A wave of lively energy filled one of Morganite's many Tycart stations. Handlers were scattered about, some leaning against crates with steaming coffee while others swiped through digital newspapers. High on the wall, a massive screen broadcast a Tycart race in a blur of motion, the racers weaving through impossibly jagged terrain. Beneath the hum of the broadcast, the air stayed sweet with the scent of crushed grass from the nearby pastures. There, the Tys grazed in patient rows, occasionally letting out deep, vibrating rumbles of satisfaction while their handlers busied themselves brushing thick coats or polishing the ornate frames of their carts.
As Purnama and Suria surveyed the scene, their eyes fell upon a handler with tousled brown hair and a freckled face, accentuated by a bright blue scarf.
"That must be our handler," Suria realized.
The handler spotted them and sprinted over, his enthusiasm palpable.
"Y'all are the Kshatriyas!" he exclaimed. "I'm Poly! It's been an honor to transport the heroes of the Great War! Right this way, sirs and ma'am!" He gestured toward his magnificent Ty.
The creature was breathtaking; its three elegant swirl horns caught the light, and its powerful presence made the entire station feel small. Its thick, shimmering sapphire fur matched the deep blue of its intelligent eyes.
"Climb aboard!" Poly invited.
Poly ushered the twins into a cart with a weathered wooden façade, its grain almost hidden beneath a riot of playful cartoon doodles that gave the vehicle an unmistakable artistic flair. As they settled in, the Ty released a deep, resonant rumble—a powerful greeting that thrummed through the floorboards. The moment Suria hit her seat, she let out a long breath of relief, sinking deep into the velvety, plush cushions.
"Wow, this is comfy!"
Poly leaped onto his seat and yanked the reins.
"Let's go, Bluedo!" he called.
The Ty trotted steadily away from the station and onto the forest path.
The air grew noticeably cooler as they moved, with sunlight filtering through the dense canopy above. Towering trees stood as ancient sentinels, their reddish trunks supporting a lush, brownish roof. The open-air cart gave the twins a full sensory experience of the forest, the branches stretching upward to create an almost cathedral-like expanse where the soft rustle of leaves filled the serene silence.
"Forgive me for interrupting your ride, but have you heard the latest rumors about you, Sir Purnama?" Poly began, his voice a blend of excitement and curiosity.
"Huh? Rumors? About me? What's it about?" Purnama asked, intrigued.
"They say you ran from the battle in the Great War, only to come back after the victory was a sure thing. That's one story…"
"Oh, really? And what's the other part of the story?" Suria asked, her tone playfully challenging.
Poly smiled, leaning in slightly as if sharing a secret.
"Ah, that's the good part! Many Aurenians are whispering that Sir Purnama rushed to help our injured King Awan during his fight with the Puaka king. They say it was Sir Purnama who actually defeated Blackcurst!" His eyes sparked, clearly enthralled by the drama.
Purnama remained silent, the weight of the rumors heavy in the air. He felt the eyes of both Suria and Poly upon him, awaiting a response.
Suria turned to Poly, asking directly.
"What do you think about the rumors?"
Poly paused, considering his words carefully.
"Well, ma'am, I wasn't there, so I can't say what truly happened. But one thing I know for certain is that a Kshatriya doesn't run from a war."
"Attaboy!" Suria grinned, tapping his back.
The grand structure emerged right before them—an enormous arena, standing like a beacon of strength and glory. The white-and-gold building gleamed under the midday sun. Cheers echoed from within, the roaring crowd fueling the battle's intensity. Poly glanced at the massive arches adorned with intricate carvings, focusing on the gleaming golden statues of Kshatriyas locked in combat on the façade. He always paused for a moment here, filled with awe.
BANG! BOOM! BOOM!
"All the intense bombarded sound and stone crashing impact..." Suria murmured, her face thoughtful. "...Must be Xin Rue."
Purnama nodded, agreeing with her assessment.
Poly looked back at the twins, surprised by their casual recognition of the intense sounds.
"I never thought I'd get to transport a Kshatriya myself," Poly admitted, his voice hushed with reverence. "It's a real honor!"
"You know what's an even bigger honor than that, Poly?" Purnama asked. A faint smile played on his lips as he moved to puncture the heavy atmosphere. "Listening to one of my jokes. You want to hear one?"
Poly blinked, his reverent expression faltering for a second as he looked back at the warrior. "A... a joke, sir?"
Suria sighed, her brows knitting together in concern.
"Purnama, I don't think this is the right time for a joke."
Poly looked momentarily taken aback.
"Er… sure… sir," he replied hesitantly.
"So, what happens when a chicken crosses the road?" Purnama leaned closer, his grin widening.
"Err… what? Uhm, they... they died, I suppose?" Poly responded, his confusion evident.
"Wait, what?! Did they?" Purnama's grin faltered, his lighthearted expression snapping into something unexpectedly somber.
Poly blinked, brow furrowed, while Suria exchanged glances, a small smile breaking through her concern.
"Well, that definitely took a turn," she murmured.
Even Bluedo, sensing the sudden awkwardness, let out a low, mournful sigh, his broad head tilting.
As the grandeur of the arena shrunk behind them, a new giant took its place. The massive pillar connecting the plates of Aurea loomed ahead, its sheer scale nearly swallowing the sky. Around its base, the world erupted into a whirlwind of color and motion; bustling marketplaces flared to life, scented with the perfume of rare fruits and crowded with vibrant textiles fluttering in the breeze. The air hummed with the lively chatter of Aurenian traders and customers bartering over goods and news.
Poly expertly guided the Tycart into a designated bay, coming to a halt just a short distance from the tower's roots.
"I wish both of you the best of luck with your tasks, sir, ma'am," Poly said sincerely.
"Thanks, Poly," Purnama replied, a warm smile crossing his face.
Suria nodded in agreement as they disembarked from the Tycart, their feet connecting with the vibrant ground of the marketplace.
As they made their way toward the pillar, the atmosphere shifted. Eyes turned toward the twins, and murmurs swept through the crowd.
"Look! It's the Celestial Twins!" a voice exclaimed, barely containing their excitement. The twins, accustomed to such reactions, maintained their composure.
"I can't believe they're finally here," another whispered, awe evident in their tone.
"Did you hear? Purnama ran away during the battle!"
"But, but Suria stood her ground against the Darkseed! She's the real hero!" someone else said, admiration shining in their voice.
Suria's irritation flared at the mention of the rumors.
"I really should explain—" she started, her voice rising with frustration, but Purnama quickly placed a hand on her shoulder, gently yet firmly stopping her.
"Let it go, Suria. It's just noise," he said, his tone calm but resolute. "Remember what Putra always said: 'Focus on what truly matters.' We have a mission to concentrate on," Purnama reminded Suria, his voice carrying the weight of their responsibilities.
Suria took a deep breath, her annoyance mingling with determination. The rumors would continue to swirl, but they had a greater purpose to pursue. They pressed on toward the pillar where Cydros was stationed.
Inside the colossal pillar, the scale and grandeur were overwhelming. Three sprawling platforms stretched out before them, each bustling with distinct energy: PSUCHE for the public, BIOS for cargo, and ZOE for the officials. The ceiling seemed to reach endlessly into the sky, supported by intricately carved beams glowing faintly with an otherworldly light. The hum of advanced machinery blended with the low murmur of voices, creating a soundscape both mechanical and alive.
Purnama paused, glancing over the vast hall.
"The PSUCHE platform feels quiet today. Where's the usual chaos?"
Suria followed his gaze to the public bay, where the Cydros vessels stood ready. Their interiors were visible through large, arched windows, revealing plush seating and vibrant décor.
"Who knows, maybe the rumors are keeping the young trainees away."
"Or maybe," Purnama mused, "they're gathering at Langit Station to send farewells to those sent for the mission. Look at the BIOS bay, though. No change there. Business as usual."
Suria observed the cargo platform: a hive of urgency. The angular, heavy-duty Cydros vessels were constantly being serviced, their metallic grind punctuating the clatter of workers rushing containers.
"Look at all that machinery inside the Cydro," Suria said, noticing a shiny, sophisticated piece. "Where are they transporting it? Is something weird happening down there?"
"Might be straight to Gari Prison; I saw broken control machines operating the pipes when I was there.
"Oh, there's our ride, Purnama. Still the crown jewel." She indicated the ZOE platform.
"Moving palaces," Purnama agreed, her voice dropping to a near-whisper as they looked at the royal Cydro, its golden accents gleaming. "The last time we rode this was coming back from the Great War."
The familiar sight of royal guards greeted them, their silent vigilance a comfort. The twins stepped aboard, the soft click of their chappals on the polished floor resonating in the quiet air.
The interior of the Cydro was even more opulent than they remembered. Ornate carvings lined the walls, depicting scenes from ancient battles and royal decrees. Golden threads ran through the rich fabric of the seats, catching the light as the twins made their way to a secluded spot at the back. There, they could gaze out at the massive windows, offering a full view of the aquatic world beyond. The atmosphere was one of calm anticipation, the soft hum of the Cydro's engines melding with the rhythmic rush of water.
As the platform bay doors sealed shut, a gentle vibration rippled through the vessel, and the soft rush of water filled the chamber. The sensation was soothing, almost hypnotic, as gravity seemed to shift with the movement of the water. The Cydro aligned with its lane, and with a graceful lurch, it launched forward, transitioning from the platform into the open waterway.
A resounding splash echoed through the vessel, signaling the start of their descent.
As they traveled downward, the waterway revealed its breathtaking beauty. Schools of luminous fish darted alongside the Cydro, their scales shimmering like gemstones in the ambient light. They swirled and danced in unison, creating mesmerizing patterns in the clear water. Magical orbs floated lazily around the waterway, casting ethereal glows that illuminated the path ahead.
A few of the orbs began to flicker, momentarily morphing into shadowy, indistinct figures before dissipating into the depths.
"Did you see that?" Purnama murmured to Suria, his voice tense with unease.
Suria leaned in, her brow furrowing as she scanned the waterway.
"What are you talking about?"
"The orbs... they pulsed with a sinister energy, morphing into shadowy figures," Purnama muttered, a chill running down his spine. "It felt like a dire warning."
Suria shook her head, trying to dismiss the eerie moment.
"All I can see now is that swamp of red fish being chased by Gorloph. It's probably nothing."
Suria was referring to a titanic, serpentine creature gliding through the waterway. Its bulbous nose, adorned with iridescent bioluminescent patches, pulsed rhythmically. Its large, intelligent eyes, hidden beneath layers of protective scales, seemed to hold the secrets of the deep. Its playful nature was evident in its fluid movements as it twisted and turned, leaving a trail of disturbed ripples.
"Yeah, maybe..."
Suria sighed as the Cydro plunged deeper into the waterway, her voice a blend of excitement and nostalgia.
"I'm going to miss all this," she said softly, her eyes locked on the serene underwater world beyond the window. "It always feels like an adventure, and now… who knows when we'll experience it again?"
Their chatter echoed softly through the Cydro, a fleeting moment of joy in the shadow of their looming mission. Yet, as Purnama's gaze drifted back to the waterway, the flickering orbs haunted his thoughts—a subtle reminder that the road ahead would not be without peril.