Zephite City - a city inhabited by four million people and is the fourth biggest city if Testharia included. It sits behind Uta City and Pearl Metropolis, but above Maythorne City. It's mostly inhabited by families of army officials and is the most surveyed city.

  As Dankasho has been very prone to attacks and terror, it has become one of many bases of its army, the Mobilizers of Testharia. It's surrounded by wide snow dunes and dikes, the same ecosystem as Testharia.

  You would think that now that it's a city surrounded by a military base, that it would be robust and successfully prevent any attacks from entering the city and creating needless casualties.

  Wrong.

  Ever since Testharia 'opened' their arms to Dark Intrinium and then the Soul-Core, they've found themselves to be involved in the war.

  They've become a hotspot for tourists, organization and high-control bodies that want to establish diplomatic ties with Testharia, as well as off-world terrorists ready to wreak havoc whenever they could.

  In just a month's time, Testharia has become the most popular planet in the galaxy, something that Sachiel Eria and even Azrael worried greatly. A shift of attention, let alone ALL attention, to a single planet only creates a series of unfortunate events.

  Before all this happened, the start of Testharia's 'open' arms... This was already talked about. 12 years ago.

  Why in the Gods' name would they ally with someone involved in the greatest war since the one told in prophecies? The War of Proxima, from millions of years ago.

  -

  2183

  "Greatfather... why do you doubt your own abilities to such degree?" Sachiel inquired with a perplexed look. His ears were slanted in further curiosity at his greatfather's vague sentences.

  "..." Azrael remained silent while fixing his sight beyond the window. A clear view of Tristate City made him ease his sights. After claiming victory over the civil war that lasted for years, some parts of the city were still being worked on, while this tower was already finished. If there's anything Testharians are prideful about, it's this damned tower.

  "Ghaah..." the elderly Eria breathed out and turned his head, "I assume I didn't specify much when I chose you as my inheritor. Even though you are capable and knowledgeable, I feel like I can never be rest assured if the next line of my blood remains unclear..."

  "... Lantisul really got through your head, Greatfather, no?" Sachiel murmured, which instantly grabbed the attention of the tall figure behind him. The aged Eria sat upright and stared at him with his eyes narrowing and his fingers crisscrossing together.

  His gaze looked... stern.

  "What of him, boy?"

  "Why do you dwell so much on his separatist beliefs? Surely you don't think he is... right? He's a monster who plunged Tristate City in darkness and blood. Should he have won, the entire planet would have become one bloody land, with innocent kids and mothers having their throats cut. You disagree with that, no?"

  Hearing this, Sachiel could feel a slight sigh coming out of the stoic man. Azrael never displayed genuine emotions, not even love for anyone. Whatever he planned and said were all spoken rationally and logically, depending on the person.

  This side of him, the one that keeps moping, may be partially affected by Lantisul's attitude towards him.

  "Sachiel, my boy. Being a Kamisword is a curse. A curse I have created. If you truly want to succeed my place, then understand that the true power of the Kamisword is much more than just blade and sorcery. It's the people... it's the system. Testharia is the perfect example of peace and security in the solar system. But, the rationality behind everything stems from fear of chaos. If a war comes our way... an external war that would have a huge impact on us, would we be able to protect and shield every single life on the planet? Testharians rarely fight, we are a product of peace, not... violence. My death will come, soon. We must be vigilant. This... what we did now, is not guaranteed to work."

  "Hmm... Greatfather, are you afraid?" Sachiel asked with the back of his palm covering his lips.

  "Ah, you wound me, child. Me? Afraid? Do I look like the man who knows cowardice?" the old Eria looked at the gold-haired youngster. Sachiel blew air on his palm and rubbed his digits on his golden strands of hair, tidying them a little. He then closed his eyes and breathed out.

  "... It is okay to be afraid, Greatfather."

  "Is that so..." Azrael said with a faint grin. His eyes glanced to the corner of the room and noticed a figure hidden in the shadows.

  Seeing the silhouette emerge from the dark corner, he slightly rotated his chair to better observe what was going on.

  "Your time to rule will come soon, Sachiel. For now, you should put your beliefs on Wersar. You have always been fond of him.”

  "..."

  -

  2175

  And so came the Hopebringer forward, against the separatist group of 10,000 men. The separatist terrorist group infiltrated Tristate City and sieged the city center. Many innocent citizens, as well as soldiers and army officials were slaughtered. Only half an hour was needed for the terrorists to cause enough destruction.

  However, this civil war was going on for years, only now they entered the capital. They grew tired of stealing from civilians in isolated areas and resorted to larger cities. They finally wanted Azrael out the throne, for being too lenient with off-world trade and diplomacy.

  All their members believed that Testharia should open its market just to them, its own planet. Why did Testharians need anything of value, when all we could grow and develop from is in our system only?

  Why in Hell would we trade with other planets, when we're so rich already?

  Why in fucking Hell should we care about those pitiful aliens?

  Those were the very beliefs of Lantisul. He rose a mass revolt under the guise of providing food and aid for the poor. He truly believed this himself.

  He wanted to reform Testharia into an absolutist, secluded dictatorship. A class-like society where each person would know his or her place, except, there were no classes here.

  Lantisul aimed to behead everyone except for his supporters, and his ambition nearly got true if not for the arrival of Azrael's allies.

  He didn't care about the people outside of Testharia, nor their satellite planet called Dankasho, whose population tripled as a result of its growing fame and high status. Dankasho was merely a colony of Testharia, a branch.

  Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.

  He didn't care about the support Testharia would get from other planets; he didn't care about anything else except putting his finger on everything that made Testharia proper.

  His daughter embarked on a galactic adventure and died as a result. He blamed Azrael personally, blaming him for not protecting her. It seemed at that moment; he was certain that Azrael wouldn't have been capable of raising the planet to greater heights.

  "AZRAEL!"

  He shouted.

  "FINALLY YOU STEP OUT OF YOUR TOWER. HAVE YOU COME TO RECEIVE YOUR FATE?"

  In front of him stood hundreds of commoners, covered in masks. They carried swords, pistols, any piece of weaponry derived from their Soul.

  "Lantisul, this has gone on too far. I had left my crown to you willingly, but you've broken my trust numerous times. I've chosen Wersar as my heir. My death cannot be prevented, but do not ruin this planet. Look at your own skin, you no longer resemble a purebred. Yet, look! Our world has never been more peaceful! Look around you, everyone prospered."

  "PROSPERED!?"

  ... Lantisul suddenly burst into fitful laughter and squinted his eyes.

  "Yes, you've prospered! But we? We suffered! You... Azrael. You're by no means a purebred! How can you possibly understand the suffering of anyone?! You are an Earthling, who trampled upon ancient tribes and took the entire planet for your own!"

  "..."

  "Every place besides Tristate City is in great poverty because you believe our products, our food and our savings are better off for other worlds. You sell your pride and let those pathetic non-Testharian imbeciles enjoy every last piece of crop we make! Are you truly a leader? Or do you care more about the Earthlings?!?!"

  "To ensure peace... we need to establish p-"

  "TO HELL WITH THAT!"

  Lantisul screamed so hard, blood came out of his throat and dyed his mask.

  "Optimism is a fool's errand, Azrael. Don't think that just because you have the power to make friends with aliens, that we're safer than before. Everyone will crumble, they're liars. Liars! Human beings are insufferable. The Universe is filled with them, yet we cling onto their word. Insane."

  "... I am no racist, but whatever comes to Testharia's doorstep shall face the penalty of the sword. Whether it be mortal or alien."

  Azrael answered in a solemn manner. He took his sword out and shifted his body to a stance, ready to counter-attack if necessary.

  "You say such, and yet these Earthling allies of yours, what guarantee do I have that they are not here to slaughter us? You are seriously a fool for trusting those aliens more than US!"

  Azrael finally fell silent. Lantisul was clearly not of the right mind and no logical words could reach his head. It seemed that the whole past of him creating Testharia is about to blow up.

  No, it was Azrael who lost his way.

  He just wanted to return to Earth.

  -

  2188

  "Sachiel."

  "Sachiel..."

  "Sachiel?"

  Those words fell on deaf ears. The old Eria would call the young one once more and only managed to gain his attention. What Sachiel was thinking about was the promise he made and the burden he is about to receive soon.

  "Boy..."

  "I am here, Grandfather..."

  The Greatfather was sick, laying down in his room. He motioned his hand towards the youngster, implying for him to come closer. Ever since his fight with Lantisul and his army, the elderly Eria weakened significantly. He was Soul-Locked, slowly losing his vitality.

  Sachiel kneeled and held his arm.

  "Greatfather... you're going... so soon..."

  "Do not worry about me, son... Rather worry about the safety of your people."

  "I shall listen, then. Go on, say what troubles your head."

  "... Earth is my home... Sachiel... I wish for nothing but to be buried there, alongside my wife who I... forcefully brought along here, long ago. I have been a terrible leader, showered with terrible thoughts. I never once called Testharia my one true home... I cannot change the past, Sachiel... But you can..."

  "..."

  "Wersar and Fursan failed to lead. Your brothers lack the patience, the wisdom, the serenity and understanding."

  "... On the final moment of the dead, Greatfather... Do you not wish for us to be there? To pay your last respects?" Sachiel narrowed his eyes as Azrael moved his withered hand on the table beside him. He fumbled through the things inside and took out a pair of old, thick spectacles.

  With trembling hands, he put them on and used the very last bit of his Strength to raise his upper body.

  "This is your home, Sachiel. I do not wish for you to go off-land for the death of some lowly old fool."

  Witnessing his two sons, his heirs, fail in leading the empire of Testharia to where he envisioned, his dreams had faded. The system, his 'perfect' plan to bring peace and order had failed. A Kamisword will not only fight but also lead. Under the premise that a man must fight and die, so does he then also live and lead.

  "This is your chance now. I have full faith in you, son..."

  "But Greatfa-"

  "No more words... You are the True Kamisword."

  It was at that moment where Azrael took his last breath.

  He died, smiling.

  Sachiel could only look at him with teary eyes.

  -

  Present day.

  A slam on the table with full force.

  "DAMNIT!"

  It was Sachiel. Once a youngster, now a man, who was able to lead Testharia to its prosperous era. He was able to achieve what his greatfather wanted: a peaceful solar system.

  However, once he did what Azrael wanted, an ideology that ultimately caused Testharia to be in constant trouble.

  Testharia's 'Open' Arms.

  "That city was the best thing to ever happen to us Testharians... and now it's destroyed! 3.6 million people dead! All in a flash!" He punched his table. He rarely showed people this side.

  But how could you stay calm when such a catastrophe happens?

  This is a genocide. About 2% of the entire Testharian population. Everyone that they ever knew, in Zephite City, all gone.

  "Is this what you wanted, Greatfather... Is this what you meant by prosperity?"

  While Sachiel sat there, facepalming with his elbows on his table, in his office, Jumkou was there standing, witnessing Sachiel's sudden outburst.

  "That's... terrible, Sachiel." Jumkou didn't know what to say other than that. She just heard about the attack moments ago. Sachiel looked at her and sighed. The pain in his heart was so great, that he even forgot the girl was in the room.

  He stood up, with a pensive look on his face, walking in a circle to battle his stress.

  "We were dependent on our satellite moon... this will undoubtedly plunge us into a severe economic crisis..."

  He sighed again and tried to shift his focus to something of greater matter.

  "Any progress with searching for Flynnigan Shotaro?"

  "Should you really worry about that while... this is happening? My mission shouldn't concern you at a time like this." She stood up.

  "The fate of the entire universe lies on your mission... an attack of this magnitude... as much as it pains me to say it... is nothing compared to what Kaioshun is planning to do, like you have told me. So... where is he?"

  "... Since you wanted to know, he may be on planet Earth..."

  Sachiel sat down, his hands shaking and his eyes closed. He needed to take a moment to breathe in and out.

  As much as a stoic leader he is, the destruction of the fourth biggest city of everything that's Testharia, isn't just something to overlook. In fact, most of Testharia is in panic mode. This attack could not have been from Lantisul or any other separatist. Lantisul has been locked up for 20 years now. His followers are still there, but they are not as active as before.

  This is also not Kaioshun, since he is long gone after Flynnigan Shotaro. His presence isn't felt anywhere near the Testharian system.

  "..." Sachiel put his elbows on his table and rubbed his eyebrows.

  "He should still be there, no?" He asked.

  "I think so... He is, he is powerless by all means so I can't see him being able to travel off-planet yet."

  Sachiel hit a dead end. He could go with Jumkou to Earth and guarantee Flynnigan's protection or go to Dankasho and find out the cause of Zephite City's annihilation.

  Which is why, he had to think hard on this. Was it a bad call to leave his people and his council behind just to help some outsider they have no idea about?

  Why is Sachiel repeating the same mistake Azrael made? Why are they both so hell-bent on anything foreign?

  Azrael and Sachiel are different from each other.

  Azrael's interest on outsiders was personal. He was an Earthling himself, and he never thought of them as alien lifeforms. To him, they are just fellow people of the world. Azrael was tired of Testharia and wanted to return to Earth. He was homesick.

  Sachiel, however, doesn't share the same sentiment. He was born and raised on Testharia. The only Earthling he knew was his greatfather. And even though he respects Earthlings, he never once felt the need to visit them or protect them. He was born here, and he will die here. He believed his greatfather's idea of opening arms to off-worlders was a huge mistake. This only led to more conflict and more war.

  However, he did the exact same thing not too long ago. Ever since Asheera's grand mistake to opening Testharia's arms to Dark Intrinium, he had no choice but to open more arms to Soul-Core.

  This made them a direct belligerent to the war between them, the Galactic War.

  While they haven't been attacked by Dark Intrinium... yet Zephite City was subject to one incident and one disaster. Why was this city so heavily targeted?

  Jumkou broke the tension.

  "I think it would be best if you left it up to me." Jumkou said. "Too much weight is on you right now. The last thing we want is to add on to it."

  Sachiel lowered his arms as a sign of defeat. He nodded with a faint smile. "I know... but on the off chance that Kaioshun is there... I cannot help you. You do realize the risks of going to Earth all by yourself, do you not?"

  "I do. It's my home planet after all."

  Sachiel closed his eyes and faintly smiled. "Perhaps I'm doubting you too much, I apologise." He bowed in respect.

  "Focus on your people, Sachiel. That's why you're up here in the first place... Though, there is one thing you can do for me right now."

  Sachiel was all ears.

  "I need a ship..."