A lean woman with light green hair, thinly double-braided at the back, reaching her waist. She stood almost the same height as Suria. Her face was small, featuring a soft, slightly pointed chin and gently rounded cheekbones.
She wore a short-sleeved orange tunic, its hem falling just above her knees. The left side of the tunic was adorned with a white daffodil petal design and golden square stitching along the seams.
Red fabric was knotted around her waist, while another draped loosely over her standing collar.
Beneath, she wore plain white shorts and high stockings that rose past her knees, secured with a red rope. High-cut black boots tied with the same red knot and a brown glove bound by a golden bangle around her knuckles completed her look.
Gema's eyes were fixed intently on her. She was his fellow Kshatriya from then, the competitive warrior Xin Rue.
Beside Rue stood a dark-skinned man, a foot taller than her, with ash-grey hair tied in a knot. His grey eyes were focused, and a red rhombus-shaped bindi marked his forehead. He wore a V-shaped golden armor that covered his bare, lean, muscular body, while a darker brown scarf draped around his neck, reaching his chin.
Golden armbands and wristbands glimmered, hinting at his power. A double-colored waistcloth, dark and light brown, flowed up to his knee, and loose, pale brown pants were knotted at his ankles with a golden band.
His presence, calm yet commanding, exuded a deep connection to nature. He mentored some of the Kshatriya, Survanaputra, a name that soothed those who heard it.
"Oh my goodness, it's you!" Rue shouted, jumping from the platform and landing before Gema, startling him into a fall.
"Hey! What are you doing here?! Not even a hello to your old friends when you're back in Aurea?" Rue grinned as she grabbed and tugged on Gema's cheeks.
"Come on, Xin Rue, be polite," said Putra, descending the stairs with his hands relaxed behind his head.
Gema was surprised to encounter his fellow Kshatriyas at the station, warriors who had fought alongside him in countless battles.
"It's been a long time, Gema. How's Earth treating you? Have you met Purnama and Suria?" Putra asked, extending his hand with a warm smile.
He shook Putra's hand, scratching his head with the other.
"I'm doing fine, yeah. The twins and I met up—they're on their way to the Skyrea rendezvous point by now but have a stop to make first. It's great to see you both, Rue and Putra."
Rue squinted at him, smirking.
"You must've been training hard, taking down Darkseed on Earth, right? Show me what you've got! How about a duel, Gema? Right here, right now!" She shadow-boxed energetically.
"Whoa, hold on! I don't think now is the time!" Gema panicked as Rue's snake aura flickered to life around her.
Before she could act, Putra gently caught her arm.
"Easy, Xin Rue. Gema's had a long journey. He needs rest," Putra interjected, his voice calm and soothing. "Don't worry; I'll set up a proper match for you two at the arena. We don't need to turn this place upside down, especially with Purba still lurking nearby," he added.
Putra patted Rue's head, calming her. The snake aura faded, replaced by a turtle aura, making her dejected.
Gema exhaled in relief, though he was taken aback by Putra's enthusiasm for arranging a fight on his behalf.
"Alright, as Putra said, we'll have that duel at the arena someday. I promise, Rue."
Rue instantly brightened.
"I'm going to fight you with everything I've got, Gema! In front of everyone! Just be ready!"
"Since you're here, why not join us at the park? Xin Rue is giving a talk to the Aurenian children, and I'd love to hear about your experiences on Earth," Putra suggested.
"But… Putra, you know I'm not Kshatriya anymore. I don't think it's wise for me to linger around in Aurea," Gema said uncertainly.
Putra turned, already heading toward the ZOE's platform stairs.
"Xin Rue! Bring him along."
Rue grinned mischievously, her snake aura flaring up, stone snakes coiling around her hands.
"Wait, wait!" Gema shouted as Rue delivered a swift punch to his stomach. The venom numbed his muscles. It only lasted long enough for her to sling him over her shoulder and leap onto the platform.
The royal guards once again exchanged startled looks, whispering amongst themselves about the strange events that had unfolded that day.
"…Kshatriyas are indeed terrifying!" one guard whispered to another.
The royal Cydro arrived, and the three of them boarded. Putra glanced at Gema, who was slowly regaining his movement.
"Damn it, Rue—was the venom necessary? A human would be paralyzed for years," Gema grumbled, rubbing his stomach.
Rue laughed.
"I wouldn't use it on a human! On you, it's just a bit of stiffness, nothing serious."
As the Cydro glided towards Morganite Plate, Gema's thoughts drifted to De Novo and the mysterious girl.
"How long do you plan to conceal your identity in Aurea, Gema?" Putra asked, his voice filled with concern.
Gema snapped back to reality.
"Ah, I'm not sure yet," he replied. "Might not be the greatest idea to walk freely here, considering my imminent return to Earth."
"I'm intrigued; why would a Celestrias choose Earth rather than peaceful Aurea? You know, right? Most of us didn't like humans. They were, after all, the source of the Darkseed." Xin Rue interjected, her voice sharp.
"Let's just say some are meant to be protected, Rue. And the food was delicious!"
Ignoring Gema's answer, Rue tapped repeatedly on the Cydro's glass panel to get the attention of a group of green-scaled lobsters backstroking gracefully on the waterway surface.
DING!
A bell chimed, signaling their arrival in Morganite. The Cydro docked, its doors sliding open.
Clad in lacquered red and shimmering gold armor, a hulking white werebear stepped into the cabin.
The armor, a testament to generations of skilled artisans, bore the symbol of a golden lion proudly displayed on its chest, each scale meticulously carved and inlaid with intricate detail. An iron helm, reminiscent of a long-forgotten warrior's crown, crowned the werebear's head.
His imposing figure and piercing yellow eyes commanded attention. He settled at the far end of the cabin, his gaze fixed on the passing landscape.
"Kshatriyas from other regions are here too," Gema noted.
"Seems so," Putra replied. "Though I wonder if their presence is necessary. We're more than capable of guarding our region."
"Absolutely!" Rue declared, eyeing the werebear with a mixture of curiosity and suspicion
The werebear glanced at her, grunted dismissively, and lay down, whistling as if to ignore the commotion.
"Why should outsiders meddle in our affairs?" She then rose from her seat and pointed a finger towards the werebear.
Looking for support for her words, Rue turned to Gema, but he seemed lost in thought, a faraway look in his eyes. She then glanced at Putra, only to find him fast asleep, his head resting against the soft and comfy seat.
Sighing, she slumped back in her seat, a pang of disappointment washing over her.
"Hey, Gema! What's wrong with you? You seem to have spaced out a couple of times."
"Huh? What?! Me? It's nothing. I was just... reminiscing. Thinking about what I must do in Aurea before returning to Earth..."
"Something did bother you; since you're not talking, get a grip on yourself. With that attitude, you won't reason. Stop overthinking, Gema," Rue advised her tone firm yet concerned.
Gema nodded slowly.
"Thanks for the advice, Rue. I'll keep that in mind."
And so, the Cydro began its descent towards the Amethyst plate.