Shattered defenses

Kaelrith’s spaceship had just drifted away from the shimmering skies of Akarihoshi, its engines humming quietly through the vast darkness of space. In the throne room aboard, Kaelrith reclined with an almost predatory grace, eyes glowing faintly as he watched the holographic recording of the attack on Aiko. The moment she had activated the luminous shield, her aura shimmering around her, Kaelrith’s gaze lingered on the glowing emblem etched into her wrist—the emblem of her family. A slow, dark chuckle curled from his lips.

“So… you’re still alive, princess Soraya,” he murmured, a wicked satisfaction twisting his tone. “I must get you. This… this will be my ultimate revenge.”

His mind already danced with schemes, intricate and cruel, each one designed to unravel everything the Akarihoshi royal family had built.

The three attackers, trembling under the weight of their orders, had followed his command without hesitation. To ensure none could reveal the plot, they had chosen the ultimate escape—suicide. Each had ended their life in silence, leaving only mystery behind. Kaelrith’s grin widened further; with no witnesses left, nothing stood between him and his plans. The royal family, blissfully unaware, would remain blind to the dark storm brewing against them.

Meanwhile, Akihiko paced the royal chambers, restless. His footsteps echoed against the polished floor as he approached his father, worry etching deep lines into his face.

“Father… please, tighten security throughout the palace. And Kaelrith—ensure he is never invited again. I… I don’t trust him.”

King Kaito’s eyes were calm, yet sharp, carrying both understanding and the weight of restraint.

“Akihiko… I know your concern. But Kaelrith… perhaps he deserves the chance to prove himself. Security will be tightened, of course.”

Akihiko clenched his fists. The timing of the attack gnawed at him.

“How could they strike Aiko at that precise moment? This isn’t coincidence… we must remain vigilant.”

The king’s nod was subtle but firm, signaling action without immediate judgment.

Far from Akarihoshi, Kaelrith’s mind worked like a blade. A direct strike would fail—guards were vigilant, the shield active, and Akihiko’s presence a constant obstacle. No, he needed another method. One subtle, insidious, and almost… poetic.

In his dimly lit hall, screens flickered with detailed information: the planet’s defenses, royal family movements, and, most importantly, Aiko. One of his subjects approached with careful respect.

“Your Majesty… we could use Aiko’s parents as bait. Send her a message through her communicator.”

Kaelrith’s lips curved coldly. “If she believes her parents are in danger… she will do anything to save them. Perfect. Force her to deactivate Akarihoshi’ shield. Brilliant.”

The technicians nodded, already preparing the message. Kaelrith added a final command:

“Make it convincing. Urgency, fear… she must believe this is real. Only then will she act exactly as we desire.”

The message was sent. Her StarCom beeped. Aiko woke up. Her body still heavy with exhaustion. Aiko opened the message.

“Your parents had been “captured,” their lives “gravely threatened. The solution: deactivate the planetary shield.” Panic surged through her veins, tangled with doubt. Was it a trap? Every instinct screamed caution… yet the thought of her parents’ suffering drowned her hesitation.

She couldn’t involve Akihiko. He would stop her, question her every move, risk the mission failing. No—she had to act alone. Determination steeled her resolve.

“No one else can know. This is mine to face. If even one of them learns…?”

Her steps were accompanied only by the whisper of wind through the corridors as she approached the Control Center. Every thought was focused on one goal — deactivating the shield to save her parents.

The Akarihoshi Control Center loomed ahead, a fortress of technology and precision. Its glowing consoles, surveillance cameras, and armored doors exuded an intimidating presence. She remembered the paths Mika and Naoru had shown her, the shadows where cameras temporarily shifted, the maintenance entrances lightly guarded at night. Her heart hammered as she slipped through them, shadows swallowing her movements.

A side entrance awaited, its StarCom scanner glowing faintly.

“Please… please, let it work,” she whispered, holding her wrist to the scanner.

A soft click.

"User: Aiko Takahashi. Entry granted."

She exhaled for a moment, amazed it had worked.

The room was empty, silent save for the soft hum of machinery. Aiko moved toward the console, fingers hovering over the glowing buttons. Among them, she spotted it:

"Planetary Defense Shield – Manual Control (Restricted Access)"

Her lips pressed together. One click.

"Confirm Deactivation: NOTE – Deactivating the shield will expose the planet to external threats. Requires dual confirmation or royal authority."

Her hands trembled. A second confirmation—someone of royal authority—was needed. Panic threatened to unravel her resolve. But her parents… she couldn’t hesitate.

A mechanical sound. Footsteps. Aiko ducked into the shadows. A single guard passed, oblivious. Once alone, she approached the console again, voice steady despite the fear clawing at her chest. There was only one way. She called him.

"Establishing connection: Akihiko Miyahara..."

“Aiko?” he immediately responded, his voice slightly hoarse. “What’s going on? You are already awake. I will come to you.”

“Yes, um… I am okay… I just need to ask you something. Just one thing. It’s important,” she said quickly but softly, with a gentle tone masking her panic.

“Of course. Ask,” he replied without hesitation.

“Hypothetically,” she began, swallowing quickly, “if I… let’s say… wanted to help someone very important to me, but I couldn’t act without your authorization… Would you… would you allow me?”

Akihiko was silent. For a moment.

“Aiko… if it’s something truly important to you… then yes. Of course, I allow it.”

Aiko froze as she saw the confirmation, and before the program could speak the words aloud, she ended the call.

"Voice authorization accepted. Authority: prince Akihiko Miyahara. Deactivation ready."

The console screens erupted in red, sirens blaring. The shield was down. External threats were now detected. Security protocols screamed a warning she could not ignore.

At the palace, Akihiko’s StarCom blinked frantically. Something was wrong. His chest tightened. With no time to waste, he sprinted toward the Control Center. Alarm lights flashed red, and every key personnel surged forward—guards, Naoru, Mika, even the king and queen.

Inside, Aiko stepped back, a chill running down her spine. Kaelrith’s presence materialized behind her, cold and commanding. Guards flanked her, their black visors menacing.

“Excellent, Aiko,” Kaelrith’s voice was icy, smooth. “Now… it will be much easier.”

“You… you’re behind all of this…” she whispered, disbelief and fear choking her.

“Of course. And now you’ve shown me the greatest power of all,” he said, almost savoring her dread. “Love. True, unyielding love.”

A sudden sting in her neck. Darkness swallowed her. She collapsed into Kaelrith’s arms.

The room was empty moments later. Only red alarm lights reflected the chaos of a mission gone wrong. Akihiko arrived, heart hammering, eyes wide, staring at the console. Her name. His. The command. Everything etched into a single cold truth.

“No… NO!” he shouted, gripping the console. “Aiko… what have you done?”

His blood ran cold at the sight of her abandoned StarCom. He fell to his knees, heart shattered, unable to comprehend the void left in her absence.

Naoru’s voice cut through the chaos, commanding teams. The king issued orders, restoring the shield, tracking movement.

Akihiko’s hands clenched. Amid the despair, determination flared. He would find her. He had to.

Through StarCom, he asked Aura, voice raw:

“Aura… what happened?”

“Aiko received a message that her parents are in danger. She… she deactivated Akarihoshi’ shield,” Aura replied quietly.