Night settled across the Veyris Empire.
The crystal trees glowed softly beneath endless stars while rivers of starlight flowed between floating islands. The voices of the daughters could still be heard in the distance as they laughed together.
For once.
the Empire felt slow.
Peaceful.
Kael Veyris stood alone near a silver lake within the Imperial Gardens.
The water reflected stars that did not belong to a single universe.
He quietly watched the surface.
Then.
space behind him rippled gently.
A familiar presence approached.
Umbryssia stepped forward.
Her long black hair carried faint violet highlights beneath the moonlight. Her crimson gown shifted softly in the wind while her small dark horns and confident smile gave her the presence of a queen who feared nothing.
Kael spoke without turning.
You've been standing there for several seconds.
Umbryssia folded her arms.
You noticed immediately?
Kael looked toward her.
Always.
For a brief moment.
Umbryssia blinked.
Then smiled.
Dangerous answer.
She walked beside him and looked over the lake.
The silence between them wasn't awkward.
It felt familiar.
Far away.
hidden behind crystal bushes.
several small heads slowly rose.
Kaelignis Veyris
Elyrion Veythera
Veyloria Kaelthera
Seralyth Veyris
Kaelignis whispered:
Why are we hiding?
Elyrion adjusted her book.
Research purposes.
Seralyth nodded seriously.
Very important research.
Veyloria looked at them.
...You are spying.
Silence.
Kaelignis pointed dramatically.
WE ARE OBSERVING.
Meanwhile.
back near the lake.
Umbryssia looked toward Kael.
Everyone sees you as someone impossible.
Kings.
Gods.
Entire realities.
She looked at the reflection in the water.
But when you're with family...
you're just Kael.
Kael looked at her quietly.
Then gently moved a strand of hair from her face.
And?
Umbryssia looked at him for a moment.
The confident Void Dragon Empress suddenly looked slightly less composed.
...I like that version too.
Nearby.
Kaelignis's eyes widened.
OH?!
Elyrion rapidly wrote notes.
Unexpected development detected.
Seralyth stared.
We're definitely getting caught.
Veyloria quietly looked toward the sky.
...Three seconds.
Everyone turned.
Kaelignis blinked.
Three what.
Behind them.
Kael's voice appeared.
Interesting research.
Absolute silence.
Wukong suddenly fell out of a nearby tree laughing.
HAHAHA! THEY GOT CAUGHT AGAIN!
Above the Empire.
stars continued drifting peacefully through the endless night.