The throne room of Alpha was vast and cold, lined with towering stained glass that shimmered with celestial mana. Imperial banners swayed gently in an unseen breeze, and a dozen noble envoys stood in tense silence. At the far end, seated on a throne of obsidian laced with stardust, Emperor Orion Valerius rested his chin on his fingers.
His pointed ears caught every whisper. His eyes — like ancient galaxies — remained fixed on the projection flickering in the center of the room: Alex, his illegitimate son, wreathed in Voidlight.
"He's breached the seal," Orion said at last.
Archduke Darius Malakar stepped forward, fingers heavy with enchanted rings. "If what we're seeing is accurate, the Sixth Seal has begun to unravel. He didn't just awaken. He invited it."
"The Nameless stirs," added Grand Sage Alistair Vael, his voice unnaturally calm. "A part of it was tied to the monoliths. I warned you we couldn't keep the bloodlines hidden forever."
Empress Lysandra Kallisto scoffed. "And yet it's your research that led to this. Another failed experiment of Epsilon's arrogance."
Orion waved a hand, silencing them all. "This changes nothing. The boy is powerful. But not yet unstoppable."
Regent Sylvia Ravenshade, always in shadow, stepped into the light.
"Unless he gains the seventh key," she murmured, "the Throne of Zeta remains closed. That… is our real concern."
The room fell into silence again.
Then the Emperor stood, robes sweeping like black waves.
"Summon the Heirs of the Imperial Houses," he commanded. "Initiate Protocol Helios. The traitor child has revealed himself."
A beat passed. Then Darius asked, carefully: "And if the nobles resist?"
Orion turned. His gaze was as cold and final as the void.
"Remind them," he said, "what happens to those who forget their place."
---
Meanwhile – Zeta's Wounded Heart
The vault had collapsed behind them, leaving nothing but scorched stone and a lingering scent of mana burned raw. Alex and Selene had escaped through the stabilizing edge of the rift, emerging deeper into Zeta's forbidden lands.
The skies above here were a swirling mix of black and crimson. Trees pulsed faintly with corrupted life. Every breath felt like it could turn into ash.
Selene stumbled, clutching her side. "We can't stay here long."
"We won't," Alex said. "But I saw something in that vision. A remnant of the ancient civilization — a temple housing the Seventh Key. It's real."
Nyssa's voice crackled through the comm stone Alex had salvaged.
"You're alive. Gods, I thought—where are you?"
"In the Ashen Spine," he replied. "Heading toward the Temple of Aetherion."
There was a pause. "That place doesn't exist on any map."
"It will soon," Alex said. "And we'll need everyone. Gather Twilight."
Then he glanced back at Selene. She met his gaze.
"We'll need her too."
---
Twilight HQ – Preparations Begin
Soren stared at the updated data flowing through their magical terminals. Energy spikes. Noble troop movement. A full mobilization order from Alpha.
"They're moving faster than expected," Kael muttered.
"They're afraid," Soren said. "And desperate."
"Should we recall Nyssa?"
"No. Let her stay with Alex."
He tapped a glowing rune, activating the base's inner alarms.
"Prepare for war," he said.