The bright, sweeping expanse of the outside world hit Gira with a refreshing blast of warmth. He closed his eyes, letting the light wash over him, his lips curling into a smile. Taking in the warmth like a sun-drenched shrub blossoming in the spring, he breathed deeply before opening his eyes to take in his surroundings.
Outside the megastructure, the outskirts of the port city stretched out in a relatively barren landscape. Scattered, abandoned buildings dotted the area, alongside the occasional wind-twisted tree, their branches swaying gently in the breeze. The faded colors and cracked roads gave everything a rustic, almost forgotten charm that somehow thrilled Gira.
In the distance, he could make out sparse towers rising here and there, not nearly as grand as Krreat but still prominent against the open sprawl. Their silhouettes were faint, but their scale added a hint of grandeur to the otherwise modest surroundings.
“Why’s there no one out here?” Gira asked, leaning over the lowglider’s upper deck railing, his gaze sweeping the deserted landscape below.
Holly opened her mouth to answer, but Alice beat her to it. “Because there’s nothing to do out here,” she replied bluntly. “Just abandoned buildings and a few ranger outposts.”
Holly, still smiling, further added, “A lot of the infrastructure has also worn down over time; with most capable machines working in the fields and farms, no one here really cares to maintain it.”
“Oh—Why not?” Gira asked.
Holly paused thoughtfully, but Alice chimed in once more “Because it's boring—plus no one lives out here except the rangers.”
“Where do they live?”
This time, Xizu answered, pointing at a goofy-looking building in the distance. “Right over there.”
Gira followed Xizu’s finger to a dark purple building that he was surprised he hadn’t noticed before when he’d passed through with Lucas.
It was the only building with such an unusual color, and from a distance, it looked massive and somewhat mysterious, as if it were designed to contain something grand or unusual inside. Its exterior had sections of gleaming glass and rounded edges, unlike the typical blocky structures that surrounded it. There were brightly colored pipes snaking along the outside, like oversized veins running through the building, curving upwards and looping back down. At one end of the structure, a tall, translucent dome glint in the sunlight.
“What kind of building is that!?” Gira exclaimed, half-standing, as he stared at the building.
Xizu smirked, “That—”
“It’s their ‘awesome’ makeshift station!” Alice cut in with a giggle.
Xizu shot Alice a look, and the girl glanced away. “It used to be a family resort,” Xizu explained a bit awkwardly. “The old Ordovis Ranger Station was located inside the Translate, and like everything else in there, it was shredded by the Shattering’s entropy. We had a station under the main city for a while, but with so many people moving here in the past few months, they needed more space... so they moved out here.”
“Oh—so what’s a family resort?” Gira asked as they neared the building.
Holly stammered beating her sister for once, “Uhh—it’s a place where people used to go have fun.”
“Awesome! What kind of fun?” he asked eagerly, his gaze fixed on her as the lowglider slowed into a nearly empty parking lot.
“You know… playing with water, and, um…” Holly struggled to find the words under Gira’s intense stare, causing her to overheat.
Alice poked at her sister before continuing for her, “It’s easier if I show you. Can’t promise they haven’t torn all the fun bits out, though.”
Before they could continue, Xizu interjected, “Actually, Gira has a pretty important meeting with your dad, so—”
“Awww, I do? Why?” Gira cut in.
Xizu sighed, pausing to think of an easy answer that wouldn’t lead to other questions. “He just wants to thank you for helping out.”
“Aww shucks, you guys don’t have to thank me.” He said, pawing at her dismissively as he rubbed the back of his head. “Anyways—tell him I said hi; we can chat some oth—”
Xizu’s soft demeanor became a little grim as she stared at Gira with piercing red eyes. Her stare was so intense that both Alice and Holly looked away, uneasy. “You can have your fun later; you’re an adult now, Gira, and there are things you have to do,” she said, her tone sharp and commanding.
Gira shrank in his seat, “Uhh, yes. G-guess I can explore later…”
Xizu’s demeanor immediately brightened. “Alrighty then, let’s get going~!” She exclaimed, stepping out of the lowlgider as three followed her sheepishly.
As they approached the building, Gira’s eyes fell on the weathered sign above the main entrance: Tebo’s Aqua Adventure. The original colorful lettering was crossed out in thick, careless strokes, and a lamer makeshift sign hung awkwardly beneath it, reading in plain, unimpressive letters: Krreat Ranger Station
The doors leading inside had also been altered from their original design. Where once there would have been inviting glass doors, heavy metal ones now sat in their place, thick and imposing, as if to underscore the building’s new purpose. The mismatched elements gave the entrance a jarring look.
Xizu summoned a small keychain into her hand, its charms clinking softly. She pressed a sleek access card attached to it against a scanner beside the door. The screen lit up with a soft pink glow, and, with a gentle hum, the heavy metal doors slid open in a smooth, precise motion.
Following her inside, Gira was greeted by a lively scene as small mechanoids scurried about, each one busily carrying supplies or moving equipment. The little machines were painted a bright, cheerful yellow, and with their rounded bodies, they looked almost like walking hardhats equipped with arms and legs. Despite their compact size, they lugged around steel plates and other heavy components with surprising ease, their movements quick and efficient as they scampered across the bustling floor.
“Wow, what are these little guys!?” Gira exclaimed as he yoinked one off the floor. The tiny machine flashed red as it squirmed in his grip.
“Drop that!” Xizu commanded.
Startled, Gira let go, watching as the little mechanoid darted into a maintenance vent in the wall. Xizu sighed. “They’re work drones; they’re helping remodel the resort.”
“Ahh…” Gira replied, a bit flustered by her scolding.
Xizu looked at Gira with a tired look. “Ask before you touch, alright?”
“Yup… Will do,” he mumbled, sounding slightly deflated.
As they resumed walking, Alice sidled up next to him. “Don’t worry, big bro, I can teach you the ins and outs of the world,” she said with a mischievous smirk.
Holly quickly joined her sister. “Don’t listen to anything she says. If you actually want sound advice, I’d be happy to teach you.”
Gira smiled. “Thanks,” he replied, taking in the strange smell of chemical undertones mixed with the metallic tang in the air.
Making their way past the bustling construction area, the group stepped into a spacious, brightly lit room. The walls were painted in a strange, shifting light blue that moved in undulating patterns, like the view from beneath a tranquil wave. The effect was both calming and surreal, giving the room an almost underwater ambiance.
Around the room, a few rangers lounged in civilian clothing, relaxing and chatting in small groups. As the four of them entered, several rangers turned, some waving in acknowledgment to Dr. Xizu. Then, one by one, their eyes fell on Gira with a mix of curiosity and surprise. But before he could take it all in, one petite, light brown-haired girl shot up from her seat, her eyes widening.
“G-G-G-Gira!” she exclaimed, her voice breaking with excitement as she ran straight to him.
The sound of his name seemed to draw everyone’s attention, and Gira looked around, startled, as the girl grabbed his hands. Gira flustered, looked down at the teary-eyed girl with a confused look before his dumba—I mean, before he recognized the girl.
“Miss Calli?!” he exclaimed, a look of surprise and warmth breaking through his initial confusion.
Calli nodded vigorously, tears brimming in her golden hazel eyes as she wrapped her arms around him in a sudden hug. “I shought that you shad died!” she mumbled into his shoulder, her voice thick with emotion. “Shank you for shaving our livesh,” she whispered, her words muffled but heartfelt.
Gira, a bit overwhelmed, let a soft smile form as he rested a hand on her shoulder, giving her a reassuring squeeze.
Holly’s eyes widened in horror as she watched the scene unfold, her heart sinking as Calli wrapped Gira in a tight hug. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed her mother and sister observing the exchange, their expressions neutral yet slightly touched by the emotional reunion.
Feeling a surge of urgency, Holly instinctively raised her hands, almost as if to reach out and separate them, her fingers fidgeting in mid-air. But then she caught herself, realizing how silly she must look. A blush crept up her cheeks, and she quickly dropped her hands, hoping no one noticed her sudden fluster.
The room’s attention now had fully centered on Gira, who was embracing the teary-eyed Calli, who was now fully crying. Gira smiled, but as the crying carried on, he didn’t really know what to do. Like a cat with socks on, he stood their awkwardly hugging Calli.
Suddenly, the door to the left side of the lounge burst open, and a man strode in, his gaze sweeping the room with intensity. He froze at the sight of Calli clinging to Gira, her tears streaming freely. His eyes narrowed, and a flash of irritation flickered across his face as he zeroed in on Gira, locking him in a sharp, almost accusing stare.
Gira noticed him and looked around confused as the ranger approached with a foul look. “Looks like you lived you crimson-faced freak.”
“Do…do I—do I know you?” Gira stammered, bewildered, as Calli pulled back from the hug, leaving him feeling more confused than ever.
“Don’t be mean, Will!” Calli snapped at the angry ranger, causing his demeanor to suddenly shift.
Will raised his hands defensively, as if calming a skittish animal. “Oh, I-I’m sorry, Calli. I’ll treat the little ghoul better.”
“little ghoul?” Gira muttered, narrowing his eyes.
Calli released Gira and whirled around to face Will, hands on her hips. “I told you to be nice, you big jerk!” she scolded, her tone sharp.
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Will seemed to shrink under her glare, offering her an awkward, sheepish smile.
“So… do I know you?” Gira interrupted, glancing between them.
Will’s face twisted into a scowl. “I’m the guy you mugged for a Kyyr Booster.”
Gira looked up into an imaginary cloud and reminisced, his hair bits twitching as he loaded up the memory. “Ohhh! Are you made because I ripped your pants off?”
Will’s eye twitched. “Uh, yeah, sure, let’s go with that…” he muttered, shooting an embarrassed glance at Calli, who tilted her head in confusion.
“That happened between you two?” she asked, looking between them, puzzled.
“Yup!” Gira replied brightly. “Thanks for the Kyyr Booster, by the way. I don’t think I could’ve saved Lucas otherwise,” he added with a big smile.
“Right…” Will answered in a defeated tone.
Will was a sharp-looking man; he had medium-length, slightly messy hair that was parted to one side. He had muted brown hair with subtle hints of light green that caught the light of the blue room. The ends of his hair had a natural wave to them, ironically giving him a relaxed look, which contrasted with the annoyed stare his was giving Gira. His eyes were a piercing emerald green that seemed to be trying to cut Gira in half for some reason.
Dressed in civilian clothing, both Will and Calli appeared far more casual than in their usual ranger attire. Will wore a simple black shirt adorned with an abstract white logo, paired with loose, utility-style pants tucked neatly into black boots. His wrists were encircled with a ton of bracelets—like an actual ton, each etched with its own unique pattern or design, lending him a slightly artistic, almost chaotic look.
Calli’s style was a cozy contrast to Will’s. She wore an oversized, light brown sweater, its soft material and relaxed fit giving her a warm, approachable air. The loose neckline revealed a fitted white tank top beneath, adding a layered, casual touch. She paired the sweater with soft, knitted jogger-style pants in a slightly darker shade, and her feet were snug in fluffy pink slippers. Her hair, longer than Gira remembered, framed her face delicately, and she now wore small, minimalist gold earrings that added a hint of elegance to her cozy look.
Xizu stepped in, her tone cutting through the air. “Excuse me, but Gira has an appointment with Captain Bern.”
“O-oh, sorry for interrupting!” Calli exclaimed, "Gira, we should chat after your meeting, alright.” she happily said as she went for one last hug.
Gira smiled, but his eyes widened as he saw the horrifying stare Will was giving him. “Okie! Calli—uh, we can catch up in a bit.” He said as he hugged her back before following Xizu across the lounge.
Gira could still feel the eerie stare of Will, distracting him from the murmurs from the rangers that were studying him.
“Aren’t you Mr. Popular~” Alice teased, nudging Gira with a sly grin.
“Am I?” Gira asked, genuinely baffled, as he turned to see Will still glaring at him.
Alice smirked. “Yeah! You’ve got girls hugging you, an awesome new family—mostly thanks to me—and my stupid sister is totally over the edge for you.” Her smug smile was quickly interrupted by Holly smacking her on the back of the head. “Ow!” Alice yelped, recoiling.
Holly quickly stepped between them, smiling awkwardly. “Ignore her, Mr. Gira. She’s just… going through a phase.”
“Over the edge?” Gira asked, tilting his head in confusion.
“Uhh—it’s well…” Holly grew red as she struggled to find the words.
Xizu glanced back with a knowing smile. “It means she thinks you’re awesome.”
“Really? Finally, someone with good intuition!” Gira replied, nodding in approval.
Holly sighed, holding Alice back with one hand as her sister struggled behind her. “Holly, you b—!” Alice started, but Holly smothered her protests, maintaining her composure as she kept her sister at bay with a calm smile.
“Why are you doing that?” Gira asked.
“For fun~” Holly remarked with a graceful smile.
“Right…” Gira said slowly, watching as Alice clawed futilely at her taller sister. Shrugging, he turned his attention elsewhere, noticing a sea of curious eyes on him. As he looked around, his gaze drifted to the fish-themed decor plastered across the undulating wallpaper.
Gira’s gaze faltered, his steps slowing as a weariness overtook him. The steady hum of the room faded, replaced by the deafening roar of crashing waves, relentless and consuming. He blinked, but instead of the familiar surroundings, he saw a vast black sea stretching endlessly, its depths impenetrable, mysterious, and timeless. His gray-black irises darkened, swirling with shades of teal as the colors of his vision shifted, drawing him deeper into the memory.
He was on a small boat, swaying violently amidst a fierce storm. Rain pounded against the windows, a relentless percussion that mingled with the erratic creak of the boat as it fought the towering waves. The cabin’s frame felt claustrophobic, with sticky notes haphazardly plastered across every corner, flickering under the dim, storm-lit glow. Each note bore fragmented phrases and drawings—faint memories hastily recorded, reminders of something lost in the haze of the past.
Gira’s hands were on the wheel, steady despite the turmoil, guiding the vessel through the relentless waters. Next to him, a small monitor displayed a live feed from a camera pointed into the endless darkness below. He leaned closer to the screen, his breath fogging the glass as he stared into the black. The camera panned, its pale light cutting through the murky depths, illuminating glimmers of movement. Then, from the shadows, a monolithic figure began to emerge—a hulking mass of scales, slick and ancient, rising with a slow, deliberate motion.
He felt a chill seize his spine as the creature’s form drew nearer, each scale reflecting the faint, eerie glow from the screen. Just as it loomed closer, seemingly ready to breach the thin barrier of glass—
Gira blinked, finding himself once again in the softly lit room, the sound of rain and waves still echoing faintly in his mind. The blue wallpaper came back into focus, and a somber smile crossed his face as he whispered, almost to himself. He found you.
“Gira?” Alice called out, noticing his distant gaze. She reached over, nudging his arm a bit harder. “Gira!”
He blinked, snapping back to reality. “Oh, sorry. What happened?” he asked, flashing her a quick, sheepish smile.
Alice’s eyes widened as she stared at him. “Mom!” she called, looking over at Xizu with disbelief. “His eyes changed, and I think… he got taller!?”
Gira’s eyes widened. “Oh? Have I?” he asked, glancing down at himself, noting the subtle but undeniable changes. His frame seemed a bit taller and a calmer, almost solemn expression now replaced his usual carefree look, his bright teal eyes flickering with something deeper.
“What in the world?” Xizu muttered, approaching him with curiosity, examining his transformed appearance more closely. Gira’s smile was no longer the usual goofy grin; instead, his face held a mellow expression with a touch of melancholy.
“What happened to you?” Xizu asked, studying him with intrigue.
“I—I have no idea,” Gira replied, a distant look crossing his face. “I just found myself lost in a memory I can’t quite remember…”
“Fascinating…” Xizu murmured, barely audible, as she grabbed him by the wrist. “Let’s get to Bern’s office before this wears off.” She quickened her pace, leading him through the winding hallways.
The decor around them was playful, featuring fish-themed designs and even displays of strange sea creatures repurposed into whimsical furniture.
Climbing a wide set of stairs, they passed by a large window that overlooked an open water park area below, with twisting slides, expansive pools, and a handful of rangers swimming around.
“That looks fun; is there a chance I could spend a day in there?” Gira asked politely... Politely? Oh, eww, its this version again.
“Sure—but let’s figure out what’s going on with you first,” Xizu muttered, ushering the group down colorful hallways lined with water-themed decorations. Murals of vibrant sea creatures and coral reefs sprawled along the walls, with dangling ornaments adding to the playful atmosphere. They finally arrived at a door, crafted to look rustic and weathered, as if it belonged on an old ship. Above it, a sign reading Captain’s Quarter hung in a whimsical, almost cartoonish font, flanked by two fish-shaped carvings that gave the entrance a quirky, inviting charm.
Xizu swung the door open without announcing herself, pulling Gira along as her two daughters followed closely behind.
The room was surprisingly spacious, curving into a semicircular shape at the far end, where the presumably decorative skeleton of a long-dead sea serpent stretched in a grand coil along nearly the entire perimeter. Its ribs and vertebrae arched gracefully around the room, giving the impression that the ancient creature still guarded the space. The ceiling rose into a dome with a glass top, flooding the room with natural light that danced off the swirling blue carpet below, where white accents gave the impression of rolling waves.
At the front of the room stood a large desk, crafted to resemble an ornate treasure chest, complete with aged brass details and decorative handles shaped like seashells. Leaning against it were two men who paused their conversation upon noticing Xizu.
The taller of the two had funny-looking hair; it was wild-looking with two prominent tufts on top, almost like animal ears, adding an untamed look to the man. He had thick sideburns that connected seamless to his jawline. He had fierce, dark green eyes that switched from scary to gentle upon seeing the group.
The other man had long silky dark blue hair that framed his gentle features in a rather elegant way. His hair matched his navy blue eyes, which seemed to smile for him as he noticed the group.
Both men wore sleek black uniforms with light armor, a stark contrast to the whimsical, oceanic decor surrounding them.
“Captain Dad! Reporting for duty—your favorite child!” Alice announced loudly as she pushed past Xizu and Gira, running over to the blue-haired man.
“Hey there, Frosty! Did the slumbering dragon wake up?” Bern asked with an excited smile, glancing over at Gira.
“Yup.” Alice grinned, glancing back at Gira. “He’s real popular,” she giggled.
“Bern!” Xizu shouted in excitement as she dragged Gira with her. “Here he is the last known living Coarseblood.”
“Hello.” Gira waved.
Bern walked over to him with a gentle look on his face, “ You—you saved me. I thought I was going to die, but then you suddenly appeared. I’ll never be able to thank you enough for saving my life and my fellow rangers.”
“I’m sorry, have we met?” Gira asked, perplexed.
“Oh, right, I had my mask on last time. My name is Bern Mourns, the guy you saved from a tree. And, uh, I’m also your new dad but you don’t have to call me dad—I mean, I’ve always wanted a son, but I don’t want to make things awkward.”
“Okay…?” Gira looked at him, particularly studying his leg. “I thought the tree guy was missing a leg?”
“Oh! This is a biomechanical prosthetic.” He raised his leg and moved it around. “Pretty cool, huh?”
“Wow, it’s so realistic…” Gira muttered as he examined it. Without thinking, he reached out and grabbed the leg. “It even feels real!”
Gira suddenly seemed to shrink a little before looking at Bern with his classic black eyes.
Bern’s eyes widened. “How odd…”
Xizu leaned forward, her eyes sparking with a faint glow of Kyyr and excitement. “What triggered that reaction?”
Meanwhile, Holly watched in silence, trying to find an opening to greet her dad, but wasn’t sure if it’d be rude to interrupt them at the time so instead she walked past them and greeted the other gentleman in the room.
Gira, noticing Holly approaching the tall figure, couldn’t contain his interest. He squirmed away from Bern and Xizu, walking up to the two. “Wow, you’re so tall! What’s your name?” he asked eagerly.
The towering man chuckled, reaching down to ruffle Gira’s spiky hair. “I am Radomir Von Strauss, one of the souls you saved back at Trant Station. I extend my gratitude to you, young man.”
“Aww, shucks,” Gira replied, rubbing the back of his head with a goofy grin.
Radomir smiled. “You seem to be of kind heart.”
“Really? I thought my heart was just a fleshy bit.”
“Well no , I meant that you—”
Suddenly a massive figure fell from above, its sudden appearance causing Holly to jump onto Gira.
From somewhere above, a massive figure dropped from above, landing with a force that reverberated through the floor. Standing before them was a Rak’da. Gira’s eyes widened with excitement as he studied the creature.
It had a long, narrow skull. Its snout was slightly elongated, tapering into a sharp pointed nose, giving it a streamlined, almost aerodynamic look. Pale green scales covered the organic parts of its skin, with a faint iridescent pattern that caught the light from the dome above. It’s eyes were a striking bright amber with slit pupils that stared down at Gira with a calculating gaze. A subtle ridge ran above each eye, with slight metal armoring. Around its mouth, jagged, serrated teeth disappear into a lower jaw that was coated by a dark steel outer jaw. Small feather-like quills protruded from behind its jawline and ran along the top of its head.
The Rak’da was slightly hunched. It’s upper torso a mess of wires and metal plating that meshed with its natural armoring. Its right arm was completely forged in reinforced steel, its limb ending in a mechanical claw. Decorating said arm was the name K-11, etched on random surfaces of armor plating. Jagged black stripes ran across its body, breaking up the lighter green with sharp, unpredictable patterns, adding a fierce, almost battle-worn aesthetic to its appearance. As K-11 adjusted itself, it swung its massive tail as it looked down at Gira, tilting his head in curiosity.
Gira’s eyes shimmered with awe at the sight of the Rak’da. “It’s so damn cool…” he muttered as he stepped forward, captivated.
“My name is Gira!” He announced boldly. “Be my friend!” he shouted as he reached out to the Rak’da K-11.