Part 8 - Leaving the Nest

"The Meditation seems to only bring more questions Father." Zo'ruuk said emphatically. Standing before his Fathers desk, the old man sitting behind it listening quietly. "I have seen a woman, me killing creatures I do not know. My hands had flesh like the humans that walk the streets. I have decided. I am going to look for answers. I wish to have your blessing for this journey." Zo'ruuk said nervously, he did not want to upset the Exo. The Exo leaned on the table, obviously thinking. "I give this journey my blessing, I wish you well in any of your endeavors my child." He said exhaustingly, he stood up to face Zo'ruuk. "You will go on this quest, but I have something for you, it has been passed down since The Great Cleansing of our people, in my family. Father to Son." He said turning to the great bookcase. Zo'ruuk was utterly shocked and touched at the old exos sentiment. Zo'ruuk watched as the old man pulled up the sleeves of his shirt and hold his hands facing the books before him. He began to speak in a language that touched deep inside Zo'ruuk. It sounding like a great echoing grind of metal on stone. His hands lit up with a faint white light and the bookcase began to move. The middle shelves recessed into the the wall and slid from sight revealing a case of weapons that had age and emanated great power. He reached for a blade in the center, black and curved, it wasn't a sword, but not quite a dagger. He clasped it and it glowed a faint blue for a moment. The old Exo turned and held the blade in both hands out towards Zo'ruuk. "In the language I spoke, it meant 'From Father to Son It Is Passed'," he explained. "It is now yours." He said, nodding to the blade. Zo'ruuk reached out and clasped the hilt of the mighty weapon. The blade glowed a faint orange for a moment. "Only our people can wield this weapon, and only can be held by the son of an Exo." Father said. Zo'ruuk felt touched, and his chest ached. "T-Thank you father." he stammered. "Now go my boy, into the world." The Old Exo said strongly. Zo'ruuk nodded and turned and walked to his quarters. Tere he packed. He put on some old Traveling boots, decent pants and shirt, and an old duster he had found out in the street one day. Slinging his pack over his shoulder, his blade sheathed to his belt at the small of his back. Zo'ruuk was a citizen of the city, but he had not explored it all. He often kept his head down and watched where he stepped. He knew the way to the gate well enough to make it in good time. As he left the Grand marble building, he took a right down the asphalt. Walking calmly he avoided crowds and people as he walked, but just a few streets over, he was stopped. A soldier approached Zo'ruuk. A young human man he observed, a messenger by the looks of his little armor and the red and brown colors of his clothes. "I-I have a message for you sir." The young man said, looking up at the giant of an Exo. "Your name is Z-Zo'ruuk, yes?" He stammered. "Yes it is, what is the message?" Zo'ruuk stated, anxious to be on his way. "If you w-would, please follow m-me. The Council has requested that you meet with the Guardians Contractor." the young man said, turning, looking anxious to be on his way himself. What did they want with me? Zo'ruuk thought, he had heard about the Guardians of the City, but he had no inclinations to become mettled in their affairs. "Let us be on our way then." Zo'ruuk said frustrated. Down the street they walked, the little man fidgeting and nervous. Zo'ruuk started to notice they were heading to the militarized district. Soldier Sentry Droids became apparent, standing on street corners, keeping their silent vigil, gears and circuits whirring. Looking up Zo'ruuk saw they were heading to the Tower, the grand building where the Council was held. Nearing the base, the young messenger turned, "If you w-would sir, stay close, the b-building we need to be is at the base of the T-Tower." He proceeded to head down a street, took a left down another and towards a three story white marble building at the end, indeed at the base of the Tower. Nearing the entrance Zo'ruuk saw many of the droids making their rounds. Being near such lifeless beings always unsettled him. The doors slid silently apart and they entered into a grand hall. Not much adornment or pageantry but the grandeur was in its simplicity Zo'ruuk thought. The messenger nodded at the Awoken Guard, who's piercing orange eyes seemed to burn through Zo'ruuks. Zo'ruuk was not intimidated by the Pale Skins. Father had told him they were often a sneaky and cunning race, to be trusted only when asleep, and half only then, Zo'ruuk mused. They entered a large elevator at the end of the hall, the middle of three. The young man hit the third story button. A whir of air, and the doors opened to a hallway. The young man looked back at Zo'ruuk and smiled nervously, humans, Zo'ruuk chuckled, sending the man in a hurry down the hallway, Zo'ruuks long legs keeping up with ease. They passed many doors, until they reached one, indiscernible from the others the young man knocked. "Enter." He heard muffled from the other side, a Exo by the sounds of it. The young man swung the door open and Zo'ruuk entered. It was a simple office, the back wall was glass, letting in a view of the wall and the noon sky, soldiers and drones doing their rounds. Book cases lined the walls, but it was the person sitting behind the unadorned desk that caught Zo'ruuks attention. He couldnt quite place it, but he knew the Exo sitting there somehow. The Exo stood, smiling. "Hello Zo'ruuk. I am Tor'iik." He stated. Something inside Zo'ruuk stirred. Who was this Exo? To Be Continued.... -I hope you enjoyed thread, more is always on the way, please comment and like if you enjoyed this one!-