War of the Convergence: Rulers of the Galaxy, #3

By M.R. Anglin

The Day of Convergence is approaching, and everyone in the solar system must prepare. Lumina has gathered as many Cosmic Guardians as she can to stem the tide against the deadly black hole Guardians looming outside the galaxy's borders. Should they breach her line, they may travel to Geon and slaughter the humans living there. Worse, they may even break through to attack the humans on Geon. Or worse, destroy Helio and the sun while he sleeps. One lesser Moon Guardian, Neera, might have concocted a plan to help boost their chances, but can she convince Lumina to let her try?

 

On Geon, the Moon Princess and Sun Prince prepare the citizens of Geon for their part in the battle. The entire Night Guard trains nightly for combat with supernatural Cosmic Guardians while the rest of the populace get ready to evacuate to specially prepared bunkers. Reilly and his friend, Sage, are doing their best to put a good face on it all, but a mysterious Silence plagues their thoughts. What is this Silence, and what do the two boys have to do with the war brewing in the heavens?

• Language: English
• Publisher: M.R. Anglin
• Release date: Nov 23, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201138400

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

THE SURFACE OF SHREN’S moon, officially named PX-59, was surprisingly pleasing. The satellite orbited Plútz, the last planet in the Heliotic Solar System, as it had for so many millennia. It, along with Plútz and the rest of its moons, formed the solar system’s first line of defense from hostile Cosmic Guardians trying to invade the galaxy. One would think an outpost mainly valued for its defensive properties would be as bland and empty as the other moons orbiting the planet. But not this one.

From his view in Plandte’s Fortress, Junen surveyed the moon’s undulating landscape. In contrast to Plútz’s black, barren surface and cold winds, PX-59 contained a layer of fine, gray dirt, a dry fountain, a lakebed with no water in it, a rudimentary atmosphere which lightened the darkness of space to a deep gray. Most unusually, a structure made of glass and a section of brown earth—both with plants growing in them—stood in a shallow depression. The plants were not the grayish sprouts Lumina cultivated on Geon’s moon, nor the fiery sun flowers which thrived on the sun’s hot surface, nor even the hardy, windswept shrubs on Junen’s own planet, Jants. No, the ones growing on Shren’s moon were the green, living plants found on Geon, the only planet in this solar system which could harbor mortal life.

Even so, the vegetation here remained small and wiry, owing to the poor atmosphere and soil as well as the moon’s large distance from the sun. The ones in the greenhouse, however, thrived—though they stayed smaller than their Geonian counterparts. All of this made Junen wonder, what had Shren been up to when she had had her untimely demise?

He halted, freezing the flow of his thoughts. He hadn’t intended his mind to wander in such a direction. Shren’s death was, in a way, his fault. His actions last year had weakened Helio, the Guardian of the sun, which in turn, weakened Plandte’s perimeter around Plútz and allowed their enemies to attack. Shren had been killed while defending her Guardian in the following skirmish.

Junen turned away from the moon hovering in the distance. He couldn’t bear to look it any longer, much less face the other Guardians milling about the fortress waiting for Shren’s funeral to start.

While the home Plandte had build on Plútz was called a fortress, it was anything but. The interior boasted a wide open space supported by black columns. The walls were comprised of glass, allowing Plandte to see out in any direction at any time, but also allowed his enemies to see in. As a matter of fact, from his place in front of said windows, Junen spied Helio, Lumina, and Plandte speaking together on Shren’s moon. Though he could have tuned his ears in to what they were talking about, but he didn’t bother. He already knew they were discussing him and the mess he had caused.

The other Guardians had put him on trial for his crimes against the system, but his sentencing had been put on hold until after Shren’s funeral and the Convergence had occurred.

He shrank down as much as his body would allow him to—until he was standing nine feet tall, still taller than any other Guardian in the system usually would. Normally he would revel in his height, his large muscles, and long, brick colored hair which flowed down his back in a braid. But today he wished he could shrink lower—wished he could retreat to his planet and escape his peers’ judging eyes. Why had he even come here? For once, he wished he hadn’t chosen so giant a form.

The jingling of metal rings interrupted his self-loathing. Glancing to the side, he spied Rin, Guardian of the planet Rindt, approaching him. She had chosen the form of a young girl with golden hair which fell in ringlets about her face. She wore giant hoop earrings and a hoop skirt dress. Bracelets adorned her wrists, anklets her feet, and rings her fingers. She even wore bracelets on her arms. All the jewelry she bore caused her to jingle when she moved and also earned her the nickname, Lady of Luxury.

She stood next to Junen—barely coming up to his waist—and tapped her toes, glaring at him with such ferocity that Junen flinched. He knew he shouldn’t have left Jants today.

Well? Rin put her fists on her hips. The motion set off a musical mass of jingles. Don’t you have anything to say to me?

H-hello, Rin.  Junen peeked at her out of the corner of his eye. Um, h-how are your planet’s rings?

Her nose flared. Still ovals thanks to you! You moved your stupid hulk of a planet away from its orbit, and the gravity swing shifted them all out of whack. She stomped her foot. Rindt’s song is still a dirge!

Junen winced. The song she referred to was the melody all planets sang into space—their electromagnetic fields interfering with solar winds. It was also the way a planet communicated with its Guardian. For Rin’s planet to still be in mourning over what he had done . . .

He ducked his head even lower. How long until you get them back to normal?

Fifty standard years!  Rin poked his stomach with each word. I’m still waiting for you to say something to me!

Rin, I’m so sorry. Junen wrung his hands together. I didn’t mean to destabilize your rings. I know how much you love them. Please forgive me. I was foolish.

Finally! Rin rolled her eyes. I thought you’d never apologize!

Junen ventured to look her full in the face. A smile had spread over her lips. All you wanted was an apology?

Yup. Rin jumped up to sit on his shoulder. He had to grow in size to accommodate her. We all know what you did was wrong, Junen, but you acted like you didn’t care about how your actions affected anyone else. It’s why we were so mad at you. At least, it’s why I was.

I don’t deserve anyone’s forgiveness. Junen buried his face in his hands. Deapsaite played me, and now I’ve destroyed everything. With Helio in the state he’s in, we’re practically defenseless. What’s worse, the orbits of the planets I destabilized are all out of whack and won’t align during the Convergence. I nearly murdered two innocent children as well as rebelled against Helio and Lumina. If my plans had succeeded, we would have had no defenses at all when the sun goes out. As it is, there’s not much chance we can make it through the Convergence. How can I show my face to anyone again?

You can start by apologizing. Rin nudged him. Everyone knows you were trying to protect the system when you tried to take over the sun. All you can do now is admit your mistake, and do what it takes to fix it. We can make it through this. I hear the Scribe, the Moon Princess, and Lumina have a plan in place to defend everyone.

Really?

Rin nodded. Besides, your punishment couldn’t be worse than Helio and Lumina’s. She shuddered.

True. Junen nodded gravely. Long ago, when all the Guardians were young, Helio and Lumina had embroiled Geon in a petty argument which nearly destroyed Geon and the human population living there. The Great King himself had to come and rebalance the planet to allow life to survive once more. They were banished from Geon as a result. Only the intervention of the soon-to-be first Sun Prince and Moon Princess had kept their punishment from being worse.

There’s Alandri. Rin hopped off of Junen’s shoulder. Why don’t you apologize to her first?

Junen turned in the direction Rin had pointed. Alandri had arrived, fashionably late as usual, and was crossing the wide space between the front and back of the fortress. At the moment, she had paused and gazed at a sunken place in Plandte’s fortress. Junen believed the area was called a conversation pit.

I . . . I don’t know about this. Junen swung away from Alandri. His actions had nearly caused Alandri to lose her Sentinel of the Northern Kingdom, after all. Everyone knew she loved her Sentinel almost as much as Helio and Lumina loved their Prince and Princess. Possibly, more.

Don’t be such a baby. Rin caught Junen’s braid in her grasp. Using it as a lead, she yanked him toward Alandri. Hi, Alandri.

Rin. Hello, love. Alandri looked up at Junen—and her smile faded on her pink lips.

Alandri was the only Guardian who changed her appearance on a regular basis. Sometimes she was short and curvy, other times long and lean. Sometimes blonde, sometimes brunette . . . sometimes fair-skinned, other times as dark as Plútz’s surface. She was always looking for beautiful forms among humans to mimic, but couldn’t decide which was the most beautiful. Happily, today, she had chosen her default look—pink hair, pale skin, purple eyes. Perhaps the gravity of the situation had dulled her experimentation.

Looking up at Junen, Alandri thrust her hands on her hips. Hello, Junen.

Hello, Alandri. Junen averted his eyes.

Well? Rin gave the braid a tug. Go on.

Alandri, I . . . I’m sorry.  Junen played with his fingers. Because of me, you almost lost your Sentinel, and . . . well . . . there it is.

Alandri pressed her lips together as she studied Junen. I would have never thought it possible. She smiled at Rin. You really do have him trained, don’t you?

Junen started. Trained?

’Trained’ is such a harsh word.  Rin leaned against Junen as if he were a wall. I gave him a push in the right direction is all. You know how hard he can be on himself.

He certainly has been sulking long enough.  Alandri floated in the air to pat Junen’s cheek. Don’t worry about my Sentinel, love. I still have plenty of chances to lose him, and it has nothing to do with you. That said, she floated outside to greet the other Guardians.

Junen watched Alandri float away. Does . . . that mean she forgives me?

I think maybe . . . Rin sighed. I don’t know. Alandri’s . . . special. I don’t understand her half the time, but she didn’t seem angry anymore, so . . .

True. Junen let some of his guilt trickle off of him. If she could forgive him, then . . .

There’s Helio and Lumina. Rin pointed to Shren’s moon. Let’s apologize to them next.

The guilt crashed down upon him again. Maybe later. Junen turned to go in the opposite direction.

For crying out loud! Rin grabbed his hair again and towed him into space.

Junen let Rin escort him over to the two Head Guardians reigning over the solar system. Truth be told, he could easily escape Rin’s grasp if he wanted. He was both bigger and stronger. But . . . having her there when he confronted them gave him confidence. At least someone stood at his side. With her there, he could face anyone. Among the Guardians, Rin was his closest friend.

Once she entered PX-59’s orbit though, she slowed to a halt. I’m going to stay here. Rin let Junen’s hair fall through her hand. I hear Plandte is having a hard time keeping the moon stable. My weight might make it worse.

Why is he having trouble? Junen raised an eyebrow. Even with Shren gone, the moon should follow its natural orbit.

I have no idea. Rin’s voice took on a melancholy tone. I don’t have any moons, remember?

Junen studied Rin’s face. She had always taken pride in her rings—no other planet in the system had them. But . . . was that a tone of regret? Junen had always suspected she didn’t have moons because she had rings, so could this be . . . a hint of jealousy tainting her voice?

Shoving the thought aside, Junen headed off to the moon. He landed as lightly as he could. Even so, he felt the moon shudder in his orbit. Plandte automatically held out his arms to stabilize it without missing a beat. 

Glancing back at Rin for moral support, Junen squared his shoulders and headed toward them.

. . . and we know this is a horrible time to ask this of you, Plandte, Lumina was saying. She shone with a silvery light reminiscent of Geon’s moon. Her gray hair fluttered in an unfelt breeze.

It’s fine. Plandte gazed across the landscape. I think she would have wanted it this way. In contrast to Lumina, Plandte was dark—his skin charcoal gray. His black armor glistened in the pale light.

It might be the best way to get her moon to Shiverlaine too. She deserves to be put in storage with honor. Helio’s normally bright golden glow was subdued, a testament to how weak he no was. His orange hair still fluttered in the breeze, but he looked pale and tired.

Let’s start the ceremony. Plandte turned his back on them. We still have preparations to make for the Convergence.

I’ll gather everyone. Lumina halted when she saw Junen. Junen.

Helio and Plandte turned to face him.

Lumina, Helio, there’s something I need to say to you. Junen took to wiping his hands on his pants. I . . . I’m sorr—

If this is about your actions last year, you don’t need to say anything. Lumina walked past him. We and the other Guardians have decided not to move forward with sentencing. It would serve no purpose at this point. All I require is for you to bring Jants as close to its Convergence point as possible. Clear? She turned her steely grayish-blue eyes on him.

Junen shrunk down. Yes, ma’am.

Good. She walked on without another look at him.

Helio merely looked at him before following her.

If I were him, I wouldn’t know what to say to you either.  Plandte looked at Junen over his shoulder. Well met, Junen.

Well met, Plandte. Junen played in the dirt with his toes. Listen . . . Shren’s death was a direct result of my actions, and I’m truly—

When the Great King came to me and asked me if I wanted another moon to take care of, I was thrilled. Plandte held his hands behind his back.

Junen quieted. It wasn’t like Plandte to interrupt and change the subject like this.

When he first presented Shren to me, he continued, she looked me up and down then turned to the Great King and said, ‘I approve.’  He laughed. I didn’t see what was so funny.

Junen watched Plandte in silence. He must be going somewhere with this.

Shren was young, excited, and wouldn’t listen to a word I said. I had the hardest time training her, but when the time came there was none fiercer in battle. She knew what she fought for and took pride in giving her all. A sad smile came to Plandte’s face. I saw her as a soldier sent to defend the solar system and nothing more. I didn’t even know she was cultivating her moon like this. He grazed the tops of the stunted plants with his shoe.

Junen let his gaze drop to the moon’s surface. Plandte hadn’t known about this? Junen knew each one of his 200 moons’ Guardians—their personalities, likes, dislikes, the ways they personalized their various satellites. He never imagined other Guardians didn’t know theirs.

Junen. Plandte looked up at him. Shren knew the risks of working in my orbit. She knew, and she was valiant. So, I don’t want to hear apologies. It cheapens her sacrifice. He paused a moment to listen to the slight breeze rustling through the stunted plants’ leaves. However, if you feel the need to apologize, do so to Diton. He turned his gaze to a small Guardian kneeling on the earth. Junen hadn’t even noticed him there. He took her death hard.

Junen nodded. I’ll see him now.

Plandte clapped Junen on the back before lifting his eyes to the horizon.

With a deep breath, Junen approached the small Guardian. Diton knelt on the ground gazing on a mound of earth in front of him. Surrounding the earth was a patch of vegetation crawling across a dirt pile. Greenish-gray scales covered Diton’s body, and his lizard-like tail rested on the ground. He glanced up when Junen’s shadow fell over him then returned to his vigil.

Hello, Diton.

Diton said nothing.

I am . . . so sorry for what my actions caused. Shren’s dead.  Junen hung his head. And it’s all my fault.

Sorry? Diton clutched the earth in his hands. Sorry means nothing without actions to hold it up.

Junen opened his mouth to say something and found he had nothing to say.

Before Shren died, I had been spending my free time with Alandri. Diton let the dirt fall from his hands. Shren asked me to learn about what humans find aesthetically pleasing. But you know Alandri—she loves to study love. After spending all that time with her, I came to the conclusion . . . I loved Shren.

Junen started. He didn’t think any of Plandte’s moons had any emotions other than anger.

She was so different from everyone else. Diton ran his hand over the mound. She dreamt of hosting humans on her moon. She used to sit here and stare at the sun and talk for hours about it. She prepared for it for thousands of years. She convinced Lucin to teach her how to make an atmosphere . . . got Helio to teach her about plants. She was about to get Urin to teach her about water and seas so she could fill in the lake she had dug. Look at how far she came! Now she’ll never see her dream come true.

Junen hung his head.

"If you’re sorry, make sure her