The Dreamveil Estate's wards parted like silk the moment Lucien's clone approached, Aelira perched at his side with bright, curious eyes, Guru lazily scratching the back of his head, and Vaelion walking with the dignified swagger of a man who once punched fate and got away with it.
Uriel trailed behind them like a shadow that had forgotten it was once a demon lord, his posture stiff, respectful, and tremoring whenever Lucien glanced his way—even accidentally.
The estate gates creaked open, not from force, but because the estate itself bowed to him. Lucien's clone stepped inside first; the shadows and halls grew still, reverent.
Aelira slipped her hand into his. "Papaaa," she chirped, voice soft as down feathers.
Lucien brushed her head with the gentlest smile. "I know, little star. We're home."
Guru flopped onto a couch like he owned the place.
Vaelion crossed his arms, leaning on a pillar with the air of a mythic rebel bored of peace.
Uriel remained standing by the entrance, head bowed, spine straight, like a knight waiting for judgment.
Lucien's gaze flickered to him.
Uriel immediately snapped to his knees.
"L-Lord— I mean—"
He swallowed. His voice wavered. "Awaiting your command…"
Lucien just waved a hand. "Relax. If I wanted you dead, you would not be kneeling—you'd be erased."
Uriel nodded so hard the floor shook.
Guru laughed so loud the walls shivered.
"Look at him! The great demon lord—reduced to a wet kitten!"
Vaelion sipped tea he didn't even have a second ago. "Trauma's a hell of a thing. Though this is… entertaining."
Lucien sighed. "Both of you behave."
Then he turned to Aelira.
"Come here, little one."
Aelira practically flew into his arms.
Lucien placed two fingers on her forehead. A shimmering bloom of azure, starlight, and infinite void melted into her body, fusing into her bloodstream like galaxies stitching themselves into existence.
Her aura detonated.
The estate trembled.
Her hair floated, her pupils filled with constellations, and a crown of soft dream-light materialized above her brow before dissolving into her skin.
Aelira gasped, then beamed.
"Papa…! It feels warm!"
"Your bloodline is awakened," Lucien said gently. "You are my daughter—naturally, you deserve nothing less."
Uriel, witnessing this divine sight, pressed his forehead to the floor.
"I am unworthy to even breathe in her presence…"
Lucien ignored his dramatics and pointed toward him casually.
"Uriel. You will escort her to the Azure Celestial Sect. You will guard her with your life—but not with the demonic path. You'll follow a new cultivation route I am giving you."
Light poured into Uriel's chest, ripping away the remnants of demonic qi and replacing it with something pure, balanced, refined—Lucien-forged.
Uriel gasped, eyes wide.
"This… this power… w-what path is this?"
"Mine," Lucien said simply.
"A path tailored to your crippled spirit and frightened mind. A path that won't let you fall apart."
Uriel burst into tears.
"I… I will serve her until death… until beyond death… until concept and memory fade…"
"Good. Umbra will accompany you."
A ripple passed through the halls, and the shadow-being Umbra bowed in silent obedience.
With that, Aelira hugged Lucien's leg.
"Papa… I'll be back soon. Promise you'll come see me?"
He knelt and kissed her forehead.
"I always keep my promises."
She smiled like a tiny sun and walked off with Uriel and Umbra, leaving faint dream-light footprints that vanished behind her.
The moment the door shut…
Lucien exhaled, straightened his coat, and turned to Guru and Vaelion.
"Well," he said, tone shifting—calm, cold, sovereign.
"It's time."
Guru grinned with manic excitement.
"Heh. Been a while since I smacked around celestial royalty."
Vaelion rolled his shoulders.
"And I owe Heaven a few… memories. Why not add a few new ones?"
Lucien's clone walked toward the center of the estate, raised his hand, and tore open the fabric of reality with a simple gesture.
The void peeled back like curtains.
A golden staircase of divinity extended upward into endless radiance—the gateway to Heaven.
Lucien stepped on the first stair.
Guru and Vaelion followed.
The air trembled.
Trumpets sounded somewhere in the higher realms.
And then—
They arrived.
A realm of infinite light stretched before them—crystal spires, floating cathedrals, divine rivers of qi, and an entire army of celestial guards kneeling in awe and terror as they materialized.
At the far end stood the High Sons and the Elder Celestials, their combined pressure enough to crush mortal planets.
Lucien's clone raised his eyes toward them.
His smile was calm.
Almost polite.
"Let's begin."