Mira couldn’t move.

The man standing before her looked like Kairo.

Same face.

Same dark hair.

Same height.

But there was something terribly wrong.

His eyes.

They were completely black.

No light.

No emotion.

Nothing human.

The Celestial Mask floated beside his shoulder.

Mira tightened her grip on her sword.

“Kairo?”

The boy smiled.

But it wasn’t Kairo’s smile.

It was colder.

Crueler.

Almost empty.

“I told you.”

He stepped forward.

“I am what he became.”

Mira raised her sword.

“Where is Kairo?”

The boy tilted his head.

“Inside.”

“Let him out.”

“I can’t.”

“Why?”

“Because he doesn’t want to come out.”

Mira’s heart sank.

“You’re lying.”

The boy laughed.

“You always were stubborn.”

Mira’s eyes widened.

That voice.

For one second…

It sounded like Kairo.

She lowered her sword.

“Kairo?”

The boy’s expression changed.

His black eyes flickered.

For a moment, his normal brown eyes appeared.

“Mira…”

Her heart stopped.

“Kairo!”

She ran toward him.

The boy suddenly grabbed her throat.

Mira gasped.

His strength was impossible.

“Don’t.”

His voice was trembling.

“Don’t come closer.”

Mira struggled.

“Kairo…”

“Run.”

His eyes became black again.

“RUN!”

Mira kicked him backward.

He released her.

She fell to the floor.

The boy stared at her.

His face became confused.

“Why didn’t you kill me?”

Mira stood.

“Because you’re not him.”

The boy laughed.

“Wrong.”

He pointed toward his chest.

“He is here.”

“Then I’ll bring him back.”

“You can’t.”

“I will.”

“Why?”

Mira raised her sword.

“Because I promised his mother.”

The boy froze.

Mira stepped forward.

“I promised Lyra I would protect her son.”

The black eyes flickered.

For a second…

Kairo returned.

“Mira…”

She smiled.

“I knew you were still there.”

Kairo’s voice was weak.

“Help me.”

Mira ran toward him.

Suddenly, the Celestial Mask flew between them.

A massive explosion threw Mira backward.

The boy screamed.

“NO!”

His voice changed.

This time…

It was Kairo.

Mira looked up.

The boy was holding his head.

“Get out!”

A black shadow moved across his body.

“GET OUT OF MY HEAD!”

Mira stood.

“What is happening?”

The boy fell to his knees.

Kairo’s voice screamed:

“He’s inside me!”

“Who?”

“Veyra!”

Mira froze.

Then the boy looked up.

His eyes were normal.

“Kairo?”

“Yes.”

Mira ran toward him.

Kairo reached for her.

“Mira…”

She grabbed his hand.

“I’m here.”

His hand was cold.

“Where are we?”

“The Starfall Temple.”

“Why?”

“I’m taking you home.”

Kairo stared.

“Home?”

“Yes.”

He looked around.

Then his face changed.

“Mira.”

“What?”

“You shouldn’t have come.”

“Why?”

Kairo looked behind her.

The Gate was opening.

Something was coming through.

“Because Veyra followed me.”

A deep laugh echoed through the temple.

Mira raised her sword.

Kairo stood.

The darkness behind them began to move.

Veyra appeared.

But this time…

He wasn’t wearing his mask.

Mira stared.

“Who are you?”

Veyra smiled.

“You’ve seen my face before.”

Kairo froze.

He recognized him.

The man from the vision.

The man standing beside his mother.

The man who had been there when he was born.

Kairo whispered:

“You’re not my father.”

Veyra’s smile disappeared.

“No.”

“Then who are you?”

Veyra stepped forward.

“I was your father’s brother.”

Mira froze.

Kairo stared.

“My uncle?”

Veyra nodded.

“Kael and I were born in Aetheria.”

Kairo looked at him.

“Then why did you tell me you were my father?”

“Because you needed to believe it.”

“Why?”

“To awaken your power.”

Kairo’s fists tightened.

“You used me.”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“Because your power is the key.”

“The key to what?”

Veyra looked toward the Gate.

“Freedom.”

Mira stepped forward.

“Freedom from what?”

Veyra looked at her.

“The Celestials.”

Kairo frowned.

“Why do you hate them?”

Veyra laughed.

“Hate?”

His voice became bitter.

“I don’t hate them.”

“Then what?”

“I fear them.”

Silence.

Veyra looked at Kairo.

“You should too.”

Kairo shook his head.

“You keep telling me everyone is dangerous.”

“Because they are.”

“Then who can I trust?”

Veyra smiled.

“Nobody.”

Mira stepped between them.

“Don’t listen to him.”

Veyra looked at her.

“Still protecting him?”

“Always.”

“You sound like your sister.”

Mira froze.

“Don’t talk about Lyra.”

“Why?”

“Because you destroyed her life.”

Veyra’s expression became cold.

“I saved her.”

“You kidnapped her.”

“Yes.”

“You destroyed her family.”

“I protected her family.”

“You killed her husband.”

Veyra looked at Kairo.

“I didn’t kill Kael.”

Kairo froze.

“Then who did?”

Veyra pointed toward the Gate.

“The Queen.”

Kairo’s eyes widened.

“Seraphine?”

Veyra nodded.

“She erased his memories.”

“Why?”

“Because Kael discovered what she really was.”

Kairo remembered the palace.

His father.

The Queen.

The way she had looked at him.

Kairo’s heart began beating faster.

“What is she?”

Veyra smiled.

“Ask her.”

Kairo turned toward the Gate.

A figure appeared.

Seraphine.

Kairo froze.

She stepped through the portal.

Mira immediately attacked.

Seraphine lifted one hand.

Mira was thrown across the room.

“Mira!”

Kairo ran toward her.

Seraphine watched.

“How touching.”

Kairo turned.

“You.”

Seraphine smiled.

“You shouldn’t have come back.”

“I never left.”

“You don’t understand.”

“Then explain.”

Seraphine looked at Veyra.

“You.”

Veyra smiled.

“Hello, sister.”

Kairo froze.

“Sister?”

Mira stared.

“What?”

Veyra laughed.

“Yes.”

He looked at Seraphine.

“She is my sister.”

Kairo’s mind raced.

Everything was connected.

His father.

His mother.

Veyra.

Seraphine.

The Celestials.

The Mask.

The Gate.

He looked at Veyra.

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Because you weren’t ready.”

Kairo laughed bitterly.

“That’s what everyone says.”

He looked at Seraphine.

“You said my mother betrayed you.”

Seraphine nodded.

“She did.”

“Why?”

“Because she stole the First Mask.”

Kairo looked at the Mask.

“This one?”

“No.”

Seraphine’s expression changed.

“That is the Seventh Mask.”

Kairo froze.

“Seventh?”

“Yes.”

“Then where is the First?”

Seraphine looked at Veyra.

Veyra smiled.

“Inside him.”

Kairo felt cold.

“What?”

Veyra pointed at Kairo.

“Your soul.”

Kairo stepped backward.

“Your mother didn’t give you her soul.”

“What?”

“She gave you the First Mask.”

Kairo stared.

Veyra continued.

“Your mother stole the First Mask from the Celestials and used it to save your life.”

Kairo touched his chest.

“The Mask is inside me?”

“Yes.”

“Then what is this?”

He pointed toward the Seventh Mask.

“A copy.”

Kairo’s eyes widened.

“The Celestials created seven copies of the First Mask.”

Seraphine nodded.

“To control its power.”

Kairo stared.

“Why?”

“Because the First Mask cannot be controlled.”

“Then why does it obey me?”

Seraphine looked at him.

“Because you are its creator.”

Kairo froze.

“What?”

Veyra smiled.

“Now you understand.”

Kairo’s heart stopped.

“I’m not the Starborn.”

“No.”

Veyra stepped closer.

“You’re something much older.”

Kairo looked at Mira.

She was staring at him.

“Then what am I?”

Seraphine answered.

“The First Celestial.”

Silence.

The temple became completely still.

Kairo laughed.

“No.”

“Yes.”

“I’m human.”

“You were born human.”

“Then what happened?”

“Your mother changed you.”

“Why?”

“To protect you.”

“From what?”

Seraphine looked toward the sky.

“The Celestial War.”

Kairo stared.

“What war?”

Seraphine stepped forward.

“Long before humans existed, the Celestials fought each other.”

She pointed toward the Gate.

“One side wanted to rule every world.”

“The other wanted freedom.”

“Your father fought for freedom.”

“Your mother fought beside him.”

“Veyra…”

She looked at him.

“…betrayed them.”

Veyra laughed.

“I had no choice.”

“You always had a choice.”

“No.”

Veyra’s eyes became dark.

“You never understood.”

Seraphine stepped closer.

“You opened the Gate.”

“Because you imprisoned my brother.”

“I protected him.”

“You tortured him.”

“I was trying to save him.”

“You destroyed him.”

Veyra’s voice became angry.

“You destroyed everyone!”

His power exploded.

Seraphine raised her hand.

The two forces collided.

Kairo was thrown backward.

Mira grabbed him.

“Move!”

They ran.

Behind them, Veyra and Seraphine fought.

The temple shook.

Kairo looked at Mira.

“Where are we going?”

“Out.”

“That’s not a plan.”

“It’s the best one I’ve got.”

They ran through the temple.

Suddenly…

Kairo stopped.

Mira turned.

“What?”

Kairo looked toward a dark corridor.

“I heard something.”

“What?”

“My father.”

Mira froze.

“Kairo.”

“I heard him.”

They entered the corridor.

The walls were covered in mirrors.

Kairo walked between them.

His reflection changed.

In one mirror…

He was a child.

In another…

He was an adult.

In another…

He was wearing the Celestial Mask.

Then he saw his father.

Kairo stopped.

“Father.”

The reflection moved.

Kael looked at him.

“Don’t trust Seraphine.”

Kairo stepped closer.

“Are you real?”

“Yes.”

“Where are you?”

“Inside the Mask.”

Kairo froze.

“The First Mask?”

Kael nodded.

“Your mother placed my soul inside it.”

Kairo’s heart broke.

“Why?”

“To protect you.”

“From Veyra?”

“From everyone.”

Kairo looked at the reflection.

“Did you kill my mother?”

“No.”

“Veyra said you didn’t.”

“Veyra lies.”

Kairo’s eyes widened.

“Then what happened?”

Kael looked away.

“Your mother is alive.”

Kairo froze.

“I saw her.”

“No.”

“She was in the Black Tower.”

“That wasn’t her.”

Kairo’s heart stopped.

“What?”

Kael looked directly at him.

“That woman was an illusion.”

Kairo stepped backward.

“Then where is my mother?”

Kael whispered:

“Seraphine has her.”

Kairo froze.

“No.”

“She has been keeping her prisoner for sixteen years.”

“Why?”

“Because Lyra knows the truth.”

“What truth?”

Kael’s reflection began fading.

Kairo grabbed the mirror.

“Wait!”

Kael looked at him.

“Your mother knows who created the Celestial Masks.”

“Who?”

Kael whispered:

“The First God.”

The mirror shattered.

Kairo stood frozen.

Mira grabbed his arm.

“Kairo.”

He looked at her.

“She has my mother.”

“Who?”

“Seraphine.”

Mira’s eyes widened.

“But I thought…”

“That wasn’t her.”

Mira stepped backward.

“Then who did I meet?”

Kairo looked toward the collapsing temple.

“An illusion.”

Mira’s face became pale.

“Then where is Lyra?”

Kairo looked at the Gate.

“She’s in Aetheria.”

Suddenly, the entire temple shook.

Veyra’s voice echoed.

“Kairo!”

Kairo turned.

Veyra appeared.

Blood covered his face.

Seraphine stood behind him.

She was injured.

Veyra looked at Kairo.

“Come with me.”

Kairo raised his sword.

“Why?”

“Because your mother is waiting.”

Kairo froze.

“Where?”

Veyra smiled.

“In the Kingdom of Shadows.”

Mira stepped forward.

“That’s impossible.”

Veyra looked at her.

“Nothing is impossible anymore.”

Kairo stared.

“Take me to her.”

Mira grabbed his arm.

“No.”

Kairo looked at her.

“I have to.”

“He’s manipulating you.”

“I know.”

“Then why?”

“Because she’s my mother.”

Mira shook her head.

“Kairo…”

He looked at her.

“You promised to protect me.”

“I still do.”

“Then come with me.”

Mira froze.

Kairo held out his hand.

“Don’t let me go alone.”

Mira stared at him.

Then she smiled.

“I never planned to.”

She took his hand.

Veyra watched them.

“Interesting.”

Kairo looked at him.

“Let’s go.”

Veyra opened a portal.

Darkness appeared.

Kairo and Mira stepped toward it.

But before they could enter…

A sword pierced Veyra’s chest.

Everyone froze.

Veyra looked down.

Blood.

Then he slowly turned.

A figure stood behind him.

Kael.

Alive.

Kairo stared.

“Father?”

Kael removed his sword.

Veyra fell to his knees.

Kael looked at Kairo.

“Run.”

Kairo couldn’t move.

“Father!”

Kael shouted:

“RUN!”

Seraphine screamed.

“KAEL!”

The palace began collapsing.

The Gate opened completely.

A massive creature emerged.

It had six wings.

A body made of darkness.

And eyes like burning stars.

Mira stared.

“What is that?”

Kael looked at it.

“The First God.”

Kairo froze.

The creature opened its mouth.

A voice shook the entire world.

WHO HAS AWAKENED ME?

Kairo’s Celestial Mask appeared.

The creature looked directly at him.

YOU.

Kairo stepped backward.

The First God raised one hand.

The stars disappeared.

Every light in Aetheria went dark.

Then it spoke.

MY CREATOR.

Kairo stared.

Mira whispered:

“Kairo…”

The First God continued.

YOU HAVE RETURNED.

Kairo couldn’t breathe.

“Returned?”

The creature smiled.

YOU FORGOT YOUR NAME.

Kairo’s heart stopped.

The Mask began glowing.

Images flooded his mind.

A world before Earth.

A throne made of stars.

A war.

Seven Celestial Masks.

A woman.

A man.

A child.

Himself.

Kairo fell to his knees.

Mira grabbed him.

“What are you seeing?”

Kairo looked at her.

His eyes were glowing.

“I remember.”

“What?”

Kairo whispered:

“I remember who I am.”

Mira stared.

“Who?”

Kairo looked toward the First God.

The creature bowed.

Kairo’s voice changed.

“I am not the Starborn.”

The entire world became silent.

Kairo stood.

“I am the one who created the stars.”

Mira’s eyes widened.

The First God bowed lower.

Veyra stared.

Seraphine looked terrified.

Kael whispered:

“No…”

Kairo’s eyes became brighter than the sun.

And then…

The First God spoke.

WELCOME HOME, MY KING.

TO BE CONTINUED…