Three days later we held the celebration.
Suspended in the void, a massive floating landmass stretched outward like a piece of living art. Its edges were lined with enormous pillars that rose high into the darkness, each one carved from smooth, luminous stone, their surfaces etched faintly with patterns that shifted as if responding to the surrounding essence.
Beyond them, there was a single moon shining light without the sun and the endless void, deep and silent.
At the center of it all lay the garden. A garden in constant motion. Flowers bloomed and faded in cycles that felt almost rhythmic, their colors shifting from soft violet to deep gold and then into shades that had no name.
Streams of water curved through the air like ribbons, forming fountains that never fell, only looping endlessly in delicate arcs. Birds made of light drifted lazily through the space, their wings scattering faint particles that dissolved before touching the ground, while clusters of butterflies moved in patterns.
There were no seats or arrangements to sit. Only open space, food, and drink that appeared in elegant spreads across floating platforms, accessible to all without hierarchy.
And above it all, the backdrop of the galaxy stretched wide, the faint violet tint now woven subtly into the spiral.
Primus stood near the center, his posture straight, his presence calm as he waited.
The first arrival did not come without noise.
From the void, something enormous emerged, gliding forward effortlessly. A massive serpent, its body cutting through space as if it were water, its scales shimmering faintly with a deep, ancient glow.
On its back stood three figures. Xeron, Xena and Azalea.
Primus inclined his head slightly. "Welcome."
Xeron stepped down, his gaze sweeping across the garden before returning to Primus. "You’ve prepared well."
"We had time," Primus replied calmly.
Xena smiled faintly. "And motivation."
Azalea’s eyes lingered on the surroundings for a moment longer before she spoke. "He is not here yet."
"He will arrive," Primus said simply.
Before anything else could be said, the void around them shifted again.
Figures began to appear, one after another, emerging from concealment as if they had been waiting for the right moment. Different races, different forms, all stepping forward now that the first arrival had broken the stillness.
Xeron let out a low chuckle. "So we were not the only ones trying to arrive first."
Primus said nothing, though a faint hint of amusement passed through his expression.
The next arrival were the Ferans.
A sleek, angular vessel cut through the void and slowed as it approached the landmass, its surface reflecting the insignia of the Ferans. It came to a precise halt before an opening formed along its side.
From it stepped Anjee Sharka and other Ferans.
He was the representative authority of the Ferans after replacing the Ranthors. Until the Feran Sovereign returned from the crimson zone, there was no one more powerful than him on Feradros.
"Primus," he said with a slight nod.
"Anjee," he acknowledged.
He glanced around briefly before leaning slightly closer, his tone lowering just enough to carry intent. "You can thank Lord Billion for sending Lord Knight."
Then he winked.
Primus gave a smirk to Anjee and nodded. He moved past him without waiting for a reply.
After that, the arrivals became continuous.
Elementals formed from shifting flame and wind drifted into place, their bodies barely holding shape as they observed everything around them. Insectoid beings arrived in clusters. Representatives of the warlord of the voids arrived as well one after another.
The gathering filled and people started mingling with each other. But everyone was waiting for the arrival of the host and soon it happened.
A screech tore through the void, sharp and powerful, cutting through every conversation, every movement.
Xeron turned immediately, his expression shifting. "They’re here."
The void split.
From it descended Silver’s massive body.
His enormous hawk form carved through space, his wings spanning wider than the landmass itself, each movement of his wings sending ripples through the surrounding essence. His body glowed faintly, the silver light reflecting across every surface, drawing every gaze upward.
He slowed above the floating garden, hovering just long enough to command complete attention.
Then, all of us descended from his back and landed gently at the center of the garden.
North stood beside me, her hand in mine. Around us, my summons took their place naturally, Vivi, Steve, Ragnar, Knight, all present. Silver transformed and stepped beside us as well.
Every eye was on us. I stepped forward slightly, then rose just enough above the ground to draw full attention.
There was absolute silence around us. I looked across them, meeting their gaze one by one.
"Thank you for coming," I said, my voice steady, carrying across the entire space without force.
A brief pause followed.
"This galaxy is free. And it will remain that way. Nothing that happens within the Blue Spiral is hidden from us. Not anymore. You are free to grow stronger," I continued, "To build, to expand, to fight your own battles."
I glanced toward the edge of the void briefly.
"But the universe beyond this galaxy is not the same."
My eyes returned to them.
"And when the time comes... we will face that as well. We will lead you to it and to more."
I let the silence hold for a moment longer before lowering myself back down.
Conversations flowed naturally after that. I found myself standing before Xeron and Xena not long after.
Xeron crossed his arms, looking at me with a narrowed gaze. "So... you took the galaxy."
I shrugged lightly. "It was going to happen eventually."
Xena smirked. "You didn’t even give us a chance."
"You had your chance," I replied. "You’re just too old to keep up."
Xeron let out a short laugh. "Careful, boy."
"But..." Xena added, her tone softening slightly, "we are grateful for everything you have done."
I nodded. "It’s alright. Anyway, the Crimson Zone expedition... we’ll handle it on our own."
"What do you mean?" Xeron asked, his eyes narrowing slightly as his posture shifted.
"I mean," I replied calmly, meeting his gaze without hesitation, "I don’t want your forces going there with us. You stay outside and make sure no one makes a bad decision while I’m gone."
"Wow," Xeron said, a faint edge creeping into his tone, "are you saying we’re not strong enough to handle it?"
A small smile formed on my face.
"Not my words, Xeron."
For a moment, the tension lingered between us, subtle but present, before Xena stepped forward, placing her hand gently over mine, her expression far more composed.
"It’s alright," she said, her voice steady. "Then we’ll trust you to bring our Matriarch back safely... or at least bring us news of her."
I nodded once. "Of course I will."
Xeron exhaled through his nose but said nothing further, and the moment passed as naturally as it had formed.
From there, I moved on, meeting the others one by one.
The conversations were brief. Many of them spoke with respect, but beneath that, there was hesitation. Not fear of me, not exactly, but uncertainty about what came next. The galaxy had changed too quickly, and while they had accepted it, they were still trying to understand what it meant for them.
A few asked indirect questions, circling around the same concern.
What were our plans?
What would change?
What would remain the same?
I gave them nothing beyond what I had already said.
Around us, the gathering continued.
Aurora and Lyrate were approached carefully, others speaking to them with visible respect. Vivi moved through the crowd with Steve beside her, her curiosity evident as she observed everything, her presence drawing attention without effort.
Ragnar had somehow found his way to the demons, already deep in conversation, while Knight sat alone atop one of the pillars, a drink in hand, watching everything from a distance.
Time passed. And eventually, the gathering began to thin.
One by one, they left the way they had come.