Chapter Ten - After The Sun Sets

◽3240.11.23◽
Aelythra lay quietly in John’s embrace, her body warm, her thoughts still drifting through the echoes of the previous night.「Um… Your Brilliance…」she spoke hesitantly.John’s arm rested loosely around her waist.「Mm… yes?」She swallowed.「Are you certain… that I am worthy of carrying the Saintess of this religion?」
John sat up, and after a brief pause, Aelythra followed his movement.
「As certain as the sun will rise to bring another day,」he said calmly.「You are worthy of that blessing.」Her violet complexion deepened with color.「Th-thank you…」John noticed and smiled faintly.「You’re welcome.」Aelythra hesitated again before pressing her face lightly against his chest.「But… why didn’t you deal with them?」
She gestured toward the remaining members of the Crimson Faith.Some stared in stunned disbelief—unable to process that Aelythra, once untouchable, had been claimed.Others burned with envy, their faith twisting into resentment.
John followed her gaze.「Oh…」
He looked at them. They ignited instantly. Not one scream escaped before their bodies turned to ash.
John turned back to her with a smirk.「Anything else?」Aelythra shook her head quickly, flustered.「N-no… it’s fine.」「Good.」He stood.「Remember, Aelythra—gather believers before the Saintess is born.」She nodded eagerly.「I will.」【He used my name…】
John left the chamber.In the mess hall, Phipher sat eating quietly.As John entered, the radiance faded—azure hair shifting back to bronze-blonde, eyes settling into hazel.Carlton was back.
He stopped short, visibly awkward.「Uh… hey, Phipher. I can explain.」She looked up calmly.「Explain what? You don’t have to.」「Please… just let me.」She set her utensils aside.「Alright. Go on.」Carlton took a steady breath.「My real name is John Carlton Snyders. John is the primary… pilot of this body.」Phipher froze.「Wait—so you’re not real?」「No, I am.」He shook his head.「I’m the version of John that doesn’t act on impulse. The presentable one.」She processed that slowly.「So… you wouldn’t claim me because of your principles—but John would, regardless of principle?」Carlton nodded reluctantly.「If we’re measuring it that way… yes. He only cares about war and conquest.」He sighed.「It’s a side effect of a blood transfusion I received as a kid—from my best friend. He was like that. Only worse.」Phipher studied his eyes carefully.「So everything you told me… was the truth?」「Yeah.」She exhaled.「Okay… I see.」【Why am I irritated…?】Her cheeks warmed.【We aren’t even together…】【She’s jealous.】Carlton realized it instantly.Phipher cleared her throat.「Anyway. Follow me. There’s something I need to show you.」「Alright.」
They descended into the base’s lower levels—deep underground.The basement opened into a vast cavern filled with reinforced cages. Terravores. Aetherbeasts. They stopped before the largest enclosure.
Carlton stared.「No way…」Phipher chuckled.「That was my reaction too—just louder.」
Inside the cage were three juvenile Varrak Titans. Eight-legged. One-stripe class. Plasma-organ Terravores. Living siege weapons.
The male Titan roared.
「So… what are you planning?」Carlton asked.Phipher steadied herself.「Chief Elder said one-stripe Terravores can be tamed. Their intelligence is comparable to an average Calzor.」Carlton smiled faintly.「Then go ahead. You’re strong enough.」She hesitated.「You’re sure?」「Taming isn’t domination,」he replied calmly.「It’s offering what they actually want.」Encouraged, Phipher closed her eyes. ⟨Can you hear me… rulers of the land?⟩
A thunderous roar echoed in her mind.One of the females resisted.
【I’ll take that as a yes.】⟨Please listen. I stand beside someone who can free you—without demanding your power.⟩The male Titan stepped forward.⟨You claim such a being exists on this accursed world?⟩⟨Yes. He stands beside me—and he carries the brilliance of the sun.⟩A pause. ⟨What else do you offer?⟩Relief washed through her. ⟨A stable land. Food herds. Space to breed. A region untouched by this world’s chaos.⟩⟨Interesting… take us there.⟩One female snarled in warning toward the male.⟨We can kill them if they lie,⟩ the male replied arrogantly. ⟨Right Calzor.⟩Phipher swallowed. ⟨Yes… that is what he says.⟩⟨Then we'll follow.⟩She opened her eyes, exhaling shakily.「Okay… now how do we break those bars?」Carlton raised his arm.「Get them to step back. I think I can manage it.」
She watched as heat condensed along his forearm—forming a superheated plasma blade.Her breath caught.
Carlton grinned.「Turns out I can do this if I focus hard enough.」「What in Sorshess happened to you…」she whispered in awe.He met her gaze.「A lot.」
The Titans backed away. Carlton began cutting. Thirty minutes later, the bars fell. Another thirty passed as he collected the materials.
「Is all that really necessary?」Phipher asked, amused.「Absolutely. In the desert, nothing goes to waste.」She smiled.「So you’ll be coming back here often?」Carlton looked up at the tower.「Six months. Once I bring in drones and work full days—that’s all I’ll need.」