The Void Speaker's voice echoed through the Grand Salon, resonating directly in the minds of every bidder present.
"Ladies and gentlemen, beings of power and wealth, welcome to the 1,000th Millennium Gala. Tonight, you will witness treasures beyond imagination, artifacts beyond price, and opportunities beyond measure."
Kafu leaned forward in his seat, his ordinary brown eyes fixed on the auction floor. Beside him, his twelve wives sat in perfect formation, their beauty and presence a silent statement of power.
Private Box 13 floated at the perfect height—high enough to observe everything, low enough to be seen. Exactly where Kafu wanted to be.
"The first lot," the Void Speaker announced, "is a treasure of particular beauty. The Starlight Crown—not a duplicate, but an original, crafted by the first Starlight beings before the first universe cooled."
[LOT 1: STARLIGHT CROWN (ORIGINAL)]
Aspect Value
Starting Bid 50 BILLION UC
Estimated Final 200 BILLION UC
Effect AMPLIFIES STAR-FIRE 100×
Effect GRANTS LIMITED FUTURE SIGHT
Effect WEARER BECOMES ONE WITH STARLIGHT
Kyrella's breath caught. "An original. I've only ever seen duplicates."
"Want it?" Kafu asked.
"It's... it's beautiful. But we have a mission."
"We have a mission and fifty quadrillion UC." He smiled. "Want it?"
She hesitated, then nodded. "Yes. But only if it doesn't interfere with the tablet."
"Then we bid."
---
THE BIDDING BEGINS
The opening bid came from Box 4—a being of pure crystal, its form refracting light in impossible ways.
"55 billion."
Box 9 countered immediately. "60 billion."
Box 12 joined. "65 billion."
Kafu waited, watching the patterns, learning the players. Box 7—the Royal Family—remained silent. Good.
"70 billion," Box 4 again.
"75 billion," Box 9.
Kafu raised his hand. "100 billion."
Silence.
The Void Speaker's eyes found him. "Box 13 bids 100 billion. Do I hear 110?"
Box 4 hesitated, then subsided. Box 9 shook its head.
"Going once... going twice..."
"110 billion." A new voice—Box 7.
Kafu's jaw tightened. The Royal Family had entered.
He raised his hand again. "150 billion."
Gasps rippled through the crowd. 150 billion for a crown was astronomical—more than most civilizations earned in a century.
Box 7 was silent.
"150 billion, going once... going twice... SOLD to Box 13!"
Kyrella's Starlight form blazed with joy as a servant delivered the crown in a crystalline case. She held it reverently, then placed it on her head.
[STARLIGHT CROWN — EQUIPPED]
Effect Status
Star-fire Amplification 100× ACTIVE
Future Sight LIMITED (10 SECONDS)
Starlight Unity COMPLETE
She turned to Kafu, tears in her eyes. "Thank you."
"You're worth it." He kissed her forehead. "All of you are."
---
LOTS 2-6: THE PATTERN
The auction continued.
[LOT 2: PRIMORDIAL FLAME ESSENCE]
· Winning Bidder: Box 7 (200 billion UC)
· Notes: Royal Family showing interest in fire artifacts
[LOT 3: REALITY WEAVER'S LOOM]
· Winning Bidder: Box 4 (450 billion UC)
· Notes: Crystal being has deep pockets
[LOT 4: ETERNITY MASTER SLAVES (100)]
· Winning Bidder: Box 13 (1.8 trillion UC)
· Notes: Kafu acquired them for his army
[LOT 5: DIMENSIONAL FORTRESS]
· Winning Bidder: Box 9 (4.2 trillion UC)
· **Notes: ** Mysterious bidder from Box 9
[LOT 6: SOUL BINDER'S CROWN]
· Winning Bidder: Box 13 (9.5 trillion UC)
· Notes: For Morana, to enhance her shadow bonds
By the end of lot 6, Kafu had spent nearly 12 trillion UC—a fraction of his wealth, but a statement of intent.
The Royal Family in Box 7 had won several lots as well, their interest clearly focused on destructive artifacts. Primordial Flame Essence. Destruction Core. Death Absolute Scythe.
"They're building something," Morana observed quietly. "An arsenal."
"Or preparing for something." Kafu's eyes narrowed. "Keep watching."
---
LOT 7-12: THE ROYAL'S GROWING INTEREST
[LOT 7: CREATION ENGINE]
· Winner: Box 7 (24 trillion UC)
· Note: Royal Family outbids Box 4 aggressively
[LOT 8: DESTRUCTION CORE]
· Winner: Box 7 (26 trillion UC)
· Note: Box 9 drops out, Box 13 abstains
[LOT 9: TIME LOOP GENERATOR]
· Winner: Box 13 (48 trillion UC)
· Note: Kafu acquires for Crysa
[LOT 10: SPACE FOLDING SHIP]
· Winner: Box 4 (95 trillion UC)
· Note: Crystal being's final major purchase
[LOT 11: LIFE WELL (PORTABLE)]
· Winner: Box 13 (142 trillion UC)
· Note: For Sylva, to enhance her life abilities
[LOT 12: DEATH ABSOLUTE SCYTHE]
· Winner: Box 7 (238 trillion UC)
· Note: Royal Family now has four major destructive artifacts
Kafu's spending had reached 202 trillion UC—still well within his budget, but the Royal Family's pattern was becoming clear.
"They're collecting weapons of mass destruction," Kyrella said. "That many in one place... they're planning something."
"Or someone." Kafu's eyes drifted to Box 7, where shadows moved behind the crystal barrier. "I want to know who's in that box."
Morana nodded. "I'll investigate during the break."
---
THE INTERMISSION
After lot 12, the Void Speaker announced a one-hour intermission.
"Refreshments are available in the Crystal Garden. Please return promptly for lots 13-24, which include several items of exceptional interest."
The crowd dispersed, flowing toward the Crystal Garden—a vast space filled with living crystal formations, each one containing a different ecosystem.
Morana vanished into shadow, her form dissolving into nothing. The rest of Kafu's wives surrounded him, their presence a protective barrier as they moved through the crowd.
The Crystal Garden was breathtaking—forests of emerald, oceans of sapphire, skies of diamond. Beings of every race mingled, discussed, schemed.
Kafu found a quiet corner and waited.
Twenty minutes later, Morana reappeared.
"Box 7 is House Varnax," she reported quietly. "The same house we dealt with before. But the bidder isn't the heir—it's the family patriarch. Lord Valerius Varnax himself."
Kafu's eyes narrowed. "The head of the house? Here in person?"
"And he's not alone. He has twelve children with him—all at Eternal Celestial level or higher. They're here for more than just artifacts."
"What, then?"
Morana's expression was grim. "I couldn't get close enough to hear specifics, but I heard one word: 'Kafu.' They're still looking for you. Still hunting. Still obsessed."
Kafu felt a cold fury building in his chest. A hundred years, and they were still hunting him. Still trying to destroy his legacy. Still—
A voice cut through his thoughts.
"Lord Aurelius, I presume?"
Kafu turned. A young man stood before him—arrogant, beautiful, radiating the power of an Eternal Celestial. Behind him, eleven others of similar age and bearing.
[LORD VALERIUS VARNAX JR. — ASSESSMENT]
Aspect Value
Age 50,000 YEARS
Cultivation ETERNAL CELESTIAL 3
IF 800 BILLION
Position HEIR TO HOUSE VARNAX
Personality ARROGANT, CRUEL, ENTITLED
Kafu inclined his head politely. "Lord Valerius. An honor."
"The honor is mine." The younger Varnax's eyes swept over Kafu's wives, lingering on each one with obvious appreciation. "Twelve wives, all ancestors, all breathtaking. You're a fortunate man."
"I am."
"I couldn't help but notice your bidding today. Generous. Very generous." The heir smiled—a predatory expression. "The Golden Dawn must be wealthy indeed."
"We do alright."
"Perhaps we could discuss... collaboration. House Varnax is always looking for new allies." The heir's smile widened. "Especially ones with such... beautiful companions."
Kafu's wives stiffened. Kyrella's Starlight flickered dangerously.
"I'll consider it," Kafu said, his voice carefully neutral. "Now if you'll excuse us, we need to prepare for the next round."
He turned and walked away, his wives following.
Behind him, the Varnax heir laughed—a sound that made Kafu's blood boil.
"Did you see the way they moved? Like trained animals. I wonder how much he paid for them."
His siblings laughed with him.
Kafu kept walking.
But Morana caught his eye and saw the truth: he had heard. He had heard every word. And he would remember.
---
THE RETURN
Back in Box 13, the atmosphere was tense.
"They're animals," Kyrella spat. "Vile, disgusting animals."
"They're also powerful, wealthy, and connected." Kafu's voice was calm—too calm. "And they're going to be a problem."
"The tablet?"
"Still the priority. But after..." He looked at his wives. "After, I'm going to deal with House Varnax. Permanently."
Morana nodded slowly. "Good."
The lights dimmed. The Void Speaker rose.
"Welcome back to the Millennium Gala. Lots 13 through 24 feature some of tonight's most exceptional items. Let the bidding resume."
Kafu settled into his seat, his eyes fixed on the auction floor, his mind already planning.
House Varnax wanted to hunt him? Wanted to collect weapons? Wanted to mock his wives?
They had no idea what was coming.