Bonds

A/N: well here it is chapters three and four. sorry so long in doing but i plan to do two chapers at a time so it may take a little while to do. i hope you have liked it so far and hope you continue to. thank you for reading this far.

Disclaimer: Any and all characters and races are my own save one which comes from the mind and wonderful imagination of Tayla Firedancer. May she continue to writing such great works of fiction.

Disclaimer: This is an Origanal Fiction that came out of my own imagination. If there are any similarities it is purely coincidental, except for those that are already otherwise stated.




--------------------------------------Chapter 3-------------------------------------


The years passed and Rhyan and Astraya were becoming closer and closer. Lyre had decided it was best to stay on his home planet and Rhyan had agreed and with a heavy heart astraya had to say good-bie. He never forgot about Lyre, although he never mentioned this to Rhyan. He knew it would anger him if he did, so he remained quiet.

During those three years they visited three of the planets from the book of planets that he cherished. Staying a year at each and visiting the amazing sights that the planets were famous for and some that were not mentioned. They were on the third planet Isan and had just got back from visiting its famous mountain Kyuki. The planet was beautiful and green and vibrant and so full of life that the very sight and feel of it all simply took his breath away. So far this was his favorite planet. He liked Lyre’s planet but it was too mystical for his taste.

At his request Rhyan bought a mansion that had over 30 rooms and 20 bathrooms that were like the one he had back at the palace and many, many servants, cooks, maids and a butler. Too many people for his taste so he learned to ignore them and if he wanted something he got it himself. At the moment Rhyan was talking to his second in command so astraya went outside. He found that he really liked being outside. It was probably because he was cooped up most of his life, all the life he remembered.

Outside he walked over to the stream that ran not too far from the house. The weather was nice and warm, just perfect for it being spring. At the stream he found a place to sit and took off his shoes, which were a birthday present from Rhyan. He couldn’t remember when his actual birthday so they made it for the first day they met.

As he laid there on his back with his feet dangling in the nice cool water he heard someone’s approach. He groaned and prayed that it was not one of the servants.

“So, this is where you were hiding.” he heard Rhyan’s voice and cracking open his eye he saw Rhyan’s face looming over him, a smile on his lips.

“I like it outside.” he said and closed his eyes again.

“Is that why you had me by the house?” Rhyan asked sitting down behind him and resting Astraya’s head in his lap.

“Yes.” he said and sitting up he placed a gentle kiss on Rhyan’s lips. “And thank you.”

“Your welcome Astraya.” Rhyan said with a smile when astraya let go of his lips. “I just want you to be happy.” he said taking the boy into his arms.

“I am.” Astraya murmured contently into Rhyan’s chest.

“I’m glad.” Rhyan said. “By the way, you ready to go traveling again? Kuben got the ship to pass inspection, so we can continue our sightseeing tour.” he said as he continued to hold him.

“Really?” astraya asked not really wanting to move. “Can we come back here when we are done?” he asked staying where he was.

“Yes, of course.” Rhyan said with a slight chuckle.

~

The weeks and months passed by in a steady blur as Astraya was continuously amazed by the wonders the planets they visited had to offer. Rhyan and the others aboard the Star Raven were amused by his child-like enthusiasm. Astraya became a favorite among those aboard, much to Rhyan’s delight. They all knew that he belonged to the Captain Rhyan and never tried to lure Astraya to their bed. No, they all loved Astraya as if he were one of their own. A brother.

Soon, before he knew it their trip was nearly over and his and Rhyan’s room was filled to nearly over filling with souvenirs from the planets they had visited. They even had a passenger, who they picked up along the way. His name was Tulen, Tulen no Takeva. He was tall and slender like Lyre and just as beautiful, if not more so. However where Lyre was light in colour he was dark. He had long waist length dark auburn hair that he had tied back just below the shoulders. The things that caught everone’s attention upon the removal of his cloak and cowl was his furry ears that stuck up out of his auburn hair and the tail that swished from side to side. They both were the same colour as his hair. He eventually became the talk of the ship; much to his amusement.

One day while everyone was in the mess-hall eating dinner Astraya’s attention was drawn to the strange, interesting looking young man. He couldn’t help himself, he got up from his spot next to Rhyan and walked over to the couch where Tulen was lounging and with out hesitation reached out his hand and began caressing one of the furry dark auburn coloured ears between the tips of his fingers.

Rhyan and the others just watched, completely shocked at Astraya’s unusual boldness and waited with held breaths to see what Tulen would do. To theirs and Astraya’s surprise Tulen just sat there with a small smile on his lips, his topaz coloured eyes fixed on Astraya’s beautiful young face. When Astraya’s hand moved down to touch the tail that was twitching slightly, Tulen spoke, “You touch that and I will have to take you right here and now.” he said his voice full of amusement and barely contained passion.

Astraya looked up then and looked Tulen in the eyes. “I’m taken already.” he said calmly. “Rhyan, the captain, is my husband.” he said in a matter-of-fact tone of voice, his hand moving back up to touch the ear again. It felt so soft. He could play with it all day and not get enough.

“Mmm, how disappointing.” Tulen said with a seductive pout. “And here I thought you were going to finish what you started.” he said, his eyes penetrating deep into Astraya’s. A shiver of delight rippled through his body and he glanced over to Rhyan. Rhyan, to his surprise and delight simply nodded his head. Looking back he noticed that Tulen had also seen the nod and without word picked Astraya up and placed him over his shoulder.

“You be gentle with him, okay.” he heard Rhyan call.

He was completely dumbfounded. Rhyan was actually letting another bed him. What made it even more and left him flabbergasted and his mind realing was that it was a complete stranger. Yeah, he was interested in him but still, this was Rhyan, the one who never let another soul touch him, not even Lyre.

After the two left the room Rhyan’s second looked at him with surprise painted on all over his face. “I don’t mean to question your decision, but are you sure you want to do this. He is your partner after all. Your. . . spouse.” Kuben said a worried look in his pale coloured eyes. Kuben was an older man, much older than Rhyan and has been his adviser since his uncle died some years ago.

“Exactly Kuben, he’s my spouse. He will return to me.” Rhyan said looking up from his drink. “I cannot keep holding onto him so tightly as I have been. And Lyre was right, as much as I don’t want to, I need to. I need to let him go a little bit, to let him breathe, let him be his own person and have faith that he will return to me.”

“That is a lot of faith to be giving to one boy. Even if this is Astraya we are talking about. Look at where you took him from, how many masters he’s had. We see how much he means to you and how much it will hurt you should he betray you for another. We are concerned, that is all.” Kuben said his concern showing in his pale blue eyes.

“He will never do that.” Rhyan said plainly, his attention returning to his drink.

“How do you know?”

“I know him. I know he will never do anything to hurt me. He loves me the same way I love him, and the same amount, eternally.” Rhyan said a far off look in his eyes.

Kuben sighed and gave in. “Very well. If you have so much faith in this boy then so will I.” It wa only then that a thought occurred to him and his eyes widened with shock and disbelief. “You plan on making the Kerin his concubine, arn’t you? ” he said looking at Rhyan.

“He is young and he need much more then I can give him to satisfy his needs. Maybe now that he has a lover he wont ask so much from me.” Rhyan said with a slight laugh and with a smile went back to his drink.

~

Actually, he hadn’t planned to make Tulen Astraya’s concubine, but the idea was not bad, it was actually a very good idea and so he decided to do just that. Much to Astraya’s delight. Tulen like the idea as well and when they got home Rhyan took him into his office and appointed him another task, Astraya’s protector, his body guard. He did not say why and Tulen did not ask. Rhyan asked only one thing of Tulen, not to tell Astraya, just saying that Astraya would not understand.

It was not until six months had passed that he understood the meaning to that. He and Astraya were outside playing in the snow. It was the first time Astraya had seen snow and the only reason he knew what it was was because Rhyan had told him when it first started last night. Astraya loved it, it was cold and soft and very much fun to throw, which he did a lot at Tulen. Tulen just laughed and shook off the fluffy white stuff. He had seen snow before. It use to snow on his home planet KeRan Tovain. The planet was still there and he was not too eager to return home. For reasons he did not wish to think of much less speak of.

Astraya had just thrown another ball of snow when all of a sudden a feeling of complete dread washed over him and he turned as white as a ghost. All Tulen saw of him was a flash of Raven dark hair and Astraya’s retreating back as he all but flew back to the house. He was there by his side when he reached the door and with shaking hands opened the door and stepped through. It was when Kuben came walking down the stairs with a heartbreaking look on his face that thing began to become clear to the Kerin. He wouldn’t even look Astraya in the eyes and it was because of this that Astraya knew what had happened. The impact of it all brought him to his knees with a heart wrenching cry. And then, all hell broke loose.

A blast of pure energy erupted from Astraya knocking everyone in the room back several feet. Even Tulen went flying back and sent crashing to the floor after hitting the far wall hard enough to knock the wind out of him and knock him unconscious. Astraya rose several inches off the floor, still in the kneeling position, tears of anguish streaming down his face. His normal bright eyes filled so painfully with the anguish and despair that was ripping through his very soul.

Nobody could do anything, an invisible force was keeping them where they had fallen. All they could do was watch as the person they had grown to love died a little by little right before their eyes from heartbreak. Leaning his head back Astraya howled his despair in a soul-wrenching cry, the energy responding by growing in power and little flames of energy flickering up and bathing Astraya with its unnatural glow, changing his hair little by little from Raven dark to silver white.

The pressure soon had become unbearable and with a choked cry Kuben shouted, “Astraya STOP! Your killing us! ”

The cry could not penetrate through the force field of energy that surrounded the boy, but it did reach the sensitive ears of Tulen and with a grunt of excruciating pain got slowly to his feet, his whole body shaking. Looking around he took in all the damage the energy blast had caused.

Seeing his last hope to save them all, including the boy, get unsteadily to his feet Kuben shouted once again, “Tulen! You must stop him! PLEASE!” After that all his energy left him and he collapsed to the ground unconscious.

Hearing Kuben’s words and seeing him collapse to the ground Tulen looked over to Astraya. A silver white wall of pure energy was swirling around him with vortex like speed. Tulen groaned and nearly collapsed as a wave of intense red-hot pain laced through his body. He caught himself on the wall and slowly made his way toward Astraya. The wind that the swirling vortex created blew through his hair and tail and tried to blow him back, but his determination was too great and with ears laid back against his head and with a few last steps reached Astraya’s side.

At the feel of another presence the energy took a more violent turn and tried to slice Tulen to pieces. It cut his arm as he reached for Astraya leaving many thin small bleeding lines on it where the wind sliced through his clothing. The closer he got the more the energy tried to kill him and when he finally made contact everything stopped. It was as if time itself held its breath. The next instant the energy exploded out with a deafening sound only to come rushing back in absorbing back into Astraya’s body. Tulen held his breath and waited for the violent energy to make its appearance known again, breathing a sigh of relief when it didn’t. His grip on the boy tightened when he felt his body go lax and caught him in his arms just before he fell.

Those that were smart and hightailed it out of there at the first signs or were thrown out of the energy’s reach slowly and cautiously got to their feet and made their way back to the main entryway. With eyes wide with shock they took in the scene of destruction. Vases and statues were shattered or laid broken on the floor. The walls and paintings were ripped or shredded from when the energy got violent. And there on the ground cradled in the fox’s arms laid the young master, Astraya. No one blamed the young master for what happened and their hearts ached for the pain they knew ripped through his young body and left him irreparably damaged. For there was no way to repair a soul that has lost its mate, its other half.

The ones that were able tended to those that were still unconscious and when they were deemed okay to be lifted were taken to their rooms or if they didn’t have one to a guest room. The butler, Ren, called for a healer to tend to Tulen’s injuries and to see to the young master.

After tending to a reluctant Tulen she looked over Astraya and shook her pale head. I am truly sorry.” she said in a soft musical voice, a sad look in her golden eyes. “I am afraid I am not trained to heal this sort of damage. I heal the physical not the mental or spiritual. You will have to take him to a Nemarin.”

“I know just the one.” Kuben said from the entrance to Astraya’s rooms. His injuries healed up well enough thanks to the talents of the healer. “We leave tonight.” he said and with a turn left.

The preparations went rather quickly and within a short amount of time were on their way. When they were a day or two away from their destination Kuben contacted Lyre and told him what had happened.

“This news pains me deeply. Rhyan was a kind and caring young man, and he loved Astraya very much so.” Lyre said sadness tinting his pale white gold eyes.

“He soul bond with him.” Kuben said plainly.

“I see. That explains a lot of things. To lose ones soul bonded is to lose a part of yourself, a part of your soul.” Lyre said, the sadness still there but a thoughtful came to his eyes. He would have said more but something Kuben said stopped him.

“I don’t know why Rhyan would do that when he knew he was dying.” he said his eyes distant and held a mix of mild anger and deep sadness. Anger at what Rhyan’s death had done to Astraya and sadness for said death and the unknown future Astraya faced. He hoped that everything would turn out okay and that Lyre would be able to at least help Astraya a little. He knew he would not be able to heal him completely, but at least he could ease his heartache.

“I don’t think Rhyan would have done it if he knew this would happen.” Lyre said trying to ease the man’s spirit. “Besides, one cannot prevent a soul bonding once it has started, no matter how hard they try. And their bonding no doubt began the day they first met.”

“And it only got stronger the more time they spent together.” Kuben said realizing the futility of his anger.

“Correct.” Lyre said coolly. “I will meet you when you arrive and I will see what I can do for young Astraya.”

“Thank you Lyre. And I will be glad to see you again.” Kuben said with a smile, relief washing over him. This is not the first time he has summoned Lyre’s expertise. He was the one that summoned him when a Draken nearly tortured him to death. When word had reached him about what happened he immediately called Lyre. Lyre had been on a nearby planet when he had called him. He knew which planet because he had just finished visiting him. He also knew that Lyre would be able to get there first and would not be hindered in any way from his task.

With a last farewell he turned off the monitor and went to the room that Astraya was in with Tulen. Tulen looked up from his spot by Astraya’s side when Kuben entered the room, his topaz coloured eyes looking deep into his eyes, a question in them. Kuben knew what question it was and before Tulen could ask it he said, “Lyre will be able waiting for us when we land tomorrow and he will see to Astraya.” Tulen looked at him a little doubtful. “Don’t worry, Lyre has healed him before. He knows his mind.” Kuben said trying to assure him.

“You mean this has happened before?” Tulen asked a little horrified at the notion.

“No. He had been tortured by a Draken.” Kuben told him. Tulen’s topaz coloured eyes widened with shock and he looked down at the pale boy that laid next to him on the bed. “And he still lived?” shock coloring his voice.

“Yes,” Kuben said pulling up a chair next to the bed and taking a seat. “But only because Lyre called him back.”

“Then I have faith in this Lyre’s ability and believe he will make Astraya better.” Tulen said as he laid himself out on the bed , curling up next to Astraya. “How long before we arrive?” he asked closing his eyes.

“We leave for the surface tomorrow.” Kuben said getting up.

“Mmm, that is good.” Tulen murmured as sleep was beginning to claim him.

“Yes, it is.” Kuben said as he closed the door. Then made his way to his room and his bed for some much needed sleep. Tomorrow was going to come quickly enough and they will depart for the planet’s surface early. They will be greeted by Lyre and then he will escort them to his house so that he can tend to Astraya there. It was easier him and would put less stress on the boy. He had told them that it may take some time for Astraya to heal, several months being the least. Kuben didn’t mind and neither did the others aboard. Just as long as Astraya recieved the help that he so desperately needed. All of this flooded through his mind as sleep finally began to claim him.

Early morning the next day Kuben with Tulen carrying a still unconscious Astraya met Lyre at the appointed spot; which was an open field with a bunch of wild flowers surrounding them. They both knew the spot rather well, for it was the spot they would always meet at when they got the chance to visit one another. Lyre just nodded his head silently and they all followed him to his house that was not too far away.

When they arrived at his rather large house he had Tulen take the unconscious boy to his room and lay him down on the bed, only then did he look at Astraya. When he did his face clouded with unsuppressed sadness. He could tell that the boy was lost between life and death, without the will to return to this life and wanting so desperately to go to Death. It had been relatively simple to bring him back the last time only because he had wanted to return. But now he didn’t and it was going to take all his strength and all his skill as a Nemarin to bring him back this time, and that was going to take some time to do. Time the boy just simply did not have. He was already slipping further and further away as he sat here looking at him.

Looking up Lyre said to Kuben, “I will need to be alone with him.” Kuben nodded his head and headed for the bedroom door. It was only then that Lyre’s pale eyes caught sight of Tulen and they narrowed as they looked at the Kerin. “You,” he said and Kuben looked to Tulen. Tulen looked back at him a little apprehensive and when Kuben nodded he walked back and took a seat at the edge of the bed where Lyre told him to sit.

He sat there silent for several minutes before he saw movement from Lyre. “It will work.” he heard the Nemarin say. “If I may ask, what will?” Tulen hazzard to ask looking at the pale coloured young man.

“I am going to create a bond between you and the boy.” Lyre said looking up at him. “It will not be as strong as the one he and Rhyan had, but it will keep him from death and here in the living plane.”

“Will he be whole?” Tulen asked. The unexpected question took Lyre by surprise and he looked up with eyes wide with the surprise he felt. Within seconds they became normal again and filled with great admiration and deep respect, a smile softening his lips. His view of the Kerin drastically changing, just from those simple words. “Whole enough.” he said taking a hold of Tulen’s hand, placing the other hand on Astraya’s bare chest and closed his eyes.

He concentrated all his energy on forming a small bond between the two. The bond will not be strong enough to hinder them in any way should they find someone they wish to be with. Just enough to keep the boy away from Death’s embrace. The process took nearly half the day to complete. When he was done he got wearily to his feet and walked out the door stopping at the entrance to talk to Kuben who was waiting there.

“So, how is he?” Kuben asked looking at the two occupants on the bed.

“He will be fine.” Lyre said wearily looking back. “It will take a couple of days for the bond that I created to gain in strength and cement in place. They will sleep until it does.”

“How long will it take all together?” Kuben asked walking by Lyre’s side as they started for their room.

“It will take several months for him to recover from the loss.”

“Will he be okay after that?” He asked as they continued on their way.

“He will never recover completely. But he will be okay.” Lyre said with a smile. “I have faith in his heritage. He is a Naemoen after all, and they are notoriously known for being fast healer.”

“True.” Kuben said with a returning smile, and a slight chuckle. “Too true.” he said and upon reaching the correct door opened it for Lyre. With a gentle hand on Lyre’s slender shoulder entered behind the young man closing the door gently behind him.

--------------------------------------Chapter 4-------------------------------------

The weeks and months passed by slowly as Astraya made a steady but slow recovery. His hair never returned to it normal colour, which caused some alarm from his friends and concubine. However when Lyre checked him out he simply just smiled and told them not to worry that his hair had been bleached by the power that had ripped through his body, that it would remain this colour for the rest of his life. Astraya did not like this news and sighed sadly. He had like his original hair colour, but there was nothing he could do about it so he just let it be. There were time though when it was just a painful reminder of what he had lost and he would try so desperately to change it back. However nothing he did would work and he would end up on the bathroom floor crying his heart out. It was always Tulen who found him and without a single word would sit down on the cold marble tiled floor in front of him and hold him tight, waiting for the heartache to ease.

It was then that his recovery took a drastic turn for the worse. There several occasions when the darkness of despair and heartache became so great and weighed so heavy on him that he could take no more and tried to make it all end. The first time Tulen came in and found Astraya sitting on the plush carpet floor with a long dagger poised at his throat. His eyes unfocused and clouded with despair and the need to end it. In one swift motion that only his kind boasted he snatched the dagger from Astraya’s hands and threw it across the floor where it landed softly in the far corner.

Lying on top of him, his length covering Astraya’s entire body he looked at the boy, anger and frustration tinting his eyes. He couldn’t say a word he was so mad. Astraya just avoided his gaze, his head turned to one side with eyes filled with such depression that it broke Tulen’s heart.

“Why?” Tulen breathed into the side of Astraya’s neck, his voice breaking from the heartache he felt. Astraya just continued to look away his chest heaving.

“You know we are bonded. Your pain is my pain.” Tulen said, his voice filled with anguish. “I can feel your pain Astraya, your despair, and it pains me not being able to help.”

Astraya didn’t try anything more that day and for the next couple of days. It wasn’t until Tulen went to the market with Lyre and Kuben that he found his opportunity. Walking outside into the beautiful, peaceful garden he looked around. The sight was simply breathtaking, the cherry trees were finally blooming and the gentle breeze blew through the small garden sending fallen petals flying about. Walking across the small bridge that crossed the little pond he made his way to one of those cherry trees and sat down. Taking out the small ceremonial dagger that he had lifted from Lyre’s dresser he gazed down at it, lost in its tranquil beauty. The polished silver shimmered and rippled in the filtered light that shone through the leaves and blossoms of the tree he sat under.

A flutter of a bird’s wing broke the fragile trance he was in and with a sigh and a silent “Sorry” he took the dagger and with a single swift motion slid the blades edge down the underside of his wrist and arm. He hissed slightly at the bite of the blade and watched with morbid fascination as the blood began to whell and spill out over his arm. The blood was flowing rather fast and he realized that he had cut a little more deeply then he had intended. “Oh well,” he thought as he did the same to the other arm. When that was done he leaned back and let the dagger fall from now numb fingers. His body was beginning to tingle and he knew it was going into shock from the sudden loss of precious blood.

It didn’t take very long before his vision began to blur and his body to feel as if it were floating. He only vaguely felt two srtong arms catch hold of him and the warm feel of Lyre’s healing, then all went black and he was floating in an endless sea of gray where he felt nothing and he didn’t want to leave.

~

Lyre, Tulen, and Kuben were in Astraya and Tulen’s room. Lyre was seated in a chair positioned next to the bed where Astraya laid, Kuben was sitting on the edge of the bed watching Lyre tend to the boy’s recent self inflicted injuries.

“This it the third time he’s tried this!” Tulen vented pausing momentarily from his steady pacing to glance at the bed. “We were damn lucky we made it in time the first time. If we had not gotten back when we did–” His eyes clouded and his voice choked with dread at the mere thought.

“Why is he doing this?!” Tulen asked needing to know just what it is he is doing wrong. It was his responsibility to prevent this, and we see how well of a job he’s doing.

“Your not doing anything wrong Tulen.” Lyre said reading the unspoken words. “He’s just in a lot more pain then I had expected. We just need to find a way to show him that it is better to live. That there is something worth living for.” Lyre said as he finished up his healing.

“We’d better find it soon. I don’t think his body could take another attempt.” Kuben stated looking at the pale looking boy on the bed.

It took three days for Astraya to recover enough to be allowed out of bed. He was not allowed to be alone, for obvious reasons. Both Kuben and Lyre said it would be best if the job were to be given to Tulen, and Tulen agreed. So he stuck by Astraya’s side, even when he went to the bathroom. He never left it.

Astraya didn’t mind Tulen’s company. He knew he had upset him greatly on his attempts and when he had regained consciousness on the last one he vowed never to do it again. The look of near devastation that was in Tulen’s eyes made him feel so guilty that he became sick, it made him feel so bad. It was then that he found his reason for living. His reason, was Tulen and never to see that look again, and to never lose him.

His recovery after that went on unhitched and one day he surprised Lyre by asking as they walked in the garden if there was a way for him to control the power he felt inside of him.

“I can take you to a friend of mine who specializies in such training. She is renouned for her teachings and is well sought out. You will like her. She has a great sense of humor and an even greater personality.” Lyre said with a smile.

“Is she close by?” Astraya asked, wanting to meet this friend of Lyre’s very badly.

“No, she lives on another planet in another star system.” Lyre told him placing a gentle hand on his shoulder.

“When can we leave?” Astraya asked excitement coloring his voice.

“We can leave tonight if you want.” Lyre said as they walked back through the door that led to the garden.

“Really? I’ll go tell everyone.” Astraya said. He was about do just that but was stopped by a firm hand on his shoulder.


“I’m afraid that the only one that can come are you, me, Tulen, and Kuben. The others are just going to have to stay here.” Lyre told him letting go of his shoulder.

“Then how are we going to fly the Star Raven?” Astraya asked confused.

“We aren’t. We are going to take my ship. It is small and fast and we will made it to her planet in half the time it will take the Star Raven.” Lyre told him as they made their way to the eating area.

They broke the news over dinner. There was a great deal of apprehension from the crew at first but when Lyre explained that it would be his friend that trained the boy their apprehension faded. After dinner was over and Astraya and the others got everything packed they all said good-bie. The four then departed for Lyre’s little ship, which was nearly half the size of the Star Raven and headed out for the system and the planet that Seiairra, Lyre’s friend, was on.

They made it to the star system, at top speed, within three weeks, and it took another two to make it to the planet.

“Aren’t you coming?” Astraya asked at the door to the shuttle that would take him down to the planet.

Lyre shook his head, “I’m afraid this is where we part company.” he said his voice tinged with the sadness that gripped his heart. He looked to Kuben, Kuben’s arms were crossed and his head was turned away. “We will see you again. We will return to this area in three years. Which is about how long your training will take, so you take care, okay?” he said and gave Astraya a hug farewell.

Both Kuben and Lyre watched as the shuttle made its way down to the blue and green planet; which was called Earth. When they could see it no more they made their way back home, with a promise to return in three years time.