——————————————————————————
The sky over Eldoria burned violet.
Every cosmic alarm blared — a chorus of dread echoing through the realm's crystal spires. From their fortified sanctuary, the Five gathered with Samuel and Tristan before a round obsidian table — pulsing with arcane starlight.
Lord Vael (high lord Kaelen's. Brother)arrived first — armor woven from radiant constellations — eyes colder than the void.
Behind him, Lady Virelith glided like a living serpent — scales shimmering in venomous greens.
General Dracos crashed down in a burst of scorched wings and smoldering fury.
And finally —————————————-
Queen Solene descended in a flare of golden suns — her presence scorching shadows into fleeing corners.
Each ruler eyed Samuel…
Not with respect.
Not with fear.
With calculated judgment.
⸻—————————————————————
A Tense Audience
Lord Vael's voice cracked like ice:
"You bring danger with every breath, Voidbearer."
Samuel didn't flinch.
"Danger is already here."
Dracos snarled:
"Your lover's metamorphosis has disrupted cosmic balance."
Tristan stepped forward — still limping — but gaze unshakable:
"My transformation was forced by Femi's curse. Blame him."
Virelith hissed:
"Femi blames you for orchestrating his attack and rousing the Chaos and Phoenix. He claims you seek to claim your siblings' thrones."
Samuel's jaw set.
"He lies."
Lord vael(Kaelen brother)folded his arms:
"Yes. He also calls himself the rightful Shepherd of Existence. Yet countless realms rush to his banner."
Solene's solar aura flared:
"Perception is power. Right now — the universe sees you as the threat."
⸻———————————————————
Daniel Interrupts — Accidentally Game-Changing
Daniel burst into the council room — breathless, panicked.
"Uh — guys? We've got a problem! A huge one!"
He threw a holographic feed into the air —
Doomships.
Thousands.
Burning toward Eldoria.
With banners screaming one name in cosmic runes:
FEMI
Ignara cursed under her breath:
"That son of a —"
Daniel wasn't finished.
"When I scanned their weapons — something reacted in me." He clutched his chest — energy pulsing dangerously beneath his skin.
"I think their war engines are partially using void energy… and it's resonating with my power."
Samuel stepped forward — alarmed.
"Daniel — what are you saying?"
Daniel gulped.
"I think…
I can absorb their attack and redirect it."
Everyone stared.
Lor Vael (Kaelen's brother)eyes widened — calculating.
"A weapon against void… controlled by a mortal?"
He turned sharply to Samuel.
"You hide greater threats than Femi."
Samuel snapped:
"He's not a weapon."
Daniel, hands shaking, whispered:
"I don't know what I am."
⸻———————————————————-
The Whisper of Betrayal
While the council erupted in arguments — Tristan pulled Velyd aside.
"You're quiet. Too quiet."
Velyd smiled with sharp teeth — a strange, unsettling curve.
"Observation is a weapon too, Earthheart."
"Do I need to worry about you?" Tristan asked.
Her violet eyes gleamed.
"Not yet."
She walked away — illusions flickering like blades at her heels.
⸻———————————————————
War Positions Locked In
Kaelen stood — slamming his spear into the table.
"Enough. We have war at our gates. Our choices are simple —"
He pointed to Samuel:
"You fight on the front lines.
If you fall — the universe breathes again."
He pointed to Daniel:
"You drain their engines — or we die."
He pointed to Tristan:
"You anchor Samuel — or he becomes the very destruction we fear."
He swept his gaze over the Five:
"You are the last defense of Eldoria."
Solene raised her hand — the room filling with solar command:
"Prepare the armies.
Prepare the shields.
Prepare the stars."
The War Council ended.
⸻——————————————-
Night Before the Storm
Later — atop Eldoria's highest tower — Samuel found Tristan staring out at space, where Femi's armada now glittered like a poisonous constellation.
"You're thinking too loudly," Samuel murmured.
Tristan chuckled — weakly.
"Hard not to, when everyone expects us to either save or destroy the universe."
Samuel's fingers brushed Tristan's — gently intertwining.
"I choose the first option."
Tristan leaned closer — voice low, raw:
"And what if I lose control again?"
Samuel cupped his jaw — steady, unshaken:
"Then I'll bring you back."
"And if you lose control?"
Samuel's gaze softened.
"You're the only one who can anchor me."
The space between them pulsed — one heartbeat — then two.
Tristan rested his forehead against Samuel's.
"No matter what happens tomorrow… I'm with you."
Samuel smiled — small, real.
"That's all the universe needs to fear."
⸻———————————
The tower trembled.
A horn screamed across the realm.
War had arrived.
⸻———————————————————
✅