CESAGA

In one of the Gadang houses at the warriors' settlement, Purnama, the elder twin, stood tall and lean, his presence exuding serenity and calm.

His light blue hair framed a face that embodied both tranquility and a warrior's resolve. Piercing sapphire eyes reflected the wisdom of ages, while a sharp, defined nose and a diamond-shaped face enhanced his refined and ethereal presence.

Clad in long, flowing white linen pants, adorned with intricate gold swirl patterns on the hemline, and a matching long-sleeved shirt, he exuded an aura of both elegance and strength.

A dark blue sleeveless jacket with a high-standing collar, embroidered with the same gold swirl pattern on the seams, draped effortlessly over his shoulders.

His belt, a plain strip of white cloth secured with a hexagon-shaped gold buckle, was neatly fastened around his waist.

Despite being over 800 years old, he appeared no older than a man in his early tricenarian.

As he secured his sheathed kris under his belt, his thoughts turned to the mission ahead.

We must succeed, he silently vowed.

Suria, his twin sister, was equally striking. Her thin, sharp eyebrows mirrored the determination in her light orange eyes, which gleamed with intensity as she prepared her gear.

Her short orange hair, a shade darker than her eyes, framed her heart-shaped face, just brushing her ears and chin.

The resemblance between the siblings was undeniable, from their noses to the graceful structure of their faces.

Suria's outfit mirrored Purnama's in design, but with subtle differences.

She wore a gold satin waistcloth adorned with red diamond-shaped embroidery. Her long-sleeved white shirt, layered with a gold satin inner, exuded elegance while remaining practical.

Her dark blue sleeveless jacket extended a foot below her waist, and her pants, a foot shorter than Purnama's, completed the ensemble.

Unlike her brother who wore simple brown chappals, Suria's featured a white diamond-shaped design on the strap, the brown leather swirling gracefully up her legs.

She carefully wrapped her axe-shaped kris in yellow fabric, a personal tradition, and placed it inside her light brown cloth bag.

"You think this is the one?" Suria asked, breaking the silence as she fastened her bag. "The mission that finally ends the Puaka?"

Purnama glanced at her, his expression composed but serious.

"We'll find out soon enough. Until then, we do what we've always done—fight, survive, and protect."

A flicker of uncertainty crossed Suria's mind. How many more battles will we face?

Once their belongings were packed, the twins descended the wooden stairs of their home.

They paused at the gate, allowing themselves a moment to take in the sight of their home. It stood firm and familiar, a haven of tranquility before the storm that loomed ahead.

"Purnama, this investigation will take a while. I'm gonna miss this view," Suria said, glancing at her brother before turning back to their home.

"Don't worry, Suria. We'll complete this mission and return home safely," Purnama gently patted her on the shoulder.

With that, they turned toward the path ahead, their hearts heavy but resolute. They knew the dangers that awaited them on Earth.

The Puaka were cunning and ruthless, driven by a darkness that threatened to consume all light. But the Celestial Twins had faced such dangers before.

The twins made their way toward the white marble bridge. As they walked, the sound of rushing water echoed beneath them. A short distance later, they spotted a hut with a roof resembling wooden pipe, from which smoke billowed into the air.

The hut was a remarkable structure, built from weathered timber. Vines crawled up its walls, weaving nature into the strength of its design.

Lanterns hung from the eaves, casting a warm, flickering glow in the gentle breeze, welcoming Aurenian warriors to step inside and collect their essential supplies. For those assigned special missions, this hut served as their reporting station.

As they approached, they were greeted by Honter, the old dwarf caretaker.

His thick white beard, woven with small beads that told tales of his many adventures, framed a face etched with wisdom and mischief. Bright green eyes sparkled beneath bushy eyebrows, and deep laugh lines crinkled around his mouth.

Strands of unruly hair peeked from beneath a battered leather cap, framing his rugged face. Clad in half-iron armor adorned with intricate engravings, he exuded a sense of strength and wisdom.

A leather belt, weighed down by pouches brimming with tools and trinkets, hung at his waist, ever prepared for the next task.

When he laughed, a hearty "GARGARGARGAR!" echoed around the hut, filling the air with warmth and joy. His voice carried a playful Irish lilt, making every word feel like a story waiting to unfold.

"Well, well, well, now! Look what th' cat dragged in! The famous Celestial Twins, Purnama an' Suria!" He exclaimed, his eyes twinkling with mischief.

"Yer the last ones to arrive! Ye should've been here an hour ago. Now, hurry up; ye don't want to make Purba wait an' feel th' wrath of a Kshatriya!"

Suria chuckled.

"Come on, Honter. We want to take our time and enjoy the fresh air of Aurea. Don't mind Purba; he just knows how to bark orders while doing nothing."

Honter grinned, his pipe bobbing with laughter.

"GARGARGARGAR! Aye, lass! Don't be pulling me leg! I know ye both too well. Deep down, ye don't really want to go, do ye? Ye've seen th' dark side of humans—their knack for turning on each other. With or without th' Puaka, some are just naturally evil. It's no wonder most Aurenian folk have distanced themselves from Earth," he said as he hammered Suria's kris onto the anvil.

CLANG!

The sound lit up her Kshatriya genealogy chart on the wall, signaling that she was leaving Aurea.

"Yeah, many Aurenian have parted ways with humans, but one particular Celestrias chose to abandon their family to help humans instead," Suria replied, carefully wrapping her kris in the yellow fabric and placing it aside, her expression growing solemn.

At this, Purnama let out a weary sigh, knowing exactly who Suria referred to.

Honter's expression shifted slightly, acknowledging the gravity of the topic.

"Ah, I know th' one ye mean. Best not dwell on th' past, eh? Focus on yer mission now!" Honter interjected, eager to lighten the mood.

"We'll keep that in mind, Honter," Purnama responded, his tone slightly reserved.

"... Anyway, yer Tycart arrived a couple o' hours ago at th' station up front. Don't be keepin' him waitin' any longer. Th' handler an' Ty are wearin' blue scarves 'round their necks," Honter said, quickly shifting the topic and pointing toward the front of the bridge where Ty's station was located.

After finishing with the anvil, Honter retrieved their supplies.

"Here ye go, then! Each o' ye gets a small sack o' Dykin seeds, a map fer yer mission, an' a fine small pouch filled with human currency, SAGA. Use 'em wisely, an' mind yerselves out there!" he said, handing the items over with a knowing nod.

As Suria organized her supplies, Purnama took a quick glance at the mission map before folding it and tucking it inside his shirt.

After thanking Honter and bidding him farewell, the Celestial Twins walked away from the hut, heading toward Ty's station.

"So, Purnama an' Suria, th' last Kshatriyas ye chose, eh, Purba? A wise choice indeed," Honter mused, his gaze following the twins as they disappeared into the distance.

A slow puff of smoke escaped his pipe, drifting away as he considered what lay ahead for Purnama and Suria, marking the beginning of a new chapter in their journey.