Chapter 9: Words left unsaid.
The familiar sights of central Paradis unfolded in Arbus's vision as they stepped off the ship that was surrounded by countless similar vessels – most belonging to Commanders and administrative personnel.
It was a rowdy, bustling settlement composed of various species from this star system and beyond.
Arbus could see crowded pathways between the tall colorful buildings and market stalls that lined the area. There were countless vendors advertising their numerous wares and services.
Various tourists gawked upward as they took images of the Hold. Hotels and restaurants competed for business, their signs promising the most exhilarating experience in all of Paradis.
Almost all of them roamed the bright streets with cheerful expressions etched on their faces.
This unusual activity was permitted by the Sentinel, who had no problem with towns being formed around the hold.
Unlike most Sentinels, he preferred to be closer to the people living on his moon. The citizens of Paradis were naturally excited by the idea – after all not many could claim to live next to a Sentinel.
It was also the safest location in the star system.
Seeing all of this again brought back a flood of memories for Arbus.
Memories of when he'd been brought here under far worse circumstances and in a far worse state.
His gaze darkened slightly as he remembered being locked in a holding cell on his own grandfather's ship.
That terrible day was still quite fresh in his mind.
The day he understood the tragic truth of Reincarnators. The day he had gained his immortality. And the day... that he had lost his best and only friend.
He let out a breath as he pulled himself from his self-lothing thoughts.
He glanced to his side to see Bridge staring at the towering frame of the hold in astonishment.
"Wow... So this is the Hold." Bridge murmured in amazement.
Arbus could see similar emotions in Yome's expression, although she seemed more adept at masking it.
Eventually, she coughed slightly as she pulled herself from her reverie and began moving toward the massive structure.
"L-let's go."
Fortunately for them, they did not have to navigate the crowded streets of Central Paradis to get to the hold. There was a pathway leading directly to the hold from their location.
It took them several minutes to finally reach the imposing doors of the most important structure in the star system.
In front of the doors were two commander level guards who had already spotted them from afar.
They paused for a bit as Yome came to a halt.
'Alright, this is fine. It isn't a big deal.'
Yome took several deep breaths as she steadied herself. She was about to meet the Sentinel himself.
The reason she had decided to move to this star system years ago to become a Renegade.
Arbus said nothing as he waited for them to head to the door.
But a second later, his gaze widened.
An expression of shock and disbelief appeared across his features.
Yome and Bridge had almost the same exact expressions as well.
At that moment, a group of extremely recognisable Renegades strode out of the imposing doors of the Hold.
The two commander level guards on duty immediately turned to the door as they bowed in respect.
Arbus's gaze landed on several imposing figures he hadn't laid eyes on for several years now.
Queen Tera of Remarta. King Oti of Tar. Twin rulers of the Shadon collection Bel and Zub. High commander Iberia. Aztec, the commander and chief of the mesh Renegade division. Head commander Respen. Head commander Umber.
And the person he had longed to meet the most for the past six years.
The chief of Tarok, Nash Grimm.
His grandfather.
The high Commanders gazes almost immediately turned towards them the moment their heart senses left the Hold's dampers.
Specifically, towards Arbus.
Several expressions crossed the features of half of the gathered high commanders – especially high Commander Oti who couldn't hide his.
The other half who were usually expressionless had no visible reactions.
Silence stretched across the area for several moments, despite the bustling town behind them.
Then Eventually, they kept moving – drawing closer to the group.
All of them except for Nash Grimm, who stood still at the Hold's entrance – His gaze fixed on Arbus.
The two of them stared at each other for several tense moments.
Arbus could even feel his heart hammering against his ribs.
He didn't even notice as the other head commanders strode past them. Yome and Bridge immediately bowed their heads deeply in respect and reverence.
"We greet the high Commanders!" They said in unison.
The high commanders meanwhile, paid them no heed.
Yome and Bridge weren't too surprised by this. It was well known that High commanders almost never interacted with Renegades of a lesser rank unless necessary.
Part of that was as a way to train their concentration.
Commander Oti was the sole exception, who was still focusing intently on Arbus. His left face scowled at the disrespectful attitude he was showing them, but he didn't bother stopping just because of that.
After the council passed, Yome straightened and glanced over at Arbus, who was still gazing at one of the head commanders intently.
She wanted to urge him forward, but when she saw the sadness in his gaze, she decided to wait a bit more.
Eventually head commander Nash sighed deeply as his fist clenched by his sides.
He strode forward in large strides past the two hold guards glancing at him worriedly.
Arbus noticed his sudden change and stepped forward slightly, trying his best to let out the words he'd been wanting to say to his grandfather for so long.
"G-grandfather... I'm so-" his words died in his throat as the Tarokian chief breezed past him without a word, completely ignoring his existence.
Yome and Bridge had almost forgotten to bow deeply when they heard Arbus's words.
"G-grandfather??" Bridge muttered.
"Head commander Nash is your Grandfather!?"
Yome was shocked as well, her bright orange eyes wide in disbelief.
She hadn't seen that information on the files she had researched on him.
A half-human being related to a Reincarnator was something she felt would have made of a splash.
It seemed like that information had been purposefully omitted.
She thought of the possibility that he was simply lying but quickly ruled that out. There was no way any Renegade would be bold enough to try such a thing with a high commander.
Nash's complicated expression was also enough to convince her.
Arbus didn't seem to hear bridge as his emerald eyes stared forward, a blank expression resting on his face. .
Once again, he had been ignored.
Yome said nothing for several moments before turning back towards the holds doors. "Let's keep moving. We don't have time to waste."
Arbus gritted his teeth as he followed along.