★115
ASTERI'S POV
I appeared in an unknown space of darkness. Complete, utter darkness. I was floating in a sea of reflectionless, fathomless black. There was no sound, even the sound of my breath has no room to flee.
What's more was that, my rampaging aura and the shocks was fading. Gradually, I regained my senses, to feel the otherworldly nature of this place.
'Where am I?'
In a void or perhaps, this is what it feels to be dead. Just silence. For a moment, I thought I was dead. But then, I picked up a distinct yet familiar signature before me.
I strained my eyes, now humming with a faint, star energy. A silhouette slowly bled into view as if the darkness itself were being peeled apart.
'I'm not alone.'
The realisation struck too late. I wasn't dead, I was summoned here.
Cold flooded my veins, sharp and paralysing, draining all warmth from my limbs. I searched inward, reaching for instinct but there was nothing.
No resistance or response to fear. It was as if my very being had accepted that reacting was pointless. That absence terrified me more than any hostile intent ever could.
It moved casually through the void, unhurried, as if this place belonged to him. Each footstep echoed, the only sound in the emptiness. His presence was the only source of light, soft yet absolute, absolute illumination that denied the darkness the right to exist.
When he stopped before me, close enough that distance itself felt meaningless, I finally saw him.
A divine figure clad in light-blue imperial robes. His hair and eyes shared the same azure hue, yet they shone far brighter than they should have. Those unmistakable traits of transcendence were bright and pure, highlighting his status as an Azure Star.
"Antares."
The sound of my name was gentle. Calm and utterly devastating.
The moment it left his lips, my body locked in place. Not from force for there was no aura, no overwhelming presence to push against. It was far worse than that. My existence itself rejected the act of being recognised by him.
As if something so 'vast' acknowledging something like 'me' created a contradiction reality could not immediately resolve.
My thoughts went silent. Even my soul felt exposed, laid bare under a gaze that wasn't simply judging, but fully aware of my deeds.
Something about him was deeply wrong. Not corrupted as Dark Star yetbnot hostile like a Star either.
Even though it's was a mere vessel, he felt too vast, too complete that I, who weilds two Paragons felt infinitesimal before it.
Goosebumps crawled violently across my skin as a primal certainty rooted itself deep within me.
"The scourge was not enough. Still you unbarred your flesh to transgression; you wallowed in harlotry without bridle, rutting like an untamed beast, scorning restraint and command alike."
My eyes widened as the pieces finally aligned.
The unease, the paralysis, the way reality itself recoiled around him—it all made sense.
'Three jolts. Three warnings. He's—He's the God of Judgement. S—s—sa—Sabaki…'
The name refused to leave my mouth. Each syllable felt heavier than the last, dragging against my throat as if spoken defiance alone could condemn me.
Terror compressed my thoughts, until even breathing felt like a risk. And for the first time, Asteri felt fear.
It wasn't panicked but certainty that no scheme, no foresight, no layered contingency would matter if this being decided otherwise.
The void trembled and a bolt of lightning sparked to life beside him. It tore itself into existence, white-blue and violent, the air screaming as its core condensed into something dangerously pure.
Sabaki moved without urgency, his hand closed around the heart of the bolt.
The instant his fingers made contact, the lightning changed. Its violent chaos stilled, collapsing inward as if recognising a higher authority.
The blinding light intensified, sharp enough to burn afterimages into my vision. The bolt no longer behaved like energy—it behaved like a law being enforced.
"Wrongdoer, Antares. You have passed beyond the Three Jolts; the measure is full, and Judgement is awakened.
As you joined your flesh in forbidden union, defiling covenant and order. Hear now the sentence that follows you into silence—"
I brace myself, for I was completely powerless began him.
At that moment, faint pops shattered the stillness, and darkness tore asunder as Yin and Yang streaked forth to my rescue, halting the tide of divine Judgement.
"Insolents—forgive me."
He paused, measuring each word, for he spoke before a race as exalted as the Star Dragons.
After a brief silence, he opened his eyes and spoke again, his voice like rolling thunder.
"Ye dragons dare not rise against me, for my Judgement is without bound, and my decree falleth upon all who dwell beneath the Stars."
Though he's the God of Judgement for Stars, his decree can extend to Creation itself, targeting anything.
But the Star God and Supreme Star limited his movements and Sabaki can only interfere with whatever's beyond the Star Realm under the Supreme Star's authority.
He glared, and the void itself recoiled, constricting, a cage of lightning snapping tight around the dragon.
They locked in place, wings beating, none dare to test what this cage could do.
"Now then."
He turned toward me, ready to end this as swiftly as possible.
Elaine tired to follow me but got electrocuted. She's lost consciousness, probably because Sabaki doesn't want here to interfere.
The Dragons made it turn but completely powerless to test his might. Lady Elara knows, but interrupting Judgement is forbidden. Entares was silent, watching closely without bothering.
Now, I'm all alone. Just me and my awaited punish.
He raised his hand, the bolt intensifying.
"I hereby—"
As Sabaki advanced, the void was torn apart by a thunderous roar. A pillar of golden light crashed down behind him, striking the emptiness with such force that the space itself buckled.
The impact asserted itself, as though the universe had been struck with a command rather than an attack.
Sabaki froze, his azure eyes widened, not in rage, for no one was worth of his rage but something far rarer. He was shocked. Slowly, almost unwillingly, he turned to meet the intruder.
Before him stood a boy no older then eleven. He wore no divine regalia or imperial robes, just a school uniform slightly rumpled, a school bag hanging on his shoulders as if he had wandered in by mistake.
Yet the golden light pouring off his face was unbearable to look at directly. It was pure, radiating outward in calm, absolute waves.
Sabaki took a step back, not expecting an inference form He Himself. The God of Judgement never retreated. And yet he's about to.
"…."
Sabaki opened his mouth, intending to speak, but no sound came out. His authority found no purchase.
The space twisted violently around Sabaki as he prepared to leave and in the next instant he was gone. Ejected from the scene as though he had never been permitted to enter it in the first place.
The pressure he had been exerted vanished all at once. I gasped, realising only then that I had been holding my breath. The crushing weight Sabaki carried was completely gone, yet my instincts screamed louder than before.
I could feel it, this boy's presence was greater even though he appear innocent. It was vast beyond comparison and yet— I was untouched. There was no paralysis or existential strain and that terrified me more than Sabaki ever did.
The boy turned away, golden light dimming as though it had never been there. He took a step, then another, preparing to leave like someone late for class.
I forced my voice to work.
"W—who are you?"
The words echoed weakly in the void but he didn't answer.
He simply continued walking, his silence heavier than any declaration, leaving me alone with a single, horrifying certainty—Whatever he was, judgement did not apply to him.
"Sabaki, the God of Judgement came for me and you saved me. Why? I'm a sinner, why did—"
"@^#&."
He whispered, yet no sound came from his mouth.
No—there was sound; it's just that a vessel like me couldn't possibly understand him, because his words were meant for the pure alone.
It was a code, and my 'Asteri mind' couldn't solve it. But with Antares here, I was able to make out what it was.
My blood froze completely, every part of me locking up in fear. Through shaky breaths, my mind repeated his words. I clamped my hands over my mouth, terrified to say them aloud.
'A… a… Ac… Aca… A… Acamar?'
He pulled me out of the strange space, and I went straight to my world, summoning Lady Elara. Yin and Yang followed me.
The rose began humming as Ela's voice resounded.
"Oh, they've grown this much. So adorable and—"
"Sabaki made his move."
I cut her off. This was more urgent than the dragons.
"Heh? You mean—"
"Yes. He summoned me to an unknown space and was about to deliver his punishment."
"You've exceeded the Three Jolts. What else did you do?"
She asked, but I didn't reply immediately.
"Despite being feared, Sabaki is merciful. Even if you've sinned past the Three Jolts, he'll overlook some of them and give you another chance. You did something that forced him to act. So what is it? What did you do, Antares?"
She demanded, her voice firm.
"Asteri and Mama did the 'having a baby process' last night."
Yang answered from my shoulder.
"I was against it, but Mama didn't listen. She's in love."
Yin followed. The last sentence came out softly, her voice nervous. She felt somewhat betrayed that Hinata hadn't listened to her.
I was expecting Ela to scold me, but she simply laughed, as if it were amusing.
"To think you'd really go this far. I'm surprised."
"You're not angry?"
"Why would I be? It's your choice, your life. I don't want to ruin it. So, I'm expecting grandkids, yes?"
"It just happened. It'll take time."
I replied, my mind drifting into the distant future—Asteri and his beloved children.
'Those cute, innocent creatures, just thinking about them warms my heart. Anyway—'
I cleared my throat.
"Even though it was your clone that did it, I'm really surprised."
"Let me tell you something more surprising. Someone interfered with his judgement."
"Hm. I don't think any fool can oppose Sabaki. I'm with the Deity of the Sun, and the Supreme Star is in the Divine Land. As far as I know, we're the only ones who can't meddle with him."
"Well, I don't know who it was either. An underage boy in a school uniform. He had an extremely bright golden luminosity that covered his face.
He—um—he said something, and I mysteriously interpreted it."
I stammered.
"Spill it out. I might know one or two of them. What did he say?"
"A—A—shit—"
"Relax. Go on, say it out loud."
The flower drifted closer, reassuring, while the dragons played in the background.
"Your vessel came face to face with Sabaki and survived. That isn't ordinary."
"Acamar. Who's Acamar? Why did he save me from Sabaki?"
"Hm. You even called him by his given name. The last time any of us mentioned that name was in the Beginning. Just what the hell are you becoming, Antares?"
She sighed.
Well, I didn't do anything wrong. I just called him by his name. Is that a problem?
"Wait… it's a Star?"
"Lord First, the Golden Child, the Watcher, the Supreme Star, the Creator of Arts—those are only some of his titles. One of them should ring a bell."
The world began spinning, and I started to lose consciousness just from the thought that I had come face to face with someone like him. A finger snapped, pulling me back to my senses.
"Even I can't fathom Lord First's presence. He's beyond my comprehension. The fact that he knew you sinned and still interrupted your punishment means something's wrong."
"Something? Like what? Does it have to do with me being a Twin Star?"
"The future will show us. Just follow the path your heart chooses."
Her tone signalled the end of our conversation.
"No matter who stands against you, count me as number one. I'll always be there. Now go—I'll be watching."
She reassured me, teleporting me from my world.
I took the Balance Dragons and returned to Star Island. Upon arrival, they sensed my presence and rushed towards me.
"Supreme Monarch."
"My Lord."
"Young Master."
They assembled before me, worried.
"Don't worry, I'm alright. I had an emergency call, but everything's fine."
My words were final.
"But—"
"Relax, Atlas. I'm alright. How's Elaine?"
"How—?"
"What do you mean, how? I wasn't losing my mind or anything. I was fully aware of my surroundings. Where's Elfaria?"
I asked, glossing over what had happened.
"She left for the Empire. Her apology was well received. And don't worry about her safety—Amir is with her."
Majo answered.
Hearing that, my lips curved into a smile.
"Good."
"What exactly happened?"
"To Elaine? She tried to pinpoint a secure location and got electrocuted. It's nothing serious. The effects will wear off soon."
I said, before taking off and flying into the stars to meet Hinata.
The Balance Dragons had already left.
To be continued...