Undying Star: Chapter 2 (Patreon)

Chapter 2

Returning back to duty, Sol flew across the plains of grass, south east of Eknom central. Despite her colossal size, she didn’t disturb the nature of life around her. Without the bustling city of intelligent beings who worshipped and praised her non-stop, nature is where she retreats. She found herself in the middle of the plains, surrounded by towering trees. These trees were planted by druids and dryads. Lifted over their shoulders and planted here to thrive. 

Looking at the animals around her roaming about quietly, it was a success. This place was also a reserve for wildlife and plants. When places were recaptured from the bloons, these will be transported to repopulate the recently successfully defended area. 

The method was ‘Reclife’: Deploy, Defend, Victory, Clear, Terraform, Transfer, Defend”. It was the current cycle of everyone’s life in this world right now. Was there other continents struggling the same as their civilization was? They didn’t know what was out there anymore, beyond the vast ocean of floating rubber. 

Not long after, peace was disturbed when she felt a presence quickly flying towards her direction, Adora.

“Adora?” the giant saw the approaching hero, her face was coming into view. An expression the hero made that was far too familiar.

“Sol” Adora stopped mid-air, crossing her arms with a small yet visible frown on her face.

Sol form shrunk, still gigantic, though she only tucked her knees to her chest, “I should’ve been more careful, I’m sorry.” She moved her gaze away from the hero.

“You could have, however, it’s too late to have regrets. What’s done is done.”

Adora was a tough nut to crack. But being around her for a while now, she knows the hero cares for her. 

One group amongst the Monkeys had intimidated Sol who wielded the Sun. They were an organization called the Sun Scripture. Fanatics of the Sun God.

“Let’s hope they don’t interfere with that.” Adora had her doubts, when the pesky Sun Scripture she dislikes the most gets a hold of that information. It could bring a whole bucket of their titter tattering.

“Is Uno okay when you get there?”

Adora glanced at the direction she came from, “Yes, fortunately.” It’s a miracle thinking more about it, but she has too much on her plate to analyze it right now. Maybe she should have pressed Uno a bit more. She will visit him again.

Sol wished she could learn to shrink faster. The convenience of being able to hide her colossal size to be able to blend in with the crowd and be one of them.

“Can we focus on being able to shrink?”

“You want to meet the peculiar dart monkey don’t you?”

Adora read through Sol’s thoughts immediately.

“I won’t deny that.”

“So be it.”

It takes a lot of focus to be able to shrink for a period of time. A TSGs power that was passed on so hastily was explosive to one’s soul that could burst if not maintained properly. Adora became Sol’s teacher, Adora being immortal helped but immortality has its price.

…

Evening came, Sol floated above the pyramid in the center of the Eknom Central. It was a busy night as usual, it always was. Civilians and Towers went on about their day and night rotating to keep the civilization alive. Helicopters and jets flew by momentarily. On the ground, some kneeled and bowed to her pyramid. As her keen senses observed these, it made her mind tired. However, she didn’t ignore the edges of her senses that surrounded the city’s borders. Never. She always kept an eye on the horizon. Anything can happen at any moment.

Looking upon the southern horizon, she saw the hospital building where her victim was residing, Uno. Looking back at Uno’s interaction with her, he was indeed peculiar, not someone who instantly bowed or worshiped her in place just for interacting with them. Throughout the years, she only had a few notable people she could approach. Her responsibilities had overtaken her desire to make friends or acquaintances; people to chat informally to and do things that a normal person would be able to do. Uno, sparked another hope in Sol. Ignoring the consequences of what would happen between them, she happily thought of how to make him a friend.

“I’ll meet him again someday”

…

In the hospital, Uno felt Sol’s warm gaze. It was a confirmation that his involvement with her will continue forth. He opened his eyes, revealing the white ceiling again, looking at his fingers he cracked them. Uno scratched his head and picked one fur out of his head, the fur, he threw it to the floor next to him. A phantom of his figure appeared.

“Howdy, go follow Adora”

The dark phantom slowly blended with the shadow, leaving nothing behind. Due to his fine condition, lasting only a day in the hospital the doctors were preparing him to be discharged. 

“His condition is excellent, as expected of Lady Sol, her control is impressive. Not even a scratch on the poor dart monkey.” praised a doctor.

“Friendly fire wouldn’t kill anyone anyway. Maybe this guy’s body is easy to knock over,” a nurse said.

Sol’s control was in fact not impressive, she was still learning until now. In another timeline, she killed someone with that rocket. Uno on the other hand caught that blow on purpose. It was one of many ways to reconcile with the girl.

Letting his legs slide off the bed, he sat looking through the window. Sol couldn’t exactly see him eye to eye. But Uno could, it’s as if they were staring at each other from afar.

“I will save life for you.”

…

The next day, Uno was discharged, he signed some papers and went on his way. They gave him a single ointment for his head. With nothing else in mind, he had one destination. The goopy long noodles shop he always went to in the edge of northern Eknom Central. It was a long walk, the scenery was the same, colorful lights, buildings, and cars roaming about. Monkeys swung by vines a form of transportation too. As he passed by several restaurants on his way, they smelt good but he had his preferences. The people he passed by chuckled because of his face and nothing more.

After 30 minutes of jogging to his destination, he was greeted by a too familiar restaurant front with a noodle bowl sign on top. He opened the doors and a lot of people were there. The owner of this place was a former Ninja Tower, they were the cook and a good one. A retired tower who provided food for towers free of charge. Uno never knew if they were male or female. A mystery for next time.

Immediately spotting the chef in a ninja outfit, the only difference was they wore a white apron with the noodle bowl logo in the center. The ninja moved swift and precise, working on what she needed finished. A single customer sat in front of Ninja Chef's bar. Engrossed with their books and bottles, browned furred monkey, spiky hair, orange long coat, and black strapped alchemist goggles around his head. His tail was a mess, limp on the floor carelessly.

“Strych, eat your food, come on.”

“Mhm, a little bit more work here.”

“I won’t let you bring those trinkets of yours here next time if you don’t”

“Alright, thank you.” The person named Strych stood up, and packed his books and bottles. He also took the paper bag with his food inside and went about his day exiting the restaurant.

Uno followed the retreating figure a bit until the Chef called for his attention.

“Hey, are you ordering fella?”

“Yeah! That one”

“That will be 30 coins”

Uno stood there for a bit, looking like he was processing what was said. Only interrupted by the gurgling of his stomach. Ninja Chef stood dumbfoundedly, even when their face was covered most of the way.

“Are you a tower by any chance, fella?”

“Yes…” Uno scratched the back of his head.

“Ok, good, sit down.”