(Theron POV)
I left my Nexus in frustration after getting pushed out of my Pool of Reflection. This new node I had received was something that was going to take some time to get under control. I had to increase the speed at which I processed things. I needed to get this down to the point where it was instantaneous—to the point where it was natural, like everything else I had learned up to this point. But I knew I was capable. I just needed some time to soothe my mind and decompress from all that had happened recently.
So, I left my chambers in my base of operations and took my mask so I could get some fresh air in the capital city of Arthenos. It was something I hadn't had the time to do, especially after I led the raid attack on the Solaris Clan a couple of years ago.
I couldn't help but chuckle at myself as I walked through the sidewalks of the bustling city, watching vehicles and other small crafts hover and zip around. These people were so dense and easily manipulated. They believed anything that was brought to their attention, especially if they had anything to gain from it. They didn't know they played a strong role in destroying their actual protectors—the people who would have risked their lives to make sure they lived peaceful and just lives.
Now, they all play in the palm of my hand. Most of them use the cosmic batteries in their homes, and companies use them to power their businesses. They fell for the lie I told them about how they were going to be used as bombs, and how I reversed engineered them into batteries for good—just as Ezra had planned from the beginning. With the amount of wealth I've earned from this exploit, myself and my guild have quickly gained the power and influence over this region that the Solaris Clan once held.
I made my way out of the city and into the countryside, where it was quiet and devoid of all noise and commotion. I found the temples of the Solaris Clan that still stood, even though no one was there to tend to them. The temples were made of bright ivory pillars supporting a dome made of gold. With no one around, I took off my mask and let the calm breeze wash over my face. There were not many places where I could walk around freely without my mask. Not many people knew that Lord Enzo was truly Theron Solaris—the fallen star and traitor to his clan. The ones that did were sworn to secrecy, coupled with the punishment of death if word ever got out. That was put in place by my master. I still truly didn't know the extent of his powers. It was hard to even sense what his core truly was. I just knew he was powerful.
I approached the doors of the temple. I double and triple checked my surroundings before I entered. The doors could only be opened by placing a hand imbued with solar energy on the handles. I slowly opened the doors and walked into the temple I once frequented with my father, Zaire. The temple was just as I had remembered it all those years ago—the same ancient pictures and carvings, the same old altar, the same old remnants of the Nebulord my father defeated when a Category Four Rift appeared near the outskirts of Arthenos.
There were things I missed about my old life, and there were things that I despised—things I wanted to be rid of. Walking through the temple, I was reminded how much I had wanted our clan to change from its old ways. I wanted them to stop being slaves to peace. We, as the inheritors of the Solaris Constellation, were supposed to use our power to help maintain order and peace in this world. We were not supposed to use our power with the intention of impressing our will on others. We were supposed to only aid those in need of help. We were never allowed to uproot the problems—it wasn't our way.
With all the power we had to truly change the world for the better, we sat back and let things fester until they reached critical mass.
I thought it made us look weak. It made other nations and regions think of us as pushovers. They toed the line of disruption and corruption. I wished things were different. We might not have lost our mother if the Elders—and Father—thought more like me. No one would have tried that if it were me.
Losing myself in past thoughts, I sat next to the altar where I took the Astral Trial to become an Astral Knight—the trial I failed. Where my hopes and dreams to change this clan died. Along with my old self. This was the very place in which my current path began. Being back in this place revitalized my resolve to continue. I was so close to my goal, I could almost taste it. I just needed to finish one last thing before I could continue. I needed to kill my father and little brother. With them gone, no one would be able to stop our goal of rewriting how this world should truly function.
After some time brooding in the temple, I finally decided to leave when I got a notification from my communicator that another meeting would be held, and all remaining generals needed to attend.
I quickly ascended into the air using the powers of the Solaris Constellation, rising above the clouds to avoid being seen by anyone, and made my way back to the chambers.
Back in my chambers, I quickly got situated, astral projected, and entered the Astral Realm. I hurriedly returned to our original meeting place.
I was the first one there and watched silently as the ten other generals filed in afterward. Some greeted me, and others gave me wry snickers as they took their seats. Tryan Xorath asked about Kael's whereabouts, since he had yet to arrive.
"That is why we are here," another voice said as a figure appeared at the head of the table. It was our master, still donning his black cloak, his face concealed.
"Our fellow General Kael is dead," our master continued.
"How did he die?" Tryan asked.
Then my master slowly tilted his head toward me and pointed.
"Theron did it," our master answered, causing everyone to turn their gaze toward me. "Kael disregarded my instructions regarding how we were going to proceed forward. I have no use for someone who can't follow directions. He challenged Ezra Solaris—and lost. But Ezra spared him, so Theron finished the job. If anyone has any objections to the matter, take it up with me, not him."
I saw several generals growing irate at our master's words, but they quelled their thoughts and didn't voice them.
"As for you, Theron, I am not allowing you to take another general on your mission to defeat Ezra and capture the boy. Now that we are down one general, I need all the others to remain on their given continents to maintain their grasp from behind the scenes and continue their mission of taking out their respective family lines. I hope you have been preparing yourself. Please put an end to this little feud with your family."
"Yes, master. I will be ready," I responded.
"Who will be the new general replacing Kael?" Lioren asked.
"As for the time being, no one will. Theron will take over operations of Kael's guild and the special mining of Celestium. But the person I have my eyes set on is not ready yet. Sooner or later, he will be. The first seed has been planted."