NIGHTMARES OF A TROPHY AND THE ARRIVAL OF THE QUEEN

Yumi's revelation had left a poison in the air, a truth so terrible it was difficult to process. That night, Asimil's dream was not an echo of his forgotten past, but a terrifying premonition of his possible future.

He found himself in a dark throne room made of obsidian and bone. He was bound with chains of shadowy energy that ran the length of his body, immobilizing him against the cold back of the throne. Standing in the gloom was his other self, the Corrupted Asimil, silently watching him, a silhouette of power and despair.

Then, a figure emerged from the shadows. It was Noelia, or a version of her. Her hair was black as night, her eyes shone with a crimson glow and a vacant smile played on her lips. The Corrupted Noelia. She reached out and caressed his face. His touch was not one of love or tenderness, but that of a collector admiring his most prized possession. As if caressing a trophy.

The shock and horror were so intense that Asimil woke up in the wee hours of the morning, with a choked scream in his throat. His heart was pounding with unbridled force. He looked around, the quiet guest room in Eldoria anchoring him to reality. A few meters away, on a makeshift cot, Luce slept peacefully, her serene face a sharp contrast to the nightmare she had just experienced.

He could no longer sleep. He quietly left the room and went up to the rooftop terrace, seeking the cool night air.

— Nightmares are noisier when the world is silent, aren't they? — Asimil was startled. Tenshi was sitting on the edge of the roof, her foxy legs dangling in the void, looking up at the broken stars.

— i'm sorry, I didn't mean to wake you. — Asimil said.

— I wasn't sleeping," she replied with a smile. — The city leaders have too many meetings. Sometimes I need a break. But you... you seem to carry the weight of the world on your shoulders. —

Asimil leaned against the railing beside her. The silence lengthened, but it was not uncomfortable. — I'm afraid," he finally confessed, his voice barely a whisper. Afraid I'm not strong enough. Luce... she trusts me. And I... I don't know if I can protect her. —

Tenshi looked at him, his usual flirtatious smile replaced by one of genuine understanding. — You care about her. Very much. —

Asimil felt her cheeks burn. — She is my friend. My companion. —

— Of course — said Tenshi, his playful smile returning. — Asimil, the day I met you, I saw a frightened boy. In the reports running through the alliance a warrior . And now, I see a man afraid to fail the one he cares about. Have more confidence in yourself. The boy I see now can protect anyone —

— What are you two doing here so late? — Luce's sleepy voice made them turn. She was standing in the doorway to the terrace, rubbing one eye. Her gaze fell on Asimil and Tenshi, so close to each other, and an almost imperceptible pout formed on her lips. She became jealous again.

Tenshi let out a laugh. — Relax, little fighter! I'm not stealing from your hero. I was just giving him advice. Although, seeing them together... they make a cute couple. —

Before Asimil, now completely flushed, could protest, a soft alarm sounded throughout the citadel. A messenger appeared on the terrace. — Tenshi-sama! An urgent message! The Sovereign Queen's fleet has been sighted! It will arrive in a matter of hours! —

— Hours? — Tenshi frowned. — He was supposed to arrive tomorrow. He arrived a day early. —

Something in the unexpected advance made her think, but the urgency of the moment swept away the doubt. — There is no time to lose! Wake up everyone! Prepare the welcome for Lady Seraphina! —

A few hours later, the citadel of Eldoria was a party. Banners, cheers and a hopeful crowd welcomed Seraphina's fleet. Asimil and Luce watched from afar, mingling in the crowd. They saw the charisma, the love the people had for the Sovereign Queen. Her arrival had revived the morale of the whole city.

In the center of the square, Seraphina stood on a makeshift platform. Her speech was masterful. She spoke of unifying all forces, of a massive counterattack, of the final victory against the Void. — But to coordinate this global offensive, to protect each of you, I need total control of this bastion's defense and communication systems! -he declared, her voice resonating with inspiring power. — 

The city leaders, dazzled by her presence and desperate for the hope he offered, accepted without hesitation.

Asimil felt a shiver. Luce looked at him, and he saw the same uneasiness in her eyes. They wanted to shout, to voice their doubts, but their voices were lost in the roar of the crowd cheering their new queen. Who were they to question a Firmament Star?