The night was unusually still.
Two moons hung in the sky—Arden and Selora, glowing brighter than ever before. Their silver and crimson light bathed Astraeus Academy in twin hues, painting everything in an ethereal glow.
Aiden sat alone at the edge of the Crystal Observatory, staring up at the heavens. His thoughts swirled like storms—of Celestine's warning, the Architect's voice, and the glowing sigil now etched faintly across his chest.
Every few seconds, the mark pulsed, resonating with the rhythm of the moons.
It didn't hurt, but it felt alive.
"Can't sleep either?"
He turned. Seraphina stood in the doorway, her cloak fluttering in the soft night breeze. She carried two cups of warm moonleaf tea, offering one with a small smile.
Aiden accepted it gratefully. "My mind's too noisy," he said. "I keep hearing whispers every time the moons align."
She sat beside him, the stars reflecting in her eyes. "Whispers can mean two things," she said softly. "Either you're being called... or being watched."
Aiden glanced at her. "You think it's the Architect again?"
"Maybe. Or your sister. The mark on your chest—it's celestial. No mortal magic could carve it."
Aiden exhaled slowly, staring at the moons. "She told me not to trust anyone wearing gold. But the Architect wore gold. And yet..."
"You hesitated," Seraphina finished gently. "Because part of you believes her."
He didn't answer. Silence filled the air—soft, heavy, fragile.
Finally, Seraphina stood, her expression unreadable. "Tomorrow's the Moon Convergence Festival. Most of the students will be distracted. That'll give us time to investigate the underground archives. There's something down there—the Founders hid records about the first Rift."
Aiden nodded, determination replacing fatigue. "Then we go at dawn."
---
The next morning, Astraeus Academy was alive with color. Floating lanterns drifted through the air, glowing with moonlight crystals. Students laughed, danced, and traded charms to celebrate the rare Twin Moon Alignment.
But Aiden's mind was elsewhere. He and Seraphina slipped away from the festivities, heading deep into the Forbidden Archives—a labyrinth beneath the Academy, sealed for centuries.
The air there was cold, thick with forgotten energy.
Lyra's voice crackled over the comms. "You sure about this? The Headmistress banned anyone from entering that place after the last collapse."
Aiden smiled faintly. "We'll be careful."
Kael's tone came next, sarcastic as ever. "Yeah, that's what you said last time before half the forest exploded."
"Focus, Kael," Seraphina said sharply.
They reached a circular chamber deep underground. The walls were covered in shifting glyphs, glowing faintly with moonlight. At the center stood a massive crystal monolith, suspended in midair by ancient magic.
Aiden approached, his mark flaring brighter as he drew near.
"It's reacting to you again," Seraphina said, stepping closer.
"I think it's… unlocking something."
The glyphs pulsed, rearranging themselves into patterns neither could read. Suddenly, light flooded the room—and an image appeared inside the crystal:
A vast sky filled with floating islands, rivers of stars, and an enormous gate suspended at the center.
"The Celestial Nexus," Seraphina whispered. "It's real."
Aiden's eyes widened. "You know about it?"
"It's a myth," she said quietly. "A bridge between worlds, created by the first Archmages. They said only those bearing the Starlight Sigil could open it."
Before he could respond, a sudden boom shook the ground. The crystal dimmed, and the air filled with black mist.
Seraphina spun around. "Someone's here!"
From the shadows emerged three figures—draped in dark cloaks, golden threads woven into their sleeves. Their faces were hidden, but the aura they radiated was unmistakable—powerful, cold, ancient.
"The Starlight Heir," one of them said. "We finally found you."
Aiden stepped back, summoning his mana, but the lead figure raised a hand. "No need for that. We are the Order of Aurion—keepers of the celestial covenant. You, Aiden Solstice, are the final key."
"The key... to what?"
"To reopening the Nexus," the figure said, smiling beneath the hood. "To restoring the age of gods."
Seraphina's staff glowed. "And what happens to this world if you succeed?"
The man chuckled. "It ceases to matter."
With a flick of his hand, golden chains of light burst from the air, wrapping around Aiden's body. He struggled, the sigil on his chest glowing fiercely in resistance.
Seraphina moved instantly, slashing through the chains with a blast of radiant mana. "Run!" she shouted.
Aiden didn't hesitate. Together they dashed through the collapsing tunnel, beams of gold light exploding behind them. The entire archive trembled, stones falling from the ceiling.
As they burst into the surface courtyard, the festival music still played—oblivious to the chaos below.
Seraphina turned to him, panting. "They're not going to stop."
Aiden's mark flared again, sending a shockwave of light into the sky. Above them, both moons shimmered—then aligned perfectly.
The sky tore open.
A massive gate of silver and gold appeared above the Academy, spinning slowly like an eye awakening from slumber. The students screamed as the earth vibrated, magic surging uncontrollably.
Lyra's panicked voice echoed in his earpiece. "Aiden! What did you do?"
Aiden stared at the gate, heart pounding. "I didn't... it's responding to me."
And deep within his mind, Celestine's voice whispered again—soft, trembling, and urgent:
> Don't let them open the Nexus. Not yet.
Then everything went white.
---