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- Herausgeber: Astro Entertainment
- Kategorie: Fantasy und Science-Fiction
- Serie: ASTRO Entertainment for KIDS
- Sprache: Englisch
The Season Finale! As the battles on Rogos Veridis reach their peak, Scarlett rises to become the voice of the new council. On the heights of Thororimgod, light and shadow clash in a breathtaking duel that will decide the future of all Rogosians. When the truth about Katan comes to light, a flood of memories overwhelms Li. His fate is inseparably bound to that of his family and his legacy. Torn between duty and love, between loss and hope, he must decide where his heart truly lies. Yet one thing is certain: his path of the sword is far from over.
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Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2025
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Authors: Manuela Wieninger · Martin Wintersberger
Illustrations: Midjourney
Cover: Acht Schätze & Midjourney
astro-entertainment.at
This work, including all its parts, is protected by copyright. Any use outside the narrow limits of copyright law is prohibited without the written consent of the author and is punishable by law. This applies in particular to reproductions, translations, microfilming and storage and processing in electronic systems. ASTRO and all persons appearing therein and their names, all actions, circumstances and laws of nature are fictional. Any resemblance to living or dead persons or fish is purely coincidental and unintentional..
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Copyright © 2020, 2025 Martin Wintersberger
First English Edition 2025 – Based on the 2021 Austrian release
Published in Austria by ASTRO Entertainment e.U.
Based on an idea by Martin Wintersberger
Translated from German with DeepL
All rights reserved
ISBN 978-3-99119-259-6
SEASON 1
LI - THE PATH OF THE SWORD
Episode 28: Heartless Xenos
Episode 29: The Double Sword Technique
Episode 30: Katan
»EVEN THE LONGEST JOURNEY BEGINSWITH THE FIRST STEP«
EPISODE 28HEARTLESS XENOS
The night was cold and quiet. Only the wind blowing across the plateau broke the silence. Li sat on the edge of a large rock, holding his injured hand and staring into the darkness. N.I.K.O. sat next to him. His blue eyes flickered calmly as he began to speak: ‘You're probably wondering who I am, Li.’ There was something reassuring in his voice.
Li nodded. ‘I've never seen anything like you before. You're not a humanoid, are you?’
‘No,’ replied N.I.K.O., ‘I am a “non-intelligent cybernetic organism”, or N.I.K.O. for short. I was created long ago by an advanced civilisation to support and protect them – and sometimes to fight. But that was a long time ago.’
Li gazed thoughtfully into the distance. ‘And what are you doing here on Rogos Veridis?’
N.I.K.O. paused briefly, as if searching for the right words. ‘I was revived by someone. A humanoid gave me a full battery without knowing who or what I was. After that, I decided to study the humanoids. Well, after I stole a spaceship and took off.’
Li looked at him in confusion. ‘That doesn't sound very honourable. So? What did you find out?’
N.I.K.O.'s eyes flickered. "It's complicated. You have the potential for greatness, but also for cruelty. I've seen things that horrified me. The slave trade that you and Scarlett witnessed, the fighting, the intrigue – all of that shows your darkest side. But then there are humanoids like you and Scarlett who believe in something, who talk to each other – well, you don't talk that much – but you fight to do the right thing. That gives me hope."
N.I.K.O. continued speaking, his gaze fixed on the horizon. ‘I was in the tunnels, Li. I also saw the prisoners being brought from the poorhouses to the tunnels. When the meteoroid struck, I was there. I saw Scarlett trying to help. I saved her from being discovered.’
Li frowned: ‘From the poorhouses ...?’ Li's eyes widened: ‘Zhang? Is he the mastermind behind all this?’
N.I.K.O. shook his head, but continued: "I haven't quite figured it out yet. But I know that the transports always follow the same pattern. After working in the tunnels and a short stay in the night temple, the prisoners are brought here. A ship then transports them to the Nostromo. It's an ancient cargo ship. The crew literally trades in everything!"
Li clenched her fists. ‘That's disgusting. It has to stop immediately! Scarlett and I should have done something much sooner.’
N.I.K.O. replied, ‘That would have been unwise. You must take care of yourselves. But that is precisely why I am here. The leader of this trade is my target. If we capture him, we can expose the trade and put a stop to it forever. But I need your help, Li.’
Li looked at him seriously: ‘I will do whatever you ask of me. You can count on me.’
N.I.K.O. seemed to think for a moment, then offered, ‘I can fly you down the mountain, Li. It'll be quicker and safer.’
While N.I.K.O. was getting ready, Li suddenly asked, ‘Do you know who else has helped me many times? Astrolabius Winter, a boy from the moon!’
N.I.K.O.'s eyes flickered brighter. ‘Astro? He's one of the reasons I have hope in you humanoids. He brought me back to life. But...’ N.I.K.O. paused, as if hesitating.
Li smiled. ‘But?’
N.I.K.O. spoke quietly, as if revealing a secret: ‘It was his shuttle that I stole.’
Li grinned: ‘I bet he was pretty angry.’
N.I.K.O. nodded slowly. ‘Yes, he was. He is. I hope he forgives me.’
The two laughed, a moment of lightness in the midst of the dark night.
After a gentle flight, they landed safely on the plateau of the market square. Li got out and looked at N.I.K.O. ‘Thank you. I owe you one.’
‘Stay strong, Li. We'll meet again,’ replied N.I.K.O., disappearing into the darkness with his shuttle.
When Li entered the inn, he discovered Mei sitting on a bench, fast asleep. It seemed as if she had been waiting for him. Her delicate figure had a calming effect on him. He picked her up and carried her carefully up the stairs to her room. He laid her in her bed and tucked the blanket around her.
‘Everything will be fine. I love ...’ he whispered, but didn't finish the sentence. Then he kissed her on the cheek and crept into his own room. ‘Tomorrow is a new day,’ he thought before sleep overcame him too.
The first rays of the red dwarf star Ares broke through the window slits of Darax's modest house. The soft knocking at the door gradually increased to a booming hammering. Darax sat at the table in a simple robe, tending to his weapons, and sighed in annoyance. ‘Who dares to make such a racket at this hour?’
He put the sword aside, grabbed a knife, and finally opened the door. Standing there was Haruto Kaname, a strong-looking man in fine clothes, his expression betraying his annoyance.
‘Darax,’ Haruto began politely, bowing slightly. ‘I hope I'm not disturbing you.’
Darax snorted. ‘That depends on what you want, Haruto. Come inside before you wake my neighbours.’
The two men sat down at a low table. Darax reluctantly prepared tea; his movements were rough and lacking in elegance. Haruto watched him with a mocking gaze.
‘I'll get straight to the point, this can't wait any longer. You bought directly from Master Wang,’ Haruto began, sipping his tea. ‘Without my consent. Do you know how that looks on the Xenos market?’
Darax raised an eyebrow. ‘I'm not interested in that at all. You're charging a fee for nothing but your words. Why should I let you in on it? I only see the big picture. This narrow-minded thinking bores me.’
Haruto placed his tea bowl forcefully on the table. ‘You forget who I am. Without me, there would be no market and no clan! Everything costs money. You are just a merchant, Darax. You need to know your place.’
Darax laughed loudly, a harsh, provocative sound. ‘The merchants whisper something else, Haruto. They say you're a parasite who only thinks of himself and exploits the work of others.’
Haruto's face hardened. ‘Don't you dare insult me!’
The tension in the room was palpable as Darax stood up and reached for his sword. ‘If you want to insult me, Haruto, do it with a sword in your hand. We talk like men – or we fight like warriors.’
Haruto also stood up, his face a mask of rage. ‘You have chosen your own downfall, Darax.’
With a swift swing, Haruto drew his sword. The whirring of the blade filled the room. Darax raised his sword and the two men stood facing each other when suddenly the first rays of morning light bathed the room in blood red.
Haruto attacked first, his sword aimed at Darax's shoulder. Darax blocked the blow, and the blades clashed with a metallic whir.
‘You're faster than I thought, but that won't help you!’ growled Haruto as he landed another blow.
