With You

Fernand sat in his study, the room lit just as the incense burned before him. He studied the smoke as it slowly rolled and spread through the air. He listened to the wisps of smoke as they sang to him, whirling until they faded.

“How curious, to be one of you.” He said aloud, lowering his gaze and resting his chin upon his desk.

“You’re not much different than I...”

He continued to stare at the incense as it burned away.

“Both lit by forces outside our own power… shaped and molded only to be left to burn away ‘til there’s nothing left…”

A chunk of ash fell softly.

“And for what…?” Fernand asked as he rose to his feet and began to pace the room. His face was permanently struck solemn while the world weighed heavier than ever on him.

“What if I was to snuff you out?”

He lifted the incense, continuing to pace the room. “Would you be out of your misery? Hmm? Or would it be a waste?”

He raised and lowered the incense as his fingers danced through the smoke.

“Would it have been worth it for you to have ever even been lit at all?” He stopped and turned back to the desk, nodding.

“Here, friend.” He raised the incense over its base, the hot cherry facedown as he prepared to put the incense out of its misery.

A knock came from the door.

Startled, Fernand spared the incent for the moment. “Come back later!” He yelled from within his quarters, his gaze returning to the incense.

“But, sir! You’re going to want to see this.”

Fernand looked to the door and to the incense. He sighed as he set it back down on its base next to a picture of himself with Francis, both smiling as Fernand celebrated his graduation from law school.

Fernand made his way out of the study to greet one of his men, a Masian dwarfed by Fernand, who pressed that it was urgent. He didn’t bother to ask questions. They made their way through the facility and out into the brightness of day.

“We’re not sure where they come from or who they are. They won’t answer any of our messages.”

“Who do you mean?” Fernand asked.

“Them.” The Masian pointed.

Fernand looked up to see a ship flying through their atmosphere. “What the…”

“The Concordium, Fernand?”

“Let’s find out.” Fernand rolled his sleeves up.

They made their way by several buildings and people huddled to see what was going on. A few people joined with Fernand and his Masian friend as they continued on. As they arrived at an open field, the ship descended, landing just a few hundred feet ahead of them. The design reminded him of Lancer ships he’d seen before.

“They know our exact main location.” The Masian said.

“Let’s see what else they know.” Fernand said, walking toward the ship.

They watched as the hatch opened and lowered. A group of a dozen or so exited out in a line. They each seemed alert and ready as they stood, waiting on the ground.

“Well, hello!” Fernand said as he neared them.

The group stood silent.

“I got a bad feeling about this.” the Masian said, sweat collecting on his forehead as he tugged at the collar of his shirt.

“Who’s in charge, here?” Fernand asked.

The group stayed quiet. A slight breeze rolled in and a set of footsteps were heard from the ship. Fernand watched as a pair of boots came into view, followed by a long, crimson coat.

Then he saw him.

Yet, he couldn’t be.

There was no way.

There IS no way. Fernand thought to himself.

The leader made his way down the hatch and to the group who moved to allow him through.

“F-Francis…? B-but how…?”

Francis smiled and put a hand on Fernand’s shoulder. “There is much to talk about, my friend.” Francis said.

Fernand looked to Francis’ hand, the top of which was almost completely petrified and he saw as it extended under the sleeve and up Francis’ arm.

“How are you-”

“Odette. Where is my Odette, Fernand?” Francis asked, looking about the group with Fernand. Fernand looked from Francis to his hand and lowered his gaze while Francis retracted his arm.

“You look… good, Francis.” Fernand choked out, his eyes growing moist.

“Odette, Fernand. Where is Odette?”

Fernand turned and whispered to a member of his group who prompted the others to separate. “Come with me, Francis. The others will see to it that your friends are made at home.”

“You heard him! At ease.” Francis commanded. Fernand’s face perked with confusion. This was unlike the Francis he’d known since a child.

The group immediately changed their postures and began to relax as they were greeted by the others. “We’ve been through much, I know. I would have never made it here without the help of each and every one of you.” Francis looked to the sky as another breeze rolled in, the ends of his crimson coat flowing.

“I know it will never replace your old home…” Francis said, removing his jacket. “…but I hope it serves you just as well as it has me.” He pulled a book out from one of the pockets and held out the coat to a Maratasen member of his crew.

“A promise is a promise.” Francis told him.

The Maratasen stared at the jacket behind his one good eye, the other blank with a scar over it. He raised his gaze to look Francis in the eyes and nodded, reaching out and revealing tribal-tattoos. As he grabbed the coat, he stood more straight and took a deep breath, holding his chest high.

“They’re your crew now, Bogys.” He smiled. “Do good with them, my friend.”

Bogys looked the coat over, left in thought as Francis turned away from them, ready to follow Fernand to Odette.

“I don’t understand,” Fernand admitted as they made their way into town, “how are you even here…?”

How did you find a crew? How did you get a ship? Are you even Francis?!”

Francis laughed at his friend, offering no response but a smile.

“Seriously, Francis… It’s been over twenty y-…”

“You’re absolutely right!” Francis cut him off, “It took me quite some time to make it back. My apologies, Fernand!”

Fernand couldn’t help but smile as well. “What happened out there? I have so many questions. I don’t understand…”

Francis stopped and put his hand on Fernand’s shoulder once again. “We have time now, Fernand. Don’t worry.” He smiled. “As far as answers go, you may find some in here.” He held out the book he’d grabbed from within his coat. Fernand took the book, looking at it, wondering if it contained answers to questions he’d had for years since the destruction of the quantum gate. After all this time, it was finally in his grasp.

“Now, Odette. Where is she?” Francis asked, very eager to see the woman he’d longed to reunite with for years, though it felt like an eternity to him. He stayed with her in his illusions and his dreams, but none of it compared to the moments ahead of him.

He was ready.

Fernand’s smile faded and he nodded. “Right, this way.”

They traveled through the building that Fernand worked in, rounding through many hallways and corridors until they reached the middle, where an opening had been made when constructing the place. A beautiful tree stood in the middle. The sun’s warm rays casted down on it as leaves gently fell. Francis was happy to see they’d kept the tree with the addition of this newer facility. He had always found it breathtaking.

This time was no different.

Fernand tried to speak, but nothing came out.

The building wasn’t the only addition, however. Something was under the tree that had not been there the last time he’d seen it. Francis stepped forward, out into the opening. The ground beneath his feet felt as if it would cave from the weight of how heavy his legs felt. He continued until he found himself before a stone slab beneath the tree, raised to his waist.

Atop, laid Odette.

She was as beautiful as he’d remembered her- nay, more. He sat next to her on the slab and lightly traced along her arm and up her fingers. Her hands laid over one another on her stomach as she lay petrified, her artistry recorded forever in stone.

“You just had to top me, huh?” Francis laughed as he rubbed her cheek, ‘til he fell silent once more. “In all my life, never could I have made something as beautiful as you... my Odette.”

Fernand watched with tears in his eyes. He couldn’t understand why Francis hadn’t turned yet. It made no sense. He was happy to have his friend back, but not for him to be without his love.

What a cursed life, Fernand thought.

When he wiped his tears away, Fernand observed something he’d not expected. He looked around as Francis’ aura danced around him, filling the air in the room, but it was not of sorrow.

It was joy… It was relief... It was love.

Fernand sniffled and went to open the book when a bird flew onto his shoulder. Startled, he dropped the book. He looked over to see that the bird was Serfor, Francis’ bird! He was surprised to see Serfor still alive and well, but not at all surprised to see him show upon Francis’ arrival.

“My, it has been some time, my friend.” Fernand said to Serfor, a smile breaking through the gloom he felt.

The bird hopped for a moment and burst off from Fernand’s shoulder towards Francis.

Fernand knelt down to pick up the book to find it had fell open. He stood with it open, realizing the book had been a journal of Francis’ time spent returning home, to Odette. He flipped through for a moment until he reached the final entry, which had been dated for that day.

“At last. Again, I am with you.”

With a heavy heart, Fernand closed the journal. He wanted desperately to tell his friend of how she’d longed for him to return. How she spent every day dreaming of him, being with him.

He looked up and took a step forward, but immediately stopped. He smiled, dropped his head, and turned back to leave.

“Thank you, my friend.” Fernand said, feeling a fire kindle within him to fight the sorrow that plagued him.

Francis sat upon the slab, Serfor hopping upon his master’s shoulder. His hand rested on Odette’s, the other along her cheek, and his lips were pressed against hers, forever.

Chirping came from the light above as Serfor looked up and took off high above the tree to meet with Didiane, Odette’s bird. They took flight together, never to return.

That night, incense burned bright in every home.

And their scented smoke danced gently toward the stars.

THE END

by Chet DeLano