The dawn of Rama did not break gradually like the rising sun of Earth; the light exploded all at once. As the city's sky filled with hues of violet and gold, Doctor Toram could hardly believe her eyes. The chaotic atmosphere of yesterday's battle had vanished, replaced by a breathtaking fusion of advanced technology and a peaceful spiritual realm stretched out before her.
Kaduel led Toram toward the center of the city. The streets were paved with crystal tiles, and on either side, "Winged Ones" of various heights—their wings as wide as eagles'—bustled about. Some walked, while others floated a few feet above the ground.
"This is the central marketplace of Rama," Kaduel said, folding his wings as he cleared a path through the crowd. "Here, trade isn't conducted with money, but with light particles. Energy is our currency."
Toram scanned the surroundings with a scientist's curiosity. "So, your economic system is based on the laws of thermodynamics?" she asked, though her attention was quickly stolen by the magnificent sights around her.
"You could say that," Kaduel smiled. As he walked forward, he began to speak of their primary enemy. "To defeat Daruel, you must understand his history. He wasn't born evil. He fell into the darkness while trying to protect the very existence of Rama. An obsession with power leads to... Doctor?"
Kaduel continued talking as he walked ahead, but Toram was no longer there.
She stood frozen in front of a jewelry shop. Her eyes were fixed on a blue gem resting on a table, its interior swirling like a miniature galaxy. The light emitted by the gem seemed to defy the very laws of physics.
Suddenly, a shadow fell over her.
Toram looked up to see an elderly man standing before her. His face was etched with deep wrinkles and his beard was as white as snow, but what caught her attention most were his wings. Unlike the shimmering wings of the other residents of Rama, his were aged—the feathers were frayed, and their color was a faded, lifeless gray.
The old man stepped closer to Toram, his eyes locking onto the nano-technology armor she wore. His gaze was hauntingly intense.
"Return this garment to its rightful owner," the old man said, his voice echoing like a sound from an ancient cave. "It was created for him."
Startled, Toram took a step back. "I beg your pardon?"
The old man reached out his hand as if to touch the armor, but then pulled back. "Return it to him. My son is the Warrior of Argilyos. This honor belongs to him. It was not meant to carry you."
Confused, Toram began to protest, "Who is your son? This armor was recovered through archaeology in a deep cave..." She stopped mid-sentence. She realized that the old man's words held a secret that transcended science.
At that moment, Kaduel realized Toram was no longer by his side. Turning back, he saw her standing alone in the middle of the crowd, speaking to someone. Kaduel's heart skipped a beat in terror. That figure... those wings... it couldn't be!
"Toram!" Kaduel shouted, spreading his wings and pushing through the crowd as he rushed toward her.
Hearing Kaduel's voice, the old man turned slowly. A mournful smile appeared on his face when he saw Kaduel. Then, without making a single movement, he dissolved into the air like morning mist struck by the sun.
Toram covered her mouth with her hand. The spot where the man had stood was now empty.
Kaduel reached her side and grabbed her shoulders, gasping for breath. "What happened? What did he say to you?"
"I don't know, Kaduel..." Toram's voice trembled. Staring at the empty space, she said, "He told me to return the suit to its owner. He said his son is the Warrior of Argilyos." She turned to Kaduel with suspicion. "Who is his son? This suit was found in an archaeological dig. But he said it has an 'owner.' Who does this suit belong to?"
The color drained from Kaduel's face. His eyes were filled with a mixture of fear and disbelief.
"Sawiros?" Kaduel whispered, his voice barely audible. He couldn't believe his own eyes.
"Sawiros?" Toram repeated the name. "Who is Sawiros?"
Kaduel gripped Toram's hand tightly. Dragging her away from the market center, he spoke rapidly, "The father of Daruel! The God of the Sun! It's a long story! We cannot stay here; we have to go now!"
"Daruel's father?" Toram asked as she was pulled along. "But you said he was dead!"
"That's what we all believed," Kaduel said, looking up at the sky. Above them, Rama's aerial guardians were beginning to hover in formation.
Kaduel closed his eyes and sent a silent internal message through the comms.
'Code Red! Code Red! All units... surround Sector 4 immediately. Search for Sawiros! I repeat, Sawiros is in the city!'
The movement of the angelic soldiers in the sky shifted instantly. Like a swarm of bees, they scattered and began descending rapidly toward the marketplace. As the market's hustle turned into panic, and as Toram was dragged into the shadows by Kaduel, the words she had been told echoed in her mind:
'Return this garment to its rightful owner...'
To be continued… ❤❤❤