DARIA:
Damon Household
Night settled gently over Daria, warm and calm, the sky scattered with stars like distant embers.
A soft breeze drifted through the Damon estate, carrying the scent of night-blooming flowers and fresh-cut stone. Lanterns glowed faintly along the walkways, their light flickering as moths danced lazily through the air.
Cassandra sat alone on the front steps, her bare feet resting against the cool stone. She hugged her knees to her chest, staring out into the courtyard without truly seeing it.
Damon noticed her absence the moment he stepped outside.
He paused beneath the doorway, watching his daughter's small figure silhouetted against the lanternlight. Something about the way she sat—too still, too quiet—made his chest tighten. He walked over and lowered himself beside her, careful not to startle her.
"What's going on, dear?" he asked softly. "Why are you sitting out here alone?"
Cassandra hesitated. The breeze brushed against her hair, lifting it gently, as if urging her to speak.
"Yesterday," she said after a moment, her voice barely louder than the wind, "I saw you crying. You told me it was nothing. And… Mom was crying too."
She swallowed, fingers tightening around the fabric of her sleeves.
"I was wondering if you two…" She trailed off, unsure how to finish. "…did you have a fight?"
Damon closed his eyes briefly.
"No," he said, shaking his head. "We didn't."
He leaned back, gazing up at the stars. For a long moment, he said nothing, and Cassandra feared she had asked something she shouldn't have.
"How do I explain this…" Damon murmured at last. "Yesterday marked the day my twin brother died."
Cassandra turned sharply. "Twin… brother?"
"He was also one of our closest friends," Damon continued. "Your mother loved him like family—because he was. If he were still alive, he would've been your godfather. Your uncle."
"But…" Cassandra frowned, confusion and disbelief mingling in her voice. "You've always said you were an only child. How… how could you have a twin brother?"
Damon's lips curved into a faint, wistful smile, the sorrow in his eyes softening the edges of his face.
"He was my twin," he said quietly, the words carrying both pride and loss.
A gentle breeze stirred, threading through the trees and lifting strands of Cassandra's hair. The night around them seemed to exhale.
"You don't need to worry," Damon added gently, resting a hand on her shoulder. "That grief belongs to the past. Your mother and I are fine. Truly."
He sighed, the weight of old memories pressing down before finally easing.
"Go on now," he said. "Get some rest."
Cassandra nodded and stood, though her mind remained restless as she disappeared inside. Behind her, Damon stayed seated, staring into the night long after the lanterns dimmed.
FULTON:
Investigation Room 4
Cold stone pressed against Kael's cheek.
He lay sprawled on the floor behind the reinforced prison wall, his body pinned in place by thick, rune-etched chains that wrapped around his arms, legs, and torso. The restraints were forged with ancient binding magic—designed not merely to restrain the body, but to punish the soul.
The chains reacted to power.
The moment Kael even thought of drawing upon Eno, or when Dio stirred within him instinctively, the runes flared to life. The metal constricted violently, digging into muscle and bone, crushing his limbs against the stone. Pain exploded through him in precise, merciless waves.
He clenched his teeth, forcing the scream back down his throat.
Aria stood on the other side of the barrier, her face pale, her hands shaking.
"Kael," she said quietly. "I know you probably hate me. But I'm not giving up on you. Something big has happened in Tikka—"
"I don't want to hear your voice," Kael snapped, lifting his head despite the chains tightening in response. "What are you doing here? I told you—I don't want to see you."
His breathing grew ragged.
"I don't care what happens to Tikka," he shouted. "Or Fulton. You could all die for all I care!"
The sound echoed harshly through the chamber.
The guard beside Aria stiffened. "That's enough," he said firmly, placing a hand on her arm. "This is all the time we can allow. He's unstable."
"I'm sorry," Aria whispered, tears welling in her eyes as she was led away. "I just wanted you to know—"
The door sealed shut before she could finish. Silence returned, broken only by Kael's labored breathing.
Footsteps approached from the corridor.
"Crazy bastard," a voice muttered. "Do you even realize how much you hurt her? All she ever did was love you."
"I never asked her to," Kael growled.
Nava sighed. "Still… she wanted me to tell you something."
Kael's eyes narrowed.
"There's hope," Nava continued. "Your mother might be coming to Fulton."
Kael froze. "What did you say?"
"Tikka's in civil war," Nava said quietly. "And according to what's being gathered…"
The chains creaked softly, responding to the surge of emotion Kael barely managed to suppress.
HOLY CHURCH OF FULTON
Council Chamber
The chamber was silent but for the low hum of warding sigils etched into the walls. Eighteen demi-humans sat shoulder to shoulder along the long obsidian table, their forms varied—horned, scaled, furred, or winged—yet united by a single authority. They were the Holy Church of Fulton.
At the head of the table sat King Alaric Voss, crowned in gold and black. He did not speak. He did not need to. The throne behind him was ceremonial; the true power rested with the council.
Kaito stepped forward, unfurling a sealed report.
"As you are all aware," he began, "the war in Tikka was not an invasion, but a civil collapse following the death of King Max."
A faint ripple of sound passed through the chamber.
"King Max opposed the enslavement of demi-humans. The trade was conducted in secret by House Lot and their allies. The demi-humans were not the only ones exploited. Humans, too, became instruments in the creation of counterfeit Enorian gems. Their Dio and Eno were forcibly drawn from them, siphoned until their very essence teetered on the edge of collapse. Some barely clung to life, their bodies and spirits drained beyond repair. Others were crushed entirely, reduced to nothing, so that the resulting gems could carry power far beyond what nature intended—gems forged in suffering, strengthened by lives sacrificed. With their fall, the chains have been broken, the counterfeit gems have been stopped."
He let the words settle.
"Thousands of freed demi-humans are already moving toward Fulton. I have personally met with the new sovereign of Tikka—Charlotte Max—and confirmed their safe passage."
Priest Valric rose at once, his claws tapping sharply against the table.
"Even so," he said coldly, "the law remains unchanged. Humans are forbidden within Fulton's borders. Their nature does not change simply because one tyrant falls."
Several heads nodded.
"Greed replaces greed," Valric continued. "If ten men like Lot die, a hundred more will rise to take their place."
He sat.
Priest Tharion, older, voice measured, rose next.
"There is also the matter of the Enorian gem convoys bound for Daria. The last shipment never reached Daria."
He continued, "Ambushed near Lake Vail. The attackers identified themselves as the Phantom. Human raiders."
A murmur of anger swept the table.
"This is not the first time," Tharion continued. "And we have responded with restraint."
"Too much restraint," Priest Morvek snapped. "Enorian is not replaceable."
Priest Alvion rose. "Which is why I propose we suspend all trade with Daria until this threat is resolved."
Before the council could answer, Priest Seren stood.
"There is another matter. Daria has formally requested permission to construct a teleportation facility within Fulton's borders."
The room shifted.
"Their intent," he continued, "is to transport Enorian ,Diochrome and other gems directly—bypassing Tikka entirely.
It's a good idea; we could use this, building teleportation facilities in the other two demi-human countries, so we could deploy troops in matters of emergency. But for Daria, I don't see that happening."
"That would place a human nation's gateway inside our walls," Priest Vorren said sharply.
"Unacceptable," Priest Calmar added.
Kaito stood. "Daria does not seek defense. They seek efficiency."
"And efficiency becomes leverage," Priest Drelan said darkly.
"If Daria controls a gate within Fulton," senior councilor Priest Ithar continued, "they gain first-use advantage. The one who moves first in teleportation warfare decides the battlefield, if ever there was a need to fight."
"Today it moves gems," Priest Ravik growled. "Tomorrow it moves soldiers."
"And once built," Priest Soryn added, "it cannot be unseen. It becomes a weapon simply by existing."
The council fell into uneasy silence.
Kaito broke it. "There is also Tikka."
At that, several priests stiffened.
"The former princess ended a civil war without bloodshed," he said. "Eight houses opposed her. Two stood with her. By numbers alone, House Max should have fallen."
"But no arrow flew," Kaito continued. "No blade was drawn, no technique or magic was cast, and yet House Max claimed victory."
A ripple of disbelief passed through the chamber.
"One of the Sovereign Eyes has awakened," Kaito said quietly. "Veritas Luminis. The Eye of Absolute Judgment."
The room went dead silent.
"The remaining five may follow," he added.
Priest Thalen rose, voice grave.
"History records only six full awakenings. Most wielders manifest one eye. Two is rare. More than that borders on myth."
He folded his hands.
Priest Jorven added, "But an Arbiter now walks the world again."
His gaze hardened.
"And we are unprepared."
Priest Eryndor, old and resolute, spoke last.
"It has been over a hundred years since we halted the Project."
A pause.
"It is time to resume it."
The word hung in the air like a drawn blade.
"A countermeasure," he said, "must exist."
No one argued.
OUTSIDE THE UNIVERSE
A voice echoed through endless darkness.
"…Nyx,i finally found you."