"This is about to get real messy."
NYMBRIA - GODS' REALM
A shadow crept from the sky, silent at first—then came the eerie music, a sound that chilled the heart. The air turned black and heavy. Before anyone could react, something sharp and fast cut through the darkness.
Ashglass. Shattered and hidden in the shadows.
It struck straight through the chest of Itharion, the God of Knowledge. He gasped in pain. The ashglass pierced deep—he didn't die, but the injury was critical.
Elynara, the Goddess of Healing, rushed to his side to keep him alive.
Then light burst through the sky. Crixus, the God of War, arrived with his golden sword. Helius, the God of Creation, followed, lightning crackling around him. Nytheria, the Goddess of the Final Seal, came with her golden chains glowing like fire.
But even their divine power couldn't stop what came next.
The divine shield protecting Nymbria shattered.
From the broken sky descended the Voidwalkers, soldiers of the Veil. Leading them were two figures—Casimir, a powerful hybrid, and Morticia, the soulless princess. Her chest was open where a heart should be. She floated with dark wings, her evil eyes glowing. A haunting lullaby came from her lips, soft and slow. She never stopped smiling.
Casimir stood beside her. Behind them came two more powerful Veilborn: Lamash and Astra.
The battle began. The Nymbrian Vanguard clashed with the Voidwalkers in a storm of steel, flame, and darkness. But Morticia and Casimir didn't fight—they only watched.
Helius narrowed his eyes. "Something's not right. Azazel is not here."
Nytheria looked around. "They're not trying to take Nymbria. If they were, all the Veilborn would be here."
From the ground, Itharion cried out, his voice strained with pain. "Run! Helius! Protect the girl! This is just a distraction!"
At that moment, Casimir and Morticia took flight and vanished into the dark sky. They had achieved what they came for.
Helius turned to Crixus and Nytheria. "Go save the Earth! Seal the Nexus before more of them pass!"
The two gods shot toward Earth like lightning bolts.
Back in Nymbria, the fight continued. Lamash and Astra were powerful, but without their leaders, they fell. The gods defeated the remaining Veilborn and Voidwalkers.
But Itharion was fading fast.
Helius knelt beside him. "You must hold on."
Itharion shook his head weakly. "No... this is my end. I've lived long."
Helius clenched his fists. "How can we guide the prophesied child and the Moon Prince without you? You are the foundation of knowledge."
"I've given what I could," Itharion said. "Now protect them. Save the realm."
Then, with a final breath, Itharion's form shattered into light and dust.
Helius stood in silence, then turned toward Earth.
On Earth…
Nytheria and Crixus came just in time. The Voidwalkers had crossed the Nexus, but Azazel was nowhere to be found.
Aurel looked up through the smoke and chaos. She saw them fighting, but she couldn't recognize them...
With all her strength, Nytheria wrapped the Nexus in chains of golden energy, creating a brilliant but fragile barricade. The portal pulsed beneath the seal—a barrier strong enough to hold for now, but destined to fade. Her light dimmed, knowing this delay was only temporary.
Crixus battled below her, slashing fireballs with his golden sword.
Helius arrived in a flash of lightning, striking down the last Voidwalkers—though innocent lives below were caught in the blast.
The ground cracked beneath their landing. Their golden wings dissolved into the air, leaving behind faint trails of light. Helius, Crixus, and Nytheria stood before Aurel and Luceris—tall, still, and terrifying in their silence.
Helius stepped forward in gleaming golden armor. His voice thundered—not loud, but undeniable, every word laced with ancient weight.
"It is time, my child," he said, his eyes glowing with the weight of ancient knowledge.
Luceris stepped beside her, tense.
Aurel whispered, "They don't look like Veilborns to me."
Luceris shook his head. "No, they are Gods."
Aurel stood frozen. Her heart was beating fast, and her hands were cold. The light around the gods was so bright it made her eyes sting. She didn't understand what was happening, only that these beings were powerful—too powerful.
Helius stepped forward, golden light flickering in his eyes. "I am Helius, the God of Creation. There's much I must explain to you—but first, I need to see your father."
"My father?" Aurel asked, confused. "What does any of this have to do with him?"
Helius's voice dropped, heavy with meaning. "Everything."
Luceris stepped between them, his tone urgent. "We can't enter the kingdom. The king has forsaken Aurel… and he wants me dead."
Crixus slammed his golden sword into the ground, his eyes blazing. "Then we fight our way in. This can't wait."
The gods moved with purpose. As they approached the gates of the kingdom, the soldiers froze, eyes wide with disbelief. They had grown up hearing stories of the gods—but now, the legends walked before them.
At the gates of the kingdom, horns blared through the smoke-filled sky. Soldiers rushed to their positions, lining the walls with drawn bows and raised swords. The gates remained shut, but the air trembled.
Then—they landed.
Three gods descended in a blaze of golden light. The earth cracked beneath their feet as Helius, Crixus, and Nytheria stood tall before the gate, divine power radiating like a storm.
"Hold!" the captain of the guard shouted. "Identify yourselves!"
Crixus stepped forward, his golden sword resting on his shoulder. "Step aside," he said, voice booming. "We don't have time for mortal games."
But the soldiers didn't move. Their fear was real, but so was their loyalty.
From above the wall, King Haedron appeared, dressed in his royal armor. His voice echoed across the field.
"How dare you come uninvited!" he barked.
"You haven't fulfilled your promise," Helius said, his voice cold and unreadable. His gaze locked onto King Haedron, sharp and unwavering. "Should I take your life now?"
The words cut through the air, and for a moment, everything fell still.
Haedron's knees nearly buckled. His breath caught in his throat as his eyes widened in recognition. "By the gods…" he whispered, the realization crashing over him. "Helius?"
The name hit him like a blow. The ancient God of Creation—and the one who had granted him Aurel.
Fear gripped Haedron's heart as memories of broken promises and debts resurfaced. This was no mere encounter. This was the reckoning.
Aurel watched in disbelief. "What's happening?" she whispered.
Nytheria turned to Crixus. "We must find the Firstborn Princess."
Luceris's brow furrowed. "Aeria? Why her?"
Crixus's expression was grim. "We believe the Veilborns didn't come to conquer Earth—at least, not yet. They're here for the Firstborn Princess. To take her into the Veil."
Aurel asked, confused, "What for?"
"Brace yourselves," Helius warned, a dark grin flickering. "Things are about to get real messy."