[The Astravon Empire]
Under the shimmering, sunless expanse of the Arkalyth sky, three figures moved toward the towering borders of the Astravon Empire. Zarek, Krios, and the 6th Harbinger walked with a purposeful stride, their forms draped in heavy, travel-worn cloaks. These garments were not merely for protection; they were woven with energy-suppressing properties, designed to mask the overwhelming power signatures that would otherwise draw the attention of every high-tier being for miles.
Upon reaching the outer perimeter, they were met by the elite guards stationed at the massive gates. The trio stood their ground, calmly stating their purpose as they requested entry into the heart of the empire. Once the protocols were cleared and they stepped through the threshold, the 6th Harbinger paused, tilting her head back to take in the sheer scale of the metropolis.
Her predatory eyes, a deep violet with long, black vertical slits, shimmered as she surveyed the architecture. "Wow," she whispered, a cold smirk touching her lips. "This is truly an empire."
She was known as *Eris, the Silent Death*. With long, flowing silver hair and a slim, lithe frame, she wore black garments that clung so tightly they appeared to be a second skin. Eris was a paradox; she claimed to hate fighting, yet she was a master of lethal precision, tactical maneuvers, and brutal close-quarters combat. Born of the primordial essence of the Demonic Realm, her true authority lay in her voice. She possessed the ability to command and reshape reality through speech alone. When pushed to her absolute limits, dark geometric markings would manifest on both sides of her mouth, allowing her to command reality on a terrifying scale and specifically choose which species would be forced to obey her will.
Walking beside her was **Krios**, a rarity among his kind, a **Demon-Spiritual Hybrid**. Unlike the more common demon-beast variants, his lineage was considered both terrifying and sacred. He possessed the unique ability to wield both pure spiritual energy and the scorching red demonic energy, making him a lethal threat to spiritual beings. Despite his power, he was categorized as a "low" hybrid because he still possessed a physical body, a tether to the material world. At his side hung a sword crafted by his parents before their passing—a relic he had never once let go of.
As the trio moved deeper into the city, Krios suddenly stopped, his gaze locking onto a distant rooftop. High above the bustling streets, a small figure was silhouetted against the azure sky. Nova was standing on the edge of the building, her hands moving in a rhythmic, mysterious pattern as she channeled her boundless energy into something unseen.
"What is she doing?" Krios asked, his voice low and wary.
Zarek and Eris looked up, watching the young Origin for a moment before Zarek turned away. "Just don't let us interfere for now," he said coldly. "We have our own path to follow."
***
After a short walk, they reached the inner gates of the Sovereign Domain. Two guards, both powerful spiritual beings, stood at attention.
"Why have you come here?" one of them asked, his aura flaring in warning.
"We would like to see the King of this empire," Zarek replied, his voice devoid of emotion.
"Who sent you?" the guard pressed, his hand tightening on his weapon.
Krios sighed, his patience beginning to fray. "The King who rules over the entirety of Orynx. Now, stand aside."
"Remove those cloaks," the guard commanded. "Let us see your faces."
Eris stepped forward, moving into the center of the gateway. The guards instinctively raised their weapons, sensing a sudden, suffocating pressure in the air.
"Be still," Eris spoke.
The guards froze instantly. Their eyes widened in terror as they realized their bodies were no longer their own, held in place by an absolute, invisible force. Krios and Zarek walked past them as if they were nothing more than statues.
"This should tell you who we are already," Eris said, her violet eyes flashing with a dangerous light. "Will you open the gate now, or shall I open it myself?"
"We... we are so sorry!" the guards stammered, their voices trembling as the command was partially eased.
"You can move" Eris decreed.
The guards were instantly released. Trembling, all four of them infused their spiritual energy into the mechanism, causing the massive gates to grind open. The trio passed through without a second look.
***
They moved through the palace until they reached the ruler's inner domain. Before them stood a massive door woven from pure spiritual energy. Krios stepped forward, infusing his own energy into the seal. With a low, echoing hum, the door slid open.
The throne room was a vast, echoing space. Knights stood in rows along the walls—every one of them a Specter-level warrior capable of rivaling a Harbinger in strength. At the far end, sitting upon a massive throne, was the King of Astravon. He watched their approach with a mocking smile.
"So," the King said, his voice booming through the hall. "The Ruler of Orynx has sent his most dangerous weapons just for a discussion? He knows I cannot accept what he is planning."
The trio removed their cloaks. Krios stepped forward to speak, but the King cut him off with a sharp gesture.
"I didn't ask you to speak," the King said.
Krios met the King's gaze, his eyes burning with hybrid fire. "You are not my King."
The King sighed, the tension in the room reaching a breaking point. "What does he want this time?"
"To destroy an Origin," Krios said.
The King's laughter erupted, a cold, mocking sound that echoed off the pillars. He laughed until he realized the Harbingers weren't joining him. His expression turned grim. "You're not joking."
"We are not," Krios confirmed.
The King stood up, his aura flaring. "Didn't you tell him that's suicide? I don't even need to know which Origin he is targeting—to hunt an Origin is to invite the end of all things. And for what? His ego?"
"He wants to kill Kaelvyr, the Angel Origin," Krios said. "He will use the **Abyssal Devourer** to weaken him. We will finish the rest."
"It doesn't matter who finishes him," the King countered. "You are hunting an Angel who has lived for millions of years, a Sword God with battle experience you cannot comprehend. This won't end well."
"And if we deny his request, we die," Eris said, her voice soft but heavy. "We are at a dead end."
The King dropped back onto his throne, a long sigh escaping him. "So... what do you need me for?"
"To handle Nova," Krios said. "The King says he has a way to suppress her, but I don't trust his word. If things go wrong, help us handle her. But proceed with caution."
The King stared at them in disbelief. "You brought two dangerous Origins into the same empire, and you want to ambush Kaelvyr? You are insane."
"Then do us a favor," Zarek spoke, his voice like a death knell. "Separate Nova from Kaelvyr."
"If she is smart, she won't listen to me," the King said. "She only listens to Kaelvyr."
A creepy, predatory smile curved Eris's lips, her mouth markings glowing faintly. "Then we will just let Kaelvyr tell her to leave."
The King and the other Harbingers stared at her.
"It's easy," Eris continued. "We will deliver a message to Kaelvyr, telling him the King has ordered Nova to go to another nation—perhaps **Ravenhold**—for an emergency. He won't question a direct order if we make it look real."
"And if he contacts the King?" Zarek asked.
"If the King is smart, he will play along," Eris replied. "We will tell him it's an emergency he can't ignore."
Krios looked at the King of Astravon. "It seems we didn't really need your help after all. Just... protect your people."
The trio donned their cloaks once more. As they turned to leave, Eris raised a hand in a mocking wave. The King of Astravon watched them go, his expression grim, knowing that the peace of his empire was about to be shattered.
To Be Continued…