✧ Chapter 47 ✧

Through the ever-expanding darkness of The Void, Sapphirion had been flying as fast as he could to reach Prism’s dwelling space which led to the boundaries of The Omniverse. Before he could go any further, Creperus finally flew in front of his direction.

“Enough Sapphirion! You have done enough to trouble The Omniverse as is by not listening to an Alpha Guardian! Prism is outside the scope of this space, fighting to protect our existence from being subjected to the corrosive nature of Chaosity.”

Sapphirion was starting to get fed up with the entire prospect of battling alongside what he considered to be a ragtag group of inexperienced fighters that would only get in their way.

“Dark One, how can an elite guardian such as yourself side with them? Out of all of us, you should know that Prism’s commands are not to be taken lightly. The New Guardian was found by Amethion and yet he betrays our code for his own conspiracy-driven claims. A Heptarion Commander’s duty is to ensure The Master’s order is fulfilled accordingly. It is he who failed The Omniverse. He has put our force at risk and so has Spessarion.”

Creperus knew he was right to an extent regarding Amethion’s actions. While it was a reckless decision, that reasoning wasn’t going to change their current situation. The anomaly was assumed to still be on the loose since the unit he had initiated to effectively capture it, hadn’t contacted them yet about anything.

“I am the voice of reason when Prism is away like this. None of us are ever going to pass through that barrier to wherever The Master has gone to fight. Our advantage lies in the responsibilities it gave us. If we are to find the missing guardians, who else do you think we can trust to take on this task?”

In his head, Sapphirion knew that Styra was at some point going to fumble the use of her powers. Unlike himself who had more phases of training and transformation, this New Guardian’s lore was coming from an outside source. That included Omnikra who seemed to have created a new name for itself which ultimately meant a change was occurring with it too.

That led him to ponder about Diamondion.

“My sister may be the only other viable source of contact. Surely, she would make wise of the situations at hand.”

Without a doubt, Creperus knew it had no choice other than to travel towards The Singularity Stronghold to pinpoint locations immediately. Having to voice its concerns to Sapphirion already made that decision more drawn out, but this was going to be the only way to make amends.

“Come Sapphirion, there is no place for us here yet. We wait until Prism announces its arrival. Only then can we ensure that The Omniverse will be repaired to some degree, if not entirely.”

As The Guardian Of Darkness was about to descend back to The Singularity Stronghold, it paused in midair while looking at Sapphirion.

“These recent actions of yours are not noteworthy in consequence. You will have to sift past your feelings of hatred for these lifeforms. If you can do that for me, I will give the mantle of Heptarion Commander to you once again since I do have to agree that it was reckless of Amethion to make the choice that he did. However, in exchange, you must take heed to what I am saying.”

Trying to digest these words, Sapphirion saw an opportunity. To regain a ranking that he sought after for phases in his development was a dream to him. He couldn’t deny the request if it meant he would once again be valued highly enough by Prism.

“I promise you, I will lead the small group properly with the aid of Diamondion to win this war.”

“Very well. Now come. We must travel to The Singularity Stronghold in search of our units’ whereabouts.”

Coming to an established agreement, the two guardians started making their way towards the megaverse known as Ynadith in order to assist and track down their remaining allies.

∗ ∗ ∗

Styra and Chelbie had finished their first day at the school with a new goal. They knew they would have to come back tomorrow since Miri, Aoki, and Hiroto mentioned they were all going straight home. Hiding near a bridge known as the Orchid Overpass in Paradise Park, the two of them saw Eternika approaching from behind a bush before turning them invisible.

“Okay, we are hidden in plain sight now. What intel were you both able to get out of that place?“ inquired Eternika.

“Cherry and Ararima weren’t there today. We did get something else out of it, but we were actually wondering if you saw them instead,” said Styra.

“It looks to be that we are at a dead end then in terms of an encounter. I may as well show you what I found.”

From within the center of Eternika, an image formed showcasing Cherry’s room.

“If you turn your attention over to that desk in the left corner, you will see a pair of e-glasses. When I was analyzing it, I also found an interesting set of notes which seem to refer to it as Project Stella. The writing further explains that the origin of this model’s design is from UVOCA.”

“Hmm… What about Ararima?”

“Her parents were in her room moving everything inside of it out into their basement. I did find something that I think is much more strange to say the least.”

Another image from Eternika was shown to reveal a DVD case for the infamous video game, Candiere’s Cafe.

“Okay, that’s actually messed up. Hiroto literally just told us that the game murders people. Thinking out loud here, but maybe Cherry and Ararima are actually dead,” assumed Chelbie

Being reminded of that possibility once again seemed even more plausible to Styra given their current situation. Did they already fail? She almost wasn’t sure. To speculate how it happened required proof. Something didn’t make sense here though. Why exactly was the game even allowed to be sold if it was part of the reason students were dying?

As if that wasn’t the only thing on her mind, the bigger question was who caused this outbreak?

Compass had already mentioned there was an anonymous figurehead at UVOCA who pulled death sprees out of nowhere. This individual had to be the cause behind that and Voltaze’s rampage. Of course, this would also mean UVOCA would have somehow infiltrated Animearth without anyone here knowing.

Considering her best courses of action, one idea surfaced above them. Perhaps she could find a place where fanatics of Candiere’s Cafe met together and knew tons about the game and its history.

“Say, Eternika… Is there a location that can help us get interactive feedback about what followers of the game personally know that most haven’t experienced?”

Interest began to build as the weapon immediately remembered a landmark that could aid her request.

“I see where you are going with this. Fortunately, I did spot one during my observations today. It is called The Paradise Park Convention Center. Dream Academy High has after-school programs which hold events there every once a month. It explains why we saw those students lining up yesterday at the symphony center as well. It was part of their private rehearsals.“

“Fantastic. We just keep our disguises on then. Alright guys. Let’s find one other Dream Academy student who has played the game like Ararima or Cherry.”

With the plan set into motion, Eternika flew all three of them into the convention center. Through the crowded environment of people checking out different displays being shown, Styra and Chelbie managed to locate an empty girl’s bathroom before unveiling their physical form there.

When they started to walk out in a casual manner to avoid any unusual confrontations, a sudden voice caught them off-guard. Trying to figure out where it came from, their attention was directed at a massive electronic billboard up above near the entrance.

“Hello sweeties! Candiere’s Cafe is holding a cosplayer competition for contestants that dressed up as their favorite character from the world of Tartropolatté. We will be hosting it in five minutes at the Arctic Blossom Stage. Look forward to seeing you all. Much kisses and love sincerely from your one and only Princess Candiere! Mwah!”

Both were amazed at the animated beauty of Princess Candiere that showed up onscreen. It was a lot more different than anything they expected to see. Regardless, her advertising flair helped them find out where they needed to go. As they persisted through the crowds of people walking, Eternika was able to direct Styra on where to go with Chelbie following from behind her.

By the time they arrived at the Arctic Blossom Stage, Styra was even more shocked to see something else pop up. Past the gigantic stage surrounded with arctic blossom trees and cosplayers scattered everywhere, were small sets of many different stores lined across the convention center in a big circle. Out of them all, The Ulunar Shopping Center they visited recently looked suspicious to her.

“Hey guys, something doesn’t feel right,” said Styra.

Eternika and Chelbie were concerned after seeing how mesmerized she was at seeing the store closed amidst all the other ones which were open.

“Uhh, what’s goin’ on with her? Aren’t we supposed to be findin’ a cosplayer?” Chelbie asked Eternika.

From what the weapon could make out in her thoughts, she was questioning the atmosphere beyond the store windows. It looked to be nearly pitch black, almost as if there was nothing inside that she could really see at first. Upon further inspection, pink glowing words written on the back walls began to appear:

I look forward to seeing you.

The warning signs were beginning to show and Eternika’s instincts kicked in.

“It’s a trap,” answered Eternika.

Just as the blades were about to warn Styra, the door unexpectedly swung open with a blast of dark gas flowing out into the public space. People in the surrounding area started to panic, backing away in fear at what had occurred.

Suddenly, a few coughing noises could be heard through all of the commotion. As everyone was staring in awe at the mysterious event unfolding before their eyes, something made a cracking sound as it fell on the floor.

A voice called out from the dissipating black fog as a figure slowly made its way down on the ground crawling in a frantic search for what they had dropped .

“Can someone help me?! Please? I cannot see!” the stranger shouted.

Out of the goodwill in her heart, Styra rushed forward to pick up whatever was on the ground. The moment she found it, a soft hand touched her own. Freezing instantaneously at this initial reaction, she shared an awkward glance that surprised her after seeing who she had come into contact with.

It was Cherry Brooks.

Upon giving what was a pair of crismon glasses to Cherry, Styra noticed she also seemed to be cuddling a magenta-colored chibi bunny (that had no legs) in her arms. It fell into the miscellaneous category for sure, but the only other person missing was Ararima.

What really changed Styra’s perspective on Cherry’s arrival though happened to be the way she looked at her. Observational glares turned into a tense drop of tears streaming down her eyes.

“Star… It’s you!”

As Cherry hugged her tightly with one arm, everyone around the two of them were staring in confusion at the spectacle of this interaction. Eternika however, wasted no time in sending Styra, Chelbie, Cherry, the mysterious creature, and itself out of that place as fast as possible.

Returning back to the top of the Twilight Terrace where Flight, Hisa, Compass, and Snowflake had been, a wave of surprise fell over the group as they wondered exactly where Cherry came from after all that time.

“Wait… What is going on?” Flight asked Styra.

“Yeah, I’m wondering the exact same thing. Cherry, my name is Styra. Who is Star?”

Cherry’s face bloomed with an interest and unmatched happiness knowing that Styra knew her name. She did not recognize anyone else in the room, but that wasn’t the main thing on her mind.

“So you are also the Styra my dreams were talking about. Yet at the same time, you do not remember who you really are. I don’t blame you. I remember so much of our past together. I have missed this for so long, even though it is sudden. Definitely didn’t expect to burst through a door like that for my first impression,” stated Cherry as she sighed at how silly it was.

“Umm, not that I mind it or anything, but I remember who you are too Cherry,” added Chelbie.

“You do sound familiar… It’s coming to me. I think your name is Chelbie if I’m not mistaken. You look a little more different than I remember.”

“Yeah, things have changed a lot since then. By the way, mind telling us why you were carrying a rabbit plushie in your hand? Like what even happened before that?”

“Oh that… It’s a bit complicated to explain. This is Peppie. She must have fainted while I was trying to get out of that abandoned cafe shop. I’m not too happy about what happened beforehand either. My friend, Ararima Haniki, is still stuck in another world. I had no choice but to leave after a monster named The Traveller threatened us.”

Cafe shop? Styra started to see ahead of what she was saying.

“You’re referring to that game called Candiere’s Cafe if I’m not mistaken. We were headed off to the convention center to find a person who would know something others didn't know about it. This Traveller guy that you’re talking about… I think it’s starting to add up now. From what you’re describing though, this game actually exists as a real world?”

“Yes. If you can help me figure out where it is, that would be much appreciated.”

“Maybe Eternika knows where it is.”

Overhearing their conversation, Eternika had to address the situation at play.

“I hate to be the bearer of disappointment but I do not know where that world is. Whoever The Traveller is must be clever because I have only been to planets where a Guardian Of The Omniverse was located since I used to spy on them back then. Clearly we have yet another looming threat to also confront nonetheless.”

With all of this going on, Styra was beginning to see that the potential to uncover her past was here.

The question was, what more did Cherry have to share that could help them stop Voltaze?