A Few Minutes Later
The Oculi Capital in Ruins
Beneath the Surface
Sublevel of the Base - Level 0
The three of them seemed to have reached an even deeper level as they finally entered the elevator together, descending to the lowest level of the base.
Before Count's eyes, he could see the walls of the tunnel surrounding the elevator transform into a panoramic view so beautiful and incredible.
Revealing the view of the elevator now out of the ground, descending through a protective mirrored tube system surrounding the elevator as it traveled downward to the ground.
In front of their eyes, amazed by that part of the open base, it resembled a vast underground city, maintaining the architecture of the capital above the surface.
They were far more advanced in technology than the present day, but the more "medieval" architecture had been preserved, honoring the memory of the former queen, Luna.
She had single-handedly created that more beautiful architecture during its construction after the great war had reached its true end between the two versions of the Oculi (the Nigri and the Albi).
As the elevator descended calmly, Urius and Lilian seemed to smile at the sight of the Count, who truly appeared like a "child" witnessing something so magical.
To them, his expression as he commented on the beauty of the buildings and the central area where they were descending with the elevator seemed quite endearing.
Located right in the center of the vast underground city, it initially resembled a compact metropolis of sorts.
However, it did not house civilians like the former capital above the base, nearly ten kilometers toward the surface; this entire underground city, from its inception three years ago, had only housed the central force of the Reginae faction's heart.
From its members, starting their training not just in combat but also in studies, to the more experienced members, who had the opportunity to become incredible teachers to the young generation, currently growing and learning.
They were also to be the future squad leaders of the royal forces, preparing for the war against the forces of the Inanis faction on the battlefield nearly a thousand kilometers away from the base.
Many civilians, during the fall of the capital, had been killed in the genocidal attack by the merciless Inanis faction.
Against the Oculi capital, which had been a sacred place for over half a century to all Oculi, whether they supported the leadership of the reigning queen or king.
The leaders held the power to guide the people toward peace and not toward another global war, like the one the Oculi world had endured nearly a thousand years ago.
Many of the surviving civilians from that bloody night of the capital five years ago ended up joining the Reginae forces, not as civilians but as warriors.
A large part of them sought nothing less than justice for their slain families. But to truly enter the Reginae faction, each of them had to set aside vengeance, understanding that the search for justice was the path their queen, Luna, most admired in life.
Luna had also sought to teach the older and younger generations, those still alive, during her time leading the colossal Oculi capital.
The greatest symbol, engraved forever in history, came from Queen Luna herself, to the entire Oculi race that followed her. She was seen as such a beautiful person, as she carried hope in her words and actions in their purest form.
She wished not to kill for the sake of killing, but to have the option in her hands to try to change the mind of her worst enemy.
This ideology, so beautiful, was used to create the Reginae faction against the forces of the Inanis faction.
The Inanis faction began to manipulate people after the death of Queen Luna during her journey to the human realm, where she never returned with her husband and guards.
She had been killed by humans, driven by the fear of the unknown, and they used the bodies of those Oculi people for their own benefit in biomedicine.
It advanced decades due to the bodies of each of them, brutally murdered by gunfire.
In light of all this, the ultimate motto of the entire Reginae faction, still present in the Oculi reality, was carried by the part of Reginae led by Luna's eldest daughter, Miss Nox. She was protecting the humans from the Inanis faction, even after what her people had done to the Oculi.
"The pursuit of vengeance will always imprison you in darkness, while the pursuit of justice will always bring you to the most beautiful light ever seen." -
Some Moments Later
Finally on the Ground
Main Boarding Area
The elevator finally reached the platform, allowing them to exit safely and walk toward the open square.
With its few trees swaying, their lightly incandescent flowers shimmering in the breeze that blew through the underground pipes.
[Count - Impressed & Happy Voice] "Incredible! It is undoubtedly as beautiful as the Oculi capital once was before its fall."
All the small entrances scattered throughout the old capital had been abandoned, situated nearly ten kilometers above the base.
[Count - Impressed & Happy Voice] "It may be a base in the eyes of all, but... [Sighs deeply, emotionally]"
Instinctively, Urius thought about inviting the Count to take a walk through the city, and especially to eat at one of the places she loved—places that were a bit farther from the city center, where they were at the present moment.
But just as they were about to make a move, both Urius and the Count were caught off guard by the sound of Lilian's communicator, indicating an important call that summoned her presence.
They both saw the look on her face, one of utter boredom and, at the same time, frustration, as it seemed like something that would take quite a while to resolve.
Lilian was required to go to the royal castle, located north of where they were—the main park of the base. This park was centrally located, surrounded by the rest of the base/city, with the main elevator leading to the upper levels above ground.
The royal castle, now rebuilt within the base, was uninhabited except for the young Queen Lilian and her sister Urius. All the rooms and regions of the castle were dedicated to the government's intelligence sector in the heart of the Reginae faction.
Lilian once again embraced the Count, asserting that he was obligated to visit her apartment, which had now become her royal residence in one of the highest towers of the base.
He embraced her back, stating that it would be an honor to visit her home, and Urius's, to see her new residence and check if they were living well.
Lilian seemed to hug him a little tighter, and in that brief moment, she whispered unexpected words into the Count's ear.
This caused him to freeze initially, while Urius remained confused, not understanding his reaction as she hadn't heard or noticed Lilian's whisper into the Count's ear.
It was at that moment, in a completely relaxed manner, that Lilian said her goodbyes to her sister, Urius, kissing her on the cheek after hugging her with such affection.
She then activated her Oculi abilities, demonstrating her increasing skill and agility as she leapt forward, her body emanating a soft, translucent, colorless flame that also shimmered from her clothes.
Lilian quickly spun in mid-air, announcing that she couldn't join them on their city stroll, but that they should enjoy double the fun in her absence.
It was at this moment that Urius and the Count were able to witness the beautiful image of Lilian—her long black hair with white tips dancing in the air as her clothes moved similarly.
Her smile was so beautiful, and her gaze conveyed warmth and love directed toward the two of them, for they were her two greatest safe havens.
After the arms of her older sister, Urius, and Miss Nox, who was absent in the Oculi realm during her mission in the human reality.
This scene lasted only a few moments, seen by the two of them in the central park near the elevator. It was enough to make them both smile and chuckle, charmed by Lilian's expression of fun and joy before she turned and leaped away, heading back toward the royal castle.
The two finally resumed their conversation, and Urius gathered the courage to invite the Count to visit the establishment she loved.
The Count respectfully accepted and stated that it would be an honor to accompany her and perhaps even try the food from that place alongside her.
This was enough to leave her slightly flushed, embarrassed by the kindness of his gaze, which made her feel awkward.
The two continued walking toward the establishment that Urius wanted to take him to.