In the midst of joyous celebrations in the Black Glen, Rhox and the victorious Red Fleet returned from war, their ships docking amidst the vibrant revelry. Ship Portmen danced and sang on the platforms, drinks in hand, while the Lakvi, their faces radiant with the promise of a new life, poured out of their ships. In stark contrast, the pure-blooded Lavi disembarked with expressions of defeat.
As Rhox, Gunn, and Vincent exited their ship, they were greeted by Portman Gauzz, who enthusiastically exclaimed, "Welcome back, Rookie! You gave them hell today, eh? I heard you downed 25 space fighters and infiltrated a city!" Rhox, with a playful tone, responded, "Well, I could've done it all myself, but these guys made it easier," gesturing towards Vincent and Gunn. Laughter ensued, with Vincent joining in and Gunn clicking his mandibles in mock annoyance.
Entering the Black Glen alongside Admiral Vonn Redd and the army, they were met with streets filled with music, dancing, and joyful residents shouting from their balconies. "Victory to the Red Fleet!" echoed through the air as the Army paraded through the jubilant streets.
For hours, the entire Black Glen celebrated the Red Fleet's triumph. Free food was distributed to soldiers, Lakvi, and Lavi alike, and music echoed in every corner. Amidst the revelry, behind the thin walls of the medical wards, an individual rested on her bed, humming softly and embracing a long coat for warmth.
As she sang a lullaby, a tear fell from her eyes, and she whispered, "Mother…farewell…you have been finally avenged." In the midst of the celebration, Gel, who had fought for decades against her stepmother, Queen Fel'Kyne, in revenge for the execution of her mother, Kar'Leyan Laxuva, found closure. Her pain and suffering had come to an end, and her burdens were lifted.
Feeling a touch on her shoulders, Gel flinched and looked up to find Rhox, concern evident in her eyes. "Hey, you good?" Rhox asked in a concerned tone as she rested her hand on Gel's shoulders. Gel, overwhelmed with emotions, tightly embraced Rhox, her cries muffled by the distant sounds of music and cheers. Rhox, offering comfort, stroked Gel's head, whispering, "It's all over now."
For 15 minutes, Gel sobbed intensely, not letting go of Rhox. "Thank you…Thank you," she whispered, expressing her gratitude. After the tears subsided, Gel received a slice of Blueberry cheesecake, her favorite dessert, from Rhox. Gel noticed Rhox staring at her while she ate, adding a hint of awkwardness to the air.
"I didn't know you were such a crybaby," Rhox chuckled, teasing Gel, who blushed slightly. "Shut up, you idiot, let me eat in peace," Gel retorted, playfully bantering with Rhox. Rhox sat on the floor beside Gel's bed, sighing, and eventually, a more intimate question emerged.
In the heart of the jubilant Black Glen, the victorious Red Fleet's return from war was met with joyous celebrations. Ships docked amid the vibrant festivities, with Ship Portmen dancing and singing on the platforms, drinks in hand. The Lakvi, faces alight with the promise of a new beginning, poured out of their ships, while the pure-blooded Lavi disembarked, their expressions shadowed with defeat.
As Rhox, Gunn, and Vincent disembarked, they were greeted by Portman Gauzz, who enthusiastically exclaimed, "Welcome back, Rookie! You really showed them today, huh? I heard you took down 25 space fighters and even infiltrated a city!" Rhox, with a playful smirk, responded, "I could've done it all myself, but these guys made it a bit easier," gesturing towards Vincent and Gunn. Laughter rippled through the group, with Vincent joining in and Gunn clicking his mandibles in mock irritation.
Walking alongside Admiral Vonn Redd and the army into the Black Glen, they were welcomed by streets brimming with music, dancing, and joyful residents shouting from their balconies. "Victory to the Red Fleet!" resounded through the air as the army paraded through the jubilant streets.
The celebrations continued for hours, with free food distributed to soldiers, Lakvi, and Lavi alike, and music filling every corner. Amidst the revelry, behind the thin walls of the medical wards, Gel rested on her bed, softly humming and clutching a long coat for warmth.
As she sang a lullaby, a tear fell from her eye, and she whispered, "Mother... farewell... you have finally been avenged." In the midst of the celebration, Gel, who had fought for decades against her stepmother, Queen Fel'Kyne, in revenge for her mother Kar'Leyan Laxuva's execution, found closure. Her pain and suffering had finally lifted.
Feeling a gentle touch on her shoulders, Gel flinched and looked up to find Rhox, concern evident in her eyes. "Hey, you okay?" Rhox asked softly, resting her hand on Gel's shoulders. Overwhelmed with emotion, Gel hugged Rhox tightly, her cries muffled by the distant sounds of music and cheers. Rhox, offering comfort, stroked Gel's head, whispering, "It's all over now."
For fifteen minutes, Gel sobbed intensely, not letting go of Rhox. "Thank you... thank you," she whispered, her voice filled with gratitude. Once her tears subsided, Rhox handed her a slice of blueberry cheesecake, her favorite dessert. Gel noticed Rhox watching her as she ate, adding a hint of awkwardness to the moment.
"I didn't know you were such a crybaby," Rhox teased, chuckling. Gel, blushing slightly, retorted, "Shut up, you idiot, let me eat in peace." Rhox, with a sigh, sat on the floor beside Gel's bed. After a moment of silence, a more intimate question emerged.
"How does it feel to finally exact vengeance?" Rhox asked Gel, a slight smile on her face. Gel, locking eyes with Rhox, touched her hair, gently stroking Rhox's long locks. In that shared moment, Gel recognized Rhox as a kindred spirit seeking vengeance for her brother, just as she did for her mother. With a silent vow, Gel pledged to support Rhox in her pursuit of vengeance against the Corvus emperor, just as Rhox had aided her.
"How does it feel to finally exact vengeance?" Rhox asked Gel, a slight smile playing on her lips.
Gel locked eyes with Rhox, her fingers gently stroking Rhox's long locks. In that shared moment, Gel saw Rhox as a kindred spirit, someone who sought vengeance for her brother, just as Gel had for her mother. Silently, Gel vowed to support Rhox in her quest for retribution against the Corvus emperor, just as Rhox had aided her.
Several years had gracefully unfolded since the end of the war, transforming Black Glen and its resilient inhabitants. Gel, once a fierce rebel leader seeking vengeance, now bore synth legs as the Admiral of the Right, commanding a fleet composed of her loyal Lakvi allies. Her journey led her to become a skilled data broker, utilizing her fleet as covert spies infiltrating distant empires, all while she remained tethered to the Black Glen.
Gunn, having proven his mettle in the conflict, ascended to the position of Admiral of the Left. His fleet, specialized in infantry assault and primarily manned by seasoned Valkaryanns, became a formidable force. To maintain order and safety, Gunn initiated the Red Fleet safety zone, demanding a tax from new criminals or outlaws in exchange for sanctuary within Red Fleet-occupied territories. Violations of this pact or Black Glen laws were met with swift execution.
Rhox, the enigmatic mercenary, continued her nomadic existence with the Red Fleet. While her missions took her to far-flung corners of the galaxy, she unfailingly returned to the Black Glen, considering it her anchor and home. Her travels were not just about the pursuit of contracts but also a quest for information and a meticulously crafted plan for vengeance. An advanced technological compound claimed her left arm in a mission, a testament to the sacrifices made in the name of her pursuit.
Admiral Vonn Redd, the stalwart leader, assumed the mantle of High Commander of the Red Fleet. His responsibility encompassed all facets of the fleet, ensuring its stability and prosperity. Justice was dispensed as he apprehended traitors who had tormented Gel, executing them methodically in the heart of Black Glen's main square. The echoes of gunfire and justice reverberated through the transformed city.
Vincent, the mysterious figure, departed for Earth, his reasons concealed in the cloak of secrecy.
Amidst the transformations and upheavals, an intricate and delicate dance began to unfold between Rhox and Gel. Whispers among the residents of Black Glen spoke of a blossoming romance, a connection woven through camaraderie, friendship, and perhaps, something more. However, the intricacies of their relationship harbored unspoken tensions. Gel, too reserved to express her longing, concealed her desire for Rhox to be her partner. Simultaneously, Rhox, having already laid her heart bare, waited with bated breath for Gel's response, hoping for a sign that her feelings were reciprocated.
As the cosmic dance of fate would have it, a certain circumstance unfolded, becoming the catalyst for a revelation. Rhox and Gel found themselves entwined in a moment that demanded the expression of their true feelings. A confession, long overdue, hung in the air, and Gel, compelled by the unfolding events, finally surrendered to the whispers of her heart.
Returning to the Black Glen after a strenuous six-month mission, Rhox, bearing the weight of her lost arm, entered Gel's office. The severed limb served as a visceral testament to the perils faced, yet Rhox traversed the streets without visiting the medical wards. Gel, engrossed in her analog device, looked up upon Rhox's entrance, only to witness her collapse, blood spurting from the severed arm.
"Rhox! No!" Gel screamed, her heart pounding in her chest. She rushed to Rhox's side, tearing a section of her dress in a frantic attempt to stanch the flow of blood. "Stay with me, please! Don't close your eyes!"
Amidst the panic, Rhox weakly handed Gel a metal casing, whispering, "Information... on Corvus..."
"Rhox, I can't think about that now! Please, just stay awake! I can't lose you," Gel pleaded, her voice breaking.
In that vulnerable moment, Gel believed Rhox had succumbed to the battle wounds, and with tears streaming down her face, she screamed her true feelings into the void.
"Rhox, please wake up! Please! I love you! Please wake up… I love you," Gel's voice trembled with desperation, her confession breaking through the tension-filled air.
The room echoed with the weight of Gel's confession, and just as despair threatened to consume her, she felt the warmth of Rhox's hand upon her head.
"Took you that long, huh?" Rhox chuckled weakly, breaking the tension and weaving their destinies together.
Gel's eyes widened in shock and relief. "You... you heard me?"
"Every word," Rhox whispered, her voice growing stronger. "I've been waiting for you to say it."
"Rhox," Gel sobbed, her emotions overwhelming her. She leaned down, kissing Rhox's bloodied lips, tears mingling with the blood. "Don't ever scare me like that again."
"Sorry," Rhox murmured, managing a faint smile. "But I had to hear you say it."
The medics arrived, taking Rhox away, but not before Rhox shouted, "I LOVE YOU TOO, GEL'HYNE LAXUVA!" echoing through the corridors.
Their love story, born from the crucible of war, unfolded like a delicate flower finally revealing its radiant form. From strangers standing ten meters apart to comrades and finally into lovers intertwined in destiny, Rhox and Gel had embarked on a journey of profound connection and enduring love.
End of Flashback