Rayne and Jinho had no clue that losing everything they once knew would only be the start. After the Outers attacked, ending the world war, they found themselves underground unsure of how to continue in this lonely world. And all they wanted was not to lose any more family. But life doesn’t always give us what we want. Now does it?
Maxvel Zicooli, also known as the defective prince of the Zicaryn Empire, just wanted to paint. Not with blood–no, that would be rather disgusting–but with pretty pastel colors. Unfortunately, blood was all he had. Beatings and bruising gave him plenty to work with. Even in the event of a Galactic War, it would feel better to just run away and live a life of isolation. Alone with his colors. But life isn’t that simple. Especially when some alien girl from Eris set her sights on something much bigger. Just what was her problem?!
Ryker held Stella in his arms. He could feel her blood sticking to his hands. “Why didn’t you tell me? I could’ve–”
“And that’s why,” Stella smiled despite her pain. Her eyes sparkled again, as she could see his future yet again. “This was necessary, not for us but for the world. Please, remember this, I love you And Ziya with all my heart.” Her voice Was already so weak he had to lean his ear all the way to her lips to hear her final words. “I know you can make this world A better place, and keep our dear Ziya safe. I love… you.” Her last word barely escaped her lips before her whole body fell limp In his arms.
Ryker’s body began to shake violently. And his eyes glazed over. They say some things can make you see red. But all Ryker saw was a pitch black world, he’d paint red with the blood of those who endangered his family. Those who didn’t deserve to live in the same world his Stella and little Ziya lived in.
He held Stella’s body close to his, she was so light despite no longer being able to hold herself up. He barely noticed the tears streaming down his face as he walked over the unconscious bodies he had knocked out after being attacked.
“Burn in hell,” he said before slicing each of their Heads off with his wind.
The next few days blurred as he held his 4 year old daughter in his arms. She was fragile just like her mother. He didn’t even want to let her leave his embrace, afraid of what Would happen should he let her go. But he still felt Stella’s presence. Even at the funeral. She had always said she wanted to be burned away under the light of the stars in the large expanse of the Alion desert. A place she never dared to go since her body felt so weak most days.
Ziya looked up at the stars. “Is mommy going up there?”
Ryker looked at her, tears twinkling in his eyes. “Yeah, she is.”
“Then I wanna go too! One day I’ll see her again. Next to the lights in the sky.”
All he could do was hug her tighter and kiss her forehead and nod, “Yeah. Me too.”
In the Zicaryn Empire, power is slipping through the fingers of the royal family as civil war erupts. The Aptrothian serum, a coveted substance that grants extraordinary abilities, has driven the empire into chaos. Betrayed by those closest to them, the Zicaryn Royalty now face a rebellion led by the charismatic Luli Vistra, who seizes control and kills the Monarch, Venella Zicar.
Young Rivas Zicar, heir to a shattered throne, is forced to flee as his family is torn apart. Smuggled onto the royal vessel Ziifta, he becomes a target for the Lumari, a fanatical war cult bent on seizing the power they believe they deserve.
People like to pretend they know what it’s like to kill. To hold that moral decision in your hands and tell you just what you should do.
Killing is wrong.
They can be reformed!
They don’t deserve to live?!
Just end them already.
Eh, whatever. Not my problem.
Words uttered by passers by on the streets who think they know everything, but nothing at all. No one quite gets what it means to hold a life in your hands.
Do you save one life over another? One life over thousands? Sacrifice thousands for one person people deem more important than a whole world. These decisions made lightly by others just come out as roaring whispers these days. Relentless. Thoughtless. Meaningless.
However, I believe that the lives of these people are important. The background noise turns to a solid mass of people just wanting to live. Live for themselves but not harm others. That’s what I believe.
There are some though, whose life would feel disjointed without blood on their hands. Do we just let these people live? They are after all living in a very similar way. Just living life the way they want. Some may even believe themselves peaceful. Righteous. But they are taking others’ chances away at the behest of their desires. Are we to give these so-called villains another chance? Another chance to take away someone else’s life? Rid the world of others that were just living their own life without ending others?
What to do. What to do.
Most say just leave it alone.
The heroes will take care of it.
They’re in prison anyway.
I don’t want to deal with that.
But do you want to die? You may be singing a different tune when the villains behind bars break free. And take your life away.
Don’t worry. I’ll make the decision for you. In a new peaceful world. In my utopia.
Rivas Zicar, heir to the fallen Zicaryn Imperial Throne seeks to reestablish an era of peace throughout the galaxy.
Rivas Zicar, heir to the fallen Zicaryn Imperial Throne seeks to reestablish an era of peace throughout the galaxy.