"Are you okay?' Mary asked that morning, looking at the taciturn face of her husband.The man, sighing answered while she looked out the window.

"I guess so"

The sky looked gray. Thick clouds prevented Chakastra's heat from warming the land. The woman, who had already been married to him for more than 20 years, knew when the professor was worried about something.
"Love. I know it's hard. It's been a hard blow for everyone. Also for the children. In your absence, it was difficult to explain to Flora why her skunktaur granny wouldn't come anymore. At least our oldest son, he already understands things" Mary said.
"I'm so sorry you had to deal with that alone. But I had to go to Vika-B" The man replied with a downcast head.

"Yes, I know love. I don't blame you for anything. You had to go. It was Rogar's last wish and it had to be fulfilled" added Mary stroking her husband's hair. After a while, in which they both remained embracing in silence, Ben declared.

"The kids, are they still sleeping?"

"Yes. It's cold today. And I prefer them to get up late. But you... Maybe you should go out for a while. Distract your mind. Visit our neighbors. Make good use of your day off" The wife suggested.

"And what will you do?"

"I'll tidy up the house a bit, I'll clean up. I want to prepare you a delicious lunch, to lift your spirits. And that the children can also enjoy" she added with a smile.

"Hmmm... Okay. I'll go out for a walk along the coastline. I don't know if I'll visit someone. How you're always right. I need to calm my head..."

"Wrap up then. They said it's going to rain today here in Archipelago. Come back soon, okay?" Mary suggested.

"Yes, don't worry" replied the professor giving him a kiss on the lips. "This time, I will carry the message that Rogar left me" he added.

"Are you ready to read it, honey?" The woman said caressing his cheek.

"We'll find out," replied the professor, then put on a thick waterproof coat, and left the house, crossing the garden.

Ben had carried Rogar's message as far as Vika-B, to give it to Ugklar. But he still couldn't read his own. The one that Rogar gave him. The sadness he felt at hys departure was too great. He put the envelope in one of the pockets, but he wasn't sure if he was ready to open it.

He walked with his hands in his pockets towards the nearby forest of trees, behind which was the descent towards the seashore. Little by little, he descended the wooden steps that he and his neighbors had built long ago, to facilitate access. The beach was narrow and instead of sand, it was covered with rocks and small stones that bit the feet when walking. The ocean was somewhat agitated by the force of the wind. It was not wise to get too close to shore.

Professor Zider stopped next to a large rock that dominated the landscape. He leaned against her and gazed out to sea. In the distance, he could make out Ainsworth Island, and beyond it, the first mountains of Nova Belarus, across the sea. The sky was still covered with clouds, giving the environment a gray and somewhat sad appearance.

Ben was alone. There was no person in that place. In the warm season, the small coastal cove used to be almost always occupied by the neighbors of the sector, mostly skunktaurs and foxtaurs. It was also common to see the children play every weekend. Ben's neighbor was another human like him, named Mario, with whom he used to have long talks on various topics. Mario was a carrier and it was he who helped him get a place at Grenoble for Vika. But now, in the cold season, everything looked different.

The wind blew strongly from time to time, causing the professor to stagger. And the absence of light, also darkened his heart.

Ben thought a lot about Rogar, and the times when his and his family came to celebrate the day of the Skunktaur Liberation or the Chakonian New Year together with the entire community of the sector. He also thought about his recent trip to Vika-B and the people he met there.

Putting his hands into the pockets of his coat, he realized that he had the small articulated sculpture in the shape of a skunktaur that Ugkar had given him.

"Wow, Flora must have put her here." He took it in his hands and smiled. He imagined Ugkar and the rakshani Aldorah Krim living in Vika-B, working to make this place a new Chakona. He also thought of Petra and the difficulties she faced. he had to face, both in his personal life and in the colonization project, feeling the satisfaction of having helped a little to preserve it.

Then he thought of Chorre and the skunktaur on his team. He also in Thannese and in Roy Ferguson. But most of all, he thought of Evod, that cute chakat who had kindly helped him adjust to the work and environment of the space station. He fondly remembered his patience, his purrs and his warm hugs in times of sadness. Ben realized that without Evod's empathy, his trip to Vika-B and his work in the lab would have been more difficult.

For a moment, he wished that Evod was there, next to him. Holding his spirit, accompanying him in that moment of sadness and longing. The chakat's empathy for his emotions always managed to comfort him. He missed having a friend like hym. He missed Evod.

The sea wind ruffled her hair, while the clouds in the sky turned darker. Lightning bolts lit up the distant horizon, indicating the approach of rain.

"Wow, looks like this is going to be a big storm, don't you think?" He suddenly heard the teacher a voice in his head. Accustomed to telepathic chats with the skunktaur, Ben didn't fret. On the contrary, he responded matter-of-factly.

"That's right shir. It will be a big storm"

"And what will you do about it?" Continued the voice. The professor, understanding the metaphor, answered.

"It's not the first storm I've faced in my life. My previous fights have taught me enough."

"Heh heh heh... I understand. That's good" Added the stranger. Suddenly, tiny lights over Ainsworth Island caught Ben's eye. Straining his eyes, he tried to discover what it was.

"That you see there is a Statiionare, resting on top of the island" said the voice slowly.

"And how do you know?" the professor questioned.

"Because I come from that ship" replied the voice. Ben stopped leaning on the rock and looked everywhere for the skunktaur who was talking to him.

"I didn't know that Statiionare could carry people inside" He declared

"Heh heh heh... You'd be surprised what they can do" replied the voice.

The professor continued to look around, but still could not identify his interlocutor. Suddenly, that unknown voice echoed in his head again.

"Are you looking for me? Look up. I'm here" The professor turned his head to the top of the rock where he was leaning and saw resting on it a skunktaur with silver gray fur. The hair on his head was short and curly, and his tail, thick and fluffy, swished in the wind. Ben was surprised. He couldn't imagine how he got there, if a moment ago, he was completely alone in that place.

"Don't be scared, I'm not a magician. I used a teleport" said the skunktaur trying to appease the human's anxiety.

"I'm Ben Zider and you are?"

"I know who you are boy. I came here to thank you" The skunktaur answered. Then he stood up and lowered himself to the ground through the back of the rock. The professor could see that he was an old skunktaur, but in good shape.

"Thank me?... Have we met?" The human suddenly inquired.

"Yes, thank you for... Helping my friend Bram, when hy arrived half-drowned on this beach and you found hym."

"Oh yes I remember. Did Bram send you?"

"No. I came on my own. Besides, I wanted to meet you in person" added the stranger.

"Know me? I'm really confused Shir" The professor replied. "Are you a friend of Rogar's?"

"Heh heh. You have good instincts. Yes, I've known Rogar since… since before you were born"

Surprised, Ben was silent for a moment. After a deep sigh, he declared.

"I assume you are aware of hys recent demise, right?"
"Son. Death is just a stumbling block on the long road of existence. It is a pause, a moment of reflection, a moment of evaluation, after which you must continue walking until you reach your goal"

"Goal?" Inquired the intrigued human.

"Become the brightest star you can be" The skunktaur replied calmly. The professor did not leave the astonishment of him. The words of this old stranger were strange, but deep down, they made some sense to him.

"The wind blows very strong in this place, and as I said, the storm is coming. I'm going to leave the beach and look for a shelter. If you want, you can come with me" The skunktaur suddenly said as he began to walk towards the forest. The human, without much hesitation, began to follow him. With his hands in his pockets, the professor thought there was something familiar about this stranger. Perhaps a distant relative of Rogar. After entering the forest, and heading towards the residential area, the wind no longer felt so strong. The trees moved their branches gently and the smell of the vegetation mixed with the scent of the sea. After walking a few meters, the skunktaur lay down on the grass in front of the garden of Ben's house, next to the trunk of a tree. The human graciously invited him to his abode, but the old man refused.

"I appreciate it, but I've been locked up for so long, I prefer to continue breathing the outside air. I really needed it. Sit next to me," he concluded. The human agreed and sat down next to hym.

"Were you locked up? Were you also a prisoner of that gang of Rakshani slavers?"

"I was about to be, but... I was rescued by a friend. I lived inside him all this time. Only now was I able to get out...

"I don't understand. If you weren't a prisoner of that statiionare, why do you say that you were only able to get out now?" Ben inquired, thinking that the skunktaur was not in his right mind.

"Because my friend, it took all that time to restore my body and heal me"

"Were you sick?"

"No... I was dead" he replied.

"Eh?... I still don't understand" declared the human.

"Oh my friend. I tell you again, you don't know the things the Statiionare can do" added the skunktaur with a smile. Ben couldn't make sense of what he was saying. But being together with hym, he reminded her a bit of Rogar. He stood next to hym for a long time, in silence. Finally, the professor inquired.

"Since when did you know Rogar?"

"I already told you. Since before you were born"

"I know, but I mean…"

"Yes, yes... I know what you mean...

Rogar was my sister"
"Your sister?! Ben exclaimed in surprise. "I'm sorry, but that's impossible. Rogar had no other siblings. The only brother hy had was named Vroeg. And hy is dead."

"And wasn't that what I said a moment ago?" The stranger stated, looking Ben in the eye. The professor gasped. He stood up quickly and took a few steps away. Then, with a tremulous voice, he declared.

"This is a joke... Tell me, who are you?"

"You already know who I am, Ben Zider" Said the old skunk.

"It is impossible...!" The professor exclaimed without getting out of his astonishment.

"Sit down. Why are you afraid?"

"You can't be Vroeg! Hy died a long time ago! Rogar went to the funeral in Amistad!" Said the professor without getting out of his astonishment.

"Yes, it's true. Rogar and everyone else were there. But you weren't. Heh heh... How can you say then that I'm dead?"

"Is enough! Who are you to come taunt me like that? I just lost a dear skunktaur friend! Excuse me, but I'm not in the mood for jokes!" The professor exclaimed in a daze. The old skunktaur hung hys head, saddened by Ben's negativity.

“Oh humans… They always respond with fear and anger when something unexpected happens in their lives… Esteban… that young man of your kind… he also got angry when he met me. An ancient race, but they still have a lot to grow inside and mature. You are still full of negative prejudices and fear... That's why you do what you do... Terrorism, violence, anger, selfishness..." The skunktaur answered, with a sigh. Raising hys head, Ben noticed that hy had tears in hys eyes. Then the old skunk got up and prepared to return to the beach.

"I'm so sorry for your loss, Ben... My sister, I really loved you. I know that very well. Thank you for loving hym so much" The skunktaur declared before starting to walk away. The professor was silent, watching hym. His head was a whirlwind of thoughts at that moment. He tried to calm down. And even if that skunktaur was crazy, he was right about one thing: there was no real reason to freak out like that. The professor thought that maybe he should play along.

"Wait... I'm sorry... Please try to understand... I'm having a hard time. I loved Rogar so much and..." Ben said, but stopped when he saw the skunktaur raise a hand. .

"I'm going through... I... the ego... the ego always thinks of itself... Did you cry for Rogar? Or did you cry for yourself? Did you cry for what hy was going through or for the suffering caused by your departure If you really understood that death does not exist, suffering would not cloud your heart If you understood that what you see here is only a place and a temporary state to learn to truly love, you would not have been angry when I told you about me sister. We give ourselves too much importance... too much."

The old skunk said with authority. The professor was speechless with surprise. His face began to pale, and a shiver ran through his body. In a hesitant voice, he answered.

"Rogar... Rogar, when hy told me about hys brother Vroeg, hy always did it with admiration... Hy always... mentioned how special hym was. Hy said that, after hys lifemate's death, hy evolved a lot thought. I was excited listening to hym. I always regretted, in these 25 years of friendship with Rogar, not having met hys brother.

"Son..." The skunktaur replied as hy turned to him "Maine was everything to me, it's true. But hys departure was also an incentive to seek answers to the same questions that you and many others ask each day... And Besides, that's one of the reasons why I'm here. Like I told you before, I came not only to thank you for taking care of Ban, but also to meet you, Ben."

The professor noticed that the skunktaur still had tears in his eyes. He quickly took out a clean handkerchief from his pocket made of soft cloth, and wiped the stranger's face with it. Although the human still didn't know if he believed hym or not, the warmth of hys words and hys gestures made him trust hym more and more.

"Sorry for my attitude. I'm a fool. I've lived with the skunktaur for many years and I've never made any of them cry. I'm sorry"

"Oh, you're wrong... You also made my son Ugkar cry at Vika-B, don't you remember?"

“Eh?… How do you know… that?”

"You were thinking about that a while ago on the beach, weren't you? It's very comforting to know that hy is fine"

"I see… You read my memories, right?" Guessed the professor.

"You're an open book... And I know... I know you want to be sure of who I really am. It's natural for you to have doubts, you're a scientist. But, if you stay with me for a while, here, I'll show you my own book" offered the skunktaur with a smile. They both sat down on the grass again. The trees were still shuddering in the wind, and the air was beginning to thicken with moisture. Ben and the old skunktaur were silent for a moment, sitting side by side. The teacher slowly began to calm his spirit. His heart no longer felt as heavy as when he left the house. Despite the strangeness of the situation, he liked being with this skunktaur. Suddenly, a child's voice broke the silence between the two.

"Daddy!"

The professor observed that his little daughter, Flora, had left the house to look for him. The little girl, seeing him next to the skunktaur, was happy and quickly ran towards them.

"Flora! You woke up!" Said the professor receiving her in his arms. The little girl, seeing the skunktaur, was happy and pounced on hym"

"Hello again, little one... How have you been?" The old skunk replied with a smile as hy hugged her.

"I'm fine. Are you okay? Aren't you wet anymore?" She said in a soft voice.

"Yes! I'm fine now. I'm not wet. Now I can visit you more often if you want"

"Yes! I want!" Exclaimed the little girl, as she climbed onto the skunktaur's back.

The professor, surprised, declared. "Flora, hy is not the same skunktaur you found wet that time. This is another one"

"Is the same!" The little girl answered with determination.

"Oh, the children... Have you ever wondered Ben, why do children always tell the truth? Because the truth is impregnated with innocence, and they still retain the purity of their souls. It is us, the adults, who we contaminate with our distortions. The truth is revealed only to those who observe it through the eyes of a child heh heh... Take advantage now that she is still small. And learn, because the final goal is very similar to the innocence of the children" said the old skunktaur as hy stroked Flora's hair. Ben smiled silently. Deep down, he knew that such words made sense to him.

"Okay, Flora. I'll tell you a story so your dad will believe us both, okay?"

"Yes! I like stories!" She said the little girl excitedly, snuggling up next to hym.

"Well. Once upon a time, there was a skunktaur who traveled the universe in a spaceship. Once, when he was still young, he had to go to an uninhabited planet, to fix a device that his bosses had left there. When he had already finished repairing it and was about to return, he received a call, here in his head, from someone asking for help"

"Ohhhh! Someone in trouble? And what else?"

"Heh heh... Yeah. Someone was in trouble. And since it was an uninhabited planet, there was no one who could help that creature, except that young skunktaur. He looked around looking for it, until finally, he saw next to a small hill, a Statiionare. Do you know them?"

"Nope! I've never seen one. But Dad has told me about them.

"The Statiionare are living ships capable of flying through space, just like our ships. This one was injured. It had crashed in that lonely place. The skunktaur approached him and with his psionic abilities he managed to communicate. The Statiionare, despite he was big, he was very scared. The skunktaur had compassion and stayed with him, comforting and helping him as much as he could. As hy was a qualified technician, he used parts of his own ship to help the Statiionare repair itself.

"Oh poor"

"Yes. If it wasn't for the skunktaur, the Statiionare would surely have died. The skunktaur stayed with it until its own oxygen began to run out. Did I mention that planet was as hostile as the Chakona moons? There was no air to breathe." , and the skunktaur had to wear a protective suit to survive"

"Ohh" The little girl exclaimed excitedly.

"Despite everything, the skunktaur felt so much compassion, that he did not want to leave the Statiionare, even when his own air was running out. He tried to ask other ships for help, but nobody answered. Almost fainted and thinking that this would be the end of him, The skunktaur huddled next to that ship. Suddenly, without expecting it... A hole opened in the Statiionare's fuselage and tentacles grabbed the skunktaur and gently pulled him in. Once inside, he could clearly perceive the feelings of the skunktaur. gratitude from that great creature and somehow he replenished all the oxygen in the skunktaur's suit."

"Ohh... Hy was able to enter the Statiionare! What a thrill!"

"Yes! It was a wonderful experience for the young skunktaur. Finally hy was able to return to his ship and take off. And he saw with satisfaction that the Statiionare also took off thanks to the parts and care that hy had provided, and what's more, the Statiionare remained with hym in space for a long time. Since then, both of them formed a bond and a friendship that lasts until today"

"Awww how cute... What was the name of the Statiionare and the skunktaur?" Flora asked.

"Oh... The name of the Statiionare is unpronounceable in our language. And the skunktaur... His name was Vroeg! Heh heh heh"

"Vroeg! Vroeg! What a cute name!"

"It's the name my mom gave me heh heh heh"

"Tell me more! How is that ship inside? What happened next!" Flora inquired excitedly. At that moment, Ben began to hear clearly the voice of the skunktaur in his head, while he entertained the little girl with the story "

"I don't know if it was my mental contact with that creature, or the expansion of my own consciousness, that gave me the ability to sense my own death. But two years ago, I knew that my aged body would die soon. I did not enter I didn't panic, I didn't get scared. And I didn't do anything to avoid it either, because I felt that it was what had to happen. I was prepared and I felt at peace and grateful, for having enough time to say goodbye to everyone. But months before, and urgently In the fragments of my memories erased by the slavers, I learned...

"About the existence of Ugkar, right? Yes. Rogar told me everything" answered the professor with the thought.

"Yes... I looked for it everywhere, in the archives and official records. Even Rogar helped me. My daughter Rena also found out. Chorre, who you met in Vika-B, was too far away to collaborate. But sadly for me, it was impossible to trace Ugkar's whereabouts."

"Without hope, I calmly waited for my fate. In my last days, I met Esteban and tried to help him as much as I could with his own problems. Oh... Poor boy. I'm so sorry that he suffered because of me" At that moment Ben spoke out loud.

"Flora, daughter. Go to mom please. Uncle... Uncle Vroeg and I need to talk about some adult matters."

"Uh? But dad I want to stay"

"Heh heh heh... Listen to your father. We'll see you later, little one" The skunktaur said caressing the girl.

"Oh... It's alright" Flora replied reluctantly, separating from the skunktaur and heading home. Once alone, the professor inquired"

"Very well. If you really are who you say you are, explain to me how you are here and not under a tombstone in Amistad" convinced that that stranger was still teasing him.

"Explain how? Well, I honestly don't know."

"You say you're Vroeg? Then prove it!" The professor affirmed crossing his arms. The skunktaur was silent for a moment, trying to collect his thoughts. Ben looked at him suspiciously trying to discover the deception. Although the more he looked at him, the more he found a certain resemblance to Rogar. Several minutes passed in which the old skunk remained silent with his eyes closed. The professor, impatient, continued to watch him suspiciously, until suddenly, the skunk opened his eyes, startling the human.

"Uh?.. I'm sorry" He apologized.

"I see that it doesn't matter what I tell you. You won't believe me anyway. But it's okay. I didn't come here to convince you of anything. Like I told you, I came to thank you for taking care of Bram"

"Hmmmm" the human sighed resting his head on his hands.

"Okay. At least you are a receptive human… More than Esteban, I must admit… I will tell you, when I said goodbye to him on the beach, I felt very tired, without energy. The last I saw of that boy, was his face bathed in tears. Then, a tremendous light, and much, much peace. When I woke up again, I could perceive the world, not with the body, but with the mind. My statiionare friend greeted me, and by his vibrations I knew it was him "Mentally, he told me to calm down, that everything would be okay. It was good to see him again. Ever since our first meeting on that lonely piece of rock, we've been connected somehow. When we parted, I went back to Chakona while he went back to Chakona." his life, with his kind. Due to our connection, he realized that now, the one who was in trouble was me. Worried about my fate, he traveled at full speed to Chakona in those days. He arrived here, just the day of my departure. According to what he tells me, the paramedics from the emergency team emergencies that came to the beach, took me to the hospital. He followed them at a distance in the sky, looking for the right moment...

"Auspicious time?" the professor inquired.

"Yes... the right time to "rescue" me, just like I did that time on that lonely asteroid. I was lucky that one of those emergency paramedic chakats secretly worked for a branch of that slave organization. Being a skunktaur, he injected into my body, a strange substance, to keep my nervous system intact. No one noticed that, while we were on the way to the hospital. I say that I was lucky that shi did that, because it would help what was to come later. That substance kept my nervous system functioning basally for a while longer, giving the statiionare the opportunity to complete the transfer of my consciousness to itself. Didn't I tell you that statiionare can do amazing things?... I, was part of their consciousness for a time. After a year, he managed to separate me and isolate me within himself, in a very delicate and dangerous process. From that moment, my friend began the slow work of rebuilding my body, just as he had done. make a replicator. While this was happening, the statiionare moved away from Chakona's orbit and remained with its own for a long time, drawing on enough energy to carry out the task. He even risked his own life on this, just as I did when I accompanied him on that cold asteroid.”

The professor remained silent, trying to assimilate everything he had just heard. The old skunktaur for his part, felt a great relief to share with another person, his extraordinary experience. His eyes full of anxiety, he didn't want to scrutinize what was going through Ben's head and waited anxiously for the human to say something. But Ben was still absorbed in himself. So the skunktaur continued

"Time passed and suddenly, I regained consciousness. My body in formation was very close to that of the statiionare, as if in a kind of hibernation. It did not bother me or surprise me, because I had already had a similar experience, when I I was kidnapped and forced to conceive Ugkar. So, I asked the statiionare to return to Chakona, as I wanted to perceive my family again. Strangely, my consciousness had expanded and I gained knowledge that I did not have before. I was able to remember and identify my lost son, and when I got to Chakona, I found Esteban fighting for his life against hym. With my mental energy, I helped the boy and his father Renzar win. And once Ugkar was subdued, I connected with Esteban, and told him who was Ugkar. Fortunately, everything was settled later between them.

"You say... You say you spoke to that boy in your head, Esteban?" The professor interrupted.

"Yes, while he was in a coma"

"Then why didn't you tell him that you were still alive?"

"Heh heh heh... I did it!... He asked me if I was really dead. And I replied that I didn't think I would die. But on a mental level, everything is very fluid and hardly anyone would believe my words. I can't even convince you to you, who can touch me. Imagine convincing someone with just your thought"

"Well, I guess that's a good point" The professor mused, as he stood up and walked in circles. He inadvertently took from his pocket the small articulated figure that Ugkar had given him. The old man, after a deep sigh, continued.

"I tried to mentally communicate with other people. But it was impossible in my state. Then other things happened. The slave organization was still operating in Chakona. And I tried to help the skunktaurs. But I only managed to save old Bram by manipulating his mind. Bram is a second generation skunktaur, almost 150 years old. I met him at the homeless shelter where I lived my last years. Second generation skunktaurs are more susceptible to being manipulated. That's why I made him jump ship and escape. That's when you found him."

"Wait a minute… The whole time was it you talking through that skunktaur?"

"That's right... Hy was like my body in the world. It was the only way I found to manifest myself"

"Forgive me, but that sounds too fanciful, don't you think?" Ben interrupted.

"I know how it sounds, son. But it's the truth" The skunktaur said.

"Okay. Suppose you were the one manipulating Bram's mind while you were... I don't know... in orbit as a cocoon of that statiionare... what happened next?"

“A lot of things happened. I knew that Esteban was in trouble and I had Bram travel back to Amistad. The boy was in a coma, hit a renzar. Fortunately Ugkar saved him this time. But the boy was too scared to wake up on his own. And it is understandable. He had Bram go to the hospital and get him out of there. I took him to the beach and as I did, I mentally connected with him. It broke my heart to see him suffer like that. He... He recognized me... He told me Vroeg! It's you!... Me, I was happy to be with him again, even if it was in his mind”

"At the same time, my son Ugkar was in trouble. His rakshani patron was scared. Despite the mental blocker she used, I managed to give her the courage she needed to dare to love my son. Later, during the trial, Bram was volunteered and spoke on his behalf."

"Let me guess... you were manipulating him right?" Sarcastically inquired the professor.

"No. On that occasion, I asked hym as a favor. And hym kindly agreed" The skunktaur answered.

"Wow, how convenient" Said the professor.

"Before leaving the Statiionare, we did some tests, to see if I could use my new body. My friend teleported me to Amistad a couple of times. And on one of those occasions, I saw my little grandchildren Cora and Teo ha ha ha... "

"I see" Said the professor while caressing the wooden figurine with his hands. After a pause, the old man looked at Ben's doubtful face. Taking a deep breath, he declared himself.

"You still don't believe me right? Hmmm... It doesn't matter son. As I said, it's not my intention. However, the only lie I told was that I was young when I met that Statiionare hee hee... Actually, that happened when I was already a widower and maybe that's why... That's why I risked my life for that creature... After losing my lifemate Maine, I felt there was no reason to continue living."

The professor was respectfully silent. He couldn't hide anything from that skunktaur of the red paw house. He felt that the game had gone too far. As he scratched his chin, he suddenly asked him.

“And… So, what happened to Rogar?… You told hym that… Before hy died, Rogar knew that Vroeg was alive?

The skunktaur, getting to his feet, walked over to Ben and took his hands. With a smile on his lips, and in a calm voice, he answered.



“Son, I know you still haven't read the message that hy left you… The answer to that question is there. Let my own sister tell you."

The human gasped as he remembered that, in his other pocket, he had the envelope with Rogar's message still unopened. The old skunktaur looked at him sweetly, inviting him to sit next to hym again. Ben settled into the grass, and now the skunk stretched out his body behind him, to give him comfort. The human sighed deeply before taking the envelope out of his pocket and opening it slowly. Before taking out the paper, he looked at the old man who was smiling at him.

“Okay, it doesn't matter if you know its content. I will share it with you”

"As you like, boy," replied the skunktaur.

Ben's heart beat faster. So many years of friendship with Rogar and everything had already been said. What else could hy tell him that he didn't already know? the professor wondered.

“My very dear friend…

“I have known you for many years… And there are so many things I would like to express right now. But it only comes from my heart, to tell you this: Keep building your happiness and that of those around you. Don't let the sadness of my departure overwhelm you. I'll be happy, if you are. Tell your beautiful children that I will always love them, and I will be lighting up their lives from skunktaur heaven. In all my years, I learned that life is not only beautiful, but also a mystery... And you will be surprised to know that you will be able to meet my brother Vroeg. Hy is still with us! It made me very happy to see hym again. Do not panic. I'm not delusional. You'll see, my dear Ben.

Thank you for being part of my life.
Take good care of yourself, my little
With love.

- Rogar Skunktaur.

When he finished reading, Ben raised his head to see that skunktaur was looking at him sweetly. A lump tightened his throat. He closed his eyes and although he tried to maintain his composure, finally his spirit broke. He broke down crying like he hadn't, since Rogar left. He let out all the accumulated sadness and his face was wet with tears.

"Rogar... Oh... No... I can't believe it... Vroeg!" Sobbed the heartbroken human. The old man took him in his arms and snuggled him close to hym. He stroked her back and his hair, whispering soft words of comfort.

"That's right son... Release that pain inside you... Everything is fine" said with a fatherly tone. Ben understanding the situation, clung to Vroeg's neck and hugged hym tighter, wetting hys fur with his tears. The wind filtered softly through the surrounding trees, bringing the scent of the sea, and of the coming rain. Both remained embraced for a long time, while the human unburdened himself. Little Flora appeared again, coming down the garden path, carrying a sheet of paper. Behind her came Mary and Ben's eldest son. Seeing them approaching, the professor wiped away his tears and stood up.

“Mary, children! Come… Come meet Vroeg Skunktaur! Tía Rogar's brother” He said a little calmer. However, his wife looked at him puzzled.

"Meet who?" She asked surprised.

"Honey... well to hym!" the man exclaimed, but looking to the side of him, he realized that no one was there. He bewildered, he looked around looking for the skunktaur, and then, fixing his eyes on his wife.

"Honey, are you feeling alright? You finally read Rogar's message, right?" Mary inquired with a fond smile. “Come, let's go home. We came to find you. The lunch is ready." She added

“But… But… I… Hy was…” the professor stammered, not knowing what to think or say. At that moment, the first drops of rain began to fall. The woman reached out her hand and invited her husband to the house. The four of them walked down the path back to the entrance. At that spot, Ben stopped and turned back. What is all this? Was it a dream? He wondered still bewildered. His little daughter took his hand and told him.

“Dad, I made this for you” as she handed him the piece of paper.

"Thank you Flora" replied the professor stroking her hair. The little girl, happy, entered the house jumping with emotion. Ben remained standing in the doorway, checking that the moisture in his eyes told him that everything had been real.

“Your lunch will get cold!” Suddenly Mary's voice was heard, calling from inside. The professor, resigned, prepared to enter the house. But first, he looked at the paper that his daughter had given him. It was a drawing, where he appeared sitting next to a skunktaur. Then he closed his eyes and smiled.

"The truth is revealed only to those who observe it through the eyes of a child" he thought and his spirit, for the first time since Rogar's departure, returned to have the tranquility he needed.

(End de Journey to Vika-B)


Beautiful drawing by  sethtriggs

Chakat Universe created by Bernard Doove.