The castle trembled—not from attack, but awe.
A beam of silver light pierced through the sky, striking the courtyard like a divine arrow. Arin stood with Ignis, Freya, and the others as the entire kingdom looked up.
The skies tore open. Stars shimmered, rearranged themselves—forming an ancient sigil that pulsed with alien energy.
A figure descended.
Not falling. Not flying. But gliding as if space itself bent to her presence.
She landed softly, barefoot on the stone. Her skin glowed pale blue, hair floating as if submerged in water, eyes galaxies within galaxies.
"I am Elara," she spoke, her voice layered with echoes. "Last daughter of the Moonless Sky. Arin, I have crossed stars to find you."
Freya raised an eyebrow. "Another daughter of something ancient. Perfect."
Ignis stepped forward. "You're late."
Elara blinked slowly. "Time means nothing where I come from."
Arin stared at her, words caught in his throat.
Celestia narrowed her gaze. "Why him?"
Elara reached out and touched Arin's heart. A pulse spread across his chest, illuminating ancient symbols only Elara could read.
"Because he is the bridge," she whispered. "Between gods and mortals. Flame and frost. Light and shadow. He is the only one who can awaken the Ninth Gate."
---
That Night...
Under a moonless sky, Arin and Elara sat on the balcony of the starlit tower.
She gazed upward. "Your soul burns like a sun. But you are so tired."
Arin nodded. "Too many battles. Too many choices."
She turned to him. "Let me carry some of your weight."
And then she kissed him.
It was not like fire. Not like ice. It was stardust—soft, slow, and ancient.
The tower lit with celestial light as their connection deepened, sealed in body and spirit.
---
Elsewhere...
Evelyn peeked from the shadows. "So... space girl is into him."
Lilith: "They always are."
Seraphina (sipping tea): "The harem now includes: a battle priestess, a goddess of light, a frost queen, a demon assassin, a starborn alien, a phoenix empress, a time mage, and a rogue angel..."
Nyx: "We forgot someone?"
Lyra: "You."
Nyx (blushing): "Oh. Right."
---
The scroll shimmered once more. New text appeared:
"When the ninth bond is sealed, the final trial begins."
Arin looked at the growing constellation of women in his life. He wasn't just building an army.
He was building fate itself.
[TO BE CONTINUED...]