Important Contextual Information:
For 5 years (I promise this is the final time skip, now there won't be anymore till the end of the story which goes hundreds of chapters ahead), Griswa, Yesdar and Malaes train and enhance their skills under the guidance of their Master, Fheniz Wrings. Looking at the old scriptures and books kept in the library of the Gate of Ehayor, they learn more and more about Gate and Portal Commanding and perfect themselves training practically. Their determination, perseverance, effort and focus on their goals, enhance their talents to achieve unknown limits proving that the talent of the Aearthalings is appreciable and worth looking forward to in the future ahead. It isn't explained that how their training goes in these 5 years because it's gonna become filler in a story like this and would bore the audience, although flashbacks of the training years will be shown (written) when necessary. Don't worry, the diversified world of Ehayor will also be explained someday later. It's more than just a refugee planet with deserts.
Fheniz learns something about the subconscious of Griswa but what exactly has he learned will be disclosed afterwards, it'll be a waste of story to disclose it now. Although, he has disclosed it to Griswa, Yesdar and Malaes and the plans have been made. Orngea has been given a place in one of the cities of the refugees and he chooses the underground arenas as his home for now (the place where once Griswa, Yesdar, Malaes and Fheniz trained.). Orngea believes he needs to have more space for some reason and not where everyone comes or can come.
Griswa, Yesdar and Malaes are all 17 years old now, (The reason I chose time skip is because I wanted them to be this age as perfect Shonen materials.) Griswa has perfected himself in Dragon Commanding the most, he can do other things very well too. Ferion as his companion in the journey is going to be a lot of help. Ferion has already grown 250 meters tall. So, Griswa uses Orngea's cubic seal and commands him to rest inside it until he calls him when necessary. Yesdar is now a journeyman in Fire Commanding and Elemental Commanding and Malaes in observational skills and Elemental Commanding.
Yesdar has grown taller than Griswa, don't ask me why. The reason is, as the Skaar Gods live for billions of years, Griswa has not even hit puberty in that context. Respectively, their heights are:
Yesdar: 1.99m
Griswa: 1.93m
Malaes: 1.90m
Trio's New Looks:
Griswa: Griswa has his long hair enough to cover his entire neck (curly in the back) and dance as the wind blows. The hair can cover the side of his face perfectly (slicked-back side-parted style). The hair is parted sharply to his left, with the strands on that side slicked back neatly, following a clean line that tucks behind the ear. On the right, the longer, textured locks fall naturally, with a subtle wave that adds volume and movement. The top is styled with care, showing a blend of control and effortless flow, where the sleekness on one side contrasts with the looser, voluminous texture on the other. The entire style exudes a perfect balance between precision and natural ruggedness, giving it a powerful, yet refined look. He wears small regular hexagonal spectacles, which fit well on his face. These are shades of light blue to control his eye power.
The beard style is a light stubble with a defined jawline beard. It features a soft, even coverage along the jawline, chin, and upper lip, with a well-maintained length. The mustache connects subtly to the beard, creating a smooth, natural transition. The cheeks are trimmed to keep the beard neat, and the overall look is casual yet refined, enhancing facial structure without appearing too thick or overgrown. This style is popular for his clean, low-maintenance appeal while adding definition to the face. (Come on, I want beard irrespective of puberty.)
He wears a complete black, big collared shirt with a zip instead of buttons leaving a part of his upper chest open (open collar look) and black pants of the same material. The pants' belt loops are fastened by a quadruple regular-octagonal-frame buckle belt. The strap is black and the buckle is golden, the octagons stick to each other from their third sides offering a classic and refined look. On top of the shirt, he wears a long black ornate coat, it's sidelines and zip lines running vibrant red. Shoes are formal black shoes, non-laced.
(Shit I overexplained, I'll keep the next one brief)
Yesdar: Yesdar's hair is even longer than Griswa's but his hair doesn't touch his shoulders. He has mid partition hairstyle and mostly lets them go free, which elaborates his funny personality. His eyes shine beautifully, his pupil and iris are neon blue which enhance his personality of simplicity mixing with savagery. His face has lightened up even more with fairer skin tone and a clean shaven face, his jawline visible. He wears a white shirt with white pants fastened by a triple regular-hexagonal-frame buckle belt, the strap, white and the buckle, golden. His ornate long coat is blue and shining, just like him. Shoes are formal white shoes, non-laced.
(Basically, the guy's Jungkook from BTS. Idk, I feel Jungkook san is perfect for Yesdar. Funny, innocent, yet dangerous (ARMYs know what I mean), honest opinion, I don't care what others say.)
Malaes: Malaes' hair is a medium-length layered cut with curtain bangs. The hair is styled with a soft, face-framing curtain bang that curves gently on the slanting-half of her forehead and another curtain bang on the other side. The layers add texture and movement throughout, creating a natural yet polished look. The sides are slightly longer, and the hair has a subtle, inward wave at the ends, giving it a well-maintained, flowy appearance. The overall finish is sleek, with a bit of volume but controlled, offering a clean, effortless style that's versatile for both casual and semi-formal settings. Her skin tone is slightly fairer, her eyes shine like pure black pearls. She wears a black shirt with black pants, a triple regular-rhombic-frame buckle belt, black strap and silver buckle. On top of the shirt, a silky white long ornate coat, that elaborates her personality of simplicity and peace, yet dangerous. Shoes are formal brown shoes, non-laced.
(Okay author, very bad, that's not fair, you didn't give the other two a detailed description of their looks like Griswa, lol.)
(Who were their stylists? Who cares? It's a fun story, enjoy it.)
The Story Continues:
The cave's darkness felt alive, an oppressive, all-encompassing void that swallowed everything except the quiet whispers of footsteps and muted breath. Only one thing would pierce this veil of shadow: the opening of the Gate, its radiant glow pulling them back to Aeartha, that distant world waiting beyond the boundary of light. The night side of Ehayor had always been a place where time felt stagnant, where the only companions were silence and the stars obscured behind its vast, lightless sky.
Griswa led the way, his footsteps deliberate, each step echoing off the jagged stone walls of the cave as if the very rock recognized the weight of the moment. Behind him followed Fheniz, Yesdar, and Malaes, their forms barely visible, mere silhouettes swallowed by the darkness. It wasn't long before Malaes' voice broke the stillness, a soft but sincere murmur that felt out of place in such a desolate space.
"I wish you'd come with us, Fheniz," Malaes said, her words laced with a quiet hope.
Fheniz didn't hesitate. His tone was firm, resolute. "We've discussed this, Malaes. I'm not interested right now. And I'm confident you can do this without me."
Their voices, soft yet full of meaning, reverberated in the confined space, amplifying the intimacy of the moment. Each word seemed to linger in the air, hovering briefly before dissolving back into the overwhelming quiet. There was a peace here—an unsettling, fragile peace, as though the cave itself was a witness to what was about to transpire, knowing it would soon be left in silence once more.
"We're here," Griswa's voice came from ahead, now deeper, more weighted than it had been five years prior. The years had changed him—not just in body, but in spirit. The journey had sculpted him into someone who could stand at the precipice of a new destiny without flinching.
They stopped in front of what appeared to be a dead-end, the solid wall of rock standing before them, imposing in its simplicity. Yet, they all knew that it wasn't what it seemed. Beyond that stone, hidden just beneath the surface, lay the Gate that would take them back to Aeartha. All they had to do was open it.
"Yesdar," Griswa said, his voice now carrying a hint of finality. "Let's do this together."
Yesdar nodded, his voice calm, gentlemanly, as though he were savoring this final shared moment with Fheniz before they stepped through the veil. "Together," he said softly.
They all moved in sync, as if guided by an unseen force that had bound them through years of struggle, triumph, and growth. Their right hands lifted in unison, each of them focusing their energy, their emotions, into a single purpose. It was more than just a command. It was an act of will—a tribute to the bonds they had forged, to the shared purpose that had driven them forward through trials that would have broken lesser men.
"Gate Commanding: Open Gate," they said together, their voices merging into one.
At first, there was nothing. Just the dark, cold silence that had always enveloped them. But then, a soft hum began to fill the air. It was barely audible at first, a gentle vibration that seemed to come from within the rock itself. The dead-end wall shimmered, its solid surface rippling like water disturbed by a stone. Slowly, ever so slowly, a veil began to form—a soft, glowing light that pushed back the darkness, illuminating their faces with its otherworldly radiance.
The light was pure, almost painfully white, yet it held a warmth that was comforting, inviting. The cave, once consumed by shadows, now felt like a sanctuary, the glow of the Gate casting long, dancing shadows along the stone walls. Their faces, once etched with the scars of battle and burdened by the weight of responsibility, were now softened by the light, their features maturing, reflecting not just the passage of time, but the transformation they had undergone, their personalities changed from immature brats to responsible… still brats. They had backpacks on their shoulders and their swords attached to their belts with the help of special buckle locks.
Griswa, Yesdar, and Malaes looked at Fheniz, their expressions glowing with gratitude, their eyes reflecting the light of the Gate but also something deeper—the acknowledgment of the bond they shared with him. This was goodbye, but not a final one. A parting, but not an end. A tune started playing in their minds. It was telling them that freedom itself was calling them to free it.
Griswa spoke first, his voice calm and soothing, carrying with it the assurance that the road ahead, though uncertain, was paved with the efforts they had made together. "Thank you, Fheniz. For everything. We'll come back soon, as fast as possible."
His words echoed gently in the cave, the sound carried by the light that now bathed them all. Fheniz met Griswa's gaze, his own eyes welcoming, filled with pride and quiet admiration for the ones he had watched grow into warriors.
"Whatever decisions you take," Fheniz said, his voice soft but firm, "I believe you will make the right choice."
Malaes, her voice carrying a thoughtful weight, added, "Whatever we've learned so far—and whatever we're going to learn—I believe it holds value. That value won't be wasted."
Yesdar, ever the one to articulate the deeper truths, chimed in with conviction, "You've taught us that the greatest motivation in life is life itself. As long as we're breathing, we can change anything. So, we're going to change the world."
Griswa's gaze didn't waver, but there was a subtle softness in his expression as he looked at Fheniz. "Once that world is free, I hope you'll come back home. The home that's rightfully yours. That's when we'll know all this was worth it."
For a moment, Fheniz said nothing, simply letting the weight of Griswa's words settle over him. Then, taking a long breath, his eyes gleaming with determination, he offered a smile that was both challenging and full of warmth. "Well," he said, his voice low but steady, "then make me a world where anyone can live free—where anyone can live however they want."
Griswa met his gaze, his own expression now filled with a confident smile, accepting the challenge without hesitation. "I won't ask what you're going to do after we leave. So long, Fheniz."
The three of them turned toward the veil, their figures now bathed in the soft, otherworldly light of the Gate. As they stepped through, their forms began to fade into the glow, disappearing one by one into the brightness. Just as they were about to fully vanish, Malaes' voice came through, almost like an echo. "Goodbye, Fheniz."
Yesdar followed suit, his voice carrying a playful, confident edge. "We'll kick the Yahunyens' asses for you."
As they disappeared fully into the light, the veil began to shimmer, flickering for a moment before slowly dissolving back into the cave wall. The radiant glow dimmed, leaving behind the cold, silent darkness once more. The cave, now returned to its original state, felt even emptier than before.
Fheniz stood alone, his figure now cast in shadow once again. His thoughts, however, were far from the darkened cave. His mind lingered on those kids—on Griswa, Yesdar, and Malaes—the ones he had trained, guided, and, in many ways, cared for as if they were his own. A part of him wondered, in that deep, quiet space within his heart, if it had been the right choice to let them go.
Was it really fine to leave those kids all by themselves in that hellish world? Did I make the wrong choice by not going with them like an irresponsible adult? Did I make the wrong choice myself even though I expect them to make the right choices in their journey? Was it truly right to send them off without me? Knowing the trials they would face?
The questions swirled in his mind, each one more persistent than the last, munching at the edges of his resolve. He could feel the weight of uncertainty creeping into his thoughts, threatening to unravel the confidence he had projected just moments earlier.
But then, as if finding an anchor in the storm of doubts, Fheniz answered his own thoughts aloud, his voice steady and sure. "No," he said, his tone firm. "They'll be just fine. Those brats never give up, do they?"
With that, Fheniz turned and began to make his way out of the cave. The cool night air hit his face as he stepped outside, the moonlight from Ehayor's night side casting a vibrant, green glow over the barren landscape. The stars above stretched out endlessly but were still obscure, their cold dim light twinkled in the stillness of the sky.
A soft wind blew, rustling through the rocks and sand, brushing gently against his skin. Fheniz looked up at the stars, the vastness of the universe spread out before him, and sighed softly.
"Sighs. I forgot to wish them good luck. I had written that in the script," he murmured, a soft chuckle escaping his lips. "And yet I forgot to say many things. Maybe, the moment they were leaving took my speech away."
.....
The veil flickered for a moment before vanishing completely, leaving behind only a faint ripple in the air where it had once stood. Griswa, Yesdar, and Malaes stood silently in the dimly lit cave, the soft light barely enough to illuminate the jagged rock around them. The air was cold, heavy with the scent of earth and stone, and the distant echo of dripping water could be heard from deeper within the cavern.
Yesdar was the first to break the silence, his voice calm but carrying a hint of amusement. "So. We're back, huh?"
Griswa nodded slightly, his gaze still lingering on the spot where the veil had disappeared. "Seems so."
Malaes, her voice thoughtful, added, "Fheniz said this would lead back to a country called Aximia in Aeartha. We're in the south now, and we need to head northeast for Mackenas."
Yesdar stretched, his fingers brushing the cold rock walls, as if to test the solidity of the world around them. "Let's get out of this cave first. I want to see what the outside world looks like beyond Mackenas. No need to rush."
"I know," Malaes replied softly. "I'm just remembering what Fheniz told us."
Griswa's voice cut through the quiet. "Let's move," he said, stepping forward with purpose. The others fell in behind him, their steps measured and steady.
The cave was a labyrinth, its winding paths twisting and turning, disappearing into dark, narrow passages. Yet, there was no hesitation in their movements. Their observational skills had evolved over the years, sharpened through countless hours of training. They could sense the energies around them, forming a mental map of the cave's structure in their minds as they moved. Though they had never set foot in this cave before, they navigated it with ease, as if they had walked its paths a hundred times before.
After what felt like an eternity of silent walking, the faint glow of moonlight began to seep into the cave, a soft, silver light marking the end of their journey. The opening was close now, the air growing cooler and fresher with each step.
As they stepped out into the open, the world beyond the cave unfolded before them.
Yesdar's voice echoed, loud and triumphant. "This is the outside world!"
The night stretched out endlessly before them, the land covered in a thick blanket of pristine white snow. Every tree, every plant was adorned with a layer of glistening frost, as if the world itself had been sculpted by the hands of some unseen artist. The branches of the trees hung low, burdened by the weight of frozen ice that clung to them like delicate wind chimes, tinkling softly in the cold air.
But it wasn't just the snow that caught their attention—it was the sky. Above them, an aurora stretched from horizon to horizon, a cascade of over 10 trillion shades of purple, blue, green, red, and orange. The lights twisted and danced across the sky, their vibrant colors reflected in the snow below, bathing the entire landscape in an ethereal glow.
The beauty of it all was overwhelming. Griswa, Yesdar, and Malaes stood frozen in place, their eyes wide, their mouths slightly open. It was as if they had stumbled into a dream—an impossible, breathtaking vision of a world they had never imagined could exist. The cold, crisp air filled their lungs, and for a moment, time seemed to slow, the scene before them seared into their memories. A melody played softly in each of their minds, a private symphony of awe and wonder, enhancing the already surreal beauty of the moment.
But the peace didn't last long.
Without warning, a sudden storm burst from the sky, a flurry of snow and wind that whipped across the land with astonishing speed. The wind howled through the trees, the previously calm snow now thrown into chaos as it swirled in the air, driven by the force of the storm. Within seconds, the three of them were covered in a thick layer of snow, their left sides completely coated as they stood, unmoving, at attention, as if frozen in place.
For a long moment, the only sound was the furious howl of the wind.
Finally, Yesdar broke the silence, his voice carrying the humor of the situation. "Seems like our fashion doesn't help with the cold."
They were all dressed in their better attire—shirts, pants, and ornate long coats—but now, in the face of the storm, their outfits felt woefully inadequate. The biting wind and relentless snowfall had done little to affect their hardened bodies, yet the scene was almost comedic.
Griswa sighed softly, his breath visible in the frigid air. "We need to keep moving." He started walking, the snow continuing to fall around them, though it no longer seemed to bother them as much.
As they moved through the storm, their coats and hair billowed powerfully in the wind, the air around them thick with swirling snow. The storm raged on, but their steps remained steady, unhesitating, as if the world's fury could not touch them.
"Malaes," Griswa called over the wind. "Use your observation skills. Scan the world, map it in your mind, then we can use Portal Commanding."
Malaes, her eyes narrowing against the harsh wind, shook her head slightly. "I'll let the storm calm first. I need total concentration, and this wind… it's too much right now."
Griswa frowned, his voice sharper now. "You've trained for this, haven't you? Total concentration, even in harsh conditions."
Yesdar chuckled lightly, his tone easygoing despite the storm. "Yo, Gris, chill out. There's no need to rush things."
Griswa's voice was firm, but there was a hint of urgency beneath his words. "I can't 'chill out' anymore. The world needs to be free in two years, and you both know why."
As Griswa and Yesdar continued talking, Malaes found herself slipping into a memory—a flashback of the training she had undergone to enhance her observational skills.
The Flashback:
The training was so harsh that the sky above Ehayor's day side seemed like it was an endless stretch of severe, unforgiving light as the heat beared down on the barren desert below. Fheniz stood beside Malaes, his expression focused, his voice steady as he explained the task ahead.
"Okay, Malaes," he began, his tone that of a master speaking to a pupil on the cusp of greatness. "Today, the focus is on you. You've shown promise, pushing yourself to be exceptional. But last time—during the war—you couldn't help us track Orngea quickly enough. The disturbances affected your concentration. Today, we're going to fix that. You need to elevate your observational skills to their highest possible limits."
Malaes listened intently, her eyes fixed on Fheniz, absorbing every word.
"Observation isn't just about tracking energies," Fheniz continued. "It's about understanding them—knowing their nature. When you connect one energy to another, forming a sequence in all directions, you can sense things far beyond the surface. And if you push hard enough, you can sense the potential energy of an entire world."
He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in.
"With enough focus, you can map an entire world in your mind—know where every place, every object is, whether it's moving or still. And once you've made that map, you can use Portal Commanding to go anywhere, instantly. But it's not easy. Using that much energy will wear you out. So, as a normal being, you should only do it when you're fully charged."
Fheniz's voice softened slightly, his tone taking on a more serious note. "In the ancient legends, gods who mastered observation at a godly level could map entire universes. They could move across dimensions, across time itself, using Portal Commanding. But for you, for now, mastering it for one world will be enough. You'll be able to help Griswa and Yesdar on Aeartha, becoming a worthy companion in this war."
Malaes nodded, her mind racing as she took it all in.
"You'll need to redraw that map constantly, though," Fheniz added. "If your memory can't hold it forever. The real reason you need to do this is simple—even if you had a physical map of the world, it wouldn't be enough. You need to understand, you need to feel, you need to connect, finally locate the energies of the world to use Portal Commanding. And once you push your skills to that level, detecting threats, even from miles away, will become second nature."
His gaze turned toward the horizon, his voice quiet but filled with a strange kind of reverence. "Trust me when I say, Aeartha has its dangers—beings more powerful than you've ever faced. Keep perfecting your skills, Malaes, even if it wears you down."
The memory faded, and Malaes blinked, returning to the present. The storm still raged around them, but she felt calm, focused. She closed her eyes, letting the noise of the wind slip away, her mind sharpening into clarity. She could feel it now—an energy, faint but unmistakable. The breathing of a person, weak and fading, as if life itself was slipping away from them.
Her eyes snapped open, urgency lacing her voice. "Guys! There's a person dying, beyond those mountains." She pointed toward the distant range, the peaks barely visible through the snowstorm.
Griswa glanced in her direction.
"I'm sending you the location via telepathic communication… got it?"
Griswa nodded. "Yeah, I got it."
"Open a portal," she urged. "We need to get there, now."
Griswa closed his eyes, concentrating, the energy around him shifting. He raised his hands to chest level, the tips of his middle fingers and thumbs forming a circle, the remaining fingers aligning perfectly.
"Portal Commanding: Point Two," he said, his voice low and deliberate.
The air around them rippled, a faint hum filling the space as a wormhole began to form. The wormhole was like an infinite loophole that acted like an illusion to their visions. But undoubtedly, they stepped in.