Deathstalker 05 - Deathstalker Destiny

than most people do in a lifetime. Be proud of that."
    "You're trying to say goodbye, aren't you. Deathstalker?" said Hazel, holding his eyes with hers. "One way or another, we're never going to meet again, are we?"
    "Who knows?" said Owen. "We started this journey with our eyes wide open, and we knew what we were getting into. Everyone knows most heroes and legends don't have happy endings. I wish… we could have had the things that everyone else has, and takes for granted; home and family and children. Some time to ourselves, untouched by need or politics or destiny. But we were never meant for that kind of life, you and I. You're the best thing that ever happened to me, Hazel d'Ark.
    I wouldn't trade a moment of it, for all the years I might have had, as a spoiled, self-satisfied minor scholar."
    "And you're the best thing that ever happened to me, Owen Deathstalker." Hazel struggled to keep her voice even. "Before you came into my life and ruined everything, I had to struggle to find a reason to get out of bed in the morning.
    You showed me what duty and honor were, and gave purpose to my life, even if you did have to drag me into it kicking and screaming all the way. Because of you, I became someone who mattered, instead of just another minor criminal."
    "This isn't necessarily the end," Owen said desperately. "I could come out of the Maze with all the power I need to destroy the Recreated. The new Sunstrider could have all the firepower you need to hold them off and keep you safe. Maybe we'll save Humanity one last time, and then walk off into the sunset together.
    Stranger things have happened."
    "Yes," said Hazel. "Maybe." And neither of them believed it.
    They moved abruptly together and hugged each other close, heads pressed together, warm cheek pressed against warm cheek; at least partly so they wouldn't have to look into each other's eyes anymore. Their breathing sounded loud and strained in each other's ears, and they could feel each other's heart beating. They held on to each other as if they might be pulled apart at any moment, trying to make one moment last forever. In the end, it was Owen who let go first, and slowly pushed Hazel away from him. He'd always been the one who understood duty and honor; the one with a core of unbreakable iron in his heart.
    The one to do what needed doing, whatever the cost. A Deathstalker.
    They looked into each other's eyes and neither of them cried, for fear of upsetting the other.
    "I love you," said Owen. "And I always will. I'll never forget you as long as I live."
    "I'll never forget you," said Hazel. "Not even if I live forever."
    Owen waited a moment, but Hazel had nothing more to say. Owen understood. He smiled one last time, kissed her gently on the lips, and moved quickly away. He looked over at the Madness Maze.
    "I'm ready."
    He heard a puff of disturbed air behind him, as Hazel was teleported up to the new Sunstrider, and the air rushed in to fill the vacuum where she'd been. He never expected to see her again. But of course, he did.
    Hazel materialized on the bridge of the Sunstrider, and looked quickly around her. Her heart missed a beat as she saw that the bridge was now exactly what she'd seen in her dream; the old familiar setting from Sunstrider II. She moved quickly forward to check out the expanded control panels, and found the transformed ship now boasted more weapons and fire control systems than an E
    class starcruiser. And one hell of a set of defensive shields. Presumably the Maze felt she'd need them.
    She activated the main viewscreen. They were still there. The Recreated, clustering around the Wolfling World like rats round a dying man. She could almost feel waves of hate and rage coming from them. Hazel snarled at the screen. She stood between them and the Deathstalker, guarding his back as always, and that was all that mattered. She'd faced impossible odds before, and somehow survived. Perhaps that had all been training, for her to be at this place, at this time, and not be intimidated.
    To stand at the mouth of the pass, denying the Enemy entrance; to be the guard at the gate for all Humanity.
    She just wished she didn't have to do it alone.
    And then she noticed a flash of light at the edge of the screen, and knew immediately what it was. The Dauntless. Silence's legendary ship, that had never lost a battle. She wasn't alone after all. Hazel laughed aloud, and turned her attention to the weapons console. Everything was linked through a