The black lifeless terrain below promised death and hopelessness. Yet, there was a light in the stars, one which promised life and exploration.

A hulking creature looked at the sky and wondered at the possibilities. He turned his gaze upon the dying planet below. Giant paths in the earth jutted out, pulsing red, then blue, as far as the eye could see. The planet, a now desolate rock, had countless crevasses imitating veins. A faint glow briefly lit the sky, pulling it from the shadows, but inevitably, it faded back into darkness. Each time the veins of the planet’s core lit up, it produced less light, dimming further.

There was nothing they could do to stop their home from dying now. They had fought and lost. Distant skirmishes occasionally pulled his attention from his brooding mood. The Thrak on the surface had been defeated, but it was still too late.

A deep rumbling sound came from the base of the mountain. The blackened stone stretched over the horizon. Another creature sat on all fours gazing out over the mountainside in front of him. He walked up to the edge of the dusty cliff with heavy footsteps and sat next to his old friend. They were motionless for some time, both lost in their own thoughts.

Khan stared down at his scaly legs, his long claws scraped against the rocky earth. Movement caught his eye and he turned to Felkuru.

His friend stared at nothing in the distance, silent, and brooding. He shifted on his haunches, unable or unwilling to say anything. His discomfort, apparent in his silence.

They gazed upward again. The brilliance and beauty of billions of lights stared back at them, never ceasing.

Felkuru lowered his head.

The faint glow continued in intervals of the pulsing red and blue light from the ground. Khan averted his gaze, looking at his brother, his eyes pulsating slowly from blue to red and red to blue. His glowing eyes betrayed his emotions.

Felkuru turned to meet his gaze, their brotherly bond strained as he peered into parts of Felkuru’s memory. Normally, Khan would not believe such a thing was possible but saw the truth within.

Khan asked in a deep low voice, “I assume you will be leaving then? What did he say to you?"

Felkuru hesitated and again looked to be in profound thought.

“He told me I can take as many eggs as I can carry and I will meet someone there," Felkuru said. "It will be up to me whether I help him or not.”

“That’s it? Do you trust him?” Khan turned his head.

“I… I don’t know.” Felkuru inhaled deeply, his scaly chest expanding.

“For what it’s worth.” Khan paused, choosing his words carefully. “As skeptical as I am, if what he says is true, at least one of us will live.”

“I do not wish to leave my home but what else can I do? If there is even a sliver of hope, I must try.” Determination and resolve lit Felkuru’s eyes. “He also said to tell you... don’t be too surprised and listen to what he says.”

“What who says?” Khan wondered. “It sounds as if he loves to speak in riddles.”

“I-I, don’t know, Khan. For as old we are, there's quite a lot we don't know.”

Khan chuckled at Felkuru’s remark. “How many can you carry?” He changed the subject.

Felkuru turned towards him to reveal a dozen eggs attached to his stomach. “Any more and I fear I will lose them.”

“We will make our last stand soon.” Khan again steered the conversation. “There is little hope for us to succeed but we must try. For if we do not fight till our last breath, we are doomed anyway.”

“He’s… too powerful Khan.” Felkuru lowered his head. “But I pray you will succeed. If today has taught me anything, nothing is impossible.”

As if on cue, a loud whooshing sound came from over the edge and tiny black flashes formed over the cliff, slowly growing. It spun faster and faster, then opened. A sudden explosion of light and wind rushed into their faces as they peered over the side. It spun in circles as streaks of white flashed in and out of the black tear in space. Beautiful sparks of light shimmered in and out of focus as if looking into a reflection of water.

They both gazed intently over the edge with stunned expressions. In all their years they had never seen anything like it. It was both breathtaking and terrifying.

“So, it’s true,” Khan whispered. “I had half-hoped it wasn’t, if only to see you stay.”

“I must go, brother. Forgive me for leaving. I hope we will see each other again.” Felkuru said as he stood, preparing to jump. He hesitated.

“Don’t lose hope. I believe he will save us.” Felkuru added.

Khan nodded. He watched as Felkuru leapt over the cliff edge and into the spiraling vortex of light that took him.

“I hope you’re right... brother,” Khan said sadly to himself.

The large scaly creature atop the mountain sat on all fours in silence. After the tear disappeared with a blast of blinding light and a gust of wind, it fell eerily silent.

The silence that followed pierced Khan’s heart. Except for the occasional rumble from the planet’s core, he heard nothing. He looked past his long claws and scaled feet over the edge where Felkuru had vanished.

It was several moments before Khan realized he was not alone. Soft footsteps echoed from behind him. Khan slowly turned his head and watched as the strange figure approached.

“Fel? Wh-Where am I?” the stranger asked with a shaky voice.

“So that’s what he meant,” Khan thought while looking at the small humanoid figure.