home

search

Where Do We Go?

  The day before Akari and the others’ funerals, a despondent Mai made a trip to the store, picking up food for herself and Rachel. When she returned, she called out for Rachel, but there was no response. Her voice echoed through the quiet space as she moved through the apartment, checking the main room and the kitchen before finally stepping into Rachel’s bedroom.

  Mai called Rachel’s cell phone, which vibrated on Rachel’s bed..

  Mai made her way to the roof. She found Rachel sitting there, reaching down to take off her shoes. The moment Rachel saw Mai, her composure shattered, and she broke into uncontrollable sobs.

  Mai sprinted over to Rachel. “Rachel, stop!” Mai wrapped Rachel up in her arms.

  Rachel sobbed. “Where Akari goes…I go…”

  “You can’t! We promised her!” Mai cried too.

  “Akari took me in when my family abandoned me…Being by her side is the only thing I know…”

  Mai wiped her tears and some of Rachel’s. “I know…She wasn’t just my big sister, she raised me. I know how you feel! But she asked us to keep going. Even if we don’t know the way yet, we’ll find it! Together… I already lost one sister. I can't lose my only other sister, Rachel…”

  Rachel composed herself. “I’ll try…”

  “Let’s go back inside and make something we both like to eat, okay?” Mai escorted Rachel back into their condo.

  ***

  Andres and the others attended the funerals of their three fallen comrades. After laying them to rest and gathering for the wake, Bella invited her five remaining pilots to her home.“You’re all welcome to stay as long as you want, or even spend the night. Maybe being somewhere other than home will help.”

  “Thank you for having us,” they replied and sat together near Bella’s fireplace.

  Kobe could feel Andres, Rachel, and Mai wanting to ask him something. “Is there something you want to talk about, guys?”

  Rachel looked down and couldn’t bring herself to ask. Andres looked at Mai, and her eyes said ‘don’t make me ask…’ Andres turned to Kobe. “Do you know what happens to us after…After we die?”

  Kobe took a deep breath and gave them all a reassuring nod. “I do.” He held the book that he always had with him. “This collection of books is God’s Word to us. He tells us that we can spend the afterlife with Him in a place where there are no more tears, pain, or sadness. Only joy and goodness.”

  “What if we don’t believe what those books say? What if we aren’t good people?” Marcus asked.

  This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.

  “Our choices in life decide if we will live with God forever or live apart from Him. To be apart from God and His light, I’m afraid, is a scary place to be. The Good News is, even if we are bad people, we can be forgiven by accepting and trusting God’s sacrifice for us.”

  Rachel finally found the courage to speak. “Sacrifice?”

  “God came to Earth Himself and gave His life to free us from the curse that keeps us apart from Him.”

  “So God isn’t alive anymore?” Mai asked.

  Kobe smiled. “Akari asked me the same question, and I’ll never forget how she lit up when I told her that God has the power to lay down His life and pick it up again. He is alive. And because of that, we too will come to life again after we’ve passed on from this Earth.”

  Bella's interest was clearly piqued. “I don’t think I understand what we have to do…”

  Kobe listened and nodded. “Believe. In God and what He says, pray and ask Him to show you who He is. And you will see. I promise.”

  With a nervous sound, Rachel gathered her courage and asked. “Where is Akari now…”

  “From the conversations I had with her, I truly believe she is with God now,’ Kobe reassured her.

  “Can I go…Where she went?” Rachel’s eyes bloomed with hope.

  “Yes, yes, you can. We all can,” Kobe opened his book and taught the others about his faith. Afterwards, they all rested from the heavy day they had.

  ***

  A few days later, Bella gathered her pilots to brief them on their next operation—an assault on the Empire’s Wall Fortress of Darkhan. She projected a detailed image of the fortress and its surrounding terrain for the pilots to examine. Darkhan, a massive stronghold built directly into the Hadrian Mountains, stood as the last line of defense guarding the passage north to Arcturus.

  “I have your roles for this mission. Mai and Rachel, you will guard the two remaining Embers of the 1st Fleet. They are mission vital, as they are the only weapons we have capable of destroying the fortress.”

  “But Bella, We—”

  “I know what you want, Mai. I have you posted with the Embers, not just because I trust you to protect them. But because I know what you want and I know you’ll get it if I station you there. Okay?”

  Mai looked at Rachel, who nodded back. “You can count on us.”

  “Good! Marcus, you will raid the research facility within Darkhan. Located here.” Bella displayed the location on screen.

  “How did you get such a detailed schematic of the enemy’s fortress?” Mai asked.

  “That would be my doing,” Lucia said, entering the room. Marcus and she exchanged affectionate glances. “Bella has been gracious enough to hire me here at Boltus, and I have been aiding her with my intelligence network and skills.”

  “Dang Lucia, I thought you were all beauty. This is really gonna help us.” Mai said, impressed.

  “I have a personal stake in this fight. I can’t do much physically, but I will offer what assistance I can. I should be thanking you all, the warriors on the front lines.” Lucia bowed gracefully.

  Marcus put his arm around her as she sat next to him. “You’ve been a tremendous help, Lucia.”

  “Very much so,” Bella added. “Kobe, with your heavy weapons, I will have you assist the ground forces by destroying the wall’s defenses and engaging enemy units. You’ll be our swing unit, I’ll mobilize you to spots on the battlefield as needed.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” Kobe responded.

  “Finally, my favorite Minion.” Bella looked right at Andres. “I need you to retrieve the power source of Darkhan’s Teal laser so our Embers can get close enough to destroy the wall. You will definitely meet resistance to accomplish this objective.” Bella displayed a type of Teal crystal that the pilots had never seen before, pointing out its location deep within the fortress.

  “So the favorite gets the hardest job, huh?” Andres asked dryly.

  “You got it!”

  “Why not have Kobe destroy the laser like last time?”

  “Because this one’s armor is much tougher than the last one, and I need that crystal. So this is the best option. Republic forces are amassing for the assault and will be ready in a few days. You’re welcome to train or rest, as you see fit, between now and then. If there are no questions, you’re dismissed for the day.”

  Marcus invited Andres to hang out for a while, since Lucia had work to catch up on, leaving him with some free time. Kobe, on the other hand, decided to spend the evening with his family, needing the comfort of familiar faces after the recent loss.

  Meanwhile, Rachel lingered in the background, quietly watching as Mai handed Bella a tablet.

  “I’d like my Knight to be outfitted with this weapon so I can train with it. Rachel wants this other one.”

  “Your original weapon of choice. How appropriate. It’ll be ready tomorrow.”

  “Thank you, Bella, we’ll see you tomorrow. You ready, Rachel?” Mai turned to Rachel, who nodded and followed Mai out.

Recommended Popular Novels