Airson's Story Part Ten (25)

After the events that recently took place in Kelvin Village, Airson's group could no longer stay there.

For two reasons: One, there was no inn to sleep in that could accommodate the six of them, and second, the villagers didn't want them there anymore, as they attracted dangerous people.

So the entire group walked through the wastelands of Arbok, looking for a place to stay that complied with the First Order's restrictions of staying in the southeastern region.

Airson had a dead serious expression on all day.

"So where are we going now? No village or town wants us there." Katie asked.

"We're walking to Starlight Square. It's the largest city this far southeast."

"Why can't we just fly there? It'd be way faster." Nigel said.

Airson answered him. "Flying restriction. We aren't allowed. Attracts too much attention."

Miraka was still worried about Airson. She could feel the hostility pouring out of his every word. After three hours of walking, the sun was starting to set. Starlight Square shone brightly in the distance.

"Woahhh, I've never been here before, it's so bright!" Miraka said. "It's beautiful!"

The city was grand, lights of every color sparkled brightly in the dark. True to its name, the city itself was also perfectly square shaped.

"They say Starlight Square is known for their night life, no wonder there's so many people out!" Katie exclaimed.

Airson wasn't impressed really. He had more important things on his mind. For starters, finding his crew a place to stay.

They found a inn not too far from the city's busiest street. The inn was much more luxurious than they were used to.

Starlight Square was a city that was of nobility for the most part. So everything was more expensive and high class than other cities.

The inn was 25,000 Credits per night. And this was one of the cheapest ones around.

Airson paid for three rooms, all for one weeks worth of stay.

Everyone went to their rooms, to turn in for the night and get some rest.

--

Morning came.

Airson was sitting in the lobby, drinking water.

Miraka came down next. She spotted Airson sitting by himself. "Morning!" she said to him.

"Good morning." Airson said.

"Where you going?" she asked him.

Airson took another sip of water. "I think I'm gonna go train off by myself today."

"No." Airson was taken aback for a moment. "Huh?"

Miraka repeated herself. "I said no."

"Why not? I can do what I want. I need to get stronger."

"You've been doing nothing but fighting for the past week. Take a break. Training all the time does more harm than good."

Airson had nothing to say. He looked at the floor.

"I have an idea!" Miraka said, her face glowing with charm. "Spend the day with me!"

Airson looked at Miraka, a little surprised. He didn't expect this. "L-Like..a date?"

Miraka nodded her head. "Hmm~!"

He didn't see the point in going on a date at a time like this, but he wasn't about to turn down Miraka's offer.

He tried to find something to say, but all that came out was "Um, okay."

She grabbed his arm and pulled him out the chair. She continued to bring him outside.

For that entire day, and most of that night, Airson was outside spending time with Miraka.

They ate, went shopping, watched a play, and showed up to a music festival that night.

Airson couldn't understand how Miraka could be so happy though.

It's almost like she remembers nothing.

Airson lived his life up until now knowing that he had to get stronger so that no one could beat him.

Miraka was plenty strong herself, but it was like she didn't care about getting stronger.

She was always happy, and she was never sad unless he did something to make her worry about him.

It wasn't right.

Later that night, Airson and Miraka were walking home from the festival.

Miraka grabbed a hold of Airson's hand. "Ahhh, with everything going on right now, this was nice."

Airson looked at her. She had this big smile on her face, she was genuinely happy right now.

"How are you so happy right now?" Airson asked her.

Miraka stared at him for a few seconds, then smiled again. "Because I got to spend some quality time with you today."

She looked at him again, Airson was silent. "You're thinking why I don't care about getting stronger right? Even after everything we've been through?"

Airson looked at her with wide eyes. "How did you-"

"You don't have to ask, it's written all over your face silly." she said with a laugh. "I only fight now because I get to live a free life in this open world with all my friends. Sometimes a strong will is all it takes to be strong. If you obsess over getting stronger all the time, then you won't have enough confidence in yourself when you need it."

Airson looked up at the night sky. ''"Confidence, huh? Have I been too proud all this time?" ''he thought to himself.

Airson let himself smile for the first time in a while. "I had fun today."

They made it back to the inn.

"Thanks again for today Airson." Miraka kissed him on the cheek, "Goodnight!" She ran to her room.

Airson blushed a bit from the kiss. It was his first time ever being kissed by a girl.

He felt good about himself going to sleep that night.

--

''Airson was standing in front of a familiar hospital once more. ''

H''e knew what this was. ''

''He took the step that automatically transferred him to his mother's hospital room. ''

''For the past week or so, Airson had been re-watching himself being born and his mother's death. ''

''Over and over again every night. ''

''But this time was going to be different. ''

''He was watching himself as an infant be caressed by his mother. ''

''The lightning would strike the hospital. ''

''Airson was the only survivor. ''

''He would cry and get angry every time. ''

''But not this time. ''

''"I know why I've been reliving this memory now." he said. ''

''Airson looked at his mother's dead body. ''

''The police sirens grew louder in the background. ''

''"I got my powers from this lightning strike. It was a freak accident. I wasn't hurt from it, but it took away my ability to conjure up any spiritual essence. The only power I can use from within me is lightning. I thought that this meant that the lightning chose me. That I had a duty to become the strongest because of it. But I was actually given a choice." ''

''Looking at his mother's face made Airson want to cry, but he refused to. ''

''The lightning bolt destroyed everything he had in life from birth. ''

''But he was protected by his mother, even in her death. ''

''"A choice to use my power to protect, or destroy. There is no between." ''

''His world went white once more. ''

''A man stood in front of him. ''

H''e looked familiar, like he just met him not too long ago. ''

''The man had messy brown hair, a rough stubble beard, and oversized dirty clothes. ''

''"This is what I wanted you to realize." the man said. ''

''Airson couldn't speak, he tried, but his mouth wouldn't open. ''

''"I was always a criminal, but I did what I did to help protect the ones closest to me. When I became Carnage, that responsibility grew larger than anything I could expect." ''

''Airson's eyes grew wide. ''

''The man formally known as Carnage continued speaking. "I used the power I gained to destroy rather than protect. And it was the wrong choice. I killed everyone I knew and loved, and continued to take the loved ones of other people away from them. My soul became one with the bloodlust. Because of my sins I'm not allowed to rest my soul. I must wait until the next person gains the same power. You of all people stopped me. For that I am eternally grateful to you. I wanted you to see this memory because it pains us the most to see the ones we love the most die. I want you to think about who you love the most in your life right now. It's far too late for your mother, but it isn't too late for everyone else." ''

''Tears streamed down Airson's face. ''

--

Airson opened his eyes. He was still crying. He wiped his face.

Airson thought to himself. "''I've decided. I'm only gonna get stronger from now on to keep that smile on Miraka's face. Until she never has to worry about me ever again! I'm going to protect my friends. Z, or whoever you are, I dare you to come mess with us now." ''