Zayn stood on the edge of his secret realm, watching the stars move slowly across the universe.
Time didn't work the same way here.A thousand years could pass outside…But inside, only a breath.
Astra floated beside him, her glow soft like moonlight.
She whispered, "They're calling again."
Zayn's voice was calm."I heard it."
The call wasn't loud. It was a feeling.A pull from the universe…Like a song written only for him.
But it wasn't just one voice.
Seven voices. Seven ancient goddesses.Each powerful. Each from a different race.Each… once in love with him.
Astra looked worried. "What will you do?"
Zayn looked at the sky.A crack had appeared. Small, but growing.Through that crack, he saw dark clouds moving… but they weren't clouds.They were creatures.
Not from this universe.Not from any realm he had known.
"They're coming," Zayn said softly."Just like before."
Astra floated closer. "Should I prepare the weapons?"
Zayn didn't answer.
He turned and walked toward the Forge of Silence—a giant floating temple made of crystal and star-metal.
Inside were weapons he had created over thousands of years:– Blades made of lightning– Staffs that could bend space– Rings that could seal gods– And one… sealed box
A box he never opened.
He placed his hand on the seal of the box.Warm light flowed out. It recognized him.
A voice came from within, soft and gentle:
"You finally came back, Zayn."
Zayn smiled."Hello, Lira."
Lira wasn't a woman.She wasn't even alive.She was the first spirit weapon Zayn had ever created—formed from the soul of a dying goddess and the heart of a newborn star.
She had loved him.And to save her from death, Zayn had sealed her in this box, turning her into the most powerful sword in existence.
"I need you," he said quietly.
The box opened.
A beam of light shot out.A glowing sword floated before him—Lira's Blade.The blade shimmered with the color of galaxies. It hummed softly, like it remembered everything.
"Are we going back?" Lira asked.
Zayn closed his eyes."No. Not yet."
"But they're calling you."
"I know."
"But… you still love them."
Zayn said nothing.
Astra spoke from behind, "One of them is already on her way here. She found the first thread of your magic."
Zayn turned quickly."Who?"
"Elaine. Goddess of Flame. Your first companion."
Zayn looked at the stars.
Elaine… the one who fought beside him in the Great Dimensional War.Her heart had burned like fire, and her smile could melt mountains.She had given up her divinity… just to walk beside him.
And now… she was returning.
Zayn raised his hand. A silver orb floated to his palm.It showed Elaine—flying through dimensions, her fire cloak blazing behind her.
She looked determined. Tired. But alive.
"She'll reach me in three days," Astra said.
Zayn smiled slightly."Then I'll wait."
Lira floated beside him."Will you push her away again?"
"I don't know," Zayn said quietly.
Because deep down, no matter how far he had run, no matter how much power he had…There were still pieces of him that missed them all.That missed being human.
He walked back to the edge of the realm.
The stars blinked. The void trembled.
Another crack appeared in the sky.
And from within… a whisper came.
A voice not from this universe.Not from any known lifeform.
"The Star Sovereign… must fall."
Zayn didn't react.
He looked at the blade in his hand.
"Let them try."