I'm becoming more active on Discord so anyone just a fan of fanfiction, any of my current or future works, or just wanna vibe, come on through.
Discord - GZM5HRMntp
Sentience. The meaning of having control over your very own actions. Your movement, your thoughts, even your understanding of the world around you. That is what it means to have such a blessing…
"Mmm…"
Coming to, the unnatural warmth Relon felt told that he wasn't being cuddled by either girl. Not due to the absence of physical touch but rather the irate sense of power that lingered in the air.
"I'm back here, huh?"
He had awoken not on the Astral Express with his friends and loved ones, but rather in his mindscape. A realm that has taken the form of the once abundant planet he and Silver Wolf were born on. Now, that very environment he stands in lies in ruin. Yellow and purple infused magma pops at unequal intervals. No caution capable of being tread upon.
Far off, a lone individual with its slightly dismembered body hovers a short distance from the ground. Yellow droplets of body form a puddle down below.
"Nanook."
As if responding to the name, the dark-glowing skinned being turns facing the young teen. Carefully, both approach the other.
"You willingly used my power to erase my army."
"Are you upset over the lives your army took?" Despite their recent events, Relon held no anger. He had every right to but simply could not.
"No. The Nanook out there and I are separate entities once existing on the same plane of destruction. Ever since manifesting and watching over you and the girl, my own worldview has shifted."
"Yet we still can't get along like Eina and IX."
"Their own views align whereas ours do not. Only at certain moments does ours. Until then, you will never attain true power."
"I don't need power. The strength I have is plenty."
"Yet you were helpless before the woman you once looked up to and the immortal swordsman until I intervened."
"Don't think you're capable of overpowering my own will. I allowed your power to seep out."
"Once again through anger."
"Next time I get electrocuted and hit with an explosion at point-blank, I'll give you full control and see how you like it."
"Hmm, that would do little against an Aeon such as myself."
"Probably. Still, it'd be amusing to watch you on the receiving end for once."
"Regardless, you'll forever remain stagnant in time. Something you do not have enough despite being an Aeon Child. Our unification comes into resonance upon you accepting not my view, but my hatred. Until you can accept all that is what it means to be Nanook, the Aeon that guides those along the path of Destruction, the Aeon that hates all in existence wishing to renew the cosmos into a new vision; you will never be like that girl and apathetic Aeon. You shall continue to be judged by those you coexist with. You know this, Relon Lucinance."
"And you know that those with Destruction do not have to take away. They can go down a kinder path. Instill hope, protect those that cannot with our grand strength."
"If one cannot protect themselves much less others, then they are not worthy."
"Is that the old you talking or the you of now, Nanook? You don't talk nowhere near as corrupt as you used to."
"It matters not. You, who allowed countless lives to be lost before accepting my power on my terms, can not stand there and prattle to me about my actions. Your strength was palpable in the face of my army. If the girl-"
"Don't badmouth Eina, Nanook."
Finally, a response did not come immediately. Simply looking on, neither speak. An impassive, uncaring, expression meets a steady yet fierceful gaze.
"It seems there is little point in further discussion."
Not paying any mind to a follow-up response, the Aeon ascends once more to bask in the corrosive setting as a golden light encompasses Relon's vision.
"Nanook…"
Real World
Comfort returning, his vermilion eyes blink back into reality he shares with the living. Blurriness fading, his eyes make out the cute and girlish room as March 7th's.
"March's room? How did I…?"
"You passed out after emitting Nanook's power in great volume." Eyes shifting over, he takes in the friendly, though stoic, demeanor of the Galaxy Ranger seated on a chair facing him. "I am relieved you are well, my lord."
"Acheron…" Inspecting his body, the male carefully rises to sit upright. "How is everything in the station?"
"Repairs are already underway. Madam Herta has returned as well. Those of the Astral Express are aboard the station assisting in getting the system back online."
"Good. What about Eina?"
"Lady Eina is currently outside the Express alongside Pom-Pom and Tear relaying communications to the sectors of the ship still operational."
"Tear? Oh yeah." His memories are hazy but he can recall the bits and pieces that mattered. "I see." Inhaling an unsteady breath, he takes in a few more inhales followed by exhales before swinging his legs off the bed.
"Did you two speak?" Eyes lifting to the woman sporting the slightest hint of worry, they lower.
"Yeah. No progress. Again." Pushing himself off to firm his feet, he gives a nod to which Acheron rises following him out.
Walking side-by-side, his eyes peer out the window to see no one.
"All of the occupants on board are still fearful of the beast."
"They have a right to after all that's transpired." Door whirring open, they step out to immediately take sight of said hacker with multiple screens up as the small rabbit conductor and mighty beast seem to look on in great fixation.
Head perking, she shoots to her feet surprising the Express' driver as she vanishes to appear, nearly toppling the male over. No gasp of his name, no hit in reprimand, no nothing. Just the concerned and warm touch of Silver Wolf met him. Instinctively, his arms coiled around as their embrace lasted one long moment.
"You okay?"
"Doofus, I should be saying that to you." She chuckles pulling away. "Unlike you two blockheads, IX and I are perfectly chill. What isn't chill is worrying everyone."
"Trust me, it wasn't my intent. Honestly though, I don't even recall blacking out."
"It happened the moment March named the Tear." Acheron offers.
"Makes sense. Anything after I can't recall."
"Are you going to check on things?"
"Yeah. You coming with?"
"Need you even ask?" She grins that coy smirk he's seen countless times.
"Pom-Pom, Tear, we'll be heading into the station."
"Gotcha," the little conductor nods. "I'll return to the Express and check on things there."
Walking up to the beast, he raises a hand to caress its mouth.
"We'll take you to your new home soon. Just be a little bit more patient." In response comes a sound he could only assume to be of acknowledgement.
With that, the three departed. Upon entry into the hall, the lingering scent of sanitizer, bleach, and other substances filled their scents. Such residue was still visibly apparent on the damaged floor and walls.
"Just how many…" He couldn't force himself to finish that question. Nor did he want to.
Had he been synced with Nanook like Silver Wolf was with IX, he could have stopped this. Had he given into his negative emotions and just accepted Nanook's side of things, then yet another massacre could have been evaded. Instead, like the stubborn and helpless human he was, he chose to resist and allow innocent lives to be slain before what little understanding they could temporarily be met.
The lives lost on this ship were not solely in part because of the Antimatter Legion but Relon as well. That was an irrefutable fact when it came down to it… He simply refused to tread down a path that he didn't forge himself.
How long will this go on? He wonders noticing glimpses of blood missed by the cleaning crew. How many times will I have the ability to stop them but fail miserably?
From the corner of her eye, she clearly saw it. That look of forlorn he wore whenever it came to any tragedy involving Nanook's Army. She knew with time, much like their last encounter, his conviction would return. However, bearing witness to this silent state was a gut-wrenching experience all the same.
Relon…
"Huh?"
Attention lifting up, both only now notice Acheron having taken the lead. Looking to the source of the sound, their eyes lay upon several workers. Suds and soap lay scattered around mixed in with streaks of the residual blood. Punctures lay disorganized on the walls and fewer at their feet.
Watching their eyes shift to the left, immediately she recognizes their point of interest. Not of her or Acheron. Looking once again, a pained expression is all Relon can manage.
Looking forward, ready to speak out on their own scornful looks, Acheron beats her to it.
"Excuse us." She speaks, taking an echoing step forward. In case any would have attempted to ignore her, the dense presence she was exuding over herself made that next to impossible for the normal workers.
With relenting mumbles, they step aside as the three make their way.
"Ignore them, Relon. They're just incomprehensive jerks," Silver Wolf dismisses grasping his hand with hers. "They don't even bother to understand us. They see a bunch of monsters killing their own, bear witness to one that makes them stop and their savior gets all the hate."
"That's the sad truth though, milady. Some people simply choose to see only what they can and not look beyond the cause."
Neither could refute the truth Acheron spoke. One's fear factor only exists when unable to comprehend something. From there, it simply grows reacting to others. When one civilian sees another screaming and running, they too are likely to mimic the action.
Peering down at the hand of his loved one, a momentary glance back makes his previous talk with Nanook all the more apparent.
"Acheron, Eina." He speaks up, mind discarding such negative thoughts to the back for the time being. "Thanks. Again." Acknowledging his gratefulness with endearing expressions, he gives his cheeks a gentle clap. "'Kay. I'm good now."
"You sure you're not putting on the tough guy act you males are so used to doing?" Silver Wolf muses with a cheeky grin.
"We all know I'm too soft to do something like that."
"Uh-huh. Suuuuuuure you are." With a shrug, she takes the reins for several screens to manifest.
Chuckling as Acheron falls back in line with him, his gaze momentarily goes to her. It goes without saying that she came in clutch when it mattered most. He wasn't certain Silver Wolf could have warped them off had they been fighting had IX not been present.
"You're a lifesaver as always, Acheron."
Eyes drawing towards the male, they absently face forward.
"Your words humble me but they are unneeded, my lord. I simply answered your call with due diligence. Rather, I should be asking for forgiveness in arriving late-"
"You didn't though. If you're thinking about the lives lost, then we're both in that boat."
"But-"
"No buts." Facing her with a smile, he reaches out to lift up her hand to eye level. "You did what I couldn't do until I could. It was a team effort. A successful one given we're all still here. That's the end result that we need to focus on."
Feeling her hand tighten upon his own, her demeanor doesn't change but the slightest grip of her hand before releasing is all he needs to know she understands. Confirming his hunch with a humble nod, he watches as she continues after Silver Wolf.
"Under two rules shall I ever unsheathe this blade."
"One," Silver Wolf responds. "Should a life you are attempting to protect lies within the path of harm."
"And two," Relon speaks up. "Either I or Eina deem it necessary. Whether we give approval or not." With a silent nod, the subtle grip on her weapon's handle eases.
"You both saved my former self allowing the I of now to not only walk but fight for my own life. Regardless of what you say, I am forever indebted to you both until the end of time. That is my oath. No matter what either of you may say."
"Acheron, what are we to do with you?" Silver Wolf gives a dramatic sigh before she begins to berate the stoic woman.
Allowing the serious atmosphere to subside as it had come, his eyes trace over her.
The Galaxy Ranger, Acheron. An individual who once was a common civilian within the confines of a political planet. Where a series of nations reigned over the land, each controlled by a sovereign, the planet became ravaged in war.
The cause for Relon and Silver Wolf to enter such chaos and destruction was due to the invasion of the Antimatter Legion. Overnight, the warring nations shifted from an endless onslaught against one another to a defensive struggle. The constant fighting amongst one another left all of the inhabitants weary and unable to repel the invaders. Within hours, the planet's population descended in numbers.
Amongst the chaos lied Acheron. A swordswoman never recognized for her talent by her fading army. When it mattered most, her innate talent only got her so far before a fatal blow struck not her, but her sister. The echoing cries alerted Relon passing by to investigate where he came upon the woman breaking down as enemies swarmed all around.
In a rash act, the young Relon unleashed the power of Nanook, the Aeon of Destruction, luring all invading enemies to their location. According to Acheron, he had annihilated them all while manifesting in Nanook's signature golden hue. She had failed to protect that whom she cherished most.
"I command you all… Perish!"
That lone fact left the woman distraught. During her isolation, the nations had united under one having seen the errors of their way. The meaningless bloodshed had ended but the blood that mixed with the pelting rain remained as a reminder to the woman.
With the assistance of Silver Wolf while Relon rested, she tracked the recluse down. At the bottom of it all, simple words and light reminders of previous actions were not enough to cause a resurgence.
"Leave me alone. What's the point in living? My life is forfeit."
That would only come upon the second mounted attack on the Antimatter Legion. With a deafening cry that bellowed like thunder, rays of light pierced the heavens scorching the earth below. Chaos and disarray exploded at once as a doomsday beast crashed down upon a neighboring town.
As lives once again were being taken before their very eyes, the trembling form of Silver Wolf went completely noticed. Despite that, she remained planted at the cliff overlooking the massacre. Watching as two children trembling amongst the flames of disaster, their eyes only grew at the familiar male, covered in bandages, wearily grab them before the land became evaporated in light.
"How can he still fight? Why can he…? He's not of this world. He has no link to our homeland…"
"Who cares about that? Connections? Bloodlines? Heritage? None of that crap matters to Relon or to I? What we're doing, right here and now, we're doing this because it's the right thing to do!"
Gifting her the sword she once discarded, Silver Wolf vanished. Like an extinguished flame reignited by a resolute kindle, Acheron's soul became ablaze in a sea of emotions. Darkness blanketed overhead. Light in the form of Relon's attacks damaged the behemoth and its smaller spawns.
"I have committed countless sins. Forgive me, sister. I shall atone… starting now!"
With a single step, the world boomed in accordance. With a strike of lightning far off, the attention of all went to the silhouette for it to vanish. In an instant, purple lightning streak around the horde of monsters to skid before the tired male.
Formalities weren't needed. Simply the confirmation of their goals aligning. In tandem, both surged to the forefront barreling their way through wave after wave. Upon their approach, the beast's attention fully went to them and away from the inferior ants that fought back.
Destruction energy and Nihility resonating as one, the blistering bombardment of electricity slashes and destructive blasts pummeled the monstrosity's defenses, downing the creature and ending its light show. As one, the combination of their combat prowess reigned superior, deciding the battle. With that, the sky parted allowing a ray of light to shine upon the village that survived its ill fate. Upon her, she looked from the heavens to her two acquaintances, her two saviors.
The leaders of each respective nation humbled themselves for their foolish actions but she did not care. Wordlessly, she vanished in the blink of an eye. Unable to discern her whereabouts, both heroes trekked along the hidden trail to the cliffside where a burial was laid. Before it, Acheron herself.
Realization dawned. The unstructured society that failed her sister, the talents she honed failed her sister, she herself had failed and wallowed in self pity and doubt. She revealed how ready she was to die off somewhere alone in a feeble attempt to reunite with her sister. The act itself was deemed cowardly in hindsight.
No more, however, was that the case.
"My lord, milady, I request strength."
"What kind of strength?"
"A power that can protect the innocents and ensure that none else shall experience what I have."
The acceptance was genuine and understanding. Bit by bit, the trio lived and trained. Silver Wolf guiding the swordsman in her manipulation over Nihility and Relon honing his own combat skills alongside hers. The monotone and focused mindset set within the warrior began to lessen and open to the cosmos and the beauty both it and its inhabitants offered. Time progressed and the application of the Galaxy Rangers was accepted, leading her to fulfill her goal. Though separate, their communication made both sides feel as if they were still side-by-side.
Truly, their fated encounter was something meant to be. For Acheron to coincidentally be applicable for the path of Nihility was a miracle in and of itself. He and Silver Wolf's passive ability to bestow others they come into contact with their respective paths should that individual's body composition match.
"Blade…"
"Destruction and Nihility… Just as you and Silver Wolf walk such paths, now do we. And it's all thanks… to you."
For such dangerous individuals to be applicable and their desires to line up with Destruction and Nihility, fate was a finicky thing.
"Hey! Over here, you guys!"
Head snapping back to reality, he along with the other two takes in the sight of Caelus waving in their direction. Peeking her head out, Stelle's own smile graces their arrival.
"Good to see you up and moving," Caelus greets patting Relon shoulder.
"Haha, yeah. Sorry for the trouble."
"Trouble? Don't sweat it. Things have calmed down now so we're just helping out where we can."
"Caelus is right. While you've been resting, March, Dan Heng and us have been scouring the entire station doing odd jobs to help out."
"I saw," Silver Wolf snorts. "Including Caelus tripping down a flight of stairs. Twice."
"H-Hey, I-"
"Wasn't looking where you were going?" She muses with her usual smugness.
"That's… uh… damn it."
"Gott work on your comebacks, bud." Relon comforts.
"Relon!" Head looking into the doorway where the Master Control Zone lies, one Arlan comes walking their way. "You're awake!"
"Yup. How're you holding up?" Inwarding taken aback, the dark-skinned male smiles. "As well as can be given everything that's happened. The Astral Express Crew and the twins are playing a vital part in our recovery efforts."
"It's what we do. No sweat." Caelus shrugs for Stelle to give an amused shake of her head.
"I see. How's Asta?" At his question, Arlan's expression goes weary.
"She's been pushing herself nonstop. Madam Herta just returned and would like to convene with everyone. I managed to get her to lie down for a little while but…"
"I gotcha. I'll go check on her."
"Want us to go with?"
"No need. I'll meet you guys at Herta's office."
"Roger that."
"We'll see you soon then."
"Don't flirt with Asta too long," Silver Wolf teases to get a deadpanned look from said male.
Key manifesting, he tosses it at the door before going through. Stepping through, he finds himself in a hall. Turning around from where he came, he knocks. Once more, he gives a series of knocks.
"Asta? It's Relon. You awake?"
Hearing a mechanical sound from the other side, he steps back for the door to open.
"Come in," the familiar voice beckons.
Doing so, he steps into the dimly lit room, a galaxy globe illuminating what outlines of furniture he can make out. Eyes finding the bed, he sees the figure of Asta carefully sit up.
"Lights on or off?"
"Dim them if you don't mind."
"Copy that…" He hums, scrolling the light switch to the middle frequency.
Turning around, he goes still. Asta, still in her usual work attire, sits up sporting a tired albeit forceful smile with bandages littering her body.
"Haha… Judging by that look on your face, I can safely guess I look pretty beat up, huh?"
Seeing the outline of her shoes having been kicked off for her freed feet to slowly sway, his own expression simmers.
"Least you can boast about surviving a life-threatening battle." He forces a chuckle for a giggle to emit.
"Teehee, I suppose so."
"How are you hold-"
"Hmm? What's wrong, Relon?"
A Lucinance was famous for traits like any other person. The repetitive blinking was one he harbored. Whether in confusion or of embarrassment, it was something difficult to not do unless he was completely at a loss.
This moment, in the room alone with Asta, was one of those moments. While her condition made his heart ache, him moving closer allowed for one factor to become blatantly apparent. Like he and some of the others, their clothes had been damaged.
The common rips and tears at the sleeves and sides for him and other areas for their friends. Asta, likely being the workaholic alongside Arlan hadn't realized just how… "vulnerable" her injuries had made her. If Arlan had, then kudos to the worker for valuing her innocence and reputation before anyone could take notice. Though if that was the case, that meant that Alan, fully aware of her condition, openly allowed Relon to check on her. By himself. Not to mention Silver Wolf's departing comment now made him wonder if this was somehow a two-sided setup.
"Relon? Why are you looking away? I'm right here, you know."
Eyes fighting off the sight as best they can, his quivering lips struggle to muster a response.
Oh Asta…
Relenting, blushing cheeks on display, he can only give a meek point. Arching a brow, her eyes trail down to see nothing. Quizzical as for why he's sporting a visible blush, she arches forward still see nothing out of the ordinary.
With how I'm seated, he can't see up my skirt so what is it?
"Relon, just tell me." She chuckles.
Mouth going agape, it quickly recedes. Accepting his ill fate, he gives a quick blow towards her. Watching her body tense for a moment from the cold, it immediately goes still. Face scrunching, he can only fight back the urge to run into the door.
"Lights on." She orders in a commanding voice fit for a director.
Eyes wincing ever so slightly, his eyes gaze in full visibility at the conundrum. At some point during her battle against Nanook's army, one of their attacks had left a slash on her chest. A particular cut that, although it did not scratch skin, it did her fabric and underclothing. In short, Relon was bearing witness to the astronomy-lover's underboob in full view. With the light on, it only made burning the image into his head the more difficult to stop from happening.
Face looking to a full-size mirror coincidentally placed off where she can see her appearance, a feeling of dread stirs. In spite of all he's been through, in this moment, he could only wonder one thing as the flushed face of Asta's met his.
Why me?
rallyteam09 : Heh if stelle have her power from relon and caelus from silver wolf well if we match the color scheme too doesn't that make them Relon and silver wolf's children?
... Holy shit then that means Kafka's the parent to the twins. I'm so using that as a joke down the line XD