⸻
The portal carved through dimensions like a blade of starlight.
Samuel stood at the front of the group, void coiled around him like a living shadow. His presence alone stabilized the rift—any normal mage attempting a portal to Eldoria would've been disintegrated before finishing the first sigil.
Behind him, Tristan leaned heavily on Zephira, breath short from the pain that pulsed like poisoned thorns under his skin.
Nysara watched him with worry she tried to hide.
Ignara paced, sparks shedding from her impatience.
Velyd looked calm—but that was always the illusion.
Daniel…was terrified. But he stayed anyway.
Rashid hovered near the entrance of the portal, voice solemn as prophecy.
"Do not expect kindness in Eldoria. Their pride is as old as stars."
Ignara scoffed. "Then they can swallow it."
Rashid's gaze flicked to her, ancient and tired.
"It is not their pride that should concern you. It is their fear."
Samuel turned slightly, addressing them all:
"No one speaks for me. No negotiations. No apologies."
Zephira nodded. "You're the cosmic heir. They should kneel."
"Let's not spark a war in the foyer," Daniel muttered.
Samuel said nothing—but void rippled in agreement.
He wrapped an arm around Tristan, lifting him carefully against his side.
Tristan's voice was barely breath:
"When we get there…don't let go."
Samuel tightened his hold. "Never."
And together, they stepped into Eldoria.
⸻
Eldoria — Realm of Sovereign Stars
Light exploded, then reshaped into architecture carved from galaxies.
The sky above spiraled with constellations that moved like predators. Towers forged from crystallized nebulae pierced the firmament. Armored guardians, infused with astral energy, snapped their weapons forward instantly—spears of orbiting meteor fragments aimed at Samuel's throat.
Daniel exhaled slowly.
"Friendly place…"
The lead guardian barked, "Identify yourselves!"
Tristan forced himself upright. Though trembling, he spoke with authority:
"I am Tristan Talon of the Earthbound Dominion. Eldorian by blood and rite. Summon the High Lord immediately."
The guards shifted—shock breaking through their stoic facade.
One stepped forward. "You—alive? We…we believed you fallen."
"Not yet," Tristan whispered.
Samuel supported him as a cold tremor seized his frame. The curse pulsed angrily, reacting to Eldoria's magic.
The guard captain noticed Samuel—and flinched violently.
"The Void Prince…here?"
Weapons rose again. A dozen more guards rushed in, surrounding them.
Ignara cracked her knuckles. "Someone dare try."
Zephira's storms rolled in her eyes. "We won't repeat ourselves."
Samuel didn't raise a hand, but the void around him darkened visibly—hungry.
Rashid spoke calmly:
"The prince seeks healing for one who has fought to protect your existence. Let us pass."
A deep horn sounded—resonating through bones and stars.
Moments later, a procession descended from a floating citadel.
At its center walked High Lord Kaelen.
His armor shimmered like starlight poured into steel—majestic, ancient, and intimidating. Beside him, General Dracos, wings folded tight, eyes sharp and lethal. On his other side, Queen Solene, radiant, her hair like flowing auroras.
Samuel felt Tristan tense at the sight of them.
Kaelen halted in front of Samuel—and ignored Tristan entirely.
"So," Kaelen said coldly, "the harbinger of unmaking dares enter our realm."
Samuel didn't break eye contact.
"I've destroyed nothing that wasn't already corrupted."
"That is not your burden to choose," Solene snapped.
"But it is apparently mine to bear," Samuel replied. "The universe decides my role before I can even breathe."
Dracos stepped forward, sneering. "Your very existence threatens all life."
"So does ignorance," Samuel answered.
Electric tension cracked between them.
Weapons twitched. Magic twined.
The air trembled.
Then Tristan tore himself from Samuel's support—falling to one knee but still forcing his voice through pain.
"High Lord Kaelen!"
A grimace. "My lord…please."
Kaelen looked down at him, expression barely softening.
"You shouldn't have returned, Tristan."
"Femi's curse is killing me," Tristan choked. "And you are one of the few who can counter it."
Queen Solene's eyes sharpened. "Femi…that traitor is alive?"
"More than alive," Velyd murmured. "He plots worse than any of us imagined."
Kaelen turned to Samuel again, gaze like a blade.
"And he follows you," he accused.
Samuel spoke through clenched teeth, voice rippling with power:
"I have spent every breath opposing him."
"And yet destruction follows your shadow," Kaelen hissed.
"Not because of me," Samuel growled softly,
"but because every realm fears what I am…instead of what I choose to be."
Void cracked behind his voice—silent thunder.
Kaelen hesitated. Just slightly.
The universe itself seemed to hold its breath.
Finally:
"Tristan will be healed," Kaelen declared.
Everyone exhaled—
"—if you submit to judgment by the Celestial Tribunal."
Samuel's expression darkened. "No."
Tristan's head whipped toward him. "Sam—"
"No one here will decide if I deserve to EXIST."
Kaelen's voice dropped colder than dying stars:
"Then you condemn Tristan to death."
Samuel stepped forward, fists balled, power flaring—
Tristan grabbed his arm, gasping:
"Samuel…please."
The entire cosmos felt silent around that single plea.
Samuel looked into his eyes—the eyes of the man who'd stood against Femi, who refused to fear him, who saw light where others saw only void.
Samuel's voice broke—just a little.
"I won't kneel," he murmured.
Tristan managed a small smile despite the agony.
"You wouldn't have to kneel," he said.
"Just…stand with me. While I stand with you."
Samuel looked down at Tristan's trembling hand wrapped around his.
He wasn't being asked to bow.
He was being asked to trust.
A cosmic prince trusting mortals.
A being of balance choosing love over dominance.
Samuel inhaled once, deeply.
Then he released the void swirling behind him.
"Fine," he said. "I will allow your Tribunal."
Relief rippled through the Five.
Daniel nearly collapsed from tension.
Dracos snarled. "You will find no mercy here."
Samuel smiled—slow and dark.
"I don't need mercy. I just need time."
Kaelen motioned to the guards.
"Prepare the Hall of Stars. The trial begins at dusk."
Tristan's legs buckled. Samuel caught him again.
Kaelen's voice softened—barely audible:
"Welcome home, Trinity-born."
⸻
Later — Within the Healing Constellarium
Tristan lay suspended in luminescent water, star-threaded runes crawling across his skin as Eldorian healers fought to purge the curse.
Samuel stood behind the observation barrier, jaw tight, watching every movement.
Queen Solene approached with measured grace.
"You love him," she said simply.
Samuel didn't deny it. Didn't flinch.
"Yes."
Her eyes studied him—seeking weakness, exploitation.
She found none.
"Love is a dangerous compass," she whispered.
Samuel's voice was iron:
"Love is the only compass that's ever pointed me toward balance."
Solene said nothing more—only watched him as if she'd witnessed something forgotten by gods.
⸻
Meanwhile — In a Shadowed Chamber
Femi leaned back on a throne crafted of bones and broken starlight.
Before him, holographic projections flickered—Kaelen preparing the Tribunal…Samuel surrounded by hostility…Tristan barely clinging to life.
Femi smirked, swirling a glass of cosmic wine.
"Yes," he purred.
"Let fear do the work for me."
He tapped a nail against the crystal table.
"And let their precious loyalty…crumble."
His laughter slithered into the dark—
the sound of stars being betrayed.
⸻
Back in the Constellarium — Tristan Wakes
His eyes opened—bright but exhausted.
Samuel rushed to his side.
"You survived," Samuel breathed, relief punching through him.
Tristan's fingers grazed Samuel's cheek, weak but full of fire.
"Of course I survived," he rasped.
"I promised you 'not today'."
Samuel leaned closer—too close—
void humming hungrily for a confession.
Tristan whispered, breath ghosting his lips:
"When this is over…we talk about us."
Samuel froze, heart and power both combusting.
"…yes," he managed.
A tiny victory in a collapsing universe.
⸻
The Tribunal Approaches
Horn blasts rattled Eldoria.
Stars dimmed.
Samuel stood taller, darker, stronger.
Tristan—though still recovering—insisted on standing behind him.
The Five flanked them.
Daniel swallowed his fear and held the line.
The gates of the Hall of Stars opened—wide enough to swallow destinies whole.
Rashid spoke the final warning:
"What is judged today…may alter the fate of every realm."
Samuel stepped forward.
"If they want a trial," he whispered, void flickering in his eyes like newborn black holes,
"let them judge a god."
⸻