The Incandescent | Book 7 | The Fairy arc

Chapter 4 ~ The Glittered Inktraitor

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~ Planet Ghatom ~

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Mara rounded a corner, slowly walking on the mineral pavement shimmering in the hot sunlight. Erasmo hovered near her shoulder, sparkling in the sun-drenched heat. Drave was scoping the area from a distance as he followed his sister.

In each hand was a weapon, the Rose Dagger and a grenade. The grenade was a colorful holographic oil slick with a bronze finish, giving a vintage whimsical appearance.

The Decuir siblings and their Vanquesha companion briefly peered over a glittery black wall before slinkering down and rolling across the pavement. Erasmo bounced excitedly, swaying as he slid across the pavement and into Drave's arms.

The ink factory was evidently the height of glamour and prosperity back in the day, before it fell to ruin. The mineral pavement was amazingly smooth and uncracked, like a monument that refused to tarnish, staying strong and beautiful, even in the lonely emptiness. The bright sunlight danced across its slick surface like a star-studded skater, leaving sparkles that glittered permanently.

The ink factory was entirely glittery black, made of sturdy black rock material naturally occurring on the outstretches of the desert planet Torra. Because Ghatom was a melting pot kind of planet with various alien lifeforms, it wasn't surprising to find alien influence everywhere, so overrun by different alien cultures that clashed with native Ghatomese culture.

About a third of the population of Ghatom were native. The Vanquesha were included as part of that one third. Native Ghatomese people were tall and thin, had almond-shaped eyes, and brown or blond hair, their skin translucent like quartz.

The Decuir siblings and Erasmo would soon encounter a native Ghatomese person, the perpetrator of the break-in. Presently, all Drave could think about was the overbearing heat of the sun responsible for his sweaty clothes; Erasmo wanted a snack, preferably something crunchy or chocolate; and Mara regretted wearing heeled boots and black clothing in the hot sun.

But the minute I take my shoes off, that's the minute we'll see the perpetrator, Mara thought, sighing as she debated whether to take her shoes off. She made a mental note to wear sensible shoes next time, rather than just grabbing whatever was on the floor.

Erasmo perched on Mara's shoulder, trying to dig through her backpack for snacks.

Drave caught up to Mara, sweat perspiring on his neck. "I think Erasmo is right. We need a break," said Drave, pulling out three chocolate granola bars from Mara's backpack. Erasmo seized a granola bar, happily twirling around Drave in thanks. Mara relaxed when Drave handed her a granola bar, sitting on the pavement to enjoy the snack.

Erasmo had already finished his granola bar and wanted a second one, but Mara said no, wanting to conserve their nutrition. Erasmo pouted, throwing a tantrum by angrily storming around in the air, spinning himself into a sparkly blur, until Mara relented and tossed him a granola bar.

After the break, the Decuir siblings and the happy Vanquesha continued their way. The ink factory appeared in view, a glittering black beauty amid a wasteland of marble pavement, lone dandelion plants, and the blinding sunlight attempting to steal the sparkles for itself.

"I didn't expect it to be so huge," said Drave, his eyes as wide as the sun. "How are we to investigate this entire building?"

"By splitting up," said Mara, taking charge. "You go left, I go right. Erasmo, you'll scout above the building and let us know if you see anything."