The humans had begun to fill the grand ballroom of the Black Tower, their eyes wide with both curiosity and subtle wariness. Unlike the usual extravagant gowns and heavy, layered suits common in human banquets, tonight, everyone was dressed in the unmistakable fashion of Velrathis.
The men wore sleek black formal suits or modern tuxedos, depending on which style they had selected from the curated designs provided by employees of Evadne Lux, the fashion house founded under Nugget's direction. The tailoring was sharp, minimal, and masculine, no excessive embellishments or dramatic tails, just sharp silhouettes made to impress.
The women, at first hesitant, were shocked at the lack of layers and fabric. The dresses seemed scandalously simple, lightweight, body-hugging, and daring. But once the models from EL walked in wearing them, showcasing how the gowns moved and glittered like liquid magic on skin, they grew bolder.
The older women were given more refined versions, soft-flowing gowns that didn't require corsets, dresses that fell off the shoulders or dipped modestly at the neckline, designed to flatter age and wisdom without sacrificing dignity. The younger women, and the braver ones, chose gowns that accentuated their curves. No more bone-crushing corsets or skirts so heavy they couldn't walk or eat.
They were also given accessories, jewelry, shoes, and purses that matched their ensembles perfectly. And they were informed that whatever they wore was theirs to keep, a gift from the Demon Lord.
Now, as they stood scattered across the vast marble hall of the Black Tower, illuminated by glowing crystal chandeliers and enchanted skylights, they couldn't help but whisper and gaze in awe at their surroundings. Add to that the unbelievable magical technology they had seen during their brief tours through several cities in Velrathis, and the effect was total, most noble and royal guest was burning with the desire to own a piece of this world.
Everyone wore masquerade masks, intricate, silver-threaded, and charmed with light enchantments. And though the ball had only just begun, the atmosphere was already electrified.
The food was rich and otherworldly. The drinks, exotic and dangerously smooth.
But of course, not everyone could admit their fascination.
Especially the monarchs.
The ruling houses of the six human kingdoms clustered together in silent alliance, attempting to maintain their pride as they whispered amongst themselves. Their posture was stiff, eyes critical, lips curled in restrained contempt.
"Would Your Majesties care to try this wine?" asked an elven steward, his voice gentle as he offered a tray of goblets filled with golden liquid that shimmered under the chandeliers.
"What is that?" Emperor Arim Ka'Theron of Gaianthos asked, raising a brow behind his black-and-gold mask.
"It's called Nectar," the elf answered graciously. "It relaxes the nerves while also refreshing the senses."
"Hmph. A cheap substitute for the red wine served to the demi-human guests, perhaps?" Prince Vanyel Umbraeth-Nyxara of Noctharis scoffed, narrowing his eyes. "We noticed they've been drinking something entirely different."
The disdain in his tone was thinly veiled. His gaze slid toward a nearby group of laughing demi-human nobles, whose wine was a rich, almost blood-colored crimson.
It was clear the humans felt slighted, looked down upon.
Suddenly, a voice broke the tension with perfect timing.
"Please… don't misunderstand, Prince Vanyel Umbraeth-Nyxara of Noctharis," came a smooth, melodic voice.
Cosmo had appeared beside them, effortlessly, as if he had always been part of their circle. The air shifted subtly. Unlike his twin Comet, whose energy crackled like a blade about to strike, Cosmo's presence was disarming… charming, even. But underneath the polished smile, they all knew the danger was equal.
He plucked the wine bottle from the elven steward's hands and began pouring it himself into their goblets, one by one. Even Duke Aurelian received a glass.
"That wine," Cosmo said, voice laced with amusement, "is called Blood Wine."
His smile was almost too pleasant.
"We demi-humans possess… shall we say, a very strong resistance to poison. That includes alcohol. So what gets us tipsy would likely have a human unconscious on the floor."
Cosmo let that sink in, then continued, "The Demon Lord himself insisted that no humans be served Blood Wine tonight. He wants your minds clear and untouched by intoxication, for now."
"But don't worry. A bottle of Blood Wine and Nectar will be delivered to each of you as parting gifts, souvenirs of Velrathis."
Then, with a wicked twinkle in his eyes, he leaned in just slightly, lowering his voice to a conspiratorial whisper only the nearby royals could hear.
"Just so you know… for humans, Blood Wine is also a powerful aphrodisiac."
Several royal ladies inhaled softly behind their masks, eyes flickering.
Cosmo winked.
Then, with graceful flair, he swirled the golden liquid in one of the crystal goblets, letting the warm light of the enchanted chandelier catch the shimmering contents. The wine sparkled like liquid starlight.
He turned slowly, letting his gaze sweep over the monarchs gathered in their tight, uneasy circle.
"Do you know what Nectar means?" he asked, his voice low and laced with playful arrogance.
But he didn't wait for an answer.
"It's called the drink of the gods. The wine of the Celestials."
He brought the goblet to his lips and drank slowly, like a lover savoring a kiss. Then he returned the empty glass to the elf's tray and smiled.
"You can ask the Empress of Aquilonis. She knows quite a lot about these things," he added with a wink.
With a slight, elegant bow of his head, Cosmo turned and walked toward the dais. Every step echoed with a confidence that made even seasoned rulers feel smaller.
Once at the foot of the raised platform, his voice lifted, warm and commanding as the room quieted.
"Ladies and gentlemen, good evening. And welcome. Welcome to the first grand banquet of the Demon Lord Caelum."
He paused, smiling as murmurs spread through the hall.
"Without further ado," he continued, "allow me to present to you the leading houses of every demi-human city, as well as the ruling monarchs of the six human kingdoms. It is only right that you all become familiar with one another, because tonight marks the beginning of a new era in Solmara."
As Cosmo spoke, the chandelier above the dais shifted into an enchanted projector, casting glowing panels into the air. On each panel, the guests could see live feeds of the banquet in various angles. The humans gasped, stunned at the sophistication of Velrathis magic-tech.
Cosmo began the introductions.
"From the Kingdom of Pyrrathis.
Emperor Syron Pyrrath,
Empress Mother Isolde Arwyn,
Second Concubine Aelira Thornmere."
"From the Kingdom of Vaelundis.
Empress Celisse Valeria,
Emperor Therys Nereida-Valeria,
Prince Caelmar Nereida-Valeria,
and Second Princess Celine Valeria,
first concubine of Pyrrathis."
"From the Kingdom of Zephyriax.
King Solthren Galeon,
Queen Alvaerra Galeon,
and Princess Zephyra Galeon."
"From Noctharis.
Emperor Malchior Umbraeth,
Empress Elsenya Nyxara,
and Prince Vanyel Umbraeth-Nyxara."
"From Gaianthos.
Emperor Arim Ka'Theron,
Prince Enri Ka'Theron,
and Princess Nysha Ka'Theron."
"From Aquilonis.
Duke Aurelian Aquilon,
and Princess Aurora Aquilon."
Each name echoed in the hall as their images flashed above, sparing them the need to step into the spotlight. Still, the humans stiffened under the scrutiny of hundreds of masked demi-human eyes. They were surrounded by beings far older, stronger, and more dangerous than any they'd encountered before.
Then Cosmo shifted his tone.
"And now, the ruling houses of the demi-human cities, pillars of Velrathis."
He announced them one by one.
"The ruling house of Duskborn. House Silverbough.
The ruling house of Mor'Kael. House Hollowkiss.
Of Veyln. House Ashfur.
Of Emberwrought. House Axebringer.
Of Malvakar. House Veyraeth,
second only, of course, to the ancestral House Caelum."
The names rang like spells, each associated with immense power, territory, and legacy.
Then Cosmo's smile widened. His voice dropped just enough to stir excitement.
"And finally... let us all welcome to the surface a race long thought lost, hidden since the Holy Beasts fell into slumber. Tonight, the water dwellers rise again."
He raised his hand.
"The Narfs.
Queen Azura and Prince Azul."
A massive double door at the side of the ballroom opened with a slow, elegant motion. Cool mist rolled in, scented faintly of ocean breeze.
Queen Azura and Prince Azul entered in regal grace, accompanied by members of the Narf Council.
Their arrival was breathtaking.
Even the elves and fae, known for their impossible beauty, were humbled by the radiant presence of the Narfs. The demons paused, gazes narrowing, as if confronted with treasures so rare they didn't know whether to worship or conquer them.
The Narfs walked forward like they belonged to the sea and the stars both, draped in deep blue and silver garments that shimmered like moonlight on waves.
Queen Azura and Prince Azul approached the area where Duke Aurelian and Princess Aurora seated.
"Queen Azura. Prince Azul. It's been a long time," Aurelian greeted them, voice controlled, though his surprise was evident.
The monarchs nearby watched the exchange with bated breath.
"Duke Aurelian," Queen Azura replied, her tone cool but not unfriendly. "Yes, it has been some time. After we answered your call for help, that troublemaker Panther offered us a deal we couldn't resist. We've been… busy stabilizing our kingdom since."
"A deal?" Aurelian asked, his brows furrowing.
"Yes," Azul replied, stepping forward. "The Demon Lord granted us entrance to the Blinding Mist. We now occupy the Sea of the Gilded Abyss."
Aurelian's expression hardened slightly. "So you have bowed down to the Demon Lord?"
The tone was accusatory, measured but sharp.
A subtle tension flickered among the Narf Council, several of whom exchanged looks of displeasure.
But Queen Azura only smiled.
"Not bowed down, Duke," she said calmly. "The Great Human War is over. And the Demon Lord no longer demands that the demi-humans kneel. Alliance, " her voice grew firmer, "... is the correct word."
She met his gaze without blinking. Behind her, Azul's eyes were colder.
Cosmo's voice echoed once.
"And now," Cosmo declared, puffing his chest with unmistakable pride, "it is my great honor to introduce to you the House that made everything you see in Velrathis possible. The House Caelum."
All eyes turned toward the grand staircase as a low hum of anticipation spread through the crowd. Even the humans, previously feigning indifference, leaned forward.
"The eldest child of Caelum, Warden of the Malvakar, Master Alpha."
Every demi-human in the room dipped their heads with reverence. Gasps erupted from the humans as Alpha appeared, towering at nearly three times the size of any man in the room. His presence was colossal. Muscles coiled beneath his tailored black ensemble, crafted from void silk, reinforced with obsidian-threaded runes. He held his midnight masquerade mask lazily in one hand, and though his sheer size could easily terrify, his gaze was surprisingly warm. Inviting. Yet not a single soul doubted the controlled ferocity that lived beneath his skin.
"Second child, Warden of Veyln, Master Orso."
If Alpha was terrifying, Orso was something else entirely. A walking mountain, forged from granite and storm. His charcoal-gray tuxedo was enchanted to adjust with every flex of his massive form, but still strained against his frame. Orso didn't walk, he rumbled. The humans paled, even the proudest among them suddenly realized what real power looked like. One misstep from Orso, and they'd be crushed like flies.
"The third and fourth children, siblingmates, Master Tuf, Warden of Duskborn, and Mistress Luna."
Whispers flitted across the room. Only a few within Velrathis knew the truth of their bond, that they were more than siblings, bound by something ancient, a matebond. The two descended the stairs side by side, a study in contrast and synchronicity.
Luna, regal and cold as the stars themselves, wore a black gown slit high along her thigh, the fabric dusted with starlight gems that glimmered with every movement. It clung to her like a constellation.
Tuf, smug and unbothered in his deep obsidian suit, had one arm hooked possessively around Luna's waist. His sharp hair swept back as his eyes swept the crowd, deadly, narrowed. Every man or woman who lingered too long on Luna received a searing glare and a low growl from Tuf's throat. Luna only sighed, rolling her eyes.
"The fifth child, Warden of Mor'Kael and the mind behind Velrathis Fashion, Mistress Nugget."
The humans drew collective breaths.
Nugget strutted with unapologetic confidence, clad not in a gown, but in a form-fitted jet-black suit with lapels shimmering with glasscut diamonds. She wore no undershirt beneath her blazer, her bare cleavage framed like art. Vulgar, some thought, but they couldn't look away. Masculine in silhouette, feminine in essence, she exuded magnetic dominance that defied definition. Every seam of every attire tonight bore her signature brilliance.
"The sixth child, Warden of Emberwrought and the brilliant mind behind every innovation in the empire, Mistress Peanut."
Gasps turned into stunned silence.
Peanut appeared no older than eighteen, her soft features and petite frame deceiving. She wore a semi-holographic ivory trench dress embedded with floating glyphs that flickered as she walked, hinting at neural-linked tech woven into the fabric. She looked like a teenage prodigy. The architect behind the magitech that powered all of Velrathis.
And most shocking of all to the human monarchs, she, like her sisters, held executive power. Unlike their own courts, where Empresses were mere adornments to the throne, women in Velrathis reigned with authority.
"The seventh child, Warden of the Sea of the Gilded Abyss, previously known in Vaelundis as the Messenger of Solmara, Master Neko."
The mention of his name sent a tremor through the Vaelundis delegation.
Neko's entrance was quiet but lethal. His blond hair cascaded over one glowing eye. His mask was sculpted from sea glass and moonsteel, held in place by strands of living coral. The royals of Vaelundis averted their eyes. The damage was already done. Their precious Celestial Slab, turned to sand. Their waters, slowly dying. And all because one human dared to insult the Messenger without recognizing who he truly was.
"The eighth and ninth children, the always and forever proud freeloaders, Master Milo and Mistress Vivi."
Laughter rippled through the demi-human crowd as Milo and Vivi descended the stairs together, heads high and smug with pride. Both wore customized glam-formal suits, their expressions screaming mischief. They made freeloading look like royalty.
"And the youngest, and everyone's favorite. Her Mama and Papa's bestest favorite," Cosmo grinned mischievously, "The Little Regent of the Velrathis Empire… Regent Pixie."
Laughter erupted again, this time louder.
Gasps and adoration swept the room as a petite figure peeked out from behind a pair of demon aides. Pixie wore a short iridescent dress with a layered holographic skirt that flickered between pastel hues, paired with glowing butterfly wings that floated just behind her back like a magical illusion.
"Did she really make you say that?" Tuf muttered to Cosmo, barely hiding his smirk at the way his baby sister had demanded her introduction.
Cosmo, ever poised, just grinned in response. "Word for word."
Pixie, unfazed by the pomp, twirled once and blew kisses toward the crowd.
"And now," Cosmo announced, voice echoing like a solemn drumbeat across the enchanted ballroom, "the man of the hour. The absolute ruler of the Velrathis Empire… Demon Lord Caelum."
The moment Caelum stepped into the hall, every demi-human stood up and removed their masquerade masks and bowed without hesitation. Not out of fear, but out of centuries-old reverence.
The humans, however, had no such instinct. And yet… they bowed too.
Not because they wanted to.
But because they had no choice.
A crushing weight filled the air, an oppressive aura so dense it pressed against their lungs, their bones, their very souls. They could not lift their heads. They could barely breathe.
Even Aurelian, standing near the front, had no choice but to lower his head, a deep frown etched into his brow. He had met the Demon Lord once before, back at the Empress's palace. Back then, he had sensed a quiet strength… but this? This was something else entirely.
This wasn't just strength.
This was dominion.
Aurelian had never felt more human.
All they could hear were footsteps, slow and deliberate, echoing through the marble.
No face. No image. Just the presence.
"Please," came the calm, resonant voice of the Demon Lord, "at ease."
Like a spell being broken, the pressure lifted. The humans stood straight once more, tentatively, now able to look up and truly see him.
Gasps filled the room.
The Demon Lord Caelum stood before his throne, an obsidian and velvet high chair carved with sigils that pulsed faintly in time with his aura. And yet, it wasn't the throne that stunned them.
It was him.
He looked… young.
Far too young.
So young, in fact, he could be mistaken for Tuf's twin, only perhaps a year older. His hair was black, slicked back with precision. His black formal suit hugged his tall, lean form like it had been sewn into his skin. His features were perfect, inhuman in their symmetry.
This was not a weathered king.
This was eternal youth forged from godhood.
"Please," he said again, his voice low but commanding, "take your seats."
The guests did so in silence.
"Thank you for attending this banquet," Caelum began, his tone smooth, every word carefully measured. "I hope your journey and the brief tour of Velrathis cities have been enlightening."
He paused, allowing the weight of that word to settle.
"There are many reasons why I chose to hold this event," he continued. "First, because I know you have questions. About the sudden appearance of Velrathis. About who we are. What we want. And why now."
He let his gaze sweep across the room. The humans sat stiffly, their masks unable to hide their unease.
"And I know," he said, "no matter how many summits you hold amongst yourselves, none of you will find the answers. Because the truth is, your history is incomplete. The history of this empire, of the demi-humans, was erased. By my family. Long ago."
Gasps again. Whispers. But no one dared speak aloud.
"So many questions plague your minds. But the only ones who can answer them… are us."
"We did not appear out of nowhere. We've been here all along. Hidden. Not because we were afraid. But because coexisting with humans was, at one point in time… impossible."
A pause. A glance toward the royals seated in the front row.
"Before the Great Human War, there was hatred. Oppression. Bloodshed. On both sides. And so, I made a decision."
He lifted his chin, unapologetic.
"To erase the existence of demi-humans from every human record. To remove us from your world. We chose silence. You chose forgetfulness. And most of those responsible are long gone."
"The past," Caelum said softly, "is where it belongs. Behind us."
His tone shifted now, warmer, almost diplomatic.
"You may now ask, why return? Why reveal ourselves again after so long? The answer is simple. we are not here to conquer, as many of you feared."
He smiled faintly. It was not a soft smile.
"We are here to coexist."
A hush fell over the ballroom.
"Though I will not lower the mist barrier," he continued, "it is not because we do not trust humans. Rather, it is because we do not seek to meddle in your kingdoms. We are not here to rule over you. You may continue to do what you do best."
There were a few uneasy chuckles in the crowd.
"But I will not deny," he added, "that life in Velrathis is… different. And to make true coexistence possible, one of the six kingdoms has agreed to serve as a bridge between humans and demi-humans."
Eyes darted across the room. Whispers rose again.
"We are not conquering them," Caelum emphasized. "We are assisting them. And in return, they have agreed to restructure how they govern. So that cooperation can happen not with secrecy, but with strength and consent."
"From this moment onward," Caelum declared, his voice firm yet eerily calm, "they have agreed to relinquish their status as an absolute monarchy… and transition into a constitutional monarchy."
Whispers immediately rose from the nobles and royals gathered in the ballroom, but none dared speak above the hush that followed his next words.
"Their crown will no longer wield unchecked authority. Instead, it will serve as a symbol, an overseer to a council chosen by the people themselves. The royal family shall no longer be forced to take sides. They will stand above politics, governing with guidance, not command."
He paused.
"And this… is the second reason for this banquet." His eyes, cold and sharp, scanned the room. "May I call upon… Princess Aurora Aquilon of Aquilonis."
Shock rippled through the hall.
Aurelian's brows furrowed deeply. He turned toward his sister, confusion etched into every line of his face.
"What's happening?" he asked, voice low, a dark edge creeping into his tone.
Aurora stood slowly, her expression composed, but her eyes, shimmering under the lights, betrayed the weight of her decision.
"I'm sorry, brother," she whispered.
The tremor in her voice wasn't fear, it was finality.
Before Aurelian could move, Celion, his closest friend, stepped forward to escort Aurora toward the front, toward Caelum. The betrayal hit him like a gut punch. Celion, too?
Aurelian scanned the crowd, every noble, every representative of Aquilonis. And realization dawned like a slow, burning poison.
They all knew.
Everyone... except him.
They had kept him in the dark.
As Aurora reached the dais, Neko approached, gently taking her hand. From the other side, Nugget stepped forward, cradling something in her hands.
A crown.
But not just any crown, this one shimmered with pure mana crystals, laced with glowing gold inlays and embedded rune stones. It pulsed with soft silver-blue light, alive with enchantment. More artifact than ornament.
"I present this crown," said Caelum, "as a gift of friendship from Velrathis to Aquilonis. This is no ordinary crown. It is a symbol of our alliance. As long as it rests on the head of Aquilonis's reigning monarch, Velrathis shall remain its unyielding ally."
He stepped forward, taking the crown from Nugget.
"This crown may only be worn by the chosen monarch, and may only be passed on willingly, to a descendant who carries the blood of House Aquilon."
Aurora bowed her head.
Neko gently turned her around to face the assembly.
Caelum held the crown above her head and said, "Solmara… I present to you the new Monarch of Aquilonis, Empress Aurora."
He lowered the crown.
The moment it touched her brow, the crystal embedded in its center glowed a brilliant silver-blue, casting Aurora in an ethereal light. The weight of the crown was significant, yet to her, it felt weightless. Almost… meant for her.
"Thank you, My Lord," she said, voice clear, strong.
From across the room, Aurelian turned pale.
But not out of jealousy.
He had never wanted the crown. He had never craved the throne. That wasn't what gutted him.
It was the implication.
If Aurora was now Empress, then Ceres… was no longer Empress of Aquilonis.
That was what had tethered her to his side.
That was what had made her stay.
And now, it was gone.
They had taken her from him.
Behind his back.
His jaw clenched. Rage boiled in his gut. His hands curled into fists at his sides. He could feel the eyes of others watching, but none dared speak to him.
The ceremony continued.
As Aurora stepped back, Tuf took center stage. Calm, commanding, and smug as ever.
He began calling forward each of the former noble houses of Aquilonis, those who had surrendered their noble titles. One by one, they stepped into the light. No longer nobles in name, but something greater in purpose.
Each house was entrusted with managing one of the core sectors of the empire's economy, raw material extraction, infrastructure, transportation, commerce, research and development. They were now owners, executives, builders of a new system. One that valued innovation over birthright.
And as the humans watched, many of them, especially from the other kingdoms, could not hide the envy in their eyes.
Because in Velrathis, titles meant nothing.
Power came from success.
And wealth, from ability.
Who needed a throne when you could hold empires in your hands?
But not all hope was lost for the other kingdoms.
Tuf raised a hand.
"Velrathis is open to partnerships with the other kingdoms," he said. "We will observe. And if your nations show promise, we will come to you next."
The crowd stirred, and already, murmurs of intent and petition were being whispered among the monarchs.
Just then, Cosmo approached Caelum at the dais and whispered something in his ear.
A faint smile curved the Demon Lord's lips, and he gave a silent nod.
Caelum now wore his masquerade mask, but the wicked gleam in his eyes and the wide smile on his lips betrayed the excitement he could no longer contain. His gaze was fixed on the grand entrance of the ballroom.
"On behalf of the Velrathis Empire," Cosmo declared, voice echoing with warm pride across the majestic Black Tower ballroom, "we hope to work with you all, hand in hand, for the new era of Solmara."
He paused as Tuf returned to his seat beside Luna. A hush fell over the crowd, anticipation curling in the air like incense.
"And now, the most important reason this banquet is being held…" Cosmo's voice dropped lower, filled with reverence and something else, affection. "Tonight, we welcome and introduce to the whole of Solmara the most vital member of House Caelum. You must have seen her name in nearly every city, engraved in the walls of establishments, whispered in the halls of power, branded into the very fabric of this empire."
A murmur swept the room.
"Many of you knew her as the First Princess of Vaelundis. Others, as the Empress of Aquilonis. Still others, as the master of the Holy Beast Seiryu. But to Velrathis, and to its heart, she is so much more. Help me welcome... the Matriarch of House Caelum and the first Empress of the Velrathis Empire, Her Majesty, Empress Ceres Evadne."
Caelum rose from his obsidian throne, tall, striking, a god cloaked in a demon's name, and descended the stairs with solemn grace.
The massive double doors at the end of the ballroom opened in full.
And there she was.
Ceres walked in, flanked by Seiryu and Delphine. Seiryu wore an ethereal all-white suit, crisp and regal, with a white-and-gold mask that matched Delphine's own flowing white-and-gold gown. The two stood like twin guardians of light beside their empress.
But no one could look away from her.
Ceres wore a breathtaking silver-blue gown, fitted in elegant mermaid style that sculpted to her figure like a second skin. Diamonds and enchanted gems stitched into the fabric shimmered like stardust, catching the light in a dance of silver and ocean-blue hues with every graceful step. Her golden mask gleamed with arcane sigils etched so fine they pulsed gently, matching the flicker in her irises.
She did not glance at the crowd. She didn't have to. Her gaze was locked on Caelum, just as his never wavered from her.
The moment they reached each other in the center of the ballroom, Delphine gave a graceful bow and stepped aside. Seiryu gently took Ceres' hand, kissed her knuckles, and placed it into Caelum's palm.
Then the two slipped silently into the background, leaving the rulers of Velrathis alone beneath the chandeliers.
The ballroom dimmed until only one spotlight bathed the two in soft, glowing warmth. The crowd fell completely silent.
A soft melody began to play, seemingly from nowhere, soulful, wistful, haunting.
Then came a voice, serene, yet brimming with emotion.
"Heart beats fast
Colors and promises
How to be brave?
How can I love when I'm afraid to fall?"
Ceres let out a soft laugh and shook her head.
"No, you didn't," she whispered, smiling.
Caelum leaned in close, his breath warm against her cheek.
"Yes, I did," he murmured, and kissed the back of her hand before stepping back just enough to pull her into a slow, elegant waltz.
"Love," Ceres said, half-laughing, half-sighing as she followed his lead. Of course he would remember the song. He had always wanted this. Even in their old world. Even on Earth.
The two began to dance, lost in each other's eyes. Their bodies moved in perfect sync, like a silent promise made flesh.
"Time stands still
Beauty in all she is
I will be brave
I will not let anything take away
What's standing in front of me
Every breath, every hour has come to this
One step closer..."
Almost everyone watched in breathless wonder.
Though they didn't know the song, didn't understand the depth of its meaning, they could feel it, the history, the ache, the love that had waited far too long.
Ceres moved with grace and power, and Caelum, her Zeus, looked at her like a man who had found his entire world in one woman.
"I have died every day waiting for you
Darling, don't be afraid
I have loved you for a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more…"
It wasn't just a dance.
It was a love story written across centuries. A reunion forged by time, torn apart by death, reborn in a world of magic.
To the humans, it was romantic.
To the demi-humans, it was sacred.
And to the man who had waited a thousand years for this very moment, it was salvation.
"And all along I believed I would find you
Time has brought your heart to me
I have loved you for a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more…"
And it was all worth it. Every second of the wait. Every sacrifice.
Because she was here.
With him.
Finally home.