Roshma Book 1: The First Steps
Chapter 16: Showdown in the Crater

Enter Shodon

Giaka! Why did it have to be me? What did I do to deserve all of this? My hands were shaking uncontrollably and it was hard to swallow as I squared up a prepared for the incoming disaster. I looked over at Westcon with envy. He was so confident, and I was a wreck. Today would be my last day, goodbye cruel world. I wish I wasn’t Carlos Shodon’s son. Then saving the world wouldn’t fall on my shoulders. It would be someone else’s problem and that someone would most certainly be better equipped to deal with it.

The general addressed us, “ I can’t wait to face competent opponents. Be it shouldn’t have to be this way. You are not the enemy. We are trying to eradicate the weak to make a better world. You’re commanding officers don’t have near the power you have yet they make the rules and you are their slaves. It is they that should be the slaves while you’re the generals and the kings of this planet.”

Westcon answered the General, “I’d rather be a slave to them than surrender this planet to the likes of you.”

At first the general smiled, and then that smile turned into a laugh before he said, “Very well then you will die like the slaves you are. My symphony of destruction will be written in your blood.”

He took off his coat and then his uniform top. This guy was massive, his chest was twice as broad as that of an average Zatt male, his biceps were the size of a small animal and his core had muscles in it that I didn’t know existed. This was no man, but a demon form some far off hell. He proceeded to pull a needle out of his pants pocket and stick himself in the arm. He laughed, “Now I will feel no pain.” Great this made things even worse.

The next thing I knew he charged at us. I barely saw it, but managed to duck the blow. How was someone so large that fast? Catorce wasted no time, he rushed over to Westcon, and wildly threw punches at him. I rushed over to help my friend, but not before he connected with a punch to Westocn’s stomach that sent him flying. He tried to turn his attention to me but even he wasn’t quick enough and caught a foot to the side of the head. The behemoth stumbled but didn’t fall.

I know it’s bad way to think about things, but I was always scared of dying. I’d have to not let that hamper me, today my survival was paramount. However, this only made the fear worse. Mott was counting on me and so were the people of Zatara, this was something I had to do. I looked over at Westocn and shouted, “Are you going to be okay?”

He responded but not before spitting up blood, “we gotta stay close together. We can’t let him separate us like that or we’ll never win.”

The menacing general laughed manically now, “Good this isn’t going to be as easy as I thought.” He threw out a stream off blast. We quickly dove out of the way but the blast left a hole in the crater wall and the spectators standing above that spot quickly moved out of fear that the ground they stood on may be unstable. No one wanted to fall in the crater and be caught in the middle of this madness. I turned my focus back to the battle and repositioned myself close to Westcon. He was right we had to stay together.

We charged the behemoth. I tried blasting him but he was too quick. The only way to deal damage to this guy was to trade with him, and the trades were in his favor since he hit a lot harder. I took a nasty punch to my right eye and now it was swollen up so bad I could barely see out of it. Westcon was bleeding out of his forehead, but we were keeping it pretty even. Catorce, was bleeding out his nostrils and many lacerations decorated his body. However, the injection blocked all the pain. He never flinched no matter how hard we hit him making it hard to tell how much damage we had done to him.

We were evenly matched for a short time, but then he figured out our patterns and started blocking both our strikes simultaneously. Westcon wasn’t as good of a fighter as me. Catorce realized this so he was picking on partner. Westcon kept taking the general’s blows, but I didn’t know how much longer his body would hold up. We had to change things up. I shouted, “Westcon you go high and I’ll go low.

He nodded at me and that’s exactly what we did. Of course, the captain heard us since I shouted it, but our plan worked there was nothing he could do. Westcon lunged at him and was deflected by one of his giant mitts then I proceeded to sweep the leg. The general fell to his knees and Westcon blasted him. He went to shield it but was a little slow and it burned his arms.

As the fight went on he figured out our High/ low patterns as well so we had to further mix it up. We found success dancing around him in a circle. The general was frustrated and started to wildly sing but most of his attempts missed. We had the upper hand, we could end this battle and take to stone as well as our freedom. We had been fighting about an hour now and if he didn’t die soon we might die of exhaustion. My brow was drenched in sweat, my breathing was heavy, and I could barely see out of my right eye.

It was at this moment we broke. Our execution got sloppy and he took advantage of it. Westcon charged Catorce from behind only to take a foot to the stomach. He was temporarily down for the count leaving me alone in the fight.

I went to strike him, but he grabbed my fist and said, “Too slow.” What came next was sheer agony. He took my arm and twisted it behind me. He held it there for a second, teasing me before he delivered the crippling blow. Crack, he hit my arm, I knew the bone broke on impact I was filled with a pain like never before. I didn’t even have time to react. He picked me up above his head and threw me. My body landed 15 feet away from him.

I desperately wanted to move, but was paralyzed by pain. This compelled me to pray.” Elohim grant me a quick death.”. I knew my arm was broken before I saw it. Turns out it was a compound fracture the radius poked through the skin as my wrist hung limp. Tears flowed from my eyes. I had failed my team and my planet.

I finally brought myself to my feet to witness the end of it all. Westcon was facing the behemoth one on one and he wasn’t fairing to well. Catorce rushed in and grabbed Westcon by the shoulders and did something so barbaric it proved my theory he was a demon form some far away hell. He sunk his razor sharp teeth into Westocn’s right shoulder. My comrade cried out in excruciating pain. Then he released his teeth and a geyser of blood shot from the wound as Westcon fell to the ground. It was the most visceral sight I had ever witnessed.

The General spit out a piece of a collar bone and wiped the blood from his mouth before addressing the crowd. “ I win. Everyone look at the great champions of Zatara. They have fallen before my feet. Soon the rest of their comrades will join them in death.”

I saw Westcon writhing around on the ground trying to get up. If I could only distract the captain for a small amount of time, Westcon might be able to make a recovery and then we could finish this battle. I slowly brought myself to my feet and limped towards the general. I must be a glutton for punishment. Here goes nothing. I addressed him, “I think you are the real coward.”

He looked at me and laughed, “How am I the coward? I took on both of you at the same time.”

I had his attention now so I kept talking, “You chose to fight the two weakest members of our squad. If you were a real man you would have fought A.J. and Jon. You took the easy road and picked a battle you knew you could win.”

He was outraged now but it was working, Westcon was on his feet. The Captain responded, “You ungrateful squells, I could have executed you all, but instead I gave you a chance to prove yourself. That’s the problem with you Zatts you don’t know your place.”

Westcon was now to his feet and charging up for a big attack. I needed a bit more time. I thought for a long time about my next words. I shouted at him, “I know my place it’s between you and your world where only the strong survive. You grossly underestimate those who you consider to be week. Our universe was built on the backs of the weak. Power doesn’t make you any better than anyone else. I wouldn’t exactly call myself a warrior, all I wanted was a normal nine to five job, but instead got stuck fighting you. I may not be able to kill you but we made you bleed, you too are weak.”

Soldiers who were spectating were yelling, look out Westcon is right behind you but he was so focused on me now he didn’t hear their warnings. The captain approached me, “You have chosen your path, now you will die.”

At that moment Westcon spoke, “I never knew you were such a poet Shodon. You said it a hell of a lot better than I could have that’s for sure.” With that he released a powerful jet of energy that hit our foe right in the back. There was a large explosion and Westcon was knocked back down from the force of his ow blast. The captains smoking body fell to the ground. We did it we had won.

There was smoke coming off of the captains back and the flesh was severely burnt I could see his muscles and some of his bones. On top of that the smell was awful. However, the captain proceeded to try and get up. His arms shook as he used them to try and lift himself up but it was no use.

He knew his life was passing away and with his final breathes he said,” You cheated I was stronger. I should have won. I’m more powerful than both of you put together.”

Westcon, mustered a laugh, “It’s not cheating its surviving. You may be stronger than us but you’re brash and arrogant and this time you bit off more than you can chew, and a piece of my collar bone. What kind of savage does that?”

A desperate man now stood before us, he didn’t look near as intimidating anymore. Eyes that once burned with confidence were now wide with fear. He pled his to case before the jury, “This is all wrong, I was only trying to cleanse the galaxy. What about the age built for the strong? Don’t you guys understanding you are messing up the natural order of things. You may have defeated me but Zatara can never win. You are exceptions to the rule, but you eight can’t defeat a whole army it’ll never be enough the win the war. Enjoy your time while it lasts because a new age is coming.” Those were his final words.

We had done it. We had actually won. All my fears and visions of failure were incorrect and I stood hear alive. The aftermath of the battle had left the crater looking much different from when our fight began. The crater was deeper in some place a stray energy blast had blown a hole in the ground. There were also holes in the walls of the crater. In one particular section, the walls had been damaged so badly in one section that the crater had collapsed in on itself.

We didn’t fare too much better than the crater. There was a throbbing pain in my wrist radiating from the fracture. I had to avoid eye contact with it or I would feel sick to my stomach. The general lie motionless in the center of the crater. Westcon was holding his shoulder where the general had bitten him trying to suppress the bleeding but it was still flowing out from under his hands. The battle was over and we had won our freedom along with the stone, but without a ship, getting home before Westcon bled out wasn’t likely.

He stumbled forward tripping over a stalagmite like structure. I ran over to him ignoring my own pain. Westcon tried to say something, but I told him, “Don’t speak save your strength.” Together we somehow struggled our way up the steep embankment of the crater, and onto the surface. We were met with the looks of hundreds of scared soldiers.

Enter Tyerow Hawkins

I can’t believe they slayed the giant. All the odds were stacked against them but somehow they still pulled it out. However, the situation was still tense at best. Could we really expect the enemy to hold up their end of a stupid bet? Many of the soldiers hung their heads in defeat but others had their barrels pointed right at Shodon and Westcon. Part of me wanted to attack the soldier’s whey they weren’t looking, but as we can learn from General Catorce’s example, reckless abandon usually isn’t the best option.

Surprisingly, Jon was the first to act. He turned his attention to Colonel Polanski and lifted the stone right out of his hands with his telekinetic powers. The stone floated through the air and into his open hands.

Colonel looked utterly defeated as he ordered his soldiers, “men to retreat before enforcements came. “It was at this point that the enemy soldiers accepted defeat, and we walked out of enemy capture with the stone in our hand. All of us but Westcon who had succumb to blood loss and passed out. He was now slung over A.j.’s shoulder.

We walked a couple of hundred feet away before anyone said a word. Jin was the first to speak. He asked, “What’s the plan now do we just keep walking until we replace a town?” Droves of enemy soldiers walked away with their eyes cast down too ashamed to look up. Even so there was no place to go. Danforth was destroyed and so was our ship.

Jin echoed my concerns. He asked, “Where do we go from here. I’m worried we’ll dry up in this sweltering heat.”

Jon answered Jin, “I’m not the least bit worried. The Zatt army should be here soon. None of you have been thinking straight since Mott died. As soon as our ship was taken captive. I sent out a distress call, to Polanski. They know where we are at all times because the microchips implanted in our skin. I thought they would already be here, but never-the-less, they will be able to replace us.”

A.J. said, “Of course we weren’t thinking straight. Mott was best friend it is only natural to be a little shook. I’m thankful you were composed enough to make the call, but its not normal to be that composed after the death of a loved one Do you lack empathy?”

Jon was thinking of something witty to say, but he never got the chance as Shodon quickly asked Jon, “May I hold the stone for a bit, I think I’ve at least earned that.”

Jon replied to the wounded warrior, “Of course.”

Something strange happened the second Shodon grabbed the stone. The swirling aura that resided inside the stone shot and was now swirling around Shodon’s body. He cried out almost as if in agony and fell to the ground. The aura at its center now radiated outside the stone. First it was purple, then green and finally red before it stopped. Shodon got up but something was different about him. His radius wasn’t protruding out his wrist anymore. In fact, all of his wounds had completely healed!

Shodon looked happy for the first time, for the first time in a while, or at the very least since the mission had started. He said, “We have to give this magic stone to Westcon so he won’t bleed out.

A.J. responded to Shodon’s suggestion, “I want to help Westcon as much as the next guy, but we have to make sure this stone has enough juice in it to revive Mott.”

A.J. may have had a valid point, but the way I saw it the possibilities of this stone were endless. The swirling mass inside of the stone was still active leading me to believe there was still sufficient power within the stone

I told A.J., “We couldn’t help the circumstances that led to Mott’s death, but I can’t sit here and willingly let Westcon die.” There was some more discussion, but we agreed to let Westcon use the stone.

Now was the moment of truth. A.J. lay the now unconscious Westcon down on the salty ground. Westcon didn’t have the capacity to hold things at the moment so Shodon placed the stone on his chest and similarly aura rushed out of the stone in a variety of colors. Westcon awoke from his unconscious state with his body completely healed. He removed his blood stained and tattered shirt and examined his torso before saying, “Wow not even a scratch.”

A.J. reached down and embraced him in his massive arms telling him, “I’m so happy you’re alive.”

Westcon smiled as he responded, “Says the guy who a couple minutes earlier was like, ‘“We can’t use the stone on Westcon it’ll run out of juice.”’ Yeah I heard of all of ya. Seemed like Tyerow was then only one who wanted me alive.”

A.J. quickly tried to defend himself, “It was a hard decision, I didn’t want to make it, but we set out to get this stone for the sole purpose of bringing Mott back and I don’t want to come home empty handed.”

Westcon laughed, “I’m giving you a hard time, but it does feel good knowing I’m not going to die now. Also, Jon your cold heartless nature came in handy thank you.” Jon shrugged it off.

We walked a bit further trying to distance ourselves from the enemy camp, In case they changed their mind. Westcon stumbled and fell over. He was still weak though his body had been healed. I theorized that the stone healed his wounds and didn’t replace the blood he’d lost. Jin and I got on either side and provided the support he needed to walk. I told him, “You’re the MVP today.”

He replied in the most Westcon way possible, “Well not everyone can be as cool as me.” This stone seemed to have restored his snark as well.

Though the mission wasn’t over yet. I allowed myself to relax a little. The fear lodged in my chest that had been trying to claw its way out of my mortal vessel subsided. I could have sworn I saw A.J.’s mouth give way to a small smile and I may have done the same. We had survived certain death. Elohim wasn’t through with us yet.

That said, the sooner we left Danforth the better. Between the extreme heat and the UV rays, my skin didn’t stand a chance. My forearms were a light shade of pink and warm to the touch. I’m sure the stone would easily be able to heal my burnt skin, but I had no idea how much power it had left. Anyway, tender skin was a very minor injury in this line of work.

Despite our victory everyone was drained from the events that had transpired so we walked in silence. This only lasted for the span of a couple of minutes. That is until Jin shouted, “Look up in the sky. The Zatt army is here.”

I couldn’t tell if they were friendly ships from the ground but I prayed he was right. Jin was quite a pilot so he probably knew what he was talking about. There was another large ship in the sky, but this one looked like it was retreating. It disappeared into the atmosphere beyond view within a couple of minutes. That must have been the General’s ship, meaning the colonel and some of the enemy soldiers had gotten away but I would hardly consider this a failure the other way this situation could ended is with all of our deaths.

One of the ships in the sky was now approaching us. It was hard to tell what kind of a ship it was at first. It looked really boxy and not aerodynamic in the slightest. The two wings came out the top of the ship instead of its sides and it had two booster engines at the rear.

The ship eventually landed in front of us. Our saving grace was an ugly ship to say the least. It was brown or maybe that was just rust from many years of use. There were two laser cannons on the underbelly of the ship both which were partially buried in the salt now. I’d be willing to bet this sad ship couldn’t make it out of the planet’s atmosphere, but it was in better shape than our current ship. R.I.P.

Shortly after touching down a landing a large door opened on the left side of the ship. Out of the doorway stepped a man. He was a short man being only slightly taller than Westcon. His head was buzzed and he sported a blonde mustache with specks of gray peppered in. His eyes were sunken into his head and there were bags under them as well giving him a menacing look. If he wasn’t wearing the traditional uniform of the Zatt army. He had a couple of medals but not as many as the slain general. On his right breast pocket was a badge that said, “Cpt. Markel.”

He reached out his hand to A.J. who was standing closest to the ship and introduced himself, “I’m Captain Markel of the 101st regiment. I’m here to save your life.” His services were greatly appreciated, but I didn’t have the heart to break it to him that he actually didn’t save our lives.

A.J. reached out his hand and the introduction ritual was complete. Markel commented on the handshake as he rubbed his wrist, “What a grip you have.”

A.J. quickly apologized, “Sorry about that must have had a lot of tension it’s been a rough day.”

The captain laughed it off, “Well A.J. is super strong but I’m most curious about Jon McElroy. Heard he can move things with his mind. Telekinetic. Can you show me this Jon?”

Jon didn’t even look over at Markel before answering. “ I’m not some freak in an exhibit or a performing monkey.”

The captain didn’t give up, “Come on just one thing I’ve never seen telekinesis before.”

Jon swiveled his head and made direct eye contact with the captain. Next thing we knew, Markel was suspended in mid-air three feet off the ground.

The floating captain shrieked in a much higher voice, “put me down now.”

Jon pushed his luck and held him up for another couple for seconds. I interceded, “Jon put him down so we can go home.” Jon complied with my request and we boarded the ship.

Upon entering the ship it became clear that this was a paratrooper ship. There were metal seat that lined the walls. Also on the walls, were body armor assault rifles and parachutes In the middle of the giant room were large crates strapped to the floor with cables. Between the turbulent take off and the hard metal seats it was an uncomfortable ride. I’m surprised it didn’t happen earlier, but after we had taken off Markel finally asked about the stone.

Markel asked Westcon, “Hey Westcon, what’s that thing your holding.”

Westcon responded as vaguely as possible, “some kind of stone that the council wanted us to retrieve. Who knows why they need it, but it nearly got us killed. Their general was stupid enough to challenge Westcon and myself to a fight. Winner’s gets the stone and keeps their life.”

The captain nodded his head, “Well that explains your lack of shirt and all the blood on Shodon’s shirt. Can I hold the stone? Never seen anything like it in all my years.”

Westcon nervously handed over the stone. I’m pretty sure Charles Blixer would have a heart attack if he realized this stranger was touching this mythical object. As long as we played it cool he’d have no idea the power of the stone.

Markel was fixated on the swirling light inside the stone it changed colors. He said, “It’s so warm I can feel and I can feel its energy moving through me.

Westcon replied, “This desert heat is making you crazy I’ll be needing that stone back now.”

He held onto it a couple more minutes but eventually gave Westcon back the stone.

Charles Blixer’s eyes were wide with joy when we returned. We followed him back down to the secret cave, but had trouble keeping up with him. There was a certain spring to his step, he was rather spry for an old man. We finally reached the stone table in the inner room and on it lay the cryogenic preservation box. Charles typed a sequence of numbers into the keypad.

There was an icy blue glow that emanated from the box as the lid was removed. Charles said, “Give me a hand I ain’t as strong as I used to be.” A.J. lifted Mott’s charred corpse and grimaced as he did. Turns out Mott’s body was very cold due to be in the cryogenic preservation box. He lay the body on the table and then shook his hands as if in great pain.

After taking another look at Mott’s corpse, I got nervous. Besides being dead, He was in such bad condition. His arms were burned off up to the elbow and there was a giant hole in his chest. Even if the stone brought him back to life would it restore his arm, or would he be a paraplegic the rest of his life?”

Charles then inquired of us, “I assume you do have the stone? Present it to me now and proceeded to behold a miracle.” A.J. reached into his backpack and pulled out the stone. What a strange place to keep such an item of value, but then again, where else was he going to keep it?

A.J. presented Charles with the stone, this was the moment of truth. We were on the edge of our seats. I almost forgot to breathe. Charles placed the stone on Motts charred torso. There was a bright flash of light. In fact, it was much brighter than our previous uses of the stone. A myriad of different colored auras swirled around Mott’s body. The lights were so bright it was hard to see, but I still caught glimpses of what was going on. Almost instantly, muscle and skin started to regenerate right in front of our very eyes. It was memorizing and terrifying simultaneously. Then the stone did something new, it vanished into thin air.

Mott still lie motionless. What was the point of healing his body if he was still going to be dead? I was impatient and asked Charles, “Does it usually take this long?”

Charles looked concerned as he told me, “Honestly, I don’t remember.”

Our question was soon answered when Mott’s torso sprang off the ground. He was now setting straight up. His eyes were wide and he was breathing heavy, it was obvious Mott had no idea where he was or why he was there. It was one of the happiest moments in my life. I was literally jumping for joy. We had done to impossible. Everyone was celebrating in their own way, but one thing was certain, everyone was elated

Charles rushed over to Mott with teardrops dripping from the corner of his eyes and threw his arms around his nephew, “The chances of retrieving the stone were pretty low. It seemed like an easy task, but nothing is never that easy. The stone brings trouble wherever it happens to be. That said, I so glad to see your face full of life Mott. I already lost you once as a child when your family were murdered and you fled to the streets.”

Mott asked his uncle, “What do you mean, thought I’d lost you? What stone are you talking about? Why does everyone acting so weird? None of this makes any sense.”

Before Charles could answer Jon asked Mott, “What’s the last thing you remember?”

Mott thought long and hard before answering Jon, “It’s kind of fuzzy but there was a tank, and it was trying to attack our ship. Admiral Karantis and I had just fought. He injected me with a strange poison.”

Jon said, “ I didn’t know you were poisoned, but you definitely took on a tank . Try and remember more.”

Mott strained for a bit but then it came to him all at once. A look of panic was on his face as the words rushed forth from his lips, “I stood up to a tank, took the full force of the blast if I remember must have been out for a while. Also, I was poisoned. Can’t believe I lived through all that.”

Charles released Mott from his embrace and got eye level with him before speaking, “This is going to be hard to process, but you were dead for almost four days.”

Mott laughed, “This is the prank of the century. You all take me from my hospital bed and wake me up in wherever this is. You even got my uncle in on this who I’ve only seen once since moving to Mako City.”

Mott started clapping, “Bravo good con. Nice try guys, but I ain’t buying it.”

A.J. said, “Don’t you think taking a direct hit from a tank would leave a scar. Look at your torso, is there a scar?”

Mott examined his exposed chest before replying to A.J., “I’m getting a little hairy, probably need to shave, but don’t notice any scars that weren’t.”

A.J. informed him, “This morning there was a hole in your chest and your arms were melted off below the elbow.” Mott held up his arms and examined them seeing they were perfectly intact and said, “Okay I’m starting to believe you tell me more.”

From here we went on to explain the whole story about the stone and our run in with the General Zellus Catorce, his duel with the Adon’s, and how we returned victorious with stone in hand.”

Mott said, “Well it’s a lot to take in. I want to say you’re the best friends anyone could ask for. Also, Uncle Charles, don’t feel bad about not doing enough to replace me in the past. My experiences made me who I am today, and you’ve more than made up for it by giving me a second chance at life. Lastly, someone replace me a shirt and let’s go grab some food.

Jin excitedly interjected, “How about Miranda’s Café?”

That’s exactly what we planned to do, but there were a couple of orders of business we had to attend to before we could feast. Charles informed us that Polanski wanted us to return to headquarters. Since our ship had been destroyed by the general one of the council ships transported us to HQ.

Upon our arrival, we were given new com-links as well since our old ones were all destroyed when we were prisoners. Lucky, for us they had back up all our files in their mainframe so we didn’t miss a beat. It was like we never even lost them. On the flip side this means they had access to all of our pictures and messages. It was a breach in privacy, but this time it worked out in our favor.

From there we were summoned to Polanski’s office. Was he going to assign us a new mission? Physically I was fine, but mentally I needed some time to relax before going out into the field. We descended into the familiar dungeon awaiting our fate. Upon, entrance I noticed something was different. For the first time Polanksi was standing instead of sitting in his chair.”

Polanski spoke, “As your aware we aren’t the greatest of friends.” I was very much aware of this truth.

He continued, “However, as much as I hate to admit it today your mission was a total success. The ship was destroyed and some of that will coming out of your pay checks, but this is beside the point. Westcon, Shodon you killed the enemies main general and for the first time in this war I feel like we have the upper hand.”

He walked towards them and he shook Shodon’s hand first and then Westcon’s hand. I rubbed my eyes, were they deceiving me?

Jon addressed Polanski, “I thought you were scared of catching whatever disease that makes us freaks.”

Polanski fired back, “Jon I’ll shake your hand when you do something important.”

From there we decided we would go home and get cleaned up before going to Miranda’s Café. We were quite the motley crew last time we ate there. I got on my speeder and started the trip home.

I started to reflect on my life. It had been almost one year to day since Samsara and our first mission. War was an evil in all senses of the word, yet its fires had refined me, and burned away many of my impurities and imperfections. I still remembered that day when the governor’s ship was attacked and my life was thrown into chaos. The light had pierced the canopy of the Yara trees. It was an imperfect system, but what was the point of a perfect system?

A perfect system is safe and comfortable, but there’s no room for growth, not driving force for change. In no way am I advocated for war, there are better ways to expand one’s horizons, but this war has been a galvanizing force in my life. If I’m saying anything it’s that the Tyerow Hawkins of today is a better man than the Tyerow Hawkins of a year ago.

I used to think life was one big Roshma, this epic journey that started at birth and ended at death. My thinking has changed. I now believe life is composed of many Roshma’s. The General Catorce may be dead but there are still more chapters and a long way to go until Zatara is free. However, I could take a break from all of that for one night and enjoy the sweeter things of life with great friend. It is written eat, drink, and be merry for tomorrow we will die. One can never know what darkness lies beyond the horizon.