Chapter 20

-Me-

“Good morning world! My sides hurt, I’m dying inside, I can hardly move, and it’s a beautiful morning!” I sighed right after. Yeah, everything hurts more so than it did yesterday, so let’s not go to sleep until I can find a place to heal properly. Don’t want my bones mending in an awkward position now, do I? Ha ha ha nope! Ugh…

Why does this have to happen? Seriously… what did I do to deserve this? All I wanted was for my siblings to be able to live a life of peace and safety. To be able to live without having to worry about who’s over their shoulder with a knife. And this is what I get? Pain. More pain. Unending, unrelenting, physical and psychological pain.

I’ve done enough right? I’ve suffered enough right? I’ve been betrayed by my closest friends and suffered right? I’ve been forced to instigate infighting on such a loving family and watch as my own heart cracked as they died. It’s enough right? I’ve lost an arm. I’ve almost died. I’ve fallen a height that would normally kill someone and I‘m now in a whole fucked up situation. It’s enough right? Right?

Please tell me I’ve suffered enough. I don’t know how much more I can take. How much more it will be before I break… for good. Yes I love what I’m doing. I’m saving an entire race! An entire, beautiful, peaceful, loving race! There’s also a remarkable woman from that race as well… ahem… aside from that… I’m saving them. Shouldn’t I get a break? Don’t good deeds get rewarded with good, well, rewards?

…

…..

No, of course not...

…..

…

No I figured it’d be this rough. I can only imagine it’s going to get harder. If this is just the beginning then, I need to prepare myself. I need to prepare myself for the worse. I knew this wouldn’t be easy. “Sigh.” Well, I guess I need to steel myself now. I guess killing will not be the proper solution, so let’s try to find another. “Haaa…” I can only hope.

“But, isn’t this supposed to be the clichéd moment in which some creature, be it sentient or not, shows up and becomes either a companion or enemy?” I waited like ten seconds. “No? Well, suit yourself. Also, the hell is Dyo taking so long?” I tried to get up but ended up breaking my stick and in turn landed on me arse. A huge surge of pain spread throughout my entire body but I held in the scream, it would only lead to more pain... This is going to be a pain in the ass… no pun intended.

After a few minutes of self-agonizing pain Dyo finally returned with the usual welcoming buzz. “Thanks for doing this for me, but the hell took you so long? It feels as if you traveled the entire planet for this.” I say as Dyo presented me a holographic map of the area… and the entire planet. Apparently there are a few uncharted islands to the east of Byolin. Huh, who knew…? Wait wait wait wait, that’s not the issue at hand. Did he seriously travel the whole planet just to get a map? AND IN 10 HOURS TO BOOT? I don’t remember installing a speed function in you so how did you manage? You… don’t have to take me so literally, if you’re an A.I just do things you feel right. Sheesh.

Aside from the rather pointless distraction, we aren’t actually that far from the location where the inquiry is to be held. How convenient. I say that, but it’s still at least a hundred miles, though compared to the original 9000 we had to travel, this is a walk in the park. “Ah, were you able to ascertain the location of the others?” Dyo gave a small buzz and the hologram revealed 4 red dots in scattered locations. Well, two were together so I’m guessing that’s Rita and the idiot. Well let’s start with the closest one then, shall we?

I began walking east to the location of the nearest red dot, which should be about a mile, with a billion needles crawling throughout my skin with each step. This is definitely not a good sign. I seriously need to get some treatment soon. AND MY FUCKING LEG! Holy shit my leg. I may not have complained much but damn, I can’t even touch anything with it. The slightest movement hurts like hell. Ugh… I need a doctor.

After limping, you know, the movement that could be mistaken for a zambie… yes… zambie, I know what I said, for about an hour, of which was hell, I arrived in the vicinity of the first red dot. When I got within normal conversation distance I suddenly hit the ground…

...

…..

…….

“Huh? Wh…” Ouch! I can’t… breathe… Ow ow ow ow ow ow ow ow ow ow ow ow ow ow ow. I have to breathe in breaths smaller then a baby. I can’t take any deep breaths; I’ll lose something important if I do. I turned, well tried, my head to the right. Nothin huh? Then I heard a slight sound to my left. Let’s look over there then. What I saw was a tear filled face of a crimson eyed beauty. I wonder… ah, right. I got jumped and lost consciousness from the pain… make’s sense.

“Yo.” I managed squeeze out.

Upon my words she immediately went to hug me but stopped almost the exact moment she started. I could see fresh tears spilling forth like a newly found spring. I’m not dead you know? Still alive. In a hell’s worth of pain, but alive. ‘I’m sorry.’ Her thoughts whimpered out.

‘What for?’ I asked slightly bemuddled.

‘I couldn’t recognize your heart. I couldn’t recognize your scent. I didn’t recognize you and I attacked you. I thought you died. You’re heart went silent… for so long.’ I looked around and it was night once again. Damn, out for so long. ‘I’m so sorry.’ She answered thus.

‘It’s fine, I’m alive so it doesn’t matter. That said, what do you mean you couldn’t recognize my heart or scent?’

‘Your heart was so chaotic. There was no music, just a constant storm of sound. You smelled of death. Something that shouldn’t be. I thought you were a monster… I’m sorry.’

‘First of all, please, stop apologizing. Secondly, that’s probably because I’m playing catch with death and I’m also having a slight mental breakdown at the same time. So, naturally, that’s probably likely to happen, thing is; I’m still here so no need to worry anymore. Though, I’d like to get to a doc ASAP, we need to find the others first.’

‘No.’ huh? ‘You’ll die soon if we don’t get you help.’

‘Yeah, but we have enough time to get the oth…’

‘They can take care of themselves; we’re going to a ‘doctor’ now.’ She suddenly got aggressive.

‘Well sure they can, but…’

‘No. We’re going now.’ She said then picked me up and placed me on her back. Afterwards she took off at a ridiculous speed, but it was smooth so my wounds weren’t agitated too much.

‘Ah, but before we get to civilization, you should probably turn to human form. You know, to keep from making too much of a ruckus.’ I brought to attention.

‘I am aware.’ She responded.

‘Well, as long as you know.’ I said and let myself succumb to sleep.

…

‘Ugh, I’ve been sleeping too much for being in such a terrible situation. Oh look, I’m in a hospital. Seems I was out longer then I had initially thought and hoped. Wonderful.’

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

“You’re awake!” An excited voice reached my ears. Ah, such an amazingly beautiful voice. I could listen to that voice for eons and never tire of it.

“Aye, and it would seem I can actually talk without my insides being sheared. So, how long has it been since I’ve been out.” Let’s just get this out of the way.

“Well, what the doctors said was that you would have woken up a little after I arrived here, but they did some… surgery? That caused you to sleep for a few days. Then you just wouldn’t wake up, no matter how much anyone tried to get you up.” She started to get way to in depth.

“Number please. Just a number. I don’t need excess info, sorry.”

“Ah, two weeks.” Ah. Two weeks huh? Well, all things considered, I think that’s rather well. The shock could have pulled me into a coma and that would have been baaad.

“It would seem that you are awake. I was wondering what took our guest so long to arrive, but it turned out you were admitted into a hospital not too long ago. Upon the news we took the opportunity to extend the date you were required to arrive at the inquiry. Ah, where are my manners. I am Rupin, current head of the Berranda country. You must be Sky, son of the revolutionary Mr. and Mrs. Gremlin. Am I mistaken?

Ugh, this guy. Don’t get me wrong, he’s not a bad person, quite the contrary, he’s pretty chill. It’s just; he speaks so damn formally all the damn time. When I say all the time, I literally mean all the time. I’ve never heard him not speak formally. Ever… it’s personally annoying, like dude. Chill. You can speak like a normal person every now and then ya know? Sigh, whatever.

“Nah, you’re right. So what brings you here Ru?” Also, why did you need to confirm? Did you forget me after all these years? Well, last we met was like what? 18 years ago? So it’s probably to be expected.

He raised an eyebrow upon hearing the nickname I gave him, but whether or not it bothered him, he did not show it. “To inform you of the inquiry’s new date, as well as…” a brief pause, “to catch up on an old friend.” Oh?

“Well, you may have heard, but my parents are dead.” I inform him rather bluntly.

“As it would seem, but that is not my purpose. I’m here to get reacquainted with you, Mr. Sky. Time has allowed many wounds to fester, I would not like the bond we had 18 years ago be severed.” Oh… well then… uh dunno what to say here… Totally was not expecting this.

“You’re aware that to society, I’m still just a kid.”

“You’re far more capable then the majority of the populace 100 years senior.” Whoa, now that’s a rare compliment if I’ve ever heard one. Thanks Ru.

But, “On what basis?” I need to know his reasons. Can’t be too careful here.

“The most obvious, you’re A.I. Dyo, you call it? It is fully self-aware and fully capable of making its own decisions. Scientist pulled from each country still has yet to make a proper A.I as stated.”

“Not a good reason.” I simply denied.

“Then will the simple reason of faith serve as a better ratiocination?” Ugh, this guy and his words.

“Sure. Guy like you acting on just faith is rare, so I’ll bite.” Well if I can get this guy on my side then this will seriously make things better for our situation. Him and Kraug are currently at heads for top dog, well, so to speak. If I can get them both then everything will be smooth sailing from then on. “But that can’t be all.”

“Indeed, there are some… personal reasons, however for now, this will be enough; and do not worry, I’ll inform you of said reasons in due time.”

I simply nodded in acknowledgement. No need to say anything redundant. But seriously though, what an unexpected turn of events. I seriously did not see this coming. Though I feel as though I should say something about this… Hmm… Well no matter.

‘Cliché?’ Crysea whispered in my thoughts.

Right! That’s what it was… well it’s too late now. ‘Thanks for reminding me there.’

‘No problem!’ She responded somewhat happily. I absolutely love that smile of hers.

“This was a nice dream, but, reality is a bitch huh?” I asked her.

With tears in her eyes she nodded.

“So what’s really going on right now?” I asked her.

“They said the damage to your organs is extreme, and almost all of them are damaged. The likelihood of you surviving…” She couldn’t continue. Heh, that bad huh?

“So this dream, is it your doing?” she nodded. “Thought so. Don’t think I’d be able to hold a conversation the way I am right now huh?” she shook her head. Naturally. “Well, I wonder what I’ll have to replace this time. Should I start the iron lungs? Heh, then the saying would be extremely accurate with me.” I said half-jokingly.

“How can you… make jokes so easily right now?” she questioned me. Didn’t we go through this before? Meh, oh well.

“Nothin I can really do now is there? I’ve accepted that and now I’ll just wait for the docs to do their thing. That said, I refuse to die now. I won’t die until I’ve made this planet your new home. Well, I might lose a few limbs and organs on the road, but I won’t die.” Her tears don’t stop. It’s painful to see the one you love cry… for you yourself. What is this, three times now? Man, I’m a horrible person huh? I’ll make a place you won’t ever have to cry again. For now, I’m sorry. “Welp, since this is just in my head.” I stood up and gave her a hug. Though the positions are reversed, it still feels nice. I hope she does too.

After a few moments of her silent tears and my hugging, I finally broke apart, reluctantly, and faced her. “Right, I’ll wake up eventually, in the mean time I need you to move forward with the plans. Find my brother, Rita, and, unfortunately, the idiot and take them to the inquiry. Most likely they’ll wait one extra day so take them there. Search my mind for the directions, and all the info needed for the place.

Oh, and since I’m not there let Rita do the talking. I said it before but I don’t want you to have to lie, so best to not say anything. Well unless something is stated that would actually hurt us instead. Next would be to take my brother to my sister, they’ll want to see each other, it has been 15 years after all.

Finally, you better not forget me got it? Just in case I hit a coma, which I doubt I will, and it takes more than a few weeks to recover, you best not forget me even a second.”

She nodded as she accepted and understood all that I told her. For the last part? ‘Naturally’ was all that was said, with a smile of course. With that everything went black once again…

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Ok with this chapter it felt like it wasn't I who was writing but another. So many turns I did not expect I would take. Also, I didn't go back to look for grammar or anything so if something is messed up, please inform me so I can fix it. This is going in a different direction that I initially intended, however, this has opened many more paths for Sky to take so actually, I like it more now. Well, you'll find out about that later. In the mean time, I hope you enjoy! Once again, thanks so much for reading!