Chapter 321 - Day MXCII, Part II

- So after everything seemed to finally end, at least for now. I was still kinda worried of Xuvi, but The Great One kept watching their moves and even told me a few things they were focusing on. Knowing that whoever they are, they need us, I also knew that I will be informed of danger beforehand. 

I took another deep breath.

- I didn't expect, though, to be asked to go and annihilate them all.

Ki'rai face turned from concerned, and focused, as she was still thinking about what I just told her about me and supreme being, to straight-up shocked.

- They figured out that The Great One never wanted them dead, and kept them alive for a purpose. With that thought in mind, they started preparing for war with us.

- How exactly did they figure that out? - asked Boris.

- Ki'rai. She was openly walking among us for days. If this didn't bring the attention of The Great One to them, it meant they were always safe. It further led to the conclusion that we might be even less important than them, since we already were sentenced to death once.

My little lizard was devastated by what I just said. It was obvious to me that she was asking herself if she was to blame for this, as she looked at her own hands. Aisha picked up on that, and turned to her, to whisper:

- Hey... Don't blame yourself. It's not your fault. Let Peter finish talking before you start assuming anything.

I read from her lips.

- But that wasn't the case since you were asked to kill them - said Boris. - Why didn't The Great One kill them? Why you?

- I kept asking the same question, and I got an answer. It was because I owed them for helping me free Ki'rai. To be exact I was told to kill everything, except the embryos. Xuvi were conducting experiments on their own race. Every soldier they made was a mutated baby of their own kind.

- And those embryos were taken by The Great One? - asked Hatta.

- I brought them to one place and then left. I could go back and check, but I doubt there are still there.

- So you didn't see them? The Great One, I mean - asked Amit.

- No. I wanted to, but I also didn't want to piss that thing off.

- Well, as far as I see it, you had no choice - he continued. - We don't know what exactly went there, and I doubt you want to talk about it, but that doesn't change the fact that being who almost killed us all once asked you to do it. So if somebody is to blame, it's them. This could easily be resolved with the resources that thing possesses, but since it wasn't we couldn't do anything either. Not without risking another invasion, or maybe even something worse.

I nodded to that. Amit wasn't really the person most fond of me, but he was definitely fair and logical. Always using his brain to determine the situation, and not letting himself be swayed by emotions.

- There is no honor in killing those weaker than you, but there is honor in protecting those dear to you - stated Nobuo.

- They were actually not that weak. They had around a hundred soldiers equipped with guns shooting energy beams. They had vehicles and other stuff. That's even before they had time to prepare for an assault.

- From what I understand what happened is neither your of Ki'rai fault - said Asiah, looking at my little lizard more than at me. - She is a victim, just like Peter is. You both got yourself caught between two forces that were just using you. I respect that you told us all though.

She ended up facing me and smiled a little.

- What Ki'rai thinks about this? - asked Will. - Are you ok? I'm sure it was a heavy hit to find what happened.

- I... I don't know - she answered, and rose her head. - I'm sad that the people I knew are dead. I'm sad that what I did made this happen. They were bad people. Selfish, as you say here. That doesn't change they were all I knew for a long time and shaped my view of the world.

Aisha hugged her immediately.

- Now you have a new family, and we will take care of you.

Ki'rai returned the hug.

- I have to say that I was worried about coming here today - started Hatta. - I talked briefly with Peter before, and I didn't like what I heard. I'm not blaming you. You were still very emotional. Now when you explained everything more, and also with input from the rest of you, I feel better.

- Were you worried Peter is turning into a dictator or something? - asked Will, with a smirk.

- Yes. He definitely has the resources to rule by force if he would want to, so I keep an eye on him. I'm sure we all do.

- Give him a break - said Boris. - Let's drink. It's been some time since I drank with you.

- I have some work to do...

- Not today - Amit joined. - Today drinking is a good idea

And with those words, he wants to the bar. Will immediately joined him, so did Boris. The rest of us followed.

People relaxed a bit, and started joking, but not Ki'rai. She still seemed sad. Aisha took care of her, as I kept my distance, giving her time to figure everything out.

On that day she spent her first night in Velvet Lotus, with the girls. I eventually returned to my room, alone and sober, even after drinking a lot. I was a bit melancholic and worried about what our relationship will look like from now on.

I was sure of one thing, though, I didn't want to lose her like I did lose Nadia. She was like a daughter to me.

The day came to an end with 14 749 509 points remaining on my account, and thirty-seven class points.