Disclaimer: I don't own the BLoSC series or the movie. Enjoy this side story!
Chapter 20.5
Wandering Knight
The scene shifted to a forest on a cold planet, dominated by huge rocks and alien trees with leaves a soft pink and deep purple trunks. Snow covered the branches, adding a layer of frosty white to the already otherworldly beauty.
Above, the sky was a striking shade of yellow, casting a warm glow that contrasted starkly with the chilly air.
At the edge of a cavern entrance, a bald, blue-skinned old man sat meditating on one of the larger boulders.
Despite the cold, he seemed unaffected. The snowflakes drifted gently down, they barely touched the old man, seeming to veer away at the last moment.
He was dressed in a white robe adorned with a large crest symbol of a silver bird and ancient symbols at the hem. Gold bands encircled his wrists and his stark white mustache and goatee, along with long, thick eyebrows, completed his distinguished look.
The tranquility of the frosty forest was momentarily disturbed by the sound of crunching snow, signaling approaching footsteps. Reacting to the subtle disturbance, he quickly opened one eye, casting a sharp glance in the direction of the noise.
A figure emerged from the frosty shadows, unbothered by the cold.
It was a blue-skinned woman with dark blue flowing hair caught by the wind. She wore a dark blue, almost black long-sleeved dress with slits on the sides, allowing her easier movement in the deep snow. The dress featured two extended tails that fluttered behind her like banners.
Sturdy white and dark blue boots carried her confidently through the snow, while a white collar that draped over her shoulders gave her an air of regal authority.
At her hip hung a glowing gold lasso, swinging gently with each step she took towards the old man.
The old man's gaze fell upon the approaching figure, his stern expression melted into one of happiness.
"Ah, if it isn't the young lady of the Luna House. It's a pleasure to see you again, young one," he said, his voice carrying the wisdom of years.
Despite his age, Izar displayed remarkable agility as he rose from his seat and effortlessly jumped down from the rock to the ground. His tall frame barely showed signs of his years.
Stellaris Luna smiled warmly, "It's good to see you, Moon Chief Izar."
The old man chuckled softly. "Please, I no longer hold that title. I have already passed it on to my grandson. Just call me Izar."
Stellaris shook her head, her voice respectful, "Everyone still holds you in such high esteem, it feels only right to address you with honor."
Izar waved a dismissive hand, chuckling, "Bah... you are still the same strict young child I remember. Just Sir would do."
Both standing tall, Izar was slightly taller than Stellaris. They faced each other with an air of familiarity and respect that spanned decades.
"So, what brings you here? I doubt you've traveled all this way simply to visit an old friend."
Stellaris's smile wavered, a shadow passing over her expression.
Izar's gaze sharpened.
"Ah," he murmured knowingly, stroking his goatee. "Something troubles you."
His gaze flickered around the open landscape for a moment, then, with a subtle gesture, he motioned toward the cavern entrance.
"Come," he said, his tone quieter but no less firm. "Let's not speak of important matters where prying ears may listen."
Without waiting for her response, he turned and stepped toward the entrance of the cave. Stellaris hesitated for a second before following.
They didn't go far inside where the natural darkness swallowed the golden light from outside, leaving only the faintest glow from the snow reflecting at the cave's mouth.
Izar placed a hand against the cave wall, closing his eyes briefly. A deep, resonant hum filled the air for a second before fading. He exhaled through his nose and turned to face her once more.
"The aura of this cave will block out any unwanted listeners," he stated calmly. "Now then…"
His piercing gaze settled on her with quiet expectation.
"Why have you come to me, Stellaris Luna?"
A brief silence stretched between them. Then, with a quiet breath, Stellaris lifted her gaze to meet his, her eyes now tinged with something far heavier than mere greetings.
"I need your wisdom, sir."
Izar studied her for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Then, with a slow nod, he hummed in contemplation.
"I think I know what you seek," he finally said, his voice lower now, edged with gravity. "And I suspect… it has something to do with a certain missing individual?"
Stellaris exhaled, her breath curling into the cold air like a fleeting ghost. She lowered her gaze briefly before speaking.
"Yes…" Her voice was softer now, tinged with worry. "I still can't find my protégé, Armos."
Izar's eyes narrowed slightly. He stroked his goatee once more, his expression unreadable.
"He is still not found?" His tone was calm, but the sharp glint in his eyes betrayed his concern.
She nodded, the motion slow and deliberate.
"What of his family? Did the head of the Jericho clan have any leads?"
Stellaris pressed her lips together, shaking her head.
"It's been months," Her hands curled slightly at her sides, frustration evident in the tightening of her fingers, "I've scoured the entire sector. Every outpost, every trace of his last known whereabouts—nothing. It's as if he vanished into the void."
Izar hummed in thought, his fingers tapping against his forearm. "That is troubling indeed. Armos is no ordinary knight… he would not simply disappear without reason."
Stellaris let out a slow breath, trying to steady herself.
"I know. And that's what unsettles me the most. If something happened, there should be evidence, a trail…something. But there's nothing. Not a single distress beacon. Not a single sighting."
Izar studied her carefully. "Have you considered the possibility that he does not wish to be found?"
Her expression darkened at that, her brows knitting together. "No. Armos wouldn't abandon his duty. He's not the kind to turn his back on his oath, especially not to the Juran Kingdom. His loyalty to the crown, to our people, is unshakable. If he's gone…then something took him."
Izar's face twitched ever so slightly that most wouldn't notice...but Stellaris did. Her eyes narrowed.
"You know something, don't you?" she said, stepping closer.
Izar let out a heavy sigh. "Yes, my dear. But let me ask you this."
He raised a hand as Stellaris opened her mouth to speak, stopping her.
"Do you truly know the young man well?"
"W-what?"
Izar clasped his hands behind him.
"Many moons ago, young Armos came to me. The boy was troubled… burdened." His voice grew distant, touched with something almost like regret. "He spoke of weariness… of doubts. He was tired, young one. Tired of the life expected of him. He sought something beyond the duty he carried."
Stellaris felt something twist in her chest. A quiet, aching pain. She had never heard those words from Armos himself, never seen this side of him. Had she truly not noticed? Had he been suffering in silence all this time?
"Are you saying he chose to disappear?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
"I am saying that perhaps what he needed was not something another could give him. Not even you, with all your care."
"But to vanish without a word... it's not like him," Stellaris protested.
"Sometimes," Izar continued, his tone gentle yet firm, "the weight of one's role becomes too much to bear in the light. People seek the shadows, not to hide, but to find themselves away from expectations and duties."
The old man paused, letting his words sink in. He approached Stellaris, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"I believe Armos is on a journey of self-discovery. It might not be what we wish for him, but it could be what he needs."
"…I just hope he is safe," she murmured, her voice breaking.
Izar gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze.
"In my heart, I believe he is. Armos is strong, wise beyond his years. Trust in him, as he has always trusted in you."
A silence fell over them, heavy with unspoken thoughts and the chill of the encroaching night. The only sounds were the distant whispers of the wind through the frost-laden trees and the soft echo of their own breaths, forming misty clouds in the cold air.
Finally, with a slow, resigned sigh, Stellaris Luna spoke out softly, "Armos."
A one-eyed dark-skinned man strode purposefully through the sterile, silent corridors of Gamma Laboratory.
Several researchers along the way acknowledged him with polite nods or murmured greetings, but he didn't bother responding. He had no interest in casual pleasantries.
A little further down the hall, two female scientists momentarily paused their discussion as he passed.
One of them, a young woman with auburn hair, nudged her companion with a sly grin. The other let out a barely restrained giggle, casting a quick, admiring glance his way.
Osmar, as always, noticed. He simply didn't care.
Building connections, entertaining distractions, it was all unnecessary. Right now, there was only one thing that mattered: his work.
His destination was the Spectre, nestled deep within the confines of the whole facility, a place where only a select few were permitted.
As the heavy door hissed shut behind him, the dimly lit space of the Spectre's inner sanctum came into view. The centerpiece, a luminous green crystal, cast an otherworldly glow across the room, illuminating the faces of the few scientists present who were deeply absorbed in their work.
At the main console, Professor Spyro Lepton was engrossed in data that flickered across numerous screens. He was initially occupied what it appears to be a burnt capsule.
"Professor Lepton," the man greeted, his voice resonant with both respect and anticipation.
Turning with a broad smile, Professor Spyro Lepton seemed thrilled by his timely arrival. "Ah, Osmar! Just the person I hoped to see at this moment!"
The professor waved him to come closer and quickly shifted his focus from the capsule to a secondary monitor dedicated to the crystal. The screen flickered to life, displaying intricate schematics and data streams.
"Do you remember the other night, how the crystal reacted briefly, just for a moment?" Professor Lepton asked, switching the display to show a series of graphs depicting frequency modulations.
"Yes, the unusual spike of energy at the time," Osmar responded, leaning in to get a better look.
With a few clicks, Professor Lepton brought up a graph analysis on the screen. "Look here," he pointed, his hand trembling slightly with excitement.
"I have figured out how to manage the frequency modulation of our crystal. With this formula, we can make further progress with it!"
Osmar's eyes widened as he processed the information, his scientific mind already turning over the implications.
"The exact nature of this masterpiece could redefine our understanding of this crystal," Professor Lepton added, nearly breathless with anticipation, "It's absolutely exhilarating!"
"How did you come up with this formula, Professor?" Osmar asked, his curiosity piqued.
Professor Lepton's face turned serious as he recalled the recent events that led to this moment.
"I was in a meeting with Commander Nebula in Conference Hall One when we discussed the expo incident. They brought up how these capsules played a key role. It was there, amidst our analysis of the capsule's unique link unlike anything in our databases or any other sector's data, that the idea struck me."
The professor's expression turned reflective.
"This unique sequence suggested a new approach to modulate the crystal's behavior. I realized we could adapt it into a formula to potentially control the crystal's reactions, harnessing its power more effectively than ever before. It was a eureka moment."
"Extraordinarily unique, indeed," Osmar murmured, reflecting on the gravity of such a discovery. The implications were vast, not just for their current research but for the broader scope of galactic peace and security.
Professor Lepton added, "And imagine if we could meet the mind behind this technology. Before Star Command inevitably intervenes with their capture, we could learn so much more."
Osmar paused, considering the prospect.
"Working directly with the creator would indeed open up unprecedented avenues for discovery," the one eyed man mused aloud. "Their firsthand knowledge could dramatically accelerate our research and perhaps steer us towards applications we haven't even considered."
The professor turned to Osmar with a proud smile, "You know, Osmar, despite how imposing you look, your approach to science is genuinely impressive."
Osmar chuckled lightly, "I've always liked science. It's the pursuit of the unknown that excites me the most."
He soon noticed his right hand trembling and quickly hid it before the professor noticed. It was a gentle reminder to take his pill, otherwise, his skin would revert back to its true color.
Osmar stood by the monitor, the hum of lab equipment and the gentle pulse of the crystal filling the space around him. A familiar twinge of guilt stirred in his heart, prompted by the secrets he carried so close.
Yet, as he watched the light dance across the crystal's facets, he swiftly pushed aside the guilt, his focus sharpening on the thrill of discovery and the promise of what they might uncover.
This was the moment he had longed for, to stand at the forefront of discovery, closer than ever to achieving his dreams.
Here, in the heart of the Spectre's inner sanctum, he was in his element, poised to make a difference not just for Star Command, but for a cause deeply personal and hidden.
He couldn't afford to let anything jeopardize this opportunity, not when the answers he had chased for so many years were within his grasp.
Illuminated by the blue glow from the screens, Osmar's face was a mask of determination. His interest was more than scientific inquiry; it was a quest for answers that might secure lasting peace and justice across the stars.
A path toward a more harmonious galaxy.
Author's Note: That's all for now! Tune in on the next chapter! Adieu~