"Next, we can begin selecting the elite members of the Defense Corps to undergo the transformation into Giants of Light."
Yuzare turned her head slightly, addressing General An Cheng beside her.
Although An Cheng wasn't an official member of the Defense Corps, he had long been involved in their affairs — even the examinations for new recruits were often supervised personally by him.
"Yes," An Cheng nodded gravely. "Such power must never fall into the hands of the wicked. Otherwise, the consequences would be unimaginable."
Keshiva, standing nearby, let out a quiet sigh.
If only he had developed the Light Particle Converter earlier… Camearra, Hudra, and Darramb might never have fallen into darkness.
"Right."
Yuzare suddenly remembered something. She gestured toward two figures standing not far behind — Achilles and Herau.
She knew these two well. Within the Defense Corps, both were considered exceptional. It was precisely because of their skills that Yuzare had chosen them as the vanguard when exploring the Dark Domain — she trusted them more than most.
After all, if weaker members had been sent into that cursed realm, few would have returned alive.
Achilles possessed remarkable instincts — his intuition often helped him evade danger.
Herau, on the other hand, was a master of combat, his strength immense and his techniques precise. Together, the two were a perfect team.
"Tell me," Yuzare asked softly, her gaze firm. "Are you prepared to shoulder the burden of becoming Giants of Light?"
The two exchanged a look before stepping forward. They hadn't expected this — such a question from their commander herself.
"Of course!" Achilles answered without hesitation. "Protecting this planet and driving away the darkness — that's our duty as members of the Defence Corps!"
Herau nodded eagerly, his voice trembling with excitement.
To become a Giant of Light — who wouldn't wish for that?
They had once watched Tiga fight, and had envied his power deeply. If they could gain such strength, facing the darkness would no longer feel so hopeless.
"Good." Yuzare smiled faintly. "I trust you both. Now go — to the centre of the Light Particle Converter."
"Understood!"
The two responded firmly and stepped together onto the glowing platform.
According to Keshiva's adjustments, the improved Light Particle Converter could now sustain up to three simultaneous transformations — there was no need to worry about overload.
Standing at the heart of the converter, Achilles and Herau could feel the mysterious current of light all around them. Their hearts pounded wildly.
Finally… we're going to become Giants.
"Activate the device."
Outside the converter, Keshiva pressed the control rune. The machine came alive with a low hum.
Light from Orion resonated with the Converter, its brilliance pouring into the eight towering pillars surrounding the platform. The energy gathered into golden arcs, crackling and dancing across the two warriors' bodies.
There was no pain — only warmth. Achilles and Herau looked up toward Orion, their eyes filled with awe as the light engulfed them.
But as time passed… nothing happened.
"What's going on?" Yuzare frowned, turning toward Keshiva. "Did something go wrong?"
"I don't know," Keshiva admitted, brows furrowing. "The converter should be fully capable of supporting multiple transformations. According to the data, there shouldn't be any issue."
Achilles and Herau were equally confused — or perhaps too confused, since nothing had happened at all.
"Could it be…" Herau muttered bitterly, "that we're not worthy to become Giants of Light?"
He clenched his fists. He had devoted everything to protecting this planet, fighting the encroaching darkness — yet the light itself seemed to reject him.
"Don't lose heart," Achilles said gently, patting his partner's shoulder. "There must be some other reason."
He knew how deeply this failure would wound Herau — and truth be told, even he couldn't help doubting himself.
The golden arcs slowly faded away. The two men stepped down from the converter, disappointment heavy in their eyes.
"It must be some unexpected malfunction," Yuzare said softly, trying to console them.
As the commander of the Defence Corps, part of her duty was to guide her soldiers — especially when their spirits were shaken.
"Princess Yuzare," Keshiva approached her quietly. "Let's try again with someone else. I'm certain this isn't the machine's fault."
Yuzare nodded. "You two, go get some rest for now."
If the next experiment succeeded, it would only deepen their despair — so better to spare them the sight.
Still, the trials could not stop.
The darkness was spreading, slowly devouring the Earth. Without greater strength, the planet would be swallowed whole.
"Understood."
Achilles and Herau bowed slightly and walked off the platform.
As they left, a fellow member of the Defence Corps hurried past them, eyes bright with anticipation. He was the third chosen candidate — and one of their former comrades from the vanguard mission into the Dark Domain.
"Come on," Achilles said, clapping Herau's shoulder again with a grin. "Let's get out of here. We'll drink, watch the stars, and let the wind clear our heads."
Herau hesitated, then chuckled faintly. "Fine. Let's go."
The two departed the plaza as the next experiment began.
Standing within the golden radiance, the third candidate was soon surrounded by arcs of light, the energy crackling harmlessly across his body.
Then — at his chest — a pulse of light appeared, shining like a second heart.
The light flowed through him like blood, feeding that radiant core.
"A heart… shining with light," Yuzare whispered, eyes narrowing. She was beginning to understand something.
On the highest cliff of R'lyeh, under the starry sky—
Achilles and Herau lay side by side on the grassy edge, each holding a bottle of sake.
They gazed at the glittering heavens and sighed together.
"Oh, light… I just wanted to protect this planet," Herau murmured. He was already tipsy, raising his bottle toward Orion.
"I remember Tiga once said… that we all have hearts of light, didn't he?" Achilles said softly, his gaze distant, recalling their past journey into the Dark Domain.