Dr. Evans Astrum and Dr. Ethan Foster rushed back to the city, their faces filled with alarm due to the unexpected appearance of the mysterious girl. She bore a striking resemblance to a human, with the only notable difference being her completely dark eyes and her astounding ability to withstand the high-current electrical shot that had amazed everyone.
While no one had intended to start trouble with the natives, today's unfortunate events had thrust them into a difficult situation. Dr. Evans spoke sternly to Serena, insisting that she should never engage in such reckless attacks again. Yet, he couldn't help but acknowledge that he might not have survived without Serena's impulsive action against the mysterious girl.
Urgent meetings ensued, and after lengthy discussions, everyone agreed on a plan to trap and capture the mysterious girl should she return. They hoped to establish communication with her to learn more about this vast world. One thing became clear: strength was a determining factor in their survival. Thus, the focus shifted toward creating and improving armor and weaponry. The Sapphire Nova, initially designed as a protector of Earth, a transport carrier, and even an artificial sun, would now serve as a primary resource for crafting new armaments.
The process of crafting and improving weaponry would be a long-term project. However, for now, the priority was preparing to defend against the mysterious girl and her skeletal beasts, as well as any potential allies she might bring. Parts of the Sapphire Nova resurfaced after a brief rest.
Hundreds of small crafts took to the sky, while about 2,300 remaining crafts remained underground, ready to launch if needed. Each craft was armed with two Electrospike Mark 4Cs, which were significantly more potent than their handheld counterparts, the Mark 4s. The electrical shots from these Mark 4Cs could shatter solid rocks.
The crafts were equipped with highly efficient plasma engines, making them energy-efficient and capable of operating for extended periods without recharging. They absorbed various energy sources, primarily heat and motion, for fuel, allowing them to recharge while in operation.
After the preparations were complete and many hours had passed, night fell. This time, they anticipated the mysterious girl's arrival. The city's lights were extinguished as everyone waited silently in their designated positions. Hundreds of crafts flew silently above, their blue plasma engine lights the only visible signs in the dark.
Suddenly, a chilling beastly roar shattered the silence, but the city's inhabitants remained still. Many members observed the forest with night vision scopes, their Mark 4s at the ready, prepared for any danger.
The flying crafts possessed various vision technologies but couldn't detect any movement, except for the frequent roars.
Then, a massive burst of flame illuminated the area between the woods and the city. It revealed hundreds of skeletal beasts and even more figures in hoods, all skeletons. The eerie silence seemed to grow louder. However, no one in the city could see the enemies, as their heat-detecting scopes and crafts failed to identify them. Skeletons had no body temperature.
"Fire at anything except the lady when she enters the field; we want her alive and unharmed," ordered John Brown, the former leader of Lunar Citadel and now the head of defensive units, through their earpieces.
Another surge of flames rose from the hooded skeletons, aiming toward the city and the crafts. Giant skeletal fists, composed of soil and rocks, emerged from the ground, attempting to catch the flying crafts, as if the very earth itself fought back.
Serena Astrum was flying a craft and firing at everything in sight when her craft was hit by a searing red beam of fire. Her craft was engulfed in flames.
"A rich source of heat detected, recharging the craft; current energy level is 82%," the AI's voice calmly reported.
Serena wondered aloud, "How do they produce fires this intense?" as she continued firing.
Despite the overwhelming firepower and rock-solid shields provided by the skeletal army, the battle area became increasingly brighter and more chaotic. Craft after craft descended from the city, and the skeletal army appeared to be struggling under the sheer volume of electrical beams raining upon them.
After the first thirty minutes of intense battle, the solid shields weakened, and the fire beams became less frequent. Eventually, the skeletal army started to get overwhelmed by the sheer numbers of electrical beams.
Then, Elyssia, the mysterious girl, jumped off her throne-like seat on the giant skeletal beast and tapped the ground with her staff. The entire skeletal army, weakened and battered, burrowed underground and disappeared in less than a minute.
Now, the only figure standing in the field was Elyssia. One of the crafts landed nearby, cannons at the ready. The craft's screen transitioned from black to a clear, see-through mirror.
Serena stared at Elyssia from the driver's seat of her craft. Elyssia, too, gazed back at Serena. They appeared to be around the same age.
Serena pointed at herself and said, "Serena, Serena Astrum."
Elyssia nodded and gestured toward the craft's cannons, then pointed back at herself but remained silent.
Serena shook her head. She had never intended to harm Elyssia, especially after her attempt to save her father earlier that evening.
Serena pointed at herself and repeated, "Serena," then pointed at Elyssia. Elyssia tried to convey that Serena should kill her, but eventually understood that Serena and the other crafts would not harm her.
Elyssia pointed at herself, signaling her name, "Elyssia."
Serena pointed at Elyssia and said, "Elyssia," then pointed at herself, reiterating her own name, "Serena."
The two continued their attempts at communication. Serena pointed at herself and said, "Serena," then at the city, and finally back at Elyssia.
Elyssia pointed at the city and said a word that Serena couldn't comprehend.
"Nova, record a new word that means 'city,'" Serena instructed.
"Added a new word successfully" AI's voice ranged.
After pointing at each other and various objects for a while, Serena finally conveyed her desire for Elyssia to come to the city and assured her they had no intention of causing harm.
Elyssia eventually agreed after some contemplation.
...
A few crafts flying above the city lights up everything with floodlights. Serena and the girl improved their understanding of each other's language, though they were still far from fluent. Serena explained that Dr. Evans was her father, and they came from a distant planet.
Elyssia was equally fascinated by the advanced technologies of the city, just as the city's residents were intrigued by her magical abilities.
Serena asked Elyssia about her origins and her army. Elyssia explained that the island served as a graveyard for many nearby islands, and she was responsible for managing the deceased as well as being the queen of the graveyards. She had come to the city to inquire if they were there to bury a fallen member, as she would collect the deceased, but Serena's unexpected shot had escalated the situation.
Elyssia also inquired about Serena's magic or technology. Over time, they engaged in a lengthy conversation, gradually improving their ability to understand each other's words.
The city now had a new ally in Elyssia, the queen of graveyards. Once they overcame the language barrier, Serena and Elyssia could build an even stronger friendship.
Elyssia's presence significantly expedited the city's research process. Instead of laboriously studying unknown phenomena, they could turn to Elyssia for insights.
...
Elyssia explained that this world had an ongoing issue with lost souls, which arrived in the form of asteroids and golem-like creatures. These entities appeared everywhere, posing a threat to all living beings. When the population reached a certain threshold, the lost souls attacked periodically. While they seemed to originate from other planets in the solar system, Elyssia's knowledge of their origins was limited.
She also shared that many people in this world were born with an inherent affinity for magic, allowing them to wield magical powers. Elyssia had acquired her magical abilities from her mother, who had left her on this island to oversee the deceased when she was a child. Her mother had not returned since. To become proficient in magic, individuals needed to learn and practice. Many chose to attend magic academies, while wealthier individuals hired personal teachers, among other methods.
Curious, Serena asked Elyssia if she could learn magic by attending an academy. Elyssia paused, uncertain due to the differences between Serena's unique physiology and that of the island's natives.