"That professor is a little scary," said Ludra, though her tone tried to sound casual. However, inside, she was also terrified by the look and the mischievous smile the professor had shown just moments before.
"Don't worry, I'm used to it," interjected Karpi with a nervous laugh. "Whenever something excites him, and he can apply his science, the professor seems possessed and laughs like one." She paused before adding, "Though it's worse when he's truly satisfied… that's when he's really frightening."
"Then let's get to work," said Rodelos firmly, breaking the momentary tension.
"Alright, the professor said we should use this and this, and then place this," explained Ban, pointing to some controls on the Kbot alongside Ludra. After pressing a few buttons, a flexible hose-like structure emerged from the robot's "stomach." The professor instructed them to connect it to the transparent box, which apparently shielded anyone nearby from radiation emitted by the crystal.
Quickly, Rodelos pulled the hose and connected it to the side of the box. A hook emerged from the hose, automatically inserting itself into the interior of the transparent structure.
The Kbot began to vibrate intensely, swaying left and right as if it were an out-of-control pendulum. On the screen that formed its "face," the circles representing its interface shifted. Three circles appeared, each larger than the last, and began to fill gradually, as if loading some complex program. Once the three circles were complete, a bright blue liquid began to flow through the hose, spreading into the interior of the box. The liquid flooded every corner, completely covering the dark crystal.
The crystal reacted immediately, emitting a dense, pulsating aura, as if it were fighting against the blue liquid. The opposing energies collided, creating a visible force field that made the air around it tremble. It was as if two primal forces were locked in an invisible but powerful battle.
Everyone watched in awe, but also in fear of what might happen. Without saying a word, they decided to move as far away as possible from the Kbot and the box, preparing for any eventuality. What if something went wrong? What if everything exploded?
The blue liquid began to corrode the crystal, as if trying to penetrate its core. The crystal's energies desperately fought to remain stable, resisting the infiltration of the liquid. For several minutes, the tension between the two forces was palpable, like a silent but powerful duel.
Suddenly, a blinding light erupted, forcing everyone to instinctively close their eyes. The brightness was so intense that it seemed to pierce through their eyelids, leaving them momentarily blinded. When they finally blinked and regained their vision, they were met with a surprising scene.
The crystal was no longer white or dark. It had adopted a crystalline blue hue, radiant and serene. The box containing it began to crack, as if its purpose had come to an end. A pure light emerged from within, shooting directly toward the sky.
The sky, which until that moment had been shrouded in immense darkness despite it being midday, began to radiate a golden glow. The shadows that had covered it crumbled like a vase falling to the ground, shattering completely and revealing the brilliance of the day. Finally, the crystal disintegrated entirely, leaving behind only a fine, shimmering dust.
"That's fascinating," everyone exclaimed in unison, their faces illuminated by the daylight that now bathed the realm of Reedalia. They weren't the only ones celebrating; the villagers also gazed at the sky with awe and joy. Only the quadrant where Reedalia was located had regained its clarity, showing a pleasant and warm day after so long under the oppression of perpetual darkness.
"I can't believe it... it's the light of day!" exclaimed Ariafilis, her voice trembling with gratitude and relief, tears glistening in her eyes.
"Yes, my lady, it is," replied Jock with a proud smile, watching as golden rays filtered through the clouds.
"Wow, that old professor really knows how to do his job!" said Rodelos, laughing openly. There was a mix of happiness and nostalgia in his tone. "I never thought I'd see this beautiful sky again."
"Professor, you're a genius," added Ban, bowing slightly toward the screen where the scientist appeared.
"Thank you, young man, for the flattery," responded Professor Kuang with a modest smile, though his eyes sparkled with pride. "But that's just my job: to be the best scientist and bring technology to our world." Without wasting time, he continued adjusting some controls in his lab.
"Alright, then we must send your robots wherever they are needed to purify the energy of the crystals and restore the light over the darkness," suggested Rodelos, adopting a more serious tone.
"Yes, sir, but leave that task to my creations, my dear Kbots," the professor instructed enthusiastically. "With that, I hereby initiate Operation Darkness Cleanup!" His laughter echoed like a manic reverberation, prompting an amused smirk from Karpi.
"Here we go again," she murmured, shaking her head but smiling at the same time.
"Thank you, Professor. We don't know how to repay you for everything you're doing for the world," everyone said sincerely.
"Calm down," replied the professor, his expression turning more serious. "This war isn't over yet. I can clear the skies of shadows, but remember, you still have to face the remaining shadows."
"You're right," interjected Rodelos, nodding firmly. "We'd better start training while you finish preparations to defeat the shadows."
With no further words, they bid farewell to the professor, who promised to send his robots to search for the Light-Darkness Crystals, named as such by Ludra, using radars installed in each of them.
Meanwhile, in Reedalia, the inhabitants celebrated with songs and laughter, enjoying the daylight they had thought lost forever. In the streets, children ran beneath the sun, and adults exchanged hugs and words of hope. It was a moment of renewal, a reminder that even in the deepest darkness, light could return.
However, in a dark and sinister place, far from the celebrations, shadows gathered that could freeze the blood of anyone. In a circular chamber, surrounded by black stone walls that seemed to absorb all light, sat the leaders of each faction of the shadows: Tertrol, Troba, Trebolg, Mejod, and finally, Blajon. Each occupied a seat at a round table, their figures shrouded in a dense darkness that seemed to have a life of its own.
Around them, seven hooded figures guarded every exit. Not even their faces were visible; their cloaks completely obscured their forms, leaving only a sense of pure evil that emanated from them like an invisible poison. The five shadow leaders, though powerful, seemed insignificant in the presence of these seven beings. The atmosphere was oppressive, charged with an energy that made it difficult even to breathe.
"Gentlemen, why have you brought us here?" asked the five Badger leaders, their tone a mix of curiosity and distrust. Their eyes scanned the circular room, trying to understand what was happening.
Without warning, the seven hooded figures began to float, their forms slowly fading into the air. A moment later, a platform emerged from the floor with an almost imperceptible movement. On it stood seven chairs, each carved with ancient symbols that faintly glowed with a dark radiance. One by one, the seven hooded figures reappeared, taking their seats in silence. Their presence was overwhelming, as if the very air had grown heavier.
The tallest of the seven, seated at the center of the platform, leaned slightly forward. His voice echoed through the chamber, deep and rumbling, like thunder tearing across the sky. "You are here because soon it will be time for our master to return to this plane," he announced, his tone laced with an evil that chilled the blood. "He will begin by ruling this insignificant world, filling it with his eternal darkness. Then he will move on to the next, and so on, until the entire universe is under his dominion."
Each word he spoke seemed to vibrate in the bones of those who heard it, instilling fear and agony even in the strongest among them. The five shadow leaders exchanged nervous glances, though they tried to maintain an appearance of calm in the face of these superior beings.
"Prepare yourselves," the other six said in unison, their voices like a chorus of mournful dirges. "The Marine Dawn approaches."
The hooded figure at the center, clearly the leader of the group, spoke again. His voice was even more demonic and profound, as if emerging directly from the depths of hell itself. "We have gathered you here because we will soon depart for Avocadolia," he declared, letting his words resonate through the chamber before pausing dramatically. "It will be the beginning."