Reeve's vision snapped back into focus.
Black skies threaded with silver constellations.
Floating landmasses humming with ancient mana.
The distant pulse of his domain's heart.
"…Astra Nox," Reeve murmured.
In front of him, Tsukiyra stood frozen, her expression tense—no, shaken.
"Master," she said quickly, "something strange happened before you arrived."
Reeve raised an eyebrow. "Strange how?"
She hesitated, then spoke faster. "A fire elemental appeared suddenly—terrified, like it was being hunted. It fled north… but Master, there is no volcano there. No lava. No magma. And yet—"
Her voice trembled.
"Fire erupted from the ground. Villages panicked. The land itself reacted to its presence."
Reeve went silent.
Then… he sighed.
"…I told him to come here."
Tsukiyra's eyes widened.
"You—what?"
Her legs gave out.
She collapsed to the ground.
---
When Tsukiyra opened her eyes again, Reeve was kneeling beside her.
"…I saw a dream," she whispered weakly. "Fire everywhere. A burning god watching us."
Reeve smiled faintly. "That wasn't a dream."
Her breath caught.
Slowly, she turned her head toward the window.
And froze.
In the distance—where empty land once existed—
A volcano now rose into the sky, its core glowing crimson, rivers of magma flowing like veins.
Tsukiyra swallowed.
"…So it's true."
She stood up, steadier now. "The Fire Elemental God is here."
Reeve corrected calmly. "A clone. Not the real one."
Tsukiyra looked at him sharply. "Even so—why bring it here?"
Reeve's gaze hardened.
"He's the guardian of my kingdom."
That single sentence carried weight.
Tsukiyra exhaled slowly. "Master… a true Fire Elemental God and his clone are vastly different beings. Their combat instincts, divine authority, and destructive potential aren't the same."
Reeve tilted his head. "So where's the real one?"
"In Demon Land," she replied. "But no one knows where."
Reeve's lips curved into a dangerous smile.
"Then I'll find him. And I'll capture him."
Tsukiyra stared at him in disbelief.
"…That's impossible. You're still human. To subdue a true elemental god, you'd need to be a Demon Lord—if not a Demon King."
Reeve shrugged casually. "Hmm. Then forget it."
That answer unsettled her more than ambition ever could.
---
Later, as Reeve stepped outside Astra Nox, his senses flared.
Mana.
Sharp. Familiar.
"…Kaelith."
He vanished.
---
The moment he arrived, the battlefield stilled—not because of enemies, but because of presence.
Kaelith stood firm, blade resting at his side.
Elaryn leaned against a broken pillar, relaxed as ever.
Lunareth hovered nearby, arms crossed.
And Nerisse—bright, alive.
Reeve smiled genuinely.
"How are you, Nerisse?"
She blinked, then smiled warmly. "I'm fine, Reeve."
Lunareth scoffed. "What about you, idiot?"
Reeve laughed softly. "I'm fine too—especially now that I see all of you."
For a brief moment, the world felt… right.
Then—
Footsteps.
Elegant. Unhurried.
Seraphyne stepped forward, crimson eyes studying the group.
"…Who are they?" the Vampire Queen asked calmly.
Reeve opened his mouth to answer—
—and the air itself seemed to hold its breath.