Aetheric Chronicles: Reborn As An Extra

"You all... underestimate me..."

The Queen's emerald eyes flickered as her body trembled, her regal composure barely holding against both the spiritual and physical toll. The dark chains had left behind more than just physical marks. Within her, black energies writhed like vipers, seeking to consume her very essence. Her connection to nature, usually so vibrant and strong, now felt distant—muted.

'Exactly as that boy warned,' she thought grimly.

Adrian's words came back to her like an echo: "If darkness falls, just pretend to be yourself." A cryptic phrase that now carried weight she hadn't anticipated.

The black energy clawed at her mind, whispers of doubt and corruption growing louder. She could feel it—this strange power trying to taint her, to twist her spirit into something unrecognizable. A few more of those attacks, and she would fall—not just in body but in soul.

Her fingers tightened into fists.

'I can never allow that...'

'Even if means destroying everything...'

A cold glint passed through her eyes.

And then the boy's face and words.

'But... I will give it a try first...'

She took a steadying breath, forcing calm into her turbulent mind. The Top Hunters stood a few meters away, their smug expressions replaced with calculating wariness as they studied her.

'Should I do it after all…?' she wondered, sighing inwardly. The thought of resorting to drastic measures weighed on her.

'But... The lines are a bit...'

'...Whatever, it's my punishment for forcing him to become a flower...'

So then, she looked forward, her emerald flames flaring slightly, drawing everyone's attention. Her voice rang out, steady and commanding despite the storm raging within her.

"Is there someone who can light up everything for me?" Find your next read on empire

"A sun..."

"If possible..."

Queen muttered the last words in a low voice but it was enough for everyone to hear them.

"Eh?"

Maybe so, they froze everyone in place. Confusion spread through the elvin warriors and trainees. Even the Top Hunters exchanged puzzled glances, their smug confidence briefly faltering.

From behind the Queen, Adrian furrowed his brows. Her words echoed in his mind, and for a few seconds, he seemed lost in thought. Then, as if a light bulb clicked on, understanding passed through his eyes.

'So, this was his plan...'

He turned sharply to Aurelia and Aurelius, his expression focused. "Hey, you two."

They blinked at him, startled.

"Use your abilities to light up everything," he said firmly.

"What?" Aurelia asked, her brows furrowing in confusion. Aurelius looked equally puzzled.

"Just do it!" Adrian snapped.

The urgency in his voice made them pause, but after a brief exchange of glances, they both nodded.

Aurelius stepped forward, closing his eyes as he took a deep breath.

His hands clenched tightly as he focused, his aether surging. He gritted his teeth as he forced his entire aether core to shift—redirecting every ounce of his power into light.

A faint glow began to emanate from him, growing stronger with every passing moment. His hair, once silver, turned pure white, and his body radiated a golden aura. His light was steady, unwavering, like a beacon in the night.

Aurelia, standing beside him, felt her own aether stirring in response. Her body glowed softly at first, but the radiance quickly intensified. Her light was warmer, more natural, like the gentle touch of sunlight on a spring morning.

As she rose into the air, two magnificent wings of light unfurled from her back, casting a divine glow around her.

The two siblings floated upward, their combined radiance dispelling the suffocating black mist. The battlefield, once shrouded in darkness, began to shift.

The light grew brighter, fiercer, until it was blinding. It was as though two suns had risen in the middle of a starless night, their brilliance cutting through the void.

The Top Hunters recoiled, shielding their eyes. The chains binding the Queen loosened slightly, their black energy retreating in the presence of such overwhelming light. The black mist that had plagued the battlefield shrank away, leaving behind clarity and space.

For a moment, everything seemed to pause, the radiant light consuming all shadows.

Adrian's gaze shifted upward to his sister and friend. A small, satisfied smirk crossed his face.

"Not bad," he murmured.

The Queen, still bound but no longer gasping for breath, felt the darkness inside her falter.

Her lips curled into a faint smile of relief.

'I knew that boy was special.' Her eyes were glued to Aurelius's sunny figure.

But even as the light filled the battlefield, the Queen knew this was only the beginning.

'You have to bless the suns if you want to fight on an equal footing with the enemies.'

'And don't hold back when given blessings.'

That was what Adrian boy said.

'If you don't... You'll regret it.'

Since the boy's words were coming true, she decided to listen to his advice this time. She didn't want to use the last resort.

Not this time...

The Queen closed her eyes briefly as the radiant light engulfed her.

She felt it—the darkness retreating within her. The black energy that had clawed at her spirit was diminishing, pulled back into the depths from which it came. A faint warmth began to spread through her, reigniting her connection to nature and strengthening her resolve.

Her emerald flames flared anew, brighter than before, their brilliance mirroring the renewed strength coursing through her veins.

The Top Hunters, however, were far from idle. Their sharp gazes darted to the Queen, noticing the shift in her aura. They exchanged quick glances, silent communication passing between them.

"She's regaining her power," one of them muttered, his voice laced with urgency.

"Then we hasten the plan," their leader snapped, his tone icy and decisive. "Proceed to Phase Four."

Without hesitation, they raised their weapons, their movements sharp and synchronized. Each weapon began to hum with a dark, ominous energy, their black cores pulsating in unison.

The Queen's gaze snapped to them, her instincts screaming of danger.

'I need to hurry and bless-!' she started, but her thoughts were cut off as the Top Hunters aimed their weapons skyward, toward the massive space crack still spilling out black mist.

With a united shout, they unleashed their attacks.