CHAPTER 9

After an arduous three—hour search, the precious video finally fell into the hands of the Whittakers, who gathered in the castle's conference room, a building that defied time with its majesty. There, surrounded by the most advanced technology, they placed the file on the HoloTable—3000, projecting the images in crystal clarity. The atmosphere was charged with anticipation, all members of the Whittaker family and their closest allies—Elian, Marcus, Aiden, and Terry's other extended relatives—crowded around the table, their eyes fixed on the scene unfolding before them.

The revelation was so shocking that it left everyone speechless. The actions of this mysterious man and his influence on Terry were incomprehensible. Claudius, eyes wide open and a mixture of horror and confusion marking his face, broke the silence. —How did this happen?— His voice sounded as fragile as the thread of a spider web.

Rodrick, frowning and with ill—contained anger, immediately replied – What really matters is how he got to Terry – His voice, tinged with authority and reproach, seemed to accuse everyone and no one at the same time – Ethan, you should have taken better care of our brother, prevented anyone from approaching him –

Ethan, unable to contain his frustration, raised his voice, vibrant and charged with emotion – If you had been there, perhaps this would not have happened!

–¡Enough!– Francisco Javier, trying to be the beacon of calm in the middle of the storm, intervened firmly –Screaming will not solve this. As soldiers, you must maintain composure. We are all upset, yes, but blaming each other is not the solution– His tone, although calm, was that of someone who would not accept a reply.

Rodrick and Ethan, almost as one, looked down and in a synchronized murmur, offered their apologies – We are sorry, Father.

Ashtar, ever the strategist, steered the conversation back to what really mattered – We need to find out who this man is. How he knows Terry and, most importantly, what he said to him to bring about such a radical change in him.

Aiden, scratching his chin thoughtfully and still absorbed in the image of Terry projected in the air, added, —I don't think Terry himself knows who that man is. Didn't you see his expression? He was completely lost.

At that moment, the room was filled with a reflective silence, everyone processing the information and emotions that the video had triggered.

The confusion and concern were palpable, but so was the determination to unravel the mystery and protect one of their own. The Whittaker family, along with their allies, knew they had a challenge ahead of them, but they also knew that, united, they could face any adversity.

Ashtar, deep in thought, rested his chin on his right hand, a gesture that announced the depth of his analysis. The atmosphere in the room, already charged with mystery and speculation, became even more tense when Sapphire, moved by a mixture of impatience and confidence in his uncle's wisdom, decided to break the silence.

—You know something, uncle, tell us what you know,— Sapphire urged, her voice tinged with unwavering curiosity.

Ashtar, looking into his nephew's eyes, smiled slightly. —I don't know as much, nephew, as you think or as everyone here thinks. I just talked to Terry last night, and he told me about his experience in other galaxies and universes. I think he may have met this man in those places and now he doesn't remember because he has been in many places, occupying the bodies of different people.

The silence was broken again when Kyran, unable to contain his shock and concern, interrupted – Excuse me? Occupying different people's bodies? – His voice was a mixture of disbelief and alarm.

Ashtar, keeping his composure, replied , —It is something we need to discuss in depth, but now is not the time, Kyran. I know our scientific curiosity is bubbling, but now is not the right time.— He paused, choosing his words carefully. —I can only tell you that if he did meet him, it was in one of those places, and now Terry doesn't remember.

Marcus, ever the pragmatist, stepped in, steering the conversation into more productive territory. —Well, then we'll have to ask someone who does know. ¿Who could that be?¿ Do you have any idea about that?

The room was filled with a new silence, everyone present digesting the implications of the revelation. The idea that Terry had lived alternate lives in other universes, and that his encounter with the mysterious man could be an echo of those experiences, opened up a range of possibilities both intriguing and disconcerting. The family and their allies found themselves on the brink of a mystery that challenged not only their understanding of the world, but the very nature of reality. The determination to solve it grew stronger, driven by love for Terry and the need to protect him from the shadows of his own past.

The tension in the room grew palpably as Francis Xavier revealed the only hope they had – There is only one person – he declared in a tone that mixed urgency and authority – Ætheris. She was

With him, he's been there forever. Rodrick, Ethan, one of you must summon her, now,— he ordered, marking each word with a severity that brooked no reply.

Rodrick, with a mixture of respect and hesitation, answered first. —Father,— he began, his voice heavy with uncertainty. —I don't know how to do this. Terry has always been the one to call her. With him, she has a more direct connection, I suppose, or closer.—

Ethan nodded, confirming his brother's concern. —It's always been that way, actually,— he admitted, revealing his own helplessness in the face of the situation. —I wouldn't know how to do it either.

Francisco Javier's frustration was evident, and not just from his children's words. —You should be ashamed of yourselves,— he said, his voice tinged with reproach and annoyance. —You both have a fragment of the gem; you should know what to call it, especially its creator.— As he spoke, he raised his fist in a gesture of frustration, a physical symbol of his discontent. But then, his tone changed, revealing a deeper, self—critical reflection. —Although, on the other hand, I am also to blame for this. I never urged you to call her and be closer to her.

The admission of Francis Xavier introduced a new dimension to the dilemma they faced. It was not just a problem of knowledge or skill; it was also a matter of relationship and connection with the

powers and entities beyond their immediate understanding. The family realized that to meet this challenge, they would have to overcome not only their ignorance of how to summon Ætheris, but also the emotional and spiritual distance they had allowed to form between themselves and the source of their power. This was a moment of truth, a turning point that required not only courage and action, but also introspection and growth.

Julian intervened, bringing a tone of understanding and solidarity that softened the tense atmosphere.

—It's not your fault, brother,— he said, placing his hand on Francisco Javier's shoulder in a gesture of support. —We should have helped them to be more in touch with Ætheris, too.— His voice reflected a mixture of guilt and resignation. —We are a military family; we are more concerned with other matters than with religion or spiritual things. Besides, Terry has always been the rebel of the family, breaking away from the standards and regulations. He always looked for different things, studied subjects that had nothing to do with the military branch and liked to explore, to learn new things. It is natural that Ætheris chose him to be the guardian of his soul and essence. He was always more connected to the spiritual nature than to the military branch.

In fact, I would say that he only chose this path because you demanded it, and in order not to make a problem bigger or cause a division in the family, he accepted it by keeping quiet and trying to get his degree so that you would be calm.

The revelation left everyone in the room pondering, but it was Darius who broke the silence with a question that hung in the air – Wait, ¿why did you never tell us this?

Julian sighed, a weight visible on his shoulders. —I couldn't. Terry asked me never to tell them. I do now because this situation is very special and goes beyond the conventional boundaries of acting. But if you want to know, Terry's path was to be a singer, not a soldier. In fact, he even had a notebook where he created his own songs. Afterwards, I suppose he kept it or destroyed it; I don't know what happened to that notebook. When he found out he had to enter the military academy, he never spoke to me about his notebook again, so I suppose he destroyed it.

Julian's words echoed through the room, shedding a new light on Terry and his choices. The image of the rebellious young man, caught between his dreams and family expectations, was clearly drawn before them. It was a reminder that beyond the responsibilities and roles they played, there were personal desires and paths not taken that were an essential part of their identity.

Julian's revelation not only further humanised Terry in the eyes of his family, but also underlined the complexity of human relationships and the importance of understanding and accepting one's true passions. The Whittaker family was now faced not only with the mystery of Ætheris and the current situation, but also with the challenge of reconciling family expectations with individual dreams.

–¿Singer ?– Rodrick couldn't hide his curiosity.

—Yes, singer,— Julian confirmed, a smile lighting up his face at the disbelief of his family.

—But Terry has never sung,— Ethan interjected, his confusion evident.

—You've never heard him sing, it's different,— Julian corrected, his smile widening. —But, actually, you have. And thousands of times.

Frustration and astonishment mixed in Darius's expression. —What do you know that we don't?— His tone was slightly reproachful, a sense of discovering that he didn't know his nephew as well as he had thought, and that his true confidant had always been his cousin Julian.

– Actually, you've all heard it a thousand times, except Terry's extended family, who never knew or heard it because he disappeared long ago. I'm going to tell you Terry's biggest secret, which only I knew because he told it to me. And as I said, I'm making this confession to you now because it's an extremely special situation– Julian paused dramatically, making sure he had everyone's attention. –Do you remember when the women in the family were fanaticized by a pop star who had come out at that time?

The Whittaker men exchanged confused glances, trying to remember. —I don't think you do,— Julian continued, anticipating their bewilderment. —You were all jealous because women always played his music whenever he came on TV. He was the sensation of the moment. Even you, Francisco Javier, got into an argument with Helena about it, about what you called at the time… ah, yes, —an annoying, pedantic brat.—

—I don't remember saying anything like that,— Francisco Javier replied, his annoyance evident.

—Don't you remember Sirius Starlight?— Julian asked with a triumphant smile. The revelation shocked the Whittakers. The extended family members present could only look at their surprise, not fully understanding the magnitude of what Julian was suggesting.

The room fell into stunned silence. The idea that Terry, the rebellious and enigmatic member of the family, had been living a double life as Sirius Starlight, the pop star who had captivated so many and provoked jealousy among the men in his own family, was almost too astonishing to believe. The revelation not only added another layer of mystery and depth to Terry's figure, it also offered a whole new insight into his character and hidden talents. The Whittaker family was beginning to realise that Terry was far more complex and fascinating than they had ever imagined.

Marcus scratched his head, visibly confused and shocked by the revelation. —Wait, you're saying Terry was a pop star? And you didn't know about any of this, well, except you, Julian.

—Yes, that's what I'm saying,— Julian confirmed with a seriousness that contrasted with the general disbelief.

Surprise gave way to indignation when Safiro turned to his grandfather, Francisco Javier –Grandpa, how could you tell my father that he was a brat, annoying and pedantic?– he asked, annoyed by the derogatory comment.

—I didn't say it was him... I just didn't know it was him,— Francisco Javier defended himself, his gaze hardening as he turned towards Julián.

– If you didn't notice the energy that flowed through that singer, you're a soldier, it's normal that these things pass you by; you see other things – Julián tried to soften the situation, explaining the difference in perspectives.

—If you priests see other things,— Ethan replied, his arms crossed to show his skepticism.

Julian looked for support in –It's true, nephew, we see other things, don't we, Elian?– To which Elian nodded in agreement.

Darius, connecting dots from the past, finally understood certain family dynamics – Now we know why you two were always talking together or why you were always whispering and then when we walked in you stopped talking. Now we know where you got the rebelliousness from in the family.

—Don't look at me,— Julián replied with a smile, gesturing with his hands as if he wanted to deflect responsibility.

Francisco Javier recalled how Terry had always sought his own path – Since he was a child, he spent more time at your side – he said, acknowledging Julián's influence on Terry – You were his role model, he idolized you, so don't tell me he didn't follow your path. Besides, now I find out that you were his main confidant –

Julian, assuming a more serious tone, shared his vision. –And what did you want? You have always been too strict in your mental structures and even more so in discipline. The boy needed an escape from that, moreover, you never really understood him. He is a free soul, you have an Auriflamma in your family imprisoned in a golden cage.

(Note to the reader: understanding the symbolism of Auriflamma is key. She is not a person, but a fantasy being of great power and beauty. Imagine a majestic bird whose feathers shine with the radiance of the purest gold, able to engulf itself in flames without harm. Auriflamma represents absolute freedom, the ability to rise above worldly conventions and restrictions. In our story, she symbolizes Terry's indomitable spirit and unique nature, highlighting her search for a space where her free soul can shine and soar, beyond the rigidities imposed by strict structures and disciplines.)

The plot thickens and becomes richer with this new layer of information. —Besides, when he played Sirius Starlight it wasn't because he wanted to escape from his routine; he was forced to do it. Rodrick's partner, Max, asked him to do it because they had a problem at the music industry company with corrupt people,— Julian explained, casting a meaningful glance at Rodrick, who nodded slowly.

– He did it to clean up that part of the industry, eliminating the people who forced singers and musicians to work without pay under abusive contracts. – The gravity of the situation Julian described revealed a completely different side of Terry, one that none of them had considered before.

The revelation left the family in an even greater state of shock. Not only had they discovered that Terry had been leading a double life as a pop star, but that his involvement in the music world had been an act of courage and justice, an effort to correct deep—rooted injustices in the music industry. Terry had not only proven himself to be a talented artist, but also a courageous fighter against corruption and exploitation.

—So, Sirius Starlight's thing... it wasn't just a whim or a quest for personal freedom. It was a mission—Francis Xavier concluded, his voice tinged with respect and admiration for his son's actions.—A mission to do the right thing, even when it meant risking his own safety and well-being.

The Whittaker family found themselves reflecting not only on Terry's complexity, but also on the values and principles that had moved him to act so decisively. This understanding offered a new perspective on the young man they had thought they knew, revealing the depth of his character and his commitment to justice.

– We always knew Terry was special, an Auriflamma in our family. But now I see that his fire burned not only for personal freedom, but for justice for others – Julian said, looking into the eyes of his family members – That makes him even more extraordinary –

The Whittaker family, now gathered around this new understanding, felt a mixture of pride, admiration and a renewed sense of unity rise within them. Terry, the free spirit of his clan, had left an indelible mark not only on music, but on the lives of those who struggled to be heard and respected. His legacy, they felt, was one that deserved to be celebrated and continued.

The urgency in Ashtar's voice echoed through the room, a clear reminder of the gravity of their situation. — We must still try to contact Ætheris. One of you must know how to do so. Terry cannot do so now, so the burden falls on one of you,— he stated, his anxiety palpable in every word.

Rodrick and Ethan exchanged uncertain glances. The idea of summoning Ætheris, a task that had been almost second nature to Terry, was foreign and daunting to them. The ease with which their brother established that connection now seemed an unsolvable mystery.

Rodrick, after a moment's reflection, suggested a possible solution. —Maybe if I ask my wife to say a prayer or something, we can do it. She's good at that kind of thing,— he said, clinging to the hope that his wife's spirituality might be the key to establishing contact.

However, it was Kyran who offered an unexpected and decisive answer. After a deep sigh, he announced – I will do it – The eyes focused on him, surprised. – Yes, don't look at me like that. I have the same connection that my father has had with the Ætheris gem, even if I don't have the fragment, I have its power and I can do it. Only I haven't had to summon it for a long time, but she taught me how to call it.

Kyran's confession injected a new air of hope into the room. Despite his lack of recent practice, the claim that Ætheris herself had taught him how to summon her gave the Whittaker family a real chance to establish much—needed contact. The revelation not only underlined the importance of personal, spiritual connection over physical possession of the gem, but also reminded everyone present of the depth and scope of the ties that bound Terry to Ætheris, and by extension, the entire family to the spiritual realm.

Kyran's determination to take responsibility and his willingness to use his spiritual abilities marked a turning point in the search for solutions. With the ability to call upon Ætheris now within reach, the family rallied around Kyran, ready to support him in what would be a pivotal moment in his struggle to understand and resolve the challenges they faced. Anticipation and hope filled the air, as they prepared for an encounter that could change the course of their history.

—¿Could you do it now?— Darius asked, eager to unravel the mystery surrounding them.

Kyran nodded, determined. —I'll do it right now, and then we can solve this mystery.— He placed his hands palms together, leaving a space between them, preparing to begin the process.

Under the cloak of night

and the light of the stars,

we call upon Ætheris,

ethereal guardian of universal secrets.

With open hearts

and aligned wills,

We ask for your guidance and protection,

at this crossroads

where the earth meets the divine.

As soon as Kyran spoke the summoning words, the room lit up completely, causing a brief chaos in the instruments before everything returned to normal. In the center of the HoloTable —3000, the figure of a woman with long blonde hair and blue eyes materialized. —How can I help you, Kyran?— Ætheris asked in a clear and serene voice.

—We want to know more about that man who approached Terry,— Francisco Javier intervened, capturing Ætheris' attention, who turned to him to answer.

—That man comes from a universe that has already disappeared. He is chasing Terry with the aim of stealing his fragment and fusing it with his own gem,— explained Ætheris, revealing the gravity of the situation.

Aiden, alarmed, intervened, —¿What? ¿He also has a gem?

—Yes,— Aetheris confirmed, turning to Aiden. —It has its own gem, created by cosmic architects other than the ones who shaped me. Those architects perished at the hands of that man, who killed them when he was created by the gem. The gem was flawedly forged, tainted by darkness, as one of the scientists resorted to demonic magic to empower it, without foreseeing the consequences. At the heart of that gem lies the darkness of an entire universe.—

Ætheris continued, —That man seeks to collect all the gems existing in different universes to fuse them into his being, thus becoming the supreme, indestructible entity. He created that human body as a receptacle, allowing him to interact with the material plane and advance his plan. He is not a man in the traditional sense; the gem constitutes his soul and essence, housed in a physical body.

Ætheris' revelation revealed the complexity and danger posed by Terry's enemy, shedding light on the magnitude of the threat they faced, not only to Terry but to the very existence of the Gems and the universes they inhabit.

Ashtar, seeking to understand the origin of this disturbing connection, asked, —¿And how did they meet?

–We went to the Sirian galaxy, in the Megara universe. We were working in a medical center there when that man came with a wound. We got into the body of a doctor who was on the verge of death due to an infection.

The doctor's soul departed, it was his time, and we took advantage of the opportunity to restructure that body, allowing us to use it without problems and preserve the medical knowledge of his brain.

We followed his work, and when this man arrived at the emergency room, he was treated by Terry in that body. The man's wound would not heal because it had been inflicted with magic, and Terry used his power to heal him unseen. However, upon awakening, that man felt Terry's power, grabbing his arm in an attempt to absorb our energy. That's when I had to intervene to protect Terry, — Ætheris explained, outlining the first meeting between Terry and the enigmatic man.

Sapphire, still in doubt, asked, —But, ¿how did this man follow you? ¿How could he get to this place and know specifically that this universe was yours?

—That, I suppose, he knew when we had our battle with him. He followed us to our residence. His goal is to accumulate as much power and energy as possible, regardless of the means to achieve it,— Ætheris replied, his gaze serious.

Ætheris' explanation not only revealed the dangerous nature of his adversary, but also the depth of the threat he posed. Not only was this enemy capable of tracking and confronting beings of great power like Terry and Ætheris, but his boundless ambition made him a formidable rival ruthless. The battle that Ætheris mentioned indicated that this being was willing to cross boundaries and universes in its quest for supremacy, putting at risk the balance of power throughout the cosmos.

—After the confrontation, we created an energy barrier to protect ourselves from his power absorption. We used spells, incantations, and exorcisms, given his vulnerability to the latter due to demonic influence. The fight lasted for hours until we finally defeated him and were able to leave that galaxy. His energy signature, however, may have allowed him to follow us,— Ætheris explained, shedding light on the intense battle they had fought.

Julian, intrigued, asked – If they had a confrontation, then ¿why doesn't Terry remember it?

—I decided it was best for Terry to forget that episode. I retained the scientific knowledge in his memory, but I removed all memory of the confrontation. It was his first time in a fight of such magnitude, and the shock of what he saw inside that man was too much. Erasing part of his memory was necessary so we could continue without compromising his mental stability,— Ætheris revealed, showing the depth of her concern for Terry.

— Understandable,— Rodrick conceded, as Ethan searched for more information. —We need to know this guy's name, his rank, or whatever information you have.—

–His name is Belial Infernus and he is the king of the demons. He currently commands an army that is always with him– Ætheris answered, leaving everyone stunned.

Rodrick, shocked and trying to process the revelation, exclaimed:

—¡¿That?!

She tried to calm herself, bringing her hand to her eyebrows and pressing on the bridge of her nose, as if that gesture could clear her mind and clarify her vision, searching for some control in the midst of the confusion.

Ethan, still in shock, corrected:

—It's not an entourage. He clearly said that he has an army of demons.

—Yes, an army of demons,— Rodrick repeated, frustration mounting. —What the heck is an army of demons? For those of us who aren't priests, ¿could you please explain all this to us? ¡I don't even know how to describe it!

The revelation about Belial Infernus left everyone in a mixture of shock and concern. The magnitude of the danger posed by such a powerful being, capable of commanding legions of demons, was overwhelming. Fighting an enemy of this magnitude would require not only strength and bravery, but also profound knowledge and strategy. The Whittaker family and

 their allies were faced with a challenge beyond anything they had ever imagined, one that would force them to explore the depths of their power and their determination to protect their world and those they loved.

—Calm down, nephew —said Julian, in an attempt to calm Rodrick, who clearly reflected the disquiet shared by the rest of the family— Demons inhabit the spiritual realm, so your ignorance about them is understandable. While you operate on the physical plane, we move in the spiritual, where we often face these entities, whether they are internal demons of people or those lurking from outside.

Julian paused, searching for a way for Rodrick to better understand the nature of what they were facing.

—Just imagine them, to give you an idea, as bipedal beastly creatures, whose appearance is extremely unpleasant,— added Julian, in a lower but serious voice.

Julian's explanation attempted to bridge the gap between the unfamiliar and the familiar, offering a basic overview of these demonic entities without diving too deep into the horrors they represented. But the tension in the room was palpable. Though the family was accustomed to the supernatural, the revelation of a demon army commanded by Belial Infernus opened a

 terrifying new chapter in their struggle , details that could overwhelm or confuse even further. His goal was to not only inform, but also prepare his relatives for the reality of a universe where the battle between the forces of good and evil was waged on many levels, including the spiritual.

This approach was intended not only to reassure but also to empower the Whittaker family and their allies, showing them that although the challenge was formidable, they were not without the means to meet it. The fight against Belial Infernus and his demonic army would require a union of physical and spiritual forces, a strategy that would encompass both planes of existence to ensure the protection of their world and the preservation of their family and allies in the face of a threat of cosmic magnitude.

— Great!— Rodrick exclaimed with a mix of sarcasm and frustration. —Now we have to deal not only with a fanaticism, but also with a demon, whatever that is. And to top it off, we have no idea how to fight this creature or even if we have the necessary weapons.

—Yes, we do,— Ashtar said confidently. —Unlike that dark gem, we have the support of our own Cosmic Architects, who are still alive and able to assist us.

—That's true,— Dennis added, joining the thread of hope. —They will be able to instruct us on how to defeat that being or even create something specific to destroy it.

The conversation turned in a more hopeful direction, recognizing that despite the magnitude of the threat they faced, they were not without resources. The existence of powerful allies like the Cosmic Architects offered a ray of light in the darkness, a reminder that they had knowledge and powers at their disposal that could prove decisive in the fight against Belial Infernus and his army of demons. With this revelation, the group felt a little more prepared and less isolated in the face of the danger that loomed over them.

—The essential thing now is to increase protection over those among us who possess fragments and those endowed with unique power,— Ætheris began, emphasizing caution. —Belial only knows Terry; he has no knowledge of Rodrick, Ethan, or Kyran's hybrid power. If he ever discovers them, he will seek out absorb that power and seize its fragments. It has not yet sensed your presence because it has not come into direct contact with you, and that advantage of surprise is something we can and must use to our advantage. The crucial thing is to prevent it from touching you –

Ethan, confused and worried, mentioned, —But he touched Terry. And when Belial was controlling Terry, he touched me, ¿how come he didn't detect my fragment?

—I prevented him from establishing that connection, which is why he still has no knowledge of any of you or Terry's extended family,— Ætheris explained, clarifying the situation.

—This gives us an advantage,— said Francisco Javier, recognizing the strategic value of the situation. —But we cannot be complacent; we must learn to use this element of surprise to our advantage.

—That means we need to wake Terry up,— Elian proposed, aware of the importance of having Terry fully alert and able to defend himself.

—It is crucial that he is informed of what has happened,— Ætheris added. —However, do not mention to him his first encounter with Belial. This recent encounter will be remembered by him, as I have not blocked those memories. It is essential that he be taught how to protect himself, especially by you, Julian, and with your support, Elian.

– Understood – assured Julian, committing himself to the task. – I will speak to my nephew and guide him on what he should do.

Rodrick, seeking to prepare for the worst, asked, —And as for facing this being, what can we do? ¿If Belial were to appear before me, how should I act?

The conversation turned to preparation and strategy, recognizing the need to be ready for any future confrontation with Belial Infernus. The information and precautions shared by Ætheris not only provided a deeper understanding of the threat they faced, but also underscored the importance of unity, knowledge, and preparation in protecting their world and loved ones against dark and powerful forces.

—He is in a physical body; you can hurt him with your sword,— Ætheris explained, providing a direct tactic. —He has no physical defenses, although he does have defenses on the spiritual plane. He can manipulate objects with his power, but you also have that ability. So you will be able to face him without any major problems. Besides, he is a very powerful weapon. It is crucial that you begin to explore the fullness of your abilities. This coming war demands that you learn to use your powers to the fullest. Therefore, we must meet daily in a safe, secluded location to begin this learning. Kyran already possesses the necessary knowledge, but you, accustomed to the military realm, will need to adapt to face challenges of this nature.

Elian then suggested an optimal location. —We could use a place that is hidden, dedicated to the Celestial Sanctuary of Aelion. It is a school for future priests and priestesses, where various spiritual techniques are taught. It is located away from the city, in a quiet and isolated environment, perfect for our purpose.

—It will be an ideal environment for learning,— Ætheris added enthusiastically. —Tomorrow, send the coordinates and I will be there to guide you.

Rodrick and Ethan nodded, committing to attending these training sessions.

The proposal to meet in a space dedicated to spiritual learning marked a new chapter in the preparation of the Whittaker family and their allies. This holistic approach, which integrated physical preparation with spiritual preparation and energy management, was not only a response to the immediate threat of Belial Infernus, but also a step forward in their personal and collective evolution. By accepting this challenge, they opened themselves up to new possibilities for growth and the deepening of their bonds as a united team against the dark forces.