Chapter 6

Less than an hour away from the Deimara system.

I still remember the first time I visited the stars. The first time Arana and her father took me here. Everyday, while waking up, I find myself thankful for the life I’ve been living since then.

                -We should wake up Noah now. – Arana said while taking possession of the ship’s rudder.

                -Is it my turn? – I asked her, trying to retrieve the rudder.

                -No. But I thought it would be best for you to start your makeover. – she said with a smile.

I let go of the rudder with a smirk, showing my disgust.

                -Just so you understand, a hair like mine doesn´t reach anything less than perfection. You can´t rush perfection. –

                -I’m not rushing perfection. I’m rushing you, love. – she said while I headed up to Noah’s room.

                - ¿Cuál es la diferencia? –

                -What’s the difference? –

She didn’t reply aside from a chuckle.

Before reaching Noah’s room, I had a peek at the girls’ room. They were sleeping calmly. The peace both felt left me with a warm feeling in my chest.

Once in Noah’s room, I found him already awake, not knowing which outfit to choose for our big day today.

                -Why you up so early pal? – I asked from the door.

Noah just turned with a big smile. He couldn’t hide his excitement at that moment. The happiness this kid exuded was reason enough to keep on going for a million years.

                -I like the green suit best. – I said while pointing out the green fit on his bed.

                -The green one fits too tight on his legs. – I heard Arana shouting from the other side of the ship.

Noah and I laughed together about it.

                -Alright. Not the green one. –

                -I like the black one. But also, the red one. – he told me undecidedly.

                -We Neverenders are explorers, son. What if you explore a weird combination of your colors? – I said while heading out of his room.

After a bath and a stylish session in a Neverender fashion, I was back in the pilot’s cabin.

                -Hod did you change so quickly? – I asked Arana, who was already sporting her formal robes. That dress was as alien as she was, I couldn’t help but wonder at how majestic she looked.

                -With the number of formal events I had to attend since I was a child, since I was six I learned how to change in less than ten minutes, darling. – she answered me while handing me the rudder.

                -But alas, the part that takes the most time in preparation is making sure Noah will be ready in time. -

While she went to check on Noah, I took the rudder, as excited and ready as I was that time so many years ago when king Arman offered me to pilot for the first time ever.

Finally arriving at planet Mara, we were ready to enjoy our visit.

                -Control tower, here the Excelso 001. Entry code Nev08. –

                -Excelso 001, here control tower, you are good to land on the central bay. It’s a pleasure to have the biggest family of the empire back home sir. –

Arana turned to me; it was impossible for me to hide that smile that comment produced. All the love, respect, and admiration that our family got far and wide in the galaxy was something impossible not to enjoy.

                -Are the girls’ capsules ready? – I asked Arana while we approached the ship’s door.

She pushed a button. Instantly both capsules approached her side.

                -I told you, everything sets quickly, prince Dorian. - after that showed me her tongue, mocking me.

We laughed for a moment, then we got our serious faces on. I opened the ship’s door, and we went off in our fancy glory.

The Neverender family had arrived at Mara.

Trumpets and fanfares. The entire north population came to see us. Noah looks so happy. Aran, as always, looks so calm and serene. I, on the other hand, do what I do best.

                -Good morning, Mara! – I shout while people clap on their feet.

Once inside the castle, king Armen greets us in person. After hugging Arana and shaking my hand, he takes Noah and carries him on his shoulders.

Queen Nikah on the other hand acts as if she didn’t see us, centering absolutely all of her attention on our little twins.

                -Dorian, my boy. How much pride you’ve brought to our family today. Both girls are majestic. – the king said while Arana hugged her mother who broke into happy tears.

                -Well, almost all the work was done by the princess. – I replied to him with a smile.

                -NEVERENDER! – The scream surprised everyone in the room.

From upstairs, my brother-in-law, Arman the third, heir to the throne, approached me. All the servitude and the king himself stepped aside while the titan of almost two and a half meters was nearing me.

Our eyes locked into each other, standing face to face. A stare duel started before any of us could say something.

Arana tried to reach us, but her father asked her to stay away.

                -You can blink whenever you want Armi. I promise you no one will think less of your worth for losing to the best. – I said without loosening my stare.

                -Unlike your frail human body, the royal Mara’s body was designed so that no difficulty or harm could defeat it. – he said, arrogant as always.

Time seemed to stop, I don’t know if it were twenty minutes or just ten seconds. Even if my mind screamed against it, I couldn’t help but blink.

-Undefeated champion! – he shouted with emotion.

After such a crushing defeat, Arman and Arana finally greeted each other. While the siblings caught up, I got close to the girls. Their grandma hadn’t lost sight of them for a second. The queen realizing I was there, took my hand and smiled at me.

                -They’re such a miracle little Dorian. -

We both shed a tear while watching how peaceful they were.

Hours later, during the big feast that my parents-in-law arranged in a matter of hours, Arana and I were dining while my brother-in-law played with Noah.

                -Sometimes I wonder what’s on his mind. – Arana said while I took a sip from my cup.

                -Think about it. You and I were much older when we started to travel as Neverenders. –

                -You’re worried it might not be the best environment for him to grow in? – I asked while cutting a bit of my steak.

                -Any place where we are together as a family is a good environment for him and the girls. But it must be wit his whole family. –

                -I know we must go back to Earth. Doesn’t mean I have to like the idea. –

                -it’ll be just a couple of days. Also, I’m certain you miss your mom’s food as much as I do. –

After letting out a sigh, I got up from my chair.

                -Something’s wrong? – she asked me, surprised by my sudden move.

                -Nothing. I just remembered I’m the luckiest man in the universe for marrying you. –

Arana smiled and stood up.

                -Would you dance with me? – she asked with a smile.

                -Of course, your highness. – I replied.

While we danced, the king and queen joined us. Two royal couples dancing in the center of the ballroom. From the center, I could see my children, two perfectly born girls, and Noah, the perfect fusion of his mother and me.

Little by little more couples joined us. The room shined with the joy of an entire town. The king turned and pointed at me with a smile. His thumbs-up meant a lot to me at that moment.

The happiness the town had that night was because of us.

It was Neverender joy.

NEVERENDER

EPISODE 1

MEET THE NEVERENDERS

STORY: Tonatiuh Martínez Núñez

ART AND COVER: Liam Daniel González González,

EDITION: Intermissum Comics & Novels