The 9th Star Realm of Star Ascella stood as one of the most dazzling and complex realms within the Zodiac Universe. Its sky shimmered with the glow of constellations and its sun Solara, casting an ethereal light on its five major cities, each with its own distinct identity and role. At the heart of this realm was Lumis, the capital and seat of noble power. But beyond its shining streets were other cities, each contributing to the balance of the realm in its own way.
Lumis: The City of Light
Lumis, the capital, was a city of splendor, where nobles and dignitaries ruled with an iron fist wrapped in celestial beauty. Its towers pierced the heavens, their spires glowing faintly with the radiance of star energy, giving the city its nickname—the City of Light. Every building seemed alive, constructed from luminous stone that pulsed with the energy of the cosmos, radiating an otherworldly glow that never faded.
As the seat of power, Lumis was a place of wealth and prestige. The marble streets were pristine, lined with statues of warriors from ages past. The air was thick with the scent of incense, and the hum of Zodiac energy vibrated through the walls. But behind the beauty, there was cold ambition. The nobles of Lumis thrived on political maneuvering, always seeking an advantage, always watching. It was a city that expected greatness—and punished failure harshly.
Astravalon: The City of Starforging
Beyond the polished grandeur of Lumis lay Astravalon, a city built on the fires of creation. Astravalon was a place of industry and innovation, home to the finest starforges in the realm. It was here that weapons and technology powered by the Zodiac energies were created, and the air buzzed with the constant clang of metal against metal, and the hiss of molten star gems being shaped into powerful tools of war and defense.
The artisans of Astravalon were unlike any others in the realm, channeling their Zodiac powers directly into their work. Massive forges lined the streets, their fiery hearts visible through crystal walls that sparkled like stars. Buildings were sharp and metallic, reflecting the fiery glow of the forges in all directions, casting the entire city in a perpetual dance of light. It was a place where creation met destruction, where every weapon forged was a reminder of the battles yet to come.
Stellaris: The City of Scholars
If Astravalon was the heart of industry, then Stellaris was the mind of the 9th Star Realm. This city of scholars and strategists was dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge, both celestial and arcane. Observatories as tall as the sky itself pierced the heavens, their lenses turned toward the stars, where scholars meticulously charted the constellations and sought to unlock the mysteries of the universe.
In the sprawling libraries, vast collections of ancient tomes chronicled the history of the Zodiac Universe. Scholars debated theories, strategists studied ancient battles, and students of the academy often made pilgrimages here to gain insight into their future roles. Stellaris was a place where knowledge reigned supreme, and its influence could be felt throughout the realm. The very air was thick with intellect and energy, a hum of thought and power as scholars unlocked the secrets of the stars.
Noctisport: The Gateway to the Abyss
While Stellaris looked to the heavens, Noctisport gazed out into the unknown. Perched on the very edge of the realm, it served as the main port for travelers and merchants passing through the 9th Star Realm. Here, starships arrived from distant worlds, bringing goods, travelers, and stories of distant lands. But beyond its bustling markets and crowded docks, Noctisport had a darker side—it was a city living in the shadow of the Abyss.
The city existed in a state of perpetual twilight, the horizon always tinged with the creeping presence of the Abyss. The winds carried a chill, and even the most seasoned merchants cast wary eyes toward the edge of the realm, where the stars dimmed, and the Abyssal threat loomed. Despite its vibrant trade, there was an underlying tension, a constant reminder that the Abyss could spill into the realm at any moment. The people here were tough, hardened by the proximity to chaos, and they lived their lives with one eye on their goods and the other on the horizon.
Nebryos: The Last Bastion
At the farthest edge of the 9th Star Realm stood Nebryos, a fortress city carved into the cliffs that bordered the Abyss. Unlike the other cities, which thrived on knowledge, trade, and creation, Nebryos existed solely for defense. It was the shield of the realm, the first and last line of defense against the horrors that occasionally spilled from the Abyss.
The city's walls were thick, reinforced with star-powered barriers and Zodiac energy, constantly humming with defensive power. Every inch of Nebryos was built with survival in mind—there was no room for luxury here. The people were soldiers, battle-hardened warriors from the Constellation Army Forces (CAF) who lived their lives in readiness for the next invasion. The Abyss was a constant threat, and the tension was palpable. The wind here howled with an otherworldly chill, and even the stars seemed to dim over Nebryos, as if wary of what lay beyond.
The very atmosphere of Nebryos was charged with anticipation. Every warrior knew their place, every weapon was at the ready, and the city itself seemed to be alive, waiting for the next strike from the Abyss. It was a place of stark contrast, where the beauty of the stars clashed with the darkness of the unknown.