Outside the palace, two streaks of blue light slowed and finally hovered above the highest sky-island. From this height the reborn Velora Kingdom spread beneath them like a living tapestry woven from blood and snow.
Crimson banners the length of rivers snapped in perfect unison along every avenue. White marble towers rose in spirals that caught the rose-gold dawn and flung it back as liquid fire. Sky-islands drifted in slow, stately formation, their undersides painted with murals of a crowned fox whose eyes followed every citizen below.
The air itself tasted of warm phoenix flame and winter roses, thick enough to drink.
Sonna's long black hair spilled over her shoulders in the high wind, framing a face that had forgotten how to be cruel. Her blue eyes (once tired and exhausted) now shimmered with flickers of warmth.
A soft, wondering smile curved her lips, growing brighter with every heartbeat.
Yonna hovered beside her, shorter black hair streaked with living red that danced like embers, the same blue eyes narrowed in wary calculation. She said nothing, only watched the way her sister's smile bloomed wider the lower they descended, until Sonna looked seventeen again instead of three centuries broken.
Thalion waited at the palace landing. "Queens of Voss," he greeted with a precise bow. "His Majesty is expecting you."
Crimson and white banners hung from the vaulted ceiling like frozen flames. Yonna's gaze flicked to every detail, but mostly to Sonna (how her sister's steps grew lighter, how her fingers brushed the walls as if greeting old friends).
Then the throne-room doors opened.
The chamber unfolded like a cathedral built for a god who had not yet decided whether to be merciful.
At the far end, raised on white and rose-gold, Ash sat in the exact same position he always claimed: one leg crossed over the other, crown blazing like fresh blood on snow, ears twitching lazily. Nia lounged on his left armrest, legs swinging. Vaeloria draped herself along the right, ten celestial tails intertwined with his ten white and rose tipped ones in a slow, possessive dance.
The war declaration still hung in the air above the table, letters of molten scarlet pulsing like a living wound.
The moment Sonna and Yonna crossed the threshold, they stopped dead. Ash's appearance struck them like simultaneous lightning and sunrise. White eyes with rose-gold pupils, crimson-white crown, tails that moved like living fire and light intertwined...
For Sonna this look was completely different from last time.....
But neither of the women had ever seen anything like the being sitting in front of them before....
[Sonna Voss's Affection - 93%]
[Yonna Voss's Affection - 5%]
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[Sonna Voss
Age - 304 Years Old
Race - Human (Voss Bloodline (B))
Rank - Low S rank (Existence Level - 20,090)
Affinities - Mist, Water
Path - Eternal Blossom's Grace
..... Check Chapter 48 for her status...]
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[Yonna Voss
Age - 300 Years Old
Race - Human (Bloodline of the Crimson Voss) (S))
Rank - Low S Rank (Existence Level- 21,000)
Affinities - Blood, Water, Mist
Talents - Crimson Mist Dominion (S), Never Failing Blade (S), Phantom Tide Steps (A), Blood-Mist Bath (A),
Path - The Path of Never Failing...
Remarks: The original golden child of Voss. Warrior to the world, little sister to Sonna. She will kill Kale Voss or die trying.]
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'This is always so interesting... it's like reading a novel...' Ash thought before he chuckled at the stunned women.
"Nice to meet you again Miss Sonna." His voice rolled through the chamber like warm silk and distant thunder.
Both women jolted as if waking from a dream. Sonna's cheeks blazed scarlet; Yonna's followed a heartbeat later, though she tried to hide it behind a scowl.
"Last time, I didn't properly introduce myself. I am Ash Solace, former third prince of the Solace Kingdom.... and now the Ruler of Velora Kingdom."
"Last time I didn't properly introduce myself," Ash continued, leaning forward just enough for the crown to catch the light. "Ash Solace, former third prince of the Solace Kingdom… and current ruler of Velora."
"A-Ash Solace…" Sonna repeated, the name tasting like salvation on her tongue. Her smile bloomed fully now, soft and radiant. "And… I suppose I'm the former queen of the Voss Kingdom. Sonna Voss."
She gestured to her sister. "This is Yonna Voss, my younger sister… also a former queen."
Yonna whipped her head toward Sonna, red-streaked hair flaring.
"S-sister… what do you mean former queens?"
Sonna's smile turned gentle and sad. "Yonna… returning to the Voss Kingdom won't be good for either of us anymore."
She couldn't understand, they had never talked about actually leaving the Kingdom. Sonna only sighed.
"Yonna... returning back to the Voss Kingdom won't be good for either of us..." She a bit cryptically which caused more confusion for Yonna.
Ash on the other hand kept tending to his women.
"Miss Sonna..." He said grabbing their attention.
"I'm glad you came today. I would like to rework our deal." He said as he gestured towards the Voss Kingdom's declaration of War.
"... Before I needed your assistance in gaining some information. However, it turns out I will be able to find it out all by myself." He chuckled.
"W-wait! Kale declared war?!" Sonna's breath caught. She stared at the molten words, then at Ash, and whatever she saw in his eyes made her swallow hard. Even after stepping into the S rank, seeing through his power was like a maze for her.
Yonna spoke for the first time, voice sharp.
"When did he declare this?"
"Uhh, a few weeks ago I believe. Anyways..." He said shifting back to Sonna.
"Now, you won't have to suffer at the hands of that lotus anymore ... He smiled, slow and lethal. However, in return, I would like for you to stay around my Kingdom for a while."
Yonna eyes shifted to Sonna who was in Lala-land hearing Ash speak.
'At the hands of the lotus? What is he talking about?'
He said with a smile before shifting back to Yonna.
"And you as well..."
Sonna's blush deepened to crimson; she nodded before her mind caught up.
Yonna stepped half in front of her sister, eyes narrowed. "If she stays, I stay."
Ash inclined his head, amused.
"Good, now we have three months until... war. In the meantime," he said looking towards Thalion, Seris, Nia, and Vaeloria. "We will go back into the Haven and allow your physiques to manifest."
After that he took everyone into the Haven, including Sonna, Yonna, and the 200 S ranks....