Spring Changes, page 25
“I can’t,” I said. “There’s nothing . . .”
There it was, when the connections all dropped, and I looked at the man before me, his eyes never blinked. I saw hope.
The words that came out of my lips I didn’t know, but my heart felt them. “Eye mex iaigal is forthlos.”
Tini leaned forwards and kissed the side of my face.
“My love,” she said, looking to the man before me, “you may step down.”
I noted the man’s features then, the shape of his face, his chin. He lowered his head, and he stepped backwards from me, holding out a hand instead.
“Welcome to the family, Kyle Ranz. Though I do not know what you are in terms of species, in terms of the almost God I am seeing before me, I accept who you are into my family with open arms. And I accept you will lead Yun with the love and generosity I have witnessed within.”
“I didn’t know, sir. An honour to meet you.” I reached forward and I gripped, soft wispy fur squeezing my hand in return.
“You bring honour to our table. We threw everything we had at you; we broke you down. But you rebuilt yourself up because of those in your mind, your friends, your memories, those you loved, those you love now. We would be stupid if we didn’t recognise the heart you have.”
“You will let me leave here?” I asked.
“You are free to go any time you wish, yes,” he said.
I looked to Tini, who was as solid as he. There were other bodies around us now. “This really is the afterlife for the Sitha. Are you stuck here?”
“No, we are not. We simply move to another dimension again. One where this special place can call to us in dire needs.”
“The need for them all brought you here. I’m sorry for that. You should be resting.”
“We cannot rest when our son is in such trouble. Now we may rest once more, knowing the both of you will work together for the things you desire the most.”
“Yes,” I said, and my stomach growled very loudly.
“You have been in here quite some time, Kyle. You are bound to be hungry.”
“How long?” I glanced at the door where I’d left Xe.
“Your nites are something else,” the man said. “They’ve been trying their absolute best to get out of their containment to help you.”
I bet. I then thought of Hiroto.
I am here, Kyle, he said. Recovering, thank you.
Phew. That was something.
“I need to go,” I said. “But I have so many questions, so many other things I . . .”
Tini leaned in and placed a hand on my arm. I felt her healing energies then, and I accepted them, watching as my health climbed once more. “You will find the answers and the joy once more. Keep fighting, Kyle, keep being as pure in heart as you are. That is one of the reasons you beat the darkness, because Lavinia trusted you, because of what you believe.”
Those words meant the most to me, those words gave me hope. She faded in the darkness, and so did Yun’s father.
“I will tell Yun how much you love him,” I said. “I will tell all of them how much you do. Because you let me live.”
“We did not let you anything. You showed us who you can become, and we await the day you stand next to Yun and close that rift for good.”
Then they were gone. I focussed back on the room around me. The light illuminating above my head moved, and I waited to catch my breath some more before I tried to stand. I couldn’t stand. I forced stiff muscles to do what I wanted, but they did not.
When I stood, I then wobbled to the silver panel and put my hand to it. It glowed, and I felt all my nites enter my body once more.
Xe? I asked. What happened?
We got some upgrades, she said excitedly. The tech inside the prison was amazing. The Sitha known as Fodo helped us tune up!
I could feel her excitement, and I said to them both, Are you ready to face whatever it is that awaits us outside?
Whatever it is will never know what we did in there for them, Hiroto said.
No, they will, I said. They understood the consequences of us going in there. They just do not know how long it took or what exactly it entailed, but they know if I walk back into their council, things change.
I pushed on the door, the bright light outside hurting my eyes.
The guard beside the temple moved to me straight away. He muttered in his own language, mostly involving many swear words and other things I couldn’t parse.
“Please slow down,” I said. “I don’t understand.”
“They all thought you were dead. It’s been several days.”
My nites are feeding your system right now. You should be dead, by rights. The kenosi kept you going, Xe said. But you are severely under nourished and dehydrated.
“Get me to the council chambers.”
“Of course, right now.”
I wobbled more on my feet, and he actually reached over me with his large arms, his wisps around me, shrouding me. “You are very weak.”
I looked up into his large, red eyes. “You would be too, if you’d just been through what I did.”
A vehicle appeared before us, and he helped me inside. “I cannot leave my post,” he said.
“It’s fine, thank you.”
“There’re drinks in the cabinet. Place your hand to the centre panel.”
I nodded at him as the door closed, and I did just that, pulling out a drink and downing it almost in one go.
What are you going to do? Hiroto asked.
It’s not really what I’m doing to do, I said. I’m going to walk right in there and take that centre circle and ask Yun to join me. That is all I need. I need not prove anything else.
Hell yeah! Xe shouted in my mind.
The vehicle stopped, and the door opened. There were still guards outside, but they looked at me and to the doors.
One stepped towards me. “You do not know who I am but you must hurry. They are almost going to denounce him.”
He pushed the doors open for me, and I stepped into an uproar. There was not only fighting with words, but there was kenosi harnessed in this room; it held deadly intonations.
I strode in as fast as I could. With my hand raised, I fired a shot of kenosi in the air. This was not just normal kenosi; this had been gathered from the ancestral chamber.
“Enough!” I shouted.
Everything stopped.
“Exactly!” The kenosi in the room dropped. “You see me alive now, after I have been in with your ancestors. I did everything you have asked of me and more. I am here now.”
Yun, whose shoulders were slumped, whose eyes were dim, was weak with energy once again. I curbed my anger.
With my other hand outstretched, I beckoned him to me. “You see what you have done to your king. You see how much your bickering and infighting has affected him. No more. His rightful place is at my side, just as mine is with him. You will not oppose him anymore.”
Yun stood by me, and I offered him my hand. My kenosi didn’t need to be asked to feed him life energy. When he took my hand, he also took my energy. The draw hurt slightly, but it was nothing like the first day when I was here. I wondered for a moment why that was.
Kyle, you’ve lots of notifications. We’ll see to them in a while. Deal with them out there, first.
I looked at them once more. “You see me here, now before you, and you have nothing to say?”
Sakrost moved before me, and he dropped his eyes, then lowered his head and his body. He took one knee before Yun. “Forgive me, my king.”
Yun hesitated, but I gently nudged him. He leaned forwards then.
“Rise,” Yun said. “We have much more to work through than this today.”
Sakrost looked up at me. “Will you forgive me too?”
I offered him my hand, and he took it. “Of course. Let’s start again. I’m Kyle Ranz.”
“Sakrost Mavron, clan leader for the Vivants. We would like to welcome you to the family. Will you and your friends join us tonight in celebration?”
I caught Tyto’s concerned eyes. “Celebration!” I grinned and turned back to Sakrost. “If it involves some good ale and food, I’d love to.”
Yun put his arm on mine. “There will be much celebrating today. I must address my people finally as their king. Can you stand for a little longer?”
I looked into his eyes, the concern there. “Err,” I said. “I’m not so sure. Can I lean on you?”
Yun pulled me to him. “Lean on me anytime you need. Come, let us talk to all.” He motioned to Ethran. “Please, cousin, come.”
Ethran glided to us, his head low.
“Look at me,” Yun said. “We need you and your expertise here—both you and Barsis are the highest educated I know. I will ask your counsel many times. Will you stand by my side?”
The uncertainty from his demeanour shone through. He looked to Barsis, who had now made his way over to us. “You wish me to stand with you?”
Barsis glanced at me, but he nodded his head. “There’s no one else who I’d like with us.”
They embraced. It seemed there was much healing going on.
There really is. You are wonderful, Kyle, Xe said, appearing in the corner of my view.
I guess we have a lot to process. Hiro?
Yes, you grew quite a lot in that room. But if you’d prefer, we can do it before you sleep?
What’s sleep? I feel like I haven’t had any in weeks.
You haven’t, Xe said.
I sat with Yun for a few moments while Sakrost and Ethran ran us both over addressing the planet.
It was a simple addition to the council chambers; they’d live feed across everywhere.
Then he gave the go ahead to stand and counted us in.
Yun stood straight and proud. “It is with honour that we stand with you today with the council’s full blessing. Today we unite not only the four councils but species within our universe. The Denti, Kiain, M-Wolves. The Tostel of Drudel and many other smaller factions you do not know. Many rumours of Kyle’s alliance have been circulating. There will be no more rumours. He stands with us. We stand with him. There’s a war out there which threatens the very fabric of life in all our dimensions. It crosses space like it would a lake, with virility and violence. Together we will defeat this blight and push it back where it belongs. Together.” He looked at me.
I leaned on him only slightly to keep myself upright and I replied with him. “Together we are stronger.”
Sakrost cut the feed, and I almost fell.
“I need something more than a boost.”
Yun held me up. “Tyto,” he called. “I have a medical room next to my office. We can take him there for now.”
Tyto took my other side, and between the two of them we walked gently. “I mean, I can carry you if you really want?”
“I do not want that,” I said. “I am only just getting the respect of those around me. You think they want to see someone collapse?”
“After something they know they’d probably never survive, they would not think any less of you.” And within the next heartbeat, Yun had me over his shoulder. I actually let myself go, and the next thing I knew there were soft sheets wrapping around me. Another doctor shoving things in my face.
Stats, I asked Hiroto. Show me what’s changed and what I can change to feel better.
Kyle Ranz - Contains -
Name - Hiroto Toshiaki
Human Consciousness
Name - Xe
Species - Trion
Name - Kyle Ranz
Species - Unknown
Year of Death - 2629
Class = Fighter/Sorcerer
Age 18 + 2
Level = 73
Respawns = 7
Mech Command
Memories = 86%
Health = 91%
Kenosi = Rank 181
Kenosi Merge - Rank Master
Nanites/Trion x 210,395
Body Type = Denti
Structural Integrity = Silver
Internal AI Chip = AX 717 - Drudel X Class
Skin Strength = 113
Blood Capacity = 98
Healing Speed = 104
Overall Personal Level = 949
Strength = 141
Dexterity = 112
Constitution = 369
Intelligence = 278
Wisdom = 166
Charisma = 40
Luck = 67
Quick Points = 2
Mech Warrior Operational Level = 312
Mech Command - Rank 55
Battle Mage - Rank 112
Mech Pilot - Rank 93
Nanite Engineer - Rank 107
Nanite Factory - 101
Human/Machine Interface - Rank 106
Mech Merge - Rank 97
Mech Remote Control - Rank 29
Remote Control - All - Rank 38
Mega Merge - Rank 26
Molecular Insight - Rank 83
Molecular Manipulation - Rank 61
Acceleration/Deceleration - Rank 55
Combustion - Rank 18
Reversion - Rank 17
Soul Split - Rank 25
Vrolsh Coding Learned
CAD Tech - Rank 21
Kiain Language - Rank 6
Emaxyol Language - Rank 1
Drop Ship Pilot - Rank 15
Shuttle Operator - Rank 17
Freighter Operator - Rank 13
Computer Science - Rank 12
Electronics and Communication - Rank 17
Electrical Engineering - Rank 18
Mechanical Engineering - Rank 21
Information Technology - Rank 24
Hacker - Rank 39
Foot Soldier - Rank 50
Merc - Rank 38
Sniper - Rank 22
Gun Smith - Rank 21
Shadow Awareness - Maxed out
Future Insight - Rank 27
Reconstruction Expertise - Rank 30
Null Gravity Management – Rank 23
Sword Play - Rank 86
Emergency Medicine - Rank 18
Psychology - Non Human - Rank 23
Psychology - Human/Denti - Rank 43
Muscle Healing - Rank 25
Poison Resistance - Rank 24
Viral Fighting - Rank 15
Night Sight - Rank 32
Deception - Rank 50
Negotiator - Rank 81
Detective - Rank 20
Space Politics - Rank 45
Animal Handling - Rank 15
Intelligence = You are smart already. + 20 Intelligence, + 20 Wisdom, + 20 Charisma, + 20 Luck
Special Traits Awarded x 2 – Any extras here do not show on your Stat Sheet Totals.
Shade Brain – 1 in a million, you managed to not only keep your memories, but you can also hide them. Your character sheet is elusive to even the strongest of will. UPGRADED - No one can penetrate your Shade now!
Spells - Active - Intensive Healing = Requires Kenosi of Rank 50
These new spells increase not only the strength and speed of your Healing, but the distance you can use it.
Spells - Active - Slow Fire Healing = Requires Kenosi of Rank 120
Spells - Passive - Medium Fire Healing = Requires Kenosi of Rank 150
Spells - Passive - Rapid Fire Healing = Requires Kenosi of Rank 200
Spell - Active - Lightning Fury – Requires Kenosi of Rank 20 – Damage increased by 50%
Spell - Fortified Tattoo - You have been gifted the crest of a God - When active, this increases your - kenosi x 20, and all stats x 20. You may only use this once per day. Lasts as long as your kenosi does, kenosi strength dependent.
Particle Projectile Cannon
Uses energy direct from kenosi reserves.
Can store within battery compartments to aid when needed.
Special attributes – when inside a mech it will enlarge to the size needed by its soul bonded owner.
26
I felt better with the altered state of my stats, knowing what I did. I slept and slept better than I had even the night before. I had no idea how long. Loud voices roused me, and not those who I thought would be loud at this time.
“I have to wake him, now,” Tyto said. “That is not a request.”
I pushed myself up, wiped at sticky eyes.
“I’m sorry, but my orders are that he needs rest.”
Tyto pushed past the doctor to get to me. I tried to move some more, my focus still off.
The doctor blocked him.
“Let him in,” I said. “It’s okay.” I motioned to the doctor to let him past.
“I’m sorry,” Tyto said softly and came in. “We have to leave, now.”
“What?” My blood ran cold. “Like right now?”
He nodded, glancing to the door. “I’ve had word from Cassie we must return right away.”
“She wouldn’t reach out for anything trivial, would she?” I pushed the bedcovers away and grabbed for my clothes.
“No, she wouldn’t. Yun is meeting us on the way.”
“Okay.” I slipped my boots on and on the way out stopped before the doctor. “Thanks.”
“Please, Kyle, if you can comm me later.” He held out his hand, and I took it with his personal ID. “I have something you need to know.”
“I will,” I said, and off I followed Tyto across the royal palace.
We met with Yun flanked either side by Lenko, Barsis, and Ethran.
“Did she give any reasons to recall you so soon?” Yun asked.
Tyto shook his head. “Her message was breaking up. We might be able to get a better signal when we’re back in the dark.”
“I can reach her easily,” I said. “If you want me to try now?”
“I think it’s more important we get into space,” Tyto said. “We can contact her as soon as possible.”
“I feel we connected once more only to be parted under worse circumstances.” Yun’s eyes dimmed. “I am sorry.”
