SSS Class Mythic Beast Master

Brunhilde's light blue eyes then swept across the golden Melo warriors, her gaze tracking their spectral forms with analytical precision. Her steps slowed slightly, head tilting as she processed what she was seeing. "These are..."

Vlad stopped completely, his crimson eyes widening. He stared at the warriors' golden and iron armor, at the weapons they carried. "Forerunners…" He breathed, the word emerging with weight that transcended simple identification. "Actual Forerunners from the old Kingdom."

Saint Lucian's masked face turned toward the spectral warriors, his posture shifting to something more formal. Even through the black covering, his attention focused completely on them.

Amiya stepped forward quickly, her voice carrying an explanation. "Commander Dune was summoned using the Star Jewel. Before he faded, he had Reinhard call upon his fellow warriors from Melo City to help him. They answered, and Dune appointed Reinhard as Supreme Commander before disappearing."

Silence stretched for three seconds as the information processed.

Vlad acted first. He moved toward the golden warriors with speed that suggested urgency bordering on desperation. His eyes tracked across their faces, studying features, searching for... Something.

Recognition, perhaps, or confirmation that what he was seeing was real rather than an illusion.

"You're my predecessors," Vlad said, his voice thick with emotion rarely displayed. "The generation that came before mine. The ones who paved the way for everything that followed." He stopped before Bargest, the older warrior's spectral form solid despite being composed of light. "I've only heard stories and read accounts. But seeing you..."

Bargest grinned before speaking warmly. "We're honored to meet someone carrying our legacy forward."

Brunhilde smiled softly, tilting her head as she narrowed. Reinhard could tell she found them interesting rather than awe-inspiring, cataloging their construction, their magical signatures, the way they maintained visible form despite being summoned from beyond death.

"The Star Jewel truly breaks logic." Brunhilde murmured appreciatively.

Saint Lucian stepped forward, his white robe settling as he stopped before the assembled warriors. He bowed slightly but unmistakably, showing respect. "Thank you for your help. Your presence here means more than you might realize."

Bargest shook his head, his grin widening. "We should be thanking you all for continuing the fight, for inheriting our belief that the Dark Silence will be overcome."

Vlad chuckled as he clenched his fist and said. "It's a belief that has kept the people here going every day. That no matter how dark things become, eventually we'll break through."

Erza stepped forward, her eyes studying Vlad before she faintly smiled and said. "I can tell you don't just carry our belief, but others as well. Is it the people here? Or something more personal?"

Vlad chuckled, but the sound carried melancholy underneath. "It's my old friends' beliefs. Unfortunately, all of them have passed on, and I'm just an old fossil pushing forward to accomplish what they wanted..." He paused with a dazed look. "To show the world that their efforts aren't meaningless."

Bargest's grin widened even more as a reminiscent look appeared. "Just like Dune, huh?"

Reinhard raised a brow, his light blue eyes tracking between Vlad and the spectral warriors. "Pretty sure Dune would say you all forced it on him."

One of the golden Melos laughed. "As the commander, it's only right that he accepts our beliefs and wishes!"

Another warrior nodded with a grin, slapping his spectral thigh. "After all, he's the one who survived. Might as well give him something to fight for and keep him going!"

Reinhard's lips twitched despite himself, caught between amusement and exasperation at the attitude toward manipulating their commander.

Vlad laughed before his expression softened, and he said softly. "Another friend of mine said the same thing... Indeed, I keep fighting and delaying meeting up with them because I still have things to do."

Bargest nodded solemnly, his expression growing serious. "That's how it should be." His gaze swept across the assembled group. "I must say, I'm proud of the current generation. You all are amazing."

Vlad's eyes widened slightly, surprise flickering across his face, and then his smile softened. "I'm sure my old friends would have been delighted to hear that."

Saint Lucian hummed thoughtfully. "I'm sure they would. Although I'm certain they would have called you old."

Brunhilde giggled. "Or they would have complained about why it's taking you so long to beat the Dark Silence when you're already so ancient."

Vlad's smile widened at the teasing. "I'm sure this is the time where we end this ill-fated relationship with the Dark Silence and give our people a chance to be safe and happy."

Bargest and the other warriors' expressions softened before they turned as one to look at the towering pale tree dominating Helios's heart. "Let's shatter that old crappy tree, for everyone!"

The Golden Melo warriors cheered, their voices unified.

Voyer stepped forward, his scarred cheek catching light. "For the children who deserve to play without fear!"

Garius raised his weapon high. "For the families who've lost so much!"

Thane's voice carried passion that suggested his teaching dreams. "For the future generations who'll build something better!"

Corvin grinned wildly. "For the satisfaction of punching this forest in its face!"

Mira shouted in glee. "For those who fell believing this day would come!"

Senna finished quietly. "For the Golden Age that refuses to die!"

The others smiled, their expressions showing satisfaction at their determination.

Reinhard turned toward Saint Lucian, the question already formed. "Okay, we're here. Is the next plan to make it toward the towering bark and enter the center tree?"

Saint Lucian nodded, his black mask reflecting Reinhard's image. "My vision showed me that the source is at the top of the tree."

Marie's grip on Longinus tightened. "Is it a First Class Beast or an existence we need to kill?"

Saint Lucian shook his head, the gesture somehow conveying more information than words. "It's a flower we need to cut or destroy. That flower is giving orders to everything. If we can reach it, then destroying it will lead to the collapse of the Dark Silence."

Vlad blinked in surprise, his usual confidence cracking slightly before he muttered, voice carrying disbelief. "I didn't expect the existence that's been hurting and terrorizing us for centuries would be a flower."

Bargest chuckled as he said. "The others would be livid and in disbelief if they knew we lost to a flower."

Erza giggles and says. "I guess it's a good thing they aren't here."

Brunhilde tilted her head, her light blue eyes narrowing thoughtfully. "Is it a special kind of Phantasm Beast?"

"I'm not sure." Saint Lucian admitted, his tone carrying rare uncertainty. "All my visions showed was a multiple purple and silver-grey flower with its stems spreading out and making the roots around it obey its commands."

Reinhard held his chin. "The enemies we'll face reaching the top, I'm guessing a First Class Beast or Night Terror will be there?"

Saint Lucian nodded. "Don't worry, we'll handle those. Everyone should focus on doing one thing, which is reaching the towering tree and racing upward."

Vlad's grin returned, wild and eager. "We should start moving now. We've wasted enough time, the forest will soon realize we're here with you."

"Follow me." Saint Lucian commanded, his white robe already billowing as he turned toward the pale tree. "Let's go."