Chapter Text
Prelude
“Goodbye, we’ll try to visit again!”
I said spiritedly as I waved goodbye to the friends that came to send us off. I clasped my brother’s hand in mine, twining our fingers together.
“Brother, shall we go now?”
I asked softly, spreading my wings as I said.
“Always rushing to leave, aren’t you?”
My brother replied with a chuckle as he unfurled his wings as well. With a light leap, we were in the air, soaring through the skies, unfettered like the wind. The cool winter breeze stung in my eyes, and I blinked hard, stealing a glance back at our friends who had become no more than mere specks on the ground.
“Awww, is my little sister sad? You know that we can come back anytime right?”
“I know! And I’m not sad! It’s just… the next time we get to see this world again…”
I replied defiantly, knowing full well that the next time we arrive in this world, our friends wouldn’t be there anymore. As celestial beings that live an endless journey of traversing between planets, worlds and even dimensions, it was hard to find back the same world that we once visited, meaning that another meeting with the friends of this world would be near impossible.
Seeming to sense my sadness, my brother gently reached over and brushed a silent tear off my cheek.
“There now, you can add the memories of this world to the journal at home, then you’ll never forget them.”
We continued flying onwards in silence, and soon our destination was in sight. As the gold and white pillars shone into view, so did the stone platform where our ride was supposed to arrive. With a soft thud, we landed on the platform.
“It really has been a long journey, hasn’t it?”
My brother sighed as we looked on forlornly at the setting sun of this world one last time.
“Come on now, little sister, let’s leave this place. I can sense our ride coming.”
Just as my brother said that, a black cube with red swirls suddenly appeared in between us. I leapt back in surprise and spread my wings to stop in the air.
“What was that?! Brother, are you alright?”
I shouted aloud, trying to spot my brother amidst the smoke that had risen.
“I’m okay!”
I could hear him, and it seems like he was fine. I sighed in relief, but then wondered, where did that cube come from? It was a pattern that I have never seen before, and it didn’t feel like anything I was familiar with.
As I was stuck deep in thought, a cold female voice rang out.
“Outlanders, your journey ends here.”
As the smoke cleared, I saw an imperially garbed lady hovering just above us. Behind her were three large four-pointed star-like voids, which I assumed were portals. Her hair had an almost translucent texture to it, and there were those… weird glitch like markings on her arms. Was she some kind of technological creature? The pattern on her clothes looked very much like those on the cube, except in gold instead of red.
“Who are you?”
I shouted aloud. I could see my brother readying his stance to fight as well.
“The Sustainer of the Heavenly Principles.”
Her tone implied that she would reveal no more. I clicked my tongue in annoyance. Suddenly, the lady flicked her wrist, and countless numbers of the black cubes came towards us. I grunted as I launched myself through the air, dodging and weaving between the cube chain and the pillars. In the corner of my eye, I could see my brother moving similarly. Seems like he knows what I’m planning to do and is willing to go with it. I gritted my teeth as I increased my speed and launched myself at the lady, or rather the sustainer, charging up my power in my fist.
“Hraaahh!!”
I shouted as I threw my fist straight at her face, while my brother launched his towards her body. With a loud boom, I felt my fist collide onto something hard, and smoke rose rapidly, obscuring my sight. I leapt back in a hurry, while readying my magic for a second round. When the smoke cleared, however, I saw my brother’s fist inches from her, caged in a similar black cube as the one at the start.
“AETHER!” I cried aloud, rushing in.
“L— ” my brother started, only to get cut off by the black cube suddenly multiplying to cover his entire body. The cubes started to glow, shining brilliant gold before condensing down to a transparent shimmering cube in the sustainer’s hand. She observed it with a cold look in her eyes, before clenching her fist shut. A burst of gold shimmer came out, and when she opened her palm again, the cube was gone. My eyes widened with shock. What had this lady done to my beloved brother?!! In a fit of rage, I screamed and rushed straight at her. Reckless? I know, but that was my brother, who had lived with me, travelled with me, even cried with me my entire life! We were twins, meant to stay together!
“GIVE. MY. BROTHER. BACK!!!!!!!!!!!”
I roared at the top of my lungs. The sustainer glanced at me, her gaze cold and calculating. She raised her arm in my direction, and a new wave of the black cubes came rushing out. I flew straight into it, not caring about the consequences at all. The sustainer’s gaze wavered for a second, seemingly shocked by my stupid act. I could feel the tears rolling off my cheeks as I pushed on, but with a flick of her wrist, the black cubes engulfed me too. As the cubes slowly blocked my vision, all I could feel was the endless rage of this … god, taking away my brother, and I swore to get my vengeance. I committed her face, especially her gaze, the gaze that looks down upon all life, to memory, as the last of my vision was stripped away from me.
“I will never forget this.”
I muttered under my breath as the black cubes sealed me within, and lulled me into a deep slumber.