Night fell over the Azure Capital like a curtain of ink.
In the highest tower of the royal temple, bells rang three times.
Each note was a signal.
The hunt had begun.
Across the city, shadows moved where light dared not touch. Cloaked figures marked with golden insignias slipped through alleyways and rooftops, their eyes glowing faintly with divine mana.
The Order of Solarius had received their command:
Capture the Starlight Heir. Alive.
Beneath the Royal Academy, Erian knelt beside an ancient stone archway, his breathing uneven. The ritual earlier had drained almost all his energy, but the mark on his chest continued to pulse, keeping him conscious.
He pressed his hand against the rune-carved wall, whispering, "Open."
The stone responded to his voice. Silver light traced old sigils, revealing a narrow passage leading deeper underground. The air smelled of dust, old parchment, and faint celestial magic.
He stepped inside.
Each wall was covered in constellations drawings of ancient beasts and symbols of forgotten gods. The deeper he went, the louder his heartbeat became, matching the rhythm of the stars above.
Suddenly, a faint vibration trembled through the floor.
Someone else was here.
Erian turned sharply, eyes glowing faintly. He whispered a warding spell, drawing a circle of starlight around himself.
The first enemy stepped out from the shadows, golden armor reflecting the dim glow. His voice was smooth, arrogant, like sunlight turned cruel.
"Erian Thalos, bearer of the Starlight Sigil. In the name of the Sun's Order, you are to be brought before the High Priest."
Erian's expression hardened. "So they finally came."
The knight raised his blade. "Do not resist."
Light flared. Erian's hand moved before thought could stop him. Silver light exploded from his palm, colliding with the knight's golden aura. The impact shook the corridor, sending dust and sparks flying.
He staggered backward, pain lancing through his chest. The seal that once connected him to Aster still weakened his flow of mana, but he refused to stop.
Another voice echoed behind him. "Fall back!"
Erian turned just in time to see Professor Kael appear, his cloak glowing faintly with protective wards. The old mage slammed his staff into the ground, creating a shockwave of silver flame that scattered the attackers.
"Run, boy!" Kael shouted. "They won't stop until one of you dies!"
"But you"
"Go!"
Erian clenched his fists, then turned and ran down the corridor. The walls seemed to pulse with his heartbeat, guiding him toward a chamber filled with faint blue light.
At the center stood an ancient mirror, cracked but still reflecting the stars. The same mirror he had once seen in his dreams.
He placed his hand on its surface.
"Show me Aster."
The mirror rippled.
For a brief second, he saw him Aster, kneeling in the golden void, chains breaking one by one as his silver eyes flickered open.
"Erian…" the prince whispered, though no sound should have crossed the realms.
Erian's tears fell silently as the mirror shattered into starlight. The bond was awakening again.
Behind him, the knights' footsteps echoed closer.
Erian turned, summoning every drop of mana left in his veins.
Silver flames rose from his hands, swirling into the shape of a celestial wolf, its eyes burning like dying stars.
"If you want me," Erian said quietly, "come through the stars themselves."
The wolf leapt forward, engulfing the corridor in brilliant light.
Above the academy, the night sky rippled stars shifting as if alive, forming a single constellation none had seen for centuries.
And far away, in the golden prison of the void, Aster Caelum opened his eyes fully.
The chains around him shattered into dust.
The prince had awakened.