Deep inside the Crimson Abyss Labyrinth, the battles had ended for now.
The walls no longer shook.
Time no longer twisted.
Even the crimson mist drifting through the halls had become quieter.
Kael Veyris stood with his daughters watching the distant pathways of the labyrinth.
Beside him stood Ashvattha, Kaelithra Veylscara and Noctyra Valis.
Kael looked toward Kaelignis.
You're growing stronger.
But strength isn't only winning.
You must understand danger too.
Kaelignis Veyris blinked.
Dad?
Kael nodded.
I'll be watching.
Fight.
Learn.
Trust yourself.
She swallowed and stepped forward.
Then.
space cracked apart.
Not violently.
Silently.
A shape emerged from a dark fracture.
It shifted constantly.
Sometimes it looked human.
Sometimes like stars.
Sometimes like endless shadows.
The being spoke:
I am All of Everything.
Its eyes locked onto Kaelignis.
I erase future possibilities.
Kaelignis immediately summoned her weapon.
Her heart raced.
But she remembered training.
Remembered sword lessons.
Remembered Kael saying:
Observe before striking.
She narrowed her eyes.
You're not looking at me.
You're looking at Dad.
Silence.
Kael raised an eyebrow slightly.
Interesting.
Kaelignis pointed.
You're scared of him.
The being froze.
And in that instant.
its form suddenly destabilized.
The pressure surrounding Kael Veyris simply existed nearby.
The being trembled.
Impossible.
Kael calmly looked toward it.
You targeted my daughter.
Bad choice.
The presence around Kael shifted slightly.
Only slightly.
The being immediately collapsed.
Its existence failed to hold itself together.
Moments later.
it disappeared.
Kaelignis stared.
...I didn't even hit it.
Kael patted her head gently.
You noticed the truth.
That mattered more.
Good job, my good girl.
Kaelignis immediately smiled.
Nearby, Noctyra stepped toward Kael.
Her long white hair moved softly behind her.
Red eyes glowed faintly.
The crimson mark beneath her eye shimmered.
Thank you.
For freeing me from the labyrinth.
She looked down quietly.
Then back toward Kael.
A small smile appeared.
I thought I would remain trapped forever.
Kael answered calmly.
You're free now.
That's enough.
Noctyra's expression softened.
Then I will remain with the Empire.
Meanwhile.
Ashvattha looked toward Kaelithra.
You seem different lately.
Kaelithra blinked.
Different?
Ashvattha smiled.
Less like a weapon.
More like a person.
Kaelithra became quiet.
Very quiet.
After several seconds:
...I am thinking about it.
Ashvattha smiled wider.
Progress.
Later.
the group returned to the Veyris Empire.
The capital city glowed beneath celestial skies.
Music drifted through streets.
Knights trained in the distance.
Children ran through crystal gardens.
Inside the Imperial Hall.
everyone was already talking.
Very loudly.
Ignisia crossed her arms.
Wait.
Another person joined?
Umbryssia smirked.
At this point I stopped counting.
Sanguinara Dracoryx laughed softly.
The Empire expands in very unusual ways.
Abyssia looked toward Kael.
You disappear for a while and return with entire stories attached.
From a distant couch.
Sun Wukong pointed dramatically.
I KNEW IT.
THE LABYRINTH WAS SECRETLY A RECRUITMENT CENTER.
The room erupted into laughter.
And for a moment.
Kael simply looked around.
At his family.
At his daughters.
At the Empire.
For once there was no battle.
No enemy.
Only home.