[***]


    A lone girl stood at the edge of a towering cliff, her obsidian-black hair flowing against the wild, chaotic winds. Her crimson eyes—as deep as a blood moon—were fixed on the endless expanse of the desolate land before her.


    The atmosphere carried a tint of violet, an unnatural hue that blended with the turbulent sky. The clouds above churned violently, moving like a restless beast.


    She watched in silence.


    Far in the distance, at the very limit of her vision, an enormous spatial portal flickered against the bleak landscape. Its brilliance was otherworldly, glistening like a divine beacon, casting soft halos of light that stretched across the rugged terrain.


    But that light was deceiving.


    For just before the portal—resting, but ever-watchful—sat a gargantuan ape.


    Its presence was monumental, its sheer size enough to dwarf even the tallest mountains in this forsaken land.


    A spiked cape draped over its shoulders, accentuating the raw power of its form. Even in its stillness, the aura it exuded was terrifying—a force of nature, a being that existed beyond mortal comprehension.


    The ape''s torso was clad in shimmering armor, a material unknown to even the most advanced civilizations. Its lower limbs were covered in hide—ripped from some unfortunate, ancient beast.


    But which creature had suffered such a fate?


    No one knew.


    Not even Vesna.


    She simply stared—motionless, lost in thoughts that ran deeper than the infinite skies above.


    “Vesna! Let’s go.”


    A loud, unapologetic voice snapped her out of her trance.


    She turned slightly, her gaze meeting a figure just behind her—a tall girl, fiery scarlet hair, piercing violet eyes, and a frame that exuded sheer strength.


    There was no hesitation in her voice, only authority.


    “Arceid is holding a meeting. We’re invited.”


    Vesna remained still for a second.


    Then, wordlessly, she turned and followed.


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    She never once looked at her companion''s face.


    She was embarrassed.


    And she wasn’t sure why.


    ……


    They traversed the barren land, their steps silent against the cracked, lifeless earth.


    Before them stood a spaceship.


    Not just any spaceship—this one was colossal.


    An imposing construct, far beyond anything created by the hands of mere humans. Its exterior pulsed with an eerie glow, its body made of materials that had never been excavated from any known planet.


    Even without stepping inside, one could only imagine the absurd number of chambers it contained.


    And yet—despite its immense weight—it hovered effortlessly above the ground.


    As the two approached, the ship responded.


    The shuttle entrance opened, welcoming them inside.


    ……


    Metallic hallways stretched endlessly before them, the soft hum of the ship''s core filling the air as they walked.


    Eventually, they reached a separate chamber.


    Inside, seats were arranged meticulously—positioned according to the status of those present.


    At the top of the room sat Arceid.


    The strongest Astra.


    His presence alone was enough to command absolute respect.


    Beneath him sat Kaltain—the most mysterious and heinous of the Astras.


    Next was Larissa—a woman whose mind was sharper than any blade. The strategist.


    The girl who had brought Vesna here took her seat next—her rank among them fifth.


    And finally—Vesna.


    She sat at the lowest seat.


    She didn’t mind.


    After all—she was the weakest here.


    Once everyone had settled, Arceid rose.


    His voice was flat.


    Not cold. Not indifferent.


    Just… flat.


    “I won’t sugarcoat anything,” he began. “So I’ll say it bluntly. Tomorrow might as well be our last day.”


    Silence.


    “We are besieged by a hundred galaxies’ collective force.”


    Even as he announced their doom, his expression remained utterly void of emotion.


    As if he had already faced worse.


    No one reacted.


    No one argued.


    Not even Kaltain.


    Because they all knew.


    “There’s no point in having hope,” Arceid continued. “We all understand, deep down, that even if we surrender, we will still die.”


    His eyes drifted across the room.


    “It’s laughable, really. We don’t even know why they attacked us. We’ll die without ever knowing.”


    For a moment—just a brief moment—something flickered in his eyes.


    Something akin to lament.


    And yet—his voice never changed.


    “I just want to tell you all…” He paused. “No—I request you all—to enjoy the last remaining bits of your life.”


    A slow breath.


    “Tomorrow, we march to our demise.”


    He turned.


    And without waiting for anyone’s response—


    He left.


    Larissa stood next.


    “You should enjoy your last day.”


    Her voice was firm—but there was something hollow behind it.


    “There’s no strategy this time. Just do what you can. Go berserk. Be rapid. Let your inner beast out.”


    She stopped.


    Then, she left.


    One by one, the others followed.


    The meeting had been pointless—a gathering with no real purpose.


    And yet—


    They all knew it was necessary.


    A final reality check.


    A reminder that hope was a waste of time.


    A warning that their final day should not be wasted.


    Vesna left the spaceship.


    She walked in silence, her footsteps carrying her back to the desolate landscape.


    She looked ahead—at the portal in the distance.


    Her thoughts were heavy.


    Her mind—chaotic.


    And then—


    She reached into her armor.


    Pulled out a knife.


    Without hesitation, she placed it against her throat.


    And just as she was about to slice—


    A hand stopped her.


    The knife was ripped from her grasp.


    And before she could react—


    A slap.


    It stung.


    “You would’ve really done it, huh?”


    Her master’s voice was sharp—but her eyes held something different.


    “You’re not scared of death.” She clenched her jaw. “So what’s your problem?”


    Vesna didn’t answer.


    Her face twisted—not in pain, but in sorrow.


    “I can’t… I can’t bear to see them die again,” she whispered.


    Her master’s expression hardened.


    “You should be numb to that by now,” she said. “Not a single person here has anyone left. You’re no different.”


    Vesna shook her head.


    “I can’t be numb. I still… remember them.” Her voice cracked. “Their voices. Their laughter. Every moment we shared. And no matter how much I try, I can’t forget them.”


    Her master’s eyes softened.


    “…Memories aren’t a weakness, Vesna.”


    She pulled her into a tight embrace, her voice softer than ever before.


    “They aren’t something to erase. They make us strong.”


    She ran a gentle hand through Vesna’s hair.


    “Nobody can grow stronger alone. Not without conviction. Not without motivation.”


    Her voice was gentle.


    Yet firm.


    “Memories hurt, Vesna.”


    “But they give meaning to our lives.”


    And as Vesna drifted into a restless sleep—


    Her master’s words echoed in her mind.