The Last Saga

Author's Notes: This a science-fiction/fantasy/romance story of little under novel-length. The main pairing is one between two males, containing scenes of a particularly sexual nature. However; this is a story with sex in it -- not a sex story. So if you came here for flatulence alone... you may as well skip ahead to the final parts of the story. Anywho, if you like what you see, be sure to drop me an e-mail as I love hearing from the people who enjoy my work. If you'd like to see more of my stories on Nifty, the list is as follows;

• The Misadventures of Anna - The Misadventures of Holly-Raine - The Misadventures of Kandi - Smells Like Sapphic Spirit - Messiah - Zara - Shannon

Enjoy!

• Chris Angel

The Last Saga

"Beyond a mortal man impassioned far At these voluptuous accents, he arose, Ethereal, flushed, and like a throbbing star Seen mid in the sapphire heaven's deep repose; Into her dream he melted, as the rose Blendeth its odour with the violet,- Solution sweet: meantime the frost wind blows Like Love's alarum pattering the sharp sleet Against the window panes; St. Agnes Moon hath set."

"The Eve of St. Agnes" - John Keats

2054 (AD): Extensive space explorations begin.

2058: The first Sky Cord is completed.

2059: Plans are drawn up for the Earth-orbital space colonies by the super-powers of the age (Japan, England, China, Russia, America). Work begins on them shortly afterwards.

2104: The long, hard work on the first five Earth-orbital space colonies; Syowa-oh (Japan), New Westhampton (England), Romanovia (Russia), Xiantian (China) and Victoria Lake (USA) are completed.

2105: Contact with alien life forms are made.

2107-26: The so-called Cosmos Wars take place.

2127: The Universal Confederacy is formed after the signing of the Romanovia Peace agreement. The Earth Nations agree to recognize the autonomy of both outer-orbital and Earth-orbital colonies, and to `control' its expansionism.

2128: A group of magically-influenced humans called the Cloud People settle in Northern England and retain a negative attitude towards the space-boom.

2129: The first terra-forming projects (on Drydna, Valhoth and Phoebantinople) are carried out by the Universal Confederacy.

2145: The three terra-formed planets are completed.

2159: The space-boom is fully underway.

2162: The Universal Confederacy is expanded to include 42 colonies (31 Earth-orbital and 11 outer-orbital), seven discovered planets and three terra-formed planets in its system. Thus becoming the `Greater' Universal Confederacy.

2202: The Earth Disaster takes place. An estimated 97.6% of the human population on Earth are killed. The Greater Universal Confederacy thus moves its main base of operations to Romanovia. This marks the point at which timelines are measured by the acronym AED' (After Earth Disaster). Certain timelines also choose to refer to times before the Great Earth Disaster as BED' (Before Earth Disaster).

3 (AED): A plan is formulated by the Greater Universal Confederacy for the revival of the Earth. It is called the Earth Revitalization Project.

24: The Earth Revitalization Project is scrapped.

204: Present day. An anti-Earth/anti Earth-orbital colonial terrorist group known as the Four Horsemen' attack the Japanese colony of Syowa-oh. And an Earth revivalist group calling themselves Whitestar' are sighted in the panic...

"Man. Why is schoolwork such bullshit...?"

It was a nice day out on Syowa-oh.

Well, at least as good of a day as the holographic projections could provide. The images of a blue sky and the overlapping white clouds were beautiful in themselves. But for the most part, people didn't take much joy in watching a false sky in view. Still you needed something to brighten up the gloom of a colony, right? Especially one as big as this. Nobody wanted to walk around in the darkness or look up at metal rafters for eternity.

Far below the visual projections above that imitated a wonderful sunny day, hundreds of young men and women poured out of the gates of Gerard's Cross College. One of the premier colleges on the Syowa-oh colony. Most of them were of Asiatic descent, this whole colony being the making of their Japanese forefathers. Others were transfer students from other colonies like the Russian Romanovia and the English New Westhampton. Their `western' looks vastly contrasted that of the major populations. But time had ushered in a new phase so quickly that those of today's age had no time for ill-will about it. And one of those western-lookers happened to be leaving Gerard's Cross with a rather foul, lazy grin on his face. This young blonde one slung his book bag over his shoulder and idly strode through the gates of the college with his free hand stuffed into the pocket of his all black school uniform. The boy jerked his head, whipping his blonde bangs from his eye-line, and scowled. That was the last of school for today but he couldn't enjoy it. There had been a public warning issued to everyone in school about an impending attack from some unknown forces. And it wasn't just Gerard's Cross that had gotten the warning. The entire colony was in the know of this attack. Thus most teachers had let their students leave to go home. It didn't seem to worry people very much, so doing this was an act of mercy rather than worry. Which was reflected in the eyes of most students at the college.

Most of all, that young blonde man.

Colonial terrorism was nothing new in this year of 204 AED. With the Earth ruined by a freak ecological disaster, man had climbed into the stars and had taken full residence there. The great Earth-orbital colonies, those that hung at LaGrange points around the Old Planet, were the first of this breed. Then man began to spread outwards to forge smaller colonies outside the sphere of the Earth's influence. Those were the outer-orbital colonies. The financial and militaristic powers of the Earth-orbital colonies far outshined those of the outer-orbital. There had been little in the way of outright hostility between the two forces however. But there were those who still retained sentiments of resentment for the founding colonies surrounding the ruins of the Earth. Terrorist groups that disliked the power-base of the Greater Universal Confederacy. And for the past twelve years, terrorist movements had been springing up all across the known universe. The Pan-Galactic Orthodox Church had been the first to denounce the actions of these groups. This was no surprise, being that the P. G. O. C had its roots in the Earth-orbital colony world.

Though headway had been made in tracking down the roots of all terrorist attacks on the Earth-orbital colonies to the outer-orbital, nothing could be done about them. Those that launched these assaults had some of the finest hackers, programmers and developers in human history helping them, willingly or not. Thus factions like the Ikari Rikugun or the even more infamous Four Horsemen could cover their tracks effortlessly.

The young blonde man standing outside of Gerard's Cross College knew that all too well. For he was a man named `Kai Kisaragi'. And despite his western looks, he was half-Japanese by blood. Kai's baby blue eyes scanned the crowds that were leaving college as he stood before the gates. Though nobody expected the current warning of a terrorist's assault to come to anything, it was almost certain that Viceroy Kazuma Katsuragi would launch Syowa-oh's chief military forces, the Shinrinkami, upon the streets of the colony. Thus making it harder for people to move around as they would have liked. Eventually Kai found the one he was looking for. Standing aside one of the many cherry blossom trees that lined the front gardens of the college precinct. The blonde boy smirked for one second then jogged over to her, quick as he could to peel through all others leaving school. The girl standing beside the tree, smiled bashfully as Kai approached her.

The half-Japanese man skidded to a stop when he reached her. "Hey, Celena! I had a feeling your teacher would cut you loose too. You doin' alright?"

Celena nodded. "I'm fine. I was a little worried though. When the announcement was made to us by the colony Constabulary, I kept thinking that this might be as bad as what happened to the Romanovia Colony."

Kai smiled at Celena. She was a class act, really. Celena Avalis was much like Kai himself. Not in personality, but rather circumstance. At least in most respects. Thus they had a kind of friendship between them that allowed them to sense out what the other was feeling. And Kai could see that Celena was genuinely worried about this terrorist warning. No matter how much her smile tried to hide it. But Celena wasn't concerned for her own safety. No, she was far more consumed with the safety of those around her. In particular, Kai Kisaragi.

"You shouldn't worry about it," Kai offered, "The Barrier Shields of the Syowa-oh Colony are a hell of a lot tougher than Romanovia's. Launching the Shinrinkami is just a precaution. You don't have to worry about a thing."

Celena sighed with a small smile. "...If you say so."

"Now then," Kai didn't seem to realize that the issue wasn't settled for Celena, "how about we crash at your place for a while, huh? It's been a while since you cooked for me, so..."

A scowl suddenly came to Celena's peaceful face. "...Is that what you met up with me for? So I can cook for you? Is that it?"

Kai sweatdropped. "...Uh... you're not... mad about that, are you? Geez, Celena, you know I'm crap with that kinda stuff! It's not like it's the first time, either! And your cooking is so great and everything and so much better than the slop we get from those stupid androids in the cafeteria and I havent had a home cooked meal in fucking months and Im too broke to go eat in some restaurant which would probably turf me out thanks to this warning and-"

"Enough!" Celena seethed haltingly, "I'll make something for you, alright?"

Kai grinned greedily. He knew EXACTLY how to work Celena when he wanted something. It wasn't all bollocks though. Kai really couldn't cook worth a damn, and, he was broke. The fees for studying at Gerard's Cross and the cost of the bills and rent for his apartment took up all the credits from his part-time job. Because of his low cash flow he had to feed of off the re-processed junk that sold cheap in supermarkets. The kind of crap that was overloaded with Monosodium Glutamates and GM (Genetically Modified) vegetables. Going over to Celena's was sometimes the only way to get a decent lunch.

Kai slung his arm around Celena's shoulder and began walking forwards with her. "Thanks. I knew I could count on you, Celena. That's why you're my best friend, right?"

"..." Celena simply exhaled, "Kai, you know sometimes I think that something is VERY wrong with you. And knowing me, that's probably why I like you so much."

The blonde boy sniggered at that as the two of them left the precinct of Gerard's Cross College. Celena's apartment was just a twenty minute walk from the school, so there would be no problems with getting there before the Shinrinkami were placed on the streets. They were known to be the most stringent appliers of martial law in cases of terrorism prevention. And it was because of the pressures placed upon the Syowa-oh leader, Viceroy Katsuragi, by the Greater Universal Confederacy. It was the one thing that most people did not like about the Viceroy, in particular Celena. So despite their relaxed nature, Kai and his female friend were actually hurrying to get to her apartment. Which caused them to ignore all worries of those around them on that particular high street. When Kai and Celena turned a corner around one of those streets, there was someone there waiting for them. Or at least, waiting for Kai. And he was the first to notice her.

A young woman, looking to be older than the two of them, around the age of about 22 or 23. Dressed in normal street attire, just some designer denim jeans (Matsushiyo brand, by the hottest fashion designer in the Earth-orbital world), and a white tank top. She stood leaning upright against the wall. By the looks of her she was of American descent. Which probably meant that she was from the New Victoria Colony. The older woman ran one of her hands through the bangs of her amethyst hair and tilted her sunglasses downwards to get a better look at the two friends. Celena took note of her moments after Kai did, wondering what her interest was in the two of them.

The woman spoke when Kai and Celena passed by her. "...There's no need to hurry is there? The Shinrinkami won't be mobilizing any time soon. The forces of Syowa-oh are fast but not THAT fast."

Kai stopped (hence the stop of Celena) to address. "You got something to say to us, ma'am?"

The busty American woman stood upright and removed her sunglasses, staring into the eyes of the young man who had spoken to her. She observed him for a moment, then smiled. "...Hm. I must say, you're much cuter than I thought you'd be. Now I understand why Angel has such an interest in you. Work out much?"

"Huh?" Kai blinked, in confusion.

"...Not too bright, though," The woman smirked, "Wanna know my name?"

Kai narrowed his eyes at her. "Do I?"

The American descendant chuckled to herself while Kai and Celena just stared at her oddly. "Well of course you do. When a beautiful woman approaches, a handsome young man must make it his duty to enquire about her. The name is Lucielle. Lucielle Howard. Nice to meet you."

Still giving Lucielle odd looks, Kai grasped her hand, which had been extended to him. They shook in that moment. Then the half-Japanese boy released her grip. "Thanks. Nice to meet you too. Now... uh... I think that we should be going now. Catch you later... `Lucielle'."

Lucielle laughed quietly again as Kai prompted Celena to leave with him. "...Now, now. Like I said, there's no need to rush off. The Shinrinkami won't be marshalled right off the bat. And even if they were... it's not like they could stand in your way. Right, Tensatsukai?"

Suddenly Kai froze in place. His heart leapt into overdrive and his head instantly swung back around to look at Lucielle again. Who still had that quiet smile on her face. Celena seemed to pick up on the sudden change in Kai's demeanour, but said nothing. Kai instantly turned and faced the older woman, who now possessed his full attention. "...How the hell do YOU know that name?!"

Lucielle suddenly giggled and waved off Kai's focus. "Come on, don't get so riled up. I know a lot more about you than you know about me. But if you wanna know how I know what I know, then..."

"Dammit, would you start making sense?!" Kai yelled irritably.

This time Lucielle replied seriously, slotting her sunglasses into her pocket. "If you want to know more... then come with me."

There was no time for a reply to that one. Just as Kai began to part his lips to speak, there was a furious explosion across the street from them. One that echoed so loudly that no one in a 200 metre distance could ignore it. Kai, Celena and Lucielle yelled out as they were thrown off their feet from the force of the explosion. They crashed back into the stone pavement of the streets when the combustion finally died down. But it was now obvious that the whole mood of the scene had changed. The line of shops that framed the other side of the road were now nothing more than a smoking pile of ashes, brick and steel. Flames danced in the ruins of those shops. While smoke began spreading from the blast point. The loud screams of terrified women rang out with the realization. While people scrambled away from the scene or rushed to help someone who had been injured. Celena, who was under Kai's protective body, coughed vividly as she laid out on the ground. Lucielle groaned and slid up from the ground, scowling at the ruined shopping arcade near Gerard's Cross College.

"...Ah, shit!" Lucielle expressed, "...The Four Horsemen are here already?!"

Kai ignored that and checked the girl below him. "...Celena, are you okay?"

The young woman nodded to her friend. And Kai suddenly took action. The boy hurried Celena up onto her feet and then roped her arm around his shoulder. Then he rushed away with her as best as he could, hobbling along to allow her to recover from the shock of the explosion. Once Lucielle got over her reverie, she noticed this. But by that time, Kai and the stunned Celena were down the road and fleeing from the blast site.

Lucielle frowned. "Kisaragi! Wait!"

The defences of a colony are called `Barrier Shields'. By working electromagnetic fields in the way of the late Ormond Bailey's theory of Sphereonics, a globular wave is formed in a certain space. The size of the wave is determined by the force of the manipulation. Thus the mighty generators of the Syowa-oh Colony could produce Barrier Shields with intense strength that could repel most energy blasts. It was not surprising then that these generators was created by the vast empire of the Bas Dahlem Foundation, the richest and most successful electronics/machinery conglomerate in the known sphere of understanding. Even the famous armaments of the battleships of the Greater Universal Confederacy (those belonging to ships like the Baal, the Koshchei, and the legendary Asmodeus) would have a hard time breaking through them.

But defying all logic, something had done just that. Broken through the Barrier Shield of Syowa-oh. It could be seen high in the air through the holographic projection of the sunny day. Like a hole in the sky. One that was about 120x135 metres wide. It had cut straight through the Barrier Shield and the frame of the colony, striking down into the metropolis. By which time the force of the blast had been watered down. But nonetheless it had destroyed a large portion of a district. If there had been no Barrier Shield at all, a couple blasts would have wiped out a sixth of the entire colony. This power vastly transcended what was on hand for the Shinrinkami. And it probably even outclassed the Anti-Matter Cannons of the Greater Universal Confederacy's uniform army, the Interplanetary Vanguard.

At the smoking hole in the sky holograph was a figure. Quite a significant one. He stood on a metallic disc that hovered in the air and allowed him to observed all that was going on below him. This man beamed a devious smile. With his dark black and gold tunic flocking around his legs and his long brained ponytail of ebony black hair doing the same. In one hand he held a Halberd. But it was far more significant than some archaic polearm from the old ages. Surrounding him were around Xaphan androids, also created by the Bas Dahlem, but running on fighting software that had been manufactured by unknown forces. Each of them were armed with standard mode PR-SM: 23 Plasma Rifles in their mechanical grips.

The mysterious man sniggered at the colony below him. "As I thought. The defences of this colony cannot stand against the Phase Wave Cannon of the Astaroth. That was pathetic. I expected more of a challenge than THAT. What was Aurora being so cautious about?"

There was a radio-frequency ear piece in this man's ear. A voice spoke to him through it. "You should not be wasting time. Just retrieve the Ouroboros and then leave. We cannot afford to lose a weapon of that calibre to just anyone. And it won't be long before the Vanguard make their move."

The halberd-wielder scowled. "...Stop ordering me around. I will do what I came here to do in my own time. Do you doubt my power? Or that of the Qingu?"

"Not at all," Replied the voice, "we just do not wish to tempt fate. Now that the Earth-orbital colonies will be aware of the capabilities of the Astaroth and its Phase Wave Cannon, we will need to move swiftly. The Master does not wish us to reveal our true strength until it is absolutely necessary. Can you understand that?"

The mystery man growled roughly. Mention of `The Master' put things into perspective for him. "...Fine. We'll play it your way, Aurora. Just give me the coordinates. It shouldn't be too hard to track down."

"We should be safe here... for a while."

The second district of Syowa-oh was full of many buildings and warehouses that had been erected by the Bas Dahlem Foundation. Mostly to store the heavy machinery and lighter electrical goods that had been built there, ready to be shipped off to the neighbouring colonies. However there was a disagreement between Bas Dahlem and Viceroy Katsuragi over six years ago. It was supposedly about the customs duties that the Viceroy had on those goods. The Bas Dahlem Foundation's Syowa-oh branch declared that those charges were far too high and the costs were putting off potential customers within the colony. But being the haughty man that he was, Katsuragi ignored such claims. This led to a rather serious debate between the Viceroy and Bas Dahlem as a whole. In the end, Katsuragi simply banned the sale and import of all Bas Dahlem goods on Syowa-oh, turning to other companies for the colonies' electronic needs.

All items of Bas Dahlem origin in Syowa-oh were either destroyed or stored away without use. The warehouses of this district was one of the places in which Bas Dahlem commodities had been deposited. Kai strode along with a confused Celena next to him. Her arm was still wrapped around his shoulder. He managed to get the two of them out of the area of the blast. But that was not the only thing to worry about. When he looked back, he could see that in the far distance, district one was being attacked. More explosions (these were obviously less powerful than the first) rang in the streets of Syowa-oh. Flames were spreading. And in the skies, Kai's abnormally good sight couple pick up on Xaphan-type androids hovering around on Propulsion Gears, flight systems hardwired into contemporary androids containing very rare anti-gravitational matter from an alien star-system, the Colis Uh Star System (which remains mostly unexplored). This mineral was called Grav. Incorporating Grav into a metal shell and linking that shell to a central processor via a sophisticated new software, the gravitational pull around the body of the machine in question could be controlled. Enough so to allow flight without means of a chief energy source. Propulsion Gear technology was considered to be the future of flight, however it came with snags. Grav was extremely hard to come by. Even though a few grams of it could last in a Propulsion Gear system for years. And the little Grav that people could get a hold of was ruthlessly expensive. A standard colony would have only been able to afford a few kilos of it (if that amount were available).

Kai scowled to himself from thinking of this. Whoever these guys were that were attacking Syowa-oh, they had some highly advanced tech on their hands. Which was why they had to get out of sight. Making it to a shelter now would be difficult. Kai and Celena managed to make it to a large warehouse in district two. One that was of Bas Dahlem creation. The young blonde boy opened the thick steel door by pushing it to one side. This place was mostly derelict so there was little security here. Once the door was opened, Kai got inside with Celena around his shoulders. The younger woman released him and Kai closed the door once more. The two of them then sat on the floor in that dark, abandoned warehouse.

Kai was the first to speak between the two of them. "...Celena. Are you okay?"

"...Just... a little shaken," She admitted, "...I haven't seen an explosion of that kind in... years. It was just a bit frightening for it to happen so suddenly."

It was then that Kai remembered Celena's past. She was an orphan, just like him. But she was not born on Syowa-oh. She was born on the English colony of New Westhampton, hence the English accent and name. And New Westhampton was the first colony to suffer terrorist attacks that were known to be from anti Earth-orbital militia. That first incident happened many years ago when Celena was just a little toddler. And her parents had been killed in the crossfire of the colony's resistance force. The death toll of that day (nicknamed by some as `Bloody Monday') over 400. With more than 1700 people injured. The flow of orphans into social services was so large that a few kids had to be shipped off to Syowa-oh to ease the surge. One of those people happened to be Celena. And she had been living on this Japanese colony ever since.

All this was sure to remind her of her past. "...Celena. Don't worry. I'll be here to protect you. You're my best friend, remember? We just have to hold out until the Shinrinkami take care of all this. Now that these bastards have broken through our Barrier Shields, Katsuragi won't drag his ass in sending them out. I just hope he doesn't underestimate what he's up against."

Celena nodded to that, trying hard to allow Kai's words to calm her. It worked. But then she took notice of something else that made her worry. The shoulder of Kai's uniform had been torn by the blast. And there was a serious gash in his revealed skin. Kai watched Celena's attention to his arm and chuckled. "Heh, heh, heh. Stop gawping at it. It's just a scratch."

"No it's not. Hold on."

The fair-haired beauty reached down and gripped her skirt by the folds. With a grunt she ripped a piece of it off, and then nudged over to her male friend. "Could you take off your blazer for me?"

Kai shrugged with a sigh and undid the three buttons of his black school blazer. Then took it off his arms and shoulders. He caught on to what Celena had in mind and began undoing the buttons of his white undershirt. The blonde pulled the shirt from his body when he was done, revealing his toned and muscled chest. Celena blushed a little but said nothing, and went to work on the injured arm. But before she could, she saw something on Kai that she had not noticed before. It was a tattoo of sorts. Saying simply `Tensatsukai'. In this day and age, the one spoken language was English. Few people spoke in the various native tongues of their ethnicity. But from Celena's study of the old language of Japanese, Tensatsukai was fused of the romanji words for Heaven (Ten), Murder (Satsu), and World (Kai). That was not the odd thing about it though. This mark seemed less a tattoo and more of a... branding. However Celena chose not to ask about it.

She wrapped the ripped piece of her dark blue skirt around the wound that had been carved by debris from the previous explosion. Celena was careful. Knowing not to apply too much pressure or too little. But just the right amount. She tied up the makeshift bandage with a knot, stopping the flow of blood.

"There," She said, "That should hold you for a little while."

Kai nodded, putting his shirt back on. "Thanks. I owe you one, Celena."

"Don't worry about it. I'm just glad that you're okay."

Kai loved to hear Celena say things like that. It might have been a little vain of him to think it, but he liked the idea that his beautiful best friend, Celena Avalis, was concerned with him. Back in Gerard's Cross College, she was one of the most popular girls around. It probably had something to do with that English accent of hers. It pleased Kai to know that at the end of the day, Celena's primary concern was for him and no one else. Because Kai very much felt the same way.

"Yeah, well, I'm tougher than I look-"

Before Kai even finished that, there was a rumbling sound that shook the frail stone that made up the roofing of that warehouse. Both youngsters looked up at the ceiling to see what it was. The roof actually was shaking. Then something cut straight through it with great light. A beam from a plasma rifle. Celena gasped at the blast. Kai quickly shoved her to one side of the beam and rolled away in turn, getting them both out of the way of the shot. The thin beam of light blue energy burned across the stone floor in reached leaving nothing behind but melted rock and smoke. Then came the explosion from the damage. Celena screamed and Kai grunted when the two of them were blown further away from each other. The blast whipped up another gust of flame and smoke, directly cutting Kai off from Celena. So much so that he couldn't see her anymore. All he could hear were her whimpers. Kai steeled himself and quickly climbed back up to his feet, looking through the flames that were surrounding him.

"Celena! Are you alright!?" He yelled frantically.

The girl yelled back with `I-I'm fine!' but Kai still could not see her. And his worry for Celena made him unaware of the danger he too was in. This ground he stood on was not ground-level. There was a floor below it. And the cracks in the floor showed that the stone holding those two levels apart was growing fragile. Kai felt this himself. The ground beneath him broke fully and he collapsed into it. The student fell downwards into the separated level with crumbling rocks all around him. He toppled over and landed on the floor of the second area whilst the debris from above rained down briefly. Moments later he managed to pull himself together. Kai slowly opened his sky blue eyes again and groaned. Blood now dripped from a fresh wound on his forehead. Dust was all over his shirt and trousers. But he kept it together with a steel will that showed off a tremendous inner strength. Kai Kisaragi hoisted himself off the ground on his lithe but muscled arms and looked around. And he became aware that he was in a whole different place. This floor of the warehouse looked more like a laboratory. Full of beakers, advanced tech, white walls, clean tables, bookcases containing texts on certain kinds of new thinking thesis. More important than that was the podium erected in the centre of that lab. It was white, just like the rest. But held something very, very special. Kai looked over at it. It was a sword in the image of a Japanese katana. Complete with its black sheath at its side.

Kai couldn't understand why such a thing was here, but, "It might not be a Plasma Rifle but for now, it'll do."

The Japanese blonde rushed over to the podium. Whatever blasted the roof of the warehouse was still out there. Something - anything - would have been good as form of protection. And most of all he had to get back up to Celena to protect her. Kai threw caution to the wind and reached for the blade, grabbing its grip in one swift motion. The moment he lifted the sword from the podium, it started to glow. So much so that it illuminated that dark lab. And caught Kai well off guard.

But not as much so as when it started speaking to him in the computerized voice of a ten year old girl. "Ouroboros Magi-Tech System online. DNA pattern unrecognised. Proceeding to register current wielder. May I ask your name?"

Once the glow ended, Kai lifted the sword up and stared at it with confusion. "Hold on a minute. This sword has a computer system?"

"Correct," The sword (or the mini-computer built into it) replied, "I am the Artificial Intelligence Program that operates the Magi-Tech capabilities of the Ouroboros sword. You may refer to me by any name you wish. However my designer, Doctor Hideo Shinguchi, has named me `Ai'. You may choose to accept that if you wish. May I ask your name?"

Kai blinked. "...Magi-Tech? Ouroboros? Ai? What kind of technology is this?"

"I will explain. The sword you are holding is known as Ouroboros'. The first of only two weapons that are programmed with Magi-Tech capacities. Magi-Tech is a primarily offensive system that controls certain elemental charges known as Magites'. By using electrical charges to weave these Magites into a specialized pattern, varying emissions of compressed force are produced. As yet the Magi-Tech can only adhere to the fundamental arts. Though the arts can be fused to create sub-arts. May I ask your name?"

"Geez, can you simplify all that?"

"In Layman terms... this sword can cast magic. But the only `styles' of magics that can be used are those that fall into the category of Fire, Water, Earth and Wind. These can be mixed to create new magics. May I ask your name?"

From that, Kai was dumbstruck. "Magic?! Are you serious?!"

"Yes. The power regulator ranges the strength of these emissions between four levels. Four being the weakest. One being the most potent. It is recommended that you avoid using anything above Level 2 if you intend to wield this sword. May I ask your name?"

Kai scowled again. "Why do you keep asking me for my name?!"

"To register you as the true wielder of the Ouroboros," Ai replied, "What is your name?"

"Kai Kisaragi..."

"...Acknowledged. Kai Kisaragi. Genetic Syowa-oh male. Age 19. DNA Lock now registered for Kai Kisaragi. How would you like to be regarded?"

"As `Kai', I guess?" He replied sarcastically.

Ai spoke up again. "Well then. Would you like me to explain some of the operations of the Ouroboros sword?"

Well he didn't think he needed that right now. But Kai was about to learn how wrong he was. The far wall of that lab he was in, began to shake as the roof up above had done before. The new wielder of the Ouroboros sword watched this with caution, unconsciously taking up his blade into a defensive and surprisingly knowing stance. The wall exploded in that instant, the brick and glass thrown across the laboratory. Kai brought up his arm to shield himself from the flying debris. Then looked forwards to that new hole in the wall, smoking from the power of the blast. One of the Xaphan androids that were attacking Syowa-oh stood there. With its plasma rifle in its grip and more than ready to kill. But it seemed that the humanoid machine wanted something. The very same thing that was now in Kai's hands.

The Xaphan spoke to Kai in its robotic voice. "Relinquish that sword. Now."

"Up yours, dickwipe!" Kai barked.

Still, the Xaphan android was unmoving. "Relinquish that sword, now."

"Dammit," Kai pulled back Ouroboros and frowned, "I don't have time for this! I have to find Celena and get her out of here! Even if that means cutting this piece of tin shit to pieces!"

Ai soon spoke to him, though. "That is not a recommended course of action. This `piece of tin shit' as you call it; is a Xaphan-type android. Such air-to-ground combat androids are often built with restorative nanomachines. While the Ouroboros sword is fully capable of slicing through the armour of the Xaphan-type android, it could easily repair itself."

"Then what the hell am I supposed to do about it?!" Kai barked.

"You must use the Magi-Tech system," Ai answered, "the use of magic will destroy the Xaphan-type android by eliminating all traces of the nanomachines in its body."

Kai nodded in understanding, watching the Xaphan with keen eyes. "Okay. How do I cast the magic then?"

"Simply concentrate your thoughts. My central processor with interpret the language of your brainwaves and produce the most suitable action in terms of brain pattern, regulated by situational needs."

The Xaphan pointed its gun at Kai. "I repeat. Relinquish that sword. Now."

But Kai was far beyond listening to that. His blue eyes slipped shut and he held Ouroboros in a two-handed grip. Focusing his thoughts as Ai had instructed him to. The Xaphan android before him started to step forwards with the gun at the ready. But before it came too close, the blade of the Ouroboros sword sudden caught aflame and burned vividly in that dark lab. It forced the android to stop and take note. Kai's eyes then flashed open and he swung the blade around his body with a fierce battle cry. The searing hot flames around the sword were thrown forwards and morphed in the air, transforming into a bird-like shape. The Phoenix Wing magical attack glided through the air and charged straight into the armoured Xaphan. A small gush of flames became a large one. And the mechanical beast was forced back. The flames of the magic burned heavily against the steel of its armour and the latex of its fake flesh. Swiftly immobilizing it. Then, moments later, the whole thing exploded. The charred remains of the android were blown across the room. Leaving the immediate threat of danger to obscurity.

Kai gave off an astounded glare and lifted the sword to get a better look at it. "Sweet damn. So the thing really can use magic. What the hell was that?"

"It was a Level 1 magical skill known as Phoenix Wing." Answered Ai.

The blonde grabbed the sheath of Ouroboros and searched for an exit out of here. "Well whatever, whatever. That doesn't matter now. I have to get back up there and find Celena before she gets hurt. The fire could spread all over the warehouse in a matter of minutes."

Kai instantly sheathed Ouroboros and scanned the room. The hole in the wall that had been created by that now dead Xaphan. It led into a small corridor. Since that seemed to be the first and best place to escape from, Kai made a dash for it. He ran through the smoky hole, jumping over the ruined brick and vaulting into the corridor. Once inside Kai searched from one side to the next to find a path back up to the first level. There was a flight of stairs down the left side of the hallway. So he ran over to them and jogged up as fast as he could, already smelling the smoke from above. Kai growled ferociously and extended his leg, kicking down the door at the top of the stairs. The metal door was broken from its hinges and toppled back, allowing Kai access to the upper floor. He instantly covered his face to shield himself from the smoke and heat. As he had feared, the whole floor was an inferno. Plasmatic rifles could do a hell of a lot of damage in a very short space of time. But what of Celena? Kai looked around as best he could, the smoke watering his eyes, but he couldn't see her.

"C-Celena!?" He yelled, "Dammit! Celena! Where are you!?"

A cool, composed and softly effeminate voice called to Kai thereafter. "...You must escape."

Kai turned around when he heard the sound of someone addressing him. He was literally stunned by what he saw. What appeared to be a young woman. Standing gently just a few metres away from him. With short brown hair that hung over one of her eyes to give her a very sultry, mystical look. The light milk chocolate tone of her hair meshed well with the paleness of her skin. And the large eyes of bright emerald almost spoke to Kai. This unknown girl was dressed in a while and gold over-shirt and a garment that seemed in some respects to be a half-thigh long brown skirt, with knee length socks and brown moccasins. From the gentle maturity in the girl's voice, she seemed to be around seventeen in years, though she looked more like a fifteen-year-old. This unknown one had a curious glow about her. A kind of mystical `aura' Kai seemed to feel and understand in some terribly apparent way. But that aura was possessed by a veil of... tragedy. Sadness. The sultry look in the young woman's eye seemed to suggest a personal dissonance. One that was magnified the violent flames that now surrounded her and Kai in this warehouse. Kai was entranced by her. But he did not let his curiosity distract him from what he had to do.

"...You should get out of here," Kai said, his voice lowering, "...it's dangerous to stay."

"What about you?" Asked the brown-haired one, tenderly.

Kai looked around the fires again. "...I can't go until I find my friend. Have you seen her? She's an eighteen-year-old girl named Celena Avalis."

The mysterious one lowered her large bottle green eyes and nodded, "I know who it is that you speak of. She is safe. I can take you to her from here. But you must escape with me now."

"You've got Celena? Where is she?" Kai questioned.

"We have no time for explanations now," Answered the younger person, "Please move quickly."

Kai narrowed his eyes at her. "Just one thing. Who are you?"

"My name is..." The green-eyed youngster began, "...Angel Edelweiss."

Well at least he knew her name now. Kai nodded to Angel and followed her as she made her escape from this flaming warehouse. The smoke was piling up and the flames were growing stronger than ever. The two made a point of leaving as quickly as possible. Kai and Angel ran straight through the ruins of the warehouse and out the side fire exit. The door was already open when they got there. So they ran outside and into the side alley. The two stopped to breathe in the fresh air of the outside (fresh air formed from the Regeneration Wheels, the microscopic nanomachines in the air that recycled wasted carbon dioxide from human origin and converted it into oxygen at an almost instantaneous rate).

Angel adjusted herself first and spoke. "We must move swiftly. A shuttle is waiting nearby to pick us up. You can find your... friend there."

"A shuttle?" Kai shook his head, "I should have known. You're not from Syowa-oh, are you?"

The young Angel shook her head for a no.

"Well, no offence but you've got to be out of your mind. No shuttle could break through the Barrier Shields of Syowa-oh so I can't see how you plan on getting out of here now. Viceroy Katsuragi is likely to bring down martial law thanks to this attack, which means he won't lower the shields to let anyone escape."

"...Do not underestimate us," Angel answered, "We have... our ways."

Kai blinked. "Our...? What do you mean by that? You belong to some kind of group, don't you? Are you with the ones behind this attack?!"

Angel shook her head to contradict that. "No. Please don't misunderstand me. The ones who have instigated this attack are the ones known as the Four Horsemen. Do you know of them?"

"How could I not?" Kai answered, "they're considered to be the biggest threat to Earth-orbital peace since the Cosmos Wars."

Then a third voice answered to the pair of them. "Yes. That's right. Though we intend to do quite a bit worse."

Kai and Angel jerked and turned around to the south side of the alleyway. They were not alone. A man wearing a gold and black tunic, armed with some sort of futuristic halberd, stood on a metal hover disc, watching the two young ones as they escaped from the flames of the warehouse. This man smirked deviously at the two of them. Kai didn't know him from Adam, but Angel seemed to at least know of him.

"...It's you..." Angel expressed with concern.

Kai stared at the concerned girl. "Who is that?"

"He is Garland Lilith," Answered Angel, "A member of the Four Horseman. The man behind this attack on Syowa-oh. He is a master of many weapons and is one of the most infamous assassins in the known sphere of influence."

Garland tapped his halberd against his shoulder. "So I see that even children have heard of me now. My, my. Aren't I flattered?"

"...So you're Garland Lilith, huh?" Kai gave a defiant grin, "I think I've heard of you before. I never would have expected to meet up with a Class A assassin in my neighbourhood. So what brings you to Syowa-oh, buddy?"

Garland chuckled at him, shutting his eyes. "Beelzebub. Confirm. Is the sword that boy is now holding the Ouroboros?"

The seemingly harmless halberd in Garland's hand now began glowing with the same light that Kai had seen from the Ouroboros sword. And to his surprise, it spoke back to Garland with a similar computerized voice, but in a male pitch, as opposed to the female tone of the Ouroboros. The voice of the mini-super computer hardwired into the halberd. The one known as `Beelzebub'. "...Confirmed. It is the Ouroboros sword."

Kai, understanding that Garland was becoming more and more significant by the minute, unsheathed Ouroboros while stepping before Angel protectively. As soon as it was released from the sheath, Ouroboros' own mini-computer, Ai, spoke to Kai. "I advise you to proceed with extreme caution. That man holds the counterpart weapon to the Ouroboros. It is called Qingu. It contains a similar microcomputer to me and is equally equipped with Magi-Tech capabilities."

Garland locked eyes with Kai. "You have the sword, eh? So the DNA Lock is on you now. That is unfortunate. But not a serious problem. I'll just kill you."

Kai growled venomously at him. "...Just fucking try it, pal."

The man called Garland smirked again and readied Qingu, just about to pounce. Until Angel stepped ahead of Kai, spreading out her arms. The blonde man was confused by this, and said so. "Angel, what the hell are you doing?!"

Angel simply ignored Kai and began speaking with a focus directed at Garland. And all that sultry aura about her was now reflecting sheer power. "...By the ancient spirit of the Cloud People, bless this holy blood with thy divine strength. Bestow upon me your power and I shall give you all my heart. In the name of God and righteousness, I summon you to the realm of the living. Awaken now, o Lord of Wind and Peace, awaken Amot!"

The bright jade aura of Angel's now appeared in the real world for all to marvel at. Kai was forced to cover his eyes to prevent himself from being blinded by the intense mass of light that now appeared before Angel. Her skirt and short brown hair was blown back by the force of whatever it was that he was doing. And now Kai began to realize that the mystical air that surrounded Angel was more than look or a feeling. A great power had been summoned from nothing more than his will. One that was beginning to take shape in all that dazzling light. Garland maintained his calm but watched with caution at the magical luminosity that Angel had just called on. A humanoid being of green crystalline matter leapt out from that void of light and jumped out before Angel and Kai. A lean figure of around six feet in height, glowing with almighty power. Armed with a spear made of the same crystalline matter as the body of the being itself. This was the fabled wind spirit, Amot.

Kai was dumbstruck. "...Mother damn... what the hell is that...?!"

Garland sneered. "So Aurora was right after all... you're a God Summoner..."

Without even being addressed, Amot knew Angel's intentions for him. The deity of Wind and Peace extended the arm that held the spear and pointed it directly at Garland. Huge gusts of air circled that spear vibrantly. Rotating around and around until the wind gathered a ferocious tearing momentum that could have sliced rock in two if given the chance. Those manifestations of wind then surged forwards with incredible speed. Straight for Garland. The Horseman remained alert and pointed Qingu directly at the incoming wind blades of the spirit creature, Amot. A shield of almost invisible energy came before the tip of the polearm. Amot's wind blades crashed into the shield, one by one, but could not pierce it.

Angel quickly turned to Kai. "We have to leave."

"Are you kidding me?!" Kai yelled back, "You expect me to run away after what that dickwipe's done to my colony?!"

"You said you wanted to see your friend, did you not? Well Garland is too much for either of us right now. If you challenge him, you'll die. You need more training with the Ouroboros before you can handle him. Now please come with me."

Kai shrugged, sheathing the Ouroboros. The two of them then made a break for it, running down the path of the alleyway out into the main road. Amot continued to remain as he was, firing wave after wave of those hoop-shaped wind blades at Garland and his shield. It provided the perfect cover for their escape. Amot would dissolve when Angel ran a certain distance away from him, but it bought the two of them enough time to flee. Garland scowled as the pair got away, but could do nothing to stop them.

"Come back here, damn you!" He screamed.

Kai and Angel turned the corner and rushed down the main road. From here, Kai could see the damage that those few Xaphan androids were doing to the district. In the distance, flames were rising as high as the holographic projection of the sky. Even if the Shinrinkami were on the streets by now, it was too late to save that area. Then Angel turned another corner. Kai followed him. This led to a series of narrow paths worming around the warehouses. After a ten minute run, Angel and Kai made it to a clearing. In that clearing was the mini-shuttle that Angel had been speaking of. And standing before that shuttle were Celena and, surprisingly enough, that American woman, Lucielle.

Kai skidded to a stop when he saw the two of them. "...Celena?!"

The fair-haired English woman smiled cheerful and ran up to Kai, throwing herself into his strong arms. "Dear God, you're alright! I was so worried about you!"

"Yeah," The blonde man hugged her back, smiling, "...well, I had a little bit of help in that department. But I'm glad that you're alright, Celena."

While the two of them hugged it out, Lucielle smiled and strode up to Angel, pressing her hand into the younger one's short mop of auburn hair. "Hey there, kid. Normally I'd chew you out for disobeying orders, but what the hell, I'll forget about it this time. We'd be in big trouble if we lost you."

Kai looked over at Angel and Lucielle while Celena embraced him. "...You two know each other...?"

"Well, duh!" Lucielle chided playfully, "I did tell you to come with me if you wanted to learn more. Then when the Four Horsemen attacked, I guess Angel must have beamed down to help us out against my orders. Ah, but he's a good boy, really."

Kai blinked fiercely. "...Hold on a minute. You're a GUY?!"

Angel blushed, looking downwards. "...Well... yes..."

Now that was an odd discovery. Angel wasn't a she' but rather a he'. Still it didn't matter much in the face of what was no happening to Syowa-oh. And Lucielle became serious when she saw the destruction taking place less than a quarter of a mile behind them. "...Lets save the chit-chat for later. We need to be getting out of here before the Four Horsemen come a callin' for the Ouroboros. This area isn't safe with them on the loose."

"Where are we going?" Celena asked, untangling herself from Kai.

Lucielle winked at her, beaming a cute grin. "We're going to my ship, the Sparta."

THE LAST SAGA - All God's Children

Viceroy Katsuragi of the Syowa-oh Colony was quick to enforce martial law as soon as the attack by the Four Horseman became public knowledge. In hours the Shinrinkami were released and deployed on the streets of Syowa-oh to stop the fires and round up the last remaining Xaphan type androids that were on the attack. Though Kai was aware of the insurgence of the Four Horsemen, he had no idea about how the Shinrinkami were going to handle it. But for the most part... he now had other concerns.

The small shuttle that Angel had led him to quickly made its getaway with them, Celena and Lucielle aboard. Kai was still very sceptical about how such a small dropship could get through Spheronical defences of Syowa-oh. But it did. Phasing through the Barrier Shield with a new technology that not even he had heard of. Once free of the barrier, they were now in the thicket of space, with the large Japanese colony behind them. The shuttle did not last long in the void however. It docked in the flagship that Lucielle had been talking about. The one called the Sparta. It was a privately owned vessel that actually did belong to Lucielle. As soon as the dropship docked in one of the three bays for the mini-shuttles, Kai, Celena, Angel and Lucielle stepped out from it and into the technologically advanced civilian battleship. A young man rushed up to the automatic sliding door when Lucielle emerged and saluted her with pride.

"My goodness!" He said, "It's so good to see that you're well! Did everything go okay? Do you need anything?"

Lucielle nodded. "Things went fine. Not only did we pick up the Ouroboros, but we also managed to get Tensatsukai to come with us. But enough about that. Has the damage done to the Leap Drive been fixed yet, or what?"

"Yes, ma'am. Solon asked me to tell you about it as soon as you got back with Angel. The repairs were short work with our team on the job! Now we're ready to head off to Valhoth as soon as you request it, Captain."

Kai blinked as he stood with Angel and Celena by the shuttle. "Captain? You actually run this ship as well as own it?"

"Of course," Lucielle grinned at the blonde boy, "You're looking at Lucielle Howard! Captain of the civilian battleship Sparta and leader of the pro-Earth revitalization group Whitestar."

The half-Japanese lad stuffed his hand into his pocket, the other carrying the now sheathed Ouroboros sword. "Whitestar, huh? Why do I get the weird feeling that I've been roped into something bigger than I want it to be?"

Lucielle sniggered at the young man and turned around to face him. Kai's eyes widened when the older woman came at him face to face, smirking with a full `bounce' to her actions. She made a point of pinching his cheek and grinning further, saying, "You're very cute, you know that? I would have never imagined that you were Tensatsukai. Tell you what. I'll give you a little bonus for being such a sport about all this. You can call me Lulu."

"...Why?" Kai asked, confused and blushing.

"My favourite people are allowed to call me that," Lucielle spoke, "And you're just a cute little bag of sugar, aren't you?"

Angel sighed, lowering his smooth green eyes. "Captain, is this really... appropriate?"

Lucielle giggled softly at that, still pinching Kai's reddening cheek. "So now you take a stand, huh? You'll never get anywhere in life if you leave things to the last minute, Angel. Anyways, I can't stand here playing with you kids all day. I have to plot the course to Valhoth with Solon before we leave. Then I think... we'll have to explain a few things to our two guests before we move on."

Lucielle then turned to the guy at hand, releasing Kai. "You there."

"Yes ma'am?"

"Get a room ready for Kai and his friend," She ordered, "And before you do that, tell Rock to keep us as we are. I know that the Four Horsemen will be on our tails soon enough but I'm not leaving the colony until we explain a few things, alright?"

The young man nodded to his captain with enthusiasm. "Yes ma'am! I'm right on it!"

We soon scampered away to get the jobs asked of him done, while leaving behind the others. Some of the other personnel began to tend to the shuttle that has come up just moments ago with their captain in it. And the captain herself turned back to Kai, Angel and Celena.

"I have to catch up with Solon before we do anything. So you guys just make yourselves comfortable, have a look around, and if you want, ask Angel to show you the ropes. I'll be calling the pair of you to the bridge in about twenty minutes, so make the most of your time."

Lucielle then walked off to one of the sliding automatic doors leading out of the dropship hanger. It closed behind her, leaving Kai, Angel and Celena by the shuttle. Kai was the first to speak, holding his cheek; which was now sore and red (but not from the pinching). "Man. That chick is a few sandwiches short of a picnic."

"She certainly is... candid." Celena added.

Angel then interjected. "I know that she can be odd at times, but Lucielle is a very capable captain. You will see it in her, when the time comes."

"Yeah, whatever," Kai answered, "explain a few things about this ship before we do anything else. Considering the fact that it has dropships that can break through Syowa-oh's defensive barriers like toilet paper... I'm guessing that you people are a lot more than just some random civilian crew. Especially if you're getting tangled up with the Four Horsemen. Am I right?"

Angel bobbed his head. "We are. Lucielle can better explain the details. But I can tell you about this ship if you'd like. It's called the Sparta, as you know. And it was built by Lucielle's father, James Howard, in the Victoria Lake Colony. It is the ship that Whitestar operates from. The crew is numbered at 35 men and women who all work hard in their chosen positions. And this ship is built with a special Leap Drive that can slip through Barrier Shields. Even ones as strong as Syowa-oh's. I do not know much about the mechanical specs and such, but I am sure that Solon or Rock could explain that all to you if you feel you need to know."

Celena shook her head. "Forgive Kai for being so forthright. We're really grateful for what you've done for us."

Angel returned that with a small, sad smile of acceptance. Kai looked around the hanger bay for a while. This ship was of American design, alright. He could see all the trademarks of a ship built on Victoria Lake. He just wondered what the connection was between these guys and the Four Horsemen. "...I have to admit that this is an impressive ship. Angel, could you show us around? Since that Lucielle babe gave you the permission?"

The younger boy, Angel, blushed, his sad smile turning into a slightly happier one. He agreed to show them around the Sparta. He, Kai and Celena left the hanger bay and then showed the two guests the complexities of the ship. It was divided into quite a few sections. The one most important being the Bridge. Angel showed them where it was but didn't quite go there yet. There were all kinds of sections on the ship. The Dorms where everyone slept, the Galley were food was kept and prepared, the Training Room, where Whitestar members would hone their fighting skills, Recreational Area, the Engine Room, the Conference Room, the Brig, etc. It was a very large ship for a relatively small crew. But these Whitestar people seemed to be in control of everything. Even Kai was impressed. He hadn't seen a group of people this well organized in years. Ever since his... older days.

Around fifteen minutes or so later, when Angel, Kai and Celena were turning a corner in the upper level of the ship, they all realized that they had to meet up with Lucielle on the bridge. But just when they were they were about to go...

"Angel! What you run away for?"

The three teens halted when they heard a female voice call to Angel from behind. The brown-haired boy turned around with a sheepish frown, knowing exactly who that was. Kai and Celena also looked back. But were surprised to see this person. She was a woman of 24 years. With a young, bubbly disposition. That was not her oddness, however. This one was an alien. A humanoid mix between human and lion. With the beautiful figure of a young woman and the lightly furred flesh of a cat. This alien wiggled her whiskers and crossed her arms, looking at Angel with an expression that demanded an explanation.

Celena blinked at the alien girl. "Wow. An Effiran. I've never met an Effiran before."

"Angel!" Yelled the Effiran, "Why you not speak!? Why you go down Syowa on own?!"

The God Summoner's shoulders sagged. "...I'm sorry, I just wanted to help..."

The Effiran let Angel trail off and then turned to Kai and Celena. Celena had a nervous smile while Kai just eyed her up and down. He hadn't seen an Effiran before either, they were a native race of the terra-formed planet of Phoebantinople. Celena leaned over into Angel's ear and whispered something to him.

"Who is that?" She asked.

Angel whispered back. "She's one of my guardians. Her name is Chestnut. Chestnut Fealton. Despite her loudness and broken English, she is a very nice person."

`Chestnut', as Angel called her, walked up to Kai and stared down at him. "...You one call Tensatsukai?"

Kai looked away, his mood suddenly switching from curious to irritated. "...I don't use that name anymore, okay? My name is Kai Kisaragi. And I-"

The blonde boy said nothing more. A second later, Chestnut grinned and drew back her fist. Then thrust it forwards and punched Kai straight across the face. Celena gasped and Angel sighed as Kai stumbled backwards from the force of Chestnut's punch, reeling. He instantly grabbed his cheek and stared at the taller Effiran with blind confusion. "...Are you out of your fucking mind?!"

"Ha, ha, ha, ha!" Laughed the alien, "That is warrior's greeting! Effiran are race of warriors! This show that you and I friends! Me welcome big friend, Kai!"

The disbelieving Kai rubbed his sore right cheek (now as red as the one Lucielle had pinched) whilst staring over at Angel. "Jesus Christ. Is everyone on this ship a goddamn lunatic?"

Nevertheless, it was time to head off to the bridge. Celena rubbed Kai's cheek for him a little then walked with Angel and Chestnut straight to the bridge itself. Lucielle was waiting for them. And both Kai and Celena were in the mood for an explanation of what was going on with this `Whitestar' group. It took just a couple minutes to make it down to the bridge from where they were. The automatic doors into the helm of the ship opened up for the four of them. Kai, Angel, Celena and Chestnut strode into the bridge where all the consoles, video screens and seating were waiting for them. >From the large window screen framing the north of the room, Kai could see the stars and the background image of the Syowa-oh Colony. About six people were on the bridge (outside of Kai and the others) which included Lucielle. Who sat on one of the side chairs with an unusually serious expression on her face.

"So you guys made it on time," Lucielle spoke, "I didn't wanna hunt you down after all."

Kai pressed his hand into his hip. "Yeah, well, we're here. Now start talking."

"Huh?" Lucielle pointed at the bruise on Kai's cheek, "What's up with that?"

"...An Effiran greeting." Answered Angel.

Kai shut his eyes and scoffed, while Lucielle just smiled and spoke up. "I can imagine. Now. You two probably want to know what's going on here, right? Well it won't be very simple to explain but I'll give it a shot. To try to put it simply, we're a group that wants to see humans return to the Earth."

Celena gave off a questioning glance. "...The Earth?"

"Why would we wanna go back to that shithole?" Kai responded, "you know as well as I do that the civilization on Earth was ruined damn well more than 200 years ago. The Greater Universal Confederacy tried to start things up again... but those plans hit the fan. Like they always do."

Lucielle leaned back on her chair. "That's because they didn't try hard enough. It's gonna take a hell of a lot more than talk to do this. But that's what we all want. Because the Earth is our home. It's where we all come from. Where our culture originates. My Dad always told me stories about his grandfather. He told him that the Earth is the most beautiful place in the cosmos. We owe it to the Earth to restart things."

"...So that's it?" Kai remained sceptical, "...do you mean to say that you started off a crew and pilot this ship around the colonies just so you can see us all going back to Earth?"

The Captain of the Sparta scratched the back of her head. "...No, actually. Our goal is for those that want to return to the Earth... to have that shot. But right now... as things stand... that will not be possible. Because of a situation we need to resolve beforehand."

Kai and Celena became curious while Angel clammed up. To no one's notice but Chestnut. The half-Jap boy wanted to know about this obstacle. "What are you talking about? What situation?"

"Solon could probably explain this better..." The seemingly air-headed Lucielle looked over to one of the consoles, "... why don'tcha give it a shot, girl?"

The others all looked over to the front controls of the bridge. A young girl of sixteen sat in a velour Whitestar uniform, a little hat on her head of strawberry blonde hair. The one called Solon turned in her rotating chair and looked at the others.

"Who's this?" Celena asked.

"My name is Solonatamazaimatsu," She replied, "but the vast majority of the populous of the ship have opted to address me with a shortening of my name. Hence the Captain's regard of me by the nickname `Solon'."

"This kid a robot or something?" Kai commented sardonically.

Celena nudged him in the shoulder with a whisper. "Kai! Don't be so rude!"

"The situation is thus," Solon continued, "the Greater Universal Confederacy and the preponderance of both the Earth-orbital and outer-orbital colonial world has been led to suppose that the catastrophe caused on Earth was a consequence of its ecological instability. While this is not entirely incorrect, we have gathered evidence to suggest that the severity of the damage done was caused by an imbalance in the energy force that exists within the deep and clandestine leylines of the earth sphere. It was a significant but periodical shift in the sheer concentration of that force. Which you would know as `Magite'. There is also evidence to suggest that that concentration of Magite will peak a second time. Considering the current instability of the Earth... such an event would cause a level of irreparable damage that might utterly demolish the likelihood of the Greater Universal Confederacy's facilitation of its renewal. The current aim of the Whitestar is to prevent that potential incident with the method we have discovered."

Celena's eyes widened with understanding. But it all went right over Kai's head. "Uh... could you say that again? This time in English?"

Solon's almost blank eyes stared at Kai for a moment. And then she spoke, watering down her language. "...The Earth was mashed up' because of the magic' in it. That magic is going to bubble up' again. We want to stop that from happening. That way the Greater Universal Confederacy won't be put off' from rebuilding things there."

"Okay, I get that much," Answered the older one, "...but what's that got to do with the Four Horsemen?"

Lucielle spoke up for that one. "Well the truth is, the Four Horsemen are more than simple terrorists. We think they have financial backing from a member of congress. Though they claim to hate the Earth and the Earth-orbital world, they have an interest in the magical force of the planet. They want to harness it as an energy resource. Because of the energy shortage in the outer-orbital region, that power would sell for trillions of credits. But what the Horsemen don't understand is that the Magite is the lifeforce of the planet. Extracting it would cause even greater problems than the Earth already has. We've all come together as Whitestar to do three things. One, is to stop the Four Horsemen before they mine the Magite. Two, is to stop the Magite from `overloading' again and causing another ecological disaster. And three, is to convince the Greater Universal Confederacy to restore civilization on Earth."

Kai stuffed his hand into his pocket. "Okay, but exactly how do we fit into all of this?"

"We can't take the Four Horsemen down as we are," Lucielle told him, "We needed a weapon like the Ouroboros to match Garland Lilith and his Qingu. And more importantly, we needed someone to wield that sword. That's where you come in. We want someone of your strength to help us."

Celena smiled. "Kai? What's so special about him? He's just an average college student."

"That's not exactly true, is it, Tensatsukai?" Lucielle said to the blonde boy.

Celena looked at him also. "Kai, they keep calling you that. What does that mean? Is there something that you're not telling me?"

"...Damn," The young man sighed, "Look, I don't wanna get into all of that right now. Let's just clear things up. You guys want me to help you deal with the Four Horsemen, is that it?"

Lucielle confirmed it for a yes. "That's right. But not just that. He might not seem like it, but Angel is a big part of stopping the overflow of the Magite on Earth. His powers are extremely important to us. So he needs to be protected. We already have Chestnut on that job, as well as another woman who you'll soon meet, but it's not enough considering what we're up against. We really need your help, Kai Kisaragi."

"One more question," Kai commented, "What's up with this sword? I can tell that both you and the Four Horsemen were after it. What makes it so special?"

Lucielle turned to her helmswoman again. "Uh... Solon...?"

"That sword is named as Ouroboros," Solon answered for her, "It possesses a Magi-Tech system. Basically put it allows the manipulation of magic through electrical charges of Magite in specific patterns. Thus that sword you carry allows its user to wield the power of magics. It is the only weapon capable of standing against Garland Lilith and his Qingu Halberd in close range combat. And they are very much aware of that. Now that the DNA Lock is attached to you, Mister Kisaragi, no other human being will be able to use it. Ouroboros is built with a security system that activates whenever someone outside of the registered DNA code touches it. This security system will generate a Barrier Shield around the sword with an absolute temperature of 272.6780719 degrees. Which more or less means it will burn off the hand of anyone who touches it. Anyone other than you. However. If you die and the Ouroboros sword confirms that, the DNA Lock will be shattered."

"Which means that the Four Horseman will go out of their way to kill you," Lucielle added, "I'd really like to make helping us your own choice. But the Four Horsemen won't stop until they get rid of you, if it means getting their hands on that sword. And they won't hesitate to kill Celena to get to you, either. Us much as you may hate to hear it... there is no safer place for you than on the Sparta, with us. But if you don't wanna stay... I won't force you to."

Kai remained silent. This was worse than he actually thought it was. Just touching this sword had gotten him into something big. And he knew for a fact that the Four Horsemen were no joke. They had been outrunning and outgunning the Greater Universal Confederacy for years now. There was no way he could take them on alone. Not even if he did learn to master the Ouroboros. Still... this wasn't something he could accept on the spot. And what of Celena? Kai looked over at her. He had no problems risking his own life. What did that matter? But Celena was a different story. She was his best friend. If nothing else, he had to consider her safety as a paramount concern.

Kai tightened his grip on the Ouroboros and closed his eyes again. "...If you can assure me that Celena will be safe here until I take care of the Four Horsemen, then, I'll help you out."

The smile of Lucielle's face (as well as Angel's) brightened up. "Alright! I knew I could count on you, Kai! Well you two make yourselves at home and if you need ANYTHING, I'll make sure my crew gets it for you. Now that we've got a few things cleared up, you and Celena should get some rest. We're heading out to Valhoth as soon as possible but that'll give you at least ten hours to rest up and get used to everything that's happened so far."

"Thanks," Kai turned to Celena again, "You wanna talk in private?"

Celena nodded to assure him that she did. Angel seemed to take note of the altercation between the two and stepped forwards to address the blonde boy. "Is there anything I can do for you now, Kai?"

The Japanese lad exhaled. "Yeah, could you show me and Celena to our rooms? If that guy's got them ready then I'd like to talk with Celena alone."

Strangely, Angel seemed to be downcast from hearing that. Again, something that Chestnut picked up on. But Angel just agreed to that and told Kai and Celena to follow him. The two white automatic leading out from the bridge open when Angel came forwards. The three of them left, while Lucielle, Chestnut, Solon and the few others on hand remained.

"Well that went smoothly," Commented Lucielle, "I didn't think he'd take so easily to joining up with us. Maybe it was a good thing that Celena tagged along with him."

But Chestnut had other concerns. "You think Angel will be OK, Lulu?"

"...Maybe," Replied the captain, "he's been a little down lately. I can understand if this might bother him. But I don't think Kai would have agreed if not for Celena. Just let those kids work things out for themselves. It's just a crush, after all."

Outside the bridge, Angel showed Kai and Celena to what would be their rooms. They had already been adjusted for the two by the same member of personnel that had greeted Lucielle once the shuttle arrived. It was a standard set up for a civilian battleship. A bed, a table, a bookcase, a video screen, a computer terminal to access the Galactic Web, and a reinforced window to give a view of the stars and space. Kai's room was next to Celena's, with Angel's quarters just a short few dorms down the line. Kai, Angel and Celena stood outside the door to Kai's room. Angel had explained the key codes of the door lock so there was no trouble on that front.

"Is there anything else you might need?" Angel asked of the new swordsman, "are you hungry? Do you want me to explain more about Whitestar?"

Kai shook his head. "No. We just wanna be on our own for a little while. But thanks."

With that said, Kai strode through the door and Celena followed behind him. Angel sighed and watched the door close behind them. But there was nothing he could do about it. So he resigned himself to returning to his own room. In Kai's own room, the blonde youth took a seat on the chair next to the table and computer terminal. While Celena rested herself on the new springy bed of her friend's. Though her mind was not on the springiness of Kai's bed. The girl from New Westhampton had a serious look and a demanding new tone to her voice.

"There's something you've been keeping from me, isn't there?" Celena prodded, "out with it. What was so serious that you couldn't tell me, of all people, about it?"

Kai rested the length of the Ouroboros sword on the table and rubbed his arm. The same arm that his tattoo was on. "...It's not a thing I like talking about, alright? But being the moron that I am, I've gotten you mixed up in all this. So I guess I shouldn't be hiding things from you. Have you ever heard of a man called... Kozue Yagami...?"

"Of course I have," Celena said, "He was the previous minister of defence on Syowa-oh. Until some scandal concerning military atrocities got out about him."

The Japanese man sniggered grimly at that. "...`Scandal'. Hmph. Well, if you wanna call it that. Yagami was a straight up son of a bitch. But he was a military genius. His family had fought hard in the Cosmos Wars and he made no secret of telling people about what his ancestors did. He eventually realized though... that there was a shortage of youth on the colony. It's why androids do so much work there. Its birth-rate had been falling for years. I guess it occurred to him that less people meant less soldiers. And androids have never made it big in the field of attrition. So he came up with an idea. Instead of having ten soldiers, why not train a guy to be as good as ten soldiers? It was the perfect plan. He kidnapped more than twenty kids from their moms and dads, the dickwipe. He took them to his secret training camp on the edge of Syowa-oh. And from the moment they were able to walk... he taught those kids to be the worse kind of killing machines you can imagine. Using muscle and shock treatment he increased their fighting capabilities by an estimated 885%. They were called the Satsukami. The Murder Gods."

"That's awful..." Celena gasped, "but what does that have to do with you?"

Kai closed his sapphire eyes again, chuckling darkly. "Out of all those kids, there was one who ranked second behind his best friend, Sho. That boy's codename was... `Tensatsukai'."

Celena's eyes widened. Now she remembered the tattoo. "...You mean...?"

"Yup," The blonde man looked out through the window, "I was one of those young boys. I was Tensatsukai. We were all trained to be the ultimate soldiers. But only five of us managed to survive the training. When I turned ten, Sho and I were sick of the whole thing. We knew that those damn scientists would push us over the limit in the end. And we'd end up as dead as those before us. We didn't wanna be killers and warmongers. We just wanted to be normal kids. So we made a run for it. But Yagami couldn't just let us go after everything we'd seen. He sent his lesser soldiers to capture us. I can still see myself running through those artificial forests to get away. I can still here the hunting dogs barking. The sound of Sho screaming for me to keep up with him. And then when we got to the perimeter fence of the compound, we realized that we didn't have enough time to climb before those bastards caught up with us. And Sho...decided that me getting away... was more important than him getting away. I wanted him to come with me. I did. I wanted him to get away. But he wouldn't have it. He distracted the soldiers by fighting with them. While I escaped. By the time I climbed over the fence and looked back to see what had happened... Sho had already been gunned down by their plasma rifles. I got away alright. But not without seeing them drag off the corpse of the kid who had been my best friend. The kid who saved my life. I screwed up. I should have stood my ground and fought them off with him. But I didn't. And I had to spend the next two years running from Yagami and his cronies until the `scandal' broke out. Since then I've... tried to forget about it all."

Celena was left speechless. She would have never imagined that such a thing could happen to someone like Kai. He seemed so laid back and carefree. From the day that she had first met him. But to carry a burden like that on his shoulders everyday... to go through something like that at such a young age... "Oh God, Kai... I don't know what to say... I'm so sorry..."

"...Forget about it," He said slowly, "I didn't wanna remember those times. And I didn't wanna have to use these powers I got from those days. But the past has a habit of catching up with us, doesn't it? Besides. If nothing else... I wouldn't have made it this far on my own if not for my strength."

"W-what about your parents?" Celena stammered.

Kai sighed. "They're probably on Syowa-oh somewhere. But I have no way of knowing who they are or what they look like. As far as I'm concerned I'm an orphan."

Celena didn't know what to say, except, "...Oh, Kai. I'm so sorry."

"I said don't worry about it," Responded the Syowa-oh male, "That was a long time ago. And I'm not the type to bitch about spilt milk. I made my mind up about that years ago. All that matters is the here and now. It's my fault you're mixed up in all this. So I'm gonna do what I can to put it right, Celena. You can bank on that."

Kai couldn't sleep.

He didn't know why but he just couldn't get himself to lay down. Maybe it was because he had to relive his past in order to explain things to Celena. Maybe because he had been thrust into all this madness without much warning. No matter what the reason, Kai could not get any sleep right now. The Japanese boy tossed and turned underneath the sheets of his bed. With the low hum of the Sparta's Leap Drive Engines in the background. His eyes were wide open though. And moments later he shifted up from that position and sat up. Lucielle had told him to rest up but he just couldn't do it.

"Damn," He expressed, "Why can't I sleep?"

The topless youth scowled and clasped his lower shoulder/arm joint. The one that held the tattoo that marked his past. The word and codename, Tensatsukai. It was then that Kai recalled how much trouble he had sleeping on his first night out of Kozue Yagami's stinking training compound. That was now nine years ago. Nine years and it still burned so fresh in his memory. But whatever his mind was thinking, he couldn't take lying down when he didn't want to. The young man scowled and hoisted himself off the bed, standing up on his two bare feet. The clothes he had worn up until this point, his shirt, trousers and blazer, were still with him. So he went for the trousers, shifting them up his legs and holding them in place by tightening his belt. He then put on his socks and shoes and marched over to the table in his room that had the computer terminal.

"Maybe I can check out what's happening on Syowa-oh?" Kai suggested to himself.

He sat down at the table and switched on the computer, allowing the operating system (Kaiser-Ware Mode 204) to run. The characterless voice of the computer spoke to him soon thereafter. "Welcome to the Phi-Beta Design Zero-One model, the latest operating system from the Bas Dahlem Foundation. A voice pattern is required for access to your terminal."

"Is there anything that those Bas Dahlem people haven't built?"

Though Kai said that out of the moment, the computer took that as an intended voice pattern sample. It soon loaded to produce a desktop and the many items on it. Funnily enough the guy who had prepared this room had also set up his computer. It had already been confirmed for Kai Kisaragi' even though this was his first time using it. The only thing that had not been secured was the voice pattern. Kai quickly went to work however. And soon logged onto the Galactic Web for some news reports. The GW server of this particular terminal (Green Frog) soon allowed Kai access. On the home page of this setting, gww.greenfrog.olt, Kai typed Syowa-oh' into its search engine. Seconds later a list of details sprung up on another page about Syowa-oh. Kai saw one link marked as Syowa-oh news reports, and clicked on it. This opened another page to a news site that had 411 on Syowa-oh's latest news. Obviously the attack by the Four Horsemen was headline news. Kai clicked on a link that would provide a recorded feed of the news report for him. Moments later the visual image of a news reporter came on screen. He stood with his microphone in front of the ruins of Gerard's Cross College, which had been burned to the ground by Garland and the Xaphan-type androids.

"I am standing now at Gerard's Cross College," Spoke the reporter, his voice magnified by the speakers of the terminal, "a place that would normally be buzzing with the activities of the young students from both here and abroad. However... all that you see behind me is this. A result of another terrorist attack on an Earth-orbital colony. At 4.35 pm this afternoon, a shot from an unknown ship was fired on the Barrier Shields of Syowa-oh. Because of this, an estimated twenty Xaphan androids stormed in and attacked the surrounding districts, killing up to 70 citizens, and injuring a still unconfirmed number of 200+ people. Over half of district two has been destroyed by the terrorist group, who still remain unknown to the Syowanese council. Viceroy Katsuragi has already pledged to work as hard as he can to discover who is behind this attack. But as we spoke to the survivors earlier this morning, the concern seems to be far less on the reason... and more on the outcome."

As the news report went on to show some brief interviews with some of the survivors and witnesses, Kai tuned off. It was just as he feared. Gerard's Cross was a goner. And worst still, Celena's apartment was not too far from the college. It might have been caught up in the all the damage. If Celena were to lose her home, it would be a crushing blow to her.

"Damn that Garland," Kai seethed, socking his fist into his palm, "the next time I see him, that little bastard is gonna wish he was never born!"

A knock then came at the door.

"At this hour?" Kai blinked, "...uh... come in...?"

The automatic door slid open for the one standing there. Which was in fact Angel. Still dressed in that schoolgirl-ish uniform of his. The passionately downcast youth stood at the doorway with a shy smile, his long bangs still blocking the left of his bottle green eyes with their length. "...Hi."

"Hey," Kai answered, "What's up? Can't you sleep?"

Angel slowly shook his head for a no, making that silver crucifix pendant hanging of his neck shake. "...Not really. I guess my mind has been clouded from all that's happened so far. The same goes for you, does it not?"

"What do mean by that?" Kai asked.

"I know it must have been hard," Angel lowered his head, "...to tell Celena about your past."

Kai narrowed his eyes. "You know about that?"

"...It was a little obvious. She seemed to want to know why we all kept regarding you as the Tensatsukai. I could tell that it was something you wouldn't feel very comfortable speaking about. I heard all about what you and the other Satsukami went through."

The Japanese youth smiled. "Yeah, well, I had to tell her. She's... important to me."

Angel's shy smile became a soulful frown. "You care for her... don't you?"

"Yeah," Kai nodded, "she's my best friend. No matter what, she's always been there for me. And if it weren't for her, trust me, I wouldn't be here. But if you guys are willing to help protect her for me, then... I don't have much choice in the matter."

Angel looked away. All of a sudden that aura of sadness that Kai first sensed around him became all to clear. He got the feeling that he had said something wrong to the feminine boy, so Kai scratched the side of his head and changed the subject. "Dah, anyways, I can't sleep either. I tried but I keep thinking about Syowa-oh and Garland. That little dickwipe is gonna pay the next time I see him."

"...Garland Lilith is very dangerous," Angel looked up again, "you shouldn't underestimate what he is capable of."

Kai grinned. "And you shouldn't underestimate what I'm capable of. It doesn't matter how much I wanna ignore it... I am Tensatsukai after all. Anyways, forget about him. Since I'm gonna be... kind of a bodyguard for you, lets hear some of your titbits."

"...Excuse me?"

"Come on," The swordsman spread his arms out, "you know what I mean. Who are you, how old are you, what's your aim; that kind of crap. I'm not gonna defend some guy I don't even know about."

Angel's smile finally returned, small as it was, and he stepped from the doorway into Kai's room, sitting down on the unmade bed of his. "...Well my name is Angel Edelweiss, as I have already told you. I come from the New Westhampton Colony and I am seventeen. I joined with Lucielle and the Whitestar crew when I learned of their will to restore the Earth. I really believe in what Lucielle wants. And my powers are going to help bring those desires to light. Even if I must use them against the Four Horsemen."

It was then that Kai remember just what Angel was capable of. He had summoned that great wind spirit, Amot, to allow them to escape from Garland. The existence of magic was no secret to anyone in the universe. But the people who could use it were few and far between. In fact, only an estimated 400 people on Syowa-oh could use magic. Which is a very small number taking into consideration the fact that the populous of that colony was well over 1.5 million. And even confirmed magic users had their limitations. The most that any average magic user could produce was a brief flicker of power before they passed out. Angel had a rare and extremely powerful talent for magic and summoning. Kai could see this now.

"...Garland called you a God Summoner. Does that mean you can call on spirits?"

Angel nodded as a yes. "Yes. But it's not as easy as I'd like it to be. Therefore I try not to use that power too much. My sister always told me that..."

Suddenly, Angel cut off his own sentence, clamming up and reducing his eyes to look downwards. Kai crossed his arms and looked on inquisitively. "...What about your sister?"

"...I'm sorry..." Angel mumbled, "...I shouldn't have brought her up. Please forget about it."

That seemed a little odd. Angel seemed to have issues about his sister. But Kai chose not to press him about it. Everyone had things about them that they wanted to keep private. Kai understood that better than anyone. "...That's fine. There are a few other things we need to talk about before hand. Case in point. Not to be rude or anything, `cause Celena told me to be more respectful to you guys, but how come you dress like that? I mean, all girlish with the pleated skirts and the knee-high cotton socks and whatnot. Not that it doesn't suit you or anything... but... I've kinda been wondering..."

Angel blushed and looked downwards as his attire with another shy smile. "...I suppose it is rather unusual for me to dress this way. But... I've become accustomed to it. You see... my... `Father'... was always passionate about having two daughters. He said that it would be the way of our family. But he could never have children of his own. And he adopted my sister and I to be his children. Though he did not have two daughters... he did what he could to bring out the woman in me. Which meant pushing me into dressing like this. While I don't feel like or wish to be a girl, I must admit that I feel... somewhat... comfortable like this. And I am always told by Captain Lucielle and others that they cannot see me any other way. It's been a while since I have had the opinion of someone else, though. Does this really suit me?"

Kai nodded, pointing at his necklace. "Yeah. Especially with that cross on your neck."

"This...?" Angel pulled up the Celtic crucifix pendant hanging off his neck, "...It was a gift from my Father... so many years ago."

The Japanese body tilted his head to the side. "So you must be a member of the Pan-Galactic Orthodox Church, huh?"

"Yes. I know that it might seem strange right now, but they are a group who truly believe in the same ethic as Whitestar. That the Earth is our true home. To flee from it denies the will of God. It's part of the reason I joined with this group."

Kai sniggered rudely. Needless to say he was a bit of a cynic when it came to religion. The current Pope now was now was Benedict XXXIV. And he was a hardliner if ever there was one. He was an outspoken member of the Greater Universal Confederacy and for a man of 78 years he was very politically active. He unwaveringly opposed the terrorism of the Four Horsemen and the others like them. Though it struck others as odd that he would ignore the reasons behind such political zeal. But he was a symbol of resistance in this day and age, and sat comfortably in his small Italian colony of Vatica.

"So you're a catholic," Said the blonde one, "...your kind are thin to the ground today."

Angel smiled at him. "We are all in God's grace, you know. Even you, Kai. I know that it may sound odd, but, I can feel that God has great plans for you."

"Heh, heh, heh," Kai smirked, putting his hands behind his head, "well unless he plans on making me rich or something, tell the bastard I ain't interested."

Angel was not at all surprised that Kai was an unbeliever. Most people were. The researched percentage of people in both the Earth-orbital and outer-orbital world who still believed in divine origins were less than 12%. And that share of religious belief was divided between the few religions and religious denominations that still existed. Catholicism and Protestantism were still alive, much as Judaism, Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism were. But lesser religions like Sikhism had fallen into obscurity. Aside from a few temples on Syowa-oh, Shintoism was practically extinct. The attitude of Kai was shared by over 88% of mankind. In fact, the only kinds of religion that remained in healthy levels were those of the alien peoples, like the Ungarism of the Effiran race. Even Chestnut was an Ungarist.

Angel ignored Kai's atheism for now and took note of the ripped piece of skirt that had been tied around the boy's upper arm. He had noticed before but didn't say anything. That was until he saw blood drip from it. "...What happened to your arm?"

Kai looked down at his wounded arm. "Oh right, I forgot about this. When I was down on Syowa-oh there was an explosion. Some debris slashed me across my arm. Celena tied this to stop the blood flow. But I guess I should have had the ship's doctor stitch it up when I had the chance, huh?"

The concern on Angel's face was evident. The same kind of concern that Kai saw from Celena. But that of Angel did not last long. Because there was something he could do about it. The catholic boy stood up from the bed he was sitting on, and walked over to Kai, holding his arm gently between his two hands. Angel slipped his eyes shut and focused. "Try to relax, okay? No talking."

"...Okay..." Kai didn't quite understand what Angel was planning to do here, but it wasn't like he was complaining, "...wow... you've got... a soft touch..."

Angel opened one of his eyes with calm irritability. "...I said no talking."

"...Right. Sorry."

Kai silenced himself with that and let Angel go to work. The brown-haired magic-user closed his eyes again and let all his attentions remain on that wounded arm of his newest guardian. Angel started a low hum to himself and mumbled words of a deeply religious nature, calling on the same force that had allowed him to summon the spirit Amot from eternity. A bright glow of green, the glow of Angel's aura, appeared around his hands and around the wound of Kai's arm. Slowly from the force of the magic, the piece of Celena's skirt began to unravel and untie itself. It fell to the ground moments afterwards. And the flesh that had been cut open by debris began to heal. Angel parted his hands more to give more room for his magic. Kai grit his teeth as a bloody piece of shrapnel slowly floated upwards from his cut. The thing that had been embedded in his arm. But soon pain was a thing of the past as the bloody flesh started to reweave itself and mend. Soon after it was completely healed. Kai blinked with the realization that his injury had been fixed. And with magic, no less.

"Whoa!" Expressed Kai, "My arm feels great! What did you just do?"

Angel pulled his soft hands back and smiled. "Just a small application of my healing magics. I learned this from some of the books of magical casting in the ship library. But I'm still just a beginner when it comes to that kind of magic however. I would not class myself as a healer or anything."

"Well in any case, thanks." Kai said gratefully.

The green-eyed God Summoner smiled, shaking his head. "You don't have to thank me. I'm just pleased that I could help you."

"Alright now. Is everyone ready?"

The ten hours needed to leap from the Earth-orbital colony of Syowa-oh to the outer-orbital terra-formed planet of Valhoth, passed by smoothly. After talking with Angel for half the night, Kai managed to get some sleep to his name. Lucielle had commanded it, after all. And the time was now to finally start some of the service had had been pledged to do for the group in exchange for Celena's safety. When Kai awoke he saw a uniform had been left out for him. It was a standard uniform of the Whitestar. Made of the material Pyloclos, another rare and alien discovery from the Colis Ur Star System. It had all the softness of cotton to the flesh, but was as protective as a bullet-proof vest of the 22nd century. The suits created from Pyloclos were by no means the most protective form of soft armour but were relatively suitable for most missions necessary.

Kai, Angel and Chestnut had all gathered together after Kai got cleaned up, ate a spot of breakfast whipped up by the cooks in the galley, and put on his Whitestar suit. Also at the bridge were Lucielle and Solon. Lucielle sat on the main seat of the bridge overlooking to the four helmsmen (including Chestnut's Effiran brother, Rock Fealton).

Lucielle addressed Kai as he came in with Chestnut and Angel. "...Glad you could make it, kid. I can I guess from the five minute lateness that you're fond of the Sparta by now?"

"...It ain't bad." He replied with a smirk.

The captain matched that smirk with one of her own and stood up from her chair. In the background of the large vidscreen was the sight of the blue planet of Valhoth, the planet that the Sparta was now orbiting. Kai noted how quick the Sparta's leap drives were. To exit the Milky Way and reach the outer-orbital world in ten hours was very fast, even compared to speed of the Greater Universal Confederacy's chief military flagship, the Asmodeus.

"Well we've reached Valhoth," Lucielle began, "And now we need to do a few things before we can make it to Earth. Number one, Rock and the others need to configure the Sparta's Barrier Shields before we even think of going there."

"Why is that an issue?" Kai questioned, "What's so dangerous about entering Earth space?"

Lucielle looked over at her Effiran helmsman and winked. "Rock? You're up."

"Yes Captain," Answered the tall alien, with perfect English, unlike that of his sister, "You see Kisaragi, after the Great Earth Disaster, the residual Magite left in the air rose upwards and melded with the particles of gas in the atmospheric make up of the stratosphere. It eventually became a dense Magite-charged energy field that makes it extremely difficult for a starship to pass through. That field has been called Magi-Sphere. Our Barrier Shields need to be routed to maximum efficiency to get through it, but to do that, much of the power supply of the Sparta has to be rerouted through the ship's Barrier Generators. And a link-up of that magnitude will not take a short time. Solon and I will need about twenty hours to do the job."

"Bang on," Affirmed Lucielle, "that's why you're my favourite engineer, Rock."

The Effiran male smiled bashfully at the computer terminal he was manning. While Chestnut crossed her arms with a snort. As a devoted Ungarist and Phoebantinopite, she had not the taste for her brother's technological know-how. "Hmph! That human word for not-warrior."

Kai shut his eyes from exasperation, of both the fearless Chestnut and the flirtatious Captain. "Alright, alright, I don't need all the long-winded explanations. But what do we need down on Valhoth?"

Lucielle enlightened on that. "We need a couple of things. First is some kind of part for the adjustments that Solon and Rock are gonna make to the Barrier Shields. But a few of the other crew members are gonna handle that. The most important thing we need is something that Angel will know more about. It's a certain item. A book."

"A book?" Kai repeated.

"Yes," Angel nodded to him, "It's called... the Lesser Key of Solomon."

Kai stared at the catholic boy. "What do we need with a book?"

"It's an ancient tome used on Earth hundreds of years ago for God Summoning. For both the summoning and exorcism of spirits. But it has deeper powers than that. To quell the Magite that is boiling inside the Earth again, we'll need the magical algorithms that the Lesser Key of Solomon can produce. It is a big part of our plans."

Lucielle followed up on Angel's explanation. "We managed to track it down to a dealer on Valhoth who's agreed to sell it to us for a fixed price. But Angel's the only one who'll know if it's the real deal. So you and Chestnut will have to go down with him to Valhoth. And you`ll be accompanied by Angel's... other guardian."

Kai noticed the tone of Lucielle's voice become a little more... focused than usual. And when his powerful ears detected the sound of the automatic doors opening, he turned his head to the left to see who it was. The very same person that Lucielle had been talking about. A woman stepped through those doors, walking in short strides with a cold, inhospitable frown on her frostily beautiful face. A raven-haired woman of Russian descent, dressed in a tunic-like navy-blue variation of the Whitestar uniform. She was of 24 years in age and had four `sheathed' guns about her person. Each with a 20th century design. Two of them were pistols (named Sharon and Franchesca, both attached to either side of her hips). The third was a shotgun (named Marlene, attached to one side of her back) and the forth was a long sniper rifle (named Christine, attached to the other side of her back). The stone-emotion woman gaited into the bridge and rested a hand on her hip, looking over at the captain.

Lucielle gave a particularly poignant stare at this woman, before introducing her to Kai. "This is Angel's other guardian. An expert marksman of the Romanovia Colony. Emilia Maximov."

"So, Captain," Emilia began with a cynical tone, "have you finished recruiting children yet?"

The American descendant smiled arrogantly at the Russian woman. "I guess. But I'm not the kind of woman who does something without needing to. By the way, how's that single bed of yours? Still nice and cold in a solo way, eh?"

"And I'm the only one?" Emilia responded.

"No," Lucielle retorted swiftly, "but I'm so by choice, not circumstance. It isn't quite the same for you, is it, Emilia?"

Kai, Angel, Solon, Rock, Chestnut and the few Whitestar personnel on the bridge suddenly felt a little uncomfortable with this. Lucielle and Emilia glared at each other, Emilia's cold frown matching Lucielle's dirty grin step for step. Kai leaned into Angel and whispered a few words while the captain stood off with the markswoman. "...Uh... what's the deal between those two...?"

Angel replied in hushed tones with, "...You see, the Captain and Miss Maximov are... well... ex-lovers. You'll get used to it eventually..."

Kai took that all in quickly enough. If nothing else, things certainly were not dull on the Sparta. Lucielle and Emilia continued to glare at each other until the articulately spoken child helmswoman, Solon, spoke up. "Captain. The Transportation Beam is completely prepared for utilization."

Lucielle finally turned her attentions away from Emilia. "...Uh, right. Anyways. The four of you make your way to the Transportation Room so we can beam you down to the surface. We won't need to bother with a shuttle, since the Transportation Beam is fully operational now. You'll be beamed to the Valhothian city of Adela. Stay focused and be as quick as you can. We don't want to be orbiting this planet for too long."

Kai nodded to her. "Fair enough. I'll do my job. Just make sure that you guys do yours."

"Celena is safe, don't worry," Lucielle answered, "oh, and by the way, I have a little present for you. Something made specifically for you by Solon."

The captain picked something off from the hand rest of her seat and tossed it over to the blonde boy. Kai caught it in his hand and stared at it. It was a NFC (Nexus Frequency Communicator) fixed into a wrist watch shape. NFCs were communicational tools that could be used for all sorts of things. It could contact and speak with others possessing NFCs, send distress signals to a selected ship's computer server from a 200 kilometre distance, make limited access to the Galactic Web, calculate temperature and climate, as well as act as a form of ID. But its major purpose, especially when travelling to separate Star Systems, was to act as a universal translator. An NFC could translate over 200,000 different languages and dialects, by assimilating what was spoken into its receiver and translating its message, replanting that translation into the wearer's ear and brain. The only person with an NFC who did not use that translator function was Chestnut, who wanted to learn the language of English under her own merits.

Kai strapped the NFC on his wrist. "Thanks. I forgot that I might need something like this."

"...Should we all get going now?" Angel asked.

Kai and Chestnut agreed to that with a nod, while Emilia just looked on irritably and idly. It was time to go check out Valhoth.

The planet of Valhoth, officially terra-formed in the year 2129 AD (63 BED) was known to most as a resort planet. It had two moons (Virgo and Cancer) and an axis tilt relatively identical to that of Earth's. The surface of this almost barren world was completely covered in snow. Because of the heavy snowfall and the lack of dangerous tundra around the vast majority of its landscapes, Valhoth had become somewhat of a skiing resort planet. The major outpost for that was the Queen Anne Leisure Facility. However it wasn't just seen as a place for the recreation of the upper classes. The descendants of the planets original terra-formers had settled in a small city in the north, called Adela City. Named after the young woman who spearheaded the terra-forming project on Valhoth, Adela Le Croix. Adela City was built on the snowy upper continent of Valhoth, known as Pangaia. And for many years, this had been one of the only outer-orbital worlds to retain somewhat of a distance from the Greater Universal Confederacy. Not an extreme one. But just enough to make this planet the staging post for at least three terrorist groups to make their move against the Earth-orbital world and its sympathisers.

Before they even knew it; Kai, Angel, Chestnut and Emilia had been beamed down from the Sparta via its Transporters, straight to the surface of Valhoth. In the bustling Adela City. The four of them suddenly found themselves standing on a snow-covered side road, surrounded by all the many people who worked and shopped in this major district of the city. Since this planet had no previous race settling out it before the incursion of the human race, it was populated by little less than three million human people. About 92% of the overall number of people living in Adela City (most of those humans happened to be ethnically South American in origin, mostly due to the fact that Valhoth's terra-forming was allocated to Mexican and Brazilian hands). The smaller numbers were made up of alien races like Effirans and the native Drydnish (who immigrated from Drydna to Valhoth for the work possibilities).

Once the group had touched down to the snowy stone pavements of Adela City, the NFC on Kai's wrist began to flash red. Someone was contacting them from the ship. Kai pressed one of the buttons on the devise to allow the message to come through. It was from Solon.

"What is it?" Kai asked.

A small holographic image of Solon popped up. "The person you have been ordered to meet with is known as Jason Butler. Though the vast majority of individuals living on Valhoth are South American in origin and Valhothians by birth, he is a national of New Westhampton. He owns a trading company which has its station just a few minutes walk west from where you are now. The building is called Butler Co. Mr. Butler will be there. And it is from him you must purchase the Lesser Key of Solomon. Signing out."

Solon's little holograph disappeared. Kai smirked and lowered his wrist. "I swear, that kid speaks and thinks like an android. Are you sure she's not mechanical in any way?"

"Solon not machine!" Chestnut argued, "Solon is Solon!"

Emilia crossed her arms, frowning. "Can we not wander from the task at hand? We have a job to do, remember? Can we go?"

Kai and Chestnut closed their mouths as the cold Emilia barged past them to walk down the pavement. Before she made her way to Butler Co. however, Kai spoke out to her. "Whoa, hold it a sec! I wanna say something!"

Emilia stopped and turned around to stare at the boy. "...What is it?"

"...Um..." Kai rubbed the back of his head and smiled sheepishly, "...do you think we could stop at... like...a bar or something... before we go get that book?"

"Are you kidding me?!" Emilia yelled, "Look, we're doing something important here. We're about to get the tool that's going to help us restore the Earth. We're not thinking about getting drunk. We have a job to do and as far as I'm concerned, we didn't need you in the first place. Now either get your act together or go back to the ship. We don't need any dead weight slowing us down, little boy."

The irate Russian woman then stomped off with a blinking Kai in her wake. Chestnut shrugged her shoulders and followed her, with Angel looking over at Kai. "...Are you coming?"

Kai nodded. "Yeah. But man, that chick's a total grouch. Is she always like that?"

"...Mostly," Angel said, "but she's like the Captain. Miss Maximov can show other sides to herself from time to time. Could you just put up with her for now?"

The half-Japanese youth grinned. "Hey, I've dealt with a lot worse than her kind. I'm not going anywhere."

Chestnut looked back at the two of them when she realized that they weren't following she and Emilia. "Angel! Kai! What keep you?!"

The two boys nodded to the proud Effiran and followed her along with Emilia. The four of them grouped together again and strode through the jostling crowds of Adela City, admiring all the shops and tall buildings around. It was not an extremely modern world. Valhoth was almost identical to 22nd Century (1st Century BED) Earth, and was extremely crowded for the number of people living in the city. Although the Valhothian Government led a campaign to expand Adela City, it was still on ice thanks to the trouble associated with anti-Earth/Earth-orbital terrorism.

The group marched through the streets to the place that Solon had told them of. Butler Co. It was a small business building that meshed in well with the background of busy Valhothians. The automatic door at the front of the building opened as Emilia stepped before it. Kai, Angel and Chestnut followed her inside. But they stopped and froze when they entered and realized how dark it was. It was almost pitch black. The shutters on the windows had been sealed up. All Kai could make up (with his super-trained sight) was the outline of potted plants and the pillars holding up the ceiling. This was reception area. But why on Earth was it so dark?

"Why it this dark?!" Chestnut bellowed loudly.

Kai sniffed for a second, right after that. Angel heard it. "What's the matter, Kai?"

"I smell something..." Kai's face twisted with concern, "...it's blood."

Then suddenly someone snapped their fingers in the background. The shutters shifted open and allowed light to pour in from the outside. When it did, the group confirmed Kai's fears. On the floor were at least five corpses. Each one in a mangled pose and covered in blood. All their eyes opened and lifeless. They had been murdered before they even knew what was happening to them. Angel gasped at the sight. Both Kai and Chestnut growled with alarm. While Emilia paid more attention to the long pinpoint needless that stuck out oddly from the bodies of the slain. Emilia stepped forwards and kneeled down, staring at the damage done to one of the corpses. She removed one of the needles from the neck of that torso and blood gushed from the small wound. It had struck a vital point. With a deadly accuracy that really proved who had done this. To Emilia at least.

The Russian woman closed her eyes. "...Rose."

"Huh? What you talk about?!" Chestnut questioned.

"It's the work of Rose Liu," Emilia muttered, standing up again, "...She's a member of the Four Horsemen."

Kai, Angel and Chestnut were stunned. The Four Horsemen had caught up with them already? The captain had said that their battleship, the Astaroth, was very fast, but Kai would never have expected such speed in reality. The four of them assessed what this might mean for them. But could not spend long doing so. A shadowed figure standing aside one of the supporting pillars called out to them. "...It's been a long time, Angel."

Angel froze in surprise, knowing full well who's voice that was. And it wasn't Rose Liu. Chestnut's golden brown fur spiked up with caution, while Emilia reached down to her right hip holster for Franchesca. Kai leaned forwards and gripped the handle of the Ouroboros, shifting into a defensive position next to Angel.

"Come on out!" Kai yelled.

The shadowed woman stepped from the gloom of the pillar and walked over to the front of the room. Standing a few metres ahead of the group. A young woman in business-like dress, with long platinum blonde hair and a melancholic smile that was very much like that of Angel's. She focused not on the armed guardians but on the young boy himself. And a look of familiarity passed through his bottle-green eyes.

Emilia's brow furrowed. "So it's you."

"Who the fuck is that?" Kai questioned abruptly.

The blonde woman smiled generously at Kai, knowing him to be Angel's new guardian. And probably the most important. "You may relax. I am not here to fight you. My name is Aurora Edelweiss."

"...Edelweiss...?" Kai blinked, looking over at his charge, "...Angel... is she...?"

Angel bobbed her head, moving closer to Kai. "...Yes. She is my sister."

"And a member of the Four Horsemen." Emilia added.

"Correct," Replied Aurora, "I am so. And I must say that I am pleased to see that Whitestar is taking good care of my brother. He's so very important to me. And to you, it seems. Although I think I can correctly surmise the reasons for that. Which was why we made our own bid to track down the Lesser Key of Solomon. It is in our possession now."

Kai growled in anger. These guys had beaten them to the punch. And now the book was in their hands. But what would they want with it? Aurora smiled once again and adjusted her glasses, holding one of her hands on her hip. "I can imagine that you would want that book for a great number of reasons. But only one such reason is practical."

"Why do you need the book?" Emilia yelled, "What use could you have for it?"

Aurora shook her head. "I do not need this book. Neither do the rest of the Four Horsemen. But you need it. Which makes it important to us. Because you see... we have something that you want. And you have something that we want."

"The Ouroboros?!" Kai suggested.

Aurora shook her head. "Of course not. We could make use of such a weapon but it is not integral to our plans. What you have of ours is far more powerful. You have my brother."

All eyes turned to Angel. The God Summoner tightened up and looked over at his sister with his concerned, almost fearful eyes. "What are you trying to accomplish, Aurora? What do you and Father really want?"

"You'll soon see, my dear brother," Aurora stepped back a little, "We will explain things to you and your crew on the Sparta. But I suggest that you all consider just what we are capable beforehand. Goodbye."

A vaporous energy surrounded Aurora's high heels and rose up her body in an instant. The twenty something woman was transported from that location via a Teleportation Beam. One that belonged to the Astaroth. Chestnut, Kai and Emilia lowered their guards and all frowned with this sudden realization. The Four Horsemen were around Valhoth just like Whitestar was. And now they had the Lesser Key of Solomon. This wasn't good.

The red light on Kai's NFC flashed again. The young man released the Ouroboros' grip and pulled up his wrist to answer the call. "Sparta? This is Kai."

A small projection of Lucielle came into view. "Are you guys okay down there? Rock just detected transportation activity from a ship that's more than certainly the Astaroth!"

"Yeah," Kai replied idly, "Beam us up. We'll explain the rest to you then."

It did not take long for Solon to beam Kai, Angel, Chestnut and Emilia back up to the Sparta from Butler Co. The four of them found themselves back on the technological surrounds of the Whitestar's flagship. They quickly rushed from out the Transportation Chamber and out into the upper level, and quickly made their way to the bridge of the Sparta. Lucielle, Solon, Rock and the others on the bridge were still there waiting for them. Kai and the other stopped running once the automatic doors closed behind them.

Lucielle inspected them on arrival. "You all don't look hurt. Did something happen?"

"Yeah," Kai answered with the others caught their breaths, "The Four Horsemen happened. They killed Butler and the guys working for him. They have that Lesser-whatchamacallit book and they said they'd send us a message on the Sparta about it."

"So they really are here," Lucielle whispered, "Maybe we should have left Syowa-oh sooner."

Emilia ran a hand through her hair. "I said that from the beginning. Instead of picking up this irresponsible boy we should have gone for the book from the beginning."

"You wanna try saying that to me again, you Ice Queen?!" Kai barked.

"Cut it out, both of you," Lucielle chided, "We haven't got time for that now."

One of the monitors on the front panel of the bridge began to flash. Solon tapped a few keys on her section of it and turned around to look at Lucielle. "Captain. We are receiving a transmission from the Astaroth."

"Patch it through."

A vidscreen flashed into appearance in front of the major one. It showed the image of Aurora Edelweiss and in the background was the large bridge of the Astaroth ship. "Greetings to the Sparta. I am Aurora Edelweiss. As you may well know by now."

Lucielle nodded with a smirk. "Yeah. You're quite the little celebrity. To think, my friend's sister, the finest hacker and ship commander in the outer-orbital world. I'm honoured."

"You praise me far too highly," Aurora answered, "but now I can imagine that you must wish to know what intentions we have for the Lesser Key of Solomon."

"The thought did cross my mind." Said the Whitestar captain.

"...It is thus. We have absolutely no need for such an item. What we want is my brother, Angel Edelweiss. So we propose an exchange between us. You give us my brother, we'll give you the book. Does that sound reasonable?"

Chestnut's fist clenched. "What?!"

Lucielle crossed her arms. "...Where exactly do you want this exchange to take place?"

"A place on Valhoth," Aurora put forth, "known as the Granos Caves. There is an abandoned Kyzanthium mine there. We will beam down there in approximately five minutes with the Lesser Key of Solomon. Hand Angel over to us and we'll give up this book. Do we have a deal?"

Lucielle nodded to the image of Aurora. "Yes, it's a deal."

The video screen then vanished from sight as Aurora signed off. Solon tapped a few keys and confirmed it. "Transmission ended."

Kai slapped his fist into his palm. "Lucielle! You're not seriously gonna hand Angel over to those bastards, are you?"

"Of course not," Lucielle responded, grinning, "We're gonna pull a fast one. Nobody said that we had to play by the rules."

"So what's the plan?" Rock asked his captain.

"We're gonna beam the four of them down to the Granos Caves to hook up with whoever they're sending for the exchange. Once you get a hold of the book, Angel's gonna summon a spirit to cause damage to the nearby area. In the confusion, you guys make your escape and we'll beam you back up to the ship. As soon as you're on board, we'll make a break for it."

Kai grinned. "Sneaky! But what about the parts that Rock and Solon need for the Barrier Shields of the ship?"

"We'll have to pick them up somewhere else," Lucielle said, "Maybe on the way back to Earth or something. For now we'll just concentrate on getting the Lesser Key and keeping Angel safe with us. Do you all understand what you have to do?"

Kai, Angel, Chestnut and Emilia all nodded with understanding. Lucielle smiled at them and sat back down on her chair. "Alrighty then. Lets get down to business..."

The Kyzanthium Mines of the Granos Caves were a distance of 2000 metres from Adela City. Far to the east, where many other mines existed. However the ones by Granos Caves had been abandoned over twenty years ago. It was known that much of the Kyzanthium under that particular pocket of ice had been mined out completely. And more than that, the large mining facility on the roof of the caves had been attacked by Ice Dragons in the past. It had happened more than once and the people working on those mines safely concluded that it was just a spot that attracted them. So they abandoned it.

With the heavy snow pouring down from the blue heaven skies, the Transportation Energy of the Sparta came down one the rickety steel and wood foundations of the mining complex. Kai was left behind. Along with Angel, Emilia and Chestnut. There was no actually sign of the Four Horsemen for now. So they took the moment to look at the place they had come to. It was much the same as you would expect to see of any abandoned mining complex on the Valhoth sphere. A makeshift set up of wood, iron and steel. Old machinery and equipment littered the floor across the complex. Covered in snowy build up from the sky. This place was far colder than Adela City itself (which could be seen in the distance) because underneath that city were heat generators that kept the area warm. No such technology existed outside Adela City. Here, above the Granos Caves, it was around 5 degrees above zero. Emilia and Kai were wearing their personalized Whitestar suits which gave them warmth and protection against the coldness. Chestnut herself was an Effiran. Her alien genes could tolerate extreme temperatures for hours and hours if need be. But Angel was not the same. And unlike the others, he had not the clothing to put up with it. Kai looked to his left to see the auburn-haired God Summoner shivering. With his breath now visible from the cold, Kai undid the buttons of his suit and began removing it from his torso. Angel looked over at the older boy to see him fit that warm suit around his shoulders.

"...Kai?"

"Can't have you freezing to death," Said the half-Japanese youth, "Use this."

Angel smiled bashfully. "But what about you?"

"I'm Tensatsukai, remember? I had to go through a lot of drills to cope with extreme heat and extreme cold. This is a cake walk."

"...Thank you." Answered the catholic, fixing his arms into the suit and settling inside it. Kai stood with him in only an undershirt. But it was enough for him. Chestnut and Emilia still checked out the surroundings and the machinery that was strewn out around them. Until that grim amber-energy created from the Astaroth's Transportation Beam came down at a distance of just thirty metres from the group. Kai, Angel, Emilia and Chestnut were alert. Two figures were left behind when the energy of the beam faded. Two of them were more than familiar to the party. Aurora, with a large inch-thick book in her hand. Which was obviously the Lesser Key of Solomon. Behind her was the other. That being Garland Lilith, armed with the Qingu Halberd.

Kai snarled angrily. "Garland!"

The dark-haired demon of destruction waved a hand through his long black hair and grinned at the wielder of Ouroboros. "So we meet again."

Aurora spoke next. "We all know what we came here for. You desire this book, this `Lesser Key of Solomon'. And we want Angel. Lets just make this exchange as quick as possible."

Chestnut and Emilia remained careful around them. Angel's expression of worry showed his unease about all this. But the confident nod he got from Kai suggested that he had things under control. With that to reassure him, Angel stepped forwards with Kai at his side. Aurora came forwards with the book in her hands. The three walked towards each other with very slow focus. Their shoes leaving well trodden footprints in the layer of snow over the flooring. Until Aurora and Kai came face to face. Angel slowly stepped to his sister's side and stopped. Aurora smiled and presented Kai with the Lesser Key of Solomon, placing it in his hands. From the instant he touched it, Kai could feel its ancient power. It had its own aura which was manifest in a light green glow that simply reflected its strength and the knowledge that existed within it. This was no ordinary book. Aurora stepped away with her brother beside her. While Kai nodded to Angel to summon a spirit, as they had planned. But beforehand...

"Now!" Cried Garland.

Aurora grabbed Angel by the wrist and rushed away from the centre of the floor. A rumbling sound echoed through the Granos Caves and the mining facility. The old machinery, which had been suffering for years with lack of use, began to tremble. The snow on it shaking also. The cross necklace on Angel's neck did the same. And it became obvious that something was starting up here. Kai vaulted backwards when the ground beneath him became unstable. And the steel poles that made up the floor suddenly ripped open, one by one. Three armoured-type Xaphan androids burst up from underneath, flying up with their Propulsion Gears and plasma rifles at the ready. Kai rolled away from the three androids and unsheathed the Ouroboros in crouched position, scowling.

"Clever bastards," Kai muttered, "They planned for this just like we did."

Emilia reached into her left hip holster and withdrew her second pistol, Sharon. She quickly took aim at Aurora. "Let him go! Now!"

Garland sniggered. "Fools! You'll all die here. Nobody will ever make it to Earth before us. And we will not allow you to stand in the way of the Master's plans. Once we destroy that ship of yours... nobody ever will again."

Kai gripped the Ouroboros and scowled at the halberd-wielder. "...We'll see about that!"

The blade of his sword began crackling with lightning power. So much so that it illuminated the nearby area. Kai focused his thoughts, knowing that he just had to do the same thing he did against the Xaphan androids on Syowa-oh. Kai brought up the sizzling Ouroboros in a horizontal position in an ancient Japanese swordsmanship stance. And a vicious wave of electrical power shot straight forward at the armour-type Xaphans. But it went past them and was directed right at Angel and Aurora. The older woman could do nothing but release him to escape from the incoming damage. The Thunder Beam magic skill crashed into the snowy ground and burned a path forwards, crackling and writhing. Angel fell to the ground, his loose lower clothing waving around his thighs.

Emilia was astounded. "That boy has mastered manipulation of Ouroboros already?!"

Kai grit his teeth and rushed forwards, towards one of the Xaphan androids. In a two-hand hold, he bolted forwards and gave one powerful swipe across the waist of the android. In seconds it upper body was slashed clean from its lower half. Kai continued to run ahead, towards the downed Angel. By which time Chestnut was grinning one of those ferocious Effiran war-grins. She pounced upwards into the air like a cat on the prowl. Then drew back her fist and dove downwards at second armoured Xaphan. The power of her Chi then burst into effect as she thrust her fist ahead of her during the fall. Chestnut's punch, the Falling Spiral Hand technique; smashed straight through the framed skull of that android with one powerful blow. Its head exploded into clusters wires and metal shards. Chestnut leapt back from it and the whole robot exploded. The fragments, wires, and oil of its body splattering over the snowy ground like a real organism.

Kai quickly made it to Angel and tossed the Lesser Key of Solomon to him, so that he was free to fight. Angel grabbed the book and ran past Kai and over in Emilia and Chestnut's direction. Garland snarled angrily and readied the Qingu. There was a loud, violent clash as the long blade of Ouroboros and steel shaft of Qingu collided with each other. Kai and Garland sneered at each other as they held one and other to a weapon lock. Both straining to outdo the other.

Meanwhile Emilia took action against the final Xaphan, loading Sharon with regular bullets. Three quick shots from her gun buried three of those bullets in the skull, the weak point of all Xaphan androids. The humanoid machine stumbled around for a moment, right before its head exploded in a haze of oil and metal, robbing it of all its possible functions. Thankfully the armoured-type Xaphans were not built with restorative nanomachines. A few blows from the right weapon could easily take them down.

Aurora was stunned. "...We underestimated them..."

But there were deeper worries now. The explosions of the Xaphan androids had made the foundations of the mining complex unstable. The shaking of them was a dead giveaway to that. Garland and Kai seemed to be fully unaware of this. The two warriors strained against each other with their weapons. While the damaged upper level of the complex started to fall apart. The steel and iron bars that the androids had risen up from were now collapsing back into that same hole.

"Dammit!" Emilia swore.

Aurora looked over at Garland. "Come, Garland, we have to escape!"

The slight distraction that Garland had from listening to that worked to Kai's advantage. The Japanese boy grinned and shoved the man of the black tunic forwards. So hard that Garland stumbled back. His feet managed to get some traction (though it wasn't easy with the snow on the trembling ground) and a fearless growl rumbled in his throat. "Damn you!"

Kai sniggered. "Don't you wanna stay and play s'more, dickwipe? I'd love to pay you back for what you did to the Syowa-oh Colony. In full."

Garland welcomed the challenge. But now was obviously not the time. The taller, older male lowered Qingu and stepped back from Kai, with Aurora dashing as best as she could to his side. Giving one last look at Angel, she cried `Astaroth, beam us up' and she and Garland were surrounded by that same orange-fire energy. They disappeared there afterwards, returning to the safety of the Astaroth. But it wasn't over for the others. Most particularly Kai. The ground itself was beginning to capsize into the Granos Caves below. And the size of the schism was growing all the time. But there was no where he could run to. Before he knew it, the ground beneath his feet gave in when the metal pipes all collapsed into the hole. Kai cried out as he plummeted into the darkness below.

Angel's jewel emerald eyes panicked. "Kai!"

Though he would have had no understanding of his impulsiveness at that point, Angel acted on it. And recklessly jumped deep into the chasm, with the Lesser Key of Solomon, after his guardian. Emilia and Chestnut both looked on with frightened expressions but were smart enough not to follow them down there. The chilling snow of Valhoth continued to pour down as the rumblings of the foundations came to a stop. Easing the danger for now. But Kai and Angel had fallen into the Granos Caves below. Who knew what would happened to the two them because of it.

"...Ugh..."

Kai groaned with pain. His body was strewn out over a patch of stone which was covered in a thick sheet of snow. He was inside the Granos Caves now. But he was alive. The young man shifted his limbs and tried to ease upwards onto his feet. First to the knees. One hand gripped his skull. The other propped up him off the snowy ground in that crouched position. He tried hard to shake off the ringing in his head. Which was when he noted that he could feel no blood on his face. The fall had been a hard one. But not hard enough to cause any serious damage. Nearby he could see the rubble from up above. As well as the Ouroboros sword, entangled in all of it. Kai stood up on two feet and walked over to the debris of wood and broken metal pipes. Pushing some of it to and fro, he pulled out the katana-shaped sword and sheathed it. At least that was okay. Kai sighed and looked up to the ceiling. The roof of this cave was a good three hundred metres up. But Kai had fallen from a section of the mine that was just twenty metres above, in the side of rocky rise of the caves. Kai then looked to his right. He was more than stunned to see an unconscious Angel laying across the ground. Next to him was the Lesser Key of Solomon, already gathering a little snow on it.

Kai's eyes widened. "Angel!"

He instantly jogged over the snow to the sleeping boy. Kai crouched down and carefully put his hand under Angel's neck and head, while the other hand held him by the waist. Kai looked for damage. He could see that Angel was alive and visibly breathing. With nothing more than a few small bruises for physical wounds. But he wasn't awake yet. Had he fallen through the flooring as well?

"Angel?" Kai prodded, "Angel? C'mon, open your eyes for me."

There was a slow flickering. His elongated eyelashes fluttered leisurely, while brief moans escaped his lips. Angel's eyes slowly opened and Kai breathed a sigh of relief, smirking at the floored youth, "...Finally with us, eh?"

"...K-Kai...?" Angel shivered from the cold, "A-are you a-alright...?"

Kai became concerned again when he saw Angel shiver once more. The entrance of this cave from the cliff face was just fifteen metres away. The snow blew in from the winds outside, which was how the cave floor became as snow-ridden as it was. The sun was beginning to fall and night would soon be here. In a planet as cold as this, night temperatures could get pretty rough. Sub-Kelvin was not outside the realms of possibility. And though Angel was awake now, it was pretty obvious that he wouldn't be up and around for a few hours. Thus, unless Emilia and Chestnut found them, Kai had to face the possibility of them spending the night here.

Unless...

Kai pulled up his wrist-strapped NFC and spoke into it. "Sparta. This is Kai Kisaragi. Do you read me? Sparta, this is Kai, come in. Lucielle? Solon? Is anybody getting this?! Dammit! The heavy snow must be blocking the transmission. Why the hell do these gizmos always screw up when you need them the most?!"

Then Kai calmed down when he saw Angel shiver in his arms and speak. "...C-Chestnut... M-miss M-Maximov..."

"Take it easy," Kai suggested, "They'll be fine, wherever they are. You just sit tight here for a sec, alright? I'm gonna see if I can start a fire."

Angel nodded slowly and Kai released him slowly. Then stood up and looked around for something dry to burn. With the Ouroboros magic he could easily get a fire started. But the question was, could he find anything to ignite. Everything around was so damp and cold from the snow. The only thing that looked burnable was the debris that had fallen with them from up above in the mining complex. Kai strode up to the pile of timber and metal and gathered some of it together. He then brought the blasted remains of the upper complex and tossed them near Angel's body. Kai withdrew the Ouroboros sword from its sheath at its waist and concentrated his mind on producing a small flame. Just enough to set the debris alight but not so much that it would cause another explosion. This miniature flame appeared at the tip of the sword. Just the right size for the fire. Kai thrust the tip of the sword into the debris. And soon afterwards it caught aflame. A roaring fire sprung up from the pile. Angel was provided with the warmth of it. Just enough to prevent any conditions arising from the coldness of Valhoth. He was a frail boy, and not nearly as physically tough as Kai was.

Then Kai looked out to the opening of the cave. The snow was coming in fast. But magic fire was far more powerful than normal fire. So it wouldn't be blown out by the snow. That was a given. But there were more pressing issues. Like what had happened to Emilia and Chestnut. Had they fallen into the Granos Caves as well? If so, why weren't they here? And if not, where were they? Kai assumed that they would be okay. But he would have to go looking for them in the morning if they didn't show themselves by then. And worst still, they might have to go back to Adela City on foot if the snow didn't ease up by morning. From there they could at least get a transmission out to the Sparta. And the final problem was the Four Horsemen.

What would they be doing? Aurora and Garland had beamed back up to the Astaroth, but they obviously wouldn't be resting on their laurels. It was then that Kai realized he knew very little about those four. Who in the world were they? And just what were their plans? It was important to know that now. Because it was obvious that their plans involved Angel somehow. It seemed there was nothing more that he could do for the night, so Kai strode over to the quiet Angel and took a seat beside him. Then withdrew the Ouroboros sword and held it upright.

"Hmm," Kai mused, "Ai. I need some information."

The talking mini-computer of the Ouroboros sword, Ai, addressed Kai on command in that mechanical voice it had. "What data do you need?"

"Anything on the Four Horsemen," Kai replied, "And any visual feeds or images of them would be appreciated."

Ai waited for a moment then replied. "Four files found. Would you like me to display them?"

"Sure."

Ai instantly went to work. From the hilt of the sword came a projection of the first Horseman, Garland Lilith. It was followed with the spoken data. "This is the first member of the Four Horsemen. Named as `Garland Lilith'. A Valhothian male, age 25, and of Scottish descent. His known weapons include the Qingu Magi-Tech halberd, a P50-Maxirian laser revolver and a Batch-K407 energy knife. He is one of the most infamous assassins known to man."

"I know that much. Keep goin' with this."

A second image, this time of someone unknown to Kai, came up. It was a young woman, dark haired and very good-looking, with an Asiatic face. Dressed in a very luxuriously designed Chinese/Xiantianese dress. "This is the second member of the Four Horsemen. Named as `Rose Liu'. A Xiantianese female, age 23, and of Chinese descent. Her only known weapons are her acupunctural needles. Dipped in the right chemicals, these can produce symptoms similar to paranoia and hallucination."

The third image was another person that Kai had not seen. A young male with dyed green hair, and a cocky smile. Dressed in brown bomber jacket and smooth denim jeans. A very casual look for a Horseman. "The third member of the Four Horsemen. Named as `Gaap Mosaletti'. A Drydnish male, age 24, and of Italian descent. His known weapons are a dual pair of laser hand guns known as Orias and Orobas. A skilled marksman."

"And the final one is...?"

Kai already knew who she was but Ai put up the data for her anyway. "The fourth member and leader of the Four Horsemen. Named as `Aurora Edelweiss'. A New Westhampton female, age 26, and of English descent. Aurora has no known weapons to speak of. Unlike the other members of the Four Horsemen, she does not appear to have any combat capabilities."

Kai smirked. "But she's smart as all hell, right? That bitch tried to double cross us just like we tried to double cross her. No offence, Angel."

The catholic boy pulled a smile. "N-None taken."

"...Look, can I ask?" Kai lowered the Ouroboros when the projection of Aurora ended, "...what is the deal with your sister? I know you didn't wanna talk about it before. But did you know that she was a member of the Four Horsemen?"

Angel bobbed his head. "You were the only one who didn't know. I'm not... proud of what she has done. But she serves our father faithfully. And though I have no real proof... I believe that my father is the one funding the Four Horsemen."

"Your father?" Kai repeated, sheathing the sword.

"Yes," Angel's eyes lowered, "...my adoptive father. Gernst Mullenhauser."

Kai's face so clearly showed his surprise. "Holy crap! Gernst Mullenhauser?! THE Gernst Mullenhauser?! The owner of the Bas Dahlem Foundation? That guy's one of the richest men in the known universe! And a member of the Greater Universal Confederacy's high council, no less! I had no idea that that guy had adopted kids. Whoa..."

"That's him," Angel rubbed his arms against his sides, "...my sister and I lived in high class society on the New Westhampton Colony with our birth parents until they both died from sickness. But we could not afford to live that way when they passed on. And so we moved into a small apartment in a working-class district. I was no more than 6 or 7 back then... my sister took good care of me for the most part. But she was only 15 and she had a right to her own life. On the day that we were to be sent to a children's home, my sister attempted something drastic. She tried to hack into the main server of the Bas Dahlem Foundation's network. Her plan was to steal a certain amount of money each month without detection. Large enough to keep the two of us afloat but not enough to draw too much attention. For around half a year it worked fine. Until she forgot to put up a blocking program to prevent her incursion from being detected. She was traced and Father himself came with his men to kill us. However. When he saw how young my sister was and how great a hacker she was at such an age, he decided to adopt her. I do not think that he was very interested in me. Not until he found out about my magical powers. And at first I was happy, growing up in high society again. But a year or so ago, I discovered what my Father planned for the Earth. To extract its Magite. So much so that the planet will be bled dry and will become barren. It might sound like an impossible task but if he properly leveraged the resources of the Bas Dahlem Foundation, it could be done. It was a horrific act of greed. One that I could not allow him to commit. So I... joined with the captain and the Whitestar group to oppose my Father's plans."

Kai absorbed all of Angel's story. "I see. I had no idea. I guess this situation really is a serious one. But wait a minute. If you knew what Mullenhauser was up to from the start, why didn't you tell the authorities or something?"

"Because of my sister," Angel responded, "As much as I know that she has done terrible things, she's my family and I love her. Just as she loves me. I owe much to her. If I told the Interplanetary Vanguard it would surely condemn her to death. And more important than that, there is little proof I have that my Father will do this. If I can't prove it, there's no case that can be brought against him. And there is the fact of his status. There are most certainly underhanded people in the Greater Universal Confederacy. Ones who may choose to ignore the actions of my Father if it means losing his financial input. It is better that we stop him in secret."

Kai now realized how much Angel really had on his shoulders. Stopping the overflow of the Magite on Earth, getting the Greater Universal Confederacy to rejuvenate the Earth, stopping his own Father, protecting his Sister, it all must have weighed heavily on him. And Kai had grown up the exact same way. Shouldering a heavy responsibility.

"You don't have to do all this alone, you know," Kai answered, "I'm here."

Angel let off another sad smile. "...But you're only here for Celena."

"Not anymore," A resolute expression was shown on the Syowanese boys' face, "I might not have come into this thing with the right ethic. But I can amend that now. I wanna fight for more than just Celena."

"...But why?"

"Because it's important to you," Kai said with a smile, "And for some reason, if it's important to you, then it's important to me. I can't let you handle all this alone. I know it sounds stupid, but, I like the idea that I can help you. We're friends now, right?"

Angel nodded, blushing. "Of course."

"Then it's not a problem. But for now we just have to think about making contact with the Sparta. If we can't get in touch with Emilia and Chestnut by morning then we'll have to go to Adela City and find a terminal. Lucielle and the others are probably looking for us right now, since you and the book and Ouroboros are here. But with the snowstorm, it's gonna take them a while to reach us. Let alone find us."

"Can't you use your NFC?"

Kai shook his head. "Nah. The snowstorm is blocking the transmission. If they can't find us by morning then the only hope we have is to go to Adela City. I dunno if you'll be able to walk by then. But I can't leave you behind either."

Angel shook his head. "...I will be fine. I'd just slow you down."

"Still, I wouldn't feel right about it. Part of the reason I'm here is to protect you. And this isn't much of a safe place as it is. I guess I'll just have to carry you or something. As long as the Four Horsemen don't attack us again then it shouldn't be too much of a problem."

To be perfectly honest, it pleased Angel to know that Kai wasn't willing to leave him alone. Even if it meant a tougher journey to Adela City. Angel was a light person by weight but with the snow and the cold, it would be extra tough to make it to the city. Kai just forgot the issue for now and leaned back, lying alongside Angel with his hands tucked under his head. The sword was rested next to him. And he tried to close his eyes to get some sleep. Then a few moments later, his stomach growled. Very loudly in fact. Kai turned a peachy red and held a hand to his stomach, while Angel stared at him for a moment. Right before bursting out with erratic laughter.

Kai growled with embarrassment at first, but this eased when he saw Angel laughing like that. And that frown became a smile. "...You know, I think that's the first time I've heard you laugh out loud."

Angel stifled his giggles. "Sorry. I don't mean to make fun of you."

"Ah don't be," Kai said, "It's nice."

"Are you hungry?"

"...Kinda," He replied, "...I haven't eaten anything since that breakfast I had on the ship, dammit. And I can tell there's a lack of food in the snow of Valhoth. Nothing out here but wind, snow and Ice Dragons ...wait. Dragon meat isn't edible, is it?"

Angel smiled generously. "Nope. It's actually poisonous. No matter how much you cook it. Well, accept to Effirans, that is. Chestnut loves that sort of thing. But I'm not sure how partial Rock is to it."

"Those Effirans are something else," Kai claimed, "Kinda surprises me that that Rock guy's a computer geek. His sister is such a hardnut."

Angel giggled again. "Chestnut is unquestionably distinctive. I just... hope that I will get to see her again."

Kai shut his eyes again, with a smile. "Of course you will. You've got me."

"It look like we find them..."

Kai groaned when he felt pale sunlight touching him. And when his super-hearing picked up on the familiar broken English of a certain Effiran warrior. The youngster stirred for a brief moment then completely opened his baby blue eyes, looking up above him to see two female figures bathed in the light of the sun. Those people happened to be the Effiran martial artist, Chestnut, and the Russian markswoman, Emilia. Tucked under Chestnut's arm was the tomb of legend, the Lesser Key of Solomon. Kai leaned up from his sleeping position and looked over to his side to see Angel asleep on the ground next to him.

Kai rubbed the matter from his eyes, yawning. "...Damn. You guys... sure took your time."

"We couldn't trace you via the NFCs thanks to the snowstorm," Emilia answered, "but when morning hit and the snow calmed down, the transmissions managed to get through again. We tried to alert you, but, it seems you were both asleep. No matter. The Sparta is in orbit, ready to beam us up at a moment's notice."

The Japanese lad nodded and looked out the cave. When he saw the entrance to the cave he realized that the sun wasn't all that bright. But the snowstorm of last night had been so strong that it blocked out all the light from above. It went to show how strong Valhothian chill could be. In climate terms, this would have been classified as the summer' period. But in reality, winter was almost eternal on Valhoth. Seasons were determined by the strength of snowfall. And by all accounts, this was light weather. Had it been the winter' part of the Valhothian climate cycle, Kai and Angel would have frozen to death hours ago.

"How's the Sparta?" Kai asked, standing up slowly, "did the Astaroth attack it during the night or what?"

Emilia shook her head. "No. Solon informed us that the Astaroth fled Valhothian orbit as soon as their plans failed. We have no idea where they've decided to go, but most people, including Solon, think that they are on their way to Earth."

"Then we better get moving," Kai looked down at Angel, "Angel? Wake up. The others are here."

He was already stirring thanks to the discussion between the awakened three. The brown-haired boy yawned femininely, still clinging to Kai's Whitestar suit as a source of warmth from the coldness of Valhoth. "...Hm? Chestnut? Miss Maximov?"

"Angel okay!" Chestnut yelled victoriously, "Comrade Kai did good job!"

Kai grinned. "You expect anything else from the likes of me?"

"Alright, alright. Enough of the flattery. We all need to get back to the Sparta. I've had as much of all this snow and ice as necessary for a lifetime. Besides. We don't want the Sparta to be lingering in Valhoth orbit forever." Emilia put forth.

The others all nodded and Angel stood up from his body print in the snow. They all grouped together and Emilia pressed a button on the NFC of her wrist, speaking, "Solon? We've got them. Transport us back up to the Sparta when ready."

Solon's articulate voice replied through the receiver. "Roger."

Three seconds afterwards; Kai, Angel, Chestnut and Emilia were surrounded with the wraithlike energies of the Sparta's Transportation Beam again. The four were sent straight from the cold, snow-infested caves of Granos to the technological advanced layout of the Whitestar flagship, high up in space. Angel breathed a sigh of relief when he arrived in the Sparta's Transportation Chamber with the others beside him. But the group made their way straight for the bridge upon arrival. The automatic doors of that control room shifted open again when the party stepped through and entered with both Angel and the Lesser Key of Solomon intact.

"We're back!" Kai said in a sing-song manner.

Lucielle was the first to react. The American Captain was off her seat before any one knew it, with her eyes firmly set on Emilia. Kai, Angel, Solon, Chestnut, Rock and Celena (Who happened to be on the bridge at that time) all sweatdropped when their leader threw herself into the strong arms of the Russian gunfighter. Lucielle giggled school-girlishly whilst Emilia settled into the embrace with surprising comfort. "I'm so glad you're okay, Emilia! I just knew you'd be!"

"Well... I am a Romanovian national after all..." Emilia boasted.

Kai's eyebrow ticked. "...Uh... are these the same women who were glaring at each other yesterday? Or am I just imagining this?"

"Yes, well, the Captain and Miss Maximov do have an... odd relationship..." Angel said.

"...Stop being insubordinate, you two!" Lucielle said to them, her arms wrapped possessively around the neck of Miss Maximov. She then looked over to the main terminals of the bridge where Solon and Rock were, "Hey, Solon! I'm gonna be occupied for ten minutes or so. While I'm gone, set a course for the Victoria Lake Colony, alright? I'll explain why when I get back. You're in charge for now."

Solon nodded. "Affirmative."

Lucielle gave off one of those schoolgirl giggles and marched off with Emilia's hand in her own, towards the automatic doors of the bridge. When they were gone, Kai put his hand up against his waist and sighed. "I said it once and I'll say it again. This entire crew is made up of lunatics."

From the terminals, Rock looked over at Solon with confusion. "Hey. How come you just let the Captain walk off that way? Don't you object to being dumped on like that?"

"No. I do not believe I do."

"And why is that?" Rock wondered.

Though her facial expression was solid and emotionless as usual, there was an unmistakable blush on the redheaded Solon's cute young cheeks. "...Because... I am fond of the Captain."

Rock turned back to his panel, grinning. "Yeah. I think we all are."

While Rock and Solon went to work on plotting a course for the American Colony of Victoria Lake, Lucielle's home colony, Celena stepped from the side area of the bridge and came up to the wielder of Ouroboros with a cheerful smile. "I'm so glad that you're okay, Kai. I got a bit worried when I heard that you and Angel and the others had gone missing down there."

"Worried about me? Nah. It was okay." Kai scratched the back of his head with a chuckle. Then took notice of what Celena was wearing around her waist and neck, "What's up with that cooking apron?"

Celena winked. "You're looking at the newest cook of the Whitestar crew! Lucielle hired me as official personnel once she heard that I can whip up a mean blueberry pie. I guessed that I should be making myself useful around here anyway."

"So you're a cook, now?" Kai smirked, "Well you've always liked that kind of stuff."

While Kai and Celena went over that between the two of them, Chestnut handed the Lesser Key of Solomon over to Angel while the others on hand at the bridge finalized preparations for making the ship's way towards Victoria Lake. Outside the automatic doors of the bridge stood Lucielle and Emilia. With her back against the wall, Lucielle kissed desperately with the normally cold Russian woman. Her arms were wrapped around Emilia's waist, holding her passionately. While Emilia herself clutched at Lucielle's cheeks, tilting her head to one side and moaning lightly the other woman's mouth. The two kissed each other deeply with lusty zeal, their light moans and sighs melding with those of the other. Until Lucielle pulled back with one loud smack of the lips and a satisfied smile on her face.

"...I'm so glad you're okay." She admitted.

Emilia shook her head. "You didn't have to worry. That boy his tougher than he looks. And Chestnut and I had things covered until we found him and Angel. There was nothing to be concerned of."

"...Yeah," The young American woman ran her hands through Emilia's long black tresses of hair, "but now I'm really psyched `cause things have finally gotten better between us."

"...In what way?" Emilia questioned.

"Well, you know," The schoolgirl-like giggles made a return, "the two of us... know what we really want. And what we want... is each other."

Emilia looked away. "...Is that what you think?"

"Of course!" Then Lucielle took a deeper look at Emilia and frowned, "...it's the same for you though, right? ...Emilia?"

"My major concern is, and will always be, for my revenge. You know that. And I've never made any secret of it either."

Suddenly Lucielle's frown became a scowl, and she instant pushed Emilia away from her, leaning off the wall. "You mean to tell me after all that, nothing's changed?!"

"Yes."

"Then why the hell did you kiss me like that?!"

Emilia finally looked back at the American girl. "...It seemed to be what you wanted."

A loud and seething cry surged from Lucielle's throat as she drew back her hand and then swung it around, slapping the Russian gunslinger right across the face. Emilia's cheek turned an instant red but she did nothing other than look away despondently. While Lucielle fumed at her with harsh scowls on her pretty `western' face. "You know what?! You can just go to hell! I don't know what I was thinking when I involved myself with a woman of ice like you!"

The captain of the Whitestar then stomped off back towards the doors of the bridge, leaving behind a silent and motionless Emilia. Once the doors to the bridge opened once again to reveal Lucielle, everyone looked over at her. And took note of the angry expression that was on her face. None had heard what had been said but everyone could see that she was not in the happy mood she been in five minutes ago.

Rock was the first of the group on the bridge to address it. "Captain, is everything okay? Did you amend things with Emilia?"

"Emilia who?!" Lucielle barked, crossing her arms, "...Solon. Have you set a route for the Victoria Lake Colony, yet?"

"Roger, Captain," Solon answered, "We are all set to depart when the word is given."

Lucielle shut her eyes. "Alrighty then. Take us away. But at a quarter thrust, without use of the Leap Drive. We're going to make a quick stop on Sy Cyrus while we're on our way."

"...Hmm. Sy Cyrus, huh?"

Back in his own room on the ship, Kai sat at the desk in the corner. Staring into the beaming screen of his computer monitor. It had been a more than few hours since he and Angel had been retrieved from the Granos Caves by Emilia and Chestnut. The ship had been moving in slow speeds towards the Earth-orbital colony of Victoria Lake. The Captain's home. And the reason that the Sparta was moving at a relatively slow rate was because Lucielle wanted to make another stop beforehand. On a distant settlement from the planet of Valhoth. This `little' settlement itself was on another planet that Kai had no idea about or knowledge of. Thus he was a little curious. Nobody had asked Lucielle just what they were going to Sy Cyrus for, mostly because they were too intimidated to do so. Apparently she and Emilia had had a bit of a barney. And everyone, including Kai, was nervous about talking to either of them about it. And since Solon was occupied on the bridge, Kai decided that he would find out more on Sy Cyrus himself via the Galactic Web.

By now Kai had undressed from the remainders of his Whitestar uniform and had redressed in a white string vest and a pair of black trousers. He was in no mood to get dressed up for anything and was intent on figuring out what Sy Cyrus was. And that did not take long. Kai accessed a website on the Galactic Web known as the Grand Lexicon. But far from being some glorified dictionary, it was a large collection of all the information gathered as a result of the space boom. This included details of colonies created after the Great Earth Disaster, new minerals discovered on new planets, alien species, etc. Sy Cyrus was a new city built just 50 or so years ago. Kai knew that much. He wanted to know more. And eventually he came to see a part of the web page which had a search bar. He quickly typed `Sy Cyrus' into it and a new page came up with the results. Kai clicked on the first one and got the information he so desired.

"Sy Cyrus," Kai spoke, as he read from the page, "the multi-national pleasure city created on the Earth-like planet of Faandolta. Due to the closeness that Faandolta has to the sun of its galaxy, the heat of the Faandolta Sphere is sweltering. However the surrounding atmospheric ozone diminishes the strength of the sun's rays, giving the Faandolta's surface a constant temperature of over 38° Celsius. Thus making it more than habitable for humankind. Because of the heat of Faandolta and the vastness of its oceans, it has become a popular recreational resort. However unlike the planets Valhoth and Mycelia, Faandolta has very little in the way of natural resources. Thus its only real financial worth is as a resort planet. Its capital city being Sy Cyrus. This is the hub of all business and commerce on Faandolta and remains as the only pleasure city in the outer-orbital world. In recent years there has been an influx of alien immigration into Sy Cyrus as a result of the Faandolta government's pledge to spread across the surface of its only continent. Because of this, alien populations (with the majority being of Effiran racial identity) are high in the new settlements that surround the city of Sy Cyrus."

Kai rested his chin upon his fist and whistled with awe. It seemed like after all the coldness and ice of Valhoth, the crew would be heading for the sun-kissed beaches of Faandolta. But what was it that Lucielle was after? Kai still wondered about that. She seemed like an open person most of the time. But she was sure in one bad mood right now. Not even Solon had the courage to press the Captain about it.

The blonde youth was just about to log off, until he heard someone knock on his door a couple times. "Come on in."

With the vocal command given by Kai to allow access, the automatic door shifted to one side to allow the knocker in. The one standing in the doorway happened to be Celena Avalis herself. The young woman had fresh new stains on her white apron. While in her hands was a silver tray. On it were three slices of blueberry pie. The very same pie that Lucielle had hired Celena for.

Kai smirked at her. "...You're settling into this cook thing well, huh?"

Celena scowled and rushed over to him, pushing the tray at him. "Just try one of these!"

"...Geez, what's the big-"

"Just try one!"

The Japanese lad sighed and picked up a slice of pie from the tray. Then took a bite out of it. With a munch Kai judged the taste of the pie. Celena waited for his reaction. A smile when chewing. Just the one she wanted. "You like it, right?"

"...Well duh," Kai swallowed then answered her, "why do you think I'm constantly pestering you to cook for me? So what's the big deal?"

"I've given a piece to everyone except Angel and the Captain," Celena answered, "I wanted everyone to try it but I have to be quick. Me and the other girls in the galley have to prepare lunch for the entire crew and we don't have much time. So could you do me a REALLY big favour?"

Kai heaved a sigh. "...What is it?"

"Give this to Angel," Celena took a piece of blueberry pie (which was on a separate plastic plate) off the tray and handed it to Kai, "...I'm going to give this one to the Captain. I think she could do with some cheering up."

"Is that why you baked this pie?" Asked the Syowanese boy.

Celena nodded, restlessly. "Partly. Solon asked me to do it for her."

"Solon, huh?" Kai smiled to himself, "That kid likes to make out that she's some kinda brain machine... but she's pretty partial to that captain of ours."

"Yeah, well, whatever. I have to go. Make sure Angel gets that piece of pie like I told you. If you do this for me, I'll give you a little something extra the next time you come down to the cafeteria, alright?"

"Leave it to me."

Celena nodded smiling to her friend and quickly stepped outside with her tray in hand. She turned to the left, obviously heading for the bridge. Which was where Lucielle would be. It seemed that even Solon was willing to push the boat out to get that woman smiley-faced again. It struck Kai that Lucielle meant a lot to the people of this ship. It made it easier to understand how someone as... unusual as her could remain captain. But he didn't need to think about that now. Kai stood up from his computer desk with Angel's pie in hand. Then he walked out his room into the right corridor of the living quarters. Angel's room was just a few doors down from his own (which shows how much of a rush Celena was if she couldn't spare the time to walk that far). Kai shook his bangs with a jerk of his head and strode down the pathway to the door of the boy in his charge. But to Kai's surprise, the door to Angel's room was already open. The Japanese youngster shrugged his shoulders and walked inside to see the layout of Angel's room. It was a lot better decorated than his own. Mostly because Angel had spent more time on the Sparta than he had. The walls were covered in oriental tapestries from Xiantian Colony, African masks from the Nbogo Colony, Effiran poetry scrolls from Phoebantinople, landscape paintings from New Westhampton, as well as an ornamental Naginata from Syowa-oh. The ground was carpeted with a soft cotton-like substance from Drydna and Angel's bed was richly decorated with a large fluffy bedspread from Romanovia. Everything in Angel's possession proved that he had been all over the known universe, and the richness of it all demonstrated the kind of background that the boy came from. Kai wasn't too surprised to see this in Angel's living dorm. But only because it was him. From anyone else, it would have seemed... very extravagant.

"Yo, Angel!" Kai yelled out, "Are you here?"

Angel's gentle voice replied from the side bathroom of his room. "...Yes. I'll be there in a minute, okay?"

Kai shrugged and sat the plate with the blueberry pie down on Angel's chest of drawers. He then looked over at the English descendant's bed. Resting on it was that book. The Lesser Key of Solomon. Kai and Angel had spent a night in freezing cold weather for that book. He just hoped that the old thing was worth it. The aura of the tome certainly seemed to indicate so. Even now it smouldered in a vivid emerald which was as bright as a newly polished jewel shining in the sun. What ancient secrets existed inside that book, he wondered.

Just then Angel stepped out of his bathroom. "...What can I do for you, Kai?"

"Nothing, it's just that Celena-"

In that instant, Kai was stunned into a silence from nothing more than the sight before him. The Japanese boy went wide in the eyes and fiery in the cheeks when he saw the young Angel saunter into his bedroom on small, dainty bare feet. He then stood prone wearing nothing more than a thin towel. Which had been wrapped tightly around his upper thighs, stomach and chest in a very feminine manner. It was obvious that he had just come out of a bath. His whole body was damp from wetness, little droplets of lukewarm water still clinging to his milk-white flesh. Leaving his long, thin legs in full view. Angel's short chocolate hair clung to each other in wet strands, still dripping, while his silver crucifix dangled from the nape of his neck. It was a startling sight to behold. Especially for Kai. Right now this beautiful boy, Angel Edelweiss, looked like the moist teenage reincarnation of some ancient Greek Goddess (notwithstanding flatchested) whom had freshly arisen from a sparkling blue lake. Totally lacking in almost all points the masculinity that would have defined Angel as a male.

Kai was literally stunned. "...I... uh..."

"...Is something wrong?" Enquired Angel, in that melodic voice of his, "...you seem quiet."

The Japanese man looked away, blushing harder. "...Um... Celena."

"What about her?"

"...She told me to give you a slice of the pie that she just made..." Kai retained his new and stark awkwardness that Angel did not seem to be picking up on. But it didn't matter. Angel's large bottle green eyes looked over to the chest of drawers and saw the plastic plate with his blueberry pie on it.

His lips pulled a small smile. "...I'll have to thank her later on."

"...Uh, yeah..."

Angel's inquisitive glance returned again. And he stepped forward whilst looking deeply at his guardian. Kai's body jerked when he realized that Angel was moving closer to him. Now noticing the beads of bathwater that ran down the crux of his throat, all the way to line of the bath towel under his arms. "Are you sure that you're okay, Kai? You're all red in the face. It was rather cold on Valhoth. If you caught a fever then you should go to the infirmary."

"...Uh, I'm fine," Kai decided that he better change the subject to something else, "uh... have you read that Key of whatshisface yet?"

Angel stepped back to his bed and sat down next to it. "It's called the Lesser Key of Solomon. It's divided into five chapters that contain lots of information. Those chapters are Ars Goetia, Ars Theurgia Goetia, Ars Paulina, Ars Almadel and Ars Norotia. I've skimmed through it a bit. But it is written in Latin, an old language of Earth, and I'm not completely fluent in it. The book is hard to really sit down and read. Want me to show you?"

Kai didn't know whether to say yes or no. A little twinge in him was screaming 'yes'. But for as yet unknown reasons. The Japanese guy stepped slowly over to Angel in almost careful strides and sat a small distance from him on the bed. Angel picked up the Lesser Key of Solomon and opened its ancient covers to reveal its detailed innards. He soon started to explaining what he knew from the book thus far, but Kai wasn't really digesting what was coming from his mouth. But rather the way Angel's pink lips looked when he spoke those words. Though he had no idea was causing it, Kai couldn't stop seeing Angel in this way at this point in time. All he managed to focus on was the thin, feminine torso of the boy next to him, and the curious fragrance of wildflowers and strawberries that adhered to his wet skin.

"It's a fascinating book," Angel commented, staring down at its pages, "if what I'm reading is correct, then the fifth chapter, Ars Norotia, seems to speak of some kind of spell that can bring back the dead. Unreal, is it not?"

Kai shook his head, still absorbing Angel's forest fruit-like scent. "Y-yeah..."

A low, crackling growl then rung in the four walls of Angel's room. Out of the blue. The sudden Angel-induced reverie that Kai had been thrown into was finally broken when he heard it. And it grew louder. Though Angel did not seem to be effected by it. Then at that point, something mildly large stepped out of Angel's bathroom on four legs. Kai went from red in the cheeks to blue, as an ebony black panther stepped out slowly with a rumbling snarl in its throat. The large cat bore its huge pearly teeth and fangs at Kai, while the Syowanese swordsman leapt up defensively and bolted ahead of Angel.

"Angel, look out!"

The green-eyed boy looked on curiously. "What's wrong?"

"Are you blind?!" Kai howled noisily, "There's a fucking panther in here!"

"...You mean no one told you?" Angel asked, blinking.

"Told me what?!"

Angel pulled a gentle, melancholic smile and stood up from his bed, closing the Key and putting it down. He then stepped over to the midnight black panther in front and kneeled down, petting it slowly across the head. It gave the boy an appreciative purr for his efforts and nuzzled its head into Angel's touch. Kai watched this in total perplexity. Not knowing what the hell was up with it. Until Angel looked back at him and said,

"I assume that no one thought to tell you about it. Maybe they thought I would. Perhaps I should have. But you have no need to fear her. This panther is my pet. Her name is Keela."

Kai's eyebrow ticked. "...You have a pet panther?!"

"Well, strictly speaking, Keela belongs to my sister. By when I ran away from home to join with Whitestar, this bundle of love saw fit to follow me. In the end I managed to convince the captain to allow me to keep Keela as a pet. It took some time but in the end I won her over with patience."

"...Jesus..." Kai watched as Keela growled once more and settled down on Angel's soft carpet. She really was his pet, "...this ship just keeps getting weirder and weirder..."

"We are in orbit of Faandolta, Captain."

Lucielle nodded to Solon as she watched the image of the brownish-red planet, Faandolta, on the video screen of the bridge. It had taken at least three days to make it here. And Lucielle had made a point of not gunning the journey very fast. Probably to give Kai, Angel, Chestnut (and maybe Emilia) the chance to recover after the night they had spent separated on Valhoth in the Granos Caves. But this was different. This was somewhere that did not seem connected to the mission. Not in the least.

The majority of the foremost members of the Whitestar crew had gathered up on the bridge by now. Kai was there, fully redressed in a less battle-ready Whitestar uniform. Alongside him was Angel. Chestnut and Emilia stood next to those two. While Rock and Solon manned the front consoles with one other. Lucielle smiled at the resort planet, nearly three times smaller than Earth. "So I've finally returned, eh? It's been nearly three years now..."

"Does this hold some significance with you, Captain?" Angel asked.

Lucielle bobbed her head, avoiding eye contact with a certain Romanovian woman. "...Yup. I probably should have explained before this, but I'm going to visit a friend of my Father's. I need to ask a favour of him."

"Who is it?" Kai said.

"A friend of my Daddy," Lucielle replied, "his name is Frank Anselm. He's a retired archaeologist and he and his granddaughter are friends of my family. Mr. Anselm is the one who actually drew up the blueprints for the Sparta alongside my Daddy. I want to go see him to ask something of him."

Kai just shrugged, spreading his arms out. "Fair enough. I guess this is a personal thing."

"Sort of," Lucielle replied with a smile, "but you're gonna be coming with me, Kai. And so are you, Angel."

"I am coming as well?"

"Sure," Lucielle stood up from her Captain's chair, "you're always talking about how much you wanted to see what Faandolta looks like, right? Now's your chance. Rock and Solon are in charge of the Sparta while I'm away. Chestnut, you'll be on standby in case something happens down there, alright?"

Chestnut nodded to her captain. "Yes, Lulu!"

"...What about me? Where will I be stationed?" Questioned Emilia.

Lucielle snorted and crossed her arms in a huff. "I don't give a damn what you do."

Another awkward silence usurped the bridge of the Sparta when that was said. Lucielle opened her eyes and walked away from her seat over to Angel and Kai saying `shall we go' to the pair of them. They left, with a quiet bridge duty crew and a somewhat chastised Emilia. Chestnut, being the kind of abrasive woman that she was, ignored the climate of the room to say something to the Russian markswoman.

"Is Emilia all right?"

The dark-haired one said nothing in reply. "..."

"Not get worry," Chestnut said in her squeaky, unusually high-pitched voice, "Lulu is like big child! Once Lulu get over grumpy mood, all and all is good! You don't worry!"

Emilia's eyes remained as expressionless as stone. And she stomped out through the second set of automatic doors on the left side of the bridge. Chestnut blinked in confusion, while Rock, her well spoken brother, slapped his face. "...Little Sister... I think we need to go over the human language one more time. There's a certain word I need to teach you."

"What that?" Chestnut asked curiously.

"Tact."

By now, outside the drama of the bridge; Lucielle, Kai and Angel had entered the circular Transportation Chamber. There images were beamed from that room straight down to the surface of Faandolta with the lightning speed that the Transportation Beams were famous for. When the eyes of the three were adjusted to something other than light, they took in what they did see. A huge, expansive beach of golden sand that stretched for over a mile either way of them. Beautiful crystal blue waters lapped at the edges of that beach. While hundreds of young men, women and children were strewn out across it. Either sunbathing, building sand castles, eating ice cream, or flirting with others. Laughter and chatter was abound. As well as the soothing sound of waves crashing softly into the beach front. While the seagulls chirped in the air. Above the setting of the beach were the beautiful crimson red skies that Faandolta was equally famous for. While it looked like a sunset, it was the height of the day's shine. The rays of the sun's heat pelted down heavily on the Faandolta Sphere. But the thick atmosphere surrounding the planet (which unlike Earth had not been weakened by pollution in pre-AED years) protected the surface from the brunt of that heat. The mix between thick clouds and bright sun contact gave the skies above Sy Cyrus a wonderful shade of red. Something that the captain of the Whitestar could recall from her last time here.

"Just as pretty as I remember it." Murmured the American girl.

Angel looked around also. "...So it is."

"...There's a lot of people around here. Is this a popular place?" Kai wondered.

Lucielle winked at him. "Well duh, smart guy! This is called the Red Beach. They named it that because the red skies are the brightest from this point in Sy Cyrus for some reason. It's also very close to the place at which Mr. Anselm lives. I gave Solon the coordinates and she dropped us here precisely. That girl's a miracle worker."

"Shall we go?" Angel asked, hands at his sides, "I'd like to have a look around."

Lucielle nodded and lead the way for Kai and Angel to follow. The three of then cut a path through all the vacationers that stood and lay across the Red Beach, enjoying the sun as well as the setting. As she had said, the beach house of the Anselms was not that far from the beach itself. Lucielle, Kai and Angel walked up a metal set of sandy steps that led back up to the peer from the wide beach front. The three of them walked down a quick stretch of road that curved into a secondary area of the beach. One that was a little more secluded than the rest. It was fenced and there wasn't a single person on that part of the beach. Kai found that a little odd at first. But then he noticed a sign on the wired fence. It said `private property'. And he guessed that the one who owned this smaller section of the beach was Lucielle's friend. The American captain strode down a second set of stairs from that part of the peer and turned around to see the small mansion-like home of the Anselms.

"This is it." She said.

Angel and Kai stopped in their tracks to look at it. In the technological world of 204 AED, a residential building built purely of brick and wood was rare. There were many planets out there who had not seen the expansion of space age technology. The recently discovered and named Planet Fol. It was considered underdeveloped when put into comparison with the progress of nations inside the Greater Universal Confederacy. As were many of the other new planets being discovered deeper in space. It seemed that the further you stretched out from Earth, the more alien and underdeveloped the technology would be. But there was a sense in both the Earth-orbital and outer-orbital worlds that lesser progressive cultures were rich with noble quaintness. There were some that respected worlds who retained pre-industrial climate in this era. One of those people happened to be Frank Anselm. Which showed in his Georgian-style mansion home.

Lucielle turned to Kai and Angel a moment later. "You two. Stay here for the moment. I just have to make sure Frank is home. Try to stay out of trouble, alright?"

Kai and Angel watched the young woman as she strode up the sand-laden steps to the mansion of the Anselm Family. The door itself was open. Lucielle somehow seemed to be aware of this so she just opened it and walked inside without any introduction whatsoever. Which left Kai and Angel alone in the sweltering heat of this Sy Cyrus beach. Angel seemed to be just as uncomfortable in heat as he was in coldness, as shown by the beads of sweat that were now gathering at his bangs, teasing his forehead. They both stood silently whilst waiting for Lucielle to return. But Kai couldn't help but spare a glance for the boy. At the moment Angel was dressed in something that so clearly showed off his unusually feminine looks. Clothes that seemed somewhat casual for someone as bourgeois as Angel. Designer denim shorts, slashed at the legs holes for that trademarked car wash look. As well as a shoulder-less white blouse/shirt that didn't so much cling to his flesh as it did `hover' around it. Even now in this warmth, Angel was as graceful and delicate as any woman would be. Something that Kai couldn't stop taking notice of. And eventually, Angel noticed that Kai was staring at him. Again.

"...Is something wrong?" He questioned.

Kai's face jerked and a shade of red coloured his cheeks. "...Uh... nothing... I was..."

"Kai, you seem a little tense," Angel stated in concern, "please tell me if something is wrong. I'd like to feel that I can help you get through it. Whatever it is."

The Syowanese youth looked downwards at his smooth leather boots with a smile. "...It's nothing like that. It's just that..."

And then, just as Kai was about to speak, a third voice, that of a young female, yelled at the two right before Kai could finish that... " Hey you two! This part of the beach is private property that belongs to the Anselm Family! You can't come here whether you're rich tourists or not!"

Kai and Angel silenced themselves. Then looked forwards to the edge of the beach. Standing there, with both of her small hands pressed hips, was a young girl. No more than 5'2" feet in height. Beaming with a cocky, superior grin and long platinum blonde hair that danced around her small shoulders in braided tresses. The young girl (looking about 15 in her years) stomped forwards on her sandaled feet and marched right up to Kai and Angel. Instantly her wide brown eyes probed them with suspicion, eyeballing them up and down. Exchanging her gaze between Kai and Angel. Finally settling on Kai.

"The two of you can't be here," She said sternly (or as sternly as she could sound in that little high pitched voice of hers). Her glance went back to Angel, "could you tell your boyfriend that you and he have to leave, ma'am?"

Both Kai and Angel went red in the face when they heard this child refer to them as boyfriend and girlfriend. Kai covered his face from embarrassment while Angel kneeled down to look at the girl at eye-level. "...I'm sorry if it seems like we are intruding. Forgive us for that. But a friend of ours apparently knows the owner and she wants to speak with him. As soon as she is done, we'll leave. And... this isn't my boyfriend. He's... just a friend."

The young girl ignored that last part and thought of the former. "Hmm. Someone you know wants to speak with my Grandpa, huh? I guess I can allow that. But what are your names? I can't let you go without knowin' who you are. In case I have to find ya."

Kai, still flustered, crossed his arms. "What? I'm not telling you my name-"

And then Kai was silenced when Angel put a hand against his mouth to keep him for saying anymore than he already had. Kai didn't say anymore. But only from feeling the cool softness of Angel's fingertips against his lips. The English boy soon spoke for the Japanese one. "Im Angel Edelweiss. This charming' young man is Kai Kisaragi. It's a great pleasure to meet you, Miss...?"

"It's Karen!" The girl known as Karen brightened suddenly. It seemed that Angel's polite tone of voice showed how trustworthy he was, "Well actually, my full name is Karen Fa'lea Anselm! But you can just call me Karen! `Cuz I like you, Angel!"

While Angel giggled lightly at the childish enthusiasm of his newest friend, Kai grumbled at it under his breath. "Man, I hate kids."

Karen's happy smile melted into a frown of annoyance, when she glared at Kai. "...Hm. Angel, your boyfriend's kinda handsome, but he's got a lazy look about him."

"Lazy? Listen kid, I am in no mood for this." Kai stated.

"That's `cuz you're lazy." Karen responded.

"Stop calling me lazy."

Karen sniggered vibrantly. "Heh, heh, heh! Lazy, lazy, lazy!"

Which is when Kai growled petulantly, uncrossing his arms. "I said stop calling me that, you stupid brat!"

"Brat?" Karen's menacingly cute frown made its comeback, "So you're rude as well as lazy?!"

"Kid, if you call me that one more time, I'll spank you so hard your ass'll look like an apple!"

"Oh yeah!?" Karen then stuck her tongue out at the older blonde and pulled her eyelid down with her index finger, "Just try it, you big, dumb, lazy moron!"

Angel sighed, holding his head in his hand. "...Can we all just try to calm down...?"

The two blondes glared angrily at each other, but Karen was the first of them to speak in reply to that one. "I'll calm down as soon as this guy admits he's a rude, lazy jerk!"

Kai swiftly rolled his sleeves up and stepped forward toward little Karen. "That does it! I'm gonna ring your little neck, you loudmouthed rugrat!"

And so began the bout of run and chase. Karen giggled whilst running away from an irate Kai, who struggled to keep up with her on all this sand. Karen yelled you can't catch me!' while Kai screamed slow down, damn you!' at her. It seemed that even the great Satsukami of the Syowa-oh Colony had not been taught how to move around on uneven surfaces like sand. Angel let of a breath of irritation and Karen and Kai ran around the beach as they did. It was so surprising how Kai could let a fifteen-year-old girl get him all riled up like that. But, as the saying goes...

"Boys will be boys..."

It was then that Lucielle returned from the innards of the mansion, now standing with an much older adult male aside her. Which Angel knew to be Frank Anselm. "What's the ruckus out here? Geez, I thought told the two of you to stay out of trouble."

Karen gracefully came to a stop. Just as Kai tripped up and crashed into the sand face first. The eager blonde girl ignored the fall of her chaser and looked over at the doorway of the Anselm mansion. Her normally bright eyes then exploded with happiness when she caught sight of the Captain of Whitestar, Lucielle. "...Big Sister!"

Lucielle pulled a grin of her own when Karen called out to her. "Hey, Karen!"

The young blonde laughed happily and rushed over to the steps of her family's mansion, throwing herself into Lucielle's waiting arms with a hug. Lucielle chucked as Karen gripped her tightly and giggled into her shoulder. "Big Sister! It's been ages since you came to visit me and Grandpa! Where've you been all this time?"

"...Well, that's all a long story, Karen. But look at you! You're practically a woman now. The last time I saw you, you weren't nearly this big. You've certainly been eating right..."

Kai (who by now had picked himself up off the sandy ground and was now in the process of dusting himself off) spoke. "Lucielle... this kid is your sister?

"Not biologically," She answered, "but Karen's been calling me that ever since she knew how to talk. I've known her since she was a baby. Just like I call Mr. Anselm `Uncle'. You see it's because my Daddy and Mr. Anselm are friends from way back. Our families have been connected for years."

Frank leaned on his walking stick and eyed Kai and Angel. "So those two are the ones you have been telling me about, Lucielle?"

Lucielle nodded. "Yup."

"Alright then," Frank turned around slowly and made his way inside, "all of you, follow me. I'll prepare some tea and then we can have a nice long chat."

With that said, Karen released Lucielle from her hug so she could stand up. Then the two of them walked inside the house side by side. Kai and Angel looked at each other and shrugged, then followed the two girls into the mansion. Kai closed the door behind him but took much better notice of what the inside of the Anselm Mansion looked like. It was just as large as the outside suggested. Decorated various ancient relics from both humanoid and alien cultures. All over the walls and the doors and the ceiling were all the items that Frank Anselm had managed to salvage in his exploration days. Angel was astounded. Even more so when he saw a long pipe made of bone attached along the frame of one of the surrounding doorways of this lower-floor lounge.

"My God," Angel spoke, "Is that a Valhothian Flute?"

Frank beamed, taking a look at it as he walked. "Yes. Quite a fabulous piece of work if I do say so myself. It took the windpipes of over thirty dragons to make that. We found it during an archaeological dig on the lower surface of Valhoth. But there are some rather deadly and powerful Ice Dragons there so... it was not easy."

"Isn't Grandpa amazing?" Karen suggested to Angel, "He's been all over the known universe for his digs. All this stuff you see around you was found by him."

There were six chairs surrounding a large pine wood coffee table in the lounge. Frank took a seat on one of them, resting his walking stick. Karen flopped quickly onto the one beside him, while Lucielle took the one on the other side of the old man. Angel and Kai sat down on their own chairs on the opposing side of the coffee table. Soon afterwards a Martha-type worker android (the only piece of modern tech in this mansion) came out from one of the side rooms. It had, as Frank promised, a tray in its hands. One with a hot kettle and five separate cups for the tea. The Martha android poured some samples of that tea into each of the five cups and then vacated back to its room.

Frank clasped one of the cups. He sipped some of it and sighed. "...Hmm. I'm not a big fan of androids. But that new model we bought is a wonder in the kitchen."

"Bit of a techno-phobe, eh?" Kai prodded.

The older man smiled at him. "I suppose you could say that."

"Well, forget about all that for a minute," Lucielle said, "Uncle Frank, I know I should have told you beforehand that I was coming but I didn't wanna waste too much time. I need a really big favour before we move on."

"What might that be, my dear?"

Lucielle ran a hand through her hair. "I'm planning on making a little trip to Victoria Lake. And then Earth. But like you know, the Victoria Lake government doesn't allow civilian ships to just pass in and out their sectors as they choose. I need a letter of authority from you, if that's okay?"

Frank chuckled. "Of course it is, Lucielle. What kind of `relative' would I be if I said no to your request? You will have your letter of authority."

"...Letter of authority? What's that?" Kai asked.

Karen sneered at him. "Bonehead. A letter of authority is like a checkpoint pass. When an esteemed individual like my Grandpa is given the right to act as a judge of ship travellers, they're called Judges. A Judge can approve a person's space travel rights into restricted sectors and colonies like Victoria Lake and Drydna. That approval is written down on a piece of paper. And that's called a letter of authority. Get it?"

Kai exhaled, chin on his palm. "Well, well. Aren't you a little know-it-all."

As before, Karen found herself glaring at Kai, whilst Angel addressed his captain. "Captain? Didn't you get a letter of authority from your father when you last left Victoria Lake?"

"Um... yeah, but..." Lucielle giggled sheepishly, "...I kinda lost it..."

"Typical Lucielle." Frank muttered.

Lucielle herself picked up a cup of tea. "Dah well. What can you do, right?"

"Very little, I suppose," Frank set his cup down, "by the way, how is James doing? It's been a while since I last saw that old friend of mine. Is he still building ships?"

"Daddy? Oh, he's always working on new ships. I hear that he was commissioned by Viceroy Katsuragi of the Syowa-oh Colony to build a new battleship for the Japanese section of the Interplanetary Vanguard's fleet. It's supposedly called the Katta-Shinbungai. I dunno if its finished yet, but..."

Just as Lucielle was speaking, a horrible chill passed through the air. Angel, Kai and Lucielle shivered from it. And over by the mantelpiece overhanging the fireplace, a vase fell. It smashed into tiny fragments on the stone surface surrounding the fireplace, some of it tossed into the flames themselves. Kai and the others were startled. But Karen and Frank stared at each other with looks of both understanding and annoyance.

"What was that all about?" Lucielle questioned.

"...The spirits of the Procell Shrine..." Frank said warily, "...are becoming restless again."

Kai narrowed his eyes. "Procell Shrine?"

"I will explain. You see, I didn't move into this mansion. I had it built specifically for Karen and I. But back in those days... I was still too much of an explorer at heart. Even after the deaths of Karen's parents, I could not shake my will to discover. So I spent much of my money on building the Anselm Mansion here."

"What's so special about this particular place?" Kai asked.

"Beneath this mansion," Frank began, "are a set of ancient ruins that I have called the Procell Shrine. I discovered them over two years after the birth of Karen. But I could not finish my exploration of them because of the intensity of the spirits locked within its halls. For a time, when she came of age, Karen managed to quell the rage of those souls with her abilities as a Spirit Dancer, but it seems that she will need to do it again."

Kai blinked. "Spirit Dancer?"

Karen sneered at him once again. "Don't you know anything you lazy moron?!"

"Mind your manners, Karen." Frank chided.

The blonde girl calmed herself, taking that on (even managing to ignore the sniggers of Kai) and answering properly. "A Spirit Dancer is someone who can calm the anger of lost souls through dancing. I have that power. And I did it the last time the spirits in Procell Shrine got out of hand. But now it's kicking off again. I guess I`ll have to go down there."

"On your own?!" Lucielle yelled.

Karen shrugged. "I've done it before, Big Sister."

"Nonsense!" Lucielle turned to her two crewmembers, "Kai! Angel! You're going with her!"

Kai frowned. "Are you kidding me? I'm not sticking my neck out for that little-"

Again, Angel was forced to silence Kai by pressing a hand over his mouth. "...We'll do it, Captain. It will give Mr. Anselm the time to write the letter of authority. Karen will be safe with us."

"Thanks, guys." Said Lucielle.

"This is the door to the Procell Shrine. I have to go down to the main chamber and do my Ghost Dance from there, otherwise it won`t work."

Kai, Angel and Karen found themselves standing in the basement of the Anselm Mansion. A large lower room that unlike the upper levels, was completely unfurnished. The floor was covered in patches with a chalky sand. And in the centre of the floor was a very large iron door. That was the way into the Procell Shrine. It looked like a heavy thing to have to open so Kai was the one to do it, using his enhanced strength as the Tensatsukai lift the iron door open with the ring handle of its centre. Kai strained but managed to lift the hefty slab of metal for Angel and Karen to walk through. It opened up a set of stairs, made out of stone, that descended deep into the underground. From the specs given to them by Frank, Procell Shrine was at least 200 metres under the surface of Faandolta. Thankfully the Regeneration Wheels had oozed their way down there years ago, so oxygen was not an issue. Karen and Angel marched down the long flight of steps with Kai taking up the rear; leaving the iron door open for them to return through.

Karen spoke to the two and she walked down the steps. "My Grandpa found this shrine by accident. He was on vacation here when he heard that some locals were doing a dig on the beach because they found some rusty weapons of a previous humanoid civilization there. My Grandpa got excited about it and they let him join in. He told me that on the fifth day of his dig he broke into these exact set of stairs. Which led him to the Procell Shrine."

"Why do they call it that?" Angel asked the girl.

"Beats me," Karen answered, "My Grandpa says that much of the Shrine is still unexplored, so he can't be sure of its true purpose. But the fact that souls still cling to this place makes him think that it's more than just some dusty old temple."

The three of them finally made it to the bottom of the steps by the time Karen was finished with that last comment. There was no door at the bottom. Just an open doorway. But a field of energy was in the way. It was a thin layer of golden translucent energy that seemed to be some kind of obstacle. Angel and Kai were cautious about it, but Karen...

...walked right through the thing. On the other side she yelled, "Come on, it's not harmful!"

Kai stepped ahead of Angel and stuck his arm through it. Karen was right. It wasn't harmful. He then walked through it entirely, seconded by a slightly reserved Angel. The two of them came into the halls of the Procell Shrine. And were possessed with awe at the place. A huge selection of chambers with interlocking corridors. Made of sandy stone and lime, an actual temple underground. Never before had Kai or Angel seen such a place. All over the walls were ancient carvings of numerous things. Animals, humanoids, nature. Like a tapestry in the stone. But those carvings glowed with ethereal green light. Those glowing carvings provided the light that was necessary for the three of them to see in those dark chambers. It was an ancient but eerie place. Even in the background, Kai (with his super-hearing) could pick up on the wailing and screaming of women. As if being tortured. But there was no one down here other than the three of them. It had to be the wailing of the lost souls of the shrine.

Angel moved closer to Kai out of instinct. "...Kai, I don't like this place..."

"It's okay," Kai said reassuringly, "There's nothing to be scared of, alright? I'm here."

Karen skipped forwards down this major corridor of Procell Shrine, just looking back when she realized that Kai and Angel were remaining as they were. "C'mon, you two! Time's a wasting! The sooner we do this, the sooner we can get outta this creepy place!"

Kai and Angel nodded, then followed her. Karen led the way and the small group strode their way through the many halls and chambers of Procell Shrine. Angel remained as close to Kai as he possibly could, the bare flesh of his arm pressing against the bare flesh of Kai's arm. Karen remained ignorant of Angel's fear. But she had felt the same herself the first time she came down to the shrine. And from her Spirit Dancer powers she could feel the savage levels of hatred boiling in the lost souls in this domain. Karen guessed that Angel could feel it too, but on a hidden, subconscious level. Something that might have provoked this abrupt fear in the catholic boy. Eventually Karen led them to a room at the very centre of the layout of the temple. The main hall. The walls of this room were adorned with carvings. But unlike those of the other halls and rooms, these carvings seemed to tell a story. But the written passages were all engraved in some alien language that none of them really understood. Not even the NFCs on Angel and Kai could decipher them. In the centre of the main hall was a stone podium. And on that podium was a crystal. Glowing of bright crimson. The screams of the lost souls were at its peak around its energy.

Kai stared at the surrounding walls. "...What do those mean...?"

"They tell a story," For the moment, Karen forgot her overt distaste for Kai, "that my Grandpa managed to figure out a little bit of. It says that lots and lots of years ago, an alien race of great power and culture lived in settlements all over the universe. Including Faandolta. They discovered a source of energy called magic. Then they found most of that magic inside a planet of amazing beauty. But to keep the magical force from getting too strong, they made lots of temples across the galaxy that the planet was in. They somehow kept things under control or something. The Procell Shrine is supposed to be one of those temples. My Grandpa said that there's probably more to the story than just that... but the rest of the language is so hard to understand that he couldn't figure it out."

"What about the murals?" Angel asked, "Don't they tell the rest of it?"

Karen shook her head as a no. "Nah. They get cracked the further you go along."

"Whatever, whatever. They're only drawings by dead guys. Just do your thing so we can get out of here." Kai ordered.

Karen growled lightly but said nothing. Now she remembered her distaste for the Syowanese boy. But she did have a job to do. The blonde girl stepped up to the podium with that large red crystal on it. She stopped for a moment. Then caught her breath. A few moments later, she began to dance. The legendary waltz of the Spirit Dancers, the Ghost Dance technique. Karen spread her arms out then thrust them forwards, moving in in slow circles. Her little hips wiggled in and out while her small sandaled feet moved her around with an agility that most girls her age would not have. Kai and Angel stood next to each whilst watching this display of the Ghost Dance. She glided swiftly from one place to the other. Always taking care not to be a hair off target. While she pranced around like this, Karen soon started mouthing silently in a Latin tongue. The same Latin that the Lesser Key of Solomon was written in. Angel took note but said nothing of it. Soon, during the dance, a set of bright blue runic symbols appearing in a large ring. When Karen caught onto that, she stopped dancing.

Kai tilted his head. "...Is that it?"

"Nope," Karen replied, "...now comes the fun part."

The centre of the ring of symbols just ahead of Karen pooled into a liquid-like substance. The glow of the wall murals shone on that watery substance. Then something began to rise out of it slowly. A figure of a living thing. A grotesque manifestation rose up from the wet `portal' created by Karen's Ghost Dance skill. A malformed and demonic creature, shaped like a fusion between an ape and a sabre-tooth cat. Its flesh rotted away in repulsively pale, blood-covered scraps, while its lizard tail thrashed around behind it. The being extended its long neck and parted its wide jaws, bellowing out a loud and furious roar that echoed throughout the Procell Shrine. Angel cringed and tightened up against his guardian, burying his face into Kai's shoulder. Kai himself acted swiftly and withdrew the Ouroboros. While Karen stood almost fearless in front of the towering, hideous beast.

Kai yelled out to her. "You stupid brat! Get out of its fucking way before you get hurt!"

"Stop worrying so much," Karen answered, "It's alright."

"What the fuck are you talking about?! What the fuck IS that thing?!"

Karen stepped back a little, reaching into her pocket. "Geez, would you stop swearing? It's just a monster. You must have seen worse animals on other alien planets, right? Don't you know anything, you lazy jerk? When a Ghost Dance is performed, the malice of the spirits that we calm is bled from their souls and fused into one form. That form is usually some kind of monster. It's a pushover really. I can handle it. I mean, if you wanna help me, then fine, but try not to slow me down, alright?"

The Japanese lad stared oddly at Karen. From the way she was talking, it sounded is if she could actually defend herself. The girl fished around in a pocket on her skirt and pulled out something. Kai looked at the object with total surprise. It was an orb. But not just any orb. This one was a transparent sphere made out of a yellowish substance. Which Kai knew to be crystallized Magite. At first it looked like some kind of ornament. But from the battle thirsty look on Karen's face, it was intended as a weapon.

And Kai was very right in that belief. Karen grinned and extended her hand with the Magite orb in it. "Alright! This one's for Big Sister! Sword!"

Once Karen called out `sword' the orb reacted and took on the shape of a curved scimitar. Almost in the blink of an eye. The teenage Spirit Dancer then jumped straight into the air with more of that athletic ability and descended at the Zombie Demon. With one quick swipe she slashed down at the neck of the creature, causing it to screech loudly in both anger and pain. The hulking Zombie Demon swung one of its massive claws across to try and slice Karen in two. Karen darted backwards in a flash, avoiding that strike. Then slashed at the arm of the Zombie Demon when it was being retracted. The monster shrieked again. And Kai and Angel were left speechless. Well, almost.

"...Holy shit." Kai said, watching Karen, "I thought that girl was just a loudmouth brat. But she moves like a... how the hell is a fifteen-year-old girl like that so agile? She's no ordinary kid, that's for sure."

Karen leapt away from the Zombie Demon and landed just a short ways away from Kai and the still intimidated Angel. "Hey! Are you going to help me or not, Kai!? I knew it! You're just a lazy, good-for-nothing bum!"

Kai ignored that one for now, turning to Angel. "I'm gonna need to take care of that thing. Stay back, alright?"

Angel nodded, releasing Kai from his hold. The Syowanese boy gripped Ouroboros with both hands and darted forwards, toward that bestial entity. The Zombie Demon thrust out its right claw to nail Kai frontward. Kai sidestepped that thrust on his quick feet, pulling the sword back to strike. Then came the blow. One hard power slash that Kai made, slicing upwards through the very arm of the Zombie Demon. It screeched in sheer agony as the Ouroboros hacked its right arm clear off, its green blood spurting everywhere. Kai dashed out of the way as the Zombie Demon made a reprisal swipe with its left claw, mumbling 'dickwipe', to himself while dodging.

Karen smiled at him. "That wasn't half bad!"

"Hmph!"

The Zombie Demon growled loudly. Then parted its jaws to bare those long, sabre teeth in its thick black gums. A powerful stink of sulphuric acid and carbon monoxide was what it had for breath. And blue flash of glowing fire gathered in its mouth. The Zombie Demon stuck its neck forwards and breathed out a huge wave of smouldering sapphire flames. Kai and Karen vaulted out of the way to avoid the noxious heat of the Zombie Fire, which burned a path over the stone floor of the grand hall. Angel ran away from the attack but could not stand to do nothing while Kai and Karen fought against this beast.

He spread his arms and closed his eyes, focusing his own ancient power. The power of God Summoning. "By the ancient spirit of the Cloud People, bless this holy blood with thy divine strength. Bestow upon me your power and I shall give you all my heart. In the name of God and righteousness, I summon you to the realm of the living. Awaken now, o Duchess of Water and Life, awaken Oshe!"

A bright flash of blue surrounded Angel and illuminated all of the grand hall. Catching the attentions of Kai, Karen and the Zombie Demon. The eruption of sparkling azure intensified at the space before the boy himself. The light there began to form into the graceful, water-borne shape of a woman. Though its whole body was made up of water, this deity so clearly showed itself for what its was with the contours of its body. The African goddess of water and life, Oshe. Oshe pressed her left arm forwards, its watery bangles jingling over her wrists. A frosty chill usurped the room, completely overshadowing the Faandoltan heat. A freezing cold burst of ice surged forwards from her hand. Directly heading for the Zombie Demon. It froze the ground straight ahead of it. The ice forged itself into a javelin shape. And rushed across the room until it directly impaled the Zombie Demon. The creature shrieked violently. Green blood burst from its mouth and body when the ice spike skewered the monster right through its belly. It proceeded to wail and shriek, while Karen herself stood silently and watched this all go down.

She was astounded. "...Angel's a God Summoner...?"

"Karen!" Kai yelled, "It's not dead yet!"

"R-right..."

Angel stood behind the defensive Oshe, while Kai darted forwards to finish off the Zombie Demon. Karen got her head back on the job and yelled `whip!' at the orb in her hand. It then transformed from a sword into a whip-like shape. Karen swung her arm back and forward, causing the energy whip to extend all the way to Zombie Demon's remaining arm. The whip wrapped itself around the putrid arm and wrist of the monster. Binding it. Karen strained to hold on, as the Zombie Demon tried to move its arm to strike down Kai. And so she yelled to him, "Kai, hurry!"

The Japanese boy nodded, mid-run, then jumped upwards. With one of its arms cut off, the other arm bound and blood gushing from its mouth, the Zombie Demon had no means of attacking him. Kai darted ahead and gripped Ouroboros in another two-handed hold. Then gave another of those powerful, bullet-fast slashes across the neck. Moments later, the head of the Zombie Demon was three metres behind the corpse. Blood gushed from the severed neck like a geyser, splattering all over Kai's shirt and sword. He jumped backwards and the body of the malevolence-borne being collapsed. Once it toppled over, the torso dissolved into tiny bits of blue light. The ice pillar it had been impaled one fell to the dusty ground, shattering.

Karen breathed a sigh of relief, and the whip regressed into its normal orb shape. Kai exhaled and sheathed the Ouroboros. Angel rubbed his arms from the sudden chill caused by Oshe's presence. The spirit of water and life evaporated into nothingness, just as the Zombie Demon had done. The fight was over. And the rage of the spirits existing in Procell Shrine had been quelled. For now.

Kai strode up to Angel and held his cheek in a surprisingly caring manner. "Angel, are you okay? Were you hurt?"

"No," Angel looked up at his guardian with a smile, "I'm fine. Thank you."

Kai smiled cheerfully then looked over at Karen. "Hey, you little squirt. You're a pretty good fighter."

"Heh," Karen rubbed the underside of her nose with her fist, "of course. You're not so bad, yourself. Well at least not for a lazy guy."

Angel then addressed the orb in Karen's hand. "...Karen? What is that?"

"This? This is the Gaeki Crystal. It's a present from my Grandpa. He picked it up on one of his digs. It's supposed to be hardened magic or something. But it has this weird power of transforming in any weapon I call it. Pretty cool, huh?"

Kai shook his head. "Whatever. Lets just get out of here."

"Ah. So the rage of the spirits in Procell Shrine has been suppressed, eh?"

Kai, Angel, Lucielle and Karen stood before Frank at the front of the Anselm Mansion. On the private beach that belonged to their family. The sun was beginning to set in the sky. It had taken longer to navigate through the Procell Shrine than either Kai, Angel or Karen would have predicted. The ruby red skies of Faandolta were at their most grand. But now it was time for them to leave.

Karen smirked at her grandfather. "I told you I could handle it, Grandpa! But it did help to have a little extra muscle down there. Angel was just amazing. Kai was... okay... I guess."

"What was that?" Kai remarked, "I was the one who finished it off!"

Karen crossed her arms and looked away. "Oh stop bragging, you lazy moron."

"Well, regardless," Frank smiled and pulled out something from his back pocket. It was a white letter. A letter of authority. And he placed it in Lucielle's hand, "here is the thing you came for, Lucielle. You it well. But try not to lose this one, alright?"

Lucielle giggled again, taking the letter. "I'll try, Uncle. I`ll repay the favour some day."

"You three have done much in helping Karen quieten the fury of the spirits in Procell Shrine. For that I am grateful. But... I do have another request. One that is of the utmost importance."

Angel was curious. "What is it, sir?"

Frank Anselm looked at his granddaughter. "I want you... to take Karen with you."

Everyone, including Karen herself, was surprised to hear that. None the more so than her `Big Sister', Lucielle. "Hold on. You want Karen to come with us? To Victoria Lake? Are you sure about that, Uncle?"

"Yeah, do you mean that, Grandpa?" Karen wondered.

Frank bobbed his head. "Of course. Karen, you are a Spirit Dancer. There is a huge path ahead of you. You have only walked along a small portion of it. Thus I want you to go with Lucielle and others so you can discover the rest of your path. At your young age, you have proven yourself to be a strong-willed, powerful warrior. I want you to see what the rest of this immense galaxy has to offer."

"But what about you?" Karen asked.

"Do not be concerned with me, child. I might be old, but I'll still be able to take care of myself. I would not like to think that I am holding you back. Lucielle will take good care of you. And when you come back... if you should choose to... you will have a new set of experiences. I will look forward to hearing about them."

Karen's eyes were close to watering. That was just like her Grandpa. Putting her welfare first, over his own. The young girl smiled generously and gave a big, warm hug to her guardian, who himself couldn't help but laugh a little. It was that kind of zeal that made Karen the bubbling wonder that she was. It was right to allow her to see more of the universe. Karen pulled away from her grandpa a second later, and stepped back to Lucielle, Kai and Angel.

Frank looked over at Kai. "Take good care of my granddaughter, please."

Kai grumbled a bit, but answered him with, "...She's in good hands."

"Alrighty then," Lucielle lifted her wrist and spoke into the receiver of her NFC, "Solon? Do you read me?"

The voice of Solon replied through the NFC. "...Yes, Captain."

"Good. Transport us up. We have an additional person with us, so be sure to configure the Transportation Beam for use without wearing an NFC, alright?"

"Understood."

Frank waved to the four younger ones when Lucielle lowered her wrist. Karen waved back, even when the swirling energy of the Transportation Beam surrounded them. Then moments later the four of them were gone. Leaving behind Frank, the Anselm Private Beach, and the sunny resort city of Sy Cyrus.

The four of them immediately found themselves on the flagship Sparta, in it compact but effective Transportation Chamber. As usual, the moment they got back on the ship, their first action was to head for the bridge. Karen followed them with awe, staring at the technological wonders of the civilian ship that had been designed by her Grandpa and built by her `Uncle' James Howard. The automatic doors of the bridge opened swiftly as Lucielle, Karen, Kai and Angel returned to the bridge of the Sparta.

Chestnut was the first to greet them. "Angel! Lulu! Comrade Kai! Everything go okay?"

"Yup," Lucielle responded, "but now you guys, let me introduce you to the newest member of the crew. Her name is Karen Fa'lea Anselm. She's kinda like a relative of mine and she'll be joining us on future missions. So try to make her feel welcome, alright?"

Emilia (who happened to have returned to the bridge by now) was thrown for six. "...Are you kidding me? You're bringing another child onto this ship? Have you lost your mind, Lucielle?"

Lucielle looked ahead, walked over to her Captain's chair and took a seat, not sparing the Russian woman a second glance. "If you don't like the way I operate, then get the hell off my ship. Nobody is forcing you to stay."

For a second time, Emilia had tried to say something to Lucielle. And for a second time, the Captain of the Sparta had shot her down. Rock, Angel and a few others bit their tongues and tried not to address the tension between Emilia and Lucielle. For it seemed that Lucielle was more than unwilling to resolve it. And considering that she was so well liked by her crew, nobody was really prepared to argue with her.

Lucielle said something else a moment later. "Has anything happened while I was away?"

"Yeah," Rock tapped a few keys on his panel to bring up a vidscreen, "two things, actually. Take a look at this, Captain."

Everyone including the Captain turned to the front to look at the video screen at the helm of the ship. Everyone except Emilia. The gunslinger turned away in a huff and walked out through one of the automatic doors. The Captain took better notice of that than the others seemed to realize but nothing was spoken. Then the image of one of the news feeds that Rock had spoken of came up. On it was a man dressed in a long black tunic, armed with halberd. On his back was a Propulsion Gear, shaped like a set of demon wings. He flew around a certain urban area of a colony, blowing things up with his magic. Obviously another terrorist attack. By none other than...

"Garland!" Kai seethed.

Karen blinked. "Garland...? Who's that?"

"A powerful enemy of ours," Angel said to her, "a member of the Four Horsemen."

"Four Horsemen?"

Lucielle's face was now quite serious. "I'll explain everything to you later on, Karen. But for now... Rock. What was the other news feed about?"

"Just a moment. I'll put it on screen."

And so he did, just moments afterwards. The second vidscreen overlapped the first. And it showed a press conference between leading diplomats of the Greater Universal Confederacy. It was a meeting being conducted on the New Westhampton Colony. And standing in the centre of the stage, surrounded by other diplomats and the photographic flashes of those in the crowds, was a certain Germanic male...

Angel's eyes widened. He'd know that cunning face anywhere. "...Father..."

"Huh?" Kai looked at his charge, "So that's... Gernst Mullenhauser...?"

Rock nodded, looking at the screen. "Yup. That's him. He just recently announced a business trip to the Victoria Lake Colony. Apparently, he's claimed that he wants to expand the influence of the Bas Dahlem Foundation into the American colonies as well as the Eurasian ones. Pretty convenient, I'd say."

"I guess he must be stepping up his plans," Lucielle crossed her arms, "he's a tricky bastard, that's for sure. Tell me, what colony was Garland attacking?"

Solon replied to that one. "Xiantian. The Chinese-originated colony."

Lucielle put some thought into that. "Hmm. Xiantian's quite a few light years away from Victoria Lake. He must have attacked it to distract us from Gernst's new destination. Or maybe as a trap to lure us in and re-capture Angel."

"That can't be right," Kai claimed, "If they wanted to lure us into a trap to get Angel then why didn't they do it before we left Valhoth?"

Lucielle shook her head. "They couldn't attack this ship with the Astaroth knowing that Angel was on board. They want him alive, obviously. No, I think they're using Garland as a beacon. Something for us to fight against so we can get stuck in some bitch of a situation. But I'm not falling for it. Solon? Take us straight to Victoria Lake, full-speed ahead, no delays."

"Roger." Solon replied, her fingertips tapping the keys of her console.

Lucielle spoke up again. "Once we get there, we'll pick up the parts necessary for the upgrade that Rock and Solon need to make to the Sparta's Barrier Shield generators. That way we can get through the Magi-Sphere without being torn to shreds."

While Lucielle gave out her orders to her crew and the engines of the Sparta began to kick into action again, Kai was a little thrown. He looked over at the elevated captain's chair and smiled with disbelief at Lucielle. She really was a good captain. She seemed too spacey and affectionate sometimes, but, Lucielle was really taking charge of things now. Maybe he had actually underestimated her a little. But still there were other things to think of. Once they stopped on the Victoria Lake for the upgrades to the Barrier Shields, they would be going to Earth. It was the site of mankind's past...

...but would it be the site of mankind's future...?

Kai gazed out through one of the rectangular windows from the right wing of the upper level of the ship. From here he could see the Sparta's movement through space. The ship darted at great speed to traverse the huge gap between Faandolta and Victoria Lake. By looking at the constantly flashing stars trailing behind in lines (or at least that was the image presented) Kai could tell that the Sparta was laying the boat out to reach the American Colony. By Solon's skill and under Lucielle's command, this ship could do amazing things. Kai just wondered what would happen from now on.

Which was one of the reasons he was heading towards the Training Room. It had been about an hour since Lucielle had ordered Solon to take then over to Victoria Lake at full speed. And everyone was preparing for what was to happen next. As soon as the adjustments were made to the ship's Barrier Shield Generators, they would be making their way towards Earth. Kai didn't really know how he felt about that. It was a ruined, bio-hazard now. The severe radiation from the Magite overflow (to which the Earth-orbital and outer-orbital world remain ignorant) had transformed the landscape beyond what it had been, according to most geo-analysts. Was it really able to be saved? Was the Earth even worth saving? It seemed that those questions would not be answered until the Sparta actually went down there.

Kai descended the flight of stairs at the end of the upper wing and made his way down to the second level. From there he began counting the numbers of the many rooms of the Sparta until he came to the one place he was looking for. The Training Room. Kai tapped the keys of the entry code onto the small panel beside the door and it slid open for him. The Syowanese body walked in with the Ouroboros swinging at his waste. He felt that sharpening his skills over once or twice would do him some good. Maybe because he felt a stronger need to protect Angel. Maybe because he feared what might find on Earth. Maybe because he wanted to show up that brat, Karen. Who knew? But it was what he wanted right now. The training facility of the Whitestar's flagship was large. It held not only a huge stock of armaments for it members, it contained four separate rooms for four separate purposes. The first room was the Dojo. Which was basically a padded practice room for martial arts/hand-to-hand combat. A place that Chestnut frequented often. The second was an Obstacle Course. Which was basically just a hyped up name for a room of practice with polearms and swords. Such a place was suited to the likes of Karen and Kai. The third was the Firing Range. A specially soundproof room for firearms training. Last but not least was the Holographics Chamber. Unlike the other rooms there were no specialized settings for a certain weapon. This was a hall where all were expected to train at some point. The Holographics Chamber produced Fighter Androids (Forcas-type, mobility over strength) and covered them with Holographics to give them the appearance of normal people. The visual image of the surrounds would change as well. The room had everything from desert to swamp. And that was where Kai was heading now. Just until he heard gunshots in a room that was supposedly soundproof.

Kai stopped in front of the Firing Range and heard the sound of stone shattering after a compressed blast. Not something you'd expect to hear from a gunshot. He could accurately guess who it was in there. The blonde boy opened the door and strode inside. To see Emilia. Standing beside a thick screen of unbreakable plastic, ear muffs over her head. She pointed on of her pistols through the gap of the plastic screen and aimed it at one of the far off targets behind that same screen. They were moving on a conveyer belt. Three of those targets had been blown to pieces. A new one was moving into position for Emilia to blow up.

Emilia didn't take her eyes away from the target. "...Did you come in here for a reason? Or are you just going to stand there and stare at me like a pervert?"

"Uh..." Kai scratched the back of his head, nervously, "...sorry. I just heard loud gunfire and I remembered that this place is supposed to be soundproof. I guessed that something must be happening in here. So... how come you can blow up stone like that? I mean those are just ordinary bullets and that has to be the oldest gun model I've ever seen. Most people don't even use bullets in this day and age."

Emilia said nothing to that right off the bat. She aimed her gun (Franchesca) at the stone slab. She fired a second later, her arms jerking back from the force. A bullet was fired into the grey erection of stone. But to Kai's disbelief, there was a loud but very compressed explosion that followed. A sphere of force spread outwards and shattered the stone slab like never before. The shards of the stone were blown far and wide. One even hammered the plastic screen. But by the time the dust and smoke settled, there was nothing left of that slab but jagged pebbles.

Emilia then brought down Franchesca, looking towards Kai. "These might be old guns. Or at least replicas of such. But they run on highly modern bullets. They are called Disintegration Rounds. The matter of the bullet is packed with nano-explosives. When the bullet is shot it dissolves into an untouchable form and sinks below armour, reforming after a second of penetration. Then it delivers its payload. There are two types of Disintegration Rounds. Standard and Phase Wave. Standard relies on normal explosives. While Phase Wave relies on pressurized energy. But the results of either form of bullet speak for themselves. Solon's own creation, no less."

"You mean that kid makes weapons, too?"

"You'd be surprised at the things Solon is capable of." Answered the Russian.

Kai smirked. "You know, that's the first time I've ever heard you compliment someone. I guess you like it here more than you let on, eh?"

"If I hated the Sparta I would have left it months ago."

"But that's not the reason you stay, is it?" Kai asked.

Emilia slotted Franchesca into its holster and pulled out her second pistol, Sharon. "I am here for only one reason. Revenge."

"Against who?"

"...A member of the Four Horsemen," Emilia pulled Sharon up and aimed it at another one of those stone targets, "...the one known as Gaap Mosaletti. I'll make no secret of telling you that he killed both my parents. They were assassinated by him because of their political stand point. I swore my revenge by use of the very same weapon he used to kill them. That was why I joined Whitestar. Our final confrontation with Gaap and the other Horsemen will happen soon. I will be there to kill him."

Normally Kai would have offered his apology for hearing that Emilia's parents were killed that way. But Emilia did not strike him as the kind of woman who took well to pity. "You seem more talkative today."

"Maybe," Emilia fired another round and blew up another stone slab. The very walls of the room juddered with the action, "I find that I'm more willing to be open when I'm in a bad mood. For most people the reverse is true. But then... I am not like other people."

Kai smirked. "...Sure this hasn't got something to do with the Captain?"

"...She's too self-centred," Emilia remarked, "she only thinks of what's best for herself."

"Not to throw a spanner in the works of that comment, but... isn't she putting her life on the line against the Four Horsemen for the revival of Earth? Something that any normal hot and rich American colonist chick like her wouldn't even worry about. I wouldn't call that selfish."

"So it's okay to risk the lives of children to do that?!" Emilia retorted.

Kai shrugged. "Nobody's here that doesn't wanna be. She hasn't forced anyone to fight for her to my knowledge. Not even me. And for the record, the reason Karen is here is because her Grandfather asked Lucielle to take her with the crew. And don't tell her this, but if you saw how that little brat fought in the Procell Shrine, you'd know that she's more than able to defend herself."

Emilia sighed. "I still don't like the idea."

"Oh, come on," Kai expressed, "lets not wade through the shit here. You know a big part of you staying here has something to do with Lucielle. The two of you are crazy about each other. It's so damn obvious. If you didn't care then neither of you would be so angry about it."

"...Is that any of your business?!" Emilia barked.

"Ah, maybe not. And I'm not the kinda of guy who likes stickin' his nose into on-ship drama. But as much of a weirdo as Lucielle is... I kinda like her. Nobody likes to see her unhappy."

Emilia smiled grimly. "Funny. I didn't think you were such a considerate person."

"Neither did I." Kai replied.

"...I find that interesting," Claimed the Russian woman, "since you haven't made that pledge to the one you want most to protect."

Kai blinked, crossing his arms. "What are you on about? Celena and I are just friends."

"I'm not talking about her."

"Then who are you-"

The blonde boy cut himself off when it sunk in. The person that Emilia was speaking of. The Russian markswoman looked over at Kai with a probing frown, seeing to confirm what she was hinting at. And in his eyes the signs were all there. Kai looked away, his heart suddenly springing to life in rapid beats, as well as a nervousness in him that he couldn't quite shake. It was not unusual for someone to guess something like this. Kai knew himself that he was not good at hiding his own feelings. Maybe from himself... but never from others. But still... The Japanese colonist shook his head and looked back up again, saying,

"It isn't like that. Not at all."

Emilia `sheathed' Sharon. "Is that so? One day the God Summoner will be at risk. His life will be on the line. As his guardians, it'll be our job to make sure that he comes out of that in one piece. When that day comes, when you're forced to face the prospect of losing him, you'll know for yourself just how true or false those feelings of yours really are. And until then... I'd appreciate it if you didn't lecture me about my relationship with Lucielle. As much as I hate the phrase, it would really be a case of the pot calling the kettle black."

Kai stood motionless while Emilia took off the pair of earmuffs and hung them on a wall hook by the plastic screen. She then walked out the door and left the Firing Range. Leaving Kai behind to weigh what she had just said to him. As much as he hated it when he lost an argument to people as smug as Emilia, what she was staying stuck to him like a very cohesive glue. Before the door to the Firing Range began to close with Emilia's exit, a loud and familiar Effiran voice yelled out to the swordsman.

None other than Chestnut herself. "Comrade Kai!"

Though he was in no mood for another Effiran Greeting, Kai replied. "...Yeah?"

"What you doing in here?" Chestnut asked, standing at the doorway, "You fight with sword! This place for fighter with gun! Like Emilia!"

Kai smirked idly. "Yeah. I guess you're right. My mistake."

"...Comrade Kai...?" Even someone as emotionally gormless as Chestnut could see that there was something up with the Japanese boy, "...is something wrong?"

The young man took a deep breath and gathered himself. "It's fine. Don't worry about me. I'm just hungry or something. You wanna go grab something to eat?"

In the lower rear of Sparta was its engines. Those in the Engine Room, which also contain side rooms leading to the Barrier Shield generators. However on the second floor above Sparta's the Engine Room was a small, compact chapel. It was nothing extreme.

It had a few benches, enough to seat thirty people. It had an altar, over forty copies of the Bible and a large window that framed the back of the room. The ship travelling through space allowed the stars to seem as if they were moving. And that was as surprisingly nice sight to see. It had a calming effect on Angel, as he had come here for just that. Calm. The ship's pastor, Priest Jacobson, was not here at the moment. So the God Summoner was alone in the mini chapel. He sat on one of the middle benches, his head bowed, hands locked together, deep in the midst of prayer.

"Our Father, who art in heaven," Angel whispered softly, "...I know that from now on... things will never be the same. We have the Lesser Key of Solomon. And soon we will be ready to enter the Magi-Sphere. We will be the first people in years to enter the Earth's atmosphere. To do your work, to restore life to the Earth, by preventing its destruction. But as much as I seek to do this in your name... I cannot help but find myself distracted. By what I feel. I know that my feelings go against your will. And it tortures me each and everyday to think that is does. But such feelings are so hard to escape. Be it the devil's tail hiding behind the virgin's veil or not, I cannot mistake how deeply these emotions run. Or how happy it would make me for the one I love... to reciprocate what I feel. I am so torn. Please, O Lord, help me understand myself. Help me understand what I should be doing... feeling. Please offer me your guidance. Amen."

Angel leaned upwards and unclasped his hands. His long bangs of chocolate hair fell over his left eye again. And he remained silent for a few moments. It helped a lot to air out his worries to God. And he was on the horns of a dilemma this time. But it was something he had been struggling with for a while now. It just didn't seem to be getting better or even easier. While Angel remained seated on one of those thin benches, just soaking up his time in the house of the Lord, the entrance into the chapel opened. Celena walked through the doorway and looked to her left to see a pensive Angel, silent and deep in thought. She smiled generously and walked up the pew. Then turned and shimmed up Angel's bench. A few moments after she was sitting next to him. But the magic-user didn't even notice it until the shift of weight made a creaking sound in the wooden bench.

"Are you okay, Angel?" Celena whispered, "you seem troubled."

Angel pulled a small smile. "...Don't be concerned with me, Miss Avalis. I'll be alright."

"You don't have to call me that, you know. Everyone else just calls me Celena. You can too."

"Okay. Thank you... Celena." Angel said.

Celena smiled. "That's better."

The two of them fell silent for a moment. And in such a moment it really became obvious that they had little in common except a shared affection for a certain Syowanese boy. It went as an unspoken fact between the two of them. Angel could see it all over Celena's mannerisms towards her best friend. And Celena had seen it every time the God Summoner dared to look with those large bottle green eyes at the swordsman. Celena, naturally being the more talkative of two, spoke first, with,

"...So what did you come to the chapel for? Just prayer?"

Angel pressed his hands into his lap. "...Clarity, mostly."

"...I see," The beach creaked as Celena leaned forwards, "...about Kai...?"

If there was a part of Angel that didn't seem to realize that his feelings for Kai were common knowledge to everyone on the Sparta aside from Kai himself, that part of him made a manifestation right there and then. Angel's big jade eyes widened even further and he turned his head at Celena with utter disbelief. But Celena just smiled at him, nodding.

"...You don't need to worry," She offered, "I don't have a problem with it. No one here does. They all love you so much on this ship. Just like they do the Captain and Solon. And I don't blame you for feeling that way, either. I love him, too. He's rude, whinny, unmotivated, ignorant and inconsiderate. But he's got a good heart. I've seen it so many times in so many ways. If it means either staying up all night to help me work or risking his life in order to ensure my protection, he'll always prove how good of a person he is when the chips are down. I suppose it was his willingness to protect me that made me fall in love with him."

"...So you love him, too..." Angel offered, downhearted, "...and... how...?"

Celena finished Angel's sentence for him. "How does he feel about me? Honestly... I don't know. We've been best friends for a while now. I've tried to tell him how I feel but I've never had the success. That's pretty funny, huh? I can't tell Kai how I feel about him... but I can tell you, the one other person who feels the same way. What a funny old trick God has played on us."

"...My feelings go against God's will. I hate that they do..."

"I guessed that's why you came here," Celena said, "but you have nothing to be ashamed of."

Angel just looked downwards.

Celena shook her head. "I'm serious, you know? Some forms of love are wrong. I won't deny that much. But I don't think that case applies to your feelings right now. You're a Pure Soul, Angel. I can feel it. And if I had to lose him to anyone... I'd want it to be you. I don't know why... I mean... I should be thinking of you as some sort of rival. But that's what I believe."

"You are a strong woman, Celena." Angel complimented.

"...Well... maybe," She said smiling, "...or maybe I just want to see that little slob of ours happy. And I think... that you and I are the only ones who can really do that. Or does that sound kind of idiotic?"

The brown-haired boy sighed. "It seems to be fate's cruel joke on us. Respecting each other. Loving him. Wanting to be with him. Not being able to tell him."

"Yeah..." The older woman leaned her back and looked up at the ambiance-building rafters above of the ceiling of the chapel, "...I guess we're both idiots."

"Alrighty gang. Do I need to explain again?"

Over three days had passed since the events on Faandolta. The Sparta had crossed the gap back into the Earth-orbital world. And were now in orbit of the first and largest of all the colonies, both Earth-orbital and outer-orbital. That colony was Victoria Lake. It was in the background of the vidscreen of the bridge. It could be seen, hanging in space, housing over 9.3 million lives. The chief American colony was not the hub of the Greater Universal Confederacy. That title belonged to Romanovia, the richest colony of all. But Victoria Lake was a huge contender to Romanovia. And that could be seen in the vast size of it.

Many of the Whitestar crew had gathered together in the bridge for the announcement to be made in person, from Lucielle. And most of them were dressed quite formally. The men (excluding Angel) were dressed in stately tuxedos and neck ties. Including Kai (who felt very uncomfortable dressed like this, even with Ouroboros in his hand). The girls were all wearing long, elegant dresses in varying colours. Even Chestnut had been forced to adopt that style of dress, though she felt it didn't suit a `Fearless Effiran Warrior'. Angel was the only one to buck that trend. His form of dress was a little different to the rest. He was in (though not completely by his own direction) a shoulder-less white blouse, a thin white mini-skirt, thigh-length nylons and club heel white shoes. Angel was a feminine boy but was completely unprepared to wear a dress, regardless of what his father had groomed him for. So Lucielle and Karen prodded him into wearing that outfit. Which seemed to gather attention for him from the rest of the crew, as did Lucielle and Celena.

Lucielle, Kai, Angel, Karen, Solon (yes, Solon), Chestnut, Emilia and Celena had all dressed up for the occasion. Because they were not only stopping for the acquisition of the parts needed to upgrade the Barrier Shields, they were also going to attend a party hosted by none other than Lucielle's Father, James. She had told certain crewmembers that they would be joining her. Including Celena and Solon. Though Solon was needed for the upgrade, it was of great importance that she got out of the ship and enjoyed herself from time to time. At least in Lucielle's opinion. But it was not a completely social visit. The party was taking place because James was about to unveil his newest ship, the Katta-Shinbungai. And though Lucielle expected no real trouble... Gernst Mullenhauser was said to be in attendance of this party. If Angel's suspicions about him were correct, then Lucielle considered her Father to be in danger from the Four Horsemen. She had to make sure he was okay. So the group would be coming armed.

Underneath Emilia's dress, attached to both of the garters on her thighs, were her twin pistols Sharon and Franchesca. Kai had Ouroboros in his hand. Chestnut had her knuckle guards in a compartment pocket on the side of her dress. And Karen had the Gaeki Crystal in one of her own pockets.

Kai closed his eyes as he stood between Celena and Angel. "We get it, Lucielle. We're gonna go down to your Dad's party and watch him unveil his new ship. During that time some of the other guys on the ship will pick up the parts for the Barrier Shield Generators. When we get back to the Sparta, Solon and Rock will set it all up. Then we'll blaze a trail for Earth. Right?"

Lucielle clapped her hands together. "Right! I knew you weren't as dense as people said, Kai!"

"...Dense? Who's been calling me dense?"

Karen smirked, crossing her arms. "Hmph! I'm not arguing with that."

Kai sneered at Karen but said nothing. For the most part, Lucielle was pretty excited and he didn't want to ruin that. Even if he couldn't stand being dressed like this. The Captain made one last check of everything, looking around to see how everyone was doing, in particular Rock, then pulled a big smile for those who would be coming with her. "Alrighty then! Here it is. Since Transportation Beaming is illegal on Victoria Lake we're gonna have to get down to my Daddy's party via shuttle. We'll spend a little bit of time there, see if we can catch a glimpse of Gernst Mullenhauser before he leaves. Once it's assured that my Daddy is okay, and the extra parts have been picked up, we'll go. The parts collectors will go down to the colony on their own shuttle while me, Kai, Chestnut and the rest of our group head down to the party. Now lets get moving."

The two groups (the three Whitestar personnel collecting the parts and Lucielle's group) said their parting words to the folks on the bridge and then made their way back down to the shuttle/hanger bay. The Sparta had three shuttles to its name. The Dandy Bell (the one that Kai and Celena had been picked up on from Syowa-oh), the Little Goddess (the one that Lucielle's group would be taking) and finally the Sky Trigger (the one that guys from the Whitestar's engineering crew would be using to pick up the parts for the Barrier Shields). Once at the hanger bay, Lucielle and her party entered the Little Goddess and being the great pilot that she was, Lucielle took the controls while the others sat it back. She tapped a few keys on the control panel and opened a video link with the bridge. Lucielle quickly requested Rock to let the hanger doors of the Sparta open for the Little Goddess and the Sky Trigger. He confirmed that and both mechanical gates opened up to reveal the darkness of space. With everyone buckled in tight, the Little Goddess pumped up its engines and shot out of the Sparta's hanger bay. A trail of blue energy followed it as the little white shuttle cut out into the void of space. It was followed shortly by the Sky Trigger, which moved at a slower speed than its sister shuttle. But while both were moving at different speeds, both descended towards the Victoria Lake colony. And the American space city had enhanced its security since the last time Lucielle had been here. It was probably a result of the attack on the Syowa-oh colony just less than a week ago. Relations between Victoria Lake and Syowa-oh were very tight. So it seemed natural that if Syowa-oh were on alert, that Victoria Lake would be too. When the two shuttles entered into V. L. Colony space, they separated. All colonies were protected by Barrier Shields (which also acted as visual representation for day and night on the inside) and ships could only get through those shields at certain points along the colony. The engineers would be heading for an industrial district and so it separated from the Little Goddess (whose passengers would be flying to a business district). The Little Goddess cleaved a path through the colony's space and Lucielle made contact with a gate controller as her shuttle encroached on one of those colony entry points.

A video screen appeared before Lucielle`s control panel as the Little Goddess slowed down to enter the gate. The image was of one of the gate controllers. And so she spoke to it. "This is Lucielle Howard, captain of the civilian flagship Sparta. I request entry into the colony in accordance with protocol... um..."

When the number of the protocol left her mind, Lucielle turned around to Solon. "Solon, what protocol is it again that allows us entry into a colony?"

"...23-45." She replied.

"R-right!" Lucielle then turned back to the video screen, picking up where she left off, "in accordance with protocol 23-45 of Greater Universal Confederacy Law."

The gate controller nodded. "Confirmed. Do you have a letter of authority?"

"Yup."

"Alright. Prepare your shuttle for docking."

The video screen then signed off when the exchange was over. The grey steel gates of that entry point slowly opened for the Little Goddess. Lucielle guided the shuttle into the opening with the kind of precision that the likes of Kai didn't think she was capable of. It then came inside the buzzing shuttle hanger of the colony, full with others just like it, as well as the security and personnel working to prevent any kind of terrorist activity. The Little Goddess landed thereafter. The group began unbuckling themselves from the chairs of the shuttle and ambled for the exit out. Lucielle was the first in line to leave, being that she was the one with the letter of authority. The crescent-shaped door of the shuttle shifted open and the group came out of the Little Goddess, following Lucielle's lead. One of the security men, armed with a small plasmatic pistol and dressed in grey, strode up to the group before they could pass.

"Hold it," He said, "I need to see your letter of authority."

Lucielle winked at him and handed the letter over. "Read it and weep, cute stuff."

The security guard took the letter and checked it over. The letters had stamps of authority that were only in the possession of certain important people. Like Frank Anselm, for instance. The security guard checked the stamp and knew that the letter was authentic. Then he looked at the crew members behind Lucielle. In particular, Emilia.

He blinked from behind the visor of his helmet. "Wait a minute! Some of you are armed!"

"Well duh," Lucielle commented, "we also have that right, son. Check the bottom statute of the letter. It authorizes us with the right to carry weaponry as a means of self-defence. And we all have NFCs. They do act as a method of monitoring colony-dwellers while under the vicinity of the Victoria Lake Central Nexus, right? If one of us acts out of turn, then you'll know about it."

The security man suddenly looked a bit embarrassed when he realized that the seemingly ditzy Lucielle was really on top of things. He handed the letter back to her and nodded. "...Uh... okay. You all check out."

Lucielle, Emilia, Kai, Angel, Celena, Chestnut, Solon and Karen all walked off from the security guard and the Little Goddess towards one of the transporters on the other side of that very large hanger bay. While walking to the transporters, Karen turned to Solon and asked, "Hey Solon, what's the Victoria Lake Central Nexus?"

"It's an extremely large server that operates from the central tower of the colony, the place where the processors of the Holographics of the sky are monitored. It's also where electricity is produced and distributed from. The Central Nexus is more or less the system that governs over 82.017% of the computer electronics on Victoria Lake. Akin to a mainframe of a computer on any normal level. But limited in that it only operates with machinery that is not interrelated with the Bas Dahlem Foundation."

Karen sweatdropped. "...Thanks."

The whole group walked up the transporters while discussing the layout and size of this colony. Most of the group, including Kai and Celena, had never seen the place before. It was just as large as people said it was. Everyone got on the thin steel pad that acted as transporter for them. A beam of light surrounded them and the eight young men and women were all relocated through time and space to a separate part of the colony, based on the specs that Solon had programmed on all their NFCs. The gang were relocated on another transporter in a separate location inside the colony. One on the edge street of the business district. When the group stepped off the transporter, they could see all the wonders of the Victoria Lake Colony. The towering skyscrapers, the hover cars, the beautiful holographic sky, the cool freshness of the air provided by the Regeneration Wheels, the fresh mix of ethnicity in the people. The major ethnicities of Victoria Lake were descendants of White Americans, African Americans, Native Americans and Latin Americans. But the scope of people went as far as Mongolian to the Australian Aborigines. Everyone else was caught up with the size and scope of Victoria Lake, but Lucielle just sighed and grinned a cheerful grin.

"Man, there's no place like home... that's for sure."

Solon, who made a point of sticking as close to Lucielle as possible, spoke, "Should we be going now, Captain?"

"Sure, Solon." She said, roping her arm around the younger girl's shoulders. Solon, whose face remained still as ice, blushed a little and moved closer to her captain. It was no real secret that Solon felt safest with Lucielle. But it was something that Karen and Emilia were just now taking note of. Lucielle and Solon walked ahead down the street towards a large hall building that sparkled with lights and light music. It was just down the street from them. And the sky holographs were projecting night by now, so the light of that functional building stood out in the quiet business streets of Victoria Lake. The others followed the two of them. While Kai and Angel brought up the rear.

"Dammit!" Kai expressed with annoyance, "This damn suit is killing me! It's so frickin' tight! Why'd I let that scatterbrained Lucielle talk me into coming to this stupid party?"

Angel sighed. "Stop fussing. I think you look quite handsome."

"...Really?" A cherry-bright blush appeared over Kai's cheeks, "...um... thanks..."

The two walked with each other behind the rest. Under the watchful eye of Celena. But the group gathered up again when they came to the doors of the hall for the party. It was already underway, with around thirty people inside with light listening played by a classical band in the background. Kai scoffed when he heard the sounds of violins and harps in place of drums and bass. Truth be told he was more of a rock fan, in particular his ultimate band, Suicide of Claire. Three security guards stood before the doors to check who and who not to come inside for James Howard's party.

"Hold on," One man said, blocking the group's way, "Do you have an invitation?"

Lucielle sniggered, her arm still wrapped around Solon's neck and shoulder. "Do I need one? Do you know who I am? Or should I have my Father vouch for that?"

The first guard didn't have a clue. But the second one was not so ignorant. His eyes widened with surprise and he spoke on it. "Miss Howard? You are back?"

"Well it looks that way, doesn't it?"

The second security guard nodded. "O-of course, Miss Howard! Please, come in. You and all your friends are more than welcome. Mister Howard will be very pleased to see that you have come tonight."

The group then stepped in as they were allowed access. While walking inside, Lucielle leaned down into Solon's ear and whispered, "Remember that, Solon. A wise woman once said that all it takes is dropping the right name at the right time and everything's hunky-dory."

The faintest hint of a smile past the smart helmswoman's face from hearing that. And they all strode into the large hall where the great shipbuilder and Father of Lucielle, James Howard, was hosting the unveiling party of his newest and arguably most powerful ship ever, the Katta-Shinbungai. Kai, Angel, Celena, Emilia, Chestnut and Karen were now faced with the very difficult prospect of blending into this small but upper-class group of people. All richly dressed and perfectly-spoken. Many of the people here were diplomats and delegates from over nine colonies and planets. All people on the upper echelons of their professions and organizations. Even a couple Viceroys had been invited to attend the bourgeois bash, even Yuri Halmyonovich, Viceroy of the Romanovia Colony. But more important than that was the presence of the shipbuilding critics who would oversee the unveiling of the Katta-Shinbungai. This party was a meeting place for the upper-level ambassadors to converse at, but James Howard's primary concern in this party was for his ship and nothing else. These people were in most cases, a sample of the `nobility' in the Earth-orbital world.

Lucielle finally let go of Solon and went in search for her Father. While Karen followed her. Solon wished to do the same, but noted that Lucielle and Karen probably wanted to be alone when they caught up with James. While the others, Kai, Angel, Celena, Chestnut and Emilia, were forced to have to `blend in' with this group. Angel and Celena had the easiest time of it. By nature, Angel had been born into this society and had grown up in it as well. He knew how to conduct himself and knew what buttons to press. Speak softly, nod often, laugh at any joke (no matter how corny) and then mingle with others in the same way. The brown-haired God Summoner instantly found himself in conversation with a ship critic. A moment later a young maid came up and offered him a glass of sparkling white wine. And while Angel was not much of a drinker, he took it anyway. Celena did the same, but while she lacked the refinement of Angel, Celena made up for it her polite and genuine personality.

It was Kai, Emilia and Chestnut who were having the most trouble. While Emilia was not an unrefined woman, she was dreadfully unsociable, often marching around aimlessly, avoiding the stares and whispers she was getting from such actions. Chestnut had a similar problem but in an opposite way. Her overly-friendly nature and broken English served to embarrass and intimidate the people she spoke to, and it was no surprise that she was the only alien there. In this age, the things that had divided humankind before; race, religion, sex, sexuality, all were very rare to be held with scorn now. A special kind of prejudice was now reserved for alien races, who were considered by some to be uncivilized, backwater beings with crazy belief systems and little moral ethic. Chestnut remained blissfully ignorant of this bigotry. But things did not go smoothly for her. In fact, security was almost called when she exchanged one of her famous `Effiran Greetings' with a Xiantianese diplomat.

Kai was stuck in the middle between the success of Angel and Celena, and the failure of Emilia and Chestnut to blend in. The way he was dressed, he truly looked like a gentlemen, and was greeted by a few who assumed he was a young businessman. Thankfully the sheathed Ouroboros had a sleek, thin design that made it look more like a walking staff than a weapon (A/N if you can't visualize what the Ouroboros looks like then picture O-Ren Ishii's sword in Kill Bill Vol. 1). But when he spoke to them in his violently commanding young voice, it became clear to others that he was nothing more than a well-dressed/groomed street punk. Thankfully he was the youngest man here (next to Angel) so he was a lot more popular with the young and beautiful female daughters who had been dragged here with their Fathers. He was pleased with the attention, if not a little bashful about it, but even so, his major concern was for the man who would attending the party alongside them. Angel's adoptive father, Gernst Mullenhauser.

One of the serving girls came up to Kai holding a silver tray with glasses of wine. "Would you like a beverage, sir?"

"Thanks," Kai took one of the glasses off the tray and asked, "do you happen to know if that German guy, Gernst Mullenhauser, is here yet?"

The cute young maid shook her head. "I do not have any information on the guests, sir."

"Really? Dah well. Forget it."

Over to the left of the room, by the dining tables were a few people who had seated themselves to drink their glasses of wine and listen to the beautiful operatic music being played by the classical band behind the stage. Next to those people were Lucielle and Karen. They looked around for James Howard throughout all the snobs and delegates that happened to be attending the party. They managed to catch eye of a medium-tall American man in discussion with someone else at the party. Once that conversation was over, the man turned to his right and his eyes widened when he saw the two girls standing before him.

"...Lucielle? Karen?"

"Uncle James!" Being the affectionate girl that she was, Karen rushed over to her `Uncle' and leapt into his arms. James laughed and stumbled back a little as Karen hugged him dearly, "I haven't seen you for so long!"

James smiled. "My, my Karen. Look how much you've grown. Why, you're practically a young woman now."

"Uh huh! Grandpa says so all the time!"

Then the shipbuilding, still holding Karen, looked over to his daughter with warm, happy eyes. "So you came after all. You have no idea how much it means for me to have you here, Lucielle."

Lucielle waved him off with a smile. "Oh Daddy, you didn't really think I'd pass up your big day, did you? I had to be here. But I have to admit... your choice of guests aren't really my cup of tea."

"...I know what you mean," James whispered, "but my hands are tied. A lot of money was funded in the Katta-Shinbungai. These guys are here not just to oversee the result, but to mix with the head honchos of the other colonies without a political background. Just try to deal with it for now."

Lucielle nodded and Karen finally released her Uncle James. The shipbuilder then adjusted his tie and suit. "Okay then, girls. I have to continue mingling with the other guests, making sure I greet everyone. I'll be unveiling the ship shortly, so sit tight. Once I am finished with this, we can catch up. Okay?"

Both Lucielle and Karen bobbed their heads. James then continued to greet and shake hands with the others. Over on the other side of the room, the situation had changed a little. Emilia and Solon sat together by a table, wordlessly. Chestnut was still trying in vain to connect with the people here. While Celena was in discussion with an older woman about the capabilities of the ship to be unveiled. Apparently she was one of James' fellow designers. But on the other hand, there was Angel. He stood bashfully in the centre of a ring of young men, all about three years older than Kai was. Angel giggled bashfully as they discussed things with him and complimented him in certain ways. The group of young men were obviously quite taken by Angel and his exquisite looks, not knowing that he was in fact male. But that was quite understandable. The magic-user was inexplicably feminine. He looked just like a flatchested teenage girl. Which gave him his fair share of suitors in this crowd. Kai gulped down his wine swiftly whilst watching those men gas on and on about themselves around Angel.

It bothered him.

It really bothered him.

And it bothered him that it bothered him.

And Kai kept thinking of ways he could get over there and break it all up. Maybe sending Angel a message through his NFC to get him to leave and answer it in private. Or he could just grab the chicken by the neck and rush over there, declaring that Angel was a guy. That'd get those horny little eyes away, quick-sharpish.

In the end Kai couldn't bring himself to do either. He only stood there, watching Angel be surrounded by those men like hungry vultures ready to swoop down and pluck at the flesh of a tasty-looking carcass. Then Kai shook his head and looked over at the left of the hall. Lucielle and Karen were coming back into view. Karen grabbed herself two cups of orange juice from a buffet-like table of refreshments and marched over in Solon's direction. While Lucielle stood in front of the hors d'oeuvres with a glass of wine in hand. It was not long before a couple men encroached on her with conversation. But Lucielle didn't shy them away. She let the two suit-dressed men speak with her. Alternating between sips of her white wine with nods of understanding to their many comments. As well as the odd stifled giggle when one of them cracked a joke. It was obvious that Lucielle was bored to death by those guys, but they didn't seem to pick up on it. And neither did Emilia. Kai gazed at her to see her reaction. It was completely predictable. A severe expression of sheer enraged jealousy was painting the Russian woman's features. She might have been able to hide her feelings for Lucielle away from everyone else, but her jealousy was something she could not shake. It actually pleased Kai to know that the high and mighty markswoman could get flustered in such a jovial way, but he himself knew what that was like. Maybe more so than Kai even realized.

Then, on the stage, the classical band began to change the tone of the music a bit. The violins kicked in with firm but steady rhythm in a background drop, but the focus now turned to the piano piece. It was a change in mood and tempo that signified that it was time for the `dance' part of this dance to begin. People soon began pairing of with both strangers and spouses. A young man offered to dance with Celena. She accepted. The same went with Emilia, but she frostily turned that guy down, staring with daggers at Lucielle and the men flirting with her.

When people started moving with each other in slow, composed waltzes on the dance floor, Karen extended her hand to Solon with a bright smile. "Wanna dance with me?"

"...I..." Solon tightened up, "...I am... not a... great dancer."

"You don't have to be, Solon! C'mon, dance with me!"

It didn't seem like she had much of a choice, Karen was already too excited about the idea to be dissuaded now. So she took Solon by the hand and lead her out to the dance floor. The two stood in front of each other and Karen spoke up again while some other couples danced around the two of them. "Okay. Now put your hands on my hips, alright?"

Solon nodded and did that, placing her young hands on the year younger girl's hips. Then Karen worked her hands just around the back of Solon's neck, her wrists upon her shoulders. "There you go. Now just slowly move with me. Don't think about dipping or feet or whatever you're worried about. Just follow my lead."

And so Solon and Karen danced together. The helmswoman of the Sparta was not so graceful when it came to that sort of thing. And even now, her mind was on Lucielle, not Karen, but she found herself accepting the movement between herself and the Anselm girl with slow pace. Chestnut (who by now had given up on trying to assimilate herself into this party) smiled at how cute the two of them looked together, the eager Karen meshing well with the serious, slightly clumsy dancer Solon. While those two danced, there was an immediate reaction with the group of men who stood with Angel at the side of the hall. All of them were in a hurry to ask the God Summoner to dance with them, but the youngest of them (21) got in there first.

"Would you do me the honour of having the first dance, Angel?" Said the youth.

Angel put his glass of wine down on a table of hors d'oeuvres and threw a longing glance over at Kai, who appeared to be distracted by something, "...I'm not sure..."

"It would be a great pleasure, if I may?" He prodded.

"...But still, I...um..." Eventually the indecisive expression on Angel's face was taken as yes by the man asking to dance with him. He clasped Angel's hand and carefully pulled him forth, into the groups of couples who had paired off with each other. The English boy was swung artistically into the arms of this older, taller male, both of his larger hands positioning themselves at his hips. Angel rested his hands on the young man's shoulders out of nothing more than reflex action. Thus finding himself dancing with this guy who as yet remained nameless. Angel moved slowly along with the man on the dance floor, whilst looking over his shoulder at Kai. The taller guy leaned in and whispered into Angel's ear, "you are the most beautiful woman in the room, tonight."

Angel squirmed uncomfortably. He may have dressed in a feminine way but he actually disliked it when people called him a woman. But he said nothing. It was in Angel's nature not to upset people. Kai by now had finished catching up with what the others were doing and turned to look at what was happening with Angel and his fanboys. Only to realize that Angel wasn't with them anymore. The group of men looked ahead into the dance floor with envy. And Kai followed their gazes. He was stunned to see Angel, locked within the arms of the youngest member of the newly founded Angel-groupies. Kai's eyes hardened in a way that he hadn't expressed for years, his empty fist tightening. One of the maids came by with another glass of wine. Kai rudely grabbed the glass, downed it, and handed both empties over to the serving girl. All the while his eyes never left the sight of Angel dancing along with that random guy. But in the end he couldn't take watching it anymore. Kai scoffed loudly and stomped to his right, towards a fire door, one to be opened by hand. The Syowanese youth roughly yanked the door open and stepped outside, getting a breath of fresh air. He looked up into the night sky and exhaled, calming himself. Kai was still in the dark about what he was feeling. But the severity of it didn't leave without a mark. Ever since that night on Valhoth, things had been strange between he and Angel. But why? They were friends, right? What more was there?

Kai sighed and rested his arms on a nearby pavement railing. It was a cold night out. But he liked it that way. The fire door suddenly swung open again. Kai didn't look back. Until the woman who exited the hall moved up to him and leaned her back against the railing.

It was Lucielle. "...So, how come you're not inside there, dancing?"

"Same to you."

"Ah, none of those guys were my type," Lucielle commented, "being the gorgeous bisexual vixen that I am, I get a lot of choice in life. None of them really fit the bill of what I'm looking for, you know what I mean?"

Kai shrugged. "I suppose."

"...Well somebody's sure in a bad mood," Lucielle commented with a smirk, "this wouldn't happen to have anything to do with the amount of attention our young God Summoner is getting, would it?"

"..." Though he said nothing, the jerk of Kai's body and the fiery blush on his cheeks seemed to speak volumes.

Lucielle's grin widened. "Heh, heh, heh. Bingo!"

But yet again Kai remained silent.

"...Geez, you know, I'm starting to think that it's true. You are completely dense."

Finally Kai spoke again. "What the hell are you driving at, Lucielle? And who in God's name is it that's been calling me dense?!"

"Oh wise up, ass-hat," Lucielle answered, "Stop feeling so threatened. Don't you see? Angel's crazy about you."

"Then why the hell is he dancing with that limp-wristed, apple-a-day bastard?!"

The Captain of the Sparta closed her eyes. "I didn't see YOU in any hurry to ask him. And not only that, you still can't seem to understand how you feel about him. Is it that hard to accept? That you could really love Angel?"

Kai eased up again. "...Love...?"

"Yup. Even you're capable of it, Kai. And I don't think anyone else on my ship is more deserving of it than you. Do you know that we've been monitoring you for over two months? Just so we could find a way to get you to help us. But from the second he saw you, Angel's been head over heels for you. And it's only taken a week or so to make you see how much you return that feeling. So what's stopping you, Kai?"

"...I don't know," Kai lowered his head, "...I just don't know..."

Lucielle smiled at him. "Well get it together before Angel gives up on you. It's not like there's a shortage of men and women who wanna be with him."

"...Well what about you?" Kai responded.

"What about me what?"

"You and Emilia," Kai offered, "there's no secrets there. One minute you're glaring at her, the next you're all over her, then the next you can't stand her. What is it with you two?"

Lucielle looked downwards. "...Ah. `Tis the greatest riddle of love, fledgling. You fall for someone, you wanna be with them, you wanna start a life with them. But then you figure out that that person has a deeper preoccupation that prevents you from really getting close to them. Then you realize that your place in that person's heart is... secondary to that preoccupation. I dunno if you know this, but Emilia's parents were killed by one of the Four Horsemen. And she's made it her personal quest to finish that guy off. That was the real reason she joined Whitestar. But at the time... I didn't care, you know? Just as long as she was with me... around me... I was content. Then the arguments started. And they started when I realized that I couldn't live my life in second place to her dream. It's that simple."

Kai shook his head tiredly. "That's not simple. But does it have to be?"

"What's that mean?"

"Why not just go along with it? It's obvious that she's in love with you. She couldn't stop staring at you and those guys. Not that I really give a rat's ass."

Lucielle grinned at him. "That's crap. If you didn't care you wouldn't have brought it up. You know, as macho as you act, you've got a beautiful heart, Kai Kisaragi."

"Geez, would stop talking like that? It's embarrassing!"

The Sparta's captain sniggered at how easily Kai got flustered. "Alright, alright. I'll stop. We should be heading back inside, anyway. I think my Daddy's about to unveil his latest work."

Well Kai understood that much. The blonde boy nodded and followed Lucielle back inside the hall to the party. By now the couples had all stopped dancing but had not left the dance floor. Emilia and Chestnut were sitting astride each other on the tables to the left of the hall. Kai and Lucielle stood by the edge of the large building, looking up at the stage. The classical band had stopped playing and James was on the stage.

All fell silent when he spoke. "Welcome, one and all. I am so very pleased that you all could attend this party. And I hope that you have all enjoyed yourself so far. Now. Many years ago I had a dream. A dream that showed me my future and that of starships. I imagined a ship with a total three-way fusion between power, speed, and efficiency. The ultimate ship of any class, able to carry mankind into the future. My friends, I believe I have created that ship. Behold! The Katta-Shinbungai!"

The black curtains behind the stage swiftly opened to reveal a video screen. And on that screen was the image of the battleship itself. Docked in one of thousands of hanger bays on the Victoria Lake Colony, it was gigantic. More than four times the size of the Sparta and little less than twice the size of the Asmodeus, the main battleship of the Interplanetary Vanguard. On both its side were large cannons that were clearly running on an energy source different to anti-matter. The white and blue finish of the Katta-Shinbungai glistened in the light of hanger. This was the future of the battleship. There were collective gasps at the size and looks of the Katta-Shinbungai, but all felt esteem for it. James smiled at their reactions and spoke again.

"This ship is truly the future," He said, "but it would not have been possible without the Bas Dahlem Foundation's time, money and resources. So let me introduce to you... the owner of the company that made the Katta-Shinbungai possible, Mister Gernst Mullenhauser!"

Lucielle, Kai, Angel, Emilia, Solon, Chestnut and Karen all became alert when that name was spoken. And then the man himself stepped out from the shadows of the stage to greet the people who gave him brief applause. Mullenhauser stopped at the head of the stage. And Kai evaluated him from head to toe. Mullenhauser looked about 49 years in age. His silvery-grey hair descending upon his shoulders. He was dressed in black and white suit like the rest of the men at this party, but he had a cape around his shoulders that extended all the way down to his ankles. Angel was the one most influenced by his presence. A haunted look was reflected in his eyes. So strong that the guy dancing with him noticed it.

"Are you okay?" He asked.

Angel looked away. "...I'm fine..."

Mullenhauser spoke soon afterwards. "It is good to see you all here. As you may well know, I have desired to expand the business of Bas Dahlem into the American colonial world as well as the Eurasian one. I believe that the Katta-Shinbungai is the first step towards making that aim a reality. The finest of all battleships, a testament to the capabilities of my company, will echo throughout the ages as the next step in the field of space exploration. Thank you."

He was given an ovation when he stepped off the stage Everyone in the Whitestar group, including Angel and Lucielle, forced themselves to clap for the man. But their faces could not have been more serious. If Angel was correct then that man was the benefactor of the Four Horsemen. And where he was, they were sure to be following. A sentiment that was soon to be confirmed. Gernst nodded to James and stepped around the back of the stage to a door which he went through. Then approximately 58 seconds later, a small but furious explosion tore through the right wall of the hall. Screams of shock were prevalent when combustion blew the hors d'oeuvres table into the air, scattering it contents, as well at the rubble of the blasted wall. The people standing near it were killed instantly. And those close were all knocked off their feet from the impact. A pillar of flames shot up from the blast point. Spreading smoke and embers across the hall. James was shocked. But with all his guests screaming in panic, his first thought was of his daughter.

"Lucielle!"

Chestnut and Emilia scrambled up from their seats and rushed over to Lucielle and Kai. Solon, Celena and Karen did the same. The only one who did not join them was Angel. Still staring lifelessly at the door his `father' had walked through. James caught sight of his daughter with her friends and quickly ran to her. Once he was they he stopped and coughed a little from the smoke of the fire. "Lucielle... Karen..."

"I'm fine, Daddy!" Lucielle looked around, "Is everyone okay?"

Karen coughed on the smoke also. "...I think so..."

"Wait! Where Angel!? Angel not here!" Chestnut yelled quickly.

Kai's eyes scanned the dance floor, where people were lying grounded, bloody, dusty and unconscious. "Where is he?!"

Emilia caught sight of the young boy running towards that far door beside the stage. He was surrounded by the other party goers who were now rushing to escape the building through the fire exists. As he ran, Angel yelled something out to them but none could hear it. Not even Kai could. But it was obvious what he was doing.

Lucielle guessed it. "He's going after Mullenhauser! Kai! Quick, go and catch up with him! We're gonna go back to the Little Goddess and get the hell out of here, as soon as we drop off my Father! Make sure you protect him!"

Kai nodded sternly and dashed to the north of the hall in pursuit of Kai. Which was when Lucielle gave the rest of her instructions. "Alright! The Constabulary will be here soon to help the wounded! For now we just have to get back to the hanger! The others should be done by now! Stick together, alright?"

The group nodded to Lucielle's commands then rushed for one of the separate doorways. Lucielle was the last to run, until she noted that her Father was standing still. "...Daddy?! What are you doing?! C'mon, haul ass!"

"...You've grown up, Lucielle," James commented, even in this panic, "you're so much like your Mother. Inside and out."

Lucielle scowled and grabbed James by the wrist. "This is no time for emotional realizations, Daddy! We've got to get out of here!"

The two soon followed after the others in escaping the now flaming building.

Kai, who was barging his way through the other fleeing members of the public, made it to the far door. He kicked it open and ran into carpeted corridor. He followed his instincts and ran down the left side of it. Which was where an open door to the outside was waiting for him. Kai ran through the doorway and it led him out to the streets. By now the smoke from the blast was seeping through the windows of the building to the outside. The few people hanging around could see the glare of the flames through the window. But Kai ignored them and tried to figure out which way Angel had run. To the north of the street or the south? It occurred to Kai that he could track Angel with his NFC. And he pulled up his wrist to use it. But he didn't get the chance. A second later he heard the sound of thin steel descending at him at bullet-fast speed. Kai leapt out of the way and jumped across the pavement. Something spiked the ground where his feet once stood. And Kai noted that that something was an acupunctural needle.

Then a voice followed the attack. "Ah! So the Satsukami were agile as well as strong, eh?"

Kai looked up to the roof of the building nearest to the one on fire. Standing there was a member of the Four Horsemen. Rose Liu. The Xiantianese female whom had slaughtered the workers of Jason Butler on Valhoth. Kai growled and unsheathed Ouroboros.

"Look, bitch," Kai seethed ominously, "not only am I in a rush... I'm in a bad mood. Fuck with me and you die!"

Rose giggled. "You are quite the rude one. I can see why Garland is so eager to defeat you. But know this. To me and my power... you are truly outclassed. Now you'll know why they call me `Rose the Bewitcher'."

The Chinese descendant wasted no time and spread her fingers apart. Eight steel needles appeared, four on either hand. Then Rose twirled her arms and flung the needles down at their target. Kai quickly took action and slashed at the incoming needles. He pelted them away one by one, until the final one slipped through his defences and stabbed him straight in the neck. His whole body tightened up, flexing muscle and bulging veins. "...D-dammit..."

Rose grinned at him from above. Only one needle had sunk into his neck but now Kai was knee deep in her power. The strong-willed warrior tried to hold on. But he felt his senses leaving him. His eyes felt extremely heavy. And seconds later he toppled to his knees. It was then that Kai remembered the information Ai had given him. That Rose coated the tips of her needles with chemicals to bring on certain effects. The chemicals on the needle had gotten into his system. Kai collapsed to the floor and dropped his sword, passing out. While Rose just grinned, her arms now crossed.

"Pathetic," She jabbed, "Now your mind will be ripped apart. From the inside out."

With the burning of the hall behind her, Rose snickered at the fallen Satsukami. Until she saw his foot twitch. Rose's smile fell when that twitch was followed by a groan. Then all of a sudden, almost as soon as he had gone down, Kai gathered up his strength and strained to lift himself off the ground.

Rose was completely bamboozled. "It's impossible! I hit him square with one of my strongest chemical needles! He should have been rendered unconscious for days; if not weeks!"

"...Ugh..." Kai gripped his head and tried to shake off the influence of the chemicals on Rose's needle. He picked up the Ouroboros from the ground and grabbed the needle sticking out of his neck. Kai tossed it to the ground and grit his teeth, "it'll take more than that to keep me down... you little bitch."

Rose clutched her fist in anger. But knew now that she was in a tricky position. "Not bad, kid. Not bad at all. The next time we meet, I'll make sure that the result is a lot different."

The Xiantianese female then jumped swiftly from the top of that roof to separate ones to make her escape. Kai would have gone after her, but he had more important things to worry about. The boy brought up his wrist and fiddled around with his NFC. To track down Angel. Kai had no idea how long he had been out of action, but it couldn't have been that long. A video screen was brought to life in a projection from the NFC. One of a map of this area. It showed a moving blip. That blip was climbing up a building. And that blip was Angel. Kai turned off the projection and sheathed the Ouroboros, whilst looking around for the building that the God Summoner happened to be in. And he caught sight of a clocktower down the street. That had to be the one. And it wasn't far. Kai dashed down the road to get to it.

Inside that clocktower, ascending the steps of the moderately tall structure, was Angel. He ran as hard as his legs could, knowing somehow that Mullenhauser was here. When he got to the top of the steps, a door came his way. Angel jiggled with the handle and it opened. And when he walked through it he found himself on the roof of the clocktower itself. Above the streets of the district. Wind blew from the Regeneration Wheels. Which made the cape of the German man across from Angel flock. The man that Angel had come here solely to see.

"...Father."

Mullenhauser turned around. He smiled at his adoptive son. "Angel. It has been a while. And yet for some reason I believed that I would finally re-encounter you today. I was right to think that. It pleases me greatly to know that you still think of me as your father."

Angel caught his breath and spoke at the same time. "...Tell me... why..."

"...Why?"

"Is... it true...?" The boy questioned, "are you really... funding the... Four Horsemen? Are you really allowing my sister, your daughter, to be involved with people like that?!"

Mullenhauser stuck one his hands into his pocket while the wind blew at his cape. "Why do you seem so surprised? The fact that you would guess this shows that you know in your heart what the true answer is. I am funding the Four Horsemen. I helped to design the battleship Astaroth myself. And I was the one who ordered the attack on Syowa-oh. As well as the capture of you. Yet both plans ended in failure. Heh. It's pathetic, really."

"I knew it!" Angel yelled, "What madness has possessed you, Father?! Don't you know what will happen if the Magite on Earth is extracted?!"

Mullenhauser chuckled. "Oh, Angel. If only you knew. I am aware of a lot more about the Earth and its destruction than even you are. Now I have dedicated my life to undoing the work of the Eight Prophets at any cost. To unbind the force of the Ashma. Events which will take place sooner or later."

"...Eight Prophets...? Ashma?" Angel said curiously.

The German billionaire chuckled lightly and walked up to Angel step by step. Once the two were in close proximity with each other, Gernst brought out his hand and held his son's cheek with cold affection. Angel's eyes looked startled when he saw that his father's hands were now made of black steel, all the way up to his elbows.

"...W-what...?"

"Cybernetic replacements," Mullenhauser commented, "...to cut a long story short... I have done much since we last met. There are still things you do not understand, Angel. The power boiling inside the Earth must be harnessed. By my hands. And this is not the time for your childish sentiment. A vortex is swirling all around us. And you are the eye of that hurricane. It is time for you to accept the role fate has appointed you with."

Then a third voice called out. "Step back, Mullenhauser!"

Angel and Mullenhauser turned around and saw Kai himself, standing in the doorway with Ouroboros in his hand. Angel's smile returned. "...Kai..."

The Syowanese boy stepped up, his hand inching down to the hilt of his sword. "Didn't you hear me, dickwipe?! I said step back!"

Mullenhauser smiled and moved away from Angel as Kai asked. Kai then walked in front of his friend in a protective manner and withdrew Ouroboros from its sheath, aggressively. But the German man showed no fear whatsoever. "...I know that you're the one behind the Four Horsemen. The fact that they just suddenly happened to be here with you now proves it. But I don't give a damn about the details. Just make it easier on yourself and give up."

The black-suited man closed his eyes and chuckled again. "So you are the one who now wields the Ouroboros. You are the last of the Satsukami; Tensatsukai."

"How do you know that?"

"I know many things, young one," Mullenhauser commented, "and I know this. Whatever power you think that sword gives you, it is nothing the face of my capabilities."

Kai scowled. "You think money makes you powerful?"

Mullenhauser laughed again. But this time it was louder and more amused, ringing in the echoing heights of that grim clocktower. "You think I speak of money? Such a comment truly shows how little your awareness is of my true aims. My power is limitless. And it goes far beyond any scraps of paper! Do you wish to see it for yourself?"

"...Bring it on!" Kai provoked.

Mullenhauser laughed once again in a lighter tone. Then pushed out his metallic hand and opened his palm, pointing at Kai. The Syowanese boy shuffled for Angel to get out of the way, which he did, leaving Kai alone to face whatever it was that Mullenhauser claimed he could do. But then both Kai and Angel looked on with shock when they saw magic glowing at the hand of the German aristocrat. It was a glow that emulated a warp in space. Then it was fired straight from Mullenhauser's hand. Though it seemed harmless enough Angel sensed tremendous power from it. The small wave of motion zoomed through the air, exploding the microscopic Regeneration Wheels. And then it nailed Kai straight on. The boy cried out when his body was bombarded by a force of motion so strong it ripped apart the fabric of his suit in an instant. His tie, trousers, shirt and shoes were all shredded like paper. Blood sprung from wounds cut into his flesh. Until Kai could no longer withstand it. He was thrown backwards and his body slammed into the wall of the doorway, knocking him unconscious.

Angel was distraught. "Kai!"

Mullenhauser lowered his hand and closed his eyes with a grin. "...You see? My powers have gone far beyond knowing the right people and possessing enough money. My will is absolute and uncontested. Or at least it shall be. Those of mankind who dared to leave Earth for the stars shall descend upon it again. That is our fate. We shall conclude this on Earth. Be sure to come to us in Northern England, Angel. Your homeland of descent. Then you will learn the truth."

Angel watched his father with disbelief. Then a second later he was gone. Angel knew it to be some kind of teleportation based on magic. It had nothing to do with technology. Now his father had tapped into the power of magic... and the stage was set for them on Earth. But that was not Angel's concern now. The brown-haired boy rushed over to Kai and crouched down to see the damage done.

"Kai?! Kai! Please, Kai, say something!" Tears leaked from his eyes, "...I can't lose you. Not now..."

Angel truly became worried, until he heard Kai cough, blood seeping down from the corner of his lips. He was alive. Beaten, but alive. "Oh, Kai..."

The NFC on Angel's wrist then flashed. He clicked on it and a visual image of Rock came from it. "Angel? Are you alright? Is Kai with you?"

"...I'm fine. But Kai has been hurt."

"Don't worry," Rock answered, "The Captain informed me of everything. I'm going to hack into the Victoria Lake Central Nexus to de-stabilize the program that prevents us from using the Transport Beam. It'll take about three minutes. Be ready, okay?"

"Okay."

The visual image of Rock disappeared. They would be leaving Victoria Lake soon. But now the situation had taken a turn to the unexpected. Somehow Mullenhauser had gained the power of magic, just like Angel. And he was determined to use that force to gain even more power from the Earth. If he mined the planet out of the last of its Magite, not only would he prevent life from ever existing there again, he'd gain a stranglehold over an energy resource that would make him even more powerful in the outer-orbital world.

No matter how Angel looked at it...

...the Earth was going to be the field of either their failure... or their success.

"Dammit! They've beaten us to the punch, alright!"

It had been ten hours since the attack on the unveiling party of the Katta-Shinbungai. The Whitestar crew had managed to drop off James Howard at his large mansion home. Then Lucielle, Solon, Emilia, Chestnut, Karen and Celena returned to the Little Goddess. They took that shuttle back to the Sparta. Kai had been able to fend off the attack from Rose Liu and he caught up with Angel, only to come into confrontation with Gernst Mullenhauser. Who had defeated him squarely. Thankfully Rock had the hacking skills to `bend' the program in the Victoria Lake Grand Nexus that blocked Transportation Beams. At least for a short while. It was enough time to beam Kai and Angel back up to the Sparta. The team that had been sent down to Victoria Lake in the Sky Trigger had come back from their mission with the parts necessary to upgrade the Barrier Shields. Right now Rock was hard at work with the shields while the Sparta remained in orbit of the American Colony.

Lucielle, Emilia, Chestnut and Solon sat alone at the bridge. Everyone else was busy making preparations for the trip to Earth. Kai was in bed, recovering from Mullenhauser's attack on him. Everyone was nervous and annoyed about what had happened and what was going to happen when they reached Earth. But none more so than Lucielle. The Four Horsemen had actually put her Father's life at risk. Now the resentment between the two forces was personal in the worst way.

Emilia crossed her arms. "Calm down, Lucielle. Getting riled up now would just serve to help them. We need to think about how we proceed from here."

"...I know..." Lucielle said, downhearted, "...I know..."

"So what we do now, Lulu?" Chestnut asked.

Lucielle ran a hand through her hair. "I guess we just have to keep moving. Our next stop is Earth. And we have a job to do there. Now that we've got the Lesser Key of Solomon and Angel is willing to go through with the process, we have to act. But there's something that concerns me. Angel said that Mullenhauser himself defeated Kai with magic. But I know for a fact that he's not a magic user. So how...?"

Solon turned around in her seat from the panel of the bridge. "...I think I may have a theory on that, Captain."

"You do? Alrighty then. Go for it, girl."

"I was just going through certain data files belonging to the Bas Dahlem Foundation," Solon claimed, "and I came across a file entitled `New Magi-Tech Project'. I couldn't break into the file. I do not possess the hacking skills of Rock. But I have a thesis. The Magi-Tech systems in the Ouroboros and Qingu were miniaturized for those weapons, were they not? It is possible that they miniaturized it even further. Into nanomachine size. In which case Mullenhauser could have injected them into his bloodstream. It would give him magical powers."

"Hey. You might be right, Solon," Lucielle winked at her, "that's my little genius."

The innocent helmswoman blushed at that, while Emilia spoke in reply to the girl's comments. "If what Solon says is true then we've got an even bigger fish to fry now. Not only the Four Horsemen, but now Mullenhauser. And to think that he defeated Kai so easily... I'm not that boy's biggest fan, but..."

"You not think we lose, do you?!" Chestnut yelled, "we not lose!"

Lucielle scratched her head. "Nobody wants to lose, Chestnut. But I think from now on we have to go at this thing with everything we have. We'll have to take out the Four Horsemen first. Then concentrate on stopping the overflow of the Magite in the Earth. The major thing we have to ask ourselves now is... where on Earth do we go to stop them?"

"Angel said that Mullenhauser told him to come to Northern England," Emilia replied, "I think we should begin our search for them there. I'm guessing that if they're making a point of going there, then there must a strong leyline of Magite somewhere underneath. Solon. Do you think you can figure out if that is the case?"

Solon nodded. "I already have. The strongest leyline in Europe is in Northern England. Under a set of mountainous hills called the Pennines. I've pinpointed the strongest point of concentration to be under a peak known as Cross Fell. I assume that if Mullenhauser and the Four Horsemen are going to a place in Northern England with a strong Magite flow, then, that will be their target."

Lucielle accepted that. "Good work, Solon. So it's off to Earth then, huh?"

Kai groaned tiredly when his eyes began to open. He blinked a couple of times then stirred, finally shifting himself upwards in bed, to allow his back to rest on the headboard. The young blonde groaned once more and looked down upon himself. There were bandages around his stomach and arms. And he could feel them on his head as well. When he thought of himself in this state, it reminded him of that which had caused it. Gernst Mullenhauser. That guy who had somehow unlocked the power of magic. Angel and Aurora's Father. Kai shook his head to rid himself of a throbbing, only for him to notice someone else in his room, sitting on the chair by his desk/computer terminal.

"Don't move around too much," It was Angel, "you'll hurt yourself if you do."

Kai looked into the eyes of the God Summoner, remembering the visions that he had suffered through because of the chemicals on Rose's acupunctural needles. But that was nothing more than one of Rose's tricks. This was the real Angel. "...Angel. Are you alright?"

"I'm fine. After... what happened to you, my Father fled. He said that he will be waiting for us in Northern England. Right now we're back on the Sparta. Rock and the other engineers are working on the Barrier Shield Generators as we speak. They said they will be finished soon enough. Then once we all get some rest... we're going to Earth."

Kai stroked the side of his face. "Earth, huh? So it's time. We're finally goin' to the orb."

"Are you nervous?"

The blonde boy smirked idly. "A little. But not about that."

"Then what?"

Kai tightened up. He and Lucielle had talked things over during the party, which helped. And though the visions he had been subjected to under Rose's power were... disturbing, it did help Kai to realize that there were certain things he was clinging to. His guilt over the death of Sho and his unwillingness to admit his feelings for Angel. But all that was changing now. Angel was here. Waiting. Looking after him. If what Lucielle was saying had been true, then Kai could afford to procrastinate no longer.

Kai blushed and looked downwards. "...Could you come over here for a sec?"

"Certainly," Angel stood up from his chair and walked to the bed. Then sat down on its edge, next to the half-covered Kai, "what's the matter?"

"...Look. When Garland attacked Syowa-oh and I came with you and Lucielle to the Sparta, I had one thing in mind. To make sure that Celena was safe. That's still really important to me. She's my best friend. But since that day... there's something else that's become important to me. That thing... that person... is..."

Angel hung on curiously. "...Yes?"

There was no way Kai could say it in the way he would of wanted it to sound. So rather than just saying it, he showed it. His hand swiftly reached for the back of Angel's head. And the God Summoner gasped as Kai brought him close and instantly pressed their lips together. It was a sudden action that caught Angel right off guard, but his gasp of surprise faded into the sighs of delight. He tilted his head on one side and parted his lips, feeling the weight of love and exchange presented in their kiss. Angel pressed his palms into Kai's chest and let himself melt into Kai's quick (albeit clumsy) expression of caring and attraction. And so the two remained that way as they kissed, enjoying each other, their newfound closeness, the relief that came with knowing that their feelings were so readily received. Just until the both pulled back carefully, whilst staring into each others eyes with bashful smiles.

"Is... it alright for me to kiss you like that?" Asked Kai (unusually) timidly.

"...Uh huh," Angel responded just as shyly, but asked, "...but I thought that..."

"You thought what?"

Angel's blush grew, looking downwards. "You and Celena. You two seemed to be so close. I thought that there was only room in your heart for her."

"Is that why you didn't say anything?"

Angel bobbed his head. "Uh huh."

"She's just a friend," Kai assured, "she means a lot to me but only as a friend. There was a time when I might have thought that there was more between she and I. But those days are long gone. I think I realized that when I met you."

Angel's eyes glazed over. "I'm so glad, Kai."

The older boy smiled and began a slow caress of Angel's cheek. To which the younger boy sighed and shut those large lime-green eyes of his. It was a caring and tender action that no one other Angel would have known that Kai was capable of. And Angel had been waiting so long for it. "So where do we go from here?"

"...Well, I was kinda fond of the kissing," Kai replied, "why don't we start with that?"

Angel giggled softly and leaned in, kissing the young man who had stolen his heart so effortlessly. And so the two remained, kissing and holding each other with all the passion they had bottled up in such a short time. The beginning of their deepest love, sealed with a kiss.

The time had come.

Twenty hours had passed since the Victoria Lake incident. The upgrades to the Barrier Shield Generators had been finished off. Rock and Solon had worked around the clock with the other engineers to get the job done. Now the shields were prepared to get them through the Magi-Sphere. After everyone got at least seven hours of sleep to their names, the major group gathered up in the bridge again. Namely Lucielle, Kai (who was now fully healed), Angel, Emilia, Karen and Chestnut. Solon and Rock manned the control panels of the bridge like usual. While the others stood behind looking through the rectangular video screen ahead of them. It showed the planet that the Sparta was now orbiting. The planet of mankind's origin. The Earth. From here, the blue planet was surrounded entirely but that huge layer of Magite - the Magi-Sphere. It coursed around the planet like a shield from the outside. So large and thick. Loud bolts of mile-long electricity streaked around the surface of the Magi-Sphere. But from the immense size of the sphere, they looked like nothing more than little dots in a sea of amethyst energies.

Kai was firm, though Angel stood very close to him. "So that's the Earth, huh?"

"Yup," Lucielle answered, serious in expression, "that's the planet we're trying to revive. Now. We've got to get to work. Rock? Punch up the Barrier Shields. Solon? Once the shields are up, plunge us straight through the Magi-Sphere at half thrust, understand?"

Both Rock and Solon answered with the same affirmative words. "Roger, Captain."

The large civilian flagship, the Sparta, was soon enveloped in the circular Barrier Shields that were produced from its generators. The wave of protective green energy surrounded the ship in an oval-shape. Like an egg. But its force was not nearly as fragile as such. Once Rock had finished tapping in the commands for the Sparta's defences, Solon plotted the course of entry through the panel she sat at. Moments later the powerful engines at the rear of the ship kicked off. The surge of energy propelled the Sparta into movement and sent it straight for the Magi-Sphere ahead. On the bridge, everyone waited with baited breath to see what would happen. Especially Lucielle. The Sparta surged ahead. Then a loud and echoing sound of force smashing into force reverberated around the ship. The entire crew on any level or room felt the weight of the collision as the Sparta plunged itself head-first into the Magi-Sphere. Rock, Solon, Lucielle and everyone else on the bridge held onto something in order to keep standing. Angel grabbed onto Kai as tightly as possible and the Syowanese boy returned that hold protectively. The nose of the Sparta had the hardest time getting through. And so it was the bridge of the ship that was taking most of the flack. Though the newly improved Barrier Shields maintained against the force of the Magi-Sphere's repelling energy, they still took a very heavy battering.

Lucielle closed one of her eyes and gripped the chair she was sitting on. "S-Solon! N-now! M-maximum t-thrust!"

The helmswoman shoddily affirmed that. "R-roger!"

Solon tapped the commands into her section of the computer panel and the engines of the mighty Sparta reacted. The blue flaming exhaust of the rear was magnified to its fullest and the ship forced itself ahead through the thicket of the Magi-Sphere. The repelling force of the Barrier Shields and the increase in both speed and power from the engines served to both push the Sparta ahead and ease the vibrations caused by the thickness of the Magi-Sphere. With much effort, the Sparta cut through the layers of the Magite force and stayed a heavy course. Right until it broke out of the Magi-Sphere and darted into the skies of the old world. The skies of the Earth. Lucielle, Kai, Angel, Emilia, Rock, Solon, Karen, Chestnut and the other few Whitestar crew members on the bridge all gasped when they saw the Earth for the first time in their lives. Through the video screen at the head of the bridge they could see what they were flying over. The beautiful white clouds of the sky and the rolling blue oceans below them. Natural air, natural sunshine, natural everything. The place that had been mankind's true home more than 200 years ago. The Whitestar crew had become members of a handful of people who had come down to the planet from space since the destruction of the known human civilization on it.

"...Amazing..." Lucielle commented, "...it's just as wonderful as my great-grandfather said it would be."

"It's truly beautiful." Said Angel.

Lucielle then looked over at her helmswoman. "Solon. Where are we now?"

"We are currently flying over the North Sea," She replied, "around six miles away from the eastern coast of Northern England/Southern Scotland."

"Alrighty then. Set us a direct course for that hill-mountain set you were talking about. Those pen-things." Commanded the Captain.

"The Pennines."

"Y-yeah, those are the ones."

Solon tapped in the right commands. The Sparta's engines slowed down a bit. Then it slowly turned around and gunned it in the opposite direction. Straight for the Pennines. Thanks to the speed of the Sparta and the accuracy of precisely where and how they dove through the Magi-Sphere, they had gotten themselves relatively close to their intended location. The ship of the Whitestar streamlined through the cold skies of Northern Sea and further on into mainland England. Angel's heartbeat increased when he looked upon the vast green hills of his homeland. Though he had not been born here, he felt a special connection to this place. Just as anyone else would have felt about their country of origin. Eventually the ship itself reached its destination and was hovering over it. Cross Fell. It came off as a short, slightly rocky and grassy mountain rather than an oversized hill. But it was apparently where the strongest European leyline existed.

"We are at Cross Fell, Captain." Informed Rock.

Lucielle nodded with her crossed arms. "Okay. Let's not waste too much fuel on maintaining hover-flight. Dissolve the Barrier Shields and bring us down slowly, guys. Once we touch ground-level, we'll be heading out."

Rock and Solon agreed to that and started the process. Rock lowered the Barrier Shields, which quickly vanished from sight around the Sparta, and Solon let the ship come down to a slow, easy rest on the grasslands below. Cross Fell and the surrounding mountainous hills were too uneven for a ship the size of the Sparta to land on. So it was forced to land at the foot of the mountainside. The ship came down easy on the surprising soft grass beneath it. One part of the plan was now over. Part two came with the actions of the crew. Lucielle stood up from her chair and turned around, staring at Karen, Emilia, Angel, Kai and Chestnut.

"Okay guys. We're heading out. Are we all ready?"

The group nodded to confirm that. And just as they were about to leave, Rock called out to Lucielle. "...Uh, Captain? I think we have a situation, here?"

"What's wrong?"

A vidscreen popped up in front of the panels. It showed a group of rag-tag villagers standing at the foot of the Sparta. Around twenty of them. They all whispered amongst themselves at the celestial ship that had just descended from the skies. They were all understandably afraid. It was probably the first time that any of them had seen technology of this kind in their entire lives. They had been born in world in which such ships only existed in folk stories.

"Locals." Lucielle said with a sigh.

Kai was confused. "Wait. I thought that all the people on Earth were killed."

"No," Emilia answered, "the population was cut down to less than 2.4% of the seven billion people that lived here in 2202. There's an estimated number of 66-70 million people left on the planet after that year. But that's a very small number, all things concerned. And its probably shrunken even further down since then."

"We tell them we friend, okay?" Chestnut asked.

Lucielle agreed. "Yup. Come on, guys. Solon, Rock? You two are in charge of the Sparta until I come back with the others. Keep a lookout for any problems."

Rock and Solon accepted that. And the Captain and her team left from the automatic doors of the bridge. The group marched through the long steel corridors of the ship all the way to the Transportation Chambers. Now that they had passed through the Magi-Sphere it was safe to use the Transport Beam to move in and out of the ship. The six crewmembers stood on the circular pad and were transported straight from the innards of the Sparta down to the grassy lands it had `parked' on. Which put them right in front of the crowds of local people that had gathered at the Sparta. Chestnut, Karen and Kai marvelled at the landscapes that were all around them. But Lucielle, Angel and Emilia were more concerned with the crowds of Earthlings they were confronted with.

One of them, a scruffy adult male, piped up. "W-who are you people?! Do you come from the Star Empire?!"

"Star Empire?" Kai repeated absently.

Lucielle shook her head and stepped forwards. "Listen to us. We come from space. From the colonies. But we mean you no harm. We came here to stop the overflow of the Magite in the Earth. To prevent another tragedy from happening here."

The scruffily-dressed people did not seem to understand what Lucielle meant by Magite' and she realized that they probably didn't use that terminology. But at that moment, someone a little bit more significant peeled out of those crowds. He was a short old man. Wrinkled, aged, and of crown-balding grey hair. His clothing was slightly less rough than those of his fellow people, they were the brown robes of a monk. In his right hand was an oak staff which he walked ahead with. The crowds began to whisper to each other his name, Elder Oro'.

Elder Oro stood between Lucielle's group and his own and looked into her eyes with years upon years of knowledge reflected in his own. "I am Elder Oro. I am the leader of the Cloud People and of Cloud Village. What is your business here?"

"The tragedy that occurred here 200 years ago," Lucielle said, "we have proof that it is about to happen again. We have come to stop it, sir."

Elder Oro ran his free hand through his beard. For some reason he did not seem surprised to learn that the Magite was about to overflow again. "...So you people have come down from the colonies to stop the rage of Ashma, have you? And what makes you think that you have it in your power to do such a thing?"

Angel had now come to realize that the Earthlings regarded Magite with the term `Ashma'. Mullenhauser had also used that term. It made the God Summoner think that there was more to this Magite situation than he and the others knew, but for now he would concentrate on getting the Elder to trust them. Angel had a satchel over his shoulder. He pulled it off and then took something out. A book. The moment Angel lifted the book into the air, Elder Oro's face widened with shock.

"The Lesser Key of Solomon..." His expression mellowed slightly, "so then you people are serious in your claims?"

Kai held his hand at his side. "Well it seems that way, doesn't it?"

"I see. If you possess that book then it seems you may actually know what it is that you are doing. At least partially. Very well then. All of you, come with me."

Elder Oro then turned his back to them and began walking into the crowds. They parted for him and allowed him to walk ahead. Leaving a path for the six star travellers to follow. The group all looked at Lucielle for conformation to follow him. She was more than happy to do it. This old man seemed to command a lot of respect with this group; which lead Lucielle to believe that she could trust him. She was the first to walk with the old man. Karen and Emilia caught up with her. Then Angel, Kai and Chestnut tagged along too. The six of them walked behind Elder Oro as he and his followers led them around the hillock that the Sparta was rested against. Which showed to them something they had not seen from the bridge. Behind that hill was a small but tight knit village. The one called Cloud Village. Men, women and children of all ages were dotted in and around the small local. Which was made up of rickety wood and stone buildings, completely lacking in the technological advances of the colonial world up in space. When the group entered the streets of Cloud Village, headed by Oro, they turned many a stare with their futuristic clothing and weapons.

Elder Oro spoke as he led Lucielle and the others through the streets of his village. "Please do not be offended by their stares. These people have been born into a world were contact with the colonies is completely non-existent. Which is one of the reasons we simply refer to them as the `Star Empire'. Plus. From what their parents and grandparents have told them... they feel that the colonies abandoned them after the great disaster."

"But you seem to know better," Emilia observed, "just how much do you know?"

Elder Oro chuckled. "I will explain it all to you."

The group kept walking with Oro. The villagers behind them all began to disperse and go back to their ordinary lives, even if a little suspicious of the denizens of the Star Empire. It took about half an hour but they made it to the place Oro hoped to take them. His own home. The largest building in the village. The residence of its leaders. The gang followed Oro inside the house and past the spear-armed guards at its front doors. Which brought them into the main hall of the mini-mansion. There was a large table in the middle. A conference table. One large enough to seat twenty people. Elder Oro brought himself to the head of that table and sat down. Then motioned for the others to do the same. Kai, Lucielle, Angel, Emilia, Chestnut and Karen all took their seats and relaxed for a moment.

Elder Oro rested his staff against the table. "Welcome to Cloud Village. We of this village are the descendants of the original Cloud People. Magic-users who shunned the space boom and retreated to the Pennines for safety and seclusion. All except me."

"You're not a descendant of the original Cloud People?" Karen wondered.

"No," Elder Oro said, "I am one of the original Cloud People."

Kai blinked. "That can't be right. Wouldn't that make you...?"

"Yes. I was born before the Great Earth Disaster, as you call it. I am over 300 years old. Which is how I know of your world and its technology. I am the youngest son of the man who built this village you see around you. I am not a blood relative of its previous leader, but I rule here in place of that bloodline as the Elder of Cloud Village. Now if you will all be so kind as to introduce yourselves."

Karen went first. "Okay then. I'm Karen Fa'lea Anselm."

"I'm Kai Kisaragi." Said Kai.

Emilia grunted. "Emilia Maximov."

"I called Chestnut Fealton!" Answered Chestnut.

"Lucielle Howard," Lucielle informed, "leader of the group."

And finally came the God Summoner. "My name is Angel. Angel Edelweiss."

Elder Oro seemed to take special note of Angel but didn't show it much to the others. He then clasped his wrinkled fingers together and lowered his head slightly. "I see. And you have all come here together to stop the Rage of Ashma, have you?"

Lucielle was confused by that one. "Rage of Ashma?"

"Hmm," Elder Oro closed his black eyes, "it seems that you follow different terminology for certain things in the colonies. Ashma is the name we associate with the throbbing magical force inside the Earth. The force that obliterated the previous civilization on this planet."

Kai crossed his arms. "You gave a name to some mass of energy?"

"The Ashma is more than a simple `mass of energy', as you call it," Oro corrected, "it is a brutally strong force of fused magical energies that boils within the centre of the Earth and leaks to the surface through certain leylines. That force reaches a peak every 100 years. If allowed to take place, Ashma ruptures can devastate nations in an instant. The Ashma rupture that un-shook the fabric of the world 200 years ago was one of the worse cases of such a phenomenon in the Earth's history."

Angel narrowed his eyes. "I am afraid I do not understand, Elder. If the Ashma ruptures take place every hundred years then why hasn't it happened again since the Great Earth Disaster?"

Elder Oro smiled at Angel's perception. "I will explain that. You see, the Cloud People have existed for thousands of years. Travelling the globe to prevent the Ashma Ruptures. In the past you might have referred to us as gypsies'. But it was our duty to protect the world by stopping the overflow of the Ashma energy. Mankind believes that a comet brought an end to the age of the dinosaurs. It was actually the first overflow of Ashma that did it. To stop such a surfeit from happening in our own time, the blood leader of the Cloud People, known to us by the title of Cloud Dancer, must sacrifice himself or herself by throwing their own body into the fissure. The blood properties of the Cloud Dancer has a soothing effect on the Ashma. One that, to this day, remains unexplained. But it has been our way for centuries. Until that day, exactly 204 years ago by tomorrow. It was becoming known to us back then that the Ashma was ready to burst into the surface of the world again. But... before we could even plan on dealing with the issue... our leader, the Cloud Dance of that time, the one fated to stop the overflow; was killed. And his body was burned into ashes by unknown forces. His descendants, the ones who would have had to take his place, vanished. Some argued that the murder of the leader was instigated by his own family; who were too afraid to sacrifice the lives of their loved ones for the greater good. I do not know what to believe. And when the Ashma Rupture did occur, I truly believed that it was the end of the world. Much destruction was weaved into the land. Just as we all had always feared. But before that Ashma Rupture threatened to destroy the Earth itself, as well as its civilizations, a band of mystics appeared. They were called the Eight Prophets'. They called themselves by the names Onreld, Aeraph, Nai, Zaiki, Divinity, Serene, Necros and Ishu. No one knows what their real names are, or even where they came from. But we do know that they brought with them a book. An ancient tome that was thought to be lost, centuries ago. The Lesser Key of Solomon. And they used that book to cast a seal on the Ashma flow. One that stopped the rupture. Though humanity's life on Earth was ruined, the Earth itself was not destroyed. It lived. The Eight Prophets then disappeared as soon as they had arrived, taking the Lesser Key of Solomon with them. All that remains of them is a picture that one of our group managed to take. A picture of Zaiki. However what the Eight Prophets did was beneficial. They saved our world. And the seal they placed on the Ashma has maintained for centuries since. Only now... it has begun to weaken with an all new serge in the force of the Ashma."

"I get it," Karen said, "the reason the `Ashma' didn't overload again was because of the seal that the Eight Prophets cast on it, right?"

Elder Oro nodded. "That is correct, miss."

"But now that seal's being overstretched," Emilia added, "twice the amount of force than usual is now ready to explode. Which means that twice the damage will be done to the Earth if all that Magite is allowed to burst into the surface again."

Again, Oro confirmed it. "Yes. I fear that this time, it will not simply be humankind and the wildlife of the planet that suffers. The Earth itself could be destroyed."

"Then we have to reinforce the seal," Lucielle said, "as soon as possible."

Elder Oro opened his eyes. "Exactly. However. The time to cast the seal is not now. I am at least partially familiar with the sealing spell of the Lesser Key of Solomon. It can only be used during the early summer solstice. June 21st. The day the Ashma overflow will take place."

"But that tomorrow!" Chestnut shouted.

"Then we'll have to do it early," Lucielle turned to Elder Oro, "Elder, is there a special place that we might need to go to so we can perform the sealing spell?"

Oro bobbed his head. "Yes. You will have to go to a certain building inside the mountain of Cross Fell. It is an ancient temple built before even the existence of the Cloud People. The concentration of Magite will be at its peak there."

"What is this place?" Angel asked.

"It is called," Oro began, "the Underground Palace. It is an ancient structure that is very sacred to our people. But it is where we must go. By the way, Mr. Edelweiss?"

Angel (and Kai) drew attention. "Y-yes?"

"Might I speak with later on?" Asked the Elder.

"...Um... of course."

When Elder Oro announced to his people that the `folks from the Star Empire' could be trusted, the mood towards them changed in Cloud Village. And they were immediately offered a place to stay for the night. Most people, including Emilia and Kai, would have preferred to have just gone back to the Sparta for the night. But both Angel and Lucielle said that refusing the Cloud People's offer for accommodation would have been rude. So they stayed put. The building selected for them was Elder Oro's own residence. The mayoral abode in the centre of town. Everyone had been given their own rooms (aside from Angel and Kai, who agreed that they could share their own room). And after a wonderful all-natural meal prepared by the cooks of Cloud Village, it was time to retire. Night had fallen swiftly on the village. And tomorrow would be a hard day.

Kai and Angel walked together up a set of stairs that led to the many bedrooms of the large mayoral mansion that belonged to Elder Oro. They tried not to give away the fact that they were now in a relationship, but it was becoming a little obvious to the others. Especially Lucielle. She had this amazing power to de-fragment any looks that two people happened to exchange with each other. Thankfully she had kept silent about her suspicions for their sakes.

The two love-struck teenagers strode down the hallway leading from the stairs and all the way along to their own room. Angel pressed his hand to the knob and opened it, all the while a little unfamiliar with the fact that it didn't open for him automatically (an after effect of the lazy youth space-culture). Angel opened the door and went inside with Kai taking up his rear. He then locked it as the two of them had entered. Then less than seconds later, Angel felt himself being swung around firmly by the shoulders. His back slapped against the wall as Kai took a hold of him firmly and stole a kiss from him right there and then. Angel gasped shortly out of surprise, but that dissolved into one of passion and desire, and he simply let himself be swept away in Kai's ardour. Kai parted his lips and pushed his tongue outwards as they kissed. Angel felt his soft lips be prised open by that lengthy tongue. Which snaked into his mouth and flicked against his own. Angel loosened up and let his arms curl around the Syowanese boy's head. Kai's hands settled on the delicate hips of his lover while they kissed, then slowly moved around the sides of his hips to settle on the small, soft, perfectly rounded globes of Angel's ass. The God Summoner breathed a sigh from feeling Kai's strong hands grope and grasp at his hind quarters. Kai had such a possessive touch. It thrilled Angel in ways he could never have imagined possible. After a slow, longing exchange, Kai lazily dragged his tongue out of the English boy's mouth, eliciting another breathless sigh from him.

Angel half-opened his eyes, as if he had seen stars. "...Kai..."

"Man," Said the swordsman, "I've been waiting all day to do that. I think we should tell the rest of them soon. I can't stand all this sneaking around all the time."

It was a fact that they had to accept, but that was not on Angel's agenda at this point. The chocolate-haired youth worked his hands into the back of Kai's blonde hair, staring deeply into the taller boy's eyes. "...Kai. This could be the last time that..."

"No way," Kai said haltingly, "there's no way I'm gonna hear that crap from you. We're gonna beat this thing and then head back to the Sparta. You hear me? We're gonna win this."

Angel lowered his head. "...Still... I just... wouldn't feel right... if we went into battle with a false idea... or without showing you how I really feel. I've had much in life and its never brought me the kind of happiness I have now. Just from being with you. You make me so happy, Kai... and I... I want you... to be my... first."

"...Angel..." Kai knew exactly what he was getting at, "are you sure? I mean, I know what your religion thinks of..."

Angel shook his head. "...No. It's fine. If such a relationship makes me this happy, then... I can't honestly call myself a Christian. But I'm okay with that. As long as it's you. So will you be with me? Will you be my first?"

That question didn't have to be answered for Angel to know what Kai's reply his request would be. His sweltering sapphire eyes, sodden with both love and lust, spoke volumes. The two smiled at each other. Kai took a hold of both of Angel's wrists which were perched on his shoulders, leading him from the door. The two of them ambled backwards to the double bed. Then Kai stopped and grabbed Angel's cheeks. The youth from New Westhampton sighed into his lover's mouth as they kissed again. Knowing what was about to happen between the two of them. Kai's lips smacked with Angel's, while his hands went on the move again. They slinked down Angel's smooth, nubile form. Down the outline of his cream white shirt, then down the soft flatness of his stomach. All the way to those jeans shorts. Kai, maintaining his kiss all the while, started to unbutton them. He fumbled to do so but eventually got them out of the way. Afterwards he pulled down the zipper behind the flap of denim fabric. Angel broke the kiss and hooked his thumbs into the jeans shorts. Then quickly brought them down his long legs. Angel kicked off his heel sandals to allow the shorts to come off. Kai then pulled that white shirt off Angel's body. The younger boy lifted his arms and his long bangs rose and fell when the snow shirt came off of him. Which left Angel in only his underwear and socks.

The bottle green-eyed boy smiled at Kai and then solely walked around to the edge of the double bed of their room. He descended upon it, laying upon his back. And Kai, for one single second, stood dumbfounded at Angel's gorgeous feminine beauty. He was such a beautiful person. And entirely un-masculine. Each part of him was perfect. His long legs, his thin waist, his tight little ass, his long fingers, his chestnut-brown hair, his rosy lips, his small dainty feet, his pink nipples, his harmonious voice, his pale cream skin, his big emerald green eyes; everything. Aside from the small giveaway bulge in his panties' there was nothing about Angel that would ever cause someone to believe that he was a boy. It dawned on Kai how much attraction he bore for Angel. And that body of his that just begged to be despoiled'.

So the Japanese descendant quickly began undressing himself. Keeping his eyes on Angel and Angel alone. Soon enough the Whitestar uniform came off his body bit by bit. He dropped the Ouroboros as well, until he had stripped to his naked, muscular yet lithe form. The only piece of clothing left on his body was his boxers, which constrained a larger erection than Angel had been expecting. The boy blushed vividly and smiled as Kai walked up to the bed and climbed on top of him. The tow stared at each other, bright blue eyes gazing into sultry green ones. Exchanging words that did not need to be spoken. Then Kai leaned downwards. Dipping his head between Angel's neck and shoulder. Angel's eyes rolled into the back of his head when he felt Kai kiss and nibble at the flesh of his neck. Biting softly at that milk-tone flesh. Dragging his tongue in circles over his collarbone and throat. Slowly Kai brought his tongue in downwards movement, leaving behind a thin trail of saliva, just past his crucifix necklace. First from the throat down to the chest of the catholic boy. Which rose and fell from the quick and rapid intake of breath that Angel was experiencing. Kai grinned childishly and made a right turn. Then bit at that rubbery and erect right nipple. Angel gasped lightly, feeling Kai's pearly whites baring down on his pink nub. The older man then proceeded to flick his tongue over it, again and again, massaging the nipple with firm strokes. Each one caused Angel to tense and un-tense at the same time. And while he continued to do that, Kai lowered his hands along Angel's sides. All the way down to the white cotton underwear his was wearing. Kai grabbed at them and pulled them down slowly. Freeing his smaller erection to the light of day (or the moonlight of night, as it were).

Kai then straightened his body out and leaned upwards, tossing Angel's underwear away. His own crotch ached for attention, and he would answer that soon enough. Kai pulled down his boxers and quickly got rid of them. Freeing up the length and thickness of his cock. It was something that Angel couldn't help but marvel at. Thankfully Kai seemed to be more sexually experienced than he was, because the swordsman made a point of being as gentle as possible. One of his hands held Angel by the waist to keep him steady. The other one clasped his cock to line it up with the cheeks of Angel's ass. But before he did anything, Kai asked,

"Are you sure you wanna do this? We can always wait."

That was said out of consideration only, as Angel could see that Kai was just as driven to go as he was, but all the same it was needless. Angel wanted this. And his quick breathing managed to come out with a reply. "...Yes. I do."

That was all Kai needed. "Okay. Just try to relax."

Angel nodded slowly and managed to keep his breathing under control. While Kai released his waist with his free hand and used it to spread open Angel's cheeks as best as he could with one hand. Which revealed that tight, small opening of creased pink tissue. Like a flower bud of wrinkled pink in a sea of white. Completely clean and fresh, boasting the hint of Angel's scent, that of wildflowers Angel closed his eyes and tried to relax as Kai had asked of him. Then those eyes of his opened up again when he felt the head of Kai's dick press into his anal passage. Angel gasped at the hot feeling, instantly gripping the bedding into balls in his fists. Kai stopped when he saw Angel's reaction.

"Are you alright?" He asked.

Angel nodded again. "...Yes. Please don't stop."

It would take some adjustment for him, but Angel wanted this so very badly. And Kai could see that. The older youth took a deep breath and tried to do this as softly as possible. Angel grit his teeth and clenched his eyelids shut as Kai resumed pushing the head of that thick rod inside his asshole. A burning sensation took over Angel as it happened. Kai's cock slowly pushed its way into Angel's opening. Edging its way through the tight virginal ring of flesh. After a bout of effort, Kai's head finally penetrated Angel's crack. The God Summoner sighed aloud while his hands gripped the bed sheets tight. His throat and chest bobbed up and down from his heavy breathing. Kai gasped at the tightness of Angel's hole, clamping around the head of his prick, but the mild look of discomfort of his lover's face prevented him from truly enjoying it. But the harder part was over. Kai gave Angel a few moments to adjust to his size, allowing him to relax for a moment. Then he looked into the English boy's eyes to confirm that he could continue. Angel nodded again. And so Kai pushed in further. Angel's eyes were wide open when he felt Kai's cock slowly inch its way inside him. Prising into a passage he barely even knew he had. It elicited a loud and breathless gasp from him. And it continued until he felt Kai's hips and pubic hair against the cheeks of his butt. Kai had buried himself as far in as he could go. Angel controlled his breathing as best he could and looked up at that expression on Kai's face. His eyes were closed briefly, his mouth open partially. Kai sucked in breath and sighed. Angel's anal track was, in his current experience, sublime. The feeling of being so close to him, being inside of him, experiencing Angel's tight, hot, moist corridor squeezing at his cock. So tightly. Kai took another breath and leaned back downwards to gaze eye to eye with Angel. From this moment they had stopped, he was slowly becoming accustomed to the feel of Kai's thick 8 & ½ inches buried so far inside of him. The blonde settled his hands around Angel's thin waist. The two of them kissed a second later. Their lips caressing each other once more. Assuring Kai that this could continue. He took his time but slowly began to drag his dick back out and then in, with elongated strides. Angel moaned effeminately into Kai's mouth from the feeling, that hot sensation of thrusting inward and outward. It was a slow motion at first. Kai's thighs pushed in and out between Angel's legs in an unhurried and deliberate rhythm, with consideration for Angel in mind. It continued with Angel's light gasps of discomfort changing, over time, into drawn-out sighs of pleasure. Kai noticed the switch in reaction from the expression on his lover's face. Angel's eyes were closed but not forcefully so. His mouth now hung wide open, but with the slight form of a smile, as best a one as Kai could detect. Which suited the Syowanese warrior well. He himself groaned lowly with delight as his cock thrust into Angel's rose-like opening. His innards were so warm and tight, no one could have resisted it.

Then the tempo started to pick up. Gradually. Kai retained the precision of his thrusts but enhanced the speed of them. Using his arms to balance himself on the bed, he broke his kiss with Angel and forced more strength into the strokes of the younger boy's anal passage. Until his hips started slapping against Angel's ass cheeks. Angel's little gasped now became dented cries, each one brought on by the forward plunging administered to his tiny asshole and its warm, wet corridor. Angel's hips jerked with each thrust, his hair shook, his bangs bounced, and his own erection flopped from one side to the other from the increased speed in Kai's actions. Kai's own low growls of fulfilment joined in with Angel's loud pattern of moans. The headboard of the bed clattered against the wall it was positioned next to. Angel grabbed the bed sheets again, but this time out of pleasure and momentum. His toes (by now both of the socks he had been wearing had somehow come off) curled up and Angel unconsciously wrapped his lengthy legs around the muscled and lithe body of his love. Kai Kisaragi.

Kai evened himself out over Angel's body again, pressing their chests together. While Angel joyfully curled his arms around the older boy's back and kissed him desperately, the two now moving in unison thanks to the actions of one. The moans of Angel and the grunts of Kai soon filled the room. Alongside the sounds of flesh slapping against flesh and a headboard which clattered against a wall. Kai broke their kiss again while his hips continued to batter his lover's anal passage. The swordsman went back to nuzzling his lips and teeth against the milky skin of the God Summoner's neck. Angel opened his eyes and looked up at the ceiling while his whole body jerked backwards and forwards from the intensity of the sex between himself and Kai. And at that point he couldn't imagine himself being happier. Knowing that he was so close and intimate with someone he truly loved. Such a revelation took its toll. As a result of that Angel cried out, physically shaking. His cock gushed out long spurts of hot white cum that splashed against Kai's chest and his own stomach. The reaction of his body to his first ever orgasm was to tighten all in one instant. And the feel of Angel's anal track clamp harder than ever on his dick brought Kai's own drive to a maximum. One hard thrust inward and his cock suddenly shot warm jets of cum deep into Angel's ass. Kai groaned leisurely from the feeling, Angel's innards still tightening around him. The brown-haired boy lowered his head back down to the pillow of the bed and sighed heavily. Both from sweet release of his first climax, as well as from the sensation of Kai's cum being sprayed against the warm, moist tissue of his anal channel.

Kai slowed his lunges down in a gradual pace, still riding off the heights of his orgasm. Until he came to a peaceful stop. Angel's hips stopped jerking back and forth because of that. And Both Kai and Angel breathed heavily, sheens of sweat glistening off their bodies via the moonlight seeping through the windows of their room. Angel relaxed his body with Kai's cock still inside of him, spreading his legs out after unwinding them from his lover's back. The two stared at each other, both of them still reeling from what they had just experienced between the two of them. Then Kai grew concerned when he saw a different kind of wetness dripping down from Angel's eyes.

"...Angel, you're crying."

He nodded. "Uh huh."

"Are you okay? Did I hurt you?"

"No," Angel wiped his eyes, "I'm just... so happy... that this is happening."

Kai smirked cheerfully, running his hands through his lover's hair. "This is just the start. I wanna make you this happy forever, Angel."

And Angel replied to that smirk with a tearful one of his own. "It's funny. Just a few days ago... I would never have imagined that you could express something like that, Kai."

"Yeah, well," The Syowanese youth continued to run his hands through Angel's smooth brown hair, marvelling at his crystalline-jade eyes, "a lot of things have changed since I met you. A lot of things."

"Geez, why don't those two keep it down?!"

Lucielle stared out the window of her bedroom in a thin nightdress supplied to her by some of the maids on attendance here. She had decided to crash just a short few moments after Kai and Angel had made their decision to do so. Then by the time she came into her room, the two of them were going at it like bunnies. The walls of this place were rather thin and those two probably didn't know that little fact, but, Lucielle was happy for them in either case. She had known for a while that Angel had feelings for Kai. Practically everyone else in Whitestar did, with the slight exception of Kai himself. All that had obviously changed now. Although she had no idea when the two of them got it together, it was obvious to Lucielle that Kai and Angel were now a couple. It was only a matter of time before they announced the details of their relationship to everyone else.

While sitting beside the window, Lucielle heard someone knock on her door. Her mind was preoccupied with thoughts about... everything, really. But someone wanted to speak to her and she wasn't about to turn them away. Whoever it was. "Come on in."

The door clicked and opened up. Lucielle didn't look away from the window so she could not see who it was, not even from the reflection provided from that same window. And it wasn't until the person spoke that Lucielle realized who it was.

"It's a nice night, isn't it?"

Lucielle looked back. "...Emilia?"

The Russian woman stuffed her hands into her pockets, still armed with all four of her guns, and then strode up to the window, standing beside Lucielle, looking out into the night sky that overhung Cloud Village. "...It's a makeshift town. But the landscape around it is beautiful, isn't it? The hills and the water of the lakes. And the sky. It's just breathtaking. Especially at night."

"The stars always do look good from the ground level of a planet," Lucielle claimed, "the projections over the colonies aren't that bad... but they're definitely not the same. I think the fact that people like us, colony-dwellers, still look up at the stars from the surface of a planet is a sign. That we still feel attached to planet life. And there's only one planet we belong on."

Emilia crossed her arms. "The Earth?"

"Got it in one."

"Are you that sure of it?" Asked the markswoman, "and yourself for that matter?"

Lucielle pulled a grin. "Oh, I have faith. My Father always told me that mankind can't run away from the Earth forever. Seeing it today makes me have new belief in that one. It's up to us now."

"That's a interesting comment coming from you. From the way you've acted recently, I had assumed that you got a kick out of running away."

Though that snappy comment was somewhat ambiguous, Lucielle knew exactly what her Russian counterpart was referring to. Typical Emilia. "I'm not the one running away. I gave you the chance to put your life into perspective and guess what? You screwed up again. I'm apologizing for shit-all."

"I call that running away." Emilia prodded, looking out the window.

"And I call it rational," Lucielle retorted, "I don't play second-fiddle to anything when it comes to relationships, babe. Especially not to some suicidal quest for revenge."

Emilia sighed. "...I don't think you'll ever understand me."

"Nobody understands you, Emilia. But that doesn't mean we don't care about you. I may not understand why you feel this desperate to kill Gaap Mosaletti, but I can understand why you feel that way. That became all too clear at the thought of losing Daddy and Karen on Victoria Lake. It's never easy to be parted from the people you care about."

The expression on Emilia's face darkened. "...Then why is it that you refuse to be with me? Knowing just how I feel about you?"

"You know why," Said the Captain of the Sparta, "whether they care about someone or not, how many people do you know out there who would standby and watch as someone just destroys themselves inch by inch for which ever reason? I don't love you enough to standby and do nothing while you ruin your life with this obsession for revenge. I'm not strong enough to do that. Not even for you."

It was then that Emilia's frown became a miserable smile. "Hm. I don't know if I should be flattered because you care that much about me... or disappointed that you don't care enough to stop me."

"What does your heart say?"

Emilia pressed her hand against her chest. "...It tells me that I want to wake up in bed with you tomorrow morning."

"Does it now? You wanna know what my heart tells me? It tells me that I've been in love with this grouchy, stone-hearted Romanovian chick for ages now. But my head says that I can't trust the fact that you'll be next to me when I wake up tomorrow morning."

With the moonlight glowing down on the two of them through that window, Emilia sat down on the same windowsill that Lucielle was rested on, and looked deep into her eyes for what she was about to say to the Captain. "...And which one are you prepared to listen to?"

"Dear God," Lucielle grinned hopelessly at Emilia, "that's a bit of a stupid question, isn't it?"

And sure enough, moments later, the two of them were at each other. Lucielle and Emilia clasped each others cheeks and thrust their lips together, instantly displaying their love and passion for each other. Their problem hadn't quite been resolved yet. And until Gaap was as dead as a dodo, it probably never would. But that didn't matter to either of them right now. Lucielle sighed gently from the kiss, knowing how much she wanted this for the past few days. But it was Emilia who had been the most frustrated. Thusly her kiss was desperate and overtly eager. The Romanovian national thrust her tongue straight through the increasing gap between Lucielle's lips. So swiftly that the American descendant barely even registered it. A second later and she felt Emilia's tongue brushing past her own, deepening their kiss. While the hand of the gunwoman reached down to Lucielle's long left thigh. Emilia's hand took a firm grasp of it, stroking it up and down. While the other still lingered at Lucielle's cheek, flicking the softness of it with her thumb.

Then the two scrambled to undress each other. Emilia, wearing all that she was, was the most difficult, so by instinct they both focused on her clothing. Lucielle broke their kiss quickly with a gasp and hurriedly undid the straps securing the holsters of Sharon and Franchesca to Emilia's waist. The belt with the two archaic-in-design guns fell to the floorboard ground by the windowsill. Emilia quickly worked the straps for Marlene and Christine off her shoulders and arms. Then came the Whitestar uniform. Lucielle helped peel the suit off, stealing light kisses from Emilia everyone now and again, until the Romanovian woman was left only in the black bra and panties that blended well with her icy milk flesh. Lucielle then worked her hands around and unhooked the bra off Emilia's body. While the haste-ridden Emilia peeled (or more accurately, ripped) the nightdress that was guarding Lucielle's buxom body from her touch. The American descendant shimmed out of it, letting the shredded article drop off her torso. Though she normally would have felt guilty about ruining something that didn't belong to her, Lucielle was too focused on Emilia right there and then to care.

With Lucielle utterly naked and Emilia effectively in the same condition (save for the panties) the two resumed the elongated, heavy kiss and grasped each other confidently. The two women fumbled on bare feet and boots to make it over to the bed (which was unfortunately a single). Eventually they did reach it. Lucielle handed on her back while Emilia mounted her in a commanding manner. Then Emilia broke their kiss again and lowered her head. Right down to the rounded flesh of Lucielle's heaving left breast. It had been noted by Emilia long ago that Lucielle's breasts were, in no small way, larger than her own. Probably part of the reason she loved them so much. The Russian descendant extended her tongue and dragged it up the outline of Lucielle's globular left mount, peaking at the stiff, light pink nipple. Emilia bit the nub and sucked on it, hard and fast, exchanging momentary nibbles for momentary suckling every few seconds. Lucielle, with her head rested on the pillow, moaned softly at the feeling of Emilia chewing on her sensitive and appropriately erect nipple. The markswoman's free hand reached around and grasped the other, taking it into her hand as best as she could. With her mouth and tongue she pleased one breast, and with her right hand she groped and fondled the other. Emilia's remaining hand slowly rubbed up and down Lucielle's side. She paid special attention to the nipple that she now had in her mouth, biting at it, sucking at it, flicking at it with her tongue. Which reminded Lucielle of Emilia's fascination with her bust. A trail of saliva trickled down the side of the breast, while the nipple of it became coated in such. By the time Emilia pulled her mouth away from it, Lucielle's aureole was in a shade of red.

Emilia breathed lustfully and stopped her caress of Lucielle's right breast. That hand slipped down along her body, exploring all its curves, until it lingered around before her stomach. Lucielle worked her hands into Emilia's raven black hair and smiled passionately at her. So the gunner work her hand so that her index and middle finger stuck out. Sort of appropriate for Emilia. Those two long fingers traced their way down the curve of Lucielle's labial region, which was already damp from the younger woman's wetness. Then with little more than a few moments of wait, Emilia thrust those two fingers straight into her lover's wet opening. The Captain of the Sparta cried out brilliantly when those two finger pushed inwards, prising apart her soft vaginal walls. Her back arched, her heart raced and her eyes swiftly shut.

The loud cries of Lucielle rang out across the room as Emilia gave to her the night that they had both been waiting for. But as it was said, the walls of Elder Oro's mansion were not soundproof. Directly below the bedrooms was the hall that everyone had gathered up to for the discussion on the Ashma/Magite overflow and the Eight Prophets. Only one member of the group was still awake/outside the bedroom. That person was Karen. She sat at the large table alone with a mug of warm milk in one hand and an irritated look on her face. Not only could she so clearly hear the moans of her 'Big Sister', but it seemed that Kai and Angel had resumed their lovemaking. Allowing for a lot of noise to be travelling down to her level.

"...Horny perverts." She remarked cantankerously.

The new morning had come.

Angel moaned softly to himself as the rays of sunlight now began to peer through the windows and splash upon his face. He slowly awoke to the sound of clothing and metal being shunted around a body. When he turned over on his side of the bed and noticed that Kai was not there, he fully opened his wide emerald eyes and looked ahead of the bed. Kai was there alright. But he was now fully dressed. Right in that Whitestar uniform. But there was a new addition to Kai's garbs. Attached to the back clasps of his one-piece uniform was the steel pack-shaped device known as a Propulsion Gear. Attached to the Propulsion Gear were a set of mechanical `wings'. They were of a rigged V-shape, with openings on the end tips of the wings, acting as exhaust pipes for the Gear. It was of a similar design to the one that Garland Lilith had been wearing. And now that Angel thought about it, Kai desire to wear one of those probably had something to do with his rivalry with Garland.

Kai looked over at the bed when he heard shuffling. Angel was awake, alright. The young man walked up to the bed and leered over Angel's naked, bed-sheet hidden form. Then quickly took a kiss from them, the contact between their lips drawn out as much as possible. They had no problems being intimate now. Kai then pulled back with a proud smile.

"Morning."

"Morning," Angel repeated, right before pointing at Kai's Propulsion Gear, "what is...?"

Kai looked around his shoulders at the wings of his Gear. "You mean this? I made a little trip back to the Sparta this morning to pick it up. After I saw Garland attack the Xiantian Colony, I decided that it was best for me to have one of these contraptions. Thankfully that Solon didn't mind hooking me up with one."

"Solon made it?" Enquired Angel.

Kai grunted a yes. "Yup. I doubt there's anything that little kid can't make. I swear, she's like the Hand of God. But enough about that. You need to be getting up soon. The Captain came in here a while ago asking about you."

Angel smiled at his boyfriend. "I think that that's the first time I've ever heard you refer to her as the Captain."

"Yeah, well, that Lucielle might not be all there in the noodle, but she's pretty cool when she needs to be. Unlike that girlfriend of hers."

Angel slowly leaned upwards from the bed, clutching his bed robes to his chest. "You mean Miss Maximov? I suppose she can be rather... difficult at times, but the Captain loves her dearly. Not unlike you and I, really."

Kai smiled, without a word. It was the first time the word `love' had been exchanged between the two but the both knew that they felt that way about the other. And they both knew how the other felt about them. The look of understanding shared between them was proof of that much. But they couldn't stand around forever thinking about that. Their nights together would come in time. Now they had to think about what was to come today. Which was when Angel decided to get up and get dressed into his clothes (after having a quick shower). Soon he was just as ready as Kai was, but before he left his room he took the sacred book with him. It was the key element to their plans after all. Angel slotted the magic book into his satchel and then swung that satchel around his shoulder. With the two ready to go, Kai and Angel left their room and walked through the hallway then downstairs. As they came down they noticed that everyone else was waiting for them. Chestnut, Karen, Emilia, Lucielle (who stood next to Emilia with a very pleasant grin) and Elder Oro were all dressed and ready to depart.

Karen crossed her arms with a scowl. "Geez, what took you two so long?"

"None of your business, brat," Kai barked, "that's grown-folk's affairs."

Lucielle pulled a devilish grin and strode up to Kai from her position next to Emilia. The Captain of the Whitestar group leaned into his ear and whispered, "I hear that Syowanese guys are amazing in bed. Did our little magic boy over there get a piece of that last night?"

Kai blushed and whispered back. "The same goes for you and Emilia, doesn't it?"

"Thin walls?"

"Thin walls."

Elder Oro, who knew everything that went on in this house, coughed into his fist. "I do not wish to disturb such moments. But I was under the impression that you all had plans to save the world? Can we focus?"

"Ignore them," Emilia replied, her firm voice as cold as ever, "maturity and `Whitestar' are two words that don't often mix. But all of us are ready to leave now. Just lead us to that place you called the Underground Palace."

Elder Oro nodded. "Alright then. Follow me."

With the old magician leading the way, the crewmembers all followed him to the door. The only one that didn't follow was Lucielle. Kai stopped walking and paused when he noticed this. "...Lucielle? What's up with you? Haul ass."

"Hmph. They also say you Syowanese boys are a little thick. I'm not a fighter, remember? As much as I'd love to come with you... I'd just be in the way if I did. Once you guys leave I'm going back to the Sparta. We can keep in touch by NFC and once the job is done, we'll beam you back to the ship. Good luck, you guys."

Emilia frowned. "We'll be fine. Just take care of what you have to do."

Lucielle bobbed her head to that. Then the group said their goodbyes and left through the main door. The place that Elder Oro was leading them to was directly under the upper levels of the mountain of Cross Fell. Not too far from Cloud Village itself. The Elder of the village walked with Kai, Angel, Emilia, Karen and Chestnut around a stone path that led out from his archaic homestead and into the shadow of a nearby hilly section of the mountain. The path brought the group directly to a stone slab pressed into the face of the hill. One that was over twenty metres in height. And heavy as all hell. The group took this as the entrance to the Underground Palace. But they were confused as to how anyone of Cloud Village could get through it without destroying it. Elder Oro then showed his hand. The old wizard stuck his arm out and pointed it at the large stone door. He mouthed an ancient chant from his aged lips which the group's NFCs (minus Chestnut) confirmed to be in the language of Welsh. No physical energy appeared from the use of Oro's magic. But the large stone door that blocked entry into the Underground Palace began to move. Sluggishly at first, considering the weight, but soon enough the entire door was out of the way. Enough to provide the group with access to the Palace.

Elder Oro lowered his staff, breathed a sigh of effort, then motioned for the group to follow him into the newly unveiled corridor. They all did. And the six-strong group descended into what was a long set of stairs. The corridor itself was short. What followed was an extremely long flight of stairs. Over three thousands steps downwards. Now it became obvious that the `Underground Palace' was more than just a name. They all walked into the crevice and down those long sets of steps that inched further and further into the darkness. On the way in, Oro held up his staff and ignited it with magical fire. That brightened the stairwell more for the group. When it became easier to see what was going on around them, Karen's eyes looked around suspiciously. To her, this place felt oddly familiar. Almost like...

"Wait a minute!" Karen said quickly, "this place is just like Procell Shrine!"

Angel looked around also. "...You know... you're right. It does look a lot like it."

Karen mused. The story that her Grandpa deciphered from the wall murals of Procell Shrine did suggest that there were more temples like it in the galaxy. The Underground Palace was probably one of them. It was something Frank Anselm would have been very interested in investigating. But for now Karen left that issue as secondary. And thought it took at least half an hour to do it, the group descended all the way to the bottom of the steps. To the opening of the Underground Palace. It was a huge stone archway. But possessed of a thin veil of magic energy, not unlike the one at Procell Shrine. But by now Kai, Angel, Karen and Oro knew full well that the energy wall was harmless. And so the group walked through it. Which led them into the vastness of the Underground Palace.

Kai, Angel, Karen, Emilia, Oro and Chestnut all bathed themselves in the setting of this ancient structure. It was similar to Procell Shrine. But in some ways very different. The stone of this shrine was not sandy. The carvings and wall murals seemed to depict certain winged beings with great reverence. The screams that were a background sound of Procell Shrine were replaced with the hollow chime of wind blowing through stone. It was an eerie sound when heard in such darkness. And this place was not possessed of lost souls. No. They had all passed on to the afterlife centuries ago. All that was left of them was their deep seated evil. So deep and so thick that it was manifest physically. In a smog-like wisp of thick air that simply hung around the many corridors and halls of the Palace. Though this place was less menacing than Procell Shrine, it was clearly more significant. Chestnut felt threatened just standing in it. Effirans were a race who felt things out through aura and spirit. With the exception of Effirans like Rock, who had taken on human customs, they all determined things by how they felt. And Chestnut felt nothing but ancient evil and misery from this construction.

"This is the Underground Palace," Oro explained, "it was discovered by our people over 300 years ago. We managed to exorcise the spirits that terrorized the shrine for so many years, but the evil they conjured still remains here. So thick and dense that you can essentially see and smell it. And considering that other life forms exist in the colonies now, I think I am right to believe that it was not humanity that created this temple."

Chestnut growled heavily. "I don't like here. Underground Palace full of evil."

"Regardless," Emilia said, "we'll keep moving."

And that they did. Elder Oro led them through the many hallways and corridors that the Underground Palace had to offer. Until they came to a certain hall. A very large one. More than 450x450 metres in size. Hundreds of thick pillars supported the foundations of this hall. When the party came into it, it seemed quiet enough. But there was someone else here that was waiting for them. And for one of them in particular.

The voice of that one called out to them. "...I thought rats usually jump a sinking ship?"

Elder Oro looked from side to side. "Who was that?"

Emilia's face hardened. She had a suspicion. And soon the suspicion was confirmed. A young man walked out from behind one of those tall pillars. A man of dyed green hair, a brown bomber jacket and a pair of blue jeans. Attached to his belt were a couple of laser guns. Also shaped like pistols, just like Emilia's twin pair (Sharon and Franchesca). This man sneered at the group, but his eye was firmly on Emilia.

Kai eyeballed him. "Who in seven-shades of shitting hell are you, dickwipe?"

Emilia ruminated. "...The five of you. Keep moving until you get to where you need to be. I will handle this one."

Angel blinked. "Are you sure, Miss Maximov?"

"I'll be fine, Angel," She replied, "you have important work to do. So be about it."

Though he didn't like the idea of leaving Emilia to deal with whoever this was, she was right in that Angel had a job to do. Elder Oro bowed his head in thanks to the woman and rushed off as quick as he could towards their destination. Which was the centre of the Palace. Angel, Kai, Karen and Chestnut followed him through a separate corridor to the far wall. Leaving Emilia alone to deal with this fellow gunner. The Romanovian woman growled aloud and frowned at this man.

"I was wondering when you were going to show your face, Gaap."

Gaap Mosaletti, the Italian descendant from Planet Drydna, the man who had assassinated Emilia's parents and joined the Four Horsemen to become its third member. The thuggish punk sniggered, stuffing his hands into his pockets. "Well, well, well. Emilia Maximov. The innocent little daughter of the diplomats. Isn't this a stroke of luck?"

"I've been waiting a long time for this," Emilia seethed, "I'm going to kill you."

Gaap sniggered. "Heh, heh, heh. If that were possible I'd have been killed a long time ago, hot-stuff. You know? I still remember killing your parents. I was only eight at the time. Imagine that, a young rookie like me, knocking off two Romanovian big wigs. I guess that was the point where I realized that this was my calling. And you know what? If I could go back to that day, I'd savour it again and again and again. Your parents gave me a very, very wonderful gift back then. They made me realized the truth. That this man you see before you, Gaap Mosaletti, is an unstoppable killing machine. Now. The only gift I can give to my dead benefactors... is to allow them... to see their daughter again... see you in hell, Emilia..."

Gaap then instantaneously reached for his left pistol, Orias, and aimed at Emilia. A blast was fired swiftly. Emilia darted to one side, rolling along the ground till she got herself behind a pillar. The young woman pulled out Franchesca and loaded it with three normal bullets. She inched back up into a standing position and swung back around the pillar. Straight away she fired a bullet at the position that Gaap had been at. But he had already gotten himself behind a pillar to escape. Emilia's bullet chipped the side of the pillar that Gaap stood behind. He was quicker than he looked. The Russian gunner slotted Franchesca back into its holster then unattached her shotgun, Marlene, from her back. The belt of ammo around her waist was now coming in handy. Emilia clicked open the gun and loaded two normal shotgun bullets. When it was ready, Emilia peered around the pillar to see if she could catch a glimpse of Gaap. She couldn't see him, but she could hear him speaking.

"Hey, Emilia!" He yelled aloud, "ever wondered what death is like?"

Emilia whispered under her breath. "...You're going to find out soon enough..."

She quickly rushed from the pillar and fired at Gaap's pillar. One bullet from Marlene and a huge chunk of it was blown off amidst dust. Gaap then peeled out of the pillar's safety and rushed forwards in the same gunning movement as Emilia. As he ran to the next pillar, he pulled out Orobas and fired at his Romanovian counterpart. Three chains of laser blasts came in Emilia's direction. Though she dashed ahead to the safety of the pillar. Gaap's shots hammered the closest pillar to them. All the while, Emilia readied Marlene in one hand. Normal bullets were going to be useless against him. It was time for Solon's Phase Wave Disintegration Rounds. Emilia removed two DR-PW bullets designed for Marlene, and loaded them into the shotgun.

If there was one thing she knew about Gaap, it was that he was brilliant at drawn-out gun battles. "...Hm. This is gonna be a long one."

With that in mind, the markswoman turned the pillar again and fired in Gaap's direction. Moments later there was an echoing explosion from the pillar he was closest to. One that caught the gunner punk by surprise. The compressed explosion blew fragments of the pillar in every which direction, forcing it to crumble from the centre. Gaap growled and run out of the way. An action to which Emilia replied by removing Sharon from its holster with one hand and firing swiftly with regular bullets. The green-haired man dodged most of them in his run. Aside from the last one. Which grazed him across the shoulder. Gaap yelled in pain as Emilia's bullet blew off the shoulder guard of his bomber jacket, cutting through to the flesh. Blood spurted in short jets. Not a serious wound, but one inflicted at the end of the day. And one was too many for a man like Gaap. He pulled out of the firing line, blasting at Emilia with Orobas to get here out the way. And so he slinked behind a second pillar, bleeding from his shoulder.

"...Bitch..." He seethed.

Emilia, who remained calm and collected, pumped the handle bar of the shotgun up and down. The used DR-PW bullet dropped out of the barrel. And she loaded another one. Only one PR-PW could be fired at a time, though two had to be loaded to fire. It was the one and only flaw in the ammo that Solon had created. But nevertheless, the Disintegration Rounds were Emilia's only hope in stopping the menace of Gaap Mosaletti. Then Emilia quickly ran around her pillar and made another side running shot at the one that Gaap stood behind. The Italian descendant was quicker off the mark this time around and dodged away just as the explosion took place. The second one was just as violent as the first, and it smashed through the pillar, breaking open a second cloud of dust and fragments. Gaap growled and locked eyes with Emilia who ran past the pillars at the same speed as he did. He fired Orobas in a continuous stream of shots, which Emilia got past thanks to her quick running. The woman then pulled out Franchesca, mid-run, and fired. Gaap sneered and dropped to the ground a few moments beforehand. His body rolled across the floor, while his hand extended Orias. He then shot a blast. But ahead of point, purposefully off in aim. Which was bang on target for a moving object. Emilia scowled with a yell when her thigh was grazed by the blast of laser energy. Her run ended in an abrupt stop behind a pillar. She was bleeding from the thigh now, and it was no surprise that such a wound would slow her down.

Gaap rolled behind his new pillar and sniggered. "Heh, heh, heh! You've made me bleed, now I've made you bleed. It seems that we're even now, doesn't it?"

Emilia breathed in heavily, loading Marlene with another DR-PW bullet. "...Bastard."

Towards the centre of the Underground Palace was another stairwell like the one leading to the entry point. It was a tall set of stairs that spiralled upwards in the opposing way to first set. Elder Oro, Kai, Angel, Chestnut and Karen ran up those stone stairs as quickly as they could. There was no time to waste now. The five of them ascended as fast as they could, knowing that the world was at their hands. And eventually they made their way straight to the top. The stairs led into a new level in that circular room. Into a new room. Which, as Elder Oro knew, was the highest point in the Underground Palace. A hexagonal-shaped room which stretched over 80 metres across from one side to the next. A gigantic face to top off a gigantic structure underground. Carved into the floor of the large chamber was a perfectly symmetrical, six-pronged star. The star glowed in the light of azure. So radiantly that it completely illuminated that room all by itself. Kai and the others stopped when they came to this part of the Underground Palace. The point at which all the spiritual energy of the edifice was at its strongest. And standing in the centre of that enormous carving of a star were the three people that the Whitestar had been battling so hard with.

Gernst Mullenhauser, Aurora Edelweiss and Garland Lilith.

Kai, Angel, Karen, Chestnut and Elder Oro stopped moving when they got to the main hall of the Palace. Only to see those three across from him. And aside from Oro, all reacted. Kai held on the hilt of Ouroboros with his attacking hand, ready to unsheathe. Karen took out the Gaeki Crystal from one of her pockets and Chestnut assumed a fighting stance. The young Angel tightened up at the sight of his sister and his adoptive father. The two people who had cared for him. The ones he now had to call his enemies.

Kai grit his teeth. "Well, well. Look at all the bastards who've come to join the party. Where's your little friend, Rose?"

Garland smirked at Kai, his Qingu Halberd and Propulsion Gear ready for use. "...She is aboard the Astaroth waiting for us to bring back news of our victory. This time there will be no running away, boy."

"Who's running?" Kai retorted, "I've been waiting a long time to settle things with you."

Elder Oro narrowed his eyes. "...Who are they?"

"People who want to use the Magite-Ashma stuff for the wrong reasons." Karen answered.

Mullenhauser now spoke. "So you have all come to stop me, eh? What foolishness. Did you not learn your lesson on Victoria Lake? I have long suspected that you Whitestar members would try something like this. But I never thought you would actually have to courage to attempt to stop me face to face. Know this. You have all made grave mistakes. And now that transcendental force known as Ashma will be mine for the taking. Behold!"

Kai, Karen, Angel, Chestnut and Elder Oro froze in point and watched Mullenhauser uncross his arms and spread them apart. His thin eyes flashed a dark lavender and the black cape flocking behind him rose up into the air. Streaks of electrical energy began course all over his body. Over his legs, his metallic arms, his face, his chest. The dark lavender in his eyes faded when he shut them. But his body shook from that point on. Angel and Elder Oro both looked alarmed when Mullenhauser's artificially produced magical powers started to coalesce with the evil lingering in the Underground Palace. Thus the whole structure shook along with him. The brightness of the six-pronged star increase. Till that light rose up in small pillars. The hair and clothes of everyone around rose up as if the gravity around them had been effected. As did the traces of dust and loose rock that littered the ground from place to place. Even down below, Emilia and Gaap could feel the shaking of the foundations of the Palace. Cross Fell itself felt the weight of those tremors. Over in the bridge of the Sparta, they too could detect that something was awry. Rock and Solon tapped information into the panels and a huge video screen of Cross Fell appeared over them.

Rock turned to Lucielle from his chair. "Captain! Something big is happening!"

"What is it?" Lucielle (who by now had returned to the ship) wondered, "has the overflow of the Magite started already?!"

"Not quite," Solon answered, "it seems that the `Underground Palace' as you call it, is being raised from underneath the face of the mountain."

Lucielle blinked. "What?!"

On the video screen, a clear image of Cross Fell could be seen. The animals that normally grazed on its fields of grass were now scattering. The birds flocked away as quickly as possible. Thick rock started to crack and separate in the droves. A thick aura of purple was soon surrounding the entire mountain, including Cloud Village. The tremors caused by the magic of Mullenhauser could be felt by the citizens of the village itself. The glass windows of their homes shattered. The wooden beams that made up their housed also shook. The woman and children screamed while the men all gasped, looking up at the peak of Cross Fell from their locations. The side of the mountain was cracking in one particular place. The rock and earth that had gathered up over the years was now being ripped apart from below. The rumblings over Cross Fell did not end. Until something gave way. That thing happened to be the side of the mountain. The ground that made it up was tossed into the air when the very building beneath it began to arise. The Underground Palace itself was raised up from the face of the mountain, climbing upwards level by level. The gigantic column-shaped shrine rose up from the depths of darkness. Each section of its outwards shell covered in thousands upon thousands of years of soil and earth. And it kept rising until its bottom (3900x4550 metres long) finally came up from the ground of the mountain. It kept rising until it was so high in the sky that gazing down from it would make Cross Fell mountain look like nothing more than a slightly broken mound.

The Whitestar crew on the Sparta and the people of Cloud Village looked on in terror and awe as the Underground Palace now hovered less than a mile off the ground. Suspended in the air by nothing more than the force of Mullenhauser's magic, mixed with the evil of its long lost spirits. The top section of the Underground Palace, the roof, started to crumble away bit by bit. Also a result of Mullenhauser's magic. Because of this the stone walls surrounding Kai and the others inside the palace were gone. Which now put them directly on top of it. Everyone aside from Mullenhauser gasped when they saw that they were now in the air. Able to gaze upon the many mountain-like hills of the Pennines for as far as they could see. With the blue sky above and the rocky greenery below. All a result of Mullenhauser.

Angel was startled. "...Dear God... what have you done...?"

"Heh, heh, heh," Mullenhauser smirked, lowering his hands, "do you now see that standing against me is utterly useless? My powers have grown to a level that none of you could ever hope to attain. Not even you, Angel. It is time for me to take my place in the analogues of this world's destiny. Why bother to manipulate Ashma as an energy source? And then let some fool find a way to synthesize it? This power is for me and me alone. I will use Ashma's force to strengthen my own a thousand-fold. I will ascend! Into divinity shall mankind once again arise, to overthrow God and become the almighty master of existence!"

"You speak madness!" Elder Oro chided, "Frail human beings such as ourselves cannot control the Ashma! Nor can we peer ourselves with God! Your ignorant plan risks the stability of the Earth!"

Mullenhauser grinned. "Quiet, old man. You dare to contradict your new God?"

But Oro was not the only one with reservations. Aurora had a chilled look in her eye. And she turned to her adoptive father in her confusion. "Father, when you asked the Four Horsemen to help get you to Earth, you said that you would extract the Magite for financial gain. You said that you would build an empire in the colonies where you, Angel and I could rule. What is this you speak of now?"

From hearing that one, Mullenhauser growled. And then pressed his hand to one side. Aurora was roughly blown back by magical force that extended from Mullenhauser's hand. The master hacker fell to the ground and coughed, feeling only a small sample of what her adoptive father was capable of.

Angel gasped. "No! Sister!"

"Mindless vermin!" Mullenhauser yelled at her, "What does money mean to a god? Or family for that matter? I have gone beyond such petty human desires. Very soon the old work of the Eight Prophets will be undone. The Ashma will burst from the leylines of the Earth just below us. I will absorb all its power with my magic and become unstoppable!"

"We'll see, you cocky bastard!" Kai growled menacingly and unsheathed Ouroboros, "we have to stop this maniac right here and now! Are you guys with me?!"

"Sword!" Karen's Gaeki crystal transformed into a sword-shape, "I'm with ya!"

Chestnut spread her legs and pulled up her fists, "I will do it!"

Elder Oro brought up his staff. "No evil shall threaten this world again!"

Even Angel, a pacifist by nature, knew what he had to do. "We have no other choice!"

But unlike Aurora, Garland was very loyal to Mullenhauser's new plan. And so he acted. A devilish grin passed on his face. The engines of his Propulsion Gear kicked in. The Valhothian male then zoomed straight into the group. Or more specifically, Kai. The swordsman quickly gripped Ouroboros in a double hold and blocked the slash from Garland's Qingu. The two weapons collided once again with an echoing rumble. But the force of the strike pushed Kai backwards. So quickly (with the driving force of the Propulsion Gear) and so swiftly that the pair of them went flying over the edge of the roof of the castle.

Angel's heart raced. "Oh God, Kai!"

Half of Angel was prepared to chase after the two in any way he could think of, until he felt a restraining hand touch him by the shoulder. It was the furry hand of Chestnut. "Do not worry for Comrade Kai. He fine. We must beat big nasty man to save Earth, right?"

Though his worry was not eased, Angel tried to focus on what mattered. The Earth. And the one threatening that was the man standing across from them. Gernst Mullenhauser.

With their weapons locked, Kai and Garland descended from the roof of the newly arisen Palace, with the background of the skies behind them. Thankfully the Propulsion Gears were thought activated. Kai's PG ignited and came to life with just a moment in the air. He and Garland scowled at each other in the weapons lock between the Ouroboros and the Qingu. Then they repelled each other. Kai and Garland zoomed away from each other, circling in the air around the western side of the floating Underground Palace. Kai drew back Ouroboros into a rather defensive stance and spoke, yelling to be heard at this height thanks to the wind.

"Are you completely insane?!" Kai cried out, "you'd let that maniac wipe out the this entire world just so he can become even more powerful than he already is?!"

Garland sniggered, his ponytail and tunic waving in the wind of the skies. "Stupid boy! Do you think I really care about what happens to this pathetic planet? All I care about is proving myself as the strongest warrior in the universe! Once I defeat you, no one will presume to be a greater warrior than I!"

Kai growled as Garland zoomed towards him again. The blades of their weapons clashed once again. Garland swung his halberd around and aimed to strike down Kai with a swipe. Kai flew backwards to avoid the slashing half-circle motion. Then pushed forwards again while the other man's guard was done. The Horseman evened out Qingu in front of himself and blocked the strike dead on. Knowing that a direct assault with Ouroboros was useless against Garland, Kai flew back with all the juice of his Propulsion Gear. Then levelled out the sword before him -- not unlike what Garland had done to defend himself. A vivid blue light came to the blade of the sword as he held it that way. One that, when ready, converted itself into a freezing cold beam of pure ice. The Ice Blast magic skill chilled the air whilst moving forwards at great speeds towards Garland. The assassin grinned and pointed Qingu outward. The Magi-Tech system of the Qingu created a magical shield of defence just as the Magi-Tech system of the Ouroboros created the Ice Blast. The frosty beam blasted the shield thoroughly, the energy of the blast splashing outwards from the point of collision like half-solid water. While Garland held off the magical attack with his shield, he laughed, saying,

"Level 2 magical attacks will not work on me, boy! Now let me show you what these mighty weapons of ours are capable of doing when used in the right hands!"

He maintained the shield but his body altered in position. He held the Qingu vertically and a glow of purple encircled his entire body. Including the length and blade of the Qingu as well as the wings of his Propulsion Gear. Once the Ice Blast came to a end, the shield protecting the glowing Garland did as well. But then Garland vanished in the blink of an eye. Kai was startled by this. And looked from one side to the other. He could see nothing. Until he felt the reply attack firsthand. Kai cried out at the feel of cold steel slashing along the back of his waist. The steel of Qingu. Blood seeped from the shallow wound which had cut through the fabric of his Whitestar uniform. Kai turned around with a slash but didn't hit anything but air. Kai was again confused. And then he was subjected to a second slash. Fresh blood was cut out when the blow chopped at his leg from behind. Kai grunted and tried to catch sight of Garland this time. But by the time he turned around he was gone again. Then moments later, the dark warrior appeared directly in front of Kai in the blink of an eye. The Syowanese boy was too startled to do something about it. And garland slashed gleefully in a downwards motion. The front of Kai's armour-uniform was slashed open, drawing a new cut into his skin. Kai grit his teeth and flew backwards to escape further blows.

"...Dammit..." He cursed, "...teleportation...?"

Garland laughed. "Aha, ha, ha, ha! Correct! The master of Magi-Tech weaponry now stands before you, child! From the moment I first saw you on Syowa-oh I know that you were an unworthy creature. When my master attains his ultimate power, worthless scum like you will become nothing more than bitter after-notes. But in the name of that glorious future of death and destruction, I shall serve you up as a blood offering!"

Kai sighed, lowering Ouroboros. "...Last night... I found true happiness with the one I love. It goes without saying that I fight for his ideals. They were just important to me when they were important to him. But no more. I know that I have to give myself fully to this. Even if it means breaking a few rules. "

"...What are you getting at?" Garland snapped in suspicion.

"I'm saying..." the blonde boy looked up with a dirty grin, and the blade of the Ouroboros now brimmed with golden light, "that it's a new ball game now, motherfucker."

"You fool!" Garland growled with venom and blasted himself ahead on full power of his Propulsion Gear. Kai retained his grin and waited for the Valhothian man to come at him. There was four small lights on the grip of the Ouroboros. One was blue, the next one up was yellow, then orange, and then finally red. Each light represented the level of magic used by the sword. Blue was the lowest (Level 1) and red was the highest (Level 4). Right now as the blonde swordsman initiated his newest attack, the light that was glowing was orange (Level 3). Though Ai had recommended him not to use anything above Level 2, this had to be done. The golden light of the sword increased the closer that Garland came to him. And when the other winger lifted Qingu to strike, Kai struck three seconds earlier. When Kai swung the long blade of Ouroboros it was followed by a huge trail of waving golden light which simply cleaved through the air like nothing before it. The Seraphim Cut Magi-Fusion art swung around with its dazzling power and repelled the charging strike of Garland. There was a loud bang of force battering more force and a bright flash of light to accompany it. When the light faded away, Garland had been tossed right out of Kai's way. The right wing of his Propulsion Gear had been blown off.

And the Qingu had been cut in half.

"Damn you!" Garland yelled, plummeting out of the sky in disbelief, "you haven't seen the last of me! I swear it! I`ll come back and destroy you!"

Kai breathed out whilst watching Garland fall to what would likely be his death. But he was even more concerned with the tiredness he now felt. Using skills above Level 2 seemed to drain energy. But it didn't matter to Kai. The young man flew upwards and ignored the pain he was feeling from his wounds for now. He had to help Angel and the others defeat that slimy Mullenhauser.

While on the roof, Karen, Chestnut, Elder Oro and Angel were doing their best to try to stop him. The wild Effiran was the first to act, using her Alien Martial Arts Skills of Bajyam. The furry woman dashed across the roof with powerful strides and jumped upwards. Her powerful body bounded into the air and sailed over the stone of the floor to descend at Mullenhauser. Chestnut stuck her fist out just at the point where savage flames of burning Chi sprung to life around it. Chestnut's Flaming Spiral Knuckle technique came down into Mullenhauser's proximity. But didn't land. A shield of transparent energy blocked the attack. Chestnut's fiery hand pounded the shield but couldn't break it. Not even dent it. Chestnut somersaulted back with her hand regressing its spiritual fire. She landed on the ground from the flip and rushed forward again at Mullenhauser. She tried to punch the man again and a second barrier appeared as a defence. The Effiran's fist was literally blown back by it. Chestnut tried again with a swift kick from the right of her hips. The kick was blocked again by the force of the German man's shield. Chestnut growled and stepped back, reassuming herself into a fighting stance.

Mullenhauser smiled at her with arrogance. "Is that the best you can do?"

"I just getting started!" Chestnut yelled defensively.

"That's funny..." The hand of artificial magic user started to glow, "...so am I!"

And then he swung that arm right at the alien girl. Chestnut crossed her arms over her face to protect herself and her sight from the incoming blow. >From Mullenhauser's hand came a violent and forceful gust of wind. The Hurricane Ball magic skill. One stronger than anything Chestnut could have dealt with at close range. The Effiran yelled aloud when the gusts of wind from Mullenhauser pushed her back effortlessly. Her frame was hurled through the air and it landed into the dusty floor of what had now become the Underground Palace's roof.

"Chestnut!" Karen scowled when she looked at Mullenhauser, "Oh, you are SO asking for this, pal! Axe!"

The shining Gaeki Crystal transformed from a sword-shape to an axe-shape. Then the unusually agile Karen ran forwards to attack her enemy. Mullenhauser smirked at this little girl with a big toy. But he could make a weapon of his own to deal with her. In a manner of speaking. Mullenhauser extended his hand and opened the palm. Glittering sparks of fire arrived. Ones that grew in size and took a long shape. Those waves of fire transformed into a cluster of molten flames that assumed the shape of a Scottish double-edged broadsword. The Ignis Sword magic art. Karen swung her axe at the taller man but was startled when the Ignis Sword repelled the strike. Those flames were as solid as actual steel.

But Karen Fa'lea Anselm wasn't prepared to give up that easily. "Staff!"

With that command given, the Gaeki Crystal transformed again into a staff form. Karen twirled the long rod of crystallized energy around her body to invoke intimidation, then took a swipe horizontally. Mullenhauser growled batted Karen's strike away with the Ignis Sword like it was nothing. The girl yelped when the sword of the German magician burned the back of her hand. She lowered herself to her knees and the Gaeki Crystal reverted to its spherical form. Mullenhauser sniggered at the teenager and simply kicked her across the face. Karen cried out from the strength of the kick, Mullenhauser's boot battering her jaw. She rolled away with a line of blood dripping down from the corner of her mouth and a bruise the colour of a plum immediately wrought over her cheek.

Elder Oro said nothing to voice his outrage. Rather he just acted on it. The old man pointed his staff at the vile man known as Gernst Mullenhauser. His staff remained in place and he focused his mind and all its thoughts on doing this one. The air around his body, particularly before the staff, grew hotter. His free hand joined it in place, curling into a fist. The cause of the hot air around the old wizard was shown when a flicker of flames burst into life in front of him, starting at the head of the staff. The smouldering flames of magic extended in length and snaked around the torso of Elder Oro, then rising upwards. The front of line of fire morphed into the shape of a Chinese dragon's head, which roared into the early morning sky. The entity of fire, the Dragon Tongue Sage magic skill, swiftly darted ahead from its conjurer to its target, Mullenhauser.

"Not bad, old man!" He commented.

Mullenhauser brought up another of those shields to guard himself from the flames of the Dragon Tongue. The flaming entire dove into the shield and dispersed into a cloud of fire on contact. But that was not the end for the older man's action. Angel and Aurora's father pointed his hand down at the ground. Behind him. He fired a simple magical shot. Nothing impressive by his standards. But though it was aimed in the opposite direction to Oro, it curled around mid-flight and came right back around to deliver. Elder Oro scowled and conjured one of his own shields. The magical blast fired by Mullenhauser went straight through the defensive barrier, shattering it like glass. Elder Oro shrieked horribly when the magical blast hit him. He was nailed deftly in the stomach. He held a hand to his mouth and regurgitated blood violently, dropping to the floor. Even the magical master was no match for what Mullenhauser had become.

Which left only Angel.

Mullenhauser smirked at the boy, who he had worked so hard on. All through his youth, the German billionaire had tried to turn and model Angel into the second daughter he never had. Now both had stood against him. Yet Angel was the only one who could truly stand in the way of his plans. Especially with the Lesser Key of Solomon in his possession.

"Stop this now, Father," Angel commanded, "you don't know what you're doing. Not only are you incapable of controlling such force, if you allow the Magite to break free you'll put this entire world at risk."

Mullenhauser smiled at his son. "I am afraid that you do not understand what has happened here. Boy, this is the last day that you will ever know the world as it is. From this moment onwards I shall carve the Earth-orbital and outer-orbital worlds to my own image. Ultimate power. Power over the entire universe... it will all be mine. Now that hold the key to that force, you and your sister are no longer needed..."

Angel could not deny that it hurt to hear such words from the man he had come to consider as his father. But he showed none of that sadness here. Only the determination he had stop this madman before he caused an even worse tragedy than then Great Earth Disaster. The God Summoner held his hands to his chest and mouthed the chant that would unleash one of the spirits to do battle.

"By the ancient spirit of the Cloud People," Angel uttered desperately, "bless this holy blood with thy divine strength. Bestow upon me your power and I shall give you all my heart. In the name of God and righteousness, I summon you to the realm of the living. Awaken now, o Lord of Fire and War, awaken El!"

The sound of war drums pounding monotonously in the background could be heard all around the roof of the Underground Palace. Then a huge pillar of fire burned upwards in front of Angel, blowing his hair and clothes back. The smouldering wall of fire burned at the molecules of the air had had been called to. And something stepped out of that wall of fire. A spirit of ferocious nature and strength. The entity that walked out of the flames was covered in flames himself. Cinders flickered around his body. The image of his legs, arms, body and head could only be made out by form. Not seen for what they were. Given that the strength of the fire that surrounded him was as hot as lava. This was El. The Lord of Flame and Warfare. His feet burned into the ground whilst standing on the floor, smoke rising from them. While his large and spiky ponytail of hey-like hair thrashed behind his head. El lifted his right hand and opened his palm. Then lifted his open palm all the way into the air. Mullenhauser watched this intently, knowing full well that Angel was a God Summoner. In certain points above Mullenhauser, in the air, large balls of flaming force appeared. One after the other. Until there were at least twenty of them dangling with flair in the sky. Then El lowered his hand down like a command for attack. The twenty spheres of fire and brimstone came screaming down towards their Germanic target. Mullenhauser growled and brought up a full body shield to defend himself. This was much more than what Oro, Karen or Chestnut could do. And he felt the weight of that when El's flaming orbs crashed against the protective magic shields he conjured. One after the other they battered the shields, crashing into them and bursting into embers. But with each one, Mullenhauser's body jerked from the strain put on him. Resisting the power of a spirit like El took more strength than most magic-users could ever hope to gain. But Mullenhauser guarded himself against all of them. Fire surrounded the area around his feet for five metres but his body was unscathed.

Angel clutched his fist in frustration and lowered his head. "...I can't do this alone..."

"...Do you see it now?" Mullenhauser dissolved his magic shields, "how hopeless this is? If you have any sense you'll bow to me now. And beg for my mercy."

"I'll never bow to someone like you!"

Mullenhauser closed his eyes and chuckled. The air above him grew cold. Then in an instant two twin ice spikes, both jagged and sharp, materialized above his head. One for El, the other for Angel. "...Then you will die."

The two ice spikes then thrust themselves towards Angel and the flame spirit El. Then a bullet was fired at one of them. The gunshot crushed that particular ice spike into tiny scraps of frozen water. The second one continued on. Until a bird-shaped wave of flames flapped through the air and collided with it. The ice spike and the Phoenix Wing skill destroyed each other upon contact. Ending the threat on Angel's life. Neither of those attacked had come from Angel or El. But the God Summoner had a good idea who they did belong to. Standing at the steps from the lower levels was a wounded but able Emilia, carrying her sniper rifle Christine in her hands. By the edge of the roof was Kai, holding an unsheathed and smoking Ouroboros in hand. He looked equally wounded but was still alive and kicking with that arrogant smile on his face. Angel's heart leapt to know that his love was okay.

"Kai... Miss Maximov..." He said.

Mullenhauser frowned. "So my servants were not enough for you?"

"Lets just say that I've gotten my revenge." Emilia answered.

Kai offered a little of that, too. "Yeah. And if I were you, I'd consider that little psycho bastard of yours to be a dead man. From the looks of things... the Four Horsemen have bitten the fucking dust. How sad for you."

"The Four Horsemen are nothing to me," Answered the pseudo-wizard, "so unless you wish for the same battering you received on Victoria Lake, I advise you to walk away, little boy."

"And I advise you to kiss my ass, dickwipe!" Kai pointed the Ouroboros at him, but looked at the others when he spoke again, "Everyone?! It's time we give that guy everything we have!"

And it was Kai's determination that brought them all back from the brink. Elder Oro, Karen and Chestnut all stirred and stood upright. Much to the surprise of Mullenhauser. They all gathered together, Angel, Emilia, Elder Oro, Karen and Chestnut; with Kai at their head. All their eyes locked on Mullenhauser. The one they had to defeat.

Kai grit his teeth and yelled, "Chestnut! Karen!"

The two nodded and rushed ahead in unison to attack Mullenhauser. They came up to him quickly, not sparing a moment to chance. Karen transformed her Gaeki Crystal into a sword and slashed at the left while Chestnut extended her leg for a kick at the right. Mullenhauser growled at the two attacks. But used common sense and shielded himself to the left. Karen's sword bounced off the shield. However Chestnut's kick got through because of that. The German descendant grunted when Chestnut's blow landed forcefully on his back. He then stumbled ahead. At that point Karen slashed at him again, unguarded. Mullenhauser sucked his teeth when the blade-shaped Gaeki Crystal cut him across the face. Mullenhauser's blood, which was now blue thanks to the Magi-Tech nanomachines pumped around his bloodstream by his heart, splattered over the floor.

Kai called to the gunwoman of their team. "Emilia!"

She nodded back and lifted up Christine to aim. She fired, a normal bullet, but it was enough with Mullenhauser distracted by Karen and Chestnut. Mullenhauser yelled outwardly when the bullet was buried right into his shoulder. His blue blood burst out into sight again, and he grabbed his shoulder in agony.

"So even Gods feel pain, eh?" Kai turned to the remaining two, "Angel? Elder? All together!"

Angel and Elder Oro understood what they needed to do. Oro lifted his free hand and staff and held them before his body. His wrinkled lips began muttering a Welsh chant to gather up his strength for his next and most powerful skill. Angel pressed his hands against his heart and shut his eyes. To concentrate for contact with the strongest spirit he could summon. The flames of El regressed and that entity returned to the spirit world while Angel did all that he could to call on his strongest of all. A lingering glow of silver surrounded his body. A holy light. A representation of divine power.

"...By the ancient spirit of the Cloud People, bless this holy blood with thy divine strength. Bestow upon me your power and I shall give you all my heart. In the name of God and righteousness, I summon you to the realm of the living. Awaken now, o Maiden of Light and Love, awaken Branwen!"

White light exploded before Angel's feet. A throbbing white light that radiated the same holy essence that Angel Edelweiss had been blessed with his entire life. That white circle of light expanded somewhat and an even brighter form of light arose from it. One so strong that it actually caused fright in the evil that lingered in the palace. The celestial luminosity that came up from the ring of light was produced by a shining image of purity and faith. A beautiful woman in a simple white dress. But one that shone with the light of a true goddess. She opened her mouth as if to sing and produced silent words. Instantly a pair of feathered wings spread out from her shoulder blades. A true angel, summoned from the very seat of heaven itself. Kai by now had gathered power for his own attack. The Ouroboros glistened brightly from its slightly curved blade. In the aura of a bright blue. The three of them, Kai, Angel and Oro, looked at each other in understanding. Karen and Chestnut dashed out of the way leaving the now wounded Mullenhauser primed for the strike.

Kai growled. "Now!"

Elder Oro shot out a huge beam of force that engulfed his hands and body with its light. The Strataga Sage magic skill. The heavenly angel Branwen opened her long feather wings to full extension and placed her two hands together. From those gentle hands came the sheer fury of God's wrath, a vigorous and almost savage explosion of white holy power that joined with Oro's attack toward the fake warlock. The force of Kai's Ouroboros reached a peak. And a thin but powerful beam of azure energy streamlined ahead with the other two attacks. The wounded Mullenhauser finally caught sight of what was going on and struggled to assimilate more shield to defend himself.

Moments later, a gigantic explosion rocked the upper roof of the arisen Underground Palace. One so bright that it could be seen from both Cloud Village and the Sparta. White light and streaks of blue overtook the roof of the structure. Kai, Angel, Karen, Oro, Chestnut and Emilia dove to the ground and looked away, covering their eyes. The almighty light created from the combination of the Strataga, Branwen's Assault and the magic of the Ouroboros' enveloped absolutely everything on top of the temple. The stone floor cracked from the strain of the power conjured by the fusion of the three attacks. The very foundations of the Underground Palace were weakened by the explosion. The conjoined light then erupted and scattered itself over the temple and the lands and skies below it. The rumblings of the explosion then faded. And the brightness dimmed down. Enough for everyone to open their eyes. The group all stood up from the ground they hit and turned around to see the result. A shallow but wide crater was left in the ground. Cracks spiralled outward from its centre. And it still burned with light from place to place. Stained black by the burning of holy judgement. Mullenhauser was standing weakly in its centre. Blue blood stained his clothes everywhere. His cape had been burned off. As well as most of his metal arms.

Mullenhauser coughed up more of that sickly blue blood as he tried to speak. "...So... in the end... I am the one who dies... as... do... my... dreams..."

The bloody corpse of Gernst Mullenhauser then fell to the blackened stone ground around him. Dead. Angel shut his eyes and looked away. And Kai moved to hold him, out of instinct.

Karen looked over at the corpse, her jaw still hurting. "...Is he dead?"

Chestnut confirmed it with a grunt. "He's dead."

It was then that the little red light on Kai's NFC began to flicker. While Angel sobbed lightly into his chest, Kai lifted his wrist to receive that message. "What's up?"

"What the hell are you doing down there?!" Lucielle yelled through the receiver, "Solon says that the Magite is gonna blow in less than ten minutes! If you guys don't stop dragging your asses then the Earth is finished!"

"You know, for some crazy reason, I'm actually glad that I'm still able to hear you scold me. But," Kai looked down on Angel, holding him by the shoulders, "you have one more thing that you need to do. The Seal. You have to reinforce the seal now. Do you still have the strength to do that, Angel?"

He nodded. "...Yes."

It was what they had come here for at the end of the day. Angel sighed, took a deep breath, then took off the satchel on his back and shoulders. It came to the dusty/smoky ground and he swiftly pulled out the book inside. The Lesser Key of Solomon. Angel quickly opened the thick book and read from it, from the second chapter, Ars Theurgia Goetia. The pure-hearted God Summoner parted his lips and spoke the passage in almost silent Latin. Kai, Elder Oro, Karen, Chestnut (who now held an unconscious Chestnut in her arms) and Emilia gathered together around the boy. And the bright green aura of the book grew in size. Enfolding them all. Angel's words were carried across the winds into every direction. To be heard like a song on cold spring morning. And the magic that those words invoked began the process. The restoration of the seal that the Eight Prophets had cast more than 200 years ago.

"It's a miracle," Elder Oro could feel it. Deep in his heart he could feel that the enormous power of Ashma was being held back by a re-strengthening seal, "...the true will of God is being done... if so... his embrace of his children... might once again be achieved."

And that was how the Second Great Earth Disaster was prevented.

It's seems kinda strange looking back on those days from where I am now. But I do remember that day to be one of the most memorable in my life. The ambitions of a madman threatening to ruin the world were stopped by the hands of the people who dedicated their lives to saving it. To think that I was one of them is surprising. Though Angel often says I'm ten times more courageous than I give myself credit for, I think he was too. But meeting him really did a number on me. Just as it would to anyone who had the pleasure of knowing Angel Edelweiss.

That was all I could ask for.

Him.

And it was all about he and I when that day ended. Things, in most ways, went back to normal. Elder Oro returned to Cloud Village shortly after the Underground Palace crumbled into the dust. He brought the good tidings of the end of the risk of Ashma. And the Lesser Key of Solomon, which I finally learned to pronounce, is in his care. He'll look after it for sure. It will be the duty of his people to stop the next Ashma overflow now.

As for the crew on Whitestar? With the Earth saved and the Four Horsemen finished, we had only one task left. Getting the Greater Universal Confederacy to invest in the resurrection of civilization on Earth. It's the hardest job of all. But none of us are going to quit. And everyone seems to be going about it in their own way. Which for them is always the abnormal way.

Our `wonderful and quirky' little Captain is making the biggest effort. But that always changes depending on what's shaking with Emilia. You don't need a crystal ball to see that all ain't rosy there. After we all came back from the Earth, Lucielle and Emilia officially announced that they were a couple again. Then two weeks later they officially announced that they hated each other's guts. Then three days after their break up, a member of the crew caught the pair of them screwing each other in one of the training rooms.

Y'know, I don't think those two will ever have a normal relationship.

Karen Fa'lea Anselm, that noisy little brat from Faandolta, returned to her grandpa's mansion in Sy Cyrus. It's just a visit and she'll be coming back, though I hope to God that the old man finds a way to keep her there.

Rock and Chestnut, the alien geek and the alien shit-kicker, went back to what they did best. Computing and fighting. Just like Solon's still inventing and Celena's still cooking. Yup, those guys aren't the most original bunch out there... but I guess that's why I think of them as... my family. When you spend three months with a group as kooky as this, you learn to love `um.

And Angel?

He and I have just told everyone about what's going between us. He was desperate for all the crew to know. Since his sister Aurora gave us her blessing, he's been more excited about our relationship than ever. And I can understand how he feels. Celena didn't seem too overjoyed about it for some reason, but I'm sure that she's just feeling under the weather. But all that matters now is our new lives. And for the first time I really feel like a member of Whitestar.

I have everything I ever wanted. My Family; Lucielle, Emilia, Karen, Rock, Chestnut, Solon and Celena. And my Love; Angel Edelweiss.

You didn't die in vain, Sho. I'm living this life that you gave me for the right reasons. Living the life that you deserved to have. Finally, the shadow of Tensatsukai and the Satsukami can rest with the past. And my soul, the soul of Kai Kisaragi...

...is free.

END OF THE LAST SAGA