6 Chapter 5- Amaranthine Serpent

"It has finally begun Hali," Adriel spoke with his eyes glued to the display before him. They followed the endless body of the Amaranthine Serpent while it slithered through space as if it were water. The scales glowed with the radiance of a star. "Your as beautiful as ever my love, the serpents brilliance befits you, this trip was truly worth it."

"It's a sight to behold, I have yet to witness something more glorious." Her voice came out as sweet as honey. "How long has it been since the Serpent has appeared in our galaxy?"

"A long time indeed my love. The mythics can only predict, we'll never know for sure. The only thing that is for certain is that even with the extended lifespan of a cultivator, this still only happens once in a million lifetimes."

Adriel averted his gaze, sweeping it over the rest of the display which consisted of the vast blackness of space, landing his eyes on his wife instead. The serpent's light complimented her golden hair as well as the olive skin their family was known for. While he occupied himself with staring at his wife he heard the door slide open. The two of them turned at the same time.

Accompanied by the clicking of heels, a beauty every bit as resplendent as his wife walked in. She lit up the room with her vibrant yellow dress and golden hair, the rest of the observation deck was all black aside from the display which usually consisted of more of the same.

"Such precarious footwear my young astéri, but nonetheless, you look as beautiful as ever." Phaedra rounded their chairs which resembled thrones, kissing her mother lightly on the cheek, stepping up to give him one as well. Not allowing her the chance, he stepped down from his seat wrapping her in a tight bear hug. "We are not so formal in the company of family Astéri." She smiled, her teeth as white as snow, "forgive me, father."

"So this is what we came all the way to the edge of the galaxy to see. You were both right, the trip was quite worth it." For a time, the three of them stared at the Serpent, it was said that it would signify the rise of their family back to glory.

The primordial serpent was a space-faring beast like most of the dragons but many times more powerful than anything native to the Milky Way. Prior to the expansion when man gained the capability to travel beyond their solar system, dragons were only a myth. Dragons are sustained by solar energy, the larger the star the better chance of the system being inhabited by the beasts. Sadly, the earth's sun was to small, the only dragons appearing on Mercury or Venus, rarely venturing further.

The legendary Amaranthine Serpent gave off a solar energy of its own. Around the massive body that seemed to have no end, hundreds of dragons could be seen following it. The migrant beasts followed it wherever it went. As for the beast itself, no one knew exactly what's its motives were for traveling the universe.

Breaking the silence, Phaedra spoke. "It seems your youngest has found himself in trouble once again."

Adriel sighed. "What this time?"

"It seems he has found himself acquainted with a mistress by the name of Aliviana Drogo, a hunter of The Order. She crash-landed on New Sol where she was followed by them. The haven is now under siege.

Halimeda's normally elegant countenance turned grim. "What is he doing with one of the orders dogs."

"Not sure, I've only gathered this much from the planetary surveillance, New Sol is locked down. Hadrian has initiated the protocol so it seems he is planning a slaughter."

"Go to him Phaedra, I don't want my son mingling with trash. No mercy." As the Sol matriarch, Halimeda could be as ruthless as she was beautiful.

"No need," Adriel interjected. "Castor is already on his way."

"Are you sure father? You know how brother can be when it comes to The Order."

He nodded. "I am, now is as good a time as any to spark the fire, the flames of war will soon be upon us. Now join me my Astéri, my Fengári, today, we usher in a new era."

The three of them joined hands and outside their ship, a symbol began to appear, made pearly of light. A complex pattern weaved its way into existence and the three of them began an ancient chant. Their voices shifting into another language as they spoke. The light of the symbol grew brighter and all three of them began to sweat, his body ached from the strain. Being the only one at the Tianshang realm, Adriel's body was under the most strain. Abruptly, the symbol launched across the vacuum of space and right towards the serpent's body. Attempting to brand itself there. Dozens of the dragons moved to block the symbol which burned them, many of the smaller ones turned to ash immediately but more just moved to block the rune. Eventually, the light extinguished and the rune vanished.

"Again." His tone didn't allow for the slightest defiance. With their hands together, they began the chant. More of the same, the countless dragons moved to defend the serpent and again they formed the rune. Repeatedly all three of them joined hands to form the rune and over and over they were barred by the dragons.

Breathless and sweaty, all three of them stopped chanting. "It's no use father."

"We must succeed." He stopped, feeling the sweat dripping from him, he hadn't worked this hard in ages. He missed the life that his children had, able to thwart the order whenever they wanted. Instead, he sat in a chair commanding other to do it for him. He'd worked tirelessly to protect his family and failing to obtain the serpent meant there could be no sure outcome for what lay ahead. "We must get stronger. Phaedra, what is your current level of power?"

"I'm at the intermediate stage of the Kuo Zheng realm, nearing the pinnacle stage."

"Leave us Astéri, return only when you have broken through to the pinnacle stage."

She nodded. "I will take my leave then Ilios." With another round of clicking, she exited the observation deck.

"We will do the same my love. Join me inside Sol Prime, together our family will obtain the serpent and only then can we exterminate the abominations created by The Order." The two of them sat on the floor of the observation deck and closed their eyes while joining hands. When they opened them again, they were atop a mountain. A vast expanse of smaller mountains surrounded them, none of which reached even half the height or glory of their own peak.

Taking in a deep breath Halimeda spoke. "Truly a fantastic reality marble my love, let us train." Out of both their backs, two pairs of Feathery wings sprouted. Adriel's a golden brown while Halimeda's were a flawless Snow White. At the same time, each of them launched into the air, soaring above the endless expanse of peaks.