Halloween arrived, and Troya was buzzing with excitement. The city was brimming with vibrant decorations, with every corner adorned with cobwebs, pumpkins, and eerie lights. Almost everyone in the city had embraced the spirit, donning costumes that ranged from terrifying to whimsical.

  Andres and Marcus, ever the duo, dressed in clothing inspired by the notorious Chicago Mafia of the past, with sharp suits, fedoras, and a sense of swagger that made them stand out. Lucia matched Marcus's look with a similar ensemble. Her strawberry blonde hair and striking green eyes made her the perfect complement to his costume. Their coordinated appearance caught the attention of anyone passing by.

  When they arrived at Akari's door, they were greeted by her smiling face. She was dressed in a playful black dress with bunny ears, exuding charm and mischief.

  “Hi, guys! Come on in!”

  “Nice ears,” Andres complimented.

  “Thanks! I’m a bunny rabbit!” She grinned, leading them into the kitchen where Mai and Rachel were. The girls lived together on the top floor of a condo. The main room had a wall window with an amazing view of the city.

  “Mai, what's your costume?” Marcus asked.

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m just dressed as myself.”

  “You look like a princess!” Lucia smiled.

  “I like this girl. Who is she?”

  “Lucia. She’s from Turan,” Marcus answered.

  “Welcome! We hope you have fun!” Akari exclaimed.

  “I’m a fox!” Rachel's phone avatar announced.

  “An adorable fox, bestie!” Akari hugged Rachel. “There’s plenty of food, and we have fun activities planned. Everyone else should get here soon.”

  Once all the guests had arrived, they gathered together for a few photos in their costumes to commemorate the night.

  Santos and Julius brought along dates they had met earlier, while Kobe showed up with Erika and Nicole. Marcus and Lucia seemed absorbed in each other, lost in conversation and laughter. Even Bella made an appearance, arriving with Admiral Otto, who was dressed as a pirate, much to everyone’s surprise.

  Meanwhile, Andres found himself in the kitchen, chatting with the sisters and Rachel, who were already several drinks in before most of the guests had even arrived.

  “Andres? What are your plans for when the war ends?” Akari asked, looping her arm around his. Mai and Rachel raised an eyebrow and glanced at each other.

  Andres looked at her and wondered why she was getting so close. “To be honest with you, I haven’t thought about it at all.”

  “I’m gonna keep working for Bella and become the best MAV pilot on the continent!” Mai announced. “Second to my sis, of course,”

  “I’m sure you’ll pass me, Mai, I don’t think I’ll continue after the war ends,” Akari confessed.

  “What are you gonna do?” Rachel asked, using her fox.

  Akari blushed and averted her gaze. “I want to follow my dream of being an idol. I want to make people happy and smile. Kinda silly, huh?”

  “Not at all, I think you’d be amazing at that.” Andres looked Akari in the eyes to show her he meant it.

  The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

  Akari beamed with joy. “Thank you for saying that! I’m gonna try my best! Just you watch!”

  “Can’t wait to see it.” Andres smiled at her and then took a sip of his drink. Andres didn’t see Akari blush.

  “You’re going to be the brightest star!” Rachel’s fox exclaimed.

  Mai wedged herself in between Andres and her sister. “Let’s join the others and play some games.”

  The others agreed, and the pilots spent the rest of the night enjoying each other's company. As the evening wore on, the guests began to leave one by one, each offering their thanks and saying their goodbyes. Andres was the last to leave, lingering a bit longer to help clean up and savor the last moments of the celebration.

  Akari hugged Andres as he was leaving. “Be safe, alright?”

  “Where’s that coming from?”

  “You know. I…We have a rematch, remember? You need to be at a hundred percent. So, be careful going home and on our next mission.”

  “Oh, right. Good night, Akari.” Andres waved to Mai and Rachel.

  “Good night, Andres!” Akari closed the door, and Rachel and Mai stared at her.

  “Yay! Akari got a boyfriend!” Rachel’s avatar expressed excitement.

  “No…” Akari blushed.

  “We have a rematch, remember!” Mai mocked, mimicking Akari’s voice.

  “You’re one to talk, Princess Single!” Akari teased back.

  “Hey!”

  “Let’s clean up and go to bed.”

  “Ugh! Fine!”

  ***

  Andres walked home under the light of the full moon, feeling a restless energy in his chest. He couldn't help but recall the conversation he'd had with Kara about the moon, its significance, and the feelings it stirred within them. As he continued walking, his steps seemed to guide him, almost as if they were leading him toward something. Without fully realizing it, he found himself heading in the direction of the Boltus facility, the familiar, towering structure rising ahead.

  “What are you doing here, Andres?” Kara asked as Andres entered the Knight.

  “You wanted to see the moon, right? Let’s go.”

  “Oh…I wasn’t expecting this.”

  Andres powered on the Knight, the machine's hum filling the cockpit as he piloted it to a hill just outside the city. The full moon hung high above, casting its silver light over the landscape. Sitting in the cockpit, he faced the city, the glow of Troya visible in the distance. It was the only city for miles around, and though the light pollution from the urban sprawl softened the starlight, it didn’t completely drown it out. The stars still shone faintly, a reminder of the vastness beyond the city’s limits.

  “The Moon is so pretty tonight! Thank you, Andres!”

  “You’re welcome. Why do you like the Moon so much?”

  “Think about how dark nights would be without her, especially in our post-Shattering world. I think the Moon is God’s way of reminding us that He hasn’t left us all alone. That there’s still a future to look forward to.”

  “That’s a nice way to look at things.”

  “Andres, I want to know something. You’re a really talented pilot. Why did you leave the MAV program at all?”

  “My dad played a pivotal role in ending the last war between the Republic and the Empire. I left because I didn’t think he would sacrifice himself just for my life to end just like his.”

  “So then why did you come back?”

  Andres thought for a moment. “My mom’s last wish was that I be happy and I find my purpose.”

  “Are you happy?” Kara asked.

  Andres rested his cheek against his closed hand. “No. I’m not. I’m trying to be for my mom, but I’m afraid that my fate is going to be the same as my father’s. And I figured if I can’t escape it, then I should embrace it, ya know?”

  Kara was silent for a moment. “Do you believe a chance encounter can change a person’s fate?”

  Andres thought about the evening he made his decision. How he couldn’t shake Kara’s voice and thoughts of her from his mind. “At the very least, I want to believe that can happen.”

  “I want to believe that, too. I want to help you, Andres. It’s the least I can do to repay you for waking me up.”

  “You already are helping me, Kara.”

  “But I can do more! I can show you how to use Teal Waves and use a weapon called The Phalanx! Are you familiar with the Aurora Borealis?”

  “The Northern lights?”

  “Exactly! The energy Teal gives off looks just like that, and it’s everywhere. The key to using Teal Waves is to understand that you are more than your physical body.”

  “More than my physical body?” Andres asked.

  “You know, your spirit, your soul. I’m gonna move some Teal Waves in front of you, focus on seeing them. Once you can see them, reach out and touch them.”

  “Woah… They look just like you said.” Andres reached out to touch the vibrant green waves. His hand moved right through them. “I can’t feel or touch them though....”

  “Let yourself, not your body, but your self, feel the waves that are all around you. They feel warm and cool at the same time. Focus on feeling that sensation.”

  “Yeah… I can feel them now, everywhere,” Andres marveled.

  “Good! Now try and grab them!”

  Andres reached out and grabbed some of the Teal Waves and formed them into a ball. He could see the waves stretching farther and farther, rolling all around him and flowing through his very being.

  “You’re getting it!”

  “This feels incredible. How does this relate to The Phalanx? Tell me about it.”

  “Listen up, you’re gonna like this.”