“As you can see, the mysterious beast that appeared in the city of Beach Shores just an hour ago appears to have been turned to stone.” People all over the country glued their eyes to their television screen to view the petrified beast. The helicopter moved a spotlight over the towering statue as the cameraman paned up and down the motionless monster. “No word yet on the four unknown heroes who stopped the creature’s destruction.”

“It's over,” said Dye, “It's finally over.”

He picked up his golden body and looked around the city that had been completely trampled by Griflore. The only things left were a couple dozen buildings.

“Well, at least he didn’t get to the rest of the city,” said Mack.

‘We’re gonna get blamed for this,” Jason said miserably.

“Yep!” Sam agreed.

“Looks like that’s that,” said Dye, “I think we should get back home before Mom and Dad discover that we’re not there.”

“Yeah, I don’t want to be grounded again,” said Mack.

They had just turned their backs when a cracking sound filled the air. The four stopped, and their hearts pounded against their metal bodies.

“Mack,” asked Dye.

“Yeah?”

“Please tell me that was you,” he asked.

“I sure hope it was me,” he responded.

Sounds of cracking and crumbling rock filled the air. They turned around and saw the rock on the beast beginning to break apart. Chunks of it fell from its body. The rocky shell covering an eye shattered and exposed a yellow, cat-like eye. A growling noise echoed through the streets.

Griflore’s arm tore through the stone. He waved his wings and shattered rock flew in all directions. The beast tore the rock from its torso and unleashed a wave of energy pulverizing the rest of the rock. He screamed in freedom.

The people watching the news felt a great dread. They sat and witnessed the horrible rebirth of the frightening creature. The sound of its re-emergence reignited their worry.

“If you are just now tuning into this catastrophic event, the beast responsible for the destruction of Beach Shores city has broken free from its prison.”

Dye shook his head in denial. “What are we going to do?” He asked.

“We are going to keep on fighting,” Mack responded, “We can’t quit now!” “We can do this,” Jason added.

“So let's take this freak down,” said Sam, punching his fist into his other hand.

The cameraman looked down at the armored heroes and watched as they resumed their aggressive attack against the monstrous beast. The news chopper monitored the battle as the people sat at home, waiting for the fight’s outcome.

Above the clouds in the sky, Corrine’s body ascended into the heavens, her youth had returned to her. All the negative feelings she felt in her life had suddenly left her soul. She was at peace with herself. Her brown eyes watched the sky as her body was sucked deeper into the peaceful heavens. The sounds of destruction faded away from her as she began to leave this world. The bright full moon gazed over her body as her essence began to sparkle away.

The light crash of thunder filled her ears. She slowly started to open her eyes.

“Where am I?” She asked. She looked around and saw herself in an unpredictable position, but in a familiar place, however.

“I remember this place, this day, this very second,” She found herself in midair, hovering over a road in the middle of the night. There was a storm; torrential rains fell, and thunder and lightning raged in the gray heavens above. The highway was on a cliff side, and the edge was blocked off by a railing. She watched from above as a car was coming down the highway; its headlights highlighting the raindrops that fell in front. She watched as the car was quickly approaching another. Just then, the tires of the other vehicle skid and maneuvered from in front of the other, breaking through the railing and flying off the cliff. The car soared from the road and landed in a nearby tree.

The people inside struggled to get out. The crying of a child could be heard over the thundering rain. A woman got out of the car holding a baby boy and held on to a nearby branch. Through the shattered windshield, a man came squeezing through holding a young girl who was trapped in her baby seat, unconscious. The car shifted and fell to the ground, causing flames to erupt. The man slipped from the tree and grabbed a nearby branch with one hand and held his daughter with the other, dangling over raging flames. He was caught between a battle for his life and his daughter’s. The rain caused the man’s grip to slip causing the grip he had on his daughter to slide as well. The sound of the boy’s crying could be heard along with the voice of the woman who cried out for her husband.

Corrine learned something new.

Something that could’ve altered her view on the world.

A feeling of guilt and sorrow conquered her. She watched her younger self slip from her father’s hold, falling into the fiery pit.

“No!” She yelled, tears gushing from her eyes.

A streak of silver light swooped by her and flew down to the little girl. The light expanded and blinded Corrine. It consumed everything and tore through the horrible sight before her eyes. She shielded her face and the sounds of rain and crying ceased.

Everything was silent.

The sound of nothingness passed through her ears. She slowly opened her eyes and a picture of black space surrounded her. She looked around for any signs that could tell her where she was. Slowly something strange came into view in front of her. There, a star grew massively. It was filed to the brim, pulsating until without warning it exploded. A powerful supernova surged past her, rushing through her senses unlike anything before. She was thrown through the cosmos at high speeds. Planets and distant stars shot past her.

Gas giants.

Nebulas

The mighty fury of a black hole.

All of it came and went before her.

It was a warm sense of relief. She let the feeling overtake her as her eyes closed longer than a standard blink. Her tears blew away as she experienced the peaceful wonders of this strange place. When she opened them, she saw numerous galaxies, dozens of stars and hundreds of planets sitting there right in front of her. The sight was magnificent. The beauty of space and the wonders of the universe sparked curiosity and marvel within her. A smile lit up her face as she perceived the brilliant sights of the cosmos.

“Young one, who has suffered a great loss,” said the voice of a woman. It bounced through the vast deepness of space. Corrine looked around to find whoever, or whatever, said it.

“Your time of redemption has come,” said the voice again.

Corrine searched the vastness of space for a woman. She turned her head in all directions but found no one.

“Who are you?” She asked, completely frightened.

She turned to the front of her, and a bright silver light started to poke its way through the fabric of space. The rays of the light expanded until a door of pure and endless light was wide open before her. She listened carefully as steps of an unknown entity were approaching her through the door. They didn’t sound like human footsteps. They were like those of a four-legged creature.

Silver and white fur caught the young girl’s eyes. A long brush tail waved into the air, and shiny blue eyes caught her gaze. The door of light sealed itself and Corrine’s heart started to beat at the sight of the beautiful wolf standing before her.

“I — I remember you,” She said as tears began to form in the pit of her eyes.

“Do not be afraid, child,” said the female voice of the wolf.

Corrine stared in wonder upon the wolf as it began to sit down; tears gushing from her eyes.

“Hello Corrine,” started the wolf, “We meet again.”

“St—Stella — It can’t be,” she wiped her tears.

“You have been through great hurt. I tried to protect you with hopes that I could spare you from the life that didn’t spare your innocence, but I failed and as a result darkness was allowed to poison you.”

“Pr–protect me? Why?” Corrine asked.

“Because, you were destined for great power but at the time I felt as though you were not ready. So I watched over you.”

“Why me of all people?”

“You have a pure heart. Despite what you may think of yourself.”

“I don’t understand,” Corrine shook her head.

“Your destiny was put into motion before you were born, and so were your brothers. He has told me to become your Ka so that you may aid your brothers to stop the horror unfolding now in your world. You are the rightful owner of my power.”

“But I’m dead, aren’t I?” Asked Corrine.

“Yes, but with my power, you will be restored to life.”

“I still don’t understand,” said Corrine. “I have nothing but hate and anger inside of me. Why do you want me?”

“Those are mere illusions conjured by circumstances outside of your control.”

“No…” she protested. “I’m nothing!”

“Tell me, how did it feel to reunite with your brothers?”

“My brothers?” Corrine thought back. She fought against what they were telling her.

We’re your brothers

NO! LIES! ALL LIES! She cried, but that was on the surface. Deep down, she had believed that someone else had found her. That someone else truly cared for her. She didn’t have to be alone anymore.

“Observe,” Stella said.

The floor beneath her tore open and the sight of four people dressed in various styles of armor were fighting a colossal griffin-like monster. Corrine saw her brothers receiving a merciless beating from Griflore as he didn’t show them any pity.

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

“Now do you believe?” Stella asked.

She was unsure.

She was worried.

Would her family finally realize the truth of her existence?

Would she accept that she didn’t have to be alone anymore?

The floor resealed itself, and Corrine looked up at the wolf.

“You five are destined to do great things, and this is only the beginning.”

She remembered the boy on the back of the angel. The same boy who showed her compassion in the park. He had been the only one to show her anything of empathy for years. She was expected to believe that he was her brother.

It was all too much.

“I don’t know what I’m supposed to do. I’m so unsure. I’m scared…”

“Trust me,” said Stella, taking a step towards the girl. “Trust your instincts. They will guide you to the light!”

Corrine heard her words.

Trust her instincts?

What did that mean?

What were they telling her right now?

She contemplated her emotions. She sorted through all the mess. Her anger was tossed aside. Her despair and sorrow was shelved. After all of that was moved there was one thing left.

Hope.

Hope for herself.

Hope that she would be reunited with her family soon.

Hope that she wouldn’t have to be alone anymore.

And it felt good to want that.

“What do I have to do?”

Everything around her faded to blackness. It was only Corrine and Stella standing in complete darkness. Her brown eyes met the blue eyes of the magnificent beast sitting before her.

“Accept my Ka,” said Stella. “And be with your family!”

The beast started to shine with a beautiful light, and its body became like a spirit, transparent, and stretched its way over to Corrine. The Ka swirled around Corrine and merged with her body, leaving the light to consume her entirely.

There was a knock at the door of the Haven home. Mr. and Mrs. Haven jumped out of bed, put on their robes and rushed downstairs to see who could be at their door late at night. Flashing lights were peering through their window.

“I hope this isn’t the police,” said Mr. Haven.

They unlocked and opened their door. Standing on their porch was a military officer carrying a rifle.

“Excuse me, Sir,” said the soldier, “sorry to wake you, but the city is on high alert. You are to be evacuated immediately. Wake your family and take nothing. We have a shuttle waiting to take you to the nearest city exit.”

Mr. and Mrs. Haven looked outside and saw their neighbors being evacuated by other soldiers. Dozens of shuttles were driving off, filled with people whose eyes were glued downtown. Mr. and Mrs. Haven stuck their heads out of their door and saw their city in ruin and completely engulfed in flames. The sight of complete destruction filled their sights. Rising from the destruction was a titan with giant wings. It tore through the city, thrashing its body and rampaging through the flames.

“What in the world?” Gasped Mrs. Haven, her mouth dropped wide. The cry of the creature could be heard.

“Sir, we haven’t got much time,” said the soldier, “please, get whoever may still be in the house and board one of the shuttles immediately.”

Mrs. Haven ran upstairs yelling the names of her sons. She got to Mack and Jason’s room, and when she swung open the door, her sight was on two empty beds. She began to panic.

“Jason?” She said with her heart pounding away. “ Mack?” She quickly ran to the next room and swung open the door to see Dye and Sam were nowhere to be found. She ran back downstairs in a panic.

“What’s the matter?” Mr. Haven asked, noting her distress.

“The boys,” she said in a panic, “They’re not in their rooms.”

“What?!” shouted Mr. Haven. “I swear, when I get through with them they will wish they were never –”

“Excuse me, sir!” Said Mrs. Haven. Nobody answered her. “Hey!” She said with a more demanding tone. One of the soldiers turned around with a startled look on his face to see Mrs. Haven marching up to him, her husband in tow. “My boys aren’t in their rooms. They must have snuck out. Is there a chance they may still be in the city?” She asked.

“That’s a negative, ma’am,” replied the soldier, “the entire city has already been evacuated.”

“Are you sure?”

“One hundred percent positive.”

Still in a panic, the two parents looked at one another, unsure if they’re boys were safe. Not being able to wait any longer, they boarded one of the shuttles and watched as their beloved city was being destroyed. Soon Mr. and Mrs. Haven were being escorted out of the city, hearing the thumping footsteps of the enormous creature fade out. They heard one last cry of the monster as the beast dipped away into the horizon.

The battle between Griflore and the four brothers was growing more intense by the second. With scratches all over their armor, the four boys were giving it their all. With each attack, Griflore recovered more rapidly, angrier than ever. The only thought the monster had was finally ridding itself of the four brothers.

They knew Griflore’s intentions, but they didn’t allow fear to overcome them. They fought on. Griflore thrashed about the city, firing powerful beams at the boys, wrecking the metropolis further.

“I don’t know how much more of this we can take,” said Dye. “Everything we give that thing, he just gets right back up.”

“Keep with the hope, Dye,” said Mack.

“There has to be a weak spot or something,” said Sam.

“That’s it!” Yelled Dye. “We’ve been going about this all wrong. Instead of wasting our energy we should’ve been targeting his weak spot.”

“Which is?” Asked Jason.

“Isn’t it obvious?” said Dye pointing at Griflore’s head. The rest of the boys looked up and saw Arayan’s body attached to tubes, resting on Griflore’s head. “Griflore said he needs a host’s lifeforce to survive. Whenever he takes on damage those tubes start pumping and then he’s back on his feet again.”

Jason and Mack recalled the veins on Corrine’s face pumping, healing her neck Dye had burned. “We haven’t been fighting Griflore,” Dye continued. “We’ve been fighting Arayan this whole time.”

“Of course,” said Sam. “Huh — why didn’t I think of that?”

“Because you weren’t there in the cemetery that day,” Mack pointed out.

“So why don’t we just detach the tubes and take Arayan’s body?” Asked Jason.

Griflore’s talon came crashing down, causing the boys to scatter. They rebounded off of buildings and circled around the creature until they regrouped behind him

“Because we don’t know what kind of effect it will have on Arayan,” Dye replied. “We want to save him, not kill him.”

Griflore’s massive body turned around and resumed his attack. They boys ducked and evaded the assaults, being careful not to get hit.

“So what do we do?” Asked Jason, “He’s running off of rechargeable batteries, we're not. It's only a matter of time before our bodies give up.”

“Jason’s right,” said Mack. “We need to do something.”

Griflore continued to attack.

“We don’t know what’s going to happen to Arayan if we cut the tubes,” said Dye. “But right now it's our only shot.”

“I’m in!” said Sam.

“Same here,” said Mack.

“Count me in,” said Jason.

“Awesome! Let’s go!” Dye led the charge.

Sam took flight, hoping to get to Griflore’s head. He was quickly swatted and sent crashing into the ground. Jason attempted a distraction but was quickly foiled by Griflore raging talons. Dye and Mack were the last two. Mack hurled boulders at the creature while Dye jumped aboard one. Griflore smashed the rock, allowing Dye to jump into the air. He summoned his blade and was about to cut through the tubes running through Arayan’s body until the young hero was suddenly hit. Dye fell when Mack broke his fall. Sam got up from the ground, and so did Jason.

“This is impossible,” said Jason, “We can't get near him.”

“We need more power,” said Dye, holding a hurt arm.

“We’re so close,” said Sam, “Where are we going to get more power?”

“Your end is near, Xenton,” said Griflore as he waved his wings, “you cannot win. Your hour of death is here.”

The news chopper was still in the presence of the battle. The camera locked onto the four heroes and then looked at the great beast. The people at home couldn’t look away.

The four boys watched as the towering Griflore stood above them. Mack’s heart was beating like a drum. Sam and Jason’s nerves strapped their feet to the ground. The three brothers were afraid, but Dye didn’t let anything get to him. He dropped his wounded arm and found that it was completely healed. He balled up his fist and was ready to continue fighting. His brothers looked at him, and their urge to continue reignited.

“Now I will crush you like the insects you are,” Griflore said, lifting his foot.

There was a distinct howl.

The boys heard the sound and Griflore took a look around the toppled city.

“What was that?” He asked himself with his deep, mighty voice. Curious, the boys looked around as another howl flowed through the battlefield, but this one was louder than the first. Moments passed and a silver streak of light appeared out of nowhere and struck Griflore. Griflore toppled over, startling the brothers as to what had just happened.

“The hell was that?” Jason asked.

They heard the howling of a wolf again, and the silver light beamed down from the moon. Dye, Sam, Jason, and Mack stood and watched the light fall down and collide with Griflore’s monstrous body. The creature cried in pain as the silver light dug deeper through its stomach until a hole was torn through it. Finished with its attack on Griflore, the light moved towards the brothers.

The silver, warm aura gave off a peaceful essence and sparkled against the boys' metal bodies. The light settled in front of them, and it began to reshape itself into a humanoid figure. They watched the arms and legs materialize and finally the head on top of the torso appeared. The silver body stopped glowing, revealing an entity wearing silver, agile armor who stood with a female posture.

“Hey, I recognize that symbol,” said Sam, looking at the stranger's face. “I’ve seen it before! In the Sky Sanctuary. The symbol of the–”

“The Moon,” Dye finished.

“But who is it?” Asked Jason.

The person looked at each of them, as though she was trying to communicate with them through other means

“Dye,” said the figure, “Thank you.”

The boys were perplexed and turned their attention towards their little brother who was standing behind them.

Dye’s helmet opened up. The young boy’s face was visible, revealing scars and bruises that were still healing. His brothers followed his actions and their faces were seen as well.

Corrine looked at Mack. Mack felt her stare and it was through that he knew who this was, or at least he had a good guess.

“Corrine?” Asked Mack with his healing, beaten face, “Is that you?”

The symbol on her face opened up, allowing the rest of her helmet to open further, exposing her whole head. Her long, black hair waved in the light wind.

“My brothers,” she said, “my family.”

Dye smiled as he laid his eyes on the dark haired, brown eyed girl standing in front of him. They all ran and hugged her tightly. She was finally at peace.

“I’m sorry!” she said. “I’m so sorry!”

They all pulled away. “Don’t worry about it, Sis,” Said Mack. “What matters now is you’re here. We’re together!”

“Your body is back to normal.” said Dye, amazed at her new armor and youthful face.

She looked at him, as though she wanted to say something.

“Oh, uh — I’m Dye, but my real name is Theodore, they call me Dye because I —”

“Not the time right now, Dye,” said Sam. “I’m sure we’ll have plenty of time to introduce ourselves once this is all over.” he looked over to the rubble

They heard a thunderous movement. The enormous beast exploded from the ground in a roar that shook the earth. The siblings quickly turned around to face the great titan. Griflore looked down at what seemed to be five Xenton with their bare faces, standing before him. The five of them stood and witnessed the hole in his body heal; the tubes on Arayan’s body pumping rapidly.

“Huh — another one,” Griflore glared with his horrible eyes.

Corrine stared up at the creature with feelings of deep scorn causing her to relive the past few months. All because she let him in..

“Well, well,” said Griflore, “If it isn’t my old puppet.”

Corrine felt her ire rise.

“I am nobody’s puppet,” she replied, “What you did to me was cruel and evil and you’re going to pay for it!”

The creature laughed. “You should be thanking me. I gave you exactly what you wanted. The taste of suffering. The taste of death.”

Her brothers stepped forward, standing alongside her. She noticed them and it was at that moment she knew that those years of being alone were over.

She was with her brothers now.

She was home.

“I’m tired of this dude.” said Jason.

“You’re telling me? Let’s shut this science experiment up once and for all.” said Dye.

All five of the siblings’ metal helmets sprung out, covered their heads and encased their faces behind their Quailocian elemental symbol.

“You can try…” said Griflore, crashing his feet into the ground of the city.