Terran Knights: Chapter 27

When he opened his eyes, he felt uneasy. His body felt heavy, legs like sand and hands clammy in what he could only assume was mist around him. Taking a hesitant step forward he stumbled trying to find his footing. He held one hand out in front of him for balance and almost sank down to his knees.

But he caught himself and his head whipped upward trying to find where he was going. Reaching down he dragged his hand through the mist and it passed around his hand like it were solid. He stared at his hands confused and picked up another handful of the mist but it passed like water.

“What is this stuff?” he mumbled.

Standing again he started trudging through the mist. He couldn’t tell if there was ceiling above him but the air felt stale. He was sure that this place was inside but inside what was up in the air. For a dream it felt more real than he’d had in a long time.

Finally getting his bearings he walked more confidently through the mist. Though that didn’t stop him from getting his foot caught on cracks in the ground. After another stumble his foot slammed on something above floor level and he fell to his knees against it grunting.

Working back to his feet he watched as the mist cleared around him, dissipating and revealing a pedestal beneath his feet. Looking around slowly he raised his eyebrow and for the first time the air didn’t taste stale anymore.

A white light appeared in front of him like a will-o-wisp. It morphed into a human shape floating along the air. An androgynous shape in white with flaming hair and eyes that tried to glow but instead only smoldered. He instinctively backed away from it.

“Hello,” a voice said from this mouthless being and he blinked. It was pleasant, soft, though he didn’t know what kind of voice he had expected.

“Hi,” he responded but kept his eyes narrowed unsure. “Where am I?”

“An interesting question. I believe your kind call this a dream scape. You are asleep in the real world. But here in your mind we are communicating.”

“This isn’t strange at all,” he mumbled to himself. “And what are you?”

“A celestial,” it spread its arms. “An alien from far beyond the milky way galaxy. Albeit weaker than I once was. But I’m sure you know about my kind don’t you Marco.”

He froze, staring at the alien. “How do you know my name?”

“I know many things. For example, I know that you are a smart man. Very adapt with your words. Kind hearted and protective of those you care about. But that is only things about you that I know. I learned your name from someone that you were very close to.”

It motioned with its arms and stepped aside. Marco stared at it and then watched as another shape approached and his heart skipped a beat. He almost stumbled backwards and fell to the ground staring at Jack. He looked exactly as Marco last remembered him. Jack smiled at Marco and walked over to the pedestal and held out his hand.

Marco stared at his hand and then took it getting back to his feet. He touched his face and chest They were solid. He touched his face and it was soft. His fingers shook as he pulled him close kissing him hard first and then holding him tighter. Jack smiled hugging him back just as tightly.

“How?” he whispered. “How are you here? Is this a dream?”

“Honestly? No idea. It’s your head, right?”

Marco wiped his eyes and tried not to laugh. “You’re an idiot. But you’re here.” He hugged him again shaking his head.

“You asked why you’re here. It’s because of me.”

“What do you mean?”

“Jack asked if I could bring you here,” the celestial said. “And I was able to oblige though it took some time.”

Marco furrowed his brows, “Why?”

Jack nodded and glanced over his shoulder. “I died fighting the Taq-Law to protect you and Sarah. To save the planet from them. Not really what I was planning to do once I graduated,” he laughed. “But living with you and Sarah. That was a highlight.”

He sighed softly and looked toward the ground and then back at him. “I over estimated what I could do and paid for it. And now you and Sarah are hurting because of it. And the team is weaker for it. But they still have a chance. You.”

“Me?”

“Yeah. You. You can take the stone that I had and take my place. Do what I did. The team needs a fifth person. The team needs a leader. You’re just as qualified as I was if not more. You want to protect Sarah right?”

“I’d do anything to keep her safe,” he said frowning. “Same for you.”

“If I had you watching my back I might have lived that night,” he laughed and squeezed his shoulder. “Which is why I know if you’re watching Sarah’s back and everyone else’s they’ll be okay. That you guys can save the planet. For real.”

“Jack. Do you know what you’re saying?” he asked slowly feeling the weight of what Jack was asking.

“Yeah. I can’t do it anymore. You have to do it for me. Please. Please Marco,” he put both hands on his shoulders and his face dropped any pretense of the teasing. “Take my place. Protect Sarah. Protect the world.”

Marco stared at his best friend turned boyfriend turned warrior super hero. And he knew if the roles were reversed he’d ask Jack the same thing. Closing his eyes, he took both of his hands, “Okay Jack. I’ll make sure everyone stays safe and make sure we win. I promise.”

The relief that flooded Jack’s face was palpable. He closed his hands in front of Marco as his body began to glow white. Marco panicked slightly as he became more and more translucent and he reached for him. But Jack just grinned. “Thanks Marco. I love you. Tell Sarah I love her.” And then he faded away from Marco’s sight filling his gaze with white.

Marco’s eyes shot open and he huffed lying in bed staring at the ceiling. He reached out in front of him reaching for Jack, still seeing the outline of him in his mind before resting his arm across his eyes fighting back tears. That’s when he felt the weight in his palm. He held it above his head and saw the necklace with a gleaming red stone now dangling from his hand.

He was one of them now.