Back at STF Headquarters, the common room buzzed with celebration.
Technicians from the Support Team climbed ladders, carefully unfurling a huge banner of Night Coil, emblazoned with the title.
"Champion of the Valora Downs Obstacle Run."
Night Coil crossed his arms, trying to look humble, but the grin on his face gave him away. Blue Blaze elbowed him.
"You gonna frame your banner in your room? Or sleep under it?"
Night Coil smirked. "Might wear it as a cape."
Blue Blaze rolled his eyes. "Of course you will."
Ian walked into the room just as his comm buzzed. He stepped aside, answering quietly.
A holo-projection flickered to life, revealing a stern-looking High Admiral of the Galactic Empire.
"Commander Ian," the Admiral said, "our soldiers on the planet Eldrathor have encountered a… powerful enemy. He's caused extensive havoc across multiple villages. We require STF intervention. Immediately."
Ian's tone shifted, professional, sharp.
"Yes, sir. We'll dispatch a team immediately."
He hung up and turned to the doorway.
"Send in Ice King, Dreadwake, Blue Blaze, and Night Coil."
Moments later, the four filed into the briefing room.
Ice King, frost-armored, calm, experienced.
Dreadwake, the 15th Great, tall, dark, clad, cybernetic pirate, crackling with shadow energy.
Blue Blaze, still energized from the race.
Night Coil, chain weapon resting on his shoulder, expression serious now.
Ian dimmed the lights, activating a holo-map of Eldrathor, an old-world medieval planet with forests, villages, mountains, and horseback roads.
Ian began: "The planet Eldrathor is reporting a major disturbance. Someone extremely powerful is tearing their settlements apart. Ice King and Dreadwake, you two will lead this mission."
The veterans nodded.
"Blue Blaze, Night Coil, you two are going for field experience. Observe. Learn. Keep your heads down unless needed."
Night Coil raised a brow. "We can handle ourselves."
Dreadwake cut him a sharp look. "You will follow orders."
Ian continued: "One more thing, Eldrathor is a medieval-era world. Strict anti-tech laws. No ships, no advanced weapons. You'll be using local transport."
Blue Blaze blinked. "Like what, carriages?"
Ice King grinned. "Nope. Horses. Hope you stretched your legs."
Ian laughed. "We'll issue you horses tomorrow. Try not to get bucked off."
Night Coil muttered, "Great. From obstacle course champion to horse jockey."
Ice King clapped his back. "You'll survive. Probably."
The afternoon became pure comedy.
Ice King stood in the training ring, arms crossed, watching Blue Blaze unsuccessfully mount a tall brown stallion.
"Pull the reins gently! It's not a rocket, kid!"
The horse snorted and Blue Blaze nearly fell again.
Night Coil clung to the saddle of his horse like the beast was a demon from the underworld.
"Why does it hate me specifically!?"
Ice King wiped tears of laughter. "It senses fear! Stop looking like a hunted rabbit!"
Meanwhile…
Dreadwake sat on a crate nearby, quietly studying Eldrathor maps, marking roads and potential ambush points.
"If they die before we arrive, I'm blaming you, Ice King," he muttered.
As the sun dipped below Tenrihines' massive towers, casting orange shadows across the runway, the team met in the hangar bay beside their transport craft.
The jet engines hummed like a heartbeat, ready for takeoff.
Dreadwake faced the team.
"We leave in five. Eldrathor's tech laws mean we're landing far outside the capital; we'll arrive near dawn. Expect a multi-day mission. Slow travel. Uncertain terrain. Stay sharp."
Ice King sighed dramatically.
"Translation: we're about to walk more than we fight."
Blue Blaze and Night Coil groaned in unison.
The ramp closed behind them.
Into the Unknown
The transport rose into the sky, leaving Tenrihines behind as stars filled the windows.
Dreadwake stared at the holo-map glowing in his hands.
Ice King leaned back, hands behind his head.
"Hope this big bad terror of Eldrathor is worth the trip."
Night Coil twirled his chain.
Blue Blaze leaned against the window, watching the galaxy pass by.
None of them knew…
They were flying straight toward Vyroz Strael, one of the Ascendants,
and their first test against enemies, The First Great, once feared.