The Last Star

Virka knocked on Avi's room door, but there was no answer, so she simply invited herself in. Avi was lying on her bed with her face buried in her arms.

“Avi.” - Virka tried to get the girl's attention.

“Hi, Virka.” - Avi uttered quietly.

“How are you feeling today?” - Virka asked.

“Terribly.”

Virka moved the nearby chair closer to her, then sat down. - “I can understand. You've been through a lot. Do you have enough strength to talk about it?”

Avi didn't answer.

“A conversation could help.” - Virka added. - “You had some time to process your feelings, so it would be good to face them at this point.”

Avi could barely choke these words out. - “I-I don't w-want to.”

“Why?”

“I deserve this pain.”

“We sometimes make mistakes that can't be undone.” - Virka said. - “However, there are constructive ways to deal with our past.” - Seeing that Avi was silent, she continued. - “Maybe we should first figure out what had happened, then think about how you can atone. You would want to atone, wouldn't you?”

Avi sobbed.

Virka sighed. She looked at Avi with compassion. - “I won't force you to do anything. If you want to be alone, I'll leave.”

Avi was quiet for a long moment, so Virka got up, wanting to give her more time. However, once she was about to exit the room, Avi stopped her. - “Stay, please.”

Virka took a seat again, but this time, waited for Avi to speak instead.

“They... murdered almost every prisoner in my block because of me.” - Avi confessed.

“Did it have anything to do with your escape?” - Virka asked.

“Yes. When I woke up, there was a riot. Daichi's companion told me that it was because I was looking for him... but I also guessed it couldn't be an accident way earlier.”

“So, do you think you could've stopped it?” - Virka continued asking.

“Yes. If I've stayed there. If I had accepted my fate.”

“...but did you know beforehand that the riot would happen?” - Virka inquired.

“I received a warning letter, which I ignored. Everything was described in there.” - Avi explained.

“That letter, did you have a basis for believing it was credible?”

“No...” - Avi uttered. - “...it was supposed to lure me into a place, where I was supposed to be assassinated.”

“Well. Did the person who wrote the letter seem trustworthy after that event?”

“I don't know.” - Avi let out. - “I don't know.”

“Avi, think a bit.” - Virka requested. - “Did anything hint that the contents of this letter were true after all that had happened?”

“No... but...”

“I'm listening.”

“Regardless of this, everything still happened after you helped me get into the morgue.” - Avi revealed. - “They fought and killed each other, because of me.”

“Why do you think that you could influence their choice?” - Virka asked. - “This riot had to be planned. The space station's system had to be sabotaged, too. Did you have anything to do with this?”

“No, but...” - Avi protested, but she had trouble coming up with arguments.

“Don't you think that someone else should be held responsible for this?” - Virka continued.

“Yes, but if I weren't there, it would have never happened!” - Avi argued.

“Do you know that for sure?” - Virka asked. - “Do you know what the goal of the person who started the riot was?”

“No...”

Virka looked beyond the window. - “Their star died back then. I think it was their true goal.”

Avi gazed there, too, depressed. - “...why was it all related to me, then?”

Virka sighed. - “I don't know. I think you were at the wrong place, at the wrong time, and that was taken advantage of.”

Avi turned to the wall. - “If everything you say is true, then why do I still feel guilty?”

“You should know yourself. Please, explain it to me.”

“I... I didn't do anything to help them. I ran away like a coward.” - Avi admitted. - “I used to think that I'll find a way out of every bad situation, but when there was so little time, and I had to fight for my survival... I couldn't do it.”

Virka had doubts because she knew Avi too well. - “Are you sure you didn't do anything? Maybe you had actually helped someone, but didn't focus on it due to the overall situation.”

Avi wouldn't respond.

“I can tell that it's a difficult matter, but even the smallest gesture could've influenced someone's life.” - Virka added. - “You'll recall something, for sure.”

“I... I think two people could've survived because of me, but I'm not sure for how long.” - Avi revealed.

“You gave them a chance.” - Virka said. - “In difficult situations, it's often the only thing we can do.”

“I could've done more.”

“Don't you think that if you could've done more, you would actually have done it?” - Virka pointed out.

Avi curled up a bit. - “I don't know. After waking up in the morgue, my body could hardly keep itself standing. All that pressure... if I only knew another way to escape, or if I realized what the danger is earlier...”

“It didn't happen, though.” - Virka replied. - “This situation required you to adapt, and knowing you, I'm sure you gave it your all.”

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“Do you really think so?”

“I'm speaking from the bottom of my heart.” - Virka said as she put her hand on Avi's shoulder.

It was impossible to tell if their conversation helped Avi at this point. - “Those who I had considered friends betrayed me, and when I tried to help them, they had hurt me even more.” - Avi's voice cracked. - “I saw. I saw her die. Her last words were full of hatred, and her last moments were full of fear.”

“Can you describe what you feel when you recall this event?” - Virka asked.

“She had to suffer. I feel so much regret...” - Avi uttered through tears. - “...and that fear, too. I... I'm scared, Virka.”

“Can you tell me what exactly you saw?” - Virka said. - “I would like to understand the basis of this fear.”

Avi squeezed her pillow tighter and broke into even more tears. Virka gave her a moment to breathe.

“She... she...” - Avi barely spoke. - “She tore her in half, and then...”

Virka waited for Avi to continue, or not.

“...then she was devoured by someone I knew.” - Avio finished. - “There was so much blood, and the sound of crushed bones...”

“I'm sorry you had to go through this.” - Virka said. - “That must have been hard.”

“It was terrible.”

“Is that the source of your fear?” - Virka asked.

“Yes.” - Avi confirmed. - “I feel my heart wouldn't be able to take it if it were to happen again.”

“Is that why you avoid going outside?”

Avi nodded.

“...and what about your and Luna's promise?” - Virka continued. - “I know it's important to you.”

“It is.”

“Would you be able to at least take a short walk with her?”

Avi's entire body was shaking. - “I don't know. I'm afraid that something will happen again. It's not the first time.”

“Yet, you had always managed to pick yourself up before.” - Virka pointed out. - “We can land in a desolate place, and you'll just sit with Luna at the spaceship's door and gaze at the sky together.”

“I can try.” - Avi muttered.

“Good. I'll let Luna know.” - Virka informed. - “Until then, I'll leave you alone, so you can peacefully think about what we had been talking about.”

Avi nodded, and once Virka was about to leave, she added. - “Thank you, Virka.”

---

After Luna received the message about Avi's mental state from Virka, she moved to scan the star system once more. In the star's red light, three planets were hidden, and the largest of them was inhabited by many intelligent beings, which indicated a highly developed civilization.

However, Luna wasn't interested in that. All she wanted was for Avi to find comfort in the silence of the cosmos and to take a step forward. Luna directed the ship to the inner asteroid belt, which separated the inhabited planet from the other two. The latter ones didn't appear to have any advanced infrastructure on their surface.

After landing, Luna waited in hope that Avi would leave her room, but it took until evening. Avi approached, already wearing her spacesuit.

“We won't go too far. We'll just watch the sunset.” - Luna informed.

Avi nodded and silently took Luna's hand.

Outside, only a rusty dust waited for them, bathed in scarlet light. Beyond the horizon, it was possible to notice a mountain range in the shape of a letter V, beyond which the red disc was gradually lowering.

Avi sat on the edge of the spaceship's shadow, letting the last sunrays warm her cheeks.

“Everything's quiet here.” - Luna commented.

“Yes.” - Avi agreed.

For a long time, they gazed at the gray clouds, slowly drifting across the sky.

“You know what it reminds me of?” - Luna began. - “It reminds me of the first star system we visited. There was a similar planet there.”

“I remember, but I also remember why we had visited it.” - Avi replied.

“You wanted to give up back then, too.” - Luna mentioned.

“After everything, it's hard to say that my premonition wasn't true.” - Avi added. - “I still remember what had happened before.”

“...but you still pulled yourself out of it, right?” - Luna asked.

“Sometimes I wonder if it wouldn't be better for me to give up.” - Avi continued. - “Not only because of what I've done, but also because of the Cross of Immortality.”

“...but you've also done a lot of good. You made the planet of robots a better place, you saved your parents, and you rescued a colony from parasites. We should also remember Goliath. Without you, it would've never happened.” - Luna reminded. - “We've already saved way more lives than we'll ever meet again.”

“It was mainly due to you. I was merely your companion.” - Avi said.

“You know it's not true.” - Luna replied. - “You guided me, and pulled me out of death's clutches.”

Avi lowered her head. - “Do you really think that our journey is worth continuing?”

“You're like a beacon, showing the way to others through this lifeless universe.” - Luna added. - “It's a gift that's worth sharing.”

“My sins... even if we fix everything, I can't undo the suffering I have caused.”

“No, but you live for a reason, right?” - Luna said. - “Every failure is a natural part of our road. The world may be unyielding and relentless, but I would say the same about your heart. If you endure this journey, then at its end, maybe the world will have to give in, too.”

Avi was deep in thought, pondering Luna's words. - “I would like it to be this way...” - She spoke after a moment. - “...but the world isn't just me. It's everyone. In this chaos of feelings, thoughts, and desires, it's easy to lose the path we can follow together.”

“You'll find it. I believe in it.” - Luna uttered with a gentle smile. - “And you were the one who gave me this faith.”

Tears welled up in Avi's eyes. - “I, I want to try, once more.”

“Slowly, one step at a time.” - Luna replied. - “We'll make it.”

Avi nodded. She slowly broke down in tears, releasing all the tension she had kept bottled up since the Prison of Aeons. Despite her cheeks being wet, there was a smile on her face.

“I promise...” - Avi spoke. - “...that from now on, I will carry this smile, even if I lose sight of our path.”

Even if Luna had noticed the pain in Avi's smile, she could also notice a small ray of hope. The will to continue and not give up. The morning that was yet to come after a long and cold night. For more chapters visıt noᴠelfire.net

---

When the sun set, Avi returned to the spaceship, where she found Virka sitting on the couch, and Charlotte putting down the dinner plates. Avi quickly ran to her mom and hugged her without warning.

“Avi...” - Charlotte uttered, surprised.

“Thank you for being here for me.” - Avi said. - “I love you.”

Charlotte silently put her hand on Avi's head and caressed her hair. She knew that her daughter would return to her old self. When Avi finally unglued herself from Charlotte, she approached Virka and spread her arms. Virka reciprocated, accepting the hug.

“...and I would like to thank you, Virka, too, for being with me in my worst moments.” - Avi said.

“It's good to see you smile.” - Virka commented.

Nicolas was just entering, carrying the salad and drinks. Avi threw herself at him immediately.

“Avi, be careful!” - Nicolas warned. - “I'm going to drop the glasses!”

“Sorry.” - Avi uttered quietly and took a step back, slightly ashamed.

“Hey, it's good to have you back.” - Nicolas said, in quite a good mood. - “Keep your head up, and hold on to that smile.” - He put the glasses down, then let his daughter embrace him for a long moment.

Virka waited until they were done, then began to fill everyone's plates. She felt that the superficial change in Avi's behavior was still hiding her trauma.

“I'm glad you have the energy.” - Virka mentioned. - “We'll likely land in the capital of the star system tomorrow and visit the city, if you don't mind.”

“I'll do fine.” - Avi assured.

“Do we know anything about the planet?” - Nicolas asked.

“It's heavily militarized.” - Luna pointed out. - “The asteroid belt is patrolled by unmanned frigates. When I had contacted their passport control, I learned that they had temporarily suspended the visas for visiting this region.”

“How about their capital? Did you learn anything else?” - Avi asked, curious.

“Red Fortress, that's how they call it.” - Luna revealed.

“I remember, it was mentioned on the TV.” - Charlotte recalled. - “They were discussing an invasion by an unknown fleet.”

“Apparently, they've handled it.” - Nicolas commented.

Virka noticed that Avi froze. - “Is everything alright, Avi?”

“Infinity Witch.” - Avi uttered. - “She was here.”

Virka became serious, but she concealed it well. - “If you're afraid of something, we don't have to land here.”

However, Avi acted completely contrary to her expectations. - “No. It's a step we must take. Only by getting closer to the truth can we discover how to stop her.”

Nicolas crossed his arms and stared at Avi. - “Are you sure that's what you want?”

Avi lowered her gaze. - “I'm still afraid, but I feel that my lack of action wouldn't help anyone.”

“We can always return here when you're more ready.” - Charlotte suggested.

“I will never be fully ready.” - Avi replied. - “We have to do this, regardless of my feelings.”

Nicolas closed his eyes. It was clear he was conflicted.

Avi noticed it right away. - “Dad?”

“I don't want you facing this alone again.” - Nicolas spoke. - “I'm here to support you.”

Charlotte joined. - “We're with you. This time, we won't let anyone hurt you.”

Avi peeked at Luna, who simply smiled. - “You already know my answer.”

The last gaze was directed at Virka, who sighed. She knew that nobody would oppose this idea, so she didn't protest either. - “I'm definitely coming with you.”