Chapter 346: Echoes of the Past

The Lunaris Galaxy, Western Universe.

A galaxy of endless silver mist and bioluminescent forests, the Lunaris Galaxy bordered the Odessey Galaxy—the domain of the Vorns. Nestled in the heart of this territory was the Moonveil Clan’s estate, a sprawling sanctuary of ancient, towering trees and glowing flora.

In a serene garden bathed in the soft light of twin moons, Rue sat on a cushion of moss. Her complexion was still pale, her breathing slightly labored, but the raw, gaping wound in her spiritual foundation had finally begun to scar over. Beside her, Sage sat cross-legged, her nine tails swishing lazily behind her as she held her sister’s hand.

Rustle. A gentle wind blew through the silver leaves above them.

" Sister," Rue’s voice was soft, almost a whisper, "what’re you thinking about?"

Rue turned her sharp, golden eyes toward her elder sister. She says with a gentle smile, squeezing Sage’s hand. "Do you think Kael is okay?"

A heavy sigh escaped Sage’s lips. She looked up at the twin moons, her expression a mixture of frustration and unyielding faith. "I sent an informant to the Vorn Clan the moment we returned. If he shows up, we will know." She paused, her voice dropping to a low, dangerous purr. "With how resilient that bastard is, he was definitely going to survive. He has to."

Rue’s lips curled into a small, relieved smile. She leaned her head against Sage’s shoulder, her fox ears twitching slightly. "Alright. What about the deal with the Duskfang Clan?"

Sage’s smirk widened, revealing a hint of fang. "They finally decided to show their true colors. They’ve declared war, just as Father predicted. The Duskfang Clan thinks they can usurp our status as the premier royal fox clan. They’re about to learn a very painful lesson."

Sage then added, her tone softening, "With a few more weeks of rest, you should recover completely. Don’t worry about the war. Let your big sister handle the trash."

Suddenly, a sharp Ping! broke the tranquil silence of the garden. Sage’s hand moved to her waist, retrieving a small, crystalline communication device. She glanced at the glowing runes, and instantly, a brilliant, radiant smile spread across her face.

Rue looked up, her eyes widening with anticipation. "What is it? What happened?"

Sage’s tails wagged enthusiastically, a rare display of genuine, unfiltered joy. "Kael is back. He was in a medical pod, but my informant says he’s awake and completely fine." She looked at Rue, her eyes sparkling. "He’s back, little sister."

Thud. Rue’s heart hammered against her ribs. A wave of immense relief washed over her, so potent it made her dizzy. Tears welled in her eyes, but she quickly wiped them away, a determined fire igniting in her gaze. "I knew it. I knew he wouldn’t die. I need to get stronger. I won’t be a burden next time."

Sage pulled Rue into a tight embrace. "And you will. We both will. But first, let’s make sure the Duskfang Clan understands exactly who they’re messing with."

The Odessey Galaxy, Vorn Estate.

Back in the oppressive, gravity-dense atmosphere of the Vorn Estate, Kael Cassian Vorn walked through the vast hallways of his father’s compound. The air here was heavy, thick with the unyielding gravity of the Family Head’s aura.

Kael approached a young maid who stood trembling near the grand doors of the inner sanctum. Her hands were clasped tightly in front of her, her eyes cast downward.

Clack. Kael stopped a few feet away. "I need to know when my father has a free moment. I need to speak with him."

The maid flinched, her voice shaking. "Y-Young Master Kael. The Family Head is currently in seclusion. He has instructed that he will see you tomorrow morning."

Kael let out a low sigh, running a hand through his dark hair. "Tomorrow morning. Understood."

He turned on his heel and walked away. As he moved through the shadows of the corridor, a wry, almost regretful thought crossed his mind. Should have spent more time with Sophie. He had left her bed far too early, his mind already racing with the political machinations of the estate.

There was too much to do. Isabella’s soul was missing, Sebastian was a dead man walking, and the Shadow Vatican had dared to touch what belonged to him.

Without a clear destination in mind, Kael’s feet carried him out of the estate and toward the darker, less reputable districts of the Vorn capital. He arrived at a nondescript, building. The Shadow Guild headquarters.

Whoosh. Kael pushed open the heavy, rune-inscribed doors.

The interior was dimly lit. Assassins and informants moved through the shadows, but upon seeing Kael, they parted like water. His presence alone demanded respect. He was a Vorn, and more importantly, he was even from the main family and also a Shadow among the family’s ranks.

An elder of the Shadow Guild, a hunched man with sharp, calculating eyes and a missing arm, approached him. The elder bowed deeply, his voice raspy. "Lord Kael. It is an honor. How may the Shadow Guild serve the Vorn family today?"

Kael wasted no time on pleasantries. "Aria Nightshade. Is she here?"

The elder’s expression remained impassive, but there was a flicker of hesitation in his eyes. "The Guild Master left a message for you regarding the girl, Lord Kael. She is currently in the Northern Universe, undergoing specialized training in the Shadow Citadel. She has not yet returned."

Kael’s jaw tightened. He let out another sigh, this one heavier and laced with frustration. It’s been a while since he saw Aria. He really wanted to talk to her. In fact, he needed to.

Aria was an important piece of his past, present, and future. She was one of the people that had been with him even in his past life. The memories he had unlocked from Damian Astraeon’s bloodline were fragmented, but they were there. He remembered a little girl with violet eyes. She had been his maid, a loyal soul who had been killed alongside her mother by Malachar’s men. His granduncle. That bastard had torn his family apart, and Aria had been a casualty of that ancient war.

Now, she had been reborn as Aria Nightshade, the Shadow Guild assassin who had become his lover and his most trusted shadow. The irony was not lost on him. Malachar had tried to wipe them out, but their souls had drifted through reincarnation and found each other again.

Thud. Kael’s fist clenched at his side. When I have the strength, I will come your head, grand-uncle.

"Send a message to the Shadow Citadel," Kael ordered, his voice cold and commanding. "Tell Aria that her Lord is back. And tell her... I have a lot to tell her when she returns."

The elder bowed again. "It shall be done immediately, Lord Kael."

Kael turned and walked out of the guild, the heavy doors closing behind him with a resonant Thud. He looked up at the dark, mana-dense sky of the Vorn capital.

Tomorrow, he would face the Family Head.