[Astravon Empire — The Inn]
Kaelvyr and little Astra finally entered the inn. Astra had been sitting on his neck during the journey, but now she rested safely in his arms. She had grown noticeably in a short time. She could walk on her own, and her speech had become much clearer.
Kaelvyr glanced around the room, searching for Nova. She was nowhere to be seen.
Astra tilted her head and looked up at him. "Where is Nova?"
Kaelvyr smiled when he heard how clearly she spoke. "Probably outside. Or doing something crazy."
He carried her to the bed and sat down. After settling Astra beside him, Kaelvyr leaned back and stared at the ceiling.
Several thoughts crossed his mind at once.
No one has ever retired as an Origin.
Astra climbed onto the bed and crawled across his chest. Kaelvyr lowered his gaze to her. Her small hands pressed against him as she studied his face.
He smiled, but the expression did not quite reach his eyes.
"What's wrong, Dad?" Astra asked.
Kaelvyr gently held her hand. "Nothing, actually. I just want you to live your own life without being connected to me."
Astra stared at him in confusion. Before she could ask another question, Nova suddenly passed through the closed window and appeared inside the room.
The moment she saw Kaelvyr, she rushed toward him.
"Lend me your energy!" she demanded.
Kaelvyr looked at her, surprised by her sudden arrival. "Where were you?"
Nova's expression was unusually desperate. "Please. Just a little."
Kaelvyr shifted Astra carefully in his arms. "For what?"
"I want to create something."
"With my energy?"
Nova nodded.
Kaelvyr folded his arms. "Nope."
Nova stopped moving. Her eyes narrowed, and a dangerous silence settled over the room.
"Don't worry," she said coldly. "I don't need it."
She turned toward the window, preparing to leave the same way she had entered.
"Nova," Kaelvyr called. "Come here. We need to talk."
Nova stopped. Slowly, she turned around and walked back toward him. She leaned against the wall, waiting.
Kaelvyr looked toward the window, then back at her. "I've looked around the empire, and it seems that all the members of my species are safe. So, we're going to another nation."
Nova's expression changed slightly. "I haven't seen my own people. Or the Beast species."
"Your species only lives inside the King's domain—the King who rules the Astravon Empire."
Nova tilted her head. "Then who ordered us to travel through every nation and do all of this?"
"The King who oversees Orynx," Kaelvyr answered.
Nova nodded slowly, finally understanding. Then she remembered something else.
"What about the Cursed Lord?"
Kaelvyr's expression hardened. "Forget about him. He'll look after his own demons."
Nova studied him for a moment. "Is that all?"
Kaelvyr looked down at Astra. The child had settled quietly against him, unaware of the weight of the conversation.
"I want to cut the soul thread connecting me and Astra," he said.
Nova's eyes narrowed. "What's a soul thread?"
"A soul thread is what connects me to every Angel in Orynx. Whenever an Angel is born, a new soul thread appears, connecting that Angel to me."
Nova tilted her head, trying to understand. "How is that possible?"
Kaelvyr exhaled quietly. "I don't really care how it works. That's simply how the Creators made it. They created laws that seem impossible. I only want to cut it off."
Nova's gaze moved to Astra. "For every Angel?"
"No. Just for Astra."
Nova pushed away from the wall and sat beside him. Her voice softened. "Why did you suddenly start thinking about this?"
Kaelvyr looked at Astra for a long moment. "I don't know, actually."
The room fell quiet.
Nova watched him carefully. Despite his calm expression, she could see the uncertainty beneath it. Kaelvyr was not afraid for himself. He was afraid of what his existence might force Astra to become.
"And how can I help?" Nova asked.
Kaelvyr looked at her. "I need your energy to snap the soul thread. It can't be seen unless spiritual energy is used to reveal it."
Nova frowned. "But wouldn't that mean I'm breaking the law if it is an actual law?"
Kaelvyr leaned forward slightly. "Come on, please."
Nova stared at him, unimpressed. "Okay. I'll help you if you give me your energy."
Kaelvyr blinked. "Okay. So help me first."
"No, no. I asked for your help first."
Nova stretched out her hand and held it in front of him. "I'm waiting."
Kaelvyr smiled despite himself. He raised his hand and released a stream of glowing white energy. It floated between them like a small star.
Nova reached out and touched it. The energy flowed into her palm, pulsing once before sinking into her body.
"I'll be right back," she said.
She took the energy and left the inn.
[The King's Domain — Ruler of Orynx — Throne Room]
The King sat upon his throne as the great doors opened.
A figure in a long, dark cloak walked majestically toward him. The figure did not hurry. Every step carried the confidence of someone who believed no one in the room could challenge them.
The King watched him approach.
"So, you're back. Finally."
The cloaked figure stopped several steps from the throne. He did not bow.
"What do you want this time?" he asked.
The King's eyes narrowed. "You didn't even bow to me..."
The figure remained silent.
The King leaned forward, resting one hand against the arm of his throne. "I want you and the Cursed Lord to separate Nova from Kaelvyr."
The figure smiled faintly. "Nova?"
He looked toward the King. "Consider it done. But I will feast on Kaelvyr's energy."
The King pointed toward someone standing beside the throne. "I also want you to remove the soul thread from him."
The cloaked figure turned his head toward the person the King had indicated. After a brief pause, he nodded.
"Okay. I will."
A smile slowly spread across the King's face.
*I will eventually evolve into an Angel—or even a Spiritual Being. Then I will finally be able to control reality, time, and the laws of existence. Every concept of life and death will bow before me.*
The cloaked figure watched him silently for a moment before speaking.
"Your plan is going well. But don't become too happy until it has been completed—and until Nova has caused no casualties."
The King's smile faded slightly.
For the first time, the throne room felt colder.
To be continued...