The Celestial Way

Chapter 21 - Embracing the Way

CHAPTER 21 – EMBRACING THE WAY

"Heaven lasts long, and Earth abides,

What is the secret of their durability?

Is it because they do not live for themselves,

That they endure so long?"

– Lao Tzu, Datalinks

The present, Ilsorin, last bastion of the Order of the Radiant Knights

With the aid of the H'raal and their immense fleet, and with the transhuman stellar civilizations working together, the war on Terra Para at last was turned around. The Revenant were beaten back and their previously unstoppable march was checked, while Kryoon City and Arcolant were bolstered with much needed aerial transport, and Consortium and Union forces were deployed for a series of rescue operations to ensure everybody beyond the cities was given a safe haven. Plans for planetary evacuation were set in motion, with the idea to use the H'raal sphereships to get everyone off-world, and let the Reality Vortex finish the job by imploding the planet.

At Ilsorin, the Radiant Knights celebrated. Airo rewarded their bravery and perseverance by granting all of them an extended rest, thus freeing their time for something else other than war. Even then, many Knights volunteered to pick up the slack wherever it was needed, assisting Consortium and Union troops in the field, acting as liaisons with the H'raal, or handling parts of the now-monumental logistical chains in the united front against the Revenant.

Of course, the Radiant Knights went completely ecstatic when they heard about Nightsong. The news of the dragonet's recovery flashed across the stronghold like a supernova, and the day after her heartwarming waking dozens of people crowded the medical level, everyone wanting to express their congratulations and to share in the joy of such a miraculous event. Kiana was beaming beside Nightsong, and people hailed her as a true hero, and both she and Nightsong were considered inspiring persons deserving to be made Radiant Knights, one for her courageous endurance and the other for her undying resolve.

"Hey, Ki! Hi, Nightsong! Good to see you both are okay now!" Zuckeroff said with a broad, idiotic smile, waving as he emerged from the celebratory crowd to greet the glowing pair.

"Void it, gamebrain! You didn't come see me even once while I was literally pouring my soul to save Nightsong!" Kiana said with a playful scowl, folding her arms, and blew a lock of dark-blue hair obscuring her face. "You forgot about me, huh?"

The astrior stammered, taking her verbal jab for real. "Uh, no! No! I, um, was, well, doing, um, stuff? Ah, I mean, uh, I had to be, uh, on missions and, um, stuff, and the sitrep was really bad, and, ah..."

"I'm just kidding, you doofus! Come here for a hug!"

"Hugs!" Nightsong yipped. "Can I get some too?"

"But of course, whippersnapper! C'mere!"

In the wake of three consecutive events – Veralla's Awakening, Nightsong's recovery, and the H'raal victory over the draconic Revenant – morale was fully restored and many were saying the worst was over.

Airo, however, wasn't so quick to let his guard down. He wasn't the only one either: Magus, Lylana, and Glawlrhain were all still on edge, because one key aspect remained yet unknown – Ferrtau. The former Lightbringer was nowhere to be found, and all attempts to learn his whereabouts were met with failure. The fact Ferrtau wasn't at the head of his scattered forces was troubling; there were very few explanations what else he could be doing, and all of them presented dark and sinister scenarios.