Astral's Adventures

After an hour Sora looked inside the tent as all three of them were asleep. "How much do you know about Astral, James?" Sora gently speaks to him as he adds a log to the fire. The three of them were awake as the stars shone through the sky.

"The greatest warrior ever, one who led armies to impossible victories, with the help of trusted allies." James wanted to give no more information as he slowly remembered the fight where it all went wrong. "And yourself, you feel like you know more than what is actually going on."

Sora chuckled lightly as he smiled. "I have heard fabled stories passed down from household to household directly from the Queen's mouth if you believe that. Astral being a butcher of all, not caring for those except for his path of personal vengeance." Lilac woke up as she peeked her head out the tent.

"Astral doesn't seem like that, he killed the wolf pack in self defense." Angel interjected. "We were sent to kill you, little did we know Astral saved you first." She leaned back into a tree. "Believe it or not, the Queens aren't happy with your stunt."

"Well of course they aren't. I stayed in a cell powerless as they asked for everything that I know, and I told them that Astral is alive but I had no clue where." Sora's cape wrapped him in its own hug. "They asked about all the pressure he was under and his battle, in the moment where he shattered. I have no clue how to describe it other than artwork."

James shook his head as he didn't remember any colors, just Titan, and his malice and strength. "Astral did everything under his own personal gain. He would sell your souls for his gain if he could." Sora laid the guilt on heavy as Angel had a confused look on her face.

"He wouldn't." James put his head between his legs. "All I remember is him trying to save everyone he could. He doesn't just care for himself, nor his trio. They all did as much as they could to protect everyone. And yet, they are the ones vilified?" James stood up. Pointing his fingers at Sora. "Something is amiss with you." He held firm as Angel tugged at his sweatshirt. It hit him, she lost her memories too.

"Ah yes, I am sure Lilac can attest to this that all Astral has done so far is kill everyone in his path and recruit those to use to his gain, do you think you are special?" Sora dug deep at the two of them as Lilac was stunned by silence.

"Yes, I can't remember much, all I see is Astral and two others hugging me, protecting me, even in a moment of weakness." Angel stood up. "Whatever happened, Astral is the one who solved it." Her wings fluttered as she and James both felt uneasy.

"Angel, we need to talk, we will be back in the morning." James took her hand as Lilac reached out.

"Astral seems really nice, but remember, there are two sides to every story." Lilac tried to apply her wisdom to the two as they walked away. "Even if what you say is true about Astral, he is a protector of those close to him. The proof is the two of us, and the two of them." She crawled back into the tent as Sora sat alone in silence.

"Man, they don't know what the end goal this time is. This time it is all for himself, I fear that as much as I can. Astral can be described on both sides, you are right Lilac." Sora looked at the sky and the stars. 'But even then he has created a greater curse than any can see. One that will last till his death.'

'Have more faith.' The angelic voice echoed down to Sora as he shrugged.

"Angel, dig deep, how much do you remember about Astral, how does he make you feel?" James held his sister by the cheeks as they sat atop one of the pine trees.

"Astral, no memories, I keep thinking there is something so familiar about him, yet I cannot quite put my finger on it." Angel smiled to him. "But when I am next to him, all I feel is safe." Her eyes glimmered as the moon shined on them.

"You were cursed in a fight to forget everything. Titan, our mortal enemy paused the curse as we fought, your arm? It was ripped off in the fight, none of it sounds familiar? Astral, May, Jaimie, Adam? Am I the only one to remember the legacy?" James had tears in his eyes if it all was crumbling before him.

The realization hit Angel, she recognized all of these names. Yet no memories appeared from them. "If I have no memory of it, is it due to the curse? But then why do I remember how to fight at an elite level?"

James wiped his eyes dry. Having a light chuckle. "It's our instinct to fight. For now, let's focus on the basics. Let's get you to remember what the curse was. I wonder if they know who Mu is?" He had a faint idea then got worried. She looked up at him as he shook his head.

"No, is Mu the one who cursed me?" She asked as James slowly nodded. "So if Astral knows that type of magic he can cure me?" She smiled as she finally had a chance to remember it all.

'Not quite, Astral's current magic prowess isn't unlocked. Once we teach Tina the countercurse. I shall free your mind.' An angelic voice whispered to them as a star shone above them, twinkling and winking at them.

"Wait, before you go, does that mean the memories are there?" Angel stretched her arms to the sky as the star blinked before fading away. "I will remember it all. This is truly a day to be happy." She started feeling tears stream down her face as both of them hugged each other.

"So the plan will be to stay by his side while watching Sora closely?" James asked his sister as she nodded yes into his shoulder. "We are one step closer to being back to what we have thought as normal." The two nodded as they slid down the trees back to the ground as they prepared to go back to the fire and watch the camp. Once they arrived they would find an awake Astral with Sora sleeping.

"He decided to take a nap as I came out here to check on you two. I feel close to you, once I get back my memories, it'll come to me." Astral smiled as the two hugged him. "Get some rest you two, you have earned it." They let go of him as they curled up together inside of the tent. Astral stared out to the stars.