Our new party of six ascended back into Al's shop once again. Al himself had dozed off in the time we'd been gone. Not a lot of people came to his shop but thanks to the rent he'd gotten from Kat he could stay open. I urged everyone to just let Al sleep this one off since seeing my new mechanical arm would probably freak him out.

Our next destination was the dorms strangely enough. Claudia explained that since Albion was going to be closed for the next year, the dorms would serve as Nova Astra's planetside headquarters. Talia has me the rundown on the capabilities of my arm. She designed it with my powers in mind. There was a flame caster mode that allowed me to shoot fireballs and the hand could be superheated for a cool claw weapon. The arm also contained my U.A.D. which was something Kat worked into it. The coolest thing was that I was able to use it so easily. It was like I'd never lost my arm in the first place. The bad part unfortunately was that since my power had been the one to connect it, it was constantly radiating heat. Which made the ride back to the dorms a bit awful for everyone in the aeromobile. I felt bad as Alice had to use her Magician to keep everyone cool.

As we touched down back at the front of the dorms we disembarked the aeromobile and began heading inside. Seraph called the elevator and a few minutes later it arrived. Though it already had a couple of passengers aboard it. The first was Clarke himself which complicated this elevator ride a bit. He'd been with a girl with brown skin. She bore a striking resemblance to Clark minus being huge. Her raven hair had been partially braided on the left side with her long ponytail drooping over her shoulder. She'd been smiling from ear to ear until she saw me, her expression changed to a look of utter disgust.

"Yo, what's an up big guy," greeted Andrew. "I see you got the little tyke with ya."

"Hello to you too Andrew. You all as well," replied Clarke. He'd noticed the girl's disgust and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Now Sis... You said you'd be nice."

She crossed her arms and leaned against the elevator wall. Even though she lowered her guard the animosity was still there.

"Go on ahead and board," said Claudia. "I have to contact the Prime Minister for the last of the paperwork." She leaned down close enough to whisper in my ear. "I'd speak with your comrades about their roles in Nova Astra."

Claudia left us and now we'd piled in the elevator. I choose the spot the furthest away from Claire since she still seemed angered. Even though we've known each other since we were kids, Claire never liked me. Standing the furthest away for her was good for both of our sakes.

"I don't believe we've met," Alice said to Claire. "I'm Alice Milos, I believe Clarke is your brother correct?"

"Yeah, he is. Sorry for the sour face, being near my brother's bad influence gives me hives."

I glanced back to see Alice's confusion from Claire's statement. Clarke just shook his head. "Forgive my sister, Ms. Milos, she's just anxious about what's happening."

"It's quite alright," said Alice.

"Well it won't matter anyway," Claire continued, "We'll be going home soon, right brother."

That was undoubtedly a bomb to drop. Even Andrew and Talia looked surprised. Though it could've just been Claire being Claire again, she wouldn't have said that if Clarke didn't say anything.

"Claire! Nothing has been decided yet!"

That was certainly a first. In all the years I've known Clarke he'd never snap at anyone, especially his sister. The atmosphere in the elevator changed and no one else spoke for the rest of the ride when we arrived at the top floor.

"Um ladies, you think you could excuse us?" Andrew asked, stepping out of the way of the elevator door.

"Are you sure about that?" Alice asked. "It's probably better if we discussed this as a team."

"It's a little more complicated than that. This is something we must discuss in private."

As it seemed that Alice was about to repeat something Talia pulled on Alice's jacket. Seraph placed a hand on Alice's back and began pushing her out of the elevator. "Lady Alice, I understand how you must feel about this. But we who just arrived here have no right to mettle in the affairs of long-time comrades."

"B-but..."

Seraph shook her head. Alice looked at me as if she wanted me to say something, but there wasn't anything to say. She lowered her head and allowed Talia and Seraph to take her along.

Andrew pressed the key to the 14th floor. It was where he lived. During the ride down I could've sworn you could hear everyone's hearts beating out of their chest. As the elevator made it to its destination the door opened again. Andrew took the lead while we all followed but none of us said anything. I'd thought it best if I stayed out of Claire's line of sight so I stuck to the back.

I kept my eyes on Clarke the entire walk. Ever since we were little he'd always be the biggest guy I knew, aside from Butch. Even though he was never the fighting type, I could always count on him to back me up. So I couldn't figure out why he'd want to bail.

At the final door at the end of the hall, Andrew opened the door to his dorm. A lot of the dorms were mostly the same on the interior. Though the ones at the end of the hall were always the best. Andrew's room mainly consisted of decorations from Earth. Mainly a mix of English and Japanese origin. He had regular furniture in his living room but near the kitchen only had a small table for four. On both sides of his room door, there were posters each depicting codes of honor from his homeland.

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

"You guys can sit at the table," said Andrew, "I'm going to dig out a drink from the fridge."

As he opened his refrigerator, we all seemed to hesitate for a second. I took the first seat to the left, then Clarke had taken the seat right next to me. Claire took the seat right across from me leaving the last one for Andrew. When he came by, he'd brought three glasses with him and a bottle of brown liquid.

"Um, that's not what I think it is... Is it?" Clarke asked

"Of course not, it's apple juice", snapped Andrew. "Just because I'm half-brit doesn't mean I've got access to scotch."

Clarke sighed seeming relieved and took a glass for himself. As Andrew poured each of us a glass he sat down placing the pitcher in the middle of the table.

"Now uh... What's this about you wanting to leave?" Andrew asked, taking a sip of his juice afterward. All eyes now fell on Clarke who'd been pondering his answer.

"Honestly... Everything that happened at Albion had been terrifying. Butch trying to kill Soran was one thing but the attack on the school was insane. But fighting a war against people who can wipe out entire fleets. Then there's this..."

Clarke rolled down his sleeve revealing the Marker on his arm. It depicted a tower being struck by a lightning bolt, another Major just like us. "I don't even get why we were granted these powers."

"It's because I awakened," I confessed. I told them everything that went down just before I awakened. About Solomon and how he'd essentially trusted me with the fate of the Arcadian race.

"So let me get this straight," said Claire. "You essentially are some old alien and a man in your head told you to fight his evil brother for the sake of the universe?"

"It does sound ridiculous if you say it aloud," chuckled Andrew. "But his story matches up with the one Alice gave us."

"So you've dragged my brother into another one of your stupid messes?"

"N-not intentionally," I stammered. "I didn't have any control over it. Besides, I'd never put Clarke's life in danger like that." Solomon hadn't explained the part about the other markers too well to me. Something I began to figure he wasn't very good at.

"It's quite alright Soran," said Clarke. "Honestly this entire situation seems forced upon us no matter how you look at it."

"I don't get it then," said Andrew. "Why choose to bow out if you believe that?"

Clarke had been looking into his cup as he'd pondered his answer, his large hands almost obscuring the object. "When Soran... Did what he had to do with Butch. I thought it would be over after that. But then... The violence continued. People were dying left and right. Now we're asked to continue this violence and for what? The sake of the Arcadian people!?" Clarke took a couple of deep breaths before he spoke again.

"I know becoming a cadet of Albion meant I'd be a soldier on the front lines. But I wanted to help people and provide aid during times of crisis. I never wanted to be someone who takes lives."

I'd begun to remember what it felt like when I killed Butch. Even though it was for survival I couldn't ever stomach it. Besides, I didn't hate the guy. Sure he was a pain in the ass but to have to kill him. That's something I never even thought of doing. But it was something he thought of doing to me.

"Honestly Clarke, I don't want you to ever have to know how it feels to kill someone," I uttered. "But going home won't allow you to avoid the problem. Lucian is ruthless... He'll do anything to get what he wants." Using my prosthetic hand I pointed it directly at Clarke's Marker. "He wants me to join his side and you see what he did to me."

The table grew silent again. I hoped that everyone understood what I meant. Andrew finished his glass and began pouring him a second serving. He then held out his hand and sparks of electricity began zipping about along his arm taking shape into something long in his hand. As the weapon's form materialized he held it up for everyone to see. It'd been a katana, but its guard looked more fitting for a longsword.

"I call this, Kaminari-Caliber," he announced. "I tried thinking of something a little better but it's the best I could come up with. When I could materialize this Astra I knew I was destined for the warrior's path. Even though all I want to do is fly and pick up chicks."

Claire rolled her eyes at the statement though Clarke and I couldn't help but smile.

"We've got enough warriors in our little team," continued Andrew. "I know better than anyone that the life of the warrior only fits those who are willing, and I'm sure Soran doesn't want to force you into that either."

I nodded which seemed to reassure Clarke although I couldn't tell how much. "There's no way I can commit to this without you Clarke. Hell, I'm sure I wouldn't have been able to get this far in life without you guys at all. That I know for certain..."

Clarke stared into his drink again pondering his next words. Amid his thinking, he let out a small chuckle. "You know, you guys remind me of 7th grade when I got picked on by Fabian and his little followers." Clarke caught both Andrew and me off guard when he mentioned it. I hadn't thought about Fabian in ages."

"They'd cornered me in the mess hall calling me an ogre. I think one of them even tried to goad me into hitting them. But I wouldn't budge."

Andrew leaned back in his seat as he and I recalled that time. "Oh yeah I remember now, They poured milk down your pants. Rotten jerks..."

"Right, then Claire ran and got you guys to help me out. I will admit, even though you two went overboard it was cathartic to see karma work its magic."

Didn't you worry about them after that incessantly?" I asked, "You even took them to the nurse's office afterward."

"That I did... I never did like seeing people get hurt. Even when they deserved it."

Sighing deeply Clarke's gaze went around the table until it fell upon Claire. She grimaced even though her brother hadn't even said anything yet. "Don't even ask," she said. "No matter what you decided I was going to stand by you." She folded her arms and turned to Andrew and me. Even though she looked like she wanted to puke just at the sight of us it wasn't intentional. "Even though these two are such a bad influence on you... I can at least trust them."

Clarke nodded, holding out his fist to us he smiled. "If you both will have us?"

Andrew and I returned the sentiment. The moment our fists connected I could see our markers glow. It was as if they were resonating with one another. The others didn't seem to notice so I hadn't said anything.

Andrew placed his hand on the table then stood up and forced his weapon to fizzle from existence. Raising his arms as high as he could he stretched until he felt more comfortable then took the pitcher back to his fridge. "As much as I'd like to keep reminiscing on the good times I think we've got some lovely ladies waiting for us back at your place Snow White."

"That'd be a nice thought if my cousin and sister weren't one of those ladies."

"Ugh... you guys are pigs," spat Claire.

"Indeed," concluded Clarke. "It is a bit uncouth. But they wouldn't be Andrew and Soran otherwise."