The Cycle Without an End

The atmosphere seemed both filled with anticipation and unease, as for those who sat around the table, this would be the first time they set eyes on this person. For everyone, this mission meant a lot, for they had all lost 20 years of their lives travelling, training just for this moment.

Lady Ryuu's soft silhouette enters the room, her presence noticeable yet faint. Everyone's eyes fell on her as if she were the star of a show, but what would break this silence was something even more unimaginable.

"S...So beautiful" a small, yet truthful voice stated almost as if she didn't mean for it to come out.

"a...ahh! Sorry!" She said while standing to attention, her tail standing up as straight as it could, like a canine fearing being told off.

"I'm Seraphine, my philosophical element is fire, and I use daggers. I look forward to working with you." She shouts, introducing herself to everyone in the room while folding her hood down to reveal her face.

Seraphine's face was fair, and with a scar on her left cheek, it was obvious that she had been through something. Her rose-brown hair flowed down, covering the tops of her shoulders, her fox eyes peering through the top of her head. Her brown eyes glowed with intense passion; it seemed as though she had an inextinguishable fire.

The man next to her stood up next, his movement seemed to command attention, the dark outfit that he wears helps hide his physique, like he's trying to deny information. You could tell from the way he carries himself that he's worked out. 

"My name's Caelum, my element is wind, and I use pistols." He said in a calm but cautious tone.

Lady Ryuu walks past Niao and bows almost as to suggest that the others can be open with her.

"Thank you both, I'm sure you're aware, but I'm Ryuu, and I'm the commander of this ship and this mission."

All parties now remain standing, not one making a move... A stalemate.

"A...Ahem, I'm Niao, and I'm Lady Ryuu's personal assistant. Shall we get on with the briefing?" Niao decides to speak up, cutting through the stalemate and initiating the next move.

The three of them all decide to gather around the digital table that is placed in the middle of the room. The table itself isn't amazing, but the data that was displayed on its holographic display was exactly what they needed. The blue glow illuminating each of the parties' faces as if it were enveloping the world around it.

Niao stood up straight at the input panel of the table and began pressing buttons. With each press, a familiar sound played, the suspension building with each beep. For this was the sole reason they had endured this long journey through countless systems.

"As I'm sure you've gathered by now, but we're approaching the planet shortly. It's a lush forest-filled planet with an atmosphere that shows it can sustain life."

Niao takes a small breath, adjusts her glasses, and presses a button on the table that displays a blue image of the planet that they were discussing.

Our scans show that there are lifesigns and an intense amount of geothermal energy located in the northern hemisphere.

Our main mission is to secure a location for our forces to create an outpost. This planet is rich in minerals that can help sustain many generations to come. Our sub-mission is to locate the source of this geothermal energy and work out if it's a usable resource."

Everyone is seemingly thinking over the knowledge they had been given, whether they were regretting their decision, or thinking of the best course of action.

Seeing as no one answered, Niao breaths in once more, followed by an exhale.

"Is everything clear?" She asks, wanting to ensure that everyone knew what they had to do.

All of them simultaneously nod their heads to suggest that they understand what their roles were.

"Good, then get ready! We'll be making planet fall in 30 mins. All of us have to be ready to greet whatever lies ahead of us." Niao commands, all while looking like she is the one who's actually scared.

Seraphine and Caelus both leave one after the other to go check their gear and run any last-minute checks, leaving both Lady Ryuu and Niao together.

Lady Ryuu walks over to Niao, who's clearly worrying about things.

"What's on your mind?" Lady Ryuu asks, hoping to ease whatever worries she has here and now, before things get wild.

"O...oh, you know...it's nothing", Niao whispers, through a forced smile, unable to find the words to explain the feelings within her chest. She simply looks at the floor, her fist clenched at her side.

Lady Ryuu places her hand on top of Niao's head, her fingertips caressing through each strand of hair.

"I see... Well, should you ever find the words to explain what it is that's bothering you, know where to find me." Lady Ryuu reminds Niao, as a mother would with their own child.

"Go write your fears down and prepare to break the atmosphere", Lady Ryuu suggests, moving her hand away from Niao's head.

Niao looks up at Lady Ryuu with a look that shows a million thank yous hidden under layers of ink, and she leaves to prepare herself for what's to come. Left alone with nothing but her thoughts, Lady Ryuu steps closer to the bridge's glass. 

Her white silhouette stood there, overlooking the green planet drifting through the dark embrace of space. She looks out, mesmerised by the sights, her reflection glaring in the glass of the bridge. Her eyes were full of the ambience of the planet in front of her. She places her hand on the glass, as if trying to touch something fleeting.

"I hope that this will be the last time I see a view like this....alone." She projects into the glass, the words fogging on contact, her eyes now full of melancholy as if clouds had overtaken her vision.

"One more...

zero...

can't hurt...

right?"

She draws in a slow breath, memories pressing against her ribs, and takes one final look at the world that they would soon descend upon.