Lars woke up extra early that day. Part of him was giddy by the thought of finally meeting all of the Twelve Scions, and he wanted to make sure he made an impression. He put on the nicer clothes available which were a plain red shirt and a leather jacket. After he got dressed, Lars psyched himself up in the mirror.The star necklace that adorned Lars' neck and chest twinkled by the reflecting light and Lars took it as a sign it psyched him up as well. Despite never got to talk to Alt'ma again since that day, Lars was consoled by the fact the deity must be still watching over him either way."I won't let you down, Alt'ma." Lars whispered as he smiled.Lars got outside of his room and inhaled the crisp morning air that came from the big hole on the roof. Over time, the ambience of Lyme Belle Theatre really grew on him. He liked how spacious and quiet it was, but not to an unnerving state at all. Lars thought perhaps it was because he could felt Mell's presence all over the theatre
Lars found the gathering of Scions as something of an uncanny circumstance that noon. He knew how the Scions were mostly on their own but even during the gathering, it seemed to had their own factions. Rachelia and Wilhelmina went everywhere together touring across the Lyme Belle, Vayu were mostly with Lars, and Mell were alone and contempt enough with his beer drum."Hmm... I wonder what happened to them?""What is?" Len asked. He was playing a mobile game and paused it to listen to Lars."It's just that... they know each other for a very long time, and they may look like they're friendly, but I still can't shake off this feeling that they're so... estranged."Len hummed to contemplate. "Maybe it's because at the end of the day, they're on their own protecting their own region? I mean, they know their duty."That answer just got Lars thinking more. He thought of his newfound enhanced longevity and could already imagine how lonely it will be spending a hundred years fighting
"Rach, if you will."Vayu nodded towards Rachelia and she took the cue. She snapped her fingers and the air surrounding the round table was distorted by dark rainbow. A magic circle appeared on the stage's wooden floor, enclosing the area around the meeting table of the Scions.Lars was in awe of the effects as it was his first time seeing a magic spell casted. He turned to Rachelia and the pretty little magus just winked playfully at him. He did not know what was the magic circle for, but if Vayu requested it, he deduced it must be for some precaution.Vayu cleared his throat and began raising his voice. "Recently, our new Scion of Regulus, Lars Sykes here, exposed a massive case of human trafficking in Algedi port. People are taken and delivered from here to global scale and presumably, also to the entire Mirepa. It is conducted by the inner circle of higher - ups in MSC, Mirepa Shipping Company."The Scions looked at each other and some shrugged, failing to see the significa
The rest of the day after the meeting was spent on drowning in papers with corporate lingo that Lars had absolutely no clue about. At first he put off checking it out because he figured it'd be a better when he did it with other Scions. As it turned out, Lars was just clueless and rather leave the analyzing parts to somebody else more competent.Over the week, Vayu, Mell, Len and Tirana had checked out the documents as well but found dead end in leads. Now that the Scions had gathered, there were hopes that the others could complete the puzzle in case they knew of something.On the round table, papers sprawled everywhere. Lars, Vayu, Rachelia, Sophia, Edwin, Alicia and Len discussed about the documents that sometimes led to a collective sighs of frustration. Mell was away putting back the container to the underground hall, Wilhelmina left to prepare lunch for everyone, Claros and Tirana discussed about the research on alien material, and Dar Lugal was still in Astral Realm, occasio
The Scions' quiet afternoon was stirred by the arrival of an angel bearing bad omen. Vorpaltinger was one of the highly respected and most skilled guardians in Mt. Alnath, where a secret settlement for mythfolks was built in Aldebaran region. The rabbit - eared angel's tribal clothes were tattered and fresh wounds behind those cuts made Lars feared the news she brought."Hectrias... captured?" Claros asked in disbelief."Who's Hymnchanter Hectrias? A Scion?" Lars asked to Vayu but even his nod was uncertain. Must be another newer Scion the originals knew nothing about, he thought."Tell us everything," Rachelia commanded."I don't know how it started! Those Silver Devils suddenly jumped on us and wreak havoc! They somehow snuck in to our homes. I can't save everyone! I... I...""Deep breaths, Vorpal," Edwin said. "What about Hectrias? She couldn't stop them?""I don't know! Everything went to shit and suddenly I saw the Hymnchanter lying on the ground. I had to leave to war
The sun starkly shined and daylight still had a lot of time until it passed. Though Aldebaran region was mostly a vast mountain range where people aren't usually around, Vayu still wanted to be careful. He couldn't afford being seen attacking the invisible force field with his brightly burning flames."Damn it! This thing won't break!" Vayu shouted.Vayu had been blasting his flames from afar or pummeling with his burning fists, but the force field didn't crack in the slightest. Wilhelmina was not far behind him, but didn't share his enthusiasm to launch her attacks. She looked at the floating violet orb next to her and shook her head."We're not here to destroy it, remember?" Wilhelmina said.'Wilhelmina's right, Fox. We should just stick with the plan and get going.'Sophia's voice came from the orb as its violet light resonated every syllable. It was part of her Scion Force that allows her to disperse the orbs linked to her mind, allowing her to extend her telepathy range
Somewhere northwest of Mt. Alnath, a battle took place which Mell heard by his feet. He looked at Rachelia and Claros who had been waiting for such signal and they nodded in unison. Mell stood before the invisible force field and closed his eyes.In his head, Mell saw the pattern of leylines. Green and gold, swirling in the darkness beneath his feet. He tried to dig deeper into the dark and found a way in but he couldn't locate any. It took a while, but he found it. A single crack that could be their opening.Mell's eyes shot open, revealing his green tinted eyes back to the stark daylight. He placed his hand on his belt and pulled a great, amber colored lights out of it. The light energy materialized into Balor, his earthen mace.Mell knocked his Scion Weapon to the ground and the earth split open. The fissure grew deep into the darkness below and its rumbling stones sound still echoed. Mell looked to his three audience with a wide, proud smile."Let's dig in," Mell said. He k
"Both teams are in battles right now."Sophia's announcement perked Lars and Edwin up. She had been channeling her thoughts into smaller copies of her Scion Weapon, Oracle Orb, and she was practically in a trance the whole time. She could still hear Lars and Edwin talk about their favorite movies and occasionally pitched in, but otherwise she was quiet and her eyes closed."Alright, what's our next move?" Lars asked."Once the force field goes down, we'll head straight to Mt. Alnath. Lars and I will get to the peak chamber to aid Mell's team rescuing the Scion of Aldebaran. Edwin, you take care of the evacuation and heal the wounded. Got it?""Leave it to me," Edwin said.Lars, Sophia and Edwin were placed in reserve team due to a number of reasons. Sophia could use her skills to monitor the situation and prepare a safe evacuation route, Edwin was there because his Scion Force greatly involved healing and effects enhancements, and Lars was an addition to the last line of defe
"Did we just... lost?"Mell's exasperated question snapped Lars back to the reality. He watched as the Grand Serpent's towering scales spread out in the distance, amidst the smokes of ruin. From them, silver colored monstrosities excused themselves into the world, causing destruction in their wake."No. We've won. We pushed him back, didn't we?" Lars said, desperately trying to sound cheerful."But at what cost?" Rachelia said in a tired whisper. Wilhelmina gave her a side hug."Let's just get out of here first, those things are coming," Vayu said.Everyone agreed to the suggestion and the Scions walked through the ruined Regulus that had been deformedly transformed into chaotic nature. There were trees grown in the middle of the street, with reptilian scale textures on their trunks and leaves. Gravity also arbitrarily nullified in some parts, leaving some debris and ashes floating."Is this all because of silverstream?" Lars asked as he touched a speck of floating dust.
The Grand Serpent spoke, and his voice was ethereally terrifying as Lars imagined him to have. His black scales resonated with silver glow that ran from his body to his head. The silverstream gathered around the Grand Serpent made Lars wary of any incoming attack. Lars thought perhaps that was when the Grand Serpent took the fight seriously.'You fought... well...'The Grand Serpent did not open his mouth, but the voice was definitely booming from him. Lars wasn't sure what to answer, so he let his Celestial Calibur did it for him. The sword streamed out a river of burning light. The slashing wave Lars emitted from it was blocked by the barrier again.This time, the barrier looked more defined and more silver. Rachelia's roses and Vayu's flames also didn't make a single dent on it. The Grand Serpent made a repeated sound of chaotic cacophony, which Lars could only interpret as a deriding laugh.Then, in the distance, they came. The Chimeras from all over La Shania Mirepa rushed
That morning, a blinding white star rose from the ruins of Regulus. The star burned so bright it took the full attention of a certain cosmically colossal creature. The star shone and dispersed the wild silver ashes in the skies. All eyes were on the star's ascension, watching it unfolded into bursting wings of light.Lars has transformed into a white armored angel with six divine wings hovering behind his back, connected by a golden halo. The armor was his own solidified Scion Force, sparkling in majestic grandeur of white and gold. A sword patterned crown rested on Lars' head, having the same royal pattern as his brilliantly burning Celestial Calibur.The Grand Serpent hissed, the loudest Lars ever heard so far. The storm of buildings turned ghastlier as some of them were caught on silver flames. Foul smell still permeated across the battlefield and Lars willed himself to not catch a whiff. By quick observation, he realized some parts of the Regulus has rainforests, mountains and
The white crystal resonated as if welcoming Lars and Len. The entire place was alight by swirling lights, and the air felt like they were in meadows. Though it was silent, the serenity and ambience of the place only reinforced the crystals' ethereal atmosphere. For a second, Lars thought he found a piece of heaven buried deep within the earth.Len let go as Lars made his steps forward. Lars walked to the majestic divine crystal before him and fell to his knees soon after. However, there was a relieved, happy smile on his face. He was finally to meet his savior and guardian deity in person."Hello, Alt'ma."'My Scion.'It was the same voice as Lars remembered, echoing and ethereal."I don't know if you've been watching or not, but... we are in very deep trouble."'So I've seen. Moreover, your body is defiled and I am slowly losing you.'"Yeah, it's because of those damn bombs." Lars then gasped. "O - oh, sorry for cursing in front of you."'Worry not, my Scion. It seems
In the darkness, Lars was trapped in a vicious cycle of fainting and waking up to a numbing pain. He groaned every time, making sure to himself that he was alive despite the severe agony. He also felt repeated sensation of being dragged, carried, or held. Each weren't in the nicest or careful ways as the grip always too tight and the stones always scraped too rough.What truly woke Lars up was the sight of a light. It wasn't his, but someone else's. It was purple and menacing under the dark, but Lars figured any light was a friend to face any darkness. He tried to raise his neck and felt like dying just for it. He wondered why being a Scion could still feel this much hurt.Deliriously, Lars called out to the tailed devil in the shadows. "Len...?"Len didn't turn nor answer. His gaze was fixated at an amulet where the purple glow came from. Lars was stunned for a while, thinking how that amulet somehow find its way home to its creator. He remembered leaving it on his bag at Regulu
The Grand Serpent watched the world laid before him in such a curious gaze. Lars was shuddering from the sheer size of that creature. His trembling hand found his star necklace, and its chain rattled alongside his tremors. He kept taking quick, deep breaths but they weren't as helpful as he hoped.Lars braved himself to look away, but the dread caught him by the throat to the point it was physically hurt to move his neck. He watched as the others were in shambles like he did. Mell was backing away as he looked up, stumbling to a few rubbles. Rachelia supported herself by her umbrella and Wilhelmina was on the ground next to her, leaning helplessly to the ruins of Regulus. As for who held Lars' hand, it turned out to be Vayu. Though Vayu was trembling, he didn't let his gaze broke away from the Grand Serpent."V - Vay..."Vayu's spiteful gaze was a thinly veiled look of fear, but at the very least Lars noticed a form of resistance from him. He realized for Vayu, it was probably li
"Len! Len, please snap out of it!" Lars exclaimed.Magnus laughed in the most obnoxious way possible to Lars' ears. "Don't even bother. He already knows. He just chooses to be here. After all, he is reborn as a new god and destined to bring us the promised world."Lars looked at Magnus and then to Len. He didn't want to believe the word of a man who had been lying to them for years, but those unflinching silver eyes deterred Lars quite a bit. Lars wanted to jump down but the synchronized aims from the Sovereigns' guns everywhere stopped him."Len, don't listen to anything he says! He's a monster! He lied to us the whole time.""Lars, please," Vayu said behind him. "If we don't do something, we're gonna be dead here."Lars wanted to scream and break things out of frustration, but he knew Vayu was right. Without turning, Lars nodded and Vayu took the cue. The reflecting threads spread into millions and slicing the Sovereigns in front of Vayu. Their fallen, mutilated bodies made
When Edwin didn't scream, everything was quiet. Too quiet. Lars was sitting in the other room with Tirana and Vorpaltinger, not wanting to see Rachelia's 'infamous' interrogation method. He sat on the couch, lost in deep thoughts of processing what he feels about the recent reveal about his friends.Vorpaltinger sat next to Lars and leaned back, resting on her wings. Lars gave her a fleeting smile before he spaced out again, and this time Vorpaltinger didn't let him."It might seem cruel to you, but The Mandate is important for all of us mythfolks to keep. It protects us from the world too, so... I completely understand why they did it."Lars blinked. "You heard that?""I heard everything. Blame my rabbit ears for that."Vorpaltinger raised her foot on top of the table and stretched. "The Scions... can be quite intimidating to say the least, but they do care. They just happen to understand what's important and the scope of their duties so they won't exert themselves unnecessa
Lars, Vayu, Mell, Rachelia, Tirana and Vorpaltinger had descended into the giant pit and exploring the corridors of Rasalhague Castle underground by then. Lars was starting to feel himself sweaty and greasy, and it wasn't because of the narrow, humid spaces they were traversing. He could feel himself deteriorating, both from inside and outside.Everywhere Lars looked, there was always something made of slitherite. The walls, ceiling panels, floor tiles, the doors, everything. It made Lars sick, literally and figuratively, and the feeling was shared with the rest of his Scion friends."God fucking damn it, I fucking hate this place," Mell breathed out, sweating."Yes, Mell. We've heard you the first fifteen times," Rachelia said.Vayu didn't say anything. Lars could see that friend of his was slightly falling apart as Vayu held his own hand to stop his fingers untangled like a candy wrapper. Lars reached out and held Vayu closer to him by his shoulder. Vayu just smiled in respon