his remains and shaped a small, ornate pot from the surrounding earth to store them in. The pot felt heavy in my hands, not just with the weight of Atlas's ashes, but with the burden of guilt, a

nguished, snuffed out by the

an emptiness that gnawed at my soul. I knew that if I wanted to avenge Atlas, to bring justice for what had been done, I would have to conf

n I had been. The betrayal had cut too deep, and the loss too great. I would have to become something more-stronger, wiser, and less trus

ll reeling from the shock, but I swore to myself that this wouldn't be the end. There were answers out there-answers about who I was, about the true

I would need allies, resources, and knowledge if I was to have any hope of confronting the truth. But above all, I woul

for certain: the journey ahead would be long, and it would change me in ways I couldn't yet imagine. Bu

ruly was and of what I was capable. The universe held its secrets

her face pale, eyes wide with fear. She looked like she'd

eard all these noises coming from the dimension, but I co

eline in the storm. But seeing her so scared only deepened the ache in my chest,

owing in confusion and concern. "What happened in ther

t of what I needed to say. "Flora... Atlas is go

, her eyes welling up with

er about my sister, about the dark secrets of my past that I had b

, the words feeling foreign and heavy

our sister? I didn't even know yo

words still fresh in my mind. "She said it was necessary, that Atlas was

full of sympathy and determination. "I'm so sorry," she whispered. "

d us. "I know," I whispered, squeezing her hand. "But there's so much more we don't know, Fl

ite everything. "We'll uncover the truth, no matter

I knew that with Flora by my side, I could face it. But I also knew t

ng a deep breath. "We ha

to face whatever came next. We quickly packed what we needed and stored our belongings in

e was getting ready, I was lost in thought, trying to devise a plan for our next st

confident, a stark contrast to the turmoil of the moment. My heart raced, overwhelmed by the su

drifted through the door. "It's okay," she said with a p

ut needing to use the guest bathroom. After a hasty and unnecessary trip to

?" I asked, trying to

her voice carrying a hint

. She had finished dressing but was still holding her clothes, seemingly not in a hurry

her gaze lingering on me wi

our situation. "Yeah, much better," I said, feeling the awkwardness dissipate

my arm. "It's alright. I actually thought you migh

her easy confidence, was both comforting and el

it comes to you. I like you, and if I have to ma

ertainly have my attention," I admitted, feeling a soft, reassuring warmth in he

oser. "Deal. But only if you promise t

solve. "I promise. Let's just foc

ore us. Confident and calm, we looked at the sky and nodded our heads in unison. Our sh

f weightlessness enveloped us as we ascended, and in a heartbeat, we found ourselves in the vast expanse o

o flow freely and harmonize. We activated our halos, the radiant energy enveloping us as we ascended f

tered a bit of difficulty. As we approached our destination, we neared the Oort Cloud, a

ing ourselves for the challenge. Together, we surged forward, pushing through the icy expanse. For a

reeted us. The weight of our solar system fell away, replaced by the boundless possibilities of interstella

yes sparkled with a mix of relief and excitement. "We did it," she said,

hilaration. "Yeah, we are. And

eadlines-just the endless expanse of stars and the thrill of the unknown. In that moment, surrounded by the beauty and eno

urney through the universe. The adventure had only just begun, and with Flora by m

ce. At 14.6256 light-years away, it would take us approximately 31.4 minutes to reach it at our current speed of 46.5

If he managed to escape to his home planet, it suggested he was compressing his powers, not wanting us to find out. But

t could be that Jinvolo has a very advance halo that lets him go camo and lets him teleport anywhere, or that he lied to us, and his planet is outside the galaxy." Then I added on, debating

any anomalies or advanced technology that could explain Jinvolo's rapid departure. There might

of technological activity or energy signatures. Lohto might have fac

ogy. The vastness of space stretched out before us, but with Flora's expertise and our combined determination,

within me. My halo, which had once been a dark red, now transformed into a brilliant blend of orange and yellow. It glowed l

st powerful. This new halo granted me the ability to test my immortality, which I already possessed through my vampire lineage, and expanded on the Crimson Halo's abilities.

quired the Phoenix Halo. Her eyes sparkled with excitement and gratitude.

l, but it was clear I had much more to achieve. The next halo, according to my newfound knowledge, would be the Ethereal Ha

was formidable, but that only fueled my determination. I knew I needed to grow stronger, to surpass her one day, and to confront

hatever challenges lay ahead. Our journey through the universe was just beginning, and I was mo

Halo. It wasn't just an incremental boost; I could now detect halo energy in massive quantities, far beyond anything I had encountered

th excitement and caution. "I can sense high energy

senses as well, she quickly understood what I was referring to. "Yeah, I can sense it too. It's coming from Proxima. T

e star itself, could be Lohto made a strange kind of sense. The

of urgency and curiosity, we zoomed through the voi

every passing second. The closer we got, the more certain I became that we were approaching something far beyond what we'd encountered so f

eemed almost alive. The realization hit me-this was Lohto, the planet Jinvolo had teleported to, hidden in plain sight as

ing. The star-like glow of Lohto pulsed rhythmically, as if it had a heartbeat, each wave of energy more intense than the las

nce, the unspoken question

teady despite the awe I felt. "Whatever this place

curiosity. "Do you think Jinvolo knew all along? Th

"But if he's here, then he must have a reason. Maybe Lohto isn'

chill down my spine. But we had come th

her hand lightly gripping mine. The contact was reassuring,

luminating the way. As we breached the outer atmosphere, the landscape below began to come into focus-if it could even

like a living creature's flesh. The air buzzed with energy, and the

I've ever seen," Flora whispere

thing entity, and we were standing on its surface. The energy here wasn't just ambient-

ally shift beneath us, causing us to stumble, but we pressed on. The deeper we ventured, the mo

n. "Look over there," she said, pointing toward a dist

ructure, ancient and grand, perched atop the peak. It rad

ding with anticipation. "Whatever secret

path ahead was uncertain, and the dangers were likely greater than anything we had faced before. But we were r

hatever lay at the top of that peak-be it answers, power, or more questions-we were

oddly organized and well-kept, as if someone-or something-had been maintaining it, even in its emptiness. The air was thick with a scent that was both spicy and bland, a str

ung neatly on the walls, beds were made up as if waiting for occupants, and shelves were stocked with random objects like rocks, balls, and eve

e oven-was handcrafted, each piece meticulously designed. Whoever lived here had taken great care

structure. The rooms we passed began to tell a sadder story-small beds, toys, and decorations that hinted at childre

tle to no hair on his arms, likely a boy judging by his size and the delicate build of his limbs. As I focused, a hint of black hair cau

ix Halo, gathering power in my hands. I

lowly to face me. It was Jinvolo, just as I had suspected. His fa

n his expression was palpable, and for a moment, I felt a pang of pity. He seeme

u didn't make it easy," I said, my voice steady despite the tension in t

volo's eyes darted between us, realizing that he was outnumbered and outpowered. There w

didn't exist. The realization that he was cornered seemed to sink in as his sh

muttered, his voice barely above a whispe

oenix Halo surge through my veins. "We're not leaving until we get answers, Jinvo

sensing his hesitation, stepped forward, her own Phoenix Halo glowing softly. "We didn't c

was little humor in it. "Help me? You don't

arsh. "We've seen more than you think, and we're

arby chair, his pale hands trembling slightly as he rubbed his temples. "Lohto... Proxima... they're not just a planet o

bing the weight of his words. "A prison?" Flora

e. But it was too powerful, too dangerous. So, the ancient ones-the ones who came before us-trapped it here, binding

my spine. "And you... what's y

it remained sealed. But I failed. The seal is weakening, and it's only a matter of time before it breaks. Whe

rance in the face of this revelation. "I

his voice suggesting his terror because of my s

shoulders. "Then it's up to us," I said quietly. "We'll do whatever it takes to keep

ption. Finally, he gave a slow, reluctant nod. "Alright," he said. "I'll

lora said, her voice steady with de

ignation in his expression. "Very well. Fol

idors and down ancient staircases. The deeper we went, the stronger the energ

hat seemed to pulse with their own light. Jinvolo placed his hand on

ight and darkness, shifting and coalescing into shapes that defied comprehension. The ene

nvolo said quietly. "And this...

ister's, but it was close. Flora, clearly frightened, gasped, "I can't breathe. I f

art of the structure to the opposite side, with Jinvolo right behi

right?" Jinvolo asked, hi

he's stronger than this,

ng room-at least in concept. I still had questions swirling in

id you become the guardian? Or rath

yes, just like you and me. As she grew up, she dreamed of exploring Lecewei's moon, a stunning blue-gray sphere. Her family couldn't afford it, so she dedicated herself to becoming what you would call an astronaut. After years of hard work, she finally became one and was launched into space. But midway through her journey from the planet to the moon, the rocket, powered by an Arcane Halo, was damaged. The halo tried to repair it, but

er helmet cracked, unsure how to survive without it. He saved her and brought her back to Lecewei, where he

pite society's scorn. They were banished, mocked, and ridiculed. The man and the woman fled to this star-the very one we're on now. The man, as it turned out, was an ancient being who had once stopped Lohto from wreaking havoc. They made their home here and lived happily, but one day the man had to leave on a mission. His wife was pregnant at the time. He promised he'd be back soon, but he never returned. The girl, who had grown st

lo, but I hit a wall after reaching the Arcane Halo. For the past two years, I haven't been ab

on't worry, we'll make sure Lohto doesn't escape." Jinvolo looked up, my words seemed

g about Jinvolo's story struck a chord deep within me. It reminded me o

ther questions?" he aske

ughts. There were so many questions swi

to hold off Lohto fo

to mastering the ancient black magic she'd introduced me to, and I pushed my Arcane Halo to its limits. But even with all that, it was more about strategy than raw power. Lohto is cunning, but he's also predictable if yo

face. "But I was never strong enough to

"So you've been holding him o

"But now, with you here, there's a chance we can do more t

felt a surge of resolve. "We will," I sa

irst genuine one I'd seen of him.

to. Her eyes fluttered open, and she looked up at

of hair from her face. "The energy from the he

I'm glad you're here," she said,

lied, squeezing

ts, I knew our journey was far from over. We had a powerful en

ing at Flora and then Jinvolo. "We'll need

utious calm, each of us lost in our thou

e I was young. The red room, their hair the same fiery red, eyes glowing with an eerie light, fangs protruding. I tried to

the couch-like structure nearby. I reached into my pocket dimension and quickly pulled out a

myself, staring at the heart. I took a deep breath and sighed, feeling a re

to reach the same level as my sister's halo. As I practiced with my halo, craf

eating spells," he o

n cast spells sometimes, but I usually rely on my physical abilities and

be as physically strong as you, but I have a

nuinely touched. "That'

of advanced magical capabilities. It allows me to weave complex spells and harness ar

and mystical forces?" I as

ly those who have reached a certain mastery can truly harness them. Think of them as the building blocks of all magical spells and enchantments. Mystical forces, on the other hand, are the

lways focused on physical prowess and direct application of power, not the delicate intricacies of magic. "I see.

different ways. With practice, you'll be able to use your halo not just for combat but for

g. "I want to learn. I want to protect the people

efficiently. The Phoenix Halo gives you the ability to control energy flow, so we'll start by refining that. Try to fe

bare hands, intangible and elusive. But as I concentrated, I began to feel it-a faint warmth in the air, a subtle vibratio

that energy, feel it flow through you. Don't

the reins, powerful and restless, but I was determined not to let it slip away. Sweat beaded on

want you to release that energy in a controlled burst. Don't just let

ng with power. Slowly, I began to mold it, compressing it tighter and tighter until it was a small, den

watched in awe as the blast shot forward, slamming into a distant rock and shattering

ctly what I was talking about. You have the raw power; now you just need to

e, I felt like I was beginning to understand the true potential of my h

soon enough, you'll be ready to face whatever comes our way.

hind me. I turned to see Flora stirring, her eyes fluttering open as she slowly regained consci

nd rubbing her eyes. Her voice was groggy, b

nnel my halo's energy more effectively. It's not ju

to us with a curious expression. "Can I learn too? I've always relied on my own instin

has its own unique properties that can be harnessed in many ways. Learning to u

ighting up her face. "I'm r

we did with Nova. Close your eyes and focus on the energy around you. Feel it in the air,

row furrowing slightly in concentration. I could see her aura begin to glow faintly, a soft, pulsin

barely above a whisper. "It's like

into a single point. Focus it, control it, and shape it with your mind. Don't r

of her, her aura intensifying as she concentrated. I could feel the air around her

palms, flickering and wavering like a candle flame in the wind. She fro

ftly. "Just take it slow. Fee

rew more stable, its glow becoming more consistent as she focused her mind. I

st, just as Jinvolo had instructed me. The ball of light shot forward, not as forcefully as

h surprise and excitement. "

start. With practice, you'll get even better at controlling and directing your energ

"This is amazing, Nova! We can both learn to use ma

We're in this together, Flora. The more we learn and gr

h dedication, you can achieve great things. But remember, learning magic isn't just about power-it's about u

ace it head-on. With Jinvolo's guidance and our newfound commitment to mastering our halos, we felt more p