NOVEL NEXT Chapter 18: Blur
This was it. The start of the next chapter. Somehow, even though he had lived for well over a thousand years... This was the first time Vorden would be heading out on an endeavor, absolutely, and unmistakably, alone. The thought sent a shiver down his spine. Even when he descended into the darkness, relinquishing any claim he had to Sil's body, sacrificing the ability to live, in any capacity, he still took some minor comfort in the knowledge that he wasn't technically alone. That somehow, somewhere out there, in the darkness, Raten was also there, just a presence. More importantly, they were both still somehow within Sil. Just that knowledge was a comfort.
As much as he hated to admit it, he sort of felt like he now had a better understanding of Quinn, so many years ago. There was a point that they had all discovered Vincent Eno, Quinn's several generations great grandfather and creator of the very book that turned Quinn into a Vampire, was a voice, and consciousness inside of his mind. After he created a clone of himself and had Shiro move Vincent into the clone, he almost immediately moved an even more ancient ancestor of his, Ray Talon, into his mind in Vincent's place. It seemed like the guy just couldn't stand to be alone in his own head. However, very few people other than Vorden and his brothers, truly understood what that lonely emptiness felt like. After being a sort of co-op body for so long anyhow. It was a very cold, and lonesome feeling to say the least. Not to mention how it tested one's will, confidence, and self reliance. Having anybody at the ready to reassure you, or help you remember details, to do the things that you felt incapable of... It was rather addicting. Vorden understood why split personalities developed as a defense measure within the brain throughout all of human history and evolution.
Lost in his thoughts, Vorden was a little surprised when a hand grasped his shoulder. Dragging him back down to earth in an instant. He spun around to see Sil smiling back at him. Just behind him was Raten, who had accompanied Vorden from his apartment. They both smiled at him and the three of them just stood in a small huddle, facing one another. If he hadn't been feeling unsure before, he felt almost resolved to not go at this rare reunion. He reached out an arm to either side, and placed a hand on each of their shoulders.
"Oh no... Don't make that face!" Another all too familiar voice echoed in the giant hanger, it was Shiro. He had just arrived, walking up behind the trio. They made room for him and they all stood there in silence for a second. "That face means you are having second thoughts!" Shiro finally said, crossing his arms.
Suddenly Sil looked towards him, with a worried expression. In that moment it struck Vorden how much Sil had aged in such a short time. Though he was a clone of Sil, the brother of his and Raten's, who looked strikingly like a carbon copy of their father Hilston, he was very much more advanced in age, at least physically. Having lost the use of his abilities in the Red Space while fighting against a celestial... His body seemed to age in rapidfire compared to before. Trying to make up for lost time. The realization that he would some day, not too terribly far off have to say goodbye to him forever as well... Was more than Vorden was willing to contemplate.
It's just one year. I only agreed to one year. Not even a year, I'll be back for break, and see him then.
The sudden fear that if Vorden were away for work when the inevitable struck, he wouldn't get the chance to say goodbye properly, and began gripping his heart like a vice. Making his chest tight, causing him to find it difficult to breathe. Apparently reading the dread written on his face Sil let out a deep and boisterous chuckle. "Don't worry Vorden, it will be winter break before you know it... And then you will be back". He smiled innocently. Seeing Sil smile in spite of it all, was one of the things that gave Vorden confidence overall. Raten simply nodded in agreement.
Just then the pilot of the small transport ship notified them that everything was ready. Vorden looked at the three faces looking back at him. In some strange way it was like looking into a mirror at different stages of his life. His past, his present, his future, in various ways. Just then he was reminded of his strange dream. He walked over to the shuttle thinking back to the dream. Looking back at his brothers, as unconventional, historically dysfunctional, and not without it's faults, as their little ragged family might have been, he was going to miss each of them terribly. So terribly in fact that Vorden had never in his entire existence, not when facing death, nor the Dalki, not even Hilston, never had Vorden been so absolutely and unequivocally terrified.
That being said, with a final glance back, all three sets of eyes like his own, he had never felt more supported, and encouraged, possibly even empowered, as he did just then. One final nod and he stepped into the tiny commuter craft, and took his seat behind the two crewmen.
The co-pilot was a short man by the name of Gilfoil, and his appearance was about as odd as his name. Dark brown hair could be seen sticking out from beneath his hat and headset. He was smiling wide with rather pudgy cheeks, complete with dimples on either side. The pilot on the other hand was quite tall, and had the look of a typical pilot. Thin but not overly lanky. Sharp facial features, chestnut brown hair, that was cut short, parted down the side, and gelled into a very neat and tidy professional hairstyle. The pilot, whatever his real name was, went by the name Chip. Chip read off some readings from his gauges, verified headings and received clearances, as well as many more things that Vorden didn't get to see as his focus was on Gilfoil who had spun his seat around to face the weary Blade. He was enthusiastically giving Vorden the run down of all the rules to follow, things to be aware of, and what to do in the case of an emergency.
With the last of his checks done, the pilot gave the thumbs off and they were on their way. It wasn't expected to be a lengthy flight by any measure compared to some of the trips Vorden had taken in the past. However it would be a bit of a wait before they arrived.
Perfect.
Vorden thought to himself. Just enough time for his nerves to tie his stomach into Knott's worse than had already been done! Stewing to himself over all the things he was unsure about he once again had to clear him mind of the noise, ground himself, reattach to the present, and simply try to put it all out of his mind.
He would have simply gone off to do something else during the flight. To occupy himself with the time he had to kill. However this was not that kind of craft. Instead of a spacious 12-25 person ship that some might have used if traveling from further away, since the Blade Base and the Military Academy were both on the same planet, planet Earth, it simply wasn't a necessity. Shiro usually organized just what was necessary to be more economical. So for this short little jump, a small 6 person commuter shuttle craft was chosen.
The one thing Vorden was very thankful for, it was probably the newest and nicest craft that they had at their disposal. Typically he wouldn't care about such superficial things, but in this case, he was trying to make a good impression. For himself and for the Blade family. He was trying to rebuild their credibility and reputation, hoping to show the world that they still exist and possibly might be a good choice for future endeavors. First impressions were lasting impressions.
Vorden leaned back in his seat as the journey over the lush green chunks of land, and the wide open expanse of sea gave Vorden a bird's eye view of the stark contrast between the world of his youth, the Earth as it was amid the second Dalki war, and what it was today. That is what he was seeing now. Watching the various land masses and bodies of water in flashes of greens and blues through the window to his left, as their craft flew speedily through the atmosphere. Mesmerizing as the hypnotic show of colors and textures smeared into a seemingly unified blur had been to Vorden, already in a somewhat reclined position comfortably, he felt his eyelids grow heavy and allowed himself to doze off for the remainder of their trip.