Ezra Pov
Our blades clashed, creating a shockwave that rippled through the ruins of the First Civil War. Even though my blade had the elemental advantage, I could still feel that my opponent possessed the upper hand in terms of raw cosmic energy. Yggvalk—this colossal guardian—drew its strength from the environment and was further amplified by its connection to the Eldertree of the Syltharion Clan.
The more my flames burned against the colossal sword Yggvalk created, the more the bark regenerated—restored by the forest itself—as the guardian pressed its weight and indomitable will down upon me.
Straining beneath the enormous weapon, I understood why this creature had long been considered immortal. It had what was essentially an endless supply of cosmic energy. No matter how much damage I dealt, it simply healed—never faltering, never yielding to attrition.
Releasing one hand from my blade caused me to sink deeper into the crater beneath my feet, now bearing the full force of the strike with only one arm. With my free hand, I formed a ball of solar energy in my palm. The sphere pulsed with heat of a miniature sun. But unlike when I fought the man with the Iron Warden Constellation, I knew this wouldn't be enough.
So I poured more of my reserves into it. The miniature sun grew exponentially, blazing with intensity. It was in moments like these I was thankful we were in the Astral Realm. The physical realm wouldn't have survived the full extent of my power.
Now matching the size of the guardian's gargantuan sword—crafted from trees as tall as building, I let out a guttural roar and hurled the sun at Yggvalk.
Vines whipped forward in an attempt to intercept the attack, but they disintegrated into ash before even touching the sphere.
Yggvalk withdrew its sword and reshaped it into a towering wall, hoping to shield itself. But the guardian wasn't foolish, it began layering itself in barrier after barrier, pulling from the surrounding environment to reinforce its defenses.
Still, I knew it wouldn't be enough. My sun was potent enough to vaporize half a planet if left unchecked.
"Out-heal that, you big pile of sticks," I muttered as the radiant orb consumed everything in its path, chipping away at the guardian's defenses.
To my surprise, Yggvalk held up better than expected. My attack burned through every barrier, but it bought the creature just enough time to reinforce its body with layer after layer of bark infused with cosmic energy. It was only thanks to its rapid healing that it survived. Just as one layer was burned away, another replaced it instantly.
This creature was truly a frustrating adversary.
After observing its regeneration rate, I knew what I had to do: match its endurance with my own limitless energy. The only way to do that was to activate my Celestial Domain—but only once I was sure Arya had made it to the seal. Even at the Empyrean Stage, she wouldn't survive the activation if she remained within the radius.
Now that the solar orb had burned itself out, Yggvalk had a brief window to recover—and used it well.
Before I could react, it appeared in front of me with blinding speed and launched a devastating kick that sent me flying into the air.
Fortunately, the heat generated by my attack had replenished a significant portion of my cosmic energy, thanks to Dawnbringer's passive ability. I was able to erect a barrier of cosmic energy just in time to blunt the worst of the blow.
As I tumbled upward in the air, I regained my bearings, forcing solar energy through my feet to stabilize my trajectory. Now in control again and safely out of range, I scanned the area in desperation, hoping Arya had given the signal.
But she hadn't.
And worse—Yggvalk began moving in her direction.
Without hesitation, I sheathed Dawnbringer back into my Astral Forge, then pushed solar energy into my limbs and rocketed down like a meteor. In an instant, I crashed down onto Yggvalk's back, delivering a cosmic-energy-infused punch that split its body in half.
As I walked out from the wreckage, I saw it—the signal.
A giant plant bloomed high above the trees, blossoming into an astral flower that mimicked the sun. It was the same flower Arya had once created to symbolize our bond when we were younger. Now, it signaled that she had reached the seal, and the countdown had begun.
A smile tugged at my lips. I could finally let loose without fear of hurting anyone.
But then, something changed.
The guardian's crimson aura intensified, its cosmic energy growing colder, darker, more wicked. The surrounding trees and plants lost their color as if the life was being drained from them. The decay was spreading—unnaturally fast.
"I've always wanted to fight someone connected to the Solaris Constellation," said a voice—not Yggvalk's, but another. "So far, I'm not impressed. Were all those stories I heard as a child just fairy tales?"
My eyes narrowed.
"Who are you?"
The voice laughed.
"Just like that boy I met earlier… no one remembers me. It's strange how time erases even the most powerful legacies. My name is Malakar."
My heart stopped.
"And the boy?" I demanded. "What happened to him?"
"Relax, Solaris. He's fine. I couldn't harm him in this state even if I wanted to. As for you I just wanted to see what all the commotion was about near my seal. I barely have enough power to power to possess this mighty guardian fully, just enough to speak."
I took a breath of relief, though my fists remained clenched. "How are you speaking through Yggvalk? You're sealed."
"Ah, yes. Before my sealing, I embedded a sliver of my consciousness in an old, withered book made of leaves—hidden deep in this forest. It awakens only when certain criteria are met. The Hollow Branch cult meets them… and so does that boy."
My eyes widened. "He's your target?"
Malakar chuckled darkly. "I didn't know until now, but he is a point of interest of mine. The essence he carries—it's remarkable. He rejected me earlier, but that won't last. I know just what to say to bring him to my side."
"Shut up," I growled, releasing more of my cosmic energy.
"You reek of kindness, Solaris. Of forgiveness. A waste. You don't even pursue the power you could wield. I can feel it—your potential—it radiates like the sun you mimic. And yet you squander it, raising a boy in your image. Pathetic."
"Enough!"
"Very well. I've said what I needed. I'll leave you to your battle." Malakar's voice faded, and the aura that was just intensified dimmed slightly.
I stared at the guardian as it charged once again. My body surged with rage and heat.
"I hope you're watching, Malakar," I muttered under my breath.
Pouring the last of my energy into the third rune of my astral tattoo, I invoked the power only used in my most desperate hours.
"The Sun's Inferno is a place from which there is no escape. Within the light of my domain, you will bear witness to true, unforgiving power. You will understand just how vast and infinite my strength is—compared to the pale flicker of lesser constellations. Step into my sun… and watch everything you've built burn to ash."
A ring of burning suns materialized in the sky, encircling Yggvalk and me. And the true battle began.