The God of Radiance stood over the unconscious boy the way an executioner studies a body—not with anger,not with hatred,but with careful calculation.
Golden light spilled violently from his armor, flaring in unstable pulses that illuminated the cracks Kairo had torn through reality itself.
The stone floor trembled beneath his feet.
Not because he was furious.
Because he was afraid.
Astra felt it immediately.Eli felt it in his bones.Even the rift in the air recoiled—shrinking, warping, as if trying not to be seen.
A god… afraid of what slept inside a sixteen-year-old boy.
And that realization terrified Astra more than anything else.
Astra Tries to Speak
"Father—"
Her voice cracked before she could stop it.
He didn't look at her.
His gaze remained fixed on Kairo, golden eyes narrowing as symbols of ancient power flickered across his armor.
"The Primordial Signature," he muttered."A dual-heart resonance. Temporal scarring…"
He clicked his tongue softly.
"This was never meant to be possible."
Astra stepped forward despite the pressure crushing her lungs.
"He's not dangerous—"
"Silence."
The word struck her like a physical blow.
Not loud.Not shouted.
Absolute.
Her soul flinched.
But she didn't retreat.
"Father, please," she forced out. "Let me explain—"
"You brought him here," the god said calmly."You hid him. You protected him."
Astra swallowed.
"Yes."
His eyes finally met hers.
"Why?"
Her chest tightened.
She didn't want to say it—especially not in front of Eli—but there was no escape now.
"Because… he feels familiar."
Eli blinked. "Familiar? What does that even mean?"
Astra didn't answer.
Her father did.
"It means the boy should not exist," the god said coldly."And yet—he does."
Eli Breaks
Eli snapped.
He staggered forward, fists trembling, voice breaking as he screamed straight at a god.
"KAIRO IS STILL HUMAN!"
The god's gaze shifted to him.
Instantly, Eli choked.
He collapsed to his knees as if the air had been ripped from his lungs.
"Eli!" Astra rushed to him.
The god didn't even blink.
"Child," he said calmly,"do not mistake sentiment for truth."
"He's my best friend…" Eli gasped, clutching his chest.
The god's voice remained steady.
"He is no longer the person you believe him to be."
Eli shook his head wildly.
"No—you're wrong. He's still Kairo. He's still—"
"If he awakens fully," the god interrupted,"your friend dies."
Eli froze.
"What…?"
Astra closed her eyes.
The god gestured toward the black veins crawling beneath Kairo's body.
"That corruption is not killing him," he said."It is replacing him."
The Verdict
The God of Radiance raised his arm.
Golden light gathered in his palm—pure, blinding, unbearable.
A divine sphere formed, brighter than the sun.
Astra's heart stopped.
"Father… what are you doing?"
"Ending the threat," he replied simply."Before it matures."
Eli lunged forward, screaming.
"NO! STOP!"
Astra grabbed him, holding him back as he thrashed violently.
"ASTRA, LET GO—HE CAN'T—HE CAN'T KILL KAI—!"
Her voice shook as the truth crushed her.
"I… I don't know if we can stop him."
Eli stared at her—betrayal and disbelief tearing through his face.
"You promised you'd protect him," he whispered."How can you just… let this happen?"
Astra met his gaze.
Pain.Shame.Fear.
"I'm not strong enough," she said quietly."Not against my father."
Inside Kairo — The Other Heart
In the void, the shadow leaned beside Kairo, smiling.
Ah… your death draws near.
Kairo looked up sharply, panic flooding him.
"What do you mean?! Who's trying to kill me?!"
The shadow tilted its head, amused.
The God of Radiance himself.
Kairo's breath faltered.
"Why…? What did I do?!"
You were born, the shadow replied.That was your crime.
Kairo clenched his fists, shaking.
"Are you going to help me or not?!"
The shadow stepped closer.
I can.But if I intervene… the last trace of your humanity will burn away.
Kairo froze.
"Then… I'll die?"
No.
The shadow smiled.
You will become something else.
Kairo closed his eyes.
He heard Eli screaming his name.Felt Astra trembling, trying to shield him.Heard the god condemning his existence.
Something inside him snapped.
Not hope.Not fear.
Cold, quiet rage.
"I'm not dying today."
The shadow's grin widened.
Good.Then say it.
"Say what?"
Call my name.
Kairo hesitated.
Then whispered:
"…If it saves them… I'll pay the price."
The shadow leaned close.
Then break, Kairo Vale.
The Spear of Radiance
In the chamber, the god lifted his hand.
A spear of pure golden light formed—long, sharp, blazing hot enough to melt stone.
Astra screamed.
"FATHER, STOP!"
"I do not judge the boy," the god said softly."I judge the thing inside him."
The spear fell.
Straight toward Kairo's heart.
The World Holds Its Breath
Eli reached out.
Astra cried his name.
The spear closed the distance—
And Kairo's eyes snapped open.
Black lightning detonated from his body.
The spear shattered against an invisible force.
A shockwave tore through the chamber, cracking stone in a perfect circle.
The God of Radiance staggered back—
his expression twisting for the first time in centuries.
"What…?"
Kairo sat up slowly.
Calm.
Too calm.
His eyes were pitch black—not a trace of blue remaining.
When he spoke, it wasn't one voice.
It was layered.Ancient.Inhuman.
"Touch me again," it said,"and I will erase your light."
Astra's blood ran cold.
Eli collapsed—half relief, half terror.
And the God of Radiance—
For the first time since the heavens were born—
Took a step back.