★21
THIRD POV
Everyone's eyes widened in awe at the hall's magnificent beauty, the grandeur of its architecture and the radiance of its magical aura leaving them speechless.
Their wonder was interrupted by a voice cutting through the silence.
"Greetings, elves. Welcome to Star Island!"
Ahead, Shinn and Eto stood with calm authority.
Behind them, Atlas, Mikasa, Elfaria, Asteri, Hinamatsuri, Sasha, and Elaine were seated in order, their gazes shifting to face the newly arrived villagers, acknowledging their presence with composed attention.
"I am Shinn, this is Eto. Just like Yami, we're servants to the Great Lord. You being here means you've accepted his offer and be of service to him.'
<
"The leader shall come forth."
Eto stepped forward, his presence commanding attention, while the chief approached, standing tall before Shinn and Eto.
"What's your name?"
He asked, a calm smile gracing his face.
"Annie."
She replied firmly, her voice steady and resolute, meeting his gaze without hesitation.
"Pleasure to meet you, Annie."
That stubbornness only made his grin widen.
"As head of the elves you'll be granted space within this magnificent palace."
"Forgive me but what about my people."
"Unfortunately, this palace can't hold everyone so they'll have their own houses right outside this great Palace."
"You'll be provided with all you need if you wish to farm, run an inn, be a maid, anything that makes you contribute to this island will be given.
"And you'll become citizens of Star Island. Anyone who messes with you is tempering with the Lord's property."
<<'Properties'? You're going too far, Shinn.>>
Asteri complained to himself. But Shinn didn't tend to his complains. It wasn't defiance, it was designed. Deep down, these clones will be potential personalities for Antares.
"Ok."
"Now we can't have two elven queens, you'll have to be under Lady Elfaria who's the mother of this land."
"That's not a problem. As long as my people are safe I don't mind anything else."
"Don't get it wrong. You won't relinquish your title or anything. It's just that she's a bit superior to you that's all. First come first served rule."
"I understand."
"Good. Now, Lady Elfaria, do you wish to accept Lady Annie to be your subordinate?"
Elfaria got up from her seat.
"If that's what the Lord decides then I'll be grateful to accept it."
"Good."
"Now, juut know that you no one will be living as a King or Queen here. We all have work to do, not even the Master is free. For the men if you'd choose to hone your skills the Four Great Servants are here which includes Eto, Ban, Yami and Atlas.
Although Lord Atlas might be busy, the rest are here. Also any women who need to train can meet them or come to Lady Elaine or still meet those mentioned above. Is that clear?"
"Yes!"
"Good."
Asteri got up sighing.
"If only you would stop acting as if I was ruling over you all."
He whispered but it was clear for those nearby.
"Like I said, I'm not doing this to rule over you or anything like that. There is no king or queen on this island. No monarch to bind people into forced hierarchies.
The only difference between you and me is that I am the creator and protector of this island, and you are the people I intend to protect.
As for those who will be living outside the palace, that was always part of the design. Only my first companions will live under the same roof as me. Isn't that exactly what I said?"
He looked around the hall, directing the question to those who had been present that day, his tone calm yet absolute, leaving no room for misunderstanding.
"Exactly."
"Indeed."
"Factual."
Those first companions responded, affirming his words, while the others simply nodded in understanding.
"I understand the magnitude of my ambition may be overwhelming, but this is something I must do. I will not let anything deter me from reaching it. I pursue my goal while aiding those in need, that is the path I have chosen. Once again, welcome to Star Island."
In unison, they knelt, voices filled with respect.
"It's an honour to be here."
He murmured under his breath, a hint of exasperation in his tone,
"They just won't listen."
"Now, those of you staying outside will be shown around. Dismissed."
However, Eto acted differently. With Asteri trying to be 'human', his clones held the pride of the Star race.
With a swift gesture, he teleported everyone except Annie, leaving her standing in the hall, momentarily alone but under careful observation.
<
"Way to go Asta kun you've been growing by the day."
Ramiris popped up behind him.
"All thanks to you Lady Ramiris."
"R....Ramiris?!"
Annie's eyes widened in surprise, and she couldn't help but speak aloud.
"Hmm, who are you?"
"Um... forgive me. I'm Annie the Chief of the elves, the sixth daughter of Eleanor the III."
"Mmm... Eleanor?"
Ramiris paused thoughtfully, then lifted a small, ornate bell and rang it, the clear chime echoing through the hall.
"Don't tell me, you're one of the lost daughters of Thranduil Eleanor?"
"N...no, Queen of Fairies. Lord Thranduil was my great grandfather."
"Oh, time really flies but I do remember him. The High Elf created by Twilight. He was an honorable person."
"Yes, he was."
"Well, welcome to Asta kun's island. Be sure to be useful, ok?"
"I will."
"Now then, come. Let me show you your room."
Elfaria said, gently taking Annie's hand.
"Despite what they said... let's be equal, okay?"
She whispered, her voice soft but carrying clearly enough for those nearby to hear, a quiet reassurance amidst the grandeur of the hall.
"Who are the High Humans and their creator, Twilight?"
Asteri asked, ignorant of the Cardinal World early days.
"In the early days of the World, Veldanava created Twilight as one of the earliest beings. Twilight was intended to populate the world with immortals, but lacking the ability to reproduce, they experimented on their own bodies.
From this research, the High Humans and Vampires were born, strong but imperfect lifeforms incapable of fulfilling Veldanava's intentions.
As their experiments continued, diversity in life increased. Humans, Demi-humans, and other beings began to populate the World. Once Veldanava was satisfied, humanity spread across various dimensions, and kingdoms soon arose, led by Twilight's 'children,' known as the Pupils of the Ancestor.
High Elves were created when Wind Spirits incarnated into human vessels. They are the first-generation elves, often called True Elves. The elves known today are their descendants. Thranduil was the first High Elf and one of the Pupils of the Ancestor, alongside Lady Sylvia El Ru."
"I see. Care to explain the short family tree linking Annie and Thranduil?"
He asked.
"Of course. Thranduil married a High Human named Eleanor, and together they had three children: two sons and a daughter named after her mother.
Later, Eleanor II had her own children, including Eleanor III, who happens to be Annie's mother. But-"
"But what?"
"When Guy was summoned to the Cardinal World by Jahil, one of the firstborn of the Twilight children and the original High Human ancestor, he went on a rampage, destroying entire empires. This led to the extinction of the Eleanor family and the High Humans as a whole.
Eleanor III, however, was visiting a distant kingdom at the time, making her the sole survivor."
"So Guy was behind it?"
"Unexpectedly, yes. But that was not the end. After the incident, a new ruler, the High Elf King, established his kingdom atop the ruins of the fallen empire.
Being the last surviving descendant of the True Elves, Eleanor III took notice and decided to leave her territory near Sarion to visit him. The Demon Lord Kazalim, whom Leon had slain, was connected to the High Elf King.
Tragically, on the very night Eleanor III arrived, Milim's wrath descended, obliterating the kingdom entirely."
"It seems like a curse."
"Yeah, it seems like it. Mimon's uproar, which erupted two years after Lady Eleanor III's natural passing, decimated her kingdom. Countless elves perished, many were enslaved, and only a few escaped with their lives."
"Annie and Co."
"Yes."
"It seems like these events have happened recently."
"They did not. Eleanor III was 4,894 years old when she died. Eleanor II was likely over 10,000, and Thranduil's wife over 15,000 years old."
"You talk as if you witnessed it all."
"I did not, but I was alive when it happened. High Humans were created 20,000 years ago. Using information gathered from my children, this is my conclusion."
Asteri exhaled.
"And does Annie know about this?"
"Probably but not everything."
"How old is she anyway?"
"I don't know. Eleanor III married twice in her lifetime. Annie is supposedly her sixth daughter."
"One more thing, the elves I know..."
"Annie's father was either a dark elf, or she's one of those corrupted."
"Corrupted by what?"
"Sorry Asta kun, you're out of questions."
<
"Who would've thought Annie chan's past was this tragic."
"I feel sorry for her."
Hinamatsuri and Mikasa who were listening, voiced out their feelings.
"Don't worry, she's safe now. I'll make sure nothing tragic befalls her even if I have to sever the chains of fate."
Asteri reassured.
"You're strong, so I trust you'll take care of her."
"Don't talk like you've been protecting her when all you did was watch."
The two argued, their voices echoing through the hall, until gradually the crowd dispersed, leaving only a few individuals behind: Asteri, Hinamatsuri, and Ramiris.
The space felt heavy, charged with the tension of what had just occurred.
Asteri stepped closer, his tone softening as he looked at Hinamatsuri.
"Hina, are you okay?"
He asked, genuine concern underlying his words.
"...y...yes."
"Your face says it all."
"I just feel useless, you know. Just sitting around doing nothing. Annie chan just came and she's already contributing to the Island."
"You can do whatever you want. I won't stop you. Besides... if you're not here, who will be?"
Hinamatsuri's eyes widened.
"Yes, Hina-chan. Asta-kun cares more about you than himself."
Ramiris chimed in, her grin far too smug for the situation. The little fairy was clearly looking for trouble.
"Hey, I didn't say that."
Asteri protested.
"Heh?"
Embarrassed, Hinamatsuri's cheeks flushed a deep crimson. She fumbled slightly as she turned, her hurried steps echoing softly through the hall.
Without a word, she slipped through the exit behind them, desperate to escape the teasing yet sincere words that had caught her off guard.
"Lady Ramiris, you sure do enjoy getting me in trouble."
"No, they're facts. You're in love."
"Love, huh? Naturally, Stars are devoid of emotions, yet I just feel this... urge to keep her safe. I don't know why. Is it because she's the first human I've met? I... honestly have no idea."
As a Star, only a handful of emotions could be experienced, while the vast majority lay entirely beyond their comprehension. These limited feelings were faint and often abstract, more like distant echoes than fully realised sentiments.
Some Stars, however, were so detached that even these rare glimpses of emotion were inaccessible to them, leaving them almost entirely void of what most beings would consider a conscious emotional life.
It was a paradox for beings hailed as perfect and supreme, these Stars, to be so emotionally constrained.
Yet it was not a flaw, but a deliberate design, an intrinsic setting embedded into their very existence. They had no control over it; no matter their power or wisdom, their nature limited them, making their detachment from the full spectrum of feeling both a defining trait and a necessary boundary of their creation.
"Um hmm, indeed, you just confessed," Ramiris said, teasing in a silly tone.
Asteri shook his head, as if to dismiss her words. She's an outsider, she can't comprehend what it is.
"Hmm. How's your world?"
He asked, trying to redirect the conversation.
"You're just trying to change the subject, aren't you?"
Ramiris laughed, clearly amused.
"You might not believe it, but you're changing, Asta‑kun. Slowly but surely, something is blooming within you. Is it protectiveness? Compassion? Affection... perhaps even love? Maybe all of the above!? I'm curious-I can't wait!"
Her playful, sing‑song voice lingered in the hall even after she vanished, echoing faintly against the towering pillars.
Asteri remained where he sat, alone with his thoughts.
Changing...
The word itself felt foreign.
He lowered his gaze, staring at his own hand as if searching for an answer etched into his palm. Stars were not meant to change. They were constants-unchanging, immutable, absolute. Their nature was fixed at creation, their paths predetermined, their emotions carefully limited so they would never waver.
And yet-
His chest felt... heavy. Not unpleasant, but unfamiliar. It wasn't pain, nor was it joy. It was something in between, something undefined, something without a name he could confidently assign.
Protectiveness.
Yes, that much he understood. He had felt it before-an instinct to shield, to preserve, to prevent loss. That was allowed.
Compassion?
Perhaps. He had helped many, after all, though he always told himself it was simply efficiency, or necessity, or convenience.
Affection...
That was harder to accept.
Love...
No. That word belonged to beings who were fragile, fleeting, and bound by emotion. Not to Stars.
And yet, when he imagined Hinamatsuri's absence, the thought unsettled him far more than it should have.
Asteri exhaled slowly.
"If this is change...then it's an anomaly."
He murmured to the empty hall,
But anomalies, he knew better than anyone, were often the catalysts of evolution. Like Antares for example.
For the first time since his creation, Asteri did not immediately dismiss the possibility.
Instead, he wondered-quietly, almost cautiously-what might bloom next.
"You know Antares had feelings at some point when growing up. That alone made him different form regular Stars who are apathetic to the core."
Entares said.
"Well... that's Antares. I am not him. I am Asteri."
He said, his tone firm and unwavering, carrying the weight of his conviction. It was as if he were drawing an invisible line between himself and the being from which he had originated, rejecting any notion that he was merely a reflection or continuation of Antares.
Every word resonated with self-assurance, a declaration that, despite the legacy and power he inherited, his identity, his choices, and his will were entirely his own.
The hall seemed to grow still around him, the silence amplifying the determination etched into his posture and gaze.
To be continued...