Chapter 42

Kael's POV

Ever since Adam called and informed me that he had Ezra Solaris trapped in the astral realm with no way to escape, I knew this was the moment I had been waiting for—the moment I could cement myself as one of the strongest generals in the Lux Tenebris. If I could take out someone regarded as one of the strongest in our world, it would bring me the glory I had yearned for. I knew the task wouldn't be easy, but that was what got my blood pumping. No accomplishment would be worth it if it was easy.

Even though I was eager to defeat him, I knew I needed to prepare for a battle that could very well end my life. I searched through all of the records and read up on all of his exploits—his feats throughout past wars and during his rule over the Arthenos region. I needed to understand him inside and out. I hardly slept, neglecting my duties in my current assignment of taking out the main family in the Valador region. I couldn't care less—that clan was going to implode sooner or later with all the infighting that had been going on lately.

The deeper I dove into my research, the more I realized that Theron was correct. The Solaris constellation countered the Pyroclasm constellation. Ezra was immune to the heat-based attacks my constellation could perform. But he must not have remembered that I also had resistance to heat. More importantly, at the core of my constellation was the ability to control tectonic forces, and I had several ways of using them. This battle would be a battle of wills, and I was going to push Ezra to the brink since he would be low on cosmic energy by the time I arrived.

"Theron, you really are one greedy bastard," I muttered as I continued scanning through the documents on Ezra.

Before long, dusk had settled, and it was time for me to leave the guild and head home. Over the past week, I hadn't spent as much time as I would have liked with my family. I knew my wife and daughter missed me a great deal. They were accustomed to it by now, though, since the guild often consumed much of my focus. Being the leader of a guild came with more responsibility than I had ever bargained for. It wasn't my calling, but I had to adjust when I was thrust into a position of leadership after conquering the most rifts in the Valador region.

Yet, part of me felt guilty this time. My family didn't know about Lux Tenebris or the things I had done for the sake of the organization—though, in truth, most people didn't. They didn't realize that part of the reason our guild had grown was largely due to the organization's backing and the Master's guidance. They didn't know that, in secret, I was working to fulfill our dream. We were ridding the world of the oppressors who had plagued it for generations. Each of the twelve great clans played a role in the current world order, whether they realized it or not.

The Syltharion clan was one of the worst. Growing up in the Valador region, I had seen firsthand how they controlled most of the crops and other essential resources, making daily survival a struggle for the common people. I watched many family members and friends die from starvation because of the ever-increasing prices they imposed. My wife had lost her entire family because of them. She didn't know it, but the day I saw her burying the last of her kin, tears streaming down her face, I vowed to exact revenge in their honor.

With the rise of the guild, I had slacked a little on my assignment to destroy their clan. I had trouble finding where the main family resided. The Syltharion clan's special fate constellation, Eldertree Sage, granted them full control of their surroundings, and periodically, they used it to relocate their estate at will. They only revealed themselves when conducting business or attending the meetings of the Great Twelve.

But dwelling on this now wouldn't help me prepare for my battle against the Emperor of the Sun. I pushed those thoughts into a separate part of my mind as I approached my home. Gently opening the door to avoid making any noise, I was immediately greeted by a tight hug from my daughter.

"Dad! You're finally home! What took you so long? You said you'd be home earlier for dinner," my daughter asked.

"I'm sorry, Mira. I just got a little sidetracked with a recent development involving one of our trade partners," I replied, her large doe-like eyes breaking through the hardened exterior I wore for the rest of the world.

"Alright, well, come on then! I helped Mom cook—tell me what you think!" she said, excitedly dragging me toward the kitchen. As my daughter brought me my food, my wife greeted me with a kiss on the cheek.

"How are you, dear?" she asked.

"I'm doing much better now," I said, savoring the moment. Realizing that I might not get to experience this again after my upcoming battle, I let the warmth of home wash over me.

"Dad, guess what?" Mira said, beaming with excitement.

"What is it, sweetie?"

"I got this letter in the mail today—it says I got accepted to Xhatal Astral Academy in the western continent!" she exclaimed, jumping for joy at her achievement.

Hearing the news, I knew then and there—I had to make it back. I needed to see my daughter flourish in the world that the Lux Tenebris would create.