Determination (39 page)

“Maybe when you’re older. But anyway.” Casual slacks appeared on him, making it mercifully easy to stop staring. He stuck his hands in his pockets and fixed her with a serious gaze. “What made you decide to give me this second chance?”

Memory of his begging her to destroy his soul replayed in her mind. “I didn’t see any reason not to. Besides, it’d make Aerigo and Sassy very happy to have you back as well. I don’t think you’ll waste this opportunity to start life over.” She wanted to give him a hug but she kept the want to herself.

“You got that right. This is going to be interesting with Leviathan as my new master. I’m looking forward to it. And thanks, Rox. Words can’t adequately describe how grateful I am, so I won’t try, but I wanted to say thanks at least once.”

“You’re welcome. See you among the living again, soon.”

“Can’t wait.” He kissed her forehead. “Incoming.”

Roxie saw the hand and its trajectory but she had only enough time to think,
Is he really going to do that?
before his hand slapped her glute. She went wide-eyed and Daio laughed.

“So much for the friendly warning. Maybe one year I’ll tempt you over for a night or two, but for now I’ll respect your monogamous stance.”

“What about what Aerigo would think?”

“Rox, he and I have been to many worlds and experienced tons of cultures. Societies handle relationships and intimacy in so many ways. You’re quite beautiful, Rox, and when I see such beauty, I like to express my admiration for it at least in words. In some cultures, people are generous with sharing appreciation for beauty, but in others it’s seen as inappropriate. Talk to Aerigo about it, but don’t get me wrong. I’m loyal to Sassy as you are to Aerigo, but we can talk about that later. We’ll have plenty of time to become good friends.” He kissed her forehead one more time. “Thanks again.” He vanished like Sassy had.

“Thank you, Rox,” the doctor said. “We’re going to turn off the Dreamwalker and let you finish sleeping. See you in the morning!”

Roxie watched the chameleon as it sat contentedly by her feet. Dreams were so weird and often nonsensical. The lizard changed from pink and green to a passionate red flecked with orange.

Big, strong arms wrapped around her from behind, and a body pressed against hers. She touched the arms and her heart fluttered. Warm, familiar arms. “Aerigo,” she breathed.

Aerigo kissed her just below the ear and hugged tight.

Roxie wished this moment would never end so she could melt in his arms and warmth, and never stop feeling safe.

The chameleon vanished and a wave rolled in, breaking in the distance and reaching farther inland like a sheet being pulled over a mattress. The sun was angled just right for Roxie to see the pale sky’s reflection, and when the wave rolled over her feet, her breath caught. Aerigo wasn’t wearing any clothes. The olive skin of his legs and hips outlined her Versaton outfit.

He kissed her again and breathed on her neck as he spoke, his chest vibrating against her back. “See you soon.”

*     *     *

Roxie still felt like she was dreaming when she woke. Her expression was stuck in a smile. Aerigo really was coming back. All three of them were. Instead of feeling skeptical, she felt like she needed to hold her breath until they stood before her, alive and whole again.

A doctor accompanied Roxie to the dorms. She rode in a hover wheelchair. The good doctor explained that it’d take about a week to reconstruct the bodies, along with thaw Aerigo’s body carefully and grow him a new heart. As soon as they were ready, it’d be up to the soul keepers to bring consciousness to the bodies.

Roxie showered, feeling half dreaming, half wide awake, and dressed in plain scrubs so she could do some volunteer work around the hospital. She helped with laundry, changing sheets, cleaning rooms, and restocking supply closets, which was a tad difficult since she couldn’t read the mix of squiggly lines and pictograms that made up Kintish, but she did her best to match the print and put everything in its rightful place. She also helped in the kitchens between bouts of marveling at all the food she’d never seen before. The kitchen was always full of new, mouthwatering aromas, and the cooks, who didn’t know a scrap of English, taught her the names of food and some useful cooking phrases, like “good” (ben) and “no good” (oben). She thoroughly enjoyed the cultural immersion, and they enjoyed teaching her how to cook their food and speak their language.

When she wasn’t volunteering or feeling too excited to get much sleep, Roxie explored information on Kismet’s internet. She learned how to use the dorm computer with help from an AI named Kennin. She got used to operating a touchless screen, interactive holograms, and how to use a mouse in place of the keyboard, since she couldn’t read all the squiggles. She learned the few keys she couldn’t get around avoiding, and conversed with Kennin at every chance. He was a polite, fascinating piece of technology who delighted in teaching Roxie about Kismet and its history, even the part when Aigis/Noma had saved the planet long ago.

If Grandma ever needed major medical attention in her old age, Roxie so had to bring her here. Not only was the medical treatment far advance than back home, she’d get a kick out of visiting another world. Roxie intended to return home as soon as Aerigo was able to come with her.

After Kennin found out that Roxie was an Aigis, word of her return got around. On the seventh day of waiting, during her downtime, she heard a polite knock on her dorm door. Two men, a woman, and a very tall Elf stood in the doorway. They all looked familiar, especially the lady.

“Welcome back, Rox,” the Elf said. “Remember us?”

“I remember your faces but not your names,” she admitted. “Come in.”

The man in his forties led them in. “You look well. I’m Donai, by the way. And this is Skitt, Jenna, and Arryk.” Each of them waved in turn. “It’s nice to see you whole and not needing our medical care. What brought you back and where’s Aerigo?”

“He’ll be back soon. And I’m here because of him and two other friends. If you want details, you’ll all have to take a seat.”

Jenna and Arryk sat together on the bed, and the other two parked themselves in guest chairs.

“You’ve been gone for three years. You must have quite the story to tell.”

“Three
years
?” Roxie exclaimed.

“According to our solar calendar. One lap around our sun is a year, which takes a little over three hundred and sixty days, twenty four-ish hours apiece. The inhabited planets we know of have similar orbits. It seems to be the happy zone for sentient life.”

“Earth has a similar orbit.” Three years? Wow. What had she missed back home?

“Why so shocked?” Jenna said.

“Do you guys have a lot of free time? It’s a bit of a long story.”

*     *     *

Roxie told them everything from the moment she and Aerigo had left, all her time in the Realm of the Dead, to being granted three mercies. The four of them took it all in with awe, empathy, and fascination. Once she was done explaining why Thanatos and Keres were reviving three souls, and why she had come to Kismet to help make that happen, Jenna moved to a guest chair, wheeling it up next to Roxie.

“I need to help you pick out a gorgeous outfight for when Aerigo shows up. That’s going to be a special day.”

“It might be today,” Roxie said. “The doctors weren’t entirely sure since they’re used to growing limbs and organs, not whole bodies.”

“Well, let’s start shopping.”

“I second that,” Arryk said, getting up.

Donai stood as well. “I think I’m going to let you three enjoy that in peace. My wife does all my clothes shopping for me.”

Skitt also got up. “I’m gonna grab some food. Any of you want anything from the cafeteria?”

“Surprise me,” Roxie said. “I’ve been having fun trying all your foods.”

“Echo that.” Skitt followed Donai out the door and both men stopped just inside the hallway.

“There he is!” Donai said in an excited whisper, then looked in the dorm. “Rox, you might want to skip clothes shopping.”

Roxie and Jenna exchanged shocked looks and Arryk entered the hallway as well. “So it is!” he said. “Welcome back, handsome.”

Roxie’s heart began pounding. Was it true? Well, of course it was, but she hadn’t confirmed it with her own eyes yet.

The toes of a familiar pair of combat boots propped up on footrests poked past the edge of the doorway. The boots lifted off and backed out of sight, and a tall shadow fell over the three doctors, who backed out of the way, smiling.

Roxie gripped the desk and a tall, strong man stood in the doorway. She sucked in a small breath and could do nothing but stare. That was Aerigo standing right there, smiling warmly. He wore his Versaton outfit and combat boots, his amazing body perfectly intact. She slowly got to her feet, lest she move too fast and break the moment she so hoped wasn’t a dream.

Jenna got up. “I’ll give you two a moment,” she said cheerfully. Aerigo stepped inside, allowing the Sensor to leave. She shooed the men away from the door, and then it was just the two of them.

Roxie gravitated towards Aerigo, her mouth ajar. She reached for his broad chest and felt warmth and a beating heart. He cupped her face in one strong, gentle hand and she placed a hand over his. “You’re warm,” she said, closing her eyes as tears came on. She relished the feel of his touch. “You’re really alive.” Vision blurring, Roxie buried her face in his chest. He wrapped his arms around her and hugged tight, gently swaying and shushing her. That was his deep, soothing voice, his amazing voice, and she’d heard it from a live person, not an ice-cold ghost. He really was here after having believed they’d never see each other again.

Aerigo kissed the top of her head. Roxie stopped crying and leaned back in his arms. He caressed her cheek again, wearing a contented smile and his gaze darting between her eyes and lips. Roxie tilted her head, he leaned in, and their lips met, soft, warm, and gentle. They pulled back and looked into each other’s eyes, faces inches apart, and went back for another kiss, and then another. Their kisses blossomed into a full make-out and awareness of the rest of the world drifted away.

Hands on Roxie’s hips, Aerigo pulled her towards the wall, turned around without breaking the kiss, and gently sandwiched her between the wall and his body. They began taking big gulps between kisses.

“Well, look who’s at it already,” someone said mildly. “That didn’t take long.”

They stopped kissing. Daio stood in the doorway, an amused smile on his face, and wearing a hospital gown and scrub pants.

“Give them some privacy, stupid man.” A revived Sassy, also wearing a gown and scrub pants, grabbed Daio’s wrist. She winked at the two of them before tugging Daio out of sight.

Aerigo reached over and closed the door, garnering some laughs from the hallway. He popped Roxie a guilty grin and reached for the knob. “I’m getting ahead of myself.”

Roxie grabbed his wrist and laced her fingers in his. “I love you, Aerigo.” They locked gazes and their lips gravitated to each other. Next thing she knew, the world was tilting sideways. She felt a mattress against her back and Aerigo’s weight pressing down on her.

Chapter 30

Home

Roxie and Aerigo didn’t spend
too
much time alone together. Their clothes stayed on but their hands wandered and she focused on nothing but Aerigo and his broad, hard chest, strong arms, deep blue eyes, soft lips, and the practiced touch of his hands all over her body. They kissed until Roxie realized she was unstrapping Aerigo’s belt and he held the undone bra clips in his hands. Their lips parted and they paused, absorbing what their actions were leading up to, then caught their breath before fixing their clothes. They lay side-by-side, waiting for their faces to cool down. Aerigo’s face and neck were bright red and Roxie was sure she looked just as flushed. She had no desire to let anyone know how hot and heavy things had gotten.

They resisted the urge to have sex not only because they had no protection, but also there were people waiting for them just outside the door. As badly as Roxie wanted to express her love for Aerigo at the most intimate of levels, she wanted it to stay just between the two of them.

They lay facing each other, Roxie hugging one of his legs in both of hers. His leg muscles were hard and strong, so much bigger than hers, despite her height and athletic build. He was a fine specimen of male perfection. He traced her brow and jawline with his fingers, his touch gentle and loving. Roxie touched a hand to his chest, feeling the firmness and warmth, and, most importantly, the beat of his heart. After watching him die and then saying goodbye to him for good, she’d never take his revival for granted. His fingers traced down her neck to the curve of her breasts and she clenched his leg.

“That’s not helping, you know,” she said with a smile, her back arching of its own accord.

“I can’t help it. You’re so beautiful. And I’m still trying to absorb being with you again.” He took hold of the hand on his chest and kissed her knuckles.

Roxie threaded her fingers in his. “What was it like, being revived?”

Aerigo hugged her hand to his chest. “One moment I was sleeping and the next I was awake, taking one big gulp of air after another. My chest hurt from the heart replacement surgery but I’m fine now. I also have two scars on my chest, one from getting stabbed, and one from the surgery.”

Frowning, Roxie removed her hand and felt around for the scars. Aerigo pulled the neck of his Versaton shirt down, revealing two pale lines etching a disjointed, upside down “v” on his olive skin. She traced her fingers along them, wishing her touch would make them disappear.

“The doctors asked if I wanted to remove the scars but I said no. They’re reminders to live every day to the fullest, along with how lucky I am to be with you.”

Roxie leaned over and kissed the scars. “We’re both very lucky.”

Slipping an arm under her, Aerigo pulled her up so she was lying on top of him. Roxie didn’t understand what it was, but there was something very attractive about the way he could lift her with such apparent ease. Such physical strength made her chest flutter. They began kissing again. When she felt her hips start moving, she forced herself to sit up, straddling his thighs and gasping for breath.

He cupped her glutes. “Sorry.”

“No, you’re not,” she said with a smile.

He grinned back. “This isn’t the most romantic of locations, to be honest.” Sitting up, he kissed her one more time, then got to his feet, holding her hips pressed to him. “I love you so much, Rox. I’m so thankful we’re together again.”

“Me, too.” They kissed one final time and Aerigo slid his hands to her waist, allowing her to swing her feet to the floor. They stood there, bodies pressed together, enjoying the moment. “I’ll eventually bring myself to start heading for the door.”

Aerigo laughed, a beautiful sound she’d once thought she’d never hear again, and he took one of her hands in his. She wrapped her other arm around his biceps and together they headed for the door.

Daio, Sassy, the four medical staffers, and Leviathan awaited them in the hall. Daio leaned against the wall with Sassy leaning against him, his arms around her waist. “It’s about time,” he said with a smile.

“Can you blame them?” Sassy said.

“Of course not. That’s gonna be us sooner than later.”

“That it is.” She faced him. “I still owe you lots of discipling for all you’ve done.”

“Don’t get mad when I enjoy it.” Sassy popped in a devilish grin and they kissed.

“Anyway,” Donai said, holding up a device that looked like a cell phone. “I have the files necessary to discharge all three of you.”

“All of you meet me outside when you’re done,” Leviathan said and started floating down the hallway.

“Any idea what he wants?” Sassy asked.

Daio shrugged.

*     *     *

They checked out at one of the perimeter desks and exchanged some heartfelt farewells, then stepped into the tainted air. Leviathan floated overhead, back to his full size, hovering over them like a gargantuan Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade balloon. He turned his feral gaze to them.

‘
There is much work to be done. Kismet has been godless for far too long. I’ll be calling upon you for help, Daio, but not until after you’ve had a chance to get settled into your new life and enjoy it, so be ready when I call on you.
’

“You got it, chief. Thanks.”

Leviathan gazed skyward and opened his maw. “Hear me, mortals of Kismet.”

His voice carried far and echoed off all the buildings. The sheer strength of his voice gave Roxie the impression that everyone on the planet heard him right now. His voice was deep and loud, but it didn’t hurt her ears, despite standing right under him.

“You have been without a god for far too long. I, Leviathan, claim your world as mine.”

He rose higher into the air, stretching above the buildings and... and it looked like he was growing. He was already gargantuan but his girth widened enough to completely block out the sky between the two buildings Roxie and the rest stood by.

“You are my mortals now. You will never be alone again. Find comfort in my words and live life to the fullest.”

He was most certainly growing. One of his belly scales had to be as big as a city block now. His shadow cast them in what seemed like a solar eclipse.

People began filing out into the streets, staring openmouthed and pointing at the dragon. Donai and many other staffers hurried outside and turned their gazes skyward, joining in on the gaping.

“Wow, what’s he doing?” Arryk said.

“Making himself big enough to wrap around the entire planet,” Daio said. “He doesn’t have to be so flashy, but he feels you all need something to restore faith and show you that you’re truly not alone anymore.”

“What a wonderful day this is turning out to be,” Donai said, tears in his eyes. All the staffers were at least watery-eyed, if not shedding tears of joy.

*     *     *

After Leviathan finished claiming Kismet and explaining what’d happened to Phaedra, the five of them made a quick stop there so he could reclaim it. Rebuilding Phailon was one thing he wanted Daio’s help it. Leviathan’s mortals had made good progress over the past three years but there was still much to be done. Daio looked forward to it, seeing it as part of his atonement for all he’d done.

After Phaedra, they helped Leviathan reclaim his other world, Ashatharla, and the four Aigis then headed to Sconda, free to move about the universe as they pleased. Aerigo wanted to attend Yayu’s funeral if it wasn’t too late.

The unpredictable part of world-hopping, the initial arrival spot, left them with a bit of a walk, like Roxie’s first time, but once they reached the fringes of Ormolu’s reaches, tall wooden poles greeted them, black and white banners billowing in the summery breeze. Funeral colors, according to their culture.

The whole city was observing today as a day of mourning. Roxie remembered this place being full of energy and people bustling everywhere. Few natives populated the grass streets, all of them with their eyes downcast.

Aerigo led them a few rings into Ormolu, to Yayu’s home. The city was laid out like rings in a tree trunk, each ring of huts rising higher than the last, with the tallest structure in the center. Each ring was separated by a broad strip of grass marked with geometric dirt lines.

Seeing Yayu’s home after what felt like ages brought bittersweet comfort. Roxie had good memories here. This was the place where she checked Aerigo out for the first time. Remembering how awkward that felt made her blush.

“What?” Aerigo said.

She popped a guilty grin. “This is where I first realized I was falling in love with you.”

He kissed her knuckles. “I have many good memories here, too. Yayu was one of the best friends I ever had. He never let me stay as serious as I normally am.”

“More like used to be. You’re more at ease now.”

Aerigo thought a moment. “You’re right.”

“I didn’t know Yayu for very long but I’ll miss him. Even with knowing what happens after death, it doesn’t make this any less painful.”

They stopped outside the doorway, the entrance covered in a curtain of strings of beads and strips of cloth. “That’s because life is so precious. Even though we can all reincarnate, you’ll never be the same exact person again, unless you undergo what happened to me, Daio, and Sassy.”

“We’re very, very lucky,” Daio said.

“Ironically, death is what gives life much of its value,” Sassy said.

“But couldn’t Thanatos and Keres revive everyone who died in the war?” Roxie said.

“Mendra, my master, visited my soul while I was waiting to be revived. I asked her the same thing. Why should I be revived and not them? She said their deaths will serve as reminders to the gods to never do such a thing again. Such recklessness comes with a price. Thanatos made an exception for us three not only for Roxie’s sake, but because we’re Aigis and Vancor needs taking care of. Thanatos showing that he’s willing to revive Aigis should further encourage other gods to never repeat this bit of history again.” He faced the doorway, took a deep breath, and led them inside. Yayu’s three children, Roshie, Soen, and Issa, along with their spouses, sat or stood around the semicircular couches facing each other. The three youngest of four grandchildren kneeled on the floor, playing with straw dolls, oblivious to the sadness in the air.

The adults turned at the sound of wooden beads clacking against each other, and their eyes lit up when they recognized Aerigo and Roxie. They got up and many hugs and kisses were exchanged, along with some tears. Roxie cried because they cried, and Aerigo got watery-eyed as he spoke with them in Scondish. Yayu’s family talked to Roxie in almost perfect English, and once the welcoming was complete, they sat down and filled the Aigis in on the last three years, until it was time to head to the funeral ceremony.

All of Ormolu was partaking in the funeral. Out of the one hundred volunteers from their Clan, seventy had died. They’d fought and died together. Now their families were sending them off into the afterlife together. Well over a thousand people gathered at the ceremonial field sitting at the edge of the city. It was as big as four football fields combined, with bleachers along both lengths. In the middle lay a huge pyre spanning almost the entire field. Yayu’s three children headed off to partake in the ceremony while Roxie and the rest filed into the bleachers.

Spirra, Ormolu’s blonde-haired leader, climbed onto a podium that stretched above the pyre and spoke into a multi-tubular device. Her Scondish words carried across the field with ease and Aerigo translated for her.

“We are very proud of our family members who’ve helped save us... from a new god claiming ownership of us all. The price is small in the scheme of things... yet very heavy. They will never be forgotten. We’ll forever honor their memory.”

Spirra began reading of the names of all who’d died, and one by one their mummified corpses were placed atop the pyre. The crowd grew quiet, somber, as the price of their safety was laid out before them all to see. Spirra steadily read through the list, pronouncing each name carefully and proudly.

Once the last body was set atop the pyre, the family members cleared the field, sitting at the foot of the bleachers, and people wearing masks and formfitting outfits lined with silky ribbons filed onto the field. Drummers and their instruments gathered at each end of the field as the sun began to set. The masked people spread themselves along the length of the field on both sides of the pyre, the drummers started a slow, mournful beat, and the masked people began dancing.

Their dance looked like a mix of ballet and martial arts. Every so often they shot fireballs at the pyre’s base. It caught fire and smoke rose into the air. The silky ribbons flowed with their bodies and, as the flames grew, the tempo quickened. The dancers moved faster and faster, yet flowed like water and sometimes jumped superhumanly high into the air, their ribbons trailing behind them like waterfalls. The sun went down but the bonfire lit the field and warmed their faces with herb-scented air. The flames looked like they were dancing and swaying in time with the music, and once the tempo reached the pace of a racing heart, the smoke took shape. Roxie saw a giant, spectral version of Din standing over the flames, his gaze serious. He threw his arms overhead and the fire roared higher, blasting them all with intense heat. Streaks of light flew like shooting stars into the sky. Once the last one sped out of sight, Din’s form vanished, the song and dance concluded, and the flames shrank.