Twenty years ago
twenty billion light years away from Earth
on the Kyrerians' ancestral planet of Ketlyre, a majestic palace stood tall. Two young Kyrerians, Tosak and Arkna, were running across the lawn, playing and giggling together. Their laughter echoed through the palace grounds, carefree and joyful.
As they tired themselves out, they lay down on the soft, green grass, gazing up at the starry night sky. Arkna, with her piercing blue eyes and raven-black hair, turned to Tosak, her voice filled with concern.
"Tosak, do you think I'll make a good queen one day?" she asked, her brow furrowed with worry.
Tosak, with his messy black hair and rough look, smiled reassuringly. "Of course, Arkna! You'll be an amazing queen. You're kind, wise, and just. Our people will love and respect you. Why do you think you won't make a good queen."
Arkna's face lit up with a smile, and she leaned in, her voice barely above a whisper. "Thank you, Tosak. I used to think I'd make a good queen, but after my mother started expecting more from me... it's been overwhelming. But since you think so, I guess I can't argue with you." She paused, her eyes sparkling with a mischievous glint. "Promise me you'll never leave my side."
Tosak's smile faltered for a moment, before he nodded, his voice filled with conviction. "I promise, Arkna. I'll always be here for you."
As they lay there, gazing up at the stars, Tosak knew that he would do anything to keep that promise, to always be there for his dear friend, the future queen of the Kyrerians. Although they had been betrothed without their consent, a circumstance beyond their control, Tosak found solace in their bond. He couldn't imagine leaving or losing her.
Fast forward to Five years ago,
the palace of the Kyrerians was in chaos. The royal family, including the Princess Arkna, had been brutally assassinated by the Celestari. Tosak, still reeling from the loss, stood beside his father, General Commander Arkon, as he prepared to take the throne. Arkon is the right hand man of the king or was, and everyone knew they were like brothers. All the nobles gathered there were in support of Arkon taking up the ruler mantle.
The grand hall was filled with nobles and dignitaries, all somber and mournful. The air was thick with grief. Arkon, a tall, imposing figure with a stern expression, stood before the throne, his eyes fixed on the floor.
"Tosak, my son," he said, his voice low and gravelly. "I know this is a difficult time for you. You loved Arkna, and I... I loved the king like a brother."
Tosak's eyes welled up with tears as he nodded, his throat constricting. "I know, Father. Me too."
The ceremony began, with the nobles and dignitaries pledging their allegiance to Arkon. Tosak watched, numb and detached, as his father took the throne.
As the newly appointed ruler, Arkon's first act was to declare war on the Celestari. The hall erupted in a chorus of approval, with many calling for vengeance. Tosak, however, felt only emptiness.
Later that day, the royal family was laid to rest in the underground chamber of the palace. Tosak stood at the entrance, watching as the caskets were placed in the chamber. His eyes fixed on one particular casket, adorned with intricate carvings and symbols of the royal family.
Arkna.
His love, his heart, his everything.
As the chamber was sealed, Tosak felt a surge of anger and sadness. He knew that this act of brutality would not go unpunished. The Kyrerians would seek revenge, and the Celestari would pay for their treachery.
The war between the Kyrerians and the Celestari had begun.
Tosak's eyes narrowed, his jaw clenched in determination. He would do everything in his power to help the Kyrerians win this war, to avenge Arkna's death and bring honor back to their people.
Tosak's eyes, still fixed on the stars, seemed to glaze over as his mind wandered back to the past. The memories of Arkna, of his father, of the palace, and of the war flooded his thoughts.
He remembered the day Arkna died, the day his world shattered. He recalled the pain, the anger, and the emptiness that followed. The war had consumed him, driven him to seek revenge against the Celestari.
As the memories faded, Tosak's gaze returned to the present. He looked around the dimly lit cockpit of his ship, the silence a stark contrast to the chaos of his past.
His voice barely above a whisper, Tosak murmured, "I miss home."
The words hung in the air, a poignant reminder of all that he had lost. The palace, the gardens, the stars of his home planet – all gone, replaced by the endless vastness of space.
Tosak's eyes dropped, his gaze falling on the control panel in front of him. His fingers, seemingly of their own accord, began to dance across the controls, plotting a new course.
Perhaps, just perhaps, he might find a new home, a new sense of purpose, among the stars.
Ini and Arike trekked through the dense jungle, the only sound being the rustling of leaves and snapping of twigs beneath their feet. The silence between them was palpable, until Ini broke it.
"I know you have questions, but I won't answer them yet. Maybe in the future," Ini said, his eyes fixed on the path ahead.
Arike nodded, her expression a mixture of curiosity and understanding. After a moment, she spoke up again.
"Last time you were much faster. Why are we going at this pace?" she asked, her eyes fixed on Ini's back.
Ini replied without turning around, "You can't handle that much speed over this long distance. And besides, I just sealed my powers by ninety percent. It's better to go slow so I won't need to rest."
Arike murmured under her breath, "I wish I could fly." She gazed wistfully at the sky, visible through the canopy above. As she relied on Ini for transportation, she could only comply with his pace.