187 REUNION IN LIBERTY
Eryn Veyran stepped into lrose City Station … now renad Liberty Station.
A year had passed since Prom Night, the night that ignited the Corrosive Uprising and burned lrose City to its core.
The dust had finally settled.
The uprising had succeeded.
The old governnt was gone … along with the noble families who had ruled for generations. In their place rose a new order, and with it, a new na: Liberty City.
Queen Erythos now ruled, and under her, law and order had returned. The city gates were open again, welcoming outsiders for the first ti since the revolution.
Eryn was among the first visitors from Silver City.
But to her surprise … she wasn't the first to arrive.
Standing by the platform, her presence unmistakable, was Cyara Atheris.
"Cyara…"
"Eryn…"
Their eyes t for the first ti since the Prom at ta High School No. 2, the night everything changed.
Both won were older now, stronger, more composed. But they had co here for the sa reason ….
to find the man they both called their fiancé.
Eryn broke the silence first. "You're early," she said, her voice calm but wary.
"I could say the sa to you," Cyara replied. Her eyes flicked toward the terminal entrance.
Monts later, a squad of ta Soldiers entered — their armor gleaming black and silver, marked with the insignia of the Revolutionary Guard.
At their head strode a tall woman in a crimson cloak.
"Is everyone here?" she asked, her voice commanding. "I am General Bierra. I will escort you to the Space Rift."
Before Eryn could respond, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed from the platform.
"Wait for us!" a voice called.
It was Liorea Shearak, sprinting from the arriving train, with Captain Green close behind her. Both were breathless but determined.
Cyara crossed her arms. "Why is that woman also coming?" referring to Liorea. She already had enough competition coming from Eryn Veyran, now she had to compete with another.
"Hello everybody," Liorea said firmly. "We're finding Dan Dark."
At that, silence fell. The na carried weight …. half myth, half mory.
General Bierra nodded curtly. "Then let's move."
-----
[In the Palace of Liberty City]
"Why are you letting people from Silver City in?" Argent asked, his tone sharp but controlled. "We went to such lengths to chase them out, sister."
Queen Erythos looked up from her desk in the throne chamber — a vast hall now draped in banners of the Revolution. The glow from the skylight shimred off her crown, but her eyes betrayed weariness.
"The political situation has stabilized," she said calmly. "We need trade with the other cities. Liberty City cannot sustain itself forever … not without alliances, not without comrce. Trade brings prosperity."
Argent frowned, glancing toward Sienna, who stood silently beside the throne. Though Erythos wore the crown, everyone in the hall knew where the real power lay.
Sienna's expression was unreadable …. serene and calculating.
"I understand the need for trade," Argent said, "but why are the first people approved to enter… are those girls chasing a ghost? Dan Dark disappeared into the Rift a year ago. Why indulge their delusions?"
At that, Sienna smiled — a subtle, almost wistful curve of her lips.
"Because we've been searching for Dan for a long ti," she said softly. "And he will not return to us…probably because he doesn't want to. He doesn't trust the Alliance."
Argent's brow furrowed. "And you think they will succeed where we failed?"
Sienna turned away, walking toward the massive window overlooking the city … its cranes and shining spires rising from the ruins. "It isn't possible to find Dan Dark," she said. "Not if he doesn't wish to be found."
She looked back at him, her eyes glinting with quiet certainty.
"But he would find them."
Argent frowned, "Why bother with a kid?"
------
[Fortress Myrone]
While Eryn and Cyara were assigned to their bunkers, Liorea was escorted to the audience chamber of Fortress Myrone.
The great hall was carved from obsidian stone, its walls lined with relics of the old wars — banners, broken weapons, and glowing orbs that pulsed faintly like hearts. At the far end stood Lord Nicaesa, cloaked in black steel and authority.
"Lord Nicaesa, finally we et again," Liorea greeted, bowing lightly.
"Ah, Lady Shearak," Nicaesa said, smiling as she approached. "It's been far too long."
"The situation in lrose…or Liberty City, as they call it now … made travel difficult," Liorea explained.
"A pity," Nicaesa replied. "I had been looking forward to resuming our trade. The last shipnt of weapons you sent was nearly worn out. Our ammunition stores are running dry."
Liorea smiled knowingly. "Then you'll be pleased to know I ca prepared this ti."
She raised her hand toward an empty section of the hall.
A shimr of light rippled through the air, followed by the echoing sound of tal against stone. Containers materialized, one after another, stacked in neat rows … filled with weapons, parts, and energy cells.
Nicaesa's eyes widened, impressed. "You brought all this yourself?"
"My space capacity has improved," Liorea said, a trace of pride in her voice. "My storage field's expansion allows for more cargo now."
"Excellent," Nicaesa said, running his gloved hand along one of the containers. "Our vaults are nearly full of ta artifacts. Once we catalogue these, you can return them to Silver City for trade."
Liorea hesitated. "Actually… I was hoping to find my boss, Dan."
At that, Nicaesa's smile softened, though his gaze remained unreadable. "Ah. Still searching for him, I see."
"He's been gone too long," she said quietly. "No word, no sign. The city thinks he's dead… But all his friends are still waiting for him."
"Dan Dark does not die easily," Nicaesa said, almost amused. "He's simply… evolving."
Liorea frowned. "So, you've seen him?"
Nicaesa gave a slow nod. "He's here. Orienting himself to his new power …and his new existence. Unless he wills it, calling him back is aningless."
Liorea looked down, her expression softening with reluctant acceptance. "I understand. My Boss goes by his own rhythm."
"Precisely," Nicaesa said, his tone almost reverent. "When he's ready… you won't need to look for him. He'll find you."
Liorea nodded in silence, though deep down she wondered — "what kind of man would return from the Rift now?"
-----
Liorea remained in Fortress Myrone for the next few days, overseeing the organization of the ta artifacts she planned to transport back to Silver City. Her efficiency and the respect she commanded from the staff did not go unnoticed.
anwhile, Eryn and Cyara waited in their assigned bunkers, restless and increasingly irritated.
"Who is that woman?" Cyara muttered, pacing by the window. "The fortress practically bends around her. She moves like she owns the place."
Eryn sighed, leaning against the cold steel wall. "Yeah. I've been here a few tis before, but they've never treated
like that."
"That's because you ca here as a troublemaker," Cyara shot back. "They hate having you around. Probably wish you'd go back ho."
Eryn's eyes narrowed. "You want to say that again?"
Cyara turned toward her, defiant. "You heard …"
Before the argunt could explode, alarms blared across the fortress …. a deep, resonant wail that made the walls tremble. Red warning lights flared overhead.
Both won froze.
"What the hell is that supposed to an?" Cyara asked, glancing toward the sealed door.
Eryn moved quickly, testing the handle but it wouldn't budge. The automatic locks had engaged.
"Co on," she growled, slamming her fist against the reinforced panel. "Are they seriously going to lock us in here?"
Outside, muffled footsteps echoed through the hall. There were soldiers shouting, machinery powering up, the distant hum of energy shields activating.
Cyara's voice lowered. "Sothing's wrong."
Eryn nodded, pressing her ear to the door. "Yeah… and whatever it is, they don't want us getting involved."
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