Dawn on Aetherium Peak

(Unedited)

Wednesday, January 7th, 2060

Skyhold, Nova Aethel, Astra City, Aethelgarde.

The first tendrils of dawn painted the eastern sky with hues of rose and violet, casting an ethereal glow across the bustling cityscape of Nova Aethel. Though technically a district of the sprawling Astra City, Nova Aethel retained a distinct character owned solely by Zayn. Nestled amidst the foothills of the Aetherium Peaks, it offered a refuge from the urban clamor, a haven of cobblestone streets and quaint shops nestled against a backdrop of snow-capped mountains.

High above Nova Aethel, perched on a prominent shoulder of the mountain like a watchful sentinel, stood Zayn's private aerie (castle), Skyhold. Its imposing stone walls, etched with intricate glyphs, gleamed in the rising sunlight. The crisp mountain air carried the faint scent of pine and wildflowers, a stark contrast to the cacophony of emotions that had filled the previous evening in Astra City.

Lyra, nestled in Zayn's embrace within Skyhold's grand chambers, watched the sun slowly rise above the distant horizon. Despite the weight of the revelations and the uncertainty of the future, a sense of calm settled over her. Zayn's warmth and the rhythmic rise and fall of his chest brought a comforting sense of normalcy. The isolation of Skyhold, surrounded by miles of Zayn's private mountain property with no other buildings in sight, offered a sanctuary from the outside world.

As the light grew stronger, Zayn stirred, his eyes fluttering open to meet Lyra's gaze. A tired smile tugged at his lips. "Morning, beautiful," he rasped, his voice heavy with sleep.

Lyra leaned in, brushing a kiss across his cheek. "Morning, my love."

Silence settled between them, a comfortable space filled with unspoken understanding. The air still buzzed with the memory of the previous night's events, but both Zayn and Lyra knew dwelling on it wouldn't serve them.

Zayn broke the silence, his voice thoughtful. "Lyra, about last night..."

Lyra squeezed his hand, her gaze unwavering. "We don't have to talk about it now. We both understand. We'll face it together, when the time comes."

He leaned forward, their foreheads touching. "You're right. We have other things to focus on right now." Briefly, his mind drifted to the fragmented memory that had surfaced during the evening. The image of the ancient battlefield remained elusive, yet a primal sense of power thrummed beneath the surface.

He decided to push those thoughts aside for now. "There's a threat to face, and our business needs to expand. We need to be stronger, more prepared."

Lyra's brow furrowed slightly. "A threat? What kind of threat?"

Zayn hesitated for a moment, carefully crafting his response. "Let's just say, there's someone out there, powerful, ambitious, and with their sights set on the Aetherium Consortium. Think of it this way – imagine the entire Aethelgarde Empire, vast and powerful, condensed into a single, cunning individual. That's the kind of threat we're dealing with."

Lyra's eyes widened in surprise. The Aethelgarde Empire, a sprawling dominion encompassing continents, was a force to be reckoned with. To compare a single individual to its might was a sobering thought.

"And this individual has connections within the Consortium?" she asked, her voice laced with concern.

Zayn nodded grimly. "Extensive. They've been working in the shadows, undermining our influence and building their own power base. My intelligence network has uncovered whispers of their ambition – to topple the established empires and carve out their own domain."

Lyra whistled, a low, impressed sound. Even for a single individual, such a feat seemed audacious. The sheer scale of the world they inhabited suddenly hit her. The Aethelgarde Empire, vast as it was, was just one piece on a much larger board. Here, empires sprawled across continents, with countless smaller nations and consortiums vying for power. This world was a thousand, perhaps ten thousand times larger than anything she could have imagined. (Imagine Thousand times the size of Earth or more.)

"This is... a lot to take in," Lyra admitted, a tremor of awe in her voice. "We're just a speck on this vast map, aren't we?"

Zayn chuckled, a hint of pride in his voice. "Perhaps. But even a speck can be a blinding light, Lyra. Our goal right now is to become that light – a beacon of strength and innovation that can't be ignored. We'll cripple their influence by expanding our own, offering a better future for everyone within the Consortium."

Lyra nodded, her resolve hardening. "Then let's get to work. We have a Consortium to save, and a very ambitious individual to outmaneuver."

Lyra nodded in agreement. "Speaking of the business, I just received an update on our Autonomous Study application."

A flicker of excitement sparked in Zayn's eyes. Autonomous Study status would grant them the freedom to manage their businesses while continuing their education, an ideal situation considering their current circumstances.

They spent the next hour discussing business plans and strategizing for potential challenges. With Lyra's sharp business acumen and Zayn's strategic thinking, they formed a formidable partnership. Their brainstorming session overflowed with ideas, from exploring new markets to developing cutting-edge technologies. The sheer power of their combined intellect fueled their determination to build a future not just for themselves, but for the entire Aetherium and Lux Solis Consortiums.

Later that day, Zayn addressed his staff, omitting any mention of Darius but subtly hinting at the presence of unknown threats that necessitated increased vigilance and expansion. His charismatic presence filled the room, and his unwavering determination resonated with every word he spoke. He outlined a vision of a stronger, more prosperous Consortium, a vision that inspired his team and ignited a renewed sense of purpose within them.

As the last rays of the setting sun painted the snow-capped peaks of the Aetherium Mountains a fiery orange, Zayn and Lyra emerged from Skyhold, the crisp mountain air washing over them. Below, the sprawling cityscape of Nova Aethel twinkled like a scattered constellation, a testament to the prosperity they had both strived to maintain. Leaning against the balcony railing, they stood shoulder-to-shoulder, a silent victory after a long day of strategizing and managing their vast business holdings across Astra City.

The weight of responsibility often felt heavy, yet in each other's presence, it seemed to lessen. Lyra turned to Zayn, her gaze searching his. "Another successful day," she said, her voice laced with both accomplishment and a hint of lingering unease.

Zayn met her gaze, a flicker of worry crossing his features. He knew the revelation about the rival Empire had shaken her. "Indeed," he replied, his voice carefully neutral. "We've made significant progress."

Lyra reached for his hand, her touch warm and reassuring. However, a shadow of doubt lingered in her eyes. "Zayn," she began, her voice barely a whisper, "there's... something more, isn't there? Something you haven't told me."

Zayn's heart clenched. He yearned to confide in her, to share the burden of his past and the secrets buried within him. But the fragmented memories, the cryptic messages from the system, and the fear of what it all meant – it was all too overwhelming. He squeezed her hand, his response hesitant. "There will be a time, my love," he echoed, the words mirroring his previous statement. "But right now, I need you here, by my side, focused on the future we're building together."

Lyra didn't push further, her love and trust evident in her understanding silence. Yet, a silent question hung in the air, a question Zayn knew wouldn't be easily silenced. "When?" she finally asked, her voice a mere tremor, "When will you tell me everything?"

Taking a deep breath, he squeezed her hand. "Soon, My dear. Soon. As I said, there will be a time. But right now, we have a future to build, together."

Lyra rested her head on his shoulder, a silent acceptance gracing her features. They gazed at the star-dusted night sky, a canvas of endless possibilities. The weight of the future remained, but together, Zayn and Lyra were ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. Their journey had just begun, and their love was the most powerful weapon in their arsenal. As they stood there, bathed in the soft glow of the night sky, a silent vow passed between them – a vow to face the unknown, hand in hand, their love a shield against the coming storm.

Note: Let me tell you, Darius isn't a rival like in many other novels. He is not some mercenary king with a powerful master who came to the country and is a lamb waiting to be slaughtered. Instead, he is much more powerful, hidden and intelligent. He won't take No for an answer. He is quite similar to Zayn. This will make them rivals more than Enemies. After all, the fate or future is always changing.