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Chapter 58

Elsewhere, a different team had their own issues to overcome. See, when Straus, Koto, Red, and the others recovered from the initial shock of Vyz's first attack, they soon realized that he could easily do it again whenever he saw fit. Lightverse was already making their plans, they were the epicenter of this whole mess for goodness's sake! The least that they could do was make their own arrangements. Before getting anyone else involved, the first order of business was reestablishing contact with the other Incarnates and catching them up. To them, their story had continued as normal. It's understandable, really. As you may recall, their tale loops back around on itself, one minor difference may not be easily detected.

The group of blue royalty took the news about as well as one would expect. There was anger, sorrow, and grief all around. Red had to make sure Nathaniel and Kali didn't immediately run off to enact revenge. Koto silently cradled Melanie while Amadi sat with them, numb. And, of course, Straus knew exactly how Nova and Luna were feeling as they cried in Azura's arms, knowing their friend was lost to the dark. Unfortunately for them, there was no time to properly lament. It was time to take action to ensure their World wouldn't be caught up in Vyz's plans again.

It was simple for Kali and Nathaniel. In their timeline, they were the soul rulers of the land. All they had to do was prepare a strong barricade around their castle. However, Kali did convince her brother to give at least some form of notice to the general populace. Admittedly, the people they oversaw were confused when the usually overbearing King gave out a warning of grave danger. Most assumed he'd finally gone mad from the power, delusional that some unknown force would overtake his throne. But the few that did believe him did start reinforcing their houses. At least they made some attempt at benevolence this time.

In some ways, arrangements were easier for Amadi and Melanie. They had no kingdom to rule over, so no worries there. Frankly, they only really had one ally; and even she saw them as nothing more than twisted shadows of their former selves. So, they did what they could. They told their friend to hide in a safe place and to let them take care of the clean-up. After all, everyone knew at this point that the Stygians could bite others. No one had tested what would happen if you sunk your teeth into one of them (yet). The umbral siblings ended up settling down for a long nap. They would need the energy for whatever came next.

Azura, Nova, and Luna had perhaps the most complicated task. They had a team back home, a team that they loved and cherished. Their little family, who they've watched suffer over and over and over again. They had to figure out how to tell them about Vyz; they at least owe them this explanation. They didn't tell them what happened during the Synthis and Jupiter ordeals, how could they? Even if they did, would the nature of their story let them remember any of it? But the blue trio would remember. They remembered everything. To the Azul siblings, the self-awareness that comes with being an Incarnate is a double-edged blade.

"Sooo...how are we gonna do this??"

The three stand outside the front door to their home base: a large, colorful house that stands firm amidst a redwood forest. The light of the full moon beams down, illuminating Nova's nervous and confused face. Luna anxiously taps her fingers together, "I think...your guess is as good as mine there..." "We tell them the truth, and that's the end of it...", Azura says, albeit with slight doubt in himself. "The more we stall, the less time we have to get ready. I'll do the talking." The girls look at each other and then nod at their brother. They face the door and open it together. Unsurprisingly, they're all immediately caught by the rest of the group.