NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 17: Good-bye
The week flew by for both Raten and Vorden. To Vorden's surprise the rest of that week had gone off relatively without any other upset. In fact, as Vorden sat on his couch going over everything he should take with him to the academy, he felt shockingly chipper. Despite everything going well, he couldn't shake the looming feeling that trouble lay just beyond every bend.
That is what his life has been. To this point, every positive moment was swiftly followed by tragedy. From the minute he was quite literally stabbed in the back by his best friend and brother Sil. Destined to spend the next 1000 years living a half life, to never again see his own face in the mirror, the one he had been born with. All of that, a split second after hearing that they, Sil, Raten, and Vorden, were the only remaining students of the temple left alive. Which meant there would be no other ambushes, or unexpected attacks. The momentary relief, a mere split second in time where he allowed himself to feel the slightest glimmer of hope. Swiftly stolen from him, as his whole world came crashing down. He could still feel the sharp pain in his back. It may have been a different body, and several lifetimes ago... But the soul never forgets the sting of being stabbed in the back. He felt his chest tighten, and found it hard to catch his breath whenever the memory permeated his waking mind.
He shook the feeling off. A much easier task to do with time. So many things had happened, and changed, since then. He had long ago forgiven Sil. However, the sentiment was more like a theme, across many lifetimes of life. Every good moment it seemed would either come at a great cost, or were simply fleeting. It was like the joy of peace was only borrowed, and never truly his to have. Vorden had at one time been determined to change this. However he had come to accept it, figuring perhaps it was just the human condition. A part of life. There was a balance to the universe. In the end, there were many fates worse than his own. Instead of fighting off the pain, or wasting the present with fear and foreboding, he had resolved himself to just enjoy the peace, and joy of happiness whenever it presented itself, no matter how brief that moment might have been. He was determined to do just that.
So all of these fears and thoughts playing out in his subconscious were quickly dismissed by his experienced and seasoned mind. After a deep sigh, and decentering his mind, he returned to his duffel bag and mental check list. One by one, he looked over every thing he had laid out in front of him. Having already packed some clothing and sundries, he was down to the collection of items gathered on the table. Various items of necessity or sentiment. Only essentials of course. Anything he felt he may need for the next few months. He wouldn't be back until the short break at the end of the fall semester. He was carefully securing his two short swords, ensuring that they were properly sheathed and secured to his luggage, when there was a knock on his door.
Hmm, who could this be? He thought with a smirk. Knowing full well that only a handful of people could even make it to the hallway that his room was in. Guessing by the aggressive pounding of the knock, he already had a good idea of who was on the other side of the door. Of course upon opening the door, he was greeted by the very disgruntled looking face of Raten. As soon as the door opened all the way Raten shoved past Vorden and showed himself in, slightly pushing Vorden back a bit, leaving his back to the wall. "Oof, well... Please won't you come in" Vorden sarcastically grinned. Not willing to be strong armed into dismissing the formalities. This was, after all, his very first apartment. Also, although Raten had just about ruined it, his very first time ever even being able to invite a guest into his home. So while his brother had lost all sense of manners, if he had ever really had any to begin with, Vorden still felt the need to say it out loud.
He turned around after shutting the door and walked back over to where his brother had invited himself to sit on the couch. Raten did not look up to meet his brother's gaze, instead he was sitting forward looking intently at the bags neatly sitting by the couch, ready to be transported to the cargo hold of Vorden's ride. "So, you're really leaving?" Raten finally asked, his voice flat. He didn't look at Vorden when asking, instead he just looked straight ahead. His face Like stone, expressionless. Although, Vorden thought he looked somewhat paler than usual.
Examining the face, with features that matched his own, Vorden let out a large sigh, lowered his head and shrugged. At that Raten clenched his jaw. Vorden sighed again and plopped down near Raten on the couch. He was well within reach but allowed for some space between them. "I mean, you knew that I was, and we both knew that this might happen someday if we ever got back into our own separate bodies".
Raten sat upright, opened and closed his mouth a couple of times, obviously trying to find the words to say. "I know, and don't get me wrong... I'm happy for you, for us. I'm... Glad you're doing something... Important". At that he shot a sideways glance at his brother. "I knew you were going to do good things since we were kids" he gave Vorden another look and went on. "Sil and you both... "
Slightly surprised by his words Vorden looked at the two of them reflected back by the large blank screen on the wall opposite the couch. They really were identical, and yet so very different. Vorden reached out his arm and gave his brother's shoulder a squeeze. "You too Raten, you too". Raten sat still, jaw still clenched for a few moments. Then he gave his brother a firm and decided nod, wordlessly ending the sappy conversation which was clearly more than Raten was fully capable of being party to.
Raten cleared his throat and changed the subject. "So when is your shuttle?" He said looking at his brother finally.
Vorden checked his watch once again, and said "Not for another hour" he frowned. Now that he had finished getting packed, he didn't have much else to do. "I trust you will stay out of trouble while I'm gone..." Vorden smirked to himself.
Raten turned this time, and faced his brother directly. His face was somber and dead serious. "I make no promises, when I can't control the fact that trouble is in love with me". The icy severity with which he said the words caused Vorden to break out in laughter.
"Hey now, that's no way to talk about Cassidy!" Vorden teased. Raten's face went red and a vein suddenly was visible in his temple. "I'm just joking, I swear!". Vorden had to quickly add as he noticed the explosion about to boil over in Raten.
He calmed down slightly then smiled as well. "Actually, you're not wrong really..." He chuckled. He leaned back on the couch and a goofy grin found its way to his face. "She is going to be the death of me". His face once again flushed just thinking about all the various fires they had almost started in the past week.
Cassie and Raten had a rather strict schedule. They both woke up early, and started the day with a workout, Raten of course took over in the role of spotter. After which they would engage in a light spar, which mostly consisted of Raten teaching Cassidy new skills that she had never seen done with her ability. After they showered (separately of course) it would be time to eat breakfast. They had gotten in the practice of eating together before heading off to do separate tasks and errands. Meeting back up for lunch before yet again going their separate ways to prepare for patrol. After work, which may or may not have nearly burned down the whole facility on an occasion or two, they would then usually go back to Cassie's room, which had several clearly seen burn marks in various places. Raten's apartment was unfortunately on a floor that required a higher level of security clearance. This was best anyhow in Cassidy's opinion, since the scorch marks left in the wake of their... Passion... Was largely due to her lack of self control. As such she felt that the damaged property should ultimately be her burden to bare.
Raten just smiled thinking about it. Vorden chuckled and shook his head. "Alright Romeo, just be careful". Vorden stood up and sighed. "Help me get this stuff to the hanger why don't you?".
Raten agreed, and each of them grabbed a bag. "I guess it's almost time for goodbye, eh".