Eli pushed the doors open with both hands. The heavy wood groaned, and a rush of warm, perfumed air spilled out.
The war council chamber was vast — easily the size of a cathedral. A long oaken table stretched from end to end, polished to a mirror's sheen. Twelve seats surrounded it, eight of which were filled.
Five of the occupants wore silks and jeweled brooches — nobles, advisers, and the king himself. The remaining three stood out sharply: two men and a woman, each clad in light armour, their posture alert and disciplined.
The king rose as they entered, his crystal crown glinting faintly in the light. "Welcome, chosen of the Constellations," he said warmly. "We are honoured by your presence once more."
Eli leaned toward Nhilly. "Once more?" he muttered under his breath.
Nhilly didn't answer, but his eyes narrowed slightly.
The king gestured to the seats prepared for them along the table's left side. "Please, sit. You must be weary from your travels."
The group obeyed. Celeste sat nearest the king, Kael beside her. Eli dropped into his seat with casual grace, his boots scuffing the table leg. Nhilly sat last, back straight, gaze unfocused as if studying the air itself.
Seris didn't sit immediately. She gave a shallow bow before taking her place, her eyes carefully scanning every face in the room.
The king smiled. "Allow me to introduce my council. To my right, Chancellor Rivan, head of strategy. Beside him, General Harun, commander of our armies. And these three," he gestured to the armoured figures, "are the king's blades — warriors sworn to my house and protectors of the throne."
The first, a broad-shouldered man with short, silver hair, bowed slightly. His voice was deep but calm. "Darius. Swordmaster of the royal guard."
The second, a younger man with long, braided brown hair and a scar across his chin, gave a lazy grin. "Lirian. Captain of the forward scouts — the guy they send to die first."
The woman stood last, her expression stern but her tone measured. "Arielle. Knight of the King's Blades. I oversee training for new recruits."
She met each of their eyes briefly, and Nhilly felt it instantly — something different. They felt real. Their movements weren't mechanical; their expressions didn't freeze between words. When they blinked, it wasn't in unison.
Celeste leaned slightly toward Nhilly. "They feel… normal," she whispered.
He nodded once. "Yeah," he murmured. "Almost human."
The king sat again, folding his hands. "You have been sent by divine will, and yet you appear as men and women. The people will take comfort in that."
Kael leaned forward slightly. "We've been told the war has lasted eight years."
Chancellor Rivan nodded. "Indeed. For six of those years, our forces pressed into Wyre lands — victory was inevitable. But two years ago, every regiment sent to the front ceased returning."
General Harun's jaw tightened. "The reports we've received since then… if they can be called reports… speak of fog and shadow. Men vanishing mid-march. Camps found empty at dawn. The Dominion denies involvement, but something festers there."
Seris's expression didn't change. "You believe it's supernatural."
Rivan hesitated. "Our priests think so. The Constellations have grown silent, their light dimmed. That is why we prayed for aid. And now you stand before us."
Eli leaned back, flashing a grin. "So basically, you want us to go down there, smack whatever's causing this, and call it a day?"
A ripple of nervous laughter spread through the table.
The king's smile didn't waver. "In time, yes. But for now, you must understand our world — our customs, our people. We cannot risk sending all five of you to the front."
Kael frowned. "Why not all of us?"
The king's gaze softened, though his tone was absolute. "Because if all five heroes vanish, Lydia falls to despair. The people's faith must endure. One will accompany our next army a month from now — as both symbol and saviour."
Eli raised a brow. "Just one? That's not much of a rescue party."
Arielle spoke this time, her voice even but firm. "You will have a thousand soldiers at your side, Hero. We have faith that is enough."
Eli smirked. "Faith's great, but I prefer fire."
Lirian chuckled quietly. "Then you'll fit right in."
Darius ignored them both, his gaze steady on Seris. "The others will remain here. You may live and eat in the palace freely. The king's hospitality is yours."
Rivan continued, "You will also attend scheduled classes to maintain your divine gifts — swordsmanship, physical training, sparring with the royal guard, and… religion."
That earned Eli's snort. "Religion? You expect us to pray our way through battle?"
Arielle's lips twitched, just barely. "Understanding faith keeps the people's hope alive. You might learn something from it."
The king chuckled softly. "Indeed. Though I doubt the Constellations chosen ones require lessons in humility."
Celeste smiled politely, though she shot Eli a quiet warning look.
Rivan continued, "You are also free to walk the city, as you please. But you are not to leave its walls under any circumstance."
Kael's brow creased. "Even for reconnaissance?"
Harun shook his head. "We cannot risk losing our symbols of hope. Within the capital, you are safe. Beyond it, we cannot promise that."
Nhilly's voice cut in for the first time, low and calm. "So, trapped in a gilded cage."
Every eye turned to him.
The king smiled faintly. "If that is how you wish to see it, Hero, then yes — a comfortable one."
Lirian gave a small laugh. "You'll have food, beds, and enough space to breathe. Trust me, I've seen worse cages."
Nhilly didn't respond. He simply leaned back in his chair, eyes drifting to the shimmering constellations carved into the far wall. They pulsed faintly, in rhythm with his heartbeat.
Celeste broke the silence gently. "Thank you, Your Majesty. We'll do our best to honour this world."
The king nodded, his tone warm again. "I have no doubt you will. The Constellations watch with pride — and anticipation."
That word hung heavy in Nhilly's mind. Anticipation.
Like a promise. Or a threat.
As the meeting drew to a close, the three knights approached them.
Darius extended a hand toward Kael. "You handle yourself like a soldier. You'll fit in easily with my unit."
Lirian grinned at Eli. "If you're half as good with that fire as you are with your mouth, I'll enjoy seeing you train."
Eli smirked. "Try not to get jealous."
Arielle turned to Celeste and Seris. "You both seem composed. You'll join me in the palace's southern yard at dawn for drills. Don't be late."
Finally, she looked at Nhilly. "And you, dark-eyed one… you have a swordsman's posture. I can see it even when you stand still."
Nhilly met her gaze, expression unreadable. "Old habits."
For a brief moment, Arielle smiled — a real smile, unforced and human. "Then perhaps there's something worth remembering here."
When they left the chamber, the air outside felt lighter. The tension of the meeting faded, replaced by a fragile calm.
Eli stretched his arms behind his head. "So… free food, free beds, and sparring classes? Starting to like this god business."
Kael's tone was dry. "Until they send one of us to die."
Celeste sighed. "Don't start."
Seris trailed silently behind them, lost in thought.
Nhilly lingered for a moment near the massive doors before following. He glanced back once at the sealed chamber — the echo of the king's laughter still faint in his mind. The three knights had seemed… different. Their movements hadn't carried the uncanny rhythm of the palace staff; their words had weight, timing, hesitation. They felt almost human — too human.
The Constellations must be improving their craft, he thought grimly. Even their illusions are starting to breathe.
He turned and caught up with the others as they made their way down the marble hall. The palace was stirring now, sunlight spilling in thick golden beams through the stained-glass windows. Servants bowed deeply as they passed, murmuring soft blessings under their breath.
The group followed the scent of baked bread and roasted meat until they stepped into a vast dining hall. Long tables stretched from wall to wall, though most were empty save for a few guards eating in silence.
Eli let out a low whistle. "Finally, something normal."
Kael gave him a sideways glance. "Define normal."
"Food that doesn't try to kill me."
Celeste smiled faintly. "You mean breakfast."
They sat together at a smaller table near the window. Bowls of fruit and platters of steaming bread were already waiting, as though prepared the moment they'd left the council.
Nhilly tore off a piece of bread, more out of habit than hunger. "They really don't waste time."
"Hospitality's easy when you own the story," Seris murmured.
Eli grinned, mouth full. "Still better than starving in a forest."
Kael's tone softened slightly. "He's not wrong. Might as well enjoy it while it lasts."
For a while, they ate in relative silence — a fragile, temporary peace. The morning light painted everything gold, warm and beautiful.
But to Nhilly, it all felt staged — the perfect sunlight, the perfect meal, the perfect company. Every piece of it too deliberate, too smooth. Like a scene written to comfort an audience rather than those forced to live in it.
He leaned back in his chair, eyes drifting toward the ceiling. The faint hum in the walls returned, barely audible but constant, like the slow heartbeat of a watching god.
The Constellations are still watching.
He didn't know if that was meant to reassure him — or warn him.