Part 1/6 – Keela's Mother and the Guardian of Skyperion
Morning sunlight poured over Seraph Isle, the stronghold of the Guardians in Skyperion.
Here, where the islands floated far above the clouds, dawn came earlier than usual—the light breaking through long before it did on lower lands.
Akira stirred beneath his blanket, groaning softly.
The brightness was too much.
There was no going back to sleep now.
Still half-asleep, the boy from Earth wandered into the hallway, rubbing his eyes as he made his way toward the dining area.
But before he could get there, a familiar scent tugged at his senses—
Bread.
The warm, nostalgic aroma wrapped around him like a gentle hug, guiding him not to the dining room but toward the kitchen instead.
There, he peeked through the doorway and found two familiar figures.
Mirelle Glaciermist, their ever-graceful mage, was working intently at the oven.
Beside her was the team's cheerful little fox—Yue Lucentelle—her fluffy tail swishing with enthusiasm as she helped knead the dough.
They were completely focused, working together in harmony, flour dusting their cheeks like soft snow.
Akira watched quietly from the doorway, smiling to himself.
But then, his eyes caught a third figure—one he hadn't expected to see.
Moving with practiced efficiency, preparing ingredients at the counter, was none other than Princess Keela Thunderwill of Skyperion.
A royal.
A noble.
And here she was… making breakfast.
Even after all they'd been through, he still couldn't quite believe she was real.
Who would've thought that in the twists and turns of fate, he'd end up in a place where a princess cooked meals like it was the most natural thing in the world?
As Akira leaned against the doorframe, lost in the surrealness of it all—
"Whoa! What's that smell? Smells amazing!"
Draco Dustflark's voice boomed through the hall.
Startled, the three cooks turned toward the door.
And just like that, Akira's cover was blown.
Caught red-handed, he had no choice but to join in.
Soon enough, he was helping the girls plate the food and carry it over to the long dining table.
Moments later, Elina Rayforge and Osiris arrived.
Osiris, despite being part AI, looked as groggy as any ordinary girl dragged out of bed too early.
In contrast, Elina was wide awake—unsurprisingly. She was used to early mornings, always up for training with her master, Li Changyuan.
As everyone gathered around, the quiet morning began to stir with laughter and chatter.
It wasn't loud. It wasn't wild.
But there was warmth in the way they bickered over who got which slice of bread…
In the way Draco pretended not to care but still reached for seconds…
In the way Yue insisted her "super special recipe" helped the bread rise faster—despite clearly being just the assistant.
It wasn't just breakfast.
It was a moment.
Even though this wasn't their home—
Even though they shared no blood ties—
Even though some of them weren't even from this world—
In that fleeting, golden morning…
They were a family.
⸻
After finishing our small but satisfying breakfast, we began preparing for our next journey.
Once we had informed Major Lucia Altair of our departure plans, we set off for the distant island where Keela's mother resided.
And, as always, our route involved riding the massive cableway trains that connected Skyperion's floating islands. We had to change lines and switch islands many times—our destination was incredibly far.
After several hours, fatigue began to set in. A few members of our team started to grumble about sore legs and stiff backs.
Along the way, we stopped at a few cafés to stretch and recharge. Each place had its own unique charm—some were luxurious, others peaceful, and a few were just plain bizarre. These brief detours helped keep the journey from becoming too monotonous and gave us enough energy to keep going.
Eventually, we arrived at our destination: Stardust Isle.
It was covered in greenery—so much so that it felt more like a forest than a floating island in the sky.
"Whoa! Why are there so many trees up here? We're in the sky!" Yue exclaimed, speaking the very question on everyone's mind.
Osiris pulled up a holographic map. "This island lies to the southeast. It receives a significant amount of monsoon winds from the border seas between Undine and Draken, resulting in heavy rainfall. Although most of the rain falls in northern Gnome, the residual humidity allows for dense forestation on this island."
Draco looked impressed. "Thanks, Osiris. I've been so focused on training that I barely know anything about the outside world. You're like another teacher to me."
Osiris replied calmly, "Happy to help. I enjoy sharing what I know—especially when someone listens so sincerely. But just so you know, I think I'm younger than you, Draco."
Draco scratched his head. "Wait, seriously? I guess I never really thought about anyone's age. My teacher always said it was rude to ask a girl how old she is."
Osiris tilted her head thoughtfully. "It's hard to say, really. The original O-Xiaolin model was likely older, but I feel like I've only just been 'born.' So… I don't really know."
Elina offered a solution. "How about this—let's honor Xiaolin, my little sister. We'll take her age when she passed and add the time since you woke up. That would make you… around sixteen, right?"
Osiris nodded. "That works for me. I'm sixteen. How about you, Elina?"
Elina glanced around the group before answering. "I just turned nineteen. I guess I'm a bit older than most of you."
Draco looked shocked. "Wait, really? You're older than me? I'm barely eighteen! I thought I was the oldest here. Elina, you've got such a baby face—I never would've guessed."
Elina looked like she was about to scowl, but then she caught his final words. A small smile tugged at her lips as she let out a soft laugh, brushing aside her embarrassment.
Mirelle chimed in. "Now I'm curious about Akira's age."
Akira responded without hesitation. "Sure, but only if I get to know all of yours too. I'm seventeen."
Yue's eyes widened. "Really? I'm fifteen already! I thought you'd be closer to Draco's age."
Akira frowned in mock offense. "Are you saying I look old?"
Yue flailed her hands. "No! Not at all! I just thought… you're so smart and responsible, always carrying everything on your shoulders. You're like a grown-up. It's hard to believe you're only seventeen."
Keela added quietly, "I'm glad we're the same age." Her voice was soft, and she looked away slightly, trying to hide the faint blush rising to her cheeks.
Mirelle noticed. There was something else hidden in those words.
Akira lifted his chin playfully. "Alright, we know everyone's age now… except you, Master Mirelle Glaciermist."
His half-teasing tone made Mirelle narrow her eyes.
"Fine. I just turned sixteen. Happy now?"
Yue blinked in surprise. "Wow… You're only a year older than me? That's like—almost my age!"
Mirelle arched an eyebrow. "You're welcome to treat me like Osiris if you want."
Yue tapped a finger to her chin. "Hmm… Nah. I think I'll keep calling you 'big sis.' You're beautiful, smart, and already a Master-class mage. If I pretended we were the same age, I'd just get compared—and I'd lose for sure."
Keela chuckled. "Yue, don't compare yourself to Arcadia's genius mage. Mirelle's the exception to the rule."
Yue smiled. "That makes me feel better. But still… I'll always look up to you, Mirelle."
Mirelle lunged forward and pulled her into a hug. "You're the cutest, you little troublemaking fox."
Osiris pointed at herself. "What about me?"
Yue reached over and dragged her into the hug. "You're my friend. Always."
Laughter echoed through the forested island air.
And just like that, the fatigue of the journey melted away—
Replaced by warmth, closeness, and the simple joy of being together.
⸻
The lingering warmth of laughter from our age-revealing conversation followed us all the way to the final station of the cableway system.
From here, we had to switch transportation methods.
It was time to ride the island's passenger birds—majestic creatures trained to carry one rider each. There was no need to worry about pairings this time; each bird could only carry a single person.
Akira chuckled internally. This feels just like taking a motorcycle taxi back in Thailand.
The scenery here was unlike anything we'd seen before.
It felt like flying in a helicopter above a massive, forest-covered island—except that the "sea" below us was made entirely of clouds.
This island was blanketed in dense mist, alternating between layers of fog and thick forest canopies. Atop a few mountaintops stood elegant structures that resembled pagodas or ancient temples.
Once again, Akira found himself thinking, This is just like flying over the mountains of Chiang Mai. Beautiful… but yeah, I totally get why they use birds here. Walking would take months.
As we continued to soar through the sky, something peculiar caught our eyes.
Strange lines broke the natural flow of the forest—sections where the trees were uneven, growing at noticeably different heights. The pattern stretched out in long, winding paths.
It was as if someone had shaved or trimmed a massive line across the forest—like stubble growing back in patches after being cut.
The effect was jarring, and it left us wondering what could've caused such a drastic clearing through the trees.
Our flight path soon took us straight into one of those newer forest lines.
It felt like flying through a narrow green canyon, surrounded on both sides by towering, ancient trees.
Whatever had cut through the forest like this, it must've been something enormous—and powerful.
We flew for a while longer, the birds gracefully navigating the natural corridors.
Then, finally, we reached our destination.
And what we saw there… took our breath away.
Even though it was shrouded in clouds and mist, the silhouette was unmistakable.
The others stared in awe at the grand structure before us.
But Akira's heart skipped a beat.
Because what they saw as a mysterious ancient ruin—
He recognized instantly.
A spaceship.
His eyes widened, and his breath caught in his throat.
A real spaceship.
His thoughts spiraled.
Arcadia… what even are you? I thought this world was just some alternate fantasy realm—but it has magic, robots, dimensional gates… and now spacefaring technology?! At this point, I wouldn't be surprised if aliens showed up next!
Yue's excited voice broke the silence. "Wow! That ancient ruin is huge! Do you think there are monsters inside?"
Keela quickly shook her head. "No, there aren't. We've explored it before—no signs of life at all. What we did find, though, were runes. So now we use it to study the ancient rune language."
Yue let out a long sigh of relief. "Phew! That's good to hear. I'm getting tired of having to fight every time we arrive somewhere new. I want to go someplace peaceful for once. Just… sightseeing, you know? Please let nothing weird happen this time…"
Mirelle smirked. "That's assuming you don't start anything weird, Yue."
Yue puffed her cheeks. "Mirelle! You're teasing me again! Hmph!"
The team continued chatting excitedly, each person commenting on the strange yet majestic structure ahead.
Yet, not one of them realized what it truly was.
Akira chose not to speak up—at least not yet.
He needed to be absolutely sure first.
Because the truth about this place… could change everything.
And he had a feeling that once this secret came to light, it would send ripples through the very fabric of Arcadia.
⸻
Upon reaching the ruins, we discovered a small village nestled nearby, resting in the shadow of the enormous structure. As we drew closer, its true scale became more apparent—so massive that we couldn't even begin to imagine why it needed to be that big.
We landed in the village and paid our fares. The atmosphere here felt like a remote Tibetan hamlet—calm, serene, and soul-soothing. If not for all the things weighing on our minds, simply sitting still in this peaceful place would have been happiness enough.
Before long, the villagers began to emerge and slowly approached us. A few moments passed with curious eyes all around, until one child suddenly lit up.
"Hey! That's big sis Keela!"
A group of children rushed toward her with beaming smiles. The villagers, now recognizing her, came to greet us warmly.
Keela sighed, slightly exasperated. "I went through all this trouble to disguise myself… and they still recognized me?"
One of the children giggled. "You can change your appearance, but not your princess-y vibe!"
Another chimed in, "Mama said we'd always recognize big sis Keela—if we looked at her with our hearts."
It seemed her heart shone too brightly to be hidden. Even in disguise, they saw through her right away.
She covered her mouth, laughing warmly, unable to hide her joy.
One of the kids mimicked her, hand over mouth. "Heehee! That's the move! Yup, it's definitely the real Keela!"
Only then did we realize just how often Keela made that gesture. It had become her signature—an elegant little quirk that made her all the more endearing.
One of the village elders stepped forward. "Oh, so the princess has returned. I'll go fetch Lady Kalisa for you. You can head straight to her house."
We walked through the peaceful village toward the home of Keela's mother, chatting with locals along the way. It didn't take long to notice how well the villagers took to our team—especially Yue and Draco, who were practically treated like celebrities by the children.
Eventually, we reached the modest home of Lady Kalisa Thunderwill.
She stood at the entrance, dressed in humble, local attire, yet her natural elegance and poise shone through unmistakably.
She stepped forward with open arms.
"Welcome home, my dear daughter."
"I'm home, Mother," Keela cried as she rushed into Kalisa's embrace.
The warm reunion touched all of us.
After a moment, Kalisa invited everyone inside.
The house was small and simple—decorated in a minimalistic style, but everything was clean, organized, and cozy. The scent of fresh flowers drifted in from the garden, while the cool misty air from the forest gave the space a refreshing, calming feel.
Kalisa brought out what snacks and drinks she had on hand to welcome us.
Yue grinned from ear to ear, making everyone around her smile. Soon after, Kalisa and Keela headed into the kitchen—two generations of mother and daughter preparing food side by side.
Because the house was small and Akira happened to be seated near the kitchen, he could hear their voices clearly, even though he had no intention of eavesdropping.
He listened quietly as they spoke of Keela's older sister—Catria Thunderwill, who had married for love, a rare blessing among nobles, especially royalty. Keela was thrilled to learn she would soon become an aunt.
Akira smiled at the news as well and took a sip of his fruit juice.
Then he heard Kalisa's next question.
"So, what about you, Keela? When will it be your turn? That boy with the twin swords—is he your boyfriend?"
There was a loud sputter.
"Moooom!" Keela's face turned beet red as she practically shrieked in embarrassment.
"Don't just say things like that out of nowhere!"
She tried to hide behind her hands, completely flustered.
But her mother just laughed gently, unfazed.
"I'm just asking. A mother's curiosity, you know?"
It was such a sudden and direct question—so casual, yet so loaded—that it completely caught someone else off guard.
Akira nearly choked as the juice shot up his nose.
Everyone turned to look at him.
He quickly coughed and waved it off. "I-it's nothing! I just drank at the wrong time."
Elina narrowed her eyes teasingly. "Oh? The mighty Major Akira, drinking at the wrong time? Sounds suspicious."
Osiris tilted her head thoughtfully. "I suspect he overheard something… perhaps a particular conversation between Lady Kalisa and Keela?"
Akira scrambled to recover, his voice slightly too high. "I-it was just the part about Keela becoming an aunt! That's all! I was happy for her, that's all!"
The topic shifted immediately, everyone now excitedly talking about Keela's soon-to-be niece or nephew.
Everyone… except Mirelle.
She glanced sideways at Akira, noticing his still-reddened ears.
That's not the reason, she thought. There's no way something that simple would fluster Akira that much.
But she said nothing, letting the moment pass with a knowing smile.
⸻
After a short while, Kalisa and Keela brought out the food they had prepared. As expected, everything was beautifully presented and tasted wonderful. But the same old problem remained—the meals were far too light.
Yue glanced down at her empty plate, cheeks puffed in dissatisfaction. She didn't even need to say it out loud before Keela spoke up with a sigh.
"Mother, I think we'll need to make more. My friends have… big appetites."
Osiris, ever the playful one, suddenly mimicked Yue's voice with exaggerated innocence.
"Big brother Akira… I'm still hungry. Can I have some dessert, please~?"
Yue's cheeks puffed out even more. "Hmph! You're teasing me again!"
Laughter erupted around the room.
But in the midst of that cheerful atmosphere, the front door creaked open.
A tall, lean figure entered—an Avian man, aged but undeniably strong. His proud posture, sharp eyes, and commanding presence filled the room with an air of authority. Though his body bore the marks of time, his spirit remained unyielding.
Every pair of eyes turned cautiously toward him.
Then Kalisa smiled and greeted him warmly. "Ah, welcome back, Lord Gryphonnix."
Keela's expression lit up. "Grandfather! Welcome home!"
Though his presence was imposing—befitting a Guardian of Skyperion—his voice was surprisingly gentle and kind.
"Thank you, Keela. And welcome home to you as well. To all of you—welcome to Skyperion."
He smiled with his eyes closed, radiating warmth.
"Consider this place your second home. Make yourselves comfortable. It may be a bit cramped, but as they say—'a tight space is livable, but a tight heart is unbearable,' haha…"
He let out a soft chuckle at his own proverb. And truly, if the house felt cramped, it was likely only from his perspective—he was easily the largest person in the room.
He made himself comfortable on a large table—clearly his usual spot—and reached for a drink, moving as though he had lived here for years.
"So, Keela, how was your journey? Did you enjoy the trip? Meet anyone special along the way? Perhaps… that pale young man over there?"
Keela's face instantly turned bright red.
"Grandfather!" she cried, scandalized. "They're all just my friends!"
Her words were firm, but her expression betrayed her flustered heart.
Mirelle narrowed her eyes thoughtfully.
This might be bad… If Keela's family is this welcoming to Akira, I'll have to introduce him to mine, too. He doesn't even know my family yet…
Gryphonnix turned his gaze toward the group and addressed the two Majors.
"So? How was the journey, Majors? It must've been quite the ordeal for those without wings."
Elina replied politely, "It took a while, sir. We had to switch cable lines several times."
Akira added, "But the sling-line trains were impressive. So quiet. I'm guessing they're powered by your runes?"
The old Guardian smiled. "Ah, those spider-web trains? Yes, I designed the runes myself. Nothing fancy—just simple enchantments."
"But they really added charm to the journey," Mirelle commented with sincere interest. "We're quite curious about learning more about rune crafting."
"Of course," Gryphonnix said calmly, taking a sip of his drink. "Though I doubt they're as impressive as your elemental magic, Miss Mirelle."
Yue tilted her head, curious. "Grandfather, you speak as if you already know all about us."
He chuckled lightly. "Of course. That little spark plug Hikari sent word to all twelve Guardians the moment you began your journey. We've been keeping an eye on your progress ever since."
Yue blinked. "So you've been following our journey this whole time?"
Kalisa chimed in with a nod. "Naturally. From Draken, to Undine, to Draft—we've followed your path every step of the way."
Gryphonnix continued, "Each region faces challenges that only a specialized group like yours can resolve. Even powerful Guardians like us have our limits. But I must say… you've all done exceptionally well, especially with how you handled that game-obsessed brat, Zekhtau."
Osiris tilted her head. "Game-obsessed? But… he's a Guardian of Draft."
"True," Gryphonnix nodded. "But Guardians are still living beings. We have youth and age, dreams and regrets… We long for connection, for family—not unlike anyone else. We're not machines. The title of Guardian is a role we play. You've seen it yourselves, haven't you? To defeat Zekhtau, you had to overcome all those tests and rules—like some kind of high-stakes game."
We all nodded slowly. He was right.
Zekhtau had introduced us to six different modes, each with its own rules and evaluation systems. It was essentially a deadly game—albeit one with protective measures to prevent death.
Akira raised a question that had been on his mind. "If I may ask… how are you able to be here, so far away from the capital?"
Gryphonnix motioned toward a large orb resting in the corner of the room.
"That orb allows me to command things remotely. It's an ancient relic embedded with dozens of runes. Thanks to it, I can manage my duties from afar. Besides, there are still capable individuals back in the capital. I've entrusted them with keeping the city safe while I focus on rune research with Kalisa here."
Mirelle leaned forward, eyes sparkling. "We're truly interested in runes, sir. Would you be willing to show us around the ruins tomorrow?"
He gave a warm smile. "Of course. I'll take you there myself. But first—there's a small test you'll need to pass. Just a simple trial to prove your interest is genuine. Too many people come here boasting big dreams, only to give up when they realize they don't understand a thing."
Kalisa clapped her hands gently. "Alright, children. Let's all get some rest this afternoon and find places for you to stay. Tomorrow, we'll take the test together and explore the ruins. Sound good?"
"Yesss!" the girls chirped in unison, their eyes gleaming.
The boys gave quiet nods of agreement.
And just like that, tomorrow's purpose was set.
Today, we'd rest and prepare.
And when morning came, we'd take our next steps into the mysteries of Skyperion.
⸻
Afternoon settled in peacefully as Gryphonnix led us to a cluster of small homes—once used as inns for travelers studying runes. Now, however, they stood quiet and empty, abandoned after the curiosity of scholars faded. Few could truly grasp the nature of runes, and even fewer had the patience to stay.
The simple lodgings retained their local Tibetan-inspired charm. Though humble, they were clean and well-maintained, as if always prepared to welcome wandering souls—offering a haven of serenity for those in need of peace.
Yue tilted her head and asked, "Grandpa, you knew my mom, didn't you? But I can't understand—why would someone as important as you choose to live quietly in such a faraway place?"
Gryphonnix smiled gently. "Of course I knew her. All twelve of us Guardians know each other well—we've been meeting together for decades as the protectors of the Twelve Soluna Zodiacs. As for why I live quietly out here… well, I suppose part of it is my interest in rune studies, and part of it… might just be retirement."
Yue blinked in surprise. "Retirement? You can do that?"
Gryphonnix chuckled. "Why not? I'm just a gatekeeper, really. If someone strong enough comes along to take over, then I can step aside. Of course, in the case of a Guardian, strength is required… but no matter how powerful one becomes, when they reach the peak—what's left is often only solitude. In the end, we all yearn to return to life's simplest joys. That's what truly fills our hearts."
Osiris murmured softly, "That sounds… a little lonely."
He nodded. "Yes, it is. Many people chase greatness in some form or another. But they rarely realize that the small, everyday things around them… those are the very joys they seek. If only they could be content with what they already have—they would find happiness much sooner."
Mirelle smiled. "Like when Yue turns around and finds a snack."
Yue spun toward her. "Ah—how did you know? Wait, no! That's not—ahh! Big brother Akira, she's teasing me again!"
Akira gently patted her head. "There, there. Don't worry. Here—you want a snack?"
Yue brightened immediately. "Yay! Snack time! Munch munch!"
Everyone smiled softly at Yue's innocent delight—everyone, that is, except for Draco.
Noticing, Elina leaned in and asked quietly, "You've been quiet. What's on your mind?"
Draco spoke calmly, "I was just thinking about what Grandpa Gryph said. I've been pushing myself so hard to grow stronger… but I'm starting to wonder—what's the point of all that strength, if the end result is just emptiness?"
Akira offered his own perspective. "My grandfather once told me—it's not about how strong you are. What matters is who you can help with that strength. If we think about it that way, then getting stronger gives us the ability to protect and support the people we care about. So don't stop growing, Draco. If your goal is to help others—then the path won't lead to emptiness."
Gryphonnix grinned. "That grandfather of yours sounds like a wise man. What he said… reminds me of my own missing son. If the two had ever met, I bet they would've become good friends."
Elina's eyes widened. "You had a son who disappeared?"
His smile softened, tinged with sorrow. "Yes. You see those ancient ruins over there? Do you know where they came from? Let me tell you. On the day they appeared, the sky cracked like shattered glass—and something enormous fell from it, burning as it descended. The first ruin that fell… it took my son from me. That's why I've been so obsessed with studying them.
"And when the second one fell—the one you all saw—it took Eliona, Kalan's mother and Kalisa's close friend. But since this second ruin was more intact, we relocated our research here."
A heavy silence fell across the group.
These ruins… they carried a heartbreaking history.
No one wanted to ask further.
Sensing the mood, Gryphonnix changed the subject with a warm chuckle. "Well then! Tomorrow, I'll take you to see the first ruin. But for now, let's get some rest. The afternoon sun outside this island is brutal—harsh rays carried by strong winds. And with the thinner air up here, it's easy to tire out if you're not used to it. So relax, kids."
And so, we listened.
His kind voice came from the heart, filled with genuine care.
And just as he warned, the midday heat was intense.
One by one, we slowly began to drift off to sleep—until all of us were resting peacefully, in the quiet shelter of this mountaintop village in the sky.
⸻
Evening settled in with a comforting chill. The breeze picked up, not in a harsh way, but gently—just enough to cool the air. We woke from our midday rest to find the village buzzing with quiet excitement. They were preparing a small celebration—one to welcome Keela home and to honor our arrival as well.
We tried to offer our help, but the villagers firmly refused. "Guests shouldn't be helping," they insisted with polite smiles. So, instead, we headed to help Calisa, Keela's mother, in the kitchen.
Using part of our emergency supplies, we prepared a mix of simple dishes—some from Celes, Draken, Undine, and Draft. Akira, with a spark of mischief in his eyes, decided to make something from Earth: salted French fries served with as many sauces as he could find, knowing everyone had different tastes.
The evening gathering was simple but full of warmth. Lanterns were placed around the courtyard, casting a soft golden glow. Families brought food from their homes to share, and naturally, Calisa's home had the longest line—everyone eager to try the famous Thunderwill cooking.
Akira's fries were a surprise hit. He didn't expect them to be so popular and ended up rushing back to fry more batches just to keep up with the demand.
The air was filled with cheerful chatter and laughter. As they gazed up through the dome overhead, Akira murmured curiously, "I wonder why we can see stars here… Even though we're inside a dome-shaped turtle island."
Even Osiris wasn't quite sure. "It's probably not real stars. I think it might be mineral veins or root-like structures reflecting light."
Gryphonnix, their ever-welcoming elder, explained, "They're minerals, yes—but they run through the dome like tree roots. They channel external light inside. So, during the day, you see the blue sky, and at night, the stars. It's not the real sky—but it feels like it."
Calisa added with a soft smile, "But you'll notice… you never see the moon in here."
The group blinked in surprise. "She's right! We didn't notice that at all…"
Elina asked thoughtfully, "What about the observation deck back in Seraph Isle?"
"That's an exception," Calisa chuckled. "It's a viewing deck, after all."
Just then, a group of children gathered around them. "Big brothers and sisters, could you tell us stories of the outside world?" one asked eagerly.
As always, Yue and Draco—resident extroverts—became the impromptu storytellers of the evening. They recounted the group's adventures, while the villagers chimed in with tales they had heard: exaggerated rumors of their exploits, twisted beyond recognition.
From sword techniques that could slice through volcanic mountains, to spells that parted entire seas, or even tales of a blade so huge it split the sky—some villagers had assumed those powers belonged to the group.
When the team clarified that those were the abilities of their enemies, the villagers were even more amazed.
"You're telling me those weren't your powers?" one man said, awestruck. "Then it's even more incredible that you managed to defeat foes like that. That just makes you all the more amazing!"
His heartfelt words filled their hearts with pride.
The stories flowed on—from the revival of the natural city in Draft, to the heartbreaking tale of Nagaria. Mirelle added magical insights, Osiris explained the tech, Elina spoke of their travels… and as usual, Akira mostly just listened, quietly enjoying the moment.
Eventually, the topic turned to music. And just like in Undine and Draft, the children asked for a song.
This time, they were ready.
Akira grabbed spoons, bowls, and a few buckets to create a rhythm section.
Mirelle brought out her harp and began plucking softly. Yue joined in first, followed by Mirelle, harmonizing beautifully.
Everyone clapped along, their voices blending with the villagers' delighted cheers. The charm of their music filled the night air with joy, and the simple performance felt like magic.
When the music ended, the group began to head back to their lodge, while Keela returned to her home with Calisa.
Back at their lodging, Akira suddenly posed a question.
"What would happen if Elina and Osiris sang too?"
Elina shook her head. "Not if it's a slow, ceremonial chant. Count me out."
Yue's eyes gleamed with curiosity. "Then what kind of music do you like, big sis?"
Elina answered without hesitation. "I may seem strict, but I actually love dancing. I like fun, high-energy music. Ever since I was a kid, I'd sneak glances at those Enpunk squads blasting hip-hop and R&B. The way they danced—so full of life—it always looked like so much fun."
Mirelle raised an eyebrow. "Did you just watch, or did you…?"
Elina smirked, leaning back with confidence. "Not just watched. I snuck out of Castor's camp more than once to hang out with the Enpunks. They didn't just show me once—I kept going back. That's how I really learned to skate, rap, and dance."
Draco chuckled, playing along. "Well then, Major Elina. Surely it would be impolite for us to not witness such rare and valuable talent. Would you be so kind as to demonstrate?"
Elina gave him a mock glare—but then stood up and delivered a short rap and dance combo.
And just like that, jaws dropped. Even a brief performance left the group speechless.
She wasn't just good—she was born for this.
Akira, meanwhile, was practically glowing.
"That's Sakura, alright. Completely unmatched. Now then… who will Osiris turn out to be?"
He turned to her next.
"So? What kind of music do you like, Osiris?"
She replied with a calm voice, "I've heard Walli play songs. And I've seen Pong Pang and Pung dance before. But I've never really tried singing or dancing myself. I just observed."
Akira made a suggestion. "Try recording Yue's voice—then sing it back in your own."
Yue happily sang a verse while Osiris recorded it. Then, with her eyes closed, Osiris processed the data.
And when she opened her mouth to sing…
Boom.
The moment her voice rang out, it felt like an explosion in their minds.
It wasn't sweet like Mirelle's or soothing like Yue's.
Osiris's voice was powerful. Celestial. It was the kind of voice that echoed with an ethereal force—like an angel with wings spread wide.
Everyone was stunned.
"She can do that?" someone whispered.
But Osiris only tilted her head.
"I just adjusted my vocal output to match a resonance frequency that would likely trigger the brain's pleasure response. It might have overlapped with the sound perception center in your auditory cortex."
Even if they didn't fully understand her explanation, it was clear now—they had another incredibly talented singer in their midst.
Akira beamed like a proud producer.
"She's Herin, without a doubt. That confirms six out of seven."
He counted in his head:
Mei was Pristine. Jin was Arin. Yue was Shina. Mirelle was Aurora. Elina was Sakura. Osiris was Herin.
All that was left… was Keela.
And tomorrow, he would find a way to hear her sing.
The night of music continued beneath the shimmering mineral canopy, glistening like stars amidst the drifting fog. The glow twinkled like real starlight, dancing in rhythm with the melodies that filled the air.
They laughed and played until late into the night.
Unaware…
That tomorrow would bring a trial unlike any they had faced before.
A test of runes from a guardian elder in the mysterious Skyperion.
And beneath it all, a hidden truth known only to Akira—
That the so-called "ancient ruins" were, in fact…
A crashed spaceship.