CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER ONE

LIRAEL [Luminari World]

"The golden amulet has been traced after 150 years," the Golden Temple priest announced, his voice trembling slightly as he leaned on his wooden staff. The chamber was silent, heavy with age and sacred power.

All eyes turned to him.

He slowly unrolled an old scroll, its paper glowing faintly, and held it up for King Eldric to see. The king rose from his high seat, his long blue robe trailing behind him as he walked to receive it. He studied the glowing markings carefully, his sharp eyes narrowing. The chamber remained still.

After a few silent moments, King Eldric passed the scroll back to the priest and turned to face the gathering of kinsmen. Each of them sat in carved crystal chairs, waiting for his words.

"After Seraphine broke the law," he began, voice strong and clear, "we ensured she was executed without delay. She committed the greatest crime in our world—she fell in love with a human."

The room grew colder.

"But before her death, she managed to steal the golden amulet—the most powerful relic in our kingdom. The very object that holds the power to destroy Lirael."

Gasps echoed around the room.

He paused, then raised his voice.

"And now... it has been found."

"Where, Your Majesty?" a kinsman asked from the left side of the circle.

"In the human world," the king answered with grim satisfaction.

"The mortals’ world?" another voice asked, shocked.

"Yes, Zoku," the old priest replied. His eyes looked older than time itself. "It has crossed worlds."

"It’s been 150 years here," he added slowly, "but in the human world, it’s only been 18."

A silence followed.

King Eldric stepped down from his throne. "So what do we do now? How do we bring it back? We can’t let the mortals keep it."

The priest turned to the sage.

The sage stepped forward, his beard touching the floor as he walked slowly down the stairs of the temple. He raised both arms and began to chant softly. A gentle wind swirled through the chamber. Glowing symbols floated in the air as he summoned the ancient light.

A figure slowly began to appear inside the swirling magic. First a silhouette, then clearer—a young man, standing still with eyes closed.

He looked calm, yet power seemed to rise from him. His skin glowed faintly under the magical light. His white robe shimmered.

"Zeus, son of Rodri," the sage declared. "A 150-year-old virgin. Pure, untouched by corruption. He has been chosen by the Lord of the Realms."

Murmurs rippled through the gathering.

Rodri stood up, face full of fear and confusion.

"Why my son?" he asked. "He’s just a boy. There are many warriors stronger, wiser. Why him?"

The sage looked at him calmly. "Because he is not a warrior. Because he is pure. Because he does not hunger for power. That is why he was chosen."

Rodri’s lips trembled. "He’s my only son."

The king raised a hand. "Enough, Rodri. The choice has been made. We cannot question the Lord of the Realms."

Rodri lowered his head, defeated.

The sage continued, "Zeus will be sent to the human world under a new name—Caelum. He must blend in. He must become one of them."

Zeus finally opened his eyes. The golden light reflected in them. He didn’t speak. He only nodded once.

"And what of Aurora?" one of the elders asked. Everyone knew she was his bonded mate.

The sage closed his eyes briefly. "He must forget her. He must forget everything. Family. Love. His name. He must let go."

The weight of the moment sank in. Even the banners hanging from the ceiling seemed still.

Zeus took a step forward, eyes set. The temple doors opened for him, and the wind rushed in. Outside, the sky had turned a stormy gray.

Rodri followed him quietly, down the hallway of marble and light.

"Son," he said gently, placing a hand on Zeus’s arm. "You don’t have to do this. You can say no."

Zeus shook his head. "The realm needs me. If I don’t go, who will?"

Rodri’s voice cracked. "But you’ll lose everything."

Zeus looked into his father’s eyes. "Then let me lose it. Just not the realm."

Rodri pulled him into a hug. For a moment, time stopped.

That night, before leaving, Zeus stood with Aurora one last time.

She knew. She had known all along.

"You’re leaving," she whispered.

"I must."

She touched his face, memorizing every detail.

"I’ll wait for you. No matter how long."

He smiled weakly. "Don’t. Forget me."

"Never."

He kissed her gently, a kiss that held years of memories, unspoken promises, and heartbreak. Then he turned away. She didn’t stop him. She knew better.

By morning, he was gone.

He was no longer Zeus.

He was Caelum now.

And in the human world, far from Lirael, a young girl wore the amulet around her neck, believing it to be a simple gift from her late parents. Her grandmother had raised her in hiding, never telling her the truth.

Aurelia had no idea who she truly was.

But fate was already on its way to find her.

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