Arc I.5: “The Cosmic Guard”
Chapter II: “Next Steps”
Episode V: “Sprouting Journeys”
The sun spilled through the window, golden light hitting her face. The girl rolled over in her bed, desperate for a few more winks.
Then she remembered— she shot out of bed.
“Akira!?”
[A few minutes later]
Asuka walked through the halls of a large building on the UFA campus. She barged straight into a room with no regard for who was inside.
“Where is he?!” she barked.
The headmaster, along with two members of the council, turned to look at her.
“Where is Akira?”
“Asuka,” the headmaster stood up slowly, balancing himself against his desk.
“Akira is… no longer on Earth.”
“W-what…”
[Later that day – Woodberry Village]
“The Cosmic Guard?” Fevee exasperated.
“Yeah, seems like the headmaster recommended that he join them,” Asuka leaned back on a sofa.
Their new house had been completed, along with many of the renovations for the village.
“And we got extra bedrooms too…” Asuka pouted, “Hmph!”
Fevee chuckled, “Well, I suppose that he’ll just have to wait to claim one.”
How long will he be gone… Asuka wondered.
She tightened her fists, sitting forward in the chair.
I can’t just sit here waiting for him to come back. If Akira’s climbing higher… then I’ll climb too. Higher than him, higher than Rikito—no matter what it takes.
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I’ve got to get stronger too!
[Training Facility – UFA Mainland]
Darc was sparring against other senior officers.
I’m going to get strong enough to the point where I won’t need to rely on Rayon or Akira! I’m going to do it my own way!
In a small private room in the same facility, Rayon was mediating— sitting on the floor in the center of a large runic array.
I will overcome this ritual!
[A year later – Woodberry]
The massive aether barrier was finally erected around the village.
“Wow, it seems just like the one at the UFA!” Fevee exclaimed as her face brightened.
“Yeah, no kidding,” Asuka looked up in shock.
The two of them were sitting in their large backyard, looking up at the blue sky that permeated the dome.
“Back to training,” Asuka said, hopping to her feet.
She squared her feet and her shoulders, drawing her fists to her sides. She took a deep breath in, then slowly exhaled.
“Spirit Ascension!”
A white creamy coat of aether hugged her body, orange sparkles of energy popping out.
Finally! I’ve achieved the same level as Rikito!
She pumped her fists up as she jumped in the air.
“Good job!” Fevee clapped her hands.
Her cheery expression dimmed, her face sharpening with determination.
I need to do what I can, too! I don’t have their bloodlines… but the Song still calls to me. If I can strengthen my spirit, maybe one day I’ll stand beside them too.
Fevee went inside to meditate, hoping to improve her spiritual connection.
[In the depths of space, outside Solaris]
A brown planet… dirt and dust everywhere you looked. It was much smaller than Earth, but it was well populated.
While it wasn’t a tourist spot, it was popular for having people from all over the Universe.
A person in a black cloak walked through a busy marketplace.
Where is she? They thought to themselves.
How many systems will I have to search?
As they stepped down the street, they spotted someone who had collapsed in an alley. They sighed, stopping to pick the person up and carry them to a tavern.
The unconscious man stirred, opening his eyes to see the cloaked person sitting across from them.
“Who… are you?” they managed to say.
“Sikira,” She took off her hood, her black hair popping out, “And you?”
“Chrollo…”
Sikira looked at his clothes. They were ancient, black robes of some sort.
His clothes seem pretty high quality… and they’re in good condition considering I found him lying out in the street in a place like this.
“So, what brings you to Dunn?” She parroted.
Chrollo looked around the tavern, seeing a few other people sitting around the establishment.
“You hungry? I can buy you something. Order whatever you want,” she said as she stretched her arms into the air.
Chrollo looked at her.
“Are you sure about that? That’s quite generous of you.”
“Yeah, knock yourself out,” She waved her hand. “Not like I’ve been able to make good use of all this money anyway.”
His eyes narrowed.
“What does that mean? Do you have some sort of purpose here on Dunn?”
She shrugged.
“I was looking for someone…”
She looked out the window of the tavern, watching the pink sky as the sun set.
[Apocalypse’s Island]
Rikito stepped outside the castle, walking onto the beach. He looked down at his hands as he opened and closed them, looking them over carefully.
My body feels… different. Just what happened to me?
He turned around, looking back at the castle.
It seems that some sort of power was left behind by my father… and it's ended up in my hands.
It isn’t mine— it burns like it’s rejecting me. But I’ll master it. I’ll carve it into my own flesh and prove I don’t stand in anyone’s shadow!
He gripped his fist, raising it before his face.
“I’m going to make this power my own… I’ll show you, Akira… just how powerful I can become!”
[Cosmic Guard Station – The edge of Solaris]
Akira and Lyren rapidly exchanged blows, neither one giving in to the other. They both jumped back, offering each other a breather.
I’m surprised this old man can keep up with me! There’s no way he’s an Earthling!
“Surprised?” Lyren read his face, “I may be well into my years, but my body is as young as ever!”
Lyren let his aura surge, its green color flaring vibrantly before Akira.
“I guess I have a lot to learn!” Akira smirked before jumping back into the fight.
What will become of Akira under the Cosmic Guard’s banner? Will his flame burn brighter than ever… or be snuffed out amongst the giants?
[Three years later…]
[Next Time on Lyte of Utopia]: “New Threat: Solar Thief”
[Yield Levels]:
Asuka: 5m
- SA: 1b
Headmaster: 10m
- Recovering: 2m
Fevee: 5
Darc: 40m
Rayon: 60m
Rikito: 1b
Sikira: ???
Chrollo: ???
Akira: 1b
Lyren: 5b