Legacy
Aximili
The ship maneuvered into a soft landing in the port.
<We’re down.> One officer announced.
My brother Elfangor shut down the engines. Everyone else on the bridge was oblivious to me.
The Captain glanced at me, then turned to Elfangor. <Okay, you two. You’ve got one week home. Then we leave for the Amorni system.>
<Both of us?> I asked, surprised. It was unusual for family members to be sent into battle together, unless, of course, there was a significant lack of troops. They thought there would be a better chance of at least one member surviving if they were separated. It is a very tough blow to any female if both sons or a husband and a son are killed. I was only an aristh, and since Elfangor was my Prince, we would naturally be assigned together, but still...
The Captain glared at me for the interruption. <You will go where you are assigned.> His eyestalks wavered a bit when he looked at Elfangor. Everyone respected and loved Elfangor. <You are brothers, and I understand your father passed away recently...he was a great friend, I knew him personally...and perhaps it would be best for your mother if one of you stayed...> He hesitated, unsure what to say. <Well, it’s up to you.> He saluted his tail at us and left.
<You’re not going.> Elfangor said quietly.
<WHAT?> I demanded, then lowered my thought-speech when a few Andalites looked over. <Why?> I asked privately.
<Mother needs you.>
<She may, but that’s not why you want me to stay. Tell me the truth.>
Elfangor sighed and looked away. <I will explain when we get home.>
<Mother!>
<Elfangor! Aximili!> She took our hands in hers and touched blades with us. <It’s so good to see you again.>
<How have you been, Mother?> Elfangor asked.
<Oh, well, ever since your father...> She stroked my face with her palm. <It has been a bit lonely.>
Elfangor placed his hand on her shoulder. <But will you be alright, Mother?> He asked with concern.
She patted his hand. <Of course.>
Mother smiled and tried to look happy. <How long are you on leave?>
<One week, Mother.>
I could see disappointment in her eyes. <One week. I see.> She sighed. <And where then?>
<The Armoni system.>
<The Armoni system?> She gasped. <But the Yeerks...>
<Yes, Mother. I am going to stop them.> Elfangor assured her.
<You?> She blinked. <Aximili...>
<Aximili is not going, Mother.>
I started to protest, but the look Elfangor sent me stopped me.
<Why?> I demanded later that night, after Mother had fallen asleep.
<There is something that must be done, and if I cannot do it, I want you to.>
<What do you mean?>
<I want you to go to Earth.>
<Earth?>
<Yes, Earth. If I die, Aximili, I want you to go there.>
<Why?>
<There is a boy. A human boy. His name is Tim. And I want you to find him.>
<What does a human boy have to do with anything?>
<He is my son.>
<What? Elfangor, you can’t be serious!>
<I am very serious, Aximili. He is your nephew, and you will find him.>
<You are not going to die! You can go find him yourself.>
<I will die, Aximili. I can feel it.>
<Brother...>
<Find him. And tell him. Tell him I loved his mother very much. And that I’m sorry for leaving. I never to leave him, but my people, my other people, needed me. I wanted to stay. I wanted to stay and love him and his mother and watch him grow up. I wanted to be there for my son, but I was not. And for that, I am sorry.>
<You will not die, Brother. You will not.>
<But if I do, will you go?>
I stared at him for a long time. It was difficult to believe, but my brother had never lied to me before. I brought my tailblade to my throat. <Upon my honor, and upon this family, I promise, my Prince, and my brother.>
I never saw Elfangor again. That was many, many years ago. But I did what he asked. It took many years before I could find a way to go. I had to wait until my retirement from the military, but I did it. I went to the planet called Earth, to look for my brother’s son.
And I found him.
I kept my vow to my brother.
In a way, he was the one who started it all...
My brother, Elfangor...
And so it ends
The way it started
With a hero named Elfangor
He touched many hearts
And changed many lives
But those he would have changed the most
Would never forget
Memories of a nonexistent past
Dreams of a future lost...
Mask -Sequel to Legacy
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