"Mama," Shimin's voice broke through, tears streaming down her face watching Raiko enter the jeep with her wounded mother dangling in her arms.

"These boys rescued your mother. Riyu Kagaro and Ken Yone. Boys, she is Shimin. Jaienta Shimin," Puroto introduced, slowly laying Suyoki down on one of the seats.

EPISODE THREE: NOTHING TO DO WITH HISTORY

Present
JEO headquarters

The sterile lights of the UA headquarters corridor hummed overhead. The click of Shibuyu's boots was a nervous echo against Kagaro's steady, retreating footsteps.

"Captain," she called out, her voice tighter than she intended.

Kagaro didn't break stride. "What is it, Shibuyu-san? You've been following me since I left the practice room."

She took a quick breath, catching up. "Captain! What are your plans for the new agents?" The question came out in a rushed jumble.

He finally stopped and turned, his face a mask of cool detachment. "What do you mean, Shibuyu-san?" He took a single step toward her, and the space between them felt suddenly smaller.

"I mean... will you actually let them stay? In your team? In the UA unit?" she pressed, the words tumbling out.

Kagaro was silent for a beat, his eyes narrowing just slightly. "Yes."

"But... their records... the things they've been involved with... we know absolutely nothing about them... maybe Commander Awara and Commander Kisuke know about them, but we don't..."

"It doesn't matter," he cut in, his tone leaving no room for argument. "The spirits don't make mistakes. Momoko and Jenna... they might not get it yet, but their stars have already chosen them. The decision was made long before they walked in here. Or before they even met their stars."

Understanding dawned on Shibuyu's face. "So they're... they're really the secret weapon for Team Nine?"

"For now," Kagaro said, a faint edge returning to his voice. "Those are Commander Awara's orders." With a final, curt nod, he turned and walked away, leaving her alone in the hallway.

Jenna stood by the window of the practice room, her reflection a ghost against the darkening glass. The door slid open with a soft hiss.

"I thought you'd gone home."

Jenna jumped at the voice. Shimin stood there, a faint smile on her face.

"I thought I'd just... wait," Jenna murmured, not turning around. "Leave with everyone else. When everyone is done with everything for the day."

Shimin came to stand beside her. "So. What's your star's name?"

Jenna kept her eyes on the lights below. "I don't know. I haven't... really used it."

"What? How'd you even pass the enrollment exam?"

"I just did what felt right. I didn't ask for a name."

Shimin let out a short laugh. "Mine's Moichi. Took me three weeks to get him to tell me." She glanced at Jenna. "Turns out he's just a stubborn kid when you first meet him. Now he just a reliable partner."

"That's great. You must be strong," Jenna said after a moment, her voice soft.

Shimin snorted. "Not really. Yone-kun's the one with the real power. He's got Satar." She said the name like it was a legend.

Jenna finally turned from the window, her expression unreadable. "Satar... I've heard that name. They say it's one of the rarest. A spirit of it all." She looked directly at Shimin.

The question was so simple, yet it hung in the air between them. Shimin just smiled, a real one this time, curiosity burning in her eyes. "Yeah. So which one is yours, Jenna?"

The past
Location: unknown
Time: unknown
Date: unknown

The streets were quiet, the sky just beginning to lighten. Lulu's sneakers slapped a soft rhythm on the pavement, Pelli's happy pants keeping time beside her. The smell hit them first-warm, yeasty, incredible. It poured from the bakery's open door.

"Good morning, Lulu! How are you today?"

She skidded to a stop. The old baker stood in his doorway, apron dusted with flour, his smile as warm as his ovens.

"I'm doing well, sir. You?"

"Can't complain. Bread?"

Her eyes went wide. "Yes, please!"

He held out a small, crusty loaf. She took it and swallowed it in one gulp. She brushed a crumb from her lip. "Can I have one more?"

The baker laughed, a low, rumbling sound. "One more coming right up." He ducked inside and emerged with a second loaf. "Here you go."

"Thank you so much!" She clutched the warm bread to her chest and took off again. She looked up. The sky had a weird, dusty look to it, like an old chalkboard.

A crackle, then a voice boomed from the street speakers, making her jump. "-advise all citizens to remain indoors. Hostile entities have been reported in the city limits. I repeat, seek immediate shelter-"

Her heart hammered against her ribs. She ran the rest of the way home.

"I am home," Lulu chimed. The living room was a mess, overturned hangings, broken shoe drawer, clothes all over the floor with soup stains on them. She chuckled to herself in pure sarcasm. "Haha...who am I kidding..."

But Pelli was here, wagging his whole backside. She dropped to her knees and buried her face in his fur. "Hey, boy. Just us."

Lulu then moved towards the kitchen, the mess following her there. She began preparing the ingredients for breakfast. The steady chop-chop-chop of a knife on the cutting board was the only sound. Then a crash. Right outside her door.

Silence.

Her blood went cold. Another thud. Something was out there.

She crept toward the door, Pelli pressed against her leg, a low growl in his throat. No. Not safe. She backed away, pulling him with her into the bedroom. They crouched by the door, listening.

A loud crash. Again. The floorboard groaned under a weight that wasn't hers. Lulu's blood went cold. Pelli stiffened against her leg, a silent growl vibrating through his small frame. Pressed against her bedroom door, she squinted through the keyhole.

Two men. One was huge, with a laugh that sounded like gravel. He glanced at the abandoned knife on the cutting board in the open kitchen. "Someone left in a hurry," he grunted.

The other stood by the shattered front door, still and quiet. "Check the rooms. I'll wait here." His voice was calm, flat. It was worse than the big one's noise.

Heavy footsteps moved closer. Lulu's heart tried to claw its way out of her chest. She snatched Pelli up and scrambled into the bathroom, locking the door with a fumbling, sweaty hand. Not enough. Her eyes darted around, landing on a dress hanging behind the door. She yanked it down, looping the fabric around the doorknob and tying it desperately to the shower faucet. A stupid, flimsy knot.

She slid down to the cold tiles, clutching Pelli. The bedroom door swung open. She heard drawers being yanked out, contents spilling onto the floor.

A wet nose pressed against her ear. She flinched.

Don't make a sound. The voice was clear, inside her head. She stared into Pelli's eyes. They were too knowing. She could somehow tell. This was his voice. She managed a jerky nod.

When I change into a glove, put me on. Then swipe the stars on your glove.

The bathroom doorknob jiggled. Then it shook violently. "Playing hide and seek?" the gravelly voice laughed from the other side.

The door exploded inward then. Wood splintered. The man filled the doorway, his grin a ugly slash in the dark.

He never made it over the threshold.

Something-an invisible freight train-slammed into him. He was thrown backward, and then some, into the hallway, crashing against the wall with a crunch before slumping to the corridor right next to the second man, motionless.

The quiet man slowly looked up from studying his own hand. He didn't even glance at his partner. A low, humorless chuckle escaped him. His eyes lifted up.

Lulu stepped out.

A single black glove, sleek and impossibly warm, was on her right hand. In it, she held a long, wicked-looking sword, its point aimed at the floor. Her face was pale, but her hand was steady.

The quiet man let out a sigh that was almost bored. Then a real smile touched his lips.

"Found you," he said.

The present
Location: School of science and technology, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan
Time: 7:00 am
Date: 30th July

The only sound in the long, sunlit hallway was the quick tap-tap-tap of Sonomo's shoes. She was late. Again. She skidded to a stop at the classroom door, puffing out a breath, and saw Jenna already there, sitting alone at her desk.

"Whoa, early to school?" Sonomo chirped, dropping her bag and sliding into the seat of the row next to her friend. "What's the occasion?"

Jenna offered a small, polite nod. "Good morning, Sonomo-senpai."

"Oh, cut that out," Sonomo said, waving a hand. "No 'senpai' stuff. It's just me." She leaned in, her curiosity getting the better of her. "So? Spill. How was the first day? For real."

Jenna's polite smile faded. She looked down at her hands, folded neatly on the desk. "My first days... are usually not good."

"What do you mean?" Sonomo asked, her voice dropping to a whisper.

"At my last school," Jenna began, her voice flat, "a water pipe burst over the principal's head during assembly." She didn't look up. "The school before that, the biology lab's frog specimens... got out. All of them. During my tour." She finally glanced at Sonomo. "And the one before that, a minor earthquake hit. Just enough to crack the foundation. They had to close the gym for a month."

Sonomo just stared, her mouth slightly open. She didn't know what to say. What, was this actually true? A silent scoff left her, you can't be serious. But Jenna looked quite serious to even say it out loud.

Before she could form a sentence, Jenna's face softened into a real, tiny smile. "Hm. But nothing happened yesterday. Looks like my bad luck isn't rubbing off on others anymore."

The classroom door opened then, and their teacher walked in. Sonomo slowly sank into her chair, throwing one last, long look at the girl beside her before the seats went back to floating in the air.

The emergency alarm didn't ring-it shredded the air. A raw, blaring shriek that killed all other sound.

Sonomo flinched so hard her elbow knocked the textbook off her desk. It hit the floor with a slap nobody heard over their own panic. Her heart wasn't beating; it was trying to break out of her chest.

She didn't think. Her hand shot out, fingers locking around Jenna's wrist. "Go," was all she got out, her voice thin and tight. She yanked Jenna as they hopped off the floating desks and into the aisle, into the current of bodies already flooding the hallway.

It was all shoving and shouting and panic. Sonomo held on, pulling Jenna through it, her own breath coming in short, sharp gasps. She looked back once. Jenna's face was calm. Blank, even. Like she was just waiting for a bus.

That calmness scared Sonomo more than the alarm. "Don't let go," she said, her words swallowed by the noise around them.

The hallway was a current of screaming students, a blur of panic and motion. Against the tide, Shimin, Yone, and Kagaro (known in the school as Nimishi, Enoy, and Oragaka) moved with a grim, focused energy. They shoved through a heavy fire door, sealing themselves in a supply closet. The muffled chaos from outside became a distant roar.

Kagaro ripped off his school blazer, the fabric catching on his watch. He swore under his breath, yanking it free before pulling on the dark, cloak of his JEO uniform. They didn't have the time to change into their jumpsuits.

"Yone-kun," Shimin said, her voice low and clear as she tightened the straps of her own gear (JEO equipment as mentioned). "Get Jenna-san and Momoko-nee."

Yone's eyes met hers. No nod, no words. He just turned, opened the door, and was gone, swallowed by the rushing crowd in an instant.

Kagaro pressed a finger to his earpiece, his other hand still fastening the bag around his waist. "Unit Nine, special officers on duty. Requesting back-up on the school main courtyard. Civilians are priority one." He listened for a second, his jaw tight. "There are five of us here."

The bus door hissed shut behind Sonomo, sealing her in with the other evacuees. She pressed her face to the cool glass, her breath fogging a small circle. Through it, she saw Jenna-not turning back, already running toward the crumbling school, to get her older sister.

"Be safe, Jenna-san," Sonomo whispered. The words were swallowed by the bus engine's rumble. She had tried to stop her, to ensure her that the school would evacuate everyone, but Jenna was adamant, so all Sonomo could do was pray.

Inside, the hallways were empty now. Jenna didn't break stride. She skidded to a stop at her locker, the combination dial spinning under her frantic fingers. The door clanged open.

School shoes kicked into the dark corner. The stiff, dark fabric of the cloak covered her school uniform in practiced, hurried motions. A mask pulled up over her face, a hood shadowing her face.

A presence materialized beside her. She didn't need to look.

"Agent Jenna. Ready?" Yone's voice was a low thrum in the chaotic din.

A sharp nod was her only reply. No more words were needed.

They moved as one, a coordinated burst of speed toward the school's rear exit. The sounds of destruction grew louder-not just screams now, but the wet, brutal sounds of something else.

They burst through the doors. The scene at the back gate wasn't a battle; it was a slaughter. Jenemes, all grotesque limbs and gnashing teeth, moved through the chaos with a terrifying, reckless abandon.

Through the noise, Shimin's voice cut clean and sharp. "I'll cover you guys!"

She swiped her ring, a young boy's silhouette formed beside her, his outline blurring and reshaping itself into the long, lethal lines of a high-caliber sniper rifle.

Jenna glanced at Yone. "Yone-senpai... Satar can turn into anything, right?"

Yone didn't take his eyes off the chaos. "No," he said, the word flat and final.

He didn't perform the usual ritual. No dramatic gesture to his bandana. Just a low, almost tired murmur. "Satar. Come out."

Nothing happened. Jenna scanned the area until she spotted her-perched high on a telephone tower, kicking her legs like a child on a swing, singing a little tune to herself.

Yone let out a short breath. "Satar. Here. Now."

The spirit glanced down, pouted, then leaped. She landed without a sound, a grin playing on her lips. In a flash of light, she was gone, and in Yone's hand rested a heavy, old-fashioned blacksmith's hammer.

Jenna stared. "A... blacksmith's hammer?"

"She's picky," Yone sighed, hefting the weight of it with a familiar resignation.

A new voice, hard and commanding, broke through their exchange. Kagaro. "Agent 67, Jenna! Use your star. Now!"

The order brooked no argument. With Momoko, and Kagaro holding down the Jenemes on the other side, and Shimin covering whatever they couldn't, Jenna had to fight alongside Yone here. Now. Jenna gave a tight nod, closing her eyes for a fraction of a second. The air around her hands shimmered.

She gave a single, sharp nod.

"Hibiki-san. Begin analysis."

The badge on her shoulder didn't just glow; it erupted, a miniature sun flaring to life for a blinding second before collapsing inward. The light solidified, cooled, and left a gladius resting in her grip, its weight familiar and sure.

"Analyze?" Shimin muttered under her breath, her brow furrowed. "What's there to analyze? Just hit them!"

Jenna was already moving. She leaped, landing with a soft thud on the roof of a battered school bus. Below, the Jenemes turned their hulking forms toward the new disturbance. Jenna didn't hesitate. She tossed the gladius into the air.

"Hibiki-san. Slice them."

The command was clean, absolute. The sword wasn't a thing anymore; it was a streak of silver purpose. It altered its fall, shooting sideways with a sound like tearing silk. The Jenemes raised their thick arms, a pathetic defense. The blade sheared through them, a hot knife through wax, pinning them to the churned earth as the ground gave way beneath their weight.

A sigh came from beside Yone. "They get back up," Shimin said, her voice flat. She shifted her weight, ready to cover for Jenna as well if things went haywire. Yone simply held the front lines, flying around and attacking as per experience.

Jenna's expression didn't change. "Analyse."

The gladius vanished. In its place, a Flyssa appeared, its curved blade catching the dull light. It shot skyward, then dropped like a falcon, the force of its impact knocking the rising Jenemes off their feet like grotesque bowling pins.

"J-Jenna-san!" Shimin's voice was a mix of awe and panic. "Be careful, okay? We can't destroy government property!"

A dry chuckle came from Kagaro. "But I guess it's fine. We didn't really have to do anything much." There was a new respect in the way he watched her while holding down Jenemes on his side of the battlefield.

As the last of the creatures stilled, Jenna's posture finally relaxed. She looked toward the space where her star had been. "You can go back if you want."

Hibiki didn't vanish. He materialized beside her, a figure of polite, silent attention, following a step behind as she walked over to her team. "It will be an honor to simply serve you, master. The others stars also wish they could serve you, so thank you so much for choosing me." He bowed.

Jenna smiled as they reached the others. "Don't say that, Hibiki-san. You are an amazing star yourself. I am honoured you chose me."

Kagaro's curiosity spoke then. "Call your star back. And tell me about the other stars he spoke of." His patience was a thin wire, stretched to breaking, but he maintained his calm. Jenna kept bringing in variables to the solid reality he knew.

Jenna shook her head, her voice firm. "I made him a promise. The curse that binds the spirits as stars is no longer valid between me and Hibiki-san. He is a free spirit now, and can do as he wishes."

Kagaro took a sharp step forward. "You will tell me what-"

"Excuse me, child."

Hibiki had moved, placing himself between Jenna and Kagaro, hands behind his back. His voice was calm, but it carried an immovable weight. "Please don't raise your voice against my master."

"What? Jenna. Ask your star not to interfere. I am just asking you a question, right?---"

"You will remain quiet. Last time, you hurt the mistress and I couldn't come help because I wasn't here. But now I am."

Kagaro clicked his tongue as he swiped the stars on his wrist band. "Anisol. Forest whip." He muttered. The weapon immediately flashed in his hand and he gripped it tightly as he lunged at Hibiki. Hibiki simply moved out of the way.

Kagaro glared at him as he turned around and moved for an attack a second time. Hibiki grabbed the tip of the whip, and with that momentum send Kagaro flying. Kagaro let go of his whip and found a stand. Hibiki sighed, one hand still behind his back, and tossed the whip the ground.

It transformed into the little boy, Anisol. Kagaro exhaled heavily. "Star Anisol. Seal." Anisol winced as he looked up. His eyes fixed on Hibiki as he disappeared in a flash.

The air went taut. Jenna placed a gentle hand on Hibiki's arm. "It's alright. You can go home." The spirit gave a final, warning look at Kagaro before dissolving into nothingness.

Kagaro was still looking, the questions burning in his eyes. But Jenna offered nothing else.

Shimin, trying to break the tension, ventured a guess. "You said you didn't know the name of your star? And. Your father used to work in the states, is it?"

Jenna's answer was a quiet deflection, a door gently but firmly closed. "I just call him that"

"Jenna-san," Shimin sighed, the frustration clear. "There are just so many things we don't know about you."

The silence that followed was heavy with things unsaid as they parted ways.

Yone's front door slid shut, muting the world outside. A small, insect-like drone zipped forward, its metallic claws clicking softly as it took his bag from him. He didn't acknowledge it, just toed off his shoes and dropped onto his couch with a sigh. The drone hovered, waiting.

"Satar." His voice was tired.

She appeared with a flash, already smirking. "Ah, Yone. What is it? You never call me if it's not about work."

He didn't look at her, his gaze on the ceiling. "Satar. I have something to ask you."

"Hm? Go ahead." She floated closer, her playfulness giving way to curiosity.

"This person, Hibiki. Who is he?"

The smirk vanished. "H-Hibiki..." Her form seemed to flicker. "Where'd you hear his name from?"

"You were there. You can't see what's going on outside when you transform, can you?" His eyes were still fixed on the blank ceiling.

"Yes, we can't. Only Hibiki-sama can." The honorific was deliberate, laced with something like fear or contempt perhaps.

"Why didn't you tell me? And anyway, aren't you the strongest star of all?"

"Yes. The strongest. And the only female star." The pride was automatic, but thin.

"And you can turn into god's weapons," he pressed, finally turning his head to look at her.

"I can. And that's all I can do, Yone." She drifted closer, her voice dropping. "I can only turn into weapons the gods hold. But that monster Hibiki... he just keeps evolving."

Yone propped himself up on his elbows. "Is he the strongest star?"

"Strangely enough, Hibiki-sama was never the strongest. He was, in fact, the weakest. Our world despised him. Only the god of stars saw him differently. The god of stars is the reason why Hibiki-sama was allowed in our world in the first place."

"There is a world... of stars?" The concept was too big, too strange.

Satar's laugh was a short, sharp thing. "There is much you don't know about us. What did you think? We are spirits floating around in space?"

"Huh... actually... yeah..."

"You're unbelievable, Yone." She moved suddenly, her cool hands framing his face, forcing him to look at her. "You want to know the reason why I chose you of all people out there?"

"No."

A real smile touched her lips then. "Haha. This is just one of the many things I like about you, Yone."

"Satar, I have heard your fantasies more than once. What I want to know about is... Hibiki."

"Aha ha. Well, straight to the point, I see." Her smile faded. Her gaze drifted past him, into some other time.

The Past
Somewhere in the Universe
The Era of the Gods
Calander Unknown

The darkness wasn't empty; it was burning. A female form emerged from the chaos, her voice tight. "Master, angels are losing control again."

The figure at the center merely nodded. "Hm. Gods have given up on us as well." His resignation was a heavier weight than the darkness.

"What do we do now? How do we fight them?" The words tumbled out, fueled by panic.

"Don't worry." His voice was a calm lake. "Each of you has played a significant role in your eras. You are all the lives of your eras. We can win this."

"But that rookie... seems like he knows not much." Her doubt was a sharp blade.

"Hm? You mean Hibiki? Protector of the galaxy's son? Him?"

"Yes, master. It's very unlikely for him to be this... weak... being the son of the galaxy protector and everything."

The master was silent for a long moment. "Many of you have died deaths that you didn't deserve and come under my shelter. He is the same as you all. Please give him a chance."

"But master-"

"Don't forget, Satar. You are the only one people trust here the most. My female child. That's why I expect you to trust me as well."

She bowed her head, the fight leaving her. "Yes, master."

The Present
Yone's House

Yone snapped his fingers. "Satar. You drifted off."

Her eyes refocused on him. "You are beautiful, Yone."

"What were you thinking about?"

She took a moment, choosing her words. "Yone, we have crossed a lot of eras and finally come to the era of humans. Don't make this any harder than it already is."

"Era of humans? What are you saying?"

"Every era had humans in it, of course. But this era is specially termed as your era because humans are significantly stronger and smarter. They can rule."

Yone shook his head. "What are you going on about?"

"Yone, why do you want to know about Hibiki-sama so much?"

"Because one of the agents from our squad has been chosen by him."

"What? No, that's impossible." Her form flickered with agitation. "Hibiki-sama took an oath that he will never let anyone order him around. He said he'll only ever bow to someone as strong as the gods. So then, how did a puny human manage to get a hold of him?"

"Puny human? I'm a human too, you know. There are similar rumors about you as well. Only female star. Very picky. Won't bow to anyone. But look at you now-" He was cut off as her hands gripped his shoulders, her touch suddenly vise-like.

"Yone! You know well why you were chosen. Don't make me repeat it!" The anger was real, hot.

"S-Satar..." He winced.

She released him instantly, her expression shifting to regret. "I'm sorry. It's just that Hibiki-sama is not what you think he is. He is so indifferent and powerful that no one has ever managed to hold his star even for a second. They immediately get thrown away. No one is ever able to transform him. That is why, in all of history, all the eras so far, Hibiki is the only one who remained without an owner."

"Is? He has an owner now."

"That is what is bothering me the most."

"Aren't you all residents of the same place? How come you don't know...?"

"It's been more than a hundred years since we last had our gathering."

"A hundred years is plenty of time for us humans. Hibiki has found an owner now."

"What is this owner like?" The question was a demand.

Yone told her everything. The school, the JEO, Jenna, the girl who was always nervous.

"A teenage- a teenage girl? A puny girl who is always nervous? What are you even saying? Hibiki-sama's owner should be at least three hundred years older than you!"

"Are you making fun of my race? We humans don't live that long."

"Sorry... What is that monster's attitude towards her?" The heat was back in her voice.

Yone recounted the day's events, Hibiki's deference. His loyalty towards Jenna. How obedient he had remained.

"That's... surreal. Yone, what if... this girl... is just like you?" The speculation hung in the air, charged and terrifying.

Location: Somewhere in the Universe
The Era of Humans
Human calander shifted, new calander unknown

The hall was a pocket of impossible silence within the cosmos. A boy bowed low. "Master, we are here."

Before him, a mighty figure sat surrounded by a soft, dim darkness. Only his silhouette seemed to shine, and yet, the command and dominance was there. "Welcome, my children. I hope you all are well today. This is the first time we have all met together after a hundred twenty years. Let's celebrate and commemorate this occasion." His voice was a warm rumble. Thunderous applause answered him, and as the lights rose, they revealed a gathering of figures in elegant formal wear.

The god of stars took his throne. A glass was raised, a signal followed by all. A toast to the reunion. Then they were all engulfed in their own conversations.

"Hibiki-sama," a voice said. Moichi, sharp in a black three-piece suit, approached. "How is your current owner? It seems to me like you are quite enjoying it."

"Very much, Moichi-sama. She is indeed a capable female." Hibiki smiled, his blue suit shimmering as he clinked his glass against Moichi's.

"My, my. If it isn't Hibiki-sama." Another glass joined them.

"Aha. My, how you have grown, Anisol. How are you?" Hibiki's greeting was impeccably polite.

Anisol, in a yellow suit, bowed deeply. "My apologies to you, Hibiki-sama. My owner can be a little restless sometimes."

"That's alright. He seems to be in a rather tight spot." Hibiki gently lifted him by the shoulders.

"You both have met before the gathering, I presume?" Moichi asked, taking a sip.

Anisol nodded. "Sadly enough. I don't recall what occurred after I transformed. But I did find myself on the ground for a moment."

"Yes, it's a shame that we stars can't remember anything after we transform," Moichi agreed, a thread of bitterness in his words.

"Apologies for hurting you, Anisol--"

A new voice, laced with playful mischief, cut through Hibiki's voice. "If it isn't Hibiki-san. I thought you wouldn't come today." The click of heels announced her arrival as she moved to join the circle.

"Well, well. Haibara." Hibiki's gaze swept over the new arrival as she did a slow, deliberate turn, the red silk of her gown swishing around her. "How'd you manage to show up at the seventy-second meeting?"

She stopped twirling, a sly smile playing on her lips. "My contract with my owner broke. You know he wouldn't have let me leave if it was still binding."

Hibiki's polite smile tightened with genuine interest. "It broke? Did he finally give in?"

The sly look vanished from Haibara's face, replaced by something more mischievous. "No." The word was flat, final. "Poor human died."

"Oh my." A new voice, soft and laced with a gentle sorrow, joined them as another woman glided over. "That is... truly tragic."

The grand hall hummed with a low, celestial music. Beings of light and shadow moved through the soft glow, their forms shifting between solid and spectral. Laughter echoed, followed by pockets of slow dancing.

"Ah, Lady Kaede." Moichi offered a deep, respectful bow as she approached.

She reached out, a gentle hand prompting him to rise. "Moichi-san. No need for such formality. I love your look today."

A faint blush colored Moichi's cheeks. "T-thank you, Lady Kaede."

"Oh, where are my manners?" she said, her smile warm. "I am Kaede. Ruler of the forests from the era of horns."

"Anisol," he began with a curt nod. "Prison protector's guardian. Era of findings."

"Moichi. Weapon guardian. Also from the era of findings." He stood a little straighter.

Haibara, swirling the contents of her glass offered a tight smile. "Haibara. Messenger of the angels. Era of halos." Her tone was sharp, like broken glass.

All eyes turned to the calm figure beside them. "Hibiki," he stated simply. "Era of gods."

Kaede's gaze swept over the group. "I believe you all are the only ones here with owners?"

Moichi let out a short sigh. "Spirits are especially picky in this era. It's the first one completely ruled by humans after all." He couldn't keep the distaste from his voice. "And humans are, well..."

"Despicable," Haibara finished for him, her knuckles white around her glass. "They're the reason our eras never lasted."

"Now, now," Hibiki cut in, a small, patient smile on his face. "Not all of them are bad."

Kaede's eyes-ancient and knowing-sparkled. "Someone is in a good mood. Care to tell us what's causing all this happiness, Hibiki-san?" A subtle, forked tongue flickered behind her smile.

"This is the first time Hibiki-sama has ever had an owner," Moichi explained, his voice hushed with reverence.

Haibara's eyebrow shot up. "Oh? He or she must be the most powerful being of all." Her lips curled into a sarcastic smirk. "Or perhaps your contract is with a monster?"

A new voice, deep and resonant, cut through the air before Hibiki could reply. "Now, Lady Haibara." A formidable presence joined their circle. "Must you always be so shameless, even in the star hall?"

Haibara's smirk vanished. She dipped into a swift, deep bow. "My apologies."

"It's alright," he then turned to glance at Hibiki. "Hibiki-sama. How are you?" Mono's voice was warm, his slight bow filled with genuine respect.

Hibiki offered a humble smile. "Mono-sama, please. There's no need for that. You're the one who convinced the entire star universe to accept me." A flicker of pride shone in Mono's eyes at the acknowledgment.

The six spirits raised their glasses, the crystal chiming softly as they met. They drank the deep blue liquid, which swirled with tiny, shimmering lights like captured constellations.

A new, sharp voice cut through the murmur of conversation. "Have you all forgotten me?"

Satar stood at the edge of their circle, her arrival silencing the gentle hum of the hall. Immediately, the others bowed-all except Hibiki, who simply took another slow sip from his glass.

"Lady Satar," Haibara stammered, her head lowered.

"We dare not forget you, Lady Satar," Kaede added, her voice respectful but tight.

Moichi, ever the peacemaker, tried to explain. "Lady Satar, we did wait for you-"

"Do not speak to me, you filth." Satar's words were a whip-crack. "Keep your head down. Know your place. You are but a mere guardian, Moichi."

Seeing Moichi flinch, Hibiki set his glass down on the table beside him. The sound was quiet but final. "Is there a need to be so harsh? We are both from the era of gods, Lady Satar. Let's act like it."

Moichi straightened up as Hibiki guided him. He then went to stand just behind Hibiki.

Satar's eyes flashed. "Hibiki, do not tell me what to do. I am more than aware of my status. These filthy stars are no match for me. They shouldn't even dare to speak to me."

Hibiki didn't raise his voice. He didn't need to. "In that case, my lovely lady, by your own logic, the god of stars should be the only one worthy of your conversation. His status is much higher than yours. And since my status is considered equivalent to his..." He let the words hang in the air. "You shouldn't even look me in the eye."

Satar bristled, her form seeming to vibrate with anger. "Hibiki! Mind what you say! No one here has acknowledged that fact!"

"I'm not here to argue," he said, his tone shifting back to ease. "Let's just enjoy the day."

He made to turn away, but Satar couldn't let it go. "Wait, Hibiki." Her curiosity got the better of her pride. "Why did you choose that naive human as your owner?"

Hibiki paused, a thoughtful look crossing his face. "Hm? Why indeed..."