Chapter 37: Regret
"The next day, the sentries that I'd nearly killed in self-defence were simply stripped of their status as Renegades and sent back to their home worlds."
"They didn't face any other significant punishment. The Renegades simply filed it under the non-threat half-human safety laws."
"Meaning they'd argued that they had simply done it out of fear for their lives. That was more than enough to dismiss the incident as what it was – an assassination."
"After all, it was the first time in a very long time that a half-human had been allowed to join the organisation."
"It was an especially new development for this star system, which had always clashed with Reincarnators in the past."
"They didn't have any protocols for such a scenario yet. And frankly, they didn't want to."
Arbus took a deep breath, his expression softening.
After a long moment, he turned to Kaeru.
"So yes, there's a reason for why I do what I do."
Kaeru and Alexander remained silent for almost a full minute as they pondered over Arbus's story.
Alexander's expression twisted in a scowl.
His eyes burned with fury Arbus had never seen him show before.
Eventually, Alexander turned to him with a look of understanding in his bright purple gaze.
"Damn. Your life, is really quite tragic, isn't it?"
"I don't know what I would do if I was forced to live like that."
He scratched the back of his head.
"I'm sorry, Arbus, for everything you've been through."
He glanced at Kaeru who was still silent.
"I'm sure he's sorry too, but just doesn't know how to express it like a normal person."
Arbus smiled joylessly.
"It's fine. I'm not telling you so you can feel sorry for me. I'm just explaining my situatio-"
"So what."
"...."
Silence descended in their midst once more as Arbus and Alexander turned to Kaeru.
Alexander frowned.
"Hey, Kaeru that's not funny. Apologize to Arbus immediately."
"Since when did you know me to make jokes? I'm telling him the simple truth."
"You think your life has been bad so far. That's unfortunate, but it doesn't change anything."
"You are not the only one in this facility with a story as terrible as that. In fact, you are not the only one at this very table."
"But, I do not use it as an excuse."
He stood up suddenly, staring straight into Arbus's eyes with a stoic expression.
"If you intend to simply live your life unable to do anything because of limitations you set for yourself. Then how do you intend to survive in this organisation."
"How do you intend to reach your goals?"
"What was the point of joining, even?"
He walked past Arbus, whose expression was filled with various suppressed emotions.
"Even now, you can't be open about how you truly feel."
His expression shifted.
"I hate humans just as much as anyone at this base. But I did not consider you one when your identity was explained to us."
"I simply saw you as just another Renegade."
"But, just like everyone else, it seems you cannot move past your own situation."
"I'm guessing something else in your past has made you incapable of doing so."
"And, i have no reason to be companions with someone like that." He said finally as he walked away from the two of them. Multiple eyes followed him as he strode out the cafeteria doors.
Alexander let out a regretful sigh several moments later as his gaze returned to his meal.
"Well, I suppose I wasn't expecting him to stick around with us for long in the first place. Given how little he seems to care about friendship."
"It's going to be quite awkward in the dorm from now on, though."
He turned to Arbus, studying his solemn expression.
"Are you alright."
Arbus glanced back at Alexander, his solemn look disappearing in almost an instant.
"I'm fine. That wasn't as bad for me as it may have seemed to you. After all, we were just acquaintances from the start."
Arbus lingered for several moments, as if contemplating something, then said:
"In truth, I can see where he's coming from, as well."
Arbus... had not always been like this.
He remembered a time when he desperately fought against the stigma associated with his kind, and how much he openly despised those that despised him.
No matter how many beatings he took, he would proudly defend his parents while blaming everyone else for their close mindedness.
That was until six years ago, when a mistake he had made resulted in the tragedy that shaped the current him.
Arbus's hand instinctively reached for the bracelet tied around his neck for a brief moment before he caught himself.
Alexander's brow furrowed.
Just as his lips parted to question Arbus again, several figures walked into the dining hall, resulting in a small commotion that drew the attention of everyone present.
And to no one's surprise, it was prince Jet and his entourage consisting of Maze, Ron and Elias – Blue Mornans that had hovered around the prince from his very first day here.
As usual, the blue Mornans present praised him openly for his showings in both the sparring and simulation rooms earlier that day.
This time though, he didn't seem to be paying attention to their flattery as he glanced around the cafeteria, as if searching for something.
Then his eyes landed on Arbus and Alexander as a small smile spread across his lips.
A moment later, he walked over to them as Alexander frowned deeply.
"Arbus, I'm glad I finally found you. I've been searching for you all over the facility for the last few minutes."
Arbus's fists clenched on their own volition as he stared at the prince coldly.
"What do you want now, Jet."
Alexander did the same, his gaze darting between the four men.
Jet let out a small laugh.
"Ah, so hostile. Isn't that a bit too much? I just came over to apologize."
"You shouldn't take anything I said earlier to heart. In truth, I was being like that on purpose."
"But it was only to get more out of you for our next spar, since I keep getting the feeling that you aren't taking your time here very seriously."
"Which would be tragic, considering how much most sentries would give for the opportunity."
His smile darkened slightly.
"And yet, a half-human like you managed to get it."
"How terrible."
BAM!
The sound of Alexander's palm slapping the table echoed across the room as he rose from his seat.
"You, really are quite the narcissist, aren't you, 'prince'."
"You can't even apologize without trying to start another fight."
He snorted.
"Your kind really are the worst."
Jet's gaze slowly turned to him with a sharp look in them.
He said nothing for several moments as he simply observed Alexander with an unreadable expression.
The blue Mornans behind him remained silent as well. Unlike with Arbus, they could not afford to offend a white Mornan, despite his position most likely being lower than the prince.
After a bit, Jet spoke again with a smile that didn't reach his eyes.
"Hmm. Alexander right? You're quite the annoying thing, aren't you?"
A glint appeared in Alexander's eyes as he smiled back.
"Annoying?, how hurtful your highness! I'm the most cordial person in the universe."
Arbus let out a sigh as he stood up with the intention of leaving. He had no plans of starting another fight with Jet.
Jet's dark smile widened.
"Which family are you from again, Alexander? I never did bother to figure out your last name."
He lingered for a moment, his smile fading as he continued.
"I'd like to know what kind of family could have raised a Mornan so... supportive of Reincarnators and their spawn."
"I'm sure our Liege would like to hear about them as well." Jet said, referring to the current ruler of the entire Mornan species.
Alexander's expression darkened considerably at the mention of his family.
"You, are quite good at annoying people yourself, prince."
"But Unfortunately, I've never met my real family — brought up in an orphanage, you see. Which I think is why I was raised with such an amazing character. Unlike a certain someone."
Jet blinked, stunned by the revelation.
Then, he let out a soft chuckle.
"Ohh, so you're a nobody then. That makes sense, considering your company."
"I get it now. Both of you, rejects doomed to be cast out by the world from the moment of your birth. Quite a fitting pair, I would say."
A blank expression appeared on his face a moment later.
"I'd advise you to stay out of my matters while I'm still being...cordial. If not, I can't guarantee that you'll come out unscathed."
Alexander glared at him, not bothering to give a response.
Jet didn't care as he turned to Arbus, his usual smile sliding back onto his face like a lie.
"Don't get up, we'll be leaving now."
"I'll see you two again later."
He said as he ushered his entourage to the door and out the cafeteria.
Arbus and Alexander watched them leave with cold expressions.