They were following the stranger, without a word. By Xavier’s labored breath, Cory could tell the former Ruler of Drena was still in shock. As he was himself. His own pained sobs that he couldn’t control matched Xavier’s hitched breathing.
“Who are you?” he forced himself to speak.
The stranger walking quickly in front of them didn’t turn, but did reply.
“I believe the right definition would be an automaton. Hector was my creator.”
“Hector, the one who lived to be 102 years old?” he asked, the memory of what Edgar had told him about the old man while in Aeria came to him.
“A bit longer than that,” the servant replied.
“Is he dead now?” Cory grabbed one of his arms with the other to stop some of the shaking that was almost making his teeth clatter.
“Yes. He died a few minutes ago, in the room where you were,” the automaton supplied dutifully.
“Why are we alive?” Xavier asked this time, and by the trembling of his voice, he was fighting his emotions as much as Cory. “No, why am I alive? I understand why Cory …”
“There is someone who can offer all the answers I cannot provide,” Hector’s creation replied in the same serene voice.
Cory stole a nervous glance in Xavier’s direction, and his eyes were met by troubled ones.
“I don’t care,” he said, looking straight at his former Master, now friend. “Why you’re alive, I mean. Because at least I’m not alone.”
Xavier cast his eyes down. If there was something the man could guess right now, if there was some premonition he feared, that was his to bear. That was what the lack of a reply was telling Cory right now.
“Hurry,” the automaton gestured for them to follow, as they seemed to begin their descent toward an inferior level.
Were they going underground? The temperature was starting to drop, although they were still inside the building.
Cory didn’t need to be told they were at the final point of their destination. In what looked like an ancient throne room, with tall columns sustaining the ceiling, at one end, on a tall iron chair, an imitation of the one he had seen Lucas on earlier, stood the Head Trainer.
Limbs of purple and violet light trembled, grown from the Head Trainer’s location, licking the walls and throwing frightening shadows on the walls.
“Stop what you’re doing! Stop it right now!” Cory hurried toward the grey hood sitting on the iron chair.
“Stop? The deed is done,” the Head Trainer replied, showing his yellowed teeth in a snarl.
Cory slowed his steps.
“Undone it,” he spoke.
His voice was strung with hurt.
“Even if I could, I wouldn’t,” the Head Trainer replied, his voice hollow, void of emotion. “What you are asking is impossible.”
“It cannot be!” Cory took another step.
“Who are you?” the Head Trainer leaned forward, as if he was trying to make Cory’s face in the semi darkness. The evil limbs of light could not offer much illumination.
“I am Cory the servant,” Cory replied. “You killed my friends! You killed Lucas! And I love him!”
“Ah, you are the mistake,” the Head Trainer stood back. “Is she really thinking I am impressed by her spawn? The least she could do was to send someone who could offer a bit of a challenge. But I suppose it was everything she could create out of her puny wrath.”
“I was created out of love, not hatred,” Cory replied, somehow the words coming to him easier, as he was slowly approaching.
“If you don’t want to die in terrible pain, I suggest that you stop where you are,” the Head Trainer pointed a long gnarled finger at him. “There is still some energy left in the machine.”
“I want answers!” Cory boomed, growing frustrated with how his feet didn’t seem to listen to him anymore, stopping him in place. Fear was getting the better of him, for now.
“The only answer you deserve is this: you’re too late. If it is any consolation, even if you hadn’t been, you couldn’t have done anything to stop me.”
“Undo everything, like Cory said!” Xavier spoke from behind.
The Head Trainer cocked his head to look at the other newcomer.
“Ah, my son. It was such a terrible overstep from your part to desert us like you did.”
“Stop calling me your son. I know you’re nothing but evil. You never cared for any of us. How can you be such a hypocrite?” Xavier shouted.
“Never cared, you say? But look at you. Alive. Unharmed,” the Head Trainer pointed out. “Come next to me, my son. This world waits for us.”
“What world? Are you that insane that you don’t see what you did?” Xavier became more agitated, and Cory caught his arm to prevent him from getting too close.
The purple and violet lights seemed to glow more menacingly the more they got closer. There was no way of telling what could happen to them, should they walk forward.
“I freed the world. For us. For you,” the Head Trainer stretched his arms, as he was expecting Xavier to come rushing to him.
“For me? As far as I know, you left me for dead,” Xavier spat. “Not that I ever wanted for you to come looking for me. Where I went after I left Drena, I was the happiest I had ever been.”
That seemed to give the Head Trainer pause, but only for a brief second.
“None of this matters anymore. Come join me, my son,” he called for Xavier again.
“Join you? Not in a million years! And stop calling me your son. Enough with this charade!”
“Xavier,” the Head Trainer shook his head. “What shouldn’t I call you my son? Of everyone I raised under my watchful eye, you are the most deserving. Flesh of my flesh, blood of my blood.”
Xavier staggered and took a step back. Cory was just as shocked, but he moved to grab the other’s hand.
“No, you’re lying,” Xavier whispered, his eyes fixed on the grey hood seated on the iron chair.
“Am I? Then how do you explain that you’re alive, unlike the others?”
“Cory’s alive, too,” Xavier babbled, grabbing at straws.
“He’s the anomaly. Nothing but a mistake. But you, my son, you were planned, and should you have been less of a slave to the human flesh I had to use to make your mold, you would have been witness to my master plan in motion. It no longer matters. I will tell you all about it. Come, child,” the Head Trainer spoke again.
His words were not gentle. They weren’t harsh, either. They fell with the cadence of a mechanism, one after the other.
“He doesn’t want to come to you,” Cory linked his fingers with Xavier’s in a fierce grip. “You took from him everything he loved. From all of us!”
“Xavier, my son, use one of those lethal weapons you brought with you, and terminate the anomaly. He is just trying to get between us,” the Head Trainer looked only at Xavier, as if he could not stand to pay Cory any mind.
“One of these, you mean?” Xavier used his free hand to pull a shotgun from his jacket.
Cory tried to hold the man behind, but Xavier began marching toward the iron chair, shooting once. The sound reverberated through the room, and the empty shell hit the polished floor. Using his good hand, Xavier reloaded and aimed at the Head Trainer again.
“Xavier!” Cory hurried after him, afraid of the menacing limbs of light that seemed to sense that their master was in danger and they were now flickering close to their point of origin.
Xavier moved like an unstoppable force, emptying his gun over and over again into the grey hood before him.
The Head Trainer began laughing.
“Have you forgotten my teachings already?” he asked. “My son, I am all powerful.”
Xavier pushed Cory out of his way and jumped on the platform on which the chair was located. Using his now useless shotgun, he began hitting the Head Trainer in the face over and over again, growling like a wounded animal.
Cory hurried and pulled him back, pushing him on the floor, hoping to keep him there, stop him from getting hurt. Before them, the Head Trainer was laughing. He didn’t look wounded in the least.
“You’re not human,” Xavier mumbled. “You’re not … anything. You have no soul,” he said, as he crouched to the floor, overwhelmed by his own pain.
“Oh, but I am everything, my child. And despite your lack of respect you’re showing me right now, I am still ready to welcome you into my arms. Remove the anomaly, and come to me.”
“No,” Xavier refused, crawling back, as if he was trying to get as far away from the Head Trainer as he could.
“Ah, do you really want me to do all the work?” the Head Trainer scolded him. “Fine.”
His attention turned to Cory.
“You see, servant,” the last word was spat in disgust, unlike the unemotional discourse of the Head Trainer so far. “We do have a bit of a dilemma here. I am tied to the chair and I am bound to stay here, so I can control the world.”
Control the world? Cory took a close look at the Head Trainer. And then he noticed. The twisted fingers were digging deep into the arms of the chair. For all the lack of emotions the Head Trainer had exhibited so far, he seemed to find it strenuous to keep up with the appearances. From time to time, he was moving one arm, to point at them while he spoke, but he was quick to put his hands back, as if he feared something was going to slip out of his control.
“You need Xavier, to keep all that power in check, right?” Cory spoke.
The hood turned toward him.
“Clever for a servant. But, of course, she tried to invest you with at least a semblance of strength. Cleverness would not serve you here and now, nonetheless. To continue what I was saying, we have a dilemma. Or better said, the dilemma is yours. You could attempt to destroy me, with the little power you have in you.”
Power? Cory wondered, and looked down at his hands. A small flicker of warm, bright light was twirling in his right palm.
“But, if you do that, I will just transfer all my power to Xavier. Given that you have already consumed yours, you will be defenseless. And I will destroy you, guiding Xavier’s hand.”
“Xavier won’t listen to you. You’re lying,” Cory spoke, as he took one step toward the Head Trainer.
“Wait, not so fast,” the Head Trainer smiled, showing his horrifying teeth again. “You could choose to destroy Xavier, using the little power she gave you.”
“I have no intention to do that,” Cory shook his head.
The power in his right hand was growing. He could feel it.
“Are you certain? Even if it would bring you back your friends? The man you say you love?” the Head Trainer continued. “The entire world? Think about it. All in exchange for one soul. For one human being. It’s not like the choice is difficult, right?”
“You’re talking nonsense,” Cory said. “I would never raise my hand against a friend. I would never kill a human being in cold blood, like you would. And how could Xavier’s death reverse the destruction you created? You told me it was impossible.”
The Head Trainer seemed to enjoy their exchange.
“I lied. Kill Xavier, and restore the world as it was. It is a simple choice. I don’t understand how you’re not taking the chance I’m giving you already.”
“No,” Cory shook his head. “Your so called chance is not tempting me at all. It goes against everything I believe in.”
“Ah, hence the dilemma,” the Head Trainer smiled with what seemed like satisfaction.
“I’ll take your chance!” Xavier cried out from behind.
Cory turned. Xavier was holding a small revolver at his temple. He was trembling, and tears were falling down his cheeks, but his eyes were like a sky in turmoil, as they were looking at the grey hood on the dais.
“Xavier, no!” he shouted and lunged toward his friend.
“Xavier!” the Head Trainer almost stood up.
The deafening sound of the revolver gone off made everyone stop for a second. Cory kneeled next to his friend and pulled Xavier’s head into his lap.
“No, no, not you too!” he sobbed, cradling the man in his arms.
“The human propensity for drama is beyond the pale,” the Head Trainer commented. “Xavier must have thought this would stop me. But of course, we are just as much at odds as before.”
“He’s your son!” Cory cried and pulled Xavier up as much as he could, as if he was hoping the Head Trainer was going to be impressed with seeing his own flesh and blood lifeless.
“As much as I wished for this not to be the outcome, there is nothing I can do,” the Head Trainer spoke. “Of course, it is in your power to bring him back.”
“How?” Cory asked, using one hand to wipe away his tears.
“Aren’t you afraid I’m lying to you now? Use that pathetic power you have. But, seriously, wouldn’t you use it for someone else? Lucas, perhaps? Or is your so called affection as frail as your entire existence?”
“Lucas is already gone. And everybody else is,” Cory said.
The Head Trainer was lying. That he knew. But nothing could tempt him now out of doing the right thing. He looked at the trembling flicker of light in his hand and placed his palm gently over Xavier’s temple, whispering a prayer.
He could feel something moving under his palm. He was amazed to watch the bullet coming out, the bloodied skin closing.
And then, the strangest thing happened, and Cory remembered the dream. He wasn’t healing Xavier. He wasn’t bringing him back from the dead. The bullet was moving, as if on its own, back into the weapon, and now he was standing next to Xavier, as the man was holding the gun to his temple, shouting like before.
He stopped for a second, and everything else stopped, too. He watched the Head Trainer, immobilized on the iron chair. Then he watched Xavier, the pure hatred etched onto his face, as the man was looking at the one claiming to be his father.
He needed to find a way. His eyes traveled at the back of the room, where Hector’s automaton was waiting, looking every bit as serene as before. Now he knew what to do. He wrenched the weapon out of Xavier’s hand.
The sound of the bullet flying, followed by the noise than only a ricochet could cause, restored the flow of time.
“Help me keep Xavier from hurting himself!” he called at the automaton.
The servant moved with maximum efficiency and caught Xavier’s arms, pulling him aside.
“What the hell? Let me go! Let me! Cory! Have the machine let me be! Cory, you can’t do this!” Xavier tried to fight the automaton’s hold, but to no avail. “You can’t! Let the others live! How can you choose me over them? Don’t you remember how I hurt you?”
“Silence him, please,” Cory asked the automaton again. “Just for a little while. I’m really sorry, Xavier, you’ll understand later. Please forgive me.”
Xavier’s eyes were filled with sorrow and rage, as the automaton efficiently produced a leather strap to place over his prisoner’s mouth. Only muffled cries could be heard now.
Cory turned his attention to the Head Trainer. Now certain of himself, sure of his faith, he moved toward the grey hood.
“What are you doing? Stay where you are!” the Head Trainer demanded, impatiently.
For the first time, Cory could tell there was fear what he could read in the Head Trainer’s eyes.
“Don’t you understand what I’m telling you? Are you that dimwitted?” the Head Trainer almost screamed, as Cory stopped next to him. “I’m telling you that killing my son would bring everyone back!”
Cory shook his head.
“No, it won’t,” he said. “It is just a ploy to make me betray my true self. My faith.”
“Your faith,” the Head Trainer spat the word. “She’s nothing but a tale! I am the One!”
“No,” Cory shook his head again. “You’re empty, can’t you see?”
“I am the most powerful! I destroyed the world because I could!” the Head Trainer babbled, whitish froth at the mouth. “What better proof than this do you need?”
“It’s easy to destroy,” Cory said gently, as he placed one hand over the Head Trainer’s. “To build, to create, that is the true power.”
“You can’t do anything against me,” the Head Trainer felt more and more agitated. “You’re nothing but a servant!”
“Yes, that is what I am,” Cory nodded in agreement. “What do you fear? My power is gone,” he added, as he opened his other palm, to show that there was no flicker of light left there.
The Head Trainer’s eyes filled with malicious glee.
“You lost it! You lost it!” he rejoiced, shaking in his chair with hysterical laughter.
“No, I didn’t lose it,” Cory smiled.
The Head Trainer froze in his place.
“I used it,” Cory explained. “To save Xavier.”
“What?!” the Head Trainer exclaimed. “What do you mean?”
“I had to. It was the only way to revert the mortal wound he had inflicted upon himself.”
Under Cory’s hand, the Head Trainer was starting to shake again.
“No, it is impossible! You’re lying!” the Head Trainer shouted. “What are you doing to me? Let go of my hand!”
“I’m trying to help you,” Cory said gently. “Isn’t the emptiness inside you too great? I can deliver you from that.”
“No, no, no,” the Head Trainer growled, trying to move his hand from Cory’s.
“She’s waiting for you. Don’t you want to be forgiven?”
“No, I don’t want to be forgiven!” the Head Trainer shouted.
Black spittle sputtered, and a disgusting gurgle could be heard coming out of the Head Trainer’s throat.
“You’re killing me, how can you kill me when you’re so insignificant?” the Head Trainer gasped and coughed.
“I am not killing you. I’m offering you a way out,” Cory said gently.
“If I’m dead, you’ll never be able to bring your friends back from the dead,” the Head Trainer barked, his voice filled with hatred.
“That is not in your power,” Cory continued. “You did destroy the world, but that still didn’t make you feel whole, did it?”
“You’re nothing! I am all powerful!”
The Head Trainer leaned forward and crumpled into a pile at Cory’s feet. Cory knelt next to him, placing a hand on his shoulder.
“Get away from me,” the Head Trainer pulled himself away from the human’s touch.
There was a thin smoke rising from the grey hood. Cory looked as the shape inside began shrinking, while horrid sounds announced the Head Trainer’s demise and he was forced to take a step back as a foul smell rose, too. Suddenly, the garments fell flat to the ground, with nothing to sustain them.
Cory moved to sit on the empty chair. If he were to be asked, he could not tell exactly how he knew what to do. But, when he placed his hands on the arms of the chair and grabbed them firmly, he let all his emotions flow through him. The love he felt for Lucas, the friendship he had for Dion, Ayn, and Xavier, the affection he had for everyone he had met along the road.
The limbs of light tried to reach him, but as they tangled around him, the ominous colors turned to a warm calm golden yellow. The temperature in the room began to rise.
Cory noticed vaguely as the automaton released Xavier from his hold.
“Cory,” Xavier whispered, and fell to his knees.
To Cory’s surprise, the automaton did the same thing. His eyelids were growing heavy, and he could feel as if he could not keep his head up anymore. Around him, there was nothing but warmth and light.
***
He could hear whispers around him, but his eyelids seemed to be heavy with sleep still.
“Hey, you’re not going to pretend you’re still sleepy,” he heard a familiar voice calling for him. “I know you’re not an early riser, but still, it’s been almost a week. And I can see you smiling.”
What a nice dream, he thought. There was no point to open his eyes, now was it?
“Hmm, do I really have to rely on my tried and tested methods to make you wake up? And here I thought you needed to take it easy,” the familiar voice continued.
He could feel the bed dipping under the weight of another person. Ah, the dream was just getting better. He giggled, as he felt teeth nibbling at his ear.
“Ah, I knew you were awake,” the voice chided him.
Well, if it was a dream, he could pretend to open his eyes. Especially since he could barely wait to see Lucas again. A pair of mischievous green eyes bore into his from above.
“I love your eyes,” he spoke and pulled one arm free from the blanket covering him to grab his lover by the back of his neck. “So beautiful.”
Lucas laughed and leaned over to kiss him. It didn’t take them long for their kiss to turn passionate. Soon enough, they were devouring each other.
“Really, guys,” someone intervened. “The entire world is waiting, and you just want to get freaky.”
What the hell was Ayn doing in his dream? He was going to have a word with that up to no good desert dweller, Cory frowned.
As Lucas moved away with a broad smile, he had to blink a few times. Not only Ayn was intruding into his dream, but also Xavier, Marcus, Edgar, Lena, Myra, Diane, Dion, John … The entire room was full of people.
“I’m not dreaming?” he wondered out loud, and everyone began laughing, although he could hear some sighs of relief through the chuckles and giggles.
“No, you’re not,” Lucas offered him the answer.
“Wait, what happened? To everyone? And the Head Trainer?”
“Turned into fine dust, as he deserved it,” Xavier was the one to answer now.
“I’d say he deserved more than that, like a fine kicking in the balls,” Ayn began.
“We don’t know if he had balls,” Marcus intervened.
“The Trainers weren’t exactly human, so maybe a reproduction system was not needed,” Edgar said promptly.
“Stop it, that’s not even a matter to discuss,” Diane spoke next. “Really, do you believe these guys, Myra?” she addressed to the taller woman next to her.
“I think I do. That’s all they like talking about,” Myra grinned.
“The Trainers?” Diane asked, a bit shocked.
“No, balls,” Myra laughed, and caused everyone else to laugh, too.
“Seriously, I’m not dreaming?” Cory could feel the skin on his face a little prickly, as he was probably smiling so widely right now that there wasn’t room on his face for that.
“No, you’re not,” Lucas pulled him close. “You did it, Cory. You made the world right.”
“And you’re here,” Cory said tenderly. “I feared I wouldn’t get to see you.”
“Just as I did,” Lucas said back. “We will have plenty of time to catch up, my love. Now, I’m afraid, I will have to share you with the rest of the world for a little while. But, after that, the One forgive me, but I will not let you out of my quarters for at least a week.”
“The man’s got stamina,” Marcus whistled.
“Now, people, before turning this room into the scene for an orgy, because I know what you are all thinking,” Myra wagged the finger at everybody, “let’s have the hero of the day all dressed up and ready for the ceremony. I think the people outside are starting to get tired with so much partying and celebrating. Plus, soon enough, we will have to start the reconstruction. There’s only this much the reserves here will last.”
“Ah, the voice of reason,” Lena said courteously. “But I suppose that Cory would still find it more comfortable if he were to get washed and changed into day clothes without all of us staring at him. We all know that he is fine, so we should let him be for the time being.”
Before leaving the room, everyone came to embrace him and kiss him, Marcus insisting to kiss him twice, on both cheeks, for good luck, and only when the room turned quiet again, he could feel the reality sinking in.
He was smiling as he was watching Lucas taking out clothes from a huge closet.
“We’re not at your place,” he remarked. “Where are we?”
“There was an unused wing in the main building,” Lucas explained. “In all the chaos, some destruction did happen. My quarters fell victim to it, I’m afraid.”
Cory tip-toed out of the bed, and embraced Lucas from behind.
“Sorry, I just need to touch you. I need to know that you’re real,” Cory spoke, holding his lover close.
“I know,” Lucas said gently and turned to hold Cory in turn. “I spend all these days and nights watching you, just because I could not believe you came back to me. Or maybe because I missed you so much and I didn’t want to miss the moment you were going to wake up.”
“You must be tired,” Cory pushed himself on his toes to reach Lucas and kiss his lips. “Everyone waited for me? Like this?”
“They came every day. They were afraid we might lose you. But not me. I knew that you would wake up.”
“Lucas,” Cory said softly. “Your eyes … how come they’re green again? Sorry, it’s a stupid question, it doesn’t matter …”
Lucas pressed his fingers against Cory’s lips.
“Apparently, except for planting some ideas in my head, and operating light changes to the pigment of my eyes, the Head Trainer did not do much to keep me part of his charade. He was cruel enough to make me witness what he did to the people in Teran, though. The moment his power faded from this world, I came back to my old self. I must say that was a relief. I sincerely thought …”
“Don’t worry anymore,” Cory caught Lucas’s hand and kissed the fingers. “It’s all gone now.”
“I know,” Lucas smiled. “You took care of it. Of everything. I knew you were special the moment I fell for you, but I could not have envisioned that I was falling in love with the world’s savior,” he joked. “Are you ready to face the world outside? I will help you wash and get dressed. You must feel weak after not eating for so long. We did try to administer some nourishment …”
“There’s only one thing I want,” Cory interrupted his lover.
Lucas licked his lips as Cory sneaked his hands underneath his lover’s linen shirt.
“Are you sure? You don’t have to tell me twice,” Lucas replied.
“I’m sure. I think everyone can forgive me if I’m half an hour late.”
“Half an hour? You might want to reconsider that,” Lucas joked.
“Well, for now, to stave my thirst and hunger for you, it should be enough,” Cory joked back. “After the celebrations, I expect to be fed regularly with your love.”
Lucas chuckled and pulled Cory up into his arms.
“Don’t worry. They won’t notice we’re late.”
Lucas made him walk backward, and Cory began to giggle when the man forced him on the bed, and on his back.
“Ah, I missed this oh so much,” Lucas murmured, as he pushed Cory’s nightgown up and engulfed one nipple into his mouth.
Cory gasped. Now he could no longer afford to be amused. Arousal, raw and powerful, was coursing through his body, melting his bones. He was experiencing pleasure, in its purest form, and like a thirsty man after days in the desert, he wanted it all.
“Lucas,” he whispered, as he arched his back under the man’s skilled ministrations.
“There were moments when I thought you gone for good,” Lucas whispered. “Forgive me if I’m going to be a bit too ravenous.”
Cory grabbed a handful of dark hair strands, to force the man he loved to look up.
“Are you kidding me? All I want right now is to eat you whole,” he said tenderly.
“I’m afraid I’m the one to do the devouring,” Lucas joked, and leaned in to kiss Cory’s lips.
Their tongues were in a battle, but one with two winners and no losers. Cory was pretty certain they must have sounded obscene right now, so it was a good thing that there was no one listening. They met each other in the middle, kissing each other, with tongues and lips and everything, only to pull away for a second or two, so they could breathe.
“I could do this all day,” Lucas grinned.
“Yeah, but aren’t we neglecting other things?” Cory replied with a grin of his own.
Lucas let one hand wander on Cory’s chest.
“I suppose I should free you from this silly garment,” he chuckled. “It just keeps getting in the way.”
“By all means,” Cory helped Lucas undress him and free him from the nightgown.
They were equally hurried as they forced Lucas out of his clothes, as well.
“Your skin is tanned in places,” Lucas spoke, as he drew a small trail with his fingers on Cory’s jawline. “Yet, your nipples are as rosy I remember,” he added, and pushed Cory on his back so that he could focus again on the objects of his interest.
Cory giggled and gasped, and then he began moaning. There was no possible way for him to postpone this now. His need was growing urgent. Lucas was sensing his trembling and excitement, and letting go of Cory’s nipples, was now slowly going lower, until his lips were wrapped around his lover’s cock, up and ready to be lavished with attention.
Cory’s cries of pleasure could only go this high. Lucas’s mouth was nothing but moist heat, and everything they must have forgotten, their bodies were now relearning. Cory was bucking his hips off the bed, wanting to reach deeper inside Lucas, while his lover was holding him in place, digging his fingers into his hips, but increasing his pace.
Cory moaned loudly as he began coming into Lucas’s mouth. He was breathing hard, as Lucas was gently licking his cock clean.
“Ready for me now?” Lucas asked, and without waiting for a reply, he kissed Cory on the lips, letting him experience his own taste.
“Where are you going?” Cory mumbled, when he saw Lucas pushing himself up and disappearing from his field of view.
“My love, as much as I wish to make this only about you, I am in terrible need myself,” Lucas laughed.
Cory giggled when he looked at Lucas and saw the man showing him the vial in his hand.
“Allow me,” he reached out, but Lucas dodged him and kneeled in front of the bed, but only after dragging Cory by the legs toward the edge.
He gasped again, as skilled fingers reached his back door, and began to probe gently.
“Are you sure the others won’t mind we take this long?” he joked. “I need you, Lucas. Just come up here and fuck me,” he urged his man.
Lucas faked affront, by pursing his lips, and it was clear as day that he was grinning, as he was positioning between Cory’s legs, pushing them up.
“Oh, damn, Cory, you’re the sweetest, most beautiful, most gorgeous …” the string of compliments got lost in series of small moans, as Lucas pushed himself in.
Cory could feel tear pooling in his eyes, but it wasn’t from pain, but from the pure happiness he was experiencing right now.
“It’s funny how I can still remember how big you are, and it’s still a surprise,” he joked, as he grabbed his ass cheeks to make more room for Lucas.
“A pleasant surprise, I hope,” Lucas joked. “I must say that the surprise is all mine. You’re so tight that I’m afraid I might break you. Or break myself,” he added with a small laugh.
“Don’t you dare to pull out,” Cory giggled. “You know you’re mine.”
“All yours, my love,” Lucas said gently.
Which was a bit of a contrast to the man’s sudden motion that practically made Cory’s body sink into the bed. Cory laughed, and wrapped his legs around Lucas’s body.
“I will be a bit rough,” Lucas apologized.
Cory didn’t care to offer a reply. Instead, he dug his fingers into Lucas’s back, forcing him to move. At least, Lucas was finally convinced to let go of some of his politeness. They were moving frantically, in unison, without the need for limits.
“I missed coming inside you,” Lucas whispered, as he pushed himself all the way in, then withdrew, and pushed back again.
Cory could feel his pleasure growing once more, too, a bit more satiated this time, and not so urgent, but still heavy like a flood.
“I love you, Lucas,” he moaned, as he let go for a second time.
“I love you, too, Cory,” his lover matched his words and his actions, steeling himself in place, and letting his essence fill Cory’s body.
For minutes, they stood embraced, just breathing heavily.
“I feel so deliciously tired right now,” Cory chuckled. “Do we really have to attend this party?”
“Let’s just go later. I think the only thing I can do now is sleep,” Lucas replied.
Cory held Lucas’s head gently on his shoulder and caressed the man’s hair. He was tired, too, but unlike the last months of his life, it was the good kind of tiredness. Lucas’s soft breathing lulled him into sleep what must have been only moments later.
***
“Ayn, what on earth are you doing?” Xavier marched toward his lover.
For the last hour, he had been looking for his man, to no avail.
Ayn stood up, but Marcus remained crouched next to the door.
“What are you doing here? Are Lucas and Cory out of the room yet?”
“I don’t think they’re ready,” Ayn replied, with a large smile.
“Now what are they thinking?” Xavier could feel his need for etiquette kicking in now.
He was about to knock on the door, when Marcus stopped him.
“Seriously, man, just let the lovebirds rest,” Marcus said with all the seriousness he could muster. “They just finished doing the uh, ah, and oh, just one minute ago, or so.”
“And you, bawdy men, stood here to listen to them?” Xavier stared at the duo in what he hoped to look enough of righteous indignation to count.
“No, but we happened to be around. We wanted to check on them, too,” Ayn said as he sauntered toward his lover and pulled him into a hug. “Frankly, we’ve only listened to them for like two minutes, and I’m already horny as hell.”
“You’re always horny,” Xavier rolled his eyes.
“Are you complaining now?” Ayn pretended to pout. “Now let’s go to our place, because Lucas and Cory just whet my appetite.”
“Ah, great, you traitors,” Marcus complained. “You’re all fooling around, while I’m forced to live a life of restrictions and restraint.”
“Marcus,” Xavier said sternly, “I think I’ve never seen in my life someone to go through as many bed partners as you these days. Both men and women. I wonder why kind of person could make you settle down.”
Marcus shrugged and grinned.
“That person has not been born yet,” he laughed.
“Now, let’s move from here. We’re going to wake up Lucas and Cory, and something tells me that they won’t appreciate it,” Xavier hurried the other two.
Ayn threw one arm over his shoulders.
“So, have you thought where are we going from here?” the man questioned him.
“Back to Haven, I’d say,” Xavier replied.
“But, you know, you have like all Drena at your disposal, now,” Ayn pointed out.
Marcus was already out of sight, probably bent on his next conquest for the evening. Xavier stopped and pulled Ayn into a hug, then kissed him loudly on the lips.
“Drena was never home for me. Haven is,” he said simply, earning the biggest, most blinding smile from his lover.
“That’s great to hear. So what is going to happen to Drena?”
“It wasn’t a happy place. We’ll strip it of everything, and then we’ll have the people head over to other cities and settlements. Teran waits to be populated once more.”
“Some people might not be easy to convince,” Ayn pointed out.
“Those who used to be Rulers and Masters, you mean?” Xavier said.
Ayn nodded.
“They will learn. There’s a shock and I understand it. No one is keeping them for remaining here, but no one else would. I’ve talked to each and every one of them, and I’ve convinced some. You have to understand, for them, the Trainers’ rule is everything they’ve ever known.”
“Aren’t you worried they might turn against us?”
“They don’t have the power to do so. The freed servants and slaves can barely wait to walk out of here. So, unless they learn how to take care of themselves, I’d say that with some growing pains, they will make the right decision, too.”
“It’s good to hear that you have it all figured out. But, seriously, isn’t it tempting? To rule again, I mean?”
“No, not in the least. The Trainers are the best proof that power corrupts. And we have a lot of work to do in Haven and the other settlements. We should no longer be considered outsiders, scavengers, and looters. For the contribution to the cause, we will receive, in return, the aid we need to build a better life for the people in the desert, too.”
“We, huh?” Ayn grinned. “So you’re one of ours now?”
“Not by birth, mind you,” Xavier said with mirth. “But by being, well, kidnapped,” he joked.
“So I made you ours,” Ayn said with satisfaction.
“Hopefully, just yours,” Xavier commented dryly, but began laughing right away.
“Well, then let’s just celebrate a little more. Because, knowing you for the slave driver you are, you will put us all to work to make Haven as fancy as Drena.”
Xavier kissed Ayn briefly.
“No, nothing like that. But it will be a place where people will be happy. It’s already a home. Let’s make it better.”
“Bet your sweet ass we will,” Ayn laughed.
***
People everywhere were getting ready to leave. Cory let go of Lucas’s hand, and hurried to meet the servant he saw standing in a corner, with a grey robe folded on his linked arms.
“I’ve never got the chance to say thank you,” Cory spoke.
The automaton blinked, very human like, and offered a smile.
“There is no need. I was created to serve.”
“Was that Hector’s?” Cory pointed at the robe in the servant’s arms.
“Yes. It was his final wish that whatever remained of him should be carried to Tresalt. He said he wanted to rest in peace under his goddess’s watchful eye.”
“Can you tell me why the Trainers didn’t survive?” Cory asked the question that had been on his mind for a while now.
“Hector put me in charge of sabotaging the machine to the best of my abilities. Of course, I failed to render it useless, as I was not allowed in the room where the Head Trainer’s machine was. All I managed was to sabotage the one arranged for Lucas. However, something must have gone wrong. It is my understanding that some of the components were tampered with, while they were still in Aeria. That must have happened.”
Cory nodded.
“It’s good to know that our efforts counted,” he spoke.
The automaton remained silent, probably suspecting that an answer to that was not needed.
“Who will you travel with?”
“Diane offered a place in her vehicle,” the servant replied.
“What will happen to you?” Cory asked again.
“Tora must find a use for me. If not, Edgar and Lena said that I should join them in Aeria. They even joked. They said that place would feel like home to me. But my first obligations are taking me to Tresalt first.”
“I’ve been meaning to ask,” Cory said after a moment of hesitation. “About Xavier and the circumstances of how … he was made.”
“Is he conflicted over what the Head Trainer said?” the automaton asked.
Cory nodded. He knew the proud man Xavier was. So far, the former Ruler of Drena had been thrown himself, heart and soul, into organizing their leave, but Cory sensed that something was bothering him. He was also the only one who knew why.
“Hector shared with me that he was present when Xavier was born and the days after. Yes, there was a tentative of tampering with his biological code. But it was unsuccessful.”
“But why do you think the Head Trainer told him that awful lie?” Cory asked.
“Most certainly, in an effort to manipulate Xavier,” the automaton replied. “Hector told me that a certain reactive substance was injected into Xavier’s blood, to make him immune to the destruction that was going to happen once the project was ready. It had a rather unexpected consequence in changing the color of his eyes, but not much else. Also, it made the connection to the tracking device in the bracelet possible.”
“How I wish we knew all these earlier,” Cory sighed.
“Everyone engaged in the course of the events played a dangerous game,” the automaton spoke. “I should beg my leave. Diane seems ready to depart.”
“Wait, just one more thing,” Cory said.
The automaton nodded.
“How come Hector was against the Trainers? Wasn’t he one of them?”
“He didn’t share their views. He has always been against their hunger for power. They could not eliminate him, as he was just as immortal as they were, but they could push him aside, which they tried.”
“So was he really 102 or …” Cory smiled.
“My master never disclosed to me his real age. But he was certainly more than 102 years old.”
“Thank you,” Cory squeezed the servant’s arm. “I hope we’ll see you in Aeria. That is where Lucas and I are headed.”
“If that is asked of me,” the servant bowed.
Cory went back by Lucas’s side.
“Are we ready?”
“I believe so,” Lucas smiled.
“Wait,” Cory said, this time spotting Xavier.
“Ah, do you love long goodbyes?” Lucas teased.
“I promise, this is the last thing I have to do,” Cory placed a quick kiss on his lover’s cheek and hurried after Xavier.
***
What could Cory had so urgent to tell Xavier? Ayn wondered, as he followed with his eyes the two men withdrawing on the open terrace. He watched through the glass doors, reading the body language of those involved in what seemed like pretty tense conversation.
He sighed in relief when he noticed the tension draining away from Xavier’s shoulders as the man hurried to embrace Cory. Now maybe it was a good time to intervene, though. They really had to leave.
“C’mon, guys, are you done with saying bye-bye? It’s not like we’re separated forever. We’ll come visit,” Ayn opened the glass doors.
Xavier looked really happy as he looked at him. Now Cory must have given the guy some really good news, because after that shitty experiment the Trainers had played on them, he had sensed something happening to Xavier. And it was not about his usual haughty self or whims. It had seemed serious at the time.
Yet, nothing of that was there anymore.
“Yeah, guys, don’t be strangers,” Cory opened his arms and embraced Ayn, too.
“We won’t. We still need to organize our regular raids. I promise we will include Aeria in the itinerary. Hopefully, you guys will have something worth stealing. Or at least, good booze,” Ayn joked.
Cory laughed and shook his head.
“There will be no looting,” Xavier wagged the finger at him.
“Look who thinks he’s boss,” Ayn challenged the other with his eyes.
“I do not think. I am,” Xavier said flatly, but he wasn’t fooling anyone.
“Ah, there you were,” they heard Lucas talking from behind.
“This time, we really need to go,” Xavier said, after embracing his longtime friend shortly.
“So, always friends?” Cory asked, taking both Ayn and Xavier by the shoulders, and looking at Lucas.
“Always,” the others replied at the same time.
***
Cory turned his head and stared at the white city disappearing in a cloud of dust. It still loomed like an ominous proof of the past, but it was completely dead now.
“Hey,” Lucas called for him softly. “What are you thinking of?”
“Nothing in particular,” Cory shook his head. “It’s all gone now. Hard to believe, but it is.”
“Yes,” Lucas confirmed. “Let’s not look back. Nothing but good things is ahead of us now.”
“When you say it like that, it makes it true,” Cory joked, but he adjusted his position so that he could only look ahead.
Lucas pulled him close, without another word. There was a life ahead of them, as Lucas said. A free and happy life, Cory thought, and the remnants of the horrifying experience they had all gone through began slipping from his mind, drifting away like leaves from a bough.
THE END
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