Across leagues of stars, on a planet far beyond Earth’s sight, there stood an ancient castle, and in this castle lived a princess. Young and fair was she, even while dreaming, though what she was dreaming of, few could guess. It mattered little besides, for as dawn broke across the vast horizon of the sea the shining castle overlooked, turning its inky blue waters into sparkling liquid flame, so too did the light within her bedchamber brighten, stirring her from slumber. All

“If this interferes wit’ my business—” “To the Pit with your business. It’ll put a target on our backs.” “Which will hurt my business.” “Shut up about your quiznacking casino already!” “Ladies, please, we’re trying to have an adult conversation here.” Manset couldn’t keep the tiny grin off his face as he sipped his glass of gin. “Say that again,” the man on his left snarled, raising a blaster. The woman on his right likewise drew her sword. “I swear, if you were one of

Rain pelted leaf and stone alike, herding animals into the underbrush and drowning the forest in a barrage of noise. It wasn’t enough to drown out those horrible sounds; those snarls that ripped through the trees. Branches snapped like the lightning overhead. Massive paws pounded louder and louder, in rhythm with the four men’s heartbeats. The frigid air clawed at their throats and lungs; their legs burned and begged them to stop, to go back for the friend they’d had to leave

Breathe in…breathe out… Sweat and dust. The scent of desperation… Breathe in. Breathe out. Focus. Blood pumping. Crowds jeering. Opponents screaming. Trembling fists tightened. Lungs tensed. His heart couldn’t keep steady. ‘Patience yields focus. Patience yields focus. Patience yields—’ BANG BANG BANG “Come on, Shiro, it’s time to go!” Shiro jolted, then slumped with a sigh, any semblance of hope for meditation thoroughly dashed. He cringed at the next series of rapid

Soft, sweet chirps carried on the gentle breeze as distant birds swooped after one another. In the shadow of their lively game, farashyons flitted about, landing delicately on the petals of juniberry flowers. With their stems of vivd green, blooms of deep pink, and pistils of bright gold reaching for the clear blue sky, the great meadow was a glorious sight to behold. Allura basked in the warmth of a familiar sun and sighed. “I loved the scent of the mountain juniberries in

The gentle rustling of waves filled the salty, misty air as Arus’s sun peeked over the horizon. Its light cascaded over land, sea, and castle alike, melting away the thin frost coating the waking world. A peaceful quiet hung over it all. Well, most of it. Within the ancient palace, Hunk’s bear snores rattled both his room and the corridor beyond. His limbs were splayed over his bed in all directions, feet sticking out from under his twisted sheets as he subconsciously scratc

Space created neither light, nor sound, nor warmth. It was a cradle for such things; a void through which they could spread and grow as they pleased. With its vastness, anything could hide in any crevice or crater. The Galra, however, had no need to hide, nor a desire to. None outside their own kind had seen it and lived. An artificial solar system; a testament to their taming of the universe itself, down to the very last atom. The outermost ring held it all together in its

Sleek, white transport vehicles soared through the air, weaving around tall, shining buildings in practiced, perfect lines. Each time one passed, sunlight caught in its pristine metal and reflected through the window screens of a grand, spacious office. Datapads filled the shelves alongside odd knickknacks and artifacts from numerous worlds — rather messy compared to most Alteans’ quarters — while a hologram of the solar system spun lazily in the high, domed ceiling. Near the

The sun shone high over planet Arus, warming the land and letting the flowers know it was time to open their petals wide. In much the same way, the ceiling of the Castle of Lions’ bridge unfurled downward in swirling layers, revealing the giant crystal within. Three rings hovered around and lowered it to the floor, dark and chipped, several hairline fractures making it look like it was ready to shatter at any moment; a stark contrast to the new, shining one waiting to be inst