Afterglow

Chapter 22

AL IXER'S POV

I sighed while I stared at the sight of what my cabin window's showing. I can't even think about something to do while I'm still on vacation. I've been here at 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 didn't accept my Father's invitation to rest in the first place. My body becomes 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 do when I was a kid.

I blow 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 humans 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 the ungrateful fools makes me want to give them a piece of White Steorra's wrath, but of course, my Father being the high-ranking General, wouldn't allow it. I bet my Father will even smack me on my head once he found 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. I sighed in disappointment before turning back on the window and walked towards my bed before dropping my body in it.

Feeling bored, I played fire in my hands. Even if Father has been reprimanding me for using my power sometimes for fun or boredness, I did not 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 Steorra people. They are the reason why we fly out for so many years to find another planet where we can try to create a home again.

The Ancient Steorras are like Gods to our planet back then. I can still remember how beautiful our planet was because of them. Ancient Steorras create 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 to the bustling cities with pulsing colorful lights. It was all because of the Ancient Steorras who have the power to create the life force for our planet.

That is why when the Ancient Steorras reclaimed everything they have given, our planet withered just like a flower. Our planet died, and it lost its beauty, 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 is my Father's thinking 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 will 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 the blood of an Ancient Steorra can give. Still, after the Ancient Steorras left with a bright flash, all people of Steorra, including me, are left with a dead planet that turned into a dead wasteland.

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

In the end, my Father celebrated, and that 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. Many people complaint and said that I don'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 matters because that was what the Ancient Steorras warned us about.

The Ancient Steorras bestowed a punishment for 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 lift 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.