| 10 years before |
The void of space stretched endlessly outside the hull of the Hole of Void spaceship. Stars glittered like shards of glass, but inside, the atmosphere was tense, almost suffocating. Eight students, hand-picked for their unique potential, kneeled with impeccable posture on the cold metal floor, their gazes unwavering. At the front, a figure exuded calm authority and power beyond measure:
✰Kraiton✰, the legendary Skyph warrior, the main lead whose very presence seemed to bend the light around him.
Beside him stood the other elite:
✰Haro✰, the steadfast vice lead,
✰Attrom✰, the meticulous code captain,
✰Untras✰ and ✰Tora✰.
rising stars among the students. Each one felt a mixture of awe, fear, and determination—they knew they were on the threshold of greatness, yet untested.
Kraiton's voice, calm yet commanding, cut through the silence. "You all are the bright stars of the next Skyph era," he said, his eyes sweeping over them.
"The future of Earth, the legacy of warriors, rests partly in your hands."
Untras swallowed, uncertainty flickering in his eyes. "But sir… we are not fully prepared."
Attrom's brow furrowed. "Yes, sir. We are not. Not yet."
Kraiton's smile was gentle, almost paternal, yet heavy with weight. "One day… one day you all will be," he said, his gaze unwavering, almost peering into their souls. "I can see it. I can see the path that lies ahead for each of you."
Tora tilted his head, curiosity mixed with hesitation. "How can you say it, sir? We've barely faced anything of true consequence."
Kraiton's expression hardened, the shadow of battles fought and sacrifices made crossing his face. "Because I know this. I can see the future within you. I have walked paths you cannot yet imagine, and I know your potential."
Attrom's voice trembled slightly. "Sir… you really have confidence in us?"
Kraiton's eyes glimmered with solemn intensity. "Confidence is only a part of it. I am facing a problem far greater than any of you can imagine. You must hold the warriors of Earth when I am not here. Even if the world forgets you, even if betrayal comes from every corner, even if it costs your lives… hold steadfast. There will be great players, unseen, who will manipulate the era quietly, as if playing games. Real-life games, where every decision is life or death. Protect them. Protect the balance. Attrom… especially you. Remember this."
Attrom's hands clenched into fists, his heart pounding with the weight of responsibility. "Yes, sir. I understand."
"And there will be one more," Kraiton continued, his tone dropping lower. "A force so powerful, no one can defeat him. You must control and guide him. Tora… understand?"
Tora nodded firmly. "Yes, sir. I understand."
Kraiton's gaze then landed on Untras, piercing yet filled with trust. "And for the assembly of all, the world will need you. Your role is critical. Understand this."
Untras swallowed, trying to steady his racing heart. "Yes, sir. Understand."
Kraiton's gaze softened for a brief moment before sharpening again. "Do not mistake my words as meaning the others are useless. Every one of you has a role. Together, you maintain the balance of this new era. But Attrom… you will face betrayal like no other. The Earth will never understand your moves as I do. Stand firm. Do not abandon your post."
"Understand, sir," they chorused in unison, voices tinged with reverence and fear.
The session ended, the weight of the conversation lingering like a tangible force in the room. Kraiton retreated to his quarters, leaving the students to process the enormity of their task. Hours later, Attrom, Untras, and Tora approached, summoned by Kraiton himself.
"Sir… are you the one who called us?" Attrom asked, his voice tentative, tinged with unease.
"Yes," Kraiton replied without hesitation. "I have little time to explain everything. A galactic alien force seeks to claim Earth, and we cannot let it happen. You three must understand, not just fight."
Untras blinked, confusion and anticipation warring on his face. "You… want us to fight?"
Kraiton shook his head, the shadows of countless battles etched into his features. "No. Understanding is more important. Tora, you fight to protect Earth directly. Untras, you gather and organize the warriors. Attrom, you play the game of strategy perfectly. Your main top queen… she is on the verge of being destroyed. Timing, precision, calculation… it all falls on your shoulders."
Attrom's lips parted in surprise, voice barely above a whisper. "Sir… I… I don't fully grasp…"
Kraiton's expression softened, almost a hint of warmth cutting through the sternness. "Even if all abandon you, never abandon the people, never abandon Earth."
"Yes, sir," Attrom replied, resolve hardening within him. "But… we have a question."
"Ask it," Kraiton said, voice steady yet patient.
Attrom hesitated, glancing at Tora, who nudged him playfully, reminding him not to falter. "Sir… your… madam… she passed a few years ago, right?"
Kraiton's eyes darkened slightly, a shadow passing over his expression. "Who madam?"
Attrom's voice was timid. "I mean… your wife."
Kraiton's shoulders sagged subtly, the weight of grief heavy. "Yes… she died. And…?"
"So… sir… did you have… a son or daughter?" Attrom's words were cautious, tentative, almost afraid to break the fragile air.
Kraiton's eyes softened, a fleeting smile crossing his lips as he gazed at the distant stars beyond the hull. "If I have… then?"
"No, sir… we… we just wanted to know," Attrom murmured, bowing slightly.
A tear formed at the corner of Kraiton's eye, glinting in the artificial light of the spaceship. "If i have a child will you take the care? Will you three and If I have a child someday… you all will see him. And he… he will save the whole Earth."
Attrom's voice was hushed, reverence dripping from each word. "Yes sir we'll love and take the care of him or her. I… I am sorry for asking, sir. Thank you… thank you for telling us."
Days passed, and the inevitable war erupted. Kraiton fought valiantly against the galactic alien force, his every move a testament to years of training and sacrifice. The battle was brutal, the void of space around the ship igniting with light and explosions.
Kraiton's legacy was cemented, but ultimately, he fell, leaving the Earth's future uncertain—yet seeded with hope.
| Back to Present |
{Clive's room aboard the Astro Opera}
The morning light filtered through the cabin windows, cutting through the gentle hum of the spaceship. Every room was fitted with an alarm, and as it rang, Clive awoke, stretching and sitting upright on his bed. His thoughts were still tangled in dreams of yesterday's training.
Sleep-laden, he murmured, "It's a beautiful day… good morning… hey… wake up."
Oragi stirred beside him, lifting herself from the bed. The blanket, carelessly draped, slipped to her waist, revealing more than intended. Clive's eyes widened in embarrassment, and his hands flew to cover his face.
"H-hey… wear something… at least… smaller things," he stammered, his voice cracking slightly.
Oragi's cheeks flushed as she quickly adjusted the blanket to cover herself. "Did you… see something?" she asked shyly, her voice barely audible.
Clive shook his head, hands still covering his face. "N-no… I didn't see."
"Go and get fresh… give me some time," she whispered, retreating slightly.
Clive nodded, retreating to the bathroom. Alone, Oragi exhaled deeply, the tension of the moment washing off her shoulders. "Huh… he's a good boy. I'm safe," she murmured, finally slipping into clothes and preparing for the day.
By the time the classroom filled, Clive and the others had taken their seats. Delom leaned over, a warm smile on his face. "Hi, Clive. How was the night?"
Clive nodded, still slightly distracted by the morning's awkward encounter. "Good… let's focus on class."
Delom chuckled softly, "Ok."
Moments later, the classroom door slid open, and Detro, the Astro Opera spaceship controller, entered. His presence commanded attention, but there was a subtle warmth in his tone. "I am Detro. I control the operations of the Astro Opera," he announced.
"Hello, sir. How are you?" the students chorused.
"I am fine," Detro replied, smiling slightly. "Today, we'll learn how to control the spaceship when the main controller is not present. Of course, that doesn't mean the controller just went to the bathroom."
A ripple of laughter eased the tension, but the students quickly regained focus. "So, first…" Detro began, launching into a detailed explanation, gestures precise as he outlined the functions of the ship, the emergency protocols, and the intricate balance of navigation, power distribution, and strategic movement.