✧ Chapter 72 ✧

An air of calmness settled in as the Judgment Warriors regrouped at the entrance of Paradise Park.

“The plan certainly cut too close of a call, but at least the decoy scroll was effective bait. Even with Voltaze gone though, it’s not looking to be over yet,” said Styra while holding the real Scroll of Scarlet Spades in her hands.

She glanced around at the destruction surrounding them, knowing they would need the power of the shard to at least rebuild a majority of the worlds that experienced the recent catastrophe.

“Not to mention trying to save those people that died. Dammit, we can’t catch a break without these lunatics feeling validated for taking away more lives. Does anyone here know a way to check the status of these worlds and if they are revivable?” inquired Flight.

Eternika intervened into the conversation showing images that elaborated on the importance of their situation regarding reviving The Omniverse.

“We would need to head back to Ynadith in order to restore its Megaverse, but the damage to the rest of the megaverses have been unfortunately done. The convergence of every multiverse’s thread leading towards the same end means these timelines are all in danger. The original system relies on them to maintain the stability of preventing every other verse from collapsing as well.”

“You gotta be kiddin’ me! How many more verses are there even?” asked Chelbie.

“In the expanse of space, there are a total of eight definitive layers. Technically, we will need to maintain the properties of all seven in order to keep it thriving. At the moment, The Void also requires protection. Just because it is patched indefinitely does not mean it cannot be breached again,” informed Eternika.

“Are ya saying we’re just buying time until the entire Omniverse falls apart?! That’s just as weird as Kade and I being able to single-handedly beat the ever-living shit out of that angry alien. Not that I don’t mind takin’ a victory, but I would at least like to know why.”

A pause of silence filled the streets up until Cherry pointed out something that she had been observing about the fight that took place.

“I noticed that too. When I was watching Styra and Flight free us from the fractal cages, both of their combined power absorbed it successfully. It likely drained that energy from Voltaze without him sensing it. As a result, what we have is a legitimate strategy in our hands for later. Eternika, Styra’s Kra Force enhances the use of any Eternal Light she interacts with right?”

“Yes, but only if the bond is strong. If it is negative, then it will drain the Kra Force leading to what we saw when she starts turning back into a human. Still, we have a much larger problem at hand, and I sense Styra knows what I am referring to.”

The group was confused by this until Styra came to a sudden conclusion that was all beginning to make sense.

“Guys, when Eternika and I returned to Niantom where we originally brang Emeraldion back to that world, he wasn’t there.”

Flight started to try and recollect encountering this individual.

“That giant green guardian who led us to the location of Frostice? Are you suspecting that Voltaze destroyed him behind our backs?”

Breathing in a deep sigh, Styra began to unveil her thoughts on what happened.

“Worse. I have a feeling Emeraldion betrayed us, just as Spessarion did to UVOCA. I really worry about what Voltaze said now. Even though he is wrong at times, he had a point. Should we really be trusting these guardians fully? It seems like they have other motives. To make matters even more suspicious, both Emeraldion and that Princess Candiere who owns a cafe have something in common. They both decided to reside in the worlds we met them in. And let’s not forget, Cherry identified the energy of that rock monster we had to fight. It was from the Eternal Light Of Life.”

Every member of The Judgment Warriors there could see what she was saying.

Except Cherry…

“No wait, we need to be careful going back to that world. The voices in my head could get worse. I don’t… I can’t do this again… Not with that room around…”

Styra looked over at Cherry, putting her hand gently on her friend’s shoulder to comfort the ramblings she had.

“I would never do that to you. You’re precious to me. That and I have another plan, but only if everyone is willing to hear me out on it.”

Words turned into echoes of twinkling chimes as Cherry’s heart began to beat heavily.

Precious?

An unusual yet real feeling of being in love came over Cherry as her eyes could not stop staring at Styra.

Everything about Styra…

She was beginning to blush at the thought of anything happening to her newly formed crush.

While Ararima was someone she could relate too in all respects to her sacrifice, it was deep down becoming truer to say that Styra was also the only one she felt genuinely attracted to.

Their bond felt inseparable and it made her want to support her every step.

Just as Solar Ninja was cautioning a few details concerning the type of plan they should create, Cherry built up the confidence to speak her mind the best she could.

“Kade, I know you hold Styra to a high sense of accountability. Just as she showed me though, she wants to share her real feelings with all of you too.”

Shock was expressed between the other members, but Solar Ninja himself was the most surprised out of everyone else there.

Giving a deep sigh, he looked at her with a sense of understanding.

“Okay… You can continue Styra.”

A flustered smile from Cherry made Styra feel relieved. However, that gratefulness she wanted to extend for her friend was more important.

“Thanks Cherry. I could never have done this without you,” replied Styra while hugging her tightly.

Turning to face the group as they were eager to hear her out, she finally expressed the ideas she had on the situation.

“If we’re going to handle this right, we’ll need time to prepare. First, we fix all of the destruction done to each world. Flight, Kade, Eternika, and I can handle that by going back to Ynadith. In the meantime, Chelbie, Hisa, and Cherry, you could work on building new gadgets and tracking down for Voltaze’s return in case he ever comes back. We will also have a backup world to go to that wasn’t obliterated being my home planet. Any questions?“

“Actually yeah, is Stormstrike Zero still okay?” queried Flight in an urgent manner.

“Yes, it is on Perenorbius. Otherwise, can’t say the same for Wisteliah at the moment, but we can manage from there.”

Sighing from relief, Flight was extremely happy to hear some of these news.

“Um, not to be a bother to ya, but what about that green goof and psycho princess?” asked Chelbie.

It occurred to Styra that they were going to need to go back to Tartropolatté eventually, but they needed to be completely careful to not fall for any traps or tricks. If Emeraldion set up the stone princess without any of them knowing, this was the last straw.

“Emeraldion has a chance of taking us out and I think he knows that we would likely come back, but we do have one more option at our disposal.”

“What would that be?” inquired Solar Ninja.

The answer that Styra thought about enticed some risk to itself. Regardless, she had a good feeling that it would help them get a headstart before things got worse.

“Another trip to Niantom, to finish what we were starting.”