Chapter 9: Sleepless Beneath the Moons

Evening Shadows & Silent Motives

As the sun dipped below the hovering arc towers that crowned the distant cliffs of Valkar, twilight settled across the estate. The dual moons had begun their ascent—one glowing pale silver, the other a dark amethyst. Their reflections shimmered across the crystalline panels embedded in the mansion's walls, casting refracted hues into Arthur's room.

The air had grown quieter now.

Olivia had returned.

"Time for your walk, young master," she said, her tone as composed and gentle as ever.

She lifted Arthur carefully, her gloved hands perfectly controlled, and cradled him against her shoulder. Her stride through the hallway was smooth and unhurried—every step like clockwork. Arthur rested his chin on her shoulder, eyes scanning everything—the way guards positioned themselves at turning corners, how servants averted their gazes, how every wall seemed to listen.

They weren't even in the central estate. But someone… was always watching.

And Arthur knew it.

A Quiet Celebration

Tonight's destination was different. Olivia carried him to a softly lit private dining chamber—not the grand halls used for imperial banquets, but an intimate space designed for comfort and family. The lighting was warm, glimmering off polished alloywood surfaces. A single table stood at the center, adorned with silken crimson linen and a few modest decorations.

Lyra was already waiting.

She stood beside the table in a soft dusk-purple gown, her silver-white hair pinned up, her aura less radiant but more sincere. On the table before her was something Arthur hadn't seen in over a year—

A cake.

Round. Frosted. Glowing faintly with threads of sugar.

A real birthday cake.

Arthur blinked. His throat tightened in a strange, unfamiliar way. In his previous life, he hadn't celebrated a birthday in nearly two decades. The last one had been a silent evening during college—his mother had left a single cupcake beside his bed before going to her third job shift.

This?

This was… warmth.

"Happy first cycle, Arthur," Lyra said softly, lifting him from Olivia's arms. "I know this isn't an official celebration… but your mother doesn't need permission to love you."

Arthur stared into her eyes. He wanted to say something. Anything. But the baby body couldn't speak.

So he smiled—just a little.

Lyra lit the candles in streaks of white and gold with a flick of her finger like a magician. She clapped gently, and Olivia activated a compact holo-player—something with strings and bells, gentle and sweet.

Then Lyra brought out a small object wrapped in a cloth of shimmering nanoweave. She knelt and placed it beside him on the table.

"I made this for you," she said.

She unwrapped it carefully.

It was a miniature humanoid robot—barely the size of a forearm—sleek, jointed, and crafted with elegant design. Its head was adorned with light-emitting eyes, and a small gemstone shimmered at its chest.

"I programmed him to respond to basic movements, voice commands, and even comfort signals," she explained. "When you're alone… he'll be there. His name is Zio."

Arthur's breath caught.

He reached out instinctively and tapped the robot's chest. It activated with a soft chime, the eyes blinking to life in calming lavender.

The small machine extended its arms and gave a slow, courteous bow.

Arthur smiled wider this time.

Olivia even tilted her head in amusement. "It's certainly… expressive."

Lyra chuckled. "Just like his new owner."

She placed Arthur on her lap and helped him guide the ceremonial blade—actually more of a blunt-safe decorative cutter—into the cake.

The soft frosting shimmered at the edges as he sliced through it.

Three slices were served. Just the three of them.

A mother. A loyal guardian. And a child hiding the soul of a warrior.

Reflections in the Night

Later that night, Lyra tucked Arthur into his bed as usual. The room was dim, only the soft white glow of a nightlight pulsing gently at the far wall. Olivia had returned to her chambers.

Lyra hummed a lullaby while brushing her hand through Arthur's hair.

"You'll grow up strong," she said, "just like your father. But kinder, I hope. You'll be better."

Arthur stared up at her face. In her eyes, he saw the future—one worth fighting for. One worth changing.

After she kissed his forehead and left the room, the door hissed shut.

Silence returned.

But Arthur did not sleep.

A Mind Too Sharp

He lay under the covers, staring at the ceiling.

"A baby," he mused. "Thinking about succession politics, factional rivalries, military gear loadouts, and future tech timelines."

If he could laugh aloud, he would have.

He reached out and touched the hovering status window again. Still 8% synced. Still locked.

But it didn't matter.

He had time.

Plenty of time.

He would continue building his strength in the shadows.

As someone who knew the future of Astral Genesis—

Its wars. Its betrayals. Its fate.

Final Thought

Lying there in the quiet room, Arthur closed his eyes slowly and let out a breath that only his real self would understand.

"In my last life, I lost everything."

"This time… I'll live to the fullest."

"No regrets."

"No mercy."

And with that, he drifted into his first birthday dream—not as a child…

…but as a soldier in disguise.