[Phase 4]

“Have you heard of the codenames Artemis CXIV and Apollo CCVI?”
“Of course! The twins, the Sun and the Moon. As a pair, their coordination, be it for A.U. or elementary battles (battles using elements they control), is known to be legendary. But what about them?... Is the other pilot’s ‘original’ or something a relation of theirs?”
“Accurate as usual, Asuna. Now, the twins’ real names are Arellia and Aekr Taruk. This Kranyon Taruk, he is their younger brother. He was officially announced to be dead 18 years ago. Gas poisoning. His body subsequently went missing. Only 3 years later was it recovered from an abandoned capsule in the Apocalypse Debris belt near Helluw. No one had any idea what happened.”
“Jeriko, are you telling the truth and nothing but the truth? Because what you just said sounded a little too detailed…”Trailing off, Leonda left his question unfinished.
“Don’t sound so bewildered. And you too, Kelar, Don’t look so incredulous. Kranyon Taruk’s body was neither the first nor only to have disappeared from morgues throughout the world. There was information indicating that an organization based near Helluw was behind all these, and nearly everyone was concerned. In the end Helluw agreed to undertake this task. It followed-up until when I was eight, between which I had plenty of time to gain knowledge on the details of the whole thing.”

“So…what happened…afterwards?”
“When I was eight, we discovered the base of the organization, on a tiny “moon” we had no previous knowledge of. A special force was sent to destroy it. They totally blasted the whole moon in a surprise attack. We thought we had destroyed the whole commanding force of the organization, as our intelligence report told us. The entire operation was kept under cover, so naturally none of you will know anything about it…we only realized our mistake 7 years later……The rest, you should know, is history.”

February A.F. 958, the organization aforementioned secretly moved forces towards Helluw Vena. It was only realized later that a few of the highest positions managed to escape the attack, and set their new base on Yuva Scarlet Province.
July A.F. 958, all forces of the organization network established contact. A series of surprise attacks caught Helluw authorities unaware.
October A.F. 958, forces of the organization had control over the entire Helluw Vena. That very same month, the special craft which King of Helluw, Luc Okiyo took to Ducan went up in flames. Investigators claim it was fire from Helluw Vena.
November A.F. 958, Helluw Vena forces advanced towards Helluw Aorta, a grave mistake. They had underestimated the ability of the Queen. Kia Amzulagtas-Okiyo managed to secure Helluw Aorta with what forces she had, creating the current status of Helluw—two regions, ready to wage war upon one another upon sight of a single spark.
Though in no more of a danger than his mother, Prince Jeriko Okiyo, the immediate heir, was nevertheless sent away to ensure safety from Helluw’s current turbulent situation. Ultimately it was decided he be sent under Tahale’s care.

“I’m so sorry, Jeriko……” It was at times such as these that Asuna does not welcome her surprisingly accurate intuition.
“Don’t be. It’s alright, what happened was not Erra of Tahale’s fault. Helluw took up the task of investigation, and by doing so ought to be prepared for any backlash. If there is any planet to blame, it would be Yuva, and no one else. I’m bound to recall the whole episode whenever anyone mentions it. I’d rather that anyone be you guy, period.”

The aquamarine-haired boy groaned. His head hurt.
There were punishments for failed missions. He was just grateful that the one he received was not physical. Rather, it was psychological.
He could not remember the details. Just that the whole experience brought out a deep, hidden fear in him that he never knew existed, and that his head felt like a nuclear bomb about to go off.

The door opened again.
No! He cannot possibly go to battle in his current condition!

Labels: 4, D-gen, English, fantasy, fiction, Genectrols