Nyx stepped down from the carriage, his boots touching the polished stone path with a soft thud.
The grand church of Nyxiana stood tall before him, its white marble walls gleaming under the fading light of day. Towers reached up like gentle arms toward the sky, and every arch and column had a touch of elegance, as if carved by hands that knew beauty beyond measure. It looked almost eternally divine, a place where time itself seemed to pause in reverence.
He took a deep breath, letting the sight sink in. The air carried a faint, sweet scent of blooming night flowers from the surrounding gardens.
Nyx's black hair shifted slightly in the breeze as he straightened his cloak.
"Master," Nyami said quietly from behind him, stepping out next. Her pink hair framed her face softly, and the two elegant horns on her head caught the light like polished ivory. She adjusted her maid's dress with care, always poised and ready.
"Are you fine now?"
Nyx nodded, glancing back at her with a small smile. "I am, Nyami. It somehow feels more refreshing. Like the effect from coma has completely vanished."
"I'm glad then," she replied, her voice warm.
Before they could move further, Elysiana approached The high priestess moved with calm grace, her red hair streaked with white strands that flowed like silk ribbons.
"Welcome, Nyx sama," Elysiana said, her tone even and welcoming.
"I the High Priestess of Nyxiana welcome your Highness the apostle to the church."
Nyx bowed hus head in response
Elysiana led the way inside, her steps slow and deliberate.
Nyx followed, with Nyami right at his side, her eyes taking in every detail.
The church's interior opened up like a vast, living space. High ceilings curved overhead, painted with scenes of stars and gentle waves of light. Pillars stood tall, carved with soft patterns of moons and flowers. Soft lights floated in the air, casting a gentle glow that made everything feel peaceful.
As they walked, Elysiana spoke in a measured voice.
"This is the grand church of Nyxiana, built where she first blessed the land long ago. Over there, to the left, are rooms for quiet prayer, where people come to find peace in their hearts. On the right, our libraries hold old books full of wisdom —tales of heroes, spells, and the goddess's gifts."
Nyx looked around, his voice low with wonder.
"It's so alive here."
She turned her head slightly, a faint smile on her lips.
"Yes it is. And now, as Nyxiana's apostle, you share the highest place here with me. Your authority matches mine. The priests will listen to you as they do to the high priestess."
Nyx paused under a beam of light from a high window, his expression thoughtful. The colors danced on the floor like scattered jewels.
"I value that trust, Lady Elysiana. But please, keep my role as apostle hidden. No one else needs to know."
Elysiana stopped and faced him, her red and white hair catching the light. Her eyes held quiet curiosity.
"Hidden? Why choose shadows when light could lift you higher? The followers would stand by you and make your path in the empire smoother, should that be better?"
'Argg, Who's gonna tell her about the game.'
Nyx met her gaze, his black hair falling forward a bit. He spoke clearly, his words firm.
"I plan to join the Mooncrest Empire Academy. Not as a prince with all the titles that come with it, but as an ordinary student. I'll take the entrance exam like everyone else. I want to earn my place through my own efforts, without the goddess's mark changing how people see me. If they know I'm the apostle, it'll end everything."
Elysiana studied him for a long moment, the church's soft hum filling the silence. Then she nodded slowly.
"I see... If that's what Nyx same wishes it will stay between us. No word will leave these walls without your say."
Nyx let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. "Thank you. That saves a lot of trouble."
Elysiana's eyes softened, but her tone held a practical edge.
"Still, influence matters in the academy and beyond. To help with that, I suggest you become my disciple. It's a known role —public enough for respect, but not tied to your deeper calling. My first disciple as you know... It's your fiancé, but as second, you'd gain knowledge and a voice without full exposure."
Nyx thought it over, glancing at Nyami, who gave a subtle nod. The idea felt right, like a quiet shield.
"That's good then."
"Perfect," Elysiana said, resuming their walk.
"Btw where are we heading?" Nyx fell into step beside her, curiosity growing.
"To the church's vault," she replied, guiding them down a side hall where the lights dimmed to a warm flicker.
"It guards relics of old power. Yours waits there —the weapon your father once held. As apostle, it's yours now."
Nyx's eyes grew wide, surprise hitting him like a cool wave. "His weapon?"
Elysiana's voice stayed gentle. " Yes it's been Safe under Nyxiana's watch. It waited for you. Your father wielded it with honor; now you will."
They continued down winding corridors, the air turning cooler and heavier with ancient magic.
Elysiana pointed out small side rooms along the way —places with old statues or glowing crystals that hummed softly.
"What do these crystals do?" he asked at one point, touching a faint blue one.
"They store prayers," Elysiana explained. "Devotees pour their hopes into them. Touch one during need, and it might offer a spark of strength."
As they descended deeper. At last, they reached the vault: a giant door of purple diamond, majestic and smooth, towering like a silent guardian. Its surface shimmered with hidden depths, veins of light pulsing within.
Elysiana stepped up, pressing her palm flat against it.
"Sanctification" she said.
Red strings of mana flowed from her hand, thin and bright, spreading across the diamond like cracks of dawn.
They linked glowing marks on the frame, and the door parted without a creak, revealing the space beyond.
Nyx watched, amazed. "That was beautiful."
They entered, the door closing softly behind.
The vault stretched wide, lit by drifting orbs of pale light. Treasures piled high: stacks of gold coins that gleamed like endless suns, deep red rubies in open chests, colorful diamonds in every shade —green like forests, blue like deep seas, purple like twilight skies. Other items filled the corners: crowns with sparkling gems, rolls of fine cloth that shimmered, books with covers that seemed to breathe.
"Yes," Elysiana agreed. "But we pass these by. But the thing we are looking for aren't these."
They moved through carefully, boots soft on the floor. Nyx's gaze lingered on a pile of blue diamonds, but he followed Elysiana's lead.
Deeper in, a secluded spot waited, marked by a low wall of clear crystal. In the center, on a stone stand, a black mist hovered, swirling slow and thick. It pulled at the eye, dark tendrils curling like smoke from a hidden flame.
Elysiana stopped and pointed. "Here it is. That Wepon. Approach it Nyx sama and send your mana into the mist. Bind it to you."
Nyx stepped forward, heart steady but quick. The mist stirred, reaching toward him. He raised his hand, letting silver mana flow out —warm, like a river from his core —into the darkness.
A screen flickered to life before him, words clear and glowing:
[System Alert: Bond complete.]
[New body Signature has been registered]
[Name: Mistflare Domination.]
The mist gathered, wrapping around his hand in a cool embrace. It felt alive, humming with potential.
"Mistflare Domination," Nyx murmured, flexing his fingers. Dark mist clung to his skin, soft yet definitely strong.
Elysiana nodded, her composure firm.
"This is a Primordial grade weapon, born from the world's first chaos."
Nyx blinked, confusion rising. He stared at the mist, feeling its subtle tug.
"Ehh...Primordial? That's the highest level—beyond even gods' tools. Divine weapons bend fate, but these... they reshape it. How could Father hold something so vast?"
"He was chosen, as you are," Elysiana said.
"Nyxiana placed it here for the right hand."
Nyx felt the mist shift, a faint pull on his energy.
"It draws from me already. What's that about?"
"It holds no mana of its own," she explained.
"In battle, it takes from you to power its strikes. Use it with care— it grows with you, but it can also tire you if pushed too far."
Nyx looked at the dark mist around his hand, curious.
"What kind is it? The mist... it doesn't settle into one shape."
Nyami stepped closer, her pink hair glowing softly in the light. A knowing smile touched her lips.
"It's an all-form weapon, Master. It becomes whatever you need. Just picture it in your mind, clear and strong, and it shifts. Your will shapes it."
Nyx raised an eyebrow, intrigued.
"Any form? Let's see." He closed his eyes, imagining a straight sword —long blade, sharp edge, balanced hilt.
The mist twisted, solidifying into a sleek sword of black metal, runes faint along the blade. It fit his grip perfectly, light yet deadly.
"A sword," he said, swinging it lightly. The air hummed. "Incredible."
"Try another," Nyami encouraged, her eyes bright.
Nyx nodded, picturing a bow —curved limbs, taut string, ready for flight. The sword melted back to mist, then formed a beautiful bow, elegant and dark, with strings that shimmered like night threads.
He drew an imaginary arrow, feeling the pull.
"A bow now... So smooth. What if... a gun?"
The mist swirled again, crafting a gun —sleek barrel in deep blue, accented with black and purple swirls that pulsed faintly. It nestled in his hand like it belonged there, trigger cool under his finger.
Nyx turned it over, amazed.
"It did. A gun, of all things."
He glanced at Nyami, catching her smiling widely, almost wildly, her cheeks flushed.
"Nyami? What's got you grinning like that?"
She blinked, composing herself quickly, smoothing her dress.
"Nothing, Master. Just... happy to see it respond to you so well. It's rare to witness such harmony."
Nyx chuckled, holstering the gun form at his side. The mist lingered, ready.
"Feels right. Lady Elysiana, I want to try this out properly. To See what it can do with it."
Elysiana inclined her head, her red-streaked hair shifting.
"It's wise to test it here, not in the open. We'll go to the training room. It's warded so it's safe for such trials. Follow me."
As they left the vault, the door sealing with a hush, Nyx felt the weapon's presence—a quiet companion at his hip. The treasures faded behind, but excitement built ahead.
"What's there in the training room?" Nyx asked as they climbed back up, steps echoing softly.
"A wide space with targets and holographic breasts," Elysiana replied.
"Mana flows freely there so it proves no risk to the church. You can freely practice there without any holding back."
"I see," Nyx said. "Also Nyami, how did you know about the forms? Have you seen it before?"
She hesitated, then smiled. "Stories from the church, Master. And your father's tales are quite popular too, I've heard of it when I was a kid."
"Might help," Nyx mused.
"Does it have limits on forms?"
"None we know," she answered. "But each shift takes a lot of mana."
The door to the training room loomed, plain but strong.
Elysiana touched it, and it swung open to a vast chamber, white tiles floors marked with circles, walls lined with padded targets that glowed faintly.
"Here we are," she said.
"Begin when ready. I'll active the hologram for you."