I take a seat across from the knight. His silver armor gleams even in the dim light. His dark blue eyes study me with a calm intensity, and black hair falls just over his brow, adding to his dignified air. He looks as though he's walked straight out of a legend. I'd wager he has slain countless dragons too.

There's something about him – an elegance, an ancient strength which I can feel even from across the table. Even sitting down, he's tall.

Mom and dad look towards us nervously. I decide to break the silence.

"Will someone tell me just what is all this?"

The knight looks at my dad again, then speaks.

"Hello, Heliar. My name is Orin. I am a knight of the Aetherian Blades. It wasn't yet time for us to meet, but seems like fate wills otherwise."

Fate? I glance at my parents, their faces etched with worry, and then back to Orin, who remains composed.

"Fate?" I echo, trying to wrap my mind around it. "What do you mean? Why me?"

"Stella. You meeting her was not a mere coincidence. And neither was her being taken away. This is all a part of something much, much bigger, Heliar. You need to understand that. And you need to understand your own role in it."

Stella.

"I honestly don't understand any of what you are saying. I do get that Stella being taken by the Shadow Thing is something more than I can comprehend, but can you explain it better?"

Orin looks at me amusingly. "Shadow Thing? That's an interesting name you've given him." His lips curl into a smirk. "The title you're looking for, Heliar, is Voidscion."

I blink, the weight of the word settling on me. "Voidscion?" I repeat, testing it on my tongue.

Orin nods. "Yes, Heliar. Few know of the title. The Voidscion is no ordinary being. He is a vessel of ancient power and purpose, and he is driven by doom. His presence signals the awakening of old forces, ones that most would wish remain forgotten."

The room feels colder. I look to my parents, hoping to find comfort in their gazes. But, their faces seem ashen, and distant.

I try to process everything. "So... the Voidscion took Stella. But why her? And what does it all have to do with me?"

Orin leans forwards, his attention focusing on me. "You do not know about your... Bloodline yet, do you?" He glances at Dad. "Ronan, you should tell him everything. He deserves to know."

My father shifts uncomfortably in his seat, eyes flickering between Orin and me. He takes a long, steady breath.

"Heliar," he begins, his voice carrying an unfamiliar weight, "there's a history in our family that we haven't told you about. We thought we could protect you from it for a little longer."

"Protect me? From what?"

"From the truth," my mother says quietly, her voice strained. "Our family, the Virethel bloodline... it's one of the old houses, one that's been tied to ancient forces for generations. And with that history, there comes a duty."

Dad continues. "Long ago, there was a group of people. They could harness those powers of the ancient. Understanding the potential of that power, they decided to band together. They formed a civilization of their own, one which would not strive for glory but would instead dedicate their all to protecting the peace of the planet. That is the origin of our bloodline. And their finest warriors, they'd come to form an order which'd be come to known as the Aetherian Blades."

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He pauses for a moment, his voice taking on a darker tone. "Naturally, where there is light, there is bound to be darkness. This is where the Voidscion comes into the picture. Mind you, he is not alone. He might have been acting by himself as of late, but he too leads numerous 'men'."

My father's words hang heavy in the air, and I feel a chill creep up my spine.

"He leads... men?" I repeat, my voice barely above a whisper. "So, there are others like him?"

Orin nods, his expression darkening. "Yes, Heliar. While they do not have the same powers as him, they are a menace in their own right."

I try to wrap my head around it. "And this... ancient power you speak of. What is it? Where does it come from?"

Dad takes out a gemstone, and places it on the table. He hovers his right hand over it, and an image of the Solar System shows.

"Look, Heliar." He says pointing towards the Earth. "How many moons do you see?"

I stare in surprise. Where there should be one, the Earth is circled by seven moons.

Seven.

Next, he points at Mars. "And how many moons does Mars have?"

"Five," I speak.

Dad's gaze sharpens, his eyes flickering with a strange intensity as he speaks.

"These moons, Heliar, they are no ordinary celestial bodies. They are the ancient sources of power. Every person on this planet has an affinity to one of these moons. While some are able to use that power to some extent, at times by accident, most people live their entire lives without even knowing about it. And the Earth's and Mars' moons, they... oppose each other. We draw our powers from the moons of Earth, while the Voidscion and his people's powers are harnessed from those of Mars."

Dad's words hang heavy in the air, and I feel a mix of awe and fear washing over me. "So, you're saying that these moons have different powers? And that there's a divide between us and them?"

"Exactly," he replies, his tone serious. "The moons of Earth are associated with creation, life, and illumination. They grant us the abilities to heal, to create, to protect and to find light in the darkest places. But the moons of Mars embody chaos, destruction, and darkness. They empower the Voidscion and his followers, fueling their ambitions to conquer and dominate."

"I understand all that. But why can't the Aetherian Blades and the rest of the bloodlines stop them? Haven't they already been doing that for ages? Or is there a serious problem?"

Dad looks at me with a heavy expression, as if weighing the gravity of my question. "It's not that the Aetherian Blades haven't been fighting back. They have. For generations, they've defended the balance between our worlds, standing against those who would seek to disrupt it. However, they are not what they once were, Heliar. Of the bloodlines, a lot have been lost. And of the few that remain, they too don't retain any of their former prowess. The strength of our people is not what it once was."

I feel a sinking sensation in my chest as dad continues. "Many of the houses have either fallen into obscurity or become complacent, losing the traditions and teachings that once made them powerful. The knowledge of our ancestors has faded, and along with it, our ability to fight against the Voidscion's dark influence."

Orin nods in agreement, his expression grave. "There was a time when the Aetherian Blades were a formidable force, feared by those who would threaten the balance. But as centuries passed, their ranks dwindled. The old warriors who carried the legacy of our bloodlines have either perished or chosen to live in isolation, far away from the conflicts of the world."

"But why didn't anyone do anything to stop this decline?" I ask, frustration creeping into my voice. "Surely someone must have seen it coming."

Dad sighs, his gaze distant. "There were attempts, yes, but many were met with resistance. The younger generations, they grew disinterested, dismissing the old ways as mere myths. They sought their own paths, and abandoned the responsibilities that came with our heritage. The few who recognized the danger were often unable to rally support."

Orin's eyes blaze with intensity. "And now, with the Voidscion rising in power, we find ourselves at a critical juncture. We can't afford to let this cycle continue. And Heliar, this is where you come into play."

I blink, surprised. "Me? I get that I'm from the Virethel bloodline yes, but still... how?"

Mom clears her throat, drawing our attention. "Your name, Heliar. Have you ever wondered why your name is so closely associated to the Sun? In the bloodlines, it's incredibly rare, but there is a possibility for a child to be born who can harness the power of the Sun. To be honest, even we didn't realize you had that potential. When we named you, it was more of a lucky charm than anything else. But it seems fate plays its hand in mysterious ways."

"And the moons, no matter which, all draw their power from the Sun." I add, thinking.

Mom nods, her gaze steady. "And now, it's up to you to awaken that potential. The light you carry may be the key to turning the tide against the Voidscion."