Barren planet.

Nova declined Maximilian's offer to ride together and explained the need of taking care of personal errand.

As Nova made his intentions clear to attend to personal matters before joining the wedding celebrations, Maximilian promptly decided to proceed with wedding preparations.

Nova, in turn, requested Ignis and Freya to accompany him. The siblings, ever loyal, stood ready for the next destination.

Freya inquired, "Father, where are we heading first?"

Nova revealed, "We'll make a stop at our starfield, a place I consider our home. Prepare the space hare for our journey."

With that, the trio embarked on their journey, leaving the COC behind temporarily. The anticipation of what awaited them at their starfield?

-In the Carriage-

Nova's voice cut through the quiet atmosphere of the carriage, gathering the attention of Ignis and Freya.

Nova ordered Ignis to gather the mage squad and Ray and May, bring them here. Freya and I will go to the starfield and inspect the condition of the barren planet.

Ignis, with a nod, left the carriage, transforming into his formidable dragon form before taking flight.

-En Route to the Barren Planet-

The barren planet stretched its desolation beneath the vast cosmic canvas. Nova, with Freya by his side, embarked on a quest to claim rulership over this forsaken realm.

Their carriage touched down on the lifeless surface, and Nova issued his commands:

Freya, drawing from her past as the planet's previous ruler, joined Nova in inspecting the condition of the barren land.

Nova, stepping out onto the lifeless soil, sought Freya's guidance, "What must I do to become the ruler of this planet, Freya?"

Freya responded with reverence, "Father, at the heart of this desolation, you will find the essence pillar radiating. We must locate it first. I'll head south, and you go towards the north."

With a nod, Nova and Freya set forth, sprinting in opposite directions across the barren expanse.

As Nova delved deeper into the planet's extremities, the telepathic link with Freya sparked. Her voice resonated, "Father, beings with consciousness dwell here, savage beasts. What would you have me do?"

"Capture, not kill. I've spotted the essence pillar in the extreme north. Come to me," Nova instructed.

Freya redirected her course, accelerating with the grace of force. Landing near Nova, she shared the outcome of her encounter with the savage beasts.

Nova queried, "What did you do with those beasts?"

"I incapacitated them. We can capture them later. But, Father, observe the surroundings of the essence pillar."

Around the radiant pillar, a protective ring of diverse beasts emerged, as if guarding the sacred core against intrusion.

"Father, what is your decision? Will you resort to violence?" Freya inquired.

"When I reach the pillar, what course of action should I take?" Nova questioned.

Freya elucidated, "Approach the pillar, transfer your origin energy. Let the planet accept your will and let it submit to you. Witness the changes as the process unfolds. After completion, the essence will merge with the planet's core, rendering you its absolute ruler."

As Freya gracefully soared towards the essence pillar, the ferocious beasts, stirred by her presence, became a frenzied horde in pursuit. Their snarls and roars echoed across the barren expanse.

Nova, shrouded in invisibility, advanced cautiously toward the essence pillar. The radiant core pulsed with energy, responding to the approaching being. The air tingled with anticipation as Nova prepared to enact the ancient ritual that would bind him to the planet's essence.

Freya skillfully led the pursuing beasts farther away, each step calculated to maintain their interest. She executed aerial maneuvers, enticing them to follow, ensuring they remained at a safe distance from the essence pillar.

With the creatures successfully distracted, Nova closed the remaining distance to the essence pillar. He extended his hands, letting the energy within him resonate with the pulsating core. The very ground seemed to tremble in acknowledgment of the impending connection.

Freya, now a distant silhouette against the barren landscape, glanced back and saw Nova standing before the essence pillar. She communicated through their telepathic link, "Father, I've led the beasts away. Begin the ritual; I'll return once they're at a safe distance."

With a silent nod, Nova initiated the ritual. The essence pillar responded, casting ethereal hues into the desolate surroundings. As the connection deepened, the planet responded to the call of its new sovereign.

Meanwhile, Freya continued her balletic evasion, luring the beasts into the barren wilderness. Her movements were a symphony of grace and strategy, ensuring the creatures remained fixated on her.

Nova, determined and focused, approached the pulsating essence pillar. As he channeled his energy into the pillar, an unexpected resistance met him. The magical energies clashed violently, causing the planet itself to writhe in agony, unable to harmonize with Nova's unique power.

Sensing the planet's distress, the savage beasts, drawn back by the echoes of its pain, returned towards the pillar. Freya, swift and resolute, dashed back to Nova's side, engaging the berserk creatures to divert their attention.

Undeterred, Nova adjusted his approach. He reduced the energy influx, calming the fiery turmoil on the planet's surface. However, the essence pillar, now pulsating with a subdued rhythm, continued to resist. Nova, in a strategic move, divided his energy into three streams, pouring each consecutively into the pillar.

As the energies coursed through, the planets will began to yield. Yet, Nova wasn't satisfied. Unifying the streams once more, he intensified the pouring, determined to fully subdue the essence.

The planet convulsed, disintegrating and restructuring under Nova's command. The beasts, driven into a frenzy by the chaotic energies, turned on each other, consuming and assimilating, growing more formidable.

In the midst of this turmoil, a miscalculation led to a disruption in the energy flow. A few frenzied beasts managed to break through Freya's defenses, impaling Nova. The energy connection severed, and the essence pillar, left unattended, began to stabilize.

Infuriated, Freya swiftly dispatched the offending creatures, her eyes ablaze with fury. She caught Nova, lifting him into the air, and with powerful beats of her wings, took flight from the chaotic scene. The beasts below, frenzied and disoriented, were left in the wake of the shifting energies.

The barren planet, now marked by the tumultuous events, bore witness to the clash of wills – the determined ruler seeking dominion, the protesting planet resisting the intrusion, and the savage beasts caught in the crossfire.