The moon hung low over the shattered plateau, casting silver light across the scorched field where Erza had fought Kaerax. Even in silence, the scars of battle sang—cleaved stone, molten craters, broken constellations still flickering like dying embers.
Erza stood alone at the edge of the camp, overlooking the distant hills. His left arm still trembled where Kaerax's void arrow had pierced muscle and soul.
Behind him, Seris approached quietly. Her boots barely crunched the gravel. "Still standing here like a statue?"
Erza exhaled, his breath fogging in the cold air. "I don't know if I won… or survived."
Seris folded her arms, the constellation of Virgo faintly glowing along her bracer. "Both, maybe. But we're not done."
Erza turned. "The Dominion?"
She nodded. "Their scouts are moving faster. Gemini's envoy is here. And... Aries sent a warmage."
Erza's jaw tightened. "So it begins."
⭓ Council Camp — Gemini's Envoy
Inside the largest war tent, a woman in star-silver robes stood between twin guards. Her eyes were sharp and split with gold—one half of her face bore the Gemini Crest, glowing with twin masks.
"I am Vel Saelis of House Gemini," she announced, her voice melodic, almost too calm. "The Council requests Erza Black's allegiance. His conquest of Leo and resistance against Kaerax marks him as a Constellation-Bound Sovereign."
Auren leaned in. "Which means what exactly?"
Vel smiled. "He may be welcomed... or named a threat to celestial stability. The Council offers audience."
Erza stepped forward, expression unreadable.
"I have one condition," he said.
Vel arched a brow. "Name it."
"I enter the Hall of Stars alone. My squad stays free. No chains. No terms."
Vel tilted her head. "Spoken like a prince again."
⭓ Elsewhere — Cancer Gate Breach
Beyond the Vale of Quiet Sleep, near the ruined city of Elarin, a rift tore through the sky. The Cancer Gate bloomed like a festering flower—its edges pulsing with memory and madness.
A traveler stumbled toward it. Eyes glazed. Mouth mumbling prayers to gods long dead.
Behind him, from the Gate, something stepped.
A creature shaped like a child but faceless, walking backwards.
It whispered in twenty voices.
"I was you once. I was all of you."
Dozens more followed—Dreambeasts, half-thoughts and soul echoes, dripping from the Gate like tears from the stars.
High above, a figure watched.
The Dream-Lich, Lord of Cancer, adjusted his crown made of lullabies and bones.
"Bring me the prince," he murmured. "Let him dream of flame... and wake in ash."
⭓ Erza — Later That Night
The camp was quiet now. Lysra had taken Korr for rest. Auren was still sketching new Gate patterns by firelight. But Erza remained awake, staring at a letter.
It was sealed with the Leo crest.
Old, unopened. Addressed to him by his mother—written before the kingdom fell.
His hand trembled as he broke it.
"My son, Erza. If you find this, you've awakened. That means the Constellation chose you after all. I can only hope the world is not yet beyond saving."
"Trust your flame. Not all stars burn to destroy. Some burn to protect."
His breath caught as he read the last line.
"And when the time comes, beware the Gemini Mirror—they'll offer peace, but plant war in your shadow."
He folded the letter slowly. Looked out toward the horizon where Cancer's Gate loomed, black and blinking like a diseased eye.
"Let's see what fate has next," he muttered.
Behind him, the Leo flame pulsed softly across his spine—more aware, more alive than ever.
End of Chapter 21