"And once you are awake, you shall remain awake eternally. "
― Friedrich Nietzsche, Thus Spoke Zarathustra - A Book For All And None
"Now that this place has become a planet, we need to consider conservation efforts," Mara gestured to a runic projection. Avalon and its new companion world floated above her desk, highlighted for all to see. "The environment is now fixed, space is limited, without planning we will destroy our own home!"
Brull, Lyra, Speaker, and Ven squinted at the magical image. The drones had been busy, mechanical eyes focused like a billion telescopes as they surveyed the skies. This meeting was a final overview, a recap of a plan decided by long hours of debate.
Mara zoomed out, until a starfield filled the air. A tight cluster of potential locations for a new colony. Another flick of her hand continued to expand the perspective, until a mighty galaxy was displayed.
"We have a ton of space, all we have to do is find the best worlds available and set up foundations for the colonists." Mara nodded to Ven, who placed a dozen keys onto the table between the group. "These keys will let us forge a network between the stars, an interconnected highway that travels worlds with a step."
"Since this is my inner realm, I can travel instantly," Ven returned the keys to his pouch. "I'll scout around and choose twelve worlds, once someone comes through I'll give them a key and move on."
Even within his inner realm, the runic keys opened a path to the door in Avalon. They would serve as a fast travel system for his friends, as well as the foundation of interstellar travel in his realm. Brull tapped his hand on the table, face earnest.
"As for us…" the cat-kin motioned to Lyra and Speaker. "We focus on building the infrastructure for the new colonies!"
"That's right," Mara nodded, a smile on her face. "Don't forget to test if Avalon can spread its influence over other worlds. If it can, then things will be much easier."
If Avalon could reach out through Brull and establish itself on barren worlds, they could terraform Ven's inner realm one planet at a time. Lyra leaned forward, determination in her eyes as she promised more than herself to the cause.
"Speaker and I will work hard!" She clapped a hand on the ant's sturdy shell. "The Colony and the Hive are ready to give their all!"
"I know you will," Mara smiled, tension between her brows. "Just take it easy, remember, build safe and build strong, ok?"
"You got it!" Lyra shoved her hand forward and encouraged the others to join. "Come on, for Avalon on three!"
Ven barked out a laugh and set his hand on the wolf-kin's. Lyra had become obsessed with the sports he'd introduced as activities for the children. She somehow found time amidst all her other adventures to coach two different youth league teams. Brull, Mara and even Speaker joined in, with varied levels of enthusiasm.
"For Avalon!"
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"What do you want, smelly dragon?" Kalina lounged on a thick furred sofa, sprawled over Syy's legs like a cat. "Here to blather on about your 'Husband' some more?"
"I TOLD YOU THIS WAS POINTLESS," Huan rounded on Jun, wrath directed at a softer target. "SHE'LL NEVER AGREE!"
"We haven't even asked yet," Jun dodged his sister with practised feet, gaze focused on the two women they'd come to visit. "We have a proposition for the two of you, if you're willing to listen?"
"Oh?" Kalina twitched her toes in the siblings' direction. "What kind of proposition?" She tossed Jun a lewd look. "I'll have you know I'm quite happy with Syy, only your sister's husband can hold a candle to her."
"I'm right here, you know?" Syy swatted at Kalina's forehead, a relaxed grin on her face. 'Don't go talking about your crush so freely!"
"I died for him. It was very romantic, death and fire and all that," Kalina repelled Syy's attack, lips split in a wicked grin as she stared down Huan. "I bet I was the first to explore his body…"
"HEATHEN!" Huan barged past Jun's frail arms, hand on her sword. "Say another word and I'll divide this world and bury you in the core!"
"Fine-fine," Kalina rolled her eyes and snuggled up to Syy. "What do you guys want?"
Huan stomped a few metres away to cool her head, while Jun stepped forward. He pointed to the horizon, finger aimed at the setting sun.
"Ever since we moved here, the energy has been more difficult to gather," He let the twilight glow of day's last breath fall onto his hands. "The light holds pure power, but it can't be eaten, unless you're Master Ven or Dante."
The sun set and day ended, replaced by the evening glow of stars. Jun turned to meet the women's eyes, passion in his voice.
"Together, we should travel to the Dragon God's retreat," a sly grin touched Jun's lips as he pointed to his sister. "It rests at the edge of the sun, bathed in the living fire. We want to train there, but we need sparring partners, and I'm too weak to fill my sister's needs."
"I don't know…" Kalina sighed. "We're pretty busy…"
Syy rolled the stagnant teen to the floor and extracted herself from the couch. She stepped on Kalina's stomach, eyes filled with mischief.
"We'll do it," Syy reached out to shake Jun's hand with a laugh. "This one needs more to do each day than lounge around and eat all my food!"
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"What is this place…"
Fire surrounded her, white flame that soothed her pain and drew her from the depths. A soft spoken voice, deep toned but balanced, called her attention to the side.
"This is a safe place," Ooulin floated toward her on the waves of the sun, a bright smile on his face. "I'm sorry about your old body… it was shattered beyond repair," The turtle drifted to a halt a few metres away. "The Benefactor Star has given you a new one, but the you inside is the same."
She looked down. The soft curves of her spherical form were gone, replaced by the flesh of mortals. Blood travelled her veins, air filled lungs she hadn't even noticed. Alien in her own skin, she pulled her hands tight around her. Maybe if she pressed hard enough, she could force reality to return to normal.
"Who am I…"