The heavens cracked open.
High above the Holy Kingdom of Kovaria, the skies themselves trembled as thunder boomed across the clouds. Light swirled in massive spirals, parting the firmament in a display that split the sky like a curtain being drawn back by the hands of the divine.
And from that radiant tear in the heavens… a body began to fall.
Gently—as though carried by invisible hands, caressed by the breath of eternity.
His eyes were closed, his form peaceful, still wrapped in the fading warmth of the Divine Crest that had marked him in the void. A soft glow trailed his descent like stardust. He floated downward through the clouds as the wind kissed his skin, weightless, effortless.
Below him, an enormous floating platform shimmered with golden marble and sprawling architecture—Solmere, the legendary castle in the sky. It stretched like a city in the heavens, its soaring towers and radiant walkways resting atop a platform suspended by divine will alone. The air around it shimmered with an ambient holiness.
From a high balcony on the western wing, a woman stood watching.
Second in command of The Velari. Regal. Composed. Her posture was perfect, her long robes catching the wind like the banners of a queen. Her golden eyes narrowed as she stared across the skies, already having sensed the shift before it came.
Behind her, soft footsteps echoed on the marble.
Gabriella stepped out onto the balcony, a gentle smile warming her expression as she approached.
"Good morning, ma'am."
Taliyah didn't move.
"Hey, Gabriella," she said quietly, eyes still fixed on the horizon.
Gabriella's smile wavered slightly. "Ma'am, is everything okay?"
Taliyah's voice dropped to a quiet breath.
"It's the Partera Region. It's been completely destroyed."
Gabriella's eyes widened. "That's awful."
"Yeah… and I didn't see it in time." Her jaw tightened. "Who could attack so close to the Holy Kingdom and get away without being seen?"
Before Gabriella could answer, a thunderclap echoed directly above them—sharper, closer. The clouds above the central platform burst open once more in a divine roar.
Both women turned toward the sound.
Taliyah's gaze sharpened.
"…A Velari birth?"
She exchanged a glance with Gabriella, and her voice steadied.
"Well, let's go welcome them."
Without another word, the two leapt from the balcony—soaring into the sky like streaks of divine light.
Below them, the golden marble of the central platform gleamed like the floor of a palace built for gods. Columns of white stone wrapped around massive halls, and sacred runes shimmered beneath the surface of the platform like veins of holiness.
At the center of it all, Indra's body drifted down like a fallen star finally finding home. He landed with grace, his form resting softly against the marble.
Moments later, Taliyah and Gabriella descended.
Taliyah approached first and knelt beside the young man. Her expression was calm but curious.
"Oh… it's a young man."
She glanced over at Gabriella, her eyes calm but decisive.
"Let's take him to a room, okay?"
"Yes ma'am!" Gabriella responded, already stepping forward to help.
A warm golden light poured through stained-glass windows, painting the chamber with soft hues of sapphire and amber. The ceilings soared high above in sweeping cathedral arches, each one etched with glowing lines of scripture. The walls whispered of power and peace.
Indra stirred.
He lay in a wide bed trimmed with silver and silk. A gentle breeze slipped in from the tall window beside him, rustling the curtains like angelic breath.
His eyes fluttered open.
He sat up slowly, blinking as the chamber's grandeur settled into view—polished marble floors, glowing pillars, and the faint hum of divine energy in the air.
"Where… am I?" he whispered.
A voice answered from his right.
"You are in Solmere. Third wing, second floor, room ten."
"HOLY SH—!"
Indra flinched so hard he nearly fell out of bed.
Standing beside him was a tall, humanoid construct—robotic, sleek, and eerily calm. Its body gleamed with metallic armor, and bright blue eyes glowed beneath a helmet-like face. It stood perfectly still, as if it had always been there.
"Subject has woken. Analyzing… Situation analysis complete. Informing Taliyah," it said flatly. Then, without hesitation, it turned and marched out of the room.
Indra stared after it, still wide-eyed. "What was that thing?!"
He rose from the bed, stretching sore limbs and moving toward the window. The air that filtered in carried a heavenly freshness, unlike anything he had felt before.
"Solmere… oh yeah. That wasn't a dream."
He held out his hands, turning them slowly—palms up, fingers flexed.
"But I don't feel like a god…"
A voice answered from the doorway.
"Don't try to feel like one," it said. "You might destroy the building."
Indra turned.
A woman stepped through the doorway—tall, graceful, and radiant. Her flowing robes seemed to shimmer with soft light, and the power in her presence was undeniable. Standing just behind her was a younger woman with lively eyes and a gentle smile.
"You've been asleep for three days," the first woman said, stepping inside. "It's good to see you awake, although you look confused."
Indra blinked. "Umm… I'm sorry. Who are you?"
The second woman stepped forward.
"This is Mrs. Taliyah. She's the second Seat of The Velari." Her voice softened with warmth. "And I'm Gabriella. It's nice to meet you."
Taliyah stepped forward, offering a slight nod.
"And what would your name be?"
"Oh—my name is Indra," he said quickly, bowing. "It's nice to meet you."
Taliyah laughed softly.
"Oh, what a polite young man. But that's not necessary. Please lift your head."
Indra rose awkwardly, cheeks a little red.
"Well, it's nice to meet you, Indra," she said. "Welcome to Solmere."
"Thank you, ma'am."
Taliyah tilted her head slightly. "I was thinking—maybe you two should team up. Gabriella can show you how things work around here."
Gabriella blinked in surprise. "Oh! Of course."
Taliyah turned toward the exit. "I'd love to speak with you more, Indra, but I have to recreate a city, so please excuse me."
Indra's eyes widened. "Did you say… a city?"
"Yes," she said matter-of-factly. "But I had to make sure I met you first."
Gabriella looked toward her quickly. "Ma'am, shouldn't I go with you to the city again?"
"It's okay—I got it," Taliyah said, stepping close to Gabriella and leaning in with a playful whisper. "Plus… you get to spend some time with a young man your age. And he's cute. This is perfect. I can see the future children now!"
"Ma'am?!" Gabriella blurted out, her entire face turning red.
"I thought you were going to say something important—and you're playing matchmaker?!"
"What's wrong?" Taliyah teased. "Don't you find him cute?"
Gabriella stumbled backward. "It's not that, I…!"
Taliyah smirked. "Y'all can hang out, hold hands, even stay in the same room. Ouuuu, y'all could become a Divine power couple! Wouldn't that be great?"
Gabriella buried her face in her hands. "Ma'am…"
"I knew it. Awww, you're so cute," Taliyah giggled, patting her on the shoulder as she turned toward the door with a playful wink.
"He's under your care. Have fun, you guys."
And with that, she disappeared, her footsteps echoing softly as Gabriella stood frozen, mortified.
Indra, still at the window, looked like he was trying very hard to pretend he'd heard none of it.
Gabriella sighed, trying to recompose herself.
"I guess you'll be with me today."
Indra nodded slowly. "Okay, but… can I ask a question?"
"Sure."
"Is she really going to recreate a city, or was that just an excuse to leave?"
Gabriella rolled her eyes and laughed. "No—she really is. The Partera Region was destroyed, and she's going to fix the city."
Indra froze.
His voice dropped low. "The Partera Region?!"
"Yeah… do you know about it?"
Indra's eyes darkened. "That's where I'm from. Where I… died."
Gabriella's smile faded.
"Please," he asked quietly, "do you know what happened there? Did anyone survive?"
Gabriella stepped closer, her voice turning gentle.
"Oh… I'm sorry. Not many. But I was able to save some people. All I know is whoever did it got past us and the Holy Kingdom. And they moved fast."
Indra didn't speak. His hands had slowly clenched at his sides, knuckles tight.
"I'll tell you what," Gabriella offered. "Let's ask Mrs. Taliyah when she gets back. She'll know more. And don't worry—she'll make the city look like it was never destroyed."
"…Okay," Indra said softly.
Gabriella nodded. "Alright. First things first—I have to take you to see Murre. Come on."