Morning sunlight filtered through the wide crystal windows of the Warriors' House, painting the wooden floors in warm gold. The house—large, cozy, and slightly chaotic—sat on a quiet rise near Fairy Academy, surrounded by flowering trees and floating motes of aether.
Laughter echoed from the kitchen.
The Twelve Celestial Warriors were together again.
Lyra sat at the long breakfast table beside Orion, her body leaned subtly into his, as if instinctively seeking his warmth. Her fingers were intertwined with his beneath the table, her thumb brushing slow, nervous circles against his hand.
She had woken up screaming again last night.
Fire.
Ash.
Nyx Tenebris standing in the distance, smiling.
Only Orion's arms around her had pulled her back.
Now, in the soft calm of morning, she looked peaceful—but Orion could feel how tightly she held him.
He leaned closer, brushing his lips against her temple. "You're really here," he murmured. "No flames. No darkness."
Lyra exhaled softly. "Stay like this a little longer."
Before he could answer, she turned toward him, rose slightly from her seat, and kissed him.
It wasn't rushed.
It wasn't shy.
Her lips pressed gently against his, lingering, familiar, real. Orion's hand came up to cradle her cheek, his thumb brushing just beneath her eye as he deepened the kiss—slow, protective, grounding.
The world faded.
"Wow," Kai's voice broke in. "Good morning to you too."
Lyra pulled back, cheeks flushing crimson.
Serena smirked over her tea. "At this point, we should start charging admission."
Mia laughed softly. "Or at least warn us before you steal all the romance in the room."
Orion chuckled, resting his forehead against Lyra's. "Jealousy doesn't suit you."
Lyra smiled faintly—but the smile faltered as a sudden chill crawled up her spine.
The Phoenix Flame stirred.
No… not now.
Then—
HUMMMMM.
A deep, ancient resonance shook the house.
Every single Celestial Ring ignited at once.
Light erupted—twelve distinct colors flaring into the air, intertwining above the breakfast table. The warmth of the room vanished, replaced by overwhelming pressure.
Lyra gasped.
She knew this presence.
The same voice. The same authority. The same cosmic weight.
"Legendary Twelve."
The laughter died instantly.
Chairs scraped back as all twelve warriors rose.
Orion's hand tightened around Lyra's as the light intensified.
"Your first mission has been issued."
A massive sigil formed in the air—rotating runes, ancient witchcraft symbols interwoven with celestial marks.
"Destination: The Witches Academy."
Serena inhaled sharply. "Already…?"
"Dark rituals have begun."
"Forbidden magic is being enacted."
"An entity known as the Arcane Trio threatens cosmic balance."
Lyra's vision blurred.
She saw a flash— Three silhouettes.
Blood-stained circles.
A scream cut short.
Her knees weakened.
Orion caught her instantly, pulling her against his chest. "Lyra."
"I'm okay," she whispered—but her voice trembled.
"Mission Objective:"
"Investigate."
"Intervene."
"Survive."
The final word echoed.
"Failure is not permitted."
The light shattered into drifting motes and vanished.
Silence followed.
The light shattered into drifting motes and vanished.
Before anyone could speak—
CRACK.
Space folded near the center of the room.
A teleportation sigil flared, and Headmistress Celestia stepped forward, her silver hair flowing as the distortion settled. Her presence alone commanded the room.
Her eyes immediately went to the warriors' glowing rings.
"So," she said quietly, "it has begun."
The Twelve turned toward her.
"The Celestial Rings do not exaggerate," Celestia continued, her tone grave. "The Arcane Trio are not ordinary witches. They are ancient practitioners of forbidden magic—soul-binding, blood rituals, and void-aligned incantations."
The atmosphere grew heavy.
"They are operating from within the Witches Academy," she said. "If they seize control of it, they will gain access to relics and knowledge sealed for millennia. From there… the balance of power will collapse."
Lyra clenched her fists. The Phoenix Flame stirred—vast, terrifying.
"We'll stop them," she said, forcing steadiness into her voice.
Celestia met her gaze, eyes sharp yet warm. "I know you will. But understand this—this mission will test more than your strength. It will test your morality, your unity, and your limits."
Orion kissed Lyra's temple softly. "We'll face it together."
One by one, the others stepped forward.
"We've got your back," Mia said.
"Always," Nero added.
Serena smiled fiercely. "First mission. Of course it's dangerous."
Celestia nodded. "Prepare yourselves. From this moment on, you are no longer students reacting to lessons."
She paused.
"You are warriors answering the galaxy's call."
As they gathered their gear, Lyra glanced at Orion, fear and determination warring inside her chest.
Nyx still haunted her dreams. Her own power still frightened her.
But she wasn't alone.
Hand in hand, the Twelve stepped out into the morning light.
Far away, within the shadowed halls of the Witches Academy, dark magic pulsed.
And the Arcane Trio smiled.