CHAPTER 16 REVELATIONS IN SOLITUDE

In the vast silence that now enveloped what was once a vibrant village, the survivors gathered in the great hall. Two days had passed since their return, days filled with uncertainty and searching. Some had traveled to neighboring villages in search of answers, but the answers eluded them like shadows at midday; it seemed as if the Saharim had vanished without a trace. Frustration and fear wove a heavy atmosphere in the air, as each returned to their empty home, where the echo of past laughter and the bustle of daily life had been replaced by an oppressive silence.

Terry sought refuge in meditation, heading to the temple, now a sanctuary of solitude. Ellian, his friend and mentor, accompanied him, attempting to clear away the accumulated dust, a silent testament to time spent without care. As Terry was lost in his thoughts, an inexplicable call drew him to the cave where his ship rested. Upon inspecting it, he found nothing out of the ordinary,

but the feeling of a presence enveloped him, a whisper barely perceptible in the immensity of silence.

It was then that he turned around and found himself face to face with an unexpected figure: a version of himself, but different, full of mystery and wisdom. —¿Who are you? — Terry asked, his voice shaking at the revelation.

—You need not fear, Terry Whittaker, — the presence replied calmly. The mention of his real name struck Terry with the force of a comet.

—¿What did you call me?— The question escaped her lips before she could stop it.

—You are Terry Whittaker, descendant of the illustrious Whittaker family. Possessing knowledge and powers beyond common understanding, though your memories lie hidden in the depths of your mind, — the entity explained, transforming into the image of Francisco Javier Whittaker, his father. The familiarity of that figure exuded a sense of forgotten belonging and purpose.

—¿Who are you? — Terry insisted, clinging to the control panel to keep from succumbing to the shock.

—I am Ætheris , a fragment of the gem that resides within you. I am the source of your power, coveted throughout the universe—

—¿What happened to me? Why don't I remember anything about my past?

Sadeth attacked Zenith. To protect you, I opened a portal to this planet, a safe haven while I regained my energy. I didn't know how long I would remain dormant.

Terry, overcome by the need to understand, demanded to know her story. —I will reveal your past to you, but with caution. Your mind is still recovering from the shock, and the truth could be overwhelming, — Ætheris warned.

—At least tell me if I was good or bad. ¿If Sadeth attacked me, was he, my enemy? —

— Sadeth is indeed your enemy and seeks to seize me. But you were never evil; you were born with a noble mission, the same one I possess: to protect and guide the souls of the universe, to teach and give shelter to the helpless.

In that lonely temple, facing the entity that was both a part of him and the guardian of his legacy, Terry Whittaker began to unravel the threads of his forgotten existence. The conversation with Ætheris not only promised answers about his lost identity, but also outlined the path to a greater mission, one that would lead him to confront his past, face Sadeth, and ultimately fulfill the destiny intertwined with that of the Ætheris gem.

—For now, — Terry said, his voice ringing with determination in the silence of space, —I want to know what happened to my people. We left on this ship…— His statement marked the beginning of a journey that would extend beyond known boundaries, a search driven by the need to unravel the fate of his people.

— The concept of time and space takes on a completely different dimension when you embark on a journey through the cosmos — Aetheris explained.

—¿Could you help me in this quest to discover what happened to the people who lived here? — Terry asked, his voice filled with a mixture of hope and anxiety to unravel the mystery of his missing town.

—Of course, I can help you with that, if you wish— Ætheris replied, with a serenity that seemed to emanate from his very essence. With a fluid gesture of his hand, the ship came to life, lighting up completely. Moving his hand again, Ætheris revealed a panel hidden between the walls of the ship. It was a crystalline panel adorned with figures and numbers, a screen that captured Terry's attention immediately.

Ætheris ' fingers moved across the screen with a grace that seemed almost choreographed, selecting coordinates for the planet and closing his eyes in a gesture of deep concentration. With a sweeping movement of his arms, as if channeling an invisible force, holographic images began to materialize in the ship's chamber.

—There you have the representation of events, — said Ætheris, as Terry watched, fascinated and horrified in equal measure, as the inhabitants' daily lives were abruptly interrupted. What was revealed before his eyes was the sight of a group of armed men storming the village. They carried unconventional weapons that, rather than inflicting mortal wounds, seemed to incapacitate their victims without shedding blood.

— ¿What kind of weapons are those?— Terry asked, trying to understand the nature of the confrontation he was witnessing.

—They are stun guns. They are designed to temporarily disable brain functions, rendering people unconscious. It is clear that your people were targeted by thieves or slave traders, — Ætheris explained with a calm that belied the seriousness of the situation.

—¿Is it possible for you to show where all those people were taken? — Terry asked, his voice tinged with urgency. The need to find his people, to discover their fate and, if possible, to rescue them, became his priority.

Terry's request marked the beginning of a new phase in their quest, one that would take them through the shadows of space in search of answers and, hopefully, toward reunification with those who had been torn from their home.

 What Ætheris was about to reveal could be the key to unraveling the mystery of her people's disappearance and facing the challenges this truth could unravel.

— Allow me a moment — Ætheris replied, executing a fluid gesture with his right hand. With another movement, he revealed the destination of the missing. Through holographic images, Terry could see that they were in some kind of

cells within a massive ship, packed with individuals torn from their worlds, destined to be sold into slavery. Among them was Aiden , apparently wounded in his attempt to protect his people, being cared for with the meager resources available.

—Are they on a ship?— Terry asked, trying to take in the situation.

Zephyr Corsair ship , model Zephyr -VX3200, designed specifically for the transport and containment of slaves— Ætheris explained .

—So, they're in outer space? Is it a powerful ship holding them?— Terry inquired, trying to assess his options.

— If you are wondering if you can pursue her with this ship, we must consider it carefully. The Corsair Zephyr model VX3200 , despite its advanced armament, is in stark contrast to our ship's age. We do not possess the firepower or defenses to engage her directly in combat— Ætheris explained , adjusting to the reality of his situation.

—So, we're at a disadvantage?— Terry asked, his concern growing at the prospect of an uneven matchup.

—In terms of weaponry, yes. But remember, not all battles are won by brute force. Your ship, though older, has advantages that we can exploit. Its design does not attract suspicion and could allow us to approach undetected. Furthermore, your ingenuity and the power that resides within you make up for the lack of military technology,— Ætheris advised in a tone that sought to instill courage.

—I have to save them. They trusted me,— Terry insisted, determination firm in his voice despite the odds.

— Do not despair — repeated Ætheris . — The power within you, cunning and strategy will be our strongest weapons. And do not forget, you possess abilities beyond conventional understanding.

—The problem is that I don't know how to use it,— Terry admitted, looking at the holographic images. Ætheris , with a mixture of love and exasperation, placed her hands on Terry's shoulders. Leaning down to look directly at him, given her greater height, she assured him, —Look at me, Terry. You are capable of achieving anything you set your mind to. I will teach you everything, as I did with your father,

so that he in turn could teach you and your brothers— At Terry's imminent question, Ætheris placed a finger on her lips. —Don't ask about them yet. You have brothers and more family, but there are things you can't know yet. First, you must explore your spirituality, complementing your military training. Ellian Varix will guide you; his kindness and wisdom

are rare in the universe. There is a hidden library here that could teach you a lot, but it is not yet time. Now, our priority is to rescue your people. I will join you, and when we are in space, allow me to guide your body. We will act together, without you losing consciousness—

Terry nodded, understanding the magnitude of what was to come.

—That's what I wanted to hear. Now, go get the others. We need everyone on board ,— Ætheris said, merging with Terry again. He felt that familiar warmth return, a constant comfort in his life, now recognized as Ætheris ' love .

With a nod of thanks, he set out to find his crew, ready to face whatever awaited them. Once reunited on the ship, they were ready to undertake the rescue, guided by Ætheris ' unbreakable spirit and Terry's determination.

—¿Where do we go now, boss?— Marcus asked, his intrigue and anxiety filling the air.

Terry, letting himself be guided by the wisdom and power of Ætheris , placed his hand on the control panel. With a firm and confident gesture, he activated the mechanism that propelled the ship into space, deploying an interdimensional portal . In the blink of an eye, they found themselves in front of the slave traders' ship.

—¿How do we get in?— Nova asked, her voice tinged with concern and determination.

—We'll do it. Leave it to me,— Terry assured, his confidence buoying the team.

—We follow you. We trust you,— Nova replied, sealing a pact of faith in her leader.

Under the influence of Ætheris , Terry maneuvered the ship with precision until it sneaked up on a hangar, used for waste disposal. This unnoticed entry allowed them to infiltrate without alerting the enemies.

Armed and ready for any confrontation, they advanced towards the cells, where they found their clan intact, except for Aiden , whose life hung in the balance.

—Brother,— Nova said, grabbing his bloody hand.

—¿Sis, did they capture you too? — Aiden asked , a shadow of pain crossing his features.

—No, we came to rescue you, — Nova said, her voice filled with a mix of relief and urgency.

Aiden 's face . —Leave me alone. Get to safety. I'll be with our parents soon and I'll tell them you're okay,— he said, offering a smile that didn't quite hide his suffering.

—Meanwhile, Terry examined the cells, each marked with a code and a number in green, next to a screen for entering data. —Let me take care of everything,— Ætheris whispered in his mind. Following the advice, Terry hurried to where his brother-in-law lay.

—Let me help him, Nova,— Terry said, and for the first time, he called his wife by name in a tone that demanded attention. With a touch to Aiden 's wound , Terry reversed the flow of blood, closing the wound and restoring the damaged organs until Aiden was ready to get up.

—Now, we need to get out of here,— Terry declared, helping Aiden to his feet.

With a series of precise gestures, he freed the prisoners from their cells, repeating the process efficiently and quickly. Under Terry's stealthy leadership, the group began their escape, a silent caravan moving toward freedom, each step guided by the promise of a new dawn.

In a whirlwind of emotions and chaos, Terry and his crew's small ship faced a space colossus, a monster compared to their modest vehicle. The possibility of housing so many rescued people seemed an insurmountable challenge. In the midst of the tense escape, some prisoners, intoxicated by their newfound freedom, unleashed chaos, attacking with beam weapons. A fierce fight broke out inside the enemy ship, as the Saharim tried to escape unharmed. They ran to the hangar, firing at the guards to fight their way to safety.

Just on the threshold of freedom, tragedy struck; a laser beam struck Nova, who collapsed into Aiden 's arms. Terry, absorbed in the fight, did not witness his wife's fall until Aiden 's desperate screams cut through the air.

—Nova,— he cried, trying in vain to wake her. He carried her aboard, where his children faced the devastating reality: their mother had left.

Silence fell over the room, broken only by the crying of the children and Aiden 's wailing , who tried to offer comfort despite his own pain. The ship's door closed, sealing the darkest chapter of their journey. Approaching the bed, Terry touched Nova's face, the face that had been his beacon of light.

in the darkness, now inert and cold. The smile that always greeted him had disappeared, leaving behind the cruel mark of a laser beam that had stolen his warmth, his life, cruelly piercing his heart. He embraced her, crying bitterly, submerging himself in an ocean of pain for the words of love that would never be spoken again, for the touch of hands that would no longer offer comfort.

From his heart emanated a devastating fury, a whirlwind of rage against those who had torn from his life his most precious treasure. He laid his beloved on her final bed, and in doing so, the man he had been was transformed.

His blue eyes, once filled with the light of love and compassion, turned a deep black, reflecting the abyss of his pain and rage. A palpable darkness enveloped him now, foreshadowing the gathering storm.

With his beloved on a bed of eternity, he rose, his figure imposing fear and respect as he passed. Marcus, though fearful, offered him a weapon, a gesture of loyalty in uncertain times.

—I'll be more dangerous—was his reply, a harbinger of the storm to come. The door closed behind him, leaving behind a piercing silence, broken only by the echoes of his unleashed fury. When Marcus, driven by worry and courage, decided to follow him, Elian handed him a weapon, a reminder of the dangers that still lurked.

—Don't worry about me, — Marcus assured, understanding the pain that was consuming Terry. —He's fighting for us.

On the bridge, the final confrontation took place. Terry, transformed by grief, faced the leader of the captors, a colossus who would soon know the true power of love and loss. With supernatural strength, Terry meted out justice, his righteous wrath clearing the path to redemption.

—Come out of your hiding place, Marcus— his voice, although terrifying, carried a nuance of tranquility for his people. —I need your help— he declared, —I will return each person to their home planet, now, once I have done this act I will disconnect from reality sinking into a deep sleep, I need you to take my body to a recovery dome that is located on the third level below the cells so I can recover my lost energy— he said looking at Marcus

Marcus, understanding the magnitude of the task and his leader's sacrifice, assumed command of the ship, prepared to guide the Saharim clan back to Zalara with reverence and determination, accepting the weight of responsibility, knowing that under the shadow of tragedy, hope and unity would prevail.

The ship, now a sanctuary for freed souls, charted its course through the stars, every heart on board carrying with it the legacy of courage, love and sacrifice.