I’m not your king

Taleen lands outside the crater. Troops lift each other up screaming victory throughout the land. Blake continues to attend the injured. “Let’s go people, we got troops to heal. Our job isn’t done yet.”

“Thank god, you boys are alright.”

“Pull back on the hugging. You're killing us, Dad.”

“It’s good to have you back with us. Now all we need is Erica here,” says Vanula.

“You think she’s doing fine over there.”

“Yeah, knowing her she’s probably running the place.”

“So is it really true, all about the power ore? What's going on?”

“I’m guessing I already knew the truth, why else would those people be in cages?”

“People must die to produce the power ore, every dying soul has the purest essence ever and to obtain even a rock of that, genocide is on the table,” says Juzu.

Pai spits on Rondo’s body. “That doesn’t explain you knowing they were inside cages the whole time!”

“He's the one to blame, but you knew all about this. You all went to sleep like babies like nothing was happening.” Pai bangs his chest. “Who’s the corrupted ones again? Who the fuck do you guys think you are?”

“We’re scum,” Rune rebutted.

Wind flows down the crater. “Pai, you remind me of an old friend of ours. He reacted the same, now he’s walking down a different path. I wish I could follow him, honestly. Since that day I’ve been losing sleep to crack down on our regrets. All three of us and your father, you’re not the only one who wants to tear it all down. We’re gonna do it from the inside and shift all of Vader's corps killing corruption.”

“Listen, things like this can’t happen overnight, guys. I know you can’t understand, but they want this more than anyone in the universe. I put my life on it, they'll achieve it,” said Mr. Z.

The golden sun warms the Kowo people. “It’s finally over, sweetheart, see they saved us all.” Vanula reaches his hand for the mother and daughter. “I wish I could’ve done this sooner. I am truly sorry.”

Five hours later, every fallen troop piles around large logs for cremation. All Vader troops gather around. Sola floats on her star with Kel. Taleen hovers in the sky holding Zack Zack and Taro, while Apollo cruises his arrow. Pai stands by Vanula, Juzu, and Rune.

“Show gratitude to all the Kowo people, this is their victory. They’re one of the strongest warriors here. To all the fallen, your wrathed spirits will never die. That fight burns in all your souls, and it will carry you into the next life. I haven't taken any pain, who am I to speak for the fallen?” complained Vanula.

He walks before everyone, afterwards, purple lightning strikes Vanula hitting him directly. A Blitz of lightning fires upon Vanula over and over, and he doesn’t move a muscle. Taking all the shots blood falls from his nose, ripping his black suit. “Man, do you still wanna follow me through the chaos!”

“What the hell is he doing?” Blake runs for Vanula, yet Juzu blocks her off.

“Stand down, Blake, if he doesn’t it’ll be worse later.” More lightning rains upon him, not stopping for a second. Vanula falls to his knees, the lightning loses pace. One last giant strike hits Vanula, and his eyes fade out.

“Vaders never lose that wrath inside you!”

"Go help him,” says Juzu.

“I’m sorry to worry you, Blake, I had to...I just had to.”

The Kowo people pray before Vanula and Blake.

“What are you doing?”

“We’re just happy to know my people weren’t killed in vain. You all saved us in the end, glad we could help everyone. Life’s too short to hold hate in your heart. Also, forgive yourself young one…Just promise us those people won’t win.”

“I promise.”

“Huh? Bygones is what they want…Bullshit, Just give me power dammit. I’ll hold all my hate for him. Only for him, he must die first.” Apollo flies off.

“Thank you, for keeping my mommy safe.”

“For the rest of your lives, you don’t have to worry about anything. Nothing at all, I swear to god,” says Vanula.

Pai ignites the wood with his essential tool. Teleporting nearby, walking between the Kowo people patting backs and shaking hands. “If that’s what you guys want, you have my support.”

“Why the change of heart all of a sudden?”

“You can’t fake those emotions. I see how badly you want to change, whatever you're dealing with. I’m not knocking anyone down, as people can vouch for you in this chaos,” explained Pai.

“Taro, good job on handling Victor, did anything else happen.”

“Dad, do you know anything about spirit shifters?”“Spirit shifters? I don’t know, I’ll see what I can find.”

Zack Zack smiles, putting the hyperdrive in Taleen’s system. “The stars can’t hold us back now, all the places you can reach now, baby.”

“You alright, Sola?”

“Just thinking about the future ahead of us.”

“What do you think is gonna happen?”

“I don’t know, I like how things are right now. Wish it didn’t have to change, but I know it won’t be the same forever.”

“We can enjoy ourselves as we are now.”

“That’s fine, at least we can send the fallen off in grace.”

Kicking up sand, Pai teleports across the beach. Who was I really wearing that mask, and why didn’t Danika answer me when I needed her? I don’t even know her that well, who is she really? What’s going on with the Vader corps and power ore are connected somehow.

“King, are you doing well?”

“I’m good, are you?”

“Yeah, why do you ask?”

“Well it seems you're coming out perfectly fine now. What was that all about earlier?”

“I don’t know what you mean?”

“Why are you playing dumb all of a sudden? What are you really planning, Danika?” says Pai.

“For you to be king.” Danika reaches for his face, yet he moves back.

“I think there should be less communication between us, because I can’t trust you right now.”

“Wait, King, it's difficult to explain. I just can’t explain right now,” says Danika.

Red essence pushes Danika. “Explain what? Playing with my life, shouldn't be hard with those intentions! I have nothing else to say to you, and don’t call me King anymore.”

“Sorry, I haven’t been with a host for some time.”

“Am I the only one who you want to be king?”

“You’re the perfect match for me. I want one true king.”

“Don’t play with my fucking life. Whenever you wanna open up or show me something genuine, I’ll be waiting.”

“I’ll make it up to you because I wanna be part of your life’s journey.” Danika fades away. Moonlight shines off the ocean’s current, and Pai flops onto the sand.

“How long are you gonna stay moping around?” says Taro.

“When the world freezes over twice.”

“Well, you better speak up, while I’m here.” Taro makes a sand butterfly.

“Stop spreading sand everywhere, asshole,” laughs Pai.

The waves push out crabs and shells. “When I first met Sola, I thought finally things would change. Whatever change I was seeking, but did I really want it to? I hold more information about this world and all the essence. I’ve gotten stronger, although I still feel like I’m missing something.”

“So you feel like a loser.”

“Thanks for sugar coating it.”

“I think you’re looking for a goal or purpose. Nova isn’t what you’re really seeking, but I feel if you stay on this path it’ll come around sooner or later. Who knows what’s waiting for us out there?”

“I wanna help Sola, us soughts, because she doesn’t deserve what happened to her. First meeting her I found out even strong people need help sometimes.”

“Okay, that’s what you focus on. Work hard so that even strong people will call for your help. Do it your way.”

“No problem, easier said than done, but screw it.”

“If you don’t have a purpose right now, don’t sweat it. That doesn’t make you a loser, you’re only one person. Stop trying to take on the world alone. There’s no way my little brother is gonna be a loser.”

“Little brother, you only got a couple of seconds on me.”

The black drop-top car brakes on the sandy road. “Pai, Taro let’s head home guys,” says Mr. Z.

Sand rests in Taro’s palm. “Come on, let’s go home.” Taro pulls up Pai.

“Sounds good, I’m really missing my bed right now.”