The next day we marched on an icy battlefield filled with decaying corpses.

  Our tank made nice crunching noises for the last three hours on this dread infested mountain valley.

  "Yeesh, how many people died here?" I walked up a small grotesque hill of already decomposing bodies trying to scout ahead. "Savages.." I remembered the newsletter this morning telling us about an emergence of terrorist organizations, mercenaries etcetera are cutting people like rapid beasts. "These soldiers are from border patrol?" I picked up an old ID card as everyone caught up.

  The pungent odors were seriously beyond compare decorated the plains, cannon and gunfire welcomed us like always, Sun led the charge as usual. My gut only tells me today won't be my day.

  "Here we go." I cut down enemies young and old who like me, have family, friends, lovers, a place to return. Our squad separately scattered the enemy effortlessly through Sun's tactics, avoiding bombardments from fighter jets.

  "Dragon!" An ally soldier screamed. I shield the medics from it's sheer willpower melting away some snow, flames from the metallic exhaust rumbled in unison with tank shells. I dash forth, "Thunder Impact," slicing the metal lizard's head off. "Is *he* still creating these based on stolen tech." I kicked the metal dragon head at enemy reinforcements.

  [Current Star Energy 715/900]

  "Zephyr!" Rain covered my back from an ambushing trooper hiding beneath snow, his snipping didn't leave any able enemy alive. We did a high-five. "Thanks man, glad you got my back." I smiled.

  "Alrighty! I should go help Julius, you know how reckless that guy gets especially when he's trying to impress Emma, hahaha!" Rain's purple crow wings opened widely.

  "Poor guy, she keeps turning him down, of course it's because she's infatuated with a certain thinker' who is more overworked than anyone." I joke, Rain bursted out laughing before leaving.

  Continuing onward, I see an unusually large moving fortress situated with various guns, "Fortress Tank? This wasn't in our briefing!? Rem gave up shitty info again." Conjuring the halberd out of instinct, and sliding down the war torn snow covered hillside, enemies push heavy gunfire my way, troops charge at me.

  Skill Initiated–Enabling Moonlight Arts]

  [Current Star Energy 715/915]

  - Thunder Impact(200 SE)

  - Thunderous Wave(20 SE)

  》White Fang(100 SE)

  - Icespark(300 SE)

  - Lunar Blade(9999 SE)

  》Thunderous Charge(40 SE)

  "It's the White Dragoon!" They yell seeing me mow down their comrades using lightning and ice blade attacks, stray bullets knick my sides, shrapnel cut my left blood soaked cheek. "Hey now, Rem gives me enough extra homework because you bastards call me this!" After all, who wants the Black Dragoon herself hounding you as her personal clean-up guy? Not me for sure. "Do your own filings woman!" A couple become targets for venting.

  I began deflecting intense gunfire.

  Where are they getting extra fortress charged artillery photon cannons?

  Wait...

  "Oh shit!" I brace myself from an unstable blast.

  The blast screeched through the air, causing an ear bleeding sound quake, light enveloped everything. I dive down into a scrap filled ditch with gusto feeling dizzy for what felt like an eternity of screeching fire, only ten seconds passed unbeknownst to me who felt sickened from constantly using my power without rest.

  [Star Energy 275/915]

  I was catching my breath. "That was a destroyer class laser only made by Horizon Labs," I drink some water. "The Wargod Federation of Planets outlawed them, was it reallynecessary? Are they afraid of someone.."

  *Cough, Cough, Cough*

  Dust kicked up soundlessly, funny enough given the situation. It caused temporary serenity on this strangely alienated surrounding. I felt creeped out and somewhat frightened by an enormous weapon of mass destruction potentially outlawed by multiple planets. "I'm not at that level yet," I shake my head. "Master would eat that beam."

  I get out of the ditch and was shocked, "W-what..." The laser obliterated our backguard so hard as a bad dream; hundreds of thousands died just like that. "My god, this isn't happening.. are you kidding me!" Our backlines

  It left no traces of friend or foe, my bewilderment drowned out my phone's ringing, "Zeph! We're retreating now! That's an order!" Sun screamed through my earpiece." Live another day, gotcha boas lady."

  "Don't call me that! Just hurry up okay?" She sound desperate.

  The Halberd glowed.

  [Sacred Weapon Detected (／▽＼)? Zephy]

  "Oh look who decided on waking up," I stared at the large behemoth of a fortress far away the winter winds. "Inside that fortress?"

  [Yes there's no mistaking it from here—I am currently analyzing the region detecting three.. no five more?! T-that would mean nearly every other sacred weapon is here.]

  "What a day." I shouldered my halberd moving closer watching a speedy woman in gray below leading groups of elite soldiers, "Joan Freeman? The Hero of the Sun." Her gray uniformed senior students followed. I take notes, "Selene why did you go silent?"

  [That woman has a sacred ruler like me... The numbers aren't making sense, she's aware of our presence so she is blocking soul communication. I suggest we return.]

  I close my eyes and breathed in and out before slowly watching my back and running away. The few enemy soldiers cheered, no one was happy back at home base though.

  "Zephyr! Thank goodness you made it back safely, something bad happened." Emma who is usually level headed was on the verge of tears. I fought the urge to tease her like usual knowing she's genuinely afraid.

  Stolen story; please report.

  "What happened? Calm yourself." She pulled me into the strategy room where our classmates were, Matthew pinned Sun against the wall.

  "Some Captain you are! People claim you're a tactical prodigy, yet you couldn't predict this outcome? I had it Sunseti!" He screamed while choking her. She had a relaxed expression, smirking my way. "Welcome back bestie."

  I pushed past everyone and punched him, Emma caught Sun who gasped for air. "Next time, you could ask to dance, it's no wonder you're single Matt." She joked.

  "Take it easy, cool it man. Sunseti isn't omnipotent, hell if anything she's very human.. ignoring she isn't one. Hmm." I say glancing at her irritated expression at me. "What? You're a celestial, girl."

  I stood my ground feeling everyone's hypocritical eyes on me defending her. Hungry wolves salivating for power, control, position.. eager for everything and acknowledgement from Rem like dolls waiting for somebody's downfall.

  Who else to show off to but Princess Sunseti?

  There are eleven of us in total from backgrounds in control of Starfield's various factions, it occurred to me someone is related to one of the twelve sentinels. "What is Rem planning?" I start my habit of thinking of every detail possible. "Maybe she's..." I think before Matthew screamed like his supreme judge grandfather would.

  "Tch! You always act like you're better than everyone Zephyr, telling people what to do, even doing things your way." He cursed. "Someone who think they have to stand up for everyone else."

  I shake my head. "Dude, why would I think that? There will always be someone better, that's fact. People also lose – loss is an essential part of living, as is dying and making mistakes. Does being blindsided give you any incentive to hurt little Miss Celestial Princess? Hell no. She isn't perfect and neither are you or me. That crimson hair sure does make her scary sure sure. However? Our group should be more united than those panicking forces, instead of causing conflict amongst during war. Matt we need you in our eleven group of wolves, or something like that."

  Everyone looked at him silently, he gritted his teeth. "So all of you are against me? Fine! I quit! I don't give a damn anymore." He left us in a big fit.

  I yawned. "Just said we totally needed you man," I say again. He flicked me off. "Oh okay. Nice working with you! Thanks for handling a mistake gracefully."

  [Zephyr...]

  "I know." From jacket pocket was a piece of paper slipped inside. It may hold answers for why.... I peered near a hidden pillar. "She allowed this."

  "What a child! Does he think we're in highschool?" Rain crossed his arms and I shrugged, considering the others could have easily stopped this, including Emma, namely Song. I started suspecting foul play before turning to Sun, "He bruised your neck?" She shook her head. "Hm? That's odd... Why make a fuss." My train of thought grew.

  What is up with today's events so far. I feel a change, a paradigm shift tug at my heart, doubt seeped in. "Is there a mole? No. The country's weight feels harsher." Above clouds boomed. It wasn’t natural.

  With Matthew's departure, the atmosphere in the room shifted, a mixture of relief from Emma and sadness filling the air. Emma approached Sun, concern etched on her face. "Are you okay, Sun? That was a harsh blow."

  Sun rubbed her throat, her voice raspy. "Yeah, I'll be fine Emmy. You're always so sweet. I just need some rest. Thanks for standing up for me, Zeph." Her wink made me a groan. She didn't plan this right? We're not all dancing to her whims... Perhaps?

  I smiled, offering her a small nod. "No problem, Sun. We're a team, remember? We stick together through the good and the bad." Because our allies may be scarier than our enemies. "I hear dogs enjoy spying behind pillars." My whisper dragged Sunseti's expression onto a defensive one.

  Rem entered the room, her expression grave. "I heard what happened. Matthew's departure is unfortunate for our scout, but we must focus on the task at hand."

  Departure.. how did you suddenly know about something that hasn't occurred more than a few minutes? If she was nearby, why not intervene yet again.

  These Starfield royals... what are they planting on their intentions.

  She looked at each of us, her gaze piercing. "Our enemies grow stronger, and the stakes continue to rise. We cannot afford to be divided. We must find a way to overcome the challenges ahead, together."

  Her words resonated with all of us, igniting a renewed sense of unity and determination. We had faced countless battles and obstacles, and this was just another hurdle to overcome.

  Sun stood tall, her determination shining through her eyes. "You're right, Commander Rem. We cannot let this setback break us. We will prove that we are stronger together, and that our bonds are unbreakable! Like they made us practice saying hundreds of times during training."

  "Instructor, are you here to help us?" Rain asked cautiously knowing our teacher's mild temperament is touchy.

  "While I could do this alone, you lot won't learn anything about getting yourselves out of a jam during wartime, if I'm no longer around, how would you handle yourselves?" Rem sat down and watched us. "Go on, don't mind me." The Wargod Rank soldier crossed her legs. I thought about the commander's timely entrance as if she had predicted this falling out here and waited for something, maybe it's speculation on my part, that she's planning something devious again..

  Sun cleared her throat once more. "Alright.. a moving fortres, Emma? As our engineer, do you know what that thing is made of? Also June, could you give a status report on our medical troops, the terrain and resources? With this, I could probably turn the situation around."

  Emma nodded, her brow furrowed in concentration. "Yes, Sun, the moving fortress is constructed primarily of titanium star plating, which makes it highly resistant to conventional weaponry. However, there may be weak points in its armor that we can exploit using Zeph's magnetism. I'll analyze the data and come up with a plan to disable or destroy it just in case he can't." I stood over her shoulder watching and helping brainstorm ideas as she typed relentlessly on the laptop.

  June, the team's lead scout and intelligence analyst, flipped open her tablet and began reviewing the gathered information from her birds, a crow landed on one shoulder. "Our assigned troops are exhausted and demoralized after the recent casualties, that's normal given they're mostly rookies like us. Many of them are in need of medical attention Lumi, and our supplies are running low. The battlefield is a combination of cold open plains, I predict a hailstorm, and there's a dense forest further ahead, which allows for some cover but also limits our maneuverability and visibility. Is this mapping correct Zephyr?" I nodded. "A-Ok." Giving our resident graphic designer a thumbs up.

  She continued, "Resources are scarce, but there is a small river nearby that we can use for water and potentially as a strategic advantage. We also have some access to aerial support, although it's limited due to the enemy's anti-aircraft defenses. But with proper coordination and strategy, we can use it to our advantage."

  Sun nodded, her eyes gleaming with determination. "Alright, we'll use the river as our starting point. Zephyr, I need you to scout ahead while June backs up the shattered rear and assess the weak points in the fortress's armor."

  "You just love giving me the most dangerous tasks," My joke made her laugh sheepishly. "Don't worry, I understand, you're gonna say your eyes' are the best. You're totally cool and unbelievably handsome."

  "Handsome? You ugly bastard, don't push your luck. Hehe." Sunseti pushed me.

  Meanwhile, Emma began sketching out a plan on a holographic whiteboard, her fingers flying across the surface. "Once we have the information on the weak points, we'll coordinate an assault from multiple directions. Rain and Bella, I'll need you to provide cover fire and distract the enemy. June, gather as much intel as you can on their personnel and their tactics. We need to know their weaknesses and exploit them."

  As the team worked together, sharing ideas and refining the plan, a sense of camaraderie and determination filled the room. Despite the setback with Matthew's departure and outburst, we were united, focused on our common goal – to overcome the challenges this foreign war pushed on us.

  Rem observed silently, her gaze filled with pride. She had pushed us to our limits, challenged us to rise above mediocrity, and in doing so, she had forged a team that was capable of greatness.. someday. Is what I would say, but let's not buy into fairy-tale she's hiding something from us ladies and gentlemen.

  I don't consider our earlier accident natural either.

  We prepared to execute our plan and face the moving fortress head-on, Rem spoke up once more. "Remember, this battle is about more than just defeating the enemy. It's about protecting the innocent, honoring the lives that were lost, and preserving the balance of power we have over this continent as an empire! Those fools will see the dragon's wrath."

  "Huh?" Why is she suddenly....?

  Rem stood up, her presence commanding and powerful. "You are all specially picked soldiers, each with your own unique abilities and strengths. Trust in yourselves, trust in each other, and trust in her highness, our rising sun!" They all chant Sunseti except a few outliers in Rain, June and Darknessia quietly watching before staring into my eyes searching for an answer, she slips out on her own, the dark sheen on that armor twinkle like space. "What the hell..." It was odd. A stillness turn my world gray. Some thread colored crescent moonlight connects Tyler, Luminark, Darknessia and June to me, they had their own colors briefly. But then Sunseti? The others were hers, an uneasy maleficent aura bonded them. "How peculiar.. eerie even." I wanted to take a step though a light tug pulled me into Rem who looked confused, was she seeing it too?

  "Is this the sun chariot sending me a warning to not mess with Sunseti's future again. Very well." She smirked. I stared. "Are we in someone's domain?" She shook her head, shattering it in a snap of a finger. Time flowed normally again as if nothing happened. "Zephyr, I am on your side no matter what happens, don't trust anyone until you meet them' again one by one. You were trained by that crazy bitch so you understand how to act natural." She whispered.

  When I turned around wanting a protest, Sun yelled. "Hey! Stop slacking off, we gotta show the freshmen our stuff."

  They probably don't care Sun...

  I crossed my arms listening and watching every reaction. Some expected a speech, others were caught off guard, while Sun herself just sang a children's song. "What's happening." I rubbed my chin, June stood next to me hand on her hips. "Don't know, in fact I'm afraid to find out. Have you heard? Starfield's royal family has started infighting?" We left together. I almost pause at these absurdly thought out plans Sun makes sometimes, but... "How? Aren't they known to have an especially tight familial relationship? Does that mean Governor Naomi rebelled like the rumors say, if so damn. No wonder Matt flaked out." Hearing this made me question the county's current leadership further. Nevermind the country's rulers. Let's say these happenings affect global economy. Starfield trades goods from all over this planetary system, they pride themselves being a hub for most races too.

  Thought. What if they're going through financial issues simply because there's war? And that news about the economy going up isn't true.

  "A global crisis?" I pushed the thought aside for now.

  June shook her head. "My father gave me instructions to please Sunseti, saying something about things that are gonna change soon after the year ends, remember our county's election is coming up and the eclipse festival to celebrate the rising sun and lotus moon, be careful my friend." She points at the Selenia. "I hope my intuition is wrong about the stars.."

  Great. She just confirmed *all* of my suspicions, what an auspicious day! Lovely knowing a countrywide civil war will happen soon. Wonderful.

  "Thanks June, though I wished she gave me more information! These people make everything complicated. Guess I better get going."

  With those final words, we set out to face the moving fortress, the first step into our eternity.