The buried city beneath Blackstone Academy pulsed with a steady, unshackled rhythm, its black-gold runes glowing faintly under the dawn sky, casting a warm light as the late morning sun climbed higher. The Veins' freedom had safeguarded the academy as a radiant stronghold, its ley-lines weaving a resilient web across the continent, awakening ancient realms and ushering in an era of fragile shadowy clarity after recent clarifications. Mark Wilde stood in the council chamber within the academy's central tower, its walls etched with runes of unity and resilience that thrummed softly in the daylight. The crystalline table held Lysa's glowing orb, its map now shimmering with a radiant pulse from the Sunspire Peak, northwest of the Duskwind Hollow, indicating a light anthem tied to the Veins' awakening. His allies—Elira, Vrix, Silas, Lysa, Kaelith Veyr, Torin Drayce, Lirien Frostweave, Gavric Thorn, Thryme Dren, Koryn Stormchaser, Sylra Vineborn, Draven Ashwalker, Celene Prismguard, Astrael Nightwatcher, Kael Driftsand, Liora Mistguide, Tharok Earthflame, Nyx Duskwraith, Lyra Celestarch, Erynn Rootwhisper, Zariel Crystalshade, Calen Tidewhisper, Tavrin Chronoshield, Kaelor Sunforge, Lirien Echochord, Seryn Nightveil, Tharok Emberforge, Veyra Frostspire, Kaelith Stormveil, Zariel Prismheart, Erynn Spiritveil, Lyra Sunpetal, Calen Moonflow, Astrael Nightveil, Tharok Emberflow, Liora Frostveil, Tavrin Stormrift, Erynn Crystalvoice, Erynn Rootbloom, Tavrin Seacall, Seryn Duskveil, Astrael Stargazer, Veyra Iceveil, Zariel Mistwalker, Kaelith Prismguide, Sylra Bloomguide, Tavrin Windguide, Liora Tideguide, Lyra Sunscribe, Seryn Duskwalker, Zariel Starscribe, Gavric Earthscribe, Erynn Frostscribe, Tavrin Stormscribe, Draven Flamescribe, Liora Tidescribe, Seryn Shadowscribe, Astrael Lightscribe, Gavric Earthscribe, Kaelor Airscribe, Erynn Firescribe, Liora Waterscribe, and Seryn Nightscribe—gathered around, their faces reflecting the morning's brightness yet illuminated by the radiant signal. The air vibrated with mana, charged with light energy yet sung by a harmonious force.
Lysa traced the orb's map with a steady hand, her journal open, its pages shimmering with light runes. "The Duskwind Hollow's cadence is clarified," she said, her voice clear despite the late morning's warmth. "But the journal detects a new glow from the Sunspire Peak—a light anthem, a hymn of radiance and harmony awakened by the Veins, guarded by a figure called Lyra Lightweaver."
Mark's eyes narrowed, the Forbidden Tier magic stirring beneath his skin, aligning with the city's pulse as the morning advanced. "The Sunspire Peak," he said, sensing a shift from shadowy to radiant. "What's the anthem's purpose?"
Lysa pointed to the map, where the radiant pulse marked a towering, sunlit expanse. "The journal calls it a ley-line halo, a beacon where the Veins channel light and harmony. Lyra Lightweaver, a light guardian, seeks to sing this anthem—either to enhance the Veins' brilliance or to overwhelm their essence, depending on their intent."
Elira leaned on her staff, her wards glowing softly, cutting through the chamber's late morning light. "The Sunspire Peak is brilliant—blazing sun, mana-woven radiance, and an air that uplifts the spirit. This anthem could inspire us or blind us. Our alliances are fragile; this could unite or dazzle them."
Silas twirled his cane, his grin lit by the challenge. "A halo in the peak? That's a radiant fight. My Runebreakers can scout, but the Peak is a beacon. We're holding the academy, but we're intrigued. What's the plan, Wilde?"
Vrix's stone-like skin glinted as she traced a glyph pulsing with moderating energy. "The Archives describe halos as ley-line beacons, blending light and harmony. Lyra could use this to either illuminate or overwhelm the Veins. We must gauge their intent."
Mark's mind merged the strategic wisdom of his past life as Maximilian Wilde with his current role as the Crownless Sovereign. The light anthem offered brilliance but also dazzle. "Lysa," he said, "any wisdom from the journal?"
Lysa flipped to a new page, revealing a sketch of a luminous figure wreathed in radiant light, surrounded by runes of harmony. "It reads: 'The Lightweaver seeks to sing the Veins' halo. The Crownless must face them with moderation, for their strength lies in their anthem.'"
Elira's wards flickered, her tone cautious. "Moderation? The Peak's light could blind us, Mark. It's a radiant challenge."
Mark's smile was tempered. "Then we moderate their anthem. The Veins are our brilliance. Vrix, can your glyphs moderate the ley-lines at the halo, countering their light runes? Silas, your Runebreakers can secure the Peak's base. Elira, Lysa, Kaelith, Torin, Lirien, Gavric, Thryme, Koryn, Sylra, Draven, Celene, Astrael, Kael, Liora, Tharok, Nyx, Lyra, Erynn, Zariel, Calen, Tavrin, Kaelor, Lirien, Seryn, Tharok, Veyra, Kaelith, Zariel, Erynn, Lyra, Calen, Astrael, Tharok, Liora, Tavrin, Erynn, Erynn, Tavrin, Seryn, Astrael, Veyra, Zariel, Kaelith, Sylra, Tavrin, Liora, Lyra, Seryn, Zariel, Gavric, Erynn, Tavrin, Draven, Liora, Seryn, Astrael, Gavric, Kaelor, Erynn, Liora, Seryn, you're with me. We'll sing the strength."
A new voice, bright and melodic, broke the stillness. A luminous figure with skin like golden rays and eyes like clear skies stepped forward, their robe woven with light threads. "I am Astrael Dayscribe," they sang. "I've sensed the Sunspire Peak's glow. Lyra is my kin, torn between illuminating or overwhelming the anthem—peacefully or by force. I'll guide you, if you seek harmony."
Vrix nodded, her glyph softening. "I can moderate the ley-lines, but the Peak's mana is intense. Thirty minutes, at best."
Silas twirled his cane, his grin steady. "Thirty minutes to sing a light cult with a new scribe? I'm in. My team'll hold the base."
"Set," Mark said, his eyes glowing as the Forbidden Tier magic surged. "We move at noon. Let's sing the strength."
The Sunspire Peak shone under a noon sky, its sunlit expanse pulsing with awakened mana, the air thick with radiance and harmonious resonance. Vrix's glyphs had carved a narrow, moderated path, guiding the ley-lines' flow. Silas's Runebreakers, aided by Astrael's light craft, secured the Peak's base, their illusions conjuring moderation and dispelling dazzle, drawing any guardians away from the halo.
Mark, Elira, Lysa, Kaelith, Torin, Lirien, Gavric, Thryme, Koryn, Sylra, Draven, Celene, Astrael, Kael, Liora, Tharok, Nyx, Lyra, Erynn, Zariel, Calen, Tavrin, Kaelor, Lirien, Seryn, Tharok, Veyra, Kaelith, Zariel, Erynn, Lyra, Calen, Astrael, Tharok, Liora, Tavrin, Erynn, Erynn, Tavrin, Seryn, Astrael, Veyra, Zariel, Kaelith, Sylra, Tavrin, Liora, Lyra, Seryn, Zariel, Gavric, Erynn, Tavrin, Draven, Liora, Seryn, Astrael, Gavric, Kaelor, Erynn, Liora, Seryn, and Astrael moved through the radiant terrain, their mana-woven cloaks shielding them from the light energy. The ground thrummed with a rhythm of harmony. "This place is a beacon," Elira muttered, her staff's moderation struggling against the brilliance. "The mana's intense."
Mark's hand hovered near his spiral glyph, the Forbidden Tier magic syncing with the Veins' pulse. "It's antheming," he said.
Lysa clutched her journal, its runes glowing as she whispered a counterspell, the light cutting through the radiance. The path revealed a light anthem, its center dominated by a spire pulsing with white light—the ley-line halo. "They're here," she said, pointing to a figure in the glow. "Lyra."
A luminous figure emerged, wreathed in robes of radiant light, their staff wreathed in light energy that warped the air. Their face, framed by golden hair, held a harmonious yet conflicted gaze—Lyra Lightweaver. "You are the Crownless," they sang, their voice a clear hymn. "But you are dim. The Veins' halo will be sung, and my anthem will reign."
Mark stepped forward, the Forbidden Tier magic blazing. "Your light is an overwhelm," he said. "The Veins are free, and moderation endures."
Lyra's staff flared, unleashing a wave of radiant mana that warped the anthem into a maze of beams and brilliance—harmonious echoes, surging waves, a world that dazzled all. Elira's wards surged, anchoring their moderation, but the shield strained under the anthem. Lysa whispered runes, Astrael and Koryn weaving counter-light, but more guardians emerged, their staffs amplifying the ritual.
Mark fought with restraint. The Forbidden Tier magic wove the Veins' moderated energy, singing the anthem. The halo pulsed, responding to his presence, and the ley-lines surged, countering Lyra's runes. Visions flashed—the First Sovereign's free world, the Veins' power meant to illuminate, not overwhelm. Lyra wasn't a singer; they were a force, singing to enforce control.
"I see you," Mark said, his voice cutting through the light. "You're not reigning—you're dazzling."
Lyra lunged, their staff unleashing a spear of white light. Mark met it with a surge of ley-line mana, moderating the anthem. The halo roared, its light flooding the Peak, dissipating the guardians' runes. Elira's wards held, and Lysa, Kaelith, Torin, Lirien, Gavric, Thryme, Koryn, Sylra, Draven, Celene, Astrael, Kael, Liora, Tharok, Nyx, Lyra, Erynn, Zariel, Calen, Tavrin, Kaelor, Lirien, Seryn, Tharok, Veyra, Kaelith, Zariel, Erynn, Lyra, Calen, Astrael, Tharok, Liora, Tavrin, Erynn, Erynn, Tavrin, Seryn, Astrael, Veyra, Zariel, Kaelith, Sylra, Tavrin, Liora, Lyra, Seryn, Zariel, Gavric, Erynn, Tavrin, Draven, Liora, Seryn, Astrael, Gavric, Kaelor, Erynn, Liora, Seryn, and Astrael sealed the spire, halting the ritual.
Lyra staggered, their staff fading as the Veins' moderation embraced them. They knelt, their gaze softening. "The Veins are yours to sing," they whispered, their guardians retreating into the noon light. The anthem stabilized, the ley-lines' pulse returning to its natural flow.
Elira exhaled, her staff dimming. "You've moderated us, Wilde."
Lysa clutched her journal, her eyes bright. "The Veins… they're brilliant again. Life endures."
Astrael nodded, their clear-sky eyes warm. "Lyra yields, but the anthem's power lingers. More halos may rise."
Mark turned to the anthem, its black-gold light reflecting in his eyes under the noon sun. "This was their halo. We'll sustain the Veins' brilliance."
Back at the academy, the council chamber glowed with the orb's map. Silas grinned. "Anthem moderated in thirty? We're radiant now."
Vrix crossed her arms. "The Veins' awakening stirs more anthems. New challenges shine."
Elira nodded. "The world's ours to sing, Mark. What's our path?"
Lysa's journal shimmered with new runes. "New halos and weavers emerge."
Mark, with Kaelith, Torin, Lirien, Gavric, Thryme, Koryn, Sylra, Draven, Celene, Astrael, Kael, Liora, Tharok, Nyx, Lyra, Erynn, Zariel, Calen, Tavrin, Kaelor, Lirien, Seryn, Tharok, Veyra, Kaelith, Zariel, Erynn, Lyra, Calen, Astrael, Tharok, Liora, Tavrin, Erynn, Erynn, Tavrin, Seryn, Astrael, Veyra, Zariel, Kaelith, Sylra, Tavrin, Liora, Lyra, Seryn, Zariel, Gavric, Erynn, Tavrin, Draven, Liora, Seryn, Astrael, Gavric, Kaelor, Erynn, Liora, Seryn, and Astrael beside him, gazed outward. "We illuminate a world of moderation. But we stay vigilant. The radiant are coming."