After a few minutes, the spinning rocks slowed down and fell to the ground as the glow in their eyes died down. Ang-Streum held on to her as he helped her safely to the ground. With the situation handled, Judicara deactivated her barrier and David quickly sped towards the two, taking over from Ang-Streum and embracing her.
Opening her eyes and seeing David, Cherida quickly returned the hug with a smile. Their embrace ended when Samuel and the rest of the group converged near them. "So…what did you learn?" Samuel asked Ang-Streum.
"It's quite complicated. Her power has indeed awakened like we presumed and I've managed to imprint on her consciousness the ability to control it. She should now be able to use her telekinetic ability at will", Ang-Streum reported.
"Alright…but why did her awakening happen so suddenly?" Sylvia asked. "From what I can tell, her awakening initiated the very moment she stepped foot here. I believe being in a place saturated by mana due to the members present, caused it to hasten and activate", he answered.
"Was there anything else?" Sylvester asked. "I'm not sure. I got the vague sense that she had barely scratched the full extent of her powers. We can only wait for her powers to emerge on their own and help her control them", Ang-Streum explained to them.
With that done, the group returned to the base to allow Cherida to be analyzed in the medical bay for any other effects of her awakening as well as to see if any information was available in the War room on the status of the probes.
...…..
"Warriors of the Seena Empire, we have attacked and conquered every planet we came across without any challenge. No planet is allowed to trample on our pride and get away with it. It's time to continue our glorious legacy and conquer the entire universe. From there, the entire cosmos will follow", Mamon declared to his troupes who roared loudly.
"It's time to set off. Report to your assigned ships and prepare for launch", he instructed and his troupes quickly split up, heading towards the several thousand warships and battleships in the distance.
Mamon and Arsenaim entered the mothership and Mamon took his seat on his throne. After the communication channels were opened, he initiated the launch of all the ships. The thrusters of all the ships ignited as they launched off the ground, flying towards the vacuum of space.
As they escaped the gravity of the planet and fully entered space, all the hidden probes monitoring them suddenly switched from observation mode to combat mode as all the weapons and missiles were armed and at the ready, the railguns and turrets charging up.
...…
It was nighttime and the light of the full moon bathed the entire mountain range. Without the influence of the city lights, the lights from the stars were pronounced. Sitting next to the edge of the lake near the Griffin family manor for the third night in a row, Ang-Streum quietly gazed into the sky.
"You always watch the stars like you're waiting for them to speak", Judicara mentioned as she approached him with two mugs of tea in hand.
"They used to. On Nebulax, they sang in colors… like auroras that whispered through the sky. Now they just… echo", Ang-Streum said without turning, his gaze still on the sky. Unbothered by his aloofness, Judicara smiled as she sat beside him.
"Earth tea. Bitter. But I figured you wouldn't mind bitter", she said and offered him one of the mugs of tea. He smiled faintly as he accepted the mug. "Bitterness is quite familiar", he said as he took a sip, then exhaled. "Strange…I think I like it", he added as he took another sip of the mug's contents.
A heavy but peaceful silence enveloped the entire area as the two casually sipped their tea. Turning to him, she saw a melancholic look on his face. "I've seen that look before. On my father's victims, just before the end. A quiet surrender. You thinking of going back to the fight?" she asked him.
"Every cell in my body wants revenge. But vengeance never builds—it only burns…", he said before turning to her. "And I've burned enough. My world, family, throne. I don't want to lose what's left... including this quiet", he finished.
Judicara turned away, shame plastered on her face. "You should hate me. My family is the first spark in that fire", she said in self-admonishment. "I did hate you. The moment I learned you were his daughter, I wanted nothing but to end you. I wanted you to feel a little bit of the pain I felt", Ang-Streum said gently.
"Then why didn't you?" she asked curiously. Ang-Streum bent down and touched the surface of the water; his reflection rippling. "Because you stood before your father's blade and denounced him. When I look into your eyes, I see something that does not belong to the empire", he said, looking at her warmly.
"You are someone trying to break free from the constraints of your family…just like me", he said causing Judicara's breath to catch. She shifted closer to him, the emotion cracking her facade.
"You think I deserve peace? After what I allowed him to do?" she asked in self-mockery. "You are not responsible for the decisions of your family. Besides, no one deserves peace. But maybe… some of us can choose it anyway", Ang-Streum answered, assuring her as he reached out and gently took her hand. A soft pulse passed between them-a harmony of light from his skin to hers.
"I feel it… that light. Even now", she mumbled quietly. "It's not just mine. It responds to trust… to connection", he said as he leaned in slightly. "To hope", he added, Judicara trembling slightly as she met his gaze.
"Then don't stop hoping. Not for us", she replied as their foreheads touched. The stars above seemed to shimmer brighter. A wind rippled across the lake, carrying peace and something new… love, finally awakened prior to the upcoming war.
They sat in that position for a few minutes before an alarm blared on their communication devices, bringing them back to reality. "Lisia, please report", Ang-Streum requested. "NOTICE! THE ARMAMENTS OF THE PROBES HAVE BEEN ARMED! YOUR PRESENCE HAS BEEN REQUESTED!" Lisia informed them.
"It's finally starting. Let's go", Judicara said as she held on to Ang-Streum and he flew back to the base as fast as he could move.
The guardians quickly assembled in the war room and took their seat around the table to observe the first phase of the war. The multi display screen showed images from all the probes as they aimed all weapons at the approaching armada.
"Let's send him a message. Give them hell, Lisia!" Samuel commanded. "ACKNOWLEDGED! INITIATING FIRING SEQUENCE! THREE…TWO…ONE! WEAPONS FREE!!" Lisia declared as the probes lit the surrounding space up, releasing a torrent of destruction towards the Armada.