“Why did you do it?” Rhen demanded the moment Jade stepped inside their house.
Jade didn’t even glance at her. “Do what?” he replied, making a beeline for their room.
Rhen hurried after him, frustration bubbling. “Cindy sent me a message—Saz called a meeting of the pillars. Everyone except us. I thought you wanted to avoid trouble. Now you’re just annoying the king.”
“Annoying?” Jade whirled around, eyes blazing. “I’m sick of him.” His voice was sharp, almost bitter. “He has no right to give me orders. One, I’m his elder brother. Two, I’m a guardian; I don’t need orders to do my job. Three, he's only trying to take my place. Get that into your head.”
Rhen frowned. “Jade, what brought all this on? Why are you so worked up?”
He let out a short, angry laugh, pushing open the door to their room. “You didn’t even ask what happened at the palace before jumping to conclusions.”
Rhen followed him inside, trying to keep her voice calm. “Then tell me. What was it that set you off like this?”
Jade met her gaze, a dark look settling over him. He sighed, taking a deep breath. “Billy got this crazy idea from President Avon.”
Rhen immediately leaned in, curiosity piqued. “What was it?”
“He thinks the starship from years ago might have been used by that presumed being in space. So, apparently, if I search the nearby planets, I might find a way to the ship.” Jade’s voice held a mix of skepticism and determination as he stared out the window.
Rhen glanced away, uncomfortable. “Okay... that sounds... pretty far-fetched. It’s all based on assumption.”
“Exactly.” Jade snapped. “But they want me to expend my life force chasing a wild guess.”
Rhen reached out, clasping his hand gently in both of hers. “How about this—take your time on one of the planets. Wait a week or two, see if anything turns up.”
He pulled his hand away, incredulous. “Are you serious? I can’t leave my family that long.”
“Not if it helps save the ones you love. And we are your family, Jade.” Her voice softened.
Jade clenched his fists. “Fine. I’ll do it your way. But if anyone lays a finger on my family while I’m gone, I’ll burn this village to the ground.” He jabbed a fist into the wall.
Rhen stepped closer. “Saz isn’t one for rash moves. Just go—and come back safe.” She kissed him gently.
Almost instantly, Jade’s body shimmered, crystallizing before scattering into thin air.
No sooner had he vanished than the front door burst open. Two soldiers stormed in, guns raised—MK-19s gripped tightly.
“What do you want?” Rhen asked, masking her alarm with calm.
“The king ordered us to bring Mr. Jade to the palace,” one soldier declared.
Rhen squared her shoulders. “Jade already left for another planet—he’s following the king’s orders.”
The other soldier’s tone hardened. “I’m afraid you’ll have to come with us then.”
Rhen’s brow furrowed. “Come with you? What business do I have with the king? I wasn’t even informed about any meeting. Besides, it’s not like they need forged weapons.”
“Mrs. Rhen, I think it’s—”
“Don’t push your luck.” The front door swung open again. Selina appeared, flanked by Racle.
Before the soldiers could finish, Selina charged forward, her hands hardening as she ripped their guns from them with unyielding grip.
“Selina, stop!” Rhen shouted. Turning to the soldiers, she demanded, “Leave our house. Now.”
Without another word, the soldiers retreated, abandoning their weapons behind.
As the dust settled, Rhen smirked. “Looks like you’ve finally awakened your hardening skills.”
Racle chuckled. “Yeah, she started this morning during training. You should have seen how determined she was.”
Rhen exhaled slowly, sinking onto the couch while Selina and Racle remained standing. “I’m not sure what we just did was wise. King Saz isn’t going to be pleased.”
Racle’s expression hardened. “Just because they don’t need him doesn’t mean they can do whatever they want. This is what happens down the path he chose. If they mess with our family, they mess with the strongest family in the world.”
“Alright, enough with the big talk,” Rhen said, shaking her head. “Your dad’s on another planet. He’ll be back in a week.”
“What! He didn’t even say goodbye?” Racle’s voice cracked with disappointment.
Selina perked up. “Then who’s going to help us train?”
Rhen grinned. “How about I take his place?”
Selina’s eyes sparkled. “Are you serious? I’m finally going to see you in action!”
---
Meanwhile, at the palace, the pillars gathered in the grand hall: Peter, Mark, Cindy, Billy, Dr. Bryan, former Captain Drek, Arthur, Hegs, Roger—and the previous queen, frail and worn with age.
Saz rose to address them. “First, my appreciation to you all for coming. I called this meeting to discuss the matter outlined in the message you received.”
“Your Majesty, though Jade took things far, he has the right to speak his mind,” Arthur said firmly. “He’s not subject to anyone.”
“Agreed,” Mark added, rising. “By rank, Jade is superior to you in the eyes of the world.”
Drek shook his head. “I disagree. If Jade and his family are citizens of Takeki Village, then they must abide by its laws.”
Peter raised a hand. “True—but we’re talking about the man who saved the world from destruction.”
Hegs added cautiously, “While Jade may have acted out, what right have we to punish him?”
Saz scanned the room. “Is that all?” Silence followed. “If you say Jade is not subject to me, I agree. But no one stands above the law. I *am* the law in this village. If he cannot abide by it, then he should leave.”
Cindy’s voice snapped. “Leave? Do you think we don’t need him? We don’t even know how strong the enemy is.”
“Very well,” Saz said coldly. “I sent two soldiers to bring him here. Any minute now… Ah.” The palace doors swung open.
Two soldiers entered, faces flushed, sweat streaming down their brows.
All eyes fixed on them. The king demanded, “Where’s Jade?”
“One of the soldiers spoke. “Mrs. Rhen said he left—to follow your orders.”
Saz frowned. “I doubt that. He actually refused… right, Billy?” Billy nodded, confirming the claim. “Where are your guns?”
“Selina attacked and disarmed us,” one soldier said.
Saz scowled. “That brat... she’s awakened the hardening skills?”
“She’s a complete guardian now,” the soldier replied quickly.
King Saz slammed his hand on the throne’s armrest. “If even his own family disregards me…” His voice grew colder. “If you stand with him, raise your hand now.”
The hall was deathly silent, no one stirred.
Just then, an elderly woman stepped forward. “I’m with him.” It was Knight Flin.
Gasps rippled through the room. Mark, Dr. Bryan, Hegs, Arthur, and Cindy rose their hands as well.
Saz stood, voice steely. “If that’s all, the vote is six to seven. I hereby pronounce Jade’s family will be…”
.....
...