Fortunately, the temples weren't very far. Or hard to find.

Unlike the other buildings, the temples seemed specifically crafted from crystalline minerals. They both gleamed in the sun, walls chiseled like marble. Sasha ran a hand against the Temple of Wuina, not a single vision appearing. Even so, the structure itself more than made up for the discrepancy.

Through the light of countless torches, etchings stood carved into the wall. Marks of white and black. Giant stars and people. A man riding what looked to be a boat of fire. Kairo stared at it all with pride, the mark on his neck an exact copy of the one she saw hovering above the people. They held it up in one stretch of images, the man in the boat holding it in the other. Looking at it all, Sasha felt even more uneasy about the Comet Man.

"Tell us, Kairo," Mr. Erin said. "How would you describe this legend to an outsider?"

The giant thought a moment.

"I suppose I'd start from the beginning," he said. "The Light Binder came to us on his flaming ark to aid us in the Great Famine. His magic was so strong he brought life to our crops. Purified our water. He even taught our people about the worlds outside our own. Beyond Zamonia, there is a vast sea none of us have set foot. But we all will see it one day. When we draw our final breaths, he will return to take us home."

Sasha recoiled. Was she like that too back on Shiny? Always dreaming of the outside world. Never knowing how close it really was. She stared up at the etchings, half wondering who'd painted them in the first place. Kairo moved on with his story, moving to the images further along the walls.

"So where do the monsters fit in all this?" Mr. Xan asked. "In your opinion?"

"The creatures of white? I'm not sure, my lord. Their appearance was as he warned, but what they are is...I don't believe I'm worthy to speculate."

Sasha was moments from telling Kairo the truth when Mr. Erin stopped her with a look. Her words died in her throat, the panther shrinking.

"Do you remember what that warning was?" the weasel asked. "In exact words?"

Kairo shook his head. "No, my lord. I am no king."

"What about a paraphrase then?" suggested Mr. Xan. Kairo still seemed hesitant, but he answered anyhow.

"He said when the creatures came, our world would be tested. And if we weren't deemed worthy, Zamonia would perish."

Any doubts Sasha had immediately fell away.

Let your gods hear you! This world will be fuel for the legionnaires!

The words flooded back into her mind, along with his voice. That horrible, ear-shredding voice. She bared her fangs just remembering it all. How he'd almost cackled at the declaration. How he'd pushed her through that portal. How he stood there watching with a smile on his face. She felt Mr. Erin put a hand on her, but she pushed him away, immediately whipping out GT and stomping towards Kairo.

This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

Mr. Xan stepped in front of her.

"Panther."

She glared back.

"Sasha. Put it away."

She didn't respond, tail lashing behind her. Kairo stared back at her in confusion, which only ticked her off more.

"He isn't the one at fault here, Sasha," Mr. Erin added. "You know that."

She growled, GT returning to the void. Even so...

"Word of advice," she said. "If he comes back, put that spear to good use."

She pulled away from both her liaisons, immediately turning to leave the crazy temple.

***

Not that she went very far.

Given everything with the AIC, Alexander, and the White Legion, she knew at least to stay close to her liaisons. Even so. She spat on the ground, the urge to tear something's face off rising with each passing second. She didn't care if they were misguided. That they'd speak so cavaliere of the man who torn down her planet. Even tattooing his stupid ship on their necks. She shook her head. Cripes. Don't know how Iris could do this without blowing a gasket.

The thought took a bit of the sting from her fury, Sasha sighing and sitting down in the grass.

Guess she is a lot more level-headed than me. And smarter. Cripes. She better not be kicking that guy's tail without me.

She pulled out her commpad, immediately hovering over Cici's name. She stopped herself, though, when she saw the many giants staring at her.

Right. Servants of the Light Bringer. Or whatever.

She put the commpad away, giving her fakest smile and wave. It didn't seem to calm any of the residents. Not that she particularly cared.

Eventually, her liaisons and Kairo came out again, all talking amongst each other like nothing ever happened.

"But that's why you three are here, is it not?" Kairo asked. "You will bring strength back to Zamonia. Enough to make this planet worthy of survival."

"We'll do more than that," said Mr. Xan. "Consider yourself the planet's honorary champion. We're gonna need ya' to help take out those buggers. Isn't that right, Sasha?"

He smiled at her, the panther catching on even if she hated the prospect. In the end, Zamonia was just another world the Comet Man was using like a toy. Throwing the legionnaires at it to see how it'd fair. That was what he did to Shiny. And it was probably what he'd keep doing to other worlds until he ran out. Or Iris finally caught him. Compared to all that, Kairo was completely innocent. Threatening him would get her nowhere. She fixed a smile.

"Yeah," she said. "We are. We'll help you take back the planet personally."

The giant beamed. "Wow. Thank you, my l-"

"And you can stop calling me that," she snapped. "Sasha is fine, okay? If you're coming with us, I'd rather you use my actual name."

Neither of her liaisons looked pleased at that, but they said nothing. All the same. Kairo was just an innocent guy caught in the Comet Man's game. The least she could do was try to treat him as such. She extended her hand, the smile growing more genuine.

"Consider us teammates for now," she said. "We're gonna save the world together. Deal?"

He gave a nervous chuckle, but he took her hand, his dwarfing hers completely.

"Deal. And thank you, Sasha."

She grinned. "See. That sounds a lot better."