CESAGA

At Langit Station, an airship awaited still at the Platform 3B, their hulls gleaming under the vibrant sky. Crew members dashed about, checking and double-checking everything, their voices blending with the rhythmic chug of Skyrea steam engines.

The atmosphere buzzed with energy as families and friends gathered, eager to bid farewell to the Kshatriyas heading for Earth.

"Wow, quite a crowd sendin' y'all off, huh?" Atty commented, bringing the Tycart to a halt near the platform.

"Here we are! Thanks for lettin' me be yer Tycart handler! And when ya get back, holler at me, so I can take ya to the Ty racetrack!" Her eyes sparkled with genuine excitement.

Purnama and Suria dismounted the Tycart, thanking Atty for the exhilarating ride as she maneuvered it back towards the town.

Suria scanned the bustling dock, her heart pounding in sync with the farewells echoing around them.

"Where are the others?"

"We're late, Suria. They might already be inside," Purnama replied.

"I don't see Purba either. We're good to go; let's hop onto the ship," Suria said, her excitement momentarily overshadowed by a growing sense of unease.

The twins hurried toward the ship, their spirits high. However, their eagerness was abruptly halted as they collided with a large shadow, stumbling to the ground.

Purnama raised his head slowly, his pulse quickening as the imposing figure loomed over him. Standing a towering ten feet tall, the figure radiated authority.

Clad in a black satin Malay shirt beneath a dark red long-sleeved jacket, his muscular form was accentuated by a neatly tied red samping on his waist.

White gloves covered his hands, contrasting starkly with his dark attire. Atop his head, a tanjak bearing a half-moon and four-cornered star emblem crowned his spiked white hair, adding to his imposing presence.

Yet, it was the red long-nosed Kelana mask covering the figure's face that held Purnama's gaze.

"P-PURBA?!"

The Celestial twins gasped in unison, their eyes wide as recognition dawned.

The legendary leader of the Kshatriya stood before them, casting a long shadow over their plans to avoid him.

A commotion erupted among the Aurenian as Purba's imposing figure drew closer, a wave of hushed awe washing over the crowd.

Known for his valor, Purba had not only defeated the Puaka's general but had also led the Kshatriyas to victory during the Great War, his reputation for unmatched intelligence and strength preceding him.

With effortless ease, Purba scooped up both twins, lifting them as if they were mere kittens—Suria in his right hand and Purnama in his left.

Gasps of disbelief rippled through the crowd, mingling with the noise of the bustling crew members, who paused to stare wide-eyed at the legendary warrior.

"Planning to come late to avoid me? In your dreams, idiots!" He boomed, his voice thunderous, a blend of mockery and camaraderie that echoed off the ship's hull.

"Hey! Put me down! Why'd you pick us? Survanaputra and Xin Rue should be your best choices! Even the Aurenian know that!" Suria protested, flailing her arms like an indignant cat.

"Suria..." Purnama gestured for her to stop, concern flickering in his eyes as he felt the intensity of the situation.

With a swift, effortless motion, Purba landed them on the deck. The Skyrea crew, taken aback by the unexpected arrival.

"Best choice? Worst choice? That's my decision to make!" Purba declared, striding away from them with the confidence of a seasoned warrior.

"You're lucky I'm sending you both to Earth. Complete your task and return to Aurea."

"W-wait, Purba!" Purnama called, sprinting to block his path.

The air between them felt charged, thick with unspoken tension, like the calm before a storm.

"T-tell me, Purba. Is it happening? S-Suria… is that why you…?" Purnama's voice dropped to a low, slightly frightened tone, the weight of his question hanging heavily in the air.

Purba met Purnama's gaze, he understood his underling's worry but chose silence. The tension stretched taut, and he turned his head away, trying to continue on his path.

The gnawing sense of dread inside Purnama swelled, a feeling of impending doom settling in his chest like a stone.

Again, Purnama blocked his path, placing his hand on Purba's chest.

"Please, Purba. I need to know," Purnama insisted, desperation creeping into his voice. Each word felt heavy with urgency, as if the fate of their journey depended on the warrior's answer.

An aura of black fire erupted from Purba's body, sending minor shockwaves that hurled Purnama aside.

In a swift motion, Purba crushed a Dykin seed between his fingers and vanished, leaving only the lingering energy of his presence in his wake.

Purnama gripped the railing tightly, his stomach churning with unease. Something was off about Purba—the air around him was charged with tension.

He quickly regained his footing and moved toward Suria, who stood bewildered, her eyes wide with confusion.

The crew, having witnessed the incident, exchanged anxious glances, the tension palpable in the air.

"P-Purnama... is everything alright? What did you say to make Purba so furious?"

"Don't worry, Suria. If anything bad happens, I'll take good care of you," Purnama reassured her, though his voice trembled slightly, betraying the uncertainty swirling in his chest.

Just then, a Skyrea crew member approached, gesturing for them to follow. The hum of the Skyrea's engines roared louder, vibrating through the deck and signaling that final departure preparations were underway.

With their arrival, the line of Kshatriyas selected to investigate the Darkseed's movements on Earth was now complete.

The majestic Skyrea powered up its steam engines, billowing thick clouds of vapor into the air as it pulled away from the Platform 3B.

As the ship pulled away from the station, the cheers of thousands of Aurenians resounded across Langit Station, filling the atmosphere with excitement and a sense of grand purpose.

In a shadowy alley not far from the bustling dock, Purba stood, watching the Skyrea fly into the horizon. Unseen emotions pressed down on him like an impending storm, swirling within him like a tempest.

He clenched his fists, fighting against the weight of uncertainty that gnawed at his resolve.

From the depths of the shadows, a woman with flowing, light purple hair emerged. The ankle-length hair moved as if it had a life of its own.

A small bronze diamond-shaped accessory adorned with a red gem held her hair in place at her forehead, highlighting her striking maroon eyes, while her elf-like ears peeked from beneath the strands, enhancing her ethereal appearance.

"You sure looked tough back there, Purba. But now? You're just like a cat without her kittens," she teased, her smooth voice carrying a blend of sarcasm and charm, echoing softly against the alley walls.

A maroon kebaya with wide sleeves and a high collar that covered part of her neck. Intricate black embroidery adorned the seams, adding elegance to her appearance, while the black satin sash tied around her waist accentuated her silhouette.

Beneath the kebaya, a black inner garment with gold floral patterns peeked through, revealing a portion of her chest with deliberate allure.

Her silver-black arm bracelets, etched with mythical wolves, shimmered slightly in the dim light, emphasizing her light skin and the dangerous beauty she radiated.

Purba, still staring into the sky, let out an irritated sigh, frustration flickering across his features.

"Mind your own business, Ria," he shot back, his voice edged with a mix of annoyance and something softer beneath.

She walked past him, her maroon chappal sandals making soft sounds against the cobblestone path, the rhythmic tapping contrasting with the stillness of the alley.

"Ah, sure, I'll do that," she replied with a playful smile, glancing up to watch the Skyrea fade into the clouds.

But as she turned back toward Purba, her expression shifted to one of sharp seriousness. She raised her hand, pointing a finger at him, her voice low but firm.

"Remember this, Purba: if anything bad happens to those twins, you'll pay for it. And that's... personal." Her eyes glinted with an intensity that matched the seriousness of her words.

The shadows deepened around them as the last rays of sunlight slipped away, leaving an ominous twilight that hinted at the challenges ahead.

As the majestic Skyrea ascended, carrying the twins and their fellow Kshatriyas on their new adventure, a sense of anticipation and uncertainty filled the air.

Their mission to Earth would be unlike anything they had faced before.