Chapter Thirty-Two

"Choosing who to save only perpetuates the problem." – Coach Williams

TRIARA CLUSTER - SECOND MOON OF PLANET DELTA

LEVEL FIVE

Nea

Nea stood at the pinnacle of Tridis, gazing over an expanse of darkness and awe. This terraformed city on the moon was a beacon of industry and innovation, a central hub for manufacturing and mining ventures within the heart of the second moon of Planet Delta. The relentless manufacturing had persisted since the moon was terraformed eons ago. Corporations, towering monuments to power and ambition, showcased their dominance with a flair for salesmanship. These typically crooked entities thrived under the ostensibly strict yet manipulable regulations of the moons supporting the planets united under the Ring of Radiance.

The mining ventures on this distant moon were nothing short of extraordinary. Deep within its core, specialized teams of miners and engineers utilized advanced technologies to extract rare and valuable minerals. These operations went beyond mere excavation; they involved intricate processes to refine and manufacture essential materials. Massive subterranean factories churned out components for interstellar ships, advanced electronics, and even bioengineered elements critical for sustaining life in space.

With its wealth of resources, this moon became the epicenter of the most extensive void break across the Triara Cluster. This phenomenon was a direct consequence of the unique subset of talented individuals within the city, combined with the integration of vast quantities of chemicals disposed of during manufacturing. The moon's transformation into a manufacturing and mining powerhouse had far-reaching implications, influencing economies and politics across the cluster.

When Nea, Cass, and Kip were transported to the city, they were already superstars in the eyes of the citizens they were trying to protect. Unlike Earth, which was caught off guard and found itself without viable military options against the immediate void breaks, the governments and military forces within the Ring of Radiance managed to keep the attacks under control with advanced military weapons and technology that matched the capabilities of all small void breaks. Due to this, the acknowledgment of the Quantum Games brought stardom and celebrity to all the heroes within the united planets. Television agencies were connected to the games divisions of the tournament, broadcasting on every imaginable circuit. The citizens began to see other networks and media across the vast cosmos, promoting the idea that their planets could thrive with new learnings and insights from more advanced and capable civilizations.

However, should their Champions fail, only those in positions of power or those still directly competing in the games truly understood the dangers that would soon plague their planets. This led Nea and her team to feel almost disgusted by the level of stardom they had achieved. In a moment of spontaneity, they had chosen "Halo" as their team name, a term the commoners of the worlds often used to refer to the planets. This name only catapulted them to even greater fame and adoration. It also led everyone to believe they were the saviors, champions of those of lower status, fighting for the underprivileged across Halo.

They were the highest-ranking team within their planets and the top-ranking team across the Milky Way Galaxy. To the citizens, the "Halo" team was invincible, their success a foregone conclusion. The championship was theirs to lose, but how could they fail when, in the eyes of the public, they were already the best in the galaxy? The unwavering belief of the citizens in their heroes' infallibility only heightened the pressure on Nea and her team. They were burdened by the weight of expectations, knowing that their perceived invincibility could crumble in an instant, leaving the very planets they swore to protect vulnerable to the encroaching darkness.

Despite their efforts, death still loomed over the planets, but the media and those in power twisted the narrative into one of glory and heroism. In the eyes of the team, there was little to do at this point but to keep striving and trying to save their people, as ignorance and folly seemed to prevail. This is why Nea now stood at the peak of a tower crane on the tallest building of the most corrupt conglomerate. Multiple cameras were trained on her, with screens embedded across the city highlighting that the galaxy's heroes were present, even as terror gripped the streets below. The eyes of countless citizens were fixed on Nea, all waiting for her to make some heroic proclamation.

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“Ya’ll need to piss off and go find somewhere to hide. Can’t you see what’s happening?” Nea spoke with anger and disgust, her voice carrying over the commotion even as the broadcasts seemed to mute her.

"I’m in position. Cass and Kip, report," Nea then called over her Nexabot.

"Worth a try, Nea, but I don’t think anyone got your message. The plan is still in play. The creatures are moving towards the tower, leaving a trail of destruction with their slime. I see no reason not to blow this city up after this; it's almost as if they summoned these monstrosities," Cass replied, breathless and exasperated, as she lured the creatures using Kip's makeshift energy grenades. With his knack for mechanics, Kip distributed the grenades to the team earlier to create distractions and commotion rather than causing damage—another perk of having so many civilians still running around.

"It’s like these damn people don’t realize these things will kill them," Kip added. "In other news, these creatures are merging and absorbing into each other. My energy blasts aren't doing much anymore. It's like trying to fight jello. We need this to work, Nea."

The creatures had flourished in the planet's sewers before emerging into the city's streets. The only signs of their growth were failing sewer lines, a foul stench, and crumbling infrastructure—things that went unnoticed in the so-called "picturesque" city of Tridis until it was too late. These green, acidic blobs operated individually, gaining collective mass and intelligence once merged. Fortunately, they required the union of all the city's creatures to form a substantial mind.

"I know. Trust me, I know. Save who you can. I don’t think we can change these people, but we might as well give them the show they are waiting for," Nea said, then added. "It’s either that or, you know, we all die?"

"Shit. Well then, I guess my vote is for the show," Cass said, sarcasm lacing her voice.

Kip grunted. "Ditto. Do it, Nea. Light these pricks up."

Nea smiled and immediately moved back to battle plans. "Nex is telling me we have 15 seconds until first light. Move now."

"Roger," both echoed over comms before the line went silent.

Nea took a deep breath, replacing irritation with calmness. Dawn was coming, and she needed to be the light. Despite her growth in her Prismatic talent, she still struggled to fully grasp the skills she utilized. Bending light was as much intelligence as instinct. As she shifted her stance, she fought every creeping fear of heights that threatened to unnerve her. The tower crane swayed slightly beneath her feet, a constant reminder of the dizzying drop below.

She focused, channeling her energy into her reflective cape, which spread around her like wings. Directing the light in precise angles, she knew this moment demanded perfection. Any mistake could cost lives, and the weight of that responsibility settled on her shoulders like the cape itself.

Light soon crested the horizon, scattering beams across the city. As the light settled, Nea’s presence grew, and with that growth, pockets of darkness spread where the light was diverted. As the dual suns of the moon lifted over the horizon, their light battled for dominance. Nea became a beacon, so bright that the city's inhabitants had to avert their eyes as if staring into the suns themselves. The light within Nea intensified, reflecting and merging into the streets below, creating new powerful illuminations.

Cass moved with the reflections, gracefully carving a path through the streets and around the primary skyscraper. She wielded her blades with precision, slicing through beams of light to illuminate and devastate the areas concealed by the towering structures. Each reflection from Nea sent crippling light blades into the creatures, causing them to hiss and sizzle as their acidic forms violently reacted to the intense light. As the suns rose higher, Nea's presence grew more potent, and Cass felt the power of the light intensify as it struck her blades, enhancing her movements and fortifying her resolve.

Kip wasn't about to let Cass have all the fun. As the light honed in on the creatures, Kip expanded his presence, absorbing the energy. A smile spread across his face as he felt the pure destructive force emanating from Nea. The perks of Nea's power granted Kip an infinite energy source, allowing him to unleash targeted blasts of power from his chest. The reflective rays recharged him almost instantly, enabling him to send out blasts that tore through stone walls and scattered vehicles several blocks away. He took a particular joy in watching the civilization only now begin to comprehend the chaos.

Nea's eyes merged with the light of the suns as warmth spread through her chest, feeling like a long-awaited homecoming. Despite the continuous reflection, her body craved more light, and she welcomed it. Guided by instinct, she transformed, absorbing powerful rays until a tiny ball of light energy formed within her. This core spread warmth throughout her entire being, fueling the eruption of reflected light around her, striking the streets, and surging into the creatures below.

It was now only a matter of time before the city could return to its corrupted ways…