Chapter Twenty-One: A Distant Dream (Special thanks to our patron, Little Crow Wants to Sleep Today)

The song drifted from a great distance, faint and blurred; had one not listened closely, it would have seemed to dissolve into the dust.

Where am I? Hexia opened her eyes to find herself lying in a high tower. Such towers were things she had only seen in ancient films—relics of an era predating the Fourth Epoch, the Earth-bound infancy of human civilization.

She groped her way to her feet. Beneath her lay a floor of wooden planks, the rough fibers dried by the breeze, remarkably free of dust.

She looked around. The tower was constructed of white stone, devoid of any technological trace. This tower was part of a castle, and the castle stood in the midst of a sea of pale green flowers. In the distance, waves of wheat swayed beneath the sky along the trajectory of the wind, as if plucked from a fairy tale.

She began to walk slowly, discovering that she bore no wounds or pain, and her clothes remained perfectly intact.

Hexia touched her face with a sense of unreality, taking quite a while to settle her nerves.

I might as well look around; it seems I have no other choice.

The ethereal song from before grew clear once more, as if calling to her. She listened intently, searching for the source of the sound.

Hexia descended the tower, her hand resting on the wooden railing. The spiraling interior staircase was illuminated by scattered windows; sunlight and wind passed through them, causing white curtains to flutter and dance like a scene from a dream.

She walked down the long, winding stairs, the curtains brushing against her cheeks from time to time, the texture of the fabric feeling remarkably distinct and soft.

Descending for what felt like an eternity, she reached the ground-level exit, which opened into a wide corridor within the castle.

The weathered stone walls reflected a striking white light under the sun, forcing Hexia to shield her forehead with her hand to slowly adjust to the glare.

Is this what life under the sun is like? It is completely different from the dull, dim underground.

Hexia moved along the ramparts, her fingers trailing over the warm white stone. Every massive block bore marks like those of a chisel, as if they had been hewn from the mountainside by axe and blade.

Unlike the smooth, precise results of industrial processing, the various cross-sections were layered and jagged, yet immensely solid.

Guided by the song, Hexia traversed the hundreds of meters of castle walls before turning into a grand hall.

The main gate was unlocked. The towering doors, seemingly built for giants, were made of ancient redwood. Some of the lacquer had peeled away, and the wood was thicker than her own waist.

Fortunately, these heavy doors were left slightly ajar, allowing Hexia to slip through sideways.

Stepping into the hall, she found it vast and empty. Light filtered through small, high windows in the dome, dozens of meters above, causing dust to dance in the air. A shaft of light slanted down to the end of the hall, where a lonely throne stood.

The throne was carved from white stone, its edges adorned with patterns of flowers and vines, while its internal lines were impeccably neat, speaking to the gentleness and severity of the kings of old.

Walking through the silent hall, Hexia could hear the echo of her own footsteps.

Crossing the hundreds of meters of the hall, she finally reached the small side door at the rear. With a creak, she pushed the wooden door open and stepped out.

Outside, the wind rushed to meet her, whipping her clothes and whistling in her ears. The breeze passing by brought a freshness from beneath the sun, filtering out the scorching heat of the summer light.

At this moment, the faint singing grew clearer still.

Supporting herself against the white stone wall, Hexia continued down the stairs, passing through a gallery filled with flowers, and headed toward another building not far away.

She ascended the steps and entered a quiet part of the castle. The walls of the corridor were decorated with exquisite murals depicting blurred human figures, while the other side of the hallway was lined with a row of uniform pillars.

These pillars were crafted from gold and carved with intricate, beautiful patterns, with white crystals embedded in the petals—dreamlike and luxurious.

Walking through this corridor that circled the palace, Hexia pushed open another door decorated with golden flowers. She passed through a living room similarly adorned with gold and crystal, and headed toward a staircase covered in a red carpet.

The red-carpeted stairs wound upward, and the singing grew clearer and clearer, until finally, Hexia arrived before a door that resembled a princess's boudoir.

The door was not closed; it was left ajar.

Pushing it open slowly, Hexia finally saw the figure singing by the window.

She had long hair like spun gold, and a flawless face more dazzling than the sun. Her eyes were a pale blue, like the sky. She sat on the windowsill, her white silk and gold-threaded dress outlining the contours of her legs, while the hem of her skirt fell like the surface of a fan, adorned with diamond-shaped golden crystal pendants that shimmered and refracted light.

As Hexia entered, the woman stopped singing. She shifted her gaze from the sea of flowers and grassland outside toward the girl who had walked into the room.

"Are you the one calling me?" Hexia asked, looking at the woman before her.

"Yes, and no." The golden-haired woman, who resembled an elf, spoke. Her voice was distant and gentle. She looked at Hexia with pale blue eyes, as if trying to see her clearly.

"I was calling for someone, but I did not know who it would be."

"Now that you have pushed open the door, it is you." Her voice held a hint of relief, as if a long-held wish had finally been fulfilled.

***

"Why call for me?" Hexia lowered her head. She was supposed to have died, wasn't she?

"I do not know." The woman stepped down from the windowsill and took Hexia's hand, drawing her close.

"Look at the scenery outside."

The quiet boudoir contained a large, soft crimson bed, an exquisite vanity mirror, and beautiful dresses with pleated skirts. Yet, none of these held the same allure for the golden-haired woman as that small window—the window looking out onto the sea of flowers and the open fields.

Under a vast, azure sky, small flowers of white, pale blue, orange-red, and tender yellow bloomed in the wild. Tender green blades of grass swayed in the breeze. The sun illuminated the earth, making the flowers and grass even more vibrant and moving.

"Do you like this view?"

"I do." Hexia nodded, and the anxiety and unease that had filled her heart slowly began to subside.

The two sat by the windowsill, watching the sea of flowers from the daylight until the sun set, leaving the earth bathed in afterglow.

"It is truly wonderful. Thank you for keeping me company to watch the scenery for so long." The golden-haired woman spoke again.

After saying this, the elf-like woman hugged Hexia gently. The faint scent of flowers emanating from her made Hexia feel as if she had stepped into the sea of flowers outside.

Releasing her, the golden-haired woman's figure began to fade, drifting toward the world outside the window like specks of light and fine sand.

"Are you leaving?" Hexia suddenly felt a pang of sadness as she watched the golden-haired woman dissipate.

"Yes. Do not be sad. In truth, I have been gone for a long time, but to meet you in the lingering afterglow is, in itself, a kind of happiness and comfort."

The words still echoed in her ears, but the world before her grew blurred like amber. Hexia felt a deep sense of drowsiness and fell into a heavy sleep.

...

Waking up once more.

Opening her eyes, Hexia found herself in space. Through a massive, transparent metal window, she could overlook an incredibly beautiful planet.

Although the planet appeared enormous in her field of vision, compared to the endless, dark star-filled sky, it was merely a speck. Clouds swirled across it, and she could faintly see countless shuttles traveling between the planet and the space station.

The transparent metal crystal displayed the current time:

[Sixth Epoch, December 3rd, 862. Rose Federation - Moon Door Sector - A1-2031 (White Moon), 3:25:16 AM]

Is this a scene from over four hundred years ago? Whose dream have I entered to see such a distant and clear sight?

Hexia examined the room. It was divided into two levels: the upper level contained a bed and a study, while the lower level was a living room. One side of the room was a wall, and the other was transparent metal, offering a direct view of space.

Pressing a button on the side of the door, Hexia managed to open it after several attempts and walked out.

Unlike the deserted castle and flower sea from before, people walked through the corridor from time to time. Some wore efficient work uniforms, others military garb, all appearing hurried. The broadcast system announced the latest news intermittently.

[The Star Serpent Sector still refuses peace talks. The Northern Sector Fleet has suffered heavy losses; the Third, Ninth, and Twelfth Fleets have been decommissioned. Remaining personnel are being integrated into the Eighth Fleet and withdrawing to the southern sector of the Federation.]

[The new 'Sighing Dragon' class battleship is undergoing its maiden test voyage in the Calcite Sector. If it passes inspection, it will become the Federation's next main capital ship.]

[The Fourth and Sixth Fleets dispatched by the Western Sector will arrive in 678 stellar hours, including 7,893 'Odis' class battleships, 35,729 'Paradise' class carriers, 89,214 'Blood Bird' class cruisers, and approximately 420,000 destroyers of the 'Wind Shield,' 'Cross-Spear,' and 'Star-Chaser' classes.]

[The rebels still control the central Twin Tree, Emerald Moon, and Embrace Orchid sectors. We must defeat them within 26 months, or it will cause irreparable damage to the integrity of the Federation.]

[Negotiations with the Sigma Council have concluded. In 241 stellar hours, we will sign a non-aggression pact with them. Although, as the successors to the Machine Council's will, their path differs greatly from ours, they remain trustworthy. This is the final legacy inherited by the Federation from the Fifth Epoch.]

Listening to these historical milestones, Hexia walked through the corridors and halls, but no one could see her; she felt as if she were transparent.

It must be some kind of dream. Hexia continued along the passage, passing through the station's structure, occasionally seeing people moving quickly through the station on hoverboards.

Suddenly, a flurry of footsteps came from an exit. Dozens of soldiers in deep-blue exoskeleton armor rushed out, using thrusters on their backs to move rapidly through the station. The branding rifles in their hands fired incessantly; blue, shuttle-shaped energy bolts zipped through the air, tearing staff members into fragments.

Blood mist filled the air, and the sounds of battle erupted everywhere. After the attack began, the station's guards arrived. They wore special silver light armor, deep purple ring-shaped visors, and butterfly-like wings on their backs. These fairy-like beings wielded crimson, reflux-type light swords, flickering incessantly through the station and swiftly cutting down the invaders.

The commotion soon subsided. Then, a general led a full unit of golden heavy armor to secure a room. A long time later, protected by layers of light shields and barriers, a blue-haired woman emerged.

She listened to the general’s report, then stopped, standing on an elevated walkway within the station, looking down at the beautiful planet outside.

"You may all withdraw. I wish to stay here for a while."

"Your Highness, this..." Although the general felt it was inappropriate, seeing the woman's expression, he knew her will could not be changed, and so he slowly retreated.

***

Seeing the blue-haired woman, Hexia drifted slowly toward her. Just as she had expected, no one present could see her.

Suddenly, the woman turned her head and looked in Hexia's direction.

"You have come."

Before Hexia could answer, the woman continued.

"I am not as powerful as Icenisa; I cannot see you. I can only vaguely sense your presence."

"Of course, this is merely a remnant of time. In true history, I would not have known of your existence."

"The era you live in must be a very, very long time from now. I truly wonder if the Rose Federation still exists."

"But if it is inevitably disappointing, then let us bring it all to an end."

"In truth, I am already walking down a wrong path, and you will see the tragedy that is about to unfold."

The woman's voice ceased. She took a deep breath, as if making a final decision.

She beckoned the general who was waiting nearby.

"Your Highness?" the general inquired.

"Begin. Hand the activation device to me."

"But... let us bear the burden of such an act." The general closed his eyes and gestured for the soldiers nearby to block the blue-haired woman.

"I. Said. Let me!" Her voice echoed through the space station, penetrating layers of structure and resonating directly in the hearts of everyone present. The soldiers who had been blocking her instinctively ceased their movements.

The blue-haired woman took the box from the general, opened it, inserted the key she had been holding for so long, and injected a special magical energy.

[Key confirmed. Access granted.]

[Aethelka particle fluctuation confirmed. Access granted.]

[Biological signature verified. Access granted.]

...

After a total of 27 verification steps were completed one by one, the second layer of the box opened, and a regular hexadecahedron floated out, slowly unfolding in the air.

[Identity verified. Commencing connection to the Apocalypse.]

Outside the planet, a magnificent triple ring slowly emerged—so divine, yet so grand. When it appeared, an indescribable terror rose in everyone's hearts.

"Initiate the 'Star-Killing Ritual'!"

[Initiation started. Interfacing with the Sea of Aethelka.]

[In accordance with the Eternal Covenant of Loranthia, the Sea of Aethelka will reflux gravitons following this interference...]

[Graviton infusion charging. Commencing targeting of the stellar core.]

A cold, mechanical voice echoed through the hall. Everyone stared unblinkingly at the three rings growing brighter in space.

[Stellar core targeted. Commencing focusing and tearing...]

Even though sound could not be transmitted in space, the shifting of the tectonic plates on the planet and the surging of the tides were tragic and helpless to behold.

Ten minutes later, the violent tearing finally shattered the stellar core. The planet faced its destruction; countless floods of magma spilled from the surface, and the dark red core of the planet was continuously ejected. Countless fragments, freed from the constraints of gravity, began to drift into space. The space station was struck by some of these fragments, triggering violent tremors and beginning to break apart.

Inside the shaking, crumbling space station, the blue-haired woman watched the planet's destruction, tears streaming down her face, yet she did not leave. Only when the entire planet had shattered did she move her hand from the hexadecahedron.

[December, 862 of the Sixth Epoch. To wipe out the high-ranking members of the conservative faction entrenched in the Moon Door before enemy reinforcements could arrive, the Federation used the Star-Killing Apocalypse for the first time during the civil war. This action shattered the strength of the conservative faction, stabilized the front lines that were on the verge of collapse, and bought precious time for the subsequent regrouping of the fleet. However, this act also resulted in the deaths of approximately 1.6 billion innocent Federation citizens, an event etched forever into history.]

[Years later, the civil war ended. 'Cobalt Tear' Aimuralin ended her own life before the Federation's Supreme Tribunal, but a new political party was formed within the Federation. This faction, symbolized by the Cobalt Star Tear, spent the following decades purging the corruption within the Federation. Despite their ruthless methods, they gained the support of countless Federation citizens and even ensured clean governance among high-ranking officials for nearly a hundred years.]

The events of the distant past were now clear before her eyes.