Chapter Text
The warriors of light, weathered and worn from the biting winds of winter and the seemingly relentless battle before them, gathered around their bonfire. For several moments no one spoke, the threat of defeat weighing heavily on everyone’s shoulders and minds. The seasoned general, Sunshine, twirled a twig between his fingers and stared into the fire.
“They say they’ll steal your face, the Moon people, if they get you alone.” Sunshine snapped the twig and tossed a piece into the flames, the pops of burning wood echoing his somber warning.
Eyes traveled around, flitting from one face to the next. No one wanted to lose a comrade, much less see them succumb to the fate of Sunshine’s tale. “Then we mustn’t let them catch us,” a new voice broke the silence, laced with an optimism the warriors had not seen for several days. Rachel Heart stepped forward, hand resting on the hilt of her sheathed blade. “If these Moon people seek to bring their darkness, then we will simply have to bring more light.” She smiled, eyes brimming with vigor and confidence.
Sunshine smiled back. “Aye, and that we will.”
The twins, Reisi and Mikoto, exchanged a look. The wicked duo had been fighting alongside the general for years and would follow him to the farthest reaches of the world, but not without some occasional skepticism. “But how?” Questioned Mikoto, his eyebrows knitting together ever so slightly. “Their darkness grows stronger everyday, especially with their queens at the helm.”
Sunshine nodded, considering his soldier’s words. “Without their queens, the rest are just mere saplings.”
“So we cut off the queens’ power.” Supplied Teresita, a battle-seasoned warrior herself.
“And how are we supposed to do that?” Another voice, softer and more reserved, came in. Esme glanced at Sunshine, a silent prayer for strength and guidance on her lips.
Sunshine tossed his head back toward the mountain, shrouded by a ceaseless and deadly snowstorm. After a moment, an idea came to him. “The altar,” came his answer, barely audible.
“The altar,” Mikoto parrotted. “The altar’s been destroyed for nearly a century. What good will that do us?”
“We can restore it, can’t we?” Rachel Heart interjected, looking across the bonfire at her tired companions.
Eyes slowly turned to the general, beseeching some guarantee, some promise of success. Sunshine grunted, sending another twig into the fire. “If we find the lost fragments, we can.”
Mikoto snorted. “If it were so simple, wouldn’t someone have done it by now? They’re called the ‘lost fragments’, not the ‘in plain sight fragments,’” he reasoned.
“But if we succeed, there will be no place left for the darkness to touch,” came the voice of Roman Mack.
“The Stars may know where to look.” Sunshine added, eyes drifting up to meet the twins’ gaze.
“If the Stars are even willing to help. They’re fence-sitters at best, and madmen at worst.” Reisi rose to his feet, dusting off his pants as if to shoo away the biting cold. “But it’s a good place to start.” Determination set in his jaw, he said, “Let’s get to work, general.”