With a deep, steadying breath, she placed her palm against the stone. The moment her skin made contact, a brilliant surge of light erupted from the stone, enveloping her in a radiant glow. It was as if the stars themselves had responded to her call, the energy crackling and shimmering like fireworks against the night sky.
I couldn't tear my eyes away. The radiance illuminated her features, revealing a fierce determination beneath her otherwise aloof exterior. For a moment, I saw a different side of her—a glimpse of vulnerability hidden beneath layers of sarcasm and bravado.
As the light intensified, the energy around her began to swirl and pulse. It responded to her will, mirroring her growing confidence.The colors shifted from deep blues to vibrant purples, a mesmerizing dance that reflected the duality she embodied. I could see her confidence growing as she steadied herself, her grip tightening on the stone.
But with that confidence came a ferocity that was almost overwhelming. The light flickered and expanded, casting strange shadows across the clearing. The ground beneath me vibrated with power, and I felt a mix of awe and fear wash over me. I had never witnessed a bonding so intense.
Her expression shifted, a blend of focus and exhilaration. The swirling energy reached its peak, and for a brief moment, it felt like the very fabric of reality was bending to her will. The crowd erupted into cheers and gasps, their voices echoing in the backdrop of this cosmic spectacle.
Then, as the brilliant light reached its zenith, the energy surged outward, enveloping her completely. In that moment, it was as if she became one with the cosmos, a conduit of power and potential. The colors swirled around her, creating a halo of light that illuminated the entire clearing.
Finally, with a powerful exhale, the light began to settle, merging into a radiant aura around her. I could see her eyes gleaming with newfound strength, reflecting the light of the star she had bonded with—the Binary Star System, a star that was said to give the user abilities of two random stars. I wonder what abilities she possesses now.
As the crowd cheered, I felt a rush of admiration for her. Lunar had embraced her connection with the stars, and in that moment, she transformed into something greater than herself. A guardian of cosmic balance.
After the bonding ceremony, things moved quickly. The air was still buzzing with excitement as the new Guardians were being scouted. I wasn't sure what to expect—who was going to notice me, or if anyone even would. But then Zaire showed up, scouting a few of us, including me, Raven, and Somuchi. Of course, I was excited. If Zaire thought I had potential, then I must've done something right.
As we started walking, I glanced over at Raven, who was unusually quiet for someone who usually had a playful, carefree attitude. "You nervous?" I asked, half teasing, half curious.
Raven flashed a grin. "Me? Nah, just wondering who else is on this dream team. Hopefully, they don't drag us down, right?"
Somuchi, always stoic, chimed in with her usual calm. "The strength of the team isn't just about individual power. It's about unity."
Raven smirked, nudging her playfully. "Yeah, yeah, unity's great and all, but I'm trying to see some action."
Zaire, walking ahead of us, glanced back with a knowing smile. "You'll get your action, trust me. But remember, it's not just about who hits hardest. You'll need to learn to trust each other. That's how we survive."
I rolled my eyes, but deep down, I knew he was right. The Guardians who lasted were the ones who could rely on their teammates. Still, a part of me couldn't shake the feeling that I had something to prove—both to Zaire and myself.
We arrived at a small clearing, where a few Guardians were already waiting. That's when I saw her.
She stood there, arms folded, looking like she'd been waiting for us. She was older, maybe eighteen, with this calm vibe that immediately set her apart from everyone else. While the others seemed excited, there was something different about her. She wasn't just a regular Guardian; she was someone who had already been through the fire. You could see it in the way she stood, so relaxed but ready for anything.
Zaire introduced her. "This is Luma. She's been on my team for a while now. You'll learn a lot from her."
I wasn't sure what to make of her at first. She didn't have that edge I was expecting from someone in Zaire's squad. In fact, she didn't seem tough at all—kind, maybe. I caught myself thinking she might be soft. I almost brushed her off, but when her eyes met mine, something stopped me. There was a warmth there that threw me off.
She smiled, but it wasn't a smirk or anything cocky. Just… genuine. "Akame, right?" she said, her voice soft. "I've heard about you."
I wasn't sure how to respond, so I shrugged, trying to seem nonchalant. "Yeah, that's me."
Her smile didn't waver, even when I tried to act distant. "Zaire doesn't bring just anyone onto his team. I'm looking forward to working with you."
It was weird. For a second, I didn't feel like I had to prove anything to her. She wasn't sizing me up like others did. Instead, she seemed… patient. Like she could see something I hadn't even noticed about myself.
Before I knew it, the rest of the introductions happened, and we started gearing up for our first team mission.