New beginnings (Part 1)

In the vast expanse of the cosmos, where stars weave the fabric of existence, there lies a planet unlike any other—Bismuth. Home to the Bismites, protectors of the universe and its ruler stands above all others—the Celestial Guardian.Celestial Guardian: What is this…?Drifting through space, a mysterious crystal capsule catches his eye. He flies toward it, carrying it to his home planet before shattering it with a burst of cosmic energy.A girl emerges—her suit adorned with a fractured blue crystal.Celestial Guardian: Strange… It’s damaged.Raising his hand, he repairs the crystal. Suddenly, light erupts—blinding, overwhelming. Instinctively, he steps back, sword in hand, ready for anything.The glow fades. The girl remains—but her suit and crystal are gone.She stirs. Her eyes flicker open, scanning the unfamiliar world around her.Girl: Where am I?Celestial Guardian: You’re safe. I am the Celestial Guardian.Girl: I'm Merauna, the Heroine of the fallen planet Xenon.Celestial Guardian: Nice to meet you Merauna, I repaired your crystal.Merauna: Thank you, but did you give me aid.Celestial Guardian: That is my responsibility-to give aid to those who are in need.Merauna: I see...Celestial Guardian: Do you have place to stay?Merauna: (With an expressionless face) No...Celestial Guardian: (Scratches his chin) Hmmm...Why not stay here-on my planet.Merauna: (Stunned) A-are you sure?Celestial Guardian: I am sure-like you said your planet Xenon is gone and you're the only survivor.Merauna: (Smiles) Thank you.Celestial Guardian: Your welcome.Since then, Merauna and the Celestial Guardian lived on Bismuth for years to come until...*BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!Merauna: What is going on out there!?Celest: Just a little experiment—with the vines you cut from the far side of the garden.Merauna: (Sigh) If you’re gonna do that, at least be careful. You’ll scare Kaldar.Celest: Kaldar is fineee. Deep sleeper. I’m a hundred percent sure that sound didn’t wake him.Merauna: (Looking at baby Kaldar) I guess you’re right.Celest: (Walking up to Merauna and Kaldar) Of course! And even if he did get scared, he’s got his amazing parents protecting him. He’s going to be the next Hero—our next CelestialGuardian.Merauna: I don’t know if he can handle that responsibility…Celest: He will. I’ll be there to train him.Merauna: (Chuckles) Yeah…Baby Kaldar wakes up with a smile. His shine with happiness as he looks at his parents.Merauna: (Tickling Kaldar) You'll be just fine my child.Baby Kaldar: (Cooing)15 YEARS LATERKaldar: I summon the great power of the crystal! Grant me the strength to protect this universe and honor the Celestial Guardian!The crystal glimmers and sparks.Kaldar: Damn!Celest: You know I didn’t create that crystal, right? Your grandfather did—before he passed.Kaldar: I know… but it kinda worked.Celest: It didn’t. But I’ll help you—if you help me fix the Macreel.Kaldar: Dad, I thought you got that fixed already!Celest: (Chuckles) You should know by now—the Royal Guard aren’t mechanics.Kaldar: (Sighs) Yeah, well… (Chuckles)Merauna: Hey! You two!Celest: Yes!Merauna: Come here and eat some snacks! I made Kimesh!Kaldar: Aw, my favorite! Time to fly.Celest: Oh, don’t be surprised when I get there first.Kaldar: Oh no you don’t! Hiiyah!Celest: HA!*Swooooosh!Kaldar: Whoa! You’re fast—but not fast enough.Celest: Hmph! Just you wait.Kaldar: Bring it on, old man.Celest: Hey! (Plasma blast)BOOOM!Kaldar: Dad! What was that!? Aren’t you old?Celest: Yes… but it’s rude to say that to an adult.Kaldar: Fine! But I’m still gonna beat you.Celest: Alright. And how are you gonna do that?Kaldar: By using… Heroic Clone!*Pooof!Celest: What the…?!Clone Kaldars: Haaaaaa!Celest: (So that’s his move to slow me down… Heh. He doesn’t know who he’s dealing with.) Celestial Sword Slash!Clone Kaldars: Oh no—!*BOOOOOOOOM! Swoooooooooh!Kaldar: You’ve gotta be kidding me.Celest: It’ll take a lot more to slow me down.Kaldar: Well… I think it did. Look behind you.Celest: Wha—?!Clone Kaldars: You think that slash did the trick? Well, you’ve got another thing coming!Original Kaldar: And I win.Merauna: That was a bit much.Kaldar: He asked for it.Merauna: (Sighs, then chuckles) Alright. Now go get your snack.Kaldar: Okay! But first…Snap! Poof!Kaldar: There. Now he won’t struggle.Merauna: (Sighs)Kaldar: (Chuckles)Celest: (Sighs) He just keeps getting better and better.Merauna: Well, he is the son of the Heroine and the Celestial Guardian.Celest: Speaking of which…Merauna: Hmm?Celest: (Whispers)Merauna: Whaaa—!? What about Kal?Celest: I know… but he’s strong enough to battle on his own. And if my powers fade away—along with my soul—the next person to train him, will be you and the crystal.Merauna: (Sobs) I don’t want to lose you…Celest: I know. I… know.Sudden Danger approaches*BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!*Rushing footsteps.Kaldar: Mom! Dad! Come look!Merauna: What is it, honey?*Rushing footsteps.Celest: What the—?!Merauna: It’s a Kegarian warship!Celest: I thought WE took care of that rogue planet…Merauna: Seems some survived.Kaldar: Dad! Can I help?Celest: No! You’re not ready.Kaldar: But you saw what I can do! Just give me a chance!Merauna: Kal, your father is right. You’re not strong enough yet. The Kegarians are one of the toughest races in the entire universe.Celest: And I can’t risk losing you to them. You’re going to be the next Hero—the next Celestial Guardian. If the universe is ever in peril, we need you to be there.Kaldar: (Sobs) But… but…Celest: I know you want to help, but this is for your own good. Go to the Cryo Dimension. Take the Heroic Crystal with you. You’ll be able to watch from there.Kaldar: (Softly) I understand…*Footsteps retreat.Merauna: So much for your mission.Celest: I was going to deal with them at some point.Merauna: So, you knew the whole time…Celest: I was just milking the drama.Merauna: Alright, let’s deal with these rogues.Celest: Agreed! Celestial Guardian!Merauna: The Heroine!*Swoosh!Celest: Let’s go! I'll call every available Bismite Guard to help. Haaaaaa!Merauna: Yeah, understood! Haaaaaa!*Swooooosh!Meanwhile, in the Cryo DimensionKaldar: (Worried) I hope they return…*Crystal flashes.Kaldar: Huh!? The crystal is shining!*VWOOOOOOOM! BOOOOOOOOM!Kaldar: What the…!?Crystal: Phew! How long was I asleep?Kaldar: About… fifteen years.Crystal: Wait! FIFTEEN YEARS!? I was gone that long!?Kaldar: Seems like it.Crystal: (Sighs) Wait—where’s my holder? Where’s the Heroine!?Kaldar: Mom went to fight the Kegarians… Dad too along with Bismite Guard.Crystal: So, they left you here—Kaldar, right?Kaldar: Yeah… How do you know my name?Crystal: Since you’re the spawn of the Heroic Heroine, it’s kinda within my power to know who her son is.Kaldar: Or maybe… you know I’m meant to become the Hero. The Celestial Guardian.Crystal: That too. But it’s not just about being the next best thing—it’s about knowing WHY you’re becoming it.Kaldar: I… I don’t understand. I know why I must become the Legendary Hero. The Celestial Guardian.Crystal: Sometimes you don’t need to be a Hero to protect the ones you love. Just being yourself is enough.Kaldar: (Softly) I see…Crystal: You may be worthy of the power, but you’re not ready to understand its full capabilities.Kaldar: So, I won’t become the next…?Crystal: Not yet. You still have a lot of training ahead.Kaldar: Alright. I will train. And once I’m ready—I’ll take on the Kegarians and bring peace to the universe.Crystal: That’s the spirit.*BOOOOOOOOOOOOM!Kaldar: !? What was that!?Crystal: Your parents are really making a mark out there.Kaldar: Yeah! No one can beat them.Crystal: They’re nearing the mothership—but there’s someone stronger inside.Kaldar: (Tense) So… they won’t be able to defeat him?Crystal: They won’t survive.*THUD!Kaldar: What!? How can that be!?Crystal: Your parents are at a disadvantage—especially your father. He lost his immortality to save your mother from an incurable disease.Kaldar: (Shaken) Wait… so you’re saying Dad could die?Crystal: Yes.Kaldar: (Sobs) You have to get me to that ship! I need the Hero’s power!Crystal: Even with it, you can’t defeat him.Kaldar: It’s worth a try! THE HERO!Crystal: (Smirks) Now THAT’S ambition. Fine. But if you’re critically injured—we’re getting out of there.Kaldar: Right!*SWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSH! BLIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIING! SPARKS!Kaldar: (Grunts, then exhales) It worked…!Crystal: Of course, it did! Now, let’s save your parents!Kaldar: Alright!*Portal opens. Rushing footsteps.Kaldar: I’m on my way!Back on the Kegarian ShipMerauna: There’s no end to them!Celest: Yeah, no kidding!Kegarian Soldier: DIE! Hoooooraaaaah!Merauna: Celest! Look out!Celest: What the…!?*BLAST!Celest: What was that!???? Dad, you should really pay attention to your surroundings.Celest: (That voice…) Kaldar!?Kaldar: Yep! I’m here to aid you.Merauna: How did you get here!? And… how did you manage to use the power of the Hero?Crystal: I allowed him.Celest: Crystal!? But… how did you awaken from your eternal slumber!?Crystal: Your son’s will to fight.Merauna: I see… Kaldar, are you able to control the Heroine’s power?Kaldar: I’m still adjusting, but I can handle it. And since I’m the new holder… doesn’t that make me the Hero now?Merauna: Yes.Celest: (So he was able to control it…) Alright, Kaldar—use the Heroic Sword to cut this ship in half!Kaldar: Okay! HEROIC SWORD SLASH!*BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANG! BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!Celest: Atta boy! Now let’s get outta here! Our army will handle the rest of them.??? Aw… leaving so soon?Kaldar: Huh!? Who said that!? Show yourself!??? (Chuckles) So you wish to face me? That… will be your greatest mistake! HAAAAA!*BOOOOOOOM!Celest: CELESTIAL SHIELD! Hold on!Merauna & Kaldar: Whoa!Celest: This is gonna get bumpy!Crystal: Then allow me! TELEPORTATION!*VUUAAM! SWOOOOOSH!Kaldar: Phew! That was close! Hey Dad, who was that?Celest: He’s the leader of the Kegarians… King Sulmento.Merauna: He used to be one of their best soldiers and the prince of Kegar. I wonder how he managed to rebuild his planet…Kaldar: Doesn’t matter. What matters is stopping him from destroying ours. Everyone’s fighting for their lives out there—we have to do the same.Celest: Yeah, here’s the thing—you can’t fight Sulmento.Merauna: Your father’s right. We can’t risk losing you. You’re the only one who might be able to defeat Sulmento in the future.Kaldar: You’re going in without me!? No way—I’m not letting you go alone!Celest: Kal, you’re not strong enough yet. You need to understand—you’re our last resort. Everyone is counting on you.Merauna: If we survive, we’ll send word through Crystal.Celest: Now, go and protect the citizens. Make sure they’re safe.Kaldar: (Softly) Alright… Just don’t die. Please.Merauna: (Kisses Kaldar’s forehead) Don’t worry.*Swoooooosh!Crystal: Alright, Kaldar—let’s get to work.Kaldar: Right!*Swoosh!Meanwhile—Inside the Kegarian MothershipSulmento: Ready the cannons. I want that planet gone.Soldier: Yes sir! Preparing to fire!Soldier 2: Ship integrity at 100%.Sulmento: Good. Now—FIRE!??? I wouldn’t do that if I were you.Sulmento: What!? The Celestial Guardian and the Heroine!? HOW did you get on board!?Celest: There’s a thing called Celestian teleport—you should try it sometime.Sulmento: Arrrrgh! Soldiers—GET THEM! But don’t kill them. I want their powers.Celest: Heroine—I’ll handle the soldiers on the right, you take the ones on the left.Merauna: Got it! HAAAAA!*BOOOOM!Soldier: You won’t survive! Arrrgh!Merauna: Just DIE quietly. (Turns to her husband) Celest—behind you!Celest: (Looks behind) What the—!? HIYAAH!Soldier: (About to fire a plasma spear) Aaaaaaah!The blast is then reflected back to the soldier.*THUD!Sulmento: Well, well, well… The universe’s greatest protectors still manage to thwart my plans. How predictable.Merauna: It’s over, Sulmento! Just surrender—we can resolve this peacefully.Sulmento: Hmph! You really think I’ll just give up!? NEVER! I came here for revenge, and I will have it—with this!Celest: (Shaken) THE GRIMSTONE!? How did you get that!? I thought I destroyed the entire cluster!Sulmento: (Grins with an evil look) Apparently, you weren’t as thorough as you thought. I found this in the outskirts of the Kegarian mines—after you destroyed everything.I was scavenging for survival after you obliterated my father’s fleet… after you brought ruin to my people.Sulmento: Then… I saw it. A bright, pulsing light. And beside it—two of my best friends—lying motionless, their blood staining the ground.Sulmento: (Bitterly) I fell to my knees. Disbelief, hopelessness filled my soul. And then… I saw them stir.Sulmento: I ran to them, desperate to embrace them—to tell them how glad I was… but their eyes were empty. No recognition. No words.Sulmento: That’s when it hit me. The Grim stone resurrected their bodies—but not their souls. They weren’t my friends anymore.Sulmento: I had no choice. I fought them—to get closer to the stone… and in the end, I killed them.Sulmento: And after I took the Grim stone… I resurrected my entire planet. Bent them to my will. They are mine—loyal once more. And I will have vengeance on those who shamed my people. On you.Celest: That mineral should have been destroyed! It couldn’t have survived unless—!Sulmento: Yes. My father’s ancestors took a fragment and hid it—in a different dimension. I was the only one to find it.Celest: And when Heroine and I came—we disrupted the spell.Sulmento: Yes, but it failed. And now—you will pay for all your wrongs.Merauna: (Softly) I… I didn’t know we caused you so much pain. But this isn’t the way, Sulmento.Sulmento: “This isn’t the way”!? Was destroying my planet the way!?Celest: Your father was about to unleash a weapon of great destruction upon the universe! We had to stop him!Sulmento: I knew my father was a fool… but he did it for the sake of our people!Merauna: No. He did it for power. He wanted to conquer the universe—by destroying it.Sulmento: Then I shall do the same! But this time—you won’t be able to stop me!*BOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!Kaldar: What just happened!? Why is the mothership going down!?Crystal: I think your parents are fighting Sulmento!Kaldar: No! We need to help them!Crystal: Are you crazy!? You know what your parents said!Kaldar: I don’t care! I need to help them—whether you like it or not!Crystal: (Chuckles) Fine, let’s go!Kaldar: Right!*Swoosh!Celest: Sulmento, you madman! You know you’ll die along with us, right!?Sulmento: As long as I have this stone—I will survive!Merauna: Celest, we need to get out of here!Celest: Alright! CELESTIAN TELEPORT!*VUAAM!Sulmento: (Laughing) Soon… they’ll realize that resistance is futile.Kaldar Arrives*Swiiiiish!Kaldar catches his parents’ mid-air, saving them from impending doom.Kaldar: What happened!? Did you beat Sulmento!?Celest: No… He had the Kegarian Grim stone to aid him.Merauna: And an army of undead soldiers at his command.Kaldar: What!? Then—how do you stop him!?Celest: (Tense silence) I… I don’t know.Kaldar: (Frustrated) Tch!Crystal: What about using the Heroic Sword and Celestial Cannon to seal him away?Merauna: (Eyes widen) Crystal—you genius! Why didn’t we think of that!?Celest: It could work—but how do we get close to him?Kaldar: Leave that to me and Crystal.Merauna: Just create multiple clones to distract him!Kaldar: Okay! HEROIC CLONES!*VUUUUAM!Clone Kaldars: We’ll go on ahead! You three prepare the seal!Kaldar: I’m counting on you!Clone Kaldars: Right!*Swoosh!Celest: Kaldar—I need you to inscribe the seal onto the swordKaldar: Got it.Merauna: Heroic Sword—Hiyah!Crystal: Kaldar must summon it—he holds the Hero’s power now.Merauna: (Laughs) Oh, right! Most of my powers are fading with age.Kaldar: HEROIC SWORD—HAAAA!*Swiiiiish!Celest: CELESTIAL CANNON!*VUUUUUAAAAMMMMM!*Thud!Celest: Now—inscribe the seal. Concentrate.Kaldar: (Inhales. Exhales.)Sword begins to glow.Kaldar: (Whispers incantation)Celest: It’s working—now my part. (Whispers incantation)Crystal: Finalizing seal—KIDO (embed)!Sword pulses with light.Merauna: Is it done!?Kaldar: Yeah… Phew! Creating seals is hard!Celest: Tell me about it.*BOOOOOOOOM!Merauna: We need to go!Celest: Kaldar—you handle the clones. We’ll set up the cannon. Meet us at Quin City!Kaldar: Right! Stay safe!Celest: Oh! And use Echo Guard to trap him!Kaldar: Got it!Portal opens and closes.Celest: CELESTIAL TELEPORT!*VUUUUUAAAAAM!*ThudMerauna: I'll place the sword into the cannon.Celest: I'll aim for Sulmento's chest.*GRRRRRRRRGH! BRIUUUM!Sulmento: RAAAAAAGH! DIE, PESKY CLONES!Clone 1: We'll never give up! HAAAAA!Sulmento: Fine-then vanish with one strike! JAMENDO CRASH!*BOOOOOOOM!Clone Kaldars: Aaaaaargh!Sulmento: (Laughs maniacally) DEATH is the only thing I wish upon this world!Kaldar: Then I wish the same upon YOU! HEROIC SWORD SLASH!*Shiiiiing!Sulmento: (Smirks)*Ah-if it isn't the newly instated Hero. I've been waiting to kill you. Now-be a good boy and come over and DIE!Kaldar: (Chuckles) Yeah, no thanks. But I’ll gladly kill YOU—for destroying my home and my people.Sulmento: Well, that’s what YOU get—for destroying mine.Kaldar: (Grins) (Oh, this is going to be fun.) HAAAA!Sulmento: Hmph! Charging straight in—bold move for a rookie.Kaldar: Who are you calling a rookie!? Watch this!Kaldar: HEROIC PULSE!BAAAAAM!Crystal: Use Comet BreakerKaldar: COMET BREAKER!*BOOOOOOOOOOOM! CRASHS!Kaldar: HEROIC RAPID SLASH!*SWOOOOOOOSH!Sulmento: (Slow claps) Well done, Hero. You managed to graze me. Now—get ready for REAL power!Kaldar: Oh no—HEROIC CLONES!*SWOOOOOOOOSH!Kaldar: Stop him!Clones: Right! RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!Sulmento: SOUL EATER!Clones: AAH……*THUD! POOF!Kaldar: Holy…Sulmento: Impressed? That attack devours souls and turns them to dust. Your clones were just energy, but that was enough.Kaldar: Well, damn! (I need to get him to the rendezvous point.) Hey! Sulmento! FOLLOW ME, YOU BIG IMBECILE!Sulmento: TCH! WHO ARE YOU CALLING AN IMBECILE!? RAAAAAAAAGH!Kaldar: (Dad—I’m on my way!)At the Cannon…Celest: He’s close. Kaldar—seal him!Kaldar: NOW, DAD!Kaldar: ECHO GUARD!Celest: CELESTIAL BLAST!A blue energy shield surrounds Sulmento. The cannon throttles and shoots an energy wave at him.*Briiiiiuuuumm! BOOOOOOOM!Kaldar: Direct hit!Sulmento: (Staggers) W-What’s happening!? Why do I feel weak!?Kaldar: Because—you’re being sealed away!Sulmento: (Eyes widen) So THIS was your plan!? To lure me into a trap!?Kaldar: Pretty much, yeah. Now—get off my planet!Sulmento: I don’t think so. I’M TAKING THIS PLANET WITH ME! (Places his onto the ground) HAAAAA!*BAAAAAAAAAM!Kaldar: (Eyes widen) What did you do!?Sulemento: (Smirks) Destabilized the planet's core. Good luck stabilizing itCelest: (Frustrated) Tch! I can’t keep this up! Merauna—help me!Merauna: ON IT! HAAAA!Cannon energy surges!Sulmento: (Grins) (Pulls out his hand) Say goodbye to your parents, Hero!Kaldar: (Eyes widen as Sulmento delivers a final blow) WHAT!? NOOOOO!As a last move, Kaldar tries to run towards his parents in order to shield them from their impending demise. Sulmento then grins as he disappears.An energy blast is fired and strikes its targetCelest: (Strained) ARGH! Kaldar.Merauna: (Softly) Aaaaaargh! Son.Merauna and Celest have fallen to their deaths. Kaldar drops to his knees—breathing heavily, fists clenched.Kaldar: (With desperation) No… No, I can fix this—I CAN FIX THIS!Crystal: Kaldar! We need to go!Kaldar: No!Crystal: The planet’s going to explode! If we don’t leave now, we’re finished!Kaldar: (Sobs) I CAN’T! I’M STAYING! I CAN SAVE THEM!Crystal: Kaldar—you haven’t mastered all your powers yet! If you die here, the universe loses its last hope!Kaldar: Tch! DAMN YOU, SULMENTO! HAAAAAAAA!The energy surges around him—unstable, chaotic, fueled by grief and fury.Crystal: I’m sorry, but I can’t let you die here.Kaldar: Wait—what are you—Crystal!? Noooo! I said I DON’T WANT TO LEAVE!Crystal: And I don’t want you to DIE! Listen to me, Kal—your father said you are the universe’s last hope! So, forgive me when I say this—STOP ACTING LIKE AN IDIOT!Kaldar gasps. His breath catches—his mind screams—but he knows he’s right.Kaldar wipes his tears, breathes deeply.Kaldar: …Fine. Let’s go.Crystal: Okay!*Swooooooooosh!Planet explodes.Kaldar clenches his teeth—holding back everything.Kaldar: (Angrily with tears of sorrow rolling down his cheek) Tch! Aaaaaaaaaaaaaah! Daaaaaaamn iiiit!To Be Continued…