https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V0DMGtgo9Vc

Part 1

.

.

“ Mother,

why is the sky dark, when the Stars are all shining ?”

The mother stroked the soft violet hair of her child, like silk, like starry veils, coursing her fingers across the tender waves.

“ Because the stars,

they are yet searching.

emulating the eminence

of their Mother Star.

The ZeOrudea.”

“ Then what is it, mother?”

Curiosity unbound, ever so eager to know of the world, the son of the mother so asked, resting on the young woman's side, as they watched,

Eyes above the horizon.

“ What is

The Eminence of Their Mother Star ?”

Twinkling glows, rippling of spectacular bloom upon her iris beholds,

one after another, one after another,

Star after Star, Star after Star,

Their light reaching,

their Blaze entwining,

Into a canvas that extends the skyward sphere, devouring the dark and exposing of shadow,

All but happening in the hopeful mother's eyes.

“ Tis…“

The mother gapped, in tears, astonishment,

in joy, in reverence,

in foreboding, in trepidation

“ Tis… Its Rebirth…from naught...! !

One Blazelight to the other…

One spec into a Nova to ignite the million lightyears…

Across galaxies, across universes…“

Tears streaming, the mother's eyes contain dark no more, mesmerized,

Elated,

so too

Terrified.

Hugging her two children close in a tight embrace, the mother then so whispered weakly

“ And when the Stars one day reach their Mother’s glow, all and all,

Darkness shall be, forever

no more. “

Beneath them, underneath the glass they stood,

The core of their Star, of Their Sweet Planet Home,

Glowed within the ticking gears of The Miracle Engine,

Ever so brightening,

of lingering premonition.

.

.

BEFORE LIGHT

THE FINAL RADIANCE

Chapter 19 : Le Knowoe

.

.

Not a word was spoken at the back of the speeding rocket of gold, heading up towards the tremulant dim clouds of gray and returning to the heights from whence it came. Dumbfounded were the golden medic soldiers of rescue, sheathing their surgical instruments slowly back to place and eyeing vigilantly at the glowing alien entity in Lima’s arms.

Lima, too, stared at this bizarre embodiment of unbelievable origins, feeling the entwined double runes upon the smooth, silky shell with the tip of her fingers, calming herself with the ornate carvings.

“ ……It’s an egg….” Lima finally broke the silence, knowing not what to say or think. Its warmth touched her rapid beating heart of grave concern.

“ …What can I do to help it?”

Lima asked at length, hugging the massive sentience closer, giving it her all for the Egg, and its mother

Yuri.

With revering curiosity, the woman in golden armor, face yet to reveal underneath the flat elliptical helm, peered down to observe the living capsule in wonder.

“ …We have to keep it warm for now, and keep it safe.”

Doing so, as suggested, Lima caressed the oval capsule close, circling it with her scarf, which she had kept by her side throughout the long miraculous, and tremulous ventures.

Jolted, the golden armored lady did, by the sight of the red scarf that Lima had been carrying all this time, a faint shudder spreading across the armored shell body as the shimmering woman edged close, to speak, yet hesitant.

Alas, for Lima was not noticing of the woman before her’s queer actions, focusing on caring the egg entrusted with grave duty.

“ Hearken!” The golden medic ushered cautiously to her comrade and Lima, gesturing to the stretcher in the middle of the cabin.

“ The girl is awakened.”

Lima spared no time.

“ YURI!!!”

Lima was already upon Yuri, wrapping her one arm around the young frail Starbreaker out of slumber, sinking her teary face close to Yuri’s.

Whispering and sobbing Yuri’s name again and again, Lima contained herself not, letting herself go as the pressure of the voyage had finally been lifted.

And Yuri knew that her friend had saved her, with great strife.

“ Thank you, Lima.” Yuri caressed the back of the sobbing girl’s head gently.

“ … But…what is this... in your arms...?”

Lima looked up slowly, and then raised her other hand which embraced the one and only shelled embryo of light, revealing it to the bearer’s witness, for Yuri’s first sight of her own creation.

Yuri recognized the colorful twin runes upon the shell.

Her palm she placed tenderly upon the smooth warm surface, Yuri smiled in realization, in disbelief. In joy.

Yuri then closed her eyes, for the one touch, just one such touch of the egg, her vision soared to the beyond, and before Yuri could decide whether to stop, nor clearly discern all the things that came and left, it was revealed like a vivid dream, swimming across her wake like waves and torrents of Memory—of flowing Light.

Memories of the Future, of the yet to come, of the may be, of the far far away, all of them; scenes of a mother and her twin children living in the wild, living in joy, in agony; visions of bloodshed, sights to behold and wonders and torments and despair of the rise of the children of light to prosperity ahead—

— Yuri understood slightly.

They are her children.

And the Future of this world, this Paradise promised by her Mother, She must achieve, for them.

And her children, and her children's children, and so on, shall carry on this quest, her promise, to Paradise.

She saw slightly now of the mission, vaguely yet determined.

“...It…it came from you…Yuri…”

Lima answered shortly, feeling strange speaking it out of her lips.

“ It’s…No, They are…they are—”

“ They are My Children.” Yuri spoke softly, sliding both palms lovingly upon the shell, carrying it close to her bosom. Her eyes stared forth, as if seeing through the calcified barrier, for she had seen barely All, and sensed it so.

“ They…they are like me…looking upon me now like how I look upon my Mother; searching for Mother’s origins like how they will crave mine. They will follow a path of their mother’s wish like how I followed mine…But I have not accomplished it yet.

I have not seen it All, I have not found the Way … The Answer to Save the World... yet…! To save Grandpapa… to save them All!

This Memory…Mother’s Memories…The Origin of All this Power… And its Fate... I Must Know them, no matter Woe or suffering, I Must Find a Way…I MUST!!!

…For them…For All of Them!!!”

Close to tears Yuri was, yet forced them back willfully, for she knew this was no time to languish. Lima, though Yuri's words of Woe after woken disturbed her gravely, felt it most evidently at that decisive moment, of Yuri’s sheer determination, strife, and courage, motivating her always to rise in darkest times.

Yuri always will be her guiding Light.

The lady in gold too stared at this young Starbreaker of foreign altered blue light in amazement and awe, seeing what only she knew deep down of informations yet to unfold. The lady knew who Yuri was. To be exact, everyone on this Ship of Gold, knew who Yuri was.

That’s why they are here.

That’s why Yuri is on their ship now.

As they all contemplated in positive silence, the medic in golden armor and helm ushered towards Lima from his side of the escape pod’s corner, and spake in benign suggestion of deep earnest.

“ Ladies…as a practitioner in the field of medicinal and natural welfare of this sunken age of blite and demonry, I have to state a humble suggestion due to the...rather new and peculiar life forms presented into this pod ecosystem.”

And as the medic spake in resourceful cadence, with his robust armored form bending down facing the secret cabinet situated at the side of his sitting, he opened the lid to present a huge covenant in shadow yet to be revealed.

Yuri and Lima didn't quite immediately catch what the Medic was attempting to propose and just rolled with whatever this plump fellow in gold was about to present, which was a great casket wired and armed from top to bottom, side to side with gears and modules beeping to life as the mechanism made its slight debut.

“ Call it… The Hygienic Conservatory Cradle,”

The medic introduced, his pride briefly evident within the slightly muffled intonation behind the helm visor.

“...a rare instrument of my design, for containing outer worldly hosts collected from the lands under, such as this wolf cub my lady so carries or other abnormalities, for…further study... and detection…”

Surprised by the abruptness of such a suggestion for a contraption, Yuri and Lima exchanged daunted looks, lost in words, seeking each other's advice.

“ Detection ... what for??” Lima asked, mildly offended by the way The medic's words seemed to avoid proper motives, as the golden scientist ushered with great effort the golden crate plated of sleek techno steel slowly out from the space underneath his seat.

“ Radiation.” The javelin wielder maiden sitting to the far side replied coldly before the medic could respond.

“ Invisible waves of deterioration and demise, Demon-bourne Radiation plagues us all if without cover, not mentioning the immense damage that could be induced from a high tier Archdemon. It infects organisms also, turning them radioactive in but mere minutes of exposure. Nothing is safe out there. Which, In other words…”

The woman in golden armor paused at length, observing the unconscious Elza with high vigilance, contemplating elsewhere as she then whispered.

“...We are the ones that should be protected…from Them.”

Yuri immediately sensed malice through the Javelin maiden's golden visor eyeing the unconscious wolf cub Lima so clenched in a tighter embrace.

“ Elza is no Demon…!!” Lima sputtered, rage brewing.

“ Elza was born a proud Wolf from a loving Mother… that was harmed to protect its young! She is no such fowl entity, it is a Living Being, like all of us…”

Yet, Lima's voice trailed as her gaze panned inadvertently to Yuri sitting next to her.

Like a cold grip, her memories of past torment, of Yuri's return to this world, of the truth of Light Blood, clenched her throat and pinned her unable to speak.

Lima too had realized, by her actions on the cold ice, injecting The Last Light Blood vial into Wolf cub Elza's veins, is Elza a living creature still…?

Or just like all the children around her, like all the Starbreakers and remnant civilians of this forsaken land,

Like Yuri,

they were but reanimated corpses, powered by Light Blood, and nothing else??

Elza is no longer a genuine creature, a pure animal of the common human understanding, but a reanimated form of a long-endangered mammal, a copy of its passing.

The medic have all the right to hold suspicion upon this creature of unknown, this mobile organism that no longer bears life, but Light alone. Light Blood.

“ Elza… is not a Demon…”

was all that Lima could be sure and speak of.

Before Lima could argue further for her canine companion Erza's sake, a sharp howl of tempest gale ripped the silence apart, and soon after, the voice of the pilot at the front uttered aloud in trepidation, heralding the coming of grave urgence yet to come.

“ Hear...Hearken!!!!!!!!” The pilot hollered in palpable panic.

“ It is back— Death…The Archdemon of Archdemons…!!! Le Dessmosawriag reers!!!!!!”

Security was never on their side in the lands forsaken.

The sirens on the fleeting rocket screamed in unison, deafening their ears as they heralded the coming of doom, of the chasing trepidation and unrest.

And the next second, the ship swayed and jettisoned to the edge of the skies with a violent hurtle, spinning like no end.

Lima saw the land was up and the sky below many times through the window, twisting like it is the end of the novel.

“ Call for aid!!!! Call to The Ark!!!!!” Hollered the lady in golden, grabbing the stretcher on which Yuri lay with one hand while the other clinging to a sidebar for life.

Lima clinged onto Yuri due to instinct, while Yuri, holding her children egg close, grabbed the side of the stretcher she lay as she curled into a ball tightly, shielding with her whole to protect the egg at all cost.

The airs howled and moaned as the violent gale howled, The Archdemon Dessmosawriag, Death, rose passed the rocket with utmost berserk, hurtling it with the coming of its great shadow, cutting the wings of the ship with its rocky spikes and gutting the vehicle with its sheer ferocity.

They will all be shredded sooner or later.

The pilot was a calm man. Serving his lord and monarch of Sunlight, he had conducted many retreats and rallied successful assaults upon Demon spawn, but none of those experiences prepared him for this dread doom rescue mission.

Twisting the stirs of the jet to incoherent angles only to barely evade the sharp crushing snap of the jaws of Death, the pilot in gold found himself limited with nearly zero options to bring the Objective and himself back to mission's end.

The Dessmosawriag never stops.

With one bite missing, it reared back for a second chomp, and another, and another.

Brain mushed, fingers numb, vision blurring, the golden pilot the stirs in his grasp were just mindlessly circling, and all that was his compass, was his instinct.

His instinct to stay Alive.

“ Eject Flares!!!” The medic had shouted, echoing from behind the pilot's ear as his comrade had returned from the trunk to assist, yanking a lever as whooshing pumps from the jet's sides followed.

The world outside flashed and darkened, six times in total.

And a deafening roar after the flare is all over. It brought them less than one second of reprieve.

And that roar of the Archdemon was not just a roar of hate, but a disruptive roar, a reckoning Shout. Waves of wrath dazed the monitors and sent the screens to black and engines to halt.

Lima and the others at the back immediately sensed the jet decelerating into a morbid drift slightly upwards, ready to plunge.

Both Lima and the lady in gold stared at the far back at the gates of the cargo sealed shut.

They knew Death was coming.

No!! Never again!

“ Not on my watch…”

Lima thought she heard a resilient whisper before she knew the cargo gates before her had been switched open.

The sky winds bellowed in heralding doom, and Archdemon Dessmosawriag was there enlarging with its jaws agape to devour, but the lady in gold, the warrior of Sunlight stood before Lima and Yuri, unyielding, right arm raising high above her head, gesturing a firing pose.

At first, there was nothing within that opened palm in the lady's hand, but like a star at birth, a flicker dawned and it was a sun in her hand, dazzling the murky sky abright. And that sun elongated and transformed upon its master's command, into a refined piercing Javelin of pure Sunlight infused with optimal Dexterity and Faith, and in less than a blink of an eye, the Lancer maiden of Gold had bowed her entire body down having fired the Sunlight Spear into the depth of Dark and Dessmosawriag, Sunlight bursting all the way.

It was a warmth that Lima could never forget, a hue of bright yellow and gold that every cell in Lima’s body could recognize.

It was of the same sunlight origin as the one she could fire from her amulet.

From the one thing she ever owned in her life Before All This.

And with but one see, Lima knew that she was one of them, them Golden Cavaliers of rescue.

The Spear soared its path, diving to send a definite blow upon its fatal enemy.

Arkzel Dessmosawriag saw its coming, and with unsavory defiance, it accepted the blow.

A planet-sized explosion erupted in the face of Death, and Lima saw only a glimpse of the flashing end before the lady closed the gates back to place, as the pushing force of the sun spear explosions pushed the jet back to acceleration.

The screens and engines groaned back to life.

“ It's defeated…!” The mechanic uttered in disbelief and elation, watching the sun bloom wavering.

Lima dared not make such a bold conclusion, but the winds around the jet silenced to smooth gales.

The lady sighed silently, putting her armored hand, throbbing after thrashing the blow, down to rest at ease.

“ …….It is still with us.”

All eyes turned to the one that spoke, and it was Yuri, her eyes strangely blazing bright blue, as the mother of the egg gazed at the closed gates of cargo, straight at the one at the other side.

“ It is still upon us…!”

And Lo, Yuri was right, for she had seen All.

And Le Arkzel Dessmosawriag gave one fatal roar of killing return, answering Yuri’s claim as it dived forth past them, shaking the escape jet with its zoom and Vedamus, showing them its mercy and its visage of revenge after the boom of sun.

The pilot's stomach churned at the sight.

The skull of the Archdemon was bashed a gaping crack slanting from the middle to the right top of its eye hole, and from that gash were Runes.

Dark runes.

Dark Red bloody Runes of Doom spell nothing but an asymmetric crown of Red Fiery Death.

Runes of Red Death bursting now from each crack and crevice carved by its enemies, as if its true form was fighting to break free of the cocoon of this Dessmosawriag serpent in disguise.

Never had eyes of the living seen those runes upon any form, and never had they shown to any being that could bare witness.

Never in any version of worlds had The Archdemon shown its true colors.

And Now Yuri had finally seen it and felt great sorrow. She held onto her children-egg tightly, in fear, and in courage to brace them in front of impending destruction.

And impending destruction it was, not from the Archdemon serpent at first, but from above

Lo, Horns were sounded after the Demon roared and it was as bellowing as it was chivalrous.

Sirens like trumpets of pump tooting in arrival as conches sang the starting scores of the interlude.

Veils of Light started to draw, and the Dessmosawriag found itself circled in a spheric field of light,

as if focused by a firing aim, deeming this flying snake its target.

And Booming commenced, all at once, from the murky skies Yuri and Lima both saw, partying the gray and disparity, were atomic force pillars of gold and magma lasers, bursting down from yonder frontiers unseen, scorching the atmosphere and clashing against the Demon hide cracking.

More and more, as the horns trumpet and conches bellowed and wooed, the more myriads of Light beams and gold missiles came swimming in, swooping in epic chorus.

Yet, Like a defiant conductor's staff, Arkzel Dessmosawriag 's tail pierced and slashed, summoning with itself lasers of Red and Dark Demonry from the insides of its cracks, and from the Runes that were Crimson Red.

Gold and Darkness, beams of Golden Light versus uncouth serpent of unrivaled Demonry and Wrath— The skies their battleground of Vedamus, or Primus if you will.

Balls of gold were then ejected from above, igniting as soon as they birthed, dashing down like meteors of sentience, tracking the Demon serpent and exploding into balls of golden sun blast upon the coarse hide, shattering the spikes and protrusions upon the Archdemon’s form.

The Serpent of Doom spinned and twisted like a tornado of chaos, with each shattered rock from its hide, it turned into a force sphere of Demon wrath and with beams of treachery and brutality all shooting up to the skies to the one body of light hidden amongst the gray, hovering amongst sky and wind.

Highly above, the metallic golden whale, as it so seemed through Lima’s eyes from the explosions like lightning across the sea of clouds, exposed its vague silhouette upon white, of a hovering beast calmly engaging in fierce nonstop epic warfare upon an Archdemon of Ender.

Then from above, like sparks of stars descending, the golden cavalry arrived, a wave, a sea of golden stars swarming in sophistic array, the golden fighter space jets have came to the rescue.

But seeing more fudder had joined the fray, greatly disturbed was this grave Death monger of sky that it turned at the swarm of golden wasp jets in spite, twisting its long body and spinning its rocky segments as its horns and spikes enlarged and grew, casted in the bloody runes they became stone blades of sheer force and destruction. And Za Dessmosawriag zoomed, like a vicious hurricane it crashed into the golden calvary, slicing and burning each and everyone one into fireworks of demise.

Helplessly, Lima and the golden troops watched in horror as the saviors were decimated in but a blink of an eye.

The golden whale in the sky stayed calm, and, lo, it opened its mouth, and at the first second the air turned still. The clouds parted with a flash that emanated the heavens in the next second, and from beyond a pillar of sheer Gold and Light was planted down once again onto the earth from the whale mothership’s mouth, spitting a flaming barrage that could drill the Earth from the north hemisphere and penetrating out from the south.

The Archdemon sensed the coming of a fatal strike, and its blood runed wings heeded its command, like two crooked hands they clasped upon the dread serpent and shielded its master from the Golden Stream.

The Sunlight Azur heeded no defense and pushed onward until the icy earth surface melted first and the lands between blasted all into an atomic carnage caught upon the crossfires of the Gold and Demon spar.

But no matter how much gold and Magma rained upon the lands to mar this Archdemon, no Light can ever be enough to eclipse the dark.

The Runes of Red atrocity only grew larger, more vast and villainy, entwining out of the scars and sutures, out of fire and blood from The Dessmosawriag's illusive frenzied core; The small Runes all connected into a web shell Great Rune caging the ravaged serpent, like hands grasping, like Wings of Blood in craving.

Lo, Arkzel Dessmosawriag was now in its second form, of which Yuri had but seen once a glimpse in the many futures through the visions of the Herunis Carna, just a split second, the images will live in her for eternity-

of The Winged Serpent of Death, Arkzel Shin Dessmosawriag.

Its bloodshot eyes reflect countless souls writhing in hellish torment, as its winged runes of crooked morbidity like arms grasping, groping all towards her, after her, to devour her.

“ I HAVE TOLD YOU SO.” Yuri could hear the serpent Archdemon’s deep voice of immense anger and resolve reckoning in her head.

“ AND NOW THAT YOU HAVE REFUSED TO SURRENDER THY REIGNS OF THE HERUNIS CARNA… YOU MUST LISTEN…YOU MUST...”

The skies howling, the fires like rain, more golden fighter jets being sent off with blasts from the whale-like mothership high above, proceeding to join the airfields in combat and assault, only to be blasted to oblivion burning by the wrathful runes of DEATH beaming each and every edge throughout the horizons, scorching the atmosphere and melting the clouds to bloody rain.

The Archdemon, aiming its lone hovering target wavering in the forlorn sky like a candle in a tempest, slowly drew its jaws agape, in ready for one bloody swoop without sentiment. But it was no gulp that was coming.

Light was sucked in, darkness ripped out from the pages of the world, It was a great beam coming. A Death Beam.

The red innards between the rock hide segments lit up from the back, one after another, mustering such force that grew and steamed, heat up from the tail to its neck.

Its eyes loomed with a deep unearthly red that was never seen before.

And there within the bourne darkness, is Dark Light. Demonic Spur.

Dessmosawr Azurite.

And they all knew it was the end.

“ Open the cargo gates…!!!” The lady in gold uttered to the pilot, raising her lance of sun in futile resistance.

“ Open The Gates now, I'll buy you all time…!!!”

Lima opened her mouth to call a stop to this meaningless act, but her desperation could not voice her refute. There's no way out of this, no matter the struggle

The Archdemon Dessmosawriag is too much for the world, too little Light to stand before its Dark.

And when all cause is lost, no effort comes sound, one among all stood up, staggering up from her bed stretcher.

“ … Stay behind me…”

Yuri motioned to all, supporting her slightly trembling hand upon the lady in gold's armored shoulder plate.

“ It is I it seeks audience.”

“ You amongst all of us must not perish here, Yuri of Star.” The Golden lady refused to let Yuri pass.

“ It resides in you, the saving grace of the fallen Earth. If there needs sacrifice, it must be us first, Not You. For we are dispensable in the Grand Picture, Yuri…!”

“ NO ONE IS DISPENSABLE UNDER MY WATCH !” Yuri shouted firmly, a shout that could echo cinemas and bring those to their knees, heeding each word that came from her reverence.

And the lady in gold heeded without delay, as so did the medic that paved for Yuri to pass.

Hugging her children egg in dutiful embrace, Yuri stepped forth, as the gates of cargo roared to an opening.

The world was Deprived of Light, and Darkness was ready to spue its vehemence upon them all.

“ I TOLD YOU SO…”

Arkzel Dessmosawriag vowed as it mustered the last portion of its Desmosawr Azurite to smash the world in threatening prowess.

“ LISTEN… OR WE SHALL MEET AT THE END OF THE WORLD…! THE END OF ALL WORLDS!!!!!”

“ No…I will not be the End…” Yuri voiced back with grave vehemence and courage, standing at the edge of the gates, tempest pulling her from all sides though she stood firm, ending darkness swallowing all that could hope, yet could not tarnish Yuri's Light.

She was determined.

“ I Will Find A Way…! My Own Way... Come, Come you may, for here I stand, where the lands rot, the seas burn, and the skies melt, I Shall Be Here Staring Back At You with My ALL.

Come with all you have, With All You Could, For Here I must Stand, in My Mother's Land And Wishes… For My Children 's Hopes and Dreams… For All Our Future…!!!!!!

Come, For that I may Smite thee.”

And with the twin runes upon the egg shell flickering to life, Yuri burst into an electrifying beacon of blue altered flame, halos of blue glistening and growing, expanding throughout the darkness as the electric flames towered to the heavens.

Help me See, Mother.

Help me Find it,

Help me save it,

The Land Of Light,

The ZeOrudea...

The Blaz------

“ ALAS…”

The Archdemon serpent let go, and all the Dark Souls of torment converged into one ebony Stream of Death blasted forth to erase all Light, hitting an unbreakable wall to eyes witness, The Blue Light of day perched at the back of the escape jet.

Like a tower, Lima watched in Awe and wonder, witnessing the magnificent barrier of Light grow as its basin extending with many arms, no, not just the bases, but all of it stretching and curving, drawing and pulling like infinite strings of Light and Gold, of Blue hue and sparkling bliss; the sky as its canvas while all Hope within Yuri transpired, into a Bright core of a Star, a Great Mother Star caressing millions of small twinkling sparks in its ornate embrace.

She could see now.

She could grasp it, but slightly between her fingers.

Yuri could see happenings elsewhere beyond her current state, and by following herself to conjure the vision step by step.

Yet seeing it does not mean fully grasping the meaning.

A million scenes from either past, present, or future Yuri discerned all at once but could not comprehend The meaning,

nor acknowledge the Memory of her own.

Through this Light barrier of Star she conjured out of subconscious, Yuri realized how much more she has to learn.

“ YOU BELIEVE YOU COULD STILL SAVE IT, UPHOLD THE PROMISE THAT MEANS NOTHING BUT TORMENT.”

Yuri again sensed the Dark spur of the Dessmosawr Azurite lessening as the Archdemon spoke to her through the mind say.

“ ALAS, YOUR IGNORANCE BLINDS YOU STILL, AND OUR CONVERSATION WILL ALWAYS BE IRRELEVANT UNLESS YOU SEE AND REALIZE WITHIN YOUR SELF.

ONLY WHEN YOU UNDERSTAND THE GRAVITY OF THY PROMISE CAN YOU MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICE.

I HEREBY WILL CEASE TO SPEAK TO DEAF EARS.”

“ … what. ..??” Before Yuri realized, The Great Serpent had ceased its Azurite spur, turning away slowly to the dark horizons from whence it came.

The Golden troops watched, Eyes disbelieving their sight while also at a loss to whether to cheer or not.

Yuri felt deceived.

“ Come back… COME BACK HERE!!”

Yuri shouted at the slithering beast that had climbed far into the murky clouds.

“ Is It Not My Memory You Want?!?! Come Back And Let Us End This, ONCE AND FOR ALL!!!!”

“ NO.”

The Archdemon refused, its Voice tracing to oblivion, its visage shrinking, and its long shadow drifting deeper into the gray.

“ I SEEK NOT COMBAT NOR CONFLICT.

I SEEK UNDERSTANDING.

WE FOLLOWED THEE FROM THE START AND EACH TIME WE NEARED, YOU WERE STILL TRAPPED IN A CAGE OF IGNORANCE. EVEN NOW.

HEARKEN THEN THIS :

FOR THE LIGHT AND MEMORY IN YOU IS THE GREAT BURDEN, FATED TO PERISHMENT AND DISPARITY.

THE EVAPORATION OF ALL IS IMMINENT

AND THE TIME SHALL COME

WHEN YOU WATCH AS IT BURNS ALL EXISTENCE

OR GIVE IT UP NOW

YURI…

GIVE IT UP…”

Standing at the edge as the storm howled its last moan, heralding the ceasing of the tempest, Yuri could but so answer.

“ No... I will not give up my Powers, my Memories.

I Will deter them from this Doom you so predict.

I Will Save Them All.

I Have To Try…!”

“ THEN OUR TIME HASN'T COME YET TO CONVERSE.

AND WHEN IT COMES,

MAY IT BE NOT TOO LATE.”

Yuri remained silent, accepting the challenge in Light Heart as the cargo gates slid to a grave close.

.

.

…

………

.

.

Just when the cold plains of the north had returned to silent rest, a meteor struck, sinking full force with blaze and stardust bursting, scorching the lands as from amidst the rumbling and flame, a figure rose.

There, upon nothing, Lancer Supreme, Starbreaker Queen of Skyworld, Caerlia Lansara Suprima stood, sighing out the steam from her motoring lungs after a grueling, burning flight.

Sniffing the air in confirmation of her target, Caerlia regretted soon enough.

“ Demon stench…” The Exalted one muttered, for a heavy stench it was, coming from ash and deceased mangled forms of demonry scattered throughout the ice.

Realizing how far she had gone for such a goal, how deep into the Dark Forsaken Lands she had ventured, she was glad she did.

For in the vast sea of skirmish Demonry, there persisted surely a thin trace of Light, soothing yet fragile like a string wavering in the harsh winter breeze.

The lone trace of the Herunis Carna.

Yuri was here.

Elated, Caerlia leapt forth in chase, only to slow down at the next second, realizing a new foreign scent.

Not far behind, in the gloomy skies, yet another meteor in fire came to the scene, readying for landing onto the icy plain.

“ Commander… the mission target...had stopped…!!”

The juvenile Starbreaker of flight and gold, Momo BrightWing, heralded her Commander with utmost urgence.

“ Good…” Firren Commander of the Betelgeuse ship, Starbringer of flame and spark, Rider of the Augustus Alenia Fellion mobile armor, mused the rare chance at bay with confidence.

They too have traveled as far as the escape pod that had flown Yuri across half the continent, through barren sand, across dark seas, and onto then cold glacier lands. Yet their engines, now with but their last meager spark, and Star powers at struggling glows to fight from dimming, they still strive to force their way through, bringing their all to hinder this Lancer Supreme 's path of snatching the Light.

“We stop her... here and now!“

Firren called his one command and the Allenia Fellion reared, Momo conjured her last wing turbine blast, and they both, twin Starbreaker buster unit burst down from the heavens, in pursuit to tackle this superb enemy ice and for all.

The roaring engines were hard to miss, that too of the flame of the fiery meteor falling from the sky into Caerlia’s head.

But the Starbreaker Queen did not bat an eye, nor did she turn around to address the grave collision about to pass.

Instead, she clenched a fist full of her palm, and raised it toward the dropping meteor Allenia drive, and let go a Starbreaker Pulse Blast with but the opening of her palm, striking Firren and Momo and all the wings and turbines and engines and all onto the cold surface, screeching as leaving a scorched scar upon the cruel ice.

Traveling continents after, Caerlia seemed to have just strolled around her yard. All seemed of her was still of excellence and Zeal, radiance unparalleled.

Tumbled to a side, Firren and Momo both hurriedly came to their feet with vigilance, yet the toil and depletion of Star power had weighed in them many fold.

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

The Starbreaker Queen thus spoke.

“ Yuri is not here anymore. She is far. And she is moving still.”

“ But surely you will chase after her, even to the end of the World.” Firren surmised sternly, to which Caerlia smiled reassuringly.

“ Yay, but third parties have intruded on my plight. For I Shall observe before my next Strike.”

Caerlia then turned back to the infinite gray, eyes fixed afar at the slight flashes and thunders above, knowing it was not just thunder nor lightning, but of war and battle.

“ She will stop eventually. Surely she will.”

For that shall be her cue, to Strike.

Breathing to focus on his stance and collect his inner form of combat, Firren ushered Momo to a side. The Starbreaker of Flame and Ignition had made a choice of resolve.

“ Then it is my duty,” Firren spake, his breath fuming.

“ As Commander of the Betelgeuse ship and Star Knight of Bradson Captain, I Must Stop You, Caerlia Senpai.” The double blade tonfas attached to Firren's arms ignited with spur and justice, while his Allenia Fellion drive bursted with chivalrous roar.

The determination in Firren's eyes were real, forcing Caerlia to address, with force.

“ I won't fight a fellow Sibling of Light without proper cause.”

The Lancer goddess answered Firren's plight.

“ Don't Make Me Perish You.”

“ Our Causes are both proper, hence my blade won't hesitate, for my oath I must defend.”

Firren bent forward, his battle stance ready.

Momo wasn't sure if she should join The Commander, but the force field around the flaming Starbreaker meant to keep her back, for it was a combat between ideals, one that could not be interfered.

Caerlia Lansara Suprima nodded in understanding, inhaling long and deep.

Her one lance rifle among seven, Pt-Retura she summoned to her side, materializing through Light and nano with a flash rune.

“ Bring your all, Fearless one.” was all the Exalted One asked.

Firren was all and ready to burst forth with a vehement battle cry and shower rains of fire and meteor towards the adversary, but someone else unexpectedly gave out a sharp terrified cry, a short scream for help and alert.

“ NOOO! ! ! !”

Even Caerlia was halted by the sudden shriek, as both Starbreakers closed in combat raised their weapons in defending pose through instinct practiced through tantamount training, observing the field quickly to find the source, which was not too far away.

“ Momo?!?!” Firren cried in utter shock, seeing the juvenile Starbreaker on the ground, widened eyes of terror transfixed on the skies above all.

“ NO….”

The loli-turned Starbreaker gave out a forlorn gasp.

For lo, before her eyes so witness, was a giant burning aircraft, seasoned in immense combustion of no return, colliding down in full speed of gravitational force towards the icy ground where they so were!

Normally, any youngster would scream at the forgone sight of sheer advent perishment, but Momo uttered a word aside from anything else.

“ MOTHER!!!!”

Both Firren and Caerlia heard the one word loud and clear, yet their eyes followed the young Starbreaker 's tormented gaze, to see-

Nothing, but the murky gray.

All they could comprehend from sight was a young girl, falling to her knees upon something, coming from above, That Only The Young Girl Could Perceive.

“ Momo!! What is it?!?! Report status immediately !!” Firren shouted, rushing force with the Allenia Fellion in full burst.

“ STAY BACK, YOU!!!!!!” Caerlia was already behind Firren less than an arm's reach in less than a second, and with a heave the Lancer Supreme heaved Firren and all his robust machinery upgrades back hundreds of feet behind, tossing Firren away with great urgence.

Firren could not understand and just watch, as Caerlia dived to a skiing pose towards the ice, to Momo's helpless side to embrace the child with her left , while Her right hand reached force, raising slightly higher above her own head, grabbing air as Firren so saw at first.

The air in the Exalted one 's firm grasp materialized soon enough, and in that grasp,

was a Demon Tentacle, wriggling and biting with devilish fervor.

Firren understood all at once, though was a second later than the Lancer Supreme-

-They were under Demon Attack!!!!

“ Foul Demon of illusion and treachery!!” Caerlia roared at the Demon cast in illusive, letting go not of the snide writhing Tentacle in her furious grasp.

“How dare you snare a sister of Mine!!! Show Your foul being So I Could smash thee for all witness!!!!”

And the tentacle, as if heeded the threat, started to materialize towards its base throughout its long length, leading up to a grotesque silhouette of a spikes sharp wheel of blades and blood flame, countless wriggling bleeding skinless arms reaching and grasping out from the fissures between the rusted steel plates that form the surface of the uncouth Demon wheel.

Turning slightly as its visage revealed more and more, facing the Starbreakers both with its large beady eyes of insane craving, bloodshot and vacuous, earning for all that could never be quenched.

Many more tentacles were writhing about as finally the great Demon revealed its all, towering with its spikes at the top of the curve surface reaching altitudes as the highest tower built at the age of the Fallen Earth Century.

It was huge, it was grotesque.

It was, Le Arkzel Varitesawrio,

Archdemon of Want and avarice.

Hiding under the ice after being shun a while back, waiting now for its next victim.

“ ...WANT...WANT...MORE….!!!!!!”

The heinous ArchDemon uttered greedily, spinning backwards now in accelerating brute force, earning to pull Caerlia Lansara Suprima back to devour, to appease her everlasting Want.

“ Hoh.” The Goddess Starbreaker smirked with slight interest.

“ I have not Perished You yet. And here you are, escaping after the Great Purge of the North, back to me. YOU WILL GET MORE THAN HURT FROM ME!!!!!!!!!”

And with but one heaving pull, Caerlia ripped the tentacle off its owner without sentiment. Dark Blood burst out from the gashing orifice and the Archdemon screamed like a school of children being burned alive in a combustion bus.

Momo, awakened by the Demon's scream out of delusional trance, leapt up to combat stance, raising her arms of beam rifle wings at Caerlia’s side.

Caerlia nodded with much approval.

“ I appreciate your bravery, young one. But this one is too much for you. Stay behind me and observe.”

And with a pierce of her lance rifle Pt-Retura, the Lancer Supreme fired into the ground, and immediately beam lances and stakes of laser pain pierced out myriads and thousands all at once, each lance bursting and branching out two more light stakes, filling the field of icy into a field of Light and Excruciating Suffering for Demon Kind.

Arkzel Varitesawrio spinned aside in temporary retreat, dodging with great agility despite its moronic size, eyeing vigilantly with its grave eye of Greed for an opening to strike.

Firren, standing cautiously by the side saw it all. The Archdemon knows what it's facing against. It has powers still hidden underneath those steal hides her to burst upon them.

Archdemons that had survived The Great Purge and stayed alive at the North, were the ones that were most dangerous and heinous of all, with not just superior combat prowess, but ways, tactics, and possibly magics to hinder and devour Starbreakers of highest class.

The iron beastly wheel started to deaccelerate among the piercing light beams as Firren watched the Archdemon turn its side, its eye side upon them all, as the insane orb bulged and reddened.

Both Caerlia and Firren sensed the coming of a defining force, an advent perversion ready to commenced, or worth, has been finished.

“ STAY BACK!!!!” Firren shouted to Momo more so to the Lancer goddess, who sped force towards the great beady eye that was now ablaze with red lightning and dark flame, pointing her lance rifle force for sacred extermination.

But It was already happening.

The Archdemon screamed as its eyes exploded with a wave of blood, red lightning bursting an orb that swallowed the whole field of ice, thrashing the cold glaciers into pieces and unearthing the ice into spikes and rubble.

Firren, opening his Allenia winged claws just in time, shielded with his back facing the blow both Momo and himself, both closing their eyes shut from that one blast of infinite red - A spark that could shatter vision.

Firren could not imagine what came of his senior Caerlia, hoping with one last strain of confidence that she could defend herself.

Turning vigilantly around as the blast slowly ceased did Firren and Momo watch in horror as the world around them was now bathed in crimson. Sky and below both tainted in unison red, the lands of dread without bounds.

Must retreat, Firren's instincts called to him to act, for the journey across continents to follow Caerlia had took much of their energy to battle a formidable foe such as this.

But the stillness made him wary and Firren turned around to make sure, to his horror, he was alone.

Momo was gone.

So was Caerlia.

He was alone, in a sea of red.

Illusions !! Firren shouted in his head, turning on his Allenia Fellion drive as he glided sideways, eyeing all his surroundings as he moved in cautious pacing.

The next attack is close by. He must be ready for it.

But what he was not ready, were two arms from behind, groping his stature asudden.

Firren felt cold hands wrapping around his bosom, as a person's weight pressed upon his back.

His Allenia Fellion armor and back unit, gone.

Firren understood he had to brawl his way out of this illusion, twisting to face this nuisance ready to heave it off his back, only to turn to stare face-to-face with someone who most certainly could not be present.

“ ...Yu...Yuri…?!?!?!”

Firren could feel the coolness of her flesh pressing against his, her beating Light heart pumping upon his back, echoing his which thumped vehemently at the front. The fingers clenched only harder.

“ Illusions…!!!” Firren this time spoke aloud, trying to hear himself, to pull himself out with his own voice. How could he fall to such nonsense?

“ Yuri is not here…!!! Let me GO!!!!”

But it was not the illusion that was stunting Firren's plight.

Memories that Firren never once knew, that were but pitch black just a moment prior, started to brew and grow, bloom and gain light as each beat of both Light Hearts joined to pounding synchronization.

He had forsaken this piece of The Past; He had discarded it as far as he could as long as he could remember, transposing it into power into flame, into his essence to become a Starbreaker.

But with all that is abandoned surging back in, the powers he has exchanged must go.

Firren could but helplessly feel his Starbreaker powers diminishing, as his memories slowly, vividly, gain Light.

All Starbreakers must discard their past,

dissolve it into essence to fight off Darkness.

Firren heard the voice of his respected Captain lecturing to his ears.

Are you ready, to give it all up, Firren ?

“ For… Yuri…” He remembered himself say, as determined as he was moments ago.

.

.

He had known Yuri nearly all his life.

Long before he trained to be a Starbreaker Commander, long before he woke from darkness.

Long, long, Before Light.

He already knew her, when they were but children, orphans of Skyman’s School.

He was there, always behind her, looking from afar, standing out of vision as he could but reside at the vague spots between her, and Vernui.

It was a notion he had pledged to hide in him for eternity.

To hide, even from himself.

.

.

And sensing this rumbling wave ready to burst, his Memory overwhelming, Firren struggled to cease it all, forcing it all to a halt without avail, only to be trapped within the cold embrace from whom he so knew he could not touch.

Is this what you Want ?

The World asked Firren.

Firren did not reply.

Is this Not what you Want ?

The World asked again.

Firren was silent.

“ No…” The Starbreaker replied, at length.

“ This is not what I want. This Memory… This Feeling that had long since resided in the darkness of myself, Shall Remain In Darkness.

And I Renounce Darkness!!!!!”

Grabbing tightly now at the hands that trapped him so, Firren pulled with his all, powerless still but his Will overflowing with heat and fervor to Rise.

“ This World… This World's Future needs but Light…And Light Alone!!! All that is redundant, All that Belongs in the days Before Light, of Shadow and naught, that would Purge the World from its Saving Grace, Shall all be but Ash under my Flame!!!!!

These Memories Need No Light…

But This World, Deserve it more... !!”

“ … Good…”

The voice answered from beyond as Firren thought he saw the red World crack before his eyes, like the void was but glass cracking, ready to shatter.

And ripped open it all was, piercing Light from within breaking the red entrapped to reveal the world that was real just an illusion away. And out of the breaking veils of false promises, Caerlia Lansara Suprima stood at her highest, blazing with full Supernova burst, both hands crushing pieces of the crumbling void of illusion whilst her six Lance Rifles of Immense Power, Pt-Retura, Fe-Pilias, Cu-Sanatoi, Ag-Likhan, Au-Reliad, and Ti-Tanaro, All came hovering behind her back like sun rays pointing at all sides of the sky, ready to fire endless rays of hurt upon enemy Foe.

“ HAVE ME WAITING LONG ENOUGH!!!“

The Archdemon of Want there was, waiting, spinning frenzily as it unleashed millions of craving arms and tentacles forth, with beams and rays of pure chaos it rained upon them all, which Firren and Caerlia both dodged at the last second before utter demise.

“ Watch me End This Fool!“ Caerlia swore to her subordinates as well as you all, as she snatched a writhing Tentacle firing right past her face, grabbing it with ease as it let the Archdemon pull her back all the way, far far towards the Arkzel 's sinful presence.

The Archdemon wheel saw her appearing before its eyes and mercilessly gave out a tremendous beam blast shooting out of its vacuous beady eye, frying the Lancer Supreme at point blank range, only to be repelled by all of the six Light beams blasted out of the goddess ' loyal six Lance Rifles, with each light beam stemming out more and more light and impulsive stakes of mass penetration towards Darkness, pushing the Eyebeam back more and more, further and further until the Wheel of Avarice tilted and fell, tumbling as millions times millions more of raging Light spears rained endlessly with paramount glory.

But as Archdemon as it was, Le Arkzel Varitesawrio wants this defeat not. It wants them Starbreakers all perish, so it refused to fall.

With a rumbling frenzy like a flattened coin twisting itself back up to erection, The Archdemon of Want burst up with a violent leap to the sky, crashing back as its eyes upon two sides glowed with malice once more, with brighter, snider, villainer hue.

Firren saw its coming—its a spinning blast stream about to happen!!!

“ Take cover—” Firren tried to warn both Momo and the Lancer goddess, but despite the vicious tactic about to unfold, Caerlia Lansara Suprima dashed forth without hesitation whatsoever.

And the Archdemon began to spin. Spinning and spinning with its eyes bursting with devilish blasts shooting across the horizons on both sides, purplish red lightning infused with utter demonry, scouring across the lands leaving nothing but dread and scorch.

But the Star Queen of Light, with just her bear gauntlets of runes and power beyond, parried each and every coming blast stream with sheer slap of her arm, thrashing the coming assaults again and again. The beams of Sawrio kept smashing again and again, the demon wheel spinning and spinning, and Caerlia punching and parrying, and stumping forward and forth with rage and might, with chivalry and pride, until she was already standing in front of the wheel of doom, then did she summon her lance, the Ti-tanaro!!!

“ Begone with thee foul Demon of greed!!!! Lands of the Light and Paradise want thee not to spray thy filth!!!!“

And with her one lance she stabbed the eye before her, ignoring the eye’s bursting beams and strike, planting her spear of Light deep down the bulging orb which splashed out dark blood across the pale ice, as more and more demonry spued and burst while the Light spear kept on growing and branching, piercing out of the poor Demon scum from inside out.

Until finally, The Lansara Supreme let go of the trigger upon her lance, and the piercing spears all let go, shooting all out from a million directions, impaling from within to out the Wheel that screamed.

Iron hides flying, demon blood spuing; Le Arkzel Varitesawrio seemed about to croak.

Caerlia stood tall upon the staggering wheel, as it tumbled with a slam, demon spur ejected to all sides.

“ Hoh, so you thought you could deceive me with your poor illusions, hapless beast??”

Caerlia scoffed with a vicious grin, looking at the empty space towards her, beyond the croaking Archdemon.

“ Your meaningless tricks means nothing before my eyes, For I Have Seen Through your Veils!! Come out and Perish with pride!!!!”

Caerlia shouted, and just as she so spake, the trembling helpless Archdemon dispersed to ash, and the Demon Wheel emerged out of the cracks between space and time, riding again toward the lancer queen. Demon Incantations and Starbreaker spells alike are too lesser to hide before the eyes and endurance of the Starbreaker Queen, hence to deceive her, the magnitude of the incantation requires profundity that exceeds the Lansara herself.

“ NOW, FIRREN!! MOMO!!” The Queen demanded, and from both sides, flame and light wing, burst down in unison, setting the vast fields into a sea of merciless embers, as Momo, transforming into an entity of pure Light and blade, soared down from an arching flight, plunging down to give the heinous Archdemon slashes one two three four five and a dozen in less than a blink of the Demon’s evil eye.

This time, the damage was finally real, and devilish the Varitesawrio may be, its cowardice was ten fold its villainy. And seeing its Demon trickery works no more on these strong-willed warriors of Light, The Demon wheel of Want sped to flee, for real this time.

Raising her lance rifle Ti-Tanaro without sentiment, Caerlia aimed her final lethal blow, whispering an incantation that could penetrate even the earth to smite this scamming Demon once and for all.

“ Fall, I command thee—!!!!!” Caerlia Lansara Suprima ordained, her finger upon the blasting trigger.

Yet,

Her finger stopped.

Firren sensed the hesitation uncanny.

“ Senpai, The Demon—” Firren stopped, for he was too shocked to continue. For before him was a sight that he could never conceive by any rite.

Lansara Suprima Caerlia, was afraid.

Even Momo sensed something was wrong.

Her pupils mostly gave away, dilated to a degree Firren never thought his senpai’s eyes were capable of. But the slight quiver of the lips too made Firren sure something was wrong.

Deducting no more, Firren rushed to awaken the stumped Queen Starbreaker out of this trance of unknown.

“ SENPAI!!!!! HEARKEN!!!!!” Firren hollered, about to shake his senior’s shoulder, when he too felt it, no, heard it.

Dear sister……

A faint longing, like a whistle amidst the breeze, flew swiftly across Firren’s stupefied Light Heart Soul.

It was a voice indeed, a voice from yonder.

A voice conjured by not only Le Arkzel Varitesawrio’s treachery, but also Caerlia’s Want.

At the last moment of imminent defeat, The Archdemon of Want finished what it had planted since the start of their incursion, and successfully escaped, within this one second earned.

Furiously jolting out of the treachery, Caerlia stilled fired her rifle of Star, letting the spear Light soar, branching, expanding, but none could catch up to the Demon Wheel’s rush.

Caerlia Lansara Suprima, had underestimated her foe.

Still, an enemy retreat, meant a substantial victory on their part. Though the Starbreaker Queen would still feel defeated by this one last trick under the Wheel’s hide.

Not knowing what to comment of this hollow victory, Firren decided to sit on the scorched snow, panting for reprieve, after a long journey and a fearsome battle to say the least.

Momo too fell to her knees in relief, weeping a tear or two of rejoice to remain alive.

Finally, after a long stare of solitude at the falling pale ash amongst the gray, Caerlia broke the silence.

“ Would you, Firren?”

the Exalted one asked in a sigh of humility.

“ Would you give it all away, discard all your powers as a Starbreaker, for a glimpse of what you have abandoned long Before?”

Firren did not reply immediately, but it was a question, he had asked himself too many times across many silent nights.

Panning her gaze to the young innocent eyes of the juvenile Starbreaker Momo, who had just been a Starbreaker less than enough time for one to be trained properly, Caerlia explained softly.

“ Young one, The powers you and I wield, the Energy to summon The Starbreaker and cast Light upon the World, it comes from the Memories you and I have cast away, the past we have abandoned, in exchange for Power, to wield the Light through our Light Hearts.

“ The Stronger you are, the more you are deprived. You two, Firren, Momo, you are both weak in my eyes, thy strength meager and lacks the essence to perform deeds of my excellence.

But that too, is your Blessings,

Whilst mine, my curse.”

“ May it be Curse or blessing, it means not too much to me.” Firren replied at length, standing up from his resting pose.

“ For I have vowed to cast that behind, for Powers to protect what is of import of Now. What that was, what could have been, I cannot change that, so I delve there no more. I need the Power to fell many foe that stands before my Promise.”

“ Very well.” Caerlia nodded.

Momo kept silent, for Caerlia thought the young one was still in between, unsure whether to remember or to become more.

But what truly kept her silent, was the fact that she still could slightly see, slightly remember, all that is Before her, Before Light.

“ Then our decisions shall gravely part, my young bright siblings.” Caerlia cast her vision towards the skies, the above, the scent where the Herunis Carna last remained—Up.

“ For I have achieved Powers that none could ever conceive, performed prowess neither could ever surpass. Hence, I seek what Skyman has took from me, that proved still to be my Greatest Weakness.”

Fists clenched, Caerlia turned, hiding her gaze from the youngsters.

“ I have to know. I have to see what He had deprived of me. And that can only be achieved from the Engine that surpasses even Skyman himself—Herunis Carna.

Only until I obtain insight within the Lights of the Blessed Realm will I discard all my Power, and embrace the Memory— My Past.

Come, There is still a long way ahead.

Others who also seek her Powers have her in their clench.

You wouldn’t want to see them or myself snatch Yuri right in front of you, would you?

Prepare thyself, for the next time, it will be against me you clash.”

Pondering at first, before letting out a reluctant sigh with a thin confident smile, Firren nodded.

As he and Momo walked forth, Firren couldn't help the voices echoing inside him. Whispers and images drifting, of Memories he thought he had cast behind, only for them to stay unwantedly inside of him.

What am I saying...Firren mocked himself shamefully, speaking of letting go of feelings of the past for graver purposes… He too was one that cannot let go, living as a false Starbreaker without full will to commit, without the courage to turn away. The Memories were all there, he had it all, right in front of his eyes.

He just refuses to stare straight at them in the eye.

Grave Hearted, Firren knew he had to make a choice. To relinquish, or to embrace. His choice shall definitely define his next action- to stop Caerlia at the right moment? Or to assist her eventually...

Pondering, he went on, alongside the Lancer Queen towards their next destination—Sky,

for now.

.

…

……

.

.

It has already passed precious minutes after the Gravity of the Archdemon of Death had cast full dominance across the lands, forcing even another Archdemon to stand down and watch it chase its target high up to the skies.

Vernuii, supporting his weight with his saber, rose slowly with one knee to a kneel.

“ How could it…” Vernuii voiced his inquiry with concern.

“ How could another Archdemon such as grave Dessmosawriag force even you to Fall and unable to resist? How could it gain such sudden wrath and hostility, when not long before it was just a mindless beast chasing and not chasing Yuri time and time again?“

“ It has changed.”

Archdemon Plague sighed, rising also in its humanoid beaked skull-headed form, sitting next to his Emissary, like two failed losers staring at the bleak horizons where Yuri had vanished.

“ I Told thee before of the unreasoning and vacuousness of Dessmosawriag's ways. But it seems I have misjudged.”

“ How so??“ Vernuii inquired in haste, eager to form a plan to bypass this grave Being while simultaneously achieving his goal, of setting Yuri free from the Herunis Carna.

“ As I am an Aggregate of Dark Souls that were doomed innocent and Plagued with unrest,

Za Dessmosawriag is an Aggregate of countless more souls taken either unknowingly or in grief, trapped in disparity or in denial, with goals of complexity only itself knows, with ways of calculation that seems...unorthodox to others like us.”

Vernuii thought for a moment to process Plague’s words.

“ It knows more than you. “ Vernuii concluded.

“ Boy, your statement may seem like a taunting gag, but it is of paramount enigma we face.”

Archdemon Plague scratched its beak in deep pondering.

“ As I have told thee, We Archdemons have access to our core origin of All Darkness, The Siorun, which calculates all that is living and naught. It knows what will happen, and so do I, and so does Za Dessmosawriag.

“ But what differs...simply, for it is but speculation on my part, is Za Dessmosawriag might possibly know more than just what will happen in this plane. All other planes of existence also...and all those planes' past present and future…”

“ You mean to tell me, The serpent can transcend and discern The What If and What Might happen?? To peer into other possibilities of our Existence ??” Vernuii finally started to sense the gravity of Plague’s concern.

“ Not just witness, boy. I surmise… 'HE' might have lived through them all. Only through experiencing each and every possibility itself, can it gain such power. The Runes, Boy, The Runes either of Dark nor Light, it tells of the memories and exploits of the Souls. And those wings and Runes upon Za Dessmosawriag… Those Don't Belong Here.”

Speechless, Vernuii’s mind blurred and could only focus on the impossible sight of the Grand winged serpent that could have devoured Yuri whole in the sky, but eventually refused, and flew away.

Why?? Why could it muster such strength ? How did it carry such burdens?? And Why did it act in such ways?? To turn away? At the last moment??

Answers scarce, and mysteries thickening, Vernuii sought a better approach as he stood back to his feet.

“ Where goes thee now? The Girl is heading the other end.”

Archdemon Plague ushered for his emissary to turn the other way.

“ I will seek The Dessmosawriag's audience.”

Vernuii spake the unthinkable.

“ I need to see what It Sees.”

Plague was not pleased.

“ Thou Fool!! I told you already, Death cannot be reasoned with!!!”

“ I plan not to reason, but to seek its attention,” Vernuii replied sternly.

“ To seek its insight. If Dessmosawriag had seen it all, surely it had seen a way to save Both Yuri, The World, and us Damned Kind. Surely, there is a possibility that the World and all of us can reach salvation and compromise, Demon and Light-hearted alike.

I Want To Know, To See it with my own eyes, and accomplish it…!

I shall make that possibility possible, In This Plane of reality. Our Plane!!!”

Donning his Dark Unerva armor with a flash of new confidence, Vernuii pulled the Archdemon with him with his bond.

“ To me, Palagmosawnodon!! As Your Emissary and cohort, I shall seek a way to achieve bliss for Both Worlds!!!!”

Lo, for the Emissary of Wind and pestilence, he had called upon the elden name of his Master, Lord of the forsaken, Archdemon of Plague and Doom, Za Palagmosawnodon, the Grave condor of shadow, for the Children of Light shall fearfully remember.

“ Naive fool…” Plague reluctantly abided, hiding under Vernuii’s wings as they flew the other way, venturing after the Grand Serpent’s trail. Though he doubted the boy's naivety would get what he seeks an answer to all suffering, The Demon carrion nonetheless followed still, unlike its grimace demeanor, Plague too bears grave curiosity.

Mayhap there shall be a moment where I regain control over this body… Or better yet, gain control over The King of all Archdemons, Za Arkzel Dessmosawriag…and claim New Lord of Dark!!!!

.

.

…

………

.

.

Rumbling though ceased yet like echoes lingering as the temporary fellowship of the golden pod hurried on across the skies dreary.

Towards a destination both Yuri and Lima could but imagine.

Caressing gently the fur of the unconscious baby wolf Elza, Lima felt a million unease all around her, even though Yuri has now awakened from perilous slumber.

Will Elza make it?

Where are these golden people taking them?

Can they be trusted?

With The World already after Yuri, what will these shined armored folks stance be?

They knew who Yuri was, from what Lima heard the golden maiden of the Javelin have spoken, they were here on Yuri’s behalf.

Are they also...yearning for the Herunis Carna…?

Lima looked up slowly to her right, where Yuri her saving grave sat with her on the stretcher side, also caressing Elza gently with her Egg snuggled above her lap.

Though she was stern and her gaze deeply merged of gravity and dismay, There was still Light in Yuri's eyes.

There is always Light in those deep blue eyes.

“ She will make it.” Yuri whispered, a firm promise, her hand now perched upon the sleeping Elza’s forehead.

“ She is still here. And She knows it was you, Lima. She is more than grateful.”

Putting aside how Yuri could feel what she had felt out of an unconscious canine pup all of a sudden, Lima was still aware something was not the same,

of Yuri.

She could not pinpoint it pretty well, yet,

But something of Yuri was...off, since her newly awakening,

Of how she faced the Archdemon Dragon Serpent minutes ago.

Not in a bad way, yet...an unease lingered, which Lima has yet the courage to face. For her past doings to Yuri and of assisting Caesar Skyman long before, her hiding the truth and all, Lima felt not brave enough to speak to Yuri of her deepest thoughts.

For now, she decided to put those thoughts aside and focus, for in this territory foreign, their inhabitants' motives were far from clear.

How she wished all could be like the clouds yonder, parting as the escape pod sailed out of the high walls of grey and Light, Blazes of the Sun emerging for the first time in like ages, basking its glory upon their cold cheeks.

Like a turning of the scene and tide darkness shriveled and Light so prevailed.

Both Yuri and Lima lo witnessed, glued to the glass as their eyes followed, forgetting the blinding glitter and sharp sparks marking the back of their retinas, the grand beast hovering above all, gently paddling its four great pairs of bladed ray wings like fins pushing it steadily upon the greyish waves, plated in nothing but metallic majestic gold,

The Golden Ark.

Caught amongst the awe of the radiant giant swimming alongside their humble escape pod, Yuri and Lima’s jaws stayed ajar as Lima’s eyes widened more and more, her lips gapping into a cry yet in search of words to utter.

“ Lima…??” Yuri noticed her friend struggling to define revelation through recognition of the past.

Shakingly, Lima pointed at the grand beast of gold, at its back where the one thing that caught Lima’s eyes was most prominent in sight.

“ That…that sigil…” Lima uttered at length, of joy and also of sorrow.

“ That…Belonged, to Solar Industries…!”

Lo,

Upon the back of the mothership, a Sun emblazoned, Widespread but only to one side with spread sharp rays extended to the right alone,

It's left side marred, charred in circular curvature,

missing its other side completely.

An unfully lit Sun.

“ …Solar…Industries…???” Yuri echoed, believing it was her first time encountering the name, at the words did resonate deeply within her in a way yet unknown.

Lima hastily turned to the golden lady in armor sitting opposite them, resting upon her javelin in silence.

“ You are all From Solar Industries, Are You Not…!?!?!” Lima inquired frantically, as if begging it to be true.

“ Please…I need to know… if there is someone that You might—”

“ We, are Not Solar Industries.” The armored lady cut Lima off without sentiment, the firmness in that answer breaking any hope and dreams one girl could ever contain.

“ We are, SOLUNAR. The Half Setting Sun, merged with the Moon ready to Rise.

We are not who you think we are, not all in Light…Nevermore.”

It was never known if Lima had heard of the rest of the golden Lady’s say, but Yuri sure did hear the whispered undertone,

Never more.

.

.

.

The escape jet jolted to a halt as it finally touched firm ground, upon the endless tracks atop the ark revealed by the opening of its outer shell as they neared.

Hissing as the pod gates slowly gave way, Yuri held Lima close, with her twin egg pouched behind her back, Elza caressed in Lima’s arms, they slowly, surely stepped foot onto foreign territory.

The silence was unprecedented, from the gathered host before their eyes, where two long straight rows of identical golden armored calibered men stood in abject unison, donned in tall suits paralleled in strength and mobility yet differing in style to those of a Starbreaker, with smoother outlines of the limbs elaborated with vertical plates on each shoulder and thighs, each one of them carrying a curved long blade sheathed in black hilt tied to the left waist side.

Their quatro-eyes helm staring forth, either the void, or posing to show their utmost faith upon their esteemed Lord.

Yuri sensed no hostility, yet the pressure they emanated was grand.

Both she and Lima stayed their ground before the two rows of the golden host on each side, not one step further towards the path in between.

With but quick glances at them countless armored beings lined to the end of the horizon, Lima accepted this was not like the Solar Industries she knew.

Solar Industries had never had authorities of this kind. Perhaps they had outer aid…? Space mercenaries ? Samurai of the Universe…??

They are clearly something else now.

Who would expect others of more caliber and artillery prowess to sail in the same skies as the Skylord Caesar Skayman of The Kingdom of Light, yet keep their silence after all this time?

The path yonder was clear, yet Yuri, through instinct, was hesitant to edge forth.

Deep down, she sensed unease in that broad silence, in the high breeze that blew roughly across the deck endless, a vast rumbling of anticipation from them Golden hosts rooted from intentions not all too welcoming, so Yuri's instincts tell her.

As the back of the Ark opened more and more, revealing platforms of still with golden Starbreakers lined one tier up to the next connected with a wide flight of mere marble stairs leading higher and higher to the top boulder, a podium of excellence with rays of sunlight bursting from the below, as a red simple gate conjoined by arched pillars, a marvelous red Torii of striking contrast amongst the golden and bloom emerging from underneath.

And From that gate, entering from the other side of none-existent void, entered the Lord of Gold, undoubted.

Twice the size of any golden humanoid around him, clad in meteoric sharp yet elegant plates of majesty that were no doubt ironed and heated on the surface of the Sun; a muscular shape of a human male recognizable even hidden under such extraordinary armor, clear to all was his Augustusness and Charisma even by standing at the far, far end hundred miles to all.

That red splendid cape flowing calmly upon his visage along the rustling winds of upheaval,

With four slanted thin vigilant emerald eyes shone apparent on the face of that mask, emblazoned upon that piercing sunray helm, having seen through it all, staring closely at his lordship’s guests.

He was, no doubt, The Captain of this Ark,

Prime of Sunlight,

Monarch of the Golden Host,

The Lord of Gold.

His Lordship saber, though sheathed to his left, wafted red sparks of brave ambition.

Charisma too, beaming like a sun of his right, casting all shadow nonexistent, illuminating the world out of hopeless shroud.

Burning to the back of her eyes, Yuri felt heat piercing through her irises, yet her glance moved naught away from the radiance afar, mesmerized by it mayhap.

No Starbreaker nor entity she ever knew could cast such brilliance in this age of dark.

“ Hail, Lord Akastuki, Brave of Solunar.” spaketh a figure asudden from the side, with a big hat angled as a V, linked to a visor of Starbreaker-esque helm standing next to Yuri and company, out of the blue.

“ May his Sunlight never wane.”

“ Lord…Akatsuki…” both Yuri and Lima echoed the New name. Just by stating the mere words did one feel basked under charisma.

“ Is he…Is He from Solar Industries also??” Lima uttered in question, desperate to know, only to be answered with a chuckle from the big hat emissary.

“ Thoust remember the Old ship that was abandoned?“ chuckled he who is gold also like his lord, he who speaks condescending, as pompous as his V shaped hat and sinister looking visor, as he stroked his cross armored arms slightly hidden under the long covering cloak latched upon his shoulders.

“ Nay. Lord Akastuki has sunk that Doomed Enterprise. We Are Solunar, and we harbor a new age, a grand expedition to cleanse Great Earthia and reclaim it! With thy help, of course, Lady Hoshino of the Herunis Carna.”

Yuri tensed at the mention of her name and self.

“ You know me?” Yuri asked coldly, her hands ready in position to summon her sword rifle out of her nanomic Starbreaker armor.

“ We do, for our salvation lies in your hands.” The big hat emissary of gold slightly bowed with reverence.

“ Your coming onto this Ark is like the stars aligned. Dreams of a beautiful tomorrow shall finally be granted truth, and Mankind shall thrive once again on this promised homeland.”

Yuri meant to speak, but remained at length, panning her gaze at the Golden host around her standing in a two vast rows across the field, the maiden in gold standing behind Lima, along with the medic and the Pilot that had saved them out of peril, then slowly turning back at the Golden Lord standing afar, Augustusness overload.

They are not Starbreakers. No.

They are refugees, stranded among sky.

“...You are all…Human.” Yuri concluded after a long silence of thought.

“ Coming back for your home…”

“ Indeed.” The big hatted emissary acknowledged Yuri’s accurate understanding with a slow deep nod.

“ I, am Lucius Nafarian, strategist of Lord Akastuki. And it will be my duty to brief you of the current state of grave Earthia’s Plight. We need you, Lady Hoshino,

Great Earthia needs you, Yuri.”

With a courteous gesture, Solar Strategist Lucius gestured them onward into the Ark compounds.

Yet, Lima was not done.

“ What do you mean…” Lima asked in a ghastly tremble.

“ What do you mean… Solar Industries…Sunk?!?!”

Tears now on the verge of shedding, Lima snarled as she moved forth, towards the rows of Golden knights stanced in vigilance, towards the Lord of All That Is Gold, whose cloak of red rippled in dooming welcome.

“ Lima, Wait!!”

Yuri tried to hold her friend back, who stomped forth nonetheless towards the throne miles afar, hatred fueled.

“ Oh oh, I recommend thee not, my lady…” Big hat Lucius suggested with robotic calmness, knowing that he Need Not step forth to hinder the young girl's path, for that is not his duty.

It was The Golden Host, responsible for their Lordship’s security, with sabers drawing half out of their hard clenched sheaths in united instance, thrashing sounds in chorus, blades dazzling upon Light, rows standing apart now merged into combat array, an impervious wall of utmost defending.

Their chii of loyalty meant harm, despite their adversary merely a young girl holding an unconscious wolf cub.

Daunted, Lima could but let Yuri rush to her front, Starbreaker armor summoned in a flash as Yuri raised her clench, Her Sword Rifle ready to erupt out of eminence.

Both the Medic and Pilot of the guest escort motioned forth to cease any bursting conflict, but one faster than all, as if foresaw the happenings, had already positioned herself between Lima, Yuri, and Gold.

The battle maiden of the Sunlight Javelin, with but one harsh motion, clashed the rear of her weapon, shuddering the arena to a drastic rumble; like a resounding gong the entire Ark did resonate immensely, silencing all sound of disarray.

The Golden Host, like petrified, paused before their sovereign in reverence. Yet blades still half sheathed.

“ Hearken, thee all.” While no one had the mind to speak, Big Hat Lucius excelled in words, stepping in between all conflict to sound some reason.

“ Let it be known that we stand here upon rubble. Yes, all that can be seen of flash, of gold, of daunt, of Augustusness, came from naught. And it is none other than Lord Akastuki The Brave that fortified it all, with sheer Will and Might, to carry us all in this Ark of sacrifices that shall never be in vain.

He had to be on that throne, He had to be on that pedestal, with his magnanimous Mind focused and Determination Ever pumping so that we could all survive!

Young lady Lima of sunlit youth, your questions of grave past require profundity and marvel that I have diligently documented with my Life and works, and worry not, I will share willingly. What Lord Akastuki cannot speak while in tremulous duty, I, Lucius will answer with sentiment.”

And after that uttered with utmost earnest, Lucius Nafarian of the big hat bowed deep, raising its metallic clad hands towards the young girl in enticing lure.

Lima was hesitant, but before she could answer and take that metallic hand, The Maiden in Gold struck her javelin to the deck once more, standing between Lima and Lucius, like a wall unwelcoming.

“ You will not touch her.”

The Battle Maiden snapped coldly, as she ushered Lima and Yuri away behind her, escorting them to the compounds within the Ark where safe lodgings reside.

The medic and pilot of the escape pod quickly followed close behind, as Yuri could slightly hear them sigh quietly under their breath in relief.

Entering into dark, before Yuri turned away from the vast platform of the Ark and the Host sheathing their sabers as they exit, having one last glimpse of the Sun-like Man standing above all, afar from all, only to see The Lord of Gold staring back at her with those four lifeless eyes of lo sunlight helm. Though concealed the true colors were under that shining cowl, the menacing aura of majesty can never be hidden.

An Awesome Wave,

brushing across the deck all over her and everyone else, unstoppable, unparalleled.

Omniscient.

.

.

…

……….

.

.

As the sun of the high skies so lit under Lord Akatsuki’s Augustus reign, far away on the other side of the grim horizon also of sky, floats the grave Skyworld of feigned glim, eluded malevolence, and evergaol of innocence.

Lo, sad poor children of Light, once liberated by Captain Bradson of the Betelgeuse, now scrub the empty streets of the horizon city, pulling metal scraps and carrying fudder under the cruel scrutiny of cold android eyes, overseeing the slavery per Skylord’s villainy.

Working to survive under such dread circumstances, the children of Light never did abandon their faith and fervor, for amongst them they followed a lead, a New Lead.

Those that toil in the battleship hangars secretly took with them small plates of Starym steel, sneaking them in their torn dingy shirts and as they marched, dragging shipment around the compound, they carve down the path onto those small steel plates. At the end of the day, as they return to the safe house headquarters, they gather all the metal pieces together from all the children enslaved in labor in different parts, and it was a map.

A map which the New Child Lead so commissions.

A Plan Kai so envisioned.

Yay, for Kai is that new lead, though not yet fully recovered from drastic beating by the former child lead under sadistic Skylord’s schemes, Kai thrived and earned his kin’s trust.

“ We found a thin path down the far east corner at the back of the hangars, Kai Lead.” One kid loyally presented his newly drawn piece of map steel to Kai, who humbly studied the compound wisely.

“ And here is the map of the compounds near the laboratory, Kai Lead, but we couldn't find a way in, yet.”

Another girl produced her part of the map to the calm Lead who hummed in slight discomfort.

“ Any sign of our poor Lucky, brothers and sisters?” Kai asked after memorizing all the maps presented to him that night.

“ No, handsome Kai Lead.” the girls working at the streets and abandoned compounds replied dismally, crestfallen.

“ We have seen ripped parts of Lucky’s garment littered across underneath in the sewers around the empty compounds, but we can’t go under or within. If only we could find a way…”

Kai frowned in deep contemplation. It pains him that a fellow sister banished to the undergrounds of the laboratory by devilish Caesar Skylord cannot be saved soon enough, but there is something else that bothers him so.

Tricia’s darkened eye, her one eye that had diminished Light after Sensei Bradson’s tragic passing, also troubled our new lead greatly, for he genuinely wished for Tricia to smile again. Though her voice was lost forever, Kai wished that her joy would be retrieved especially in such dark days under tyranny.

Though Tricia never told Kai how her other eye could reignite, the silent girl would often read the maps of the compounds surrounding the unknown lab locked out on all sides in grim thought. Thus the more attention the sealed laboratory did draw Kai to dig deeper and deeper.

“ If only we have a way to traverse through walls…” Kai muttered in exhausted sigh to his brothers and sisters.

Lo, as if a prayer answered immediately, a kid came forth to Kai Lead, and knelt with one knee, arms raised a sharp artifact of sheer power and Starbreaker valor high to his lead whereas the weapon shone bright as day whilst the child room was dimly lit.

“ Woh.” Kai addressed the twist of events.

“ That’s a very dangerous but mighty weapon in your hand, Rebo.”

The boy named Rebo raised the blazing sharp dagger higher to his new lead.

“ Indeed, its sharpness is ever so remarkable to be remembered over the ages further than our children’s children.”

Rebo the kid with messy white hair, and countenance so fair for a boy that he had to wear half a mask to block his looks otherwise the girls would never stop wooing him all day long, answered with undoubted confidence.

“ For let it be known that this dagger fell from the sky and pierced down to the ground where I used to nap far away from the annoying girls. And I have used it once or twice and seen its power and might first hand. One Rune upon its blade carved so deep which is unknown to me, that I asked Neliya who can decipher the archaic to enlighten its story. Lo, Neliya pronounced, that one Rune is Sisqude. Not that I nor Neliya knew what it meant.”

(For here I, the documentor must intrude in haste, for the word here be known as Sisqude, the origin word for ‘Unsheath’ known to the Sky folks dwelling on Terminas. Most notable among the weapons of Terminas nobles are the combination of blade and rifle, and while the triggering of the rifle mode do be called ‘Otomerald’, which is another rune originated from another weapon of elden epicness, the sheathing and transformation from rifle to blade form, is so called ‘le Sisqude’.

More details should be discussed further on if any traveler is curious for more lore to come.

Let us continue.)

“ Swell.” Kai lead bade, elated.

“ Show us all, Rebo.”

“ I will, but something would definitely break. Follow me.”

Rebo bade calmly and all the curious children followed the white haired kid to the corner of the Headquarters, and with a swift slash of said dagger, the wall of the headquarters had a gash so deep Kai could feel the cold night breeze gushing in as soon as the dagger ceased motion.

“ You just cut through a solid wall, as thick as old Sensei’s book of ten thousand stories, Rebo.” Kai remarked in awe and wonder, as did all the children that bore witness.

“ Is it your prowess in wall cutting that did the miracle, or is it the dagger that is imbibed with powers Life Changing??”

“ I dare not say it was me, but I did some practice.” Rebo humbly handed the Star dagger Sisqude to his lead.

“ With this dagger of Star, you can cut through any wall on this skyland isle. I tested it, every wall is cuttable.”

“ Then you have gained my trust.” Kai patted Rebo on the shoulder, determined to use this dagger as the key to venture to the locked up lab, to seek its secrets, and find Lucky on the way there.

“ But Kai, what about Neo former lead?” Treize the kind chubby kid asked out of the blue, for he is still saddened that the former Child lead is no longer with them, and so were other scarce children as well.

“ Shall we tell him of this miracle blade of wall breaking??”

“ Neo has chosen his path to assist Rio that is too far gone.” Kai replied before a saddened sigh that spoke a million words more than what he just said.

“ And all we can do is bless his noble choice. May Neo and those that follow his path to no return find peace.”

Gravely, all the children left behind could but accept with heavy hearts.

For Neo, our former lead that has abandoned his post, despite his forsaken brother’s constant denials of help, was now making his way up the stairs to Skylord Throne in the waning of the night, the illuminating before the Dawn, each step heavier than the one before.

Rio, brother of Neo, having agreed to dastardly Caesar Skylord’s bargain, had become a slave entombed under this cruel dark Starchild armor, and was demanded to lead 5 other boys and 6 girls on the Starhunt, a stunt to hunt down Yuri in the Starchild Armor, an upgraded child-sized armor used to decimate Starbreakers and Demons alike.

Even after nonstop refusal for his brother’s aid and forgiveness, Neo, with a heavy heart of duty, insisted to lead by his stead, thus now this Rio grimacely followed behind our Neo former Lead, up the stairs to Skylord Throne.

Following behind Neo was also his love and Light, beloved and serene Neliya the kind, who despite being just a tiny loli of meager strength, decided to follow the love of her life onto this path forgone.

“ NO!!“ Neo had boomed in opposition the night before when Neliya had stubbornly insisted to follow him.

“ This path is of doom and demise. Stay, Neliya, I beg of thee. Please…”

“ If I stay, I would just be a pawn used to threaten your might, Neo.” Neliya heavy heartedly explained with love unyielding.

“ I have to strengthen, at least learn to protect myself, or even, protect you. Only with you, can I feel safe.”

“ And only with you can I feel strong.” Neo sighed and gave in.

But Neliya was not the weakest that joined Rio’s Starhunt squad.

“ Finnir, you are too sick to join. Lie down in bed.” Feira, his sister demanded.

But Finnir lo, with noble heart, came to Neo’s tent to seek his lead’s audience.

“ Neo yo.”

Finnir so spake with nothing but loyal sincerity to his dumbfounded lead.

“ There is a benevolent Star in you, and it could be a formidable benevolent star when guided towards the right path. I will be your guide, for you have protected us and saved me and my sister more times than I can remember. I owe you more than my life, Neo.”

Neo was moved, and quickly wiped his hot tears away.

“ Thank you, Finnir. Your words like rain to a drought, winds to a sail. I love you.”

“ But Finnir, remember you not the Skylord’s pursuit upon you?” Neliya kindly reminded the woke kid of the wolfstar.

“ The devilish Skylord seeks your demise!! How do you hide yourself when you join us???”

Neo and Feira nodded in trepidation also, but the Wolfstar just chuckled, assuring them folk with his newborn enlightenment and illustrious stratagems.

“ Fear not, my good kin, for I have my illusive ways that leave a later time to be revealed.”

And so that it must be, a later revelation to which the children let it pass through their minds in confidence.

Thus so it was, trudging behind his lead Neo the benevolent, was Finnir of the wolf star, and his caring sister Feira, who believed in Neo’s benevolence also, accompanied him, hoisting him up the high stairs on one side.

Next side by side with the wolf star siblings was the ever helpful Vena the resourceful, a timid compassionate girl of short black hair with a nondiscriminating liking on all that is living, who at times when Feira either needed rest or was fed up of Finnir’s nonsense, would assist sick Finnir and be of his acquaintance. Vena was very fond of Finnir’s insight long before his gaining of forbidden knowledge, and was as close to the wolf stars as she was their third sister. But Vena was asked to join Rio’s Starhunt not only from Finnir’s connections, but also due to her possession of an Astra only she could wield.

A powerful Rune bestowed upon her by a wriggling short limbed animal after she saved it from vermin Rat Demons days Before Yuri's timely intervention. The Rune be ‘Salamandara’, a skill paramount that grants its user the affability to pierce through any that the wielder so believed she could pierce. Yet, Vena believed there would not come a time for this power to be unleashed, so she thought, for now.

And between Vena and Feira is their close sister in arms, the naughty energetic Nassah the Striking one, most agile and skillful amongst the girls in combat, of tanned healthy skin, apparent fangs and golden bright pupils among brown irises like twin suns, a capable sister who any child could rely on.

But not because of her liking of this Starhunt or support of Rio did she join, on the contrary, Rio was always catching each opportunity to spar against Nassah which annoyed her greatly, though she was the victor as expected of her, but her joining this squad of no redemption is because

“ Yeah…I’d rather be allowed outside than stay in this prison, doing chores. Count me in.”

Nuff said.

Next, racing up the wide staircase of royalty are the twins amongst the pack of children, close friends of Rio, two energetic boys fond of mischief and daring of stunts who had accompanied Rio on many Demon fighting, are Thok and Thoka, the twins who should have appeared earlier but was forgotten by this documentor me. But still, here they are, with their jolly and optimism to ease the mood, followed Rio to all ends with sturdy loyalty.

And with the twins is the fair curious one, a lively girl of blond long curls, is brave Lila, or Nassah would always nickname her Lilalin. Possibly fairest amongst the children with the cleverness to harness all instruments with instant mastery to compose tunes to soothe, to lull, to express, to encourage hope, and to induce tears. Thus, a harp Sensei Bradson bestowed to her as a gift, which secretly was a Harp Bow, to protect her kin physically, and emotionally. Her joining was due to the twin brother inviting her respectively at different times behind each brother’s back, without the other brother knowing. And her agreeing to which brother to join the Starhunt, was still unknown to this day.

And far behind, guarding the back of the squad was Oullo the quiet, the blade of Neo. Little was known of this quiet boy with long hair covering his eyes and appearance save his remarkable dexterity with the long blade. Which might come in handy in times like this.

Behind the guardian boy was the last but not least, a child of equal ineloquence to Oullo, dispassionate one might consider her to be for keeping her distance to all and reluctance to join any group amongst the children pack as a whole; This one girl of short trimmed ebony hair, this child by the name of Ullanna, was the outcast of the pack, not that the children denied her company, but rather her refusal to act convivial to all respectively, fortunately without malice nor enmity, but still distant to her piers.

Surprisingly, she was likely the first to enlist onto this unforgivable Starhunt of no return.

.

.

“ I can join you.”

“ ...Huh…??” After the Skylord’s leave after casting abject acts of tyrannic violence the day before, Rio was not expecting a helping hand, nor anyone that would even be willing to speak to him after the utter display of the cladding of the Dark armor of shame.

But it is surely Ullanna the aloof that had stood before him as he cowed at his corner of dark shame.

“ The Skylord ordered you to pick 5 boys and 6 girls to follow you to hunt down Yuri.”

Ullana reminded the so-called Crown Prince of Skyworld coldly of his dastardly duties.

“ Count me in.”

“ Get Lost. You're insane. I'll deal with Yuri myself!”

Rio had grimacely refused, but as the night of the Starhunt neared, Rio gave in.

.

.

Rumors amongst the girls state Ullanna might hate Yuri since the day she appeared in the children pack’s hideout, but children do spread cruel remarks crudely sometimes, don’t they?

Lo, behold, with our twelve chosen, venturing high up to the throne of Sky, to abide to the reluctant order of Starhunt, they must endure, yes, they must.

For our brave risen Starchilds,

Neo,

Rio,

Neliya,

Finnir,

Feira,

Vena,

Nassah,

Thok,

Thoka,

Lila,

Oullo,

and Ullanna,

shall face the drastic change of paths from the others left behind, forever shifting their Destiny onto the Stars, fortifying their impact on this continent unquestionable. Their Legacy forever sung by their grandchildren’s children, offspring after offspring, to this day, the song of the Night the Starchilds’ Starhunt, daunting and proud, resonating in them, in me, and within your Light hearts.

Neo was the first to step in, with his one heavy sounding step echoing, bellowing deep, into the dark shadow cast throneroom, dim and unlit despite being the pinnacle of the capital of all that is nothing but Light.

The dawn was nigh, and like a blade cutting through the room from under, lifting the curtains too slowly, finally revealed the dilapidated marble hall of nothing remaining intact, even the Lord upon that mechanic throne of tubes and syringes to prolong eternity was far from unblemished.

That gaping hole wound still supported by light pumping tubes, with pincers and welders slowly replenishing the muscle fibers and tissues back to muscular excellence.

“ Well, well, well…” the Lord sitting pompously askew spake amused, left leg raised stumping on the rim of his royal sitting, right elbow supporting his resting marble-like chin of chiseled charisma.

“ Neo yo… It seems, like a tendency in you to take lead wherever you go, Now even the reigns of the crown prince-to-be. Ha ha...Rio, my Crown Prince To Be, What say you in your defense?”

Skylord Caesar chuckled snidely.

“ Neo is nothing to me and neither is he my Lead!!!”

Rio barked furiously, unyielding even to this moment.

“ He is but a Pretender!! I Am Responsible of this, I Am The Lead!!!!”

“ RIO YOU HAVE WREAKED HAVOC ENOUGH!! SHUSH YOU!!!!!”

Neo boomed even louder than he had ever boomed before and all was daunted, even Rio, for a split second.

“ Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ! ! ! ! !”

Caesar Skylord clapped elatedly, delighted by the breaking of brotherhood before his eyes.

“ You may have tricked my brother into a bargain he was not clear of the consequences, Lord.” Neo now spoke powerfully with his chosen family behind him as his temple.

“ But a bargain is a bargain. We’ll do what we must, for what we want.”

“ Hoh.” Caesar Skyman nodded wryly, not expecting Neo to be so obedient. Perhaps the beating up of Kai had made him soft.

“ Well then, need I say more?”

And with a wave, the floor gave way for eleven sets of the Starchild Armor to rise from under, the same ones Rio now clad, imprisoned, shimmering black and violet, sharp edges twinkling menacingly.

Shorter than the regular Starbreaker armor, with more arcs and sharp edges to induce pain from each part of the armor, covered in camouflage alloy to simulate surroundings and emulate lighting, with hidden anti-Starbreaker weaponry loaded in each limb and joints. A perfect armor to hunt a specific Starbreaker, a Starhunt.

“ Wield them,” Caesar bellowed tyrannic,

“ If you so Seek of What You Want??!!”

Vigilantly, Neo made the first move, nearing his set of armor standing like his shadow facing him with cold determination.

A faint jolt bolted through his fingers as he raised his hand to touch the armor, feeling a barrier of invisible electric force field resonating between him and the armor. The sharp double arched visor of the sharp horned helm glowed with purplish hue.

Neo pushed forward, passing his fingers through the force barrier, and he felt power.

Power rushing into the tip of his nails, gushing through his veins, his light blood, pumping through his heart and overflowing throughout his adolescent body.

He felt he could slay Caesar Skylord this instance.

And with a blast, Neo, clad in armor, flew up in the air in an instance with an ultra greatsword smelted from star rock materializing in his hands, raised high above his head about to hack this Tyrant in two!!!

But the Skylord verily just sneered wickedly, for he saw that it was but a Power Projection visualizing Neo’s Want-Through the Powers of the Starchild Armor, Neo’s want has become a force image of his cutting off Caesar’s Head!!

Neo was just there, standing before his Starchild Armor in rage this whole time!!!

With courtesy of a Lord, Caesar Skyman decided to address this Force Act of a treason, by mustering his own inner Light Force and projecting himself Kingly in his Prime Excellence and parried Neo’s ultra Greatsword slash in no time, clashing the star blade with his mere projected palm.

“ Very good. Now you have a taste of the upgrade of the Starbreaker Armor, accept it, Neo! Cut Me Down As You Wish !!!!“

Neo was trying hard as the Lord was speaking, with his rage and New-found Star Power pushing with his might, pressing him all through this Astral Projection.

The rest of the children could but stare, eyes wide, jaws dropped, in sheer awe as they too could clearly discern the two Projections fighting above their heads, clashing of the surreal, combat of the mind and Beliefs.

Just as Caesar was at the verge of feeling bored and ready to end this unreal Duel, he sought to swat the boy's projection out of existence, to shame him once again as he so pleases.

But He Could Not.

Pressing still towards the Skylord’s neck, the Star Ultra Greatsword inched closer and closer, steadily coming for his head.

Caesar Skyman felt his nape turn cold.

What does this mean??? Why can't I swat him away??? Why is the blade coming closer and closer ??????

The more Caesar tried to push the blade away, the more it neared, as Neo’s projection now loomed before his, and the line between astro and reality blurred and in a short glimpse, Caesar Skyman thought he saw, no, He Felt It- He could feel Neo chopping his neck half through!!!!!

“ INAFF!!!!”

Caesar Skylord hollered the word, the Aldrich form of the old English word 'enough', for he meant it truly, and his shout was what saved him from head chop, for both Neo and his own projection faded into naught.

All there stood before the Skylord, was Neo, readily clad in the Starchild Armor, sizzling with steam as if returned from a Starhunt of paramount bounty.

Both boy and Armor had processed a close bonding linked deeply, physically, and astronomically.

With Their child lead's assurance, the rest of the children proceeded to closely link with their designated armor and were all soon accepted, clad in variations of the dark metallic electrifying violet suit, adjusted to their style and form, standing tall as an army of absolute demise, a Pack for absolute Starhunt.

Caesar Skyman couldn't help but feel a shiver down his spine at the sight of his own creation.

But surely, this squad, unrivaled, is what best used to claw Yuri back to his den!!!

“ Well then…”

The Skylord clapped with mildly shaking hands.

“ Proceed Now Shall-

For The Starhunt Commences! ! ! ! ! !”

And they were off, like black meteors ripping the dawn and Light, dashing to smite their target with heavy light hearts,

for Love,

for Truth,

and for Freedom.

Go, Starchilds.

Rise!

Rise, Fellow Children of Star !

Rizen, Za Paruseforon ! ! ! !

.

.

.

[...to be continued……]