Art by  sethtriggs
Text:  Ben Zider
CU  Goldfur


Chakastra is the star that generously bestows its energy and heat on the planet Chakona, just as the sun does on Earth. In the afternoon, the plain covered with green grass and brightly colored flowers shone brightly with its rays. That beautiful place, with majestic mountains in the background, was the perfect setting for Lilethe and Esteban. The cabin that they rented to rest for a few days, outside the city, was near a river. The air, the wind, the smell of the trees and the grass, invited the relaxation of the body and spirit.

The skunktaur slept peacefully, curled up next to the human. Hir slow breathing, hir pleasant smell and the softness of hir skin, were all that Esteban wanted at that moment. He gazed at Lilethe with deep love, as he stroked hir whitish hair. After a long time of contemplating his beloved lifemate, the boy decided to go out for some air. Taking care not to wake the skunktaur, he got up, dressed in light clothing, and left the cabin.
In front of him, stretched out a huge field of grasses, reaching to his waist. Esteban took a deep breath and entered into it, advancing up the hill. After walking a few meters from the cabin, he found a rock in the middle of the meadow. It was big enough to climb on and sit on. He did so, as Chakastra continued his descent into the sky.
The boy contemplated not only the green valley, but also the story of his life. He reviewed every important moment, every extreme situation that made him get to where he was now. As he kept his eyes closed, a voice began to interact with him. It was a warm sound and expressed a feeling of peace. Esteban smiled.
“Hello boy. Long time no see.”
The human then opened his eyes and looked forward. In the middle of the meadow, a black and white skunktaur with curly hair was slowly approaching him. Hys walk was leisurely. Hys skin, hy had no clothes. Esteban, got down from the rock and walked to meet hym. Because of the distance, he couldn't clearly identify hym. As he got closer, he could notice a familiar face.
“Vroeg? Is that you?-He ​​asked with her mind.”
“Ha ha ha... Are you still dreaming Esteban?”
“Ugkar!”
“Yes idiot. It's me” Said the skunktaur as hy arrived next to the human.
“I'm sorry, it's just that you look so much like hym...”
“Do you believe? Do I look so old? Hahaha.”
“Oh Ugkar, good to see you” Said the human while giving the visitor a tight hug. Then he added.
“I wanted to personally thank you for saving my life, once again, but no one in the federation gave me your location. I also tried to contact Lieutenant Krim, but that was also impossible.”
“Well, Krim and I, we've had some problems. I don't know if I should tell you this. But do you remember the spaceship that went down in Amistad four weeks ago?”
“I was still unconscious.”
“Hmmm... Right. Well, I was piloting the ship. Krim came with me badly injured.”
“What! But why?”
“We escaped from the network of kidnappers. Its ship tried to destroy us in space.”
“Wow. I heard about that network on the news.”
“Finally, thanks to Krim, all the members were captured and the victims released.”
“I knew that too. But, I find it incredible that you and her were on that ship.”
“Things of destiny, I guess. Tell no one, least of all Lilethe and Doren. It is confidential information.”
“Agree.”
“Well boy. I'm glad I saw you once again. I'm leaving now. This time forever, I'm afraid.”
"Ugkar, what are you talking about?" The human questioned curiously.
“You see, Krim worked for that network. She was a double agent. And to save my life, she turned herself in to the authorities. Naturally, she was demoted and sentenced to prison. But later, the sentence was commuted by an exploration mission to a distant planet. She must work on transforming that world into a habitable place. And I... I'll go with her.”
“But why you, Ugkar. You did not do anything wrong.”
“For the same reason you are with Lilethe. Because I love her.”
“Wow! You and Krim? That's wonderful Ugkar. I congratulate you both.”
“Thanks.”
“But, then, we will not see you again?”
“No. And don't worry about telling Lilethe. I already said goodbye to hy and Doren by telepathy. Also from my sister Rena. But to you, I wanted to say goodbye in person.”
“Wow... I didn't expect this. I'm sorry to hear you're leaving.”
"That's the way things are, boy," the skunktaur said, looking the human in the eye. The latter, with his head lowered, could not help becoming sad.
“Ugkar. I... I'm happy for you and for Krim. But it hurts me to know that I won't see you anymore. It is something similar to what I felt when Vroeg left. But I don't want to be selfish. You have been my guardian angel all this time, if it wasn't for you, I...”
“You would be with Vroeg in the other world a while ago. Hahaha.”
“Yeah”
“Then take care, human. Because I will no longer be here to save your skin.”
“Sorry for all the inconvenience Ugkar.”
“Esteban, listen- said the skunktaur taking the boy's hands” I came here using the ship's transporter, because I wanted to thank you...”
“Thank me? Why?”
“Because if it weren't for you, my heart would still be a prisoner of hatred and resentment. You were that light, that illuminated my path and rescued me from the darkness. That time, in Berdoovia, you opened my eyes, human.” Said the Ugkar with a smile.
“But...”
“It's true. I rescued you several times. But you saved me first.”
“Ugkar...” The human said with emotion. The skunktaur walked over to him and gave him a tight hug. Then hy told him.
“Come, sit with me on the grass for a moment.” They both spread out on the grass. Esteban once again rested his head on Ugkar's body. After a few minutes of silence, the skunktaur spoke.
“I wish I had known my father, as you or Rena did.”
“In the end, hy loved you, Ugkar. That's why hy gave me that message for you.”
“I know. You know, boy, when I went to rescue you, I had a vision. I saw myself as a puppy abandoned at the door of an orphanage and I also saw Kariom. Hy gave me a message, like Vroeg gave you. Hy told me "It all depends on you" Kariom came to reaffirm what you taught me with your actions... Forgiveness.”
“I also saw all the pain that your death would have caused to all those who love you. And besides, I saw another person, whom I will also visit before I leave.”
“I understand... Well, I... I thought I saw Vroeg when hy was gripped by fear. I felt that it was hy the skunktaur who rescued me.”
“You still don't know who took you out of the hospital?”
“No. Strangely, the visual records of my room and the hallway do not exist. The cameras did not record anything. Everyone says that it was I myself, unconscious, who made the chair roll and I reached the beach. No one saw anything.”
“I have no doubt that dad helped you in some way. Hy already did it before, when I attacked you in Berdoovia. Despite my psionic power, I couldn't reach your consciousness. But someone like hy, surely could.”
“You know Ugkar. Vroeg's great power was not hys telepathy or hys telekinesis. Hys power was knowing how to reach the hearts of others. That's how hy did it to me.”
“And hy transferred that power to you, boy. Because you have transformed the lives of all those around you.” Said the skunktaur with conviction.
“But I'm still a naive idiot, right?”
“Hmmm.... Yes...” The skunktaur replied, and then both burst out laughing.
The afternoon advanced and Chakastra hid behind the mountains. The afternoon breeze drew the same waves on the grass that it created on the water, shaking the stems.
“Okay. It's time for me to go. I took off my uniform because honestly, it's too tight and I don't like it. But I'll have to use it again on the ship” Said the skunktaur as he stood up.
“As I told you before, I have mixed feelings, Ugkar.”
“I know boy. I can read them in your head. I have them too.”
“I love you Ugkar. And I wish you all the happiness in the universe with Krim. Take good care of both of you.”
“I... I also learned to love you, Esteban. Again I ask you to take good care of Lilethe and Doren.” Said the skunktaur as he walked away.
“I will do it.”
“Also takes care of Rena and hir children. To Aunt Rogar. You are very important to them. They are all connected with you. I leave them in your hands.” Ugkar finally said as hy turned his back on the human. Hy couldn't help but shed tears, but hy didn't want to show them to the boy. Esteban, with the affliction of the moment, began to sob, although he tried to smile, while he waved his hand, saying goodbye to hym. A white glow lit up Ugkar's body as hy disappeared into the grass. His brilliance blended with that of Chakastra's last rays.