The Path Ahead

Coming home holds its own magic. Whether after a day or a year, tensions ease and anxiety melts like snow from a warming car. Sometimes home isn't a place at all, but a person.

Julia Calathea Ishan emerged from the marble archway at sunset. My left leg buckled beneath me, clothes hanging in tatters. Complex runes adorned both arms—golden threads on my left hand wove into intricate symbols, braiding thicker as they climbed to end in a band around my bicep. My right arm bore rigid shadows forming perpendicular circuits, growing larger until they merged into a primal band containing my infinity symbol.

My mother's eyes held that unseeing prophecy-gaze. "You've learned the truth. At least in part."

"Hey Mom. Nice to see you too. I love you."

The trance broke. She rushed forward, holding me at arm's length to inspect the damage—just like when I'd fall on the playground as a child.

"It could be worse. You could be dead," she smiled.

The dam broke. The last twelve hours had shattered my sense of self, but her familiar presence anchored me.

"Want to talk about Catherine?" I asked.

"Later. That was long ago, and there's no rush. Give me a hug." Her embrace felt like home.

I woke in a strange bed—my room in Elysium, though I'd never used it. Our dragon confrontation seemed foolish now. We hadn't understood the gulf between our power and those already on the path. The dragon's strength only reinforced my decision to leave.

Fresh clothes waited at the bed's foot, but the mirror demanded attention first. Beyond the arm runes, three changes stood out: My crystalline irises now shone brilliant white, golden sun-pupils casting light across them, set in black sclera. My midnight hair now held flecks of gold, like stars in a black sky. And atop my head sat a laurel crown of alternating gold and black—fluid grace meeting hard edges in striking contrast.

The crown's status screen appeared as I lifted it:

Twinned Crown of Elysium Bound: Asphodel What is a King without a crown? This gift was crafted by the inherent nature of the ruler of the Domain. Laurel of gold and sunlight, Shadow of thorn and night, the wielder of this item is granted increased access to the Domain of Elysium.

"What do you mean you forgot?!" Dan's voice greeted me as I sought him and Teras. "How can you just forget unlocking a whole Totality?"

"Fine. Forget was the wrong word. I haven't had the chance to check. I was busy with a dragon."

"No excuses," Teras said. "Show us your path. You melded two heritages?"

I pressed my infinity symbol. The screen had changed—no more blood-like text, now clean and digital:

Name: Jason Asphodel Ishan 

Domain: Twinned Domain of Elysium

Mythos: The First Step - Dhamphyr of House Ishan 

Enhanced speed, strength, reflexes. Ageless. Food sustains you, but bloodlust persists.

Legend: The First Step - Lord of the Longest Day 

Summer Court Faen heritage grants vitality and magical aptitude. Your word binds you, names hold power. Iron's curse remains.

Ideal: Forsworn 

You reject the world itself, your heritage, your destiny. Your will negates what you choose.

Job: Lord of the Gate 

Noble controlling a Domain. Access to the Collective. Focus reveals truth, if you overcome the target's will.

Totality: The First Step - Asphodel, Aureate of Elysium 

Melding opposites, you reject choice itself. Power yours alone. Life and death balanced—no bloodlust, no iron weakness. Sun doesn't weaken, night doesn't strengthen. Walk your path toward Infinity.

"The bloodlines canceled out—all benefits, no drawbacks," I explained.

"I've missed you." Teras had grown more striking since becoming vampire, deadly grace in every line. Our bond had deepened despite our brief acquaintance.

"Teras, we need to talk about the Domain. We have to leave."

Her face fell. "Leave? Why?"

"We can't fight the Queen yet. But I won't surrender either."

I explained about Xay'roxiz—The Wandering Death. About closing the Vestige to protect my mother and the refugees in Terra, where the Domain had grown vast enough to shelter them.

"The Queen can't claim it while I live. We need time to grow stronger, find allies. My mother stays safe in Terra's Domain while we gather strength in Fantasy."

Teras considered this. "It could work. Even I could defeat her at the seat of your power if she lingered too long."

"Then let's ask the guild who's coming with us. We'll help the refugees retake the town, then find allies in Fantasy."

As Dan and Teras left to gather the others, I steeled myself. Time to learn the truth about my past from my mother.