The Start Of The Search

I stopped when I saw Soldier Paulus waiting outside the room. He was leaning his back against a wall with his head looking down. When he noticed me, he immediately looked up and his eyes widened. He walked towards me and a smile formed on his lips. 

"So you really can't refuse the offer to stay in this-"

"Stupid. Your Prince forced me." I cut him off and passed by him. I was about to open the door when...

"Princess." I can tell how serious he is just from the way he speaks my name. I didn't face him, instead, I waited for him to speak again.

"You are the only one the humanity can rely on." He seriously stated. I didn't understand him. Why me? Is it because I met the Princess they've been looking for?

I sighed. Without facing him, I spoke. "Why didn't you take the princess when you had the chance? Why did you take me instead? You knew I was talking with Princess Aries, right?"

Seconds have passed but I didn't get any response from him. Is he going to ignore me? What a disrespectful alien!

"Nevermind it." I continued. Looks like he really didn't want to say it. But because of what he did, Earth is still unharmed until today. I am thankful because of him. He saved us and our planet. But this is still the beginning. I still have lots of things to do. I am a human, and I don't think I will be able to beat those royal-blooded aliens. Still, I will fight, even if it will cost my life.

I rotated the doorknob and opened the door. I stepped inside and took a glance on Soldier before I planned on closing it. My eyes widened when I saw him staring at me. His green eyes are telling me something. I don't know how to explain it but I see sadness. Why?

"Soldier-" I was about to talk to him when he turned his back on me.

"Rest, Earthling. We will start our search when the sun rises." And he took steps away from me. All I can do is to stare at his back. What was that? Why do I feel like Soldier Paulus, just like humans, is a prisoner in the royal-blooded aliens' cell?

I stayed in a comfortable and beautiful room with lots of sparkling things surrounding me. I laid my body on a soft and fragrant bed. But my mind's not at ease. My thoughts are wandering around. I stared at the ceiling, thinking about the future of mankind, about Adam and about my mom. Why do I feel like I am the only hope for the future of our planet? Why do I feel like I need to shoulder everything? I am just a mere human, I have no chance against the aliens.

I only slept for not more than three hours. I couldn't sleep and my mind's keeping me awake. Soldier Paulus asked me how was my first night in a gigantic spaceship, I honestly told him I can't sleep. He chuckled as a response. And he finds it funny?

"I never thought Earthland would be this beautiful. More beautiful than Quadrolien, I have to be frank." He turned his gaze around while we are strolling the place as a start of our search for Princess Aries. I rolled my eyes inside my thought. The surrounding's not the usual anymore. Trashes are everywhere, the roofs of the houses were blown away, structures were even destroyed because of them. Their gigantic spaceship must have caused this.

"You call this beautiful? This looks like an abandoned planet, thanks to you." I crossed my arms in front of my chest. He chuckled again which made me frown. What in the world is funny again? 

"You never failed to make me happy, Earthling." He grinned and looked at me. I don't know why but my cheeks suddenly felt hot so I avoided my gaze. I don't want to let this alien see my face turning red. 

Hours have passed and my body started to lose energy to walk so I decided to take a break and sat down at the side of the road. I leaned my back on a structure and it brought a wonderful sensation. I lifted my head to see Soldier who was confused.

"Don't you get tired?" I asked him and he shook his head.

"I don't. Do humans get tired?" He returned my question.

"Isn't it obvious?" 

"I apologize. So Earthlings are vulnerable. You easily gets weak. Aliens get tired too, but never this early." He sat beside me.

"Maybe I am weak. But not all humans easily get tired. It depends on how they take care of their own body." I remained my eyes laid in front of me.

"I understand." He heaved a sigh so I shifted my gaze on him. He lifted his head up high so I did the same. The sky's so clear and blue. I would think that it's just a normal day here on Earth. Peaceful. People are just doing their daily chores. I even imagined myself and Adam to be collecting unused plastics and cans and sell them to the collectors. Mom would also be working in our neighborhood in order to have food to serve on our table. Everything was perfect, before the aliens came. I'm mad. How can these aliens destroy the future of humanity, especially the new generations? I formed my hands into fists. How could they destroy the future of Adam? He still has a lot to learn in life. 

After we took time to rest, we continued the search. We didn't find even a single trace of the survivors. There are a lot of people on Earth, there's no way that the aliens could take all the humans here. 

I kept on thinking deeply. The royal-blooded aliens have insane power. It is not impossible for them to take all living organisms on Earth. But if they really possess such tremendous power, they could've easily find the Princess. The Soldier told me their powers have limitations, so that could be a reason why they couldn't find the princess. However, still...

For goodness' sake, they are still powerful! The search for the princess should only be a piece of cake for them!

"Princess." I came back to my senses when Soldier, who was walking beside me, suddenly called out my name.

"Yes?" 

"Are you willing to avenge someone important to you?" He asked. I squinted my eyes on him. Why is he suddenly asking this question?

"I don't know." I returned my eyes to my front. "Revenge can never do good to me."

"Of course it does. You will get justice."

"I can never solve a problem with another problem. I'll probably just leave everything to those who are under the law."

"But what if those under the law are those who killed your loved ones?"

I stopped walking and faced him again with my forehead knotted. I placed my hands on my waist and tried to read Soldier's mind. He was surprised and he has no idea what I am doing. 

"Are you planning to avenge someone?" I jokingly asked, but a serious tone.

It took seconds for him to respond, just to ignore my question.

"Let's continue." 

We continued walking, but we still don't see any sign of a living being. It's getting hot as well because the sun's right above us. We stopped to pick some fruits for us to eat. Soldier has no idea that humans eat fruits. He told me that aliens eat raw living things and moving ones which makes me almost wanna throw up. They're eating moving creatures? You mean, they're alive? Doesn't it tickles?

The day ended, but still we have no luck. We didn't find any humans. Where could they be now? Were they hiding? Or probably the aliens took all of them? But if that is so, there wouldn't be a need for the search, right? That could mean, the aliens find it hard to look for beings that are hidden. 

"Can I visit Adam, my brother?" I asked Soldier the moment we arrived at the gigantic spaceship. I really missed him and I can't wait to see him again. I also wanted to ask if he is okay. Maybe the Queen has been abusing him and here I am, doing nothing.

"Princess, when the Queen has been doing something wrong, the King would just tell her to stop. Believe me." He said.

"The King? But what if the King is also supporting her evil-"

"Believe me, Princess." He stated seriously, making me gulp. Okay, now he's really getting serious. "Go to your room now, Princess. We still have to continue the search tomorrow."

I nodded.

Just like my first time in this comfortable beautiful room, I only slept for few hours. My body wanted to sleep in our bed, not in this kind of bed.

When I opened the door of my room, Soldier surprised me which made me wanna jump. He laughed afterwards but I punched him on his shoulder. He then stopped laughing.

"I was just trying to cheer you up. You've been overthinking, I know that. You weren't able to sleep well last night, were you?"

I sighed and nodded.

"I mean, who wouldn't be? Humanity is in danger." I stated.

"Don't worry, this will surely end." He tapped my shoulder gently. His hands were so gentle, I can't help but feel assured. I don't know but I think I wanna trust this alien. I know he's kind, I can feel it.

"Enough with the flirting stage and just continue your mission." We stood straight and faced Prince when he suddenly appeared here. His face was cold as always, I can't read what he is thinking. 

"I apologize, my Prince. I actually just wanted to cheer the Earthling. She needs to have the energy for our task." Soldier bowed to him.

The Prince kept his eyes on me. I might have thought that he would use his power and make me disappear because of how he death glared at me.

"This is the first time I saw you enjoying the company of another, Soldier. And with a human." The Prince shifted his gaze on Soldier.

"She's fun to be with, my Prince. She can make someone's lonely life, happy. I actually wanted to be at her side always." Soldier said which made my cheeks flush. What is this alien saying?

"Do you mean to say, you are lonely when you're with your fellow aliens?"

"No, not at all, my Prince. Of course I'm-"

"Shut it. You already said so yourself, Soldier and stop making excuses. I can't believe that a lowly-human would make a difference in you. But as if I care." The Prince turned his back on us. Before he left, he said something that makes my knees weaken.

"When my bride is found, I have to kill that human so you may make the most of your time with her."