Chapter Text
Sunoo! Jay exclaimed in awe as he called upon him.
Everyone began to sob as Sunoo gently turned to face them, smiling.
Hello, everyone! He smiled as warm tears streamed down his face.
Sunoo! With a gasp, Jay embraced him right away.
It is YOU! He embraced him closely as warm tears welled up in his eyes. Sunoo rubs his head gently while sobs are audibly heard.
Everyone was sobbing and in tears.
Everything is real, right? Am I really back? Sunoo spoke.
You are, indeed!
I'm home, everyone! I'm home! It was Sunoo's time to sob and cry like a child.
Welcome back home! They all gasped together and hugged.
After their heartwarming reunion, the three guardians finally introduced themselves.
We are the Gatekeepers of Memories.
I am Bora, Keeper of Truth.
I am Soyou, Keeper of Love
I am Dasom, Keeper of Harmony.
Riki said, "Nice to meet you," and the three guardians chuckled when he realised he couldn't touch them.
Our actual bodies perished a long time ago. What you're witnessing right now is a fraction of our memories, thoughts, and spirits remaining here to defend this place against greedy folks while upholding our promise. Bora spoke.
That's why Jay was unable to defeat you! The warriors let out a gasp.
Way to rub it in, guys! Jay feigned being hurt.
Yes, it was all part of the test of courage! Soyou answered.
Dasom continued, "Now, to the flower, you must always remember to cherish the life you are given. You're powers are growing and are growing every day, so you have to take good care of yourself."
Sunoo said, "Yes, thank you very much."
You have such loving and loyal friends beside you. Always ready to give themselves up for you. Treasure them well.
And now that you have been granted a second chance at life, therefore, remain alongside Jay since fate and power have interwoven your souls in a pact.
Accept our blessings, Jay, as we knight you as Sunoo's champion. As Jay knelt and accepted their blessings, the three knighted him, promising to honour, love, serve, and defend him at all costs.
Then, all of a sudden, there was an enormous tremor that made the ground vibrate.
Oh! What's going on, Jungwon exclaimed.
Soyou said, "I sense a great threat coming this way; you have to escape."
How about all of you? Sunoo queried
Dasom grinned. "Only those with pure hearts can see us and find this place."
As they were leaving, Heeseung said, "Thank you so much for everything."
Come on, Sunoo. Refusing to let Sunoo go, Jay pulled him, bringing him to tears once more.
No way can we abandon you! No! As they depart the location, he sobs.
Yien's little flower has grown into a beautiful young man. Bora gasped as tears flowed from her eyes.
Yes, exactly, and he is starting to become like his father. Kind, powerful, and good-willed, Dasom spoke.
His path has only begun, but I have faith in him to succeed. Soyou smiled.
The house of beginnings began to vanish from view as the warriors swam to the coast, and then a massive explosion occurred.
There you are, A voice spoke as a silhouette appeared from above.
You think you can run away from- The powersource! Nayeon gasped after gazing at Jay who was holding Sunoo.
Nayeon immediately attacked. Going all out as her sister followed after her.
"Watch out, everyone!" Heeseung shouted, his voice cutting through the chaos as he parried a barrage of fierce attacks. His thunderbolts gleamed in the dim light, moving with a speed and precision that matched the ferocity of their enemies.
"Fortify!" Jake commanded, channeling his energy into a protective barrier that flared to life just in time to absorb a powerful blast. The resulting explosion rocked the battlefield, sending shockwaves through the air.
"Are you guys okay?" Riki called out, his voice tinged with concern.
"We're good," Jungwon replied, panting as he struggled to catch his breath. "But how do we get them off our backs?"
While the others strategized, Sunoo wrestled with his own inner turmoil. He had been trying to summon his powers, but felt an unsettling emptiness within. It was as if his magic had deserted him, leaving him feeling powerless. And Soobin noticed this.
"Sunoo, are you okay?" Soobin asked, worry etched on his face. Before Sunoo could respond, a massive explosion erupted nearby, the force of it flinging them through the air.
"Sunoo!" Jun cried out, rushing to catch him before he hit the ground. "We'll protect him!" Jun and Wonwoo vowed. In a flash, he and his companion transformed into their beast forms, taking to the skies to evade the attackers. Just then, Jihyo, one of the Muses, materialized before them. With a piercing, super-sonic scream, she disoriented the duo, causing them to lose their grip and tumble to the ground.
"Got you!" Jihyo sneered, seizing Sunoo and leaping away.
"No!" Jake gasped, struggling to regain his focus and stabilize his powers.
Meanwhile, Jay felt a strange pulse deep within him. The words of the ancient guardians reverberated in his mind, igniting a powerful surge of energy. It was like an inferno had been unleashed inside him, and he cried out in agony as steam began to rise from his skin.
"Jay, are you okay?" Sunghoon asked, his voice filled with alarm as he saw the flames flickering around Jay. "He's literally burning!"
"Say my name!" a voice echoed in Jay's mind, deep and resonant.
"Who are you?" Jay struggled to respond, his surroundings shifting until he found himself face-to-face with a shadowy figure, its only discernible feature being a pair of glowing red eyes.
"You know my name. Call out to me, and I will come," the voice roared.
With a blink, Jay was back on the battlefield. He saw Sunoo being taken away, and the sight triggered another intense pulse of power within him. Desperation fueled his next words.
"Stheno, I summon you!" he screamed, his voice reaching a fevered pitch. Instantly, a torrent of molten magma erupted from his body, coalescing into the form of a fire-horned serpent.
"Whoa! That's Jay's familiar," Riki and the others gasped in awe.
"Master!" the serpent hissed, its voice a deep rumble.
"Help me! I need you!" Jay implored. Stheno nodded and slithered up Jay's body, merging with him. A fiery aura enveloped Jay, transforming him. He stood taller, his eyes blazing with newfound power.
Empowered by the fusion with Stheno, Jay's aura crackled with fiery energy. His voice boomed across the battlefield as he prepared to unleash his full potential. "Let's get Sunoo back and end this fight!" he declared, his confidence surging as the tide of battle began to turn in their favor.
Jay waved his hands, summoning thousands of fireballs that ignited the sky with blazing intensity. With a swift flick, he directed them toward the muses. One after another, the sisters fell under the onslaught of fiery projectiles. Nayeon, desperate to nullify Jay's power, began to chant an incantation, but was abruptly interrupted as Stheno, her body engulfed in flames, appeared and blasted her away with a fierce eruption of fire.
"Sister!" Jihyo roared, her voice filled with rage. "Take this!" She stretched her arms wide and unleashed a powerful, deathly scream. The ground shook, and dust erupted, creating a momentary veil of chaos. But as the dust settled, Jay and his companions stood unharmed.
"I finally figured you out," Jake said, smirking. Riki stood beside him, a similar grin on his face. It was their combined powers that had blocked out Jihyo's lethal scream.
"And now it's time for you to disappear. Dark Moon!" Jay declared, his voice resonating with authority. He pointed his fingers skyward, and a massive void covered in a huge flame materialized above them, its heat radiating with immense power.
Jihyo trembled at the sheer magnitude of Jay's display, her defiance crumbling into fear. In a swift, unexpected move, Jun appeared behind her and struck the back of her head with precise force. Jihyo collapsed, unconscious.
Wonwoo, quick on his feet, caught Sunoo, who was still unconscious, before he could hit the ground. "We've got him," he said, relief evident in his voice.
With the immediate threat neutralized, the battlefield grew eerily quiet. The companions gathered, their breaths heavy but triumphant.
Jay, still enveloped in the fiery aura of Stheno, surveyed the scene. "Let's get out of here and regroup," he commanded. "We need to make sure Sunoo is alright and prepare for whatever comes next."
As they moved to a safer location, the sky began to clear, the lingering embers of Jay's fireballs fading into the night. The battle had been fierce, but their unity and strength had seen them through. For now, they had won, but the war was far from over.
How do we sail back home? Riki asked curiously.
Jake massaged his temples, a furrow forming on his brow as he tried to decipher their next move. Beside him, Heeseung and Soobin meticulously mapped out the directions. Nearby, Jun and Wonwoo tended to Sunoo's wounds, while Jungwon, Sunghoon, and Jay gathered supplies for their journey. They were all preoccupied, but the most important thing was that they had retrieved their friend.
Amidst the bustling activity, a sudden hush fell over the group as King Eunu appeared. His regal presence commanded immediate attention.
"Your Majesty," Jake greeted, and everyone bowed deeply.
"You have proven yourselves worthy," King Eunu declared. "Astro gladly pledges its alliance to Etherea."
The words stunned the group into silence before they erupted into cheers.
"Come, the kingdom awaits," King Eunu beckoned.
At the Kingdom of Astro, a grand feast was held. The once somber, grey kingdom had transformed into a vibrant, lively realm. The atmosphere buzzed with joy as everyone indulged in the celebration. Amid the festivities, Jay noticed King Eunu standing alone, gazing out at the vast horizon. He approached the king with curiosity.
"Your Majesty, why are you standing here alone?"
King Euno's eyes remained fixed on the distance as he spoke. "It's been many eras. I always believed that duty must come before my heart. After I lost my Moon, I thought everything was over. I shut myself off, not realizing others were hurting too. In my quest to find the Home of Beginnings, all I wanted was to bring him back. Only now do I understand why. He had no place in this world anymore. He was ready to leave, but I wasn't. My selfishness led us to pay the price. I lost all memories of him, except his name and the echoes of him in the hearts of our people," he said, his voice tinged with melancholy.
Jay listened intently, moved by the king's vulnerability.
"But watching you fight for your friend opened my eyes. We must cherish what we have and not dwell on what is lost. My Moon never truly left; he remains in my heart. We must do everything to keep each other safe."
Jay nodded, a smile spreading across his face. "So, cheers to friendship!" King Eunu exclaimed, lifting his goblet.
As they toasted, Jay's curiosity got the better of him. "Wait, so it was your lover, not your father?" he asked. King Eunu rolled his eyes good-naturedly and laughed.
Meanwhile, Sunoo awoke to the sounds of celebration. Slowly, he rose from his bed and peeked outside. A smile formed on his lips, but it vanished as memories of the battle flooded back. He stared at his hands, feeling nothing. Tears welled up and spilled down his cheeks. His mind was a chaotic storm.
Suddenly, his forehead began to burn. He rushed to the bathroom, splashing water on his face. When he looked into the mirror, he saw a glowing symbol on his forehead. For a brief moment, half of his reflection morphed into another face, tears streaming from its eyes.
"W-Who are you?" Sunoo stammered.
"I am you, and you are me," the reflection replied, just before the mirror shattered into pieces.
"What the hell just happened?" Sunoo gasped, staring at the broken shards.
On a ship that King Eunu had given them, the group set sail the following morning. Hope and determination filled the air as they waved goodbye to the kingdom of Astro. Sunoo, however, was lost in thought, his heart heavy with questions. He hoped the answers would come when they returned home.