The Mikri Squared crew were scattered about in the hangar bay, waiting for my moment with Preston to be complete. All of us had come back from this mission changed, needing to decide what the next step of our lives would be. I could see the troubled look in Plonda’s eyes as she distanced herself from Shoen, casting stray glances in the AI’s direction. I watched Atrina’s gaze land upon my hat, which I turned around for her to read. The smile didn’t quite meet her eyes, and I suspected she was missing her own son.
What does Preston have in mind to bring us back to our family? Atrina was taken too young, and if the god is serious about giving them back, I think it’d be a weight off of her shoulders. It would mean everything to me to help my daughter find her footing.
Mikri shuffled over to me, his head slumped. “I deserve to be a Servitor. I was waiting for the day that Preston and Sofia would hate me for the monster that I am. I’ve lost their trust in a way you never did, and that speaks volumes. Sofia asked Nettie for help, not me. I knew Preston loved you, yet…no excuses. I am no longer wanted by myself or anyone else. But I can have my code altered so that I must obey you, Entival, if I can find someone who will make the modification.”
“What?!” I blanched, taking a step back from the machine and, on instinct, rubbing the place on my throat where the garrote had dug in. “No! I…don’t want a slave. To take another person’s freedom of choice in any way is the most heinous of sins, as the gods always taught us! You’re a person, Mikri, and I…know you mean a lot to Preston.”
“I owe you a life debt for what I did and for your actions, which resulted in the continued respiration of Preston. I am a person, but it would be better for everyone if I was not. I’m a horrible person who makes existence worse for everyone that I am around—for the organics I care about most. My actions crossed the line irreparably. I would rather serve you than to be me.”
I gawked at the iVascar in horror. “This is absurd; I refuse to take your free will! Look, I forgive you, and…I don’t want any punishment lobbied against you. Find redemption in your own time, find a way to accept that love means letting go! That’s what I want.”
“The best way I can protect Preston is by not being here. I will let go. I wish he had let go and not brought me back at all. Effective immediately, I banish myself to a universe away from all humans. Perhaps I can do good out there, alone.”
“Mikri, stop this!” I grabbed the robot’s arm, while Atrina seemed to be imploring me to let him go. “You can’t do this.”
“Have you changed your mind about the Servitor proposition? If not, then I must. I am dangerous and obsessive. They have outgrown me, and that is a good thing. I will take my leave, Entival.”
“At least say goodbye to Preston before you do. Don’t go right now, he almost lost everyone. It’ll hit him hard about how it felt to lose you the first time. Stick around. A few days, please.”
“Fine. I would never hurt Preston, so I will leave in the least damaging way possible. This is the right choice. Perhaps there are others that I can help, as Shoen did. Maybe it’ll change me, like they did, although the protection at all costs never truly left them. So there is no hope. Good luck, Entival. I’m glad Preston found someone worthy of his love.”
I shook my head, distraught by the machine’s hasty departure, but uncertain what I could say to change his mind. My eyes turned to Plonda, who was reeling from what she’d learned about Shoen; I couldn’t imagine learning such ugly truths about Preston, and how I’d feel associating those with someone I’d revered as a mentor my entire life. Velke was already discussing the matter with the Celau, offering insights from his own dark past. I figured the Fakra understood the Helper’s point of view on the Elusians’ old actions best.
“Shoen and I were both trying to make up for our plans to wipe the Elusians out in the past,” Velke sighed. “That’s why we won’t go after Iara, even after what she did. It would restart the cycle, and on that account, I have no interest. I wish for a quiet, peaceful life. If the Elusians wish to flounder in hatred, we’ll let them.”
I walked up to them, clearing my throat. “Maybe there are some who can be reached. We can send unmanned messages, and hope someone sees sense. Maybe they’ll be ready to move on, if they see that we’re better. That we never wanted to snuff them out.”
“I see what Shoen meant about them being the Apathetic now,” Plonda murmured. “The way Iara talked about what happened to you was unthinkable, and it wasn’t even her sin.”
Velke cast a pointed glance at Mikri. “If they want to be in a prison of their own making, you can’t stop them.”
“We have to do something,” I pleaded.
“You stand by for the day when they recognize the problem and desire help. The robot’s chosen to shoulder the burden for his mistakes forever. I, on the other hand, as a man with some checkered chitin, like to believe it’s not too late for redemption. Elsewise, why would I deserve to continue? Hate and love can both blind you. You see that, Plonda, surely.”
The Celau’s ear-stalagmites drooped, before she looked straight at me. “You, of all people, must understand how this feels. Why would Shoen not tell me?! Preston might not have talked about his death, but that was courage…an attempt at protection. Shoen isn’t who I thought they were.”
“Maybe it’s a good thing to see that, and let go of that worship,” I replied. “People are flawed. No one can live up to an ideal. You see the real Shoen with all of their flaws, and you have to decide if you can love them ever yet. Why do you think Shoen didn’t tell you?”
“Shoen tried to be a benevolent Helper and pretend they were harmless. That’s so far away from building such a terrible weapon, and…isn’t that Apathetic too?”
“Yet Kri forgave Shoen, likely because he remembered how his own crew looked at him like a monster. You don’t want to look at your Helper like that. The truth is more complex than monster: with Mikri, with Kri, with Shoen, with Iara, with Velke. Inside of each person, there are two clyvesters. The one that howls and attacks, and the ones that guards the flock. We decide which to feed, but they are both us. They are both possible futures for the self.”
“That sounds very priestly. Is this a parable from your gospels?”
“No, but maybe it should be. I could write a posthumous scripture. In all honesty, maybe I will. The reason Shoen didn’t tell you could be boiled down to mere shame. Preston too is ashamed of his failings and fears our judgment; it scares him worst of all that we might be right to hate him. That he’d deserved to be banished. Do you want Shoen to place themself in solitude, like Mikri?”
“Of course not. I just…”
I placed a hand on her shoulder. “I don’t think Shoen is proud of what they’ve done. Our gods were never that different; Preston just wasn’t smart enough to make a nanovirus. Points to your Helper there.”
“I’ll tally that,” Velke grunted.
“What’s true is that Shoen loves the Celau and wanted to protect you. They’ve made some terrible mistakes and almost did something monstrous. Does that ‘almost’ matter more than anything else, Plonda?”
“No, but I need some time to process. To see other alien cultures in a way that’s…not whatever Iara was, and to be away from Shoen.” Plonda shot a look at Shoen, who was deep in a heartfelt conversation with Kri; the Helper seemed to be venting, at a glance. I didn’t intend to interrupt them, since that appeared healthier than whatever brooding Mikri was doing. “I’m going to live with the Fakra for a bit, and just be a proper researcher. I’d like to learn more about their story.”
Velke gave a gracious, four-armed bow. “You’re more than welcome. Ahnar is a favored site of Alliance archaeologists, and if that’s your fancy, I could get you in with a dig team. The Fakra would be delighted to spearhead interactions with a new species like the Celau! I dare say, I think we’re pretty cool.”
“Shoen takes a liking to you. I suspect you have a lot in common with them, but I can regard you without blinders. Thanks for talking with me, Enty. I’ll be back here to see more of your world soon!”
I took that as a signal to step out of their conversation, and I moseyed over to my daughter. Atrina gave me a warm hug, while I murmured appreciation for her bravery amid all of these unknowns; this must be so much for a Liberi who hadn’t believed these people and these Sky Realms existed. The things we’d found here defied imagination, and the stress had been difficult for me to grapple with. I was glad that, in the end, she hadn’t chosen to write my love for Preston off as foolish indoctrination.
I think it’s time we have a quiet life here, away from danger. Atrina can get to know her grandfather, with the benefit of never having seen him as a god. That’s a gift, in a way.
Kri walked over, giving Atrina a high-five before extending a cool fist bump to me. “Shoen and I talked, and they’re reinstating me as captain of the Mikri Squared! I know I’ve been a loose cannon in the past, but it gives me hope to…think they see some growth in me? There’s always a seat for you two, though I think we’re staying in the dry dock for a hot minute.”
“I’m not sure the adventuring life is for me,” I admitted. “I’m more the helping type.”
Atrina offered a slow nod. “I’ll be happy for some semblance of normalcy. Some time to learn about all of this; it’s happened so quickly. I wasn’t going to let my dad go alone, but I was pretty lost and scared with…y’know. Mikri attacking him. Iara. Preston almost dying. I never heard of Preston being able to die…”
“Neither did I. He’s supposed to be permanent and immortal. I have no idea how we would’ve explained that to Domus in a way that wouldn’t cause a mass freakout. Especially if a Liberi did slay him.”
“I thought he was supposed to be around forever too,” Kri croaked. “What he said meant a lot. He had a rough life, and he didn’t grow up in the world I did. Preston…Dad did his best. He always does, and I’m…grateful. I think I understand him more. I want to try to be closer, like you and him are, Enty. You give me something to aspire to.”
I gave the hybrid a warm smile, glad he didn’t seem resentful of my inclusion in his family. “We can all spend time together, like we always wanted to. This’ll unite us, stronger than ever. Struggle is important for strengthening love. We’ve come out the other side.”
“Speaking of the other side,” Preston interjected. “Who’s up for a field trip? I’ve decided that I can claim my mind was clouded by trauma, and since I’m such an influential figure, LR won’t remove me! Probably. I mean, fuck it. I’m going to ascend Enty’s family—our family.”
Corai met my eyes. “When you’re interviewed about this, just to be clear, I had no idea where we were going when we teleported. The look on my face…use the word mortified. I’m an Elusian, which means I’m categorically against Watcher intervention. I…support the cause of distant love.”
“You want me to say all of that? Wait, are you two serious?” I gasped.
“Does that include…my mom? My son, my husband: they can come here now, without having to die? Dying was horrible; if you can spare them that, it’d be a great kindness!” Atrina exclaimed.
Preston winked. “Yeah, I’m making an exception for my favorite people. Let’s go get ‘em. They’re all gathered in the parlor right now. Please remember to laugh at their expressions when we drop in!”
“You’re going to scare those poor people,” Corai sighed.
“Nah, they love me. I’m giving them eternal life. All’s well that ends well!”
The human brought Atrina, Kri, and myself closer to him and Corai, before snapping his fingers and changing the scenery. My knees felt weak as I stared at the shocked, aged face of Cerina, who I’d missed with all of my heart and soul; I longed to have my family complete once more. My dying wish to the gods: I was here! I could hold my grandson and look into his eyes. Why had I ever looked down upon my life on Domus, when there was such beauty here?
Difur, Atrina’s husband, dropped a fragile cup onto the floor and shattered it, as his brain seemed to stop working. “Ungh…”
“Preston, Difur was an atheist too,” Atrina whispered. “We used to go to Children of Domus meetings together. That’s how we met.”
Preston’s eyes gleamed with intrigue. “Huh. What’s that?”
“Underground meetings for nonbelievers to have a…shared space. It’s dangerous to reject you in public.”
“I just might have to look into those. It sounds interesting.”
Difur froze, his eyes darting between Atrina and myself. “Atrina?! D-don’t smite me, L-lord Preston…and L-lady Corai. How I’ve sinned to attract both of your ire. I confess, spare our son!”
“We come in peace, bro. Your father-in-law is a prophet, so I can’t just go lightninging up his family. Bad precedent.”
“The baby is adorable. May I?” Corai asked Cerina, extending both arms toward where my elderly wife nursed the child.
“Hello, Lady Corai,” Cerina managed, reverence in her tone. “It’s been a long time, but I still remember your voice from the blessing you gave for the Eternal Wedding.”
Corai gave a soft smile, picking up the child and passing him to Atrina. “There you go, dear. It’s your Mama.”
“My angel,” Atrina gasped out, weeping uncontrollably. She wiggled her fingers at the baby, before grabbing his little hands and holding them tight. “I missed you so much. I’m here. I don’t ever want to let you go…”
Preston grinned. “May I have a turn holding the baby? I’m the world’s best dad. Everyone says this.”
“You’ll give him back?”
“Probably. LR says no babynapping.”
“What’s with the long hair?” Cerina blurted.
“I’m a diva princess now.” Preston snatched the baby, scurrying backward like a clyvester guarding its kill. “Mwahaha. I’ve got the package! Beam me up!”
I reached over his arm, feeling chills run down my spine as I latched onto my grandson’s arm. “Hi, little Bunko. Say hello to your great-granddad!”
The human scoffed with indignation. “Now, father is one thing, but don’t make me feel old.”
“Or what?”
“Or this!” Preston launched Bunko into the air, earning happy squeals.
Atrina dove toward the human. “No!”
Corai warped horizontally into the air, snatching the child into her arms and teleporting back to a standing position. “Preston! Absolutely not!”
“Why not?” the god of humor demanded, shrugging. “Relax, I played football. I did this with Kri every morning.”
“So that’s what’s wrong with him.”
“What?!” Kri exclaimed.
“You weren’t supposed to hear that. We love all of our children equally, and Sagua a little more.”
The hybrid rubbed his head. “Ah, that’s understandable.”
“Preston, can you not drop my grandson?” I huffed.
Cerina’s eyes lit up, and she gasped. “Entival?! I didn’t recognize you!”
I walked over to her, giving her a gentle hug so I wouldn’t hurt her. “I was always watching. I’ve waited for you, my love. Our Eternal Wedding was meant to be eternal. I want to show you all of the amazing things we’ve seen!”
“Atrina?” Difur attempted again, finally finding his feet and walking over to her. “It’s been so hard. I did the best I could for Bunko.”
“I wanted to come back. The whole time. I couldn’t live without having been a part of my son’s life,” Atrina whispered.
“I…didn’t believe there was an afterlife. Or I would’ve looked for you. No, I would’ve joined you!”
Preston clapped his hands together. “Join us, you may. We’ll ascend you, right now, to the afterlife and grant you eternal youth. You needn’t die to be by Enty’s side. What do you say? Do you accept my offer to leave this world behind?”
“To be with Entival again? So long as I’m not abandoning Difur to care for the child, that’d be a relief,” Cerina replied. “It’s like the emptiness in my heart is whole again. Oh, my beautiful girl—to bury you so soon after your father!”
Atrina reached out, grabbing her mom’s hand. “I love you, Mom. Please come, Difur. I want to raise our son together. To be a part of his life.”
Difur looked uncertain, glancing at Bunko in Corai’s arms in disbelief. “I’m not in trouble?”
“No. They’re happy we’re atheist because we don’t worship them.”
“Go straight to the…” the scruffy Liberi rubbed his beard, his eyes rigid with shock. “Preston and Corai just showed up and offered…I need to see it. And of course I want to be reunited with the mother of my child! I’ll go. We’ll…all go.”
Preston gave a soft smile. “Following your heart. That’s good, son. Let’s get out of here. I have so much to show all of you!”
The human met my eyes, and his blackened pupils seemed to light up at how contented I looked. He knew my gratitude without me ever voicing a word. He did a countdown from three on his fingers to brace the mortal Liberi for transit, before bringing us all back to Watcher Station—our eternal home, where my soul could now be complete.
---
While we waited for the others to show up to this empty field on a Caelum planet, Preston was continuing to train me in the technological arts. He sat by my side on a bench, teaching me how to peer through the nanodrones as he did and look out over Domus. From there, he was upping my mastery of raisers by showing me how to remotely manipulate objects, which required immense concentration. I focused on the permanent marker he’d warped out by Corai’s statue, knowing what had to be done.
“Bravo!” Preston whistled, as I finished drawing a mustache on that old statue before a crowd of Liberi onlookers, who’d noticed my invisible hand. “How’s that for a sign? Enty’s back in business!”
I snickered to myself. “Ha, I sure am, Dad.”
The rest of the group warped in just as I finished, to which Preston scrambled to act normal so Corai wouldn’t find out with immediacy. Kri tossed him the football, the old game that they both had played long ago having gotten an overhaul in Caelum. Here, we would all run at Sol speeds across a pitch that spanned miles, and we could throw the ball quite far away. Kri and I took off running, while Difur bolted out after me, with a whoop at the surreal speeds; he wanted to box the Liberi side of team “Preston and his kids” out.
“I’m open!” Kri shouted, as Preston reared back and released the mother of all throws.
Atrina gave chase, grunting at how fast the limber Eluman was. “Get back here!”
Kri tracked the throw to perfection, leaping as high into the air as he could with arms outstretched. I crossed over to try and lose Difur, in case my brother needed a sideways throw. Before I knew it, however, someone had used my shoulder as a jumping pad and vaulted toward the Eluman. I fell to the ground and looked up to see my youthful, beautiful Cerina flying through the air, intercepting the pass seconds before Kri snagged it. I gawked for several seconds, gesturing in her direction.
Preston charged at the refugee while yelling, not even trying to down Cerina. “Penalty! You can’t jump off people! Bitch, are you fucking blind? That’s a penalty!”
Corai appeared unimpressed. “Automatic touchdown to the Liberi team.”
“What?” Preston took off his sweaty shirt, throwing it at her. “This is bullshit! Someone oughta teach you a lesson.”
The Elusian snapped her fingers, and the human disappeared. “He’s ejected. You’ll have to find a new quarterback.”
“Where did he go?” Cerina managed.
“I warped him to the middle of Jorlen shirtless. It’ll make him think twice…about defacing my statue.”
I raised my hands. “His idea. Let me stay, Lady Corai, let me…”
Corai grabbed the football, spiking it inches from my face. “You’ll do for a quarterback. Impress me, and maybe I won’t send you with him.”
I reached down to pick up the ball by the seams, chuckling to myself. My gaze darted around my gathered family, warmth overflowing within my heart. There wasn’t anywhere in the multiverse I’d rather be than playing this silly game with my Papa and my Domus family.
A/N - The end of Patricide! Enty reunites his family to merge with Preston’s in the afterlife for a happy ending! I hope you guys enjoyed the series!
As always, thank you for reading and supporting!