The Imperial Gardens remained peaceful.
The skies above the Veyris Empire glowed with drifting stars while crystal petals moved through the wind.
Kael Veyris stood beside Morrigan while the rest of the family continued talking nearby.
For once.
everything felt calm.
Then space suddenly distorted.
A crack formed in the air itself.
Dark energy spread outward.
A strange being stepped from the opening, its form shifting constantly as though reality could not decide what it truly was.
The being looked toward Kael.
Then laughed.
I finally found.
It never finished speaking.
A crimson blur crossed the garden.
No one even saw when it moved.
Only the result.
Ignisia was suddenly standing between Kael and the intruder.
Dragon flames quietly flowed around her arms and shoulders.
Her eyes glowed.
The strange being froze.
It attempted to escape.
Its energy surged as if trying to flee beyond dimensions themselves.
But Ignisia simply looked at it.
Too slow.
A wave of dragon fire and cosmic energy surrounded the intruder and instantly overwhelmed its power.
The distorted space stabilized.
The strange presence vanished like mist beneath sunlight.
Silence returned.
Ignisia brushed dust from her shoulder casually.
Then looked toward where the being had been.
Leave my husband alone.
You might have walked away otherwise.
Silence.
Nearby, Lilith blinked.
...That was fast.
Nyx calmly nodded.
Protective instincts detected.
Morrigan stared.
Wait...
Did she defeat that thing before it even introduced itself?
Kael looked at Ignisia.
You reacted quickly.
Ignisia crossed her arms and looked away slightly.
Of course I did.
Then after a few seconds.
she looked back at him.
...You okay?
Kael nodded once.
Yes.
Nearby, Kaelignis Veyris grinned proudly.
Mom is scary.
Lyra's Kaelry immediately nodded.
Very scary.
Umbrythra Veyliss tilted her head.
Noted.
Do not bother Father.
Everyone collectively agreed with that conclusion.