Omar went to Minora, who welcomed him with great joy, her heart reassured that he was alive. Minora was impressed by Omar’s intelligence and cunning in leading the resistance. She learned from him that the army had taught them military tactics and how to plan with precision and intelligence. He also told her about the colonial campaigns humans waged against each other, recounting stories of his country’s resistance against Western campaigns and how they had inflicted suffering on the colonizers before they tightened their grip on their nations.
They got into the habit of sitting by a lake at night under the moonlight. She would tell him stories about Atlantis in its glory, and he would tell her about his world and his personal life. They grew fond of each other, and not a day passed that they didn’t meet. The main reason for their bond was Omar saving her from Margoth. She never forgot how he had put his life on the line to rescue her and escape with her, nor how his friend Iyad had sacrificed himself for her. She was deeply saddened when she learned that her father had died on the same day while defending her and the Astra, and she cried for him so much that she fell ill for days. But having Omar by her side eased her grief and helped her regain her strength. Without realizing it, she found herself falling deeply in love with him, seeing him as her valiant knight who defended her and the oppressed, organizing their lives well. Although he was not one of them except by species, he refused to return to his own land, dedicating his life to pulling them out of the darkness they had fallen into and vowing not to leave until he returned them to their home.
It seemed Omar shared the same feelings for her, drawn to her wit, intelligence, high culture, and beauty.
The Astra noticed this and thought it a strange love between two different peoples, but they knew that they were of the same species, their physiological differences only a result of their planet’s environment. Thus, they saw no objection to this love.
That night, upon his return, Omar sat with her by the lake and began to speak. "It seems the colonizers are weakening. Soon they will be forced to withdraw and leave this land."
Minora smiled and looked at the lake, where the moonlight shimmered, making it sparkle as if thousands of luminous jewels were scattered across its surface. Then she said, "Perhaps relief is near, who knows. And it’s thanks to you, of course, you rascal."
Omar laughed and rubbed his nose shyly. "I couldn’t have done this without your support, you rascal."
Her cheeks flushed, and she turned her face away slightly. He continued, "We will launch a major campaign next winter. It will be the final blow. But first, we must weaken them as much as possible for this campaign to succeed. We will throw everything we have at them in one last strike to break their backs and end their dominion over your ancient land... but..."
Minora looked at him with concern. "But what?" she urged.
"I might not survive this campaign, and there will be many casualties, but it’s the only solution."
Her eyes widened in fear. She felt that her only hope in life might also slip through her fingers. With tears welling in her eyes, she said, "Then I will go with you."
"You can’t go with me," he said. "I won’t put your life in danger."
"But if you die, I will have no reason to stay alive... My brothers have gone mad, my father is dead, and my mother passed away before she could see all this madness—she was the lucky one... What do I have left besides you?"
"You have your people," he replied. "To start anew with them and restore the glory of your planet."
"I am not qualified for that. My soul is heavy with worries, and I cannot lead my people. That’s why I will let them choose their own leader, and I will go with you on this final campaign."
"Don’t be stubborn," he said. "If you go, you might die while I live. It’s better to leave you here to protect those who remain."
"It’s settled," she declared. "I’m going, and no one will stop me."
Omar felt annoyed by her stubbornness and didn’t know what to say. He sighed. "When the time comes, we’ll discuss it... For now, can I ask you something? I’m afraid you’ll turn me down."
He gave her a long look, hesitation in his eyes. She felt shy and, her heart pounding violently, said, "Just say what you want, you fool!"
Omar gathered his courage, the words fighting to escape his throat. He spoke quickly to end his torment. "Will you marry me?"
Minora felt her heart leap from her chest and back again. Nerves consumed her, and she was unable to speak.
Feeling foolish, Omar said, "I mean, you’re from another planet, and it seems impossible, but I wanted to—"
Minora cut him off. "I accept your offer."
Omar couldn’t process what she’d said. He was ready to fly with joy. The Astra learned of this and prepared a celebration for them, setting up decorations, beautiful jewels, and gathering many cheerful forest flowers of crimson, yellow, white, and violet. They prepared a wedding for them in the Astra way and celebrated all day. Happiness and joy filled the air, making them forget the sorrow and grief that had befallen them.
As the days passed, they had a child who resembled Minora with his silver hair and blue features. But Omar had the honor of naming him and called him "Aikan."
Aikan was born around the time the final campaign to overthrow the colonization was approaching. The little one did not know if he would grow up in a peaceful world without colonization and destruction, or if he would grow up in a world marked by even greater and vaster destruction.
Over the months, Omar weakened Margoth’s defenses and brought down many of their camps. He would return with plenty of spoils: weapons, food, drink, important tools, and intelligence from prisoners about the locations of the remaining camps and Margoth’s plans to crush them. Fresh chapters posted on 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝✦𝘧𝙞𝙧𝙚✦𝕟𝕖𝕥