CASTYR'S POV
I watch Miren exit the bay before turning to the general who turns and walks the opposite direction as Miren. Ilios and I follow the general and his comrades out of the bay and into a conference room.
Ilios debriefs the attending officers of the fight on Earth. He and his partner had heard the fight in the transport hangar as they were escorting their VIP to safety. Ilios immediately went up to the fight, and Rae joined after he escorted their guest to a secure location. I close my eyes to block the tears as Ilios reaches the part of the demons overcoming Rae and Kilo.
"Do you have any evidence they are alive?" An officer asks.
Ilios lowers his head.
"Did Lieutenant Kilo not connect with you, Star Castyr?"
"Huh?" I open my eyes and look at the officer. "Connect with me? What do you mean?" I inquire respectfully.
"A guardian usually creates a bond with their star to stay connected with each other. If you have connected with the lieutenant, then we could determine if he is alive."
"Colonel," a younger officer addresses. "I do not believe Lieutenant Kilo has his wings yet."
"I see." The colonel takes in the information. "Then, unfortunately, there is no way to determine if he is still alive."
My eyes swell, and I let out a breath.
"Colonel, there is a chance Lieutenant Kilo may be alive," Ilios speaks.
I look up at him with watery eyes.
"I can still feel Rae. Major Rae is alive. They were most likely captured alive by the demons," Ilios adds. His eyes fill with pain as he thinks of the terror bestowed on demons' prisoners.
I sigh with relief, but my heart aches for my angel. Where are you, Kilo? Please hold on. I will find you!
My brows furrow with determination, and I address the general. "Sir! Please accept me into the Division of Defense!" I stand to my feet and bow in respect.
Whispers circle around the table, as I stand with my head bowed.
"A star in the military?" "What?" "Don't stars just stay in their residences and want comfortable lives?"
Even though I can hear them, I ignore the whispers.
The general raises an eyebrow. "How would you be more useful in the military than in your residence?"
I lift my head. "Sir, my residence stores my energy. I can fill the reserves and train while the residence is using the stored energy. When the reserve runs low, I will return shortly to refill it. I believe I will be a valuable asset to the Division of Defense!"
This is first time my voice has been this strong. Yes, from here on out, I will have to be strong! I will train and grow strong so I can fight Hades and find Kilo. I may be small, but it does not mean I have to be weak. I could not save Kilo because I was too weak.
The general looks me in the eye and studies my expression. "Very well. We could use your abilities as a star as long as your residence has the energy it needs to operate."
"Thank you, Sir!"
"You will be under Major Ilios. But, for the time being, you will remain in the training center. You may join the major's unit once you have completed your training."
"Yes, General. Thank you for accepting me." I bow once more to show my gratitude.
TIME SKIP: ITHYOS, CASTYR'S RESIDENCE
I rest my head on my arm as I watch a bird perched on a branch of a cherry tree. Today is the last day I will be in my residence for a while. Tomorrow I am moving to the training center in Azari, a city in Heaven that houses the headquarters of the Division of Defense. Ithyos's reserve is full, and I am ready to begin training.
The opening of doors startles the bird and causes is to fly away. I sit up and look behind me. Ilios enters leading a woman accompanied by a female angel. I reduce the intensity of my glow as I see the visitors (the more intense my glow, the faster the reserve gets filled).
Ilios has taken up the responsibility of guarding me while I am filling Ithyos's reserve as I denied the request for a new guardian angel.
I stand as I see the face of the woman.
"Star Adelle," I tilt my head in respect of the ancient star. Star Adelle has protected the city Elysium for nearly as long as Heaven has existed.
"Star Castyr," the woman smiles warmly. "I apologize for the sudden visit, but may I walk with you?"
"Of course." I walk to the woman's side and offer my arm. She smiles and accepts it.
Star Adelle lets her glow grow. As ancient as she is, Star Adelle remains as elegant as ever. I have only seen pictures of her, but they do not do her justice. Her face is radiant and beautiful.
Ilios and Adelle's escort walk approximately twenty feet behind the star and I.
"If I may ask, what would you like to inquire of me?" I begin the conversation as we walk past the cherry tree.
Star Adelle breathes in before responding. "I have heard you are to join the military."
"I am," I confirm.
"May I ask your reason?"
"There is someone I must find."
"Lieutenant Kilo?"
I stop walking as I hear my angel's name. Star Adelle turns and looks at me.
"Yes."
She nods and looks at a great oak tree in the distance.
"Do you know how long that tree has stood?"
I look at the massive tree. "I cannot say."
"Nearly as long as I have." She looks at the tree reminiscently. "It is the answer to how long I have been the Star of Elysium."
My eyes widen. If Star Adelle planted that tree here, then that means... "You were Ithyos's Star?"
She nods. "That was a great time ago. The day that tree was seeded was the day I chose my duty...Elysium." She turns away from the tree and looks at me. "I envy you, Castyr."
"I don't follow."
"I couldn't stand by him."
I lower my head in understanding. That is a choice I hope I will never have to make; however, if I do, the answer is clear. I will never not choose Kilo.
"I'll be...how do young people say it...rooting for you."
I look up to see Star Adelle smiling at me softly.
"Go find him. If need be, I will fill Ithyos's reserve."
My face lights up with the star's offer. "I am truly grateful, Star Adelle." I bow in thanks.
"Now, let's finish our walk. I miss this place." She smiles, and we continue, enjoying the light and warmth of Ithyos.
TIME SKIP: TRAINING CENTER, AZARI
I change out of my soft sweater and into the black uniform of a defense cadet. Following Ilios's oral introductions, I make my way into the arena where I will be training. Hundreds of new recruits mill around the arena awaiting our instructors.
"Hi there!" A high-pitched voice sounds from right beside me.
I turn to see a wide-eyed bright smiler standing next to me. The young angel's overflowing enthusiasm and energy already makes me feel overwhelmed. I nod silently in response before walking away from the hyperactive chipmunk.
"What's your name?"
Dread fills me as I turn my head slightly to see the chipmunk following me.
"My name's Destil," the boy beams. Nope, he's a squirrel. Way too hyper.
I nod again before turning around to face the center of the arena. Why isn't he getting the picture???
"Attention!" The call rings throughout the arena. I have never been so ready to move. I waste no time in joining the other cadets and scram to my position to salute our commanding officers.
A team of officers enter the arena and split us into groups of twenty. Under strict orders from the general, I am to hide my identity of a star until I join Major Ilios's team to be specially trained. So, I suppress my glow completely. I am thankful the recruits do not have their wings yet, so I do not stand out too much.
I am assigned a training sword, knife, and gun. Today, is swordsmanship. I wrap my hand around the sword's hilt and lift it. It is heavier than I expected. How does Kilo fight with this thing?
A sharp ache strikes my heart as I think of my angel, and my determination to train increases a hundred fold. I lift it above my head and swing it around. I perform a few basic strokes in my area before I hear my name.
"Cadet Castyr!"
"Here!" I rush to my instructor and salute her.
"It's your turn to practice with an opponent." She gestures to a male cadet around my size, who just happens to be the energetic squirrel.
The squirrel gives me a smile as I step into the sparring circle and ready my sword. The whistle blows, and we take our stances. Here we go!