Chapter 712: The Nine Symbols

Chapter 712: The Nine Symbols

A week has passed since the Stargazer left Planet Pylon. It is now January 12th, Year 14,198.

Jeff activates the ship’s communication system. “Heads up, everyone. We’re entering a new solar system. I need Captains Zeth and Sasha to come to the front of the ship. Kurt, I need you too.”

While waiting, Laila walks up to Jeff.

“So, what do you think is in store for us this time?” Laila teases.

“I don’t know. Monsters? Explosions? Creepy doppelgangers?” Jeff jokes.

Laila chuckles. “The crew has already seen monsters and explosions. But creepy doppelgangers would be a nice twist.”

Jeff grins. “Ha! Would you even want to fight someone who looks like you?”

Laila puts her hand up to her chin. “No, I suppose not. It would feel too weird.”

As Laila finishes her sentence, Zeth, Sasha, and Kurt all arrive at the front of the ship.

“Hopefully, we find something here without incident,” Zeth says.

“Do your thing, Kurt!” Jeff shouts with excitement.

Kurt nods. “Right.”

Kurt closes his eyes and focuses.

He thinks to himself. “I can feel it. There is definitely a pyramid in this solar system. I just need to pinpoint where the planet is… Found it!”

Kurt opens his eyes and speaks with full confidence. “Turn the ship 36 degrees to the left and then fly straight. We will come across the planet with the pyramid.”

Jeff places his hands on the ship’s controls with excitement. “Oh yeah! Let’s go!”

Zeth places his right hand on Kurt’s left shoulder. “Nice job, as always, Kurt.”

Kurt smiles. “Just doing my job.”

“Well, you’re damn good at that job,” Sasha states.

The ship turns 36 degrees and flies straight at a high speed.

***

32 minutes later.

The Stargazer enters the atmosphere of the planet. The planet’s atmosphere has a purple hue.

Zeth looks out the window. “If you like the color purple, this is the planet for you.”

Kurt closes his eyes again, focusing on finding the pyramid’s exact location on the planet. After a minute, he opens his eyes. “The pyramid is 244 miles to our right.”

“You got it!” Jeff shouts. “I’m going to slow the ship down, but we should cover that distance in 10 minutes.”

As the ship continues flying, the crew starts heading to the ship’s exit point, ready to begin ground exploration.

***

10 minutes later.

The ship lands on the ground next to the pyramid. Plant life covers the ground in the areas surrounding the pyramid. Once the exit ramp extends out to the ground, Zeth, Sasha, Kurt, Emily, Joe, Pearl, Lavana, Dusk, Herbie, Kasuma, and Laila all exit the ship.

All of them look at the pyramid with determined expressions on their faces.

“Would you look at that? We don’t have to get involved in a major conflict to check out a pyramid this time.” Zeth says, a hint of relief in his tone.

“That is quite refreshing,” Emily replies.

Sasha looks at Laila.

“Are you sure you want to come with us? Sasha asks. “It’s still possible it could be dangerous in the pyramid.”

Laila looks back at Sasha, her lips curling with confidence. “Of course. The last planet was dangerous, but it was nice to get out and move about.”

“Yeah, plus, we’re all here so we can easily protect her,” Joe adds.

Sasha nods and then turns her attention back to the pyramid. “Then, let’s go.”

***

Soon after. Inside the pyramid.

The exploration team spreads out and investigates different parts of the pyramid. The main room of the pyramid has a linear path that leads to what looks like an altar. Emily walks up to the altar and rubs her chin. “What is this?”

In the middle of the altar, there is a vertical rectangular block that has symbols carved into it. There is a vortex in the center and nine other symbols surrounding it.

Emily leans forward to get a closer look at the symbols. “These symbols… I see a humanoid figure, a beast, a lightning bolt, a shooting star, light rays, a droplet, a skull, air or wind, and… aura… I think?”

Emily turns around and shouts, “Hey! Everyone! Come take a look at this!”

She gains the attention of the rest of the exploration team. Within a minute, the rest of the team has gathered around the block with the symbols.

“I feel like these have to mean something important,” Zeth says.

“But I can’t at all figure out what they could mean,” Sasha adds.

Joe stomps the ground with his right foot, visibly frustrated. “Awesome! We can finally explore a pyramid and see something that’s probably important, but we have no way of figuring out what it means! Truly, just wonderful!”

“Calm down,” Zeth urges. “Nobody should have come here expecting us to have it all figured out soon after starting. Let’s keep looking around.”

***

On Earth. On the western side of the country of Sayka on the planet’s western continent.

Harmona and a team of angels have set up a campsite near three pyramids.

Harmona looks at her male advisor. “Are you certain one of these pyramids could be related to the abyss?”

The male advisor nods. “The center pyramid of these three has a different feeling than the rest we have looked into.”

Harmona clenches her fists. “It figures that there would be a vile abyss pyramid in a country named after my mother. Let’s investigate it as soon as possible.”

***

In Rom’s room at an unknown location.

Rom sits in his chair. He watches Zeth and Sasha engage in a passionate kiss on his TV screen.

Raylee flies into the room, eager to talk.

She shouts, “Hey! Listen! Did you find out what you wanted to know?”

“I’ve checked in on an alternate universe to see if Zeth and Sasha could destroy each other. That didn’t happen, but it does seem they will destroy even people they care about for the sake of each other,” Rom says.

“Ooooh. That sounds interesting,” Raylee replies, fully interested in what Rom is saying.

Baby Bennu jumps on the left arm of the chair, chirping in a pleased manner.

Raylee grins. “Bennu seems excited too.”

“Yes, after all, Zeth and Sasha killed Bennu during our Mars test experiment. Too bad for them that Bennu is a phoenix and can’t be permanently killed that easily,” Rom says.

Raylee puts a finger to her chin. “So, I assume you have a new plan to deal with Zeth and Sasha?”

“Yes. I will put it into action soon.”

Both Rom and Raylee start laughing sinisterly.

Rom’s laugh is like a hum. “Hmhmhmhmhmhm.”

Raylee’s laugh is a pure, loud laugh. “Hahahahahahaha!”

Narrator: The heroes have come across a set of strange symbols! What could they mean?

Chapter 712 END

To be Continued in Chapter 713: Heat Endurance Trial

Author’s Note: Yes, the final scene is basically the same as the end of the Destined Lovers or Enemies AU story. I did this because DLoE is not required reading, so this allows any potential reader to skip that story and still read that scene.