Chapter 72, There's Always a Light

Just as Sirius and the other True Beasts descended on us a beam of light shoots towards them and they are sent flying back. We all turn to the sky to see the Asterion, flying amidts the clouds out of the Celestial Globe. The Crest of the Sacred Compass is engraved on the sails of the mighty ship. It seems that it is a ship made from an alloy of steel wood and other materials I've never seen before.

"So that's the Ancient Ship?" Allen asked as we tried to regain our feet.

"Yeah. The Ancients' Ship, Asterion." I answered.

The cannons aim themselves at the Chimeras and destroy one by one. Not missing this chance I have everyone move to rescue the wounded fighters and have Growth drive back the stragglers. As Growth repairs the barrier and Saint continues his attack on the Chimeras, I take the chance to ise the Horologium to restore our depleting Vi.

Not long after the battle ends with Sirius and the remaining Chimeras turning and fleeing. This battle has lasted for a whole day. According to Allen there weren't any casualties on our side. Many are severely injured and are getting treatment, at least half of the Mechas were totalled and only a quarter of them are still fit for combat. I doubt the Chimeras will make any attacks though. They lost many in this battle, including the strongest Chimera amongst them.

With the crimson rays of the setting sun engulfing the city, the battle of Galactic Gates ends with our victory. I think many will celebrate, even though a third of Galactic Gates was damaged in this city, we didn't lose any lives. The city can alwasy be rebuilt, but the lives lost at war won't ever be returned. I'm thankful, that no life was shed in this battle.

We were lucky this time, Saint and Navire were here but what if they weren't. I need to grow stronger, I need the power to protect the people I care about.

"Sir. Arata!!" Saint called out to me and I turned to see him standing above the rubble of the walls.

"Saint! How are you feeling?" I asked rieed about him.

"I'm fine." He answered as he took me by the hand. "Please follow me, the others are looking for you."

I go with him and he brings me to meet with the others. Leon hands me a cup of water and I drink, Allen is apparently dealing with the fighters but they many are wounded that even Zhen, Lia, Reinhardt, Lucas and Rachel have been helping them.

"What about the others?" I asked.

"Will went off with Theo, Liam, Adonis, Angie and Sunny to watch the city." Andrew answered.

"The others are handing out food to everyone." Adele added. "You need to rest, your hair has turned completely red."

"I suppose so." I sighed as I combed my red hair a bit. "Will and the others should come back, I doubt the Chimeras will make a move any time soon."

"That's what I said." Ethan sighed.

"They lost their strongest fighter and greatest

weapon. The Hercules won't listen to anyone anynore." I said. "They're greatly weakened."

"What do you mean?" Mitan asked.

"The Chimeras have a hierarchy of their own. The strongest and smartest as the True Beasts, they are the only ones who can order and control the Chimeras below them." I answered. "With Ras Algethi gone, the Hercules will no be a problem for us. Once less enemy to worry about."

"That's good to hear." Alexis said as he handed me a cup of tea. "It helps to calm your mind."

"Thanks." I answered as I accepted the tea. "Our journey has come to an end. We'll return to our world after we rest."

"You're leaving?" Saint asked.

"Our quest around the worlds is over, but my Role isn't. I need to confront the Four Cardinal Beasts back home and get their jewels." I told him. "But, I'm sure that we'll meet again. After all, our paths are meant to cross again."

"It's a promise." Siant says and I smile.

"Promise." I answered.

As the soldiers and people gather back at the center of town, Astrologia and Allen count the people to make sure everyone is safe and sound. The night sky has been blocked by dark clouds and there is no star in the sky.

"Everyone is safe and accounted for." Allen reports as he joins me sitting on a barrel.

"I wish the skies wpuld clear so we could gaze at the stars at least." I sighed

"Stars far and wide, that measure and embody the heavens, shine upon the weary travelers path and guide them in the night." He chanted and small orb of light emerged at his hands, he raises it to the skies and a light rises up towards the night filled with clouds. "Starlight!"

As the pillar of light rises up, Astrologia trails after it and the pillar of light eventually reaches the clouds and they part to reveal a sky dotted with stars. Astrologia smiles and she uses her ability to make the stars shine brighter and then causes a meteor shower to streek up in the skies.

"There's alway a light." Lia says as she and the pthers join me gazing up at the sky.

"I guess so." I smiled.

We gaze at the skies as the stars shoot across it. They're there to prove that hope is there, that there will be light past the dark tunnel, all we have to do is believe.

----

The next day, we're up early and by the city gates. Alllen and the others are there to see us off. Saint gives me a hug and I patted his head, we wave goodbye to everyone as we return to our world. Our journey throughout the worlds ends here, but we still have many battles ahead of us. But, right now, I'm just enjoying the view, the horizon becomes a ridge of light as we pass the portal back to earth.