Kaelra folded her arms thoughtfully before answering. "Our races preserve history differently, but we’ve all been fascinated by the Twelfth Soul Current for far longer than you can imagine. Dragons have always respected strength, and naturally we wanted to know what kind of existence was terrifying enough to make even the Ruler of the Null Realm interfere personally.
Over the ages, explorers, warriors, scholars and even a handful of Saints disappeared while searching for it. Some reached the gate. Some only found clues. A few simply vanished without leaving behind a single trace. None of them ever returned."
Sue nodded in agreement before continuing in her calm voice. "Every path leading toward the Twelfth Soul Current eventually ends in silence. We have never found a single reliable record of someone entering the sealed realm... and then returning from it."
"That," she said while meeting my gaze again, "is why your proposal surprised every one of us. You’re not suggesting another expedition to investigate an ancient mystery. You’re suggesting that we succeed where countless generations before us failed. It’s not a very confidence inducing idea."
The heavy doors opened once again, but unlike the Astrals or the Dragons, no loud announcement or overwhelming aura accompanied the newcomers. Instead, an almost soothing stillness spread through the hall. Conversations gradually softened of their own accord, as though everyone instinctively lowered their voices out of respect for the three figures walking inside.
They looked almost human at first glance.
Each possessed a slender yet well-built frame, their movements so smooth that they appeared to glide rather than walk. Their skin carried a faint grey tint that seemed neither alive nor lifeless, while subtle streams of translucent Essence drifted beneath the surface of their bodies. Soul Force naturally mixed with that Essence, creating an aura unlike anything I had sensed before.
"They’re really using Essence..."
I whispered almost unconsciously.
Gerald nodded beside me.
"The only race capable of doing so inside the Null Realm."
What drew my attention even more were their faces.
Every one of them possessed two different eye colors. One man had a deep emerald left eye and a brilliant golden right eye. Another’s eyes shifted between violet and silver, while the eldest among them carried a sapphire blue eye paired with one as dark as the night sky.
Their hair reflected the same phenomenon.
Each head carried two perfectly divided colors, one side white while the other carried shades ranging from deep blue to crimson and emerald, making them look strangely elegant without appearing unnatural.
The attendant respectfully announced their arrival.
"Representatives of the Essari Race."
Evelyn stepped forward once again.
Unlike her greeting with Kaelra, however, she didn’t laugh or tease. Instead, she offered a respectful nod.
"Welcome."
The eldest Essari returned the gesture with equal courtesy.
"The honor is ours, Lady Evelyn. Thank you for opening your home to us once again."
His voice was remarkably gentle. Even though the hall was enormous, nobody needed to strain to hear him.
Evelyn smiled warmly.
"You traveled a long way."
"We did. But good friends are always worth the journey."
Before their conversation could continue, Kaelra appeared beside them almost instantly.
"There you three are!"
Her loud voice made several nearby guests jump.
"I thought you’d spend another week deciding whether to come."
The eldest Essari simply smiled.
"Our discussions lasted only four days this time."
Kaelra threw her head back.
"Only four? See, Evelyn? That’s exactly why I can’t live with these people."
The Essari man gave a small apologetic bow.
"We did consider reducing it to three."
Kaelra stared at him for several seconds before bursting into laughter.
"I can never tell whether you’re joking."
"Neither can we."
The answer was delivered with such complete sincerity that even Gerald failed to suppress a chuckle.
The eldest Essari finally turned toward Kaelra.
"I hope your journey was peaceful."
"It was."
"I hope none of your young ones caused trouble."
"They did."
"I see."
He nodded thoughtfully.
"It is always the young ones causing problems."
The exchange somehow felt completely natural despite neither of them changing their tone even once.
Only after greeting everyone else did the three Essari look toward me. The eldest walked forward and placed one hand over his chest before giving a respectful bow.
"It is a pleasure to finally meet you, Lord Billion."
His two differently colored eyes studied me with quiet curiosity, yet unlike many others who had looked at me today, there wasn’t the slightest hint of judgment within them.
"My name is Aster Essari. These are my younger brothers, Sol and Vael."
The two men repeated the same respectful greeting.
"We’ve heard much about you," Aster continued. "To be honest, we expected someone... older."
I laughed.
"I’ve been hearing that a lot recently."
"I imagine you have."
His smile widened ever so slightly.
"Age and wisdom have never been reliable companions."
Kaelra immediately snorted.
"Tell that to Gerald."
"I heard that," the old man shouted from somewhere behind us.
"I made sure you did."
Aster politely ignored the interruption before continuing.
"Your decision to challenge the Eternals has given many hidden races hope for the first time in countless generations. Whether your plan ultimately succeeds or fails, you’ve already accomplished something remarkable."
"What would that be?" I asked.
He looked around the hall.
"You’ve brought us together."
Only then did I notice what he meant. Astrals stood quietly speaking with Ironharts.
Dragons were laughing loudly near one of the banquet tables.
Essari had arrived.
Representatives from races that had spent thousands of years hidden from one another were now gathered beneath the same roof.
None of them would have come...if not for the expedition.
Aster followed my gaze before speaking again.
"Sometimes unity is a greater achievement than victory itself."
Before I could respond, Sue approached once more, her clock-like eyes quietly rotating as she looked between the three Essari and the Dragons.
"It seems," she said with a gentle smile, "that everyone worth inviting has begun to arrive."
Kaelra crossed her arms.
"Not everyone."
Sue raised an eyebrow.
"Oh?"
"The Elves haven’t shown up yet."
"And if they’re late..."
A mischievous grin spread across Kaelra’s face.
"...I’m absolutely going to make fun of them."