Across the Galaxy: A Pirate's Path to Glory

The stolen phone

A small ship was making its way towards the now-dead planet Eviri. The only reason someone would visit the planet would be the memorial museum where they try to keep the small things they have left alive. But Krish wasn’t on his way to the museum. He was going to meet up with his crew once again. One of their newer members has found some information on the planet that they could use as a weapon. 

As he was landing, it was like ashes surrounded his ship when he got closer to the ground. The remains of Eviri were like this everywhere. All colour was drained, only rocks and ashes everywhere. Krish hated visiting this place and it only became more and more often. He shut down the engine and grabbed his mask, turning it on so he could breathe outside the ship. 

Getting out, he noticed the sky was grey as well. He sighed and double-checked that he didn’t forget Dahlia’s phone. He just needed to hand it over so he could return to the main ship. He made his way inside the cave and followed the artificial lights the crew had placed inside earlier. He could feel how the phone was vibrating in his pocket nonstop. He barely made it into the cave before he pulled it out to see who was trying to reach her. He was not expecting it to be her mother… 

He was about to place it back into his pocket to try and ignore it but his thumb accidentally accepted the call. 

“DAHLIA DEAR!” It screamed out from the phone and a woman’s voice began to yell how she was worried and such. Then she suddenly changed her tone, as if the previous words she just said were all an act. 

“It’s been very difficult without you dear. Now with your brother gone, I don’t have anyone to manage. But if you return I’m sure we can do something with your record! Good girl turned bad, it’s quite popular nowadays. Your career is not over yet, not if I have something to say about it.” Krish didn’t say anything. The only thing he picked up was that Dahlia’s brother was gone, either left or died. Considering they are tuners he probably died from an overdose. But all of this reminded him of his mother… Who he hasn’t contacted for five years now. 

“Hello? Cupcake? Answer me!” Krish hung up and placed back the phone into his pocket. He already knows too much about Dahlia than he should. It’s none of his business. 

He kept walking until he arrived at a dead end, with a wall that was filled with text and paintings of a beast. In front of it stood Ichigo, examining the paintings and noting it down onto her notepad. 

“Ehem. The phone you asked for.” He stayed in front of her and she slowly turned around. 

“Good. You can just leave it where the rest of my belongings are.” Nodding, he placed it down carefully then returned to his position. But he was expecting more of a reaction from her since she was so persistent about having it. 

“Why did you want the phone anyway?” He couldn’t keep himself from asking. usually, he’d just walk away and not pay more attention to it. But he spent more time on it than expected, he wanted to at least know if his work was even worth it. She is just a newbie anyway and in their crew, new members are cast aside. But this girl managed to get onto a higher rank than him. It was like he was demoted from a right-hand man to a delivery boy. Ever since she came into the picture. 

Ichigo slowly turned to look at him and flashed a smile. 

“Oh, it was for something stupid. Spreading rumours and dirt. But I have changed plans. I found something better we could use…” She turned back to the wall and placed her hand on a painting of something that resembled a large beast. 

“Like what?” 

“Curious today aren’t we Krish?” Her voice was filled with suspicion but a smile was still there. 

“I just don’t like wasting time. I got the phone for nothing it seems, I want to know if what you found is really better.” 

“Oh, it is. With this, we could rule the entire universe. As I was examining the texts and paintings on the wall… I came to realize that just spreading rumours and ruining someone’s career is not big enough. Not big enough for me. Not after what she has done to me.” She paused and clenched her fist before she took a deep breath and slowly let go. 

“There is a legend of a huge beast in space. And there is a way to awaken it and control it. If we have it under our control… Imagine the power we have. It can swallow planets! We can rule everything! That way, we will never be the second-best. We will be on the top, forever!” Her eyes almost glowed in the dark. It was like madness and sin had already begun to swallow her. That’s when Krish realized why she was able to climb up the ranks so fast. She has lost everything and thus can give all she has. For revenge, for glory. 

But it didn’t sit with him right. He knew his crew. They would use this power against each other if they could… And they would still be under the command of the head captain and the king… Unless… She plans on eliminating them first. He felt a shiver through his whole body and how chains wrapped around his throat, wrists and ankles. He still has things to lose… His mother.   

“You’re right… Good luck on it then. I’ll return to the rest of the crew then.” Her eyes had calmed down and she gave a small nod before turning back to the wall. 

“Report to our captain that I am making progress. I will translate the text soon as well.” Krish made a small bow and then turned his heel around, walking back to his ship. He got inside, taking off the mask and sighed deeply. He looked at a picture of his family and his heart ached. If his brother wouldn’t have left… They could have lived life peacefully… Or would they? Even if he wasn’t a pirate, Ichigo would still awaken that beast and their life would vanish anyway but they would have been in ignorance… Not knowing, nothing to do about it. 

He started the engine and flew off, guilt eating him up. He wanted to blame everything on his older brother. His jealousy, his anger and his action. But he knew he couldn’t do that… He’d be lying to himself. He can’t believe that lie anymore… After 5 years. 

Krish could see the large ship in the distance. He stopped his ship and watched the large ship, glowing in different colours. He didn’t want to return… He didn’t want to be pushed around and laughed at. He took a deep breath and stared at the family photo. Biting his lip he decided to call his mother. Each ring felt like an eternity, his heart kept beating faster and faster. Just when he thought about hanging up, his mother finally picked up. 

“Hello? Is that you Krish?” His heart almost jumped out of his chest but her voice was gentle and kind. A feeling of longing and sadness just showered over him. 

“Yes, it’s me, mom…” He paused and gripped onto the steering wheel as he was trying to find words to say. 

“Oh, my dear son. I’m so happy to hear from you again.”

“I’m sorry I didn’t contact you earlier… It’s just that. I-I don’t have an excuse…” Guilt kept coming back and he kept blinking trying to keep himself from tearing up. 

“I understand… I’m not mad at you Krish. Worried yes, sad yes. But I am happy that you’re alive. As long as you follow your dreams and passions, I am happy.”

“But-”

“When you become a parent you’ll understand. I can take care of myself. So don’t worry about me. I don’t regret anything, I’m just happy I could raise courageous boys like you two.” Krish kept biting his lip, blinking didn’t even help anymore. He wasn’t happy where he was. He doesn’t even know his passions or dreams anymore. He was lost… Lost in space. 

“I miss you…” His voice cracked up, no matter how much he tried to hide it. 

“I miss you too… I’m always here for you no matter what. You know where to find me.” Her voice felt like a hug. Krish nodded and let out a shaky breath. He looked in front of him, watching the ship and closed his eyes. He won’t be returning there.

“You haven’t heard from Tristen by any chance?” 

“He did come by yesterday with his crew. If you hurry you might be able to catch him on his way.” 

“Thank you, mom. I-I-”

“I love you too” Then she hung up. Krish tried to keep it together but he broke down completely on the ship. He smiled after and shook his head as he wiped away his tears. Then he turned his ship around and drove his way towards Yotar.