Chapter 8

Three large golden orbs hung from the ceiling. Or rather, were simply suspended above their heads, because Kevin couldn't see much of a ceiling at all. The above seemed to stretch endlessly into the dark abyss of space.

A long, marble-esque table stood in the centre of the room. It's legs were glowing with the same purpleish veins as the columns surrounding it, but the table top was a milky white. A centre piece caught Kevin's eye as he sat down. It was a golden triangle, entrapped in two overlapping silver circles. It hovered an inch from the table, and Kevin realised it wasn't the only floating object, because none of the plates or cutlery were actually touching the tabletop.

Eirai sat the head of the table, staring intently at her guest over her interlocked fingers. Kevin took a seat between Philip and Comet, well aware that every other pair of eyes was on him too.

A couple of Nevvix servants span around the table, serving helpings of food onto the plates, which dipped in their air with the weight. The other members began happily tucking into their food, little 'mmms' of appreciation circling the table. Eirai's plate was piled high, but she made no move to eat.

"We apologise if the food is ... not earthly. We were not expecting such company" She stated, her eyes never once moving from Kevin.

"I-I'm sure it'll be fine, y-you're majesty"

He looked down at his plate. If he tried hard, if he really squinted, it looked vaguely like sausages and mash. Sure, it was purple and green. But there was something ... mashy about it. He plucked a floating fork from the air, and dug in. It definitely wasn't sausage and mash. But it wasn't bad either. A little tangy for a dinner perhaps, but certainly edible, so Kevin tucked in. He was aware that, even as she ate, Eirai's eyes never once left him. This unnerved him slightly, but he supposed he did look quite strange with his non glowing skin.

After the feast, the Nevvix servants returned to clear the plates, and the members slowly rose from the table and bid the queen goodnight. Comet whispered something across the table to Philip in their language, but he shook his head. She looked dubious, but then she too rose from the table and bade goodnight. Once the room was clear, Eirai turned her attention to her two remaining companions.

"Philipxnethz, I request a little meeting with your ... friend here"

Philip gulped, but he knew better than to argue.

"If course my liege ... I'm sure you have many questions. I can assure you he is no danger"

"I believe not. Kindly resume your duties until I call you back"

"Yes, my liege" Philip bowed low. "Goodnight your majesty" He patted Kevin on the shoulder as walked past.

So. Now he, Kevin, was millions of miles from home and alone in a room with the icy leader of an alien race who happened to be his unknowing aunt. It was just going to be one of those days.

Like a graceful swan, Eirai rose from her seat and gestured towards a separate door.

"Walk with me, we have much to discuss"

With a feeling of trepidation sinking in, Kevin agreed.

They walked in silence for a few minutes, which unnerved the teenager. He took the time to sneak a glance at the new planet. It was small perhaps, but he could see families of Nevvix aliens hanging floating plant pods that glowed in the darkness. Through the windows he saw fathers and mothers chatting away on silver pod sofas, and watching odd alien games on funky gizmos that hung from their ceilings. A couple of Nevvix children ran in front of them, laughing and screaming. Loud, unearthly music resounded out of a nearby building, which windows were illuminated in orange lights. The sounds of adult Nevvix's screamed through the window, clearly having a good time. On they walked, until the sounds of the main city were far behind. The two figures approached a large, overgrown area of the planet, and Eirai prompted them forwards.

"Stop" She said abruptly, halting the teenager in his place. He looked up.

They stood before a large, stone ornament. It was at least 16 ft high, and entangled by luminescent blue ivy, which wound it's way around the crumbling statue. Kevin squinted, trying to see through the alien foliage. The only good thing was that the plants illuminated the features, so Kevin could see that it was a woman. Her features were familiar, and in many ways like those of the queen standing next to him. In her right hand she carried a large staff of some kind, but the end that pointed out into the sky had been snapped. In her left arm, there was a small bundle, with an arm reaching from the blanket. At first Kevin thought the hand had been knocked off, like the tip of the staff. Then he realised who it was. An icy chill ran through his body, and it had nothing to do with the weather.

"The truth is, Kevin of Earth, that I am not the true Nevvix leader. That would have been my sister, Evroid"

She snapped her fingers, and the ivy that covered the statue slowly wound down from around the ornament and dropped to the floor, where it slithered into the bushes of the park. Kevin recognised the statue as being just like the woman from his dream. His own mother ...

"Failing her, her son, Prince Corveilis, would be the true heir. But a terrible fate befell the both of them" Eirai kept her eyes fixed on the stone baby. "I try, Kevin of Earth – I try to lead my people towards a better future. But these Queldoix ... they don't take so kindly to our superior technology. They never did. We are war, Kevin. It is a horrible, devastating war, which has already torn apart families. I fear it will take away many more before we are able to stop it. I did not wish to involve the lives of other galaxies. I know not what Philipxnethz has told you. He had a great and honourable future layed out before him, but it was snatched ... and so was my only family. I have no heir, and should fate befall me, I'm not sure what would become of my people. I worry, Kevin of Earth. It is a deep worry, one I cannot escape from." Eirai sighed deeply, then turned to face her companion, tilting his chin so that their gazes met. "I like you Kevin of Earth, you remind me of Evroid, she had a similar sparkle in her eyes. I pray our paths may cross again." She smiled. "I simply wanted to share our story with you tonight, I think it may explain the sadness of the people"

"Philip told me ... a little" Kevin nodded.

"He has a great mission ahead of him" Eirai nodded thoughtfully "But he was born with the purpose of protecting, and a Nevvix protector takes that duty to his grave"

"B-but Philip's delivering a message that will stop the war right?"

Although the queen's eyes were on him, there was no emotion behind them.

"With any luck, it will cease the barbarity. But the Qeldoix no not the meaning of 'don't shoot the messenger'"

Kevin's heart leapt into his throat.

"Y-you mean they'll kill him?!"

Eirai's eyes looked straight through him.

"His primary objective is dead. He serves the Nevvix people now, and that message will save many lives."

"A-at the cost of Philip's?"

"Perhaps. I wish it were not so. But unless Evroid comes back from the dead, I'm afraid we have no choice. You will be returning to Earth tomorrow anyhow, it is no concern of yours. Goodnight, Kevin of Earth. I shall brief you in the morning before you depart" Eirai waved her hand, and with that, she left.

Kevin stood alone in the garden, his back pressed against the stone statue. He looked up, into the granite features of his mother. His aunt's word rang in his head. iUnless Evroid comes back/i.

Evroid couldn't, of course. But her son had never died. He had stood not even a foot away from his own flesh and blood. And she had told him that he was Philip's death sentence.

Anxiety raked at Kevin's insides that night. He was sleeping on a strange squishy bubble type material that night, in Philip's room. It was like an airbed, but much like the rest of the planet, had a soft glow to it. In the darkness, Philip's purple spirals illuminated the soft features on his sleeping face. He was a teenager just like Kevin. An innocent person in the wrong place at the wrong time in the wrong galaxy. Kevin was his doom, but also his chance at survival. The cost of course, would be Kevin's return home. Victor and Angel were probably worrying right this very second. No doubt Kevin's friend group was concerned too. Why did it feel like he had to chose between them and Philip? He rolled over, and tried to sleep. The image of Philips' sleeping face was engrained into his mind. He couldn't bear to think about that face if it never woke up because of him.