Afterglow

Chapter 1 - Steorra

AL IXER'S POV

I sighed while I stared at the sight of what my cabin window was showing. I can't even think about anything to do while I'm still on vacation. I've been here in my rented cabin for three days, stranded as all the things listed on my itinerary are checked out. I still have four days to enjoy, but all I've been thinking about is how the war between Black Steorra and White Steorra will end. I'm supposed to be enjoying just like what my two best buds, Tro Jan and Kit Root said, but many things about the war have been bugging my mind.

"Damn it. This vacation is useless." I wish I hadn't accepted my Father's invitation to rest in the first place. My body has become used to being a busy bee anyway since I became a Colonel. But since I am here now, all I can do is wait and admire Earth, just like what I always did when I was a kid.

I blew a loud breath as I realized something. What will be all the humans' reactions once they have found out that we, Black Steorras have been protecting them? No human must know our existence as Earth Safety and Security Organization or ESSO, asked for it, but I'm still wondering.

Are they going to be grateful? Are they friendly beings? Because to be honest, only the ESSO's officials are the only ones we have to keep having conversations with. No Black Steorra has ever spoken to a human. ESSO's officials forbid us to do so even if we are the ones who are greatly helping them, making me somehow hate them a bit, but just like what my Father said, the rules we need to follow are for the best.

Of course, the rules are always for the best, but ESSO's officials being ungrateful fools makes me want to give them a piece of White Steorra's wrath, but of course, my father, being a high-ranking general, wouldn't allow it. I bet my Father will even smack me on my head once he finds out I've been having evil thoughts because of those ungrateful officials of Earth Safety and Security Organization.

How I want to go down on Earth and admire how beautiful their planet is. If only we had come here not because our own kind is planning to take over Earth, maybe I had really come down on Earth to admire their place closely. I sighed in disappointment before turning back on the window and walking towards my bed before dropping my body on it.

Feeling bored, I played with fire in my hands. Even if my father had been reprimanding me for using my power sometimes for fun or boredness, I don't listen.

I know why he's stopping me from using my powers for nothing. I've witnessed how the Ancient Steorras took the life out of our planet because of the other Steorra people being hungry for power coming from the Ancient Steorras. The Ancient Steorras bestowed a punishment upon all of the Steorra people. They are the reasons why we fly out for so many years to find another planet where we can try to create a home again.

The Ancient Steorras were like Gods on our planet back then. I can still remember how beautiful our planet was because of them. Ancient Steorras created life forces that were distributed by the Glowing Tree on our planet. The life force that the Ancient Steorras created is the main reason why our planet is so beautiful. From the creatures, our planet has bustling cities with pulsing colorful lights. Our planet is always glowing and lively and it was all because of the Ancient Steorras who had the power to create the life force for our planet.

That is why when the Ancient Steorras reclaimed everything they had given, our planet withered just like a flower. Our planet died, and it lost its beauty. One by one. From the Glowing Tree to the small grass I always lay on my back when I was a kid.

Ancient Steorras taking the life of our planet has become one of the biggest reasons we, Steorras, left our planet to find another planet and create another home for our kind.

And that is why I understand what my father thinks whenever he scolds me for playing with my powers. Because before the Ancient Steorras left us, they said that they would choose worthy Steorras who would have the blood of the Ancient Steorras on them to have a piece of their powers. It was a big deal back then because everyone also wanted the powers from the blood of an Ancient Steorra could give. Still, after the Ancient Steorras left with a bright flash, all the people of Steorra, including me, are left with a dead planet that has turned into a dead wasteland.

Luckily, my father, General Dox Ar was calm after making myself covered in fire, making me the sole reason why our house burnt down. I can still remember the look on my father's face, trying to relax when, deep inside, he was torn between killing me or celebrating because I had chosen to have a piece of the Ancient Steorras' power and that I burned down the house my father had worked hard to build.

In the end, my Father celebrated, and he said, being gifted by the Ancient Steorras is more important than to our house that he built with his blood and sweat. But not everyone thinks like my Father, as being gifted means being more powerful than any other Steorras.

And as expected, many of our own kind complained and said that I didn't deserve the Ancient Steorras' gift, but my Father assured me. That no matter what other people say, using my powers in the right way is the only thing that matters because that was what the Ancient Steorras warned us about.

The Ancient Steorras bestowed a punishment on us because they wanted us to learn and control ourselves, not to claim anything that isn't ours, but I guess, what the Ancient Steorras said is the least of their concern. Now that here we are, still shielding Earth from any attacks that the White Steorras will be going to launch any moment now.

I lifted my head as I heard my companion, Mr. Hawk, making a chattering sound.

"What is it, Mr. Hawk? Don't tell me you are hungry again?" I said but Mr. Hawk just answered me with his annoying wheeling sounds.

God, help me with this bird.