A few moments ago
"Hey, Siegrain… I am worried about Mom," Astro said as he ran behind Siegrain through the narrow corridor. It was one of the secret paths leading outside the capital city.
"Don't worry… mom is strong. Bad guys won't be able to do anything to her. But if we are there… we will only hold her back," Siegrain said while running.
Astro, of course, knew that too… but what if something happened to her anyway? His hand brushed against the polearm strapped behind his back. Knowing Siegrain, he was probably worried as well… he just didn't show it.
Siegrain was right. They were nowhere near her level yet. If they caused trouble, Mom would have to protect both herself and them. It was better to—
Astro suddenly stopped. His eyes glowed purple as he quickly grabbed Siegrain by the collar, yanking him back while rotating his body. He undid the strap and, with a backhand motion, grabbed the polearm behind him, pointing it straight into the darkness ahead.
"Who is there?" Astro asked. But because of his age, there was no real threat in his voice.
Siegrain also looked ahead of them.
He knew that Astro wouldn't play around at times like this, and he also knew Astro's senses were sharper than his own. He quickly waved his hand, and a white magic circle appeared in the air.
"Light magic: Light Ball," Siegrain whispered, and suddenly a glowing orb formed in his hand and flew toward the darkness ahead.
Footsteps gradually grew louder as the light ball traveled through the dark corridor. It illuminated the face of a young man walking toward them. He had long silver hair, the tips dyed dark green… very similar to their mother's.
They remembered that many people from Mom's family also had that shade of green hair… except for their aunt and themselves.
The man's green eyes focused on Astro and Siegrain's small frames.
"How nostalgic, seeing two Synaris brothers… I once had that surname myself, a long, long time ago. But now… I simply go by Vindex."
He cracked his fingers as he slowly approached them. Siegrain immediately pressed the bracelet on his wrist.
"It's useless. This space is under my control. No magic signal can leave without my permission," Vindex said as he stepped forward, a strange purple-silver glow forming around his right hand.
"Now… the second prince of the Sin Kingdom. I believe you have something that belongs to me. Would you be so kind as to come here?"
Astro didn't know what the man was talking about, but he at least understood that this man only wanted him.
"If I go with you… will you let my brother go?" Astro asked.
Siegrain stayed silent. He wasn't stupid—he could clearly see what Astro was trying to do. Both of them knew they were no match against an adult. The only solution was for at least one of them to escape and bring other adults… but—
"Unfortunately, no," Vindex said with a casual smile. "I made a deal with someone. The Sin Kingdom must fall today, and I can't let either of you leave. It's your fault for being the prince of this kingdom."
"I see… you're just another selfish person," Siegrain muttered from behind Astro as he waved his hand, forming a red magic circle in front of his palm.
"Let's do this, Astro."
"Selfish? No. My duty is the most sacred thing in this world. I plan to free it from a great evil. Of course… I don't expect children to understand that."
"Then don't bother explaining," Astro said as he spun the polearm once before rushing forward, holding it behind him.
"Fire magic: Fireball!"
Siegrain couldn't perform magic on the same scale as his mother, but for a child, his proficiency was leagues above that of others his age.
Two fireballs, each the size of his head, flew past either side of Astro as he charged toward Vindex.
Vindex casually waved his hand, and both fireballs stopped right in front of him. Astro didn't hesitate—he swung his polearm, cutting through both spells. A small explosion erupted, momentarily blocking Vindex's vision.
"I have to say, you kids are brave for your age. Are you really five years old?" Vindex murmured as he waved his hand and dispersed the smoke… but Astro was nowhere to be seen.
Vindex turned his head just as Astro descended from above, landing and thrusting the polearm straight toward his eye.
"Earth magic: Mud Floor!"
Siegrain aimed his right palm at Vindex. Mud surged from beneath Siegrain's feet and rushed toward Vindex's legs, instantly hardening around them below the knees, locking him in place.
Vindex watched Astro's polearm close in, reflected in his emerald-green eyes. He moved his hand slightly as it glowed with purple-silver light, and Astro suddenly found himself unable to move. Without wasting a moment, Vindex threw Astro back toward Siegrain without even touching him.
"I have no time to play with you," Vindex said irritably. "Now… let's begin—"
He suddenly paused, looking down just before a massive explosion erupted beneath him.
"It worked! Let's go now, Siegrain." Astro shouted as he finally broke free of Vindex's control, grabbing Siegrain's hand and pulling him up as they ran back the way they came.
"Insolent children…"
Before they could take ten steps, Vindex suddenly appeared in front of them. In his hand was a silver-purple prism containing a shattered piece of Siegrain's bracelet.
"I didn't expect this device to be explosive as well. Did you plant it beneath me when you used earth magic?" Vindex asked, looking at Siegrain, clenching his fist around the prism. When he opened it, small fragments of the bracelet fell to the ground, their reflections burning into Siegrain's eyes.
"Mom gave it to me…" Siegrain muttered from behind Astro. He had already prepared himself to sacrifice it, but seeing it destroyed still felt like losing a connection to his mother.
"It's fine. Soon you won't even remember her," Vindex said as he pointed his palm toward Astro. He couldn't yet see the full timeline, but from what he had glimpsed, Siegrain needed to live. The same couldn't be said for the rest of the Synaris family.
He did not want to challenge the gods yet…not before he knew of his own death.
Astro suddenly felt a silver mark spreading across his body.
"What's happening?" he asked in fear. His body wouldn't respond, and the pain—
"Agh—!"
As the pain fully registered, Astro collapsed to the ground. The polearm slid from his grasp and rolled away.
"Astro, what's going on?" Siegrain knelt and shook him, but the only response was more strained groaning.
"Astro."
"Don't worry. He was never meant to have an easy death. There's nothing particularly interesting about his life," Vindex said quietly as he walked forward, watching Astro tremble. "You, on the other hand… your life fascinates me. How much pain and suffering you'll endure. How… interesting."
Vindex knelt in front of Siegrain, who was holding Astro. Siegrain looked up at him without fear.
"Whatever you plan to do to us, you won't have a good ending. Mom and Dad will come for you," Siegrain said, meeting Vindex's gaze directly…even as he trembled.
For a moment, a vision crossed Vindex's mind—an adult version of Siegrain…standing before a cloaked figure with long, dark-blue spiky hair. There was no fear in his eyes as he stood before that figure. It was a figure Vindex could never forget… the very reason he—
"To stand before death without fear… I suppose I can expect nothing less from the child of two of the strongest people on this continent. But it's a shame… after all, your brother doesn't share the same destiny."
"What are you talking about—"
Siegrain suddenly felt his body slam against the wall.
"Ouch!"
His back hit hard, his feet lifting off the ground as a hand gripped his neck. Siegrain opened his eyes and froze, seeing who it was.
"As… tro…" Siegrain whispered, noticing the silver markings glowing across Astro's body.
"Astro, what is going on?"
"What did you…do to him…?" Siegrain struggled to speak.
"I'd be more worried about what he's about to do to you," Vindex said with a chilling smile, looking at the brothers.
Astro's left eye glowed bright orange, looking at Siegrain. Vindex leaned close behind Astro, whispering like a devil.
"That's right. This curse mark will amplify your abilities. Now do it… Destroy the mind of your brother. If he grows strong enough to stand before that dragon, I want him under my control. Go on… do it."
"No."
Astro tried to resist the curse's influence, but the more he fought it, the less control he had over his body.
"I'm sorry… Siegrain…"
Siegrain could see Astro losing control rapidly, as if his mind was being overtaken.
Wait… the mind—
Siegrain suddenly started focusing all his magic into his eyes.
'Mom said the Imperium Eye is the strongest mind ability in the world… if I can…''
Astro's eye glowed even brighter orange. He had the same thought process as Siegrain. He tried to use the ability on himself as well, but it was as if his eye no longer listened to him. Every attempt only caused the curse mark to inflict greater pain.
"It's useless. Just do it. I promise I won't kill him if you obey. But if you don't—" Vindex whispered.
A mark began forming beneath Siegrain's right eye, crawling upward across his face and toward his forehead.
"If you refuse… then I'll kill your brother in front of your own eyes," Vindex said viciously, looking down at Astro. He had never seen mental resistance this strong, let alone from a child. Usually, people give up resistance the moment they feel their power level going up.
"I'm sorry… Siegrain…" Astro whispered as the last of his control eroded.
"Agh—!"
Siegrain groaned in pain.
Memories flooded through him—
All the memories from his birth until now played through his mind…
"Siegrain… if you want to be a good king, you have to remember that people yearn for freedom. An insecure ruler might strip that away from them just to stay in power, but as my son, I don't want you to become that… never, ever," a gentle woman with green hair said, smiling softly as she looked at Siegrain.
"You already learned basic elemental magic? Even I don't have the talent for that. I have no doubt you'll someday surpass me, too. Hm… how about… I teach you my magic as well?" a man with black hair streaked with deep purple said as he rubbed Siegrain's head with a grin.
"Hm? You want to play with Libra? Today is Monday, so it's her free day. How about tomorrow instead? You really like her, don't you? Why can't she be nice to me like she is to you…she is so heartless…" a woman with short dark-blue hair said poutingly.
"Master Siegrain, you know you are a very bad liar. We really need to work on that. Although lying is bad, it is a necessary skill to survive in this world," a maid with long black hair said.
"Haha… you got scolded by Agnes again. Hm? You want me to help you? Haha… ha… sorry. She's really scary. I can't do it either. You might want to ask Cedric," a white-haired man said helplessly as he looked at Siegrain.
"Hey, Siegrain… why don't you go get your brother? There's a new show at the theater. Let's go together," a young boy with white hair said cheerfully.
"Agh…"
Siegrain trembled as pain surged through his head. He felt as if all his memories were beginning to disappear. He opened his eyes, tears spilling out uncontrollably.
"Siegrain… how about we race to the tree…"
"You really need more stamina, Siegrain…"
"How about you eat the vegetables this time for me? Mom won't know… oh… um… don't tell me….she's behind me, isn't she?"
"Hey, that's my ice cream…"
Siegrain trembled as the pain overwhelmed him, tears filling his eyes, until his consciousness finally faded and his body collapsed to the ground as Astro released his grip.
"Good job, kid. I'll send him back to my base." Vindex said as he encased Siegrain in silver crystal. "I would have taken you too, but it seems Anatea didn't grant you anything useful. I don't see a future for you anyway."
As Vindex prepared to teleport Siegrain away, Astro forced himself forward, his orange Imperium eye meeting Vindex's emerald gaze.
"What? Agh—!"
Vindex felt his mind invaded for a brief instant before breaking free, his eyes widening as he stared at the space where Siegrain had been. Did he just—
Astro stared at the now-empty space as well, his strength completely spent as he collapsed to the ground, losing consciousness.
"You brat…" Vindex shouted in irritation, realizing too late that Siegrain had actually managed to undo the curse on his brother at the very end.
He looked once more at the space…because of Astro, he now didn't even know where the child had gone!
The only thing that was left in the corridor now was an unconscious kid with tears falling from his cheeks and a frustrated Vindex.
Outside, Celestia used her whip to latch onto a pillar of a broken house and swung herself away, landing firmly on the shattered ground. The impact of the attack she tried to dodge sent dust spreading around her boots, but she didn't slow down for even a second. She turned immediately, eyes narrowing as she faced the figure that had just tried to strike her down.
It was a woman with green hair in a very bold dress, wearing a weird helmet.
Kyoka.
"Open, Gate of the Starry Heavens," Celestia called out sharply, holding the key of Taurus high. "Taurus!"
A golden gate burst open beside her, light spilling across the ruined street, and Taurus stepped out with a booming laugh, rolling his shoulders. His fists clenched as he locked eyes with Kyoka. "Moo… A beautiful woman…Leave her to me, mistress."
Almost immediately, Celestia flipped another key between her fingers. "Open, Gate of the Starry Heavens… Scorpio."
The gate opened, and a cascade of sand poured outward as Scorpio emerged with a huge tail behind his back.
"Scorpio… Cover Taurus from behind—don't let her escape!"
"Got it."
Taurus didn't wait. With a roar, he lunged at Kyoka, fists swinging with the force of a battering ram. "I'll handle her up close!"
Kyoka twisted lightly, her limbs flowing with unnatural speed, dodging the first heavy strike and pivoting around him to land a sharp palm strike into his side. Taurus grunted but staggered forward only slightly, his momentum absorbed by his huge form.
Celestia suddenly heard a loud sound. She instinctively looked toward the castle, just in time to see the top portion collapse inward as if crushed by an invisible force.
"Aero Dominion."
Aurora's voice echoed across the sky, low and completely emotionless, as she pointed her palm toward Mard Geer, who was already in his Etherious form. A green wind sphere formed instantly and shot forward. Before Mard Geer could even react, the sphere expanded violently, trapping him inside a massive green wind dome suspended in the air.
"Aghh—!"
Even with the increased defense his Etherious form granted him, Mard Geer could still feel it. Countless compressed wind blades tore through his body again and again, slicing into his skin without mercy. The sound of tearing flesh echoed faintly through the storm of wind.
Aurora didn't care about his suffering. Her right eye glowed an intense blue, and now a faint purple hue mixed within it, twisting unnaturally as her magic surged.
"Shift."
Aurora suddenly turned as she sensed a presence behind her.
"Up here…"
The whisper came from above. Before she could even look up, a powerful downward kick slammed into her, sending her body crashing through the air.
"Shift."
Vindex appeared beside her mid-fall and struck her sideways with another kick.
"Shift."
"Shift."
"Shift."
He didn't give her a single moment to breathe. Teleporting again and again, Vindex attacked her mid-air, striking from every direction as though space itself bent to his will.
"It's useless," Vindex said, his lips curling into a vicious smile. "The Eternity Devil Slayer Magic grants me dominion over space and time. No matter how sharp your senses are, you'll never catch up to me."
"Shift."
Another kick struck Aurora mid-air, sending her spinning.
"Shift."
Vindex appeared behind her again, leg raised for another strike—but this time, Aurora twisted violently and caught his leg mid-air. Her entire body screamed in pain, yet she couldn't care less about it.
Her mind was still drowning in memories, replaying every moment she had shared with Astro and Siegrain over and over again.
"I know I didn't deserve that happiness…" Aurora murmured. "I wasn't brave enough to defy my father.. I destroyed so many homes… so many happy people… so many families…Someone like me can only… curse others."
"Shift."
Vindex teleported away, landing atop the broken remains of the castle. Aurora didn't care about him…her eyes drifted downward to the ground below, where Astro's body lay enshrouded in a green crystal that protected it from the falling rubble.
"Why did I ever think I deserved to have children…" she whispered.
Her voice trembled for the first time.
"I was ready to pay for my sins my entire life," Aurora continued quietly. "But I never expected you to burn in my place… Astro…"
Vindex watched her closely.
"Her emotions are slipping… this is my chance."
His gaze shifted to a spear embedded in the fallen remains of a knight statue.
"Replace."
"Shift."
In an instant, Vindex appeared behind Aurora, the spear gripped tightly in his hand, its tip aimed directly at her heart. But before he could strike, Aurora turned her head and looked straight into his eyes.
A chill ran through his body.
"Lightning Dominion."
The world froze. The air went completely still, as if time itself had stopped. Then, without warning, a massive green lightning bolt descended from the sky and crashed straight into Vindex.
"Aghh—!"
He hadn't expected her to counterattack so suddenly. The lightning tore through his body before he could escape.
"Why did you go after Astro? Why couldn't you just come after me…What did he do wrong?" Aurora asked calmly, turning toward him. The only reason she hadn't killed him yet was that Astro had said Siegrain had been sent somewhere by him.
"I'm never going to tell you—aghhh!"
Another green lightning bolt fell from the sky, striking Vindex again before he could recover from the first.
"Wrong answer," Aurora murmured.
Lightning descended again and again, each strike more violent than the last, until Vindex's body barely held itself upright.
"Where is Siegrain?" she asked, looking at the charred figure.
"I…Don't know."
Aurora couldn't peer into his mind… but she could tell that he at least didn't seem to be lying…
But before she could think about it, Mard Geer burst down from above and smashed his fist directly into Aurora's head. Her body was hurled downward, crashing into the castle floor and landing right beside Astro.
"Am I dead yet?"
Aurora slowly opened her eyes. Above her, two figures hovered in the air, their wings spread wide. She turned her head slightly and looked at Astro's unmoving body.
She wanted to fight. She wanted to avenge him. But did she even deserve to?
She was a failure as a mother. If she lived, she would only curse Siegrain as well. Arthur was still out there. He would surely find Siegrain. They could at least live a happy life—without her… without any responsibility or curse…
Aurora stared at the two figures as they landed. She didn't care about them…she simply moved her gaze to Astro. Astro had been brave, but he was still just a child.
Wouldn't he be afraid… being alone in the afterlife? Can she join him?
"I have never seen a human with talent in so many different types of powerful magic before, Vindex," Mard Geer murmured, his gaze fixed on Aurora lying on the ground. She hadn't moved at all, her eyes still locked onto Astro's unmoving body as if the world around her no longer existed.
"The Imperium Eye curse…" Vindex muttered in irritation. "Not everyone in the Synaris clan can awaken it, but those who do can use their brain far more efficiently than normal. They are always unusually intelligent and capable of doing everything."
"That doesn't sound like a curse," Mard Geer replied calmly. He knew curses better than most humans ever could, and curses always came with a price. There were always side effects—
"It is a curse," Vindex said in a low voice. "To awaken it, one must fully understand one's own heart. People with the Imperium Eye don't open their hearts to many others… but once they do, they care with everything they have."
He glanced at Aurora again, her empty stare unmoving.
"I can say this with confidence," Vindex continued. "There is not a single soul in Earthland that understands love better than the Synaris family."
Mard Geer remained silent as they began walking slowly toward Aurora. Her body was still, yet the air around her felt unstable, as if something dangerous was being restrained by sheer emptiness.
"So once you take even one of their precious things," Vindex said, a faint smile forming on his lips, "this is what happens. They lose their will to fight properly. Their strength collapses along with their heart. This is their curse."
For a brief moment, Vindex felt something strange as he looked at Aurora. A shadow overlapped her figure—an image of someone else entirely. It vanished just as quickly, leaving him even more irritated.
"Now, let's finish her before she regains her will to—"
He stopped mid-sentence.
Suddenly, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed through the ruined ground. Dozens of guards rushed forward, forming a wall between Aurora and the two of them, weapons raised despite the overwhelming pressure radiating from Mard Geer and Vindex.
"Stop right there!"
One of them stepped forward and shouted in a shaking voice.
"If you want to harm our queen," he said, gripping his weapon tighter, "you'll have to go through us first."
Just outside the capital city, a figure in a black windbreaker frowned at the state of the ruined capital. In his hand, he held a crystallized diamond—the same one the devil had planted in his son's body. He, of course, would never allow some unknown curse to remain there. Thankfully, removing it hadn't harmed Astro… but…
Arthur pressed his palm against the diamond, infusing it with his own magic. Immediately, his mind was pulled into a space of silver walls stretching infinitely in every direction.
"If you came to meet me again… that means it already happened, didn't it…"
A whisper came from behind him. Arthur turned to see a woman with white hair and silver eyes, draped in an angelic white robe, walking toward him with a small, serene smile.
"It did come true… I guess you were right. I can't prevent fate either," Arthur said, his voice steady but tight with unspoken worry. "But… what are the chances of my family surviving if I do this?"
Anantea tilted her head slightly. "I don't know… the chances of changing fate are one in a billion. It all depends on your youngest son, as I told you before."
Arthur's eyes narrowed, gripping the diamond tightly. "Is there anyone… anyone at all, who could succeed with that amount of probability?"
"If we are speaking of the past… no. But in the future… There is someone who can. You have probably already heard of her."
Arthur let the words hang in the space. He didn't care who it was, but the fact that it was not impossible was comforting at least. He looked down at his hand, at the faint shimmer of magic lingering on the diamond.
"Are you afraid?" Anantea asked gently. "You have to know… only you can do this. You possess the most potent energy-based magic in all of Earthland in this millennium. There is no one else who can keep his body alive for that long."
Arthur shook his head, a faint shadow of weariness passing over his face. "I'm not afraid of losing my life… I've already lived twenty-six years longer than I should have. No… what scares me is that the one who will suffer most… is Aurora. I promised her the happiest life possible… and now, I'm going to put her through the hardest trial imaginable."
Anantea paused, sensing a shadow flicker through her mind—a tall figure, black hair like Arthur's, but with eyes burning red.
"Love… huh?" she murmured. She wondered if he regretted her death, but knowing him, he probably didn't care. Not that she deserved regret anyway. After all, if Arthur succeeded… it would mean Alvemak would have to…
Arthur's gaze hardened. "I will do it. I don't see a world where Aurora could be happy without her children. If Astro succeeds, I will spend the rest of my life making it up to her."
Anantea finally shook off her thoughts and studied him. Determination radiated from his figure. "Then I'm counting on you… and… thank you." She smiled gently as Arthur's form faded from the silver space.
Back in the real world, Arthur opened his eyes. They glowed a fierce, radiant purple.
"Visastra… let's do this."
He extended his right hand to his side, and a finely detailed bo staff with no sharp edges materialized before his palm. It hummed faintly, pulsing in tune with his emotions, as if it understood the gravity of this moment.
Arthur grasped the stave firmly, rotating it several times in his hands as he assessed the battlefield. The weapon in his hand seemed alive, ready to pour every ounce of energy into its master's will. Without hesitation, he spun his body and launched himself toward the castle, leaving behind a shockwave of strange, swirling purple energy that radiated outward from where he had stood.
Back in the castle
"I didn't expect mere guards to try to stop me…" Vindex muttered, his voice edged with irritation as he looked at the soldiers lined up before him. He hadn't fully mastered the power of the devil slayer lacrima, but even so, to think that these "weaklings" would stand against him… it was laughable.
"We might be mere guards," one of them shouted, voice firm despite the tremor in his hands, "but we are still more human than you two, who dare invade other people's homes!"
"You dare to harm our queen and prince!" another added, gripping his spear tighter.
"In Sin Kingdom, we'd rather die on the battlefield with wounds in our front than live with scars in our back from running away!"
The guards formed a tight line in front of Aurora, weapons raised high. Some of them were shaking, knowing full well that if these two could defeat their queen, their chances were nothing. Yet they didn't falter. They remembered how Aurora had rebuilt the kingdom, stabilizing it after the tyranny of the previous king. If they retreated now, it would betray everything she had done for them.
Aurora blinked, shaking herself free from the daze that Astro's image had put her in. Her gaze swept over the guards, standing steadfast between her and the invaders.
"Humans and their foolishness…" Mard Geer murmured, raising two fingers, preparing to strike.
"Tho–"
But a hand stopped him mid-motion.
"Your method is too gentle for these bugs… let me do it."
Vindex's emerald eyes gleamed with a purple hue as he stepped forward. "Also, step back. I won't take responsibility if my magic accidentally harms you."
Mard Geer hesitated, stepping back reluctantly. He didn't doubt Vindex's strength, but he valued the book in his arms far more than he feared his own life.
"Since you are so ready to die… You won't mind if I give it my all, would you?" Vindex's voice was low, almost calm, but his words carried a deadly weight.
Purple energy began to swirl in his lungs, escaping as a faint vapor from his mouth. His eyes glowed brighter, burning with intensity that made some of the guards falter—but not one of them stepped back.
"Fine… have it your way…" Vindex hissed, opening his mouth wide.
"Eternity Devil's Rage!"
The ground quaked violently as a massive wave of purple energy exploded from his mouth. Rocks shattered, dust billowed, and the terrain beneath it crumbled into nothingness.
"Protect the queen!" the guard at the front shouted, pushing forward, holding their weapons and shields as best they could.
Mard Geer's lips curled in a sneer. "Foolish humans… the rage of Anantea. It destroys everything it touches. You won't just die—you will completely cease to exist, body and soul."
"Absolute Elemental Dominion!"
Aurora suddenly appeared in front of the guards, her green and blue eyes blazing. She raised her hands, palms facing Vindex's attack.
'I am the ruler of this kingdom. I will not die protected by my people. I will die in front of them, defending them if I must!'
A swirling mix of green winds, fire, water, and earth erupted from the magic circle forming in front of her. The elements combined into a massive, tornado-like green sphere that shot straight at Vindex's purple wave.
The two forces collided with a deafening roar. Dust and debris exploded in all directions, and the guards behind Aurora nearly lost their footing from the shockwave. For a moment, it seemed as if the attacks were evenly matched.
Then, Vindex's wave began to devour Aurora's elemental attack, tearing through it like it was nothing. The destructive force surged forward, consuming everything in its path.
Aurora gritted her teeth, her body straining against the backlash. But she didn't falter. Every ounce of her magic, every drop of energy she could muster, flowed into her attack. She pushed forward, refusing to let the wave crush her, refusing to let Vindex harm her people anymore.
But just before Aurora was about to be enveloped and destroyed by Vindex's attack, a figure with black hair suddenly appeared in her vision.
"Impulse Magic: Power Smash!"
A blinding purple light erupted, cutting through the chaos. Vindex barely had time to react before a heavy impact slammed into the side of his head. The force broke his concentration, tearing him away from his attack. His body shot out of the castle like a cannonball, leaving a streaking purple trail across the sky before crashing violently into a distant mountain.
"Thorns!"
Mard Geer reacted instantly, raising his magic to counter, but before he could even finish, a shadowy figure intercepted him. The bo staff struck with unimaginable speed, slamming him back before he could utter a spell.
"Shut the hell up."
'What insane speed…' was the last thought Mard Geer had before he was thrown. Another burst of purple light flashed across the battlefield as he flew toward the silver cube in the sky, colliding with it with a massive impact that shook the surrounding area.
"Arthur…"
"Commander…"
Aurora and the others turned, their eyes falling on the figure standing amidst the debris. Arthur rotated his bo staff in a smooth motion, the weapon gleaming with faint purple energy, before catching Aurora as her legs gave out from exhaustion. She had pushed herself too far, the strain of her magic leaving her unable to stand.
"You did well…" Arthur murmured gently, brushing her hair back. His voice was calm, steady, carrying a warmth that pierced through the haze of battle.
"No… I didn't… Astro… Siegrain… I…" Aurora tried to speak, but the words caught in her throat.
Arthur's hand rested lightly on her shoulder. "It's okay… Siegrain should be fine. It's not too late for Astro either. The diamond from that woman… I'm going to use it on him, just as she intended."
Arthur's gaze fell to where Astro lay, protected inside the green crystalline structure Aurora had maintained around his body.
"What do you mean?" she whispered weakly. Her mind instinctively reached toward Arthur, probing just enough to sense his intentions. Her eyes widened in shock as she read his mind.
"Do you trust me?" Arthur asked softly, meeting her gaze. He knew that she understood what he wanted to do. What he must do.
"Yes…" she replied almost without thinking, her voice tinged with subconscious certainty.
A faint smile curved Arthur's lips. He gently stroked her face, grounding both of them amidst the chaos.
"I know you're a queen and all," Arthur said, a hint of awkwardness in his tone, "but… um… don't marry someone else while I'm…"
Before he could finish, Aurora leaned up, closing the distance, and pressed her lips to his. The kiss was soft, deliberate—a silent promise, a mutual understanding that there were battles here bigger than their own desires. She finally let go, watching him silently.
Both of them understood. They couldn't let their children lose their lives here. And both of them knew just how far the other would go to protect their children. Words were unnecessary; their actions and trust spoke for them.
"I love you… Aurora…"
"I know…I love you too… " she whispered back in a soft voice.
Outside
"Aghh…"
Celestia groaned, pain radiating through her body. Both of her spirits hovered nearby, their forms flickering with exhaustion from the battle.
"I would give up on you if I were you," Kyoka said in a sadistic tone as she looked down at Celestia sprawled on the ground. "Your spirits can't do anything against me.
"If two spirits are not enough, then…" Celestia muttered, gripping the keys tightly despite the pain coursing through her body. Her chest rose and fell rapidly, sweat dripping from her brow, but her determination didn't waver.
She pressed a golden key to her chest and shouted, "Open, Gate of the Starry Heavens… Libra."
A golden light flared explosively from the key, so bright it cast long shadows across the shattered buildings.
"I will make sure that after today, you regret ever stepping into the territory of this kingdom," Celestia said in a low voice as she slowly got up, as a woman in an exotic dance outfit appeared right beside her holding a scale in her hand.
"Opening three gates at once… I didn't think you would be this reckless, Celestia." Libra muttered, looking at Celestia.
"Come on… I know you love this side of me."
"Hm… I can't deny."