Chapter 5: The Land of Machines Episode 22: After the Decisive Battle

Part (1/4) "After the Storm: The Cost of Victory"

After the echoes of Akira's victorious roar faded, he turned back to where Cain had collapsed. The sight of the man, coughing up blood in heavy, violent spurts, made Akira's heart clench. He rushed forward to help—but what he found wasn't what he expected.

Cain was gone.

It was as if his final breath had been carried away by the wind.

"He… teleported?" Akira muttered, confusion flickering in his eyes. "He must be more important than we thought to pull something like that…"

He inhaled deeply, pushing aside the tangled mess of thoughts in his mind. Then, his gaze shifted to the team scattered across the battlefield. Every one of them was battered, bruised, broken. Some lay as if they'd never rise again.

Akira stood there for a moment, the harsh reality sinking into his heart. He wasn't a healer. He didn't have Yue's magic. Saving everyone at once was impossible.

He had to choose.

His eyes finally landed on Yue—her small body lay motionless beside a heap of rubble, covered in cuts and bruises.

Akira whispered under his breath, "I have to start with her…"

Gathering every last shred of light energy he had, he placed his hands gently over Yue's chest. A brilliant glow, like a falling star, surged into her body. Slowly, the wounds began to close. Her still form trembled slightly before her golden eyes fluttered open.

"Big brother…" she whispered, her voice barely audible as tears welled up in her eyes. "What about… Zekhtau?"

Akira gave her a soft smile, his voice calm but filled with warmth. "We won… little one."

Just those simple words broke something inside Yue. She burst into tears, burying her face in his chest. Relief, exhaustion, and the weight of the entire battle poured out of her, soaking his shirt as she sobbed uncontrollably.

Akira sat beside her, his hand gently stroking her hair.

"It's over now… You did amazing." His voice was steady, a quiet reassurance as she cried into his shoulder.

Minutes passed before Yue wiped her tears away, her lips curling into a faint smile.

"Big brother… We need to heal the others quickly. But… I don't think I have enough mana to heal everyone. We need to decide who to help first."

Akira nodded, his eyes scanning the battlefield filled with their fallen comrades. His voice was firm when he spoke.

"Start with Mirelle. She can buff your magic, which will boost your healing. After that, Deputy Li— we'll need someone to drive us back. And finally, Draco. If he can use his magic to reduce the weight of those still unconscious, we'll be able to move them easier."

Yue nodded and began chanting her healing spell.

Mirelle was the first to stir. Her eyes shot open, wide with disbelief and relief. Without thinking, she threw her arms around Akira.

"Thank you… thank you for saving me…"

They stayed like that for a moment before Mirelle seemed to realize what she was doing. She quickly pulled back, her cheeks flushed bright red. The air around them grew thick with awkward tension and unintentional romance, while Yue—still close by—scowled in obvious annoyance.

Deputy Li was next. But unlike Mirelle, his face wasn't filled with joy. He kept his head down, his voice low and full of guilt.

"I was useless… I barely contributed to the fight… I'm worthless…"

"Deputy…" Akira's voice was calm but firm. "Everyone played a role in this battle. We won because of everyone's efforts, no matter how small."

Draco came next.

The moment he regained consciousness, he leapt to his feet, cheering like a soccer player who'd just scored the winning goal.

But his joy faded instantly when his eyes fell on Elina's motionless body.

His fists clenched so tightly that his nails dug into his palms, drawing blood.

Yue moved as if to heal Draco, but Akira raised a hand, silently telling her to give him space.

When it was finally Elina's turn, Yue cast a basic healing spell, enough to stir her awake. Draco let out a shaky breath, relief washing over his features as Elina's eyes fluttered open.

Her first words were soft, almost a whisper.

"Lunar… where did he go?"

Akira paused for a moment before answering, his voice steady but heavy.

"He disappeared the moment the battle ended. We don't know where he went, but… he must have had his reasons."

With most of the team conscious again, they gathered to move the ones still unconscious—Kelpy Kall and Osiris, who remained frozen, her body stiff like a machine that had powered down.

Deputy Li carefully stored Zekhtau's core in his storage ring, while Akira and the team collected the shattered remains of Cyborg Chenlong, along with the broken bodies of Uncle Pong and Little Eve, their forms so damaged they were barely recognizable.

Despite their victory, a heavy weight pressed down on Akira's heart. The loss of their teammates, the severe injuries of the survivors, and Zekhtau's final words still echoed in his mind.

"This is only the beginning…"

He glanced over at Yue, who was busy healing the others, and his eyes hardened with determination. His gaze lingered on the torn sleeve of her robe—the spot where she had bitten down in fear during the battle—and a flicker of protectiveness sparked within him.

'We need to be stronger… I need to protect them better…'

As that vow settled in his heart, the soft voices of his teammates—finally regaining their strength—began to fill the air. Among the scars of battle and ruin, one truth remained:

They were still alive.

And their journey was far from over.

Part (2/4) : "Wreckage and Revelations"

A heavy silence settled over the truck as Akira's team made their way back from the battlefield. Exhaustion clung to them like a second skin—both their bodies and spirits battered from the relentless fight. Vice Commander Li Changyuan sat behind the wheel, his gaze flicking to the rearview mirror. The reflection revealed his teammates slumped in their seats, their faces pale and marked with bruises and half-healed wounds. Yet, despite the pain, there were no complaints, no restless movements—only the soft, rhythmic sound of steady breathing.

Li tightened his grip on the steering wheel, muttering under his breath, "I may not have done much in the fight… but at least this is a job I can do." His voice was barely above a whisper, laced with a quiet determination no one else would hear.

The truck rumbled down the road, its tires carving a path through the sparse forest. The hum of the engine was the only sound filling the cold night air. But then—

Li's eyes narrowed as something unusual caught his attention.

Thick black smoke.

It billowed into the sky in the distance, dark and ominous against the moonlight. Li leaned forward slightly, his expression tightening. "Smoke… something's happened up ahead."

His voice wasn't loud, but it was enough to stir those still awake. Akira, seated nearby, blinked himself out of his exhaustion, his sharp gaze following Li's line of sight.

Li glanced at him, his voice calm but edged with concern. "Should we check it out?"

At this point, only Akira, Draco, and Elina were awake. The three exchanged looks, their hesitation hanging in the air like a thick fog. Akira contemplated for a brief moment, then nodded firmly.

"We can't ignore it," he said, his voice steady. "If there's someone who needs help… we have to see if we can do anything."

His words needed no further explanation. Both Draco and Elina nodded in agreement.

Li adjusted the steering wheel without another word, turning the truck off the main road and toward the rising smoke.

The Discovery

When they arrived, the scene before them was devastating.

A massive airship lay in ruins, its once-proud frame now a mangled heap of metal and scorched wood. The vessel, which had likely been a symbol of luxury and power in its prime, was now nothing more than wreckage sprawled across an open clearing. A deep, jagged gash ran along its length, splitting the ship almost perfectly in two.

Akira's eyes narrowed as he examined the wreckage. The pattern of destruction felt… familiar.

"This…" Draco's voice was low, his tone heavy with realization. "This was Zekhtau's doing."

Akira nodded grimly. "It's from his Heaven-Cleaving, Earth-Sundering strike… no doubt about it." His jaw clenched. "This airship fell because of our battle."

A heavy silence settled over them as the weight of responsibility began to press on their hearts.

Akira's voice broke the stillness, firm and resolute. "We have to search for survivors. If anyone's still alive, it's our fault they're in this situation."

There was no argument. The shared guilt was palpable in the air. Draco and Akira moved out to comb through the wreckage, while Li stayed behind to guard the truck, his eyes ever-watchful for unexpected threats.

A Fateful Encounter

The wreckage was suffocating—thick with the acrid scent of burnt metal and faint traces of lingering smoke. Shattered glass and twisted beams littered the ground, making every step treacherous. Akira and Draco carefully picked their way through the debris, their eyes scanning for any signs of life.

Minutes passed. Then more. But the silence remained unbroken.

Draco cursed under his breath, swiping a hand through the air to clear away a stubborn cloud of smoke. "No one's here. We're wasting our time."

Akira frowned, a knot of frustration tightening in his chest. Just as he was about to agree—

"Elina!" Draco's voice cut through the stillness, sharp and urgent.

They spun around to see her on the far side of the wreckage—struggling to carry someone on her back. The figure was limp, clearly unconscious. Draco rushed to her side, immediately preparing a spell to reduce the weight.

"Here, let me carry them," he offered, but Elina shook her head sharply, her eyes glinting with uncharacteristic seriousness.

"No." Her voice left no room for argument. "I'll carry her myself."

Draco blinked, startled by the firm refusal. "Her?"

Elina's gaze darkened as she adjusted her grip on the unconscious figure. "This isn't just anyone. This is the princess of Skyperion. If anything happens to her, we'll have more than just a wrecked airship on our hands—it'll be an international crisis."

Akira and Draco both froze, their eyes widening in shock. They hadn't expected that.

The weight of the situation suddenly felt even heavier.

Part (3/4) : "The Unexpected Princess"

The figure draped over Elina's shoulders stood out starkly, even in her battered state. Her white-and-gold attire, though stained with soot and dust, spoke of nobility. And despite being unconscious, her delicate features radiated an unmistakable grace—an aura of royalty that was impossible to ignore.

Akira stood frozen, staring at the girl with a mix of confusion and disbelief.

His mind swirled with chaotic thoughts. He'd always scoffed at stories where princes and princesses conveniently fell from the sky into the protagonists' paths. So unrealistic, he'd thought. Things like that don't happen in real life.

But now—right before his eyes—one had.

As Elina passed him, carefully hauling the girl toward the truck, there was a brief flicker of movement.

The unconscious girl's eyes fluttered open, just for a moment.

Her gaze met Akira's, hazy and unfocused, but her lips moved, and a faint whisper escaped.

"Brother… Kalan…"

The words stopped Akira in his tracks. His eyes locked onto hers as if spellbound—until her lids drooped, and she slipped back into unconsciousness.

A Conversation of Concern

After securing the girl inside the truck, the few team members still awake gathered to process what they had just discovered.

Vice Commander Li cast a wary glance toward Elina before speaking in a low, concerned tone. "That's Princess Keela, isn't it? Are we sure it's a good idea to get involved? Skyperion's politics are a mess right now… We might get dragged into something we're not ready for."

Elina sighed softly, fatigue etched into her features, but her eyes held firm resolve. Her voice remained steady, even though the weight of Li's words wasn't lost on her.

"I don't know what will come of this," she admitted. "But like Akira said—if someone needs help, and we can help… we should. Right?"

Her words made Akira, who had been sitting nearby, glance toward her. His deep brown eyes reflected quiet gratitude for the courage and conviction in her voice.

He nodded slightly, his answer simple but resolute.

"Right."

Elina felt a subtle sense of relief settle in her chest, as if the burden she carried had lightened, even if just a little.

But Draco, sitting a short distance away, didn't seem as reassured. He crossed his arms, his brow furrowed in suspicion.

"So who is this princess, really? And why does it feel like she's bringing a whole lot of trouble with her?"

Elina, seated beside Keela's unconscious form, exhaled another quiet sigh before explaining.

"She's Princess Keela Thunderwill, daughter of King Alteon Zenithspire, ruler of Skyperion, and Third Queen Kalisa Thunderwill. Keela herself isn't dangerous—she's actually… pretty kind. But…"

Draco immediately latched onto the hesitation.

"But what?" he pressed, his curiosity piqued.

Li, still focused on driving, chuckled quietly before jumping in to explain.

"But right now, Skyperion is on the brink of a major succession crisis," he said, his tone casual but edged with seriousness. "The throne is being contested between two sides. First, there's Prince Kalan Silencium, the son of the first queen. And second, there's Evan Onrae, the son of the second queen."

Draco nodded slowly, piecing it together—but before he could ask more, Li continued.

"And to make things even messier, there's a faction that believes Keela is the most suitable candidate for the throne. She's close to Prince Kalan and highly capable in her own right. That's stirred up even more tension because now three sides are vying for power, and their supporters are constantly at each other's throats."

Draco blinked, trying to process the avalanche of information.

"Wait—so now we've got three different heirs, all tangled up in one kingdom's drama?"

Li laughed softly. "Don't worry, it's not the whole kingdom we're talking about—just the core of the problem. But yeah, things are… complicated."

As Li spoke, Elina chimed in occasionally, filling in the details where needed.

Akira listened carefully, absorbing the information. Though the political intricacies were complex, he focused on the key points, trying to map out the connections in his mind.

Draco, surprisingly, turned out to be a good listener too, especially once it became clear that this situation wasn't just a simple rescue—it was the start of something bigger, something intertwined with Skyperion's political chaos.

Meanwhile, the rest of the team remained asleep in the back of the truck, their exhaustion keeping them blissfully unaware of the growing storm ahead.

At one point, Akira tried to wake Yue, hoping she could heal Princess Keela, but his sister was deeply asleep, her energy drained from the recent battle.

Akira sighed softly, realizing that even his light magic was completely spent. There was nothing more he could do for the princess right now.

His gaze shifted to Keela, lying unconscious beside Elina. Despite the grime and soot from the wrecked airship, her beauty was undeniable. The white-and-gold outfit she wore, though marred with ash and dirt, made her look like a painting—an image that balanced fragility and strength in equal measure.

As Akira watched her, a troubling thought crept into his mind.

How deep are we about to get pulled into this mess?

Part (4/4): "Silent Burdens, Unspoken Vows"

The transport truck rolled to a gentle stop in front of the Guardian's sanctuary. Vice Commander Li, who had driven tirelessly through the night, let out a long breath. The moment he turned off the engine, he slumped forward, resting his head on the steering wheel as if the very act of stopping had drained the last ounce of strength from him.

Akira, watching from his seat, felt a pang of sympathy. But he didn't move to wake him. Let him rest, he thought. The man had earned it.

This time, there was no loud, bustling welcome as there had been when they'd first brought Osiris back. Instead, only Castro Lycios, the leader of the Guardians, stood waiting, his posture composed, his expression calm but proud.

"You have proven yourselves worthy of this path," Castro began, his voice deep and resonant, carrying the weight of authority and respect. "Your courage and determination will not only change the future of Draft but inspire hope in all who walk this journey. As the leader of the Guardians, I offer you my deepest congratulations."

With that, Castro inclined his head in a gesture of respect.

Elina, ever familiar with formalities, mirrored his bow, prompting Akira and Draco to follow suit, though their movements were less precise.

But before the solemnity could settle, Elina's voice broke the calm with unexpected urgency.

"Sir… we brought back Princess Keela with us."

The composure on Castro's face shattered in an instant. His eyes widened with rare surprise, and without another word, he strode toward the truck in long, purposeful steps.

Peering inside, his gaze landed on the unconscious figure of Keela Thunderwill, her noble features unmistakable despite the soot and dirt marring her face.

Castro's hand instinctively rose to his chin, fingers brushing against his beard as his mind raced through a maze of thoughts.

After a long, tense pause, he finally spoke, his tone shifting to one of stern resolve.

"Bring her inside. We must ensure she receives the best care."

Elina nodded and quickly began coordinating with the others to carefully lift Keela from the truck and carry her into the sanctuary.

Castro turned back to Akira and the team, his sharp eyes softening slightly.

"I've ordered accommodations to be prepared for you all," he said. "Rest well. You've earned it. And don't worry—no one will disturb you."

His gaze flicked toward Vice Commander Li, still asleep in the driver's seat. Castro's lips curled into a small, knowing smile.

"I'll handle him."

The Weight of Silent Eyes

The team began to move, guiding their wounded comrades toward their designated rooms. Some of the Guardians stepped in to assist, though none spoke more than necessary.

But their silence wasn't complete.

Akira felt the weight of their unspoken questions, saw the curiosity flickering in their eyes. Their bodies tensed with restrained inquiry, their lips pressed together tightly, as if holding back a flood of words. Some even bit their lower lips, suppressing the urge to ask the burning questions written plainly on their faces.

Akira recognized it immediately—orders. The Guardians had likely been instructed not to ask questions. And though the silence gnawed at him, he chose to ignore it, unwilling to make things more difficult for them.

But just as he turned to head inside, something caught his eye.

Castro had approached the truck, stopping beside Vice Commander Li, who still slept as if he'd fallen into another world.

Then, Castro did something unexpected.

He stood perfectly still for a moment, as if centering himself. Then, with slow, deliberate movements, he began to shift his arms in what resembled a graceful tai chi form.

Akira's brow furrowed. What is he—

Before the thought could fully form, Castro's hands glided toward Li's body.

And effortlessly—without a hint of strain—he lifted him.

It was as if the man who weighed well over a hundred kilograms had suddenly become light as a feather.

Castro moved with slow, measured precision, his motions steady and fluid. Li's limp body floated upward as if defying gravity itself.

Akira stood rooted to the spot, staring in awe.

He's hiding some serious power, Akira realized. But then again… he is the leader of the Guardians.

With that thought lingering in his mind, Akira watched as Castro carried Li into the building, his movements so graceful it was as though nothing unusual had happened at all.

Echoes of Fatigue

Inside the Guardian's sanctuary, the weight of the recent battle clung to the air.

Akira, Draco, and Elina sat around a simple dining table, their meals steaming before them. But none of them spoke.

The exhaustion wasn't just physical—it seeped into their very souls.

Elina ate quietly, her movements mechanical. When she finally finished, she leaned back in her chair, closing her eyes, as if trying to summon strength from within.

Draco nursed a glass of water, sipping occasionally but saying nothing. The usual fire in his eyes was dulled, his usual cocky grin nowhere to be seen.

Even Akira—who often made an effort to lighten the mood—had nothing to offer. His energy had been sapped, his voice swallowed by the weight of everything they had endured.

When the meal finally ended, they each retreated to their rooms.

Unspoken Reflections

Akira stepped into his room, peeling off his clothes and stepping into the shower. The water ran over him, washing away the grime and sweat of battle, but doing little to cleanse the heaviness in his heart.

Afterward, he found himself on the balcony, the cool night air brushing against his skin.

Above, the sky stretched endlessly, littered with countless stars. Two moons hung in the sky, their soft glow bathing the world in silver light. The stillness of the night offered a rare, fleeting peace.

Akira stared up at the celestial scene, his thoughts drifting far beyond the present.

"…Dad… Mom…" he whispered, his eyes locked onto the twin moons.

"You knew, didn't you? You knew I'd face things like this… That's why you tried to teach me so much…"

His voice trailed off.

He lowered his gaze to the balcony floor, his shoulders sagging under the invisible weight he'd been carrying.

Tears welled in his eyes, blurring his vision, and the smile he'd forced onto his face for so long finally slipped away.

"…But did you know how much it would cost?" he murmured, his voice trembling.

"How many times I'd have to face death… How much responsibility I'd have to carry… How hard I'd have to fight to protect the people who trust me…"

The tears spilled over, tracing hot lines down his cheeks. He wiped them away with the back of his hand, but more followed, unstoppable.

"Mei… Jin… Win… Nont…" he whispered the names of his friends from his old life, each one a painful echo in his heart.

"If you guys were here… you'd be trying to help me, wouldn't you? I miss you all, you ridiculous goofballs…

He tilted his head back, staring up at the sky, his tears catching the moonlight.

He scrubbed at his face, trying to choke back the sobs threatening to escape, but his body trembled, shaking under the weight of everything he had endured.

A Silent Witness

What Akira didn't realize—was that he wasn't alone.

On the other side of the balcony wall, Draco Dustflark leaned against the cool stone, having heard every word.

His hands clenched into fists at his sides, his nails digging into his palms, pressing against the raw cuts from earlier.

His mind flashed back to the battles, to every moment he'd fallen short—every time he hadn't been strong enough to make a difference.

Akira's carrying all of this by himself…

Draco's eyes burned with determination, his jaw tightening.

"…You don't have to carry this alone, Akira," he whispered into the night.

"I'm going to get stronger. Strong enough to stand beside you. Strong enough to help you."

His words weren't meant for anyone else to hear.

But in that quiet moment, beneath the twin moons, Draco made a vow—not just to Akira, but to himself.

And though no one else would ever know, that promise would shape the battles to come.