[Dreamscape – The Betrayal and Fall of Solari]
Flames roared across the skies of Solaria. The proud capital of the Solari Ascendants crumbled beneath a crimson-black storm. Light—once radiant and golden—was now fractured, bleeding through the smoke like dying stars.
Rael stood in the center of it all—helpless, powerless.
Screams.
Ash.
Shadows.
A tear split the sky like parchment ripped by a divine claw.
> Rael (shaking):
Not again. Not this dream…
From that celestial wound, it descended—the Nameless God.
A shapeless entity wrapped in a veil of divine entropy. Its presence warped space, tore through magic, and turned the laws of reality into ash.
Rael turned to the palace.
There—his mother, blazing with solar light, stood her ground.
His father, the Solari King, raised a blade of starfire toward the sky.
But the betrayal had already begun.
In the deepest sanctum beneath Solaria, a man stood before a seething summoning circle, inscribed with godblood ink.
Lord Ifrit.
His silver hair shimmered with streaks of flame. Once a trusted hand of the Solari King, now a traitor.
> Ifrit (to the void):
"I fulfilled my end of the pact. Bring the end. Burn this world, and raise me anew."
He had served the Solari King loyally for decades—watched as the royal family hoarded divine power, refusing to share it with even their most faithful.
Jealousy had curdled into resentment. Resentment into ambition.
The Nameless God's form coalesced behind him.
> Nameless God (serpentine and divine):
"You have done well, mortal.
In the new order, you shall not serve.
You shall rule. My herald. My vessel.
The god of fire."
Rael's heart sank.
> Rael (in horror):
He didn't summon the Nameless God out of desperation… He wanted divinity.
Ifrit had chosen to betray not just the royal family—but all of Solaria—for a promise: godhood. Power beyond the mortal coil.
The Nameless God had not invaded by chance.
It had been invited.
And so it brought ruin.
Celestial flame, warped by divine corruption, rained down upon Solaria. His mother screamed her last spell. His father shielded Rael with a dying roar.
Ifrit stood beside the god he served, smiling as the city vanished in black flame.
> Nameless God (to the dying king):
"You nurtured a light meant to rival me.
Now… only ash remains."
---
[Arcane Academy – Eris's Dorm Room, Morning]
Rael bolted upright with a choked gasp, sweat clinging to his brow. His heart thundered in his chest. The nightmare still clung to him—too vivid. Too real.
The smell of smoke clung to his senses even though there was none.
The screams had stopped—but the silence now felt heavier.
Then—warmth.
Soft pressure pressed against his sides and chest.
He looked down.
Eris Vaeloria was hugging his head tightly, arms curled like a protective shield. Her red hair spilled over his face like living flame.
Lyra Dreamshade was wrapped around his waist like an octopus, silver hair brushing against his neck, one leg draped across him casually.
Evelyn Starwyn rested gently on his shoulder, her fingers lightly clinging to his sleeve, as if afraid he might vanish.
Rael blinked.
He was tangled with all three girls.
And for the first time in a long while… he smiled.
> Rael (softly):
"I'm… not alone anymore."
The grief still lived in him. But so did warmth. Support.
Light not born of fire—but from people who chose to stay.
He closed his eyes briefly, then stirred.
> Rael:
"Hey… let's eat breakfast together. I'm starving."
---
[Arcane Academy – Cafeteria]
The cafeteria buzzed with energy. Magical dishes floated between tables. Students chattered about the tournament, the demon attack, and Rael's rising fame.
He entered with Eris, Lyra, and Evelyn.
The room went still.
> "There he is!"
"Is that really Rael? The demon slayer?"
"S-Class. One of the strongest already."
Rael tried to ignore the eyes, but Lyra leaned against him lazily.
> Lyra:
"You broke the school, sunshine boy."
> Eris (smirking):
"Even nobles are panicking. They don't know what to do with you."
> Evelyn (blushing):
"They respect you. You earned it."
Rael smiled as they sat.
It was surreal—peace after war. Laughter after fire.
He listened to their voices, to the warmth in every gesture.
Evelyn pouring tea. Eris slicing his mana-toast in half and pushing it onto his plate. Lyra offering to trade her jam bun.
> Rael (thought):
Maybe this is what I fight for now. Not vengeance… but this.
But peace was fragile.
And gods had long fingers.
A royal knight entered the hall, his armor gleaming with the sigil of House Stoneheart.
He strode toward Rael's table and bowed deeply.
> Knight:
"Sir Rael Ramos. His Majesty, King Edward Stoneheart, summons you.
Your presence is requested at once… before the royal court."
Gasps echoed.
> Eris:
"The king…?"
> Evelyn (anxious):
"Is this a reward… or a test?"
> Lyra (eyes narrowing):
"Sounds political."
Rael stood slowly. A dozen thoughts clashed in his head.
This wasn't just about glory.
The king wanted something.
The world was shifting.
And Rael… had to step into that storm.
> Eris (firmly):
"We're going with you."
> Lyra (grinning):
"I've always wanted to see a royal hall. Let's cause a scene."
> Evelyn (quietly):
"If you're going… we'll follow."
Rael turned to them—and shook his head.
> Rael (softly):
"Not this time."
They froze.
> Rael:
"This is something I must face alone.
I'll return… but let me carry this weight—just for now."
They looked at him—shocked. Hurt. But understanding.
Eris clenched her jaw but nodded.
Lyra pouted, then smiled faintly.
Evelyn looked down, then whispered:
> Evelyn:
"Come back safe."
Rael gave them a quiet smile and turned.
As the knight led him away, the world outside the cafeteria seemed distant. Heavy.
Like the next page of fate was about to turn.
> Rael (thought):
Solaria fell… because of one man's ambition.
I won't make the same mistake.
I'll walk this path.
I'll face kings, demons… even gods.