Stars glittered, not painted, but truly suspended within the vast chamber. They drifted in slow, silent orbits, casting ethereal light across polished floors that gleamed like frozen nebulae. Ancient power hummed, a low thrumming resonance that vibrated through every observer, a constant reminder of the immense authority gathered. Overhead, archways of cosmic dust swirled into intricate patterns, ever-shifting, ever-grand. Spiritual pressure, thick and oppressive, radiated from the figures seated around a colossal obsidian table. Each being emanated an aura capable of crushing lesser realms into dust. At the chamber’s heart sat the Convoy. An emblem of a brilliantly shining star rested upon his chest, mirroring the celestial bodies floating around the hall itself. His mere presence bent the atmosphere into silence. Calm. Unmoving. Absolute. His face revealed little. Yet behind his still eyes lingered something unsettling— As though he already knew far more about the Red Skies than the reports themselves contained. Standing before him, a Star Counsellor projected countless images into the center of the chamber. Crimson skies bled across distant worlds while cities drowned beneath ash and ruin. “Reports confirm the spread of the Red Skies phenomenon,” the counsellor announced, his usually steady voice strained with urgency. “Three realms have already collapsed under the infestation. Entire civilizations have fallen into chaos.” The projections shifted. Grotesque pale creatures surged through burning cities. Mountains split apart beneath crimson storms. Seas darkened into blood-colored tides. “This includes the far-end lower realm known as the Azure Sky Realm.” The chamber fell silent. Then— A low chuckle echoed lazily across the hall. Reginald Zhu reclined carelessly within his seat, completely at ease despite the destruction unfolding before them. Luxurious crimson-and-black robes draped over his figure, their sleeves embroidered with elegant fox patterns glowing faintly beneath the starlight. Resting around his shoulders was a small fiery fox spirit whose tails flickered with orange flames as it lazily curled around his arm. He stroked the fox absentmindedly. “Then let them burn.” Several eyes narrowed immediately. Reginald barely acknowledged them. “We allow the infection to spread naturally,” he continued calmly. “Observe their methods. Learn their hierarchy. Understand the one leading them.” He finally glanced toward the projections with narrowed fox-like eyes. “Then once the realms are fully compromised…” a faint smile appeared on his lips, “…our fleets descend and erase everything intact.” The fox spirit yawned softly. “Extermination is far more efficient than blind interference.” A sharp wave of killing intent suddenly spread across the chamber. “Do the lives of those realms truly mean nothing to you, Reginald Zhu?” A woman clad in flowing purple silks slowly rose from her seat. Her translucent veil concealed most of her face, yet fury radiated visibly from her presence. “Will you simply watch billions die?” Reginald sighed as though disappointed by her reaction. “You misunderstand strategy for cruelty.” He rested his chin lazily against his hand. “No one here fully understands this race. Nor the being commanding them. Rushing into battle blindly will only worsen matters.” His voice sharpened slightly. “If observing the destruction of three lesser realms grants us the knowledge needed to save hundreds more in the future, then the choice is obvious.” Then came the smirk. “Or perhaps…” Reginald mused lightly, “…you simply wish to descend personally and become some shining savior.” Several council members quietly looked away. “You always did enjoy gaining influence over vulnerable realms.” The woman’s hands tightened instantly. Spiritual energy rippled violently around her chair. What Reginald Zhu did not know— Was that the Azure Sky Realm… Was her birthplace. The thought of her home being reduced to a “necessary sacrifice” ignited rage deep within her chest. Images flashed through her mind—golden lakes, endless skies, ancient cities, forgotten memories of childhood beneath warm sunlight. Now all drowning beneath crimson skies. “Reginald Zhu…” her voice trembled coldly. A storm was about to erupt. Then— Tap. The Convoy’s finger lightly struck the obsidian table. A single sound. Yet the entire chamber fell deathly silent. Even the floating stars above dimmed faintly for a brief moment. “Enough.” The Convoy finally spoke. His calm voice carried overwhelming authority impossible to resist. “The Red Skies are no longer a regional issue.” His gaze slowly swept across the council. “His Majesty has personally ordered an investigation into the source behind this calamity. It must be stopped before the spread reaches the upper sectors.” The atmosphere turned heavier. Then the Convoy spoke once more— More quietly this time. “And most importantly…” His eyes darkened faintly. “The higher ones must never learn of this.” Several council members stiffened immediately. “If containment fails,” the Convoy continued, “we may be forced to initiate the White Mist Protocol.” Silence. Complete silence. Even Reginald’s playful fox spirit stopped moving. White Mist Protocol. The forbidden measure whispered only in the deepest circles of the Star Realm. The erasure of worlds. The concealment of truths. The destruction of history itself. “For everyone’s sake,” the Convoy said softly, “it is better if certain things never existed at all.” No one spoke afterward. The meeting dispersed soon after. One by one, the council members vanished into streams of light, disappearing into the endless celestial pathways of the Star Palace. The floating stars slowly dimmed as silence reclaimed the chamber. The woman in purple walked quietly through the enormous corridor beyond the council hall. Her steps were steady. But beneath the veil, her expression remained tense. “Lady Seraphine.” She stopped. Behind her stood a tall man clad in silver armor etched with star patterns—the Star Commander. Unlike the others, his gaze held no arrogance nor political calculation. Only concern. For a moment, neither spoke. Then the commander sighed softly. “I know Azure Sky Realm is your birth world.” The woman’s fingers twitched faintly beneath her sleeves. “We are doing everything we can,” he continued quietly. “The situation is already beyond what most of the council understands.” His eyes lowered slightly. “But I will speak with the Convoy personally. If possible… we shall salvage who we can. At the very least, part of the population may still be evacuated before the spread worsens.” The corridor fell silent once more. Lady Seraphine slowly lifted her gaze toward him. Behind the purple veil, sorrow flickered briefly through her eyes. Yet she said nothing. She merely turned away— And walked deeper into the endless starlit corridors of the Star Palace. Leaving the Star Commander alone within the silent hall.

Chapter 2: The White Mist Protocol