The body count had risen to 103,678, with more waiting to join them.
Protests had begun over the disposal of the corpses. Some said they should be burned to stop the plague, others argued that they should be properly buried with their families (the dead could not die again, after all). Decisions could never be made. The disease spread too quickly. No one new how to fight it either. Medications, herbs, therapy... Nothing could even touch it. They could only watch the sick deteriorate in agony and prepare a small number of deep space vessels seek a new home for those that were left.
Galacta Knight did not know why he was spared. Puffballs were hit the hardest, targeting all but almost completely wiping out the female population and children. As a warrior race, they stubbornly endured and suffered for extended periods, but the effected never survived. Galacta could only do so much for them. With so many unable to work, he took on as many jobs as possible in a vain attempt to make everything seem better than it was. He patrolled the villages at night, even those that were not his own. He delivered food to those who were bedridden and out of living relatives to care for them. He even taught a few classes when the school houses had enough children to teach. The knight knew he was running himself ragged, but part of him believed that, eventually, everything would go back to normal.
Oh, how wrong he was.
Another exhausting day had come to a close as the warrior dismissed a class of four students: two puffs and two Halcandrans. Today had been simple lessons. After reviewing a few math problems from the week before and reading two chapters of a popular children's novel, Galacta taught them to draw mountains and dragons. He wanted to lift their spirits as well as keep the arts alive. When everyone was finished, the children packed their bags and headed to their homes, all except one. A certain blue puffball stayed behind, looking up at him with a near permanent look of determination in those bright silver eyes.
"Mr. Galacta Knight, when will we get to do other stuff?"
The knight regarded him patiently, "We covered some important topics today. Is there something else you think I should have added?"
"Yes!" The boy nodded eagerly. "We should start training soon! I wanna know how to fight with swords and magic stuff!"
Galacta sighed and patted him on the head. "I see you haven't given up your dream. Being a warrior is a lot of hard work. It takes years of training to be physically ready, and many more to gain sufficient patience."
The warning did not sway him. "I can handle it! I want to work hard and get strong! If I'm strong, I'll take care of Mama!"
It hurt to listen. Galacta knew that the child's family had also fallen ill, and his mother was the only other member left. He wanted to encourage the boy to follow his dreams and be happy, but he also knew it may hurt him more when he realizes that being a knight does not equate to invincibility. For the longest time, he did not know how to respond. Regardless, the boy beat him to it.
"I know you're busy all the time," he said softly, looking at the ground, "but can you please give me lessons? Even if it's just one or two... I want to learn how to fight really bad! More than anything in the whole world! I'll be super good in class and make really good grades forever if you teach me to be a knight! Please, please, pretty please?" He looked up, pouting slightly as he waited for an answer.
Galacta's protests died looking at that face. "I suppose... I can make an exception for you." The little puff bounced up and down as he continued. "I'll teach you a few basic moves, but nothing overwhelming. I'll try to meet you when I can. I think I have some free time tomorrow morning."
The student tackled his teacher in a tight hug. "Thank you thankyouthankyou! I'll be a good student! I'll be the best and strongest you've ever seen! I'll get up early, and show you!" He let go and started to run off. He grabbed his things and paused at the doorway. "You won't forget, right?"
"I won't forget," Galacta promised.
Galacta left the school feeling a little more hopeful. At least he would improve the lives of a few people. Even if he was doomed to die, he felt that his life had been well spent. He began the journey home with the beginnings of a smile of his face, though it was unseen under his mask. Galacta passed through the village across from his own, the two being separated by a small lake of molten rock. It was a hot, extreme environment, true, but the knight found it invigorating. He felt so alive and in-tune with the world when he climbed the mountains, soaked in the hot springs, and flew over volcanic craters. Halcandra was ruthless, but it was home just the same.
Halfway through the village, an orange-garbed Halcandran approached him with haste, almost knocking over another Halcandran who immediately hissed in distaste. He recognized them as the man who spent his days making armor plates and decorative coat buttons. His cloak was decorated with sharp gear patterns of various colors, a typical design for Halcandran males. His blue eyes portrayed pain.
"You are Galacta, are you not? You must return home, immediately."
"What happened? What's wrong?"
"... Your children are sick. I'm sorry... Your wife has sent word to find you."
His heart skipped a beat or maybe even two. Wasting no time, Galacta Knight spread his wings and hurried home. It was difficult to coordinate his wings and stay composed at the same time. He cleared the fiery lake before he dropped out of the sky and started running. Hot tears began to flow underneath his mask. With a final burst of speed, the knight arrived at the small structure he called home. Like all others, it was primarily made of carved beams of rock with holes drilled into it to let in fresh air and light and a thin material draped around it to keep out dust and prevent heat from being trapped inside. He burst through the beaded curtain-door and looked around for his family.
They had four beautiful children.
Now there was one.
He had never cried so hard before. He openly wept alongside his partner for the three children they lost. Their lives had been taken in a mere hour, the amount of time it took to get help and diagnose the problem. The death of their races had hurt, but now the pain was raw, throbbing, and merciless. Galacta lost track of time, holding his wife in one arm and cradling his surviving son in the other. Visitors called out to them, but the voices were distant and unimportant.
The silence was stifling. No one knew what to say, knowing well that comfort was impossible. Galacta Knight did not sleep the following night but eventually passed out from exhaustion. Nightmares waited for him. He saw nothing but suffering, death, and agony. Visions of pure horror tormented him until a soothing voice finally freed him from the terror.
"Galacta? Galacta? Say something, please..."
A hand caressed his unmasked cheek, which he then held affectionately. "What... What time is it?"
He bolted out of bed before the answer even crossed her lips. It dawned on Galacta that he promised to meet his student early this morning, and it was no doubt long past that time. His heart was not up for any sort of chore or training. He felt shattered and emptied. He sank down once more into the pile of pillows and fabric. Galacta had no desire to go out, yet he knew that the boy would be very disappointed in him. Surely word of their tragedy would be all over the villages by now. He must already know... But he had family to grieve, too. Even so, his student showed up with a smile and contagious energy.
Galacta eventually left the house after his wife reassured him that she and the baby would be fine. She knew how much everyone needed him. His feathers dragged on the ground, but he lacked the will to raise them as proudly as he usually did. As he made his way back to the school house, he was stopped by many people, all offering gifts of condolence and thanks for his efforts. He ended up with a basket of food and small trinkets that prompted good luck and wise dreams. He thanked everyone, trying not to let them hear his voice start to break.
Galacta Knight expected his student to not be there, and was surprised to see him standing in front of the building. The boy wore a fierce scowl, and his cheeks were slightly damp. Such a look made him appear old, and Galacta was then reminded of the boy's temper.
"Why?" He whimpered through his teeth. "You broke your promise."
With a still shaken breath, Galacta quickly tried to explain. "I know, and I apologize. I needed to be with my family."
"I need you, too!" He fired back quickly, crying and seething at the same time. "You're the only one I like hanging out with... Everyone else is busy, sick, or dead! And you promised! You said you wouldn't forget, and you did!"
The words stung, and Galacta did not let it slide by. "Young man, I know you have a reason to be upset, but you better watch what you say. My planet and my family are a top priority, and we are in the middle of a crisis. If you want to be a knight, then you must understand that what others need is more important than what you want."
The boy's lower lip quivered, but he said nothing. Instead, he turned away and started heading out of the village.
"Where do you think you're going?"
There was no response.
Anger started to boil over as Galacta marched after him. "Meta! Meta, come back here and answer me!"
The blue puff finally turned around and shouted back, "Why are they more important than me?! Don't I mean anything to you?! Who could be so important that you break a promise?!"
-
LEVEL 2
ICE CREAM ISLAND
"Who comes up with these names though?" Magolor asked with obvious skepticism.
Taranza used his hands to point at various locations on the map he was holding. "I think Ice Cream Island sounds cool. Everything else has food-names, too! Well... almost everything..."
Magolor frowned but allowed the subject to close. The four had left the forest behind after a final search revealed nothing. The suspects who took the Star Rod had apparently fled elsewhere, and no time could be wasted searching for them. Magolor and Taranza were trying to pinpoint possible hiding places while Marx and Galacta Knight took the lead. The two had matched their paces, neither moving faster than the other. The jester had been the leader of sorts and was not so willing to hand the position over even to someone with more experience under their belt. It was obviously going to be a problem, but there was no time to address it.
Marx was aware of how much trouble they were in, and repercussions were likely on their way. A day had passed since leaving that castle, and what they had not gone back to report anything after their discovery. True, Meta Knight told them to go ahead and solve the problem, but he had clearly not predicted something of this magnitude. The jester suspected that knights would be on their tails at any time to demand information or drag them back to the castle. He cast a side glance at Galacta Knight before quickly turning away.
Galacta had revealed useful information as they left the forest. The knight had previously been pursuing Rick, a rodent-like creature who had found the Star Rod after it had fallen out of place when Nightmare crashed into the fountain. Instead of putting it back after Nightmare was finished off, he intended to keep the artifact for himself, knowing well of the rumors of its great power. Galacta had tried to take it back both peacefully and with force. Rick then broke the rod into pieces and handed them over to his crew, the infamous "animal friends" that were known for being strong and fiercely territorial. The warrior had been chasing him for days, not eating or sleeping in order to try to corner the criminal. Unfortunately, he got ambushed and injured, which gave the opponent time to escape. Galacta admitted he probably would have died if they had not found him.
"Found a cave!" Taranza called out, getting everyone's attention. "It looks like these islands connect underground."
Magolor eyed the entrance nervously, remembering the last time he entered a cave. "Wouldn't it be easier to stay up here? I'd rather transverse the islands..."
"Can't," Marx responded bluntly. "It's fine for islands close together, but some of them are too far apart. We can't all fly, so we better keep going straight."
Galacta noticed Magolor's unease and tried to be reassuring. "Marx is right. We'll be fine with all of us together. I think this is a short cave anyway. We will be in and out before you know it. Alright?"
"O-okay," the Halcandran nervously agreed. He seemed somewhat less agitated.
They entered the first cave, which went straight down and then straight up. Before anyone had the chance to offer Marx any help, he expertly began climbing up the wall, kicking his way up and finding footholds that no one else had noticed. Magolor was pretty sure that the jester could have scaled it with sheer willpower alone. When he reached the outside, the confident smirk on his face proved it. Magolor took a big breath when they were outside again. The expansive ocean and warm sand were a welcome sight. He acknowledged with a sigh that drowning in a cave had scarred him for life.
All four scanned the shore and treeline but found no signs of the animal friends passing through. Where did they go? Surely at least one of them passed through here...
"Hey, hey, hey! Check it out!" Marx whispered harshly, staring straight ahead.
Off in the distance was a Sword Knight, pacing about as if to search for something. The blue-green armor was a bright beacon on the sunny island, and Magolor wondered how they could stand the heat. Probably more willpower. Or fear of Meta Knight. The four were hidden from view at the moment, giving them time for plot a course of action.
Marx rocked on his heels a bit, boots crunching in the sand. "Bah... I don't want trouble when I'm already looking for trouble. I knew metal-head would send someone to find us. They must be everywhere."
"Why don't we just tell them we're not ready yet?" Taranza asked, "We're closer than we were yesterday."
Marx shook his head. "Meta Knight wanted a solution yesterday. We don't have any proof that we've done anything productive."
"Shh! Get down!" Galacta suddenly called out, silencing the group and they huddled close together.
The Sword Knight ahead had focused their attention on something beyond their view. The four watched as a white and brown-furred creature twice their size approached the knight and pushed past them at a leisurely pace. The Sword Knight did not tolerate it and immediately attacked. Unfortunately, the warrior was no match for the animal friend, who easily picked them up and tossed them into the ocean.
"That's Rick," Galacta Knight said, "A leader of sorts for them."
Taranza shivered a bit. "What should we do? He's way bigger than us!"
"I got an idea," Marx whispered, "It's bold and kind of stupid, but it will probably work. Mag, go over there and talk to him."
Magolor gave him an incredulous look. "Are you nuts?!"
"How could that possibly help us?" Galacta argued.
Marx gave them all a confident-ish smile. "Everybody knows me, Rick fought Galacta, and everybody likes Magolor. If Mago here chats him up, we can catch him by surprise! Big-T can do one of those web-trap things!"
"I don't like this plan," the knight continued. "That's a big risk."
Marx gave him a hard stare. "A big risk with a big pay out. If we catch him, we can get one piece of the Star Rod and maybe get some hints as to where the others are! What do you say, Magolor? You in or what?"
Magolor frowned and looked at the ground to avoid the eyes staring at him. "I-I guess it's worth a try. We need the Star Rod back."
Magolor noted the glaring match between Marx and Galacta Knight before nervously climbing over the rocks they had been hiding behind. Taranza gave him a reassuring pat on the back before the Halcandran hurried to catch up to Rick. The creature seemed even bigger up close, and Magolor quickly thought up a few stories to tell in order to distract him.
"H-Hey! Excuse me! Can I get some help?"
Rick stopped and turned around. Magolor expected a scowl or glare, but Rick seemed rather calm and at ease. His soft appearance was actually one of the most nonthreatening he had seen.
"Hm? Whatcha need? Never seen you before. Gotta name?" He replied with a thick accent Magolor was unfamiliar with. There was not an immediate response, and Rick chuckled a bit. "Never seen a hamster before or something?"
Magolor finally got his wits together. "Sorry, I'm just upset with myself. I'm completely lost and late for a meeting with my friends. My name is Mark, and I need to get to Orange Ocean. I was feeling stubborn this morning and thought I could get there without a map."
"Nice to meet ya, Mark," Rick said with a friendly smile. "I'm Rick, by the way. Don't you worry. I know these parts like the back of my hand! You've got a long way to go to get to Orange Ocean, though." He peered into Magolor's eyes for a moment. "Say... you seem like a good sort. I've got some pals who can show you the way. Good connections, you know? Even got a cat friend kinda like you. Better be careful at Orange Ocean, though. Knights like to prowl around there."
Magolor laughed nervously, trying to go along with what Rick was saying. "I'd definitely appreciate that, but I'm not worried. I've, uh, got some good connections myself, you know?"
Rick's beady eyes widened, apparently impressed. "By Stars, you sure do! Wasn't expecting that from a little fluff like you!" He picked up the Halcandran to get a better look at him. "I don't usually hang with that armored crowd, but you can be my buddy, okay? Two connections are better than one, am I right?"
It took a moment for Magolor to realize what he was being offered and quickly took the deal. This was even better than catching Rick. I can get on their good side and learn where they put the Star Rod pieces! "Wow, how could I refuse such a generous offer?"
"That's the spirit!" Rick said, patting him on the head and putting him down. "But before you're one of us, you gotta do me a favor, alright?"
The hamster cast a wary glance around before dropping a small object into Magolor's palms. It was cylinder shaped with red and white stripes. One end was smooth, and the other was jagged and broken.
"I picked up something nice yesterday, but one those knights was on my case in an instant. I'm not giving up something this valuable to a guy like that. So, buddy, here's what I need you to do." Rick gestured a paw off into the distance. "Once you get out a here, there's a place called Butter Building. My pal, Coo, likes to roost up there. You take this there and tell him your Rick's buddy, got it? We don't want Meta Knight to have something like this, right? You take this to Coo, and I'm sure he'll give you some directions to Orange Ocean. He's the smart one, after all! You get what you need to do?"
Magolor faked a smiled, silently praying that he would not tremble. "I get it. I think I can handle it."
"Good on ya!" Rick patted Magolor roughly on the back. "Can't believe I made a new friend today! Something about you makes me want to trust you. I'm heading back home for now. Get the job done, and we'll pay you good!"
Magolor nodded quickly as Rick walked past him, heading back towards the forest. He looked down at the piece of the Star Rod for a moment. It looks real, so I don't think he was lying. When the hamster was long gone, the others came out of hiding. Marx ran at him, tackling him to the ground and laughing.
"Hahaha! Who would have guessed that would happen?! Magolor?! Joining a gang?! That's rich!" Marx flopped over into the sand laughing. "Oh, Mag, you're a natural! You got some of the toughest bullies on your side, and you got a piece of the Star Rod! Oh man, I hope the rest of this adventure is this easy!"
Taranza was giggling, too, though Galacta Knight was still thoroughly displeased. "This worked to our advantage for now, but that will change when we have all the pieces. We can't fool them forever. Marx, can't you see what you've gotten him into?"
"What's the problem? He did great!" Marx argued, not seeing the flaws of his plan.
Galacta cast a sad look at the Halcandran. "It means that whatever we do now will end in failure. If the Star Rod goes back to the fountain, the animal friends will no doubt pay us back for the betrayal. If we let Rick do as he wishes with the pieces, Meta Knight will come after us." He then glared at Marx with renewed distaste and a growing hatred. "You've thrown Magolor in the middle of two rivaling parties known for violence. If anyone gets punished for what we do, he's first on everyone's list."