The bright red light was visible from every nearby city, the high mountains, and even the space station orbiting around the planet's thermosphere. Atlas’ survival and location have been recorded and transmitted directly to the team below. 

Antares strolled through the charred marketplace, his white leather straps glinting in the sunlight of the new day. The citizens hadn’t returned yet, giving him time to make his observations. 

His gloved hands brushed against the remains of a Monster Mutton, which crumbled to ash on the faintest touch. Antares rubbed the fine powder between his fingers. 

“Atlas did quite a job here, eh?” Molly’s smoky voice drifted beside Antares, her dark, fiery hair floating as though entranced in a gentle chimney fire.

Her charcoal-black skin gleamed as her lithe body hovered above the ground. One set of her arms rested on her hips while the other was crossed before her, propping up her chest, her strapless top revealing just enough to tease anyone bold enough to look. Her puffy, wide pants with inner-thigh cut-outs fluttered in the breeze as she landed barefooted on the scorched ground.

“Not a single trace of the Cyclops remained,” whistled Molly on the size of the crater. “She wiped him clean from existence.” 

“You’re surprised?” Kane asked, turning only to find Molly hovering upside down with her face barely away from his. Her third, unsettlingly dark eye opened and fixed on him. 

“Not at all.” She grinned. “None of the monsters make me tremble in my underwear. Even those ginormous, flying red lizards in the sky are like pets. Maybe I should get one myself.” 

“Please don’t. Your last pet ate my bed,” muttered Kane. 

“Nawwwwww,” Molly cooed, grinning mischievously with her hair flickering playfully. “I told you mine was empty. But nooooo, you preferred to sleep in the cafeteria.” 

“Well,” coughed Kaned, “the cheesecake was always gone in the morning, so I thought—” 

“Could you two focus on the mission?” A female voice crackled through their comms, cutting off their idle chatter. “Kane, your mission to find The Endurance was successful. Now, focus on locating Atlas. Molly, keep Kane safe and call for support when engaging her. Lethal force is authorised and expected. Do not spare Atlas.” 

“Aye, aye, capitano.” Molly rolled her three eyes and wrapped two hands around Kane’s arms while the other set played with his hair. “Bodyguard and honorary secretary, what would you do without me? You’re lucky to have me, Kane.” 

“So lucky,” Kane replied dryly, wincing as Molly forcefully pulled him around. 

“Now, tell me, my dear Kane. What are you gonna do about the boy?” she asked, gazing sharply into his mind. “And don’t play dumb—I know people. What are your hopes for him?”

Kane slowly extricated himself from her twenty, pointy fingers and turned around so she wouldn’t see his expression. “The boy is a useful. He keeps tabs on Atlas. She was Titan Force’s backbone for years, even before she became their leader. With the help of the boy, we can finally eliminate her.” 

“Yet you blundered all our chances to get rid of her. As if you hesitate for the final strike.” Molly hissed, floating before him. Her wildfire hair flared like the mad vortex inside her eyes. “But don’t worry your pretty head about it anymore, Kane dear.” Molly chuckled, pulling him into a tight hug. “I am here now and I’ll make sure we finish the job. For our goals, the Titans will perish.” 

“The Guardians will fall,” continued Kane.” 

“And the stars will be free,” Molly finished, planting a kiss on Kane’s forehead with her lipstick leaving a smouldering mark. “Now, call your little brother. Make him tell us where Atlas hides. I’m itching for a good fight—” her eyes flashed affectionately, drawing Kane in—“for your revenge.” 

“Revenge,” Kane echoed, exhaling a cold breath as he clenched his fist. “The Guardians will fall. None of Titan Force will remain.” 

Molly beamed, throwing her arms as her blazing hair danced. “Death to the Guardians!” 

‧. .ᯓ★. .‧

Amalthea awoke to the sound of chirping birds entering through her open window. Her hazy eyes warily scanned her surroundings. “What happened… where am I?” 

“Where do you think you are?” Valerian’s familiar laugh echoed from the balcony. Dressed in a white shirt, enjoying a croissant with white cream for breakfast was her closest friend. His red eyes glimmered in her presence. “How did you sleep, sleepyhead?” 

“Valerian…” Amalthea said in surprise. “Did you climb up my balcony again to have breakfast? Did you bring me some too?” 

Valerian smiled, pushing the other chair aside with his foot. “I brewed you some tea and got fresh bread. Let’s enjoy it.” 

Amalthea stretched as she got out of bed, slipping into a pair of checkered trousers, a morning robe and slippers. Joining Valerian outside, the vibrant world greeted her. Tall skyscrapers touched the skies and floating gardens and landscapes drifted like islands, with speeders and crafts lazily cruising by. 

A large tourist cruiser passed by below her balcony. Amalthea watched the children laughing and playing in the pools. Valerian fed the birds his bagel while sipping his black coffee. 

Amalthea simpered at the familiar sight and took a sip of her tea. The nostalgic taste of cardamon and condensed milk brought back good memories back. Sighing blissfully, Amalthea rested her chin on her hand as the wind swept through her hair. She noticed Valerian crinkle a smile at her as he leaned back on his chair.

Closing her eyes, Amalthea savoured the sounds of this paradise, knowing deep down it was just a distant dream—a paradise long gone.

“Morning Thea, are you awake?”

Amalthea opened her heavy eyes on Ajax standing by her bedside, holding a tray of breakfast. The dream vanished as reality returned, putting Amalthea back into a foul mood—though she couldn’t blame the kid for it.

He had been an integral help to vanquish Polyphem and his sheep to bring back peace into the city. “I don’t think I could have done it without you,” she thought.

Ajax placed the tray on the nightstand and sliced open a red citrus fruit. Amalthea looked outside the window, she didn’t know what to say. 

*Growl*

But her stomach did as it growled, forcing a grunt of discomfort. With Ajax’s help, Amalthea managed to sit up. He placed the tray on her lap, and a large appetite took over her as she dug into the bowl of berries, yoghurt, and nuts. 

Her hands were wrapped in gauze, as were parts of her face and body. The metal brace still encased her leg, giving Amalthea a hard time moving around. 

Ajax waited, though his patience wore thing and he broke the silence between them. 

“What’s going to happen now?” he asked quietly. Amalthea paused, placing her spork down. “I feel so lost the past few days, Thea. After the battle with Polyphem, my friends, and Guardians… I- I don’t know what to do. Please, tell me, what’s gonna happen now?” 

Amalthea looked at him—his unkempt black hair hung over his face, hiding the desolate expression she once wore when everything was lost. And truthfully, still did. 

“He needs guidance,” thought Amalthea. “But am I the right one to do that?” 

“I’ve decided to leave the city,” she confessed, meeting Ajax’s gaze with newfound confidence that steadied him. Amalthea offered him a bandaged hand. “Come with me. I need you Ajax, Titan Force can’t prevail alone. Become my protégé, become a Guardian.” 

‧. .ᯓ★. .‧

“And what did you say?” asked Captain Schnauzer who waited for Ajax outside. One of his sleeves was pinned to his shoulder, emphasising the loss the orc captain had suffered during the battle. 

Ajax sniffed, wiping the snot from his nose as he still processed Amalthea’s offer to leave the city. Nothing held him here anymore, but his resolve was shattered. “Nothing,” Ajax replied. “I wasn’t sure yet.” 

There was more, of course. Amalthea told him she couldn’t make him make him a Guardian yet or promise to take him to the stars soon. 

The devices of her comrades were lost and her Titan was destroyed. All that remained were lofty dreams and empty promises she wasn’t sure she could keep. 

Fiddling with his necklace, Ajax silently wished for guidance. Valerian’s help would have been welcome, but he had left the black box with Amalthea—it wasn’t his to keep anyway.

Captain Schnauzer gave Ajax a firm pat on the back. “Let’s pay homage to the fallen, shall we?” 

As everyone left, Amalthea drifted in and out of sleep until nightfall. The black box of her Titan lay on her chest, the only remnant of her comrades from that last battle.

She fiddled with it, managing to get it working again. 

Valerian’s bright blue image appeared across the room, seemingly frozen in time. With a press of a button, each of her fallen members was up on the wall in their suits, proudly standing next to each other.

Only one was missing—her. 

“Did I do well?” she whispered to the images, setting the box aside. “How do I rebuild everything… How do I honour you? How do I…” Amalthea rolled to her side and pulled the blanket over her head. She balled her fists as tears ran down her cheeks. “How do I make everything work again?”

Kane’s steps clacked on the cobblestone floor, following the throng of people into the funeral processions. With Molly off his back, his plan was still moving.