The Veyris Empire had entered an unusual calm.
Too many arrivals had passed through its gates lately dragons, eclipses, void queens, and beings that bent reality just by speaking.
And yet, within the Imperial Palace gardens, there was finally a moment of stillness.
Kael Veyris stood beneath the floating soul-lantern trees, watching light drift like slow snowfall.
Beside him, the air shimmered softly.
Not with power.
With presence.
A woman stepped forward.
Eidrya
Her aura felt different from the others.
Not overwhelming like dragons.
Not crushing like void queens.
Instead intimate.
Like standing inside someone's memory.
Her eyes glowed faintly with layered reflections, as if she could see emotions instead of faces.
Light drifted around her like fragments of broken stars being carefully held together.
Eidrya looked at Kael quietly.
You carry too many futures on your shoulders.
Kael replied calmly.
I manage.
She shook her head slightly.
No.
You endure.
That is different.
A gentle silence followed.
From nearby.
Lilith stepped closer.
Her gaze moved between Eidrya and Kael, curious but calm.
So this is the Soul Projector.
I expected something louder.
Eidrya turned slightly toward her.
And I expected someone colder.
Lilith smiled faintly.
I can be colder if you prefer.
Eidrya studied her for a moment.
Then spoke softly.
No.
You hide warmth very well.
But it is still there.
Lilith paused.
Just for a moment.
Then looked away slightly.
Tch.
Annoying ability.
Kael exhaled slowly.
This feels like it's about to become a conversation I didn't plan.
Eidrya stepped closer to him.
Her voice softened.
You never plan anything for yourself, do you?
Kael didn't answer immediately.
Then Eidrya gently reached out and touched his hand.
Not forceful.
Not demanding.
Just grounding.
Your future keeps splitting.
But you never choose one.
Kael looked at her.
I choose what matters.
Eidrya smiled faintly.
And what matters?
Before he could answer.
Lilith stepped in closer on his other side.
Her presence was calm, but closer than usual.
Don't overthink him.
He won't admit it even if he knows.
Eidrya glanced at Lilith.
Then surprisingly.
she smiled.
You protect him in silence.
Lilith shrugged.
Someone has to.
A brief pause.
The air between them softened.
Then Eidrya leaned in slightly and gently kissed Kael's cheek.
A quiet, emotional gesture like sealing a memory rather than marking possession.
For a moment.
even the Empire felt it.
Lilith blinked.
Then looked away.
…Hmph.
But she didn't move away.
Instead.
she placed her hand lightly on Kael's arm.
Don't get used to that.
Kael exhaled quietly.
Too late.
Far away in the gardens.
Wukong was hanging upside down again.
Sun Wukong shouted:
WHY DOES EVERY NEW ARRIVAL IMMEDIATELY FALL INTO EMOTIONAL COMPLEXITY?!
Ignisia sighed from a distance.
At this point, it's tradition.
Umbryssia smirked.
The Empire attracts unstable personalities.
That includes all of us.
Eidrya looked at Kael again.
Her expression softened further.
If you ever feel overwhelmed…
don't carry it alone.
Even emperors don't need to hold every soul they protect.
Kael was quiet for a moment.
Then nodded once.
I'll remember that.
Eidrya stepped back slightly.
But her gaze stayed on him.
Soft.
Stable.
And for the first time.
the Soul Projector's light didn't feel like fragments.
It felt like a place to rest.