The Universal Chaos || A CATALYSTIC REVERIE

~CHAPTER 2~

The morning sun rose over Adodromeda, casting a warm, golden light across the landscape. A gentle breeze stirred the air, which was accompanied by fog. The wind ruffled the grass and tugged at loose strands of Eri's hair as she stood outside the makeshift camp. The night had passed without incident, but the lingering pain on her back and neck from sleeping on the ground started to sting harsher than earlier.

Soleil appeared from around the corner, his braided hair whipping in the wind as he grinned like a child, his voice booming despite the calming surroundings. "Already up?" He asked, grinning even wider than before.

Eri glanced back at her friends, who were slowly stirring from sleep. Stellar stretched and yawned, while Elliot rubbed his eyes, still looking groggy. Kai stood silently by, gazing out into the distance as the wind tousled his hair.

"Soliel?" Eri called out. "Could I know more about this Phaethon guy?"

"Of course!" He said, smiling as his hair continued to flow in the non-existent wind. "We don't know much, but Phaethon is a god who intends to destroy the entire milky way to give himself the title of the god of a galaxy."

Kai picked his axe up, swinging it around softly. As he picked it up, an energy pulsated through his arm, taking him off guard. "Err, Soliel? The hell is this?"

"That's energy from Luna and I! It's to give you guys a significant boost in physical prowess!" He replied promptly. "Also, Eri. Your scythe can turn into a spear. See that rhombus shaped button? Click it and the blade of the scythe will retract."
"But that's enough QnA for today."

Soleil gestured grandly toward the horizon, where the path they had followed the day before disappeared into the foggy distance. "Follow that trail again today. It'll take you deeper into Adodromeda. You'll know where to go. But remember," he added with a playful glint in his eyes, "the locals call it W.S. for a reason."

As Soleil's words hung in the air, Luna stepped forward, her presence quiet but comforting. Her monotone robes flew in the breeze as she stood next to Soleil. She gazed at the horizon, then at the group. "The winds are stronger this morning," she observed softly, her voice nearly blending with the wind itself. "They carry the memories of the past. Soliel and I have business to attend to. Be mindful as you explore New Ataraxia."

The wind swirled gently around the group as they gathered their belongings (Which was quite literally nothing, other than their new weapons.). Eri felt the wind brush against her skin like a soft touch, a reminder that Adodromeda, though eerily similar to Earth, was still very much its own world. The air carried something mysterious with it, as if the planet had secrets it wasn't quite ready to share. They slowly made their way down the path, observing their surroundings as well and they could.

As the group walked deeper along the path, the wind continued its steady whisper, carrying with it more than just the scent of fresh earth. There was something else in the air now. Something faint but unmistakable. Eri's steps slowed as she noticed the first streaks of blood. It was smeared across the bark of a nearby tree, a dark stain standing in stark contrast against the pale, white wood. Her stomach twisted and churned.

Stellar was the first to speak of it, her voice low and whispered. "Do you see that?"

Eri nodded shyly as they continued down the path. The further they went, the more the unsettling signs appeared. Blood splattered across blades of grass, smeared across stones and trunks, as if some brutal battle had taken place here recently.

"Looks like the 'War Section' lives up to its name." Kai muttered, glancing around. "This place doesn't exactly scream 'New Ataraxia' to me."