Unrest

One month earlier...

In the infinite, swirling expanse of the celestial realm, three shapeless spheres of brilliant white luminescence hovered quietly against the endless currents of cosmic mist and shimmering stardust. The space around them pulsed subtly, shifting hues from gentle lavenders to fierce magentas and blues, mirroring their restless energies.

"He is gone! Reduced to dust and echoes!" hissed one orb, its brilliance flickering erratically, tendrils of searing red bleeding into the pure white glow. "Calyx deserved a better fate! He was blood, and now he is nothing! All because of that cursed human!"

Another orb drifted closer, its glow steadier, more calculating. A pale silver ripple ran across its spherical form as its voice resonated through the celestial air. "Word whispers through the realm, Oriun. Bliss herself pointed Calyx directly toward that godslayer. She planted vengeance in his heart, gave him purpose, then sent him off like a pawn."

Oriun's orb flared violently, crimson fury cascading across his surface. "Bliss...the meddler! She toys with destinies as if she were the Ancient Ones themselves!"

A third orb floated nearer, smaller, its radiance shifting anxiously between shades of pale green and wary amber. Its voice was low, almost a whisper. "Yet the Ancient Ones remain silent. They revoked the order of death on the godslayer. How is it balanced, then, if they shield him from justice? Balance, it seems, has become a twisted jest."

The calculating silver-hued orb shimmered thoughtfully. "Exactly, Morvidk. They favor their champions at the cost of all others. Bliss has manipulated even them. And the godslayer, who should have been rotting in a forgotten void, now walks freely with renewed power—at their behest."

Morvidk trembled, her colors dancing with paranoia. "These accusations, Vespara, these truths—perhaps we should not speak of them openly here. Ears and eyes permeate the realm."

"Agreed," Oriun growled, his voice now edged with dark determination. "Let us reconvene where silence truly exists."

Simultaneously, the three orbs pulsed and vanished in synchronized bursts of blinding white light, traversing realms to converge elsewhere.

---

They emerged atop the surface of a desolate alien world, where a thin veil of violet twilight cloaked jagged obsidian mountains jutting fiercely skyward like twisted daggers. A vast expanse of glassy black sands spread infinitely outward, reflecting an eerie phosphorescent glow emitted by towering crystalline structures scattered irregularly across the landscape. The sky above churned slowly, a heavy swirl of smoky lavender clouds lit faintly by distant, dying stars.

Oriun took form first, a towering celestial figure garbed in ornate armor, deep violet and polished silver intricately interwoven. Long alabaster hair cascaded freely, reflecting starlight, framing angular, noble features etched with bitterness. His amethyst eyes burned with cold fury, their celestial spark darkened by grief and rage.

Morvidk coalesced gracefully, lithe and serene, her slender form draped in robes of shifting twilight, sapphire and indigo mingling fluidly with each graceful motion. Ebony hair streaked with delicate strands of silver fell gently past porcelain skin, veiling eyes of liquid emerald whose piercing intensity flickered anxiously, ever vigilant.

Vespara manifested last, imposing and formidable, her muscular frame armored in obsidian, veined with molten crimson lines glowing rhythmically, mimicking a heartbeat of pure destruction. Bronze skin, marred by luminous red tattoos, glowed beneath her flowing, raven-black mane. Her golden eyes, fierce and merciless, scanned their desolate surroundings.

"This will suffice," Vespara stated firmly. Her hand moved fluidly, conjuring a delicate, luminescent crystal of radiant amber and placing it at the center of their gathering. The crystal hummed softly, its gentle sound instantly erecting an invisible barrier against unwanted ears and eyes.

"The meddling oracle must be silenced first," Oriun spoke, voice tight with suppressed anger. "Bliss foresees our moves, interferes before we begin. With her gone, the godslayer is blind."

Morvidk's emerald eyes narrowed thoughtfully. "Quietly. We must ensure no ripple reaches the Ancient Ones until our purpose is secured."

Vespara nodded sharply. "Agreed. Bliss's foresight makes her dangerous. Neutralizing her quickly and silently is key to dismantling their hold. Then the godslayer will be ours—alone, vulnerable."

The trio stood united beneath the vast cosmic darkness, the eerie wind whistling softly between crystalline monoliths. After a brief logistical back and forth, plans were set into motion, that could very well disrupt the entire flow of destiny and cripple fate. They shared a silent look, resolve burning fiercely, vengeance etched deeply into their solemn faces.

The crystal between them pulsed once in confirmation, sealing their conspiracy in absolute secrecy. One by one they stepped back and with an all encompassing flash of brilliance, just like that, they each were gone from that place.

—

In darkness, chaos unfurled.

Images flickered in rapid, merciless succession—fragments distorted and hazy, colored with madness. Sil's anguished face, bruised and bloodied, mouth twisted in a soundless scream as celestial hands tore relentlessly at his body. Oriun's luminous violet blades cleaved effortlessly through his flesh, starfire searing wounds that refused to heal. Vespara's massive fists crackled with volcanic fury, pounding mercilessly against bone, shattering Sil's defenses into fragments of agony. Morvidk lingered close, a serene, wicked smile on her porcelain lips, emerald eyes ablaze as she whispered sweetly toxic illusions into Sil's breaking mind.

Nearby, Bliss knelt, limbs chained in shimmering celestial binds, forcing her still and helpless. Her eyes wide and tormented, forced open, unable to look away from the monstrous scene playing out before her. Tears streamed down her face, silent cries unable to breach her tightly bound lips.

The nightmare shifted. Earth—a glittering orb of blue, green, and swirling white clouds—hung suspended against the backdrop of space. Oriun raised his arms, a grin of hungry triumph spread across his face. Vespera slammed het fists together, sending tremors through the very fabric of reality, while Morvidk laughed softly, an echoing melody that promised madness and ruin. The three celestials descended upon the defenseless planet, vengeance delicious on their tongues, eyes lit with ruthless delight.

The vision shattered abruptly, throwing Bliss back to reality.

Her eyes snapped open, a sharp gasp forcing air into starved lungs. She sat in the center of an intricate magic circle, elaborate runes and lines pulsing bright and urgent, her breath coming ragged and shallow. Sweat clung coldly to her skin, her chest heaving, pulse hammering wildly beneath ribs that ached with phantom grief.

A single trembling word escaped her lips.

"Sil."

Without hesitation, Bliss waved a shaking hand, dismissing the magic circle in a quick burst of energy. The glowing runes faded swiftly to nothingness. She surged to her feet, gathering the heavy cloak around her slender frame. Fingers grasping desperately at the staff leaning nearby, she gripped it tightly, knuckles pale with urgency.

Closing her eyes, she took a ragged breath, steadied her trembling form, and vanished instantly in a flash of white light.