Time seemed to freeze.
Celestia hovered high in the air, staring fixedly at the flickering, cruel memory projections in the sky. She saw Aelius's lifeless, ashen face, the cold tubes piercing his body, Dr. Zheng's indifferent record treating him as a "perfect specimen," and heard the words "...energy compatibility test...creating more perfect weapons..." The "treatment and awakening" promised by Doomsday Rebirth never existed! Aelius had always been just... a material on the experiment table! A source of "stable genes" used to create more twisted monsters!
"No... impossible... this can't be real..." Celestia murmured, her voice devoid of all strength, left only with shattered trembling. The purple-black energy around her surged and boiled violently, mirroring her heart on the brink of collapse. The last pillar supporting her betrayal of her kin and transformation into a demon—the hope of saving Aelius—was shattered in this moment by the bloody truth!
Immediately after, that dazed, broken gaze was replaced by a pure rage and desire for destruction capable of incinerating all things!
"Doomsday—Rebirth—!!!" A shrill scream to the extreme, filled with endless pain and hatred from being deceived, toyed with, and having her beloved desecrated, tore through the entire space of the Light Feather Dome like the wail of a wounded beast! The boiling purple-black energy around Celestia instantly transformed into a deeper, more violent dark red, like burning hellfire! She jerked her head, her deep blue eyes burning with destructive flames, no longer looking at the Star Shard fragments, but locking deadly onto all the mutated monsters from Doomsday Rebirth she had brought to the battlefield!
"You... all deserve to die!!!" With this roar filled with endless hatred, Celestia moved! She no longer charged toward the Star Shard giant island but turned into a burning dark red meteor, crashing into the dense cluster of Doomsday Rebirth monsters below at a speed several times faster than before!
The Hurricane of Destruction and the End of the Mutated Winged People
The flames of vengeance fully ignited Celestia! She held back no power, her four wings fully spread, each flap stirring up energy storms that tore through space! The dark purple spear in her hand was now wrapped in boiling dark red fury, each swing erupting with destructive shockwaves!
Boom! The armored mammoth mutant beast trying to block her nearby was pierced through the skull by her spear, dark red energy pouring in, its massive body instantly exploding from inside out into a sky full of blood mist!
Sizzle sizzle sizzle! Her figure flickered like a ghost, the edges of her high-speed vibrating shadow wings like the scythe of death, easily slicing several mutated winged people into pieces!
"Mental Scream · Destructive Echo!" She unleashed a scream at a floating island gathered with several mutated winged people! This time, it was no longer area control but a destructive impact infused with all the pain and anger in her soul! Invisible sound waves swept through, the mutated monsters on the floating island like being smashed by invisible giant hammers, their heads bursting one after another! Limbs twisting and disintegrating!
Celestia's defection was like detonating a destruction bomb at the center of Doomsday Rebirth's legion! She was too strong, knowing the weaknesses of her former allies like the back of her hand! Her attacks were violent, precise, and full of destructiveness! The originally aggressive Doomsday Rebirth legion instantly fell into massive chaos and panic! The mutated monsters tried to flee from this sudden storm of death.
The winged clan guards protecting the Star Shard felt their pressure suddenly ease, morale soaring! Elder Ankris was moved to tears, hoarsely shouting: "Counterattack! For our homeland! Expel the blasphemers!"
"Take advantage now! Coordinate with Celestia and clear out these monsters!" Fa decided decisively, cold light flashing in her star eyes. Though Celestia's defection was full of uncertainty, eliminating the Doomsday Rebirth mutated winged legion was the top priority at this moment.
Kayla roared and transformed into the Thunder Frost Annihilation Beast again, charging into the chaotic enemy group; TISK swung his lava hammer, ice-fire runes shining, smashing one mutated beetle after another; Rex's drone swarm and ion cannons fired at full power, precisely sniping; Arya's light-dark spiral arrows were like death's roll call; Yuyuer manipulated ice crystal storms to slow down large groups of enemies; Lin Ya's roots burst through the ice, entangling and strangling; Zhamisi, supported by Yuyuer, sprayed venom torrents at targets heavily wounded by Celestia; Salsa endured the severe pain in her soul body, summoning ice skeleton warriors and shadow falcons again to join the harvest.
Under the sweep of Celestia's vengeful hurricane and the full coordination of Fa's team, the battlefield situation reversed instantly! The Doomsday Rebirth legion, having lost unified command and morale, collapsed like a mountain. Those powerful mutated giant beasts were specially targeted by Celestia, torn apart one by one by her violent power. In less than half an hour, the originally powerful Doomsday Rebirth legion was completely annihilated! The sky of the Light Feather Dome was temporarily reclaimed, leaving only devastation and scattered wreckage everywhere.
Celestia hovered in the center of the battlefield, the burning dark red energy around her slowly retracting, revealing her slightly panting figure. Her four wings appeared somewhat dim, the continuous bursts consuming greatly. She looked down at her hands stained with purple-black blood, then up toward the direction of the Star Shard, her expression incredibly complex—towering hatred, overwhelming pain, confusion, and a trace of... bottomless fatigue and emptiness. The thrill of revenge was fleeting, leaving only deeper void and that unavoidable question: Aelius... where is he?
Reckoning and Arrest
Just as the battlefield's clamor gradually subsided, leaving only the crackling of remaining embers and the suppressed groans of the wounded, several powerful auras sped from the direction of the Star Shard giant island!
Leading was the guardian leader with four brilliant golden wings, followed closely by ten guardians with condensed auras, covered in scars but still dignified, each with two wings. They quickly dispersed, vaguely forming an encirclement, surrounding the hovering Celestia whose aura had not yet recovered. Their eyes held no joy of victory, only heavy solemnity and indescribable sorrow.
"Celestia!" The golden-winged guardian's voice boomed like a bell, piercing the silence with undeniable authority and deep heartache, "The Doomsday Rebirth mutated winged people have been slain, the homeland's crisis temporarily resolved. But your sins cannot be erased!"
Celestia slowly raised her head, her deep blue eyes sweeping over her former comrades, those faces she once saw as stubborn, obstacles to saving her beloved. She felt no anger, offered no defense, only an icy dead silence and thick, unresolvable fatigue. Her face stained with mutated monster blood appeared especially pale under the dome's soft yet somewhat bleak light.
"You betrayed the winged clan's oath!" Another angelic-winged guardian elder sternly rebuked, his voice trembling with agitation, "You tore through the homeland's barriers, inviting wolves in! You wielded the butcher's knife against your own kin! How many innocent lives fell because of you! How many homes were destroyed because of you! This blood debt, how will you repay it?!"
Each question hammered like a heavy iron in the silent air. Below on the platform, Fa's team members held their breath, watching; Arya showed pity in her eyes, while Elder Ankris painfully closed his.
Celestia's body trembled slightly, her blood-stained hands unconsciously gripping the dark purple spear tighter, the spear tip's purple-black energy jumping uneasily, seeming to respond to her inner intense struggle. The energy around her began to fluctuate unstably again, a dangerous aura faintly rising—was it resistance? Another outburst? Or... destruction?
"Drop your weapon, Celestia!" The golden-winged guardian leader's voice suddenly rose, full of warning. He and the other guardians simultaneously erupted with powerful energy fluctuations, holy flames, shadows, and storm powers interweaving into an invisible pressure field, firmly locking onto Celestia. "Accept judgment; it's the last thing you can do for this land you've harmed!"
The encirclement tightened silently. The atmosphere was tense, the air seeming to solidify into ice. Fa gripped her short blade, Kayla's muscles tensed, Rex's ion cannon muzzles adjusted slightly—all prepared for the worst.
However, the anticipated fierce resistance did not occur.
The boiling, dangerous energy fluctuations around Celestia receded like ebbing tide, suddenly calming. Those deep blue eyes burning with destructive flames gradually dimmed, finally returning to a deep, nearly void dead silence. It was as if all her strength was drained in an instant, even hovering seemed strained.
Clang!
The dark purple spear, stained with countless blood, once tearing through guardian lines, slipped from her powerless hands, tumbling into the cloud sea below, soon disappearing from sight.
She no longer looked at the guardians surrounding her, nor at Fa's team's direction. Her gaze passed over the broken rainbow bridges and burning floating island ruins, once again toward the giant island suspended highest, emitting soft starlight, toward the Star Shard's direction. In that gaze, no more hatred or desire, only endless, heart-shattering confusion and emptiness.
Several angelic-winged guardians quickly approached, holding specially made energy shackles flickering with complex sealing runes. The shackles were cast from flowing light, yet contained cold metal suppressing magic. They cautiously and swiftly locked the shackles on Celestia's wrists and ankles, while several strong wind bindings wrapped around the roots of her four wings, ensuring she could no longer fly or mobilize power.
Throughout the process, Celestia offered no resistance, like an exquisite but soulless doll, allowing manipulation. When the last sealing rune lit up, thoroughly suppressing the violent energy within her, she swayed slightly, closed her eyes, long lashes casting shadows on her blood-stained cheeks. A drop mixed with blood and dust silently fell, dripping onto the cold energy shackles, evaporating instantly.
Watching Celestia being escorted by the guardians toward the "Tower of Contemplation" deep in the dome, specially for holding serious offenders, Elder Ankris let out a long, heavy sigh. He turned, facing Fa and her group, his brilliant golden eyes filled with sincere gratitude and complex emotions of survival.
"Adventurers from the outside," Ankris's voice, though weak, carried the solemnity befitting a guardian, "I, Ankris, in the name of the thirty-six guardians of the Light Feather Dome, on behalf of all surviving kin, extend our deepest thanks to you." He bowed slightly, a great courtesy for a gravely wounded guardian elder. "Without your crucial aid, without the truth you revealed... the Light Feather Dome today would likely have become Doomsday Rebirth's purgatory, and the Star Shard would have fallen into evil hands."
He paused, his gaze sweeping over the weary but still standing members of Fa's team, landing on the leading Fa: "Your courage, wisdom, and strength have earned the winged clan's respect. Our bloodline flows with remembrance of favors. Therefore, I will recommend you to audience with our king—the 'Sky Watcher' Wyrselon Majesty."
The King's Invitation
"King?" Fa slightly raised an eyebrow. She had not heard of the winged clan having a clear monarchical system before.
"Yes," Ankris explained, his tone filled with reverence, "Wyrselon Majesty is our spiritual leader, the head of the oldest guardian family of the Star Shard, and the great existence who guided us through the catastrophe thirty years ago. He secludes himself in the deepest 'Star Radiance Sanctuary' of the dome, rarely appearing unless for matters concerning the clan's survival. Today's events concern the Star Shard, Doomsday Rebirth's conspiracy, and a guardian's fall and redemption..." He glanced toward where Celestia disappeared, his voice low, "Majesty needs to know everything and will personally express thanks to our benefactors."
He pointed far away, below the side of the Star Shard giant island, a relatively smaller floating island suspended above the cloud sea, emitting purer and softer light. At the island's center, a magnificent palace built from huge star radiance crystals and white cloud stones loomed faintly in the light, solemn and sacred.
"That is the 'Star Radiance Court.'" Ankris said, "Please follow me. Majesty is already awaiting you."
Under Ankris's guidance, Fa and her group followed the guardian elder, stepping onto a wide rainbow bridge reformed from flowing radiance. The rainbow bridge spanned the shattered battlefield, leading straight to the floating island of the Star Radiance Court emitting a sacred halo.
Stepping onto the court island, a purer, more peaceful aura washed over them, temporarily cleansing the blood and smoke from the battlefield. Exotic star radiance orchids bloomed quietly in the court gardens, emitting a refreshing fragrance. Court guards in simple silver-white armor, with pure white feathered wings, stood solemnly on both sides, casting gazes of respect and curiosity toward Elder Ankris and Fa's group.
Audience at the Star Radiance Court
Fa and her group followed Elder Ankris through the grand arch supported by huge crystal pillars, entering the main hall of the Star Radiance Court. The hall's light was soft, the dome like a profound starry sky, dotted with countless self-luminous tiny stars, as if condensing the entire universe here. The floor was paved with smooth, mirror-like milky white jade, reflecting the dome's starlight, adding a dreamy hue. At the hall's end, above several crystal steps, stood a throne carved from a single huge star radiance crystal. On the throne sat a figure of extraordinary presence.
He was not the imagined stern figure clad in ornate armor, holding a scepter. Dressed in a simple moon-white long robe, embroidered only with silver threads outlining the trajectories of stars. His silver hair reached his waist like solidified moonlight, smoothly draped behind him.His face doesn't reveal his exact age; besides the vicissitudes of time, it also exudes a strange sense of youthfulness, as if time flows exceptionally slowly over him. Most striking were his wings—not four, but three pairs! Six wide and elegant wings in gradient silver-blue, like draping the profound night sky over him, edges flowing with specks of starlight, quietly hanging on both sides of the throne, naturally suspended without flapping, emitting a gentle yet vast aura. He was the winged clan's king, the Sky Watcher—Wyrselon.
As Fa and her group stood at the foot of the steps with Ankris, Wyrselon's eyes, seeming to contain the entire star sea, slowly opened. His gaze was peaceful and profound, like a tranquil universe, without deliberate pressure, yet making everyone involuntarily hold their breath. It first landed on Ankris, with a trace of imperceptible concern.
"Ankris, my brother," Wyrselon's voice was warm like jade, yet clearly echoing in everyone's soul depths, carrying soothing power, "You are covered in wounds, yet you bring back hope. The dome's wounds are bleeding, but the foundation remains. You've worked hard."
"Majesty," Ankris placed his right hand on his chest, bowing deeply, his voice with agitation and fatigue, "Duty calls, I dare not speak of hardship. The dome's survival through this ordeal relies entirely on these nine adventurers from the outside." He stepped aside, solemnly introducing Fa and her group, "Without them revealing the truth at the critical moment, heavily wounding the enemies, and assisting us in clearing those blasphemous creations, the Light Feather Dome... would likely no longer exist."
Wyrselon's gaze then slowly swept over each member of Fa's team. His sight lingered for a moment on Fa's star eye flowing with profound dim light, a star nebula seeming to rotate in his eye depths; passing over Salsa's mechanical cat shell with a knowing insight into essence; seeing the residual thunder frost aura on Kayla and Zhamisi's bandaged snake tail, showing sincere concern.
"Guests from afar," Wyrselon's voice filled with sincere thanks and kingly solemnity, "Wyrselon, on behalf of all winged clan people, thanks you for extending aid in the darkest moment. Your courage and strength not only saved our sacred land but rescued countless winged lives. This favor, the Light Feather Dome will forever remember. Please accept our deepest respect and gratitude." He nodded slightly, the entire hall's star radiance seeming to brighten a bit.
"To protect life and fight against injustice is our duty, Your Majesty," Fa replied calmly, neither humble nor arrogant. Her gaze met that of the one on the throne with composure, her right eye, gleaming with starlight, appearing even more profound.
Wyrselon's gaze returned to Fa, with a trace of inquiry and nostalgia. "Young Fa. On you, I sense a familiar aura... a trace from the winged clan's 'Feather Radiance Healing Art.' This power is gentle and subtle, like a stream under moonlight, yet truly exists in your essence. This surprises me and fills me with curiosity. Can you tell me where this connection comes from?"
Fa was slightly stunned, then understood. Without hesitation, she took out the ancient metal disk she carried close, engraved with intricate patterns—the "Never Lost Array." She held it in her palm, star radiance falling upon it, those patterns seeming to come alive, flowing with faint yet pure silver-white glow.
"What Majesty senses may originate from this." Fa lifted the disk slightly, "This was given to me in my childhood by an elder like family. She was called Grandma Inya, the librarian of Kro City. This is the basic guidance circuit she engraved on me; I can weakly draw its power. Whenever I was afraid, I'd follow the direction of the feather flight, and she'd hold up the warmest nest at the end, waiting for me to return."
"Inya..." Wyrselon softly repeated the name, his eternally calm face finally rippling with obvious waves. His profound eyes clearly reflected distant memory fragments: Amidst the raging flames of war, blood-stained wings, figures fighting side by side, and... those eyes filled with worry yet unwavering determination at parting. "Librarian... Kro City..." he murmured, his tone tinged with indescribable emotion and a hint of relief at finding what he had lost, "So it was her... She's still alive... and she's left the battlefield... That's good, very good."
Wyrselon's tone became soft and full of reminiscence: "Thirty years ago, that catastrophe swept the entire continent. Countless winged warriors responded to the call, leaving home, rushing to various battlefields to support allies, trying to stop the disaster's spread. Inya, she was then an outstanding scout captain and rune master in the palace, under me... affiliated with the intelligence legion's squad leader, sent to support other combat teams. The battle was fierce, communications cut off; we lost contact completely after the last decisive chaos... I thought she had fallen in the battlefield's dust." He looked at the disk in Fa's hand, eyes with nostalgia, "The core runes of 'Feather Radiance Healing Art'... she left this gift to you, and her blessings and protection to you. Knowing she spends her later years in Kro City, guarding knowledge and peace, this is one of the best news I've heard today."
Fa's heart also surged with warmth; she didn't expect Grandma Inya's gift to connect such deep origins. "Grandma Inya has always been peaceful; she manages the library orderly, a reliance for many homeless children like me."
Wyrselon smiled slightly, the wrinkles at his eyes relaxing: "She's still so strong and stubborn. Hearing her news lessens my regrets. Perhaps, once this dust settles, I should personally visit her in Kro City."
His gaze refocused on Fa's right eye, the flowing dim light seeming to resonate subtly with the court's dome stars. "Fa, this eye of yours... this power... it's not coincidental." The king's tone became solemn and profound, "Our winged clan has guarded the Star Shard for generations, not only because it contains vast star power, the core maintaining the dome's suspension and barriers, but because of an ancient prophecy and mission—we are waiting, waiting for a messenger with 'Star Eye' to appear."
"Star Eye?" Fa subconsciously touched her right eye.
"Yes," Wyrselon affirmed, "Star Eye, that's the mark recognized by the star essence, the key guiding star power. The prophecy is obscure, mentioning only fragments: when the shadow of destruction descends again, the one with Star Eye will appear, and the Star Shard will guide their direction or provide power, facing the ultimate fate together. We guard it to prevent it from falling into evil hands and to await the prophesied one's arrival." He gazed at Fa, "You possess the Star Eye and appear before the Star Shard at this moment; this is no coincidence. The Star Shard has faint self-awareness; whether it responds to you, resonates with you, depends on the fate between you."
Then, he turned to the main topic, his gaze becoming serious: "Your journey saved the dome from peril, repelled Doomsday Rebirth; your merits are immeasurable. I want to know, what reward do you hope for?"
Fa exchanged glances with her teammates, then stepped forward, her voice clear and firm: "Majesty, we request you give Celestia a chance. She committed grave errors, slaughtering kin, unforgivable. But her original intent was to save her beloved, yet she was used and deceived in the cruelest way by Doomsday Rebirth; her beloved Aelius is still suffering in Doomsday Rebirth's labs. Her power is strong, her understanding of Doomsday Rebirth bone-deep. If she's willing to atone, joining us against Doomsday Rebirth would be a sharp sword against that evil organization. We are willing to vouch for her and guide her on the path of redemption."
Wyrselon listened quietly, his face showing no excess emotions, only a trace of complex compassion in his eye depths. He was silent for a few breaths, the entire hall's starlight seeming to flow with his thoughts.
"Celestia... her fall and return is the deepest pain of the Light Feather Dome." The king's voice carried a heavy sigh, "Her sins require the entire guardian council to judge. Releasing a convicted guardian is a major matter, not decided by me alone. According to the winged clan's highest law, it requires a joint vote by the thirty-six guardians. Your request, I will submit to the council for discussion. Before that..."
His gaze turned to Fa and her group, tone returning to gentle: "Benefactors, please rest in the court's side hall. Our best healers will treat your wounds, provide recovery potions and nourishments. Lin Ya, sir," he looked at the emerald tree person, "The abundant life radiance and pure water elements of the Star Radiance Court should greatly benefit your recovery. Our healers also eagerly wish to exchange natural healing ways with you."
Lin Ya bowed, leaves rustling: "Thank you for Majesty's generosity; I am happy to share the forest's gifts."
"As for Celestia," Wyrselon said finally, "Regardless of the vote's outcome, before the result, you may visit her in the 'Tower of Contemplation.' The final choice lies in her own hands."