The Temple of Names was not carved — it was grown.
A hollow space beneath the Grove's roots, formed by time and tears. Crystalline vines wove through the walls, each humming with forgotten syllables, truths etched in soul instead of stone. This was where the ancient mages came to name their power — and in return, be known by the world.
Aelira's steps echoed, though no sound should've lingered.
Behind her, the four bondmates followed in silence.
Kaelen walked with his hand near his sword.Theron's usual smirk had faded.Ashar burned quiet.And Riven... still watched her like he was waiting for her to vanish again.
They reached the center.
A circular dais, carved with a thousand names. All faded. All erased. Only one space remained — blank and glowing faintly.
The Voice of the Grove rose from the roots, feminine and ancient.
"Speak your true name, Starborn. The one buried beneath lies. Only then will the Veil be lifted."
Aelira stepped forward.
Her heart thundered. Her magic stirred, restless. Her voice caught in her throat.
"I... don't remember my true name."
"Lies," the Voice replied. "It is carved in your bones."
The air thickened. Light swirled around her, piercing deep — into memory.
And the walls began to bleed her past.
—
A vision flashed.
Aelira stood in a throne room of black glass.
Younger. Colder. Crowned.
Behind her, shadows bowed. Around her feet, a circle of chained mages wept.
And before her—A girl with silver hair and a broken halo whispered, "Please, sister…"
Aelira's voice was sharp as steel in the memory:
"Let the stars judge us both."
She raised her hand——and the girl's light shattered.
The memory vanished.
Aelira staggered back, breath ragged. Her knees hit the floor.
Ashar moved first, but she held out a trembling hand. "No. Don't. I... I remember."
The name rose from deep within, coiled in guilt.
"Seraiya."
The chamber froze.
Kaelen's blade hissed halfway out of its sheath. "Seraiya? The Fallen Star Queen?"
Riven stared. "You told us she died centuries ago."
"I did," Aelira said, voice hoarse. "Because I did."
The vines pulsed. Her magic twisted painfully. The bond strained — tight, almost snapping.
Ashar took a step back. "You're her. The one who betrayed the Order. Who turned on her own blood."
"No," she whispered. "I was. But I chose to forget. To fall. To start over."
Theron's eyes were unreadable. "You've been lying since the day we met."
"I didn't know—" She broke off, fists clenched. "I locked it away. I had to. Seraiya was cruel. Power-hungry. I chose to die and be reborn. To never let her rule again."
"And yet," Riven said quietly, "her magic still lives in you."
Silence rippled across them.
The Grove spoke again, softer this time:
"Now that your name is returned, so is your past. You must choose: Embrace Seraiya — or destroy her, forever."
Aelira's voice was steady now.
"No. I won't choose one or the other. I am both. The girl who fell. The woman who rose again."
Her magic swirled like a storm — silver laced with violet flame.
The vines around the dais flared in approval. The blank space etched itself with glowing letters: AELIRA SERAIYA.
Kaelen's gaze held uncertainty.
Ashar looked like he wanted to burn the truth down.
Theron… nodded once. "Truth suits you."
But Riven stepped forward, voice low.
"If Seraiya returns... if you become her again—"
"I won't," she said. "But if I do... stop me."
Riven didn't promise.He just reached out — and held her hand.
And behind them, the Temple began to crack.
Not from weakness — but from awakening.
The Queen felt the shift. Across the continent, in her obsidian tower, her eyes snapped open.
"She remembers."
And war began to stir.