Approaching from his parade float, Zero called out, catching me mid-slink behind Sam to avoid Freya's gaze. "Did you get that from the archaeology dig you were guarding?"
"You're well-informed, Zero," Freya replied, clearly smug. "Yeah, I got Eridanus after four months of watching old men dig in the dirt." She held out the gleaming blue beetle knight in her palm with pride. "I'm still annoyed I got stationed to something that boring. With all I've heard you three were up to, Eridanus is the only thing that made the whole assignment worthwhile. Now, say hello, Eridanus."
[Greetings, my pilot's compatriots. I am CK-28, codename: Eridanus. It is a pleasure to see other Constellation Knights after so long buried underground.]
[You were lost during the Galta Rebellion, 150 years ago,] Ara said, almost in disbelief. [Dragged away by the dormant Dream Titan and the Brood Mother. Everyone thought you were gone forever.]
[Weakling,] Draco sneered.
[Hey!] Eridanus snapped back. [It's not my fault I was so effective that the enemy had to resort to radiation weapons just to take my pilot out!]
With the CKs distracted in their own animated reunion, I turned to the others. "So you're the fifth knight Her Majesty mentioned. I was wondering who it would be."
"Oh?" Sam raised a brow. "So you know who the last one is?"
"Yeah." I waved the boy in question over, catching his hesitant eye. "Everyone, this is Alex Cyonis—pilot to CK-37, Boötes. We worked together during the siege of Duradel-VXI and ended up coming here together."
Alex approached, shyly lifting his hand in greeting. His age—and the prosthetic on his right arm—didn't go unnoticed, but Sam was the only one who managed to keep the pity off his face.
"Good to meet you, Alex," Sam said warmly. "Heard about you already. Youngest star pilot in history at just fourteen. That's an achievement. Pretty sure I was putting someone in a headlock during training at your age." His glance flicked to Zero.
"It was a fluke, and you know it," Zero shot back, pointing accusingly.
"Sure, sure. Whatever helps you sleep at night."
While the two of them bickered, Alex leaned closer to whisper, "That Zero guy's muscles are almost as big as Rafellan's."
I nearly laughed. He wasn't wrong. Swap their heads, and the rest would still match.
"Nice work breaking the insurgents' stronghold on War'amar, by the way," Sam said, offering his knuckles.
Zero hesitated for a breath, then bumped fists. "Thanks. It was... more costly than I'd like."
"That's war for you," I said. "Never easy. Never without a price. We just have to make that price mean something."
Sam and Freya both nodded in agreement. Zero stayed silent, fists clenched at his sides.
"It's just so pointless," he muttered, voice rough. "Fighting just to see who gets to be in charge, when all anyone really wants is to live. So much death... all because they wouldn't take our terms."
The toll was written all over him. His once-bright gaze had dimmed, worn down by six brutal months. While Sam and I had spent our early campaigns fighting the Dream Swarm in the Obscure Quadrant, Zero had been in the thick of the human war—killing both soldiers and machines, tethered to Ara and the psychic weight of multiple Constellation Knights. There was no light in his eyes now. Just the shadow of all the blood spilled.
"I'll head back to my float," he said, stepping away. "Have fun today, everyone."
"Take care of yourself!" Sam called after him. "We'll talk more later. I got to head to mine too. Want to come with, Alex? Our floats are side by side."
"Sure." With a final wave, Alex followed him off.
Now it was just me and Freya... and I realized that a second too late.
"So, about that makeup~."
I yanked the gun from my hip holster and loaded rubber rounds. "I will shoot you if you try anything."
"Whoa!" Freya raised her hands, backing up with exaggerated care. "Okay, okay! But just a little foundation and face powder, please? I'll even do it myself—personally selected, nothing over the top. Pretty please?"
"Explain what those words mean first," I said, still aiming. "Then I'll consider it."
She did—enthusiastically. Too enthusiastically. After a long and headache-inducing lecture, I finally relented. "Fine. Bare minimum."
"That's an upgrade from just foundation! Deal!" Grinning triumphantly, Freya seized me by the arm and dragged me to the makeup booth like she'd just won a war.
Five minutes later, she stepped back, arms crossed and puffing with pride.
I looked in the mirror. My face had a faint shimmer to it now, and my platinum hair was styled a little differently. That was it. Nothing major—but to Freya, it was a masterpiece.
"Is this really any different from how I normally look?"
"Absolutely!" she squealed into my ear like a deranged bird. "Now hurry to your float! We're heading out in minutes. And don't forget to call Andromeda too!" Then she bolted back to hers—second in the line of five.
With a long breath, I did as told.
The float meant for Andromeda and me had a fae-like design—starry patterns wrapping around a miniature forest of paper flowers in dark blue, black, white, and purple. A pedestal sat at its heart, where Andromeda would be displayed.
Approaching the parade float built for me and Andromeda, I slowed, taking in its ethereal design—like something torn from a storybook painting of old myths and star-borne legends. The float was a layered blossom of fae-like beauty and celestial awe. Paper flowers, delicately crafted in dark blues, blacks, purples, and stark whites, lined the frame like a tapestry of the cosmos. Around the pedestal where Andromeda would stand, a miniature enchanted forest sprawled, tangled with fake vines, star-shaped lanterns, and glittering mist dispensers. All to honour his title: The Fairy Knight of the Stars.
With a shimmering hum, Andromeda manifested in his full height, emerging from the compressed drive unit on my belt. His sheer weight groaned against the float's undercarriage, the entire platform dipping beneath him. The fae forest creaked in protest but held firm.
I followed, boots clicking softly on the polished surface as I stepped up beside him. And for the first time, I really considered my attire. Was my leather jacket—brown and green with a scarf the colour of amber fire—too casual? My golden collared blouse, which doubled as a skirt, paired with tight sweatpants... it was comfortable, sure, but now? Under the light of all this grandeur? It felt almost shameful. Maybe I should've worn my formal uniform. Maybe at least the cap that Traveler had gifted me. I could still feel it in my pocket, warm from the nervous grip of my fingers.
"Okay! We're going out in one minute, people!" a voice shouted from somewhere behind, sharp and electric. Rows of armoured knights marched up to flank the five floats, forming a gleaming vanguard as the hangar doors groaned open, letting the world's roar crash in.
I glanced to the edge of the float, heart climbing in my throat, searching for a hiding spot—but then Andromeda knelt. He reached his enormous hand toward me.
[We will greet them together, pilot. Do not be afraid.]
His voice was steady, like mountain stone. Without hesitation, I stepped into his palm and sat, smiling up at him.
"Thank you... for helping me live," I whispered, just loud enough for him to hear.
He nodded once, solemn. And then we moved forward into the light.
The gates yawned wide, revealing a city alive with celebration. Colour flooded the air—festival confetti and radiant powder bombs erupting like fireworks. Thousands had gathered along the boulevard, forming rivers of people crashing against the floats with cheers loud enough to make the ground tremble.
"It's the floats!"
"It's starting!"
"The Constellation Knights!"
"Andromeda's pilot! Look—it's her at the front!"
Laughter broke from my lips, involuntary and light. I waved from Andromeda's palm, his height making me the first face they saw. The crowd surged with joy and awe, their energy washing over me like a wave of raw warmth.
"Andromeda's pilot looked at me!"
"Marry me, miss!"
"She's so beautiful! Take pictures! The fan club needs them!"
Following just behind, Freya's float drifted like a slow-moving stream, styled with shimmering blues and silvered waves, her aquatic knight blowing theatrical kisses and striking elegant poses that dazzled the crowd. People wept at her beauty. I couldn't help but laugh again.
Behind her came Samuel's fire-themed float—molten colours and coiling metal flames decorating its frame. He and Draco were, predictably, locked in yet another loud argument, arms flailing, their bickering only making the crowd roar with delight.
Third came Alex and Boötes. A rolling wheat field of golden fake grass and windmill props spun gently around them. Boötes loomed behind Alex, who grinned at the sea of faces, clearly overwhelmed but thrilled. People gasped at his youth, then cheered even louder.
And last was Zero and Ara, posed like saints on a holy altar, their float carved from faux marble and lit with divine light. They stood as statues—unmoving, imposing, perfect. The crowd fell into a respectful hush as they passed.
As the procession drifted deeper into the heart of the capital, cheers echoing off the steel towers and glowing skyways, I let the joy take root in my chest. Yet as the sunlight glittered across my jacket, I couldn't help but frown slightly.
Leaning toward Andromeda's helmet, I muttered one critical question.
"How long exactly... am I supposed to stand on this thing for?"
***
Looking out the window of my office, I could see five parade floats inching their way down the main avenue. They'd been moving for over three hours now, yet they'd only made it halfway through the city route. Poor things.
"The citizens seem to be enjoying the show," I murmured, pressing my hand to the glass.
"Then you're doing a good job organizing it," Traveler replied from across the room, distracted by the rare fish gliding through the tank built into the wall.
"I would've thought your two partners would ask you to see the parade with them. If not both, then at least the cute one."
Catching my implication, Traveler grinned. "She tried, but Thorn's gotten sick of me lately after I used him as bait, and now he's trying to turn her against me. That crow only knows how to be petty. Oh—right, I have some news. A contact of mine may have found the original development grounds for three of the lost Constellation Knights—Monoceros, Lyra, and Cygnus."
"That would be good news... if any of them hadn't already been lost to time." I huffed against the glass, fogging it slightly. Jealousy flickered in my chest watching the citizens celebrate a festival I had planned, while I was locked in here like a relic on a shelf. "Inform Columba's pilot. She'll delegate the mission to the most qualified, as always."
Seeing the way I stared out the window, Traveler didn't need to ask what I was thinking. He knew. Immediately.
"If you're planning to sneak out again tonight to enjoy the festival you worked so hard to create, Your Highness," he said, tone sly, "I'd suggest avoiding the eastern escape tunnels. Danny's started blocking them off."
"Shhh! What if he hears you?!" I hissed, whipping around to check the door. Closed. Locked. No one stirred beyond it. "As the empress, I have duties I cannot ignore! How dare you suggest such a thing?" I declared dramatically, then shuffled over beside him and lowered my voice. "...What other exits should I take?"
"Personally, the western wall's always been my favourite," he said casually, pulling a red apple from his coat. "Good shade behind the Redmave tree, and a great view of the lake in the garden. There's a dog hole your half-brother's been using to sneak out. It's near there."
"So that's where the little brat's been escaping from! Thank you for this invaluable information." Grinning, I whisked around and returned to my desk, but my expression dimmed as I posed my next question—one I already knew I wouldn't like the answer to. "So, how has the Dream Swarm been acting? Any changes since your last report?"
"About the same," Traveler answered, his gaze falling distant. "They're gathering, but slowly. Like they're waiting for something. According to the researchers' readings, the horizon anomaly might be preparing to open. Something seems to be climbing through it—slowly, like it's still weak and gathering strength."
I let my forehead drop against my desk with a dull thud. "That's... quite a shift from what you said last time."
"Not really," he said, unbothered. "I told you the Dream Swarm were gathering and mutating enmasse. That part hasn't changed. You probably still have fifteen years, give or take, before something claws its way out of the anomaly from the dream universes and unleashes unspeakable horror into this universe. You've still got time to imagine a victory."
Lifting my head just enough to glare at him, I scowled. "You know I hate your dry humour, Traveler."
"Would you prefer Thorn's perverse and degrading jokes instead?" he asked without skipping a beat.
I gagged. "Spare me. That bastard crow was more of an enemy than ally even twenty years ago, when he helped me revolt against my father. He's only gotten worse since."
"In all seriousness," Traveler said, his hand resting on the door handle now, "it'd be better for me to leave before the banquet tomorrow night. On the way here, I received reports—hundreds of meteorites, some Brood Mothers among them, starting to land in the ninth sector. If you want me to stay, I will, but that's giving an advantage to the Dream Swarm."
His words frustrated me, but I knew the right decision. "The Viper Horn Battalion and the three noble houses still fighting in the Obscure Quadrant are already stretched too thin. You should go. Before it spreads. And... say goodbye to your daughter before leaving. I imagine she's been fantasizing about dancing with you all week."
"Doubt it. She doesn't even know what dancing is." He gave a faint smile. "Even if she did ask, I already gave my last dance to someone else. I'm not poetic enough for these political rituals." He started to open the door, paused... then spoke without turning back. "You tell her for me. She'll be less mad that way."
The door shut behind him with a soft click, and I let out a sigh.
"Still no care for social class. Even now, with me as empress, you still treat me like the little princess you pulled from the rubble."
Resting my knuckles against my cheek, I allowed myself a quiet smile. He really hadn't changed at all.
"Hmph. You're old enough to get away with that, I suppose."