Galko regarded Alena before stepping towards her. His head still rung, and he knew he was not in her good graces. Still, that didn't mean compromise was impossible. Ero had always talked about finding equal footing with those who you disagreed with. To signal that he wanted to do this, Galko sheathed his rapier.

  'Pleasure to meet you, Alena,' he said, while Alena folded her arms, eyeing him.

  'Trying to make up for the disrespect already, huh?' she said, causing Galko to cringe. Alena was not making any effort to hide her contempt.

  'If I've caused disrespect, I apologise,' Galko said, stopping within a single bound of her. 'I haven't exactly received the warmest of welcomes.'

  'We're Sutrens, and you're a visitor. No one shows up and makes demands of us. We're our own beings.'

  I didn't make demands… Galko thought, considering it better if he didn't say the words aloud. Yet, you illustrate Ero's point. We've become self-obsessed. We're too busy thinking only of our own worlds, no longer considering the others, or even the Odia Universe.

  Inside, he sensed Salkon's agreement, as both Galko and he watched Alena step away from her fellow Sutrens, looking back towards the male who still had his dual blades drawn.

  'What are you doing here, Gravius?' she demanded, sounding like she had as much love for him as she did for Galko. In response, the male Sutren's smile almost seemed to turn sad, as though hearing Alena talk to him like that pained him, but he held it well.

  'Thought I'd give our new friend a proper Sutren welcome,' he said, glancing at Galko. 'I doubt he'll forget it.'

  'I doubt my head will…' Galko remarked. That caused the male Sutren to regard him with a grin.

  'Least you got a sense of humour, Osirin. Not a common trait among your kind.'

  'I assume you're referring to our "Osirin arrogance?"'

  'No, that's a given. I've already seen plenty of that.'

  'Gravius,' Alena cut in. 'Get out of here.'

  'Any need for that, Alena?' the Sutren male said, who Galko figured was called Gravius. That caused her to bristle – a tiny sliver of movement he wouldn't have seen if not for Salkon. Her body seemed to tense, and Galko found the movement peculiar. She didn't seem to like Gravius, and she turned, saying not another word. Alena jerked both her arms, summoning both long golden blades as she stepped in Galko's direction.

  Oh, she's angry…

  'Alena,' Galko said, 'I'm not here to fight with you. I just want to talk.'

  'I don't care,' Alena stated, as Galko forced himself to step back, ready to draw his rapier.

  'Please, we shouldn't be fighting amongst ourselves. I've come here to bring us together, to unite the Guardians of Odia.'

  'And again, I don't care!' Alena snapped, opening her arms. 'That has nothing to do with me!'

  That shocked Galko as he froze, hand hovering above his rapier.

  'We're Odians,' he said. 'It has everything to do with us. It's why we exist.'

  'Right now, my only reason to exist is to teach you a lesson, arrogant Osirin! Phoenix Enforcer!' Both her forearm blades glowed white hot, with trails of smoke rising from them, while fiery wings emerged on her back. Finally, her hands seemed to ignite, appearing like the crown atop her head, whose own flame grew. Resignation fell upon Galko, knowing this was crossing the threshold.

  I guess we're doing this… he thought, ruing that. If he had any hope of her joining him, he had to defeat her. Within, Salkon filled Galko with strength, as he unsheathed his rapier, raising it towards Alena.

  'You wanted this…' he said. 'Once we're done, we're talking. Precision!'

  Galko's vision altered, while Alena was encased in a white hue. Potential avenues of movement revealed themselves, while other areas of her body glowed with either amber or red, indicating either non-lethal and lethal areas. At first glance, her arms seemed to be a weak point, but Galko didn't miss that facing an Odian brought up fewer weak areas. That was fine. This would do for now.

  Especially when Alena launched her first attack.

  Alena moved in almost slow motion, flapping her fiery wings as she attacked Galko with her right blade. Galko moved aside easily. However, thanks to his Precision he also recognised the attack for the feint it was. He launched himself in the air, while Alena ducked low and spun with both her arms extended. The blades made a whooshing sound as she spun, while Galko sensed Salkon's alarm.

  Galko, we're vulnerable in the air! Activating my second ability now!

  While hanging in the air, Galko sensed Salkon's desire to assume control, which he allowed. At once, he felt his mouth open.

  'Mirage!' Salkon declared, and Galko noticed both his body and his rapier become somewhat transparent, generating multiple copies of himself that moved in the air by their own accord.

  Alena suddenly appeared, stabbing through one mirage body. Salkon raised his rapier, deflecting her next attack with ease, using the momentum to land on the stone ground. There, Galko resumed control of his body, while Alena landed a couple of feet away. They had landed on an uneven rocky surface, with sharp drops leading to rivers of lava. The factory was roughly fifty metres to their right, where Galko could see a gathered crowd of Sutrens watching them.

  'You're new at this, aren't you?' Alena said, drawing Galko's attention back to her. She wasn't wrong. His only experience fighting an Odian was Sukan, but that had been mostly dodging. This was not the same thing. Though Alena still had her ability active, her posture seemed more relaxed, less hostile. She turned her head.

  'Normally your Odian will bail you out when you've made a mistake, or when you don't understand their abilities,' Alena said. 'Though you annoy me, I respect the fact you're willing to fight, even if you're clearly inexperienced at this. Few would.'

  'Er… thanks?' Galko said.

  'Don't mention it,' Alena said. 'Because that's the last compliment I'll ever give. Now, if you would kindly burn… Hou-ou Blast!'

  Alena placed both her hands together before opening her fingers while keeping her palms together. Between them, Galko saw a ball of seething flames emerge.

  Alena threw the ball of fire towards Galko, who dodged to his left. Rolling across the ground before rising on his feet, Galko spun back towards Alena, knowing that attack would've killed him. However, it also showed an insight which was far more important.

  He needed to get in close, so Galko didn't hesitate as he launched himself towards Alena with a single bound, leading with his rapier. This time, Galko forced her onto the defensive, as Alena raised both her arm blades to deflect his attempt at a single stab. He pretended to get close to her, then tried to hit her arms with Precision.

  But Alena was good. She knew how to defend herself, deflecting every attempt. That made Galko decide to switch up tactics. He needed to keep the pressure up. He needed to make sure he kept the distance between them as close as possible.

  'Mirage!' Galko declared, and his body became transparent again, multiple copies emerging around him. Galko ducked low and rolled to Alena's left, while one copy did the same to her right, the others moving to surround her. He slashed outward with his rapier, catching Alena in her stomach. She grunted, stepping away while spinning with her arm blades. The counter cut away the mirages.

  Then he was sure he heard her chuckle. That gave him pause as he allowed her to pull away, creating some distance between them.

  'You're enjoying this?' he asked, incredulous as his Precision faded away, returning Alena back to her normal hue. 'Are you actually trying to hurt me?'

  'Yep. It's annoying when those you're trying to kill fight back, though, isn't it?'

  'But I'm not trying to kill you,' Galko said. 'I want you to join me. I want to form a coalition of Guardians, so we can protect the universe. There's a corruption spreading among us, Alena. It's causing Odians to twist and distort their Virtues. One of us killed my mentor and best friend, and she seeks to kill all of us, and give our Odians new Anubians.'

  'She's more than welcome to try,' Alena remarked, as though unconcerned. 'She'll get a surprise when she does.'

  'That's not the point, Alena…' Galko said. 'We're supposed to represent our Virtues. If they're becoming corrupted, that will affect everyone. We have to stand together! We have to fight those who are becoming corrupted!'

  'And yet again, you seem to confuse me for someone who cares…' Alena remarked, which filled Galko with agitation. He ignored it, shaking his head.

  'Alena, what is your Virtue?' Galko asked instead.

  'Why does it matter to you?' Alena asked, sounding more defensive. That surprised Galko somewhat, but it also stated, in her own strange way, that she still cared about it, despite what she was saying.

  'Because it defines who you are…' he said. Alena seemed to bristle, like she had with Gravius before.

  'No, that's not true…' she said. 'I am not defined by my Virtue, not anymore.'

  'What do you mean?' Galko asked.

  'I mean I cannot stand my Virtue, you fool!' Alena blurted, agitated, though Galko was unsure why. Alena seemed to grow cold despite her fiery exterior.

  'The Virtues shouldn't define who we are…' she said. 'Not when they hurt us. Not when abiding by them causes more pain than they should. I made that mistake once, and I won't make it again…'

  So is she corrupted? Salkon asked. Despite understanding why he thought this, Galko disagreed.

  I don't think so. Alena's talking about disliking her Virtue, meaning it remains intact. She's struggling with it, though I doubt she'll give any more information away on it…

  'I'm not asking you to like your Virtue, Alena,' Galko said, trying to soften his voice. 'What I'm asking is that you defend it, alongside all those who cannot defend themselves. My Virtue is that of Loyalty, because I swore to my mentor that I'd honour his mission, that I'd unite us together. Please, help me, Alena. Help me unite the others, then we can help each other…'

  Alena seemed to consider that, looking towards the ground, before turning her gaze to Galko.

  'Defeat me, arrogant Osirin,' she said, her tone returning to its hardened edge. 'Defeat me, and I'll consider joining you. I won't help anyone who cannot stand against me.'

  'That probably leaves out the vast majority of the universe…' Galko said, sighing in resignation. He glanced towards his gauntlets, that of the tri-horned golden dragon's head, and the sapphire head of the beast with a long nose. Temptation rose, but Galko ignored it. They were meant as a last resort. This situation didn't call for that.

  But it called for him to defeat Alena.

  'Very well,' Galko said, before stepping towards her. 'I'm ending this here… Precision!'

  His sight returned to what it had been, as the white hue fell over Alena.

  'You think I'm going to let you use the same trick?' She said, 'Not gonna happen… Phoenix Form!'

  A giant blue flame encased Alena, far stronger than the red flames had been, almost jet-like. Galko raised his arms to shield his body, the intensity of the heat almost making him want to pull back. Yet Galko remained, narrowing his gaze.

  We can't get in there, can we? he asked Salkon, to which the Odian responded with a negative. Galko nodded.

  I guess she's about to throw everything she has at us… You got any abilities like that?

  I have Enhance, Salkon replied. It amplifies your body, speed, and strength, while magnifying the power of your weapons.

  That could work, Galko concluded. Let's see what she's doing first before we play that card.

  It was then the fire cleared, revealing a transformed Alena.

  She now had sapphire skin, jet-blue burning wings, and talons. Even her helmet had become more bird-like. Despite the distance, Galko could feel the heat radiating off her majestic and powerful presence. She had become the phoenix.

  'So, do Osirins burn well?' Alena asked, before chuckling to herself. 'Well, I guess we'll find out…'

  At that, Galko glanced towards his arms, sensing the temptation to call upon the weapons the Void Walker had given him.

  Is this a last resort situation? he asked himself, before sensing the refusal from Salkon.

  No, this is not the time. Alena is strong, that is undeniable. However, she is not Shakiri.

  There was a certain coldness Galko felt from Salkon using her name, as though he were trying to contain himself.

  Then we use your last ability? Galko asked within, met by an affirmative from his Odian, who seemed to accept the distraction.

  Use all three of my abilities simultaneously, Salkon instructed. While I believe it would be wise if I took over, I also understand the necessity for you to learn how to fight as an Odian. Though she is being difficult, this is useful.

  I agree, Galko thought, before whipping his rapier outward. Precision was still active. That left only the latter two abilities for him to use.

  Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

  'Mirage!' he declared, watching as his body became translucent, generating multiple copies which stepped aside from him.

  'Alright, Alena. Let's do this… Enhance!'

  Galko became enveloped with a shimmering white translucence. He felt far more alive, possessing boundless energy. His power seemed to draw from his Virtue, as though prodding it to awaken. That brought tiny sparks of electricity, changing his form, becoming a more light blue.

  But then the sparks faded completely, his form returning to its whiteness, and his Virtue returning to its more dormant state.

  What was that? Galko asked.

  I don't know, Salkon said, wondering the same thing. Galko let that train of thought go for now, focusing his attention back towards the living inferno that was Alena.

  And he stepped towards her, launching himself into a single bound.

  This time, he moved with far greater speed, the bound bringing Galko within arm's reach of Alena, who didn't so much as flinch, regarding him like one would a tiny insect.

  'Burn…' she said simply, before her entire body seemed to erupt in a single burst of blue fire, enveloping Galko in a burning storm which he was amazed Salkon was able to protect him from, as he raised his arms to protect his face. The sheer force of power knocked him back, as his skin almost felt as though it had been set aflame. Galko gritted his teeth, before feeling his feet strike the hard, rocky floor beneath.

  This time, he didn't hesitate to launch himself at her again, despite knowing his Mirage clones were gone.

  The Enhance ability was strong, as Galko threw himself at Alena again, stabbing towards her highlighted areas. In response, she unleashed another eruption of blue fire, but this time launching herself into the sky with a single flap of her wings. Alena arced with great speed, almost as much as Galko himself had mustered, except she had the advantage of flight.

  And she corrected herself to face Galko before opening her wings. There she seemed to launch enormous blasts of molten rock directly towards him, emitting them from her wings alone. Thankfully, Precision detailed where these would land, but that didn't mean they weren't deadly. The ground shook every time one of the molten rocks struck, kicking up debris and licks of lava.

  Galko changed course, trying to manoeuvre himself towards higher ground, seeing cliff faces not too far to his left, heading further away from the factory. Alena continued to shower him with molten rock, but none of it hit him. Galko simply weaved his way between the attacks, as he circled around a steep and sudden incline, hoping that his constant dodges and the blatantly obvious attempt at reaching her height would make her frustration grow. Galko needed her to come down.

  He needed her to make a mistake.

  Galko reached the top of the outcrop of cliff faces, racing like he had never seen Ero move before, not since his battle with Sukan. His speed was incredible, and part of his body almost seemed to wish to glide across the surface, but just wasn't quite capable. Again, Galko found this a peculiar sensation, but also knew there wasn't time to reflect on it. He simply had to take his chance, and hope that Alena would respond in the way he anticipated, especially as he decided to make a last leap from the cliff faces, launching himself into his most vulnerable position.

  And Galko looked up and saw that Alena was flying straight for him. He smiled, for that was the very mistake he'd been waiting for.

  So he pretended that he'd made a mistake, flailing his arms as he began to descend. This, he was sure, would further embolden Alena, and as he heard the screech of the phoenix emerge above, Galko allowed himself to fall, turning to see that Alena would strike him within seconds.

  Which was exactly what he wanted.

  At the last possible second, he used his Precision to determine the exact moment and place she'd attack him in the air, combined with the Enhance ability to throw himself into a half spin, half somersault which would arc his rapier so that it struck Alena on the main joints of her left arm and leg.

  Alena screamed in pain, before her Phoenix Form faded almost instantly. She fell, with both her struck arm and leg falling off her body. Throwing himself into a dive, Galko surged towards her, catching her body in his arms, which he accomplished before throwing himself into a forward roll, landing with both his feet flat on the ground.

  He heard Alena chuckle as she coughed in his arms.

  'That was smart.' She regarded him, almost sounding impressed. 'You counted on me trying to get up close, seeing how you avoided my ranged attacks.'

  'Yeah, but I went too far…' Galko said, lowering her to the ground. 'I misinterpreted my first ability's meaning. It was meant to be a non-lethal blow, not one that literally took off your arm and leg.'

  'I guess that technically counts…' Alena remarked, before Galko heard the sounds of screaming Sutrens in the distance, who he figured were rushing to face him now. That filled him with great disappointment. He had failed, and he had hurt another world's Odian.

  'I'm so sorry,' Galko said, not entirely sure what else he could say.

  'Don't worry about it, asshole,' Alena said, almost sounding kind, except for the last word. She then turned to her right side, pushing herself up on her right arm. 'They're overreacting, anyway. I've been through much worse…'

  The way she said that piqued Galko's attention, recalling their earlier conversation.

  'Before, you said you hated your Virtue, why? What is it?'

  Alena regarded him then, and for a moment Galko was sure he'd stepped on something he shouldn't have. But Alena sighed.

  'Love,' she admitted. 'As to why, that's none of your business.'

  'Fair enough,' Galko said, happy to accept that. At least it meant she wasn't one of the corrupted. He scanned around them for her arm and leg.

  'Do you have healing chambers in this world?' Galko asked.

  'Yeah, but that ain't necessary,' Alena said, 'I just need you to kill me.'

  'Wait, what?' Galko stammered, jerking his head towards her. 'What do you mean by that?'

  'I thought you Osirins were supposed to be so much better than us?' Alena shot back. 'Isn't it obvious? Use your pointy sword and kill me.'

  Galko allowed himself a moment to consider that, before shaking his head.

  'I will not kill you, Alena,' he said, before Alena audibly groaned.

  'You idiot… I can't be killed permanently. Honou will resurrect me as soon as it's done.'

  'Resurrect? You mean you're immortal?' Galko asked. 'How old are you?'

  Alena shot him a look then, somehow conveying a glare despite wearing her helmet.

  'If I had my other arm, I'd punch you in the face,' Alena said. 'You truly are new at all this, aren't you? I assume your Odian has told you about the ability that's always active? Mine's that Honou will resurrect me if I'm killed. It's linked to my world and how it's in a constant cycle of death and rebirth. And, to answer your question, I'm twenty-nine cycles. I will still die from old age. It's just everything else Honou will resurrect me from. That enough information for you, Osirin?'

  'I guess…' Galko said, knowing this was probably as good of an explanation as he was going to get. He rose to his feet and held out his rapier towards Alena's neck.

  'Just so we're absolutely clear, you'll come back as soon as I do this, yes?'

  'Just kill me, idiot,' Alena said.

  Galko stabbed his rapier through her throat before he had the chance to think about it. She gurgled, which made his skin crawl, before her head drooped, dead. The approaching Sutrens erupted into a frenzy, as Galko pulled back his rapier, feeling immediate regret at what he had done.

  Alena's body suddenly ignited.

  Galko stepped back, as all the Sutrens arrived, equally stunned by this as he was. The flames grew, seething, before they formed into an outline of a giant phoenix that screeched as it launched itself into the air, spinning. A few seconds passed before it suddenly dropped back towards the ground, bursting into a last eruption of flame, which then left a reborn Alena in its wake, kneeling on one leg as she rose, fully intact. She regarded Galko while stretching.

  'See, good as new, asshole,' Alena said. 'Now that's done, we're leaving.'

  She turned and began walking away, as the confused Sutrens glanced between her and Galko, who stepped towards where she was going.

  'Alena, I need your help,' Galko said, stopping her as she turned to regard him.

  'I know,' Alena said. 'And as much as I don't like you, or the idea of leaving my world, I know you're right. Something is wrong out there, with the Virtues and the other Guardians. Honou and I have been sensing it. Even if I hate my Virtue, I won't let it become corrupted. You mentioned that one of us killed your mentor, who I assume was your world's previous Odian?

  'Yes…' Galko said, feeling a spike of pain from Salkon. Galko forced himself to focus, keeping his attention on Alena.

  'Her name is Shakiri Ravia. Apart from that, and that she intends to hunt us down so that she can kill us, I know little else about her. My mentor, Ero, wished to unite all of you, and I have taken it upon myself to honour his mission. Did you not see his speech?'

  'No, why would I?' Alena said. 'I'm not Osirin.'

  That hurt much more than Galko cared to admit. Still, it reflected a truth that perhaps he needed to accept. That Osirin politics were of no interest to the other races and worlds of Vegeta. That made sense. Still, it made their mission even more important. At least it sounded like they had Alena on their side, the first Guardian to join their coalition. Galko appreciated that, beginning to step towards her.

  But he noticed Salkon's anger simmering. Galko froze at that, delving within, silently questioning his Odian on what was wrong. Yet, Salkon did not answer, he simply continued to feel his own rage fuelling him.

  Salkon, what is it?

  Ero died, and none of the others care… he said. If Shakiri had done the same to them, Ero would've cared.

  Yes, he probably would have, Galko admitted. But that is why he was the only one who could have set out on this mission. And that is why we have to continue his mission. That is why we have to succeed, Salkon. We have to change how we function, and care about each other again. However, that won't happen unless we're the ones to show care. Please calm yourself. It will be better. We shall make it better.

  That seemed to placate the Odian, though Salkon still seemed agitated. Galko let the matter go for now, turning his gaze back towards Alena.

  'Alright, if you're with me, then we need to continue to visit the other worlds. Gain the support of their Odians.'

  'Including Rhina and Baku?' Alena asked. Galko nodded. She turned and began walking away again.

  'Then you can handle them two,' Alena said. Galko couldn't help but smile, figuring why she didn't want to go to those worlds. A part of him didn't want to go either, but he accepted that as part of them forming a working relationship.

  But that didn't mean he couldn't push a little.

  'Very well, but that means I'll need you to go to Rakshi, Alena,' Galko said. 'Meanwhile, I'll go to Gaiu next. From there, we can meet back at Osiris and assess who we have at that point. We'll probably need a bigger ship.'

  'Rakshi's a dead world, Galko. There's no point in me going there.'

  'Every world has an Odian, Alena,' Galko said, remaining firm. 'I'll still need you to go there.'

  'Fine,' Alena said, though her tone indicated it was anything but. 'But you're not my leader, remember that… Oh, I have another condition too.'

  'Yeah? What's that?' Galko asked, watching as Alena turned towards the group of Sutrens that were following her. She stepped towards them and pointed at the Sutren who wielded the dual blades, always walking with a confident smile.

  'Gravius goes with you,' she said. 'I still don't completely trust you, so he's going to join you. He's a good fighter, though, and he's been off-world.'

  'I assume I don't get a say in this, Alena?' Gravius said, his tone still sounding somewhat sad despite his smile. That still struck Galko as strange.

  There's definitely something between those two, Galko thought, watching as Alena said nothing, before turning and walking away, the rest of her fellow Sutrens following suit. Only Gravius remained. He turned to Galko before he appeared to force a smile.

  'I guess I'm with you, Osirin,' he said. Galko nodded, stepping up alongside him, while watching Alena walk away with the others. A part of him was almost tempted to call out to her.

  'She'll honour her word,' Gravius said, as though knowing exactly what Galko was thinking. 'She might seem harsh, but she cares. She just has a funny way of showing it.'

  Galko regarded Gravius then, seeing how controlled the Sutren seemed. Still, he decided not to comment on it. Sometimes, things were better left alone.

  'Alright,' he said. 'Let's go.' Galko turned to head toward his ship near the factory, knowing that his next destination would be the planet Gaiu.