[Chapter 7]

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  Zeldronia Age 598. Daycle 14 → 15. 50 hours later…

  Yzarluzz's wraith returned with a thousandfold vengeance as KiAera lay slumped on her couch, a super-deluxe tub of ice cream in one hand and a throbbing headache threatening to make her brain explode into smithereens.

  "Ugh," she groaned. The drawback of the Ultimate form was absolutely horrendous. She hadn't felt this awful since catching the flu back in junior high.

  She craved an world's supply of calories. Her gaze swept over the pile of emptied plates and bowls on her table, the dozens of ravaged "Party"-size bags of potato chips crumpled on the floor, and the drained "Ultra Big Gulp" smoothies scattered carelessly around the room made her sigh.

  The sight was a testament to her recent escapade in the wasteland rather than a typical Saturday binge.

  "Why did I think the overwhelming chaos and tragedy would somehow make me feel better?" she muttered to herself, shoving another spoonful of ice cream into her mouth, the coldness a sharp contrast to her throbbing temples.

  But her mind thought back to the past, racing, tangled up in the remnants of the battle fought. The Voltwasp Emperor's piercing eyes, the crackling energy of his stingers, and the blinding explosion when she unleashed that final attack all played back like an action film on repeat.

  KiAera groaned and rubbed her forehead, trying to push away the remnants of Yzarluzz's fury that still lingered in her head.

  The room was silent, save for the occasional creaks and groans of her condo's furniture. She could still feel the power coursing through her veins from her Ultimate Form Shift, but the price of using it weighed heavily on her.

  She glanced at the time. "Fifty hours?" she exclaimed incredulously. "Fifty hours of recovery for a ten-minute battle? This is ridiculous!"

  In Zeldritzon, that was equivalent to nearly half a day of its 120-hour cycle. She sighed, letting her head fall back against the couch cushions. It was frustrating, but she knew the risks. Powerful transformations came with their own toll, and hers was particularly steep.

  "Ugh, I need a vacation," she said, her thoughts swirling. She longed for moments of calm after intense confrontations like the one with Yzarluzz. Maybe a sunny beach, a book, and a cocktail. Anything that didn't involve life-and-death stakes.

  A drop of ice cream landed on her exposed collarbone. KiAera didn't shiver. She expected a chill to wash over her; however, it never happened, as her current physiology prevented her from feeling cold—and even hot—sensations to an astounding degree.

  Left in nothing but undergarments, she noticed how much of a mess she was and realized she was in need of a prompt shower.

  Suddenly, the comm link on her console started blinking. "Of course," she huffed. "Like I could get a moment of peace." With a reluctant sigh, she reached across the couch, still clutching the half-melted tub of ice cream, and pressed the button.

  The holographic display flickered to life, revealing the familiar face of her friend and fellow Chimeron, Gilbud. His features were elephant-like because he was one. To be more exact, he was a Baku: a creature resembling a tapir, with an adorable elephantine face and big ears that were irresistible to touch. His furrowed brow and wide eyes conveyed an urgency that snapped KiAera to attention.

  "Yo! KiAera! Thank the stars you're alright! But it's not looking good. The Council just received intel about Lorgagore's mobilization, and it doesn't look like they're just sending a squad this time. Your battle with Yzarluzz has drawn attention, and now they're doubling down!"

  KiAera's heart sank. "Lorgagore? That bastard is here?"

  "Not exactly, yo. It's Yzarluzz's son. He's assembling an army, yo. Something big is happening, and we can't let him gain a foothold." He paused, a hint of clarity returning to his voice. "We need your power to rally the others, to strategize. We can't let fear spread like wildfire!"

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

  She could feel the weight of responsibility settling back on her shoulders. Her stomach churned at the thought of facing Lorgagore again. "I just got out of a whirlwind of injury and ice cream. Can't it wait? Can't it be someone else?"

  As much as she didn't want to send one of her comrades into battle, she realized she had twelve Division Captains at her disposal. She was experiencing a debilitating cooldown, which hindered how much power she could bring to the table right now. From her prior experience with the Ultimate forms, she may need a dozen days of rest depending on the transformation. Yet, the thought of letting down her friends and the people of Lyloreama gnawed at her conscience.

  Her mind swept through her options as she sifted through faces and capabilities. One monster came to mind: a hulking, knightly figure. Deer skull. Antlers. Crimson lightning. The Division 2 Captain.

  "Where is Endigo Zest?" KiAera asked.

  Gilbud's expression brightened for a moment before he grimaced, his ears drooping slightly. "Endigo's out on reconnaissance near the northern borders. We sent him to scout a potential Venolisk horde that popped up a few days ago. But I'm betting he can be back in no time, yo! He won't want to miss a chance to crush those creeps!"

  KiAera contemplated the urgency of their predicament. Endigo was an imposing figure standing high above the rest of the Division Captains in terms of offensive might, and normally fought independently. But while she respected his strength, she also knew what it meant to command the attention of the Council and forge a battle plan.

  The leadership she provided would not only galvanize the Division Captains but bolster the morale of their comrades, many of whom were still reeling from Yzarluzz's defeat.

  "Get him back here as soon as possible," she replied. "We can't afford to wait around. If Yzarluzz's son is gathering an army, we need to be ready to counteract it."

  "Right-o!" Gilbud saluted. "I'll send a message through the field comms. And I'll rally Division 3 to keep watch over the east flank. When you're up to speed, we'll rally everyone together!"

  "Thanks, Gilbud. You've always got my back." She forced a smile, even as dread twisted in her belly. It was a small comfort among the dastardly storm brewing in the horizon.

  "Always, yo! I'll keep you posted," he said, and with that, the holographic display flickered and faded, leaving KiAera alone once more in her cluttered sanctuary. She glanced at the remains of her snack feast.

  "Alright, KiAera," she said to herself, "it's time to shake off the ice cream blues and step back into action."

  KiAera closed her eyes, pushing back the overwhelming fatigue. She swung her legs off the couch and stood up, her body protesting with aches from the battle, but she pushed through.

  Suddenly, her foot slipped on a smooth bag of discarded chips, and her head went crashing through a low table. She exhaled, unharmed by the predicament, yet her pride felt otherwise as she picked herself up, brushing crumbs from her hair and glaring at the remnants of her snack indulgence. "Great. Just great," she muttered, rolling her eyes at the absurdity of the situation.

  She only hoped no one had witnessed her shame.

  "Oh my gosh," she heard snickering behind a muffled voice.

  Her gaze trailed over to the door of her high-rise balcony, where she noticed the familiar figure of Xetra sneaking inside with a wide grin plastered across her face. Xetra had a knack for showing up at the most inconvenient times, but there was something about the woman's cheerful demeanor that made it hard to stay irritated for long.

  "Caught in the act, huh?" Xetra teased, stepping fully into the room. "I see you've decreed it Ice Cream Weekend. But if I had known I was interrupting the great Queen of the Wasteland, I would have brought a banner!"

  KiAera groaned, rubbing her temples. "Yeah, I guess you could call it that. Just fought a big ol' battle with Yzarluzz and was trying to unwind. But then—" She waved her arm dramatically at the mess. "Things got out of hand."

  Xetra's eyes widened as she surveyed the wreckage. "Is that a Party-size bag of chips? The large tub of ice cream? KiAera, you're on a whole new level of snacking. What's next, a full buffet for breakfast?"

  "Laugh it up," KiAera shot back, trying to suppress a smile. "I needed something to cope with the aftermath of transforming into a cosmic goddess and blasting an emperor into another dimension. It's exhausting work!" She paused, then added, "But it's not over yet. We've got bigger problems."

  Xetra's expression shifted to one of concern. "What happened?"

  "Yzarluzz's son is mobilizing an army. You've met Gilbud, right? Liozel must have introduced you. Anyway, Gilbud is getting Endigo back, but we need to act fast. The Council is rattled, and we can't let fear take root."

  "Of course," Xetra nodded, her playful demeanor gone. "What do you need from me?"

  “Not just yet. I'm still recovering from that power shift. As much as I hate to admit it, I need to strategize and regroup. When Endigo gets here, we'll need all the minds we can gather to address this threat."

  "Got it. I'll help rally the others, get everyone prepped. We're not letting this son of a bug bring Lorgagore's curse back into play," Xetra said firmly. "But KiAera, please… take care of yourself. You're not invincible, no matter how many forms you can shift your lovely hips into."

  KiAera chuckled, only to step away, heading toward her bathroom. "I'll grab a quick shower. Make yourself comfortable. Don't overindulge."

  "Sure, sure," Xetra gestured her hand in a playful dismissal. "Take all the time you need. I'll just help myself to your fridge and pantries."

  With a huff of mock annoyance, KiAera rolled her eyes as she watched Xetra trudge toward the kitchenette. "While you're in there, prepare me some tea, if you know how to work the kettle," KiAera called.

  Maybe some hot tea would soothe my pounding headache.