"We've finally arrived in the Corundum subcontinent. As planned we will move into the declining Aapo family district."
"Our man on the ground has already made arrangements."
"Good, the loss of Aapo himself was a minor set back in our operations. But we shall expand into the surrounding areas. Tatsuo, be sure to move carefully we don't want to disturb the young King just yet."
"Yes, Commander Tarben. Do you have anywhere in mind?"
"The Bela Fine Arts Collection seems to be the most popular jewellery shop on this side of the subcontinent, let's start with the surrounding shops."
"Then slowly move in on them?"
"Yes, but be mindful of the Elders at Sky Element Academy."
…
"Sister, it seems Hittan has gone to Valencia's room."
"Yes, it's time they see for themselves their history."
"But…"
"But what Kaia?"
"You know. He chased after us so persistently before the inheritance ceremony and now nothing!"
"Didn't he keep his word and race to us in order to prevent our engagement to Cairo and Cadoc?"
"Not that!"
"Then what?"
"Sometimes I wonder if you have feelings! He's not even attempted to kiss us except in the dreamworld."
"Haha, I see. Then why don't you take him once he and Valencia are finished?"
"Wha… Hmm. This Lord wife will have to put her foot down! Hehe, he'll see the punishment for making me wait!"
Meanwhile back at the Academy, the new residence had been sourced. The Academy staff were busy ensuring all the necessities were in place.
"Edan, doesn't it seem like Hittan is taking his honeymoon prematurely?"
"Sahar, what are you saying?"
"I mean, he stayed with them and well… You know in the same Villa. Plus the new residence here."
"Well, his destiny is different from ours. Plus aren't we already…"
Blushing and dropping her head she could find no words to counter his insinuation.
"Well, I'm sure no matter where he is, he's not neglecting his training. As his second in command, I can't allow any of you to neglect your training either. We'll be heading back to the flame realm tomorrow."
…
Snuggling tightly into Hittan's chest as his arms wrapped around her, Valencia could not help but drown in the overwhelming feeling of bliss. Listening to his heartbeat she started to drift into a quiet slumber at the calm and steady rhythm. Hittan himself found that he had grown attached to her touch and needed some amount of contact like a child needing a security blanket.
Running his fingers through her Sapphire hair he whispered, "why am I so lucky in this life? I'm so happy to have this moment with you." At that moment Hittan heard a faint response float up from his chest. "I love… it too."
Soon after Valencia was asleep, but Hittan wanted to enjoy this peaceful moment a little longer. However, the comfort of her touch calmed him and soon he too was asleep.
*****************
"How bad is it, Gilead?"
"Don't wear that long face Kata. It's fine, the Zodiac won't be a threat any further."
"But what about you?"
"Sometimes, you see too well. Let me win sometimes, darling."
"That again. Just answer the question!"
"A few years. But we need to establish a new home, a new world. Come, let's gather the rest, we have things to do.
The fighting had just ended and it could be seen as a victory. With most of the Horo beast and underlings being killed or driven off. But a fair amount of Godbeast had also died. Some lineages would need many thousands of years to rebuild.
"Greetings to the Hittan of our world! All praises to the Hittan, Gilead!"
Raising his hand Gilead immediately regained control of the crowd.
"How are my Generals?"
"We will manage, your Lordship."
"It was a tough battle, but we still have work to do."
"Yes, your Lordship."
Scanning the surrounding empty space which was devoid of any significant light sources. With only the corpses of the fallen floating about that empty space. Gilead looked back at Kata and smiled, for he knew she was aware of what he was about to do. Travelling by himself into the surrounding sea of Godbeast bodies he began the process of renewal.
BANG!
Gravity exploded out and all the Godbeast bodies drifted towards him. Bodies so large they would shake the Earth with each step! Soon the heap grew to a hill, then a mountain and continued to form the central mass.
Not long after, a planet could be seen and Gilead at the centre of it.
"To the fallen, I thank you for your strength when we were weak. I thank you for the hope you have given now. Please shelter our future generations on the path of Renewal and Reincarnation.
But I will not let you do this alone for I shall accompany you."
Increasing the temperature of his body the surrounding corpses started to melt and burn.
BANG!!
A self contained SUPERNOVA!
Converting their essence back to the source material. As the magma flowed and formed a cycle with Gilead at its centre. He channelled 50% of his remaining energy into his armour to ensure that the new planet would survive. Along with part of his soul.
Seeing what Gilead had done, some of the others took it upon themselves to do the same. Creating a new chain of planets known as the Gilead system.
It was then that Vena stepped forward to offer her help as the Sapphire Ice Dragon Queen. It was her that supplied the water, hydrogen and oxygen to build the atmosphere of Gilead. She would then have her Clan members follow her lead for the other planets.
"Thanks for your assistance, Vena."
"What are you saying, Kata. This is something we should all do."
"Yes, for the later generations to follow. But I know you also exhaust yourself for him."
"He chose you in the end. Have I not kept my promise and kept my distance?"
"I know and I thank you for it. But, he's dying now and we need to be there for him."
"What do you mean, dying? Impossible!"
"Yes, dying."
"...What can we do?"
"We need to ensure he has the best chance of being reborn as Hittan."
"A divinity?"
"Something like that."
"How far have you seen?"
"Far enough to know we need to do this."
"Do what?"
…
Transforming into a fully formed Dragon Phoenix, Hittan began to make his way from the core to the surface.
As the new world began to shake they watched as mountains took shape. Suddenly, Gilead appeared like a volcanic explosion! Glowing white, his form reverted to the familiar-looking humanoid.
Humans, who had long since spread across the galaxies seem to be the standard-bearers in the ideal body type. This was deeply attached to the reproduction ability of their species. So Gilead knew his new planet would become a home to them too and he would depend on this.
As such the living conditions must be ideal for them to grow. Seeing the newly formed atmosphere Gilead quietly looked towards Vena. Even he had to acknowledge she was critical in this dream becoming a reality. He had too little energy left to complete this task. His time was running out quickly and there was still much to do.
…
Looking up at the 3 suns and thinking of the sacrifice his Generals paid. To ensure the growth and survival the Generals activated their own Fire Domains and became the light source of the new world.
"It's been 5 years since we established this little village. Thankfully the Emerald and Citrine Clans assisted in making the earth more hospitable with the fast-growing flora life.
Kata seems especially busy setting up the Moon Clan city on the central continent. It almost seems like she sent Vena to check up on me regularly and to be a stand-in partner."
"Gilead I've brought you dinner, are you hungry?"
"Yes, though I'm a little tired."
"Can you manage to eat?"
'Normally, I wouldn't have to eat so often. But in my current state, I need spiritually rich food to maintain my energy. It also seems that this routine is one of the highlights of her day, mine too.'
"Yes, but if you're volunteering to feed me I won't stop you." Smiling, Gilead looked at Vena teasingly.
Watching her icy demeanour blush seemed to be one of his favourite pastimes. Especially when she pouted as the ridges of her lips would crease into a rosebud.
"Hehe, then open wide!"
"It was a joke. Haha"
"Too late, open your mouth!"
"... Okay."
...
"Vena, is it really okay for you to keep your clan here while you take care of me?"
"What, you want me to leave?"
"No, if you left I would have to follow. How else would I survive? But is it fair of me to ask your clan to remain on land so long?"
"If you know you need me to live, why do you ask about such small details? They have made the appropriate arrangements."
"Can't I worry for you?"
"Worry for me when you've regained your strength."
"...When my strength returns?" A mirthless smile could be seen on his face. Not even he had control over the cycle of reincarnation. He could only imagine how long it would take to be reborn as a Sun Beast.
"Don't worry so much about it. Soon enough, I'll allow you to worry endlessly."
"Meaning?"
"I'll allow you to cherish me, all you want."
"... But not now?"
"That's right." Smiling cheekily Vena looked away from Gilead's curious gaze."
…