Morning arrived across the Veyris Empire.
Floating islands drifted beneath oceans of stars while crystal rivers crossed the skies like streams of light.
Inside the Imperial Training Grounds.
Kael Veyris stood across from Ignisia once again.
But this time.
there were no swords.
Only a spear.
Ignisia spun the weapon once.
Dragon fire flowed around the blade while crimson energy moved through the air.
Kael looked at her calmly.
A spear is not about striking first.
A spear controls distance.
Controls rhythm.
Controls the battlefield itself.
Ignisia narrowed her eyes.
Then nodded.
Minutes passed.
Then an hour.
Then another.
Kael corrected every movement.
A shoulder angle.
A foot position.
A grip adjustment.
A fraction of hesitation.
Suddenly.
Ignisia moved.
Not with power.
Not with speed.
With understanding.
Her spear thrust forward.
Space folded.
The movement flowed naturally into another.
Then another.
Then another.
No wasted motion.
No opening.
No instability.
Silence filled the arena.
Kael looked at her.
Then nodded once.
Grandmaster.
Ignisia blinked.
...Really?
Kael nodded.
You understand it now.
Ignisia stared at her spear.
Then smiled.
A real smile.
Nearby.
Kaelignis Veyris immediately jumped.
MOM DID IT!
Across the courtyard.
Kael's daughters had gathered together.
Umbrythra Veyliss sat quietly.
Lyra's Kaelry leaned forward.
Elyrion Veythera observed everything.
Veyloria Kaelthera watched the sky.
Lyra looked toward Kael.
Dad teaches impossible things too easily.
Kaelignis nodded.
He taught Mom all that in one day.
Umbrythra tilted her head.
Does Father know things he cannot teach?
Everyone became quiet.
Elyrion processed this.
Error.
Question impossible.
Nearby.
Lilith laughed softly.
You children are asking dangerous questions.
Around her, Kael's wives had gathered.
Seraphina smiled calmly.
Aetheria observed energy currents.
Cosmyra sighed.
Genesisra watched Elyrion.
Umbryssia stood beside them.
Sanguinara Dracoryx folded her arms.
Eldritch Chaos Sovereign quietly watched reality distort around her fingertips.
The others Eternya, Yunara, Kitsune Reina, Shiori Amateru, Ayakari, Tsukiyora, Elowen, Abyssia, Oblivira, Infinitra, Nullara, Ignivar, Valthera, Elysia, Lycanthra, and Korynthia continued talking nearby.
Lilith looked toward Kael.
He teaches strength.
But he also teaches patience.
Umbryssia nodded once.
That is harder.
Far away.
beyond dimensions
inside endless crimson darkness
Vaelithra Umbrys sat upon her throne.
Crimson butterflies drifted around her.
Her glowing eyes stared toward distant realities.
Toward one person.
Kael Veyris...
A small smile formed.
You continue changing everything around you.
Even now...
You gather stars around yourself without trying.
Her fingers lightly touched the throne.
Soon.
The darkness around her shifted softly.
As though even the void itself understood those words.