Heaven Saga 1: The Lost Hero (15 page)

“Is this true?” Valis asked as she looked to Mira.

“Yes. I’ve been really stressed out lately, so I
needed to see him.”

“Valis, we have no reason to lie about this. If you
want, I‘ll submit to a physical to prove that nothing happened,” he offered.

“I believe you.” Valis closed her eyes and sighed with
relief. “So what’s this special something you’re preparing for the ceremony?”

“I’m going to perform some Terran style music for you
and the crew, something I’m sure you’ll like,” he said.

“Is that so?” Valis asked, again looking to Mira.

“He showed me a month ago what he has in mind,” Mira
said. “It’s different from what we’re used to, but it’s something to see.”

“I’m glad you’re willing to do this. You may go now.”
Valis said.

Both saluted before leaving.

“No wonder everyone was staring at us,” Mira said.

“I didn’t think your people gossiped about things like
this,” Brian said.

* * *

Brian and Mira finished their rehearsal for the day.
There was only one day left before the blade dance ceremony.

“It looks like everything’s coming together,” Mira
said as they left the auditorium.

“Thanks for all the help, especially the singing
part,” he said.

She hugged him. “Thank you for helping me.” She
blushed and took a step back. “I think I’ll sleep in my own quarters tonight.”

He laughed. “That’s a good idea. Let’s not give the
crew any more to talk about. See you tomorrow,” he said as they parted ways.

Brian went back to his quarters. As he walked in he
could tell something was out of place. He looked around the room and saw a
Kalaidian uniform hanging on a chair.
What’s going on here?
He asked
himself.

“Welcome back,” Seles purred.

He saw her at the door to his private bath. Seles wore
a skimpy, translucent outfit. Her hair seemed to shine. Her eyes focused on him
intensely. Brian stood dumbfounded while admiring the beautiful image standing
before him.
I always thought Seles was cute, but this…is different. She’s
glowing, sexy, and seductive.
He looked closer.
She’s wearing a little
lip gloss and some kind of flowery perfume. Is this a dream?

She walked up to him and gazed into his eyes. “What’s
wrong? Don’t you like how I look?” she asked.

“No Seles…that’s not it at all,” he said with his eyes
locked on her. “I wasn’t expecting to see you in this kind of get up. For
someone who’s never known about men you sure know a lot.”

“Celi held meetings with the crew about you. I wanted
to see how it works.” She tried unfastening his armor.

“I can open the armor from the inside Seles,” he said
as he turned his wrists. The armor unsealed itself and allowed him to step out
of the armor.

“Why are you interested now?” he asked.

“Because, Mira…”

“OH,” he said. He looked like a deer in headlights.
What
should I say to her? Would she even believe me? Oh! What the hell am I supposed
to say?! Tell the truth Brian, and hopefully she’ll believe it!
“Nothing
happened last night.”

She was surprised. “But why did Mira?”

“I swore I wouldn’t tell anyone about her problem. All
I can say is Mira needed me last night, like when you needed me in the cave.”

“Brian, I…” She grabbed his shirt and pulled him down
to her level. She kissed him clumsily on the lips. After a moment she pulled
away.

“Let’s try that again. This time let me lead the way,”
he said. She didn’t pull away as he kissed her passionately. Another minute
passed before they stopped kissing.

“You’re beautiful Seles.”

She gazed into his eyes again. “I want to stay with
you. I…” she trailed off, blushing heavily.

He held her tight. “If you came to seduce me, you
succeeded.” He started rubbing behind her ears.

“Brian…” she closed her eyes and sighed in pleasure as
he rubbed her ears.

He stopped. “Are you sure about this? I don’t want to
take advantage of you.”

She brushed his light beard with her hand. “I came
here to take advantage of you.” Seles purred again. She held him close. ‘I want
you.”

“I know, I feel the same,” he said.

Brian woke late the next morning. Glancing to his side
he felt Seles holding him.
I guess that wasn’t a dream after all.
He
brushed her ears. She woke up, groggy and confused.

“Good morning,” he said.

“I really did stay here last night, didn’t I?” she
asked as she rubbed the sleep out of her eyes.

“Is something wrong?” he asked.

She looked at the skimpy outfit on the floor. “I can’t
believe I put this thing on,” she said as she slipped it on. He stood up and
put his pants on.

“You’re really sexy Seles,” he said. He hugged her. “I
hope you enjoyed last night as much as I did.”

She blushed. “I never knew what sex was. It was
strange, but…good.”

A silent moment passed before the door buzzer rang.

“Brian, are you still sleeping?” Mira asked through
the door.

They looked at each other, paralyzed by the situation.
He whispered to her, “Go into the bathroom and get dressed, and try to keep
quiet.” Seles nodded and grabbed her uniform as she snuck out of the room.

Brian went to the door and made sure Seles was hidden.
He opened the door and saw Mira. “Sorry, I guess I overslept.”

“That’s okay. I wanted to talk with you anyway. Can I
come in?” Mira asked.

He made sure everything was clear. “Sure, but only for
a few minutes. I need to talk to the captain about some things before
rehearsal.”

Mira stepped in and looked around. He walked over to
the closet and grabbed some fresh clothes. After putting them on, he stepped
into his exoskeleton and placed his
rakna
blades on his belt. Once
finished, he turned Mira, who seemed interested in his bed.

“What is it?” he asked.

She picked something off the bed. “What’s this?” she
asked playfully.

He went over. “It looks like an earring. Did you lose
it when you stayed here?”

“You know I only wear one earring. Whose is this?” she
asked a little more forcefully.

“Umm…about that, ah…” he trailed off. Suddenly, a
crash came from the bathroom.

Mira looked at him and pointed at the other room.
“What was THAT?”

“I guess trying to hide it from you isn’t going to
work,” he said with a false smile.

Seles emerged, cursing and limping. She wore her
uniform and looked annoyed. “Brian, you really should organize your rooms
better.”

“I’ll fix it later today.” He stood helpless as the
two girls squared off and stared at each other.

“Can I have my earring back? It’s very important to
me,” Seles said.

“I’ll give it to you, but I want to know what was
going on in here last night,” Mira said with a wicked grin.

Seles whispered something into her ear. Mira’s eyes
widened. She looked at Brian, blushing. “You didn’t, did you?”

He sighed, “Yeah, whatever Seles said. Please don’t
spread it all over the ship. I don’t want another day like yesterday.”

“Is that why you need to see the captain?” Mira asked.

“Yes, and I should get going right now,” he said went
to the door. “I’ll see you in a little while Mira.” He looked back at Seles.
“I’d like it a lot if you came back soon Seles.”

The door closed behind him and left the two women
alone. A long moment of uncomfortable silence ensued.

“So, how was it?” Mira asked, breaking the silence.

Seles turned red. “It was good. It felt strange,
pleasurable, and a lot of other things.”

Mira closed hers eyes and sighed. “I’ll have to come
by and try him out myself.”

Seles’s eyes began burning again. “What!”

Mira looked at her with a smirk on her face. “It’s a
small price to pay for my secrecy.”

Seles calmed herself down. “I’ve got to get to the
shuttle bay or I’m going to be late for my training session.”

* * *

Valis sat I the captain’s room and stared at a monitor
when the door com buzzed.

“Captain, I need to see you,” Brian said.

“Come in,” She replied.

He walked in with the door closing behind him as she
turned off her computer. “What is it?”

Brian knelt down. “Last night, Seles stayed in my
room. This time, something did happen. This is something you didn’t want. All I
ask is you don’t punish her.”

She motioned for him to stand up. “This was going to
happen sooner or later. As long as you don’t cause issues amongst the crew, I
won’t need further reporting from you.”

He looked her in the eye. “It’s not my intention to
cause trouble on your ship,” he said.

“I trust your judgment. You’re not the kind of man to
run around causing harm,” she said.

“I have to go now, my final practice is today,” he
said as he turned to leave.

“One question,” she said.

He stopped. “What would that be?”

“Who initiated relations, you or Seles?”

“She did,” he answered.

“Interesting,” she said as he left.

* * *

Brian quickly made his way to the auditorium. He saw
Mira standing on the stage, with a hint of sadness in her eyes.

“What’s wrong?” he asked as he joined her.

She searched for the words. “Brian, I want to know
something. What do you think of Seles?”

He took her hand. “I was brought here by force and
felt like I was going crazy. Everything felt so unreal. I felt like I was
dreaming. She was the first person I spoke to, the first person I felt was
real. Seles grounded me when I needed it the most. Without her, madness
would’ve taken me.” He paused. “She’s very special to me.”

“And what about me?” she asked.

He ran his hand through her hair. “You’re sweet and
beautiful Mira, one of the best I’ve ever known. I admire your ability and have
enjoyed the last three months. I’ve learned a lot, and promise to keep your
secret. I know one thing; I don’t want you to disappear from my life.”

“This feeling you have for Seles, is it the same with
me?”

“No, you and Seles are different people. I feel one
way for her, and differently for you.”

“What if I came to your room like she did?” she asked,
blushing.

“I wouldn’t mind. Pleasure, like pain is very
important for one to experience,” he said.

“Why do you say that?” she asked.

“Because it tells us we’re alive.”

The next day began with the Avoni going silent in port
on Dega Jul, with all crew members filling the auditorium. The main lights were
on at the moment and the stage was dark. Most of the bridge crew sat at the
front, save for Valis, who had opted to sit at the center of the audience. She
saw anticipation in their eyes and smiled, confident in her decision. The
lights turned off and everyone sat down. The room hushed as a single beam of
light illuminated Mira, dressed in a special white dress with matching boots
and gloves. Behind her, Brian knelt in the darkness, wearing his exoskeleton
armor, long dark green cape, and matching
rakna
blades.

Mira addressed the audience of two hundred and eighty
crew members. “Welcome everyone. Today I have a special performance for your
enjoyment. I present to you the candidate, Brian Peterson, of Terra Prime.”

A light shined down on him. He stood up and bowed.
Mira turned back to the crew. “A hundred and fifty years ago, the last living
Rakna
Maigar
, Gaelic Kein, performed for the last time on this day. Silence is
what we have heard all these years, but today, that changes. Brian’s skill with
blade and song are second to none. I know he will impress you.”

The crowd cheered. Brian drew his
rakna
blades
and warmed up with a quick display of spins, thrusts, and slashes. The crowd
was amazed at this display of speed and skill. The sound of his swords was that
of an acoustic guitar. Mira took her opening stance, Brian followed with his.

“In the beginning, there was Kali. The goddess who
created us, nurtured us, and gave life to us,” Mira said.

The pair proceeded with the twelve songs of Kali.
Every three songs a short intermission of five minutes was given. The
holographic images Brian gave off of his armor created vivid imagery of the
great battles and stories of Kalaidian history, with the illusory people being
completely black, with no faces. After an hour of dance and song, Mira and
Brian left for the last intermission before the Finale.