Enjoy your reign in the shadows, sister. But know this—every shadow will eventually fade, and when the light rises, you'll have nowhere to hide.

  A hundred years had passed since King Asura left, believing the peace of Oreath was secure in her hands. He had left her to watch over the realm, certain that her guidance and compassion would see the world flourish. And it had. The planet had thrived under her care, the people were content, and the lands flourished with prosperity. Solaria had kept the balance between mortals and gods, ensuring peace at all costs.

  But now, everything she had worked for was under siege, and the very sister she had once loved had shattered the fragile peace.

  Ventris had been planning for over a century, biding her time in the shadows, feeding off her bitterness and resentment. She had waited, watching, and now the time for her retribution had come. The screams of the innocent echoed in Solaria's ears, piercing through the darkened corridors as the sound of battle raged outside.

  Her loyal angels—those few who still remained true to her—fought valiantly to protect the mortals from the wrath of her sister's army. But it was a losing battle. Ventris had caught them off guard, her sudden attack throwing them all into disarray. Even the angels, with their grace and power, found themselves struggling in the face of the unexpected assault.

  Solaria's breath hitched as she pushed forward, her heart heavy with guilt and fear. Her sister's cruelty had been years in the making, and now that cruelty was being unleashed on the very world she had worked to protect. Would the humans survive this wrath? Would she be able to save them, or was it already too late?

  But she could not stop now. She had to get to them—Aurelius, the humans, the innocent who had looked to her for salvation. She couldn't let her sister's madness destroy everything she had built.

  5 years before.....

  The moonlight streamed through the grand windows of the master bedroom, casting a soft, silver glow upon the couple as they lay entwined in peaceful slumber. The room, situated at the highest point of the God King's castle, was bathed in the quiet serenity of the night. The intricate tapestries adorning the walls, woven with ancient symbols and rich colors, seemed to shimmer in the ethereal light, as if reflecting the bond between Solaria and Aurelius. Their wedding had been a grand affair, one that resonated throughout the kingdom, echoing in the hearts of every soul on the planet.

  Solaria, the goddess of darkness and void, lay beside her beloved, her platinum-white hair cascading over the pillow, a stark contrast to the golden curls of Aurelius. His handsome face, even in sleep, had a certain intensity to it, as if the weight of the world rested gently on his chest. He, too, had been born with a divine heritage, a crown prince and transcendent, now elevated alongside Solaria to reign over the realm. Together, they had become the King and Queen of Oreath.

  The castle, once a bustling home to gods and angels alike, was now quiet, save for the soft breaths of the sleeping couple and the distant whispers of the night. But beneath the calm, there was an undercurrent of sadness that permeated the air—a bittersweet emotion carried by every soul in the kingdom.

  In the grand halls below, the angels sang, their voices rising in harmony, filling the castle with both joy and sorrow. Their song was one of celebration, honoring the union of their Queen and King, but there was also an aching undercurrent. The God King, the one who had created this world and watched over it for eons, had left. His departure had been a monumental occasion, a decision that none could have ever truly anticipated. Yet, in his infinite wisdom, he had entrusted the reign of Oreath to Solaria and Aurelius, his children. He had left for a small vacation, taking a step back from the world he had built, trusting that the couple could continue to guide the kingdom with love and compassion.

  But even as the angels sang, tears fell from their celestial eyes. The God King's absence left an unfillable void. He was the cornerstone of their existence, the one who had crafted their world, and without him, the angels could not help but mourn the loss. Some had whispered in the dark corners of the castle, uncertain of what the future would hold. Would the world continue to thrive under Solaria and Aurelius' rule? Would the balance they had worked so hard to maintain remain intact?

  In the quiet of the master bedroom, Solaria shifted in her sleep, her face softening as she nestled closer to Aurelius. The weight of the moment—their marriage, their new roles—was never far from her mind. She felt the peace of the night wrap around her, the safety of her love and the quiet hum of a world at rest. But deep down, there was a knowing, a nagging feeling that things were changing, and she couldn't help but wonder if their reign would be as peaceful as they hoped.

  The sound of the angels' voices drifted into the room, their sorrowful melody mixing with the soft rhythm of Aurelius' breathing. For now, they were safe.

  As the weeks turned into months and the seasons shifted gently across the land, peace continued to reign over Oreath. The once-chaotic planet, rife with conflicts and suffering, now flourished under the stewardship of Solaria and Aurelius. Life had woven itself into a seamless tapestry of love, growth, and harmony. Aurelius, as the King, spent his days moving between the bustling cities and tranquil villages, strengthening the bonds he had with his people, ensuring they were never far from his reach. He had worked hard to maintain the relationships his father had begun with the mortals, and as time went on, the love they had for him only deepened. His golden-blue eyes, now a familiar sight in every corner of the kingdom, were full of warmth and understanding—qualities that the people cherished dearly.

  Aurelius' family had also grown in these peaceful years. His mother, Queen Abella, and his father, King Barbarus, had welcomed four more children into their lives: three brothers and a sister. Aurelius adored them all, his heart swelling with pride as he watched each of them grow. The eldest of his new siblings, a brother named Eryndor, showed promise in the arts of diplomacy, while his sister, Aris, was a brilliant tactician, her sharp mind already beginning to shape the kingdom's future. The other two brothers, Jorin and Leith, were strong and capable warriors, showing a fierce loyalty to their family and their kingdom.

  With his siblings, Aurelius felt the familial bond that had always been a part of him—despite the weight of his title, despite the responsibilities of his reign, his family remained his greatest joy. They laughed together, trained together, and celebrated milestones in one another's lives. Life felt complete.

  Zervas, too, had recently become a transcendent, a moment that filled Aurelius with immense pride. The once-young boy who had been taught magic by the prince himself had now reached the pinnacle of mortal achievement, becoming one of the rare few who transcended humanity's limitations. Zervas' wind affinity had grown stronger than ever, and he had proven himself time and again as both a protector of the people and a devoted friend. The two of them, Aurelius and Zervas, shared a bond akin to brothers, one forged through countless moments of triumph and struggle. Zervas' ascension to transcendent status had been a truly proud moment, not just for himself, but for the entire kingdom, as it marked the rise of another hero among them.

  While Solaria and Aurelius had their hands full with their duties as King and Queen, there was never a moment they didn't cherish together, their love a constant in an ever-changing world. Even the angels, who had once been so mournful at the God King's departure, now found peace in their work under the leadership of the young rulers. They had come to see Solaria and Aurelius not as mere inheritors of their father's kingdom, but as true rulers in their own right, each bringing something unique to their reign.

  And so, the kingdom thrived, a world of peace and prosperity that seemed untouched by the passing of time. But even in these moments of serenity, Aurelius couldn't help but feel a sense of unease deep within him, a quiet whisper on the wind that something was shifting in the distance—an unknown force that threatened the calm. Still, for now, life went on as it always had. The world was peaceful, and the people were content. Aurelius could only hope that, for a while longer, it would stay that way.

  One fateful night, as Castle Asura floated in its serene stillness, a sudden, violent explosion shattered the peace. It came from far below, reverberating high in the tallest tower of the castle where the couple resided. The sound of it was akin to thunder, its tremors strong enough to shake the very foundations of the ancient fortress from where it hung at the edge of space. The ground beneath them rumbled, and the skies below seemed to darken in the wake of the catastrophe.

  Aurelius and Solaria rushed to the tower's edge, their eyes widening in horror as the devastation unfolded below them. From their vantage point, high in the heavens, Skylight City, once a gleaming jewel of the Barbarus Kingdom, was now little more than a smoldering ruin. The expanse of destruction stretched across the planet's surface, they saw a massive impact wound on the planet below, far too large to be natural. It stretched across the land like an open wound, miles wide, the earth cracked and scorched, burning with an unnatural intensity.

  And then, as if the universe itself was echoing their sorrow, a sickening explosion erupted from the center of the city, sending shockwaves rippling through the atmosphere.

  Aurelius's breath caught in his throat as they both watched in horror. The majestic castle, once soaring above the city, now twisted and buckled as it began to plummet toward the earth. It fell, not as a graceful descent, but as a broken monument, its golden towers crumbling like fragile glass. From their vantage point high above, the sight was both beautiful and devastating—the floating castle's fall was like a comet, but one carrying with it the death of a thousand dreams.

  He leaped from the window of the tower, flying as fast as his great wings could take him to the world below, his wife following close behind and in their heads the same thoughts ran rampant: "What could cause such an unimaginable destruction?"

  "By the gods..." Solaria whispered, her voice trembling with sorrow.

  They both knew. They didn't need to say it aloud. The energy that burned tainted the land, the unmistakable malice that lingered in the air—it was Ventris, Solaria's sister. She had been the one to unleash such fury. The bond they had once shared had twisted into something far darker, and now, this violent outburst was the result of her deep-seated hatred.

  As he reached closer to the planets surface, Aurelius' mind raced as he took in the full scope of the devastation. His father, Barbarus, his mother, his siblings—his thoughts were consumed with their safety. But most of all, he couldn't shake the worry for his human subjects, for so few of them were magically gifted. With the sheer magnitude and swiftness of the attack, he feared the worst. The ones who had no means of defense, the vulnerable—he feared they had been caught in the chaos, unable to escape the devastation that had descended upon them so suddenly. Their hearts were heavy with the dread of what they might find when they reached the center of the destruction that now marred the planet.

  As they neared the shattered surface, Aurelius felt the raw power still reverberating through the land. Solaria's eyes narrowed with a dangerous glow, her determination to protect her people burning like a star. They both knew they had to get to the heart of the chaos. But as they drew closer, the vast destruction told them that the mark had been made, the devastation spread for miles.

  As they landed on the planet's fractured surface, their minds and hearts raced. The damage was intense. He stretched out his senses to survey the land, a cold realization settled in—he could no longer feel them. The familiar energy of his people, his family, was gone. There was no trace of life left, only the grim and haunting scene before him. The city, once teeming with the heartbeat of its people, was now a lifeless wasteland, and all that remained was the devastation that weighed heavily on his heart.

  What had once been a thriving city, alive with the laughter of children, the chatter of workers, and the bustle of daily life, was now nothing more than a smoldering wreck of burning buildings and collapsed towers. He looked down and saw a charred plush toy at his feet. Reaching to pick it up, he felt it crumble to ash in his fingers the moment he touched it. Their hearts dropped into their stomachs, for they knew the cruelty and destruction that would follow in her wake. She had betrayed them both.

  "I'll stop her." Solaria said, her voice barely a broken whisper, but the resolve in it was unmistakable.

  "Together." Aurelius replied, his voice firm as steel and his teeth bare as they sharpened into fangs. He would not allow Ventris to undo everything they had worked so hard for—the peace, the love, the unity. He would stop her, even if it meant ending her permanently.

  The death, the destruction was too great and a price had to be paid.

  The weight of the situation grew heavier with every passing second. It had been nearly a century since they last saw Ventris, and in all that time, she had withdrawn from the world, from her family, from them. She had left Castle Asura, seeking her own space, her own path, something she could control. Solaria and Aurelius had tried to reach out to her, extend their hands in kindness, to tell her that if she ever needed them, they would be there—her family, always there, always open to her. They had even kept her room in the castle untouched, just as she had left it, a silent offer of comfort, a space for her to return to if she ever chose to.

  But now, with the destruction she had unleashed, it was clear that all of their efforts had been in vain. Ventris was no longer the sister they had once known, and this display of power—this chaos that now threatened everything—could no longer be ignored. Her magic had been wild, untamed, and chaotic. The very air was thick with her energy, though she was nowhere to be found.

  As he watched his city burn, the memories began to flood back to him, crashing over him like a violent storm. He had seen this city grow, watched its people thrive for the past 400 years. He had formed bonds with many of his subjects, and even their descendants had become like family. He even took the time out of his day to learn the names of all his subjects. But as he gazed at the destruction before him, he knew—those humans who had once called this vast city home were now gone. The weight of it all hit him, and his eyes welled with tears. A deafening roar escaped him, his power surging with raw, uncontrollable rage. His chest tightened as he realized the unimaginable—his home, his legacy, his kingdom, were being destroyed before his very eyes. The pain of loss surged through him, raw and unrelenting.

  He had watched his people thrive, building bonds that went beyond ruler and subject—they were family. Now, they were gone. His heart ached as he remembered their faces, the laughter of children, the warmth of familiar greetings. All of it, destroyed by the wrath of one he thought of as his own sister.

  Tears fell from his eyes, but his rage soon overtook his sorrow, another deafening roar tore from him, his power surging even more uncontrollably. His golden-blue eyes flared, the earth beneath him cracking, the sky darkening with his fury. His grief had transformed into a violent storm, and he could no longer hold back.

  As his body began to shift, his human form twisted, his muscles growing in size and strength. Black scales, sleek and shimmering, spread across parts of his skin, their dark hue accented by veins of molten gold that pulsed with his every heartbeat as his eyes glowed with the intensity of molten metal. The enormous wings erupted from his back were a blend of gold and black, their edges jagged and webbed like a dragon's, shimmering with an otherworldly energy.

  Aurelius's energy flared outward in violent waves, sending shockwaves of power that cracked the very atmosphere around him. His aura was like a storm—unpredictable, fierce, and unstoppable—lashed out in all directions, sending ripples through the air. His once serene, compassionate nature was now hidden beneath a coat of fury and anguish, his partial transformation marking the full extent of his emotional devastation. A low, guttural growl escaped his throat as he clenched his claws, the golden and black dragon hybrid that he had become standing as a force of nature, poised to unleash a vengeance that would reshape everything in its path.

  Solaria stood beside Aurelius, her eyes wide with shock, her heart heavy with the weight of the destruction. She had never seen him like this—his fury, his pain, it was consuming him. But she understood. The death, the loss of so many innocents—it was too much for even a god to bear.

  She reached out, her fingers brushing his as a wave of sorrow and love passed between them. In that moment, she felt his anguish as her own, and she knew what had to be done.

  With a deep, steadying breath, Solaria closed her eyes, her body shimmering with dark light. Scales of pure white and blue began to spread across her skin, glowing like the night sky. Her hair flared out, twisting into ethereal tendrils as her wings unfurled, vast and powerful. The power that surged from her was immeasurable, more than Aurelius could have imagined.

  Her form resembled that of her husband a magnificent dragon, with mostly human characteristics, her power eclipsing even her husband's. The ground trembled beneath her as her wings spread wide, her eyes burning with the same fiery determination that now blazed within Aurelius. They stood together, their wrath fueled by the deaths of those they could not save.

  With a powerful roar, he summoned his army of angels. At the time of the initial attack, they had scattered, doing what they could to help any surviving humans, guiding them to safety. They had never seen their king like this before, his form so different, so far removed from the image they were used to. Though not as strong as his wife—still not fully a god—they could feel his immense power radiating, unmistakable. They trembled as he spoke, his voice a low growl.

  "Report."

  One angel stepped forward—Calrus, their messenger.

  "My lord... There are no survivors. The damage extends all the way to the borders of Barbarus. The attack was controlled... Precise." He hesitated, then added, "The energy seems to be from Lady Ventris, as you may have already surmised. But she is nowhere to be found. She may be concealing herself."

  "We need to find her." Aurelius muttered, his voice low but filled with determination. "She cannot be allowed to get away with this. She may even be offworld, as we cannot sense her... But we will—"

  "Don't bother looking, my dear king." A mocking voice cut through the air, smooth and chilling.

  A flash of golden light cut through the air, and there, standing before him, was the woman who had wrought this devastation. She was beautiful beyond measure, her long golden hair cascading like liquid sunlight, shimmering with an ethereal glow. Her eyes, a piercing red, gleamed with an intensity that could burn through the soul. She wore a flowing black dress with red accents that rippled as if woven from shadow itself, perfectly complementing the divine energy she exuded. It was almost suffocating, a heavy weight in the air that pressed against his chest, yet her presence was undeniable—powerful and regal, like a goddess in her full glory.

  The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

  Despite the overwhelming aura of destruction surrounding her, The king's fury could not be contained. With a deafening roar, he confronted her.

  "Why!? Just why? The people here did nothing to you, and you... You killed them all! Where is my family?! And Zervas, where is he?!"

  He demanded as his voice trembled with the weight of his grief, while the storm of rage and sorrow continue to surge within him.

  "Don't worry about that, your Majesty," her voice dripped with mockery, her words cutting through the tension. "They're all right here."

  With a snap of her fingers, a cage of shimmering energy materialized, his family inside. His mother, father, brothers, and sister stood within, their expressions filled with fear and confusion. Transcendents they may be but in the face of a true god like Ventris, were like pups to a wolf. The sight of them, so close yet so unreachable, sent a surge of panic through him.

  Without a second thought, Aurelius rushed toward the cage, his instincts screaming to protect them. But before he could take another step, she raised her hand, and a giant spear of light materialized, aimed directly at the cage.

  "Uh-uh-uh." She cooed, her voice almost playful. "Now, little Aure, move an inch, and they all die."

  The king froze, his heart pounding in his chest. Trembling with a mix of fear and rage, he stood motionless. His voice, barely a whisper, reached his family.

  "Mother, father, I'll get you all out of there."

  But despite his words, he could do nothing—trapped in place by her immense power, his fury and helplessness warring within him.

  His mother's eyes met his, filled with sorrow and love. She smiled at him, though the tears in her eyes betrayed the pain she was trying to hide. Her gaze flickered to Solaria, who stood outside the cage, watching with a look of disbelief. As if drawn by some invisible force, she darted toward the bars, her movements frantic, as though reaching for something—or someone.

  Then, the sound of something sharp cutting through the air reached him.

  The king turned just in time to see Solaria stagger, a figure in a hooded cloak standing nearby. A weapon was lodged into her, and golden blood began to spill from the wound, staining her scales and dress, the sudden pain causing her to stagger and collapse. The angels around her tried to save their queen but they missed every strike against the hooded figure. The sight took his breath away. For a moment, his mind refused to process the horror before him, the image so impossible that he couldn't believe it.

  But then, in a flash, his fury ignited. He surged toward her, claws extended, a primal snarl tearing from his throat. With the speed of a storm, he slashed at the cloaked figure, the air crackling with his power, the weight of his rage behind the strike, but it was all too late.

  The hooded figure vanished into thin air, only to reappear beside Ventris, as though nothing had happened.

  The king's eyes widened in shock, his focus shifting to his wife in her collapsed and pained state. He crouched to embrace her, hands trembling as she whimpered quietly in pain. He had never expected to see her in such a state. Normally, not even he could land a scratch on her, but now, she was wounded deeply. The wound ran across her side, and despite his power, it showed no signs of healing. He reached out instinctively, trying to mend her, but the wound remained, dark and unyielding.

  Worry gripped him, forming a cold knot in his stomach. This was unlike anything he had ever seen. The fear of losing her was something he had never imaged and it made his heart race.

  He looked at his wife, his heart heavy with despair. He had just lost his people, had his family taken from him, and now... Was he about to lose her too? The thought struck him like a blow to the chest, brining tears to his eyes once more.

  But Solaria met his gaze, her eyes still filled with love, her expression soft and reassuring despite the pain. "Worry not, my love..." She whispered, her voice strained but gentle. "It's only a scratch."

  Her words were a lie, and they both knew it. The pain from the wound gripped her, deeper than she dared admit, but she refused to let him see the extent of it. Despite her efforts to heal herself, nothing seemed to work. The wound remained, a dark reminder of the violence they were facing. Yet, she pushed it aside, not wanting to add to his already unbearable burden.

  In a swift, urgent motion, Aurelius tore a portion of his wife's dress and carefully tied it around the wound, doing what he could to stop the bleeding. His hands trembled, but his resolve was clear. After securing the makeshift bandage, he helped her rise to her feet, his anger simmering, but his wife put her hand on his as if trying to tell him that she will settle this and with a voice booming with authority yelled.

  "Sister." She called out, her voice echoing across the shattered landscape, to her brilliant counter as she stood there watching their moment together in cruel amusement. "What do you want? What could possibly drive you to cause all this destruction?!"

  Her eyes locked onto Ventris, gaze burning with a mixture of disbelief, sorrow, and a deep, unyielding need for answers.

  "Oh, sister, don't act like you don't know why I'm doing this," Ventris snapped, her voice filled with venom as her amusement quickly morphed to anger. "You took what was mine, so now I'll take what's yours. Slowly but surely, I'll build a kingdom far greater than anything you and that weakling, pathetic waste of space could ever imagine. And when Father sees... He will finally approve of me."

  Her eyes flickered toward Solaria, her expression cold. "But sadly, sister, my plan doesn't involve you or your little mutt being alive. Though I do see why you like these... Ugh. Humans... They have their uses."

  The malicious intent in her words hung in the air, her eyes burning with the conviction of her twisted vision as she slowly hovered toward the hooded figure, who had just stabbed Solaria, a dark smile curled on her lips.

  "Especially this one..." She hummed as she walked around the hooded figure, trailing her fingers along his shoulder as she met her sister's fierce gaze.

  With a slow, deliberate movement, she removed his hood, revealing the face beneath.

  It was Zervas to the shock of the two.

  "Look." She said with a wicked gleam in her eyes. "I even found a toy of my own."

  Her voice was dripping with mockery, as she looked down at him, the once-strong warrior now nothing more than a pawn in her twisted game.

  The king's heart clenched, his gaze fixed on Zervas. He could hardly believe what he was seeing. There had to be more to this, something beyond what was visible. What was he hiding? What could possibly make him join her? His mind raced, desperately searching for an answer, not wanting to believe this betrayal.

  He stepped forward, his voice low but filled with a quiet intensity. "Zervas... There must be something more to this. Tell me why."

  As their eyes met, Zervas's gaze was cold, devoid of the warmth he had once shared with the king. He didn't speak, offering nothing in explanation.

  The king sighed deeply, his heart heavy with the weight of his betrayal. There was no response to try and clear this up, no remorse in Zervas's eyes. With this... He has no choice but to treat him as an enemy. His gaze hardened, and with a surge of determination, he spoke.

  "I pray to Asura that you have a good reason for this, brother." The king spoke, his voice low but full of a chilling resolve as he bared his fangs at him. "Or I will make you regret so much as existing. Not just for hurting my wife, but for taking part in all of this destruction. The lives lost here today... Will not go unanswered."

  His words were sharp, the promise of retribution unmistakable. The king's fury was evident, but there was also a deep sadness in his eyes—a sorrow for the brother he had lost to this dark path. Zeravas hadn't even reacted to his threat, eyes icy still .

  "Alright, enough talk," Ventris cut in, her voice sharp and dismissive. "Today is a special day for you two. I've spent the better part of the last 100 years preparing a gift for you both."

  With a snap of her fingers, the world around them shifted. In an instant, Aurelius, Solaria, Queen Abella, King Barbarus, and his children found themselves in a completely unfamiliar realm. They stood in the middle of a barren wasteland, the ground beneath their feet jagged and black, littered with sharp, jagged rocks. Above, the sky was an unsettling canvas, filled with exploding stars and collapsing galaxies—a scene both beautiful and eerie, its grandeur overshadowed by a sense of foreboding.

  In the distance, the fallen Castle Barbarus loomed—now nothing more than a broken shell of its former glory. The once-mighty fortress drifted in the strange void like a ghost, its collapsed towers standing as a haunting reminder of what had been lost.

  The group looked around, confusion and trepidation growing in their eyes. They had no idea where they were, but one thing was clear: they were no longer on Oreath. And whatever this place was, they needed to find a way out.

  Back on Oreath, Ventris stood tall above the army of angels, her presence commanding and powerful as she looked down at them. Her gaze was filled with cold confidence, the weight of her power evident in every step she took. The surviving angels stood in uneasy silence, unsure of what was to come.

  "Look at them," Ventris began, her voice carrying across the battlefield, smooth and persuasive. "These creatures you serve, these petty kings and queens, they are nothing compared to what I am offering you. You stand at the crossroads of your future, a future in which you can transcend. Become something more. A future where you will be gods—true gods."

  "You've followed orders, fought for a cause that has only led you to your death. But why should you die for them? Join me, and I will make you more than just weapons of war. You will be my fellow gods, ruling by my side, shaping the future as you see fit. No longer bound by mortal rules, no longer slaves to the whims of those unworthy of your strength. Together, we will build a kingdom that will rival the heavens itself. Power, glory, immortality. All will be yours. The choice is simple."

  As she spoke, six angels stepped forward, their eyes filled with a mixture of awe and ambition. They had seen the truth in her words, the power she promised. They kneeled before her, pledging their allegiance, their once-strong loyalty to the king now shattered in the face of her tempting offer.

  "I choose to stand with you, my Queen." One of them declared, his voice full of conviction.

  The others followed suit, swearing their loyalty, and as the final words left their mouths, the atmosphere shifted. The remaining angels, their expressions filled with confusion and fear, had no time to react.

  The air was pierced by the sudden, deafening sound of destruction. In a burst of raw energy, the angels who had not pledged allegiance to Ventris were wiped from existence, their screams swallowed by the void. Nothing but silence remained in the wake of their fall, as the six generals stood by her side, their eyes glowing with newfound power, ready to serve the goddess they had chosen to follow.

  "Good." Ventris said, her voice cool and triumphant as she surveyed the generals who had chosen to stand by her. "You have made the right choice. But before we can take our rightful place as rulers, we must rid ourselves of the old rulers."

  With a flick of her wrist, she opened a rift in the air—a swirling, crackling vortex of dark energy. The rift pulsed with power, beckoning them forward, the promise of their future lying beyond it.

  Without hesitation, Ventris stepped through, her new followers following closely behind, each of them eager to embrace the power she had promised them. Her new generals moved with purpose, their faces hardening as they crossed into the unknown, ready to claim what was rightfully theirs.

  But Zervas, the last to move, hesitated. His eyes flickered between Ventris and the rift, doubt creeping into his expression for a brief moment. The weight of the past, of the bond he had once shared with Aurelius and Solaria, seemed to tug at him.

  Ventris, sensing his pause, turned to him with a cruel, knowing smile. "Don't waste time, Zervas." She called, her voice dripping with mock sweetness. "You've made your choice. Come."

  A shiver ran down his spine at her tone, but he knew there was no turning back now. With a reluctant breath, he stepped through the rift, vanishing into the darkness behind her.

  On the other side of the rift, Ventris had transported them all to the same strange, desolate realm where she had sent the others. Aurelius and his family stood at the edge of a barren wasteland, watching as Ventris and her new followers made their entrances, stepping out of the portal one by one.

  When Aurelius, who had been trying to comfort and aid his wife with her injury that refused to heal still, saw the six angel generals standing by Ventris, his heart sank. Betrayal. It was undeniable now. The weight of their treason pressed heavily on him. But it wasn't until he saw Zervas—his loyal friend and brother—standing among them that his emotions boiled over. The rage, confusion, and a profound sense of loss flooded him. Zervas had betrayed him. His closest ally had turned against him, siding with the force that had destroyed everything he loved.

  Without thinking, Aurelius rocketed toward Zervas with breakneck speed, his claws extended and ready to strike. His vision was clouded by anger, each wingbeat pushing him faster, more desperate to reach him.

  But just as he was about to collide with Zervas, Ventris's mocking voice echoed through the air.

  "Not so fast, dear brother."

  In one fluid motion, Zervas raised his hand and, with surprising strength, knocked Aurelius out of the air. The king was sent spiraling downward, his body crashing into the earth below. The impact sent a shudder through the ground.

  Solaria hated that all she could do right now was watch. Pain was something she had never experienced before and her body and mind were reeling, trying to adapt to it. The blade was removed from her body and yet still the wound it left behind had sapped her strength and left her feeling... Weak. Another thing she was not used to feeling. She had to gather her bearings and do so quickly. She couldn't let Aure face them, face their sister on his own.

  Aurelius lay still for a moment, pain surging through his body, the shock of the fall leaving him breathless. But he knew he couldn't stay down. The fire of vengeance still burned in his eyes as he pushed himself to rise, his body aching, yet filled with the determination to keep fighting. It wasn't over—not yet.

  Aurelius pushed himself to his feet, his body aching from the fall, but his resolve stronger than ever. He was ready to charge again, his fury boiling over. But once more, his efforts were halted by Ventris, who stood with a wicked smile on her face, watching him intently.

  With a casual motion, she pointed toward his family. Aurelius's eyes followed her gesture, and his heart sank as he saw them once again trapped inside a cage. A giant blade of light was pointed directly at them, poised to strike at the slightest movement.

  The proud king, feeling the weight of his helplessness, slowly lowered his wings. His arms fell to his sides, and his chest tightened as he gave in, showing that he would not resist. His heart clenched at the sight of his family's danger, his love for them outweighing his fury.

  "Good boy," Ventris taunted, her voice dripping with mock approval. "Now power down, both of you."

  Aurelius hesitated, pain evident in his eyes. But he knew the only way to keep them safe was to comply. Reluctantly, he and Solaria, despite her injuries, began to return to their human forms. The golden light that had surrounded them dimmed as they shrank in size, their once-great powers weakening.

  Solaria, still bleeding from the wound she had received earlier, struggled to stay upright, but she did not falter. She stood beside her husband, their gazes locked in a shared, silent understanding. They had no choice but to comply for now... but this was far from over.

  Suddenly, the six angel generals appeared behind Aurelius, their movements swift and silent. Before he could react, they seized him, forcing him to his knees before Ventris. The king struggled, his muscles burning with the effort, but the generals' strength was overwhelming. They held him firmly, their grip like iron as he was made to kneel before his sister.

  Ventris let out a cruel, maniacal laugh, her voice echoing through the barren realm. With a dark glint in her eyes, she flew down toward him, her feet never actually touching the ground. Her presence was suffocating, her power radiating like an oppressive storm. She hovered above him, her smile twisted with triumph.

  "How the mighty have fallen," she mocked, her words dripping with scorn.

  Solaria, seeing her beloved husband in such a position, sprang to her feet, her heart aching with desperation. But as she moved, the pain from her wound, deep and still untreated, paralyzed her. Her body betrayed her, and she fell to her knees, gasping in pain. She could barely even move..

  Ventris, noticing her sister's struggle, glanced over with a malicious smile. Her eyes gleamed with dark amusement as she watched Solaria's efforts falter.

  The sight of her sister's agony brought an even more sinister satisfaction to Ventris's heart. She relished in the power she now wielded, knowing that with every painful moment, her victory was inching closer.

  "That blade you were stabbed with earlier," Ventris said with a dark smile, her voice dripping with malice, "was cursed with my blood, sister. Though I would never truly fight you in earnest, I can, however, weaken you and trap you." She stepped closer, her eyes gleaming with satisfaction. "That curse is meant to siphon your power into me, into us."

  Her gaze shifted to her six generals, now visibly brimming with the stolen power from Solaria. Their energy surged with each moment, their strength heightened by the curse that had drained Solaria's magic. Ventris's smile widened at the sight, a feeling of victory settling in her chest.

  "However," she continued, her tone cold and calculating, "this is just in terms of your magical power. Sad to say, you still have enough physical strength to give us a good fight—you are a goddess, after all." She looked at Solaria with a sneer. "But the pain from your wound should be enough to stop you."

  Ventris stepped closer, her voice dripping with venom as she added, "Feels awful, doesn't it? You've never actually felt pain before, have you, sister? But I have... The pain of Father taking away my title, my honor. I was supposed to lead that world into greatness, and then every other world, all guided under my hand. But then you just had to come in with your goody-goody act, didn't you?"

  The bitterness in her voice was unmistakable, her words heavy with years of resentment and jealousy. The truth of her twisted motives hung in the air, darkening the atmosphere as she looked down at her sister with disdain.

  "But now that Father is gone," Ventris continued with a twisted smile, her voice laced with triumph, "I can take my revenge. I can remake his empire the way it should have been. It's a shame that you, your mutt, and his family won't be there to see it."

  The words struck Aurelius deeply, the weight of the loss pressing on him. He could see the pain in Solaria's eyes, and it fueled his desire to fight back. He tried to break free from the grip of his former soldiers, his muscles straining, but with the power they had stolen from Solaria, they were now far stronger than before. All he could do was watch, helpless.

  Ventris, noticing his defeated expression, sneered at him, clearly enjoying his suffering. "I have a deal for you, King." she said, her voice cold and calculating.

  Aurelius looked up at her, his eyes filled with determination despite the odds. He knew there was no kindness in her offer, but he had to listen, if only to find a way to save his loved ones.

  Ventris looked at Aurelius with a cruel smile, her eyes glinting with malicious amusement. "If you can survive for 20 minutes against my generals," she said slowly, savoring each word. "I'll let your family go. At least, for now. They are still transcendent immortals, and they would make... Useful assets. But no matter what happens, you must not fight back."

  The air grew heavy with the weight of her words, her offer both a twisted challenge and a cruel game. Aurelius's heart raced. The thought of his family's fate hanging in the balance spurred him to action. His mind screamed for him to fight, to do anything to protect them, but the conditions of her deal made it clear: any resistance would mean the end of their lives.

  With a heavy heart, Aurelius stared at Ventris, his gaze filled with silent defiance. This wasn't a battle he wanted, but he had no choice. He would endure. For them.

  "Good boy." Ventris grinned with a sharp smile, her voice dripping with satisfaction. "Now it's time for the show."

  Aurelius' eyes darted to Solaria, his heart sinking as he saw her being chained. The chains that held her were no ordinary bonds—they were forged by Ventris herself. These chains were unlike any others, imbued with blood magic that made them unbreakable, their curse strong enough to prevent even the mightiest beings from escaping unless certain, hidden conditions were met.

  Aurelius felt a cold dread settle in his chest as he realized the depths of his sister's cruelty. These chains weren't just physical restraints—they were another layer of control, another means of keeping Solaria bound in her suffering. And, as always, Ventris seemed to revel in the pain she caused.

  "I'm sure you're wondering just what kind of curse binds her now..." Ventris taunted, her voice filled with venom. "But you'll see soon enough..."

  The suspense in the air was palpable as the once-proud king stood there, his heart heavy with the knowledge of what was to come. He could feel the weight of the moment pressing down on him, the air thick with the promise of pain and defeat. The six angel generals now wielded Solaria's power, and Aurelius knew that, despite his own immense strength, he was no longer on equal footing.

  Before, he might have been stronger than any single one of them, perhaps even a match for the combined might of a few. But now, with the power of his wife coursing through them, it was like facing six versions of Solaria herself. Even for an immortal king who had reached the peak of his existence, it was clear that he stood little chance against Ventris and her generals.

  Aurelius understood why Ventris was doing this. It wasn't just about victory—this was personal. She wanted to break him, to humiliate him, to make an example of him. He would be the first execution in her new world, a symbol of her rise to power. The thought of losing everything, of watching his family suffer, stung more than any physical wound could.

  As Aurelius stood there, staring at the twisted scene unfolding before him, his eyes locked on his family. His mother and father were trying desperately to console each other, their faces filled with helplessness and sorrow. His siblings, too, stood in silent pain, but it was his wife—Solaria—whose screams rang out, begging them to stop, that broke his heart the most.

  Through the agony, he forced a calm smile and made eye contact with each of them. Though his body was bound, his thoughts reached out. Telepathically, he sent them messages—each one meant to comfort them in their darkest hour.

  To his little sister, he sent a whisper of reassurance, telling her that she would be alright, no matter what happened.

  To his mother and father, the words of sacrifice slipped through his mind, wishing he could have done more, wishing they didn't have to suffer like this. They had always protected him, and now he could offer them nothing but a silent farewell.

  Finally, his thoughts turned to Solaria. The love of his life. Though the pain of the moment burned through him, he still found a way to speak to her through their bond. "I love you." He thought, each word filled with the depth of his heart. "I'm sorry, but you have to be strong. Please don't look."