Skyrea awaited still at Platform 3B, their hulls gleaming under the vibrant sky. Crew members dashed about, checking and double-checking everything, their voices blending with the pulsing chug of Skyrea's steam engines. The atmosphere buzzed with energy as families and friends gathered, eager to bid farewell to the Kshatriyas heading for Earth.
"Well, here we are! Thanks for lettin' me be yer Tycart handler! And when ya get back, holler at me so I can take ya to the Ty racetrack!" Atty exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with genuine excitement.
"We appreciate the ride, Atty. And I'm sorry I forgot to tell you a joke during the journey,"
Purnama said with a rare, genuine smile, pausing at the edge of the cart and gazing at the dock.
"Y'all can always tell me when you're back again in Aurea, Kshatriya Purnama!" Atty threw her head back and laughed.
"I feel like I need a moment to re-sync my equilibrium," Suria joked, waving a hand toward the fast-retreating town. "Safe travels back, Atty!" Suria jumped down first, quickly scanning the area.
"Y'all too! Safe travels and hurry back!" Atty responded, winking as she maneuvered the Tycart back towards the town.
Suria scanned the bustling dock, her heart pounding in sync with the farewells echoing around them.
"Where are the others?"
"We're late, Suria. They might already be inside," Purnama replied.
"I don't see Purba either. We're good to go; let's hop onto the ship," Suria said, her excitement momentarily overshadowed by a growing sense of unease.
The twins hurried toward the ship, their eagerness abruptly halted as they collided with a large shadow. Purnama raised his head slowly, his pulse quickening as the figure loomed over him. The man stood a towering eight feet tall, and the authority he radiated was palpable.
He wore a dark red long-sleeved jacket over a black satin Malay shirt, the fabric stretched taut over his muscular form. A neatly tied red samping cinched his waist, and white gloves covered his hands, contrasting sharply with his dark attire. Purnama's gaze settled on the red, long-nosed Kelana mask that obscured the man's face and the spiked white hair crowned by a tanjak—the signature emblem of the legendary Kshatriya leader.
"P-Purba?!" The twins gasped in unison, their eyes wide as recognition dawned.
A commotion erupted among the Aurenians as Purba's imposing figure drew closer, a wave of hushed awe washing over the crowd. He was known not only for his valor in defeating the Puaka's general but for the crushing intelligence and strength that preceded him.
"Planning to come late to avoid me? In your dreams, idiots!" He boomed, his voice thunderous, a blend of mockery and camaraderie.
With effortless ease, Purba scooped up both twins, lifting them as if they were mere kittens—Suria in his right hand and Purnama in his left. Gasps of disbelief rippled through the crowd.
"Hey! Put us down! Why'd you pick us? Survanaputra and Xin Rue should be your best choices!" Suria protested, flailing her arms like an indignant cat.
"Suria..." Purnama gestured for her to stop, concern flickering in his eyes.
"Best choice? Worst choice? That's my decision to make! You're lucky I'm sending you both to Earth. Complete your task and return to Aurea safely."
With a swift, effortless motion, Purba landed them on the deck.
"W-wait, Purba!" Purnama called, sprinting to block his path.
The air between them felt charged, thick with unspoken tension.
"Tell me, Purba. Is it happening? S-Suria… is that why you…?" Purnama's voice dropped to a low, slightly frightened tone, the weight of his question hanging heavily in the air.
Purba met Purnama's gaze, but chose silence. He turned his head away, trying to continue on his path. The gnawing sense of dread inside Purnama swelled.
"Please, Purba. I need to know," Purnama insisted, placing his hand on Purba's chest as he blocked his path again.
A sudden black fire erupted from Purba's body, sending minor shockwaves that hurled Purnama aside. In a swift motion, Purba crushed a Dykin seed between his fingers and vanished, leaving only the lingering energy of his presence in his wake.
Purnama gripped the railing tightly, stomach churning. He quickly regained his footing and moved toward Suria, who stood bewildered. The crew exchanged anxious glances.
In a shadowy alley near the bustling dock, Purba stood motionless, watching the spot where he had vanished. Unseen emotions pressed down on him like an impending storm. He clenched his fists, fighting against the weight of uncertainty that gnawed at his resolve.
From the depths of the shadows, a woman emerged. Her striking maroon eyes were the first thing Purba noticed, beneath the familiar bronze, diamond-shaped accessory on her forehead. Her light purple hair flowed dramatically, moving as if it had a life of its own, and her pointy, triangular ears peeked from beneath the strands.
"You sure looked tough back there, Purba. But now? You're just like a cat without her kittens," She teased, her smooth voice carrying a blend of sarcasm and charm, echoing softly against the alley walls.
Purba could see the black embroidery of her maroon kebaya shimmering beneath the light from the dock.
"Mind your own business, Ria," Purba let out an irritated sigh.
Ria's maroon chappal sandals making soft sounds against the cobblestone path.
"Ah, sure, I'll do that," She replied with a playful smile. The shadows deepened around them as the last rays of sunlight slipped away.
"Remember this, Purba: if anything bad happens to those twins, you'll pay for it. And that's... personal."
Then, Ria's expression shifted to sharp seriousness. Her eyes glinted with an intensity that matched the seriousness of her words. Her blackened silver arm bracelets, etched with mythical wolves, momentarily caught the dim light, emphasizing the dangerous beauty she radiated.
Back on Platform 3B, the hum of the Skyrea's engines roared louder, vibrating through the deck.
"P-Purnama... is everything alright? What did you say to make Purba so furious?"
Suria whispered, her confusion deepening.
"... don't worry, Suria. If anything bad happens, I'll take good care of you."
Purnama reassured her, though his voice still trembled.
Just then, a crew member approached, gesturing for the twins to follow. With their arrival, the line of Kshatriyas selected to investigate the Darkseed's movements on Earth was complete. The majestic Skyrea powered up its steam engines, billowing thick vapor clouds into the air as it pulled away from Platform 3B. The cheers of thousands of Aurenians resounded across Langit Station, filling the atmosphere with excitement and a sense of grand purpose.
Purnama looked out the viewport. The dread still gnawed at his chest, but as the Skyrea climbed into the horizon, he knew the decision was final. The mission to Earth would be unlike anything they had faced before.