Chapter 45: The Hero God

Vyran

The darkness of space enveloped me, a vast expanse of nothingness that both terrified and intrigued. I wasn't in Valkyrie; there were no metal walls to shield me, no cockpit to sit in. Just me and the stars, an endless sea of light in the void.

I should have been afraid, but I wasn't. There was a calmness here, a serenity that I had never felt before. I could see Orginal, a jewel among the cosmos, its blue and green hues vibrant against the black. And around me, the stars seemed to sing, a chorus of voices that resonated with the very essence of my being.

In this dream, I was more than just a pilot or a mechanic. I was part of something greater, a thread woven into the fabric of the universe itself. I could feel the pulse of creation, the heartbeat of existence. It was overwhelming, yet it filled me with an indescribable peace.

As I floated, I thought of the hero god from our mother's stories. Was this how he felt as he traversed the heavens, a guardian watching over Retra? Was this the source of his power, this connection to all things?

I reached out, my hand brushing against the fabric of space, and it rippled like water. I could feel the energy coursing through me, a power that was mine to command, if only I believed.

And I did believe. In that moment, I believed in the impossible, in the power of the heart and soul over the cold logic of technology. I believed in our fight against Titanos, in our ability to overcome the darkness that threatened to consume us.

A voice echoed through the stars, a whisper that seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere.

As I continued to fly through the vastness of space, I eventually came to a stop.

My eyes widened as a giant golden mecha stood, uh floated, before me. It was huge! The size of a dwarf planet.

I willed myself closer, landing on its head. There were mountains of metal everywhere! I knew there were planetary ships out there, but never had I heard of a planetary mecha.

The surface of the colossal mecha was cold to the touch, a stark contrast to the warmth of the stars that had surrounded me moments before. I stood there, a speck upon its metallic forehead, gazing out at the universe from this new vantage point. The sense of scale was dizzying, and for a moment, I felt as if I could topple into the abyss.

But the dream held me firm, and curiosity drove me forward. I found a hatch, seemingly waiting for me, and with a gentle push, it opened, revealing a passage into the heart of the giant. The interior was a labyrinth of corridors and chambers, each one more intricate than the last.

As I ventured deeper, the mecha seemed to come alive around me. Lights flickered on, illuminating my path, and the hum of dormant machinery began to resonate through the walls. It was as if the mecha recognized me, acknowledged me as more than just an intruder.

I came across a central chamber, vast and open, with a throne-like seat in the center. It was surrounded by panels and controls, all dormant, yet humming with potential. I approached the seat, and as I did, a sense of understanding washed over me.

This wasn't just a mecha; it was a legacy, a testament to the power of love and the strength of the heart. It was the embodiment of the hero god's spirit, the spirit of undying love.

I sat upon the throne, and the mecha responded. A crown of light formed above my head, and the panels sprang to life, a symphony of lights and sounds that filled the chamber. I could feel the mecha's power coursing through me, a bond forming between us.

"We are one," I whispered, and the mecha echoed my words, its voice a deep rumble that vibrated through my very soul.

With a thought, I commanded the mecha to move, and it obeyed. We rose through the cosmos, a golden stream of light across the vastness of space.

I gasped as I felt a wave of energy course through me. My eyes felt heavy, as if tired. W-what was going on?

The fatigue was sudden, an unexpected weight that pressed down on me, urging my eyes to close.

When I opened my eyes, I found myself back in space. There, amidst the stars, a golden figure stood resolute, a literal beacon of light against an encroaching darkness that swarmed like a galactic-level locust swarm. The swarm were devouring the light from the nearby stars, causing them to go dim.

The brave lone figure was titanic, its form radiating a brilliance that outshone the surrounding stars. It was as if the hero god from the tales of old had come to life, standing guard over the universe itself. With each motion of his sword, waves of light cascaded outward, a radiant force that pushed back against the encroaching darkness. 

Yet, the darkness was relentless. For every wave of light that the golden figure unleashed, the shadows regrouped and surged forward, a never-ending tide of malice. It was a battle of wills, of light against dark, love against destruction.

I gulped as I realized the darkness wasn't pouring out from within Retra, but from outside. The fabric of space-time around us was shattering, the darkness seeped through the cracks and formed into beings with eyes like predators.

Despite the fear, I watched, transfixed, as the golden figure continued his valiant stand. Each burst of light was a testament to his unwavering spirit, a declaration that it would not yield, would not falter in the face of overwhelming odds.

And then, the figure turned his gaze upon me, I couldn't make out his face, but I could see his eyes. In them, I saw a reflection of my own soul. It was a call to arms, a silent plea for me to join the fight, to lend my hand in the struggle.

Despite being only a lowly human, I raised my hand, and light gathered around it, a mirror of the golden figure's power. I could feel the connection between us, a bond forged in the crucible of shared conviction.

With a shout, I released the light, sending it hurtling towards the swarm of darkness. It joined the golden figure's assault, a combined force that pushed back against the swarm. For a moment, the darkness wavered, and I felt a surge of triumph.

But the victory was short-lived. The swarm regrouped once more, its numbers seemingly endless. The golden figure nodded at me, a silent acknowledgment of our effort, and then turned back to the fray.

I knew then that this was not a battle to be won in a single moment. It was a war of attrition, one that required persistence. It was a battle of wills.

The dream began to fade, the stars dimming as I was pulled back to the waking world. The last thing I saw was the golden figure, standing tall amidst the stars, a sentinel against the primodial darkness. But the feeling remained, a fire kindled within me that would not be extinguished.

I awoke on the island, the first light of dawn creeping over the horizon. I sat up, the lucid dream still vivid in my mind. It was more than just a dream; it was a revelation, a promise of what we could achieve.

"We will not give in," I whispered to the dawn. "We will fight. For Orginal, for Retra, and for the legacy of the hero god who fights with us still."

My eyes widened as I saw a flash in my head like a vision. I saw a face. One that was hard to make out, but it was smiling back at me.

Suddenly, a holographic screen popped up. I sat up and tilted my head. It read, "New skill awakened: Cosmic Resonance."

I blinked, the words on the holographic screen blurring into focus as I tried to comprehend their meaning. A new skill? In my dream, I had felt a connection to the universe, a power that went beyond the physical realm. Could it be that the dream had unlocked something within me?

I stood up, feeling a strange sense of clarity. The dream must've been more than a mere figment of my imagination; it was a message, a guide to what I could become. Cosmic Resonance—the name itself suggested a harmony with the cosmos, a way to tap into the energy that bounded all things together.

I raised my hand, focusing on the sensation I had felt in the dream. There was a hum in the air, a vibration that seemed to respond to my will. The skill was real; I could feel it. Although, it paled in comparison to the power I had displayed against the swarm in the dream.

"Varia," I called out, my voice steady with newfound confidence. "I think I've discovered something important."

My sister stirred from her slumber, her eyes opening to the new day. "What is it?" she asked, sensing the urgency in my tone.

I explained the dream to her, the golden mecha, the battle against the darkness, and the skill that had awakened within me. Her eyes widened with each word, reflecting the wonder and the possibilities that lay before us.

"We have a new weapon in our arsenal," I concluded. "And I believe it will be key in our fight against Titanos."

Varia stroked her chin. "Then let's not waste any time. Show me this Cosmic Resonance. I want to see how real it is."

Seemed she was skeptical of me, but it didn't matter.

Together, we walked over to the shore of the island, the first rays of sunlight warming our skin. I closed my eyes and reached out with my mind, tapping into the skill that had been gifted to me. The air around us shimmered, and for a moment, it felt as if the universe itself was listening.

When I opened my eyes, I held a sword of light like that which the hero god in my dreams had.

"You're not using your cybernetic powers, are you?" Varia asked.

I shook my head. "No. Put your hand close to it. It's different from the typical plasma sword."

Varia held her hand toward the sword and smiled. "It's warm, like the first rays of the dawn."

"Yeah. I know it sounds silly, but I think I really did meet the Hero God in my dreams." I knew that we were no longer alone in our struggle. We had the power of the Hero God on our side, and with it, we would turn the tide against Titanos.

The battle for Orginal, for Retra, was far from over, but with this gift from the Hero God as our ally, we had hope. And hope was the first step toward victory against a daunting enemy.