The Day the Sky Stopped Praying

A week after the Blood Moon, beneath the slowly healing skies above the Prismic Gathering estate, silence welcomed two figures who had been gone too long—figures whose mere presence shifted the balance of the world.

The dimensional gate shimmered closed behind Kazimir and Riah as their footsteps echoed across the crystalline path. The protective runes of the mansion hummed faintly in recognition, but offered no comfort. Time in Vrasnia moved slower than in Capriha; what felt like a week here had only been a day there—an eternity forged from darkness and dreams.

Riah's red and white hair fluttered in the breeze as the mansion doors swung open. Jessie and Neve were waiting, rushing forward.

"You're back! Are you—are you both okay?" Neve asked, her voice trembling with relief.

Jessie followed, her eyes sharp. "You've been gone too long. What happened?"

Kazimir's gaze was distant, his eyes crackling with lightning, but his voice was hollow. "A war of gods is coming."

Silence fell, slicing through the air like a blade. Behind them, the rest of the squad emerged—Tyrone, Raijin, Kamaki, Felicia, and Lihanna—all still recovering from the Blood War. Their expressions shifted from relief to disbelief.

"Wait, what war?" Neve asked, voice tight.

Riah stepped forward, her face unreadable, voice calm but certain. "Solaris has fallen."

The words hung heavy. Everyone froze.

"You're lying," Jessie said, voice barely steady. "That can't be true."

"It is," Riah confirmed. "The balance is breaking. The Saturas and the Nullities will clash in what will be remembered as the final war for the Equation."

Neve staggered back, white hair catching the light. "So… we've been praying to a god who no longer answers?"

Kazimir's voice was cold. "You've been praying to a grave."

"No," Jessie insisted. "Solaris is too powerful—"

"And yet he is dead," Kazimir interrupted. "Slain by Nebula, an ex-Satura who devoured the light. History lied to us. We were raised in the shadow of a god who no longer exists. The Eye… of the Devil itself."

His words shattered their illusions.

"And Abiba—she's been waging war on us for centuries… she's one of them too?" Neve whispered.

Kazimir nodded. "A disciple of Nullity."

He looked down at his hand, fingers sparking with invisible energy, then back at the group.

"I have to confess something," he said.

Jessie's eyes narrowed. "What now, Kaz?"

"I'm the Eye of Nullity," Kazimir admitted quietly.

A storm of disbelief rippled through the group.

"You're joking," Tyrone said, voice incredulous. "Someone stronger than you exists?"

"Not stronger," Kazimir said. "More dangerous. If we fight him, this planet might not survive. His name is Rygar. The Inverted Star of Nullity."

Lihanna asked softly, "What about the rest of us? The people across the world?"

Kazimir shook his head. "Riah and I will protect them. But none of you can join this war."

Neve's gaze blazed. "No. My life belongs to this world. If the gods want war, we'll bring it to them. We're not kids anymore. We're warriors."

Riah smiled faintly. "The Saturas will win. For Solaris. For the world."

Kazimir said nothing more. His figure, wrapped in crackling lightning and heavy sorrow, turned and disappeared into the mansion's depths.

They watched, the weight of truth crushing their last hopes. He was the Eye of Nullity. And still, they would stand beside him.

Later, in the mansion's eastern wing, steam curled from a marble bath beneath softly glowing crystals. Riah sat silently, her body resting but her mind racing.

Vanessa warned they would betray us… will Kazimir ever accept himself? she wondered.

The door creaked open, and Gendai stepped inside, towel draped over her shoulder, eyes searching.

She settled opposite Riah and dipped her legs into the warm water.

"So… it's true," Gendai said quietly. "Kazimir is the Eye of Nullity."

"Yes," Riah replied.

"And Solaris… is dead."

"Yes."

Gendai hesitated, then asked, "Riah, what drives you to be this strong? Even you and Kazimir burn with the same hunger. Why?"

Riah stared into the shimmering water. Her voice was soft but edged with old pain.

"My father was a Vrasnai who challenged Karah—Kazimir's mother—for the throne. And he failed. Again and again."

"Wait—Karah?" Gendai asked.

"Yes. He became obsessed. Cast out, he fled to Earth… where he found my mother. He forced himself on her, killed those who tried to protect her. And then I was born."

Riah clenched her fists beneath the water.

"He made me hold a sword before I could walk. Told me I'd kill Karah, that I'd rule the Vrasnai. Every day I trained until my arms broke. If I stopped… he beat my mother."

"That's monstrous," Gendai said softly.

"When I was thirteen, I killed him. So my mother could be free."

Tears glistened in Riah's eyes, but she did not cry.

"That day, I learned I could be strong. But not for him—for me. I joined the Astral Legion at nineteen to protect others… to be the sword that stops the pain."

Gendai was moved. "I had no idea. You always seemed untouchable."

"No one is," Riah said. "Not even Kazimir. He trained me, sparred with me, pushed me to love the blade—and myself. He's feared, but not evil."

"You love him," Gendai said quietly.

Riah smiled. "I do. And when the war comes, I'll fight beside him."

Gendai shifted closer. "Then count me in. I'll fight with you both. For the world. For peace."

"Just don't die on me," Riah said.

"Same to you, Phoenix Queen," Gendai replied with a grin.

They laughed softly beneath the crystal lights, as far above, the stars held their breath for the coming storm.