An absolute, tomb-like stillness dominated the vast expanse of the grand court. The congregation had fully dispersed; zero living presence remained within the sanctuary save for Astria, who occupied the elevated royal throne.
Astria rested her right elbow against the plush velvet armrest, supporting her tilted head with the back of her fingers. Her free palm lay passive across the cushioned surface. Her eyelashes remained completely sealed, her breath drawn in such slow, rhythmic intervals that she appeared entirely submerged in a profound slumber.
Entangled within the haunting sequences of those distant memories, the exact microsecond she had drifted away remained completely beyond her awareness.
The absolute microsecond the final sequence of the dream fractured into oblivion, a subtle tremor crossed Astria's dense eyelashes. She gradually elevated her lids, unveiling her sapphire-crimson pupils.
Observing the heavy silence and the shifting light filtering through the high windows, she exhaled a deep, cold breath. Removing her hand from her forehead, she reclined against the intricate backrest of the throne, synthesizing a quiet thought within her cognition:
'I managed to drift into sleep... endlessly lost in these thoughts without even registering the transition...'
Astria anchored both palms firmly against the velvet armrests of the throne. With a fluid, commanding elevation of her frame, she rose to a standing posture, the heavy folds of her royal gown cascading down the dais.
Descended with slow, deliberate steps, she navigated the marble elevation beneath the throne. With every calculated advancement, the rustle of her ornate attire resonated faintly against the towering, vacant walls of the grand court.
A sharp, unyielding intensity anchored within her sapphire-crimson pupils.
Maintaining an unhurried, steady momentum across the crimson carpet, she advanced directly toward the massive, intricately carved main portal of the .
On the other side, across the desolate, barren expanse of the Thunder region, the scorching midday sun hovered directly overhead, projecting intense heat upon the dry terrain.
Within that uninhabited territory, Liyana and Kaira remained actively searching for Eric.
Visible irritation and frustration solidified across Liyana's facial features. Squinting against the harsh glare, she projected in an annoyed tone:
"Now we are forced to search for those two as well... where on earth could they have vanished?"
Traces of worry and confusion crossed Kaira's countenance. Surveying the eerie silence enveloping the surroundings, she inquired softly:
"Sister... why have our steps led us to this barren location? Weren't we supposed to conduct our search within the density of the forest?"
Liyana exhaled a heavy, exhausted breath, bringing her momentum to a halt. Her physical fatigue was distinctly evident across her posture. Dismissing the effort with a wave of her palm, she stated:
"Disregard it... we shall locate them later. I have reached complete exhaustion searching for them."
Navigating through the terrain as she spoke, their path looped directly back into the desolate, ruined town of Thunder—where crumbling stone structures and fractured architecture stood in absolute stillness.
On the other side of the realm, within the opulent confines of his royal chambers, Celestian lay sprawled comfortably across his grand velvet bed. Both of his legs dangled carelessly over the carved wooden edge, while his upper torso was stretched flat across the mattress.
However, tranquil rest remained out of reach. Positioned directly atop his chest and abdomen was a distinct silhouette, seated comfortably in a fully crossed-leg posture—resembling someone settling casually onto a floor surface. The entirety of her body weight rested directly upon Celestian's frame.
While his one arm lay motionless against the bedding, Celestian had casually rested his other forearm across his forehead—his palm and wrist lightly covering his eyes and upper head, precisely in the manner of someone resting lazily after exertion.
Stifled irritation was softly evident across his sharp features. From beneath his rested arm, he projected a heavy, exasperated complaint:
"Cease this harassment instantly and remove yourself from above me... Did you breach my chambers solely with the intention to torment my peace?"
A mischievous, playful curve expanded across Sylvia's lips as she maintained her balanced posture atop him. She responded in a light, unbothered tone:
"Not in the slightest... My presence here is merely to seek a few answers. What possible conflict could arise from asking a simple sequence of questions?"
Celestian slowly shifted his arm away from his forehead, unveiling his calm, open eyes to meet her gaze directly. A subtle crease formed along his brow as he questioned:
"Indeed? You classify this as an inquiry?
Since when does mounting someone's frame dictate a proper methodology for conducting a conversation?"
Sylvia tilted her head sideways, her expression radiating absolute playfulness as she projected with a smirk:
"This transpires strictly as my preferred methodology... and I find it exceptionally effective."
Celestian anchored his luminous golden pupils upon Sylvia's features, inquiring in a serene voice:
"What precise query do you wish to present?"
Blinking her lashes, Sylvia maintained direct eye contact, projecting softly:
"A considerable duration has transpired since your departure from this realm..."
The absolute microsecond those vocalizations reached his ears, Celestian elevated his upper torso from the bedding without prior warning. Utilizing the leverage of both elbows and palms against the mattress, he adjusted his frame into an upright, seated posture.
Sylvia remained positioned directly atop him. Consequently, Celestian's sudden elevation instantly disrupted her spatial equilibrium. Yielding to gravity, her upper frame began tilting rapidly backward.
Before she could collide with the mattress behind, Celestian's broad palm surged forward, clamping securely around the contour of her back. Supported entirely by his firm grasp, her descent halted mid-air, preventing the fall entirely.
However, the abrupt momentum completely dissolved her previous crossed-leg posture.
Instinctively navigating the loss of balance, Sylvia adjusted the alignment of her lower limbs in a fraction of a microsecond. Rather than remaining folded, her legs shifted to straddle both sides of his waist, while her entire body weight remained anchored over his frame.
In that singular microsecond of momentum, her hands surged upward, clutching tightly onto the ornate collar of Celestian's royal attire.
Observing her recalibrated posture and the brief tremor across her expression, Celestian questioned in a completely unbothered tone:
"What of it?... If my presence was absent from this location for a brief span, what difference does it yield?"
A deep, emotive curve expanded across Sylvia's lips. Tightening her grip upon his collar, she leaned closer until her breath brushed his skin, whispering:
"I missed your presence immensely..."
The absolute microsecond those words dissolved into the atmosphere, Sylvia surged forward without relinquishing a single microsecond—pressing her lips directly against Celestian's in a sudden, unreserved kiss.