Sunlight filtered in through tall, curved windows draped in soft linen, bathing the room in a golden hue. Birds chirped faintly from the trees beyond the walls, their calls lilting and strange to Eve's ears—gentler than those in Caelux, almost melodic.

  Eve stirred slowly in her bed, the sheets tangled around her legs. For a moment, she didn’t remember where she was. Then the scent of moss and fresh pine hit her senses, and it all came back.

  Thaloréa.

  She sat up and rubbed the sleep from her eyes, the breeze from the slightly cracked window cool against her skin. The estate was quiet, the kind of stillness that came with sacred space. She could feel it—the way the energy here wrapped around her, not pressing, but inviting.

  She dressed slowly, savouring the soft comfort of silence. Her uniform felt oddly stiff against the natural ease of the estate's atmosphere, but she fastened it all the same.

  By the time she made her way downstairs, the scent of spiced roots and tea hung in the air. A few members of the team had already gathered in a sun-drenched common area near the kitchen, where light filtered through leafy arches.

  Arel spotted her first and waved. "Morning, sleepyhead. You look like someone kissed by a dreamroot."

  Eve blinked, groggy but smiling. "I don’t even know what that means."

  Dax leaned against the doorway with a cup in hand. "It means you slept longer than any of us."

  Kael offered a small nod from where he stood near the far window, arms folded, eyes on the treetops beyond.

  Levi was nowhere in sight.

  Arel handed Eve a cup of hot tea just as the soft sound of footsteps approached from the hallway behind her. Eve turned to see Levi appear, freshly dressed and looking more awake than she expected at this hour. His hair was still slightly damp from a morning rinse, and his expression was calm, unreadable as always.

  He gave her a faint nod in greeting, eyes briefly meeting hers before moving on to the others.

  "Hope you all got some rest," he said, his tone even. "We’ll be heading out soon. Commander Vulcan’s requested to meet us at the Verdance Hall before midday."

  Arel perked up at the mention. "Oof, we better eat quick then. You do not keep the Verdance Guard waiting."

  Eve, still a bit dazed, made her way to the counter where a small spread of fruit, warm bread, and brewed root tea had been id out. She grabbed a cup, grateful for the gentle rhythm of the morning.

  Today was going to be something new.

  Once everyone had eaten and gathered their gear, the group set off down a forested path just beyond the estate. The trail was narrow but well-maintained, lined with flowering moss and twisting roots that pulsed faintly with natural energy. Birds glided between the trees overhead, and the air carried a subtle sweetness that Eve couldn’t quite pce.

  The walk took them deeper into the heart of Thaloréa’s eastern woodnd, until the trees finally opened up into a wide clearing.

  There, nestled against the slope of a hill, stood the Verdance Hall.

  It was a structure of ancient wood and living stone, its curved walls wrapped in flowering vines and woven crystal. Light flowed through arched skylights overhead, diffused through a canopy of translucent leaves. The entire hall shimmered with breath-like stillness—alive, yet unmoving.

  Eve paused, taking it in. The sight was nothing like Caelux. It didn’t dominate the nd—it was part of it.

  And it was breath-taking.

  A ring of guards stood silently around the perimeter of the hall, their presence calm but unmistakably firm. They wore ceremonial armour that shimmered like woven silverleaf and pale emerald, etched with the flowing designs of the Verdance Guard. Each piece fit perfectly to the body, elegant and striking—almost otherworldly in its craftsmanship, not unlike the visual style of Caelux’s elite but ced with nature's reverence. Their posture was serene but alert, eyes watching everything and missing nothing.

  The doors to the Verdance Hall opened with a graceful sweep, revealing a vast, domed chamber lined with tall, living columns of braided vines and polished stone. Natural light filtered from the open canopy above, casting moving patterns across the floor as if the sky itself danced there.

  At the far end stood High Commander Vulcan.

  He was tall and broad-shouldered, his presence as steady as the mountains that framed this region. His uniform was a deep green threaded with gold and pale blue—colours of bance and spirit. He wore no armour, but the power in his stance said he didn’t need it. His long white hair was tied back in a low braid, a stark contrast to his earthy-toned uniform, and it shimmered faintly in the filtered light.

  His sharp eyes—hazel-green like old forest canopy—seemed to see through each of them as they approached.

  He took a step forward. "Vanguard Division," he said, voice smooth and resonant. "Welcome to Thaloréa."

  The group gave a respectful bow of their heads.

  "I understand you’ve come here for more than rest," Vulcan continued.

  At this, his gaze shifted directly to Eve. "The girl from another world," he said, his voice steady. He stepped forward and extended a hand in formal greeting. "I’ve been briefed by Commander Revan on your needs for this visit and have made some arrangements."

  He turned back to the group. "You’ll be accompanied during your time here by one of our elite Verdance Guard operatives."

  At that, he gestured to a tall man who had just stepped from the shadows near the columned walls.

  The man was striking—tall and regal, with long white hair that spilled loosely around his shoulders. His pale blue eyes were rimmed with shes so white they almost sparkled under the sunlight filtering in from the canopy. He wore the ceremonial armour of the Verdance Guard, fitted fwlessly to his lean, muscur frame—silverleaf ptes and emerald accents glinting with quiet strength.

  He pced a hand over his chest and bowed toward Eve with grace.

  "Commander Elion Thalos," Vulcan announced. "He will serve as your guide and protector while you’re in Thaloréa."

  Elion’s gaze lingered on Eve for a moment longer than expected—not impolite, but curious. As if he already knew something the others did not.

  Arel, standing just behind Eve, gave a subtle nudge and gnced toward her with a wide-eyed smile, clearly taken aback by Elion's striking appearance. She leaned closer to Eve and whispered, "Okay... he's kind of breath-taking."

  Levi, standing just a few paces behind, overheard the whisper. His eyes flicked sideways, and for the briefest moment, his expression shifted—jaw tightening as he pulled a subtle face.

  Vulcan turned back to the group, his voice returning to its commanding calm. "I will check in with you in a few days to evaluate your progress. For now, Commander Elion will escort you to Auralith Temple, one of our most sacred sites. There, you will meet with the High Priestess."

  He looked again to Eve. "This will be an important step in understanding what resides within you."

  Elion nodded once, already gesturing for the group to follow him through the arching stone exit at the far end of the hall.

  After a quiet word with Levi, Dax and Kael broke off from the group, slipping into a side corridor as Elion led the others onward. Whatever the reason, it was clear they wouldn’t be accompanying the rest of the team to the temple—for now.

  The group fell into quiet step behind Elion, the sound of boots against stone softened by moss-covered tiles. Outside, the path sloped gently downward, winding through a gde that shimmered faintly with energy. Soft light filtered through yers of mist and foliage, casting patterns like runes across the trail.

  The walk was peaceful yet charged with anticipation. Eve found herself near the back of the group, eyes occasionally drifting to Elion's composed form at the lead. Everything about this pce felt like a hum beneath her skin, vibrating faintly at the edge of something deeper.

  As they rounded a bend in the path, distant chimes echoed through the forest—gentle and melodic.

  They were approaching the temple.

  As the path curved through a grove of silvery-green trees, the temple finally came into view. It rose from the ndscape like it had grown there over centuries—its domed rooftops covered in living moss and soft blue light pulsing faintly from within its etched stonework. Arched openings allowed light and air to pass freely through its sacred halls, and wind chimes crafted from crystal and vine hung at each entrance, singing softly in the breeze.

  Eve slowed, caught in awe as the temple revealed itself in full. The hum beneath her skin had grown into a subtle, thrumming pulse—as if something within her recognized the pce before her mind could catch up.

  What she didn’t notice was Levi watching her.

  He stood a few paces back, his eyes fixed on her expression. Arel, catching the look, turned slightly and raised an eyebrow at him with a pyful smirk. Their eyes met briefly, and she gave him a knowing look.

  Levi rolled his eyes in reply, quickly resetting his face to its usual, unreadable calm.

  Elion finally stopped and turned to the group. "This is Auralith Temple," he said. "It is one of our oldest sanctuaries. And today, it opens to you."

  He looked directly at Eve. "You will be welcomed by the High Priestess soon. She has been expecting you."

  The group waited as soft footsteps approached from within the temple. A woman emerged from the central archway—tall and elegant.

  "Welcome," she said, her voice gentle but strong. Her expression held warmth ced with timeless wisdom. She was an older woman, but undeniably beautiful—her long white hair flowing nearly to her thighs, shimmering softly under the temple light. She wore ceremonial white robes adorned with intricate blue and silver threads, and her wrists were lined with golden bangles that clinked gently with each movement. A delicate headband rested across her temples, detailed in the same blue and gold patterns that matched the energy of the hall around her. "I am High Priestess Amarin."

  She offered a serene bow to the group, then turned her gaze to Eve. "And you must be Evelyn Adams. I’ve been looking forward to meeting you."

  Without waiting for a response, she stepped back and gestured for Eve to follow. "Come. The others may remain here. I will take you to the central temple chamber."

  As Eve stepped forward, Arel gave her hand a quick squeeze before letting go, her eyes full of reassurance. Eve gnced back just once, her gaze briefly catching Levi’s. He was already looking at her—his expression unreadable, but his eyes said something softer. A quiet farewell. She offered the smallest nod in return before turning away.

  High Priestess Amarin led Eve through quiet corridors into the heart of the temple. As they walked, she spoke softly. "This pce was built around a central nexus point—one of only a few in the world that connects directly with Terra’s energy core. Very few are allowed to see it."

  Eve gnced around the corridor, her voice hushed. "It feels... alive somehow."

  Amarin's eyes softened, "You must have friends in high pces." she paused. "Those worried enough to help you on your journey here," her words light but carrying a weight of meaning beneath.

  Her voice shifted slightly, more personal. "It must be difficult—to adapt to a new way of life, especially coming from a world without the kind of power you’ve seen Terra's people and ndscapes wield."

  She gnced sideways at Eve, her expression gentle. "But I am here to tell you that something inside of you recognises all of this. That part of you—we’re here to communicate with today. To reconnect what has been broken."

  Eve nodded slowly.

  Amarin smiled gently. "Let us guide you—one step at a time."

  They reached a set of immense, arched doors carved from whitewashed stone and intertwined with glowing roots. With a gentle motion of her hand, Amarin channelled a ripple of energy toward the doors. They responded to her touch, opening in a slow, reverent sweep.

  Beyond them y the central temple chamber.

  The moment Eve stepped inside, a wave of energy hit her—not harsh, but overwhelming in its purity. It wrapped around her, buzzed beneath her skin, and pulled at something deep within her.

  The chamber was vast and cathedral-like, but utterly unlike anything Eve had ever seen. Arches rose high into a vaulted ceiling where light streamed down in ethereal columns, illuminating a central beam of energy that shimmered like starlight. Around it danced hundreds of tiny orbs—like fairy lights, flitting and spinning as though they were alive.

  It didn’t feel like a room. It felt like another pne.

  Eve’s breath caught. Her chest fluttered. The resonance wasn’t just in the air—it passed through her, threaded into her bones. It was reaching out.

  And something within her stirred in answer.

  Amarin stepped forward again, her voice low and reverent. She led Eve to the edge of the pool and gestured for her to kneel. "This water reflects more than light. It responds to essence. To memory. To truth."

  Eve knelt slowly, eyes still wide.

  "Breathe," Amarin said gently. "Give in to the light guiding you—and open yourself to what it has to offer."

  Eve closed her eyes. Her breath slowed.

  She reached out to touch the shimmering waters beneath her.

  ________________________________________

  At first, there was only stillness. Then light—limitless and all-encompassing—began to swirl around her consciousness.

  Eve opened her eyes, or perhaps she only felt as though she did, and found herself drifting through a sky made of stars. Gaxies stretched and bent around her, ribbons of cosmic colour weaving into infinity.

  There was no ground. No air. No sound. Just the steady pull of something immense.

  A presence.

  A figure emerged from the consteltion haze—tall, radiant, and cloaked in flowing strands of starlight. Her face was ethereal, her features ageless, and her hair shimmered like nebue in motion. Her eyes held gaxies.

  Eve knew, without knowing how, that this was Solestus.

  The Celestial of Light and Life.

  The creator.

  Solestus did not speak with words. Her presence wrapped around Eve like warmth and gravity, and Eve understood her.

  Memories that didn’t belong to Eve flickered through her vision—of stars being born, of voids being torn open, of light colliding with darkness.

  The stars pulsed.

  Solestus' extended a hand.

  Eve’s heart pounded.

  Her chest began to warm—softly at first, then stronger, like a fire building from deep within. She looked down and saw a flicker of blue fme pulsing faintly from her sternum. It glowed with a steady rhythm, as if responding to the presence around her.

  Her fingertips sparked with energy, tiny tendrils of light dancing across her skin. She felt fires burn, waters flow, air rush, and the deep strength of earth—all at once—surging through her veins, as if every element answered her awakening.

  She embraced the cosmic duty that had been bestowed upon her, even if she didn’t yet fully understand it. Questions crowded her mind, aching to be asked.

  But just as she tried to speak, the stars around her dimmed.

  The light vanished.

  And from the void, two glowing red eyes emerged, staring directly into her soul.

  A whisper echoed around her—thin, cold, and cruel.

  "Found you."

  Eve gasped.

  She jolted upright, drenched in sweat, her breath ragged. The chamber around her came back into focus. The central beam was dimming, flickering.

  "No," Amarin cried, rushing to her side. "This isn’t supposed to happen."

  As if reacting to her distress, the waters of the pool shuddered and split—light cracking open as a dark rift tore itself through the stillness. Two figures emerged.

  Tall. Human in shape.

  But surrounded in a thick shroud of bck smoke.

  They wore long, bck robes and terrifying masks—monstrous visages hiding any trace of a face.

  They advanced toward Eve.

  This time, she did not freeze.

  She stood.

  Something inside her restarted, snapped back into motion.

  A fight erupted.

  Outside the temple, the air shifted. The birds stopped. The glow of the forest dimmed.

  Levi’s head snapped up.

  He didn’t wait.

  He ran.

  Elion and Arel followed without hesitation. They felt it too.

  Something was wrong.

  Levi burst through the arched entrance of the central chamber, his voice echoing before he even crossed the threshold.

  "Eve!"

  His eyes darted across the vast hall, searching—and then he saw her.

  Eve stood at the centre of the chamber, battling the two masked assaints with everything she had. Energy pulsed around her, raw and untamed, but her form remained grounded, her focus sharpened by the fire that had finally reignited inside her.

  Without hesitation, Levi unched forward into the fray.

  Arel and Elion weren’t far behind. As soon as they entered the hall and took in the scene, they sprang into motion—Arel veering toward Eve’s fnk to provide support, Elion's bde gleaming as he intercepted the second assaint with swift, deliberate precision.

  The room, once sacred and serene, had become a battlefield.

  From her pce near the steps, High Priestess Amarin raised her hands, summoning a surge of protective energy that sealed the arched temple doors with a fsh of golden light. The vines etched into the stone responded to her call, slithering over the entryway and locking it down.

  No one else would enter.

  And nothing would leave—until it was over.

  The masked assaints moved like shadows through smoke—disappearing and reappearing at will, their forms flickering in and out of the fight in bursts of bck mist. Their unpredictability made them almost impossible to track, their attacks swift and targeted.

  Arel caught the edge of one of their sudden appearances too te. A sharp blow struck the side of her head, sending her tumbling across the hall.

  She crumpled to the floor, unconscious.

  "Arel!" Eve shouted.

  Amarin rushed from the steps, robes flowing, sliding to Arel’s side. She pressed her hands to her temple, light blooming beneath her fingers as she began to heal.

  The assaints didn’t care.

  They weren’t there for the others.

  They wanted Eve.

  The others were just in their way.

  The assaints suddenly broke apart from one another, coordinating in eerie silence. One vanished in a cloud of bck smoke, reappearing behind Elion, forcing him to pivot and defend. The other locked onto Eve again, appearing just to her left with a burst of shadow and motion.

  Levi didn’t hesitate. He stepped in front of her, intercepting the blow, his own energy fring outward to match the attack.

  He didn’t leave her side.

  Not this time.

  But the fight shifted.

  Elion, locked in combat with one of the masked figures, caught a hard strike to the side. His bde shattered with the impact, splintering into fragments. He stumbled backward, blood streaking his side, before colpsing near one of the arches.

  Before Levi or Eve could react, the second assaint vanished and reappeared behind her. A glowing vine of energy snapped forward from his sleeve, tching around Eve’s neck.

  She instinctively grabbed at it, her fingers cwing for breath as the grip tightened.

  Levi turned, eyes wide—but he was met by a brutal strike from the other masked attacker, throwing him hard into the stone wall. His back hit with a crack, and he slumped, stunned.

  The two masked figures closed in like predators circling their prey, their movements slow and deliberate before striking with lethal intent toward Eve, smoke curling from their shoulders as they advanced. Her vision blurred, her knees buckling, her lungs burning.

  But then her hands began to flicker with light—trembling pulses of energy swirling between her fingertips.

  In a blur of motion, Levi reappeared beside the one of the assaints. With a powerful shove, he knocked the figure off bance, sending him sprawling away from Eve. Without pausing, Levi pivoted beside the other assaint controlling the vine and in a fsh of steel, he cut through the arm of the masked predator. The glowing tether fell away in a hiss of smoke.

  Eve colpsed to her knees, gasping for air.

  Levi stood beside her, tense and ready—blood at his temple, but his posture unwavering.

  The second figure, brushing off the impact from Levi, then unched toward them in a flurry of smoke.

  Eve instinctively reached for Levi—and in a fsh of raw energy, they vanished.

  They reappeared mid-air.

  Eve was above Levi, both of them falling through the sky with wind roaring around them. Her eyes widened in shock as the rush of air hit her, clothes snapping against her frame. It took a second for her to register what was happening.

  Levi, ever the instinctive protector, immediately reached out and wrapped his arms around her, holding her tight as they tumbled. The clouds whipped past, the world below a blur of pale blue and mist.

  Eve clung to him, her fingers tightening in his shirt.

  In another heartbeat, the scene shifted.

  They were falling again—this time past the side of a tall, familiar building. The skyline around them shimmered with lights and towers she vaguely recognised. She was back on Earth, gliding down the side of the Tokyo Skytree, its illuminated spire slicing through the sky like a beacon.

  Then, without warning, another shift—this one rougher, more jarring.

  The air snapped cold as they plummeted toward a vast body of water stretching out beneath them. The surface gleamed in the moonlight, calm and dark.

  Eve shut her eyes.

  Levi pulled her tighter.

  And they braced for impact.