The tortoise made haste through space while a silence was present on board.
Everybody sat apart from each other but everyone was thinking the same thing.
What is happening with Eto?
Eto sat in his room, in the dark, thinking about everything that had happened on Green point. From the returning memories to the point he met Xelandross.
At first he didn’t want to admit it but soon the feeling was so present, he couldn’t deny it.
He was scared. Scared to face whatever would come on his path towards the center of the galaxy.
But most of all, he was scared to ask his friends to accompany him.
The door opened and Veronica stood in the doorway.
‘Are you alright?’ she asked slowly. Eto looked up and nodded slowly, not wanting her to know how bad he felt.
She came into the room and sat down next to him on the bed.
For some time, both of them said nothing. Until Veronica spoke.
‘You know, it’s so strange to be on an adventure like this. Far away from home and traveling even farther,’ she said.
Eto slowly looked at her with a surprised look and she looked back at him, smiling.
‘All the way to the center of the galaxy,’ she said and Eto’s mouth slowly also turned into a smile.
The dining chamber was packed with everyone on board. Veronica guided Eto inside and insisted he ate something. Hawk, as usual, had made some dishes for everyone.
‘I’m 89% sure something is wrong with you,’ TYO said while he jumped up on the couch where Eto sat and took his place on his lap. His lens widened as he looked Eto in his eyes.
Eto couldn’t deny it. He had felt a little down the past few hours but now he wasn’t sure how to feel. He only felt scared.
‘Eat,’ Hawk said demanding and he pushed the plate with different sorts of meat in front of Eto.
Even though Eto was not hungry, he slowly began to eat.
‘That was a wild ride,’ Djon said, sitting opposite of Eto and looking at him.
‘What the hell did you even do?’ Djon asked and he remembered Eto’s attack. The rings of light were still fresh in everyone's minds.
Eto looked up and looked at Djon, noticing everyone was looking at him with the same question.
‘I don’t know. I remembered the feeling back on Etoile. It felt like my power was taking over but at the same time it felt, I don’t know, controllable.’
Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.
Eto looked at his arm and back to the rest.
‘I had a feeling I could bring it back,like it really was a part of me. It took all my energy to focus it but that way I could use my powers like I have never done.’
He looked back at his arm and his face started to look worried. Veronica noticed.
‘What is wrong? Clearly you are still thinking about something.’
Eto did think of something. Something that was going through his mind ever since they had left.
‘Hanzou,’ he said and he looked at her.
‘What about him?
‘He, ‘ Eto said and he sighed deeply. ‘He used some sort of power. It almost looked like mine, only weaker. I think.’
Everybody switched looks and looked back at Eto.
‘I’m sorry kid, but I’m not gonna go back to ask him,’ Djon said and for the first time, Eto let out a laugh, not controlling his emotions.
‘Best if we didn’t,’ he replied to Djon and after a few days, his smile returned.
They all started talking and laughing again, not worrying about what was happening or could happen. For a moment, they were just a bunch of friends having fun, not thinking about the danger they had evaded on Green point.
‘Alright, I’m done,’ Djon said and he put down his drink. A large metal cup which before was filled with some sort of beverage.
One of his arms grabbed a pipe from his coat and he started lighting it.
‘What is the next plan?’ he asked and he looked at Eto.
Eto, who was surprised by the sudden question, felt the fear coming back.
‘Well, I guess I have to get to the center of the galaxy. For the sake of the universe.’
He said it silently and everybody looked at him.
Slowly Eto looked down, wondering if he was ever able to ask them for their help, putting their lives on the line for him.
When the silence stayed too long, Hawk stood up and slapped Eto on the back.
‘You really gonna let us say it, don’t you?’
Eto looked up, surprised with his words.
‘What do you mean?’ he asked.
Veronica stepped in. ‘Don’t be a fool. Do you really think we would let you go to the last world without us?’
Before Eto could answer, TYO jumped on the table in front of him.
‘Even though the danger is not truly inviting, I’m for 97% sure you would not survive without us.’
Eto slowly started to smile, but at the same time he could feel the tears coming up.
It was exactly what he wanted but of which he was afraid to ask.
‘Thank you guys so much,’ Eto replied and some tears already came through.
He grabbed TYO who waved his little arms in protest to be hugged.
‘Well, I’m down for another wacky space adventure with a bunch of weirdos,’ Djon said and this time, Hawk smiled at him.
‘It means you’re a weirdo as well.’
Djon looked like he wanted to protest but he figured he was right and nodded at Hawk which made the rest laugh.
‘But first, let’s get to another solar system and leave Generation Zero behind us,’ Djon said, who stood up to make his way to the control room.
‘Do you know which way we should be going?’ Eto asked but Djon shook his head.
‘We’re just gonna have to find out. There is an adventure on every planet and we have to find the route towards the center of the universe.’
Eto smiled and nodded after which Djon went his way to pilot the ship.
‘We will stay with you until the very end,’ Veronica said while giving Eto a little push, remembering the feeling she had when she first met Eto. A feeling that she needed to help him.
‘You’re kinda stuck with us,’ Hawk replied with a wide smile and he quickly grabbed TYO who had already escaped from Eto’s arms and tried to get away.
‘Thanks,’ Eto slowly said and for the first time in a few hours, he had a feeling that his journey would not be as bad as he thought it would be.