The Helion Assembly Atrium was burning at its peak thousands of crystalline lights drifting through the air like floating stars, orchestral pulses vibrating through the marble-like atmosphere, and holographic constellations swirling elegantly across the dome overhead. Every warrior laughed, shouted, toasted, and celebrated beneath the glittering brilliance. The sheer energy of the gathering pressed against the edges of reality, humming faintly, as if the Atrium itself was alive with anticipation.
The Obsidian Star Legion stayed close together, weaving through the crowd with grace and ease, laughing softly, speaking in excited tones, and enjoying their first major Covenant banquet. They conversed and bonded with two additional groups Astraflare Dawnwatch of the 19th batch and Luminous Quill Brigade of the 20th. Astraflare Dawnwatch were cheerful, loud, fiery, and unstoppable in charisma, while the Luminous Quill Brigade carried the composed, scholarly air of noble tacticians. Yet both groups warmed quickly to Michael, Arata, and Kyra, drawn by their energy, confidence, and the buzz surrounding the Obsidian Star Legion.
Stories flowed naturally surviving Galaxy Ascension trials by the skin of their teeth, forming groups amidst chaos, hearing about legendary predecessors from previous batches, and discovering that the Obsidian Star Legion had already become the talk of the new cycle simply because their group name had been mentioned upon arrival.
Laughter, teasing, and mutual admiration intertwined with each tale, creating a warmth that felt like sunlight on frozen stone.
Then, suddenly, the air shifted. The noise of the Atrium intensified. A wave of shouting surged like a tidal roar, reverberating through every crystal and marble surface. Voices joined in unison:
"LIN! LIN! LIN! LIN!"
Heads turned. Murmurs rose into excited whispers, whispers into frantic chatter. A pulse of exhilaration rippled across the banquet floor. The Celestial Rift Vanguard had arrived.
The crowd parted naturally, forming a wide, almost reverent corridor as seven figures strode forward in perfect formation. Their presence alone radiated prestige and authority, an aura so heavy it pressed lightly on every chest without releasing a single thread of energy. The Celestial Rift Vanguard were legends pride of the Covenant, number one across thousands of years, undefeated, unshakable, a force that few mortals could even imagine approaching.
Warriors froze in awe, especially those from the 15th batch downward. Many had never witnessed the Celestial Rift Vanguard in person their appearances at public events were rarer than comets. For these young warriors, seeing them was like glimpsing myth manifest. Girls whispered and clutched at their companions, boys stared with mouths slightly open, and all eyes followed the leader, Lin a calm, graceful, yet overwhelmingly intimidating figure whose mere gaze could silence a battlefield.
One of the Astraflare Dawnwatch members leaned close to Michael, eyes sparkling. "That's them! Do you know how rare this is!? They haven't appeared since the 15th batch! This is insane!"
A Luminous Quill Brigade girl added breathlessly, "Lin… they say his master is Valtherion Draven, a mythical figure. Nobody has ever seen him before."
Michael smiled faintly, replying with casual confidence, "That's cool. Because Valtherion Draven is my master too."
Instant silence.
Astraflare Dawnwatch froze mid-step. Luminous Quill Brigade paused mid-sip. Then, almost explosively, both groups burst into laughter.
"Hahaha! My friend, don't joke like that!"
"Brother, you're funny Valtherion Draven? YOUR master?"
"Please, you're going to kill us with laughter!"
Kyra lifted a lazy hand. "He's not joking. It's true."
Arata nodded. "Yes. He's serious."
Still, the two groups laughed harder. Michael let a smirk curl across his lips and dropped the next bomb.
"Lin is my brother.
Silence, sharp and complete.
Then eruptions of laughter mingled with shock. "Your BROTHER!? Hahaha! Then prove it.
The laughter was abruptly cut as the Celestial Rift Vanguard approached. Michael immediately noticed something was off.
"Wait… they're seven," he murmured. "They used to be eight. Someone's missing."
An Astraflare member nodded sadly. "Yeah… one died in the Constellation Rupture Trials."
Michael's eyes dimmed for a heartbeat. "I see…"
But mourning had no place now. The reunion called for action.
Shouting over the chaos was impossible. The crowd's energy, the collective voices, the cascading lights nothing could penetrate the tumult. Michael exhaled, drawing power from deep within. His voice cracked the sound barrier without harming anyone.
"BROTHER LOOK THIS WAY!"
Time paused.
Lin's head jerked toward the sound. His eyes widened. The Celestial Rift Vanguard froze in disbelief.
Then Lin moved—fast, emotional, relentless. Michael surged forward like a comet. The collision wasn't violent only desperate, overwhelming, heartfelt. They embraced. Trembling. Shaking. Tears streaming uncontrollably.
For Michael, only centuries had passed. For Lin… millennia. He had thought Michael lost forever.
Warriors around them felt the shockwave of emotion like rolling cosmic tides. The Celestial Rift Vanguard escorted the Obsidian Star Legion back to their table, which immediately became the most watched point in the Atrium. Lin sat beside Michael, eyes still red.
"You… you're alive. I searched for you. For centuries."
Michael exhaled shakily, wiping tears. "I told you… I don't die that easily."
They laughed. They cried. They spoke endlessly. Lin checked their cultivation, eyes gleaming with pride.
"Third-stage Skywalker?" he asked, glancing at Michael. "Kyra at fourth? Arata at seventh?"
Michael whirled toward Arata. "Seventh?! When did this happen?"
She shrugged softly, smiling. "I'm speeding up… so we always have a chance together."
Lin nodded approvingly. "A leader must always ensure their group can rise."
Michael smirked. "But you… you're the leader. Your members look stronger than ever."
Lin's faint smile was calm. "Individual rankings before group rankings. Always. I have my reasons."
Michael grinned. "No need. With MOMO, I know everything instantly."
MOMO bobbed her tiny head proudly.
As more wine poured Abyssal Helion Draught, far more than any other table Michael and the Obsidian Star Legion drank, ignoring Lin's warnings.
"Don't drink too much," Lin cautioned. "The Abyssal Helion Draught boosts cultivation violently."
Michael rolled his eyes and downed another cup. Kyra followed immediately. Arata hesitated, then drank.
The effect was instant. Heat surged through their veins. Cosmic energy expanded in their cores. Spirits brightened, consciousness sharpened. Foundations solidified dramatically.
The party continued with raucous laughter, flowing energy, and euphoric intoxication.
Eventually, under the influence of the wine and the night's magic, Michael stood, extending a hand toward Arata.
"Dance with me," he said softly.
Arata blinked in surprise but then rose gracefully, taking his hand. They moved to the center of the Atrium, thousands of warriors dancing around them beneath constellations and drifting star-lights. Michael's hand rested at her waist, pulling her closer, just enough for warmth, just enough for connection.
Arata did not resist. Her head rested against his chest, feeling his heartbeat, his breath, his presence. Their breathing synced. Their steps matched. The world shrank to a single point the space between them.
Every subtle motion, every slight touch, carried unspoken words, hidden longing, and unrestrained desire. The music pulsed like a living heartbeat, the lights danced like reflection in cosmic waves, and the thousands of onlookers dissolved into blur and shadow.
Michael leaned in. Arata met him halfway. Lips collided, soft, desperate, tentative yet fiery. Their synchronization was instantaneous, unspoken, inevitable. Desire and emotion surged, overwhelming thought and caution.
Nearby, Lin watched quietly, pride and amusement touching his lips. "My younger brother has finally matured," he whispered, barely audible over the Atrium's pulse.
Around them, the banquet continued music, lights, laughter, the faint hum of cultivation energy but something profound had shifted. The Obsidian Star Legion had ignited a presence no one could ignore. Admiration, envy, curiosity—all intertwined. Whispers spread, eyes narrowed, and silent jealousy began to form, lurking beneath polite smiles.
But at that moment, none of it mattered.
Michael and Arata danced. Breath mingled. Desire burned. The universe contracted to a single, intoxicating reality: two stars spinning together, bound by fate, courage, and yearning.
Hours passed, the Helion Assembly Atrium glowing like a living nebula. And when morning's first light touched the crystal spires, Michael woke heart racing, mind aflame, cheeks burning haunted and enchanted by every memory of the night, by every brush of skin, every lingering heartbeat, every kiss that had rewritten the constellations of his soul.
He whispered to himself, hands trembling, flushed and alive.
"I… I'm doomed…"
And somewhere in the sector, Arata felt exactly the same her thoughts, her warmth, her blush, her heart a chaotic storm of emotions too vast for words.