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Celestial Rift – Gate of the High Seraphs
Lyra stood alone in the blinding void.
The gate opened with a soundless thunder, unveiling a realm of glass skies and burning halos. Dozens of angelic beings hovered above, their forms shifting between light and weapon. These were not Executioners. These were High Seraphs—the ones who judged gods and erased worlds.
A voice, layered and ancient, boomed from the heavens.
> "Lyra of the Sunwell. Daughter of forbidden lineage. You dare trespass?"
She took a deep breath, her wings spreading to their full radiant span. "I do."
Silence.
Then a ripple of divine anger.
> "Your soul still bears the taint of prophecy. You were meant to serve."
Lyra didn't flinch. "That prophecy died the day you betrayed Rael."
---
Flashback – Tower, Floor 99: The Day of Betrayal
Lyra knelt before a shattered throne. Rael's armor cracked. His teammates—once loyal—stood behind him with weapons drawn.
"Lyra…" he had whispered. "You too?"
Tears had fallen from her eyes. "Forgive me."
She had kissed his forehead… then vanished before the final blow was struck.
---
Present
"I made a mistake," she whispered to the Seraphs. "But I'm here to make it right."
The eldest Seraph descended—a being with six wings of flame, wielding a lance of time. "Then you accept your fate?"
"No," Lyra said softly. "I choose a new one."
She raised both hands. Her soul flickered. Her divine core began to crack.
> [Divine Core Override Initiated…]
[Title Awakening: Oracle of Defiance]
[Skill Acquired: Time Chain – Reality Lock]
[Warning: Self-destruction imminent after 13 minutes]
Her hair turned silver.
Her eyes glowed with prophecy.
The Seraphs recoiled.
"You would tear your fate apart… just to give him a few more breaths?"
"Yes," she smiled sadly. "Because he gave me a name… when all I had was a number."
---
Meanwhile – Tower Floor 83
Selene carried Rael's unconscious body to the edge of a ruin.
> [Warning: Critical soul instability.]
[Third Clone vanishing.]
She cursed. "Damn it… I can't heal this…"
Suddenly, her communication charm flared. A faint voice:
> "Selene… this is Lyra. Listen carefully."
---
In the Sky
Time began to freeze. The entire divine gate trembled.
Lyra's body glowed like a sun being devoured. Her arms trembled. Her lips bled.
"I'll seal them… for 13 minutes. Use that time."
> "13 minutes?" Selene hissed. "You'll die—!"
"I know," Lyra said gently. "So make it worth it."
And with a final cry, Lyra shattered her divine core.
---
Below, in the Tower
Rael's eyes snapped open.
His vision was dark—but a memory remained.
Her smile.
Her warmth.
"Lyra…"
He sat up, staggering to his feet.
Selene stood beside him, fury and sorrow in her eyes. "She gave you time."
"…Then let's use it."
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