OASIS DESECRATED

Milo sat on the edge of the bed, hands clasped between his knees. Sure, he could sit there and blame Lucianna for not being forthcoming with her past and the actual relationship her sister shared with his father, Waylon. But had he done any better? Still, he kept hidden so many of the things in his past (LOSER. USELESS. UGLY) and now they creeped to the surface (NO-LIFE. PAYPIG. WIMP), clawing their way up from the darkest prison in his mind. His heart pounded so hard he could almost see it there, beating inside his chest. What a wretched cage to be trapped in.

Riosae had visited him, informed him Faith would tend to Lucianna. Her life wasn't in danger, which elicited a sigh of relief from him, but Riosae repeated herself: "I cannot continue with your training. The two of you must come to an understanding. Until then, I am suspending all lessons. You are free to stay here for now, unless you'd prefer to return to your ship." But he shook his head. He had pointed to her arms, dressed with fresh bandages. "Ah, yes. Her power was quite potent. But I wasn't exposed for very long. A few days' rest and I'll recover. Wish I could say the same for you two." She clasped a hand on his shoulder and looked him in the eye. "May the gods be with you." She left him alone after that.

The fairies brought him food and water, doing their best to cheer him up with jokes and idle chatter, but he couldn't rouse himself. The darkness in his soul bubbled and gurgled, a terrible monster rising from within. And the monster looked an awful lot like him.

At one point, he fell asleep, or at least had drifted off, because a knock came at his door that jolted him awake. He wiped the drool from the corners of his mouth and rose from the bed. "Come in."

The door creaked open, and through the opening appeared Rivra. Her nostrils flared as she inhaled of the room. She covered her mouth with one of her gargantuan hands.

"When's the last time you showered?"

"I'm…not sure. I haven't really moved since…you know…"

Rivra crossed her arms. "Mind explaining what happened?"

Milo recounted everything. He didn't hide a single detail, especially not concerning his own outburst. It all felt so far away, so long ago, even though it had only been a few hours at most.

"Hmmm. I can't say I'm thrilled. But I can't say I'm angry at you, either."

"R-really? Even though I caused her to do that?"

Rivra shook her head and sat on the floor in front of Milo. Even though she sat cross-legged, her head still towered above his.

"Albany and Tereine are newer to the crew. They weren't around when Waylon betrayed us. Faith, Luci, and I…we all have pent-up emotions. And we've each handled it differently. Not saying anyone's better than the other. I don't think any of us have handled it particularly well. But Luci, especially…when you think about it, she was unstoppable. Even between Faith and me, we couldn't stop her in a fight. Lucianna's power, the Hands of God, makes it so she can direct her power in any way she likes. Weapons? She can make them. Super strength? Yup. And when she had her gems, she could wield that power as skillfully as any master." She shook her head, a ghost of a smile on her lips. "Of course, she's never been much for nuance or strategy. She usually left those details to me and Faith. But she used to listen a lot more. Before everything happened."

"Before my father took all of your gems."

Rivra nodded. "I've said it before, but Lucianna became much more hot-headed after. But who wouldn't? Sure, I lost my eyes, and that has affected my deeply, but I don't need my eyes to fight. In fact, I've strengthened all my other senses. To the point I can tell you were…training around lava? What did Mistress put you through?"

"A lot of messed up shit…But still…I guess I still feel guilty. Lucianna has been clinging to me like some sort of beacon this whole time. And I threw it all back in her face."

"You have your own issues. Everyone does." She reached out and stroked his face with one of her thick green fingers. "But I need you to know this: the Captain will recover. And it will be up to you and her to repair the bridge between you two. Even Mistress has admitted there's potential in both of you. She doesn't say things like that lightly."

"Well, she won't train us until after Lucianna and I settle things. But…" He gripped Rivra's hand, squeezing it. "I…I need to keep training, now more than ever."

"To feel useful?"

He shook his head. "No. I want to train to become stronger. To conquer the pain and hurt inside."

Rivra chuckled. With a swift motion, she wrapped Milo in both her hands and pulled him over to her, setting him down on her lap. His face heated as her massive chest rested atop his head. Her heartbeat pounded behind him, her chiseled abs pushing against his back with each of her breaths.

"That's the right attitude. But let's take a moment and clear your mind. I can tell by your heartbeat and breathing that you're highly strung."

"O-oh okay."

Rivra cocked a brow. "Are you okay? Your heartbeat has sped up…"

"I'm fine! Let's just, uh…clear my mind, or whatever."

(Like I can do that in a position like this!)

They sat together like that for a while, with Rivra guiding him in a mental image journey. She spoke in such a relaxing, motherly voice. He had barely experienced such a thing, only recalling how mothers would act toward their kids in the anime and manga he had read as a kid.

(My mother would never talk to me like this…she only spoke to me in order to hurl insults. Who even knows if those insults were for me or father…)

"Focus on your breathing. Clear you mind. Think of an island oasis, safe from all troubles."

He sighed and obeyed. Trying to picture a sandy white beach in his mind, he imagined how the sun would bake his skin, how the sand would squish between his toes. He imagined the salt from the sea on his tongue. In his picture of the perfect oasis, he saw a blue-haired girl in a purple bikini. She turned and waved her black-and-gold arms at him. Next to her stood a tall, green woman wearing a one-piece that hugged her curves and muscles perfectly.

(WHAT EXACTLTY AM I IMAGINING, HERE?!)

"Just breathe. Let your mind wander in the oasis."

He inhaled and exhaled deeply. In his picture-perfect oasis, he laughed with the two women, splashing them as they played in the waves, drawing silly figures in the sand, and trying to avoid getting groped by the one with black-and-gold arms. The giant woman scooped him up into her arms and crushed him against her chest. So warm, there, against this giant's bosom.

The giant woman leaned her head forward, puckering her lips.

"Are you feeling better, Milo?"

The oasis faded away, and there Milo sat, in the lap of the same giant woman he had seen in his oasis.

"Um. In a way. Sure."

"Well, I suppose that's good enough. Now, then." She lifted him to his feet and stood up herself, rolling her shoulders and cracking her neck. "If you want to do some physical training like before, I know a good place here on Mistress's planet. I've actually been training there, sharpening my senses while you trained with Mistress. Would you like to go there?"

Training with Rivra had been a perfectly normal thing before, but after that guided meditation, he worried about how much actual training he would accomplish.

(It was just a stupid fantasy. Nothing will happen between Rivra and me.)

In the end, he nodded.

***

She led him to the castle gates, where they encountered Krol and Albany. Both of them crowded Milo, asking him if he was okay and if he was going to leave the crew because Lucianna had almost burned him to a crisp. Milo looked up at Rivra, who only offered a shrug.

"I'm not leaving the crew."

"Oh, thank the gods!" Albany threw herself on him. "I have so many dishes I'd like to make for you!"

His face flushed, and he scratched his head. "I-it's okay, Albany. I'm not going anywhere."

"Ah, speaking of food. Could you get us something for a brief trip, Albany? Milo and I are going to train at my special spot for a bit."

"Oh, ho! I'm glad you asked!" She reached into her apron and pulled out two large flasks of filtered water and four protein bars wrapped in cellophane. "I've actually been meaning to give these to you, Milo! But, uh…we keep getting so drunk at dinner that I keep forgetting…"

Krol laughed. "A pirate's life for us!"

Rivra shook her head. "I really should bring you with me, brother. You could stand to lose a few pounds."

"That's…pretty cold, Rivra."

"I only jest. I know Albany's cooking is irresistible." She patted Albany on the back of the head, avoiding her horn. "But seriously, do some jumping jacks while we're gone or something."

He folded his arms behind his head, chuckling. "Whatever you say, Your Highness!"

Albany put the drinks and treats in a satchel and handed it over to Milo. He thanked her and situated it over his chest. She gave him a little curtsy.

"I hope you know that Tereine and I await your return. Having you on board has been so refreshing."

Krol patted Milo on the back. "Don't let Rivra ride you too hard! Just tickle the back of her neck and she'll leave you alone."

Rivra cleared her throat. "Let's go, Milo."

She took off, and he had to run to keep up with her. Krol and Albany waved after them, even after their forms disappeared from the horizon.

Krol turned to Albany and smiled. "Okay, so, back to what we were talking about…"

Albany blushed, putting a hand on her horn. "I-I'll have to think about it. I've never considered myself to be…beautiful."

Krol formed a frame with his hands and pointed it at her. "You'd totally kill it on one of my Scrapette cards!"

The beating of wings overhead interrupted them, and he let his hands fall to his sides as the pink form of his mistress flew into view. Halfway to the ground, she transformed and landed softly before Krol and Albany, tossing her hair.

"Ah, Mistress! You just missed Rivra and Milo."

She tilted her head. "Oh? Where are they headed?"

"To train in Rivra's special spot."

"Good. At least Milo's willing to continue. Rivra's capacity for the physical side of training almost matches my own, so he's in good hands."

"Oh, I almost forgot to ask! Where have you been? Didn't you say you sensed an intruder on Enov?"

Riosae wore a big grin. "Actually, they weren't an intruder at all! I must be blessed with luck, because after all these years, I've had not one, not two, but now three of my former students come to visit me!"

Krol laughed. "Is that so? That's great! I don't think I've met any of your other pupils! Are they beautiful? Like a lady?"

Riosae cupped her chin. "I'd say so! Quite a fierce beauty she possesses. Even now, after all these years, she's become more dignified! Much different from the rowdy street rat I trained years ago. She told me she became the leader of her town!"

"Oh! So an accomplished pupil!"

"Ah, here she comes now."

Over the horizon appeared two ships, both resembling dark and sleek birds of prey. The gusts from their thrusters forced Albany to hold on to Krol, her long hair whipping back and forth. Krol shielded his eyes from the dust and debris as the ships landed near the gate.

"Odd that they came in two ships."

"Actually, they had three…Wonder where the third went?"

The landing ramps deployed with a hiss, steam billowing out. At least a dozen armor-clad soldiers came pouring out of each ship, marching toward the gate of Riosae's temple. Krol's eyes widened as he recognized the design of their armor. He turned to Riosae.

"Mistress…who did you say your old apprentice was?"

The armored guards formed two rows in front of the first ship's landing ramp. Each of them fell to their knees, bowing their heads. The last in line called out for all to hear: "Make way for the great Grandmaster Des Rourzaxl!"

She strode down the ramp, arms folded behind her back, a rifle and a sword strapped to her back and waist, respectively. Her yellow eyes surveyed the landscape, and when they fell on Krol and Albany, she grinned.

She pointed a single oily-black talon at them. "I've come to claim the bounty on your head, Krol, son of the Scrapster King!"