The wind howled across the scorched earth, kicking up ash and broken stone as Sarive stood in the aftermath of battle. The ruins of the old Dominion fortress still smoldered behind him, its blackened frame crackling in the distance. He looked over his shoulder at Mia, who stood protectively beside Hope, the child clutching her leg.
Hope's eyes shimmered faintly—no longer just glowing blue, but alive with patterns of shifting starlight. Her breathing was calm now, but moments ago, she'd sent a pulse of divine energy that split the skies open. Whatever her power was becoming, it was evolving faster than anyone had anticipated.
"I've seen gods tremble," Mia whispered, staring down at Hope. "But this… this is something else."
"She's changing," Sarive said, brushing the dust off his shoulder armor. "And I think the Council knows."
Just beyond the ridge, Diana emerged from the forest path, the rest of Sarive's team trailing behind her. The look on her face was grim, but her posture remained regal and unwavering. "The scouts reported movement," she said. "Three Dominion ships heading west. Fast. Too fast."
"They're regrouping," Mia murmured. "We wounded their elite, but they'll come back with more."
Sarive walked toward Hope and knelt. "Can you feel them again?" he asked gently.
Hope hesitated, her small brows furrowing. "They're loud… even when far away. I can hear their fear. But also… anger. So much anger."
He touched her shoulder. "Then we move quickly. Get her out of here. I'll handle the rear with my team."
Mia stepped forward, her eyes narrowing. "No. We stay together. That's what Valen wanted."
At the mention of the name, a silence settled. Sarive rose slowly.
"Valen," Diana said carefully, "Is he truly still alive?"
Sarive met her gaze. "Yes. And Mia knew the whole time."
There was tension in the air—unsaid grief, questions left unanswered.
"Then let's hope he's still fighting for us," Diana replied after a pause. "Because from the way the sky looked when Hope released her power… we're going to need more than old legends."
Far across the skies, in the Realm of the Ascendants, a figure sat in silence.
Valen.
His body bore deep scars from the battle to protect Hope, and celestial chains shimmered around his right arm—faint reminders of the price he had paid to reach her. He was healing, but time was running short.
Chris entered the room, his cloak trailing ash behind him.
"She did it," Chris said. "The child awakened again. The Council will double their numbers."
Valen nodded. "Then I have to get to her. But first… we need Aurelia."
Chris crossed his arms. "You think we can sneak into the heart of the Celestial Citadel, with her brother guarding her cell? You think he'll just let her go?"
"No," Valen said. "But I think I can convince him to help us."
Chris grunted. "I'll believe it when I see it."
Back with Sarive, the group was moving through a collapsed ravine—a shortcut through forgotten lands, once used by the Ascendants during ancient missions. Here, the air was heavy with the memories of battles past.
"Tell me more about her," Diana asked Mia quietly, walking just behind her.
"Hope?"
"No. Aurelia. Her mother. The goddess who gave up her throne for a mortal."
Mia smiled faintly. "She was fierce. Not cruel, not cold like some of the others. Just… tired of being told what her destiny was supposed to be."
"And she chose Valen."
"She did. And for that, she was caged."
Sarive, overhearing the conversation, turned his head slightly. "And for that, we fight. We don't run anymore."
The sky overhead shimmered as a rift cracked open—and from its heart descended a blinding spear of energy. The air screamed with heat. A Dominion war priest landed in front of them, cloaked in flame.
"Run!" Mia shouted.
But Sarive stepped forward, his hands glowing with power.
"No," he growled. "This time, we make them run."
And then he charged.