Arrival at Mercury

Aboard the Starry Child…

"The King Game?" Aika tilted her head, rubbing one eye as she yawned.

Rose smirked, already holding out a bundle of wooden sticks, each marked at one end. "It's simple. We all draw one of these. Whoever gets the one with the crown on it is the King. The King gives any order they want, and the others have to follow—no matter what."

Aika's eyes lit up. "Ooooh, that sounds fun…!"

Arnik laughed, leaning back in his seat. "I know how to play. We did it all the time back in high school."

Markus groaned, glaring half-heartedly at Arnik. "Yeah, and half of the dares were targeted at me. 'Drink from the toilet bowl,' remember that one? You were disgusting, man."

Everyone burst out laughing.

Kai chuckled nervously but kept quiet, a drop of sweat running down his temple.

Please… anyone but Rose. She's a menace when it comes to this game. I pray she doesn't get it…

The sticks were drawn.

Rose grinned wide.

"Oh no," Markus muttered.

Rose raised her stick proudly. "Looks like I'm King!"

Kai froze.

Dear universe, why do you hate me?Arnik and Aika were blushing so hard it was a miracle their faces hadn't burst into flames.

Markus gave Arnik a heavy slap on the back, grinning. "Better get those goo-goo eyes ready, lover boy."

"Go on, don't be shy now," Kai added, and with a shared nod, both he and Markus pushed the awkward pair closer together.

Thump thump thump… Aika could hear her heartbeat pounding against her ribs like it was trying to escape.

Calm down… it's just a game… just a game… she chanted in her mind, but her hands wouldn't stop trembling.

Arnik swallowed hard. Come on… it's no big deal… He looked into Aika's wide, emerald eyes—she was bright red, shrinking under everyone's gaze… and somehow… adorable.

He straightened his back. "Ladies first."

"In your dreams, Arnik. Get it over with already!"

A sudden sharp glint flashed in Arnik's eyes as he took a breath and stood tall. "Fine then—I'll give it my ALL!"

He pointed straight at her, his voice dramatic and over-the-top.

"Aika—your eyes… are more beautiful than a galaxy made of emerald stars!"

"…Laaaame," Rose groaned, flopping back dramatically.

"So cheesy," Kai added.

"Come on, guys, it wasn't that bad," Markus defended between chuckles.

Aika, meanwhile, was literally puffing steam from her ears.

"SERIOUSLY!?! THAT got her!?"

She looked ready to explode.

Okay… okay, Aika… just say a line… like those ones in romance novels… you can do this… Her lips trembled as she leaned forward."Arnik… you're… my everything."

Rose giggled with a Garfield-like grin on her face, a mischievous glint lighting up her eyes. "Ohoho~ What's this~?"

Kai adjusted his glasses coolly. "Smooth."

Aika turned away immediately, burying her face into a pillow as her entire body trembled with embarrassment. "Mmmph—!!"

Arnik's face flushed bright red. "T-Thanks…"

It was a little awkward for a bit! No one said anything—just exchanged awkward glances and avoided direct eye contact.

"OKAY!" Rose clapped once, grinning wide. "Let's do another round!"

Once all the sticks were gathered and shuffled again, the group leaned in.

"1… 2… 3… 4… 5… 6… 7… 8… WHO'S THE KING!?"

Everyone held up their numbered sticks. Aika slowly rose hers. "I… I'm the King…" Her face was still bright red from earlier. She peeked over the top of the pillow, "Who are 4 and 3?

Kai raised his stick calmly. "That's me."

Right next to him… "Hehe~" Rose raised hers with a little wiggle. "Number 3 right here~!"

Aika's eyes widened. Oh no… it's them… She cleared her throat, still flustered. "W-Well! You two… you gotta say something romantic too!"

Everyone in the room let out a groan in perfect harmony.

Everyone's collective thought:

Wow. How original.Kai stood up… with a straight face, walked right up to Rose, and said—

"I like the way your voice always sounds like you're about to laugh… and the way you never back down, even when you're scared. It's kind of beautiful."

Everyone froze.

Rose blinked once. Twice. Then turned red like a stove-top burner.

"You idiot," she muttered, smacking him in the chest with the back of her hand. "You can't just say stuff like that outta nowhere, moron."

Kai adjusted his glasses. His hands were steady, but the tips of his ears were practically glowing.

Aika muffled a scream into her pillow.

Arnik grinned, arms crossed. "Well… that was smoother than expected."

Rose snatched up her stick with dangerous intent.

"OKAY, MY TURN!!"

She turned, narrowed her eyes at Kai, and raised her chin like a war general about to call the charge.

I'll end him. I'll embarrass him so hard he'll need therapy.

She stepped forward dramatically, threw out her arms, and—

Started saying so many wildly inappropriate, graphic, utterly unhinged things that even the Author had to cut it short or risk getting a R rating.

Kai stood there like he'd just seen someone got murdered in front of him. "…What?" he whispered.

Arnik's face looked sick. "I might hurl…"

Markus's expression had gone blank, dark even. "I've never heard such words… in all my life…"

Arnik turned stiffly to Aika. "Aika, you— O MY GOSH!"

It looked like Aika's soul had completely evacuated her body. She sat frozen, eyes glassy, mouth slightly open like a statue carved from pure shame.

"Aika!!" Arnik shook her shoulder in mild panic.

"She's too PURE FOR THIS!!" Markus cried, practically shielding her like a bodyguard.

Rose, the source of the chaos, had turned as red as a neon sign. "W-What?! I was just— I—!"

"KEEP IT PG, WOMAN!!" Arnik barked, pointing at her like she was on trial for crimes against sanity.

"OKAY GAME OVER!! GAME OVER!!!" Kai declared, leaping up and flipping the remaining sticks off the floor like a dramatic exorcist ending a ritual.

***

Over sixty warships moved in formation around Mercury, their angular frames locked into a tight orbital grid. Each vessel held its position with precision, coordinated through the planet's defense network. The Starry Child drifted between them, its systems syncing automatically as it joined the formation.

Angel Squad stood at the bridge, watching through the reinforced glass as the planet grew closer.

"Men… we've arrived."

Vayne's voice came through the comms, steady and direct.

"…First time seeing it, Markus?" Arnik asked.

Markus nodded, arms crossed. "Smaller than I thought. Feels strange."

"Which makes it easier to defend," Kai added, adjusting his glasses. "Smaller targets, tighter control. It's—" He stopped. No one was listening anymore.Of course nobody was listening. Kai exhaled hard, his voice flat with the sting of rejection.

Rose grinned like a little gremlin and slapped him on the back repeatedly.

"Aww, is science boy upset no one wants to hear him nerd out?"

Kai's eyebrow twitched.

He raised a hand and chop!—he karate'd the top of Rose's head with practiced pettiness.

"You really are something now, aren't you!"

"OUCH! M-MEANY!" Rose puffed up her cheeks and stomped in place like a cartoon character.

"Enough, guys."

Arnik's tone dropped like a hammer.

"We need to act more professional… We're not kids anymore. We're soldiers."

Both of them froze.

Kai slowly stepped away from Rose, head lowered. "Of course… Sorry about that."

Rose looked away, arms crossed. "Yeah… same here."

Markus, arms folded, just smirked.

The Starry Child slowly hissed into its docking position.

The doors opened… and light poured in.

A deep, royal blue glow coated the landing zone like starlight dancing on still water. Towers of mirrored obsidian and gold reflected back the awe in their eyes. The Luminara Dock. Hidden beneath Mercury's magnetic folds, it was humanity's last citadel. A fortress crafted not in fear, but in absolute defiance.

Angel Squad stepped forward together.

No longer scattered.

No longer the same.

Stronger.

Wiser.

Whole.

"We're back," Arnik whispered.

Vayne stood behind them, arms behind his back, eyes glittering.

"Elegant," he said simply.

Waiting at the gate, Takashima, Miu, and Blitz stood side by side.

"I still can't believe it," Takashima said, his eyes locked on Markus. "Even seeing it with my own eyes…"

Blitz folded her arms, nodding. "I know what you mean."

"Markus surviving was less than one in a million…" Takashima muttered. "Hell, maybe one in a billion."

Aika smiled, hands clasped in front of her.

"The will of the Great Spirit…"

Markus looked over at her, then back at the others.

"Doesn't matter whose will it is," he said, stepping forward. "I'm back… and I'm ready. I'm ready to take revenge."

A sudden arm swung over his shoulder.

Crowne.

"That's what I like to hear."

"Now…" Takashima's voice cut through the emotions like a blade. "We need to host a meeting. Immediately."

Vayne gave a slight nod, brushing his white glove across his lapel.

"A moment wasted in sentiment, is a moment stolen by the enemy. Time is not our ally."

Takashima pulled out a silver disc and pressed a button.

A hologram of the solar system sprang into view.

Dozens—no, hundreds—of red dots glowed like a blood-born plague creeping across the void. Their movement was slow but deliberate.

"They're currently… two million kilometers from Mercury," Takashima said grimly.

"Lionel's trying to take Mercury the same way he took Mars," Arnik muttered.

"It seems that way," Blitz replied. "BUT—there's no way in hell he breaks through this line. This defense force is three times as strong as Mars'. And even back then, he struggled."

"We still need to plan for the best course of action," Takashima said, folding his arms.

Vayne nodded. "Then send word to Mercury's top magic commanders. Angel Squad will be attending the meeting as well."

"Us?" Arnik raised a brow.

Vayne's eyes glinted as he turned.

"Why yes, of course. It's about time you started acting like a real part of this military."

Angel squad stood straight.

Saluted as one.

"YES SIR!!"

Vayne's mood seemed… unusually good. Regal, calm—but just a touch smug.

Crowne clapped Markus on the back and tugged his arm.

"We need to get you some real armor, not the stuff you've been patching together in the woods. We'll catch up soon."

"Wait, now?!" Markus blinked.

"You got a problem with that?"

"No, not at all." Markus smirked. "Lead the way."

"That's my boy." Crowne ruffled his hair and pulled him off.

Vayne turned on his heel. "We will see you in precisely 0800 hours. Meet us at the Celestial Hall of Unity, In Obscura Ward."

***

All of Angel Squad—minus Markus—boarded a transport ship and soared toward Obscura Ward, also known as Sector 7. It was Mercury's largest living district, a vibrant sanctuary untouched by the machinery of war. No weapon factories. No research bunkers. Just people… homes… and a sense of peace.

The city stretched beyond the horizon, filled with glass-like towers that shimmered under the artificial sky dome. Structures curved with smooth elegance, connected by floating walkways and rail gliders that zipped quietly between the spires.

As the ship touched down on a clean platform near the central hub, the doors opened with a soft hiss, revealing the bustling plaza ahead.

"Right this way!" Miu chirped, hopping off the platform and motioning them forward, her pigtails bouncing.

"Wow… it's so big!" Aika gasped, tilting her head back to stare at the tower disappearing into the sky.

"Well of course it's big!" Miu huffed, hands on her hips. "Obscura's one of Mercury's greatest prides! You see—"

"Boring!" Rose groaned, already dragging her feet.

"I… kinda have to agree with Rose on this one," Arnik added with a shrug. "Sorry."

"You two are the worst," Miu deadpanned as she turned back toward the building's grand entrance.

The glass doors slid open, and Angel Squad stepped inside the capital heart of Mercury.

They ascended the tower floor by floor, the elevator gliding upward in eerie silence. No one spoke. The teasing had stopped the moment they stepped inside. Something about this place—this meeting—felt different.

When the doors finally opened, a soft chime rang out. A wide corridor stretched forward, lined with pillars of dark steel and glowing blue light veins running like lifeblood through the walls.

Their steps echoed. One by one, they approached the massive double doors at the corridor's end. Kai pushed them open.

What greeted them was not a room—

—but a hall.

A long table, almost absurdly long, stretched across the room like the spine of a sleeping dragon. At one end sat Andrew Handerfall, his grizzled face weathered and unreadable, fingers laced together in front of him. A man of war… watching with a general's patience.

And at the complete opposite end, with his feet kicked up casually on the polished wood, was Hoshigane Riku. He was practically sideways in his chair, one hand tucked behind his head, the other spinning a sleek blade between his fingers like a toy.

Around the table sat the world's finest:

Zuberi Kaelani, motionless with his arms crossed, eyes closed but very much alert.

Nova Greaves, leaning over a thin digital screen, her expression hard to read beneath her soft lavender hair.

Echo Virell, cloaked in silence, their presence like a shadow that breathed.

Zara Blitz, her military jacket perfectly straight, her gaze like a knife pressed against your neck.

Alaric Vayne, back straight, one hand gently swirling a teacup—untouched, of course.

Rintarou Takashima, muttering data to himself, a glowing keyboard projected from his wrist.

And sitting just one seat away from Andrew—

Seinjin Nemizora.

He didn't move. Didn't blink. His eyes were fixed directly on Angel Squad as they entered, and the pressure that rolled off him was suffocating.

"Ah! Right this way, right this way!" Miu skipped ahead, her voice breaking the tension as she dashed over and threw herself into her seat beside Blitz.

Angel Squad paused for a moment—unsure where to sit. But the six remaining chairs were obvious, each spaced intentionally between commanders and mentors, each prepared for them.

Only two were absent.

Markus…

…and Malrik Crowne.

Then Takashima's voice rang out, sharp and clear.

"Now then…"

He turned toward Andrew.

Andrew simply gave a small nod. And Takashima looked back toward the group, standing straight with a serious glint in his eye.

"Let us begin."