Theron
I walked through the sparkling sand of the astral realm, and it reminded me of old memories. Memories of when my brother and I were learning how to wield the powers of the Solaris constellation.
This little excursion to eliminate one of the Slytharion council members was the first time I was able to use my powers to this extent, since my battle with Ezra. It did wonders for me, because I felt closer to getting revenge for my mother.
There was a list of men and women who were in on the plan to kidnap her, to use her as blackmail so that Zaire would release the findings of the meteor crash site.
But this excursion also served as a litmus test of where I was in my recovery. I nearly lost myself over the past couple of months trying to heal the damage done to my soul.
That fight with Ezra taught me so much.
I learned I was right to go down the path I did, abandoning my clan and their ideals. I wouldn't have changed any of it because now I have access to power people could only dream of.
I also learned that the power I had wasn't enough. I needed to ascend further. If the Lux Tenebris were going to take out the rest of the great families, I couldn't get it done while being comfortable at the Empyrean stage. I had mastered the final node for the Empyrean stage of the Elcsipe Serpant constellation, and was ready to ascend to be an astral knight.
It weighed on my mind. The last time I tried ascending to that stage, it ended in a horrific disaster.
Not this time.
Lord Enzo hasn't made a physical appearance in the physical realm in six months. My second-in-command has been running things in my absence, keeping me updated while I healed and trained.
My physical body was in no shape to leave its healing vat. It gave me nothing but time to progress in my nodes and plan our next steps in ridding the world of great families.
As I flew through the astral realm, I couldn't help but think about the footage I saw of Cyrus in Xhatal Academy's entrance exam.
He was no Solaris. He was a fallen star like me—ruthless and cunning, as he ripped through his opponents. I could tell that whatever Zaire had tried to teach him was failing.
The only remedy for a broken heart is power and revenge, something I know all too well, and when Cyrus learns the true reason for what I am doing, he will see the light inside the dark; the Lux Tenebris for what we truly are.
Beyond his progress, I was also pleased to know where he was.
Which meant I knew where Zaire and Ezra would be.
Prime Minister Kazehoshi always had a soft spot for our family.
My astral body hummed with excitement at the thought of finally getting an opportunity to destroy those two. One was old, and the other was out of commission.
An easy clean-up once my body is ready.
Finally, I arrived at the rift portal I used to enter the astral realm. I glanced out at the open terrain, taking in the surroundings, looking forward to what else I might discover once I figure out how to create a key to unlock other parts of the astral realm.
I allowed my body to shoot through the wormhole, back to the underground chambers of the guild where my physical body resides.
I floated into my chambers and stared at my body floating in the vat for a few moments before entering.
Back inside my body, I was greeted by the cool healing liquid, and my eyes picked up on the heat signatures outside of my chambers.
The door slid open.
My second-in-command, Talia, walked into the room, carrying her tablet. Normally, she was calm and confident, but today she carried a look of worry.
She pressed a button on the control panel of my healing vat and spoke into it.
"Lord Enzo, we have received news from the RDA."
I gestured for her to drain the vat. She lowered the water level until my head was no longer submerged. I removed the breathing apparatus and responded.
"What is it?"
"My lord, they found what appears to be the first category five rift on the planet of Valonara in a couple of thousand years."
I bit the inside of my cheek.
"Any plan for defeating it?"
"Our informant explained that they are planning to use the next three years to evacuate the people of the Antora continent."
"That will not do. That will make The Lux Tenebris's plan much more difficult to execute. It has to be defeated."
"I understand, my lord."
"Is there any other news?"
"Yes. Zaire Solaris was present at the council of rulers."
"What about Ezra?"
"He was not spotted; no one has seen him since his sighting in Gavelon."
"His body must be close; I doubt my father would be far from Ezra's body."
"Do you still want me to facilitate the upcoming operations?"
I paused.
"Yes, but I would also like you to send another team to Xhatal to find where Zaire is keeping Ezra."
"Do you think that is wise?"
Talia was brilliant at strategy; she was a top-rated Arbiter before I recruited her. Often kept me from overindulging in certain areas since my guild became the country of Arthenos's biggest power.
"Do you not trust my decisions?"
Talia grimaced.
"It's just what if they get caught; how will we stop them from spilling important information?"
She has a point.
But then another thought crossed my mind.
"It will work perfectly, alongside the plan Nightshade is working on. It will provide the perfect cover for our recon operation."
"As you wish, Lord Enzo."
Talia dismissed herself from my chambers, leaving me alone with my thoughts.
Was I being too hasty?
No, this is the right play. I have to keep up my end of the deal while the other generals advance with their plans.