Beneath the twilight-washed sky domes of Selun'Thael's Mhaerun District, the city glimmered with green-lit runic pathways winding through elegant courtyards. These villas—humble yet noble—housed the lesser bloodlines of the Zyreon Celestial Kingdom. Lanterns, engraved with the emblematic sigils of the Zyreon ruling house, floated mid-air, casting an emerald glow on the stone path etched with minor protective arrays.
Vendors called out near food stalls lined with cloud-baked breads and syruped lotus meats, their tunics plain but beautifully tailored. Among them, noblewomen strolled in gem-stitched gowns, accompanied by vein initiate bodyguards. One such guard, a graceful woman with braided hair and obsidian daggers, shielded her charge—a spoiled noble boy with narrow features and an arrogant smirk.
Their carriage, painted in earth-grade lacquer, slowed before a modest storefront where a boy stood, looking curiously at a large hanging banner.
It was Nocth. Alone again.
He stood beneath the poster of the Thaleon Guild, eyes narrowed.
"Seraphyte Vanguard," the heading read.
Artful sketches depicted silver-armored warriors, their gear glowing with Soullace—goo-light said to respond to one's celestial veins. A crowd debated nearby.
"Those gears bind to bloodlines!" an old merchant claimed. "They let even vein-cripples summon elemental might!"
"I heard they pick children with no hope and make 'em prodigies," said another.
Nocth tilted his head, muttering aloud: "Why would anyone give power so freely?"
A noble youth nearby scoffed. "Because they're righteous guardians. Or puppeteers with smiling masks."
Drawn toward a stall with flickering scrolls, Nocth met the gaze of the owner—a silent man with a face like stone. Behind him, a cheerful girl no older than six twirled with a wooden sword, her hair in twin braids.
"You're looking at a map?" she chirped, noticing his glance.
"I… guess I am," Nocth said softly.
The map depicted the Zyreon Celestial Kingdom, centered on the Saevereth Estate—an enigmatic land of seven districts. Its origin was unrecorded. Even Nocth, despite Imius's tales, knew little of it.
"Saevereth's not ruled like the others," the map seller finally spoke. "Only the Zyreon ruling bloodline sets foot there. Secretive types."
The Mhaerun district, by contrast, was led by Lord Enma—a known Class 3 Celestial Blood with 377 veins. A prodigy, rare even among nobles.
The Drevir House, from which Ezrel hailed, ruled four other districts. They had earned their place through a famed general, now a Second Elder of the Thaleon Guild. He, too, stood at 379 veins.
The remaining two districts? Forbidden zones.
Only high nobles from the Eight Celestial Kingdoms were granted passage there.
Nocth traced the map. The outer regions blurred.
Names were missing, continents misted over. Yet fragments sparked memories—Imius's whispers about the Valshura House… Shae's unknown origins… hints of seven other ruling clans equal in rank to Zyreon.
"You're sharp-eyed," said the girl suddenly. "Want to hear a secret?"
Nocth raised a brow.
"Our founder!" she said proudly. "He rode the stars! Traveled the cosmos on a level 5 starcraft built by his genius friend! He was stronger than level 4! Way stronger than ANYONE!"
Nocth blinked.
"His name?" she looked up dramatically. "Lost in the river of time!"
Her joy was infectious. When she giggled and twirled, claiming, "Maybe he was like Anu! Like a god!" Nocth couldn't help but smile.
"You're ridiculous," he said, gently pinching her cheek.
"Hmph!" she exclaimed, puffing out her cheeks.
Even her stony-faced father chuckled.
"You laughed! Papa, I made you laugh!" she cried, dancing around the stall.
Not far from them, a luxurious carriage parked beside the sidewalk. A noble youth stepped out, flanked by twin female bodyguards in black garb—assassins in veil and blade.
The youth, second son of Baron Seion and brother to Lord Enma, was named Velisar. Spoiled, cunning, and greedy.
Inside the carriage waited a masked figure cloaked in shadow. With a gloved hand, he handed Velisar a shimmering earth crystal.
"You'll do it?"
Velisar sneered. "Bring trouble to a boy? That's barely sport. What's his name?"
"Nocth," the masked man answered. "He stole something from me. Or someone."
Velisar tilted