The hall stretched before them like something drawn from myth.
Vaulted ceilings soared high overhead, etched with celestial runes that pulsed faintly in a language older than memory. Marble walls shimmered with divine sheen, their surfaces carved with tales of war, sacrifice, and salvation—scenes locked in time. Floating sconces lined the corridor, untethered to wall or chain, their smokeless flames casting soft golden light. Every stone beneath their feet thrummed with quiet, sacred energy. The whole place didn't feel built—it felt ordained.
Gabriella walked with the calm grace of someone who had long since memorized every step of this place. Her strides were quiet, confident. Indra stayed beside her, but his gaze never settled—his eyes danced across the carved ceilings, floating sconces, and endless marble walls like a child in a temple.
"I don't think I've ever seen anything like this…" Indra murmured. "It's unreal."
Gabriella smiled, not slowing. "Yeah. I said the same thing my first day. I could barely breathe walking through this hall."
He glanced at her, eyebrows raised. "When was that?"
She tilted her head slightly, thinking. "Seventeen years ago, I think."
Indra stopped in his tracks. "Seventeen?!"
He caught himself against a nearby pillar, palm pressing into the smooth relief of a robed figure with wings arched toward the heavens.
"But… you look like you're maybe eighteen."
"Well, yeah. Velari don't age," she said with a soft laugh, still walking. "The Selector seriously didn't mention that?"
"He… might've," Indra muttered, falling back in step beside her. "There was kind of a lot happening."
Gabriella gave a small, knowing nod. "That doesn't really change, by the way."
Indra blinked. "So how old are you… technically?"
"Nineteen," she replied. "But don't overthink it."
"Oh. So we're the same age… kind of."
"Nope. I said don't think about it."
"Right. Got it." Indra grinned. "Not thinking."
"Good." She smirked. "You're learning."
They rounded a corner. Their footsteps echoed lightly against the divine silence.
A boy approached from the opposite end of the corridor.
No older than ten by appearance—white hair fell in perfect strands across his forehead. His skin was pale, his face blank, his eyes sharp and colorless, like frost captured in glass. There was something unnerving about him. Not hostile, just… silent. His presence didn't match his frame. It felt wrong in the way a knife feels wrong when held by the blade.
Gabriella lifted a hand casually. "Hey, Yuri."
The boy came to a stop beside them but didn't respond. He glanced at Gabriella. Then at Indra.
"This is Indra," she said, gesturing. "Our newest Velari. Indra, meet Yuri. He's one of us."
Indra gave a polite nod. "Nice to meet you."
Yuri stared at him, unblinking. Then walked on, silent as he came.
Indra watched him vanish into the corridor ahead. "Is he… always like that?"
Gabriella's voice was nonchalant. "Yeah. He doesn't talk much. Or smile. Or really do anything emotional. But don't let that fool you. He's strong. Fourth strongest, actually."
"There's a ranking system?"
"Not officially." She kept walking. "Joseph's the First Seat, Taliyah's the Second, and Michael's the Third. That's the Thrones on top. The rest of us are Edicts. We're not numbered, but we… kind of know where we stand."
Indra glanced at her. "So where do I stand?"
Gabriella shot him a grin over her shoulder. "If I had to guess? Twelfth."
"Dead last?" Indra groaned. "You didn't have to say it so casually…"
"It's fine. You'll catch up." She paused, smirking. "Or not no big deal."
Indra frowned. "Comforting."
They stopped before a massive double door, carved with symbols of the heavens. On either side, two towering pillars shaped like flames rose into the ceiling. The air here felt heavier—denser, like knowledge itself was waiting behind the door.
Gabriella raised her hand and knocked.
"Murre? I have someone for you."
The doors responded not with sound—but with motion. They opened on their own, silently and gracefully, parting to reveal the chamber beyond.
Inside felt like a wizard's sanctum carved by the divine.
Towering bookcases reached toward infinity, filled with tomes bound in leather, crystal, and living light. Floating platforms rotated slowly overhead. A massive glowing globe hovered mid-air at the center, its surface shifting like a planet made of stars. Along the right wall, 12 pillars stood in solemn formation—each crowned with a statue.
Indra's eyes went wide.
On the tenth pedestal, recently carved… was him.
"Whoa. That's me."
A voice, smooth and resonant, echoed from the chamber's depths.
"Hello, young man. I've been expecting you."
A man stepped forward from the shadows—cloaked in flowing white robes lined with silver thread. His features were mature but gentle. Eyes that had seen centuries flickered with wisdom and compassion. His every movement was deliberate, like one who knew the value of time.
"Murre, this is Indra," Gabriella said. "Indra, this is Murre—the Edict of Wisdom."
"Hello, sir," Indra greeted quickly, bowing in instinctive respect.
"No need for formalities," Murre replied, his voice warm. "You are one among the gods now. As a fellow Edict, speak to me as you would anyone else."
He turned toward the glowing globe. "As Gabriella said, I am Murre. I have the ability to view the world in real time—incidents as they happen. I plan missions when a situation calls for it. For instance… when a high-ranking Zehirah member appears."
"Who's The Zehirah?" Indra asked, stepping closer.
Gabriella raised an eyebrow. "I'm surprised you haven't heard of them."
"He does come from the Partera Region," Murre noted. "The Zehirah are a group of demons. Beings twisted by evil with power that competes with that of The Velari. Their goals: create a world solely for themselves… and kill all Velari."
Indra swallowed. "How many are there?"
"We don't know for sure," Murre replied. "I've sensed around fifteen, but more can be made at any time."
"Be made? By who?"
"Hallel," Murre said darkly.
"He's like Joseph to The Zehirah," Gabriella added.
Murre's expression turned sharp. "He is Joseph."
Indra froze. "Wait… what?!"
"Joseph was created by the Creator to protect everything. An entity called Tybbris didn't like that. He gave Joseph the first corrupted mark, turning him evil. The Creator separated that evil from Joseph—and that evil became Hallel. Taking him out is top priority, but he's as strong as Joseph. Which makes that… nearly impossible. But it must be done. Because as long as he's alive… more of The Zehirah will be created."
Indra's voice fell to a whisper. "Yeah… I understand the problem."
Murre nodded. "That's where you come in."
"Me?" Indra blinked. "You want me to kill him?" He instantly pictured himself standing victorious over a giant demon, sword raised, crowd cheering. A hero.
"No—let's not get ahead of ourselves," Murre said, as Gabriella chuckled.
"Your role as a Velari is the same as the others: to rid the world of The Zehirah and protect the people. However… you've never fought a battle in your life. That lack of experience, no matter how much power you have, would get you killed."
"I'm starting to feel a little useless…" Indra muttered, now picturing Hallel casually stepping on his corpse as the world burned.
"You're not the first to be in this position," Murre reassured. "So we have a remedy."
He turned and walked to a glowing doorway at the far end of the room. Gabriella and Indra followed.
Beyond the doorway was nothingness.
A blank white void stretched in all directions—soft, quiet, timeless. Floating at its center was a single glowing door, pulsing gently. Beside it stood a tall, silent being made of metal and light.
"This is Toraira—the Infinity Void," Murre explained. "Through that door, you'll enter a realm where you won't lose strength or stamina. You won't need food, water, or rest. You can't die. Injuries heal almost instantly. The being beside the door is Sentry. He will train you."
Indra stared. "How long do I have to train?"
"You can spend as much time as you want. Hundreds of years there will feel like seconds for us. But—" Murre raised a finger, "you can only enter once. So use your time wisely."
"How come?"
"Toraira is a subset of the Realm of the Banished. Joseph was able to extract this piece for training. Though divinely protected, it's still a realm where no being is meant to return from. The Divine Crest allows you to enter and exit once. A second attempt would mean eternal banishment."
Indra inhaled deeply.
"So… no matter how long it takes, I can master everything. But no second chances. Okay—I'm in."
"In theory, yes," Murre said.
"Sentry is very strong, so make sure to pay close attention," Gabriella added.
"Okay. How long did you stay there?" Indra asked.
"A little over a hundred years, I think."
"Whoa—are you serious?!"
Gabriella nodded. "It's actually a short time compared to most Velari."
"A good sign either way," Murre noted. "Both a quick time and a very long time indicate strong development."
"The fastest was Yuri," Gabriella said. "He only spent a day."
"A day?!" Indra stared.
"Yeah," Murre chuckled. "He almost destroyed the void."
He reached for the glowing door and gently pushed it open. A bright light flooded outward, illuminating Indra's face.
"So, if you will—we'll be here when you're done."
Indra stepped forward, his heartbeat loud in his chest. The light warmed his skin as he passed the threshold.
"Right…"
He entered.
Sentry followed silently behind him.
The door closed.
And the training began.