Allen:

With that sobering thought, that particular meeting had disbanded, however, later in the day, when the other two pharaohs went outside to talk with Jaden and Jezreel, I stood in Xao's way. "So, not like there's anything else that happened out there you aren't telling me about right?"

"Um... can't think of anything. Like what?" he said with a shrug.

"Like how about how you all got out there in the first place?"

He bit his lip. "Oh yeah... that..."

"Darius?" I asked.

He sighed. "Pretty obvious huh?"

"Well, you did mention it yesterday. So let me guess he's "taken care of" again hm?" I folded my arms.

Xao closed the door and leaned against the wall. "Kinda, I mean, that Venice guy scared him off for at least a little while. Look... what is it you all think I should have done six years ago? Kill the kid who used to be my best friend? Maybe he changed before you were born, but that wasn't an eternity ago for me. I look at his face and I see a boy who loved to play, loved to help others, loved to make jokes with his friends and... when he stands right in front of me, how am I supposed to believe that kid is gone? Much as maybe I should, I can't hurt that kid. I thought I killed him before and it's amazing how well I responded to that... what do you want me to do? Honestly?"

"I mean, can't we imprison him?"

"Until someone makes a deal with him, then he'll just teleport out of whatever prison you make. Besides, yay, oh please Allen, please let me help you lock up my childhood friend," he finished in sarcasm.

I folded my arms. "You act like I'm selfishly ignoring your pain, but just tell me, what did your "childhood friend" want with my son?"

Xao's shoulders went down. "Probably to kill him to get to me. Honestly, I don't know if he wanted us all dead or if he just wanted to mess with us. He's twisted enough that either one is possible."

"Then I think I'm being unbelievably patient considering the circumstances. If we find a way to imprison him, will you help us or stand in the way?"

"Honestly? Do you have to involve me?" he asked back.

"Do you have any idea how to track him down?"

He shook his head. "I know he's just as much an enemy of the societies as Tyrin now, probably more so- right?" I nodded. "So then, I mean, can I just stay out of it? You want my help with Tyrin, sure, why not? But Darius, please Allen just- if there's any way..."

I looked off to the right. "Something tells me I can't make promises. Then again, you could be a liability to dealing with him anyway. I'll see about keeping you off the case." I waved for him to go ahead and leave.

As he left I leaned against a nearby wall. "Sheesh," I said. "Ya think we've had enough bad news for a family reunion? How am I ever gonna handle all this?" I ran my fingers through my hair and sighed to myself.

(***)

Kyle:

The day continued and I was pretty quiet. Jessica tried her jokes on me, but after a while I just avoided her.

I could tell how much Jessica was trying to respect my space, I did NOT want to talk- or maybe I did, but couldn't, not about this. Maybe someday she would understand. Jessica's jokes, even to Xao and the children, slowly stopped coming at all. I didn't like that.

I gave the message from my parents to Allen. It had directions embedded for the place where they would meet us.

We drove out to the place where Jessica and I were first dropped off on the planet six years ago.

The night was dark, with a quarter moon high in the sky, hundreds of stars shining all around. It was perfect to mask any lights from an incoming ship- just in case the pharaohs on board made any mistakes.

Looking out at the field outside the car, I almost broke, having to breathe in deep, clenching the handle to my door so hard my knuckles turned white. Jessica put her hand on my shoulder. "What is wrong?!" she almost demanded. I pulled her hand off and threw open the door, getting out as she fought her seat belt to come after me. I ran out of the car as Allen and Xao got out as well, them being everyone that had come.

I ran to the middle of the field and just stared up at the stars, waiting for the ship to come. It would be cloaked, so I would never see it and I knew that but... it was like I had no choice, I had to watch for it.

"KYLE!" Jessica finally shouted. "That does it! You're talking to me RIGHT NOW!" she said running over to me. "What is going on?!" She grabbed my shoulder and turned me to face her. "You're hurting, I can feel it in my... soul. What is wrong?"

"Jessie, back off."

"Kyle I refuse to-"

"JESSICA! BACK OFF!" Jessica stepped back a few paces. "NOT NOW!" I shouted. The tears in my eyes were stinging now, but I couldn't let them out. "Go back to the car," I pointed and barked the order with a glare. I turned, seeing Xao and Allen a few feet from me, almost staring. I had never shouted at Jessica like that.

"Kyle, I don't have to obey anything, I'm your servant, not your slave."

"You really think that Jessica? After today you'll see... Now go back to the car. Right. Now." I demanded again.

"Kyle she's just trying to-" Allen started but I turned back, how I felt probably written all over my face.

"Allen, I am one hundred and six years old. I need you all to stay back and let me do this alone. I know how this looks- so I can only ask. There is nothing I can do to make you understand. You have no idea how hard what I have to do is and you're not making it easier." Everyone was silent. "Now just go and wait by the car." They started walking away. "I-I'll let you all know when you can help me... I will need help."

Allen looked back and paused. "I know you, Kyle, you wouldn't be acting like this without a reason... just ask." He then kept going. The other two left me as well. I stood alone.

I nodded, and then returned to looking up.

A small-time passed, finally, several bright lights showed, a ship like a large flying saucer descending to about ten feet above me. The ship's lights turned off, save for two shining down on a large ramp that descended down from near the edge.

Down the ramp came two people I did NOT want to see... but it was probably best I did.

First was Joseph, my favorite house servant, who even helped raise me for years. He had come with me to earth and ensured things were set up for me personally. Next to him was a man dressed in a suit with two dark green scabbards, one on each hip. Each scabbard showed the hilts of finely crafted rapier blades, uniform and elaborate in design. The man had black hair and brown eyes and walked with an air of authority, giving a gentle smile when his eyes fell on me. This was my father.

My father came down the ramp with his arms out like he expected me to run to him like the other children had done with their parents before. I just stood, looking at him. Thoughts of the last six years and all I would have given to see my family again rose in my mind.

I clenched my fists. My father folded his arms. "So I see you're upset..." he sighed. "I understand being made to live here was probably very hard, and there's been very little communication between us. I can see you being a little angry. Kyle, this is all for your safety."

"That's not what this is about," I said calmly. "Joran, get back on your ship and leave. I have no interest in dealing with you anymore."

"Wha...what? Joran? Since when do you call me by my name? I'm your father. Kyle, you are being extremely direspe-"

"You are not my father because I am not your son." I cut him off. We were both quiet for a few moments. I had said it. But just in case there was any confusion. "I disown! From this day forth, I am an orphan."

"Kyle, what in the cosmos is this even about?"

"You don't even have the right to know," I said.

"Kyle, if someone is threatening you-"

"If someone knew the truth of who I was and wanted me as a hostage, why would they want you to leave? Wouldn't you yourself be infinitely more valuable? And if I disown, I am of no value at all, as, like I said, I am not your son. I am not the son of the president of Triad, I am just another pharaoh. The only thing that would make sense with my words, is that I am telling the truth and I want nothing more to do with you. You or Fay."

"Kyle your mother-"

"Fay is not my mother."

Joran clenched his fists and put them at his sides. He breathed in sharply, and then out.

Joseph looked between us. "Kyle... what- guys what are you doing?"

Joran hung his head. "C'mon Joseph." He looked up, "Son- Kyle, is there anything I can do to change your mind?" I just folded my arms. "Very well. We will leave Kyle. Joseph, please return to the ship." Joseph continued looking between the two of us. Joran stomped, Joseph sighing and going back up the ramp, looking back several times. "Kyle, know this, you may think we're through, and legally, you can do this. I will leave... the door is always open to come back. You are my son-"

"I am not."

"My love is unconditional."

I squeezed my eyes shut. "Mine... is not." I didn't know if I was lying. My father walked back onto the ship. The ship lifted up. Soon, its cloak re-engaged.

For a few moments, I stood, just staring at where I last saw my father- Joran's ship. Eventually, I fell to my knees and started sobbing.

It was like I had a hard time breathing and my eyes stung, pushing out the tears. This was pain... this was real pain. If there was anything I could have done to avoid this, I would have done it. I tried to call to my friends, but I could barely speak. "Help..." I squeaked out. I never realized how weak I really was before this.

Xao and Allen were standing over me within seconds of me asking for help, Jessica next to me with her arm over me. I swallowed. "It... it's over," I said. "I need your help... but I can only ask. If I am not the son of Joran, I am no one. Jessica, you can't be my bodyguard. It would probably be right if you left and went home so you could collect your pay. The longer you stay away, the harder time you'll have getting paid. Allen you don't need to do anything, you can just drive away and-"

"Yeah yeah, stop it," Jessica said, squeezing me. "You ramble when you're upset."

"It's the truth, Jess. None of you are obligated to stay with me."

Allen sat down next to us. He reached over and messed up my hair. "I know what you did hurt. Not what I would have advised entirely, but that doesn't matter now. Objectively, you're still a VIP. So I kinda still need to look after you... even if that weren't true, you guys can stay at my house any time."

I reached over and grabbed the sleeve of his shirt. "You're younger than me but... if you'll have me... I want to call you dad."

"I can't legally adopt you."

"Just... it's just named."

He held my hand. "It's not, but you can call me that any time," he said. I looked up, he was starting to cry himself.

Jessica squeezed me again. "I don't care about money. Just call me big sis huh? I always sucked as a bodyguard anyway."

"Not really," I said.

"Kyle-I suck. I'm a much better sister."

"You guys know this isn't official."

"Like any of us care," Xao said. He turned away from us, shrugging his shoulders. "Call me big bro."

"Aaaah," Jessica said. "Someone not sure how to join in?" she asked. She jumped up from me, grabbed Xao's hand, and practically pulled him off his feet and to the ground. They both laughed.

I looked away, not feeling like joking around. "C'mere," Jessica said. She pulled me close and practically put my head on her shoulder. "We're a goofy family, but we're not going anywhere."

I shook, tears flowing from my eyes. "Daddy..." I said. Jessica pulled me closer still.

"It's alright. I'm right here. I'm right here," she just kept saying as I cried.