From Cuts to Scars

Nero hadn't been aware of any of the interactions that had transpired, too lost in his reestablished connection even if it was small. To him, it was huge, and little to his knowledge it was huge to the Rakatan for there had been little to none who had the ability to strengthen their abilities and connection whilst within the pin at such a young age. In human years Nero sat at nine, when he first arrived on the ship he was eight and after a whole year spent training his Ashla connection, not to mention be proficient in it without the guidance of others was one of the rare occurrences in the universe but the force always has a plan.

His training continued, every second could spare he spent trying to deepen his connection with Ashla to grow stronger. His mind wasn't focused purely on the aspect of power but what stood at the peak of his mind, even if he didn't know it; was to protect his benefactor, his ally, and secret friend he had yet to meet. As the day prior's events had concluded and another day began it started just as every other day did. After waking from the restless slumber they all had become accustomed to it was time for the plain rations that they were given every day. Nero didn't bother getting up, his body knew it wasn't the eighth day as he continued to practice on the rag, trying to get it higher and get a finer attunement of movement. He had gotten it down to how long it took everyone to get the rations as he moved the fabric off his palm, trying to make it move as he removed his hand and watched it steadily float.

He got lost in concentration as he tried to manipulate the fabric. it wobbled, struggling to do so when a tap to his shoulder gained his attention and the fabric remained suspended in the air. As he looked at whom asked for his attention he found himself face to face with a Devaronian female, her faded crimson skin startling him as her yellow cat-like eyes met his. His heart skipped a beat for a moment from being scared, only to have her point towards the Rakatan,

"They keep calling for a Senth, the one that hands out the food says that you are Senth and wanted one of us to get you. Everyone else wouldn't do it because they don't like how you have a connection with the Tide"

He blinks a few times as he looks to the Rakatan who wave for him to come, a tinge of annoyance in the one holding a ration in its hands. With a gulp Nero slowly stands, his body protesting a bit to the activity as he had been so focused on his year of training that there were prolonged times where he didn't use his muscles. With wobbly legs like a newborn fauna he slowly made his way to the Rakatan who held out a ration, Nero's body yearning for the sustenance of a full meal as a fearful shakey hand extended outwards.

The grey-skinned reptile simply extended his offer to help the boy as his life depended on this brat living. Nero felt the ration in his hand and no retaliation, pain or punishment as he quickly drew his hand back with a panting whimper.

"Careful there welp, dying here gets me killed too and neither of us wanna die. Remember your name well Senth, you are a slave for the Infinite Empire. When you are called upon you better come, not all will be as forgiving as I am"

The voice was unsettling, the sight of this race sent a shiver down his spine as he knew what they were capable of, the Ashla around them was dark and putrid. Nero wanted to rebuttal, his name wasn't Senth but Nero. The name was the last thing his late mother had left him besides his life though he was unsure if her sacrifice was in vain as he was incapable of actually changing his situation. His thoughts weren't focused for long as he was pushed back towards the brood, eyes glued to him as he weakly stepped forward to return to his spot where the fabric floated.

The moment the guards turned away the Tarashin was on him like stink on shit, slamming his fist into the boy's stomach and his left hand tugging at the ration. A grunt left Nero as he refused to give up, gritting his teeth as he turned his mind towards restraining his opponent, borrowing the Ashla to aid him. The reptilian male grunted as the fin on his head flared to life, a telltale sign that he was getting to him though he couldn't do much in his current level although it was enough for the brood's eyes to see the lizard's defenses down. No one stepped in as the children watched in anticipation on who was going to keep the ration when a sudden kick landed into the crook of the Tarashin's neck and a sickening crack as he howled in pain. Nero felt the reptilian hand loosen its grip on the ration as he ripped it away and scurried, the brood beginning to descend on the Tarashin.

He sealed his own fate by being a bully to all the children, not sparing any as they did not spare him. The guards didn't care, to them, this was simply an upheaval of weakness in the chain and a common occurrence in their race. As Nero scurried back to his corner he began to devour his ration before any others challenged him for it as he barely stopped to breathe. Once halfway through his meal, he noticed a familiar light crimson make their way to him before sitting down beside him with a kind smile.

"How does it feel to finally get your stomach full? I know it has been a while but for you to no longer have that damn Tarashin hounding you is a blessing, you're welcome by the way"

She smiled and showed Nero half a ration that read you're welcome as his eyes grew wide. This was it, this was she. She was his friend and ally that had been keeping him alive all this time even if to her it was just a morsel to him it was a feast. Tears began to well up in his eyes as his vision grew blurry and he sniffled, she was his only friend as she chuckled and pat his head.

"Hey now, no tears. Before this all happened I..." She trailed off for a moment as she looked off a bit and huffed.

"You remind me of my younger brother who thanks to these bastards is dead. They said he wasn't like me and they took me away, I didn't see him a-and cant feel him on this ship with them blocking me out of the Tide"

She huffed and Nero looked down, not needing the Ashla to sense the sadness flowing through her. He slowly extended a hand and spoke for the first time in a while, even he forgot the sound of his own voice.

"My name is Nero, those guards call me Senth but you can call me friend... I swear I will pay you back for all you have done for me. One life must be returned with another."

He offered his hand as she gently smiled at it and nodded, taking it as they shook. The two had very little time to better establish their relationship as in the coming days they docked to the next ship, where a new fate awaited them.