Absynthe sprang to her feet in a panic, the warped binoculars slipping from her hands and crashing to the floor with a hollow thud. Without a second thought, she darted toward the exit, her focus narrowing to the distant archway. In her haste, she completely forgot about Synthena's presence until her boot caught on her side.
"Wha—?!" Synthena yelped as Absynthe tripped and tumbled over her, sending them both sprawling onto the cold, dusty floor. The impact drew a groan from Synthena and a startled cry from Absynthe, whose hands braced her fall too late to avoid smacking face-first into the ground.
"Ouch!" Absynthe exclaimed, sitting up with a wince and rubbing her forehead. A glance revealed the blue rose she'd been clutching in her left hand—Synthena's gift from earlier—skittering across the floor, coming to a stop just inches from the exit. "I forgot she was there..." she muttered sheepishly under her breath.
Synthena groaned again and shot her an exasperated look. "Gee, thanks for using me as a landing pad," she mumbled, sitting up slowly. Absynthe offered a quick apology with a flushed face, but her focus was already back on her escape. Pushing herself to her feet, she dusted off her clothes and headed toward the archway.
The hallway ahead stretched into more of the crumbling, ruined office building—a maze of shattered cubicles and faded walls. Absynthe paused as she reached an old elevator, its metal doors hanging ajar, revealing the damaged interior. The control panel was covered in rust and shattered buttons, mocking her hopes for a quick exit.
She placed a hand on her forehead in frustration. "Obviously, the elevator is out of order—it's a ruined building!" she muttered. Shaking her head, she pushed on, her eyes scanning for another way out.
Not far down the corridor, her heart leaped as she spotted a door marked with an exit sign and the faint symbol of a staircase. A glimmer of hope lit her chest as she strode toward it, her steps quickening with anticipation.
But just as she reached an arm's length from the handle, a loud, echoing thud came from the other side of the door. The sound froze her in her tracks. Her breath hitched, and her fingers trembled as they hovered over the cold metal handle.
Fear coursed through her veins like ice, paralyzing her movements. Her gaze remained locked on the door, the silence that followed stretching endlessly. Slowly, she began to reach for the handle, her courage battling against the knot of dread tightening in her chest. Whatever lay beyond that door, she couldn't shake the feeling that it was waiting for her.
Absynthe's silver veins pulsed wildly, an eerie sensation washing over her as if the very energy coursing through her skin could sense the horror waiting beyond the door. Swallowing hard, she reached for the knob and twisted it slowly, letting the door creak open just enough to peer through the sliver of space.
A mutated humanoid figure loomed in the dim light, its body grotesquely stretched and warped by the black tar that clung to its skin. Its jaw hung elongated, unhinged as though it had been reshaped by something unnatural. One arm sprawled unnaturally long, fingertips scraping the floor, while the other remained eerily human. The creature's body leaked wisps of black dust from open spores, an unsettling aura surrounding it.
Its head shifted—slowly, deliberately—until its glowing, golden eyes met hers.
A shiver crawled up Absynthe's spine. Her breath hitched, dread swelling in her chest. Carefully, quietly, she eased the door shut, pressing her back against it. The weight of what she had seen bore down on her. "Okay… maybe not that way," she muttered under her breath, her voice barely above a whisper.
She turned away quickly, willing herself to push the image from her mind, but as she paced forward, her head dipped low, her expression shadowed by lingering fear. Every step felt heavy, as though the very air around her was trying to suffocate her thoughts.
Then, she collided with something.
Jerking her head up, she found herself staring at the back of another humanoid figure, standing unnaturally still in the ruined hallway. A whisper trembled from its lips—soft, fractured, desperate.
"Help me… help me… help me…"
Absynthe stiffened. The voice was barely human, broken by strange distortions and layered with unnatural echoes. The figure twisted slowly to face her, and she realized—there were two voices. As it turned out, the whispers bled together into incoherent murmurs, swirling in fragmented cries.
Then, in a final, rasping breath, the figure murmured:
"Starlight… starlight…"
Absynthe's veins pulsed once more, her silver glow flickering like a dying star. The faint light she emitted illuminated only a third of the space around her, barely enough to hold back the encroaching darkness.
She stepped back, fear pressing into her ribs, her mind racing. I've faced many foes before… but this… this is something no one has ever encountered.
And then, more figures emerged.
From the depths of the shadows, whispering beings crawled forward, their voices uniting in twisted unison. "Starlight… starlight…" Some spoke smoothly, others stuttered in shattered fragments, their voices out of sync yet eerily connected.
They didn't lunge. They didn't attack. Instead, they walked toward her as if seeking refuge, their presence oddly calm yet deeply unsettling.
Absynthe instinctively walked backward, each step measured, each breath held tight in her chest. A ghastly frame, she thought. I'm being cornered.
Her back pressed against the door she had once feared. The whispers grew louder, filling her mind, drowning her thoughts in a deafening plea.
"Save us!! Save us!!"
Their cries intensified, swelling to unbearable volumes, pounding against her skull. The sheer weight of their voices made her dizzy, her vision blurring.
Then—
"Absynthe! Watch out!"
Synthena's sharp voice cut through the overwhelming noise like a lightning strike. The urgency in her tone snapped Absynthe out of her daze.
The stairway door behind her slammed open.
A monstrous roar exploded through the space, furious and feral. The heavy door shattered, breaking apart into splintered wreckage as something enormous lunged through.
The creature-the one she had glimpsed before—was now fully revealed.
Black dust poured from its massive form, its corrupted energy suffocating the air. It was larger, its monstrous presence suffused with raw rage and hunger. It ran on all fours, its limbs moving in unnatural sync as it charged toward her with terrifying speed.
The whispering figures scattered instantly, fleeing into the darkness like fearful ghosts.
Absynthe's chest tightened as she realized—their fear wasn't directed at her.
They were running from it.
The monstrous creature lunged, and Absynthe barely had time to react. She stumbled back, barely keeping her footing, her heart hammering in terror. Her body screamed to run, but there was nowhere to go.
I have to fight.
Her veins pulsed violently, burning with silver light. The deep-rooted instinct to protect—to survive—awakened something within her.
She felt it before she saw it—energy surging through her fingertips, coalescing into something tangible.
Her right hand materialized a blade—a magnificent weapon formed from pure silver and gold energy, glowing like a celestial star. The sheer radiance lit up the ruined space around her.
She didn't think—she moved.
With fluid, instinctive precision, she surged forward, her sword hung low, primed for the strike.
The creature leapt high, its colossal form soaring above her.
Gravity faded.
For a fleeting moment, Absynthe felt weightless, her body unshackled from the ground beneath her.
The voice in her mind echoed through the surge of energy coursing through her.
"It's… time."
Light radiated from her veins, spilling outward, wrapping her in its celestial glow.
She swung her sword.
The blade cut through the beast mid-air, silver energy colliding with corrupted flesh. The monster faltered, its body twisting unnaturally before crashing backward through the door it had come from, obliterating the walls behind it.
For a moment, silence.
Then, the monster roared in fury.
It pulled itself from the wreckage, its body thrumming with rage as it tore apart the once-perfect doorframe, widening the space into something monstrous.
Absynthe steadied her stance.
It wasn't done. And neither was she.
Absynthe held her sword steady, the glowing silver blade barely covering her face—but not enough to hide the fire roaring in her eyes. Her determination surged through every fiber of her being, radiating in her stance, her clenched jaw, her unwavering glare fixed on the monster before her. The creature froze for a second, hesitating as if sensing the storm brewing within her.
She inhaled deeply, shutting her eyes for only a moment.
Then—she exhaled.
A war cry burst forth, raw and untamed, a voice carrying the force of a thousand suns.
Absynthe lunged forward, her blade slicing through the air with unrelenting fury. The first strike landed deep against the monster's chest, a mark of silver embedded in its corrupted flesh. She struck again. And again. Each blow carved into the beast, the silver energy searing through the tar-like substance that clung to its form.
Synthena watched, her heart pounding as excitement rushed through her veins—a surge of blue and silver energy awakening inside her. She moved.
In sync, they attacked.
A force greater than themselves, fueled by their unbreakable bond, ignited in the space between them. Synthena's dust pulsed through the air, swirling like celestial ribbons, enhancing Absynthe's strikes with cosmic precision. Absynthe's movements sharpened, her blade shining with an ethereal glow.
They weren't just fighting.
They were creating.
Together, they were power. Together, they were starlight.
***************************************************************************************
The city stood quiet beneath the fractured sky, the ruin of the old world casting long shadows over the streets. Below the towering remains of the building, a lone figure observed the night, his presence swallowed by the eerie stillness.
Tall, broad-shouldered, his silhouette cut through the void, his black hair streaked with silver strands that whispered of wisdom earned through warfare. His face was obscured by darkness, but his focus never wavered—his gaze locked onto the distant flashes of blue, silver, and red light sparking from the upper floors.
Absynthe and Synthena were fighting.
His mouth twisted slightly, though whether in amusement or mild intrigue, it was difficult to tell.
Behind him, another figure emerged from the darkness—a soldier, clad in a specialized tactical military uniform that spoke of efficiency over brutality. His posture was unnervingly composed, his presence more calculated than that of a mere subordinate. His voice was calm, sharp, and precise, carrying a weight that betrayed his function.
"Sir," the soldier spoke, unwavering. "The troops have reclaimed this area. They await further instruction."
The flickering city lights caught his face—a well-groomed man of impeccable stature, dressed in a sharp suit reinforced with plating subtly woven into the fabric. It blended wealth and warfare with effortless elegance. His gloves were pristine, yet the unmistakable scent of blood clung to his hands, the remnants of silent executions carried out without hesitation.
His piercing red eyes flickered toward the building, reflecting the chaos above. He tilted his head slightly, his voice smooth, deliberate, almost amused.
"Oh my… how curious."
****************************************************************************************
The battlefield was in ruins. Smoke curled into the air, twisting and warping the broken sky above. The shattered remains of buildings stood as silent witnesses to the chaos that had unfolded, their jagged edges casting eerie shadows beneath the dim glow of the stars.
Synthena stood a few meters behind Absynthe, her breath ragged, her energy flickering like a dying flame. But it was Absynthe who held the frontal position—steadfast, unyielding—a silent signal of leadership. She steadied herself against exhaustion, her stance tense, her grip on her weapon tight despite the tremor in her fingers.
Their bodies trembled, spent beyond measure, yet some force—undeniable will—kept them upright. The weight of their battle hung heavy in the air, pressing against them, daring them to fall.
But they didn't. Not yet.
Breathless. Battered. But still standing.
Synthena wavered, her vision blurred, one eye barely open. The fight had torn into her, leaving scars across her face and bruises etched into her skin. She staggered slightly, catching herself before she collapsed. "He's... he's still standing..." she gasped, her voice raw with disbelief. "How? We—"
She stumbled again but forced herself upright, gritting her teeth. "It should be down by now!" she snapped, frustration breaking through the exhaustion.
Absynthe said nothing. Her body spoke for her. She stood, weapon barely raised, its tip trembling as she held it between herself and the monster that refused to fall. Her left eye had swollen shut, and bruises were scattered across her arms and face. The deep ache in her limbs made her feel weightless, as if her body no longer belonged to her. But still—she stood.
The monster roared.
A deafening, bone-shaking cry tore through the ruined battlefield, reverberating into the darkened sky. It was unyielding. Its malice still burned, its energy unfazed despite everything they had thrown at it. The destruction around them—the scars of their fight—meant nothing to the beast before them.
Absynthe's breath shuddered, fear coiling around her ribs. What do we do? I'm almost spent...
Her legs shook as she struck again. The monster lashed back—its arm tearing through the air toward her. She leapt back, barely dodging, but her body felt weightless, too weak to react again.
The second strike came—Absynthe couldn't move.
A shield of blue dust solidified in front of her, blocking the monstrous blow. Synthena's quick thinking had saved her.
The shield trembled, cracks forming instantly. Synthena didn't hesitate—she shattered the barrier herself, breaking it with her red dust and reforming it into a pentagon-shaped globe, trapping the monster inside.
The creature howled, thrashing against its prison, its strikes sending shockwaves through the battlefield.
"Abby—quickly!" Synthena yelled, her voice breaking under the pressure. "I can't hold it much longer—do something!"
Her hands shook as she fought to maintain the barrier, sweat slicking her skin, her breaths ragged.
Absynthe fell to one knee. Her right arm hung limp, her sword barely clinging to her grip.
Her vision blurred.
The world around her faded.
Her mind raced, thoughts spiraling in endless circles, searching—desperate—for a way. But nothing was perfect, no strategy felt right, and Synthena's cries grew more frantic, more urgent.
Then—
"Use the stars... Use the stars..."
The voice, the one that had been guiding her since the beginning, returned, firm yet urgent.
"Raise your sword to the sky and call upon them."
Absynthe exhaled sharply.
Her grip tightened around the hilt.
Her body was failing—but she stood anyway, using her sword as a cane, trembling yet resolute.
Slowly, she raised her blade.
Its tip pointed toward the night sky.
Synthena, still holding her barrier, paused.
Her tear-streaked face lifted toward Absynthe, watching her stance.
Something shifted within her.
She wiped her face with a shaking hand, then stood taller, determination replacing despair.
Absynthe's voice rang across the battlefield, her words steeped in unwavering command.
"I call upon the stars—the skies filled with a thousand suns."
Her eyes ignited, brighter than ever—but this time, she was fully present.
"Shoot your light, like a million shining daggers."
The sky answered.
Bright silver flooded the heavens.
Stars tore themselves from their celestial homes, streaking through the night in blazing arcs, aimed toward the monster below.
Synthena moved.
She shattered the prison, destroying the barrier of red dust, her power colliding with the monster's freedom.
She ran fast toward Absynthe, using her blue dust to conjure a final protective shield around them both.
The monster roared—a final, maddened cry—its golden eyes widening in realization.
The stars fell.
A rain of shooting light, like celestial blades cutting through the earth itself, struck the creature in unrelenting force.
It collapsed, consumed by the light, its form breaking apart beneath the cosmic storm.
And as the last star found its mark—
The monster was no more.
The night stilled.
The energy faded.
The first light of dawn began creeping across the ruined landscape.
Absynthe lowered her blade, the silver glow dimming, exhaustion finally claiming her.
Synthena let out a breath, staggering slightly, then turned to Absynthe, their gazes meeting.
The battle was done.
They had won
The building shuddered, groaning beneath the force of Absynthe's attack. The sheer intensity of her strike had torn through its foundation, shaking its very structure to the core.
The ground trembled. Cracks split through the weakened floors. The building could no longer support itself.
And then—it collapsed.
Stone fractured, steel buckled, the walls tumbled in upon themselves, sending shards of debris cascading in every direction. The floor beneath them crumbled—and suddenly, gravity seized them.
Absynthe and Synthena fell.
Instinct took over. Synthena threw up her barrier—a sphere of blue dust enclosing them both. They clung to each other, their screams lost in the roar of destruction around them.
Falling.
Plummeting through the wreckage, the monster's corpse descending alongside them, the weight of its body swallowed by the chaos.
Dust swirled, fragments of stone and shattered glass spiraled around their protective globe. Synthena gritted her teeth, holding the barrier firm, keeping them from being torn apart in the descent.
Seconds passed like eternity. Then—silence.
The collapse ceased.
The violent tremors slowed. The world settled into eerie stillness.
They waited. Breathless. Motionless.
Finally, it was over.
Absynthe, still sitting within the barrier, exhaled sharply. She turned to Synthena, nodding firmly. "Make a small opening," she instructed.
Synthena hesitated only for a moment before releasing her red dust, creating an opening just large enough for Absynthe to move the rubble aside.
As dust and debris shifted, the first light of morning pierced through
****************************************************************************************
The last of the rubble was finally moved aside, revealing the first sunrise of the day.
They climbed relentlessly, forcing their way through the gravel with aching limbs. And when they emerged—when the light touched their skin, they froze.
The monster's twisted form lay crumpled beneath the ruins, its corrupted body crushed under the weight of the collapsed building. Black dust, tinged with red, seeped from its remains, swirling in the faint morning breeze. As if sensing its final defeat, the creature's shape dissolved, fragment by fragment, vanishing into nothingness.
Absynthe and Synthena shuddered, watching the last traces of their adversary disintegrate. And then—
The tension snapped.
Laughter. Yelling. Joy.
The realization that they were still standing, still alive, erupted between them. They cheered, their voices breaking with exhilaration, their exhaustion momentarily forgotten.
But as their celebration faded, something shifted.
A presence.
Both turned, eyes widening—only to come face-to-face with the figures from the office incident.
They stood calmly, silhouetted against the rising sun. As the light stretched across the battlefield, their forms became more distinct, revealing their shadowy, humanoid frames.
Absynthe's breath hitched as the whispers began—soft, wavering voices that only she could hear.
"Thank you..."
The voices spoke in unison.
Among them, the second figure—the one she had encountered before the ferocious attack—— stood taller, more defined. It was both menacing and calming, a strange presence woven between dread and reverence.
Its hollow, white eyes locked onto Absynthe's gaze.
Her body tensed. She stood in a protective stance, her muscles primed for action.
Synthena, sensing the shift, instinctively moved behind her, readying herself, her posture cautious.
The figure slowly lifted a hand, the movement deliberate, offering something.
A small rock, pulsing with blue dust, rested in its palm.
Its aura was mesmerizing—radiant yet delicate, a beauty that even a geologist would marvel at.
Absynthe hesitated.
Then, carefully, she reached out, fingers grazing the smooth, glowing surface as she took the gift from its shadowy grasp.
She examined it, turning it over, watching as the dust shimmered like captured starlight.
Then, she looked back up at the figure.
Its voice, barely above a whisper:
"Geneara needs you..."
The words left her lips like an echo carried on the wind.
The figure stared—silent.
Then, with one last glance, it dissolved into shadow, vanishing into the already-lit world. The remaining figures followed, their presence fading like mist, leaving nothing behind but the memory of their arrival.
Absynthe turned toward Synthena, the glowing rock resting in her palm, its beauty unmatched.
It twinkled like the stars above.
Synthena blinked, then tilted her head. "What is that?" she asked, curiosity filling her voice.
Without hesitation, she manifested an eyeglass, pressing it against her face in a sleuth-like examination. She squinted, as if decoding some grand mystery, her energy buzzing with excitement.
Absynthe chuckled, watching Synthena's playful antics. Then, gripping the rock a little tighter, she declared with unwavering confidence:
"I don't know... but we're about to find out."
She turned her gaze toward the horizon.
"First, we find Celestia."
Synthena grinned, bouncing on her heels, energy returning to her voice.
"Yes! Yes!"
And with that, their journey continued.