The nightmares kept coming, but instead of being scared or insulted, I felt annoyed. Days have past since the incident with the young Sabar and I wasn’t feeling guilty at all. Well, that’s what I thought until the dreams started coming. I’m a Gliesek, a warrior, I do not share my fears nor my strength, he got too close, I had to push him away. I knew what anxiety was and what a panic attack was, I knew how to suppress them. It was not my first time, but unlike the other times someone happened to be there, someone who saw me in that state. In my heart, I couldn’t help but blame my father, he knew how much I cherished my time alone yet he forced me to welcome the siblings in my chambers. The palace is big, multiple chambers are available, so I didn’t have to see the family anymore. I spent my last days in my home planet training with Rasgh and studying some ancient languages, until one day, the last one, I got interrupted by the young Sabar himself. 

“Your technique is impeccable.” he said, entering my training arena.

“I know.” 

It couldn’t be any way around. In Gliese, strength is all we can give to the Empire and all we identify as. At the human age of 10, we’re left in a selected deserted planet and only the survivors are worthy of being called Gliesek. Everything about our culture is based on strength, there was no place for weaklings.

He giggled a little, then he came closer.

“I was mistaken.”

I lowered my sword to look at him.

“I just wanted to apologize, I don’t want you to leave on a bad note with me.”

“No need.” I answered while resuming my combat.

He then grabbed my wrist forcing me to stop and continued:

“Andrew. I’m going to keep your secret.”

I looked at him, at my wrist and then at him again. He noticed my uncomfortable glances and left my arm go.

“Ok.” I replied before resuming again. 

Noticing my unwillingness, he left the arena without speaking any further word.

That night, it was my travel night. Neither my father nor the Sabar family were there to greet me, not that I expected any of them to. A bunch of slaves helped me charge my bags in the spaceship before I jumped it. I positioned the temperature manipulator under my sleeve, trying to hide it. Although I felt no shame towards the young Sabar anymore, I still felt like it was better if we kept our distances, especially considering that his planet was still under attack and they could be kidnapped and therefore reveal all of our secrets.

With a silent bang, the spaceship started aiming for VTR when a loud knocking forced us to stop again. As I opened the door, I was confused to see Rasgh. 

“Young master, the Duke wants to salute you.”

I didn’t hesitate to jump off the spaceship, it wasn’t common that my father called for my presence. Although we live together in the palace, we rarely interacted outside dinner time. I walked towards the living chambers, as fast as I could and with a mind full of questions. As I approached the broad room, I couldn’t help but notice the Sabar family sitting in our angular sofas.

“Andrew! How could you leave without saying goodbye?”

The mother exclaimed while standing up.

“Goodbye?” I was confused and unsure of what was happening, I faced my father who was looking at his light screen without paying attention to me. 

After some awkward goodbyes towards the Sabar family, I was ready to leave again.

I arrived in VTR late at night, not many people were around if not the common nocturnal species. One of the academy’s teacher directed me towards my room. The academy was nothing like the palace, it was heavily decorated with shiny stems, carpets and murals. Each detail represented a story and a species. I quickly followed with my eyes every drawing around the walls while I kept my steady path behind the teacher. A couple times I could recognize Gliese: the triangular black buildings were portrayed in a corner of a hallway while a Gliesek traditional curved sword was hang next to a staircase. After a couple turns we finally arrived in my chamber. It was small and modest, the bed was low on the ground with just a couple of soft blankets. Next to it there was a desk with a chair and a window above, while in the entrance of the room there was an exposed bathroom and a closet. I put my bag on the floor while the door behind me closed. I rested on the bed and slowly closed my eyes. My breath was heavy and my mind dizzy, I was again all alone. No mother, no father, no friends nor lovers. Just me. In that small room fluorescing with the moonlight, there was nothing more than my own endless loneliness.