The skies above the dominion cracked as a celestial beacon lit the firmament—an ancient summoning only divine rulers could sense. Auron's conquest of the Temple had been no mere victory; it had sent tremors through the heavens themselves. Now, a new name burned upon the system's path:
New Trial: Citadel of the Starborn Empresses
With Nyxara kneeling by his throne and the glow of her divine crest pulsing against her skin, Auron summoned his harem commanders to the war chamber now built upon the ruins of the fallen temple.
Maps shimmered with light and magic as the floating citadel came into view—an astral fortress orbiting the world, cloaked in light and protected by ancient star-forged guardians.
Seraphine scowled. "The Starborn Empresses are not of this realm. They wield stellar psionics and command cosmic titans. We will need more than strength."
Auron smirked. "I have something better. I have control."
The Launch of the Void Armada
With Nyxara's reality anchor under his command, Auron forged a fleet of void-riders—skyships laced with obsidian bone and infernal magic, capable of warping space and ascending to the Citadel.
Drazhara, now clad in armor forged from her own shattered blade, commanded the frontlines.
As the warfleet pierced the edge of the atmosphere, stardust wrapped around the vessels like silk. The citadel loomed ahead—a glowing palace of crystal wings and planetary rings. Thousands of glowing spheres rotated in precise harmony.
System Notice: Barrier Detected – Starcode Encryption
"Kaelira, decrypt it."
She knelt beside Auron, a slender hand glowing with arcane glyphs. "Working… Done."
The celestial gates tore open.
Arrival at the Citadel
Inside, they were met by a throne room of pure light—eight thrones, and upon them, eight women. The Starborn Empresses. Each more resplendent and terrifying than the last. Each a goddess in their own right.
Their leader, Lirael the Radiant, rose. Golden skin, eyes like galaxies, and hair that flowed like solar flares.
"You tread where none have dared, Auron Valarion. We are not prey to be conquered."
"You were born to be," he replied, voice lined with absolute command.
She raised a hand. "Then let us burn together."
Battle Among Stars
The chamber became a supernova of violence. Auron moved through beams of light and psychic shockwaves like a demon in a holy sanctuary. Umbrafang cleaved through gravity, shattering illusions and psionic defenses.
Each Empress wielded a different element of the cosmos—gravity, time, antimatter, and even living light. But one by one, they faltered under Auron's onslaught.
Seraphine and Drazhara fought at his side. Kaelira silenced the Empress of Sound with a kiss of death. And when the final Empress, Lirael, attempted to implode reality to escape—
System Override: Reality Anchor – Lockdown Initiated
Auron caught her mid-collapse, gripping her by the throat. The divine crest burned into her skin as her throne shattered beneath her knees.
System Message: Starborn Empresses – Subjugated
"Empresses Added to Harem: 8"
"Citadel of the Starborn: Claimed"
"Cosmic Navigation Protocol Unlocked"
The Star Crowned Throne
The harem gathered in the radiant aftermath, the eight Empresses kneeling around Auron's feet, their glow dimmed with submission.
Nyxara kissed his palm. "You are no longer a king, Auron. You are becoming a god."
He smiled darkly. "No. I will make gods kneel."
System Update:
"Trial 8: Citadel of the Starborn Empresses – Complete"
"Cosmic Tier Harem Members: 8"
"Total Dominions Claimed: 7"
"New Trial Available: Throne of Eternal Winter"