Cherreads

Chapter 54 - the Return of The 7 Architect's Child

Opening Scene: The Celestial Countdown – T-minus 77:07:07

The titanic celestial clock continues ticking above all of reality, visible even in dreams. Entire galaxies tremble. Mortals see it as an omen; only the chosen know the truth.

Azryael stands at the convergence gate in the sky temple. The siblings of Nel gather, each ready to face a separate Architect child in hopes of breaking the seals binding Artheon and halting the countdown to destruction.

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Mission Split: One Sibling, One Architect Child

1. Kriztan Nico vs Veyrion – The World of Circuits and Silence

Realm: The Neon Void – an endless, tech-drenched expanse where machines obey Veyrion's will.

Nico interfaces instantly with the realm, but Veyrion appears in a throne of static, challenging Nico's loyalty to logic.

> Veyrion (coldly): "Emotion is an error. Love, fear, rebellion — all viruses to perfect systems."

Nico counters not with strength, but with creative chaos — generating unpredictable data anomalies. He invokes his power of real-time summoning, overwhelming Veyrion's rigid code.

Seal Fragment Status: Shaken, not broken yet.

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2. Elly May vs Caeryon – The Labyrinth of Illusions

Realm: The Prism Nexus – a twisting realm where reality folds on itself.

Caeryon, the Architect's illusionist, mirrors May's every move. Phantom clones clash with phantom clones in an ever-changing battlefield.

But May activates Chrono Reflex and Rift Cannon Mode, adapting to shifts faster than Caeryon can mask them.

> Caeryon (grinning): "You dance well, child of sport… but how do you fight a war that isn't real?"

May responds by targeting Caeryon's core truth — his suppressed memory of loving the Firstborn — breaking his illusion for a moment.

Seal Fragment Status: Cracked.

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3. Kriz Neo vs Malzaphor – The Garden of Obedience

Realm: The Verdant Cage – a beautiful jungle of sentient vines.

Malzaphor tries to dominate Neo's mind through psychotropic flora, but Neo's death aura and Kriz Scythe cut through both dreams and vines.

> Malzaphor: "Your soul sings too loud. I must quiet it."

But Neo smiles, stepping through soulform, severing the vines of control and awakening Malzaphor's hidden regret for obeying the Architect.

Seal Fragment Status: Deeply fractured.

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4. Easter Maniac vs Nyxos – The Silence Between Stars

Realm: The Null Abyss – a place of absolute stillness and darkness.

Nyxos, cloaked in shadow, attacks without form. Even Easter's healing struggles.

But then she chants a resurrection prayer — not to heal herself, but to call out to Nyxos's ancient, forgotten self: the child who once sang with light.

Nyxos hesitates. Her light of compassion begins piercing the abyss.

Seal Fragment Status: Flickering, like a dying star.

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5. Chelestar vs Velcyra – The Mirror Fortress

Realm: A crystal castle where every wall is a reflection.

Velcyra's mirror magic reveals all of Chelestar's inner doubts — even shows reflections where Chelestar betrays Nel.

But Chelestar resists, her Kitsune tail now split into three — her power growing.

> Chelestar: "I know who I am. And I won't be what you fear I will."

Her mirrors crack from the force of self-acceptance.

Seal Fragment Status: Actively weakening.

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6. Azryael vs Eryndor – The Dreamforge Citadel

Realm: A place of pure thought, where creations are born.

Eryndor tries to reshape Azryael's memories, painting her as a betrayer. But Azryael draws on her true purpose — the guardian of balance — and channels forbidden blueprints hidden by the Architect himself.

Seal Fragment Status: Rapidly unraveling.

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7. Nel vs Artheon's Cage

Realm: Between Realms – the Cradle of the First.

Nel, guided only by the humming crystal feather, arrives before the Golden Cage — Artheon is inside, suspended like a star in chains.

Nel touches the cage… and it reacts.

Suddenly:

> Artheon (weakly): "You are… the Bang... the end and the beginning..."

The cage fractures slightly.

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Final Scene: The Architect Watches

From the edge of Unexist, the Architect stares at the countdown.

> Architect (voice like crumbling time): "They have taken the bait… Let them scatter. The more they awaken my children… the closer they draw to the true annihilation."

A second clock appears in the sky — a hidden countdown, unseen even by Azryael.

T-minus 07:07:07

One of them has unknowingly triggered the last phase.

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