Farewells

Evryn smacked his forehead. Damnit, how could I forget that stuff? I'm literally wrapped in bandages!

"Helaine, I'll be back."

She looked up at him, resting her head on her right hand, elbow propped on the table. "Where are you going?"

"I forgot a few things."

Helaine let out a small sigh. "Okay, don't take too long."

"Of course."

As Evryn left the living space, he glanced down—Razek was still lying in the doorway. He quickly stepped over him and headed off the ship, making his way back to the inn.

***

Evryn wasn't far when he spotted Cyrus walking out, chatting with Garran.

"Hey! Did anyone touc—" He cut himself off, surprised to see Cyrus holding his clothes, sword, and wolf pelt.

Before Evryn could thank him, Cyrus spoke first.

"Yeah, yeah, don't mention it. Figured you'd forget your stuff, so here." He held them out. "Next time, though, I'm putting them on the market." A smirk tugged at his lips.

Evryn smirked back. "Thanks." He grabbed his belongings.

Garran clapped a firm hand on Evryn's shoulder. "It was nice meeting you, kid. You've got a lot of potential! Keep at it, and you'll be a great warrior like myself, haha!"

"Yeah… thanks." I swear, if one more person puts their hands on me…

"Oh! Almost forgot." Garran reached behind his back, rummaging for something.

A moment later, he pulled out a sleek black sheath, long and smooth, its polished surface practically inviting to the touch.

"I made this for you," he said, holding it out. "Noticed you didn't have one, and since you're learning to wield a sword, I figured it'd be a perfect gift. Or, you can just think of it as a farewell present, haha!"

Evryn's eyes lit up with joy as he took the sheath from Garran's hand, running his fingers across its sleek surface.

This feels so nice…

"Thank you, Garran." A rare, genuine smile formed on Evryn's face.

"Of course!" Garran grinned.

Evryn slid his sword into the sheath—it fit perfectly, the smooth, satisfying sound making him feel like it truly belonged. He held it to his hip, only to realize he had no way to attach it. Dammit… I don't even have a belt loop or pockets.

With his clothes draped over his left shoulder, the wolf pelt on his right, and his shoes in his right hand, he was ready to head back to the ship.

"You go on, kid. I've got things to finish up here."

Evryn nodded. "Okay." With that, he turned and walked away.

Cyrus glanced at Garran. "Tell that lady I said thanks for cleaning my coat. She made it look brand new." He patted the back of it, right where the blaster had grazed him.

"Haha, of course!" Garran tied his dirty-blond hair back as he had it before, then opened his eyes. "I must get back to my people now. It was good seeing you again! Maybe we'll cross paths again soon, yes?"

"Yeah, we can."

"Haha, great! You be safe, Cyrus."

"Likewise."

***

Evryn stood in the bathroom, unwrapping the bandages from his body. With each layer removed, he felt a strange relief, as if shedding the remnants of the previous battle. He slipped into his clothes, adjusting his coat until it fit just right.

With a final glance at himself, he stepped out into the living space.

Helaine still sat at the booth, absentmindedly tracing patterns on the table with her fingers. She hadn't moved much since earlier. As soon as Evryn entered, Cyrus entered as well. 

"Where's Razek?" Evryn asked.

"In the bedroom, holding his junk," Helaine muttered, not even bothering to look up. "Said he needed time for 'self-recovery'—whatever nonsense that means."

Cyrus sighed, rubbing his temples. "Alright, whatever. Get ready. We're taking off soon. It'll be a long trip since we won't be using the Aetherstreams."

Evryn raised an eyebrow. "Why not?"

"The planet we're heading to isn't that far from here," Cyrus explained. "You might've seen it at night."

Evryn thought for a moment, trying to recall. Then it clicked—the yellow-golden planet that hung in the sky, its surface shimmering like desert sands.

"That one? The desert-looking planet?"

"Bingo." Cyrus smirked. "That's where the Black Suns' main stronghold is."

Evryn frowned. "Why a desert planet?"

"Well… it wasn't always a desert."

Evryn's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean?"

Cyrus leaned against the booth, crossing his arms. "That planet used to be completely covered in water—a thriving, advanced civilization once lived there, floating above the endless ocean."

Evryn's gaze sharpened. "What happened?"

"The First Galactic War happened," Cyrus said, his tone darkening. "Someone used a weapon that drew power from a star itself… and it completely dried out the planet. Every ocean evaporated. Every living thing—wiped out."

A heavy silence settled over the room.

"The heat reached over 400 degrees," Cyrus continued. "Over the years, it cooled, but the damage was done. The old civilization? Gone. Now, all that's left are bones—giant skeletons of sea creatures buried beneath the sands. A graveyard of what once was."

Evryn processed the weight of those words. The First Galactic War…

His thoughts drifted back to the memories he had seen when he picked up that sword—the visions of ships falling from the sky, of people dying en masse.

Was it possible… that what he had witnessed was connected to this?

There were so many questions lingering in Evryn's mind. The man with the long white hair, screaming. The Vallion Empire…

So much history. So many things about this galaxy he didn't understand.

But he needed to.

"You good, kid?"

Evryn blinked, snapping out of his thoughts. "Oh, yeah—sorry. I dazed off for a moment," he chuckled, scratching the back of his head.

Cyrus gave him a knowing look before shaking his head. "Yeah… well, I'm heading to the cockpit. You guys get ready."

"Of course."

As Cyrus left, Evryn moved toward the booth, sliding into the seat across from Helaine. She hadn't looked up once since he entered.

For a moment, he just sat there, the silence stretching between them. Then, finally, he spoke.

"You know, staying in a bad mood won't change anything. You're only hurting yourself."

Helaine glanced at him, then looked away. "What would you know?"

"I don't," Evryn admitted. "But I figured I'd give you some friendly advice."

She let out a deep sigh, then leaned back against the booth, finally meeting his gaze.

Evryn gave her a small, soft smile. "That's better," he said. "You shouldn't bottle everything up like that."

He knew the irony in his words—he did the exact same thing. But at least he didn't take it out on others.

Helaine's expression darkened. "I don't want to talk about it."

"I get that," Evryn said, keeping his tone light. "But you know you can tell us anything. We're practically like family."

Her lips parted as if to respond, then hesitated. A second later, her voice came out sharper than before.

"What would you know about family?" she snapped. "I lost my brother to those pieces of shit. And now you're sitting here telling me 'we're practically family'? Nothing can replace my brother!"

Her hand slammed against the table, rattling the cups and plates.

Evryn's stomach twisted. He didn't like seeing her this upset—especially not because of him.

"I never said he could be replaced," he replied, voice steady but gentle. "No one can replace your family. They're your blood—the people who raised you, who you spent your life with. That bond is real."

Helaine's jaw tightened, but she listened.

"But even if they're gone…" Evryn continued, "you still have us. We're not just people traveling together. We look out for you. We'll fight for you. We'll protect you."

His hands moved slightly as he spoke, his gestures slow and calm, trying to ease the tension.

Helaine exhaled sharply, some of her anger dissipating. But her voice was still edged with skepticism.

"And what would you know about how a family should be?"

Evryn met her gaze, unflinching.

"I wouldn't," he admitted.

"I'm just going off what my heart tells me."