Chapter 6

Captain Cason routinely hit the training dummy positioned at the end of one of the many training fields outside the fort. Each swing was rhythmic and contained similar portions of strength. He would strike in a one, two, one, two, one, two, three pattern with each beat hitting a different section of the body. One swing would strike the throat and step, then it would transition to thrust to the neck and then another step. He would use his footwork to carry the motions of his attacks adding fluidity but also more energy to his strikes. Finishing up and slightly sweaty, Captain Cason looked to his ship; The Seven Skies Voyager. It wasn’t an original name by any means, but it was one that he treasured. He had seen Ise and Auran finishing up the unloading of the goods and transportation of it back into the fort using hauler bots. Wiping the sweat off his forehead, he made his way to the two. Looking up from her holo-pad, Ise greeted Captain Cason with a nod and entered the last bits of information.

Ten crates of Chemical compounds Five crates of gunpowder Three crates of flintlock pellets and other ammunition Ten crates of cement mixture Eight crates of Grade A nano-fiber One crate of Grade S nano-repair bots

Finishing up the final touches, Ise looked at the old man and in response to her silent stare, he said “The boy is in his quarters. Three rooms from yours.”

Ise nodded and leaped from the crate she was sitting on and hastened her steps to the fort.

Auran who stored the last cargo bot back in its pod approached Captain Cason and asked, “So how did he do?”

“If I described it in one word - fast, ” Captain Cason replied “He evaded all my attacks like he saw them before I even moved. If it isn’t for his hesitation, he would have landed quite a few blows on me.”

Auran raised his brows and nodded in agreement, “He drew his revolver and shot before I could even play my hand on my revolver.”

“Ha, you must be losing your edge.” Captain Cason snickered. For the Deadeye Auran to be outgunned by a boy, who wasn’t even ten.

“Might I remind you, I’m the reason for the bullet lodged in your knee,” Auran said making a wry smile.

Captain Cason shrugged his shoulders and said “It’s only fair,” while making sure to look at Auran’s wrists.

“Anyways, are you going to teach the boy the arts?” Auran asked changing the subject.

“No, the boy needs a foundation. The arts I practice have no foundation to practice as it involves self-individuality and only when he finds himself, will he be able to soar.” Captain Cason answered.

“Instead, I will teach him the basics of the sword, and you will teach him the basics of gunpowder.” Captain Cason said detailing his plans.

Auran himself was interested in how far Chrono could go, so he nodded his head in response. “It’s been a while since I’ve trained, better start again before I embarrass myself in front of him,” Auran said drawing not his flintlock pistol but his two revolvers hidden inside his coat. With a series of twelve total bangs, two bullets were lodged in each body part of the dummy: the head, the body, both arms, and the legs.

“Show off.” Captain Cason said rolling his eyes and continued to practice on his own training dummy.

Inside the fort, Chrono laid on his bed in a small room. The room only contained the bed Chrono was sleeping on, a rug in the middle, and a desk and chair to do any work. Similar to his room in the ship minus the window. By his side sitting on a stool was Ise who was quietly looking at him. After a few minutes of her staring at Chrono, she grew bored and began to hum. Despite it being a hum and not full on singing, it was soothing and calming one that would enrapture ears and steal hearts.

Inside Chrono’s body, Chrono was floating in the abyss that is his soul. He felt that the world around him was empty. It hurt him, and he couldn’t help but feel his heart being beat down. This world was too similar to one he was all too familiar with. He curled himself like a fetus and couldn’t shake off the darkness that was engulfing his body. At the peak of him being consumed, an angelic sound reverberates throughout his soul. It cleansed him of the evil in his heart and the demons in his soul. Suddenly he felt his body become lighter and he found himself unraveling and back into an upright posture. When he looked above he could see the light - it was his sun - his star in a world of darkness. With its presence above him, he felt as if he was on top of the world and invincible against all adversaries. As he was about to fly up to the light, he suddenly felt something pull his heart. Looking down he could see a chasm that was darker than the darkness that already surrounded him. He felt that if his star hadn’t appeared, he would’ve fallen in the chasm and be lost forever. Struggling against the pull, Chrono used all his strength to claw his way to the light. Inches away from his star’s embrace, Chrono was pulled down with inconceivable strength.

“It is far too early for you to venture here my friend.” A female voice he recognized said. With the arrival of the voice, he felt the chains that were dragging his heart down vanished in fear. Swift and decisive, he thanked the voice in his heart and embraced his star.

“Carry on my dear. I leave you with gifts and my eternal love,” the voice said with deep melancholy as she watched Chrono’s retreating figure. Opening his eyes, he expected to see the sky or the cement ceiling of a room. He hadn’t expected to see Ise and in such close proximity. It was only after a few moments of staring and a few blinks that Chrono had realized what he was doing. Releasing himself from Ise’s embrace, Chrono couldn’t help but feel saddened at the leaving warmth and hid under his blanket.

Ise couldn’t help but let out a giggle and say “I didn’t mind.”

After a few moments of Chrono processing what he had just heard, he calmed his beating heart and said: “I-is that so?”

“Mhm,” Ise responded

“Then can I have another hug?” Chrono asked slightly lowering his blanket to reveal his silvery white eyes.

Ise couldn’t help but feel slightly guilty and helpless. Letting out a small smile Ise said “of course” and scooted Chrono to the side. Lifting the blanket, Ise made her comfortable at Chrono’s side and turned to embrace him. Chrono stiffened at Ise’s sudden actions but felt his muscles loosen as he found himself dozing off under her embrace. Making sure to turn to embrace her as well, Chrono and Ise fell together to a land of sheep.