As soon as Crius left them to their devices, Seonghwa's husbands flocked around him. They held back only while they needed to show their resolve, but the moment Seonghwa let the tension of his shoulders dissipate, the others also hurried over. 

Wooyoung was tucked into his side already, flanked by Hongjoong. 

"Let me help," the sorcerer growled when he reached for Wooyoung's injured wing for the fifth time, but Wooyoung batted his hands off.

"Stop it!" He hissed, huddling closer into Seonghwa's arm. "He will let go if I feel better!"

The two squabbled while Seonghwa pretended not to listen yet also didn't let go of Wooyoung. He rubbed his pouty husband's shoulders as Yeosang knelt into the rough fur by his side.

"That was somewhat successful. They didn't refuse right away, so let's see what becomes of it," the dryad offered praise. But when he tucked the loose curls of Seonghwa's hair behind his ear, he found a frown overshadowing his beautiful features.

"If they seek war, that might push some of our allies to change their mind, either in support of a battle or against us," the elf replied while San released his coat from his shoulders and Yunho took his feet into his lap to massage them with nimble fingers.

"We don't know the judgment of their council yet, so let's wait. For today, you did well, Hwa. We made it in and they heard us out," Yeosang replied. When Seonghwa looked up, the glow in his eyes was tender.

"Thank you, my loves. For supporting me," he smiled and Mingi blushed where he fidgeted next to Jongho.

"Let us rest for today and strategise further tomorrow." 

No one could refuse that after their strained voyage. The last comfortable inn had been back in the Crystal Sphere, and morning had to grey outside the caves already after they spent the day and the night on their feet. 

When Seonghwa laid down, he cradled Wooyoung against his chest. Mingi rested on his other side to spend warmth, and he had one arm slung around Yunho's waist since the human shivered even under the combination of his, Mingi's, and San's cloaks. 

Soon, everyone found some rest, and they slept so deeply that they didn't care anymore for the rumbling of the titans traversing their caves.

-

Crius gathered the mounts and the rest of Seonghwa's troupe in a wooden crate laid in with moss and straw for the time being. He put it on the ground of his cave, leaving some distance for the animals to rest, yet close enough that Seonghwa could access his warriors with Hongjoong's or San's help. (Since Wooyoung still needed more affection until he would be able to fly again.)

The box was big as a stable, giving them more than enough space to roam and get comfortable. Buddy got carried up by San's spectacular wings and soon, Yunho coddled his friend again.

After an afternoon of food and rest, another titan brought them to Asteria, the person Crius had mentioned. Through the tunnels cast in blue light, they delved deep into the labyrinth and then back up. Asteria awaited them outside on one of the timeless gazebos that opened into the sky. It reminded Yunho of the place where Seonghwa made them immortal, and Seonghwa gently squeezed his hand at the whispered reminder.

Asteria was younger than Crius, the white of her hair chosen by nature. Her eye sparkled with the same stars as Seonghwa's and when she greeted them with a smile, a deep sense of peace overcame the elf. For the first time since entering the wintry lands of the titans, he felt a kinship.

After handing the envoy over to her palms, the courier left them alone. No others threaded near here, so their steps wouldn't disturb the peace of their astronomer. 

Buddy whimpered, still terrified when she lifted them to her eye level. But Yunho hushed him with gentle caresses.

"Crius told me a being of the stars graced our mid. Now that I see you, I am in awe." Her voice was deep and velvety, humming in their hearts, yet without the terror the other giants instilled. "What is your name?"

"Seonghwa," the elf breathed. He held onto her massive fingers cupping them, standing unafraid while his husbands rested in the crevices of her palms.

"So you were meant to become a marvel. Let me tell you about how the titans came to be. And about your heritage from our old gods, that makes you so special."

Intrigued to hear their side of the tale, Seonghwa sat down. Wooyoung crawled into his arms and San subtly leaned against Seonghwa's back, offering him a shoulder to rest against. Doused in a yellow glow, Jongho perched by their side as they collectively followed Asteria's gaze into the night sky.

"A long time ago, the old gods created this universe. They shaped planets and suns from their flesh and bone and they gave them life. They created the titans, warriors against the monsters of darkness, older and much more intimidating than anything that treads the earth now. As we fought their heavenly battle, our fallen ones became the mountains and valleys of this world. Our tears formed rivers and our flesh fertilised the ground to make the first plants grow."

Fascinated, Seonghwa imagined such a life. Long before the elves existed, long before the current wisdom of the golems. A time when nothing that existed now had been.

Apart from the titans.

"A traitor hid among our rows. The god of darkness and death. He claimed decay would be necessary for this world as well, and he bonded with the monsters that withheld our kings from granting this planet perfection. One by one, they fell. Darkness consumed us, and the fiend's black coat became the night sky. No matter how we fought, our era ended. And as our last king fell, his blood splattered across the impenetrable night, dotting it with light for all those creatures here, so they wouldn't submit to darkness."

Mingi lowered his head, so Seonghwa reached for his hand. He kissed his large fingers reassuringly.

"Time passed and even darkness succumbed to its fate. Now, none of the old gods are left to guide us, but we titans persisted, protecting their traces. This world is sacred to us; the final destination of their long war. We shun those who deny its history and change this land, but I hear from Crius your ideas align with ours, Seonghwa. Who are you?"

When Asteria turned her head to gaze at him with a big round eye like the far stars, Seonghwa was stunned to find himself in them.

"I am born of the stars, a celestial elf. My kin is blessed by the night sky, but we emerge from the patronage of various celestial bodies. Mine is the moon."

Asteria hummed, fascinated with him.

"So you come from the blood of the old gods. Most beings of this world come from the titans, so their ancestry is more diluted. Of all the races we heard of, you might be as close to our old kings as we are."

"We cherish life," Seonghwa continued. "Harmony and a regard for the world around us. Perhaps the orcs are our eternal darkness that ruin all life in the same way fiend ruined your gods."

"Ultimately, darkness won," Asteria replied, her voice hollow.

Seonghwa stiffened. A shudder chased down his spine.

Right, what encompassed them all was death. Darkness. Only specked by light, but its matter was most powerful. 

Could he never win? No matter his strength, his long life? If even the creators of this world died, did that mean an eclipse was near?

"New things grew from that," Jongho spoke up, and Asteria studied him with the same intrigue as Crius. Though Jongho was younger than Seonghwa, his gathering of wisdom was handed down from aeons of golems, resting and listening.

"Night fell and then the stars started shining and the titans' bodies created life. That means your battle was worth it. It wasn't lost, it merely brought forth life against the all-encompassing night."

"You are interesting, elf. You and your people," Asteria muttered. When she glanced back up into the sky, the stars twinkled brighter than before and filled Seonghwa's soul with delight.

"Darkness finds us all, but as your golem said, it doesn't need to mean the end. What is important is to preserve what we have and carry on. To many titans, it would be an honour to battle the night once more. Our final battle the same way the old gods fought it."

"I'm not seeking to risk your lives," Seonghwa fell in. "In this alliance, I see the potential to avoid such a war. So your people may always spend your wisdom and protect our world, and my folk can live in peace."

Asteria didn't reply to that. With her head tilted to the skies, she pondered the answers only she could see.

"It is not our time yet," she conceded ultimately. "But an eclipse is coming. What will happen to you if the moon is hidden away? Though other celestial beings might still be strong, you will be weakened."

"That's where my husbands have my back. They always protect me in moments of frailty," Seonghwa replied, and he felt their draw, felt their affection. Wooyoung cuddled into him tighter, and Mingi squeezed his hand. Jongho's blush coloured his crystals orange and San traced a fingertip over Seonghwa's upper arm. 

Hongjoong's magic was beautiful, surrounding the elf in golden swirls. 

"Though not part of the council, I will report my findings to Crius and the others. The nymphs are our friends and they always wanted peace. Though the empire mongered in wars before, I would like to hear you out, young emperor."

Hopeful, Seonghwa perked up and Buddy's tail started wagging again. 

"That would be everything I could ever ask for," Seonghwa replied with a deep bow. Another grin was his reward.

"Then I shall bring you back to your quarters. You must be hungry. Share our meat and our wine. It's the richest you will taste." Asteria turned and carried them inside, away from the blinking night sky. Though the friendship with the titans was so peculiar, the envoy found their liking. As expected, a mutual need for peace drove them.

Though Seonghwa was baffled they considered him a descendant of their old gods. It lined up with the understanding of the world elven scholars taught, but he never expected them to regard him with such reverence. Since he was born into a world where nature worshipped elves, he never wondered about the cause of it. He was taught it was his natural charm, but maybe there was more to it.

If he had the opportunity, he should discuss this newfound knowledge with his scholars back in the Crystal Sphere. The titans didn't want to be explored as objects of scientific interest, but the elves might draw their deductions.

Jongho was similarly invested in the topic.

"Can I ask you something?" He asked politely, copying the way of speech inside the palace.

"Of course, stony one." Asteria replied. Her pace was graceful, didn't make the world tremble like that of the others. Carried as if on clouds, Seonghwa shared a private smile with San when they parted.

"Where did the golems come from in your tale? We are animated by magic, yet we are the mountains and the valleys as the titans are."

"You are made of a titan's flesh," Asteria replied without pause. "All rocks are. Your soul may come from magic, but your growth and greed for ancient knowledge is the same as ours."

Then, with a fleeting glance at her enraptured audience, she added: "You may regard yourself as a direct child of the titans and magic in the same way your emperor is a child of the old gods."

Jongho digested that information with the grinding of stone, shifting around as his form was as complex as his shaping thoughts. Then he glowed purple.

"I also have a child!" He shared and Asteria snickered about him. The similarity between their races was uncanny, but now that the titans were here, it was easy to tell the golems were younger than them.

As she placed the lot on their platform, Buddy jumped around, finally free. Though fascinated with the pet, Asteria didn't try to pet him with her massive hands.

"Crius will meet you at dawn, so eat first and rest. I will send you a helper with anything you need," she offered, and as she turned, Seonghwa called after her.

"Thank you for today." 

She halted with a glance over her shoulder. Seonghwa smiled back.

"The titans' wisdom is irreplaceable, so even if we cannot become allies, thank you a lot for your tale."

Asteria nodded and left. She, too, was a key to their friendship. Seldom, Seonghwa sat it out while others decided his fate, but in understanding the titans, he felt he might gain something just as important as an alliance.