The capital remained silent.
Thousands of Guardians watched the silver-haired warrior kneeling before Kael.
No one spoke.
Even the wind seemed to pause.
Kael stepped closer.
"You don't have to kneel."
The warrior looked up.
A faint smile crossed his scarred face.
"I do."
He rose to his feet in one smooth motion.
"My name is Caelum."
"I was once Commander of the Star Vanguard."
Kael frowned.
"The Star Vanguard?"
Orion nodded.
"They were the first line of defense during the Ancient War."
Caelum rested a hand on the sword across his back.
"We were also the last."
His words carried a quiet sadness.
The Hall of Stars welcomed the new arrival, and soon the leaders of the Guardians gathered once more.
Caelum studied the map of the galaxy.
His expression darkened.
"So many worlds have fallen..."
Lyra folded her arms.
"We're rebuilding."
"One ally at a time."
Caelum looked at Kael.
"The beacon reached more than soldiers."
"It reached hope."
Kael smiled faintly.
"I hope that's enough."
Caelum shook his head.
"It won't be."
The room fell silent.
"The Devourers have changed."
"So has Solis."
He pointed to the star map.
"If we keep waiting behind these walls, we'll lose."
Kael understood immediately.
"You want to take the fight to them."
"No."
Caelum's eyes became serious.
"I want to unite the survivors before they are destroyed one by one."
Aetherion spoke.
"There were twelve Guardian Kingdoms."
Caelum nodded.
"Nine are gone."
"Two have gone silent."
"And one still stands."
"The First World."
Kael stared at the remaining lights.
"If the silent kingdoms still exist..."
"We find them," Lyra finished.
Before anyone could continue—
The palace shook violently.
A horn echoed across the city.
A scout rushed into the chamber.
"The eastern barrier has detected multiple spatial rifts!"
The crystal map flickered.
Three blue lights had appeared just outside the First World's atmosphere.
The Guardians immediately prepared for battle.
Kael hurried onto the balcony.
Three enormous ships emerged from glowing portals.
Unlike the Devourers' black vessels, these ships shone with silver and blue light.
They carried no weapons aimed at the planet.
Instead...
Each lowered its shields.
Caelum smiled.
"They made it."
The lead ship transmitted a single message that echoed throughout the capital.
"To the Heir of the Last Core..."
"The survivors of the Azure Dominion request permission to stand beside you."
The city erupted into cheers.
One beacon...
One ally...
Had become many.
Far beyond the celebration, hidden in the darkness between galaxies...
Solis quietly watched the growing alliance.
He closed his eyes.
"So..."
"They've chosen hope."
When he opened them again, they glowed brighter than ever.
"Then I must prepare for war."