[Location: Maranagara City – Evening – 1 Days before Night of Sarjavah Festival - Year: 1092 Ad Felicitas]


    The night air hung heavy over Maranagara City''s Central District as Jaxon finally emerged from the Union Branch Order HQ, the address of Lance''s home—Orchard Residence—now secured in his possession. The streets were eerily quiet, devoid of pedestrians, though massive billboards continued their relentless dance of light, advertising the upcoming Sarjavah Festival with Images of women in swimsuits promoting various products. He walked alone, but the hum of alcheriders overhead filled the street, their presence adding a subtle liveliness to the otherwise calm atmosphere.


    As he made his way toward the nearby skyrail station, his Lumina core vibrated against his wrist with a familiar tone. Glancing down at the notification, his eyebrows furrowed. Unknown caller. Just great. The thought of Friedrich crossed his mind, making him pause. After a moment''s hesitation, he settled onto a nearby public bench, surrounded by the city''s ambient hum.


    The holographic screen flickered to life, revealing a face he knew all too well—Na''theva Irma, the Resistance leader. His eyes narrowed behind his aviator glasses. How had she gotten his contact information?


    "My apologies for the unexpected call... You''re Jaxon, correct?" Na''theva''s voice carried an unmistakable urgency beneath its composed exterior.


    "Yeah, that''s me. What''s up?" Jaxon kept his voice neutral, though his mind raced with possibilities.


    "I attempted to reach your Order commander, but it seems he''s unavailable. May I speak with him instead?"


    A red flag raised in Jaxon''s mind. She knew about the Order? His instincts screamed trap, but he maintained his casual demeanor. "Commander? Uh... he''s not back yet. Don''t know when he''ll be, honestly..." He paused before adding, "Anything you need? I can pass it along to him."


    "I see. There''s an urgent meeting in 20 minutes with the Union Military and the Resistance regarding the artifact that was stolen from your academy." Her words hit him like a physical blow. "It''s classified—no leaks, so..."


    The mention of the artifact sent Jaxon''s mind into overdrive, possibilities crystallizing rapidly. "Wait... if the commander isn''t there, can someone else attend?"


    "Of course, we''re waiting for you. Please, it''s urgent," Na''theva insisted, her tone brooking no argument.


    "Right... Okay, that''s a lot for me to handle alone. Can the others come too?" Concern tightened his voice.


    "It''s alright... if they''re individuals you trust."


    "Well... I''ll head there now. Thanks for the heads-up." Rising from the bench, he was already plotting his next move.


    "Thank you, Jaxon. I look forward to seeing you there."


    Meeting Lance would have to wait. This took precedence. Yet as he thought of the others—Drifter, Luna, Alma—their exhausted faces flashed through his mind, drawing a heavy sigh from his lips. After a moment''s consideration, he pulled out his device and composed a message to someone else.


    "Hey Hunter, you get the call for that meeting? Need a wingman. Commander''s MIA." He attached his location and sent the message, tension knotting in his chest. The response came almost instantly: "Got it. On my way."


    Relief flooded through him. Hunter had always been reliable. Still, Jaxon couldn''t shake his discomfort. Damn... I''m terrible at these... At least he looked the part, he thought wryly as he boarded the skyrail bound for the East District.


    The East District presented a stark contrast to the Central District''s sterility. Here, the buildings were shorter, creating a more relaxed atmosphere. Billboards proudly displayed Maranagara Beach, while the streets teemed with life. People in beach attire wandered past, music drifted through the air, and alcheriders hovered in traffic jams above. Automatons served drinks to patrons at outdoor bars, while dancers moved behind glass walls in nearby buildings.


    Well, lively night... Jaxon mused, wondering about the choice of location. Was it to avoid suspicion? Following his Lumina core''s map, he arrived at a square building near the beach—luxurious but understated. After a moment''s hesitation, he pressed the gate''s button. A Lupidae man—a humanoid wolf in dark sunglasses and a suit—appeared and wordlessly ushered him inside.


    The man led Jaxon through the building to a spacious room where Na''theva stood alongside an imposing Ursidae man—Agasthya, if Jaxon remembered correctly, his white fur gleaming in the room''s light. In the farthest seat sat a diminutive figure: a humanoid frog with green skin, wearing a green robe and clutching a dark wooden staff. Hunter occupied a back seat, arms crossed, silently observing.


    "Thank you for coming, Jaxon. This is General Itharus," Na''theva introduced the Amphiborian.


    "Pleasure to meet you, General," Jaxon offered with a polite smile, reminding himself not to judge by appearances.


    Na''theva turned to Itharus. "Shall we begin?"


    The General nodded once, his voice as calm as a still pond. "Please, Na''theva. Proceed."


    A holographic display materialized from Na''theva''s Lumina core, showing a sea route marked with various lines. Her voice took on a grave tone. "We''ve just received some unexpected intel from unknown. The route of the Yuvaka cruiser—this was highly classified. Do you know about this, General?"


    "No... They never share those kinds of things... Only the Grand Chancellor and the ones stationed there know," Itharus replied, tension evident in his voice.


    Na''theva''s piercing gaze turned to Jaxon. "The stolen artifact... could it be on that ship?"


    The weight of her stare pressed down on him as he wrestled with trust and truth. "Uh... yeah. Our intel says it''s there," he managed, fighting back his unease. Hunter remained silent beside him, offering only a subtle nod as his eyes continued their careful scan of the room.


    "I see. This could be our one shot. General, what do you think? Should we strike the cruiser?" Na''theva''s question hung in the air.


    Itharus''s response came measured and careful. "It''s true, attacking the ship could cripple the regime. But... this isn''t simple. Corruption doesn''t vanish overnight. Another Einar will rise to take their place."


    "So you''re saying we shouldn''t attack?" Na''theva''s voice carried a sharp edge.


    "I''m not saying we shouldn''t attack, but the mercenaries on that ship are well-prepared. It won''t be as easy as you think. And don''t forget—Union reinforcements are just minutes away. If we fail, the media will paint us as villains. The stakes are much higher than you realize."


    "Thank you, General. But we must act. You know this as well as I do." Na''theva''s resolve was unwavering. She turned to Jaxon and Hunter, her tone softening slightly. "Do either of you have an opinion on this?"


    "Uh... not much from me, ma''am. Thanks for the info, though," Jaxon managed, his thoughts still clouded.


    "Nothing from me," Hunter added flatly.


    Na''theva pressed further. "Jaxon… could you tell us what the artifact is?"


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    "Well... that''s..." Jaxon stammered.


    Na''theva looked at Jaxon again, her gaze sharp. “Is the artifact dangerous?”


    “Yes...” Jaxon replied, hesitant.


    Na''theva turned back to Itharus. "General, I''m sure you understand the stakes?"


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    "Yeah... they''ll use that artifact to start another war with the Kingdom. It''s inevitable. But the other option... you know it, Na''theva—if I lead a rebellion, it''ll spark a civil war. Millions will die. The Separatists—or worse, the Kingdom—will invade. The cost is too high," Itharus said.


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    "That''s true... but have you considered another possibility? What if something goes wrong and the artifact causes a catastrophe? Or what if it lets Einar stay in power forever? If the Union gets their hands on it, it''ll be too late. I''ll go after the Yuvaka cruiser myself. I''ll ambush it when it''s most vulnerable. I''ll do what needs to be done—even without your support," Na''theva said, calm but resolute.


    Itharus''s mouth moved silently, words failing him.


    Na''theva''s gaze found Jaxon again. "And Jaxon, if the Order is planning to join us, we would deeply appreciate it."


    "Sure, ma''am... Thank you," he replied, unable to completely mask his hesitation.


    The meeting concluded with Itharus rising first, followed by the Lupidae man. Na''theva stood next, offering a polite gesture to Jaxon and Hunter as Agasthya nodded courteously before following her out.


    If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    Outside, with the others already gone, Jaxon turned to Hunter. "Well... that went about as well as expected. Thanks for sticking around, Hunter."


    "Sorry I couldn''t offer more. This is beyond me," Hunter admitted, his mechanical voice unchanged.


    "No problem. You''ve been more help than you think," Jaxon replied with a small shrug.


    "Well, call me if you need anything... and stay safe." Hunter added.


    Jaxon managed a faint smile, lifting his hand in a casual wave. "Thanks again, man." With that, he headed toward the nearby skyrail station, his mind already turning to his next destination—Lance''s home in the central district.


    [Location: Vanderlane Grand Hotel – Maranagara – Evening – Year: 1092 Ad Felicitas]


    In Friedrich''s suite, a peaceful quiet had settled over the room, broken only by Drifter''s soft snores as he sat motionless at the table, arms crossed. Out on the balcony, Alma and Dheandita stood side by side, their gazes fixed on the glittering city lights below, each lost in their own thoughts.


    Luna remained focused on the sofa, her attention completely absorbed by the holographic display of the Lumina Core before her. Lines of text and shifting images flickered past her eyes, the steady rhythm of Drifter''s snoring barely registering in her consciousness. Suddenly, a new notification flashed across the screen—a message from Devita.


    The creaking of the door drew everyone''s attention. Alma and Dheandita immediately approached Luna, their expressions grave.


    "Did you read Devita''s message?" Alma asked, drawing closer.


    "Yes," Luna replied, rising to her feet and reaching for her black jacket. "We leave now... There''s no more time."


    Alma nodded, understanding the weight of the situation. Whether they liked it or not, they all had to go. Still, a question nagged at her mind: who would be waiting for their father to return?


    A strained whisper emerged from behind them, barely audible. "I''ll come too..."


    Luna glanced back, her expression softening as she looked at Dheandita. "You sure? You''re in no condition—"


    Dheandita shook her head, the movement resolute despite her hoarse voice. "I''m coming."


    After a moment''s consideration, Luna gave a tight nod. "Alright. Let''s go, but first... we need to look more convincing."


    Alma looked over at Drifter. “Is he not coming?”


    "Let him rest," Luna replied with a dismissive wave. "He''s waiting for the professor to return. Besides, it''s strange... he''s on his own."


    Turning to Dheandita, Luna added, "Then change your clothes, Dheandita. That looks suspicious. Alma, can she borrow something of yours?"


    "Okay... let''s go, Dhea," Alma nodded, leading the way.


    The three women separated to prepare. Luna headed to her room while Alma helped Dheandita change in her own quarters. Luna carefully assembled her outfit: a black jacket over matching shirt and shorts, complemented by long stockings. She tucked a black rose into her dark hair—her signature touch—and applied dark eyeliner and smokey eyeshadow to sharpen her gaze, finishing with muted red lips.


    When she emerged, she found Alma dressed in a white blouse and high-waisted pastel pink skirt. Beside her stood Dheandita, wearing a white blouse and long blue skirt, white gloves carefully concealing the icy veins beneath her skin.


    Their journey took them aboard the skyrail toward the Rafflesia Estates in the West District. Unlike the bustling city center, this area exuded a different energy—quieter, more peaceful. Here, the buildings were shorter, favoring artistic designs over imposing height. Billboards were sparse, suspended occasionally above the roads, and alcheriders were a rare sight. Instead, elderly couples strolled leisurely, some accompanied by their Vellcats and Skylins, creating an atmosphere that felt worlds away from the city''s chaos.


    They soon found themselves surrounded by grand estates, each one a silent testament to wealth and privilege. Luna consulted her Lumina Core, confirming they had reached their destination—an opulent house with proud emerald gates. As they approached, a man in an impeccably tailored suit emerged, walking toward them with purpose.


    "The young mistress is expecting you," he announced with practiced formality.


    "This... this is her home? Unbelievable," Alma breathed, her eyes wide with wonder.


    "This way, please," the man gestured, leading them forward.


    He guided them to a nearby luxury Solaris Alcherider, its long black-tinted windows gleaming in the soft light. Luna hesitated, shaking her head. "I''m sorry, but we can walk."


    "The house is still a long way from here... this is just the guard house," the man explained patiently.


    The three women exchanged glances, their surprise evident.


    "Really?" Alma asked, incredulous.


    With a collective sigh, they followed the man to the Alcherider. He took his place at the front, taking the reins as they began their journey through the estate. They passed beautiful gardens and sparkling fountains, each feature adding to the overwhelming grandeur of the property.


    Their final destination revealed itself as a majestic palace, leaving Dheandita and Alma staring in awe at its opulence. The man led them inside, where they were greeted by Devita, dressed in an elegant black gown, her casual posture at odds with the formal setting as she waved at them.


    "Hey... Took you all long enough," she said playfully.


    While Luna maintained her composure, Alma and Dheandita couldn''t help but marvel at their surroundings, their eyes drinking in every luxurious detail. Devita gestured for them to follow, leading them into a grand room dominated by an impressive chandelier. On a black sofa sat a chubby humanoid cat in a sharp suit, his light gray fur catching the soft light as he sipped from his cup.


    "Dad," Devita said, her smile widening. "These are my friends I''ve been talking about."


    Her father raised an eyebrow, amusement coloring his warm voice. "Well, Devita... it''s rare to see you bring friends here."


    Luna bowed slightly, her tone respectful. "Good evening, sir. It''s an honor to meet you."


    "Evening, sir!" Alma offered with a casual wave.


    Dheandita''s eyes narrowed as she studied the man, her gaze intense and almost predatory. After a gentle nudge from Alma, she took a deep breath before speaking in a strained voice. "Good evening, sir."


    Devita''s father nodded, his smile widening as he stood, regarding Dheandita with curious interest. "Good evening, and welcome."


    Devita rolled her eyes at her father''s formality. "Yeah, yeah, Dad. By the way, we were planning to celebrate the Sarjavah Festival this year."


    Her father chuckled, settling back in his chair. "That''s great... Last time, you practically locked yourself in your room for it."


    After a moment''s hesitation, Devita continued, hands on her hips. "Uh... actually, we''re planning something a little special this year. Could you make it possible for us to go to Yuvaka this time?" Her voice carried a subtle plea.


    Her father''s eyebrow rose again, his lips curling into a knowing smile. "What''s gotten into you? Last time, you turned down our invitation, and now you want one?" He laughed, shaking his head at the irony. "Of course, it''s easy. You can invite whoever you like. It''s no trouble."


    Devita beamed with excitement. "Thanks, Dad! You''re the best."


    Rising from his seat, her father gave her a brief pat on the shoulder before heading toward his private chambers. "Enjoy yourselves."


    After exchanging polite nods, Luna, Alma, and Dheandita made their way out of the room. As they walked through the hallways, Alma could barely contain her excitement.


    "Yay, we did it, Luna... we really did it!" she exclaimed, her face glowing.


    Luna responded with a faint smile, her eyes meeting Alma''s in quiet acknowledgment.


    "Alright, let''s head to my room," Devita said, her demeanor softening as she gestured for them to follow.


    "Lead the way, princess," Alma teased, nudging Devita playfully.


    They ascended the grand staircase, passing countless portraits and sculptures that spoke of her family''s legacy. The estate''s lavishness was impossible to ignore. Finally, they stopped before a large, elegant brown door.


    Devita pushed it open with a casual flick of her wrist. "Welcome. Make yourselves at home."


    Luna stepped inside, taking in the enormous room. One section featured towering bookshelves, while another contained even more books stacked to the ceiling. A magisterial console gleamed in one corner—sleek and advanced—while an elegant golden bed stood beneath a canopy in the far corner.


    "Wait... do you collect books, or do you actually read them? There''s way too many," Alma asked, blinking in amazement.


    Devita smirked. "Yeah... surprised?"


    Alma''s eyes scanned the shelves. "How about Stars Beneath the Moon? It''s a classic."


    "Huh? What''s that?" Devita frowned.


    Alma gasped in mock horror. "Seriously? You say you like reading, but you don''t know this one?"


    Using her telekinesis, Devita pulled a book from one of the towering shelves. It landed smoothly in her hands—a brown hardcover featuring a white-haired man holding a sword.


    Alma''s eyes widened in surprise. "No way… don''t tell me… you''re into books like this?"


    She hadn''t expected Devita to read such heavy material. These were the kind of books her father read—serious, scholarly works that seemed more suited to old men reminiscing about the past.


    "Yeah, so what? People have their own tastes," Devita defended, crossing her arms.


    Luna moved closer, reading the title: "Life of the Second Celestial Sentinel." A small smile tugged at her lips. "You like this book?"


    Devita exhaled, flipping through the pages. "Yeah… this book… I feel like this country''s situation is just like back then." She paused, staring at the open pages, her voice growing quieter. "Mortals never learn from history. They memorize years and events, but they don''t actually understand them."


    Her fingers traced the worn edges of the pages as she continued. "History repeats itself. Empires rise, empires fall… an endless cycle."


    Her expression darkened as she seemed to look beyond the room, lost in thought. While Dheandita shifted uncomfortably and Alma appeared confused by Devita''s words, Luna simply smiled in understanding.


    Blinking back to the present, Devita shook her head. "Sorry, I didn''t mean to get all serious. Let''s talk about something else."


    "It''s fine," Luna assured her simply.


    Dheandita nodded, quietly observing the impressive collection of books.


    Still curious, Alma reached for the book in Devita''s hands. She skimmed through pages filled with old war illustrations, depicting an era when only the Second Celestial Sentinel—the sole wielder of magic—could stand against the tyrannical elves who ruled through it. Everyone else, unable to control Evocyte, remained powerless.


    Everything changed with Professor Elion''s research, which led to the creation of Lumina Cores, making magic accessible to non-primordials. This breakthrough allowed many to side with the Second Celestial Sentinel, forming armies capable of waging true war against the empire. The book detailed their eventual capture of the empire''s capital, Celestria City, which they transformed into Paxluma.


    "Well… the artwork''s pretty amazing. Must''ve been tough to put this together," Alma commented, noticing the author''s name: Caleena Elion. She wondered if this was a descendant of Professor Elion, tapping the name thoughtfully.


    Luna''s voice suddenly cut through the quiet. "It''s late already… thanks for having us."


    Alma checked the glowing interface on her Lumina Core: 22:07.


    With a sigh, she returned the book to Devita. "Well then, Professor Devita… here''s your book. Thanks for having us," she said with an exaggerated formal tone and playful grin.


    "Well said, my pupil," Devita smirked, letting out a small laugh.


    Dheandita offered a polite nod in farewell, carefully avoiding Devita''s gaze as she followed Alma toward the exit.


    Luna, the last to leave, paused at the doorway. Her eyes met Devita''s, her voice soft but firm. "Good luck with it… stay true to your path. Never forget."


    Devita''s eyes widened briefly before turning serious. She held Luna''s gaze for a moment before giving a small nod. "…Thanks, Luna."


    Luna''s words echoed in Devita''s mind, pulling her back to her childhood—endless hours spent wandering her father''s library, where history books had been her only companions. She had read of the First Celestial Sentinel, a saint who endured countless struggles to save the enslaved, allowing them to escape the empire and live in peace. She embodied true patience, kindness, and mercy.


    Devita had read about others too: Mirs Vaenia, who transformed Arcadia''s slums into a technological marvel, and Shining Virtue, whose real name was lost to history but who united the three greatest Elysium organizations to found the Evocaier Order. They were all leaders who reshaped the world.


    Now, sitting in a luxury Alcherider, she watched Maranagara slip past her window. Beyond the capital''s glittering facade lay a different reality: laborers working themselves to exhaustion, beggars lingering on streets, schools falling into disrepair.


    This was the city the Union flaunted as a symbol of prosperity—grand festivals for foreign eyes, a dazzling facade hiding the struggles beneath.


    She thought often of her university days, surrounded by privileged students—descendants of heroes who had once fought to defend the world from the Cataclysmaris invasion. Now they cared only for expensive brands, luxurious vacations, and the latest diversions.


    What troubled her most were the ones she had seen—those forced into labor, those who tried to escape only to be hunted down like criminals.


    Their ancestors had fought and died to build a nation founded on empathy, tolerance, and harmony. And now?


    Her fingers clenched into a fist.


    Someday... I will.