As Lith stood amidst the boundless expanse of the void that surrounded him, a subtle yet powerful connection stirred within his soul. It was as though something vast and incomprehensible was calling to him.
Before he could fully grasp what was happening, Celestara's voice, as soothing as a flowing stream yet brimming with excitement, interrupted his thoughts. "Master, you've opened your domain."
Lith blinked, his mind racing. My domain? He didn't need to be told twice. Instinctively, he extended his hand, summoning a portal that shimmered like fractured starlight. Its swirling depths invited him to step through.
With Celestara floating beside him, Lith stepped into the unknown. As he crossed the threshold, he expected to be greeted by something extraordinary—a grand, cosmic manifestation of his power, perhaps a world teeming with chaotic energy and endless stars. Instead, what he saw made his expression darken instantly.
Before him stretched an endless void. Empty. Silent.
His hopeful anticipation crumbled as his face twisted into a scowl. "This… this is my domain?" His voice was low, heavy with disappointment. It was as if the universe itself had mocked him, gifting him nothing but a barren emptiness. His mood soured so thoroughly that his face turned as dark as the void around him.
Celestara, sensing his frustration, quickly stepped in, her tone laced with gentle reassurance. "Master, please don't be disheartened. You're not like others. As a Taboo Being, your domain wouldn't follow conventional rules. What kind of domain one awakens is entirely dependent on luck, and no one can control it. However, your void isn't a weakness—it's an unmatched opportunity."
Her words did little to soothe him. Lith's fists clenched as he muttered, "An empty void… What kind of luck is this?"
But then, Celestara's next words struck him like lightning. "Master, think carefully. Your domain may be a void, but with the power of the Fantasy King, you can create anything you desire."
Lith's head snapped toward her, his frustration momentarily replaced by shock. "Fantasy King? What do you mean by that?"
Celestara hesitated, realizing her slip. A fleeting look of regret crossed her ethereal features, but it was too late to backtrack. With a sigh, she began to explain. "The power of the Fantasy King is… one of the most profound abilities in existence. It grants you the authority to bring anything you imagine into reality. Anything.
"It's a power that defies all logic and constraints. However, it comes at a tremendous cost—it consumes an unimaginable amount of energy, so no one in history has been able to wield its full potential. But you, Master…" Her voice softened, brimming with pride. "You are different. With the infinite energy provided by the Chaosbound Eternum citadel, you're the only being capable of unleashing this power to its fullest extent."
Her explanation left Lith speechless. His disappointment began to ebb, replaced by a cautious optimism. He looked out at the void around him and clenched his fists. So, this isn't just an empty domain—it's a blank canvas.
Still, he wasn't ready to test the limits of this newfound power. The exhaustion of his evolution and the weight of recent events lingered in his mind. "I'll deal with this later," Lith muttered. "I don't have the mood to start creating worlds right now."
Celestara, sensing his reluctance, nodded in understanding. "As you wish, Master. The void will wait until you're ready."
---
Upon returning to the citadel, Lith stepped into the familiar halls, his mind still replaying Celestara's revelation. But before he could retreat further into his thoughts, something unexpected caught his attention.
A soft glow filled the air, and when Lith turned to look, he froze.
Standing before him wasn't the ethereal, cosmic form of Celestara he had grown accustomed to but a breathtaking human manifestation. Her golden hair cascaded down her back like molten sunlight, her eyes gleaming with intelligence behind a pair of elegant glasses. She wore a French maid's dress, the fabric hugging her mature figure in all the right places. The sight was mesmerizing, a mixture of charm and elegance that left Lith momentarily speechless.
"Celestara?" Lith's voice was thick with surprise.
She smiled warmly, her demeanor graceful yet subtly teasing. "Master, I thought it would please you to see me like this. After all, I am your most loyal servant."
Lith didn't waste a moment pondering her transformation. With a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips, he closed the distance between them. Without hesitation, he swept her off her feet, lifting her effortlessly into his arms.
Celestara let out a small gasp, her cheeks flushing ever so slightly, but she didn't resist. Instead, her arms wrapped around his neck as she gazed at him with a mixture of affection and amusement.
Lith's grin widened. "You've been full of surprises lately, haven't you?"
Without waiting for her reply, he carried her through the expansive halls of the Chaosbound Eternum, heading straight for the grand bedroom. The air was charged with an unspoken tension, a blend of humor, affection, and something far deeper.
When they reached the room, the massive, ornately carved doors swung open, revealing a luxurious chamber adorned with treasures from countless realms. The bed at its center was grand enough to accommodate gods, its canopy shimmering with starlight.
As the doors closed behind them, the citadel itself seemed to fall silent, and soon, only the sound of cracking wood echoed through the room, marking the intensity of the night that followed.
---
In the quiet aftermath, Lith lay back on the bed, his mind and body finally at ease. Celestara rested beside him, her expression soft and content. For the first time in what felt like an eternity, Lith allowed himself a moment of peace.
There's so much to do, so much to learn, he thought, staring up at the shimmering canopy above. But for now, he would savor this rare moment of quiet triumph, knowing that the vast, chaotic future awaited him.