CHAPTER 10 IN THE DARKNESS OF MYSTERY

In that far corner of the universe, I found myself preparing for an event that transcended music. It wasn't just a concert, it was a mission, a desperate attempt to bring hope to a town in Zyra that had been devastated by the fury of its own sun. The most prominent bands had joined together, each contributing their music as a cry for help to the heavens, seeking something more than echoing in empty space: they sought to save lives.

With my faithful team at my side, I knew it wasn't just a matter of playing and singing, but of protecting and ensuring the event didn't turn into another disaster. My brother Rodrick and his men were already there, moving through the shadows, watching for dangers lurking amongst the rubble and desperate souls. He had always been my blood brother, but now more than ever, our paths crossed at the borders of duty.

Days before, while coordinating the details of the mission, I received a communication from Zyron Star. His face appeared in the light waves of the LumiCom, serious and concerned. I knew he was going to ask me something important.

—¿Do you know about the event that will take place on the planet Zyra ?— Zyron asked with his usual caution.

I nodded, the gravity of the situation weighing on my voice.

—Yes, I know. It is an event of vital importance for that village. The Galactic Federation has entrusted us with ensuring its safety. My brother Rodrick and I will take charge personally.

Zyron 's gaze tightened. He knew what was coming next.

—¿Isn't your brother Rodrick the king of Abbadon Prime and military leader of that planet's special forces?

I sighed. The complexities of our family always seemed to creep into every aspect of our lives. We weren't just siblings, we were pieces on a much larger board.

—That's right, — I replied, measuring my words. —He will be there, doing his part. But he is also a presence that complicates my situation.

That comment left an uneasy feeling in the air, an unspoken warning. The weight of what would happen if Rodrick discovered my other facets, my secrets. Being Sirius Starlight was something my brother didn't know, and I couldn't allow him to find out.

Zyron seemed to get the message right away, as he always did. He knew my life was full of complex entanglements, but this was one of the trickiest.

—I'm calling because there's been talk of Sirius Starlight attending the event, — Zyron said, testing the waters. —But I understand that your presence in the crowd may jeopardize certain secrets.

I remained silent for a few seconds, weighing my options. I knew I could keep my identity under control, but with Rodrick around, the chances of him detecting my energy signature were too high. If he found out I was Sirius, everything would get complicated. Not just my double life, but also the covert operations we were running.

Finally, I spoke firmly.

Rodrick 's presence. He can sense my energy. I can't let him find out, Zyron.

Zyron nodded with the understanding look of someone who understood the implications.

—I understand. We can't risk exposing our plans.

There were too many factors at play. Zyra needed help, but my presence might cause more problems than it would solve. However, I couldn't let these people suffer because of my absence. I knew what I could do.

—I can't send Sirius Starlight, — I said with conviction, —but I can send something better. I will send my Ætheris Cristaros . With them, you will be able to rebuild your lives, your homes. The event will raise funds, but my contribution will ensure your rebirth. I will make what you lose just a shadow of what you will build later.

Zyron seemed to relax at my proposal. The Ætheris Crystars , those rare crystals that served as the universal currency, used for the purchase and sale of goods and services throughout the cosmos, were not only valuable for their commercial function, but also for the pure energy they contained. That energy could power advanced technologies, heal wounds, and revitalize devastated territories. With them, it would be possible to secure a better future for Zyra , allowing its people to rebuild their lives and their community.

—It's a noble gesture, Terry. Those people will thank you for it, — Zyron said , bowing his head slightly in respect.

I turned off the LumiCom , staying silent for a few moments. I knew the decision was the right one, but the feeling of not being able to be there in person left me with a strange emptiness. I had given everything to keep my double life under control, for protect both Terry, the High Imperial, and Sirius Starlight, the idol. And though that duality weighed on me at times, moments like this reminded me why I did it: so, I could help others without endangering everything I loved.

I sighed, knowing that the concert would continue, and although my music would not resonate there in person, my will and my power would be present in every corner of Zyra, helping that town rise again from the ashes . Zyron gratefully accepted Terry's offer, aware of the value of that gesture and sketched a knowing smile. While Terry spoke of Ætheris Cristaros , for him, were just energy flows and binary figures dancing in the ether, a game of powers within his reach.

But he understood that, for ordinary mortals, that coin had a much more tangible value, a bridge between hope and reality that could not be ignored.

It had been four days since the conversation I had with Zyron, where I started having restless nights of sleep. I was in the kitchen, enjoying a cup of coffee, trying to distract myself from the shadows that had invaded my dreams. I felt the presence of someone enter, and when I looked up, I saw my brother Ethan. He was looking for something to eat for breakfast, but his expression changed when he saw me.

—What's wrong, bro? Does Zahori keep you from sleeping well at night? —he joked, with that playful smile that always made me smile.

I tried to play along, but all I managed was a forced grimace.

—It's not that, — I replied, trying to hide it. —I just haven't had any good dreams.

Ethan, being who he is, quickly sensed that something was wrong.

—¿Nightmares? — he asked, concern in his voice now. She knew I didn't usually have trouble sleeping, even when something was bothering me.

I shook my head, wanting to downplay it.

—It's nothing important, so don't worry, — I said, getting up from my chair. I wanted to avoid alarming him. I knew my face showed more than I wanted to admit.

I headed towards the door, and as I approached it, it opened automatically upon detecting my presence. My mind was in chaos, so I decided to go to the castle library. Maybe among the books I would find some answers that would help me understand what was happening with these nightmares, something I had never experienced before.

As I was searching for a book on dreams or how the brain works, I felt a familiar presence enter the room. Zahori. I turned just in time to see her walking towards me with a soft smile.

—I was looking for you, my love, — he said in that sweet tone that always calmed me, and gave me a soft kiss on the lips.

—¿You found me, darling. How can I help you? — I replied, trying to hide my concern, but I knew she was much more perceptive than that.

—I wanted to know how you were. You don't look well, you're pale and have dark circles under your eyes. You've been working very hard, but I've never seen you look this bad —he said.

His words were filled with concern—Are you sick? Also, you haven't come home in three days. Where have you been sleeping? Have you been able to rest well?

I felt a pang in my chest as I heard her concern. She always knew when something was wrong, but I didn't want to alarm her any more than necessary.

—Don't worry, I was able to sleep well... The problem wasn't that, but rather... —I hesitated, not wanting to worry her.

—¿But rather what? — he asked, his face showing a mixture of concern and curiosity.

—I don't want you to worry, Zahori —I tried to calm her, taking her arms gently.

—But I'm already worried because you won't tell me, — she replied, with a slight tone of frustration in her voice.

I sighed, knowing I had no choice but to share what was happening to me.

—It's okay, calm down. I've been having nightmares lately, — I admitted, dropping the truth with a weight I hadn't felt before.

—Nightmares? — she repeated, clearly shocked. It wasn't something she usually experienced, much less with this intensity. She knew something deeper was going on.

I nodded slowly.

—Yes, I know... I've never had nightmares before and I don't understand why they're affecting me so much now. That's why I'm looking in the books, to see if I can find an explanation —I said, my voice denoting the frustration of not having answers.

Zahori, with his characteristic calm, came closer to me.

—Tell me your nightmare, — he said softly, —maybe together we can figure it out.

I took her hand and led her to the nearest chair in the library. We sat down, and she put her arms around me, as if she wanted to protect me from what she was about to tell me. I took a deep breath before I began.

—I find myself walking alone... There are screams, fire and thick smoke everywhere. Suddenly, a figure emerges from the fog, but I can't make it out clearly. It's a black shadow... It attacks me. I try to defend myself, I fight and manage to knock it down, but it disappears as soon as it falls.

I noticed how Zahori listened to me attentively, his eyes full of concern as he continued to tell the story.

—Then, I see my brothers, fighting something to my left. I run to them to help them, but before I get there, a figure throws a lightning bolt and they… disappear. I look around, searching for answers, but then I see my parents… They too fall in battle. I cry in pain, but I can't do anything. Then, I see every member of our family fall… even our children. It's like they disappear from the universe… I can't feel their energies.

I paused, the lump in my throat growing tighter as I tried to maintain my composure.

— And finally, I see you, Zahori. You're running towards me. I reach out my hand to reach you, but... you disappear. And I'm left completely alone, crying and screaming in the darkness.

Zahori hugged me tightly, giving me a kiss on the lips. I felt his warmth, but the weight of my words was still there, like a shadow that could not be dispelled so easily.

—Oh, my love, — she whispered, her concern palpable. —This is more than just a nightmare.

—I don't know what it means, Zahori. My fears have never affected me like this before... I'm aware that I have certain fears, but they've never manifested themselves like this in my dreams.

Zahori was silent for a moment, and then, with that look of determination that always made me feel like everything would be okay, he said:

—What if it's a warning? Maybe we should be on alert... it could mean that we as a family are in danger. If you saw lightning... it could be that one of our enemies is planning something.

Her words echoed in my mind. Even though I didn't want to believe it, I knew Zahori could be right. It was a possibility I couldn't ignore. —I don't know. What I can tell you is that when I wake up, crying and screaming, I feel a pain that tears through my chest and an intense cold that chills me to the bone. I have a hard time recovering after waking up.

Zahori 's words like a truth he couldn't ignore. —I feel like your gem is warning you of an event that is coming soon, — she had said, concern in her eyes. And she was right. He knew it. The connection with my gem, the one that had been a part of me for so long, was showing me something I didn't fully understand, but the danger was imminent.

—I know, and that's exactly what terrifies me, — I admitted, my chest tight. —I don't want anything to happen to you, to any of you. I feel… helpless. I don't know how to protect you or what's coming.

Zahori, ever pragmatic, did not let fear consume us.

—We'll have to find out. Maybe I can use my power to see into the near future. You know I can do that, — she suggested calmly, knowing that sometimes her abilities might be the only way to understand what was to come.

I nodded, grateful for his unconditional support.

—Yes, that would be best. If you can see what's going on, we might be able to get ahead of whatever's causing these nightmares.

At that instant, the LumiCom rang with a familiar chime. Planet Zenith came online, and looking at the screen, I saw my son Claudius, his face serious and impassive despite the circumstances.

Claudius, an imposing man with his fair skin and light brown hair, looked at me with a mixture of urgency and respect. All around him, I could tell that I was not alone, which explained why he greeted me in a formal manner.

—Your Excellency, — he said in a firm voice, —we need you to come urgently.

My heart tightened at his words.

—¿What's wrong? — I asked, concern rising quickly.

—We have a problem. The planet Elysium is being sucked into a black hole. We need to evacuate the entire population immediately, — Claudius explained, and behind him, devastation spread across the screen. —I've tried to contain it with my energy, but I can't do it alone. I need your help, Your Excellency.

There was no time to waste.

—I'll be right there, — I replied decisively, and ended the video call.

Zahori, who was already standing, looked at me with concern. We didn't need to say anything to each other. I opened a teleportation portal, giving her a quick kiss before leaving.

—Take care, my love, — she told me, and her words, although brief, filled me with strength.

—I will, and so will you, — I replied before crossing the portal.

Upon arriving at Elysium, I met up with my son Claudius. The chaos was palpable, but there was no time to stop and watch. I channeled my energy and spread it across the planet, trying to give the inhabitants time to evacuate. The hours vanished as we worked side by side, but eventually, we managed to get the entire population to safety.

—¿Is everyone out? — I asked, my body exhausted from the effort.

—Yes, everyone is safe, — Claudius replied, as he led me toward a portal that led us to a nearby planet, where my other son, Sapphire, had established a temporary base for the evacuees.

Upon arrival, I saw how Safiro, always methodical, organized everything with precision. He was a man of science, so different from Claudius in many ways, but his dedication and intelligence were unmatched.

—¿How is everyone?— Claudius asked his brother.

—They are fine. They have already settled in and the king is managing the distribution of food and resources, — Safiro reported calmly.

But before I could fully process the situation, I felt a strange vibration in my body. An energy I couldn't control. Everything around me began to fade, and the last thing I remember was my body collapsing.

Claudius cried, visibly terrified. He had never seen his father in such a situation before, fainting so suddenly and without any explanation. With Sapphire's help, they carefully lowered him onto the ground, trying to keep him calm.

Safiro , always the most methodical and scientific, pulled a device from his belt and passed it over his father's body, hoping to get some clear answer. His expression grew tense when he saw the results.

—Vital signs are dangerously low, — Safiro said , bewilderment in her voice. —His energy has dropped as well. We've never seen him like this, even after using so much power.

Claudius, unable to hide his growing concern, looked at his brother in despair.

—¡You're the scientist in the family!— Claudius exclaimed , the urgency palpable in his voice. —You have to do something, help him!

Safiro, clearly frustrated, frowned as he tried to process the situation.

—¡I know!— Safiro replied , unable to hide her despair. —But I don't have all the answers right now. We need to get him somewhere safe, where he can analyze what's going on.

With a quick gesture, Safiro opened a transporter portal. Stepping through it, the three of them appeared in a small makeshift shelter, a metal hut equipped with advanced technology and medical equipment. Safiro, without wasting any time, created a bed for her father, connecting various devices to it while analyzing his condition.

—I'm going to take a blood sample, — Safiro said with determination, as she carefully extracted a sample from Terry's arm.

Minutes passed as Sapphire analyzed the blood with precision. Claudius paced impatiently, his eyes never leaving his father's face.

Claudius asked, unable to bear the silence any longer. He knew Sapphire had to find some answer.

—Everything seems normal, — Saphire replied in disbelief. —The blood is fine; the cells are intact. There is nothing abnormal inside him. The gem may be vibrating at a frequency outside of its usual pattern, which could be interfering with his energy and causing this state.

Claudius clenched his fists, his frustration growing. Although Sapphire had given a possible explanation, they had no solution.

The world slowly began to come back as pain gripped every muscle in my body. I opened my eyes, disoriented, as if I had just woken up from an endless nightmare. I put a hand to my head, trying to calm the throbbing that echoed in my skull.

—¿What happened? — I asked, my voice barely a whisper as I tried to piece together what had just happened.

Sapphire was the first to speak, her tone controlled, though I could sense her concern.

—¿Father, how do you feel? — he asked, as if my words might offer some explanation.

I took a deep breath and forced out a response, trying to keep my spirits up, even though my body felt completely dejected.

—As if I had been run over by thousands of tons of iron, — I said, my voice weak, but trying to downplay the situation.

Claudius, who had been kneeling beside me, breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing me speak.

—You gave us quite a scare, Father, — he said, holding my hand firmly. —You fainted and wouldn't wake up.

I looked at them both, recognizing the fear in their eyes, something I rarely saw in them. I knew it wasn't just a faint. My body was starting to react, but deep down I felt there was something else, something to do with the gem I was wearing, something I didn't fully understand yet. The change was subtle but undeniable. We had to find out what was happening before it was too late.

Still with my mind in a daze, I tried hard to reassure them.

—I'm sorry I alarmed you, — I said, looking at them fondly. Claudius, always more emotional, took my hand and kissed me on the forehead. Despite my exhaustion, I managed a weak smile for him.

—Don't scare us like that again, — Claudius added, with a mixture of concern and relief.

Sapphire, more practical, intervened with his usual analytical tone.

—Father, I think it would be best if you rested for a few days. You are exhausted, and that could be affecting your energy. It would be good if you took the time to recover before going back to work.

I knew he was right, but something inside me was still restless. My responsibility as leader and protector weighed too heavily.

—¿Is that what your tests show? — I asked, more curious than annoyed, although I knew that what had happened to me was something much deeper than simple fatigue.

Sapphire shook his head, clearly frustrated by the lack of answers.

—No, the device couldn't determine exactly what happened. Everything seems to be in order with your body. But I think that rest would allow you to fully recover and give me time to continue checking on you, to see if I can better understand what happened to you.

I sighed, feeling the pressure of my duties, but also knowing that Sapphire was right. My body was exhausted, and something inside me told me that pushing myself beyond this limit would be a mistake.

—You know I have a lot of work to do, — I said, worried about the responsibilities I couldn't just set aside. My people needed me, and I couldn't afford to disappear for days.

Safiro looked at me patiently, but with the firmness that only he could have at these moments.

—I know, Father. But your well-being is crucial to everyone. We cannot risk you any more than you have already given. Let me investigate what is happening to you, and in the meantime, you can recover.

I felt an internal battle between my duty and the need to rest. My body cried out for rest, but the image of my worried children remained engraved in my mind. Three days after that collapse, an attack alarm resounded in the station on the planet Zenith, breaking the silence. I could not ignore that sound. Despite the weakness I still felt, I quickly got up and dressed. ″I will not let them face this alone. ″ — I thought

As I adjusted my jacket, I listened to the echo of explosions. The situation was not normal; the attack was more intense than usual. I thought of Sadeth and Anubis, two of our most implacable enemies. Was it them again? I couldn't risk standing idly by. When one of my sons opened the door, it was Dennis. His face showed a mix of surprise and frustration at seeing me ready for battle.

—¿What are you doing, Father? — Dennis asked reproachfully.

—I'm not going to let you two deal with this alone, — I replied, the determination in my voice unwavering.

Dennis looked at me sternly, making it clear that he disagreed.

—I won't let you out. You know you're still weak and we don't know what's wrong with you,— he replied, blocking my exit.

—I can still fight. I still have the strength to defend them, — I insisted, trying to move forward, but Dennis didn't move.

—We are not children, Father, — he replied harshly. —We know how to take care of ourselves.

I sighed, understanding his point, even though it pained me to admit it.

—I know, — I said, calmer.

—If you know, then go back to your bed, where you belong. I came to make sure you get some rest. —Dennis gave me a firm look, as if he was watching over me, reversing the roles of father and son for a moment.

—¿Who is attacking us?— I asked, unable to hide my concern.

Dennis shook his head, trying to reassure me.

—We don't know for sure. They're probably space pirates. You know how reckless those guys are, they think they can just plunder without realizing how prepared we are, — he explained, trying to get me to back off.

—They know who they're fighting against. They're stupid, but they're blinded by greed, — I said as Dennis helped me take off my jacket.

Suddenly, a much louder explosion shook the entire place, pushing us violently against the wall. I held on with difficulty, but the impact left me even weaker.

—That's not a space pirate weapon, — I said, alarmed by the intensity of the explosion.

Dennis looked at me, clearly as worried as I was.

—No, it isn't, — he muttered thoughtfully, trying to understand how those pirates could have managed to achieve something so advanced.

Before we could process the situation, a transporter portal opened in the room, and my heart sank as I saw who emerged from it. Sadeth. He held a gun in his hands, accompanied by black-clad guards with masks hiding their faces. A sense of impending danger enveloped us.

—Damn it, — Dennis exclaimed, quickly unsheathing his sword and placing himself between Sadeth and me. His stance firm, his gaze determined, he was ready to face one of our most fearsome enemies.

—I won't let you touch it, — Dennis roared, as Sadeth let out an evil laugh.

Without warning, Sadeth fired his beam weapon. I didn't have time to think, I just reacted. I pushed Dennis out of the way before the beam reached him, both of us falling to the ground from the impact. I wouldn't let my son die in front of me.

The lightning whizzed overhead, and as I struggled to my feet, I saw the look of satisfaction on Sadeth 's face. We were at a disadvantage, and I knew it. Dennis helped me up quickly, both of us ready for whatever came next, though the weight of the situation was evident.

We couldn't afford to fall here. Not while he was still breathing.

—That's how I wanted to have you both, — Sadeth said, his voice dripping with arrogance as he looked at us with a wicked grin on his face. —You'll be able to be useful now, Terry, once I get that gem out of your body and finally get what belongs to me.

Sadeth 's dark ambitions well , his desire for limitless power. I struggled to my feet and helped Dennis to his feet, all the while watching Sadeth and his guards, who were aiming their weapons at us. The situation was critical, and I knew it.

—You have nowhere to run, — Sadeth bellowed, his voice echoing in the room like an ominous sound. —So let us not prolong this meeting any further. Make it easy: deliver the gem to me by your own hand, or I will kill your son, and then you, to obtain it.

That disdain in his tone infuriated me even more. Sadeth shrugged his shoulders, as if our lives had no value to him, and added with a malicious smile:

—You'll die anyway, Terry.

Just as he was about to cast another bolt, the bedroom door burst open, and my uncle Darius entered followed by several guards. Chaos quickly ensued. Darius ' guards began to fight Sadeth 's men, and the room became a battlefield. Despite the confusion, my attention was fixed on Sadeth, who, taking advantage of the chaos, ran towards me, pushing Dennis out of his way with a brutal push.

I watched Dennis lose his balance, hit his head on a piece of furniture, and collapse to the floor. Blood was pouring from his forehead, and for a moment, I thought the worst. The scream escaped my throat before I could stop it.

—¡Murderer!— I screamed, feeling rage consuming me at the thought of my son's death.

Sadeth just laughed, his laughter was a mix of madness and satisfaction.

—Don't worry, you'll follow him soon, and they'll be reunited in the afterlife, — he said, enjoying every word with a sinister amusement.

We struggled. He tried to fire his beam weapon again, but something wasn't right. The energy emanating from me was beginning to overload the weapon. I could feel the metal rapidly heating up in my hands, suffocating the air around it. I didn't understand what was happening, but it seemed like my energy and the weapon's energy were in conflict, spiraling out of control. The heat was unbearable, as if the metal was about to melt.

Within seconds, the weapon exploded in a deafening flash of light and sound. The room filled with blinding brilliance, and my entire body vibrated with an abnormal intensity. In the midst of the explosion, it felt as if the very air itself had split open behind me, and before I could react, I was pulled into a portal that materialized out of nowhere.

The next instant was an endless fall, until finally my body hit a scorching surface. I was in a desolate place, a desert planet under a merciless sun. I felt the hot sand under my skin. My clothes, a simple white shirt and black pants with gold trim, offered no relief from the stifling heat that filled the place. I wore no insignia, no rings or pendants to identify me. I was alone and with no sign of my children or what had happened at Zenith.

The air was dry and hot, and the scorching sun made the temperature easily exceed 50 degrees Celsius. My head was confused, but the only thing I knew for sure was that I was somewhere completely inhospitable and unknown. The solitude of that desert only increased the feeling of uncertainty that overwhelmed me.

While I was unconscious in the desert sands, the situation at Zenith Station was still chaotic. After the explosion, those present were just beginning to recover from the blinding flash. Sadeth, seeing the confusion and chaos around her, opened a portal and shouted:

—¡Retreat! — and he disappeared through it, followed by his men, closing the portal behind him.

Darius, stunned by what had happened, recovered as quickly as he could. Seeing Dennis unconscious on the floor, he ordered the guards to take him to the infirmary. His immediate priority was to save his nephew, but he couldn't help but wonder where I was.

Darius 's cousin, rushed in, his face a mix of worry and urgency.

—¿How is Terry?— she asked, her voice thick with anxiety.

Darius, with a grave expression, shook his head.

—I don't know. When we arrived, Sadeth was fighting Terry and Dennis. There was a struggle, and suddenly the room lit up with an explosion. When the flash faded, Terry was gone. I think Sadeth transported him somewhere.

—¿Have you tracked his signal? — Francisco Javier asked quickly, already taking out a portable device from his belt. —The tracking chip we implanted in him when he was a child should still work.

Darius nodded.

—I hope so. I'm going to the main hall to check the computers. If the tracking chip signal is still active, we should be able to find him.

Francisco Javier checked his device, but what he saw worried him even more.

—The signal has completely faded, — he reported, his tone laden with concern.

—Then we have no time to waste, — Darius concluded , his voice firm but heavy with tension.

Together, they ran to the computer room, where the team was already working frantically, searching for any sign of my whereabouts. The silence in the room was stifling, only interrupted by the incessant clicking of the tracking systems.

But so far, it all seemed to be in vain. My signal, the only clue that could lead them to me, had disappeared without a trace.

Meanwhile, I lay there in the scorching desert sands, struggling to stay conscious, completely oblivious to the chaos I had left behind.

As he lay unconscious in the scorching sands of the desert planet of Zalara , the brutality of the Saharim —the people of the desert—continued. They were known for their cruelty, raiding defenseless populations and enslaving the survivors. Their alliance with the Nefrit only exacerbated the situation, providing them with a constant supply of cheap labor, as if life were nothing more than a bargaining chip to them.

I don't know how long I was there, vulnerable and exposed, when the Saharim found me. I should have been easy prey, another one to add to their collection of unfortunates. They took me to a dark, windowless room, the air heavy and silent.

I began to slowly wake up, my head dazed and my body still weak. I felt something cold on my forehead, and I let out a soft moan, the throbbing pain in my body returning like an old friend. I squinted open my eyes, trying to make out where I was. The light of a flickering candle barely illuminated the room, and beside me, there was a strange figure, a woman whose expression I couldn't quite make out.

—Are you awake yet? How good!— the woman exclaimed as she gently passed a cold cloth over my face. I tried to sit up, but she, with surprising firmness, stopped me, placing a hand on my chest. —It's better if you don't get up yet. Your energy is low,— she warned, as she offered me a glass of water.

I accepted the glass with shaking hands, and though the cool liquid soothed the dryness in my throat, it did nothing to calm the confusion that was brewing inside me. Everything was a blur; my mind was a mess.

—¿What is your name?— the woman asked gently, her voice soft and soothing. I could see her face, young, barely illuminated by the dim light of a candle flickering in the darkness. Her gaze was warm, but the headache pounding in my skull kept me from fully focusing.

I tried to remember. —My name is…— But instead of a clear answer, all I found was an overwhelming void in my mind. The stabbing pain that followed threatened to split my head in two, forcing me to close my eyes and clench my teeth.

Before she could respond, the door to the room swung open, breaking the fragile silence. A man entered with a determined stride. He carried a ray gun slung across his back, and the candle in the room flickered at his entrance, casting menacing shadows on the walls. The woman, who until then had appeared calm, gave a slight start, but quickly regained her composure.

—¿Tariq, what are you doing here?— he asked, his voice revealing a mix of surprise and tension as he kept a hand on my shoulder, as if trying to protect me from him.

The man, who I now knew was called Tariq, strode steadily toward us, his dark, cold eyes fixed on me, as if he were assessing my every movement, every breath.

—I've come to check on the prisoner, — he replied in a gruff voice, not even bothering to look at the woman. His attention was completely on me.

— Prisoner. — The word echoed through my mind. I knew something wasn't right, but I still couldn't put all the pieces together. My body was exhausted, my mind fogged, but this man, Tariq, posed a threat. It was evident in his bearing; in the way his hand was never too far from his gun. The air in the room had grown thick, charged with tension.

I tried to speak, but the words stuck in my throat. My mind, still in a thick fog, couldn't make sense of what was happening. —¿Who was it? ¿Where was I?— Questions crowded through my mind as I looked around the scene with a mix of confusion and fear. I didn't recognize these people, or the place I was in. Everything in my head was a mess, a puzzle with pieces that didn't fit.

Tariq, with his menacing presence and the beam rifle hanging from his back, added a layer of tension that kept me on the edge of panic. My body was weak, but my mind was beginning to feel the urgency to escape this situation, even though I didn't know what I was running from.

The woman beside me, tenderly watching over me, pointed in my direction. Despite her protective gesture, I felt completely vulnerable. Tariq watched me warily, his hard gaze assessing my every move. His distrust was palpable, and when he finally spoke, his tone was sharp.

—¿What's your name?— Tariq asked, his raspy voice breaking the silence in the room.

I put my hand to my head, trying to find answers in a painful emptiness. My voice came out barely above a whisper, laden with desperation.

—I don't know, — I said, my throat dry and my mind in disarray. —I don't know who I am or why I'm here. Who are you guys? I can't remember anything. ¿How did I get here?

A sharp pain in my head shot through me, causing me to close my eyes and put both hands to my temples, as if I could force my memory back. But there was nothing, only a disturbing emptiness. The woman, with surprising gentleness, stroked my head, trying to calm me down.

—Let him rest for a while, — she told Tariq, her voice calm but firm. —His mind is still trying to find the information.

Tariq, however, did not seem convinced. She could sense the distrust in his gaze, the obvious rejection in his voice as he spoke, ignoring the woman's plea.

—¿What if he's an informant?— Tariq asked, his tone cutting, making me shudder.

The possibility that I might be considered a spy, an enemy, chilled my blood. —¿Who was I really? — ¿Could it be that I was here for a purpose I was not aware of?— Nothing made sense, and as Tariq stared at me with those cold, calculating eyes, a sense of impending danger began to settle deep within me. I was at his mercy, and I knew it.

The woman, without losing her calm, responded to Tariq firmly, almost in a reproachful tone that left no room for doubt.

—He isn't. ¿Don't you see that he's not dressed like someone from the desert? — she said, pointing at my clothes. —Besides, he was found passed out in the desert. Do you really think that someone from this planet would expose themselves to the heat like that? We know every detail of this planet, and none of us would do that. Plus, his skin is lighter than ours. He's from another planet. Let him recover his memory and he'll surely tell us who he is and how he got here.

Tariq muttered something, visibly displeased, but he couldn't argue with the points she had made. He clearly didn't like the attention the woman was paying me. —¿Jealousy? — I thought as I watched the tension between them, though my mind was still too dazed to process the interpersonal dynamics clearly.

—You're right, — Tariq said with a sneer, his words laden with a frustration he made no attempt to hide.

Meanwhile, back in Zenith, the hunt for Imperial High Priest Terry Whittaker, my true identity, was in full swing. My family, including my father, uncles, brothers, sons, and other close relatives, had joined forces in a frantic search, attempting to track my energy signature or any clues that might lead them to me. However, the tracking chip I always carried was not emitting any signal, and my energy signature seemed to have completely vanished, as if it had been erased from existence.

In the operating room, Darius frowned at a screen filled with blinking lights, each representing a possible signal, but none connected to me.

Darius began, uncertainty evident in his voice.

—Don't even say that as a joke, — Francisco Javier interrupted him, in a sharp tone. —I know he's alive.

Darius looked at him, clearly frustrated, a mix of anxiety and guilt showing on his face. I knew he blamed himself for not having intervened in time, for not having acted faster when I faced Sadeth. He felt overwhelmed by that weight, but Francisco Javier didn't let that thought settle in.

—¿Do you feel his energy? — Darius asked , his voice tense, as if he desperately needed to hear a reassuring statement.

Francisco Javier, always more intuitive, nodded with conviction.

—No, I can't sense his energy, — he admitted, which for a moment seemed to dash Darius ' hope . But his tone changed, firm, with an almost palpable determination. —But he's not dead either. I know that.

Darius looked at him, incredulous and desperate, unable to share that certainty.

—¿How do you know? — he snapped, his anxiety mixing with guilt as his hands shook slightly on the console. —How could he be so sure? — he thought, silently questioning his cousin's unwavering faith.

Francisco Javier did not hesitate for a moment. His gaze was deep, almost as if he felt it inside himself.

—I know this because Terry is stronger than any of us can imagine. He's survived worse. He's not going to give up now, — she replied with unwavering conviction, her eyes shining with the certainty that her son was still alive somewhere. What they couldn't know was that, at that moment, I was stranded on Zalara, struggling to regain not only my memory, but my identity.

Uncertainty continued to reign at Zenith, as monitors continued to search for a trace of my whereabouts. No one knew how long it would take for me to return, but for my family, the clock was ticking, and every second that passed brought them closer to an uncertain future.

—I know you're worried,— Francisco Javier said with icy calm, placing a hand on his cousin's shoulder. He knew well the weight of guilt Darius carried for not having acted in time, for not having fulfilled his duty to protect Terry during the confrontation with Sadeth. But he also understood that Sadeth 's actions were already underway long before they could intervene.

—There is no point in arguing amongst ourselves. We must continue to search for him. Terry is alive. If he were dead, his brothers would be dead too. Remember that if the gem fragment had been extracted, none of my children would be alive —added Francisco Javier, reminding him of the deep energetic bond between Terry and his people.

Darius growled in frustration, his hands still shaking slightly on the console. Though he didn't want to admit it, he knew his cousin was right.

—Fine, — Darius relented, though his tone of voice was still tinged with annoyance. He knew Francisco Javier was being reasonable, but the burden of guilt consumed him.

The tension in Zenith's command room was palpable. Monitor lights flickered with analysis and search data, but no signals provided answers. Terry's whereabouts remained a mystery. The soldiers and scientists worked tirelessly, but each passing minute seemed like an eternity. The feeling of uncertainty weighed on everyone.

As Darius and Francisco Javier shared their concerns, in another corner of the room, Terry's mother, Helena, stood firm, clinging to hope with unwavering determination. Despite her anguish, her posture did not reflect despair, but rather a quiet confidence.

—We can't give up,— she muttered to herself, her gaze fixed on the radar screen. —Terry's out there, I know it.

Her voice was barely a whisper, but it rang out with a force that captured the attention of everyone in the room. Even Darius, for all his frustration and guilt, couldn't help but feel a glimmer of hope at Helena's words. Her conviction radiated an energy that, though faint, was enough to keep them all on their feet.

The search continued, though it seemed endless. Each new piece of information brought with it a small spark of hope, only to quickly fade when no sign confirmed Terry's whereabouts. Still, no one in the room allowed themselves to give up —.Terry remained the pillar of their lives.

Meanwhile, in Zalara, several days had passed since I was found in the desert, and although my body was slowly healing, the pain persisted. The trauma of the explosion had left me weakened, and sometimes the headache would subside enough to allow me to think clearly, but other times it would return with overwhelming intensity, reminding me of how fragile my state was.

My cells were vibrating with an unknown energy. It was as if something inside me had changed irreversibly — .The explosion had done more than just harm me physically; something in my internal structure had been altered, — and although I still didn't fully understand what had happened, I could feel that this change was related to the gem inside me.

Each day, I grew a little bit better, but the sense of loss and confusion remained. The pain wasn't just physical; it was as if my very identity was at stake, as if parts of me had been caught in the flash of the explosion, fragmented and lost in space. In the darkness of his cell, Terry struggled to understand what had happened to him. The memories remained blurry, scattered fragments of images and sensations that he couldn't quite piece together into a coherent narrative. ¿How had he come to be in Zalara?

What had caused the explosion that left me unconscious in the desert? Questions kept crowding my mind as my body tried to recover. I felt trapped in a fog of confusion. I looked at my hand and noticed something that caused me deep discomfort: the —wedding ring— that I had always worn on my finger had melted and lost at some point during my journey through the transport portal. All that remained was the pale mark on my skin, the reminder of what had been. It was a symbol of my past life, but now, even that connection seemed to have vanished.

Answers remained elusive. No matter how hard I tried to remember, everything remained a void, a distant echo of what had been. I knew there was something important behind all of this, something that connected me to the explosion, to my disappearance. But the more I tried to reach those memories, the more distant they seemed.

Meanwhile, at Zenith, my family's anguish knew no bounds. My disappearance had shattered everyone's routine, and the search for Terry Whittaker had become a collective obsession. Every day that passed without news, every failed attempt to trace my energy signature, increased the feeling of desperation. It was as if a dark shadow had settled over the station, and no one could dispel it.

My mother, Helena, clung to hope with unwavering determination. No matter what happened, she refused to accept the possibility that her son was lost forever. Every day, she could be seen in the command room, watching the monitors and tracking signals, her gaze fixed, hopeful. Her conviction, though silent, was almost palpable, and kept everyone around her focused on the goal of finding me.

In another corner of Zenith, Darius and Francisco Javier continued to work tirelessly. Despite the tensions that sometimes arose between them, they shared the same goal: to find me and bring me back safely. Darius, who had already recovered from the blow that Sadeth had dealt him, still carried the weight of guilt for not having acted more quickly, but Francisco Javier kept him firm, reminding him that there was more at stake than just his own regret.

Time passed inexorably, and both in Zalara and Zenith, my fate remained unknown. For me, each day that passed in Zalara was an internal struggle to recover what I had lost, both my memory and my energy. I knew that the event that had brought me to this desert planet was no coincidence. The explosion, my disappearance, the loss of my ring... everything seemed to be connected in an intricate plot that I could not yet unravel.

At Zenith, every minute without answers weighed heavily on my family's shoulders. The monitors kept showing blinking lights, but no clear sign of my whereabouts. The universe, vast and relentless, became a labyrinth where my story was still waiting to be revealed. A story that seemed to have been lost among the stars, but had not yet come to an end.