✧ Chapter 74 ✧

On the lax beaches of Centreplex City, Styra and Cherry were standing next to their towels which had been laid out side-by-side with beach umbrellas to give them shade for later on a beautiful sunny afternoon.

“Never seen so many people crowded on a beach before. I mean, Brightbay Beach was certainly my favorite, so it’s only fair that this would be number two on that list. How’s the invisibility working on us Eternika?” asked Styra.

“Functional,” replied the weapon as it was surveying the area for any potential threats.

“Ochidokie, ‘ey Cherry?” questioned Styra in a joking manner.

Cherry nodded her head in a silly way to lightheartedly approve of her friend repeating a funny phrase that she had said earlier.

“Well now, let’s see… We could do literally anything here. Take a swim, bask in the sun, or maybe play a game? All suggestions are welcome guys,” said Styra.

It was a challenging question to consider at first, but Eternika quickly gave an idea that it believed to be beneficial.

“I suggest that we could have an additional training session to improve Cherry’s combat skills. It is crucial to our effectiveness as a team if her participation in battle is actively present,” remarked the weapon.

To Styra, this did sound ideal. The only lingering question was how Cherry would react to it.

“As long as Cherry is fine with it, I don’t necessarily see a problem. We could use the exercise, so I guess we can make a game out of it if you want.”

Thinking about this got Cherry herself interested in reasserting the possibilities of becoming more capable of saving Ararima again.

“Ochido…”

Her voice stopped suddenly, realizing that she should start focusing more seriously if she wanted to save her friend’s life.

The Traveller was no joke and taking on such a massive threat would mean she needed to increase the challenge level too.

“Um, Cherry… Is everything alright? You just said Ochido…” queried Styra out of curiosity.

“I faced gummy monkeys, ran across Niantom’s valleys, created a water sprout, and fought against Voltaze. I know what I said about The Candy Room. In all honesty, I still want to save Ararima no matter what monsters are there. Her and all of those people I saw. They need our help.”

The determination in Cherry’s voice made Styra respect her unmoving will to be brave.

Even Eternika had come to admire this trait.

“I got an idea. The beach ball kind to be exact,” stated Styra with confidence.

With Cherry becoming increasingly confused at what she was referring to, Styra requested Eternika to get a permanent marker. Once it had given one to her, she drew an image of Voltaze’s angry face on the beach ball.

“Huh?” replied Cherry out of bewilderment.

Styra started to guide them near the shoreline of Centreplex’s largest lake (Kitamori Lake) while smirking from ear-to-ear.

Later into the day, they reached an empty area of the beach itself. Shortly after this, she had Eternika instantaneously create a pair of strange-looking handheld mechanisms that were made out of natural materials from Perenorbius.

“Alright, so we’re going to do a training game I kind of invented on Perenorbius with the Tripedyras. It is called Bokhi Ball. Here, take Mister Circleface so I can show you how it works.”

Grabbing onto the beach ball while slightly giggling to herself, Cherry attentively began to listen while Styra explained that two things she slid into her hands that were springing around up and down past her wrists.

“So these were called Bokhis. They work by brushing this sticky but also extremely elastic silk onto the edges of a sliced disc from a tree. Should be a little over the size of your fist. We usually attach a vine-made handle underneath so you can clutch it that way too. Then you get a longer tree disc with a hollow inside so the smaller disc can slide through it perfectly.”

“So, this is basically inertia of direction…” stated Cherry.

“Um, I guess… I mean we do use a large flat part of the leaf first to wrap around the smaller tree disc. Usually place it at the center before sliding it inside if that makes sense. That way, the bark isn’t rubbing against your hand from within.”

Examining the Bokhis with fascination, Cherry was both inspired and easily able to analyze the use of these crafted objects with the context of a beach ball being inserted into the play.

“My hypothetical impressions of Bokhis seem to indicate that the assertion of technical prowess is based on the force of momentum directed. In simpler terms, you want me to use these enhancements for my combat skills by passing the ball in the air. A more kinetic version of volleyball or badminton but without the net.”

Speechless at the heavy use of words that she couldn’t even fully comprehend, Styra looked at the sandy ground in disbelief.

“I believe we should proceed with the training,” reminded Eternika.

Deciding to agree with its stance, she gave Cherry the Bokhis while having her simultaneously switch it for the beach ball.

“Alrighty Cherry. Now, I am going to throw the ball at you. When that happens, throw one of your best fists forward with the Bokhis on and send it back to me. Ready?”

Nodding in agreement, Cherry prepared to deliver a punch at the ball as Styra threw it lightly up into the air.

Before she knew it, the beach ball had slipped and landed behind her.

A sense of frustration held Cherry back mentally from seeing her fail to hit it until Styra gave some advice.

“Looks like it’s the composure of your aim that you need to work on. That and also your wind-up is a bit stiff on releasing the fist. Give a little more thought into the buildup. Also might want to hold a grounded stance instead of hopping up to it unconsciously. The stronger your form, the better chance you have of hitting it right.”

“I see… Okay let me try again,” said Cherry.

Six hours into the arduous exercising, it was apparent to see that Cherry had became a fast learner based on the previous training she experienced earlier. The practice was starting to pay off well as the two went back and forth between each other.

Although Styra knew Cherry’s motivation mostly lied with Ararima, it seemed to even extend past that. The undying commitment to progressively get better was an inherent part of who she was when it came to working both harder and smarter as an intellectually-driven person.

By the evening, Styra was genuinely impressed with her friend’s growth overall as she had sent 414 passes her way in one game.

“Woah! That’s a new record! Looks like we’ll have to stop at here for today. It is getting pretty late. Really great workout though. How are you feeling?”

As Styra asked this, she started to notice that Cherry was panting really hard with sweat drenching almost all over her body from the hot sun. Stumbling wearily out of extreme fatigue, she nearly collapsed onto the sandy floor.

“Cherry!” shouted Styra before catching her friend in her arms just in time.

Observing with intense concern at first, Eternika itself could see that she was starting to gain some consciousness again.

Albeit, it was minimal at best.

“She has done exceptionally great for training that long. I may not be human, but after studying them and especially her for awhile, perhaps some pink lemonade sundaes would be suitable to boost her strength?”

“That’s a sweet idea. You got it from Peppie, didn’t you? Because personally, I was also thinking of a cold water bath like we used to have back in Perenorbius,” added Styra.

“Yes. Without a doubt, both are good options. Speaking of which, I need to talk to you more about your original home world after we let Cherry settle at her house. That and our plan moving forward,” said Eternika.

Curious as to what topics the weapon could be interested in discussing further, Styra accepted its request as they teleported Cherry back to the house to help her cool down.

Once Cherry had gotten her needed break, she thanked Styra and Eternika for their generosity before they headed toward the living room to have a private conversation.

“So… What’s up?” asked Styra.

Immediately into this question, Eternika showed an image of a nearly destroyed Perenorbius that was much more apocalyptic than previous events that had struck the planet.

“Wait what?! When did this happen?! I thought you created a forcefield around it so no one could do this. This was supposed to be our backup world Eternika!” she yelled frantically.

“Less than thirty minutes ago, it happened. Yes, it is not what I thought at first either. Apparently from the looks of it, your Yraden that was engraved with the Deveurxan language is some sort of setup by their civilization to mark the land for destruction. It seems to be a ploy that Prism is using to prepare The Omniverse for its arrival. Luckily, Flight’s spaceship is still intact.”

The worried expression on Styra’s face was starting to appear more agitated knowing that Perenorbius wouldn’t get anywhere near being a healthy planet until this problem at its core was solved.

“Now we have to cancel the backup world plan unless Niantom proves to work as another safer option. I’ve only felt hesitant about returning there because Emeraldion could end up sneaking in on us. The worst I could also suspect is Voltaze somehow coming back. For all we know, all of it could be a trap if we stick around too long.”

Eternika could see what she meant. In a sense, they almost certainly couldn’t just play into a situation where another betrayal was likely to occur.

While the weapon was devising an effective strategy, Kade suddenly appeared within Styra’s peripheral vision while wearing his suit. Turning around to see him coming over, Snowflake also joined along with Jingle and Chime following the shirokei in order to cuddle up next to her.

“I heard you two talking from upstairs. Found it to be a necessary step that I add my input into this discussion. Although everyone else is asleep, I have been meditating during the day to keep watch for the night. It is our succinct duty as three immortal vessels to be the guardians of this household. Whatever form that takes, it will depend on us,” announced Solar Ninja.

Aware of the relationship between her and Kade, Styra was beginning to feel a need to change as the responsibility that entailed this speech was motivational to her. It resonated with her deeply knowing that she was once a guardian of Perenorbius. If she was going to evolve to become who she needed to be, resolving that trust now would be crucial.

“Kade, after everything we’ve been through, I truly apologize for the issues that came up back then… It hasn’t been the easiest transition always dealing with new situations where choosing what I do would define my identity. Pushing myself to listen properly takes a lot more effort than I thought. After what happened with Voltaze, manipulating myself to try and excuse his actions, it never sat right with me.”

Understanding her perspective, Solar Ninja began to walk over and sit next to Styra to share his own thoughts.

“Maturity is something I came to accept once I saw how serious things had become. I know well that sacrificing time for others or yourself in ways that exceed what we would define as important is nothing short of an investment. Awareness of your choices and their consequences is key. I respect your willingness to improve. In consideration of your apology, I will devote my entire mission to what we are as Judgment Warriors.”

A silence filled the room as Styra’s caring side took over as she hugged Solar Ninja unexpectedly.

“Thank you Kade. Hopefully, if there is a day you get the chance to fully be human again, you and Hisa will get to live in peace.”

With the solemn atmosphere of kindness being given, Kade could feel his cold robotic heart melting from the warmth of emotion that came from who he really was inside.

“Thank you, Styra.”

Hugging her back, the three of them embraced each other while discussing throughout the rest of the night to prepare for tomorrow.