Silver Stars, Ch 2: Conflict (Patreon)

“You’re the Guardian of Aster Fall?” 

Solis’s question jumped out unbidden as he stared at the figure in front of them. 

It was a rhetorical question, however, since the being had just said that.

The platform beneath their feet had stopped completely, apparently obeying the command, and he had no way to make it move farther. Every order he tried to send it was ignored.

That, along with the power radiating from this figure, was enough to make him hesitate.

Had other reinforcements gotten here first? 

It had been a very long journey for them, so it was possible. Perhaps the High Nine had found a faster way to reach the world and sent someone else?

But if that was true, then why didn’t he recognize them? 

The platform was clearly marked with a nine-pointed silver star, which was the symbol of the High Nine, and their races were also a mark of their status. Anyone with a modicum of experience in the civilized galaxy should have recognized them.

Despite his shock, he didn’t move to attack. 

If the being’s words were true, they should be on the same side. 

Perhaps he was just carrying out his own defense mission. He wasn’t hostile, just blocking the path.

Unnecessary battles would waste their time. It would be best to clarify the misunderstandings first. A Vos’Rekan was a big enough enemy that they didn’t need another.

Unfortunately, the other four were more impatient than he was.

“We are the emissaries of the High Nine.” The words were bitten off at the end as Rohne stepped forward. “Who are you to command us to halt?” 

Solis looked over at him, comparing what his Analyze told him to what he could feel from the being in front of them.

Rohne Garasi. Race: Dragon Spirit. Level 540. Class: Golden Claw of Destruction-Breath of the Sky.

He was mostly a melee fighter, although at the Fifth Evolution, that classification didn’t matter so much. 

Despite the grand name of his classes, he was obviously not as strong as the being in front of them, but that didn’t stop him.

Solis couldn’t get a good read on the figure, partly due to the powerful aura around him, but it felt like he might be twice as strong as Rohne.

Or more.

Dragon Spirits were one of the strongest of the High Nine, but they were primarily a physical race. Most of their magic went into strengthening their bodies and their shapeshifting.

They could take on the greater form of a dragon at need, although it was only temporary.

There were legends of actual True Dragons in the heavens, the ancestors of the Dragon Spirits, but they were even more of a myth than Astral Titans. 

Solis pushed the stray thought out of his mind as he compared his ally to the figure blocking the path. If the two of them had a wrestling match, he didn’t place good odds on Rohne winning.

There was something immensely powerful radiating from the figure, as if he had the strength to crush stars. 

Rohne was powerful, but the aura he gave off was only a fraction of that.

Solis’s suspicion that this guardian was an Astral Titan grew stronger.

There were very few beings in the galaxy who could directly defeat a Dragon Spirit in physical combat, and the Titans were the best known for it.

It was said that when the Titans first discovered them, they had fought for weeks to see who was stronger. The Dragon Spirits hadn’t believed anyone in the universe was stronger than they were, holding a deep-rooted belief in their own physical superiority.

It wasn’t until they’d been flattened time after time that they finally acknowledged the Titans as worthy of respect and began to listen to them.

If this was actually a Titan, it seemed like the same thing was about to repeat itself.

“Leave this to me,” Rohne growled to the others as he began to change shape. “I’ve been sitting on this platform for too long. It will be good to stretch my muscles. He looks worthy enough for that, at least.”

The usual arrogance of his race was there, but Rohne was too wise to let that be his only motivation, at least normally. It seemed like he was eager for a fight after traveling for so long.

“I don’t think that is necessary,” Jesra interrupted with a shake of her head as she reached out a calming hand toward Rohne. “Don’t be so hasty. We haven’t even tried talking yet. Perhaps we’re on the same side.”

The Winter Sylph only caught the air, however, since Rohne was already leaping off the platform.

Solis analyzed her, comparing her strength as well but then he shook his head.

Jesra Soralis. Race: Winter Sylph. Level 534. Class: Tempest of Spring-Daughter of Eternal Frost.

The Winter Sylphs were a powerful race in the galaxy and closely aligned with the energies of Ice and Spring, which were displayed in her classes.

Jesra was primarily a healer, but her offensive abilities were powerful. Fortunately, she had a much better temper than Rohne. 

“Let him test this so-called Guardian,” Tenal said approvingly as he stood to the side. His arms were folded across his chest and there was a glint of offended anger in his stance. 

“It will be good to move after all this time. Forty years is too long to sit in slumber and do nothing.”

His fangs flashed in the light and at his back two broad white wings stretched out as he watched Rohne move forward. It looked like he wanted to join in, but he wasn’t as impetuous as the other emissary. 

His people were well known for their sense of justice and just being stopped wasn’t enough reason for him. His nature demanded he find out why first.

At the same time, it didn’t make him restrain Rohne or stop him from enjoying what was about to happen.

His information sprang into Solis’s mind.

Tenal Whitewing. Race: Winged Fury. Level 539. Class: Bright Wing of Justice-Commander of the White Storm. 

He was another melee type, but his abilities were more long-range than Rohne’s. 

He was best known for commanding armies of his own people in battle, but like the rest of them he’d come here at the request of the council.

“Let him try,” Berim agreed. Even as he spoke, the archivist pulled his journal out from under his arm and took out a quill, preparing to document what was about to happen. Tiny flames flickered from the feathers.

“This is too good of an opportunity to pass up. I can feel the power from this guardian but Rohne should be a good opponent for him. The battle will show us many things, including if he’s worth listening to. If he is, we can talk afterwards.”

Solis shook his head, but he scanned Berim as well, adding his information to the comparison.

Berim Vias. Race: Archalis. Level: 542. Class: Archivist of the Occult-Incarnation of Violet Flame. 

Surges of flame ran across his pale ivory features and horns. His senses were keen and he glanced at Solis as he noticed the Analyze. 

He gave the crystal flame elemental a slight smirk, but then he looked back at Rohne.

His race, the Archali, were well known for gathering information. It was one of their primary motivations in life. Most of them had a class related to it, whether it was as an archivist like Berim or a more combat-focused mage, but they were all formidable.

Despite their penchant for gathering information, underestimating them was a grave mistake. 

With knowledge came power, often extreme power. 

They were experts in enchantments, magical rituals, wards, and bindings.

None of them were weak.

If you wanted to kill an Archalis, it was best to do it before they found out anything about you, or they would probably already have a plan in mind in case you tried something.

Their drive for collecting knowledge also came with a paranoia toward those who would stop them.

It was just the type of people they were.

If they hadn’t been one of the High Nine and constrained by the ancient treaties, they might’ve been quite a problem.

Given the glint in Berim’s eyes, there was no doubt he’d guessed this figure could be a Titan. It just remained to be seen if it was true, and he was more than willing to let Rohne test it for him.

Solis started to say something and hold Rohne back, but then he stopped and just shook his head.

He was surprised that the figure had demanded them to halt so forcefully, but perhaps he’d done it for a reason.

This might be the best way to make introductions. 

If he was on the same side and had the same goal, they would have doubted him until he proved himself. 

They wouldn’t have trusted each other without some show of ability. 

If he was an enemy, they would end up fighting anyway.

If he was a guardian who had beat them here to deal with the problem, then if they couldn’t defeat him, it would be best for them to bow their heads and work with him or to retreat.

This just sped things up.

Solis could appreciate that. 

Even in the civilized galaxy, at the end of the day strength was the main foundation for deciding who made decisions.

Given his race, the forty years of travel didn’t bother him as much as it did the others, but he was still a little impatient, so he turned his attention to the coming fight with interest.

Rohne ignored them all as he flew higher. 

His body swelled as golden scales appeared in the Void around him and swiftly coalesced into the long and sinuous form of a massive golden dragon.

He merged into the center of the scales, which grew more solid until they were fully present. His scales shone like liquid flame and an aura of majestic power roared around him. 

This was his people’s racial ability, called Spirit Transformation. It was the defining trait that made them who they were.

Until it ended, this was his real form. All wounds he suffered would be on his body when he changed back, just reduced in size to match. 

Although true dragons might only be a myth that came from his people, he was a powerful example of the Dragon Spirits.

Two curving horns flared back from his head and a flowing mane rippled like streams of fire down his neck. He had a long, elegant face with stark angles and a somewhat scholarly appearance with two bright green eyes like emeralds in the night, but it only accented the strength that radiated from him.

His form was enormous, a thousand feet from head to tail, and his arms ended in five-taloned claws that were ten feet long and sharper than a mana blade. The edges glowed with destructive force.

Solis had once seen a Dragon Spirit’s claws carve through enchanted walls like butter. He wasn’t sure how well this maybe-Titan or the fortress behind him would hold up, but he was interested to see what happened.

Either way, it would prove the truth of who he was.

“There are only a handful of beings in the galaxy who dare to block my path,” Rohne growled as he flew forward. His voice was deep, like the echo from a cavern beneath mountains and it was resonant with power. 

“I do not accept that you are one of them.”

“You will.” The being replied. His voice was so powerful it felt like the Void was shaking. 

There was a growl of anger in his words that sent the flames around him surging higher. They flowed out like an ocean to fill the horizon, nearly concealing the starry wall blocking the path.

Stars of silver light burned among the flames and swiftly grew larger. Each of them felt like a point of gravity, drawing the energy of the Void into it.

Dimensional energy hardened around them as everything was locked down.

Solis’s senses burned as he tried to take in the changes in energy and the silver stars, but there was a force of genesis in them that felt like the early birth of the Void, of things beginning from nothing but force and passion. 

They were so powerful it seemed like they were recreating the Void and he had to look away. 

Runes were burned into his eyes like afterimages, ones that made him wince.

He could tell the stars were part of a domain, but not what it was. 

He’d rarely seen one so powerful. This being might not be at the Sixth Evolution, but he wasn’t much weaker.

After a minute, Solis’s domain pushed the impression of the laws away, allowing his eyes to clear as he took in the fight.

Rohne’s claws spread wide as he closed in, crackling with golden destruction, and his mouth opened in a roar that sent a wave of bright power sweeping toward the being. 

The sound was so strong that space distorted in its wake, compressing and tearing apart again. It was a huge dark golden wave.

As it approached the guardian, the being raised his hand and the Void felt like it was bending around him.  

A wave of silver dimensional energy swept outward, crushing Rohne’s attack like a ship’s prow cutting through a wave.

It didn’t stop there.

The giant’s hand somehow extended across the distance, reaching toward Rohne. A line of distorted dimensional energy traveled with it. Then his hand wrapped around the Dragon Spirit’s neck.

At that moment, it became obvious how tall the being really was. He was a true giant. 

Stretched head to tail, Rohne didn’t even reach his shoulders. 

A pulse of dark gold and silver energy crashed together as the warrior’s flight came to an abrupt halt. 

The giant clenched his hand and turned, his body twisting as he yanked Rohne toward him to gather momentum and then he whipped him back again as he hurled him away.

The dragon’s body let out a painful snapping sound, sending a shock of sonic energy through the Void as he flew into the distance.

“Lord of the Void,” Solis swore in shock. 

He couldn’t stop the old name from pouring out and the words held a touch of reverence.

It was an old title for the Astral Titans, one from when they were worshipped as gods walking among men.

Even knowing something about them, a bolt of terror made his heart tremble.

He knew for a fact that Rohne had 50,000 Strength. The warrior’s attributes were primarily there and in Constitution. To handle him like that, this being’s Strength had to be at least three times that.

That was also a sign of an Astral Titan.

They might be near myths, but there were still some things that were well known about them, especially by the Cer’Aleth.

There was no one else in the Void who had that level of strength, except something like the Vos’Rekan.

More than that, his abilities proved it. That hand reaching through the Void looked like an Astral Rift, one of the Titans’ signature powers.

Solis’s doubts faded away as soon as he saw it, leaving only a tiny question at the back of his mind. 

The Titans had always been mysterious and hard to find, but given the stakes at hand...

Why hadn’t he heard about one out here?

He knew they were connected to Aster Fall based on the information in the crystal he’d been given, but it hadn’t had much about them, so he could only guess at the reason.

The High Council had always had a better understanding of the Titans than anyone else. They were their closest allies and students.

The old tradition of the Titans raising up their races had never been completely forgotten, not by the rulers. If anyone knew this Titan was out here, they should have.

But if they had known, they wouldn’t have been so worried about sending reinforcements.

Titans and Vos’Rekan were natural enemies.  As soon as they met, they would naturally try to kill one another.

That meant this Titan was here in secret, but why would a Titan hide his presence?

Why would he need to? 

Myth or not...with just a few words from him, no one would oppose him. 

If he asked for something reasonable, the entire force of the galaxy would align behind his will.

Off to the side, Berim looked thoughtful as he smiled slightly and made a note in his journal. 

His eyes were blazing with passion as he looked up to see what would happen next.

Solis’s eyes grew wider and the crystal flame in his heart leapt higher as he watched the battle that was continuing in front of him.

He almost reached out to stop Rohne, but then he dropped his hand.

Perhaps it was best this way.

As far as he could tell, the Titan wasn’t trying to kill him. He had only hurled him away.

Rohne thrashed as he twisted around to stabilize himself. Then he flew back, his claws stretched again, as an even louder roar tore out of his throat.

“Rohne, stop!” Jesra’s shout echoed across the distance. “We should be on the same side! Stop fighting! You attacked first, not him!”

Her words made the warrior hesitate, but before he could fly back, Tenal flew off of the platform.

“I wasn’t going to interfere until I knew who you were,” he declared as his wings spread wide, “but I can’t stand by and watch you toy with my ally.”

His words were full of righteousness, but they made Solis cover his face with his hand.

Although they were in the middle of the Fifth Evolution, Rohne and Tenal were young for their races, and for a long time they had been treated as geniuses and prodigies. 

They were impulsive and quick to anger

After a moment’s thought, he decided not to intervene. 

A fight would let them stretch their wings after the long travel and show the strength on both sides, so that they could move forward with a better understanding of each other.

He was no longer worried about the Titan, nor about the eventual outcome of this fight.

White feathers began to appear in the Void around Tenal, their edges as sharp as blades. 

They multiplied swiftly until thousands of them floated in two great wings on either side of him, a larger version of his own wings.

Brilliant white runes swirled across them, forming patterns of winds and storms. The contained force made it feel like a hurricane was about to erupt.

“I can’t allow you to block our path, not without knowing more of what has happened on Aster Fall,” Tenal said, his tone was an attempt to sound superior, but that was difficult when he was a fraction of the size of the Titan.

The Titan was only watching him, his arms folded across his chest. 

“Where is the elder we were supposed to meet?” Tenal insisted. “If you think your own strength is going to be enough to stop us, you are greatly mistaken.”

A wave of his hand sent the white wings flying across the void. As they moved, they shifted into the form of a massive roc. 

Its feathers were pristine and crackling with lightning. Its head was similar to a divine eagle, and it had a crown of smaller silver feathers as a crest.

As it approached, it was clear that it was about twice the size of the Titan. It was an impressive display of Tenal’s magic.

But it wasn’t enough to move him.

He raised his hand and a shimmering dark wall appeared, opening onto a different area of the Void.

The roc disappeared into it, only to reappear a moment later on the far side of Tenal.

It was heading straight for him.

Tenal spun in place, his hands rising as he tried to halt his spell, but he was a moment too slow.

The roc slammed into him with an explosion of white light, its feathers slicing forward like blades as they tore at his defenses.

He hurtled across the Void, flying into the distance in a streak of white lightning.

At that moment, Solis finally stepped forward.

“Please, Lord of the Void, calm yourself!” he shouted before things could get any worse. “We mean you no harm!”

A couple of exchanges was enough to prove the point, but if someone was actually injured and they began to fight for real, he wasn’t sure if he would be able to handle it.

“We came to defend Aster Fall, the same as you!” Jesra called out as she joined him. Despite the suppression of her allies, her words were calm. “Why not talk before fighting? Surely we can work together.”

At that moment, Rohne flew forward like a bolt of scaled lightning. He’d finally recovered from the throw and was returning with full force.

He ignored Jesra’s words, his mouth open as he released another roar and dove forward, claws extended.

The Titan turned toward him with eyes blazing, clearly ready to punish him again for daring to attack.

“Please, stop!” Jesra called, trying to get them to see reason. “There’s no need to fight when we are supposed to be on the same side!”

She’d clearly figured out who the Titan was as well, or close enough.

There was no doubt that the Titan heard her, but his answer was a punch like a golden comet as he sent Rohne flying across the Void again, his body curling inward from the impact.

This time, the Dragon Spirit was much slower to gather himself.

On the far side, Tenal was looking ragged as well. His clothes were shredded and the shield around him was dim. 

There must have been some energy added to the spell, or he would have had an easier time, but he’d managed to stop the attack from hurting him.  

Both of them headed back toward the Titan, their abilities surging in a new storm of white mana and waves of golden destruction.

Jesra buried her face in her palm, unable to watch.

Solis had to agree, but he only sighed. 

At least it seemed like the Titan had some restraint. He wasn’t trying to kill them, just proving that he was stronger. Perhaps he understood them better than they did themselves. 

For these two, getting beaten up was a pretty decent greeting.