[Astravon Empire — The Inn]
Three deliberate knocks sounded against the door of the room.
Kaelvyr was seated on the edge of the bed while Astra slept beside him. The moment he heard the knock, he rose and crossed the room. He opened the door, expecting another interruption from the inn, but his expression changed when he saw who was standing outside.
Eris smiled at him.
"Eris," Kaelvyr said, surprised. "What are you doing here?"
She walked inside with her usual confidence, her slim figure moving with a deliberate grace. Her eyes passed over Kaelvyr before settling on Astra, who remained asleep on the bed. Kaelvyr closed the door behind her, but he did not take his eyes off Eris.
Eris sat down on the bed and looked at him with an amused expression.
"It's been a long time, hasn't it?"
Kaelvyr sat beside her, though his attention remained cautious. "You didn't come here for no reason. I know you too well."
The left side of Eris's lips lifted into a smirk.
"Where's Nova?"
"She's on the roof, I think," Kaelvyr answered.
Eris leaned back slightly. "Well, I only came to deliver a message from the king."
Kaelvyr turned toward her. "And what message would that be?"
"Nova has been assigned to another location," Eris said. "Varynthia."
Kaelvyr's expression tightened. "For what exactly? I'm sure the king wouldn't assign a spiritual being to a place like that without a reason."
Eris looked toward the window. "A beast, I assume, wants to wipe out everyone there."
Kaelvyr stared at her. "Varynthia isn't some random location that anyone can simply destroy. The species living there are extremely powerful."
"But they lack experience," Eris replied. "Come on, Kaelvyr. Why are you acting as if you don't know how enormous Orynx is? We have twenty nations, and there are other places that even we cannot enter. I wouldn't be surprised if another powerful and unstable being appeared somewhere and tried to wipe out an entire nation."
Kaelvyr lowered his head, troubled by the thought.
"And why Nova?" he asked. "She's inexperienced."
Eris smiled faintly. "And yet, she defeated you in battle."
Kaelvyr's expression darkened, but Eris continued before he could respond.
"After that incident, the king began to see Nova as someone far stronger than she appears."
Kaelvyr looked toward the window. "If someone is planning to wipe out an entire nation, then I'm sure the situation outside wouldn't be this peaceful."
"Peaceful?" Eris repeated.
She stood and walked toward the window. Kaelvyr rose as well and followed her. From there, they could see the people outside the inn moving through the streets, speaking among themselves and gathering in small groups.
Because Kaelvyr was an Angel Origin, his hearing was advanced enough to catch the voices from below. He could hear the people gossiping about the strange assignment, the movements of the king's forces, and the uneasiness beginning to spread throughout the empire.
Eris glanced at him.
"You're always cautious," she said. "As usual."
She turned away from the window. "Relay the message to Nova."
Kaelvyr nodded.
Before either of them could say anything else, Eris suddenly felt something pass through her body. Her eyes widened, and she instinctively looked upward.
Nova had appeared inside the room.
Eris moved back in surprise. Kaelvyr glanced at her, then at Nova.
"Well," he said, "it looks like she's here."
Nova looked at Kaelvyr, then turned her attention toward Eris, who was still wearing a startled expression.
"Who is she?" Nova asked.
Kaelvyr gestured toward Eris. "This is Eris, the Sixth Harbinger."
Eris continued staring at Nova.
Her energy is incredible, she thought. And yet I couldn't sense her at all.
Another thought immediately followed.
Did she just pass through me? No physical body means no physical interaction... I understand now.
Her gaze lowered toward Nova's legs.
So only her legs are currently in physical matter.
"Eris!" Kaelvyr called.
She immediately snapped out of her thoughts and looked at him. "I'm sorry. My mistake."
Eris began walking around Nova, examining her from different angles as she spoke.
"So you're Nova. This is the first time I've seen you in person." She paused briefly. "Well, you've been assigned to another nation."
Nova glanced at Kaelvyr, then looked back at Eris.
"What nation?"
"Varynthia," Eris answered. "That's where you'll be going."
Nova's expression became curious. "What am I going to do there?"
Eris groaned and pointed toward Kaelvyr, who was still standing near the window.
"Arggh, come on. I hate explaining the same thing over and over again. He'll explain it to you."
She started toward the door, then stopped long enough to add, "You're scheduled to depart in two days."
Nova tilted her head. "Okay... but just one more thing."
Eris was already holding the doorknob. She glanced back at Nova.
"Varynthia is a nation where beast-demon hybrids reside."
Nova looked thoughtful. "There's a lot I don't know."
She paused, then nodded. "All right. I'll be ready to depart soon. By the way, what will be my means of transportation?"
Eris twisted the doorknob and opened the door.
"We'll send a carriage to pick you up."
With that, she left and closed the door behind her.
Outside the inn, Zarek was waiting for her. The moment Eris stepped away from the building, he approached her.
"So?" he asked. "How did it go?"
Eris smiled. "It went well. And honestly, Nova is impressive."
Zarek looked at her. "Why did you say that?"
Eris waved him off. "Never mind. Come on. Let's go meet Krios."
Meanwhile...
Kaelvyr returned to the bed and sat down, his gaze falling on Astra as she continued to sleep. The room had become quiet again, but Nova's expression suddenly changed.
"I want to show you something," she said.
Kaelvyr smiled at her. "What is it?"
Nova moved toward the window and opened it. She looked outside, then stepped aside.
"You can come in now."
A hand appeared over the edge of the window and gripped it. Kaelvyr immediately stood.
A figure pulled itself into the room.
Kaelvyr stared at the newcomer. "What is that?"
Nova looked toward the figure with quiet pride.
"My creation."
To be continued...