Chapter 1 – Omnia quia sunt

Four years have passed since the team found Aaravos' prison, and only two
since he scaped. Ever since everyone has been going through difficult times as
dark magic has spread all across the kingdoms, but this last week has been
weirdly peaceful, anyone could catch a break from preventing the end of the
world and so, Rayla went to visit Callum in the evening --"I brought you
flowers, love" -Rayla said as she opened the door. In the High Mage's office,
there was a silence that was so loud and in it, Callum meditating. Rayla began to
try and draw his attention -(Echoing and muffled) "Callum?... Callum...
CALLUM!!" -She yelled. --"W-WHAT? WHAT HAPPENED?"- Callum screamed,
startled. He swings his head in several directions and sees Rayla on the
doorframe. --"Oh, Hi Rayla" As he stands up, Rayla approaches for a hug. "Uhm-
What're ye doing? You seemed so... disconnected from the world " She asked.
-"Yeah" Callum sighs. "It's complicated. I've found some poems and ancient
books that belonged to some people from what, back then, was Elarion"- This
surprised Rayla, as everything from Elarion was burnt to the ground by Sol
Regem and other dragons. "The city where dark magic originated? " Asked with
confusion. "Yeah, there were well-saved archives in the Great Bookey of Lux
Aurea. The crazy part is that they speak about some Higher Beings that don't
interact with this world or its mortal beings, and it just sounds like--" Rayla
interrupted, with a serious look in her face. "Like Startouch Elves." She affirmed.
"Callum, what are you up to? "- she objected.

And so he started -"Since there is no information about them, I thought maybe...

Just maybe. I could connect to the Star Arcanum by studying their personalities
based on how they're described " Mixed feelings started to fill Rayla. "You
dummy! " she shouted. "We know that they're arrogant, manipulative
and narcissistic. Take Aaravos as an example and the only example we have
about Startouch Elves. He's brought more pain and agony than anyone in history,
and as much as I want us to succeed, I don't want you to end up like him." Said
with sadness in her eyes. "I won't! " Callum insisted "But, that's the only chance
we have to win. To wield the novablade is strictly necessary to understand Star
Magic. And to understand it I must merge with the very essence of the stars
themselves." Rayla was now confused, she barely knew about the novablade, as
it was a thing that was mentioned to her years ago. "What do you mean? " She
asked. -"Well, I don't have the complete picture of it but, stars are the main reason
life happens, right? At the center of the solar system, at the center of the galaxy,
and in the infiniteness of gaps of the void. As stars are so far away, those we see
today might not actually be there anymore, we're glimpsing at the past!" Said
with a spark in his eyes. -"But how come they're in the present, or what assures
you that they'll be there in the future? This fascination is what the poems talk
about. and it goes: "

"There with wonder, look at the stars.

as beautiful the lights shine
Accept thyself as divine.
All things, because they are
are lights."

"I need to understand the way of the universe, and by understanding, I think I'll be
able to connect to the arcanum. I have to..." Said nervously -"And if I don't..." as
he shook. Rayla grabbed his hand. -"We'll figure something out." She rested her
head on his shoulder and softly said "We always do". As both watched the
sunrise in the horizon through the window, looking at the beauty of nature, he
calmly said. -"Yeah, we do... Oh! You brought flowers , thanks." He kissed her
cheek, and smirking she said -"Crimsom orchids, your favorite."

After this interaction, a couple of weeks goes by. Dark creatures have been
spotted on the borders of Katolis and news about them killing farmers on
the conterminous kingdoms have arrived. King Ezran and his advisers began a
war meeting to start preparations to deal with this threat. Without knowing,
Ezran had already made a move. -"My young King, you know I'll always follow
your lead. But..." Opeli said, interrupted by the gates opening, Soren enters the
room and goes. "Sorry I'm late! I was... paying the price y'know! " Ezran rapidly
cut his speech short. -"Soren! Good morning and, yeah, no need to paint a
picture. Take a seat" As every High Council member is here, they continued to
discuss the matter of soldier distribution and on how it'd affect Ezran's
protection. "King Ezran has increased the number of patrols around Katolis'
border and small towns." Opeli says. "But you must reconsider, having those
extra numbers here, just in case that-" While Opeli said that with much concern,
Ezran proceeded to interrupt her. "No... Even if we have all the troops available
here. The strength of our enemies, Aaravos especially, is unmatchable. No
number, no matter how high, can defeat them." Said, a bit defeated. "The
soldiers will defend and save the lives of their people where Dark Magic thrives
as long as we still can."

Opeli sat silent, as they wouldn't accept the idea of protecting Ezran at all costs,
she struggled with the mere thought of evils beyond comprehension. -"My
decision stands, Opeli." Ezran said. -"We're acting as a beacon of hope, as we are
unsure on how to defeat this threat, but we are acting nonetheless by making
people think that we still have a chance to win this, just until we figure something
out. Plus, we don't know whether Aaravos is going after world leaders, some
letting an army just sit here and do nothing is useless." Opeli raised her head, and
asked Soren "Have you informed this to Prince Callum? " Soren was playing with
Bait while eating jelly-tarts in the background, so he wouldn't quite know what
they were talking about. -"Uhhh... No." he said. "Anyway, he's kinda in the middle
of a star thingy and wants no one to bother him, he's been in his office since last
weekend without leaving. I haven't felt him this distant ever" Soren said with
sorrow, looking to the floor. -"Well, you know him. He's really devoted when he's
curious about something" Said Ezran. -"I suppose so..." catching his energy back,
all a sudden. "Have you seen Rayla?".

Soren leaves the Throne Room and starts walking down the stairs, a sudden
wave of nostalgia hits him and a tear drops from his left eye, in the tear-drop, a
spark of a flashback appears and it travels him back to when he was a kid. Life
was easier, happier and definitely not stressful. -"Ugh, this sucks" he whispered.
As he continued walking through the castle grounds, slish-slashs sounds began
to be heard from far away, the angry grunts of an Elf could shatter windows if
they were close enough. " Damn it! I can't improve like this." Exclaimed Rayla,
despondent. "Perhaps because you're training on your own? " -Said Soren with a
grave look in his eyes. She heard those words and rapidly ran to Soren's arms
-"Soren!"- They haven't seen each other in quite a while because of the busy
schedule of both King Guard and Dragonguard. They've become close friends
and even considered each other's siblings. "Come on, let's spar! I've been
pleading for a challenging match." Soren didn't hesitate as he needed
something to cheer up. They started sparring and soon after a crowd made a
circle around them, the show was incredible. Top-tier warriors in the world were
fighting and neither would give up, their stands were firm. -"Is that all you got?
Ha."- Soren said jeeringly. With a confident look on her face. Rayla began
throwing hard swings and Soren could barely dodge and parry. She then, goes
for the leg. "Seriously? "- As he catches the blade with his feet. -"Not this
time! "And kicks the blade far away. Rayla backed down and chuckled. "Oh fine.
Let's get serious then." She clenched his hands to her blade to charge against
Soren, she jumped to strike in mid-air and he did the same. Both of their blades
clashed and it was strong enough to repel each other, the blades fell to the
ground and they glanced at each other, their eyes glowed radiantly. They
haven't had a good fight and this was the perfect opportunity to relax a little
from everything ongoing. The sweat ran down their faces and suddenly, Rayla's
knee touched the ground. -"Huh?" Said Rayla bug-eyed. "Wow. I guess this is it.
You win, Soren." she couldn't stand up from exhaustion. -"W-What?" His eyes
widened. He laughs as he couldn't believe it. He'd always lose to her. -"Oh boy
this sure is new! " said with a humorous smile. He extended his hand to get her
on her feet, the crowd started to cheer them up as they never saw a fight this
good, they went to train as soon as possible with the wish to reach that level of
strength and courage.

As an attack from dark forces is imminent, both human and xadian kingdoms
have been preparing for an all-out war. Armies started to gather, mages are
researching and world leaders are making plans. Aaravos on the other hand,
had all planned since the very moment he got imprisoned.

Later that day, in a forest nearby with the peaceful sounds of the surrounding.
Callum found himself meditating. The night sky full of stars above him granted
him quietness, mystery and a big sense of insignificance. He felt like a bug in the
infinite vastness of the universe.
Callum then took a deep breath, his eyes closed and his jaw set. "To wonder the
very nature of myself. To do great things, to make a change: I must change." said
calmly. He stood up "My destiny is not written in stone, yet I shall follow the
threads of life. Because I'm part of something greater." He opened his eyes as a
they glowed with colors he'd never be able to understand. -"From the universe
we come, and to the universe we return" he spoke with determination. "The light
can be redirected, not controlled. And so, who am I to redirect light, if not light
itself? " he pondered.

"There with wonder, look at the stars.

as beautiful the lights shine

Accept thyself as divine.

All things, because they are

are lights." -He recited as he lifted his arm and opened his hand.

The moonlight painted the ambient with a pale white color and the stars
reflected on the water, the wind became strong enough to make the leaves fall.
The adrenaline rush sent an electric impulse swirling down Callum's spine
giving him shivers. He again took a deep breath and drew a rune. -"Caelestis
resonare" he murmured. Time began to slow down as he casted the spell, the
leaves were still and the river stopped its flow. Callum achieved the connection
and it felt like a lifetime to him. -"Wow..."- The spell allowed him to move at high
speeds but only for moments. When everything went back to normal while
fighting back tears. -"I-I did it... I finally did it"- he said with a brithe tone.

He then fell to his knees and then layed on the grass. Stargazing he then spoke
to Leola's Last Wish. -"You've held their hands so long and look at what have they
done to you. I will make things right, I promise." -He assured. Little did he know
that becoming one with the star arcanum would slowly drive him to madness
since only god-like creatures can withstand it. He shouldn't be able to keep his
promise as he would now shift to an apathetic and careless being.