest you’re on. Why us, why do you need us? Can’t you get some one from the Crimson Dagger Clan to help you?”
I look across the water at the forest on the other side. The leaves wave in the gentle breeze gold and red. The fall had taken its place in the constant circle of the seasons. When I left winter was waging it war on the landscape. Nosis hasn’t seasons like Earth, the temperature remains in the same range every day all year round. Now after fifteen years I realize how much I missed the seasons. The fun of sledding in the winter and the play had rustling about in the fall leaves.
Standing in awe of nature I reply, “No, I can’t trust the Crimson Dagger. I came to you because I thought you would be there for me no matter what.” I start. Chris shakes his head, “I am. You know that, but what you’re asking is a lot to ask, of anyone.” “I know, and I never came here expecting anything from you. I just had no where else to go.” “You still haven’t answered me, is it worth it?” Taking a breath I pause before answering, “You wouldn’t be saving just Nosis. You’d be saving Earth as well. Everything and everyone you know. The Saekoo won’t stop with Nosis. After they’ve taken all the natural resources and used them up where do you think they’ll go. Earth is the easiest place to reach so they’ll come here. They’ll burn the trees, pollute the water… kill the people, process the animals… they’ll blacken the sky and scorch the earth. They’ll kill you then have their way with Amanda. If she is lucky they’ll kill her if not they’ll make her a slave. She’ll work in a factory, or in a bedroom. Reia and I fight for more than just Nosis and its’ people. We fight for everything and everyone, everywhere. The Saekoo will never stop. They’ll keep going until there is nothing left. They’re relentless.”
Chris stands absorbing everything I say. We turn to see Reia and Amanda still sitting talking to each other as I continue, “I know it is a lot to ask of you or anyone, to risk your life for billions of people you don’t even know, but… Try to think of it on less of a grand scale. What we do will ensure the safety of these two. You love her with all of your heart, and I know this will sound contradictory but the only way you can save her, or the life you intend to have with her is to put your lives on the line.”
Chris stands unmoving watching Reia and Amanda talk. He answers not moving his gaze from Amanda, “If what you say is true, then what other choice do I have?” Chris moves to Amanda as I follow. Amanda stands as Chris takes her hand and speaks, “I’ve chosen to go with Ben to Nosis. I don’t expect you to follow but…” Amanda stops him placing her finger to his lips and says, “I will follow. Where you go, I go. Our lives are bound.” Chris replies, a smile on his face, “I know… Thank you.” They kiss and embrace.
Watching their affections for one another I couldn’t help but remember the affections Reia and I share. Looking to her she turns to me and our eyes lock. As usual, thinking the same thing, she smiles to me with a tear in her eye. Her hair wisps lightly in the breeze and falls back on her shoulder. Maybe in time we could share the love we have. One day we might be able to share the same embrace. Only time could tell.
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