While Ash and his wives remained in the chambers, watching over the twelve newest heirs, the group had gathered in an open field after returning from their latest bout of information gathering.
The twelve — Quell, Drake, Riona, Emily, Aliya, Klaus, Kade, Evelyn, Clara, Riyan, Rye, and Rita — sat in a relaxed circle atop a grassy hill that overlooked a breathtaking, glowing valley scattered with floating islands and winding rivers.
Quell, the eldest and son of Seraphiel, leaned back on his hands, gazing up at the sky where countless stars and drifting galaxies shimmered like fireflies.
His short hair caught the light, glinting in shades of golden-red, a vivid contrast to his striking red eyes.
"I... I still can't believe this place," he said, his voice brimming with genuine awe.
"We haven't even left the galaxy Big Sister Aurora sent us to, and already we've seen things I could never have imagined..."
