— Earth’s Moon, Year 2010 —

Thousands of screens blinked in unison, mimicking the flicker of fireworks in the night sky. Some of them presented data on the lives lost, others displayed the damage done to the station, but most focused their reports on the attacking Valkyries.

These were individuals who housed within themselves a powerful connection to the Mana Web. If they had remained loyal to the cause of humanity, our spat with the Formed Empire, who has laid claim to the Keid System and looks to do the same with our own Sol, would be a trivial matter. Instead, we fight human against human for the scraps of power left to us by ghosts.

This is the moon’s Outpost Hollow, one of the greatest feats of human engineering, made for the specific purpose of defending and maintaining our solar system. The black walls stand as a testament of our resolve to be free of third party galactic influence, made of a 50% carbon steel, enchanted by the best mattersmiths to maintain flexibility. Its silver doors are framed together with a special blend of metals local to our system and imported from others to give the greatest magical control, bringing to the mind of those who oppose it that none besides the invited are welcome. And its weapons, fueled with mana from thousands of brave men and women, give credence to our oath that a new dawn for humanity has come. At least that was its purpose. Now it has been broken, the front doors ripped off its hinges, the walls buckling under stress, and the men and women dying one after the other. Not by outer forces, as was our intention, but by our own.

I surveyed the once calm and collected command center. Its Brutalist design was only broken by the painted insignia of our guild: a shield outlined with Daucus carota, a wild flower with a tendency to spread aggressively. Situated within the border of flowers was an oak tree, whose branches twisted and turned, filling the inside of the shield with brown and green roots. A crest of my design, made to represent the humans’ connection to the Mana Web, an intricate system of power that provided those who could access it the ability to control and utilize mana.

Its discovery, by modern humans in the late 1800’s, has accounted for every major advancement since then. Due to its usability and versatility, we quickly found ourselves traveling the stars.

At the turn of the century, the first space explorers boarded the Ayala II, a mana-enhanced vessel with the ability to travel faster than light. When they returned, we understood just how little we actually knew. Billions of intelligent and space-faring races far outstripped us in their knowledge of mana and the Mana Web.

Of these beings, the greatest are the Glories, who saw our weakness and gifted us several artifacts of power. One to the World Government of Earth, one to the Martian Parliament, and three spread between Earth's mightiest warriors. Who would have thought that one of those artifacts, meant to steady the position of the human race on this galactic map, would be the nail in the coffin of our undoing.

“Sir, the outer lines have been breached. The Valkyries are making a dash towards the last gate,” a soldier reported.

Like ants working within their colony, hundreds of frantic warriors moved here and there in this multi-leveled theater, delivering important missives to anxious commanding officers, who then gave orders to those soldiers in turn. If any other army had found themselves in this situation, their command structure would have already collapsed, but those who served under me were a cut above the rest.

“Have the mattersmiths enchant the last gate with Harden III and Last Resort II. Inform the inner lines to retreat to the sanctum. If that doesn’t stop them, then I’ll make sure to have an adequate speech for our fall.”

The soldier saluted me and got to work relaying the message.

I stood at the top of the sanctum, at the edge of the atrium, looking at the other five floors.

In the end, I had no one to blame but myself. Enthralled by visions of victory over the Formed Empire and freedom from the Valkyries, I hastily set up the dominos. Of course they would have had spies everywhere–any fool could have guessed it–but I was blinded by hope.

I held a knuckle against my forehead, hoping to release some stress. If only I could sleep right now, let my dreams take me to a better place. I closed my eyes. Images of men and women killed in the line of duty, innocent civilians whisked away into Mangle ships, and the bureaucratic response from the WGE flashed through my mind. They all played in my head, like a horror film, filling me with disgust and dread.

I opened my eyes and scoffed. Of course my dreams weren't safe.

A blood-curdling explosion knocked me from my thoughts.

I looked down to the first floor in horror as a figure, masked by the dust, began attacking.

Our ten inner lines were made of some of the best MAS-enhanced and Mana-Web-connected individuals Earth had to offer. They would buy us at least some time.

I gave the signal to block off all five floors. Within seconds, massive metal plates slid out from under our feet, sealing the atrium. A moment later, other metal plates blocked off the exits and entrances to us at the top.

The silence that fell upon us was instant and jarring. I knew this sealing would do nothing to stop the Valkyries below, but that is not the reason I gave the command. No. I needed to give my last words to my men in peace, so when those like us rise again, they can hear the determination of the Oak Fairies, and not our cries of death.

I extended my right arm, palm facing forward in the salute of the Dawn. "Hear me my Warriors!" I yelled.

All within earshot rose up from their seats and saluted back.

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"Yes, Captain Proper!" they answered in unison.

I smiled at them. More loyal and willing soldiers no person could find.

I inhaled deeply, preparing my voice. "Today we die, becoming fertilizer for the future!" My words echoed through the silent room. I could see the distress in the faces of my men. This was odd, as my army never feared death, nor wavered against any enemy.

My second-in-command stepped forward. "No, Captain. Not 'we'--'us.' You must escape. This future is only possible if you live." His voice was low and pleading.

I took a step toward him, making sure not to trip on the skirt of my white and gold captain's dress. I much preferred the comfort of a good set of mana-infused tactical armor, but this gaudy get-up did wonders for morale.

I noted the pained looks across the room as I walked to my second. They knew, as well as he, what my answer would be. I stood directly in front of He Mang, my second. He was the picture of duty, power, and love.

I leaned my head so our foreheads touched. "You're ruining my final speech, dear," I whispered.

He grabbed my hand. "Sarah, please. This isn't the time for jokes. Let me do this. If not to fulfill my duties as your second, then to fulfill my duties as your husband."

I squished his cheeks with my hands, then gave him a kiss. "No," I replied, looking into his beautiful gray eyes.

All the wrinkles on his old weathered face were in full effect as he scowled at my answer. To most, it seemed he was angry, but to me, I knew he was doing all he could to keep tears from flowing.

I rubbed him on the back. A second later, he collected himself, stepped away, and put on his command hat.

"Your orders, then, Captain?" New determination evident in his face.

Boom! Thunder sounded throughout the outpost, halting the heartfelt moment.

A young boy flew in from the air ducts, accompanied by dust and debris.

"Sarah!" he screamed as he rocketed towards the ground. "I came as soon as I heard. My men can assist if you buy us time." He landed in front of me, a plume of dirt wafting from his descent. The young man brushed himself off and extended a confident smile.

My heart flew. My adopted son had come, the young talent of Earth, Ma'he The Thunderclap.

Despite his disheveled appearance, I pulled him into a tight hug, emotions finally overwhelming me. I sobbed. My cry was not of joy, however, it was of longing. I longed to be with him as he grew, had children, and changed the world. But I knew I couldn’t. The enemy before us was just too strong.

His face constricted, threatening to reveal the soft persona under his mask of opulence as the Grand Captain. "Don't cry, Sarah. There is hope!" Ma'he declared, holding me.

I wiped the tears from my face.

"The Valkyries are beyond floor three, sir," a soldier hesitantly reported.

I gripped my son. "There is hope, but it is not for us." I reached into my pocket. From it, I pulled the only cursed attribute we could get our hands on. It was a black vial with a substance that looked like data made physical.

"Take this and run, Ma'he. It will solidify the future for Earth."

He looked at it, disgusted. "No. No, I'm not doing that, Captain. I never cared for this war. I will not start now." His voice was firm and unmovable, taking after his adopted father, of course.

"You will do what your superior tells you to do." He Mang ordered, voice filled with parental fury.

Ma’he raised an eyebrow. "With all due respect, Second Captain, I am the highest ranking officer here.” The satisfaction he got from the statement was almost palpable.

Both smiled at one another. One, an accomplished son, and the other, a proud father.

“In either case, my men will be here soon. We just need to outlast them," Ma'he continued.

"The Valkyries are destroying floor three defenses, sir. We have little time," another soldier commented.

I squeezed Ma'he harder.

Although the air had lightened with his arrival, I knew things were not as bright as they seemed.

"It's the Valkyries. Your soldiers won't nearly be enough. If anything, bringing them here will spell their doom. Just let me hold you for a moment, my dutiful son."

I never referred to him as my son in front of my men. I did not want to treat him differently than everyone else. This would be the only exception.

When I first met this boy, he was nothing more than a discarded street rat from the Valkyries, another of their abandoned hosts. He was unruly, without talent, and lacked vision for his future. It took the full efforts of both my husband and me to teach him how to be a proper human, and this was before we even adopted him. Now, he stands as one of the strongest MAS users in existence. Oh, how things change.

I wager his biological mother tosses and turns in her sleep, thinking of the massive blunder it was to be rid of him. Although I wish that were true, something tells me that that is not the case. With her daughter receiving one of the Valkyries’ names and several other children on the way to take more slots in the roster of women, I assume she is sleeping rather soundly.

The moment I shared with my boy felt, in my heart, like a long time, and I wish it had been. But in reality, it was brief.

As I let go, I made sure to look him in the eyes. Unlike most MAS users whose eyes were gray, Ma’he’s eyes were a beautiful bright yellow.

With our gazes fixed on one another, I said, "If you will not take it as a command, then will you take it as a last wish? As strong as you are, you could only hope to take one Valkyrie. All ten are out there. You will fail, making everything He Mang and I did for you worthless." My words were sharp, but warranted. My son was an overconfident boy that needed to be reminded of reality.

"But..."

"No more ‘buts’, Ma'he." I put the cursed attribute in his hand.

He Mang then walked up to him. With both hands on Ma'he's shoulders, he spoke, father to son. "Take care of yourself, son. We love you."

The regal mask worn by the Thunder Clap cracked. Tears rolled down his face, sullying the gray collar of his Grand Captain’s jacket.

"Make sure to get exercise, eat good food, and take care of the people you love, Ma'he," I uttered, words almost choking in my throat. I took a deep breath. "Now, go."

I could hear his teeth clenching, his feelings likely in complete disarray. But, as quick as he came, he disappeared. The only indication he was ever here was the sound of thunder.

Now, for my other children.

I turned to the command crew, who stood amongst rows of computers, breathlessly waiting for my final commands. I gave the sign to patch me into everyone's communication set. When I was given confirmation that I was through, I cleared my throat and let the winds of the moment inspire my words.

"Today, my children, we die. So be full of joy, for in death we meet with our friends; be full of rage, for today we meet with our enemies; and be full of pride; for in this moment you will meet my expectations!"