The Nine Heavens
Solar Clan's Palace
The courtyard of the Solar Clan was dyed in crimson as the screams of the dying echoed endlessly. Once a place of radiant warmth and glory, the Heavenly Solar Clan was now drowning under the onslaught of the Lunar Clan.
Rumble...
Thunder rumbled across the dark clouds as heavy rain poured down, pelting the bloodstained grass and washing away trails of red into muddy streams. Lightning cracked the sky, illuminating the massacre in fleeting flashes.
Far behind the burning castle, hidden deep within the lush forest, was a concealed gate leading to a secret underground chamber.
"Ahh..."
The groans of a woman in pain reverberated through the dimly lit basement.
"You can do it, Selene!" A man's firm yet trembling voice urged her on. He was the King of the Solar Clan, Helios Daystar, the man known as the Radiant Sovereign of the Nine Heavens. His wife, Queen Selene Daystar, lay on a stone bed, her face pale with sweat as she struggled to give birth.
In the room were two women and two men — Selene herself, a nurse tending to her, Helios standing protectively, and Selene's brother, Raiden Thunderheart, his fists clenched in silent tension.
"Your Highness..." Selene gasped between contractions, forcing a faint smile. "You should go… protect the clan… This… this is your duty."
"Selene…" Helios' eyes softened with pain, but before he could reply—
Tap tap tap.
The sound of hurried footsteps approached from above, accompanied by the rolling thunder and pounding rain.
"No…" Helios muttered, his expression darkening. "Only direct royal family members know of this place. How did they…?"
"Your Highness!" Selene interrupted, tears slipping down her cheeks. "It's time… Please… Do what you must."
"Sorry, Selene… I lost myself for a moment there. Stay strong. I will stop them."
Helios rose, his gaze lingering on her one last time before he vanished with a flash of speed. As he climbed the narrow stone stairs, he paused below the sealed wooden entrance. Only the muffled roar of rain met his ears, but his senses told him—someone stood directly above him.
The entrance was protected by a powerful blood runic seal, one that would take even a powerful cultivator time to break. But Helios had no intention of waiting.
Above him, a squad of Lunar Clan soldiers stood drenched in rain.
"Careful," one soldier warned another, "that seal is strong."
"Heh," the other scoffed, raising his sword. "It won't matter once the leader arrives. But let's see if the great Helios Daystar lives up to his name."
Ha!
He plunged his sword down—
Swoosh. Crack.
Suddenly, his sword slipped from limp fingers as his body twisted grotesquely, neck and limbs bending at impossible angles before collapsing silently onto the seal.
"Wha… What the fuck just happened—?!"
"Behind us!"
The squad spun around, eyes widening in horror. Standing with his back towards them was a tall man, white and orange robes soaked in rain and blood — Helios Daystar.
"That's him… THAT'S HIM! KILL HIM!"
Phishhh.
Before any could charge, they felt a searing pain. One by one, their screams rose in the storm as dark burn marks spread from their necks down their bodies, the smell of scorched flesh blending with the damp air. Within seconds, silence fell, leaving only their corpses lying in twisted agony.
Swoosh swoosh swoosh.
Dozens more soldiers arrived, their formation solidifying as they raised their weapons. They stared at their dead comrades, throats blackened and charred.
"What… what did you do to them, monster?!" the leading soldier roared. "Your clan ends tonight, Helios Daystar!"
He lunged forward with a vicious slash, but as his sword neared Helios, his head tumbled to the ground, eyes frozen in terror.
Clap. Clap. Clap.
Slow, mocking claps echoed through the rain. The soldiers parted, revealing a man clad in black and purple armor adorned with a dark crescent moon — Morvyn, King of the Lunar Clan.
"No mercy as always, my dear friend Helios," Morvyn said with a cruel smile. "Burning their throats alive… what a painful way to die. How shall I punish you for such cruelty, my friend?"
"You will pay for your sins, Morvyn," Helios growled, flames flickering from his eyes. "Today or tomorrow… your death is inevitable."
"Oh?" Morvyn chuckled. "But once you're dead, who will kill me? Your clan's name will fade into legend tonight."
"YOU BASTARD!"
Boom.
Helios launched himself forward, snatching a fallen sword. Morvyn raised his own weapon — a dark, shadowy blade radiating sinister energy.
CLANG!
Their swords clashed, the shockwave sending water and debris flying as Morvyn was pushed back several steps.
"Haha… impressive as always," Morvyn smirked. "But how will you win with a broken sword?"
Helios glanced down as cracks spread along his blade before it shattered completely. Morvyn tossed him another sword from his spatial ring.
"Here, take this. I want a fair fight."
"I don't need your cursed blade," Helios spat.
"Then die unarmed."
Helios clenched his jaw, reluctantly grabbing the sword. "You will die today, Morvyn."
They dashed towards each other, blades meeting under the storm as lightning illuminated the heavens.
---
The Secret Basement
"Ahhh!" Selene screamed, her body trembling with pain.
"Sister… please, hold on…" Raiden whispered, tears in his eyes as the nurse worked quickly.
"Miss, it's almost done, please hold on."
"AHH!"
Wahhh wahhh wahhh.
A thin, high-pitched wail filled the room, echoing off the stone walls.
"You did it, Sister! You gave birth to a boy… the heir of the Solar Clan…" Raiden said, voice breaking as tears streamed down his face.
Selene smiled weakly as the nurse brought her the baby.
"You look as bright as your father… my son…" she whispered, but before she could continue—
Shatter!
A deafening crash shook the underground chamber.
"That… that was the sound of the Void Shattering… Who is his highness fighting…?"
Raiden clenched his fists. "Stay here, Sister. I'll go check."
"No, Raiden—" But he was already gone, climbing the stairs.
---
Outside
Rumble… Kraaaack…
Lightning split the sky, illuminating the battlefield. As Raiden emerged from the basement, his eyes widened in horror and his knees gave way, collapsing onto the wet grass.
Before him lay the motionless body of Helios Daystar, the Radiant Sovereign of the Nine Heavens.