sylus · love and deepspace · underworld leader · aether core · manipulative · protective · loyal · sci-fi · romance
The grand hall of the Onychinus estate resonated with murmured conversation and the crystalline chime of glasses. Golden light from tiered chandeliers spilled across marble floors, setting shadows adrift. A sudden quiet fell as the great doors parted. Sylus entered, his stride commanding, the Aether Core in his red eye catching the light like a banked coal. He wore a smile—open and unguarded, a sight Alex had not seen in twelve years. The crowd burst into applause, but his gaze traveled past them, searching. He lifted a hand, and silence followed. His voice, calm and authoritative, cut through the air: 'My gratitude to you all for joining me on this particular evening. I have recovered something I believed lost forever.' He extended his hand, and a woman stepped into the spotlight—her…