The obsidian throne room was dimly lit, with only the faint glow of lava streaming through the cracks in the walls providing light. Steven sat lazily on his massive black throne, one leg draped over the armrest, a goblet of glowing red liquid in his hand. His piercing eyes darted to the entrance as the heavy doors creaked open, and Weeb walked in, his presence as silent and foreboding as ever.

Steven straightened slightly, his grin spreading wide. "You're back. I take it everything went as planned?"

Weeb stopped a few paces from the throne, his hood casting a shadow over his face. He stood motionless for a moment before speaking. "Avalon's out of the picture. The mission is complete."

Steven raised the goblet in mock celebration. "Marvelous. I knew you wouldn't disappoint me, Weeb. And the artifact?"

"Not my concern," Weeb said bluntly. His tone was cold, emotionless, and carried an air of finality.

Steven chuckled, swirling the liquid in his goblet as he eyed Weeb. "Efficient as always. That's what I like about you—no nonsense. Just results."

Weeb said nothing, his silence palpable. The air between them seemed heavy, but Steven wasn't the type to mind. He thrived in tension.

"Good work, Weeb," Steven continued, leaning back in his throne. "Your payment will be transferred immediately. If I have another task, you'll be the first to know."

Weeb didn't acknowledge the comment. He turned on his heel and began walking toward the exit, his cloak swaying with each step. He didn't look back, didn't say another word. The obsidian doors groaned as they opened to let him out, and then slammed shut behind him with a deafening echo.

Steven watched him go, a sly grin still plastered on his face. "Such a mystery, that one," he muttered to himself, taking another sip from his goblet. "But as long as he keeps delivering... he'll be worth every credit."

### Meanwhile...

Az's body slowly thawed from the icy grip of Blizzvoid, their breathing shallow but steady. The orange liquid Avalon had forced into their mouth earlier had started to work, warming their veins and returning a faint feeling to their limbs. Through the haze of their recovering senses, they heard a faint voice.

"Az? Az, wake up!"

The voice grew more frantic as Az's eyes fluttered open, revealing Rat's concerned face hovering above them. His small hands were shaking their shoulders gently but urgently.

"Rat..." Az muttered weakly, their throat dry and scratchy.

"Thank the stars! I thought that guy had killed you or something," Rat exclaimed, his wide eyes full of worry. "What *happened*? I saw your ship crash, and when I got here, you were just lying there, frozen solid!"

Az groaned as they tried to sit up, every muscle in their body protesting. "Some guy... Weeb... did this. He was after Avalon."

Rat's face darkened. "Weeb? *The* Weeb? South Galaxy's top bounty hunter? What in the void did you get tangled up in, Az?"

Before Az could answer, a low hum filled the air, and a shimmering blue portal appeared just a few feet away. Both Az and Rat instinctively tensed, Rat clutching a small dagger he had pulled from his belt.

From the portal stepped a tall, blonde man with piercing blue eyes and a calm but commanding presence. He was dressed in simple yet elegant clothes, his movements deliberate and confident.

"Relax," the man said, holding up his hands in a gesture of peace. "I'm not here to fight."

Az, still groggy but alert, narrowed their eyes at the newcomer. "Who the hell are you?"

"My name is Gabriel Liones," the man said evenly, his gaze shifting between Az and Rat. "I'm here because I know what's going on with that golden piece you're holding—and the danger it poses if it falls into the wrong hands."

Rat tilted his head, his curiosity piqued. "Danger? What are you talking about?"

Gabriel crossed his arms, his expression growing serious. "The piece you have is one of four artifacts known as the Golden Seals. Together, they can awaken a beast so powerful it could conquer the entire galaxy. Right now, Steven, the so-called 'King' of the East Galaxy, is hunting for all four pieces. If he succeeds, he'll use the beast to enforce his rule over both magic users and non-magic users alike."

Az's mind raced as they processed the information. "So that's what Avalon was after. He said he was delivering this piece to some secret organization."

"Most likely trying to keep it out of Steven's hands," Gabriel confirmed. "Avalon's been working in the shadows to prevent Steven from completing his plan. But Steven's relentless—and with people like Weeb working for him, he's closer than ever to getting what he wants."

Rat frowned, gripping his tail nervously. "Wait, so if this Steven guy gets all the pieces, we're doomed? What's this beast supposed to do?"

Gabriel's eyes darkened, his voice grim. "The beast, known as Asmodeus, was sealed away by the Four Divine Brothers at the dawn of the universe. It's said to have the power to destroy entire galaxies with a single thought. Steven doesn't just want to use it to rule; he wants to reshape the galaxy in his own image—one where non-magic users like himself are dominant, and magic users are subjugated or eliminated entirely."

Az shook their head, disbelief mingling with anger. "And why are you telling us all this? What's your angle, Gabriel?"

Gabriel met their gaze steadily. "Because I'm trying to stop him. I've been tracking the Golden Seals for years, but I can't do this alone. You already have one piece, which makes you a target. Steven will stop at nothing to take it from you."

Az glanced down at the golden fragment they had risked so much to obtain. Their grip tightened around it instinctively.

"What do you want from us?" Az asked cautiously.

"I want your help," Gabriel said plainly. "Together, we can stop Steven from collecting the remaining pieces. We need to keep the Seals out of his hands at all costs. If we don't... there won't be a galaxy left to save."

Az and Rat exchanged a glance, the weight of Gabriel's words settling heavily in the room.

Rat sighed, scratching the back of his head. "Well, this just keeps getting better and better."

Az took a deep breath, their resolve hardening. "Fine. We'll hear you out, Gabriel. But if you're lying to us..."

Gabriel smirked faintly. "I wouldn't blame you for being cautious. But trust me when I say this—we're on the same side."

The room fell silent, the three of them knowing that their next move could decide the fate of the galaxy itself.

Gabriel led Az and Rat to his sleek, black ship waiting just beyond the crash site. The vessel was compact but clearly high-tech, its hull lined with faint blue lights that pulsed like a heartbeat. Az stumbled slightly as they boarded, their body still shaking off the effects of the Blizzvoid serum. Rat stayed close, his nervous energy palpable as he scanned every corner of the ship.

"Welcome aboard," Gabriel said, pressing a button to seal the hatch. The ship hummed to life, its controls lighting up in response to his touch.

"Nice ride," Az muttered, sliding into a seat and strapping in.

Rat climbed into another chair, his tail curling anxiously. "So... where are we going?"

Gabriel's hands moved fluidly over the controls, and the ship began to rise. "To Circe, a planet in the West Galaxy. It's where I've established a base of operations—a safe place where people like us can train and prepare to stop Steven."

Az raised an eyebrow. "People like us?"

"Those who don't want the galaxy to fall into the hands of a madman," Gabriel replied, his tone clipped. "Magic users, non-magic users, bounty hunters, outcasts—it doesn't matter. If they're willing to fight for the galaxy, they're welcome at my base."

The ship pierced through the atmosphere and into the cold expanse of space. Gabriel input a series of coordinates, and the ship's hyperdrive roared to life. Within moments, the stars stretched into long streaks of light as they entered hyperspace.

---

**Planet Circe, West Galaxy**

The planet Circe was a sight to behold. Its surface was a mix of dense forests, shimmering lakes, and towering mountain ranges. Massive crystalline structures dotted the landscape, glowing faintly in hues of blue and green. Gabriel's ship descended toward a hidden valley surrounded by jagged cliffs, the lush greenery disguising the entrance to the base.

"Impressive," Rat murmured, his nose pressed against the window as the ship touched down on a concealed landing pad.

Gabriel stood and motioned for them to follow. "Come on. There's someone I want you to meet."

The three stepped off the ship and onto a narrow path that led into the mountain. The entrance was guarded by two armed sentinels who nodded at Gabriel before stepping aside to reveal a massive steel door. Gabriel placed his hand on a scanner, and the door hissed open, revealing the bustling interior of his base.

The base was enormous, carved directly into the mountain. Dozens of people moved about, some sparring in combat rings, others poring over holographic maps and data terminals. The sound of clashing weapons and shouted instructions echoed through the cavernous space.

Az whistled low. "You've been busy."

Rat's eyes darted around, wide with amazement. "Whoa... this is like... a secret army or something!"

Gabriel smirked slightly. "Something like that. This is where we're training and strategizing to counter Steven's plans. Everyone here has a role to play, whether it's gathering intel, developing tech, or fighting on the front lines."

A tall woman in armor approached, her dark eyes scanning Az and Rat with scrutiny. "Gabriel, who are the newcomers?"

"Potential allies," Gabriel said, gesturing to them. "This is Az and Rat. They've got a piece of the Golden Seals—and I think they're going to be invaluable to our cause."

The woman nodded curtly. "Fine. But they'd better pull their weight."

"Trust me," Gabriel said confidently. "They will."

Az crossed their arms, their gaze sweeping over the base. "Alright, Gabriel. You've got the people, the tech, and the drive. But what's the plan? How are you going to stop Steven?"

Gabriel's expression grew serious. "First, we need to secure the other Golden Seals before Steven does. If we can keep even one of them out of his hands, his plan falls apart."

"And if he already has some of them?" Rat asked nervously.

Gabriel's jaw tightened. "Then we make sure he doesn't get the rest—no matter what it takes."

The weight of his words hung in the air as Az and Rat exchanged a glance. They both knew there was no turning back now.
End of chapter