Here's another chapter! By the way, all the pictures or videos I post are not mine no matter how bad I wish to be able to draw like that.

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When they arrived at Cadok's house, Machai was surprised at how similar it was to those identical houses you see in communities. They were lined up side by side and each house was given about 3 acres of land in a square shape. The houses were pushed to the back away from the street with a garden before each of them and a smooth stone walkway leading to the street. There were some hovering cars in some of the driveways but most Machai guessed were in the closed garages.

Cadok parked the bus on the landing pad beside the building and they both got off heading towards the house. The houses looked similar to Earth houses structurally wise. However, the color scheme was so vibrant and mixed with many different colors that made it perfectly clear that it was not Earth paint, if it was paint at all. It shimmered in the upcoming sunset and even had a sparkly hue to it. It also looked like the paint was swirling around each other with the setting sun making the houses an incredible sight to see. Of course, Cadok was used to this so he just kept walking while Machai followed in a daze with his mind being overloaded with all the colors that almost pleasantly blinded his eyes.

Cadok opened the door for Machai and said, "Welcome to my home." If Machai could say the outside looked slightly similar earth houses, then the inside just went and gave away it that the house was from another planet. Their technology was like Earth but fast forwarded 500 years or something. There were holographic images everywhere with each screen showing a different topic such as weather or xacta, which is apparently a sport played with two balls that aren't supposed to touch the ground but can only sometimes hover and ... Machai lost track after that with the boatload of new information.

While Machai walked around, he was so transfixed on some of the screens that he didn't see something approaching him. The next thing he knew, a solid mass pounced on his leg making Machai jump ten feet in the air with a shout of surprise. He was relieved it was at least a manly shout. After jumping away from whatever pounced on him, he saw a robotic dog wagging its metal tail. Still near the door was Cadok who was hunched over laughing at Machai. Machai playfully scowled at Cadok but of course the mask blocked his facial expression. However, Cadok could tell what lay hidden under the mask making him laugh a little harder. Machai soon joined Cadok and chuckled to himself. He bent down low to pet the robotic dog unsure if it had sensors or anything for it to enjoy being petted.

After petting the dog which seemed to enjoy being petted, Machai wandered around the living room to see if any other cool things could be found. There wasn't any that stood out among other things except a necklace on the mantle of the fireplace. He made his way over to it and it actually looked pretty cool. It had a silver chain with intricate designs on the individual beads and a pendant at the end. The pendant was pretty amazing on its own. It had a grey background with a gold laurel wreath around the edges. Inside had red pincers that reminded Machai of the pincers on Cadok. In the middle inside the pincers contained one major white star with 10 other navy blue stars around it. It was a pretty impressive pendant that almost looked like royalty.

Cadok came over knowing what Machai was looking at. He too looked at it for a second a little longingly. "That necklace is a family heirloom. I grew up in an orphanage and on the streets so I didn't have many possessions. However, ever since I was little, I have always had that necklace. The matron of the orphanage said that the woman who gave me to them said that it was a family heirloom. So, I have kept it ever since." Cadok looked over the intricate designs wishing his mother actually kept him. However, he believed she had a legitimate reason to leave him in the orphanage, but, alas, he would most likely never find out.

Cadok went to into the kitchen and pulled out some packages that reminded Machai of space food ... He really hoped he wouldn't have to eat dried up food. Luckily, Cadok placed them into a microwave device and they slowly started to rise. After the ding, Cadok opened the packages and inside lay some type of hamburger with a red patty and green lettuce that looked semi-appetizing. Cadok took out two plates and served one for Machai and one for himself. Machai wished he could just summon his own food but he didn't want to reveal himself. At least not yet.

After their late dinner, Cadok showed Machai to the guest bedroom across the hall from his own. Machai walked inside and it surprised him to be actually quite roomy. He wondered what a wealthy person's house would look like if Cadok's was this size. He walked over to the bed looking at all the other furniture in the room. There was a brownish, greyish wood dresser along a wall with a light green framed mirror above it. The teal paint on the walls actually complemented the light green making it catch his eyes. There were two bookshelves on different walls with one filled with books and the other with books and strange mechanical items. There was also a desk and chair on the opposite side of the bed. All in all, it was a nice room and Machai felt grateful.

Machai turned around to look at Cadok who was leaning on the door frame and said, "I really appreciate what you're doing." He looked back around the room and sighed happily. "It's been a while since I had a solid roof over my head to sleep under." Machai's attention returned to the bed missing Cadok's changed facial expression.

Cadok was about to say it was no big deal before Machai added that second part. At first he was a little stunned with the sudden declaration, but he soon looked about Machai with a sad smile. He thought about his own life and having to basically live off the streets and fend for himself. He rarely ever had a roof over his head so he knew exactly what it was like to be offered a roof to sleep under. He also knew what it was like to be so young and have to deal with the streets. Judging by Machai's voice, he would put him to be around his late teens or early twenties and nobody should have to deal with those problems at that age.

Cadok's sad smile turned into a determined smile. He would make sure Machai had a place to get his bearings straight and not have to worry about a place to live while he finds work. He would take care of him and provide to the best of his ability. He would also have to teach Machai everything he needed to know about the universe since he's from Earth. Cadok switched to a pleased smile as Machai turned around. "It's no problem. Make yourself at home. The bathroom is down the hall to the left and my room is right across from yours should you need anything. I don't think I have any clothes that will fit you so we can go shopping tomorrow to buy you clothes and anything else you may need."

Machai was a little shocked at the 'make yourself at home' part but quickly recovered. "Thank you again." He gave a big yawn. "And I really appreciate all the help you've given me." The bed beside Machai was looking comfier and comfier and Machai soon found himself climbing on the bed just to see if it felt like clouds because it sure looked like it. However, right when Machai's head hit the pillow, he was out like a rock.

Cadok quietly chuckled and strode his way over to the bed. He debated if he should remove the cloak and mask to make sleeping more comfortable but quickly dismissed the idea. There was a reason Machai was wearing the mask and it was Machai's right to choose when to remove it. Cadok didn't want to lose the growing trust with such a simple mistake. He did, however, remove his swords strapped to his waist and the knives across his chest. As he watched over the sleeping figure, he got lost in thought wondering if Machai would actually like to stay with him. Cadok didn't have anybody else living with him and he didn't really invite many people over. They could have a nice, quiet life together with just the two of them. That's what Machai wanted right? A new home and a new start. But who would want to live with an intergalactic bus driver? He frowned at the thought. But, for some reason, when Cadok told Machai he was an intergalactic bus driver, he didn't look disapproving like everybody else. In fact, he actually looked intrigued.

Hope sprung in Cadok's chest at the prospect of Machai choosing to live with him. He could become Machai's guardian and ... He paused his train of thought. It would just be like a father and son. He never knew his father or mother and wished he had one his entire life. Cadok could be that figure in Machai's life if Machai wanted him to be. He leaned down and pushed some of Machai's hair sticking out from under his hood off his mask and wished him goodnight.

Cadok silently left the room and shut the door leaving only a crack. He slowly made his way into his bedroom and quickly changed into his night clothes and laid down on his bed. He got lost in thought thinking about what the future could hold and the mysteries of life that can change at a moment's notice. He fell asleep dreaming up a life where Machai and him were sitting on a couch in the living room watching TV as a father and son.

An alarm by Cadok's head went off and jerked Cadok awake. He looked on his dresser and saw that it was the alarm signaling someone was at the front door. He looked at his alarm clock and saw it was only 2:00 A.M. 'Who the heck knocks at 2:00!' Cadok thought. He got out of bed grumbling about stupid people and put on a T-shirt. His mood didn't improve much as he slowly made his way to the door.

He looked at the screen showing who was outside the door and saw a man standing there on his V-Pad. He didn't really look like a salesperson, but if he was ... Cadok didn't stay on that train of thought. He opened the door enough for the man to see most of Cadok's body but not inside and looked at the man standing there. He had a cloak like Machai's without the hood draw up showing off his pale complexion and midnight black hair. He had a defined chin and cheekbones and he smiled at Cadok. However, when Cadok looked into his eyes, he saw a flicker of something that told him not to let his guard down.

The man looked at his V-Pad, then back at him and said, "We are looked for a guy named Machai. He was last seen at the Pits and we have been looking for him. We would like to offer him a once in a lifetime deal." Cadok was suspicious of this man but didn't give any recognition in his facial features because anything related to the Pits usually wasn't a good sign. Cadok said, "Sorry, I don't recognize the name. What did he do?" The man was still smiling at him and it started to unnerve him.

The man said, "That is classified information." Cadok narrowed his eyes and grew a little frustrated. "Sorry, you must have the wrong hou ..." All of the sudden, he was pulled from behind and let out a loud shout to hopefully wake up Machai. The guy from the door punched him in the gut and the guy who grabbed him held a knife to his throat right as Machai sprinted out of his room.

"There you are," one of the men said. "We've been looking to pay you back for killing our leader."

Cadok looked at Machai's stiff but confused posture and knew that he didn't kill the man. Also, there was only a small amount of time Cadok wasn't with Machai. And add to the fact that he was reluctant to kill the brute at the Pits. All in all, Cadok was 99.9% sure Machai was innocent. Machai asked, "And who was your leader?" The men snarled and said, "Stop playing dumb! You killed him just several hours ago!" Realization struck the two. Machai regained his wits and said, "I had no choice on the matter and I was forced to kill him. If you watched the match, you would have seen I was reluctant to finish the job. Please, just let him go and we can find some way to deal with this situation."

Cadok knew there was no way out of this situation for him. These men were born and bred to kill and they enjoyed doing it. Cadok told Machai, "Machai, there is no reasoning with them! Just run ..." The knife was pushed tighter against his throat stopping him from speaking. All it took was for the knife to move an inch one way and he would be dead man.

Machai looked distraught with his hands semi outstretched in a pleading way, "Please, take me instead. Just let him go." Cadok took a moment to process that. Machai was willing to give up his life for his. No one had ever even remotely come close to doing that. It was always a struggle to gather food and you had to fight for every piece of bread you could salvage. But this young man he met not even a day ago was willing to risk his life for him.

He was pulled out of his thoughts when the man holding the knife said, "Actually, I think it would be better if we just killed both of you." And with that Cadok felt the cold, steel blade slice through his throat and he fell to the ground clutching his neck. It was quiet for a second until the man spoke, "Now, you don't even have a weapon so you might as well come and ..." the man stopped speaking, and moving in general, to Cadok's confusion. He slightly tilted his head to look at Machai.

All he saw through blurry vision was Machai's clenched fists at his side and rigid posture of anger and sadness. The next thing he heard was the screams of the men before they started to shrivel up and their bones crushed until two bodies, if you can still call them that, were on the floor. Cadok had no idea Machai was capable of such power but it didn't matter. He was about to die and he was at least happy to spend his last moments with Machai.

Reality quickly came back to Machai full force and he sprinted over to Cadok who lay in a pool of blood. "No, no, no, no, please don't die!" It was useless to say that but Machai couldn't really think straight. Machai tried to slow the blood flow but it was just gushing out. He thought about using his powers but the cut was too deep and if he used water to freeze over the wound, Cadok would just die from internal problems. He also knew deep down that Cadok already lost too much blood. Cadok croaked, "Machai, listen to me." Once he was sure he had Machai's full attention, he spoke again. "I've ... never cared ... for someone ... more than you." Machai was crying just as hard as when he was betrayed back at camp.

Machai told Cadok through his tears, "You're not going to die. Don't make it sound like you are." But there was desperation and hopelessness in his voice. He knew deep down Cadok wasn't going to make it and a pit started to upon up inside him.

Cadok spoke up, "Will you be my son?" There was a second of silence as Machai stared at Cadok, stunned by the question. A hole in his chest that he didn't know was there ached a little when thinking about having a father. He was still saddened about his father's betrayal but pushed that back down. Machai quickly recovered from his shock and said with an emotion he hasn't felt in many years, "I would love to, father." Cadok smiled through the pain and cried tears of joy that Machai would have stayed with him. They would have had a good life together. Even though he knew he would not be able to be there for Machai, he knew Machai would make something of himself in the future. He remembered what Machai's goal was when he first met him and knew Machai would be able to accomplish it. It would be a tough road but if anybody could do it, his son could.

Cadok smiled even on the precipice of death, "My son ... live for ... me ... fulfill your ... dream of saving ... the people ... of the galaxy ... help ... and care ... for others ... do this ... for me ... and I will ... be the happiest ... father ... in the ... gal ... ax ..." Cadok's life slowly left his eyes and Machai cradled his father's head not caring about the blood pooling all around him. He just got a father and now was losing him just as quick as he got him.

"Please don't leave me ... dad," he pleaded. "... Dad ..." whispering in the end hoping Cadok would come back to him. Machai couldn't let Cadok die. The hole in his chest that revealed itself just moments ago remained open and more noticeable than ever. Machai sat there for hours holding his father and cursing the Fates for making his life so hard and unforgiving. He lost track of time until his dad's alarm clock went off in his room snapping Machai out of his daze.

He gently set his father down and turned off the alarm clock which said 6:00 A.M. He knew he couldn't bury his father outside because the neighbors would most likely freak out and call whatever the galaxy had for police. He had to leave him here until someone came and gave him a proper burial. He didn't want to leave his dad just lying there waiting for someone to come to his house but Machai couldn't let anybody know he had been there.

He knelt by his father and stroked some of his hair off his forehead. His father ... He had a father again. A father who loved him even though they only knew each other for a short period of time. Machai said with a dead but loving voice, "I will live for you father, I swear I will help the people of the galaxy ... and ..." He couldn't stop the tears from coming. "I swear I will ... help and care ... for others. I will make sure you are the proudest father in the galaxy." He took a minute to compose himself and to steel his resolve. He would make his father proud no matter what it took.

He knew he couldn't stay much longer unless either the galaxy cops find him or reinforcements come. He quickly grabbed his gear (apparently Zade forgot to ask for his weapons back) and found a backpack to put food, all the money he could find, and other smaller necessities in it. He also went into the living room to retrieve the necklace. He may not be officially in Cadok's family but Machai was positive Cadok would like him to have it instead of whoever gets to the house first. He put it around his neck and tucked it inside his shirt to keep it close to his heart. He would always keep it with him just like Cadok always keep it with him.

He made his way outside to the bus and found a map with all the different planets and solar systems to help him on his journey through the universe. He knew he shouldn't risk mist traveling to planets he'd never been to but he needed to lay low. And considering he met his father using the Starway Jeros, he didn't want to use any other form of transportation. He also didn't want to get anyone involved ... ever again. He couldn't grow attached knowing that sooner or later their death would come to pass.

Machai needed to train more so he could protect the people he cared about. He wanted people to be able to trust him with their lives without the fear of dying. He wanted to become the strongest he could be, not for himself, but for others. He would fight to protect them no matter what it took.

After condensing the map and stuffing it into his filled to the brim backpack, Machai walked out onto the back porch and took one last look at the house. The small amount of memories that he had of Cadok surfaced and he knew he would treasure them forever. "Goodbye father."

Machai died that day and Omega was born. The end to all evil to carry out his father's last wish. To protect the people of the galaxy from anything like the separation of father and son. Omega would bring light and hope for the people wherever he goes and destroy the darkness that hides in every corner.

With that, Omega mist traveled to the planet Zaref. An uninhabited planet split into four sections: ocean and islands, grasslands and forests, lava fields and burnt wastelands, and mountains and ravines. The perfect place to perfect his abilities and become the guardian of the galaxy.