Days after the Soul Marriage bond awakened across the Empire, strange changes quietly spread through the lands of Kael Veyris.
Not dangerous changes.
Strange ones.
Night skies carried small streaks of golden light.
Crystal rivers reflected stars that did not exist.
Flowers across distant worlds bloomed and closed according to an unknown rhythm.
Inside the Imperial Hall.
Kael Veyris sat reviewing reports.
Then.
a bright voice interrupted the silence.
You look extremely busy.
Kael looked up.
Standing there was Luxryth Solaris.
Her long blonde hair flowed behind her like sunlight itself.
Her glowing amber eyes held their usual confident look.
Red crystalline horns shimmered softly.
Her white dress reflected golden light across the room.
Kael looked at her.
You appeared without warning again.
Luxryth smiled.
I wanted to explore.
Nearby.
Ignisia crossed her arms.
And somehow exploring brought you directly to Kael.
Interesting.
Ashvattha quietly smiled.
I noticed that too.
Luxryth blinked twice.
Then looked away.
...Coincidence.
From somewhere on the ceiling.
Sun Wukong was hanging upside down.
Suspicious coincidence.
Very suspicious coincidence.
Luxryth narrowed her eyes.
Why are you on the ceiling?
Wukong pointed dramatically.
For observation purposes.
Later.
Kael brought Luxryth through the Empire.
The two walked through enormous streets filled with celestial trees and floating structures.
Luxryth looked everywhere.
Children training with magical swords.
Knights sparring.
Dragons flying overhead.
World Trees growing beside cities.
Her expression softened.
...This place feels different.
Kael looked toward her.
Different how?
Luxryth watched the Empire below.
Most empires conquer.
Most kingdoms control.
Most rulers gather power.
She paused.
But your Empire feels alive.
Kael said nothing.
Suddenly.
the Soul Marriage network pulsed.
Not strongly.
Just enough to alert everyone.
A projection appeared above the sky.
Unknown symbols.
Ancient symbols.
WARNING
UNKNOWN OBSERVERS DETECTED
WATCHING VEYRIS EMPIRE
Kael narrowed his eyes.
Again?
Kaelithra suddenly appeared from shadows.
Kaelithra Veylscara looked upward.
Multiple presences.
Watching from outside dimensional borders.
Noctyra stepped beside her.
Noctyra Valis frowned.
They're hiding themselves.
Luxryth's amber eyes suddenly glowed.
Wait.
I know this energy.
Everyone looked toward her.
Luxryth slowly turned.
For the first time.
her confident expression disappeared.
Solar Throne observers...
Silence.
Kael looked at her.
Who are they?
Luxryth looked at the distant sky.
My people.
The air immediately became heavy.
Far away.
beyond reality.
golden eyes opened.
Watching.
Waiting.