In the Horizon

The next morning, Kryzius sat at his desk, sifting through a stack of papers. Bored since the previous day, he decided to do some digging through his desk.

'Okay, that's a lot of analysis…' he thought, as he examined the extremely detailed resumes and reports.

Each document was meticulously detailed, outlining various aspects of the crew, the ship's capabilities, and ongoing missions. The information was overwhelming, yet strangely familiar, as if he had once been intimately acquainted with it all.

He picked up a particularly thick file, flipping through pages filled with technical jargon and strategic plans. 'Did I really understand all this before?' he mused, trying to piece together fragments of his former self.

As he continued to read, a soft knock on the door drew his attention. Aeti stepped in, carrying a tray with a steaming cup of coffee. She was dressed differently today, in a sleek, tailored uniform that combined functionality with a touch of elegance. The outfit consisted of a fitted black jacket with silver accents, matching trousers, and sturdy, polished boots. A silver emblem of the Vanguard X was prominently displayed on her chest, and her long hair was tied back in a neat ponytail.

"Good morning, Master. I thought you might need a break," she said with a warm smile.

Kryzius smiled gratefully. "Thanks, Aeti. I could use one."

She placed the tray on his desk and glanced at the papers scattered around. "Doing some light reading, I see."

Kryzius chuckled. "Trying to make sense of it all. There's so much here, it's like reading a novel."

Aeti nodded, taking a seat across from him. "It's a lot to absorb, but you don't have to do it all at once. Take your time, and if you have any questions, I'm here to help."

Kryzius: I appreciate that. It's just... I feel like I'm missing pieces of a puzzle.

Aeti's eyes softened with understanding. "You'll find them, Master. Piece by piece. For now, focus on what you can do. The rest will come in time."

Kryzius nodded, feeling a little bit reassured.

"We will soon descend to Actonia," she informed him.

Kryzius stood silent for a moment, processing the information. "A-ah... really?" he finally replied.

Aeti nodded. "Yes, Master. I had a call with the port authorities. They've already arranged a docking space for us."

Kryzius felt a mix of anticipation and anxiety. "I see. Thank you, Aeti."

She offered him a reassuring smile. "You'll do fine, Master. The people of Actonia will be eager to see their captain return."

Kryzius took a deep breath, trying to steady his nerves. "Alright, let's get ready for the descent."

Aeti nodded, her expression calm and composed. "I will inform the crew and make the necessary preparations. We'll be landing shortly."

As she left to make the arrangements, Kryzius returned to his papers, but his mind was already drifting to the upcoming descent and the challenges that awaited him in Actonia. He knew he had a lot to prove, both to himself and to his team.

"Okay, Kryzius, relax…" he muttered to himself, trying to calm his nerves. "What's the worst that's gonna happen... besides probably seeing the queen and the king themselves there, or the possibility of me screwing shit up?"

His tail wagged slowly behind him, a nervous habit he couldn't seem to shake.

Taking a deep breath, he tried to focus on the positives. "Okay, stay positive," he told himself firmly. "The others are counting on you. You can do this."

With renewed determination, Kryzius squared his shoulders and prepared to face whatever challenges lay ahead in Actonia. It was time to show the kingdom and his team what he was made of.

—

We find Kryzius outside, gazing at the vast blue sky, his long black cloak billowing in the wind. Meanwhile, Aeti was giving instructions to the crew about the descent in the bridge.

As Kryzius admired the scenery, he heard a voice calling out to him.

"Good morning, Sir," Sara greeted, making a salute pose.

Kryzius turned and smiled. "Good morning to you too, Sara. You seem to be okay."

Sara nodded. "Yes, and it's thanks to you..."

Kryzius fell silent, noticing the sincerity in her voice. His tail wagged slowly behind him. "It was no problem, Sara. You guys are my friends, right?"

Sara stood still for a moment before bowing deeply. "I... I apologize for being weak yesterday."

Kryzius's tail twitched upwards. "Please don't!"

Observing Sara's demeanor, he sensed a mixture of respect and fear. "Wow, she must have a lot of respect for me... But at the same time, she seems scared?"

With a sigh, Kryzius approached her and gently caressed her head. "You are not weak, Sara."

Sara looked up at Kryzius, her eyes wide with surprise at his gesture. She blinked, clearly taken aback by his reassurance.

Kryzius offered her a warm smile. "You fought bravely yesterday, Sara. We all did. It's okay to feel overwhelmed sometimes. We're in this together, and we'll support each other."

Sara's tense shoulders relaxed slightly, and a small smile tugged at the corners of her lips. "Thank you, Sir. I appreciate your kindnes-"

Suddenly, Sara's eyes widened, and Kryzius turned to see what had caught her attention. As he followed her gaze, his own eyes widened in awe.

In the distance, a massive floating kingdom loomed on the horizon. It was a breathtaking sight, unlike anything Kryzius had ever seen before. The kingdom seemed to defy gravity, suspended in the air by some mysterious force. Towers and spires reached towards the sky, gleaming in the sunlight. Intricate bridges connected different parts of the city, weaving a web of intricate pathways.

The architecture was magnificent, with intricate carvings and decorative motifs adorning every surface. Gargoyles perched on the edges of buildings, their stone forms watching over the kingdom like silent sentinels. The whole city seemed to pulse with life and energy, a testament to the ingenuity and creativity of its inhabitants.

"...actonia."