The Temple of Berrith was much the same as its sister. A crystalline structure showing more depictions of the Light Binder's good deeds. How he'd taught them to hunt and to harness the power of nature. According to Kairo, he'd been the planet's guardian for generations, protecting every clan even if some had forgotten. As they were leaving the temple, Sasha edged close to Mr. Xan, her voice lowering.

"Just to make sure," she said, "humans aren't eternal, are they?"

The panda snorted. "Nope. They're lucky if they make it to a hundred."

"Ah. What about with tech? One of Cici's liaisons had robo-parts. Would that help?"

"Not unless you go full android." He smirked. "Maybe put your brain in a bot or something."

She nodded. That's one theory, I guess.

Though she doubted the Comet Man was as altruistic as Kairo claimed, she knew he at least looked like a human. To have lived long enough to do so much on Zamonia, though. Was he really an android? A cyborg? A long-lived creature from some far-off galaxy? It all sounded so wrong in her head, but what other explanation was there? Clearly the Light Binder had been around for a while. And there was no way someone like that was actually a god. Not that tail brain.

Mr. Xan gave her a nudge. "Talk to me, Panther. What's going on?"

"Huh?" she came out of her thoughts.

"Don't 'huh' me. I know something's up. You almost attacked a civilian for crap's sake."

Her ears shrank. "Yeah. Sorry about that."

"You can apologize by explaining yourself. I might be rouge, but I'm still one of your liaisons, kid. Talk to me."

She smiled, the panda's concern not altogether unwelcome.

Having explored the temples, Mr. Erin was coordinating with Kairo to locate the portals. Iris's signals were another dead end, all leading within the temples before shortly dropping off. More than likely, the wolf came and went without alerting anyone. Sulky always was good at hiding. Sasha met Mr. Xan's gaze, the panda's eyes impossible to see beyond his shades. Even so, she felt like he was looking at her too.

"The Comet Man," she said. "If the Light Binder really is him...Why? Why attack Shiny? Why help these people but then sick the legionnaires on them? They see him as a god, and this is how he treats them? Like...tools."

She shook her head, the panda silently nodding in response.

"I don't like this," she said. "And this is the guy Iris is chasing. Alone."

She sighed, the panda still not saying a word.

Wherever Iris was, she knew she wouldn't stop anytime soon. Not that wolf. Sulky always had a strange level of concentration when she found a project she liked. And from the looks of her journal, the Comet Man was perfect for her. A man just as strange as her weather patterns and star charts. Even so. She hugged her stomach, a part of her wishing she really could manipulate time. Then she could go back to before any of this happened. Back when it was just the three of them having paper fights at the hideout.

But then she looked at Kairo. And Mr. Erin. And Mr. Xan. If she were still on Shiny, she doubted she would have met any of them. She wouldn't have met Madame Dyre. Or GT.

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"There's an old saying, Sasha," Mr. Xan finally said. "The strongest man is strongest alone."

She looked up at him, the panda shrugging.

"Never said it was a good one, but it's not wrong either."

She frowned. "That a terrible saying, Mr. Xan."

He once again shrugged. "Yeah, well, I'm no sage, so...I dunno. Do your best. Believe in yourself. Trust your gut."

To that, she groaned. He really was terrible in the advice department. Was that why he rarely gave it out?

Still, the sentiment did cheer her up if cnly a bit. Though she didn't like the idea of Iris being stronger by herself, she did at least believe the wolf was strong. She'd certainly beaten her more times than she could count. It wasn't until she'd gone to the boys for advice that she'd managed to win any spars against the wolf. And she still ended up wiping the floor with Cici every time they went at it. The thought made her smile. That fox was probably still waiting for a rematch.

"I guess Iris might be alright," she said. "I don't think she's stronger alone, but...thanks, Mr. Xan. I will trust your wisdom."

The panda snickered. "As you should, Panther. I am the brains of this outfit."

She rolled her eyes, though the thought made her mood lighten even more.

***

Cutting through the fields of ivy, the four came to an abrupt halt as they reached a break in the jungle. Trees were replaced by tall white flowers that towered just as high. They all pulsated like beating hearts. According to Kairo, they were trapper plants, the enemy of any unsuspecting Zamonian. They'd eat anything that got too close. Sasha shivered. The Stem Portal was surrounded by them.

"Cripes."

Sasha made a slow approach, ears twitching as she heard a low hiss. Both her liaisons had weapons ready, Kairo lowering his spear. Only seconds after plunging GT within she zipped backwards, landing with the others. The hissing stopped. As did she see a few of the plants shrinking.

"Here it comes," Mr. Erin said.

The portal expanded to size, signals rising as the guardian made its presence known. Feathers spread out from the Stem's depths, twin wings of white expanding as the legionnaire took a step forward, talons stabbing into the ground. A cooing rose from within its puffy chest, almost like a hum. Sasha kept her focus, spotting two more portals materializing next to the first. The same feathered beasts stepped out from each of them.

Kairo gapped at them all. "By the Light Binder's mercy." He snapped from his trance when Sasha gave him a light smack with her tail.

"Tag team?" she asked, flashing a smile.

Her liaisons wasted no time getting to work. Mr. Xan smacked one away while another dodged Mr. Erin's water jets, the weasel forced to maneuver as feathers flew in his direction. Sasha pointed her staff at the remaining legionnaire, its wings spreading as it cooed in challenge. Kairo looked hesitant, but he got his spear ready, the prince charging ahead. Sasha matched his steps.

"For Azonia!" he screamed, spear stabbing at the beast only to hit nothing. It took flight, the wind blowing around them. Get back here! Sasha zipped after it, catching up to give the beast a good staff smack. It flew back, hissing loudly as it fell to the ground. No. The hissing was- Her eyes grew wide.

"Cripes!"

She zipped ahead, leaves and petals snapping shut. They missed her tail by inches.

"Holy cripes."

The trappers shrank down, hissing growing lower. Her near digestion aside, Sasha spotted Kairo swinging at the legionnaire again. He managed to stab it once, but it slashed him in return, the giant stumbling backward. Feathers rained down around him, though Sasha appeared to deflect most before they could do too much damage.

"T-thanks," Kairo said.

She eyed the legionnaire as it took flight again.

Though it and Kairo were roughly equal in size, the thing held the clear speed advantage. And while aerial combat was doable, it wouldn't help the prince at all. This was as much his fight as hers. She stamped GT into the ground. Alright. Trapping time, then. Her field rose into place. After having destroyed several different training dummies, she knew her limit. But she wouldn't need more than two so long as Kairo pulled his weight.

The legionnaire cooed, spinning through the air.

"Kairo," she said. "Do me a favor."

"Huh?"

It dive-bombed towards them.

"Have your spear ready."

She zipped in the opposite direction.