Within the vast property of Calendula Residence, there was a large hill with wide open clearing of nature's green carpet. At the moment, the place was filled with the sound of rumbling earth and stones breaking, courtesy of a Scion practicing his power over light.Lars cleaved through the stone statues with his Celestial Calibur. The stones shattered and reconstructed by Mell's command and foot tapping. Lars did his very best to destroy every last standing statue but Mell was just as relentless on recreating them."Keep it up, man. You're doing great!"Lars barely heard that from all the sound of statues breaking. He let his swordplay instinct took over and he made his moves as realistically as possible. He wanted to hone his swordfight techniques, stance and movement on land instead of keep resorting to flying.A statue appeared and about to land a blow to Lars. Lars swiftly dodged to the side and swung his sword upwards, decapitating the statue's hand and head. Despite how of
The Calendula Residence in Spica, aside from being a historical landmark, was a subject of rampant conspiracy theories. Even among the eyes of the mundane, it had always been suspected to hold sketchy activities. The secretive nature of Calendula Familia that took residence in it certainly didn't help to assuage the rumors.Lars had only heard these rumors in a passing, but whenever he went down to the Calendula Residence's mansion basement, he always reminded of one that really stuck with him. The mansion was rumored to be the lair of a vampire queen who had a torture chamber in its basement, where her victims brutally harvested for their bloods.As scary as Rachelia could be sometimes, Lars was pleased to learn she wasn't a vampire. Although, she really did have jail cells and torture chambers in the mansion's basement. Lars always shuddered whenever he passed by the empty cells where the prisoners in the past once begged for their lives, only to found their pleas not granted and
Unlike the past few days of his training period, Lars woke up early on that particularly gloomy day. The night before had been raining hard, and the morning that followed was only left with a light drizzle. Lars heed the water no mind and stayed where he was, listening to the sound of water hitting the tombstones.Lars had been working on the grave since sunrise came up. The rain had considerably gone quieter that time and out of his own perseverance, Lars wanted to make something for Arvin. He made a promise to thank Rachelia again later for letting him do this in her family property's private cemetery.Arvin's grave was consisted of a small tombstone taken from reserves in the mansion's storage. The ground before it wasn't even disturbed as Arvin's body was not to be buried and at the time was being researched on. Still, Lars thought it was the least he could do to give the boy a proper funeral.Lars made a point to place Arvin's tombstone next to his father grave, which aside
Rukbat region at nighttime was one of Lars' most favorite sceneries he found so far in La Shania Mirepa. That is why when given the opportunity to travel cross - region, Rukbat was Lars' first choice. After a few hours on the road, Lars arrived just in time to witness the nightly scenery of Rukbat once again.The downtown lights were as charming as Lars remembered. Tiny stars of white, yellow or red colors were stretched as far as eyes could see. His awful memories of a certain mission aside, Lars had come to like the vibe he got from this region.Lars was sitting on a rooftop once again, enjoying the night scenery along with his dinner of lamb doner kebab. The juicy meat melted in his mouth in harmony with the extra hot spicy sauce and crispiness of fresh cucumbers. For every bite, Lars was thankful he made his stop at the right interstate gas station earlier.Sometime after finishing his kebab, Lars sensed something in the city. The foreign energy of silverstream easily felt st
For once, Lars was happy to be proven wrong. He did return to Lyme Belle Theatre, and it had turned to be livelier than ever. Some mythfolks refugee of Mt. Alnath filled the vacant rooms there. Clops of centaurs' hooves echoed across the grand hall along with buzzing laughter of merry pixies."Good to see you again, young Scion."Vorpaltinger glided down from the balcony. Her strong flap of wings made a distinct echo across the theatre. She was wearing more modern clothes by then, trading her tribal dress with black crop top and denim shorts. Although her elegant black stilettos looked like a clash to her casual attire, Lars realized upon closer look that Vorpaltinger's feet was naturally pointed, like that of a rabbit, so the stilettos compensated her feet's shape."Ah hello, Vorpaltinger is it? Good to see you again too." Lars smiled to the therianthrope before looking around. "Where's Mell?""He left to scout the city this morning," Vorpaltinger said. "Take a rest inside whi
After spending several days in Algedi, Lars decided to continue his journey to northeastern La Shania Mirepa, the Hamal region. He didn't get to visit here last time due to a certain unfinished business, so Lars was really looking forward to it.Lars rode off his sport bike on the interstate road, feeling the wind harshly hit his body as he picked up the speed. He passed over cars and trucks with relative ease, as if the motorcycle itself was a natural extension to Lars' own body.The sun was scorching hot that day, and Lars immediately felt it the moment he released his head from the helmet. He finally arrived in Hamal after roughly an hour and a half ride. Lars made his stop at a diner with tribal engravings over its columns and walls.Since Lars didn't know anyone in this region aside from Vayu, he decided to just circle around the region later after his lunch. He was intrigued by traditional food of Hamal tribe and ordered one to try. It was a whole crab marinated in foxtail
After Hamal, Antares was Lars' next stop. At first, he was reluctant to come back here as he got the same predicament as he visited Lyme Belle Theatre. However, Lars figured he had to put it aside since there was a chance that Len could be there. That, and he wanted to see some old friends as well.Lars went to Shaula Mall first. It had been a while since Lars was there and he almost forgot the aquarium floor didn't actually contain boiling blood and terrifying monsters. With astral compass device from Vayu, Lars could locate any access point to enter the Astral Realm and out of all the options, Lars chose the restroom where he was last kidnapped in.There was a slight disappointment in Lars' part that Vayu couldn't come with him to Antares. Since the apparently - rebellious clan leader of Heavensbloom wasn't around, Vayu had to oversee Hamal for a while. Since Lars planned to go to Antares anyway, he had volunteered the check things out in Vayu's place.'...you...'Lars faintl
Lars had visited the eastern half of La Shania Mirepa by two weeks and a half mark. He then set his sight on the center regions; Al Tarf, Castor - Pollux and Regulus. His first choice landed on Al Tarf where he was warmly welcomed by its Scion, Edwin.Edwin's penthouse was certainly a breath of fresh air for Lars. Everything was so modern and predominantly white that Lars felt a bit self - conscious on sitting anywhere. The penthouse was overlooking Al Tarf's downtown and Lars thought the skyline was comparable with Rukbat.What Lars liked the most, however, when it was a sunny such as that day. He could sunbathe on the terrace, soaking all the warmth of summer to dry himself off after a swim. Not that it would make him any tanner anymore, but Lars just liked the way the sun kissed all over his body."Hey." Edwin appeared with colorful drinks on each hands and gave one to Lars."Thanks." Lars smiled and sipped on his mango punch.Unlike Lars, Edwin was fully clothed, refusing
"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