Nebula's heart beat wildly with anticipation. She could barely contain her excitement, though even she was uncertain of its true source. Was it because she was finally about to meet her family again after so long? Or was it the long-awaited moment of receiving her middle name, a recognition of her worth within the Dark Flame bloodline? Perhaps… it was both.
Taking a deep breath, Nebula pushed open the grand doors of the Dark Flame residence. At once, all light vanished, swallowed by an endless void. It was as if the world itself had ceased to exist before her—an abyss where nothing lived, nothing stirred, nothing could be felt. She stood in that emptiness, but she did not panic. She knew the truth.
This is Father's power… she realized. The power of absolute darkness that nullifies all five senses. No magic below Rank 8 can break through it—and even Rank 8 spells are useless unless perfectly mastered. Without that mastery, they cannot pierce this veil.
Nebula stepped forward cautiously into the house, yet she could not see. She could not hear. She could not even feel the presence of her brothers, though she knew they walked behind her. In this darkness, she was utterly alone.
And then, as suddenly as it came, the shroud lifted. Light and sensation crashed upon her all at once, so intense it threatened to overwhelm her. For a moment her body trembled, but the energy within her steadied her heart and calmed her breath. Still, the true shock came not from the magic itself, but from the sight that awaited her when her vision returned.
Her family stood before her.
At their center was her father—Valtherion Ignisar Dark Flame, the formidable head of the Dark Flame family. His face was carved with the stern majesty of command; eyes that burned like twin red furnaces, radiating light as though fire itself lived within them. His gaze seemed to strip away illusions, leaving only truth. His hair, black as the void, absorbed every fragment of light around him, a shadow given form that framed his sharp, imperious features. His very presence demanded reverence—an embodiment of fire's destructive brilliance and darkness's consuming authority.
Beside him stood her mother—Eloria Veyra Dark Flame, whose beauty carried both grace and power. Her skin was pure and pale, flawless as polished ivory, untouched by time. Long golden hair cascaded down her shoulders, each strand glowing faintly as if spun from sunlight itself. Her eyes, deep and brilliant blue, held an intensity that commanded respect—eyes that seemed to peer into the depths of one's soul, brimming with an unshakable power that could protect, strengthen, or destroy. She was both warrior and enchantress, elegance interwoven with unmatched might.
Around them were several family elders, their dignified expressions watching closely. Yet none of this struck Nebula as deeply as the presence of one man among them—the last person she expected to see.
Her uncle—Brandson Dark Flame.
Why… why is he here? Nebula thought, her chest tightening.
The naming ceremony was sacred, bound by ancient law. Only those who already bore a middle name—or those about to be granted one—were permitted to attend. No outsiders, no exceptions. Yet Brandson stood there, as if claiming his place.
But Nebula knew her uncle's story all too well. He had long rejected the gift of the middle name, defying what was considered a law among their bloodline. For that defiance, he had paid a terrible price: his fire affinity, once powerful, had been stripped away. Though he remained proficient in Dark Energy—perhaps even more so than others—fire had always been his greatest strength. His body had adapted in strange ways, allowing him to convert fire into darkness, but it was never the same. The raw, unbridled might of true flame could not be replaced.
Will he… will he be granted his middle name alongside me? Nebula wondered silently, though deep down she knew it was a question that would not yet find an answer.
"Congratulations, Nebula," Oliver said warmly, his lips curved into a proud smile. At his side, Valtus stepped forward as well, his calm demeanor carrying weight as he presented their gifts to her.
Nebula's heart fluttered. She felt overjoyed and deeply touched, though not entirely surprised—it was tradition that anyone who received their middle name would also be honored with gifts from their family. Still, the gesture carried warmth beyond ritual, and she cherished every moment.
Then, her father rose. Lord Valtherion Ignisar Dark Flame, the head of the family, advanced with regal composure. His burning crimson eyes glowed faintly like embers beneath shadowed lids, and when he spoke, his voice carried both authority and affection.
"You have done much, Nebula—great deeds, revolutionary even. Deeds that will bring honor not only to our House, but to the entire Kingdom. Therefore, I present to you this gift."
There was a rare shine in his fiery gaze and the faintest of smiles touched his lips. For Nebula, that small expression revealed everything—how deeply pleased and proud he truly was. His next words, however, came with a sincerity that nearly broke her composure.
"You make us all proud, by your own hard work."
Nebula's breath caught in her throat. She had no words—none that could capture the flood of gratitude, joy, and disbelief swelling in her chest. Her fingers trembled slightly as she reached forward, taking the ornate box from her father's hands. In that instant, her entire world felt brighter, fuller—carved into memory forever.
Suddenly, Nebula felt something soft press against her face. The air seemed to vanish, leaving her a little breathless, though not from fear. A faint smile tugged at her lips—she knew exactly what this was.
"Oh, my dear…" came the affectionate voice of Lady Eloria Veyra Dark Flame, her mother. Her pure white skin gleamed softly, her golden hair shimmered like threads of sunlight, and her deep blue eyes sparkled with pride and tenderness. "You've grown strong, and even skilled in the kitchen, just like me. From now on, I shall teach you all my secrets—you are ready."
She pulled Nebula into a crushing embrace, her daughter's head completely smothered against her chest, making it impossible for Nebula to draw a breath.
Across the chamber, her father chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Dear… let her go, or you'll suffocate her with your power," Lord Valtherion Ignisar Dark Flame said, his tone caught between amusement and mild reproach.
Startled, Lady Eloria blinked, then laughed gently as she released her daughter. "Oh, forgive me, Nebula."
Nebula drew in a sharp breath of freedom, her cheeks slightly flushed, yet her heart glowed warmly beneath the overwhelming affection of her mother. Then Lady Eloria Veyra Dark Flame placed something in her hands—a shimmering, crystalline gem pulsing faintly with radiant light.
"This crystal contains my own power. Wearing it will make you stronger… tougher," her mother said, her voice tender yet proud.
Nebula's eyes widened in disbelief. This was not an ordinary gift—it was a crystallized form of her mother's very energy, something she had only ever entrusted to her father. "Thank you, Mother," Nebula whispered, her voice tinged with awe.
One by one, others stepped forward to greet her and present the gifts they had prepared, but her gaze lingered elsewhere, drawn again and again to her uncle.
Finally, Brandson Dark Flame stepped forward, his expression calm yet unusually resolute. He extended a gift to her and said, "Congratulations, Nebula."
The words struck her like a thunderclap. Her breath caught. My uncle… gave me a gift? That means—
"Uncle, you—" she began.
He nodded slowly, his eyes steady. "Yes. I have taken the name… Brandson Erevos Dark Flame. From this day, I am once again part of the main family."
Nebula's shock deepened. "But why? You always rejected the name, always turned away from it…"
Her father's voice cut across hers, smooth but firm. "We can speak of this later. For now, Nebula, summon your spirit."
Nebula hesitated, then nodded. She raised her hand, and in a flare of otherworldly light, Celestial materialized before them. Yet this time, something was different. His form remained the same, but his very presence had shifted—no longer merely a spirit, he seemed like a man carved from wisdom itself, radiating maturity and authority.
His eyes, deep and unfathomable, swept across the room. His voice rang out, calm yet carrying a hidden weight. "So… you wished to see me. Speak now. What is it that you desire?"
The hall fell utterly silent. Nebula's confusion grew—Celestial had never spoken this way before, his words now cloaked in mystery and power.
For a few heartbeats, no one moved. Then, as though compelled by an ancient recognition, Lord Valtherion Ignisar Dark Flame and Lady Eloria Veyra Dark Flame both dropped to their knees. One by one, the elders and attendants followed, until the entire chamber knelt before Celestial—everyone except Nebula herself.
Nebula froze, her body rigid as stone, her mind a storm of disbelief. Why… why are they kneeling?
Then her father's voice, heavy with sincerity, broke the silence.
"Thank you, my Lord. I cannot express my gratitude in mere words. Years ago, you protected my daughter… and now you guide her still. The Dark Flame family owes you everything. We will do anything for you—My Lord."
Nebula's lips parted, but no sound came. She stood as if carved from marble, her heart racing, her thoughts spiraling into chaos. My Lord? What… what is happening?