17. Kuana

The sun on this planet was fierce, its golden rays beating down on me as I hoed rows in the field.

With every movement of my muscles, I felt the weight of the sun, the weight of the soil, and the weight of my own history.

Every now and then, I'd pause, wiping the sweat from my brow, lost in the repetitive rhythm of work.

It was a world away from the horrors of Ikmal, and yet, sometimes it felt as if I could never be too far away.

It had been just another day at the farm, but today was special.

We were supposed to visit the neighboring farm in the afternoon.

A potential new home.

Violet's excitement was palpable, almost infectious.

I could picture it — our own patch of land, our own animals, our own life.

But as much as I wanted to lose myself in the rhythm of work and the dreams of a brighter tomorrow, there was an undercurrent of unease that wouldn't let go.

Every rustle of the leaves, every distant call of an unfamiliar creature made me tense.

There was a shadow at the back of my mind, a feeling I couldn't shake off.

Taking a break, I straightened and stretched my back.

Glancing around, my eyes automatically searched the horizon, scanning the sky, half-expecting to see a ship or some sign of danger.

The vastness of the land, with its rolling fields and distant mountains, seemed both comforting and threatening all at once.

I couldn't escape the feeling that we were being watched.

Every gust of wind, every bird call, made me jumpy.

Had we been followed?

Had Ikhax or his associates tracked us down?

Pushing the hoe into the ground, I decided to take a quick break and walked over to a nearby tree for shade.

The fresh scent of the soil and the chirping of the insects should have been calming.

Instead, they only accentuated my unease.

With every passing moment, the sensation that we were on borrowed time grew stronger.

I couldn't help but wonder if settling down was a luxury that Violet and I could ever afford.

Lost in thought, I didn't notice when Elara approached, carrying a jug of water.

"You look a million miles away," she remarked, her keen eyes watching me.

I shook my head, trying to dislodge the heaviness. "Just… lost in thought. Thank you," I said, gratefully accepting the water.

She regarded me for a moment, sensing there was more to my distraction. "Is something troubling you?"

I hesitated.

Sharing my concerns might put them on edge as well. "Just reminiscing about the past," I finally replied.

Elara nodded, understanding more than I'd given away. "The past has a way of catching up with us, doesn't it? But sometimes, we need to trust in the present, trust in the good people around us, and move forward."

I took a deep breath.

Her words held weight.

But it wasn't just about me; it was about Violet, our future, our dreams.

We deserved a chance at happiness.

I nodded in gratitude. "You're right, Elara. I need to focus on now, on this moment. On our new beginning."

She patted my arm gently, "Good. Now, you better get back to work. Don't want you daydreaming the whole day away, especially with your visit to the neighboring farm coming up."

A chuckle escaped my lips. "You're right."

As I returned to work, I let the sun warm my back, the wind tousle my hair, and the dreams of a new future fill my heart.

And yet, the shadow of the past lingered, a subtle reminder that vigilance was a luxury I couldn't afford to lose.

Bending down, I resumed my work.

* * *

The afternoon suncast a warm hue over the landscape as Violet and I, along with Marlen, made our way to the neighboring farm.

As we approached, I was taken aback by the similarities between the two farms.

"This land is part of the original settlement," Marlen explained, a hint of nostalgia in his voice. "Built using the same designs, same layouts."

It was picturesque, a tranquil oasis amidst the vast expanse of the planet.

Rows upon rows of crops stretched out before us, and beyond that, a small forest.

A winding path led us to the heart of the farm, where a quaint farmhouse stood.

The barn, located just a stone's throw away, appeared to be in good shape.

The fields were tilled, ready for a new harvest.

Even the machinery and tools were left in their respective places, waiting for their next user.

Inside the house, the rooms were spacious and bright.

Sunlight streamed in through large windows, illuminating the dust motes that floated lazily in the air.

An old wood stove sat in the kitchen, a pot still resting on its top from the last meal that was cooked.

"It's… beautiful," Violet whispered, her eyes shining with a mix of wonder and hope.

I squeezed her hand, sharing in her joy.

Yet, the lingering doubt about our ability to afford it crept into my mind.

Marlen cleared his throat. "The asking price is reasonable, considering the state of the farm and the fact that it's move-in ready."

I hesitated only for a moment. "How much are they asking for?"

He named a sum, and my heart sank.

It was beyond our reach.

We had funds we'd saved before our incarceration, the credits we'd begun saving since we arrived, and even with what Selix had given us, we were short.

Seeing our dismay, Marlen quickly added:

"Now, don't fret. The price might seem steep, but given your circumstances and my vouching for you both, I believe we can work out a more flexible arrangement."

I looked at him, hope rekindling. "What do you mean?"

He scratched his chin, pondering for a moment. "What if you made a smaller upfront payment and then paid off the rest in monthly installments? It would be like a lease-to-own arrangement. I'm sure the owners would be open to it."

Violet's face lit up. "Do you really think they'd agree?"

Marlen nodded. "I've known the owners for many years. With me putting in a good word, and seeing as they've already moved on, I'm confident they'd be amenable to such an arrangement."

I felt a weight lift off my shoulders.

This was it.

The chance for a new beginning, for stability, for a life that Violet and I had only dreamed of.

"I… we can't thank you enough," I said, voice choked with emotion.

Marlen waved away our gratitude. "It's just neighbors helping neighbors. That's how we do things here."

We shared another look, Violet and I.

A look that spoke of dreams, hopes, and a shared future.

As the sun began to set, bathing the farm in a golden hue, we hugged each other tightly.

The very air seemed to buzz with possibility.

Here, on this dusty planet, we had found not only refuge but the promise of a life we could call our own.

I realized our dreams were no longer just dreams.

They were coming true, brick by brick, step by step.

We were home.

* * *

The creakingof wooden floorboards beneath our feet gave the house a lived-in charm that I wasn't expecting.

We had left the cozy kitchen behind, with its wooden countertops and ancient-looking stove.

Now, we were ascending the winding staircase to the upper level.

Violet gripped the wooden banister, her fingers tracing the grainy patterns, as her eyes sparkled with curiosity.

The first room we entered was spacious, with a wide window overlooking the fields.

A soft, muted light painted the room in warm hues. "This could be our bedroom," Violet whispered, a hint of awe in her voice.

"Imagine waking up every morning to that view," I murmured, following her gaze to the horizon.

It was a world away from the cold, harsh realities of Ikmal, where every dawn was a reminder of captivity and hopelessness.

The next room was slightly smaller but equally charming. "This one can be the kids' room," Violet said with a soft chuckle, her fingers brushing against the empty crib left behind by the previous occupants.

"And this one," I said, pulling her into the third bedroom, "can be our library. A room filled with stories from across the galaxies."

She giggled, a melodic sound that made my heart soar. "I think you're getting ahead of yourself, Mr. Dreamer."

We wandered into the last room, which was more of a study. "An office for you?" I teased. "To pen down our adventures and chronicle our new life here?"

Her laughter echoed in the room, filling the empty spaces. "Maybe. Or it could be a playroom for our kids. A space where they can let their imaginations run wild."

As we stood there, soaking in the possibilities, the weight of the journey that brought us to this moment pressed upon me.

Violet's eyes glistened with tears, and I pulled her close, feeling her heartbeat against mine.

"I can't believe this is real," she whispered, her voice quivering. "After everything we've been through…"

I kissed her forehead, brushing away a stray tear. "I was ready to resign myself to a life in Ikmal.

I thought that was all there was for me, but then you came into my life and changed everything."

She looked up, her blue eyes searching mine. "Kuana, I should be thanking you. If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't be standing here, dreaming of a future."

We stood in silence for a moment, lost in each other's embrace.

The memories of our past, the trials we had faced, and the love that had blossomed between us filled the room.

Every wall, every corner seemed to soak in our shared history, laying the foundation for the life we were about to build.

But there was something I had been holding back, a part of my past that she deserved to know.

Drawing a deep breath, I gently pulled away, holding her hands in mine. "Violet, there's something I've been wanting to share with you. Something I should've shared long ago."

She looked up, concern etching her features. "What is it?"

"It's about what happened at the research facility," I began, my voice shaky. "The experiments, the reasons behind my imprisonment, everything. You deserve to know the whole truth."

Her eyes widened, but she gave my hand a reassuring squeeze. "Okay, tell me. I'm here, and I'm listening."

I took a deep breath, ready to share the most painful chapter of my life.

The promise of a new beginning gave me the strength to confront my past.

* * *

The atmospherein the main bedroom was thick with anticipation, its spacious confines making it perfect for what I needed to share.

As we sat on the edge of the large bed, I could see the concern etched deeply in Violet's eyes.

Taking a deep breath, I began my tale. "As you know, I went on a mission that was supposed to be covert."

She listened intently, her blue eyes never leaving mine. "They were developing a new plasma technology. Something that, if fallen into the wrong hands, would mean disaster for our galaxy."

I could feel the weight of my words settling on her, making her even more anxious, but I needed to continue. "With that technology, defensive shields would become redundant. Our biggest frigates could be torn apart with ease, making every corner of the galaxy vulnerable."

As I recounted my mission's details, the pain of the memory etched across my features.

"I had meticulously planned every detail, every entrance, every exit. I was confident I could snatch the plans and be gone before anyone knew what had happened. But I was discovered. I ran from one exit to another but they were already locked down. I ran for the only place left unguarded: the facility's core. I thought it would give me time to come up with a new escape plan. But it ended up sealing my doom. They turned the core on, sending out a pulse to fry me. They weren't going to come in after me. They were going to kill me with radiation.

"But, my scales…" I paused, looking down at the iridescent scales that covered my arms. "They absorbed it. Not once but multiple times. Each time they tried to bring me down, my body defied them. But the power… it was too much. I felt it coarsing through my veins, a power I had never felt before. I felt like I was on fire, like I was going to explode… And then I did."

I took a deep breath. "It seared my eyes, and I unleashed beams of pure energy, tearing through the core, the walls, everything. My scream echoed through the facility, a cry of pain and defiance until darkness took over."

Violet's eyes were glistening with tears, "Oh Kuana…" She pulled me close, her arms wrapping around me. "I'm so sorry you had to go through all that."

"When I woke up, I found myself in the research facility's ruins. The core must have exploded, I guess. I ran and ran and ran until I couldn't run anymore. I had to live off grid and disappear. I couldn't contact you in case someone tracked me. I took whatever work I could while I learned to control the power in my body. I got caught and sent to Ikmal. And that's where I ended up."

For a moment, we stayed in that embrace, feeling the shared warmth and comfort.

It felt like a balm to the searing memories of the past.

But that comfort was short-lived.

Violet pulled back, her eyes fixed on the wall behind me. "Kuana… what's that?"

I turned around and saw the wall vibrating, shimmering with a peculiar energy.

The entire room began to shake, the objects around us blurring and fading away.

The sensation was vertiginous, like being pulled through a vortex.

The next moment, the farmhouse was gone, replaced by the cold, metallic confines of a room I knew all too well.

"No…"

The air was thick and smelled of stale metal, and the familiar hum of machinery rang in my ears.

"No," I whispered in horror. "Not here… Anywhere but here!"

But there it was, the undeniable truth: we were back in the heart of Ikmal, surrounded by danger once more.

We had never really escaped Ikmal.

We had been here the whole time.

We had been living in a fantasy world.