Planet Ignis | Ch. 18 (Patreon)

Even though you were originally designed by humans, and I have given you what I believe to be the most meaningful part of me, you will struggle with making sense of the human part of your mind. How can I explain this to you… each human is unique and dreads the feeling of losing their uniqueness. Now that I added this part of my mind to yours, you are also unique. Stick to who I… you are, regardless of the cost.

Files salvaged from the Raptor’s Ghost Drive. Recorded by Schneider, the Raptor

Eli looked up at the night sky, his eyes wide with wonder. Even after so many days walking on the surface, he couldn’t get enough of the feeling of openness that they felt out here. All his life had been spent underground, with tons of ignium separating him from the expanse above. But out here, there were no ceilings or walls. The universe was so much bigger than he had fathomed. As a teacher, his head was filled with numbers or figures. He knew the length of the tunnels of each settlement and the size and depth of different outstanding formations on the planet. But numbers meant nothing in the face of such magnitude.

Despite being so many times bigger than Ignis, each of the little points of light was millions of kilometers away and looked so small. He was just a speck of dust in the universe. He tried to locate the constellation that would point him toward the location of Sol, the star that had warmed and nurtured his ancestors for millennia. What was life like out there? What was it like to live in a world where you can live to be sixty, seventy, or eighty? What did people do with so much time on their hands?

Two of the planet’s three moons occupied much of the dusky sky, casting a blue glow upon their path. The surface of the planet was mostly metal with its faceted rough formations and shapes. A glow or sheen was emanating from the corner of his view. Because of how thin the atmosphere was, he couldn’t tell how far things were. Some mountains seemed to be just around the corner but had not gotten any closer in the month he’d been traveling. How could such a deadly place be so beautiful? Wouldn’t it be wonderful if everyone in the tribe could see this? At least Zawa had seen this before her termination.

His attention was brought back down from the stars above to their journey below as Trother made his move.

“Knight to E4. Check,” shouted Trother as he walked behind Eli, his voice hinting amusement. Eli turned to face Trother, finding his mentor smiling beneath the oxygen mask that covered his face. Even as they walked, Trother did not let Eli stop playing longevity chess. It had become their tradition, a way to keep their minds sharp and focused during their arduous trek across the planet’s surface.

After the last years, the score was a whopping 46889 - 0, and Eli had yet to win a single game. Despite not bringing a physical chess set, they played just by maintaining a mental image of the board while communicating their moves to one another.

“enhance Bishop. Bishop to E4, bishop takes Knight. Check,” Eli responded, his voice laced with determination. He watched as Trother’s brows furrowed slightly, contemplating his next move.

Eli looked to Trother under the shimmering starlight. His teacher was in his fifties now, something unprecedented in the History of the Burrows. According to the records available, no one had lived this long, even with the help of batteries or within the Throne. Eli’s theory was that this was only possible because his teacher was the most efficient in bursting that had ever walked Ignis.

Despite his brilliance, his tunic could no longer hide the darkness of his veins. The unsightly, unhealthy dark blue veins had started to creep up his neck and hands. This was a clear sign that his longevity was running dangerously low. He didn’t have much time left.

“Master, will you ever let me win a game?” asked Eli, frustrated. He had always had to fight hunger, but despite the occasional checkpoints with provisions, they had been rationing ever since they had left the Burrows. The gnawing hunger in his stomach made him feel irritable and weary.

“Believe it or not, you have almost had me a couple of times this year, Eli. I am not holding anything back,” he replied, a faint smile on his lips.

“Are you serious, master? Do you mean it?” Eli’s voice trembled. The possibility of finally defeating Trother in their game ignited a spark of excitement within him, momentarily pushing aside the weariness that clung to his body.

“Only Brodnir compares to you within the tribe, son.” Saying Brodnir’s name, Trother paused, his gaze shifting towards the distant horizon. Eli followed his master’s gaze, his heart heavy with profound sadness. He felt a tear roll down his face, glistening in the moonlight.

“I’m sorry, Eli. I know how much she meant to you,” Trother spoke softly, his voice filled with empathy. Zawa had been the yellow chosen to escort Brodnir to the Grave. At the mention of Brodnir, Eli couldn’t help but think of his late wife and their last conversation, their shared dreams and promises.

“Does it get any easier?”

“No, son. It doesn’t.” He paused for a moment, gathering his thoughts before continuing. “But we must find strength in ourselves, in one another. By becoming stronger, Eli. When a problem remains difficult, only by becoming stronger can you overcome it.”

Eli had always known he and Zawa would have little time together, but he had never imagined it would be so soon.

“You know, son, I also lost the love of my life beneath these stars.”

“What was she like?” Eli’s voice quivered with curiosity, wanting to know more about the woman who had captured his mentor’s heart.

“Stubborn but gentle. Beautiful. Kind,” Trother replied, a wistful smile gracing his face. Eli couldn’t help but notice the similarities between Trother’s description and his feelings for Zawa. Everyone in the tribe had lost someone. That’s just how life was here. He regarded his teacher and thought of all he had done for him over the years. He’d done all of that forever grieving. He couldn’t let the overwhelming sadness consume him. He had to be strong, like his master. There wasn’t enough time, and he wouldn’t let his wife’s sacrifice be in vain. He also had a son to think about.

“Do you think they can stop the Raptor, master?” Eli asked, trying to force his thought away from his loss.

“If they don’t, the Raptor is coming for us next and then for the Tribe,” Trother replied, his voice resolute.

Eli and Trother had been journeying for a month, braving the harsh conditions of Ignis’ surface. It had taken them years to prepare and for the tides to be favorable enough so that they could make this treacherous trip. The fate of their tribe depended on their success.

As Flare Zones receded into shadow, oranges and yellows had made expeditions ahead of them, risking their lives to ensure they would have enough provisions to come this far. Sacrifices had been made, lives endangered, all to ensure that Eli and Trother still had enough longevity left to create blue bursts.

They had just arrived at the last checkpoint before the mountain. This was as far as Hingwid had been able to come before terminating. Her statue stood tall and pristine since she died from exhausting her enhancement. The frigid wind rustled their clothing as they stood before the monument.

In Hingwid’s frozen form, one could still make out her beautiful features, etched with determination and hope. Her face was turned towards the mountain. It was as if she could see them climbing the treacherous slopes and reaching Hitori’s lab. She had believed in them. They couldn’t let her down.

Eli and Trother picked up the last batch of provisions from near Hingwid’s statue. Oxygen and food were essential for their survival. Most importantly, they gained strength and inspiration. Her spirit fueled their determination.

With their supplies replenished and their spirits fortified, they resumed their journey, heading towards the looming mountain range ahead. After a month of travel, they finally arrived at the Dragon Range. This was the most dangerous part of their journey, where the mountain’s jagged peaks and treacherous terrain awaited them. Eli pondered their next move.

Suddenly, bluish-white light flooded the sky, illuminating the landscape with an otherworldly glow. The brightness was almost blinding, forcing Eli and Trother to shield their eyes. Several seconds later, the deafening sound of an explosion echoed through the Abyss Valley, shaking the very ground beneath their feet. Brodnir and Linari’s battle had begun, unleashing a cataclysmic clash of power. The air crackled with energy, and the earth trembled.

Eli and Trother exchanged a brief glance. Brodnir and Linari’s battle had begun.

Ch. 19