[Lunareth]
The moment Nova sensed the demonic presence, her aura flared, a vibrant violet light washing over the golden fields of Lunareth. Beside her, Kaelvyr remained calm, his gaze fixed on the horizon. "Steady, Nova," he said, his voice a low, reassuring hum. "The demon is weak. I can sense it."
As the trio—Elarion, Rhyzok, and Xyne—emerged from the treeline, Nova's energy settled, though she didn't lower her guard. Her eyes immediately locked onto Elarion. She pointed a small, luminous finger at him. "You," she said, her voice echoing with a strange certainty. "You're my brother. I can feel the resonance between us."
Xyne, standing slightly behind the two Spiritual Beings, let out a sharp, mocking scoff. Nova turned her gaze toward the demon girl, her expression cooling. "Did I say something funny?"
Xyne didn't flinch, wearing an expression of bored indifference. "Yeah, you did. How could you possibly know he's your brother? You were born only hours ago."
Nova looked down, her hands clenching slightly. *Don't judge her,* she told herself, forcing a calm breath. *She's a demon, but don't judge. Just stay calm.* She looked back up and offered a small, knowing smile. "I absorbed Xyloria's energy after her explosion. I still carry her essence... and some of her memories."
Xyne stared back, her silence heavy and awkward. Finally, Nova broke the tension. "Do you have a grudge against me, Demon?"
In response, Xyne began to gather a massive amount of Dark Energy into her palm, the black-and-red aura crackling with malevolent intent. Elarion and Rhyzok recoiled in shock. "Xyne! What are you doing?!" Elarion shouted.
Kaelvyr, realizing the situation was about to escalate, picked up the sleeping Astra and stepped back. "Everyone, clear the way," he commanded. "Nova can handle this."
Nova looked at Kaelvyr, and he offered her a small, trusting smile.
Elarion and Rhyzok tried to step between them, but Xyne was already moving. *Let's see if I can actually harm her,* she thought, her eyes narrowed. *Even if it's just a scratch.*
Xyne blurred into motion, her speed incredible, but to Nova, the world seemed to slow to a crawl. *Dark energy,* Nova thought, her mind analyzing the incoming strike. *I thought demonic energy was only red. I have a bad feeling about this... if it hits me, it will hurt.*
She sighed internally. *I need to counter this. Think, Nova. Think.*
As Xyne's fist connected, Nova instinctively released a massive burst of spiritual energy. The resulting shockwave was catastrophic, tearing through the atmosphere of Orynx and disintegrating the surrounding landscape into fine dust. The pulse was so powerful that even the King, far away in his domain, felt the tremor.
"Nova, stop!" Kaelvyr's voice cut through the roaring wind.
*Stop, stop, stop!* Nova thought frantically. *Why did I release so much?!*
Before the energy could completely shatter the realm, the **Celestial Eyes** manifested in the sky, their cold gaze instantly stabilizing the chaotic forces and reversing the destruction.
***
A few hours later, the group gathered inside Aravelle's building. The atmosphere was thick with tension as they sat in a circle. Kaelvyr looked at the trio, his expression stern. "Starting today, no one—and I mean *no one*—is to challenge Nova." He then turned to Nova, his voice softening but remaining firm. "And you... no more releasing your full energy like that. Understood?"
Nova looked down at her hands, her voice small. "I'm sorry. I... I lost control."
Xyne sat in the corner, her mind racing. *How did she counter that? And how did she summon those eyes? Xyloria always had to speak a command first... Nova just does it.* Finally, she spoke up. "Nova, how do you summon the Celestial Eyes?"
Nova looked at her, genuinely puzzled. "I don't know, actually. They just... appear when I need them."
Xyne nodded, though she clearly wasn't satisfied with the answer. Elarion stood up, looking at Nova. "Can we talk outside? Just the two of us?"
Nova nodded. "Okay. Let's go."
Once they were alone in the golden light of Lunareth, Elarion turned to her, his form flickering with desperation. "Nova... I want to be strong. I want to be the 1st Harbinger, but I'm too weak as I am."
Nova looked at him, her eyes glowing with an ancient wisdom. "You need a physical body."
Elarion gasped. "How did you know?"
"I told you," Nova said gently. "I have Xyloria's memories. But Elarion, you need to understand... having a physical body is dangerous for our kind. Even if the theory is true—that it makes us stronger—the risk is immense."
Elarion looked at his translucent hands. "Why is it so hard? All I want is a body."
"Because it's a double-edged sword," Nova explained. "If that body is injured—even a tiny scratch—your energy becomes unstable. You could explode. And remember, you don't produce your own spiritual energy like I do. A physical body would constantly drain your life force."
"That's why I need you!" Elarion said, his voice pleading. "You create energy. You can sustain me!"
Nova looked away, her heart heavy. "I'm sorry, Elarion, but the answer is no. I have to keep the promise I made to Xyloria. I can train you to produce your own energy, but I can't teach you to regulate a physical form yet. I'm still learning myself."
Elarion's expression hardened. "Never mind then. I'll find another way." He turned and walked back into the building without another word.
Nova stayed outside for a moment, looking up at the black void in the sky. *Xyloria... ancestors... guide me,* she thought. She suppressed her energy levels and followed him back inside.
As she entered, the trio was already preparing to leave. She looked at Kaelvyr. "What's wrong?"
"Don't worry," Kaelvyr said, standing up. "They're heading out. Elarion said they just came to see you."
Nova looked at the floor. "Why doesn't he understand the danger?"
Kaelvyr reached out, his hand glowing with a soft white light. He touched her shoulder, the contact warm and reassuring. "Everything will be fine," he said. "Come on. It's time."
"For what?"
Kaelvyr began packing a few essentials, picking up the sleeping Astra. "We're departing for our first nation today: **The Astravon Empire**."
"I almost forgot," Nova said. "What about the other Origin? The Cursed Lord?"
"He'll either meet us there or visit another nation entirely," Kaelvyr replied. He turned to Aravelle. "Goodbye, my friend. Watch over the Angels until I return."
Aravelle waved, a strange glint in his eyes. "You can trust me on that, Kaelvyr."
***
**[The King's Domain]**
The King's castle sat at the heart of Orynx, a massive fortress of obsidian and shadow. With Nova and Kaelvyr departing for their pilgrimage, only the Cursed Lord remained by the King's side.
A figure stepped into the throne room, the heavy doors groaning as they opened. The King smiled as the visitor approached. "So, what news do you have for me today?"
The figure bowed deeply. "My King... Kaelvyr has set out for the Astravon Empire. But I must warn you—Nova must not be angered."
The King chuckled. "Thank you for the information... **Aravelle**."
The Angel traitor bowed once more and slipped out of the room. The Cursed Lord stepped from the shadows, his expression grim. "What are we going to do with him? He's an Angel too."
"Calm yourself," the King said, his voice cold. "I struck a deal he couldn't resist." He turned to the Cursed Lord. "Follow Kaelvyr to the Astravon Empire. I will send word on what to do next."
The King reached out, and a servant placed a glowing orb in his hand. He tossed it to the Cursed Lord. "Take this."
"What is it, my King?"
"A communication device," the King said, his eyes narrowing. "And it is the tool we will use to kill Kaelvyr." He stood up, his voice rising in a dark proclamation. "The execution of the Angels will begin in a few years. No one will stand above me!"
***
**[Crimson Citadel]**
The **Crimson Citadel** was the ancestral home of the demonic clans tasked with guarding the Cursed Blades. It was a fortress of blood-red stone, populated by the strongest demons in existence—Specters and Harbingers alike.
Elarion, Rhyzok, and Xyne reached the massive gates of the Citadel. Xyne reached into her cloak and produced two small pills. "Take these," she said, handing them to the two Spiritual Beings. "The demonic aura here is too potent. These will prevent your energy from being corrupted."
They swallowed the pills, and Xyne stepped toward the gate. She whispered a command, and the massive doors groaned open. The gatekeeper watched them pass in silence; anyone who could open the gates without assistance was a guest of the highest order.
**To be continued...**