The Fen-Har Wraiths, which is to say death itself, were a specialized legion of soldiers from the Ten-Harian Empire. Taken from their mothers as early as birth, they were raised on artificial moons which orbited the planet Tebar. The Ajar galaxy was known for its chaotic and oftentimes hostile makeup. Planets which were toxic, and others whose structure seemed hostile to even the suggestion of logic, stars which went supernova and solar storms that seemed like battles between the gods. Tebar was close to the supernova blackhole, Kedar, which caused discrepancies in time and gravity, most notably of which was severe time dilation. Due to such close proximity to the blackhole, the passage of time was much slower, and the lifespan of the Fen-Har Wraiths was greatly increased. Rumors which spread through the galaxy like radiation whispered of members that may be centuries old.

The Fen-Har Wraiths would never, bar extreme or unprecedented circumstances, leave the Tebar moons. The Ten-Harian Empire would plant gateways throughout space, especially near military stations of enemy states or empires. The Fen-Har Wraiths would then activate it, transporting entire ships and legions to Tebar, where they would more often than not be decimated by the ferocity of the Fen-Har, and the shock of the warped spacetime. Other times, the Fen-Har would transport them to a nearby solar storm, engaging with the combatants in the midst of a raging tempest.

The latter had happened in this instance, when Steven was transported by some strange flightcraft that resembled a beetle to an infirmary, he was surrounded by chaos and burnt soldiers who wailed in agony. The air drenched in the odor of burnt and soon to be rotting flesh.

"What happened", Sir Hugh said, walking beside Steven as he was pushed through the cluttered and frenzied halls on a levitating silver board. A soldier wearing a blue flight suit walked with them.

"We were on bound for a possible squirmish near the Outer Rims, joint operation between the Nodeann and Anaxian space force, when a Fen-Har portal bomb was activated. Took us straight into a solar flare storm near the Tebar sector. Bastards began their onslaught right away. One of the Anaxian fleet ships was able to boom us back, but not before we suffered heavy losses."

"Fen-Har Wraiths? Near the Outer Rims?", Sir Hugh said.

"I'm as shocked as you are, sir. Fen-Har and marauders don't mix. Blood and oil."

"Were they working in unison?", Sir Hugh questioned.

"We don't know anything yet, sir, but I'm inclined to believe so. Stranger question yet is why."

They reached a room, the healers ushering Steven in. Floating, watery but solid surfaces holding maimed men filled the room, a sickly smell greeting them upon entrance. Healers stood over them, their fingers weaving through the air like a conductor, white energy stretching from their fingertips to the men like spider-webs.

"This one", the soldier said, looking at Steven. "He was caught up in the portal bomb as well?"

Sir Hugh shook his head. "No, her Lady Helen requested that he be given first class care though."

The soldier nodded his head.

"Healer Kira and healer Samuel, see that this man is well tended too. I'm putting you two in charge of his recovery process."

Healer Kira and Healer Samuel came forward, bowing slightly and putting their palm to their chest.

"Yes, Lientunent Howardson."

"Howardson?", Sir Hugh said, a slight smirk breaking out on his lips. "From the dwarf-star wars? The pilot kid?"

Howardson smiled, leaning his face down in mock bashfulness.

"Yes sir. I'm honoured that tales of my exploits have traveled so far as the Anaxian Empire, muchless fell on the ears of the great General Hugh."

"You flatter me", Sir Hugh said, not fooled by Howardson's act and amused at his gumption.

"You started it", Howardson replied.

They stood briefly for a moment, Sir Hugh reaching out his hand.

"Let me know when they're done. I consider his life now in your hands. Remember this."

Howardson gripped Sir Hugh's hand with vigor, shaking it.

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"Of course, I'll see that he's not harmed, and that his recovery be to its fullest, possible extent."

Sir Hugh nodded, letting go and walking down the hall. Howardson leaned against the doorframe, a twinkle in his eye and a crack in his lip.

***

When Steven began to come to, the first thing he noticed was the smell. It smelled like ash, and dirt, and sweat, and something dead layed on the scorching desert floor. The second thing he noticed was the warm sensation he felt coursing through his body, weaving through his torso and stretching through his limbs. The third thing he noticed, his eyes now slowly blinking open, his vision blurry, was the ceiling lights above him. Steven's heart sank so far it threatened to fall out his back and to the floor. He was alive. Again. Like Cain, he wondered if he was cursed with life.

"Finally awake", said a male voice.

Steven looked around the room. Healers stood across the room, their eyes closed as they wrote in the air with their fingers, white weaves stretching from them to him as well as several other men in the room. Across from them, a tall and lanky uniformed man with dusky brown hair, his small, beady eyes almost black and reminiscent of a falcon. His nose was sharp, and his mouth was cracked in a seemingly permanent half-smirk.

"Um...yeah, I guess I am. W-who are you?"

Howardson stood up, buttoning up his top two upper buttons as he walked to Steven. He outstretched his hand.

"Lieutenant Howardson of the Nodeann space fleet, at your service."

Steven observed Howardson a moment, before taking his hand and shaking it.

"Steven."

"Well, Steven", Howardson said, letting go of Steven's hand. "The healers are approaching the end of your mending, I've already contacted General Hugh, he'll be arriving shortly and you'll be on your way."

Steven nodded his head.

"Oh...ok. How long was I out?"

"A Little under a day", Howardson said, walking to the wall and pressing a button.The metal walls went up, revealing windows behind it. A sprawling night city sat outside, countless lights from buildings and towering structures that stretched past the clouds and crafts which flew through the air swirled and mingled together like fireflies at night. The city seemed to stretch on forever.

"Holy shit", Steven muttered, his eyes wide and mouth so agape his lower jaw threatened to depart.

"It is indeed...beautiful", Howardson said, gazing out the window, the show of lights reflecting in the darkness of his eyes. "Even now."

Howardson looked at Steven.

"You are from here, correct? Anaxian?"

"Um...I'm from earth, actually."

Howardson's brows furrowed. "Earth?"

"Yeah, it's um...it's in the milky way galaxy."

Howardson nodded his head.

"Milkyway galaxy. Hm. I don't believe I've heard of that sector."

Howardson observed Steven, his gaze fixating on his left forearm, which was still slightly burnt.

"Your wounds. The burns. They were quite severe, more so than any solar flare wound I've seen. How did you come to acquire it?"

"I, um...", Steven muttered. He wasn't sure what to say, but felt as if he shouldn't reveal how he came to be here. "I-I got it from a dragon."

Steven wasn't sure if this was gonna work, but he sure as hell hoped. This world was strange enough, who's to say what's beyond the pale?

"A dragon?", Howardson replied, his brow arching up. "Dragons haven't been seen in at least a century, much less on Anaxian."

Fuck.

"Well", Steven said. "Hugh received intel that they've returned. Her Lady Helen ordered us to look into the matter further, and, well-", Steven looked at his forearm, now mostly healed. "The rest is history."

Howardson observed Steven.

"Hm", Howardson simply replied. "Dangerous times indeed."

A beep emitted from Howardson's watch, Howardson glancing at it.

"It seems General Hugh is here."

Steven jerked up, oddly relieved that the gruff knight had come to relieve him from this conversation. "Oh!"

Steven jumped from his bed, hoisting up his white gown which he wore. He walked to the door, Howardson beside it.

"Well", Steven said, reaching out his hand.

"Well", Howardson replied, gripping it tightly. "It was a pleasure to meet you, Steven. I feel we'll meet again."

Steven nodded his head, smiling, his mind thinking god I hope not.

"For sure."

Howardson released his grip, giving Steven a (quite hard) slap on the shoulder as he departed the room. Steven began to leave as well, but turned around, getting one more look at the view through the window. The city was drenched in dark, but seemed to glow. It was beautiful, and stirred up in Steven feelings he'd never felt before. Awe, and true, unbound freedom. For the first time in a long, long time, Steven felt slightly okay.

"Anaxian", he whispered to himself, his eyes wide and the city shimmering in them.

"Lad", Steven heard behind him. "Good to see you well."

Steven turned around, Sir Hugh standing outside in the hall.

"Time to go."

Steven only nodded his head, departing with Sir Hugh down the halls.

***

The lanes outside the orbital ring were always a nice place of reprieve from the general chaos and unsavoriness of life for Lieutenant Howardson, the Alaxian suns not too far off. He preferred to always travel in his fighter jet, partly in case violence was needed, and partly because it was a solar powered model, the steel doors sliding back to reveal windows, allowing for rays of light and warmth to stream in. Howardson gazed out the window doors to the bright sun, Henar, only turning his face when the strain became too much. Underneath him was Anaxaian, the lights of all the cities still visible, as well as the oceans. He always liked Annaxian, it was colorful, and blue, unlike Nodeann.

Howardson inched his ship closer to the portal, one of the crafts in front of him beaming through, the gate growing to a blinding light then back to translucent black. Howrardson opened his comms system, after a moment a woman answered.

"A call from the Lieutenant Howardson? To what do I owe the pleasure?"

"Elleuh, are there any Blue Whale hunters nearby in the Annaxian sector?"

"Mm..yes, the latest logs show one. He should be on the Tephin moon."

"Good, good", Howardson replied, his eyes lost in thought." Ask if he can carry out an assignment for me, with generous pay of course."

"Of course. What should I relay?"

A smirk broke out across Howardson's lips.

"Ask him if there's been any sightings of dragons."