The cliffs trembled beneath Lira's feet.
Mist curled around the stones like living smoke, drawn toward the figure emerging from the Veil. The prince stepped forward slowly, each movement deliberate, confident — as if the world itself bent to make room for him.
He looked nothing like the man she remembered from the lab.
And yet everything like him.
His dark hair fell neatly over his brow, his eyes sharp and calculating. His cloak billowed behind him, embroidered with symbols she now recognized — runes of the Veil, stolen from her world.
"Lira," he said, voice smooth as polished steel. "Or should I say… Astra."
Lira's breath caught. "Don't call me that."
He smiled. "You can change your name, but not your nature."
Kael stepped in front of her, blade raised. "You will not touch her."
The prince's gaze flicked to Kael, amused. "Ah. The loyal guard dog."
Kael's jaw tightened. "Say that again."
The prince ignored him, turning his attention back to Lira. "You've grown stronger. I felt your power awaken the moment you touched the Veil."
Lira swallowed hard. "You killed me."
"Not entirely," he said. "I simply… redirected you."
Kael snarled. "You murdered her. You destroyed her world."
The prince tilted his head. "Her world was already dying. I merely accelerated the inevitable."
Lira's voice trembled. "Why? Why sabotage the ChronoGate?"
"Because it was flawed," he said. "Because Astra was too afraid to use its full potential. Because I saw what she refused to see — that time is a weapon, and only those willing to wield it deserve to shape the future."
Lira shook her head. "You wanted power."
"I wanted control," he corrected. "And now I have it."
Kael stepped forward, blade gleaming. "Not for long."
The prince raised a hand.
Kael froze mid‑step, his body locked in place as if invisible chains held him.
"Kael!" Lira cried.
The prince didn't even look at him. "He's strong. But not strong enough."
Lira's mark flared with heat. "Let him go."
The prince's eyes gleamed. "Ah. There it is. The Starborn fire."
He stepped closer, and the Veil behind him rippled like water disturbed by a stone.
"You were meant to stand beside me, Astra," he said softly. "You were meant to help me reshape the worlds. But you chose sentiment. You chose weakness."
Lira's voice broke. "I chose humanity."
"And look where it brought you."
He gestured toward Kael, still frozen, struggling against the unseen force.
"A man who will die for you. A world that fears you. A destiny you cannot escape."
Lira's hands trembled. "I won't help you."
"You already have," he said. "Your power awakened the moment you stepped into the Veil. And now the bond is complete."
Lira's heart pounded. "What bond?"
"The one that ties your soul to the Veil," he said. "The one that allows me to use your power."
Kael's eyes widened in horror. "Lira—"
The prince flicked his fingers, silencing him.
Lira stepped forward, fury rising like fire in her veins. "You can't control me."
The prince smiled. "I don't need to control you. I only need your power."
He reached out a hand.
Lira's mark blazed with pain.
She gasped, falling to her knees as golden light poured from her shoulder, drawn toward the prince like a thread pulled taut.
Kael roared, breaking through the invisible force for a moment. "Lira!"
The prince tightened his grip on the air.
Lira screamed.
The cliffs shook.
The Veil pulsed violently.
And then—
A burst of silver light exploded across the stones.
The prince staggered back, shielding his eyes.
Lira collapsed.
Kael caught her before she hit the ground, pulling her into his arms. "Lira, stay with me."
A figure stepped between them and the prince.
Serin.
Barely standing.
Barely breathing.
But alive.
Their staff glowed with the last remnants of silver light.
"Enough," Serin said, voice trembling but firm. "You will not take her."
The prince lowered his hand slowly, his expression darkening. "You again."
Serin raised their staff. "She is not yours."
The prince's smile returned — cold, cruel, certain.
"She will be."
He stepped back into the mist.
The Veil swallowed him whole.
Silence fell.
Lira trembled in Kael's arms, her mark still glowing faintly.
Serin collapsed to their knees, breath ragged. "We don't have much time. He's taken part of your power. If he completes the ritual… he will tear the Veil apart."
Lira's voice was barely a whisper. "What do I do?"
Serin looked up at her, eyes filled with sorrow and certainty.
"You must reclaim what he stole."
Kael held her tighter. "How?"
Serin's answer was a whisper carried by the wind.
"You must enter the Veil again."
Lira's heart stopped.
Kael's grip tightened.
And the cliffs trembled with the weight of what was coming.