GAMMA:Requesting immediate backup. Estimated crew loss: 50%. Critical situation. The space mines hit our ship hard. But we managed to escape.

  MOTHERSHIP:Acknowledged. Priority shift—recover all resources first.

  GAMMA:What about the survivors?

  MOTHERSHIP:Reinforcements will arrive after the cargo is secured.

  GAMMA:The cargo is scattered across the entire planet’s surface.

  MOTHERSHIP:What planet?

  GAMMA:Uncharted. Coordinates place us near the Gemini System.

  MOTHERSHIP:Stick to protocol. Do not deviate from the Codex.

  GAMMA:Understood. Awaiting further instructions.

  MOTHERSHIP:Evacuation will follow—stay on comms and maintain contact.

  GAMMA:Affirmative. Holding position.

  That night, the village of Hanamura was alive with laughter and celebration, illuminated by glowing paper lanterns that bobbed gently in the evening breeze. The streets were vibrant with color—scarlet banners fluttered above stalls selling skewers, candies, and trinkets, and the mouth-watering aroma of fried dumplings filled the air. Children raced through the crowds with sparklers in hand, their joyous giggles adding to the melody of flutes and drums.

  Among the revelers, a young girl with long, dark hair moved quietly, pulling her hood tighter against the wind. Rie wasn’t human—her crimson-tinted eyes and sharp fangs betrayed her demon heritage, but few in the village cared. Hanamura was a rare sanctuary where humans and demons coexisted in relative peace, far from the wars that ravaged other lands.

  The night sky above was breathtaking, scattered with stars that shimmered like diamonds on black silk. The festival’s theme for the night was simple: a meteor shower would soon grace the sky, a celestial event said to be the most beautiful in decades.

  “Rie! Rie, over here!”

  A cheerful voice rang through the crowd. Yumi, Rie’s energetic childhood friend, pushed her way through a group of gossiping old women near a dumpling stand. Her fox-like ears twitched with excitement. Dressed in a bright yellow yukata that contrasted sharply with Rie’s dark-colored one, she practically radiated energy.

  “There you are!” Yumi huffed, out of breath. “Why do you always wander off by yourself?”

  “I like the quiet,” Rie replied with a small shrug, avoiding Yumi’s eyes.

  Yumi pouted. “You’re such a loner sometimes. Anyway, I found the perfect spot to watch the meteors! Way better than down here with all the noise.”

  “Where?” Rie asked, narrowing her eyes.

  Yumi grinned mischievously. “Up on the mountain path! I bet no one else will think to go there.”

  “Isn’t that... a bit dangerous?”

  The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  “Dangerous, schmangerous! Come on, don’t be such a worrywart!” Yumi grabbed Rie’s hand and started dragging her toward the village outskirts. “If we don’t go now, we’ll miss the best part!”

  Rie sighed but let herself be pulled along. “You’re going to get us in trouble one day, you know that?”

  “Pfft. Trouble is my middle name.” Yumi grinned over her shoulder. “Relax! No one will even know we were gone.”

  The two girls climbed the winding path toward the foot of the mountain, the festival’s glow fading behind them. The air grew cooler as they ascended, the chirping of crickets replacing the village’s lively music. Trees arched over the narrow trail, their branches swaying in the night breeze.

  “This is nice, right?” Yumi asked, glancing at Rie. “Just us, the stars, and no nosy adults to bother us.”

  Rie gave a small smile. “Yeah... I guess it is.”

  They reached a small clearing nestled between the trees. Above them, the sky stretched wide, offering an unobstructed view of the stars. The first meteors streaked across the night, their fiery tails illuminating the darkness.

  “Look!” Yumi squealed, clapping her hands. “They’re starting! Isn’t it beautiful?”

  Rie sat down on a patch of grass, hugging her knees. “It really is...” she whispered, feeling an unfamiliar peace settle over her.

  For a moment, they watched in comfortable silence.

  Then—

  A low growl shattered the tranquility.

  Yumi stiffened. “Did you hear that?”

  Rie tensed. “Stay behind me,” she whispered, senses sharpening.

  From the shadows, a magic wolf emerged. Its glowing blue eyes locked onto them, saliva dripping from its snarling jaws. Its fur bristled as it crept forward.

  Yumi gasped. “W-What do we do?”

  Rie snatched up a fallen branch and stepped protectively in front of her friend. “Run back to the village! I’ll hold it off!”

  “No way! I’m not leaving you!” Yumi clung to Rie’s arm.

  The wolf lunged. Rie swung the branch with all her strength, striking its snout. The beast yelped but quickly recovered, snarling as it circled them. Then another wolf—a massive alpha—emerged from the woods, its eyes glowing with malevolent intelligence.

  “We’re in trouble...” Rie muttered.

  The alpha pounced. Rie shoved Yumi aside, taking the full force of the attack. Fangs tore into her shoulder. She screamed as blood sprayed onto the grass. The wolf’s jaws were unrelenting.

  In desperation, Rie whispered a prayer:

  “If someone... anyone... saves me... I’ll do anything. If it’s a woman, I’ll follow her forever. If it’s a man... I’ll marry him.”

  Just as the wolf prepared to deliver a killing blow, the night erupted with a thunderous crack.

  A glowing spear shot through the air, piercing the alpha wolf’s skull. Blood splattered across the clearing as the beast collapsed.

  “Hey, miss,” a voice called casually. “Sorry for the interruption.”

  Dazed, Rie looked up. A figure stood in sleek silver armor, the helmet’s visor reflecting the moonlight. The armored knight twirled his spear, reloading it with a soft hum.

  Yumi blinked. “W-Who... what...?”

  In a blur of motion, the knight cut through the pack like a force of nature. Sparks flew as his spear thrummed with magic energy, burning through fur and flesh. When the last wolf lay dead, he exhaled, his weapon humming softly as it powered down.

  He turned to Rie, blood splattered across his armor.

  “Did they hurt you?” he asked.

  Rie remained silent, too stunned to speak.

  The knight extended a gloved hand. “You’re bleeding. Let me see your hand.”

  Still, Rie didn’t respond.

  He sighed. “Do you understand me?”

  A faint glow pulsed from his arm—some kind of device. With a mechanical hum, it flickered and stabilized.

  “Alright,” he muttered. “Let’s try this again. Can you understand me now?”

  Rie blinked. “Eh?” she blurted.

  “Good.” The knight straightened. “Name’s Lieutenant Gamma. Formerly, anyway.” He shook his head. “Do you know where I can find a spaceport?”

  Rie and Yumi exchanged confused glances.

  “Spaceport?” Yumi repeated. “What’s that?”

  Gamma stared. “You’ve got to be kidding me... What kind of backwater planet is this?”

  Then—a massive wyvern swept over the clearing, its wings blotting out the moon.

  Gamma looked up, his visor glowing faintly.

  “What the... what the fuck?”

  This world was unlike anything he had ever seen.