The once oppressive darkness that had spread across one side of the sky receded slightly as if retreating.
And the air around them felt a bit lighter than before without the heavy miasma.
From the opposite horizon, a blinding light emerged, piercing through the shadows with the radiant glory of the sun.
"Ending this farce?"
"Ooo old thing, after throwing rocks into someone's house, you intend to leave just like that? How bold!" The words echoed across the sky, carrying with them a power that shook the heavens. The darkness churned and swirled in response as if it was fearing the incoming presence on the other side.
The air seemed to crackle with this new pressure, as the clouds were forcibly parted by the sheer might of the voice.
The city, which had been drowning in despair and darkness, was suddenly bathed in light.
The two forces clashed in the sky, darkness and light intertwining in a cosmic struggle, but the emergence of the light brought a glimmer of hope.
The people, who had been cowering in fear, began to look up, their faces filled with a mixture of awe and disbelief.
"Look!" a soldier cried out, pointing to the sky as the light spread across the city. "The light is fighting back!"
"It's not over yet! Someone has come to help!" another voice called.
Donber, who had been slumped against a pillar, panting heavily from the earlier battle, looked up at the sky with wide eyes.
"We might survive this," he muttered to himself, a weary but hopeful smile crossing his lips. "I thought we were done for..."
Baelor, who stood not far from the shattered remnants of the battlefield, gazed up at the sky in shock.
The sudden turn of events had caught him off guard, but as he watched the light push back against the darkness, a sense of hope was rekindled within this despair.
"Humans can also stand against the darkness," Baelor said quietly, a smile spreading across his rugged face. "When the sky falls, there will always be those to hold it for humanity" -
"Such power..." Sirius's eyes glinted with astonishment, his lips quivering as the shock and awe on his face melted into one of utter surprise and delight.
The transformation in his expression did not go unnoticed by those around him.
"There's no doubt about it..." he whispered, though his words were still loud enough to be caught by the ears of the princess and her entourage.
Illira and Saer exchanged a glance before both turned to him with urgency.
"What do you mean by that, Senior?" Saer asked, his voice edged with curiosity.
"Yes, Sirius. What did you discover?" Illira echoed, her curiosity bleeding through her words.
Sirius let out a laugh—not one of humor or mirth, but a deep, resonant laugh that carried the weight of years of suffering and despair, now tinged with an unexpected sliver of hope.
It was a laugh born from the deprivation of hope, suddenly rekindled.
"For so many years, our human race has been crushed under the heel of other races," he began, his voice heavy. "Do you know how much despair I have witnessed just to preserve our empire to this day?"
"This..." Saer faltered, the weight of Sirius's words sinking in.
His knowledge was largely confined to the human territories, and the horrors that lay beyond them were things he could only imagine.
But Illira, a member of the royal family, was more informed. She knew what lurked beyond the borders of humanity.
"We are nothing more than slaves," Illira murmured, her lips pursing into a tight line. "A lower race... If only all of humanity could unite..."
"But that won't suffice, child. Even if all empire united, we still lack the top powerhouse to compete against those damned beasts" Sirius interjected, his voice firm but not unkind.
His gaze returned to the gradually brightening sky, where the light was intensifying as if a sun was rising in the dead of night.
The brilliance of it eclipsed the twin moons that hung high above, casting their pale light over the world.
Tears welled in Sirius's eyes, tears of long-buried hope finally rising to the surface.
He spoke again, his voice thick with emotion. "For thousands of years, we have lacked the foundation to compete against the other races. We have lacked the one who transcends the realm of the Emperor. We have been slaughtered, bullied, and treated like cattle on a chopping block. Trillions have perished over the years..."
"The ancestor... He was close but it failed... " Sirius continued his voice barely a whisper now. "We hid the truth and pretended otherwise, but now even without his presence... Now, I can confirm it..."
"Could it be?" Illira's voice trembled as the realization dawned on her, her heart pounding in her chest.
The name she had longed to hear, the hope she had dared not to cling to, was on the tip of her tongue.
"Yes," Sirius confirmed, nodding solemnly. His aged body, slightly hunched from the years, bowed deeply toward the light, a gesture of reverence. "A venerable has appeared among our human race. We welcome the Honorable One."
The words hung in the air, echoing through the minds of those who heard them.
The gravity of what he had just said—of what it meant for humanity—was almost too much to comprehend.
!!!
Sirius's voice wasn't loud nor was it particularly soft, but through some inexplicable magic, his words resonated throughout every corner of the city.
From the darkest alleys to the grandest mansions, from the humble peasants to the affluent nobles, every single soul heard his proclamation clear as day.
Baelor, still catching his breath from the intense confrontation, felt a chill run down his spine as the remnants of the shadowy figure before him dissipated into nothingness.
His battle-worn eyes widened in disbelief, darting upwards toward the tumultuous sky that now played host to a of light against the darkness.
His mouth opened and closed repeatedly, words failing him as the weight of these sudden words declaration settled in his heart.
"A Venerable... Our human race has a Venerable?" he whispered, his voice trembling.
Almost instinctively, everyone within this city, whether there were fears or deaths around them, kneeled. To honor the presence of the venerable. The one that will hold the sky for the people...
Soldiers dropped their weapons, civilians paused in their tracks, and nobles and royals alike began to bend their knees, intending to kneel in homage to this newfound beacon of hope for humanity.
But before their knees could touch the cold, war-torn ground, a surge of warm, radiant light exploded across the sky, enveloping the entire city in its comforting embrace.
The light lifted everyone gently back to their feet, its touch tender and reassuring, dispelling the cold and fear that had gripped their hearts.
Amidst this cascade of luminescence, a serene and benevolent voice echoed through the air, resonating with the warmth and vitality of the sun itself.
"Pay no heed to formalities, my children," the voice intoned, soothing and melodic, wrapping around each listener like a comforting blanket. "But for now, I have something to deal with... Stay put."
As the words settled, the radiant light coalesced above the city, forming a vast, shimmering dome that descended gracefully like an inverted bowl, encapsulating the City within a protective barrier.
The translucent shield pulsed, its surface dancing with intricate patterns of light that warded off the lingering shadows and filled the hearts of the people below with an unshakable sense of safety.
"We are safe" "By the divine, we are safe" "Thank you! Thank you, Venerable!"
Gasps of wonder and relief rippled through the crowd as they watched this miraculous defense take form.
Mothers clutched their children close, tears of joy streaming down their faces, while hardened warriors found themselves humbled, their stoic facades breaking into tears.
Amidst the collective awe, high above the city, a palpable tension brewed as two colossal forces prepared to confront each other.
'It's time for the performance...' a thought echoed silently within the light and darkness, poised and resolute.
"Humanity..." a deep, ancient voice rumbled from within the depths of the remaining darkness.
The voice was cold and malevolent, each syllable dripping with contempt and ancient enmity.
In response, an even more intense and blinding light surged forth, piercing through the curtain of shadows like a spear of divine judgment.
*Boom!*
The darkness recoiled slightly, its edges fraying under the assault of such pure brilliance.
From within this ocean of light, a magnificent throne began to materialize, crafted entirely from swirling, golden energy.
The throne floated effortlessly amidst the sky, its elaborate designs and ornaments shimmering with an otherworldly glow.
Seated upon this throne was a figure of unparalleled beauty and grace, her presence exuding an aura of supreme authority and benevolence that washed over the land like a soothing tide. Like a sun that hovered the world, she observed the world below effortlessly.
Her hair cascaded down in luxurious waves, a mesmerizing blend of dotted white and radiant gold that seemed to capture and reflect the very essence of the sun itself.
Each strand glowed softly, creating a halo effect around her head that illuminated her flawless, porcelain skin. Her eyes were pools of molten gold, warm and inviting.
She possessed a proud and regal bearing, her posture straight and dignified as she surveyed the world below with a compassionate gaze.
Her features were delicate yet strong, with high cheekbones and soft, full lips that curved into a serene smile.
Draped over her slender form was an oversized robe, its fabric seemingly woven from threads of pure light and stardust.
The garment flowed around her gracefully, adorned with intricate patterns that shifted and danced like constellations across a night sky.
On her head rested a simple yet elegant crown, formed from intertwining rays of sunlight that sparkled and shimmered with each subtle movement.
The crown symbolizes her sovereignty and her path. The path of the sun divinity.
This was Venerable Elara Solstice, the unknown protector of the human race, making her first glorious appearance in the mortal realm.
"The name of this seat is Elera Solstice, mark it demon as it shall be the last for you to bear witness"
'A new pretense'
"O arrogant demon," her voice rang out, clear and melodious, carrying a subtle undertone of arrogance. "Let this Venerable draw the end to your life. Let the sun burn you to dust"