Chapter 70
Seventy
Zellie
Our rebel legion stands at the bottom of the crumbled bridge amongst the rubble.
Not just Astrals and Celestials, but humans too.
Magical beings and humans, supporting each other, for a better tomorrow.
Not tomorrow—today. Our numbers appeared to fare well, the groupings not looking as dwindled as I had worried about.
I spy the rest of our group—Leo, Lando, Brinn, and Seb.
Amidst the citizens of Astralis and the human planets, are the Kosmos.
Among us as equals, fighting for a world we all believe in.
I spot the five that joined our cause, as well as three more.
Did they willingly change sides? What made them change their minds?
What happened to the remaining three? All the answers I’m looking for will come in time.
For now, sweet relief and an unfamiliar feeling— calm.
I was ready to let Jada end the man who caused me so much grief in my life.
I would have let her, had she not lost consciousness.
I was ready to let go. The toxicity of the venom within me has been leeched out, leaving a weightless acceptance that no matter what happens—no matter what has happened… I will be okay.
A genuine smile graces my face, and I pull Jada to me, embracing her for everything she’s done, and for everything yet to happen. Our future has never seemed brighter.
“What now?” She asks, holding me tightly against her.
“We rebuild.”
And we do.
Weeks are spent cleaning up Astralis, as well as starting the construction of a new bridge. The structure replacing the previous is one built of crystalline and steel—a symbol of magic and iron will combined.
The residential area and the training grounds took heavy damage.
The training grounds aren’t our focus right now, as they were primarily used to train participants of the various games the Kosmos ordered them to partake in.
I’m sure we’ll shift gears and repurpose the area at some point, but for now, we let it be.
The apartment complexes are being repaired, as well as new buildings are being built.
Material is sourced locally as well as from stocks from the surrounding human planets.
The portals have been seeing heavy traffic from all types of people coming and going—working together to build something beautiful, together.
It’s been incredible to see our group come together in different roles to tackle different tasks in the city.
Seb has claimed an apartment in the residential section of the city—an open loft surrounded by windows.
If anyone is entitled to views of the open sky and our world in orbit, it’s him.
He’s taken on a security overview role, utilizing systems and watching out for Astralis as a whole.
Not that we’re nearly as concerned about crime or safety now.
We all meet regularly at Brinn’s bakery, which is back up and running thanks to the help of Brinn’s family and Jada.
I’d be lost without her sugary concoctions to keep me energized through all of this work.
The humans, Celestials, and Astrals have really banded together to rebuild and revitalize the city and make room for more humans to come over—including Jada’s close friends.
Torin joined our growing family, moving into the apartments that Celeste and I reside in, not that I spent too much time there these days.
It may be too early to say… But, is that a potential love match I sense between the two?
She won’t admit it, telling me it’s too soon, despite my attempts to tease and pry.
I’m grateful for her giving me another chance at being her friend.
It turns out that harboring so much anger and resentment doesn’t allow you to really let your friends in.
It’s impossible to let the love in when you’re so closed off.
I’ve promised not to exclude her from any plans moving forward—ever.
It’s nice to see her have someone for herself.
She’s gone through so much here, with the Games and in losing Lenny—she is deserving of someone to share a life with.
To be happy with. Torin is all in on her; he ogles her as Orion eyes me—that’s how you know. It’s all in the ogling.
Faye, on the other hand, decided to remain on Lunara.
She visits frequently as she’s leading an effort on the unit in building and providing resources to better not only Astralis, but to revitalize our home planet.
We’ve been in talks about what we can do to improve the sterility of those planets for those who choose to remain.
Life is not meant to be lived in shades of gray.
Both Lando and Leo have continued to help our cause and have been a steady presence in all of our lives, even with the Kosmos being dismantled and the threat nonexistent.
Lando remains as grumpy as ever… and I thought I was a miserable person before.
He’s been extra grumpy since his showdown with Portia, refusing to talk about it with anyone.
I’m hopeful that he will in time. Yeah, who am I kidding?
There’s no way. And Leo? Oh, Leo. While a piece of my heart will forever hurt for what happened, I want to forgive him.
We’re navigating a new normal—one as friends.
I know he still cares for me, and I will forever carry gratitude for him trying to protect me, but that flame has burnt out.
He’s been assisting Elio in working with the turned Kosmos on integrating into a “normal” life—one without hierarchy, veiled threats, and secret torture.
Two were captured and remain imprisoned, refusing to see a different way of life, while the third—Portia—got away.
Where she is, nobody knows, but perhaps the solitude can allow for an attitude adjustment.
The work is good for Leo, giving him something to focus on.
He and Elio make a good team, both natural leaders.
Orion acts unbothered by the fact that his sister has gone missing, but I know it eats away at him. Despite that small setback, he is happier and freer than I’ve ever seen him. We both are.
As for Jada… well, she may not know it yet, but there are some exciting things coming her way.