A lean, young-looking woman stood on the platform, her light green hair reaching her waist in two thin braids. Her face was small and delicate, featuring a soft, slightly pointed chin and gently rounded cheekbones. She wore a short-sleeved orange tunic, its hem falling just above her knees, adorned with a white daffodil petal design and golden square stitching. Red fabric was knotted around her waist, with another piece draped loosely over her standing collar. Beneath, she wore plain white shorts and high stockings secured with red rope, completed by high-cut black boots and a brown glove bound by a golden bangle.
Gema's eyes were fixed intently on her. She was his fellow Kshatriya, the fiercely competitive warrior, Xin Rue.
Beside Rue stood a dark-skinned man, a foot taller than her, with ash-grey hair tied in a knot. His grey eyes were focused, and a red rhombus-shaped bindi marked his forehead. He wore V-shaped golden armor that covered his bare, lean, muscular torso, while a dark brown scarf draped around his neck. Golden armbands and wristbands glimmered, hinting at his hidden power. A double-colored waistcloth of dark and light brown flowed to his knees, and loose, pale brown pants were knotted at his ankles with golden bands. His presence, calm yet commanding, exuded a deep connection to nature. This was Survanaputra, a mentor to the Kshatriyas whose very name brought a sense of peace to those who heard it.
"Oh my goodness, it's really you!" Rue shouted, jumping from the platform and landing before Gema so suddenly that he startled and fell. "Hey! What are you doing here?! Not even a hello to your old friends when you're back in Aurea?" Rue grinned as she grabbed and playfully tugged on Gema's cheeks.
"Come on, Xin Rue, be polite," said Putra, descending the stairs with his hands relaxed behind his head as he looked at them. Gema was stunned to encounter these warriors—comrades who had fought alongside him in countless battles.
"It's been a long time, Gema. How's Earth treating you? Have you met Purnima and Surya?" Putra asked, extending his hand with a warm smile.
Gema shook Putra's hand, scratching his head with the other.
"I'm doing fine, yeah. The twins and I met up—they're on their way to the Skyrea rendezvous point by now, but they have a stop to make first. It's great to see you both, Rue and Putra."
Rue squinted at him, smirking. She began shadow-boxing energetically.
"You must've been training hard, taking down Darkseed on Earth, right? Show me what you've got! How about a duel, Gema? Right here, right now!"
"Whoa, hold on! I don't think now is the time!" Gema panicked as Rue's snake aura flickered to life around her.
Before she could act, Putra gently caught her arm.
"Easy, Xin Rue. Gema's had a long journey. He needs rest," Putra interjected, his voice calm and soothing. "Don't worry; I'll set up a proper match for you two at the arena. We don't need to turn this place upside down, especially with Purba still lurking nearby," he added. Putra patted Rue's head, calming her.
The snake aura faded, replaced by a turtle aura that left her looking dejected. Gema exhaled in relief, though he was taken aback by Putra's enthusiasm for arranging a fight.
"Fine... as Putra said, we'll have that duel at the arena someday. I promise, Rue."
"That's more like it! I'm going to fight you with everything I've got, Gema! In front of everyone! Just be ready!" Rue instantly brightened.
"Since you're here, why not join us at the park? Xin Rue is giving a talk to the kids there, and I'd love to hear about your experiences on Earth," Putra suggested.
"But… Putra, you know I'm not a Kshatriya anymore. I don't think it's wise for me to linger around in Aurea; people might notice me," Gema said uncertainly.
Putra ignored the answer and turned, already walking toward the ZOE platform stairs.
"Xin Rue, bring him along."
Rue grinned mischievously, her snake aura flaring up as stone snakes coiled around her hands.
"Hey, wait, WAIT!" Gema shouted.
Rue delivered a swift punch to his stomach. The venom numbed his muscles instantly. It only lasted long enough for her to sling him over her shoulder and leap onto the platform.
The royal guards who were there to witness the incident exchanged startled looks.
"…Kshatriyas are indeed terrifying..."
Not long after, the royal Cydro arrived, and the three of them boarded. Putra glanced at Gema, who was slowly regaining his movement.
"Damn it, Rue—was the venom necessary? A human would be paralyzed for months," Gema grumbled, rubbing his stomach.
Rue laughed.
"I wouldn't use it on a human! On you, it's just a bit of stiffness, nothing serious."
As the Cydro glided towards the Morganite Plate, Gema's thoughts drifted back to De Novo and the mysterious girl.
"How long do you plan to conceal your identity in Aurea, Gema?" Putra asked, his voice filled with concern.
Gema snapped back to reality.
"Ah, I'm not sure yet. Might not be the greatest idea to walk freely here, considering my imminent return to Earth."
"I'm intrigued; why would a Celestion choose Earth rather than peaceful Aurea?" Rue interjected, her voice sharp. "You know, right? Most of us didn't like humans. They were, after all, the source of the Darkseed."
"Let's just say some things are meant to be protected—not all are evil, Rue. And... the food was delicious!"
Ignoring Gema's answer, Rue tapped repeatedly on the Cydro's glass panel to get the attention of a group of green-scaled lobsters backstroking gracefully on the waterway surface.
A bell chimed, signaling their arrival in Morganite. The doors slid open.
Clad in lacquered red and shimmering gold armor, a hulking White Werebear stepped into the cabin. His armor bore a golden lion on the chest, meticulously carved. An iron helm like an ancient crown rested on his head. His imposing figure and piercing yellow eyes commanded attention as he settled at the far end of the cabin.
"Weregrown... Kshatriyas from other regions are here too," Gema noted.
"Seems so," Putra replied. "Though I wonder if their presence is necessary. We're more than capable of guarding our region."
"Absolutely!" Rue declared, eyeing the werebear with a mixture of curiosity and suspicion. The werebear glanced at her, grunted dismissively, and lay down, whistling as if to ignore the commotion.
"Why should outsiders meddle in our affairs?" She rose from her seat and pointed a finger toward the werebear.
Looking for support, Rue turned to Gema, but he was lost in thought. She glanced at Putra, only to find him fast asleep, his head resting against the comfy seat. Sighing at the sight of both her comrades, she slumped back.
"Hey, Gema! What's wrong with you? You've spaced out a couple of times."
"Huh? What?! Me? It's nothing. I was just... reminiscing. Thinking about what I must do in Aurea before returning to Earth..."
"I can tell something's wrong, but dwelling on it in silence won't help. Get a grip; that attitude will only hold you back. Stop overthinking, Gema," Rue advised, her tone firm yet concerned.
Gema nodded slowly.
"Thanks for the advice, Rue. I'll keep that in mind."
The Cydro began its descent toward the Amethyst plate. As it neared the station, the Weregrown was the first to rise, his massive form filling the aisle. He glanced at Rue with unmistakable irritation, his eyes narrowing as though debating whether she was worth his attention. Deciding she wasn't, he turned away without a word and exited.
"What's with that bear's attitude?" Rue grumbled. "I'd love to spar with that overgrown furball and teach him some manners!"
Rue nudged Putra awake.
"Come on, sleepyhead, we're here!"
Covering his identity in the crowded Amethyst plate where most Aurenians lived, Gema pulled his hood over his head. The three disembarked onto the bustling platform. As they exited the colossal pillar, they encountered the werebear again, who paused, glanced at them, sighed deeply, and hurried off in the opposite direction.
"Well, Rue, that werebear is starting to get on my nerves, too," Gema chuckled.
The trio made their way through the busiest marketplace in Aurea. Vibrant sights and sounds swirled around them—merchants hawking wares, street performers captivating the crowd, and the aroma of exotic spices blending into the air.
"Detour!" Rue declared, spotting her favorite vendor. The sight of steaming baskets piled with treats—coconut jam, red bean paste, sambal anchovies, and savory meats—made her mouth water. The vendor shaped the dough with hands that were a blur of motion. The filled baozi were arranged in bamboo steamers, their aroma a tantalizing invitation.
"I'll take six!" Rue declared.
The vendor rolled each baozi into place with chopsticks, tossed it up, caught it on a banana leaf, and wrapped it. Six baozi, each with a different filling, landed in Rue's hands. She couldn't resist; she opened the leaf and took one. But as she went to bite into the red bean baozi, a Tycart sped past. The sudden gust of wind made all her baozi tumble into the dirt.
Rue whirled around. It was the same werebear from before, a Kshatriya from the Southern region. He had taken control of the Tycart from a confused handler, wind Shakti swirling around him. He glanced back with mischief in his eyes and propelled the cart forward with a burst of Shakti, leaving Rue fuming.
"THAT'S IT!" She roared. "That furball's about to be my new welcome mat!" She lunged forward, her form blurring. With a mighty stomp, the cobblestone beneath her erupted into the head of a giant stone serpent, its jaws gaping wide. A hush fell over the market, followed by excited whispers.
"Give me some space, fellow Aurenian—you don't want to get too close to my baby snake!" The crowd scrambled back. "Putra, it looks like those kids will have to wait! Mama's got a bear to hunt!" With a mischievous grin, she launched onto the serpent's head as it slithered through the marketplace with surprising agility, pursuing the werebear.
"Go get him, Rue!" Gema cheered, raising a fist.
Putra shook his head and gathered the fallen baozi.
"Such childish antics," he muttered.
"Oh, come on, Putra," Gema teased. "You could easily stop her if you wanted to. It looks like our wise mentor is losing his cool as well."
Putra merely smiled and approached the vendor.
"Ehem... Ma'am, could you please replace these?"
"Ah, yes, sure, Sir Survanaputra."
The vendor quickly packaged six fresh baozi. Putra took them, thanked the vendor, and slowly left the area, his movements calm. Gema followed him down a less-traveled nature trail.
"Gema," Putra began, his voice low and conspiratorial, "since it's just the two of us now… perhaps you'd like to tell me the real reason you're meeting with Ria on Alexandrite? And I'd be fascinated to hear about your encounter with Purba and his unique abilities."
Gema's eyes widened.
"There you go... I almost forgot about your ability," he said. "It seems there's no hiding anything from you, is there? Is that why you let Rue chase after that werebear?"
Putra turned to Gema.
"Coincidences do happen, my friend," he mused. "But you're right, I have a certain... awareness. However, you can still choose to keep your secrets. I'm not omniscient. But if you're involved with Ria, you might need someone on your side, someone who can offer… guidance."
They reached the crest of a hill overlooking a peaceful garden where families enjoyed traditional dances and puppet shows. Putra swung down from a towering tree with a graceful leap, landing softly on the grass and settling beneath a weeping willow.
"You don't need to carry the burden alone," he advised, offering a baozi to Gema.
"But please, Putra," he said, "keep this to yourself," knowing he could trust this man.
"You know you can count on me for that," Putra replied, devouring two baozi at the same time.
Gema took a deep breath before releasing it. He looked at Putra and began to share.
"It all started when I left the Kshatriyas..."