chapter 19

After exploring the academy grounds for a while, Lith found himself beneath a tall, old tree, settling onto a bench under its sprawling shade. The academy was alive with energy, but he appreciated these quiet moments to himself—moments where he could feel truly at peace. As he leaned back, closing his eyes, a familiar warmth bloomed in his mind. A soft, melodic voice echoed in his thoughts, making him smile before she even spoke.

"It seems you're enjoying yourself here at the academy," came the voice, teasing and affectionate.

Lith's smile widened, his eyes lighting up. "Celestara! You're finally awake."

Her laughter rang through his mind, gentle and warm. "Yes, and it feels incredible."

He leaned forward, his expression softening as he let the warmth of her presence fill him. "There's so much I want to tell you," he said, excitement brightening his tone as he launched into everything that had happened at the academy. Celestara listened with a patient smile, occasionally nodding in his mind, her reactions making him feel she was right there beside him.

Finally, after he'd finished recounting his experiences, he looked down, his eyes thoughtful. "But while you were asleep...what were you doing all this time?"

There was a brief silence, then she replied, amusement clear in her voice. "Why don't you take a guess?"

He chuckled, charmed by her playful tone, though he had no idea what her answer could be. After a moment, he raised his hands in mock surrender. "Alright, you've got me! I give up," he admitted, laughing.

Celestara laughed in turn, the sound filling his mind with her joy and affection, and Lith couldn't help but feel warmed by her presence. Once her laughter faded, her tone became thoughtful, tinged with pride.

"While you were busy with the academy, I was awakening the full power of the Chaosbound Eternum," she said softly, "as well as the infinite treasures within it that had slumbered since the beginning of time."

Lith's eyes widened, his voice laced with awe and excitement. "You've awakened everything?" He leaned forward eagerly. "Tell me, what's changed?"

She chuckled, clearly enjoying his anticipation. "No, my love. You'll have to discover most of it on your own. But…" Her voice softened. "I will tell you about one thing—your living armor, Evure."

Though a part of him wanted to know it all, he couldn't help but smile. There was something thrilling about exploring the unknown. "Alright, tell me everything, then, about Evure."

Her voice grew gentle and reverent as she began. "Evure has finally revealed its true form to you. The crown now has seventeen spikes, each one crowned with a gem holding a supreme law—the most powerful laws in existence. These gems aren't mere decoration, Lith. They are power incarnate, the kind that could rival entire multiverses."

Lith felt his breath catch as he imagined it. "Celestara…that's…"

She continued, her tone warm and proud. "And the helmet—you now have three pairs of eyes within it. Each pair has a different power. One sees through all illusions, piercing even the trickiest veils. Another perceives across the fabric of time itself. And the third… well, it can detect cosmic energies far beyond mortal understanding."

Lith's awe deepened, and a smile tugged at his lips as he murmured, "You always surprise me."

Celestara went on, her voice low and almost reverent. "The cape is no longer just a symbol. It's a weapon, an eldritch mantle that shreds your enemies when you command it. Your wings… they've transformed too. You now have three pairs, each with a unique form and power. The first glows with divine light, capable of purging any darkness. The second pulses with elemental force, wielding the strength of natural disasters. And the third... it's cloaked in shadow, granting you the power to rip through the fabric of reality itself."

Lith's grin grew. "If anyone wasn't afraid before, they will be now," he said, with a soft laugh.

Her voice echoed with pride. "Your knuckles now hold twelve gems, each one embodying a cosmic authority. And the gauntlets… they've become dragon claws, crafted from materials beyond even the gods' reach, strong enough to slice through the fabric of creation."

Lith could feel the weight of her words as they painted a vivid image in his mind. Every piece of his armor had transformed, each gem pulsing with life.

"There's more," she continued, her voice holding a smile. "Two gems now rest on each shoulder, and the tomes that hover behind you… there are seventeen now, not the eleven from before. Each tome is imbued with cosmic wisdom that surpasses the gods, and Evure… Evure's power rivals the multiverse itself."

Lith's eyes were bright with awe as he listened, pride and wonder mixing in his expression. "This is Evure's true form?" he murmured, as though trying to let the reality of her words sink in.

She nodded, her voice softening. "Yes, my love. And it is yours alone. Evure has bonded to you completely, its power merging seamlessly with the System of Infinity. Every form you take, every transformation, Evure will adapt alongside you, seamlessly."

There was a brief pause as she seemed to smile before continuing, "The armor itself is black, with golden lines tracing every joint and edge. And if you look closely, you'll see that these lines are made of micro primordial runes. Each rune is alive, shifting and adapting, part of the armor's design and strength."

Lith ran his fingers over the armor, marveling at the patterns, as though staring into a galaxy within its surface. "It's like… looking into eternity," he whispered, awe in his tone.

Her voice grew gentle, almost tender. "Each finger has a ring-like design with ten powerful gems embedded in them, each ring representing your authority over the most primal forces. And Evure's surface… it is a cosmic tapestry, a reflection of the vastness within the Chaosbound Eternum."

Finally, she said, her voice soft and full of love, "And because Evure is a part of the citadel, I am bound to it too. I am with you, in every battle, every moment of your life—not just as a voice, but as a spirit within Evure itself. I'll be by your side, helping you in ways only I can."

Lith's heart swelled as he took in her words. "Celestara… there's no one else I'd rather have by my side," he said, his voice warm and filled with emotion. "I don't know how to say it, but you've given me more than I ever thought I'd have."

Her voice grew soft, filled with quiet affection. "Then let that be enough for now."

They fell into a comfortable silence, the warmth of her presence lingering in his mind. For the first time, Lith felt as though he truly had everything he needed. In that moment, he understood that, no matter what lay ahead, he would never face it alone.