š 1. First Encounter ā The Seer of Lumis
Lyra stood near a floating crystal fountain, her silver hair glowing under the neon lights of Lumis. Her pale eyes shimmered like starlight as Elias and Vex approached.
Lyra: "Soā¦ the lost prince finally walks the city of knowledge."
Elias froze.
Elias: "I think you've got the wrong guy."
Vex chuckled darkly.
Vex: "Careful, kid. That's Lyra of House Celestia. She doesn't guess. She sees."
Lyra tilted her head slightly.
Lyra: "You hide behind the name Blackwoodā¦ but your soul still answers to Nova."
Elias clenched his fists.
Elias: "If you know who I amā¦ then tell me. What am I?"
She stepped closer, lowering her voice.
Lyra: "You are the echo of a fallen empireā¦ and the spark of one yet to rise."
š® 2. Lyra Warns Him About Nova's Fall
They walked beneath glowing data-trees that projected constellations above them.
Elias: "Everyone keeps talking about this competitionā¦ Nova's Fall. What is it really?"
Lyra's expression darkened.
Lyra: "A masquerade of glory. A ritual dressed as sport."
Elias: "Ritual?"
Lyra: "Long ago, when Emperor Nova fell, the Houses swore to never allow such power to rise again. Nova's Fall was created to measureā¦ and limitā¦ those who show too much potential."
Vex growled softly.
Vex: "Meaning if you shine too bright, they'll want to own youā¦ or erase you."
Lyra looked straight at Elias.
Lyra: "And you, Eliasā¦ shine like a dying star."
š 3. Lyra Speaks of the Hidden Houses
They stopped at a balcony overlooking Lumis.
Lyra: "There are Houses you have not yet seenā¦ hidden from history."
Elias: "Hidden how?"
She raised her hand, projecting holographic worlds.
Lyra:
"House Vulcan ā on Ignis, where fire is law."
"House Nebula ā on Tenebra, where shadows think."
"House Zephyros ā on Aether, where the skies are ruled."
"House Evergreen ā on Gaia, where life itself is weaponized."
"House Aquaris ā on Oceana, where oceans remember."
Elias whispered:
Elias: "Why hide them?"
Lyra: "Because when Nova diedā¦ they chose silence over war."
Vex crossed his arms.
Vex: "And now silence is breaking."
šÆ 4. Personal Moment ā Lyra and Elias
Later, alone with him beneath the light of floating lanternsā¦
Lyra: "You are afraid."
Elias: "Wouldn't you be?"
She smiled faintly.
Lyra: "I was once."
Elias: "Once?"
Lyra: "Before I learned that destiny doesn't ask permission."
She placed two fingers against his forehead.
Lyra: "Your future fractures into many pathsā¦ but one truth remains."
Elias: "What truth?"
Lyra:
"You will either unite the Housesā¦ or end them forever."