Uranus, the Godless Realm [Part 2]

“We would love to continue being aligned with the Voyager Seekers,” says Orpheus earnestly. “Thank you for everything you guys have done. You saved us before the danger could be a catastrophe.”

“Of course, Your Holiness.” Ishaan smiles gently at the giant. “I’m glad everything went as smoothly as planned.”

The tattered oak walls of the restaurant are carved with warriors clashing in a ruined space battlefield. A high platform is above the main floor, an area for miniature visitors, with chairs upholstered in beige rough fabric and tables adjacent around the stone carpeted floor.

Giants trek the wide expanse zone below, towering like ancient structures as they casually eat, chat, clean, or cook. The strong smell of spices and beef wafts the air.

Raiden and Akira were with Ishaan, eating and chatting with giants a table over, while Czar and Manon returned to Universal Raider, the Voyager Seekers spacecraft.

“Ever since meeting you, Ishaan, it feels like we’ve been blessed again,” Orpheus remarks, his joy filled wrinkled face morphing into a grim expression. “We nearly went back to the old ways. Those tainted ages damn near corrupted us once more.”

“Friendship is a blessing the gods could never bestow,” Ishaan muses, his exterior grave and authentic.

“To be honest, I was a bit concerned about your intentions in helping us. I hope you can forgive me. I wouldn’t be a good pope if I wasn’t.”

“I completely understand, friend.”

Orpheus' shoulders relax under Ishaan's soothing, husky voice. ‘Most of the time when talking with Ishaan, it feels like a conversation similar to one with a father of a church. A dependable figure worthy of authority.’ 

Yet, within this calming tone, there is a seriousness that simultaneously causes Orpheus’s blood to run cold.

Orpheus forcibly shoves down the trepidation and speaks with a pensive look, “Even if you have hidden motives, we would like to still be connected. As you know, we giants aren’t in a position to be picky.”

Ishaan leans forward to rest an arm on the table, ignoring the discomfort he felt upon touching the cool surface. “I’m not going to lie and say I do not have hidden intentions, but they’re more like an added bonus. We do not need ice orbs, and if I am being more honest, I don’t think you should use them as trade anymore.”

Bewilderment flashes in Orpheus dark gray eyes. “Why?”

“You aren’t aware of the movements of the other realms. Your people never had the opportunity to do anything else but survive. However, the times are changing. Once Uranus is dependent enough to be further involved in the 10 coordinates of the star system, you’ll need to be more knowledgeable of their movements.”

“I’m afraid I don’t understand.”

“That’s alright, friend. Our friendship works in many ways. You will be kept in the loop and will eventually understand why. I could tell you, but the greatest understanding comes from personal experiences.”

Orpheus nods slowly, his brows furrowing. “Our queen used to say the other realms do not matter as much as we're led to believe. With her gone though, I guess we have no other choice.”

“Indeed.” Ishaan airily rubs his gloved fingers together. “You can only be so laid back when you possess the life to be so.”

Orpheus regards Ishaan with a determined gaze. “If not ice orbs, what do we trade?”

Ishaan considers his words, his thoughtful expression focused. “Service, knowledge, aid, exotic red birds, fire metal, burning herbs. The list goes on. I can write one for you, but my opinion is that of an outsider, so I don’t recommend it.” Pausing, he offers a warm smile. “Giants are extraordinary and so is the land you inhabit. Try not to limit yourself to the mind of others. It’s a tiresome task I myself experience.”

Orpheus gave a contemplative nod. “As always, I’ll take your words into consideration.” He pursed his lips nervously. “May I ask what it is you want from us, Ishaan? I sense you helped us because you genuinely wanted to, but there is also something else, right?”

“Very perceptive.” Ishaan's mouth curls up into a satisfied smile. “We would like your aid as a favor in the future. It sounds simple, but trust me, a single trip in the star system is all it takes to lose your life.”

Orpheus' nose crinkles in disbelief before he says apologetically, “We would love to help all of you, but we can’t leave Uranus.”

“Don’t worry about that. It’s been ages since Heavenly Father’s law was casted. Unlike the gods, incantations don’t get stronger over time.”

“Oh.” Orpheus hardly comprehends Ishaan words, yet his instincts to trust the man guided him. “Then of course. Whenever you need us, we’ll be there. Friends help each other.”

“I know, but when death comes into the picture, friends descend into strangers.”

“We’ll be there,” Orpheus promises solemnly. “We giants have nothing to fear beside our own prowess.”

Ishaan smiles, contentment swelling in his chest. Just as they’re about to share a drink of alcohol, a fifteen inch creature of sparkling golden sunlight emerges on Ishaan's shoulder.

The intense heat emitting from it causes the air to stream.

Ishaan remains unfazed thanks to his trait of fire resistance.

Helios, Enigmatic Poet messenger, reports into his mind, ‘The Universal Raider is under attack by explorers. My main body is awaiting your orders.’

The grating voice seems to itch Ishaan's mind. Not wanting to alarm the giants, Ishaan places his hand tenderly on Helios and transfers half of his power into the messenger.

Without any words exchanged, Helios understands his master's intentions and returns back to the spacecraft, ascending into his six foot genderless main body.

“Everything alright?” Orpheus asks in a low worried tone.

“Yeah.” Ishaan waves off his friend’s worry with a reassuring smile. “Our dear spacecraft apparently harbors rodents. My messenger needed more power to cleanse them.”

“Oh, I see, that’s good. Just bugs. They’re not much to fear.” Orpheus sighs in relief. Standing outside the higher platform, he meticulously holds out a massive glass of wine. “To the alignment of stars!”

“To the alignment of stars!” Ishaan echos.

****

The hub center of Universal Raider is rectangular in shape, with high ceilings, smooth surfaces and comfortable white furnishing. A set of seating arrangements, including couches and armchairs, cluster in various areas.

A central dark blue holographic is hovering in the middle, where Hazel, the navigator known as Galaxy Watcher, sat.

She types swiftly, mapping out all invaders location, while communicating with other crew members. The olive-tone skin woman appears unfazed of the occurring battle behind her.

“You people are what’s wrong with this universe,” exclaims Manon heatedly. “You think righteousness leads to peace? No, dearies, if anything, it leads to bloody war!”

A sword of purple starlight clutch in Manon's right hand. The glimmering light specks in the air as it clangs against shadow spikes roaring to life from the ground.

The walls of Universal Raider shake because of the exchange. The invader was dressed in a red priest robe, their face hidden beneath the hood.

“What would a rowdy group of savages know of righteousness?” The voice of the explorer is silky and feminine.

Manon snorts in mock astonishment, side stepping a sharp spike and cutting it effortlessly in half. “Oh my goddess, thank you for enlightening me. If I had known turning people into monsters was righteous, I wouldn’t be so ashamed of myself, for I am holy.”

“You little rat!”

The shadow spikes melt into a pond of darkness.

As the liquidity of shadows cling to Manon legs with a sensation akin to gooey slime, the surroundings halt into a frozen barrier of time.

A second passes, the exhaustion of ceasing laws burning internally at Manon, as if tendrils of fire were wrapping around her organs. She quickly lowers her palm and absorbs the explorers' attack.

The silver crystal tiled floor becomes clear as a slurping noise rang.

As the atmosphere returns to normal, Manon appears in front of the explorer, hand pressed against their bulged chest and delivers the absorbed melted shadows in a blast of starlight.

A scream of pain burst from the brunette invader. 

Blood explodes and splatters the surrounding in its dark hue.

Manon's skin trembles in revulsion at the sticky blood donning her. Taking a deep exhale, she bows shallowly towards the decreased explorer. Then, she strides over to Hazel, leaning slightly in the navigator's space to catch a glimpse of the other battles.

“Casualties?” Manon asks, her voice tinged in fatigue.

“None from our side,” replies Hazel.

“Wounded?”

“None of that either.”

“Czar is battling three explorers in the quarters. He has defeated one so far. I called Raiden back not too long ago. He is defending Ezra in the engine room,” Hazel explains in a level tone. “Ishaan was correct in having you two return early. Me and the rest of the crew aren’t really fighters like you guys. If you two weren’t here when the attack manifested, I’m positive we would have casualties.”

“I see. No wonder he had me and Czar hang back during the mission. It was to conserve energy.”

“I believe so.” Hazel nods subtly, regarding the left screen, which showcases Raiden wielding star divine powers. “He probably expected the explorers to attack then, but they waited for some reason. I can’t be too sure of Ishaan's mindset. Only he and the eight Phthartic know what goes on in that calculated head of his.”

“He is our co-leader. You shouldn’t expect brilliance from him, you should know it like a seventh sense.” Manon smiles brightly in fascination before turning to walk away. “We’ll have to question them, so make sure Raiden keeps that one alive.”

“Already on it.” Hazel pauses to look at the retreating girl. “If you’re heading to join Czar, there is no need.”

Manon halts her steps. “Why?

“Helios is here.”

Realization immediately spread across Manon features. “Ishaan must have sent him over in order to strengthen our defense and offense,” she says, relieved.

“The battle will be over soon,” Hazel tells her softly. “Go shower. You look a damn mess, healer.”

The starlight sword vanishes from Manon hand as she gave a playful salute. “Roger.”