Akeron looked through the display of the ship to see Iofen and one of its many moons. In the distance was their home star, and many other uninhabitable planets. Iofen glowed blue, from the tincture as well as the large ocean covering a significant portion of the surface.
Home, he thought. The place that had made him and sent him on a journey to recover an element. Two years passed, and little had changed except for an increase in satellites in orbit around the planet. The ship drew closer, and he received a confirmation ping from the planet, verifying his identity and permitting him to land.
Although mostly covered by water, Iofen consisted of a large continent and a series of islands that sustained the inhabitants of the planet. A mere thousand and two hundred Orod living here, almost evenly split between the Pewan and the Ojaa factions, called the planet their home and would give their lives to defend it from any threat.
The ship touched down on the landing pad. Elder Dehion of the Pewan and Elder Hatne of the Ojaa approached the ship, accompanied by two Ojaa companions. He exited the ship and stopped in front of them to give a bow.
"Welcome home, Akeron," Reidgel said. "We have been expecting you."
Akeron answered. "It is good to be home, elders."
The death of Kelienne, although a hundred thousand light-years away, would have reached the Iofen. Tincture connected everyone and everything, and a severed connection would be felt in the hearts of anyone connected in the galaxy, informing them to return home.
The custodians entered the ship and returned with the body of Kelienne on their shoulders, concealed in a cloth. Akeron averted his eyes, looking up to the Iofen star at the horizon.
Hatne said. "I want to see her."
The custodians looked at one another and heeded. They placed her body gently in the ground and uncovered the cloth to reveal her face. Hatne lingered, and his chest tightened, but he did not express any emotion. There was an understandable silence, even amongst a differing faction, when it came to the death of an Orod.
"That's enough," said Hatne, casting a look of disgust at Akeron. "Take her in."
The custodians did as ordered, and Hatne followed behind, moving slowly with a small prayer under his breath.
Reidgel placed his hand on Akeron's shoulder. "Kelienne was a great servant to the Orod cause, and I know she was a great friend."
Akeron answered. "She was."
"How are you feeling?"
"Tired."
"I would assume," Reidgel coughed. "The factions have agreed to a moment of understanding for the time being, at least until the burial is complete. I do hope you're ready for what is to come."
Akeron nodded. The tragedy brought the factions together, but it could also spell destruction. "I am."
"The Ojaa already blamed us for a lot, you being there when she died, however unfortunate, that is what they needed."
"I did all I could."
"I do not doubt in my mind, but I'm not the one who needs convincing. There will be questions and examinations, you need to be prepared."
Akeron nodded. "Understood, sir."
Reidgel asked. "The element, it is in your possession, is it not?"
Akeron pulled the element out from his pocket and handed it to him. Looking at it caused the memory of Kelienne's death to linger, and he fought against that.
"Years and years of search, another element has been recovered, and we are closer to peace and freedom than we've ever been," Reidgel observed Akeron, the pain in his eyes. "You should rest, you've had a long journey."
"I will."
"You did well, son. You need to know that."
Reidgel left, leaving Akeron on the pad by himself. With a brief walk, he departed from the pad and headed for the heart of Iofen, known as Nehe. The city was home to thousands of humans, an unusually high population for a world dominated by Orod.
Unlike most of the galaxy, the city had a significant amount of ancient stone buildings for a world that was technologically advanced. The structures were connected by elevated walkways where citizens and Orod alike moved at an unhurried pace. Flying vehicles scattered across the sky, making as little noise as possible. The wind blew softly as Akeron walked amongst his fellow Orod, most being of the Ojaa, as evident from their purple insignia and look of disdain. The death of Kelienne, his being there would have fueled the rumors, not that he was alien to most of it.
Neutral grounds, that was Nehe. The city separated the factions into opposing sections of the continent. A small patch of land that informed both sides that whatever they might disagree on, they remained the same.
Akeron reached the end of the city, at an area where an old building stood. One of the few buildings that had been abandoned after the mass recruitment into the Orod was left to rot. He walked in and climbed the stairs until he reached the top floor. At the end of the corridor was a ladder to the roof.
Akeron felt the wind on his face and counted the time as he waited. News of his arrival must have reached every corner of Iofen by now, so he waited longer.
A voice came from behind. "Not much has changed, has it?"
Akeron turned, it was Resher, a Pewan Orod known for his gambling addiction as well as being his best friend. "You sure know how to pick the spot?"
"The view is not as great as it used to be," said Resher, approaching Akeron with his only arm. "No place like home, I suppose."
Akeron chuckled and hugged him tightly. "I can't say I missed your annoying voice."
"You don't have to." Resher broke free. "And you didn't miss much either, this place has a way of getting to your head."
Resher had lost his right arm on an assignment to the outskirts of the galaxy. According to him, it was during a mining accident, but Akeron believed that he was omitting some crucial details. He had refused a replacement, restricting him from ever leaving for another assignment off-planet. Whatever he had gone through there, it scarred him.
They stood there, basking in the soft warmth of the home star. This is home.
Resher asked. "So, Kelienne, what happened?"
Akeron flinched as the moment flashed in his mind. "It just...happened."
"And knowing you, I know you'll blame yourself."
"I am to blame."
Resher answered. "I don't believe that."
"I was too concerned about acquiring the element that I did not pay attention," said Akeron. "She died, and for what, a piece of rock? It should've been me."
"But it wasn't," said Resher. "You're here, the element is here. You need to know where to go from here."
"And where might that be?"
"It's up to you to figure out. And I do believe in you, more than you do in yourself."
A moment of silence, Resher gave Akeron a reassuring look. The home star disappeared into the horizon, and ships began to enter the Iofen's atmosphere. Hundreds of them, belonging to Orods from multiple parts of the galaxy returning home for Kelienne.