Meanwhile, Zakarius, in Elior's body, watched his supposed father's attempts with a mixture of disdain and pragmatism. Auron, though powerful and affectionate, was just another piece on his board, a means to an end. However, he had to admit that the affection Auron showed him caused a slight discomfort. He wasn't used to such emotions.

Each time Auron tried to get close, Zakarius made an effort to keep his distance, not letting that warmth envelop him. He remembered his days as an angel, filled with power and glory, and the paternal affection from Auron was something he had never experienced in his previous life.

But he couldn't afford distractions. He had a plan to fulfill. In fact, he was already seeking ways to influence the Republics from within, moving the necessary pieces to secure his control over this neutral country and, eventually, over the global conflict.

Though he tried to adapt to the life Elior had left behind, Zakarius knew his time was limited. If he didn't consolidate his position soon, suspicions would start to arise. Thus, he needed to play the role of the prodigal son with more precision. Meanwhile, Auron continued trying to understand this strange being he once called his son.

Zakarius, for his part, knew his mission was far from over. The rebellion he had started in the academy had not been entirely quelled, and the threads of chaos still followed their course.

Zakarius, in Elior's body, had started to stand out at the academy, but not in the way Auron or the professors expected. What had once been natural brilliance had transformed into outright rebellion. From being the prodigy everyone admired, Elior—or rather, Zakarius—became a troublesome student, defying rules, questioning authority, and scorning the celestial protocols he once followed without hesitation.

The professors, who had once viewed him with awe and admiration, now found themselves bewildered. His attitude had changed radically since his return from the celestial academy. He often arrived late to classes, made sarcastic remarks, and showed an alarming indifference toward subjects he once mastered with ease. He seemed uninterested in lessons and instead spent more time exploring the restricted areas of the facilities, fascinated by the secrets and hidden technologies of the Oligarchic Republics.

His classmates noticed the change as well. Elior, who had once been kind and curious, now seemed distant and arrogant. Rumors about what had happened to him during his time at the celestial military academy were rife; although not much had been revealed, word had spread that something terrible had occurred. Everyone attributed it to the trauma of experiencing something no cherub should have to endure so young.

"It's understandable; he's been through a lot," the professors would comment among themselves. "He's just dealing with the aftermath of what he saw there. But this is not the Elior we knew."

Auron, for his part, grew more anguished each day. He saw how his son distanced himself more and more, the barriers between them growing day by day. He tried to talk to him, but Zakarius always evaded him with vague and cold responses. Although Auron had tried not to push him, the situation had reached a critical point. Elior, or the person he thought was his son, was spiraling further into rebellion, and Auron didn't know what to do.

"We must seek help," he told one of Elior's personal tutors. "I can't lose him like this. We need to consult the best psychologists in the Republics, the top experts in trauma and family conflicts. Maybe, with their help, we can reach him."

The decision was made. Auron arranged a series of family therapy sessions with the most renowned experts. He wanted to understand what was happening in his son's mind, to recover the Elior he had loved and cared for for so many years.

However, Zakarius had other plans. Unlike the Zakarius who had awakened with a mind filled with vengeance and resentment, the new Zakarius, trapped in the body of a cherub and enjoying Elior's power and influence, was beginning to change perspective. He had discovered that his position in the Oligarchic Republics granted him privileged access to technologies and secrets he had never dreamed of. The hidden laboratories and magical aircraft, the complex mechanisms powered by magic… all of it was a treasure that exceeded any ambition he might have had as an angel.

His hunger for power and knowledge grew. He no longer wanted just revenge against the celestials. Now he had something more interesting within his reach: dominion over the Republics and their vast technological power. Each day he delved deeper into the secrets of that society, fascinated by the devices that combined magic and science in ways the celestials would never have imagined.

The family therapy sessions, however, were useless to him. He knew Auron only wanted to understand him, but all Zakarius could do was pretend. He played the role of the affected cherub, saying what the psychologists wanted to hear, while in his mind he schemed his next move. He enjoyed the comforts of his new life and was slowly convincing himself that he didn't need to rush his revenge plan. Why destroy a world he could dominate?

During one of the therapy sessions, Auron looked deeply into his eyes and said, "Son, I know you're suffering. I want to help you. I want to understand you."

Zakarius, with his usual coldness, replied, "Father, I'm no longer the same boy you knew. I've changed. What happened at the academy has shown me that the world isn't what we imagined. I have to learn to live in it differently."

Auron nodded, his eyes filled with worry. He couldn't imagine the truth hidden behind those words. To him, Elior was simply going through a period of confusion and pain. But to Zakarius, these words were a veiled warning: he had begun to enjoy his position, his new life, and he didn't plan to give it up easily.

Zakarius moved stealthily through the corridors of the secret laboratories, where only a few high-ranking officers and scientists of the Republics had access. He knew that his status as the son of one of the three oligarchs granted him certain privileges, and he was determined to take full advantage of them.

He had managed to infiltrate the most classified archive room, where the designs and details of magic-powered aircraft were kept, along with other, darker projects involving the manipulation of celestial essence. Each new discovery filled him with a thrill he hadn't felt in centuries. The technology of the Republics was far more advanced than he could have ever imagined.

"This is more than I ever dreamed..." he whispered to himself, his hands gliding over the ancient texts and schematics. Thoughts of vengeance grew increasingly distant, replaced by an intensifying desire to seize control of this power.

The more time he spent in the Republics, the more convinced he became that a new opportunity had arisen for him. There was no need to seek revenge against the celestials or destroy the cherubim from within. His objective was now far more ambitious: to master the power of the Oligarchic Republics and wield it for his own benefit. But for that, he first had to consolidate his control over his new life and over those who still believed Elior was the young prodigy he once was.

Zakarius smiled, satisfied with his progress. The new era of Zakarius was about to begin.

Auron sat in his office, the dim lights and the heavy silence enveloping him like a shroud. He had tried everything within his power to recover the Elior he once knew, the prodigious child who had been the hope of his family and, perhaps, his entire nation. But he could no longer deny it: Elior had changed irreversibly, and the weight of this reality was beginning to crush him.

The promise he had made to his wife, so many years ago, echoed in his mind. He had promised to care for him, protect him, and ensure that he grew strong and brilliant, even after she was gone. However, now, he felt he had failed. Guilt gnawed at him; he had allowed Elior to be sent to the celestial academy, pushed him into danger, and now his son had returned unrecognizable.

Auron sighed deeply, a mix of frustration and pain. The emptiness left by his wife's absence had grown deeper, now compounded by the fear of having lost his son as well.

"What happened to him?" he asked himself over and over, finding no answer.

It wasn't only Elior's change in attitude, but also the news he had received in recent weeks. Elior had been investigating various secret facilities of the Republics, accessing classified areas that, while not entirely off-limits for someone of his status, were places where a cherub of his age and rank was not expected to frequent so often. The reports from his subordinates were becoming troubling. There was something strange about his son's behavior.

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One of his most trusted subordinates, a man named Seraphis, approached him with a report in hand. Concern was evident in his eyes.

"Sir Auron, I've received more reports on your son's activities," Seraphis said seriously. "Elior has been exploring the secret facilities of the Republics. It's not entirely unusual, but he's doing so with alarming frequency and in places we don't fully control. The magical technology labs, the restricted archives... we've even lost track of him at certain times."

Auron clenched his fists, his face tight with pain. He couldn't bear the thought of losing his son too. The image of his wife, of his promise, haunted him. Seraphis's voice broke through his thoughts.

"Sir, with your permission, I believe we should assign someone trustworthy to keep a close watch on him. I don't want to alarm you more than necessary, but we should ensure he's not in danger or putting anyone else at risk. We don't want the situation to get out of hand."

Auron nodded slowly. The idea of having to monitor his own son filled him with sadness, but he knew it was necessary. He couldn't allow Elior to cause a disaster, especially with all the power and resources he had at his disposal.

"Do it," Auron finally said, his voice grave and full of resignation. "Assign someone trustworthy to keep an eye on him, but discreetly. I don't want Elior to feel betrayed."

Seraphis nodded solemnly and left the office without another sound.

Elior—or rather, Zakarius—soon became aware of the surveillance. At first, he felt frustrated, as if his freedom was once again being curtailed. But he soon realized that his new guard, Darian, one of his father's most trusted men, was not a real threat. Darian followed him everywhere, sometimes discreetly, sometimes less so, always making sure he was "safe." Although Zakarius found him a nuisance, he couldn't deny that this was a sign Auron had already lowered his guard. Elior's father had resigned himself to the idea that his son was traumatized and had accepted his change.

However, Darian's constant presence restricted his movements. Zakarius made several attempts to slip into more forbidden zones, but Darian was always nearby, watching, following, ensuring he did nothing dangerous. At first, Zakarius ignored him, but soon the situation began to affect him. There was something about Darian, in the way he looked at him, that reminded him of what he had lost.

Darian deeply admired the "old Elior." The guard tried to interact with him as he had before, with respect and affection, but also with a certain condescension, as if he still saw him as a child broken by tragedy. Zakarius, unable to fully control the emotions of the body he inhabited, often found himself irritated by this attitude, yet he had to keep up appearances.

"Elior, are you alright?" Darian asked gently, sometimes after Zakarius displayed strange or evasive behavior.

"Yes, of course... I'm fine," Zakarius replied, masking his impatience.

At times, Darian could be rude, setting rules and boundaries, treating Zakarius like a child who needed constant supervision. This deeply irritated Zakarius, who had once lived as one of the most powerful and respected angels, now reduced to a mere cherub under the tutelage of a guardian who underestimated him.

"I know you do it for my father's sake," Zakarius said one day, staring directly at him. "But I don't need your care. I'm not a child anymore, Darian."

"I know, Elior," Darian replied, though his tone suggested otherwise. "But your father is worried, and I... Well, it's hard not to worry about you after everything you've been through. Sometimes, I just want to make sure you're alright."

Zakarius scoffed but let the conversation pass. He knew Darian wasn't his enemy, but the constant surveillance made it harder to carry out his plan. Despite everything, he found solace in the thought that, at least for now, Auron and his subordinates suspected nothing. Everyone believed Elior's changes were the result of trauma, which gave him time to keep investigating and planning.

Zakarius continued his research in the secret facilities of the Republics, learning more about advanced magic and technology combined. There were machines that defied the laws of nature, artifacts that could manipulate reality itself, and possibilities to use celestial magic in ways angels had never dreamed of.

Although Darian followed him everywhere, Zakarius found ways to evade his vigilance. He had learned to move stealthily, to divert the attention of his bodyguard, and to slip away at opportune moments to explore the most forbidden areas.

He knew he had to act cautiously. He couldn't afford a single mistake. If he were discovered, his entire plan could crumble. But with each passing day, Zakarius felt his control over his new life solidifying. The secrets of the Oligarchic Republics were within his reach, and now it was only a matter of time before he found a way to leverage this power for his own ends.

As Zakarius roamed the hidden corridors and restricted archives of the Republics' most secret installations, he finally stumbled upon something that left him fascinated: a top-secret project known as the "Technomagic Colossi." These were a series of massive mechs, created through a fusion of advanced technology and celestial magic, capable of turning the tide of any war. It was a weapon that could shift the balance of power to whoever controlled it.

However, delving into the reports, Zakarius discovered that the project had been shelved due to a lack of funds and resources. The design was in its infancy, with only a few half-assembled prototypes, and the team in charge had been reduced to a minimum due to the lack of government support. The war with the necromancers had drained most of the Republics' resources, and experimental projects like this one were deemed too costly.

But Zakarius saw the potential. These mechs could not only serve as a decisive tool in the war against the necromancers, but they could also stand as a symbol of power and technological superiority, giving the Republics a means to gain influence in the celestial world. Elior—or rather, Zakarius—could not let the opportunity to complete this project slip by.

Zakarius knew he would need his father Auron's support to revive the project. However, after his recent erratic and distant behavior, reconnecting with him would require finesse. Despite their tensions, Zakarius decided to use his new position and the growing trust that Auron was once again placing in him.

"Father," he said one evening, in an unusually calm tone as they shared a private dinner at the family residence, "I've been researching the military development areas in the Republics, and I found something that... could change everything."

Auron looked up from his plate, surprised by his son's direct tone. In his eyes, for the first time in a long while, he saw a spark of genuine interest. Elior had always been curious, but this level of focus was something he hadn't seen in him since before his time at the academy.

"What is it?" he asked, a mix of curiosity and caution in his voice.

Zakarius explained what he had discovered: the technomagic mechs, their potential to offer a crushing advantage in the war, and how an investment in this project could alter the course of the conflict and secure the future of the Republics as a global power.

"Father, these colossi are not just weapons," Zakarius said, his voice filled with conviction. "They're the key to our survival. The necromancers are advancing, and we know that sooner or later, the war will come here. If we're not prepared, we'll fall."

Auron listened in silence, but something in his eyes began to change. There was an echo of the former brilliance in Elior's words, the genius that had once defined his son. Although something dark and distant remained, for the first time in a long time, Auron felt hope. Perhaps Elior was not as lost as he had feared.

"It's a considerable investment," Auron replied, though his tone was now more contemplative than skeptical. "Are you certain these mechs are what we need?"

Zakarius nodded firmly. He knew his father had reasons to doubt, but he also knew the situation was desperate. Besides, there was a game of manipulation that he mastered better than anyone.

"There's no time for doubts, Father. If we don't take the initiative, others will destroy us," he insisted, seeking to instill in Auron the urgency of the moment. "This project is the spark we need."

Auron watched his son in silence for a few more moments. He knew Elior well enough to know that he never spoke without thinking, and there was something in the way he defended the project that stirred memories of the brilliant child he once was. Auron felt a mixture of nostalgia and hope, though he also knew that something in Elior had broken. He wasn't the same as before, but perhaps… just maybe, that spark of brilliance still burned within him.

"Alright, Elior," he finally said, with a resigned sigh. "I'll get this project started. I'll allocate the necessary funds and ensure you have all the support you need to make these mechs work."

Zakarius smiled, but it was a measured smile. He knew his plan was advancing, and with the resources of the Republics at his disposal, the Technomagic Colossi would be the key to consolidating his power. The war would change not only for the Republics but for him as well—Zakarius, who now held a tool of immense power under his control.

The days that followed were a whirlwind of activity. Engineers, mages, and scientists gathered under the direction of the new "Elior" to work on the Technomagic Colossi. Although Zakarius didn't have the technical knowledge of his former self, his ability to project authority and manipulate those around him allowed him to earn the researchers' respect. Additionally, the presence of Darian, his bodyguard and protector, added a layer of legitimacy to his decisions.

As the work progressed, Auron couldn't help but observe his son from the shadows. There was something different about him, something he couldn't fully understand, but that also filled him with pride. Elior seemed to have regained part of his former genius, his initiative, and although he remained distant, he had a new sense of purpose that made Auron think that perhaps not all was lost.

However, a nagging doubt lingered in the back of his mind. Why had Elior changed so much? What had really happened on that trip to the academy? The questions remained unanswered, but for now, Auron decided to let his son move forward with the project. The fate of the Republics was at stake, and perhaps, just perhaps, this project would be the salvation they so desperately needed.

Meanwhile, Zakarius was planning in silence. The construction of the mechs was not only a weapon for the Republics but also a tool for his own ascent. With these colossi at his disposal, he could once again sow chaos within the celestial ranks, consolidating his influence in both the celestial and mortal worlds.

He knew he still needed to keep up appearances, to be careful with each step he took, especially with Darian and his father watching him. But for now, he had everything he needed to advance his plan. And soon, the heavens would burn.