i - Fallen Star, Rising Hero

Adrift in the cold vastness of space, X and her robotic companion, F6R, clung to life aboard a failing ship. The vessel, barely operational, is all that shielded them from the unrelenting void. X lay unconscious, her body weakened from malnutrition, while the ship groaned and shuddered violently as it breached the atmosphere of Ethryda, the distant planet of the Thrydians. Gravity seized the craft, dragging it down toward the surface with relentless force.

Above the planet, an eerie eclipse cast a deep, foreboding shadow across the land. Behind the eclipse, two brilliant lines of light from distant quasars converged in the sky, forming an ominous "X" that hovered like a cosmic symbol. To the people of Ethryda, this rare celestial alignment was no accident—but a sign of great and terrible significance.

Below, the Thrydians—deep in the throes of ritual sacrifice—looked to the heavens. The eclipse, already seen as a sign of shifting destinies, now appeared as an omen beyond their wildest imaginations. When the ship's fiery descent struck across the sky, they fell to their knees, believing it to be a direct message from their gods.

As the ship hurtled through Ethryda's atmosphere, F6R made a desperate choice. He rerouted his remaining power into the failing thrusters, igniting them just in time to slow the ship's descent. The vessel slammed into the ground with tremendous force, but the thrusters prevented total annihilation. Debris scattered across the barren landscape as smoke and fire rose from the wreckage, a fiery beacon in the midst of the darkened sky.

X gradually awakened, her body throbbing with pain as she found herself in an unfamiliar room. The walls were simple and earthy, a stark contrast to the high-tech surroundings she was used to. As her vision cleared, she saw a woman with grayish-blue skin and pointy ears standing beside her. The woman's concerned eyes met X's.

"Welcome back," the woman said gently. "You took quite a fall."

X tried to sit up but winced from the pain. "Where am I?" she asked, her voice hoarse.

The woman smiled reassuringly. "You're in our village. I'm Nirana, and this is my son, Korin."

Korin, a young man with the same grayish-blue skin and black spots, stepped forward. "We found you in the wreckage and brought you here. We saw the... object you were in fall from the sky and rushed to help."

X's eyes widened in confusion. "Object? What happened to it?"

Korin glanced at his mother before replying, "It broke apart when it landed. We didn't know what it was, but it looked dangerous."

Nirana nodded. "We did our best to bring you to safety. You were unconscious for a while. You've been resting here for the past few hours."

Concern flashed across X's eyes. "What about the metal man? Is he still...?" She trailed off, her worry evident.

Nirana's eyes softened with understanding. "The metal man? We saw him with you. Korin will go and check on him."

Korin stepped forward decisively. "I'll find him and bring him here. You stay put and rest."

X attempted to sit up, but Nirana gently placed a hand on her shoulder. "Please, you must stay in bed. You're still injured, and moving might make things worse."

Korin nodded in agreement. "I'll make sure he's safe."

Nirana looked at X with concern. "You look quite weak and worn out. I'll prepare some food for you. You need to regain your strength."

X reluctantly lay back down. "Thank you. Please, make sure he's okay."

Korin and Nirana exchanged reassuring glances. "We'll take care of it," Nirana says. "You just focus on getting better."

As Korin left to find F6R and Nirana headed to prepare food, X watched them go, feeling a mix of relief and anxiety. The Thrydians' kindness was a small comfort amidst the chaos of her crash.

X leaned back against the rough fabric of the bed, her entire body aching. The unfamiliar ceiling above her was dimly lit, casting a warm glow that contrasted with the sterile cold of the ship she had been in before. She hadn't realized just how exhausted she was until now. A creak at the door made her glance up, and Nirana entered, holding a wooden bowl in her hands.

"I brought you some food," Nirana said softly, stepping closer. "I'm not sure if it's anything like what you're used to, but it should help."

X nodded weakly, her stomach rumbling. She hadn't eaten anything in what felt like weeks, and at this point, anything would be a welcome relief. She took the bowl, peering down at the thick, steaming contents inside. The food was unfamiliar, an odd mixture of greens and grains, but the scent was enticing. She hesitated only for a moment before lifting the bowl to her lips.

It was unlike anything she'd tasted before—earthy and strong—but she didn't care. The hunger gnawing at her was more powerful than any sense of unfamiliarity.

"Thank you," X mumbled between bites, her voice still hoarse.

Nirana smiled gently. "There's more where that came from. You need it after everything you've been through." She glanced at X's face with a look of concern, noticing how pale and drained she seemed. "I'll go get you another bowl."

As Nirana left the room, X continued to eat, feeling a faint sense of normalcy return. The food filled her with warmth, but her mind was elsewhere—on F6R.

The door creaked open again, and this time it was Korin who entered. His greyish-blue skin was flushed from exertion as he dragged in something heavy. X's heart raced as she recognized the immobile body of her companion, F6R.

"Is this... the metal man?" Korin asked, his voice uncertain.

"Fixer..." X whispered, the weight of relief flooding her as she saw him. She swallowed hard and looked up at Korin. "Bring him to me."

Korin carefully lifted F6R and placed him on a chair beside her bed. X's eyes scanned the robotic frame, her hands trembling slightly as she reached out to inspect him. No visible damage, no sign of what might have caused him to shut down. She felt a tight knot in her chest begin to loosen.

"He's not too damaged," she muttered softly, mostly to herself, though Korin stayed silent, watching her closely.

Nirana soon returned with a second bowl of food. "Here, eat this. You need all the strength you can get."

X nodded gratefully, but her attention was split between the food and F6R. She finished the second serving, her body feeling more grounded with each bite, though her mind was still on the unmoving figure of her companion.

"Thank you," X said again, her voice steadier this time.

Nirana exchanged a glance with Korin before they both stood. "Get some rest," Nirana instructed gently. "You've been through a lot, and you need time to recover. We'll be nearby if you need anything."

Korin nodded in agreement as they stepped toward the door. "We'll let you rest now."

As they left the room, X leaned back into the bed, her gaze fixed on F6R. She wasn't alone. Even in this strange place, with strangers, she still had him—her constant, her companion. For now, that was enough to allow her eyes to close, and her body to surrender to the weight of sleep.

Just over a week had passed since the crash, and X found herself carrying enormous logs through the village. The weight was nothing to her now, even though her body still ached from time to time. As she walked, some of the villagers greeted her with nods and smiles, a subtle change from the wary glances she used to receive. It seemed they had begun to accept her as one of their own.

Nirana, spotting X from across the square, called out to her, "X, you should take it easy! You're still recovering!"

"I'm fine," X replied, her voice steady as she balanced the heavy logs with ease. "Besides, I can't just sit around doing nothing."

Nirana gave a concerned look but didn't press further.

X continued to the blacksmith's shop, where Korin, the blacksmith's apprentice, was busy hammering away at a slab of red hot metal. He glanced up, wiping sweat from his brow, and smiled. "You're a better worker than most of us, X. If I didn't know better, I'd think you've been here your whole life."

"I like to keep busy," X said, setting down the logs effortlessly. She paused for a moment, taking in the quiet village, before nodding at Korin. "I'll take the rest of these to the others."

Just as X hoisted the remaining logs and turned to leave, distant shouts and screams echoed from the far side of the village. Her eyes sharpened, and without a second thought, she dropped the logs and sprinted toward the commotion.

When she reached the edge of the village, chaos had already erupted. Bandits—ragged, violent men—had begun attacking the villagers, killing indiscriminately. The sight of it made X's blood boil.

"Get inside! Hide!" she shouted to a group of terrified villagers before darting into the blacksmith's shop. Her eyes scanned the weapons hung on the walls, and she grabbed the nearest sword, its blade gleaming in the sunlight.

As X rushed back out, one of the bandits saw her approach and sneered, swinging his crude axe in her direction.

Without hesitation, X stepped forward, her grip firm on the sword's hilt. With a single, swift motion, she parried his attack and brought the sword down, slicing through his chest in one clean arc. The bandit crumpled to the ground, dead before he even knew what happened.

Another bandit lunged at her from behind, but X spun on her heel, the blade singing through the air. One, two—three swift strikes, and the man's body fell to the ground, motionless. She barely broke a sweat.

Korin and a few of the villagers, emboldened by her bravery, began to rally behind her. They took up crude weapons—hoes, hammers, whatever they could find—and formed a defensive line behind X.

"Stay close!" X called out as she blocked another bandit's attack and countered with a lethal blow to his neck. Blood sprayed across the dirt, but her face remained calm, focused. "We push them back now!"

The fight was brutal, but X's movements were fluid and precise, like a master warrior. Her sword slashed through the air, taking down each opponent in no more than three strikes. Despite her recovering strength, the bandits couldn't touch her.

With every fallen bandit, the tide of battle turned in their favor. The remaining attackers, realizing they stood no chance against her, began to waver. Their morale broke, and soon enough, they were dropping their weapons and begging for their lives.

"P-please! Spare us!" one of the bandits cried, falling to his knees. "We'll leave! We swear!"

X raised her sword, the tip gleaming with blood. Her cold, sharp gaze pierced through them. The crowd of villagers gathered around, whispering in awe at her skill.

"Get out of here," X said, her voice low and dangerous. "And if you ever come back, I won't be so kind."

The bandits scrambled to their feet, turning tail and fleeing into the woods. As soon as they were gone, the villagers erupted in cheers, rushing to surround her.

"You saved us!" one of the women exclaimed, tears of relief in her eyes. "That was incredible!" Korin said, wide-eyed as he approached. "I've never seen anyone fight like that."

X sheathed the sword, her expression softening slightly. "It was nothing."

The villagers continued to praise her, their admiration clear. For a moment, X stood there, accepting their gratitude. She had defended them—and in doing so, earned her place among them.

That night, the village was alive with celebration. A feast was thrown in the square, fires burning bright as the locals gathered to celebrate their victory over the bandits. Laughter and the sound of clinking mugs filled the air as the villagers officially welcomed X as one of their own.

X sat quietly near the fire, still adjusting to the idea of being part of something after so long. The warmth of the flames and the sounds of joy around her created an unfamiliar sense of peace. As she sipped from her drink, her thoughts drifted to the battle earlier that day, the rush of adrenaline still lingering in her veins.

Suddenly, the blacksmith, clearly drunk from too much ale, stumbled over to her with a wide grin on his face. "Oi, X!" he slurred, waving his mug at her. "Got somethin' fer ya!"

X raised an eyebrow, unsure what to expect from the inebriated man. "What is it?"

The blacksmith leaned in, lowering his voice as if sharing a grand secret. "There's somethin' up in them mountains," he began, his words a little muddled but clear enough. "An ore—Ethral, they call it. Said to be stronger than any metal I've ever worked with."

X's interest piqued. "Ethral?"

"Aye, Ethral," the blacksmith nodded, nearly spilling his drink. "Rumor has it some's been found on one of the peaks surroundin' the village. If we could get our hands on it… well, I could forge you a weapon worthy of a protector!"

X thought it over, her fingers brushing the hilt of the sword she had used in battle earlier. It was a standard blade—nothing special. But the idea of having a weapon forged from a legendary ore? That was something else entirely.

"What's the catch?" X asked, narrowing her eyes.

The blacksmith chuckled, his voice dropping again. "The mountains ain't exactly friendly. Treacherous terrain, strange creatures... you'd be takin' a big risk, lass."

X smiled slightly, the thought of adventure stirring something inside her. "When do we leave?"

The blacksmith laughed heartily. "That's the spirit!" He raised his mug high, spilling a bit of ale in his excitement. "We'll set ye up with a guide come morning!"

The next day, X stood at the base of the mountain range, accompanied by a villager who had agreed to guide her. The peaks were shrouded in mist, and the air was cold and thin. The path ahead looked dangerous, but X was undeterred.

"Stay close," the guide said, his voice tense. "These mountains aren't kind to strangers."

They began their ascent, climbing higher into the mist. The path grew steeper, the rocks jagged and slippery. Strange sounds echoed through the mountains—creatures hidden in the fog, watching them from the shadows.

As they reached a flat section of the range, X noticed something odd. Humanoid shapes stood still in the mist, their forms unmoving.

"What are those?" she asked, narrowing her eyes as she stepped closer.

The guide shook his head. "I've no idea... they've always been here, like statues."

Curiosity getting the better of her, X reached out to touch one of the figures. As her fingers brushed against the cold stone, she realized with a jolt that it wasn't carved—it was real. A person, turned to stone.

Before she could speak, the sound of massive wings flapping filled the air. The fog lifted, revealing dozens more statues scattered across the plateau. And at the center, a massive shadow emerged, its outline growing clearer as it approached.

The guide gasped, his face pale. "Dragon!"

X barely had time to react before the beast let out a deafening roar, its wings creating a gust of wind that nearly knocked them over. They ducked behind a large rock just as the dragon exhaled a thick cloud of ashy vapor in their direction. The air turned heavy, and X held her breath, knowing the petrifying mist could turn them to stone like the others.

When the vapor receded, X peered out from behind the rock. The dragon was wounded, one of its wings torn and bleeding. But what caught her attention was the nest behind it—a single, gleaming egg lay nestled in the rocks.

Her eyes widened. The dragon wasn't just protecting itself—it was guarding its last hope, its only offspring.

The dragon locked eyes with her, sensing the challenge in her gaze. X tightened her grip on her sword, adrenaline surging through her veins. She had no choice but to fight.

The battle began in a flurry of movement. X charged forward, dodging the dragon's claws as it swiped at her. She managed to land a strike on its side, but the blade barely pierced its thick feathered hide. The dragon roared in pain, swinging its massive tail toward her. X leaped to the side, narrowly avoiding being crushed.

"Stay back!" she shouted to her guide, who had taken cover behind another rock.

With a roar, the dragon released another blast of vapor. X dove behind a boulder, feeling the intense heat as the vapor passed overhead. As soon as it cleared, she lunged again, aiming for the dragon's mouth. But the dragon was faster—its jaws snapped shut around her, trapping her inside.

X's arm was pinned outside its mouth, but the rest of her body was inside, the heat and pressure almost unbearable. She screamed in pain, but with sheer determination, she drove her sword into the roof of the dragon's mouth, again and again. Each stab made the beast roar in agony, but it wouldn't let her go.

Finally, with one last strike, the sword snapped in her hands, and the dragon, unable to bear the pain any longer, opened its mouth, giving X a way out. Bloodied, X leapt out of the dragon's mouth, her arm throbbing in pain, but the beast was far from finished. It let out a guttural growl, its fiery eyes blazing with hatred even as it writhed in pain from the wounds she had inflicted. Desperation and adrenaline coursed through her veins, her gaze darting to the petrified statues nearby. One of them still clutched a massive battle axe, weathered but sharp enough for what she needed to do.

With a burst of speed, X bolted towards the statue, ripping the axe from its stone grip. The dragon roared behind her, shaking off the pain, but X had already leaped onto its massive neck, latching on to the creature with all her strength.

With one fierce motion, she buried her teeth into its neck, biting down hard as the metallic taste of blood filled her mouth. The dragon thrashed wildly, trying to throw her off, but X wasn't about to let go. She bit deeper, clinging to the dragon like a predator refusing to release its prey.

"Stay down!" she growled, her voice muffled by the flesh between her teeth. With her good hand, she raised the heavy axe and swung it down into the dragon's neck, over and over, hacking at the beast with all her might. The dragon screamed in agony, its body thrashing as it tried to shake her off, slamming its head against the jagged rocks. The impact sent shockwaves through X's body, but she held firm, her teeth locked into the creature's thick flesh.

Blood sprayed from each strike, the axe sinking deeper into the dragon's neck with every swing. The beast, now desperate, slammed its massive head against the boulders again and again, trying to crush her. But X refused to release her bite, her grip only tightening as she brought the axe down with relentless force.

The dragon's movements slowed, its powerful legs faltering as it struggled to remain upright. With a final, feeble roar, it collapsed to the ground, its chest heaving as it let out a defeated breath.

But X wasn't taking any chances. She continued to hack at its neck, her teeth still sunk into its flesh, until the dragon's body lay completely still beneath her. Only then did she release her bite, the taste of blood lingering as she spat onto the ground. Her breath came in ragged gasps, her body trembling from the sheer exhaustion of the fight.

She pulled the axe from the dragon's neck one last time and let it fall beside her, its blade soaked in the creature's blood. X sat there for a moment, panting heavily, her eyes scanning the massive form of the now-lifeless dragon. Even in death, it was a formidable sight.

The guide cautiously approached from behind the rocks, his face pale, eyes wide with disbelief. "You... you bit it..."

X wiped the blood from her mouth, her lips curling into a tired grin. "Whatever it takes."

He stared at the slain dragon in awe, still struggling to process what he had witnessed. "You killed it. You really killed it."

X nodded slowly, wincing at the sharp pain in her arm. "It wasn't easy."

The guide swallowed hard, glancing around at the eerie plateau and the silent statues. "We should find the Ethral and leave... before anything else comes."

X took a deep breath, forcing herself to her feet despite the pain coursing through her body. "Yeah. Let's get what we came for."

As her guide mined the Ethral ore with careful strokes of his pick, X knelt beside the dragon's egg. Its surface pulsing faintly with life, a rhythm that tugged at something deep inside her.

She wiped the blood from her brow, still exhausted from the fight, but her gaze lingered on the egg. A strange mix of guilt and resolve flooded her as she cradled it in her arms. "I killed its mother..." she muttered under her breath.

Her guide glanced at her briefly, continuing his work. "What are you going to do with it?"

X looked at the egg thoughtfully. "I'll keep it. If it hatches, it could be a powerful ally... or worse. But I owe it to the creature I killed."

The guide nodded, respecting her decision. With their task complete and the ore safely packed, they began the arduous descent back down the mountain, the trek slow and quiet after the chaos of the battle. Her body screamed with every step, but she forced herself to move forward, driven by the thought of delivering the Ethral ore to the blacksmith.

However, the sense of victory that carried them down the treacherous cliffs vanished the moment they reach the edge of the village.

The scent of smoke hung heavy in the air, and a silence—too deep, too wrong—has settled over the once-lively streets. X's heart sank as they reached the main square, where the full horror revealed itself—the village lay in ruins. Houses were burned to the ground, and the air was thick with the stench of death.

She spotted the blacksmith's lifeless body near his forge, his eyes cold and empty. A knot tightened in X's chest. "No..." Her voice was barely a whisper, but the rage inside her burned fiercely.

"They came back..." Korin's voice broke through the silence, shaking with grief. He knelt beside his mother's scarf, left behind in the dirt. "The bandits... the ones you spared... they brought reinforcements."

"They took Mom and the others... "

X's fists clenched at her sides, trembling with regret. Sparing them had been a mistake.

X looked at the burning wreckage, guilt mixing with the exhaustion in her bones. "I'll make this right," she promised, her voice low but firm. "I'm going to get them back."