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The Millenial Wars!!!!!!!!!!!

The Millennial Wars "What is it?" asked Prince Mica, staring at the sword. "That, Mica, is the Obsidian Blade of Fury." his father replied. "Sina, when will I wield this great sword?" Mica asked amazed. "When I'm long dead." Sina replied. His father smiled down at his son. The youthful boy laughed. "Sina, my father, you are the most powerful, yet..." His voice trailed off. "Yes...?" his father asked. Mica woke up, the memories of his youth still fresh in his mind, he fell out of his metal bed as he struggled to wake up. He opened the door and walked out, rubbing his eyes. He changed his clothes and went to get some breakfast. The outer alert sounded. "What the...?" He said. He ran down the hall and bumped into his father and his lieutenant. "I thought you said that they were on Ri'tu'yui!" Sina shouted, racing down the hall. "They were!" yelled the panicked person. "How did they get here so fast?!" Mica screamed. "We don't know!" the man said. They erupted onto the battlefield where Neptune's warriors were already engaged in fierce battle. Mica drew his long, slender sword and ran forward. He turned to his right and dismembered a Elakan. He spun left and split one in two. He looked on, viewing the mass of Elakans charging. ‘Nothing like a bad natured lynch.' he thought, hacking into a horde of the Elakans. Suddenly he felt a sharp pain shoot through his back. He turned and severed the offenders legs. The Elakan screamed out in pain. Mica laughed as the man struggled in vain to attack. He raised his hand toward a group of Elakans and an energy ball erupted from it. The Elakans were swept away in the torrent of energy. Mica turned and blocked an attack by an Elakan and hacked him into five pieces. Another jumped over the falling Elakan and swung. Mica blocked and hit him in the face with his palm. The Elakan fell backwards. Mica turned and stabbed through three more... Sina fought off one group and it seemed that as soon as he had them dispatched, more came on. He dropped his sword and fired five ice balls, which hit and froze the Elakan warriors. He grabbed his sword and ran backwards to avoid the onslaught. He turned only to see a blade coming for his face. Another blade slammed into it, blocking the attack. "Nice to see you again, Fiti." Sina said to his savior . "Thank you." Fiti said as he jabbed a hole into the soldier. Sina laughed as he recalled old times with his long-time friend. He turned to slash someone and suddenly he heard a cry of pain. "Fiti?!" He screamed as he turned. His friend laid there on the ground. He jumped over Fiti's body and slew his assailant. Emotions flooded his mind. He sliced through a few more and stopped by the alarmist's lookout. "Sound the retreat! Get Mica out, top priority!" Sina said. Mica heard the retreat sound. ‘The...?!' he thought. He slashed his way through the soldiers and got as far as he could when he heard his father. "Father!" Mica cried as he cut his way through the ranks. He ran beside Sina's fallen body. "Mica... take the ring and the blade... fight... Skina Shi..." His voice trailed off as his life faded. "Sina!" Mica screamed as he rose. He got up and looked around. He was surrounded by Neptunian warriors. "We're here to escort you out!" one yelled over the noise of battle. The small group became larger and soon it seemed that the entire army was fighting around him. They arrived at the castle and soon he was sent into a sule and was shot out to another planet. Mica fell out of his sule looking back at Neptune. He watched as fires started all over the planet. He slipped the sword back into his arm and put the ring on. He felt a surge of power. "Duriche..." his voice trailed of. "Why did this happen?!" He screamed to no one in particular. His voice echoed into space. He fell on his knees and closed his eyes. Thoughts of his home slowly crowded his mind... "Prince Mica, wake up." Hinush said. Mica hopped up. His eyes blurred out and then focused. Sules were landed all around. The Uranian atmosphere sat heavily on his lungs. He coughed lightly. "How long was I..." Mica began. "Two reena's." Hinush replied. "Two?" Mica questioned. "Yes, two." Hinush assured. Mica stood in the middle of a simple encampment. "Let's pack up and get moving. We need to warn the King and tell him what has happened." Mica ordered. In a few minutes the troops were ready to move, taking care to have all of the civilians in the middle, in case of attack. They slowly moved. After a few hours of marching, they saw a flock of birds overhead. "Prince Mica, I would suggest we kill a few of the birds for food." the new chief advised. "Sir, do you know what kind of birds those are?" Mica questioned. "No, why?" asked the chief. "Those are Yukideet, a feared bird, you might have heard stories of the first encounters." Mica said, calmly. The chief shook slightly, "T-Those are Yukideet?!" he asked, nervously. "Yes, the ones with the really big beak, that spear those who kill one of them, yes, they are." Mica said, smiling at the amateur chief. The chief bowed, "I apologize for my ignorance." he said before turning and walking off. Mica grinned as they continued. After about a day they reached the kingdom center. Mica hailed the lookouts and resumed on through the kingdom. He left his troops in the town and went to the King. He saluted the king in the traditional way, by touching his right hand to his left hip and bowing. The king returned it by reversing it. "Prince Mica, I trust you have brought glad tidings." the king, Rivasner, said. "I fear not, good king, for my kingdom, Neptune, has been destroyed." Mica said, regretfully. "Destroyed?!" Rivasner asked, surprised. "And... the king?" he asked, mournfully. Mica dropped his head and shook it lightly. "I'm sorry." Rivasner offered. "Yes, thank you." Mica said. "Your father was a mighty man of valor." Rivasner informed. Mica nodded. "I'll summon my forces to stand here. Will you fight with us?" Rivasner asked. "Sir, I would be honored, but, it would be prudent to send messengers to the other planets and inform them of the Elakan movement in this system." Mica said. "A wise decision." Rivasner remarked. "Thank you, sir." Mica said. The king jerked his head and a two men went out to deliver the news. "I'll ready my troops, if you'll..." Rivasner asked. "Yes, I will prepare." Mica said, then turned. "Mica, we can arrange a counter-strike if you wish." Rivasner submitted. "My mind is far too clouded with emotion to be prudently strategic. Whatever you deem best, good king, simply inform me of your decision." Mica said as he bowed and walked out. Rivasner called a meeting and began to plan for the next few days events... "The other planets are readying their troops for an attack on the Elakan mother ship, the king is setting up a defense for Uranus and he requests that we join on Fuh'rush Giton." the stout man said. "Very well, inform him we will be ready on Fuh'rush Giton in within the Tosag." Mica said. The short man bowed and walked away. Mica gave a command and soon they were all sitting on or near the hill. Mica told his troops to be ready but to rest for a short time. He stationed an abundance of sentries out to watch for the enemy. "My lord, God, please be with my troops and the force moving against my enemy. May we succeed. So be it." he said. He sat down and fell asleep... "Furinash!" Mislah screamed as he flew toward the Elakan mother ship. BONG! the ship dented the hull. The noise resounded in his head. He flipped a switch and the enviroment flooded out to be replaced by the cold vacuum of space. Mislah shivered slightly as the freezing air surrounded him. It was never this cold on Saturn, his home. He shot himself from his sule into the hull of the ship. The air flying out almost pulled him back as well. He darted through the door and drew his sword, a middling sized, lightweight sword. He dodged past the Elakans' useless thrusts and slashes only to cut them down. He ran to the center as fast as he could. He got to the main controls and began to punch in the code he was inform of prior to his departure. ‘Finished.' he thought, then released a sigh of relief. Suddenly a beam of light shot through the air, piercing his side. Mislah fell down. ‘THE?!' He began to think. "Not bad for a prototype, eh?" Skina Shi said. "Skina Shi?!" Mislah screamed. He rose, "It's good to meet the terror face to face..." He said, defiantly. "Although, I was expecting something more." He continued. "As...?" Skina Shi asked. "Something more than a small light beam. I can generate more than that." Mislah said. "No, no, my young friend. I'm simply testing a prototype weapon." He said, pointing to an odd looking piece on the ground. "The weapon of tommorow." He said simply. "If you'll excuse me..." He said. He picked it up. "Unless you care to fight?" Skina Shi challenged. Mislah gritted his teeth, trying not to accept the invitation. He shook his head and turned. Skina Shi let out a short laugh. Mislah ran down the hall and lept over the gray blood and cold bodies of his slain enemies. He lept through the hole he had earlier made and re-entered his sule. He closed the hatch and turned the atmosphere back on. He activated the engines and started toward Saturn. He turned to see what would come next. First, a flash of light, followed by dimensional distortions. The small ship rocked back and forth as the waves hit it. He fired his ship into reverse and slowed to land. After touching down, Mislah jumped out and screamed triumphantly. He got completely out and began to walk toward the city. He stopped by the technical development building and told of what he saw... "Automatic?!" Kinanu exclaimed. "Fully." the technician said. "And, it can go almost twice the speed of normal Sules." "Twice?!" Kinanu asked, shocked. "We programmed it with all of the latest and greatest technology. We have made it so it will accept vocal commands, and we have attached prototype light guns for offensive capabilities." the technician finished. "When can it be tested?" Kinanu asked. "Right now." the man said. "Excellent." Kinanu said. "I'll take it's full passenger load to Saturn. I've heard that they are working on hand-held laser guns." he finished. "As I have." the technician said. "What is it's passenger load?" Kinanu inquired. "Twenty." the technician said. Kinanu nodded and walked outside, back into the red Martian atmosphere. He breathed in a deep breath of the mixture of gases that had filled his lungs since he was born. He smiled and thought of the time he used to spend with his father and mother before they died. He walked into his barracks and moved around to the meeting hall. The unit he summoned was waiting for him as he walked in. "We are going to Saturn to inquire about the laser guns they are working on, then moving on to Uranus to meet with King Rivasner and his forces, afterwards we shall move to Neptune to see King Sina and the Neptunian royal family and gather information about Elaks movements. Let's go." Kinanu said. The unit got up and saluted. Kinanu returned it and walked away out of the barracks. He went to the palace and sat down on his seat. "While I am gone keep the troops at the ready, be prepared for anything." He said. The general nodded. Kinanu walked to the prototype sule and got in. "Engine start, ready for take-off." Kinanu said. "Confirmed." the computer said. He hopped into the chair to the right of the room. "This place is nice." One of the soldiers walked in and dropped his bag. "Hitar. Checking out the new sule?" Kinanu asked. "Yes. It is very advanced. I didn't think we'd have things like this for another year at least." Hitar replied. Kinanu watched intently as the others started talking about the new sule. After a few minutes they sat at their stations, ready to go. "Let's go!" Kinanu said. A man spoke a few words, destination-wise, and they were off. "Incoming transmission." the sule said after a few minutes. "Um... put it on?" Kinanu commanded questioningly. "Invalid command." the sule said. "Um... Transmission on?" he asked. "Invalid command." After a while he found out the key word. "On?" he asked. The speaker fuzzed and crackled. "Neptune has been destroyed. Proceed to Uranus, I repeat, this is King Rivasner, Neptune has been destroyed, please proceed to Neptune." Kinanu slumped into his chair. "Destroyed?!" he exclaimed, shocked. "Hiyui, set a course for Uranus, maximum speed." Kinanu ordered. "Alright... Kinanu... I'm sure that Mica is o.k." Hiyui said. "He's alright, I've known my friend for too long to not feel him die." Kinanu said. "Yes." he said. The ship's engines groaned as the propulsion sent it shooting off toward Uranus. The engines shut back off and the ship cruised off through the frictionless space. "We'll be there in twenty-two ginosh'." Hiyui announced. "Begin slowing down in fifteen ginosh." Kinanu said. "Understood." he said. He hit a button and got the brakes ready. "Firing Uniosh Pok'shina's." He said. The sule slowed down and almost stopped as they began the landing process. The hard rocks of Uranus offered little padding for the rough landing. "All these new developments and they still haven't improved landing skills." Hiyui said as they got ready to disembark. Kinanu picked up his sword and walked out, followed by his men. "Git'leesh, where is the weapons research building?" Kinanu asked. "Right over there, beside the royal building." He said. "Good, acquire the light guns for us and order some more, I'm going to go see Mica." Git'leesh nodded and Kinanu began to head toward the Royal building. "Mica, you look like you turned into a zombie." Kinanu said, smiling. "I feel like it, too." He said. "I'm sorry about your parents." He said. Mica nodded. "Rivasner wants us to help with defense of Uranus." Mica informed. "O.K, where do you want us to set up?" Kinanu asked. "Um... over there..." he said, motioning toward his right. Kinanu nodded, "When can we expect attack?" Kinanu asked. "Anytime." Mica answered. Kinanu nodded and turned, "Kinanu... my K'not is in three days, would you come?" Mica asked. "I'd love to." He said, smiling. "You'd better get set up, the Elakans will be here soon." Mica said. Mica went back to his men and began to give instructions. Kinanu turned and walked to his men, "Set up quickly. We can't afford to lose this planet, so, all or nothing, retreat takes priority, understood?" Kinanu asked. "Understood, Kinanu." the small groups said. Kinanu smiled and nodded. The planet shook as ninety sules slammed into the planet. Mica turned, "More than I expected." he commented. The Elakans jumped out of their sules and began to run as fast as they could toward the front. Mica stepped forward as his sword shot out of his palm. "Hold your ground, let them come!" he yelled over the loud stomping. A dust cloud followed the Elakans hit the front. Mica began to fight, being surrounded. He threw his sword out, stabbing one, the ran up, tore it out of the Elakan soldier and sliced through two coming down. A blade hit his side, cutting one of his ribs. He fell over, turning and beheading the one who hit him. He landed with a slight thud as another Elakan tried to stab him. Mica tossed himself up and dodged the offenders attack and countered, halving, then quartering the assailant. He looked down as the blood began to fill the crevices of the rocky battlefield. Suddenly a sword hit his collarbone and bounced off. The pain racked through his body as he fell to the ground, struggling to get up... Kinanu slashed his way through the onslaught. "Retreat, everyone, get out. Assist the civilians!" he screamed, chopping one horizontally. He turned and began to hack his way through the Elakans, trying to get out. Once he got out of the battle he started toward the city and yelled up, telling them to get out. The lookout nodded and sounded an alarm. Soon, millions of people packed the streets, trying to get to the sules. He looked out on the battlefield, "Where's Mica?!" he yelled to the lookout. The lookout looked toward the ground, he fell somewhere in there and hasn't come back up..." He said. Kinanu focused on that spot, waiting. "RrrRRRAAHHRR!" Mica screamed, exploding from the Elakan mob and slashing wildly. The pain seemed distant as he gutted one, then turned and sent his sword in an upward way, splitting the soldier's front apart. "Energy explosion!" Mica screamed, sending a huge black energy ball making a path through the Elakans' onslaught. He popped open a small comms unit and sent a call to Kinanu, "Kinanu this is Mica, is everyone out?" he asked, dodging a sword. "Yes, we just have to leave." he said. "Go, I'll get another one later." he said, blocking another with his own sword. "Mica?" Kinanu asked, confirmingly. "DO IT!" he screamed. Kinanu turned and ran toward his sule. Mica watched as he took off. His body began to glow as he summoned his inner energy. "Mactu...hirodnu...BINOSH!" he screamed. A huge energy burst flew out in every direction, wiping everything out... Kinanu looked down to the planet below ‘What on Yitui?!' he thought. ‘Mica, no! You'll be wiped out too!' his mind exploded with memories as he watched the explosion demolish the planet below him. He looked on helplessly as the city and the Elakan forces were wiped out. He lowered his head in sorrow, his life long friend, dead. He swallowed hard and turned to the navigator "Set course for Jupiter." Kinanu said. ‘Mica, how could you die right before your wedding?'he thought as the sule flew off toward Jupiter. Kinanu stepped out onto the soft soil of Jupiter, breathing hard as his lungs began to adjust to the air. The huge city stretched out in all directions. He turned, gave his men some instructions and set out for the royal building. Leta watched from her room as the sule touched down. She looked on as Kinanu and all the men filed out. ‘Where's Mica!' her mind screamed. She hurried down and met with Kinanu. "Where's Mica?!" she asked him, her dark green eyes pleading with him for good news. Kinanu looked down and spoke slowly and softly, "Princess Leta, Mica died on Jupiter while destroying an onslaught of Elakans." he said, mournfully. Leta stared at him in disbelief as her emotions surged through her mind. She fell down, her white tears flowing down her cheeks and landing onto the red soils of the planet, which seemed to cry with her as lightning flashed in the sky and thunder roared. "No..." her tear choked voice mustered. "No! God, NO!" she screamed. The planet shook now, violently, and a storm rose. She fell to the ground, powerless. Kinanu raised his head and touched Leta's shoulder, attempting to help ease the princess' pain. "He died an honorable death." he said, still trying to comfort her. She picked herself up and wiped the tears off of her cheek, sniffling a time or two before turning to Hitashi, the chief guard. "Prepare the defenses, we must stop the Elakans here." she said, gathering all her courage. Mica uncovered himself, his clothes torn and his body barely moving. He stood to his feet and began to look around. The planet was scorched for miles and burned, dead bodies lay over the planet. He looked around, estimating that eight ginosh had passed. (About two hours.) His battle wounds still caused excruciating pain as he struggled to get to the sule bay, praying that there was one left, but felt that there wouldn't be. He trudged over the bodies, tripping every off and on, but, forcing himself on. He panted as he stood in the sule bay and looked around. Charred sules, blackened by the energy burst. Mica started checking if to see if any could fly but to no avail. ‘Well, great, stuck on this planet with everyone most likely thinking I am dead... Oh my God, LETA!' he thought. His mind exploded with anger at his own situation. He stumbled on through the rocks outside of the city, looking around. Ultimately giving in to despair, he sat down on a pile of bodies, rubbing at his shoulder. His wounds were healing rapidly and he only wished he had a way out. ‘This it great..' "What next God!? What now, TELL ME!" he screamed to God, wishing he would hear. "FLY!" the voice rumbled out of the sky. "I made you with the ability to fly and breathe in space, so FLY!" it said. Mica fell backwards, landing on a soft bed of remains. He got up and powered his energy up. The energy began to rumble, then it exploded from his body, glowing a black that seemed to drown out the sun. He concentrated as his body levitated. "Thanks God." he said, sorrowfully at losing control. He took off toward Jupiter, slowly because of his state. His body heaved heavily and continued to breathe quickly, as Mica strove to breathe the excessively thin space air. He could feel the light radiation deflecting off of his shield. He looked over at Saturn, it's great rings slightly tilted. He continued to fly until he reached Jupiter. He tried to slow himself, but, only being able to diminish his speed slightly. "Oh no! Slow down, SLOW DOWN!" He screamed at himself, panicked. He entered the dense atmosphere, which itself slowed him, but not enough. He closed his eyes, thinking of a far away place. Kablam! He hit and slammed into the ground, spreading himself out to minimize the pain and slow himself down. Pain racked his body as he roared out. The soft orangish-brown soil of Jupiter helping to cushion him. He coughed as he heaved in more air, his lungs screamed out as they slowly began to adjust. Mica tried to get up, but fell back down. His muscles screamed for rest, but he denied them. Struggling to get out of the hole he was in proved to be more difficult than he expected. He pushed off of his hands and tried to right himself, but his attempts were futile. He coughed hard as he landed a third time. ‘C'mon. I just need a little more. COME ON!' he screamed in his mind. Nothing. He tried again, summoning all of his strength. Light exploded as he shot out of the hole, landing again with a thud. His muscles started exploding into spasms then fell inert, having given all they had. Mica lay helpless on the ground, his muscles given over to rest. "What is that?" Kinanu asked. Leta turned as she put on a chest armor piece. "Mica....?" she thought out loud. "Gather a battalion and investigate it." she ordered. Hitashi nodded and turned. In a few minutes a battalion was leaving the city. Leta turned to Kinanu, "Do you think it's Mica?" she asked. Kinanu looked down and shook his head, "I'd have to say not. I don't think anything survived that blast." He said honestly. Kinanu looked over at the spot with a magnifying set. Nothing moved. Kinanu sat down and shook his head, "What if..." he began, then fell back into thought. "Princess, it may be an ambush. I suggest we ready ourselves just in case." He said. Leta nodded, "Yes, a good idea." she replied, nodding at a guard. "It's no wonder Mica picked you." Kinanu said with a smile, "You have a good head on your shoulders." he finished. Leta looked at the ground, "There they go." she said quickly, changing the subject. Kinanu nodded in silence. "Nice response time..." he tried to compliment. Leta didn't say anything, simply standing there. Kinanu's eyes burned as he thought of the possibility of an Elakan attack. "Well, I'm going to go ready my men." Kinanu said as he turned. "Kinanu..." Leta began. Kinanu stopped and turned, "Yes?" Leta swallowed then looked at him, her youthful green eyes glowed slightly, then a tear rolled down her cheek. She looked around the room, they were alone, "I'm..." she began, choking on a tear, "I'm scared." she sputtered. Kinanu walked over and hugged her, "So am I." he said softly. She nodded and pulled away, composing herself, "I'll call my troops together." she said, boldly. Kinanu smiled and nodded as he turned and walked away. Leta fought hard to quell her emotions, yet, she couldn't help herself as she walked down the hall. She leaned against the wall, wiping away the forming tears. She shook her head as her militant mind set came back. She walked in to the war strategy room. The platoon leaders all sat around a table. "The outer defense grid is fully prepared, the inner defense grid is almost ready, platoon twelve is half a ginosh away from target." General Hidorach informed. Leta nodded, "Alright, I want to be informed when they find out what that is. I want the defense grids up and running before they get there. Dismissed." She said. They all stood up and bowed. Leta nodded and returned the bow. The leaders walked away, purposefully. Leta turned and walked away, focusing on the walkway. Mislah brushed by, not even noticing her. Leta walked into the main room, her father sat in a steel chair. "Leta, I just heard about Mica..." he said. Leta shook her head, "What's the position of Jitu platoon?" she asked. "One-quarter ginosh." the king, Hishugi said. Leta nodded, "Inform me as soon as they get there." she said, sitting down. Mica's eyes opened slowly, his mind not seeming to register where he was. His eyes slowly focused on the orange-brown clouds. He coughed as he tried to get up, falling back down. The dust rose from where he fell. "Get up." he commanded himself, trying to get back up again, this time, finding his footing and rising. He took a step and watched the dust fly as he put his foot down harshly. He slowly walked as he regained his senses, seeing the small group of people coming toward him. His eyes slowly focused at the squad, "Jitu?" he asked as he stumbled toward them. "It's Mica! It's Mica! He's alive! It's Prince Mica!" Jikosh screamed. Jikosh and two others put his arms over their shoulders. Mica stumbled as he closed his eyes, falling asleep again... Leta looked out over the vast area, "Mica, I hope it's you, but, I don't want to know until I see your face." she said, sadly. The short man standing beside her looked up at her, "Missd?" he asked. "No, nothing." she said. "Id sured hoped it'sd Micad." he said, his accent blurring his speech. Leta remained without moving, her focus still at the horizon. "Prince Mica, we're at the outer defense grid, are you awake?" Jikosh asked. Mica opened his eyes, "Yes." he replied, his body now able to move much better. He stepped down off of the men's hard shoulders, his own extremely stiff. "Thank you, Jikosh." Mica said. Jikosh nodded, "The princess will be overjoyed when she sees you." Jikosh said. Giyu'rach looked at him, "That was some job you did on the Elakan army." he said. Mica forced a nod, "A painful job." he said, forcing a laugh. He walked strongly, although still somewhat fatigued. Jikosh looked into the city then pointing, directing Mica's attention. The battalion stopped as Mica began to speed up. "Leta!" he yelled. Leta saw him and began to run, "Mica!" she screamed as she ran. Tears began to fall as she leaped into Mica's arms. Mica caught her, not even thinking about his bodily fatigue. He stumbled backwards as he clutched her tightly, trying to make sure he wasn't dreaming. Leta's tears flowed onto his shoulder as he reached into her hair, threading his fingers through her dark brown hair. They stood there for what seemed like forever. Finally Mica was overcome by his fatigue and put her down. "They said you had been killed..." Leta said. "I thought I was." he replied, softly. "It felt like I was dead, but, I guess God has some other plans or something." he said. Leta looked up into his dark black eyes, hardened by war, "Mica..." she began. Mica looked down into her soft green eyes, "Yes?" he asked, not moving. "I love you." she said. Mica's pain stricken face softened and he smiled, "I love you more than that." Leta grinned, "Oh yeah? Well, I love you twelve times that much." Mica began to laugh as he hugged her, "I missed you." he whispered into her ear. Kinanu walked up, not even realizing the tender moment that was going on between them, "Mica!" he said, slapping him on the back. Mica fell down, writhing in pain as his back wounds were hit. Kinanu turned red, "Mica! Oh, Funo! I'm so sorry!" he yelled, extending his hand to help him up. Mica slowly picked himself up, "Leta, I do believe I should change, I'm afraid I've totally ruined this set of clothing. If you'll excuse me, Kinanu." he said, slapping his back as hard as he could manage. Kinanu laughed as Mica tried to walk, resembling a penguin more than a Neptunian prince. Kinanu looked around, feeling something. He turned quickly, realizing it was behind him. He jumped backwards, assuming his fighting pose, then dropping it quickly. "Ritayan?" he asked, her shoulder height hair bouncing as she jumped back. "I missed you!" she said, clutching his chest. "I thought I told you to stay on Mars." he said looking down at her. "Yeah, I know, but Leta and Haza called for a meeting, so..." she said, her voice trailing off. "Oh, alright. I understand." Kinanu said. Ritayan backed away, nodding, her fiery red hair glistening under the orange clouds. "So what's going on?" she asked. Kinanu shrugged, "I just thought that my friend, Mica, was dead, but, he wasn't, so I'm ever so slightly happy." he said, sarcastically. Ritayan smiled happily, "You're so funny." she said. Leta laughed at the humor in the days' happenings. "Leta!" Haza yelled as she ran up and wrapped her arms around Leta's abdomen, "Can you help me get my pack off of the shelf?" Haza asked, her young eyes showing almost complete innocence. Leta smiled at her little sister, "Yes, I'll be there in a second." she said. "Leta, why are you wearing armor? Are we expecting an attack?" she asked, nervously. "No, I don't think so, but, I'm not sure." Leta answered, truthfully. "Good." Haza said, smiling as she walked off toward her room. Leta walked over to Ritayan, "Meet after dinner in the hall." she said. Ritayan nodded, "Got it!" she replied. Leta smiled, "I have to go give Haza a hand getting her pack." she explained. Ritayan turned back toward Kinanu, "So when are we expecting the inner army to arrive?" she asked. "Not for another two kad." he said. (About 24 hours.) "That long? Think we can hold until they get here?" she asked. "We have to." he answered coldly... Mica peeled off his outermost armor layer and tossed them on the ground, "Ahh, so nice to be here." he said to himself as he leaned against the wall with his fist. Taking in a deep breath he removed his third layer and dropped them to the ground, looking at the door. His body seemed to want to go through the door, ‘What?' he thought. He walked up and peeped his head out of the door, "We attack in two kad." one soldier said to another. ‘Elakans?!" he thought as he popped a slightly small sword out of his hand. "You won't." Mica said as he ran up and stabbed all three of the soldiers, leaving one alive. He grabbed him by his stomach, slamming him into the wall, "Spies don't live long around here." he said, thrusting his sword ruthlessly into him then dropping him to the ground. He summoned a guard and told him to send the bodies back to Elak as he returned to his room. He took off the short sleeved shirt and tossed it at his feet and tilted his head back, allowing his mind to drift... "No! Hold nothing back Sina, I want to see how I stack up." the young Mica said, boiling with tenacity and vigor. "C'mon! I'm ready! Let's go!" Mica said, demonstrating a few moves in the air. Sina smiled and laughed as black energy slowly started to glow before engulfing his body. Suddenly a palm slammed into Mica's then a fist hitting his jaw, dislocating it, then a hand grabbing his head and throwing him headfirst, through a wall. Mica's bleeding body lied there, prostrate on the ground. Mica forced himself up and looked at his father, locking onto his eyes. Mica's heart stopped as he saw the gentle, loving eyes he always knew become eyes of pure, remorseless brutality. Mica swallowed hard and charged with all of his might, but being overpowered by Sina's superior fighting skills. Sina lifted him by the throat, "Nothing held back." he said as he changed his grip from throat to face and thrust him back through the wall. Mica landed hard as Sina turned and powered down, "Put him down in the hospital and get him fixed up." Sina ordered as he walked down the hall. A few people loaded him onto the stretcher and took him down to the hospital. A doctor looked at the back of his head. A patch of flesh had been ripped off. Mica's mind snapped back to the present as he reached and felt the back of his head. Still there. A gray scar that had been grown over with hair. Mica's memories resumed "What did this?" the doctor asked. "Sina and he where sparring..." the lieutenant said. The doctor looked at Mica "And, you told him not to hold back or something like that?" the old doctor asked. "How'd...How did you...know that?" Mica's struggled. The doctor smiled, "Because Sina did the same thing when he was young, and I put him back together..." Mica peeled off his final shirt and dropped it, yawning, striving to remember after that... The fire flashed before his eyes. Mica opened his eyes quickly, looking around, then slowly recalling the night's events. "Lay back down!" the doctor said, pushing his head down against the bed. "No, I need to fight, I am not hurt!" Mica said, obviously angered. "See here, young prince, I have been the doctor around here for years, and you are hurt. Badly." "Let me up!" Mica ordered. "No, you can do no more good until you heal." Mica broke his restraints and stood, wavering then catching his balance. He picked his sword up, "I fight to uphold my honor. I hold back nothing until death. Never forget that." Mica said, bitterly. "Mica..." the doctor said, then stopped himself. "What?!" Mica demanded. "Nothing." the doctor said, stepping backwards. Mica could hardly see through the haze of all of the pain, slowly walking down the hall. He opened the door and the noise of battle filled his ears. He calmly walked over to the guard, "How are we doing?" he asked. "Not too good." the guard said, "Sir, you are injured, you should rest we can win without you." "No, never back down in the face of pain or fear. Honor," he said, lifting his sword to the man's face, "above all." Mica said. "Yes, sir." the guard said. Mica turned to the mass of people gathered, engaged in battle. "Swordsmen, assemble!" Mica screamed at the top of his lungs. Soon a double-layered circle surrounded him. He pushed his way to the front, "Let's go!" he said.. The circle moved into the line. Mica's mind resumed it's tedious thought patterns in the present. He took a deep breath, looking up at the sky. ‘Am I...' he began to think, ‘No. No, far from it.' he thought, pushing the other thought out of his mind. ‘Dinner.' Mica thought. ‘I'm starved.' Mica sat down. ‘What is that?' he thought, shaking slightly. He fell to the floor, clutching his rib line. He clutched his fist, he looked at the window, "There!" he said. He tossed the curtain aside and drew his fist back. He looked into the atmosphere, nothing. ‘Do my feelings betray me?' he pondered. Kinanu knocked on the door. "Enter." Mica said. Kinanu opened the door, slowly. "Um, got a minute?" he asked. "Got several," Mica replied, "what do you need?" Kinanu's face fell, "It's about the defense, I was thinking, that, that maybe we should gather up all of the people into the royal building and hit the Elakan forces hard with our archers." Kinanu said, slowly. "No, not now, we must go out and hit them hard, no relent, no remorse. I have explained this to my men, they are all with me, you have to remember that the inner armies will be here, as well as Mis-Gutnira-Welah." Mica said. "You have summoned Prince Mislah?" Kinanu asked, shocked. "Yes, he is on his way with all of his army that he can spare. I have also called for the Gu' Wyash forces from there. They will arrive in two kad." Mica said, wiping his chest off, putting on a muscle shirt and leaning back. "Isn't that when the Inner Armies will arrive?" Kinanu asked. "Oh, God." Mica said, pausing in realization. "What?" Kinanu asked, perplexed. "I just caught four informants who said that they attack in two kad." Mica said. He stared at the ground, "We could set up an ambush." Kinanu suggested, helpfully. "No, that would not help. Send a messenger to the Inner Armies and tell them to rise on the Gotoshine mound." Mica ordered. "Alright... Mica." Kinanu paused, "We'll stop them." he finished. "Yes, but..." Mica began, sadly. "But what?" Kinanu asked. "Nothing. I just have a really bad feeling." Mica said. "I know, me too, but we don't have much of a choice, do we." Kinanu said, with the rugged tiredness of a soldier. "Kinanu, what do you know about the Elite Eternal Soldiers?" Mica asked, suddenly. "Not much, why?" Kinanu asked. "I feel somehow connected to them." Mica slowly stated, raising his head. "Have you met them?" Kinanu asked. "No, I don't think so, but..." Mica paused, then screamed out in pain, clutching his head and falling on his side. "Mica?!" Kinanu said, shocked at his friends sudden affliction. Just as quickly as it had come, it was gone and Mica stood up. "Are you alright?" Kinanu asked. "Yeah, yeah, fine." he lied. "What happened?" Kinanu asked. "Nothing, I just got a sudden surge of memories, but I can't make any of them out. It's all a blur." he said. "Kinanu, do you know who Hemto Gash is?" Mica asked, his eyes pleading for an answer to the new enigma. "Never heard the name before, why?" Kinanu retorted, worriedly. "I just saw the name in my memory, or whatever that was." he said, calming slightly. Kinanu stood to go send the messages. "Kinanu, thanks for being a friend." Mica said. Kinanu turned, "That's why I'm here." Kinanu said. Mica smiled and nodded, "Right." Mica turned to leave as Leta walked in. Mica stared, puzzled, "Yes, what is it?" Mica asked. "I came to tell you that dinner is ready." she said. "Leta..." Mica began, stopping suddenly. "Yes?" Leta asked, questioningly. "I love you." he said, holding her close to him, tears falling down his cheeks. "What's wrong." Leta asked, worried, her innocence shooting to Mica's heart. "Nothing, I'm so happy to be alive... and to have you." he said, slowly. She looked up into his war-hardened eyes, Mica lifted his hand to touch her cheek, "I'll always love you, no matter what. You know that, don't you?" he asked, inner pain tearing him apart. "Mica, tell me what's wrong." Leta pleaded. "I can't. I'm sorry." he said. Leta looked at the ground. "Well, we'd better get down to the dining room." Mica said, wiping his face with his sleeve, then putting on his cape. Leta looked at him on the verge of tears. "Leta, no regrets..." he said, putting his arm around her. Leta smiled, the lump in her throat shrinking. "Carry me?" she asked. Mica smiled, lifting her into his arms, then walking down the stairs. He opened the door to the dining room and pulled out a chair, sitting her in it. He walked over to the warriors' section of the table and saluted the king in normal fashion. The king, Saturu, returned it, "King Mica, sit down. We have a great feast in honor of your upcoming K'not." he said, motioning for the new king to sit. Mica sat down slowly, "Please, forgive me, my lord, these recent events have burdened my heart with sorrow." The King looked at him, realizing the young king's anguish. A hush of reverence fell over the room, none spoke and none moved. "Let's... look forward." Mica said, finally. "Yes, to the K'not!" said, raising his drink. "Yes, but, moreover, to our upcoming battle with the Elakans. Victory! Honor!" he said. The quiet room exploded with cheering as the stirring speech lifted the worn and worried mens' spirits. Mica smiled at the sight, "And we will celebrate our victory here!" At this point the cheers began to rise, flooding the room with noise so loud that it impaired thought. Saturu looked at the room, "You're quite the motivator, Mica." he said. Mica turned and looked at him, saying nothing. "Sir, do you know how large the remaining Elakan force is?" Mica asked, turning his gaze back to the cheering people. "No, I'm afraid I don't. Our scouts should know soon." Mica dropped his head, "We can't lose. If we do, now, with the inner armies on their way, they would land, the Elakans would be well on their way to Mars..." he paused, imagining his own words. "There, they would slaughter everything, then move on to Tearra, then to Venux, then to Mercuut." he said, his voice slowly fading. Saturu suddenly realized the Mica's desperation, "We will win." Saturu said. ‘That's what King Rivasner said.' he thought. Saturu looked at Mica, unable to say anything to calm the fear and anger that was held within the warrior. A hush fell over the room, every eye trained on Mica. Mica looked at the soldiers, "What's done is done. The past is just that. Let's look on." he said, convincing the people but not himself. A lightly armored man ran in and kneeled at Saturu's side, "My lord!" he said, urgently. "What is it?" Saturu asked, fearlessly. "We've got the location and number of the Elakans." he said, quickly and out of breath. "Speak." Saturu ordered. "They are just outside of Uranus' atmosphere and setting course here." he said. "How long?" "Early estimates predict two and one-half kad, Sire." "How many are there?" "We counted at least sixty thousand." "Still?!" the king exclaimed, amazed. "Yes, but that's not even the part I came here to inform you of." "Well?" the king asked, beginning to worry. "We discovered an attack force several times larger than that of the Elakans' force here. They're heading this way. We don't know how long it will take." "Why not?" "They seem to be using some form of propulsion system that I've never seen before." "Estimate." "Twelve kad, if they're coming here. They could just pass us by..." "NO!" Mica interrupted, "They're after me." he said, seeming to just realize a horrible secret. "My God! That's why!" he exclaimed, the pain within showing with terrifying clarity. Saturu looked at him blankly, "There's no way that they're after you." he said, confidently. "They're probably coming for their own selfish greed." Saturu explained. "Then why would their main force come later?" Mica asked, "It's only because they found out where I was." he said. "Answer me this, good king, if you are correct, then why wouldn't they already have struck with their full force?" he asked, with a challenging manner about him. "I have no answer." Saturu replied. "How long does it take to send a message that far?" Mica asked the scout, his insides hoping the king was correct, his mind pleading for a different answer than that he knew he would receive. The scout looked at him, shocked, "Ten ginosh, if you're in a hurry." "And how long from the time that Neptune was attacked to the time that the Elakans' force mobilized?" Mica asked. The scout paused, "Roughly ten and one-half ginosh." he said. Saturu dropped his head as Mica spoke, "You see, they want me." "Why?!" Leta asked, from across the room, apparently overhearing the conversation. "Why you?" she asked, running toward him and falling at his side, clutching his hand. "Why you?!" she asked, tears welling up in her eyes. Mica slowly closed his eyes, "I don't know." he said. Leta looked up at him, "Couldn't it be someone else?" she asked, beginning to cry. "I hoped so, but when we were attacked on Uranus, a general had a short opportunity to remove my head, and didn't. Furthermore, they came directly my way." he said. "NO!" Leta cried, "NO! You're wrong!" she screamed. Mica knelt down, embracing her in his arms, striving to mask his own pain, "It's all right. Everything will be fine." he said. Saturu stood up and looked at the two. Slowly, Mica loosened his clutch and let her go, "I'll be okay, I've had worse." he said, trying to lighten the sorrow. Leta sniffled, "Liar." Mica smiled, "Yeah, but I wasn't lying when I said it's all right." he said. "So should we move the K'not up?" Leta asked. Mica looked at her in disbelief, "You still want to marry me?" he asked. "I could never stop loving you." Leta replied, smiling at him. "Let's still hold it on schedule." Mica said, boldly. "We can turn the Elakans back, here, after the inner armies arrive." Mica said. He turned to the scout, "Inform me of any Elakan course changes or increases in speed, I don't want to get caught with my guard down." he said. "Understood, Lord Mica." the scout said, then turned to carry out his duties. "Hold on, scout." Mica ordered. The scout turned around and kneeled to Neptune's king. "Rise." Mica commanded and handed the scout a small bag of coins, "Give your men some food." he said, motioning for the man to take the money. The scout looked at him, obviously puzzled. "Take the money and buy food for your people." Mica reiterated. "Thank you, Lord Mica." the scout said, taking the bag and running out of the building. Mica smiled, cutting a piece of meat off of the leg and putting it into his mouth with a fork. He raised his hand to his heads level, with his index and middle finger pointed up. A man ran beside him, "Hitogashu, have my special armor put in my room, please." he said, cutting another piece of meat off. "Yes, My king, right away." Hitogashu replied, turning to carry out his duties. Mica lifted his glass and poured some drink into it, "Saturu, do you have any ideas or strategies?" he asked, matter of factly, seeming to have easily recovered from his earlier distresses. "I suggest we hold a war council." Saturu said. Mica leaned back in his chair, seeming to ponder the thought, "Yes, that is an excellent idea, but I believe that it would be best to summon the generals of the surrounding cities as well, then hold it with all of your generals and mine, also with the remaining Uranian forces, and those of Prince Mis-Gutnira-Welah." Mica said. Saturu nodded, "Yes, I agree." Mica sat up, "Speaking of Prince Mislah, when will he arrive?" "He's here." "Already?" "Yes, he's testing a new propulsion system." "Well?" "Beg your pardon?" "What do you think of this new system?" "Well, if it is, in fact, as fast as Prince Mislah is boasting, it would give us a distinct advantage over the Elakan forces." Mica leaned forward, setting his elbows on the arms of the chair and folding his hands, placing his two index fingers on his lips. Saturu signaled for more wine. A small woman carried it over, Saturu looked at Mica, "Would you like something more to drink?" he asked. "No, thank you, I am fine." Mica said, in deep thought. Leta leaned to Yohtoki, "What do you think?" she asked. "He's cute." Yohtoki replied. "Well, that I know, but what do you think about the new developments?" She asked, delicately taking a slice of meat. "Oh, sorry, yeah, it's nuts." she said. "Let's meet after dinner, alright." "O.K." "Tell everyone for me." "Alright." Haza looked at Te' Soyu, "Are you scared about the fight?" she asked, innocently. Te' Soyu nodded, "Yeah, I'm really scared that we'll get attacked and killed." Haza looked down, "Me too." Conoko looked down at the young girls, "We're all scared, don't feel alone. Just fight as well as you can when we have to fight, O.K.?" The young girls nodded, "Right!" they said in unison, giggling lightly. Skina Shi walked down the hall, his lieutenants walking just behind him. "Is everything ready?" "Yes, everything is in order." "Good. Just keep in mind that if you fail, then it will be me who kills you." "Yes sir, don't worry." "I have complete confidence in you. What is the position of the main fleet?" "They will arrive in two kad, one reena." "Very well. Are the men aware of their objectives?" "Yes." "Alright. Inform me when we enter the Sola system." "Understood." "I will be in my chamber until then." Skina Shi said, turning away from the lieutenants and walking to his chambers... Mica stood in his room. Dinner had just ended and the Eternal warriors were having a meeting. He stood staring at his plate armor, which had been in his family for five generations. He smiled, recalling the time that he had put it on when he was younger and how he had looked like a pile of metal. The young king laughed at the memories. Kinanu walked in, "What's wrong with you?" "Nothing, just remembering back before all of this." "...Yeah, we had fun." "Do you remember the time that we fired that rocket off and hit the fuel depot?" "And I said that you did it?" "...And I got in so much trouble that not only could I not go anywhere for an eighth of a year, but I was locked in my room without lights for twelve kad?" "I couldn't stop laughing and then I felt sorry for you." "And then we fought..." "Well, what's done is done." "I suppose. Or I could beat you into the ground." "Or you could laugh?!" Kinanu began to laugh and Mica slowly began to laugh as well. "Or that time that..." A man ran in, panting, "My lord! The Elakans are here!" he cried. Mica stood up, "Right on time, it appears." Kinanu turned to Mica, "Shall we?" he asked. Mica nodded, "Oh, surely so, but first, a drink!" he said, nonchalantly. He poured a glass of wine, looked at Kinanu, and said "To our victory!" Kinanu nodded, "Yes, but first, we fight." he replied, putting his wine glass down and turning to leave. Mica followed suit and exited the large doors into an even larger hallway. Kinanu and Mica both took their swords as they exited the building and stepped onto the battle grounds. He looked at the Elakan line, stretching along the hilltop and standing ominously above them. Mica walked over to his troop sergeant, "What are they waiting on?" he asked. The sergeant looked at them as they began to proceed, "You, I guess." Mica drew his sword and stepped forward, "Have the men cover me, they are mine!" he said, barreling forward and into the Elakan front. He broke through easily and turned as they all turned to attack him. Kinanu stood with a bow and three arrows in hand as he watched Mica recklessly charge the Elakans. He quickly fired the three arrows in his hand and shot the rest of his quiver off, then drew and charged in as well. There was a mob of them, not highly trained, but all of them more than willing to give their lives for their cause. Kinanu hacked the better half of a hundred down when he saw Mislah's division beating their way in. Soon the entire field was filled with the clanging of swords and dying men's pleas for help. Mica stopped halfway through a swing and stepped out of the way of a blade, parrying and dismembering a soldier's arm. His clothes were shredded and now he really wished that he had had time to don his armor. Another quick push into the Elakan front left another pile of dying men. "Kinanu!" Mica called from some distance away. In a little more than a minute Kinanu made his way to him. "Yes?" he asked as calmly as possible, his experience serving him well. "Rally back at the hill and prepare for a left push." he said. Kinanu nodded, "Very well." he replied, turning to move away but faced with another hoard of Elakans. Mica stepped forward and began cutting, his sword easily hacking down the mob of untrained Elakans. The two fought on for some time before they made it back to the rally point. About two thousand men stood there, ready to charge. Mica looked at them, "Push left." he ordered. With a loud yell the people ran full speed into the opposing army, crushing their left side easily. A moment later a sweep was on toward the rest of the Elakans. In a moment the battle was over, the Elakans had been surrounded and had surrendered. Mica paused, looking around with the all to familiar disorientation that occurred at the end of a battle. Once the Elakans had been sufficiently rounded together Mica walked slowly over to Kinanu, the thin Jupiter air racing through his lungs, "Meet me back at the strategic planning center." he said. Kinanu nodded as he casually walked back to the city. He looked around, taking in the sights and thinking about his home on Mars. Jupiter was a refreshing change, all of the colors of the sky seeming to create a medley of beauty that gave him a relief from the war, however temporary it was. Everything seemed so serene now that there was a calm moment. It had been a long time since he had been to Jupiter and he had forgotten what it looked like. Kinanu slowly sped his pace to the planning center. In a few minutes he was there, staring into the dark room that had been filled with the latest in plotting and tactical tools. "Kinanu, come in and have a seat." Mica said, obviously preoccupied with something. Kinanu entered the room and sat down close to Mica, "What is it?" he asked. Mica paused from staring into the clear panel, "I was right." he said, pointing to the board, a small blotch of light showing up on it. Kinanu knew what it was all too well. The main Elakan force was coming for them and it could only mean that they were indeed after Mica. Mica looked at Kinanu, "I'm afraid I'll have to leave tomorrow." he said. "Mica, your k'not is tonight." Kinanu informed, concerned for his friend. "I understand that, Kinanu." Mica replied, his eyes showing that this choice was not made easily. Mica stood up, every muscle in his body twitching in his obvious anger, but his face showing the helplessness he found himself in, "I have to go tell Leta." he said, turning to exit the room. Kinanu looked at him, "Mica, you won't go alone." he said. Mica stared at him, as if examining him. After a short period of time he threw his head back and laughed, his mood change only serving to confuse Kinanu. "Mica?" he asked, "Mica, what is it?" "Kinanu, you're right, my k'not is today. This should be the happiest day of my life, and it well is. You see, even though the Elakans stole from me my family, my kingdom, my innocence, they cannot steal away my happiness." he said, a spirit of determination glowing in his eyes. Kinanu stepped back, confused by Mica's mood changes. "Are you feeling alright?" Kinanu asked, a tinge of worry creeping through his usual calm voice. Mica glared at him for a moment, every time he inhaled to speak, he stopped himself and withdrew into his thoughts. It was a question so few asked, a question, the answer to which he wasn't sure. "Kinanu..." he began, pausing to think then resuming, "You and I have been friends for virtually forever. If there were something wrong, you'd be the first to know." he said, then his eyebrows drew in as if a thought had come to him, "Second, Leta would know before I had the chance to tell anyone." he said. Kinanu laughed as he thought about it. It seemed so odd that two people could share so much, could be so close. "Mica?" a voice asked from the hall. "Leta?" Mica replied, unsure of what he had heard. She walked in, Haza and Te'Soyu behind her. Mica let out a quiet laugh as he thought about Haza and Te'soyu. Ever since they had met they were inseparable. Probably because they were close to the same age and neither of them really understood the war. Neither of them had seen battle, nor had their hands shed blood. "How invaluable." Mica said. "What?" Leta asked. "Huh? Oh, n-nothing." he said as his mind fled from thought back into the present. "I was only thinking. It seems my plague to think." he said, a smile forming on his face. He stared at her for some time until she smiled back, "What is it?" Mica stood silently, thanking God for what he had given to him, "Merely counting my blessings." Leta shot him an odd look, "Like what? Your home was destroyed, your kingdom taken from you, your family killed. What do you have to be thankful for?" Mica stepped forward, "Leta, do you love me?" he asked sharply. Leta's eyebrows drew in toward her eyes and a look of offense formed on her face, "Mica, you know I do." Mica smiled, "I have love and I am loved, that is the greatest blessing I could ask for. Besides, I have my health and my friends, my blade..." he paused, grasping for something else to say, "And I have you, and you're too much for anyone." he joked. Leta giggled a little and stepped closer to Mica, wrapping her arms around him, "You are so mean." she said sarcastically. Mica stared into her eyes, so innocent, seemingly unfazed by the war. It was something that one wouldn't see everyday, especially around the soldiers. Mica leaned over and gently kissed her, his eyes showing the sadness he had come to embrace. Kinanu cleared his throat, looking at Mica. It was one of Kinanu's, ‘I understand, but this isn't the place' type looks. Mica backed away slightly, "Leta, I have to go away. The Elakan force is coming for me and if I go then I'll know you are safe." he said, "I couldn't bear to lose you." Leta looked at him, "How will I know you are safe? If you die, how do you expect me to live without you?" she asked, her face showing the sadness she felt, "How do I live without you near me?" she asked. "You're strong, I admire you for that strength. I wish I could be as strong as you." he began. "It will be hard for me to go away, but please try to understand, I have no choice. If there were a place I could take you and we could live together far from this horrible war, I would take you there as fast as I could, but there isn't. I will leave what remains of my army at your command. They will protect you in my absence." Leta looked at him, "No, I don't want you to go. We will fight them." she said. "Leta, you know as well as I do that is impossible." he said. He embraced her tightly, not wanting to let go, "Hey," he whispered, "You'll still have your friends, your family. I'll be fine. I only have to go away until the inner army can get here and set up a good defense. Then I'll be back and we will destroy the Elakan army and bring an end to this war." Leta looked at him, "Really?" she asked, hopefully. Mica nodded, "I don't lie." he said, "But for now, we need to get inside and get you cleaned up. How can I wed you if you aren't clean enough to present?" he asked with a smirk. Leta faked a smile, "Yup, I'm just a nasty ball of sweat and dirt." she said. Mica looked at her, "You're always beautiful to me." he said gently, "And if anyone thinks you aren't, they are very confused. If anyone says anything, I'll kill them." he said. "Stop it." Leta said, hitting him lightly. Mica laughed, "You think I won't?" he asked, in a mock-taunting way. Leta smiled at him, "So, are you hungry?" she asked. Mica shook his head, "I just ate." he said. Leta nodded, "That's right. So..." she said, at a loss for words. Mica looked at her, "Is there anything I can get for you?" he asked. Leta looked at him, speechless. Mica paused, "Is there something the matter?" he asked. She shook her head, "No, I'm just so happy." she said. Mica smiled, wrapping his arms around her once more and clutching her tightly to him, "Leta, I have a really bad feeling that I cannot explain. Just be on your guard." he said. Leta looked at him, "Nothing can go wrong if I'm with you." she said confidently. Mica looked at her, "I suppose that's true, but..." he said, his voice drawing the light air into his lungs and fading away. "What's the time, I wonder?" he said. A man casually walking by informed them that is was almost Fu. Mica stopped, "I guess we should get ready for the K'not." he said. Leta nodded as Mica turned to leave. Mica hesitated for only a moment as he thought of how truly blessed he was, but he paid it little heed as he struck off toward the fortress that was the royal kingdom. He paused just outside of it as he glared at its sheer beauty and outward majesty. He stepped forward again, staring at the small dust cloud rising into the air and floating away slowly. He mused for a moment at this, wondering how many more times he would be able to set foot on a inhabited planet. He knew who was following him. Korak the destroyer. He wasn't sure why or even how he knew, but by some unexplained clairvoyance he knew. Another few steps later saw him standing before the gate, seeking entry. "Hail, King Mica!" the guard shouted from the top of the lookout tower. Mica waved his hand, "Prince Mica will do for now, sir." he shouted in reply. Slowly the gates opened, giving him a first hand view of the true indescribable beauty of the inner palace. It was much cleaner than when he had first seen it. His first time on Jupiter had been a very trying time for them. The first time, he recalled, was when the border skirmish had been taken to that same place and the skirmish itself had ended on that very spot. Mica looked down at the ground, the once bloody battlefield now calm, peaceful and serene. He took another step, looking up to the royal building then slowly passing it over to see the sky above. He knew deep within himself that beyond those clouds, beyond those peaceful skies was the Elakan fleet, cruising quickly for him. What remained enigmatic was the question as to why they wanted him, why so suddenly he became the one to watch. He paused, remembering the stories he had heard about Korak. He stepped into the royal building, climbing the stairs to his appointed room which had been prepared for him. He opened the door slowly and paused, the familiar scent of his home filling his nostrils. He stopped, taking in a deep breath of the mixture of gases he had known since birth. Even though he could breathe the other atmospheres and even go without breathing for a while, there was nothing like the smell of home. It was a constant in everyone. He stood just in front of the doorway, deeply inhaling bits of his home, and with each breath it seemed more memories could be recollected. He looked at the outfit he was to wear. Traditional. He didn't see directly how it was an improvement over his present outfit, but it was the same one his father had worn, as well as his father before him and to the first of generations. The cloth was slightly faded, but it was clear the brilliance that once shone through the threads. Kinanu walked in. Mica looked at him, "What are you doing here?" "Just wondering around, and being your chosen assistant, I thought it suiting that I should come here and help you put your clothes on." "Kinanu, do you ever wonder... Do you ever wonder if we're threads?" "What do you mean?" "Just look at these threads, they all intertwine, but at the boundaries, maybe all of the colors are at war over the cloth, and they fight for what they have. It's like us." "That's a depressing thought." Kinanu said, pausing as if to take in everything Mica had said. "What if nothing we do matters because the Elakans and us, the two colors, will never win. We'll always cancel each other out. What if in the end we'll all just fade away?" "No, I've never really thought about that." He paused, "My father once, long ago, told me that we all have battles to fight, and the more that we fight, the more we grow closer to our destinies. I don't believe all of the blood shed in this war is meaningless, and as long as we fight for what we believe in, we will win." "Do you believe we all have a destiny, Kinanu?" "Yes, I do. It would be far too bad for us if we didn't. Leave anything up to us and we'll ruin it." "Too true, Kinanu, but I have seen some, others that are much worse than we are. Some that must never be allowed to journey into the infinity of space. Some that are too proud and too selfish, too stupid to know they aren't alone in all of this." "I wonder how that must feel." "How what must feel?" "To feel all alone in the biverse." "I don't know, but you must know that they don't belong with us. They are not ready yet." "Will they ever be "Ready," Mica-kan? Will they ever be fit to fight with us, or even know that we are here? I mean, how horrifically depressing it must be to look at the other stars and not know that thousands of people are looking right back down on you. How alone would you feel?" "Kinanu, we're not going there. They are where they must be, for now at least, and you're not going into another one of your long speeches about them and how we should awaken them into space. If it should be, let God give them the wisdom, until then, let them be." "All I'm saying is that perhaps..." "No, we are not going there, no perhaps." "Very well, than I shall not anymore talk of the Earthlings and their poor, impoverished selves. It's all their fault they are the way they are and that's not our business. It's not like we were ever like that, fighting over bits of land." "Precisely." "Not like the great Neptune kingdom and Jupiter could ever fight over who's was what. Really, poor Earthlings." "Now you're really getting off the point." "C'mon, Mica, isn't that what the whole border skirmish was about? You and Jupiter thinking the same land was yours?" "Alright, once, once." Mica said, holding his finger up. "Mica, you must understand, they are people too, like us, long ago. They just need time." "Alright, that's your opinion. Enough on that, alright?" "Alright. But all I'm saying is that maybe..." "Enough." "Alright." "Alright." "Alright." "So how's the weather outside?" "A little cold to me, a little hot to you probably." "So maybe wear this and this?" Mica asked, holding up two different shirts. "Those should more than suffice." "I still don't see why she wants to have it in the royal building's great room. It seems so dull and things." Mica said. "And you didn't have any say in matters?" "Kinanu, you obviously don't spend much time around women. They always get what they want, especially when the man can supply. Well, I can, so, she gets what she wants... Within reason that is." "Yes, I've noticed that in Ritayan as well." "Well, cheer up, soon enough we'll all be dead, and no one will mourn our passing." "Some shall, Mica, some shall. Do you really care?" "No, I don't care. I still don't want to die, Kinanu. There are so many things for me to live for and so little for me to die for. This war, it's foolishness. Why can't there be peace? All of us fighting and dying. So much bloodshed for nothing." "It will end soon enough, Mica. We will be victorious and we will return home with honor in all of the glory of our ancestors and many will hail our coming." Mica paused, thinking about this for only a moment, then looked at Kinanu deeply, "Kinanu, I had a dream a few nights ago... Less of a dream I suppose than a premonition of things to come. I saw us, we were older, and we each bore more scars than we now have. It was some time later and there was little left. We were standing on Elak, each in small pools of blood, fighting. You left as did I and then the entire planet exploded. It was the most horrific sight I have ever seen, an entire planet blowing to pieces. I cannot forget it." Kinanu was taken aback at this, stumbling for words, "Mica, perhaps it was only a dream and perhaps it was a look into the future, I don't know, but now all that we should focus on is your wedding, right?" "What time is it?" "Almost time, Mica. Get dressed. We've things to do before the K'not." "Like what?" Mica questioned. "Dinner." "We just ate." "All the better. Get dressed." Mica proceeded to put on all of his ancestral attire and stepped out of the room where at Kinanu was waiting patiently. Kinanu looked at Mica for a moment, straightening out a piece of cloth on his shoulder. "You're dressed to kill, Mica-kan." "And you aren't. You expect me to go out in public with you dressed like that? Kinanu, this is my K'not, the most sacred of all traditions. It will only happen for me once, have some respect." "Mica, I don't have any better clothes than this. All I have is what I brought from Mars. That is not much." Kinanu said very defensively. Mica smiled, looking at him, "I'm sure that we could find something for you. Come." he invited. Kinanu followed Mica down the hall into the main hall of the palace, through it and into a large room that appeared to be a wardrobe of some sort. It was filled to the ceiling with every imaginable article of clothing, from hats, shirts and pants to vests, gloves, coats and the sort. Kinanu was dumbfounded by the room, "Where are we?" he asked. Mica paused, looking around, "We are in the king's wardrobe. Over the years he has been collecting various clothing and this is where he keeps it. He gave me complete permission to use anything in here I want. So, let's find something for you to wear." "Like what?" "How about..." Mica said, pulling an outfit similar to his from a rack, "This." "Alright, that's fine, but Mica, we have things to do, you know." "Yes, yes, put this on over there," Mica said, pointing to a room, "And we'll be off." "Very well, it's your day." "Yes. Yes, it is, isn't it?" Kinanu went and changed, returning quickly and looked at Mica, "Better?" "You still look greasy and ugly, but your clothes are better." Mica said, playfully. "You look no better, Mica, and this is your one day to look good. I hope no one dies from the look of your face." Kinanu insulted, "Let's eat." Mica rolled his eyes, hoping that he could eat more, seeing that he had already much more than he usually did in a week. He trudged down the hall beside Kinanu. Presently they approached a door, which Kinanu opened. There was a large room where all of the soldiers that had fought with Mica on Neptune and Uranus, as well as Kinanu's troop. They all stood in the room, anticipating Mica's arrival. "Congratulations!" they all shouted as he entered. Mica smiled, looking over the group of his closest friends and most trusted companions. He remembered all that they had been through and how they had never questioned any of his orders. How lucky he considered himself, thinking of all of the times when he should have been alone, when they should have abandoned him. He looked around, smiling. He walked in and began to greet them. He came upon Mislah, "Prince Mislah, good to see you again. I trust things are well with you." "Yes, quite well. Today is your big day, is it?" "Yes, quite a big day. Are you married, Mislah?" "No, not yet. I like to be single. It doesn't tie me down." "Well, just know that it is quite a chaotic time when you do decide to settle down. Times are so hectic. How is your world, Saturn?" "Saturn exists much unchanged than it has been the last year. We are all so unchanged that it sometimes shocks me. This war seems not to affect the people on my planet other than the warriors of course." "So you are the one that claimed the Elakan ship "Goyui." Quite impressive." "It was I who detonated it, yes, but none of it would have been possible if it had not been for the support of the rest of the army." "So modest, Mislah. You should be proud. It is not often that one destroys and Elakan ship, let alone one as big and strategically important as the Goyui." "I am proud of the armies, but it seems that our victory was of little consequence. The Elakans still fight. Now perhaps more violently and steadfast than before. I fear that this war shall not be brought to a timely end." "This is my fear as well, but be strong, Prince Mislah, we shall prevail." "Yes, of course we shall with the might of our armies and the blessing of our Lord, but it will be a hard fought war with much bloodshed." Kinanu approached them, "Mislah, greetings." he said, bowing. "Greetings." Mislah said, returning the bow. Mica looked around again, seeming to be in a sort of euphoria of joy. The sheer happiness of the entire room seemed to overwhelm him and wipe away all remnants of anguish he had held. Things, he decided, were finally looking up. "Let's eat." he said. Kinanu and Mislah both nodded and moved toward the table which had collected many various dishes from all over their side of the universe. Mica stared at the dishes for a few moments, wondering what many of them were. Kinanu and Mislah were equally in such bewildered states. Mica looked to Kinanu, "Is all of this edible?" Kinanu paused, studying the foods for another moment, "I think so. Gowashi said all of it was." Mica's faced contorted into a look of disbelief, "Kinanu, Gowashi doesn't know what is food and what is a piece of a sule. There is no way I am going to eat something on the certification of Gowashi. Not a chance." "Mica, I am joking, of course, Gowashi isn't even here. I left him on Mars. I wouldn't bring him to something this important. No, everything here is safe to eat, at least. For the taste, I can't say, but at least safe." "That's comforting." Mica said, reluctant to touch the food, let alone eat it, "You are sure, Kinanu." "Quite sure." he said, dumping something onto his plate. Mica grimaced, picking up a piece of unidentifiable meat and placing it on his plate. "This is definitely a new and unusual experience." "Yes," Mislah began, "To put it politely. I say it's more the new, somewhat grotesque experience myself." "Come now, Mislah, it isn't all that bad. We have food, which is more than we can usually say normally. At least we are here, sheltered, with food, friends and no Elakans." Mica said, putting something into his mouth absently. A look of disgust showed plainly, "Or at least with non-poisonous materials, friends, and no Elakans." They all laughed as they finished piling their plates and proceeded to sit down. Mica leaned back, "So much change so quickly..." he said. "What's that?" Kinanu asked. "Nothing really. Just reflecting on how fast things are changing for me. How quickly things seem to go from bad to worse to best. It's sad, I guess, that my father and mother, my whole family, pretty much, dead, but for some reason, I don't care. I don't fear death at all, not like I used to and I don't understand why. It's strange, I guess, but somehow liberating." Kinanu looked stunned for a moment, "Is it that you don't fear death, or that you have accepted it... or that you just don't miss your family because you have been with them for so long?" "That may well be the case, Kinanu." Mislah chimed in, "Mica, I understand that you must not realize, but there is an Elakan attack force on it's way here, now, and it is also true that they are pursuing you, now.." Mica cut him short of his sentence, "Mislah, soon, you will realize as I have, that when there is a time for happiness, you must enjoy it, for those times do not occur as often as they should. Relax, my good man, for now, we celebrate commencement." he said, "The end of the past, the beginning of the future." Lita stood, arms outstretched as her dressers went about their business. "Aren't you excited?" Haza asked. Lita looked down, "Yes, but..." "But, she's also very nervous and a little afraid of new grounds." Yohtoki said. Rosha entered, "I don't blame her, there are a lot of things to be nervous about." Lita looked at her, "Must you rub it in?" she asked, giggling. Rosha laughed as well, "Well, at least Mica seems like he'll take excellent care of you." Yohtoki laughed wickedly, "He seems like he'll take VERY good care of you." she said. "Yohtoki!" Lita said, laughing in embarassment. "So, how do you feel, aside from nervous?" Conoko asked, entering quietly. "Well..." Lita began, "I'm very happy but I'm really scared for Mica. He says that the Elakans are following him. If they get him, they'll..." she said, shuddering at the thought of what the Elakans would do and have done in torture. It was no secret that the Elakans were most brutal and violent in their methods of torture. Most was probably sheer propaganda, but some of the rumors must have been based on fact. Stories commonly flew around about people's bodily extremities being removed as the victim was left to die. This was generally considered as the best method, the least painful. Others had escaped from Elakan prisons to reveal far worse, but ladies were never told the details of such. She knew, though, it must be horrible. "It's okay." Haza said, her bright eyes smiling up at her older sister. "Oh, I know it is." Leta said, still trying to convince herself of that. Deep inside, though, she knew that nothing would ever be the same. Her mother came in, bearing herself as the lady-like and proper queen she had always been, "How are you, my daughter?" she asked, her entire body seeming to smile at her. Leta thought for a few moments, then smiled herself, "Couldn't be better, mother." she said. Mica had finished eating what he could and sat, relaxed, in the comfortable cloth seats. It was indeed a rare thing to have soft seats for warriors. Very few were privileged enough to sit in soft seats. Mica reflected on life outside of his home, or places made to be his home. He somehow loved the cold, hard steel of the beds that they slept on, the strange, insipid goop that they ate every morning, the constant beeping of the sule consoles, the long days walking through the rain. He missed it all, somehow. He couldn't place how or why, but he missed the misery, the hardships. It was what he lived his life with, his "comfort zone" of sorts. It seemed to him that he couldn't fit in very well with civilians, but he knew he must, for soon, he thought, the war would end. He would lead the inner armies against the Elakans and vanquish them all. He knew this much. He knew that the war must end. It had only been a half of a year and already there had been more than 67,000 killed. This, he knew was not a lot, in cosmic terms, but it weighed his heart down. A sorrow grew in his soul for those who had died, but less for them than their families, still less for them than for those he had killed. More than 67,000, he thought, and still so little point to it all. Why must the Elakans be so greedy? He sat and pondered. Kinanu looked at him, "There is a reason, Mica." he said. Mica looked at him, "What's that?" "There is a reason for all of this. For the fighting, for their greed, for them coming after you. It'll all make sense sometime. Sometime in the future. Just abide." Mica looked at him, "Yes, it will all come together sometime. But will it be too late then? Will it be too late to undo what we will do? To cleanse the bitterness? To change these feelings that each side harbors? How, Kinanu, will we look at the families of those whose lives we end, and tell them that we killed their sons, fathers, brothers, nephews, uncles? To tell them that we killed their mothers, daughters, sisters, nieces, aunts? How can I, in good conscience, keep killing? It is so foolish, Kinanu." Kinanu nodded, "Yes, but what choice have we? If we do not, than the Elakans and their lust for others' possessions will lead to our enslavement, won't it?" Mica thought for a moment, "Yes, you are correct. They will kill, enslave, steal, but why? What motivates them to do this?" he asked. Kinanu shrugged, "No one knows." he said, glancing down at the table, then looking up at a guard, "What is the time, sir?" he asked. "Xi Fu." he said. Kinanu looked at Mica, "You are prepared fully?" Mica nodded, "Yes, I am." he said, the coldness of his inner turmoil showing in his tone. Kinanu looked at him, "Cheer up." Mica looked at him, pouring a smile on his face, "I am cheery, Kinanu." he said. Mislah spoke for the first time in some minutes, "Than shall we?" he asked, motioning for them to adjourn to the place in which the ceremony was to take place. Mica looked at him, "Very well, shall the time rise?" he asked. "What is that?" Kinanu asked. Mica remained silent as he walked through the doors. Kinanu and Mislah both followed him out, quickening their paces to walk beside Mica. As was the custom in such an occasion, Mica stopped at the main doors. He looked at them. Tall doors, perhaps in excess of twenty feet, bright white gold and a light mottling of gold as well. Kinanu and Mislah opened these slowly. The room was a large one, fifty feet high and perhaps 700 long. He glanced to his right, looking around the room. It's size was perhaps the largest of any room he had seen. It's length was second only to it's width. It stretched out 900 feet from one side to the other. Cheerful music from many instruments played, filling the room with a distinct feeling of joy and happiness. Mica's mood lightened quickly as he looked around. Many hundreds of people had gathered to celebrate. In the front he noticed his dearest comrades in arms from his home. People he had fought with since the war had started. People he had grown up with. People he had fought, of course in play, as a child. Their faces he knew. About fifty in all of them. Their fighting skill were great. Their loyalty, he knew, second to none. A tear formed in his eye as he slowly realized how much he had. He moved to the front seat. A long, row seat. Elaborate, extravagant cloths and cushions made every seat most comfortable. He moved in front of the seat as Kinanu and Mislah moved on both sides of him. In unison they sat down as the music began to fade. "Nervous, Mica?" Kinanu asked. "Didn't you just ask me that?" Mica asked. "Perhaps, but what of now?" Mica looked at him with a glow in his eyes, "I am no more nervous than you, my friend." The music by this time was gone, and all was silent. For a few moments nothing moved, nothing dared make a noise. Nothing dared to irreverence the moment. Then suddenly, a loud blast of trumpets that quickly faded as flutes melodiously played. Drums rolled slowly as the doors once again opened wide. Two lines of soldiers stood there, at attention. The crowd stood up, looking at the lines. In unison, they stepped forward, pausing, then taking another step. This continued until at least thirty soldiers had progressed to the front. Then came the royal court. The king and queens dearest friends, all clothed in their absolute best. Mica's stomach growled loudly in a nervous sound. His leg shook as he stood, the full depth of what was about to take place slowly sank in. The commitment and the road ahead of him. The trumpeting stopped as the flutes played lightly. A group of women moved into the doorway all dressed in the finest dress available. All coordinated, of course. They moved to the front and filed out, revealing Leta standing there, dressed in a white dress that fit her rather tightly, but was very becoming of her. Saturu walked to where Mica stood. Mica's heart sank to the bottom of his chest. Now, he knew, was the moment everything was riding. The one custom of a K'not that every man feared. The point when they must bow. The bow was symbolic of a request for the father's daughter and a request of the father's acceptance. If the father bowed to the husband, it was all right, but if not, the entire K'not must be canceled and no further courtship could be made. Mica swallowed the lump in his throat, bowing slowly, keeping his eyes on Saturu as was the warriors' way when bowing. Saturu stood for a moment, looking at Mica. Mica remained bowed, looking at him. For some time they stood there, submittee to submitter. Saturu slowly bowed. They both stood up, Saturu taking Mica's seat and Mica moving to the front, next to Lita. He kneeled, his head bowed to her. This was yet another symbol. He must bow to her and ask her to search herself before they were actually wed. She kneeled down to his level, took his hand, and pulled him up to stand. He stood there, staring into her eyes. The leader of the church of Jupiter stood on the platform and spoke in the common language of most planets so all could hear and understand. "You are here, today, to see this union, as set provision by our God. This union, you understand, is eternal?" he asked, looking at Mica and Lita. They both nodded. "You understand as well, that no matter what, you are bound to each other and only to one another?" Again they nodded. The minister moved next to Lita, "Lita Kitaru. You come here today to marry this man, Mica Obsidian?" he asked. She nodded. "You know that when you acknowledge me, you are bound forever to this man, loving only him until your death. You also know that you must submit yourself to him and love him more than yourself, your family, and your friends. You do say, in the presence of your peers and family that you will live by these rules and that you engage in this most sacred relationship of your own will?" Lita paused, "Yes, I understand and I acknowledge all of your words." The minister next moved to Mica, "Mica Obsidian, prince of Neptune, your task before you is not an easy one. Yours is much more challenging. You, Mica Obsidian, know that once you enter this relationship, you forsake all for Lita. She is to be more treasured to you than any other thing in existence, save God. You must always treasure her, protect her, love her and be faithful only to her. Your honor is binding you to her in all ways. She will become you as you become her. Should anything happen to her, she is yours to protect, and it is the fault of your own should any harm come to her. She is not your possession, but she is your most valuable prize. Your honor binds you to her," he reiterated, "and should you be disloyal, you acknowledge to everyone here that your life is void." the man said. Mica nodded slowly, "I acknowledge your words." he said. The minister nodded, "Very well, then, by the grace of God may you live and be happy with his, and my blessing. Now to you gathered here, do you bless this union?" he asked. A loud roll of cheering came from the soldiers. Mica's smile widened as he looked out over the crowd. "Very well." the minister said, "Than may both of you go with God and live in his shadow and by his words. Obey him and prosperity be on you both." he said, bowing. Mica bowed back to him, extending his hand to Lita. She gently placed her hand in his. He slowed closed his hand with hers in it, realizing slowly everything that he must do and how hard the road in front of him would be. He turned to face the crowd as he slowly walked with Lita at his side. He looked down at her and smiled. More to come...