The red moon still hung over the Veyris Empire.
Crystal bridges reflected starlight while floating islands drifted slowly across the heavens.
The entire Empire felt warm tonight.
Not from fire.
Not from magic.
From something quieter.
Kael Veyris and Ignisia continued walking across the crystal bridge.
For a while.
neither said anything.
Then Ignisia looked at him.
You know something strange?
Kael looked toward her.
What?
Ignisia folded her arms.
I used to challenge everyone.
Fight everyone.
Burn everything standing in my way.
Small dragon flames danced around her fingers.
Then I met you.
Kael waited.
Ignisia looked away slightly.
...And somehow life became bigger.
Kael looked at her quietly.
Then lightly placed his hand on her shoulder.
You changed too.
Ignisia blinked.
I did?
Kael nodded.
You protect now.
You teach.
You care.
Ignisia stared at him for a few seconds.
Then smiled.
Back inside the Imperial Gardens.
chaos was reaching dangerous levels.
Sun Wukong stood dramatically on top of a giant rock.
ATTENTION!
TODAY WE WILL HOLD THE FIRST OFFICIAL FAMILY COMPETITION!
The daughters looked up.
Kaelignis Veyris raised her hand.
Competition for what?
Wukong grinned.
No idea.
Silence.
Elyrion Veythera slowly wrote in her book:
Subject Wukong continues creating problems.
Lyra's Kaelry pointed dramatically.
I ACCEPT ANYWAY!
Nearby, Veyloria Kaelthera looked up.
...The sky is doing something again.
Everyone froze.
Far above.
small stars were moving.
One by one.
they connected.
Ancient symbols formed.
Then words slowly appeared:
Resonance Growth Continuing
Individual Paths Expanding
Kaelignis stared upward.
It's talking about us again.
Elyrion adjusted her book.
Correction:
The sky appears emotionally invested in our development.
Wukong blinked.
...I don't know if that's cool or terrifying.
Far away.
Kael and Ignisia stopped walking.
Kael slowly looked toward the sky.
His eyes narrowed slightly.
Interesting.
Because this time.
the symbols weren't facing him.
They were facing his daughters.
And somewhere beyond stars, dimensions, and hidden spaces.
the mysterious Watcher spoke quietly:
They have begun.
Not as children of Kael Veyris.
As themselves.