The footsteps of the Guardians echoed through the hundredth floor corridor as they departed from the throne room.
At the front walked Calyssa, her smile radiant. From every hidden mouth upon her body burst faint laughter and scattered melodies, blending into a strange choir. The cheerful notes reverberated along the stone walls.
Beside her, Seraphelum stiffened. Her body trembled, her humanoid form fracturing. In an instant, her skin shifted—her face withered into that of an old woman, then shrank into that of a newborn, then decayed into a corpse, then bloomed young again—cycling endlessly.
"Calyssa," Seraphelum's voice wavered like the ticking of a broken clock, "be silent. You know well we are still on the hundredth floor."
Calyssa paused, the countless mouths closing, her melody fading into quiet. "Eh? Don't you feel the same joy I do in the presence of the Sovereign, Seraphelum?"
"Of course I do," Seraphelum's gaze sharpened. "But I restrain my impulses. You should do the same."
"Hmph, so cold. Joy should be sung." Calyssa lifted her chin, her tone petulant.
Their bickering heated until Noctyra halted behind them. Her form was already slipping into the abstract—a silhouette of a woman draped in starry robes, her body a hollow shadow, though her eyes burned like black suns.
"Enough." Her voice resounded like whispers carried from a void. "You both understand, don't you? This is the first time the Sovereigns have spoken to us directly. Do not stain this moment with petty quarrels."
Calyssa turned, her eyes glimmering. "That's true! Until now, the Sovereigns have never summoned us to the throne, much less addressed us. But earlier…" She laughed softly, "they called us their children. Isn't that beautiful?"
Seraphelum fell silent, then admitted, "I'll concede… it shook me."
"I'm so grateful…" Calyssa's voice quivered with emotion. "To be one of Ourolith's Guardians. I want to sing without end!"
Noctyra shifted her gaze sideways, her eyes falling on Astraea, who walked in calm silence, her body traced with living constellations that reshaped themselves with every step.
"Astraea," Noctyra's tone lowered, "do you know anything of this change?"
Astraea lowered her head, her voice soft. "I do not. The Sovereigns have no constellations. They are… beings so exalted, even the threads of fate do not record them. I cannot read anything about them."
Silence. Several Guardians turned their gazes upon her, sharp and accusing.
Zhoith, who had been trailing behind, stepped forward. His form convulsed, his flesh sloughing into ash, organs rotting and collapsing, leaving behind a fragile skeleton that crumbled and reformed in an endless cycle.
His eyes were hollow. His voice was deep, corroded.
"Astraea… did you attempt to read the Sovereigns' fate?"
Astraea jolted. "No! Never! I—I would never dare something so vile!"
"Stop lying," Zhoith's voice rasped with the sound of flesh peeling away. "You command the threads of destiny. It would be easy for you… to be tempted."
Astraea shook her head frantically. "I swear, I have never once tried to read them. They exist beyond every thread. I know my limits as their servant. I would not overstep."
Zhoith stared at her for a long moment before his voice sank into a gravelly whisper. "Then… good." He lowered his head, ash falling from his frame. "Remember this: Sovereign DollMaker created us to serve Ourolith, not to spy upon them. Should anyone try to trespass… it would endanger us all."
For the first time, Calyssa swallowed nervously, her expression tense. "Zhoith… you frighten me."
"Then let that fear remain. It will preserve your obedience." His voice drifted like scattering dust.
Noctyra added quietly, "Zhoith's words hold truth. Just because the Sovereigns now speak does not grant us the right to seek the reason behind their change."
"…Yes." Seraphelum nodded slowly. "They have always been beyond our comprehension."
Astraea exhaled shakily, her shoulders trembling. "I… only wanted certainty. But I know. I must never touch the fate of the Sovereigns."
"Good." Zhoith closed his eyes, his body continuing its endless collapse and restoration. "We don't need to know. We need only to adapt."
Calyssa's smile returned, gentler now. "Even so… I can't stop feeling happy. To be called a child by the Sovereigns… it feels as though… I'm truly alive."
Seraphelum turned toward her, her face flickering again—old, then infant, then corpse, then young. "If that's how you wish to express your gratitude, do it within your own domain. Not here."
"Hehe, fine…" Calyssa closed her mouths one by one, leaving only a single sweet smile. "But once I return, I'll sing until my domain's walls crumble."
"Make sure you don't disturb the tower's walls," Noctyra muttered flatly.
The Guardians chuckled softly at that, even Zhoith releasing a rasping exhale like brittle bones snapping.
The Asterions marched in pairs—two for each Ultivate. They did not speak. In the presence of the Sovereign, the right to voice words did not belong to them. Yet for the Asterions, simply standing within the throne room, simply hearing the Sovereign's voice, was more than enough.
It was heaven.
Velda walked at Elynda's side. The young girl's translucent skin shimmered as though the starry sky itself was sealed within her body. Her hooded robe covered her eyes, leaving only her glowing mouth visible. She tilted her head slightly downward, but her trembling voice betrayed her excitement.
"Elynda, you heard it too, right? That voice… Sovereign DollMaker actually called for us. I'm not dreaming, am I?"
Elynda gave a faint smile. Her black dress swayed softly, the great hollow in her abdomen slowly spinning, swallowing light as it turned.
"I'm still trembling as well. It feels… like returning to our origin. Our Creator truly stood before us. She called the Ultivates her 'children'… and we were there, hearing it directly."
Velda clasped her hands over her chest, her face glowing.
"I wanted to scream from sheer joy. But… we're not allowed, are we?"
Elynda let out a quiet laugh.
"We're only Asterions. But… for me, this is already enough. Just seeing them—Sovereign Kaliburz and Sovereign DollMaker… I feel like my entire existence has been repaid."
Velda lowered her voice, whispering softly.
"I feel like singing…"
Their words slipped out in hushed tones, like children unable to contain their happiness. Some of the other Asterions turned their heads for a moment, but none said a word.
Until Lysaris, walking slightly ahead, suddenly turned.
Her starry eyes swirled like galaxies, sharp and piercing.
"Silence."
Just one word. Cold.
Velda froze. Elynda bit her lip. The two girls exchanged a nervous glance, their bodies stiff.
Lysaris stared at them for a long moment, her eyes reflecting infinite space.
"You are still on the hundredth floor. Remember your place."
Velda opened her mouth to apologize, but no words came. Elynda only lowered her head.
The air tightened—until a large hand came down gently on Lysaris's shoulder.
"Let them be."
Izhil stood beside her, his body trembling. A vast swirling void spun slowly within his chest, his face fractured, parts of it being pulled into the abyss within his features. Yet his gaze toward Lysaris was calm.
"This is a significant moment. The Sovereigns spoke to us—directly—for the very first time. Allow them to express their feelings. Compared to us… they are still children."
Lysaris gave a quiet, displeased hum, then glanced again at Velda and Elynda.
"Happiness belongs to everyone. But do not disturb the others."
Velda nodded frantically, her glowing mouth shining brighter.
"Y-Yes! Forgive me! I won't make noise again!"
Elynda raised a finger to her lips, motioning Velda to hush, then smiled softly.
"Let's keep quiet now, alright?"
The two of them looked at each other… then let out a small giggle in unison.
Lysaris closed her eyes and sighed deeply.
"…Honestly, such a nuisance."
Izhil, his voice heavy and echoing with emptiness, patted both girls on the head.
"You two are fortunate. Don't ever forget this. The Sovereigns turned their gaze toward us… it won't happen often."
Velda covered her glowing mouth with both hands, her hidden eyes damp beneath her hood.
"I… I'll treasure this in my heart forever!"
Elynda smiled as well, though the void in her abdomen spun faster.
"Me too. It feels like… I'll never be afraid again. The Sovereigns saw us. That alone is enough."
Lysaris glanced at Izhil, her voice subdued.
"You're far too soft."
"I only know this," Izhil replied. "Little joys like this are what will keep them going. If the Sovereigns never speak again for the next thousand years… what else will sustain them but today's memory?"
Velda looked up at him, her face glowing brightly.
"Sir Izhil… thank you…"
"And we'll behave, Lady Lysaris," Elynda added.
Izhil gave a slow nod.
"That's all I ask."
Lysaris turned again, her tone not as sharp as before.
"Very well. But remember this—if you ever go too far… I'll be the one to erase your laughter."
Velda swallowed hard. Elynda nudged her lightly with an elbow.
"She's just bluffing."
Velda whispered, "I'm still scared."
Elynda chuckled softly. "Me too. But even so… I'm happy."
The Asterions marched on. Heavy footsteps echoed in the grand corridor. Yet within that rhythm lingered small giggles, and memories quietly etched into their hearts.
For Velda and Elynda, that day was not just an audience.
It was recognition.
And even if the Sovereigns never summoned them again, that single call was enough to make them feel—
they truly existed.
Yet deep within each of their hearts, unease lingered.
The Sovereigns had spoken.
Something had shifted.
And none of them knew what that change truly meant.