Primordial Heir: Nine Stars

Barak’s eyes blazed with dark light. He was no longer just a man driven by jealousy. He was a creature of hunger, a vessel of hatred, a weapon forged in the fires of his own resentment.

He would show them all. He would show Nero. He would show his father. He would show his sister. He would rise above them all, and they would kneel before him.

The demon watched, its glass of wine held high, and smiled. The storm was growing. And soon, it would break.

°°°

The morning light was soft, filtering through the curtains of the small inn room where Nero and Khione had spent the night. The circus had been a welcome escape, a pocket of wonder in the midst of their chaotic lives. But now, they were back. The familiar weight of the academy pressed against their shoulders, a reminder of the battles yet to come.

Nero woke first, his arm still wrapped around Khione. He lay still for a moment, listening to her breathing, feeling the warmth of her body against his. Then he reached for his phone and checked the date. His eyes widened slightly.

Lux’s birthday. Today.

He had almost forgotten. The circus, the fortune teller, the long walk through the night—it had pushed everything else from his mind. But now it came rushing back. Lux, his oldest friend, his closest ally, his partner in countless schemes and battles. Today, he turned eighteen.

Nero gently disentangled himself from Khione and rose from the bed. She stirred, her eyes fluttering open.

"What is it?" she asked, her voice soft with sleep.

"It’s Lux’s birthday," he said. "We need to prepare."

They dressed quickly and left the inn, walking through the quiet morning streets toward the academy. The city was waking around them, merchants opening their stalls, early risers heading to work. The air was cool and crisp, carrying the scent of fresh bread and damp stone.

As they passed through the academy gates, Nero pulled out his phone and sent a message to the group chat.

Lux’s birthday. We’re renting a restaurant. Tonight. Be ready.

Adam replied almost immediately: Already on it.

Blake: I’ll bring the cake.

Khione glanced at the screen. "Should we get him a gift?"

Nero nodded. "I’ll take care of it."

They parted ways at the main square, Khione heading toward the dorms to change, Nero walking toward the commercial district. He had an idea, but he needed to find the right thing.

The shops were just opening, their owners yawning and stretching as they unlocked their doors. Nero walked past the clothing stores, the bookshops, the weapon smiths. He was looking for something specific, something that would mean something to Lux.

He found it in a small, unassuming shop tucked between a bakery and a tailor. The window displayed a collection of small, handcrafted items—jewelry, trinkets, keepsakes. Nero stepped inside, and a bell chimed above the door.

The owner, an old man with kind eyes and gnarled hands, looked up from his workbench. "Good morning, young man. How can I help you?"

Nero described what he was looking for. The old man nodded, reached into a display case, and pulled out a small, ornate compass. Its casing was brass, its face enameled in deep blue. The needle was a tiny, golden arrow.

"This is a compass of finding," the old man said. "Not for direction, but for purpose. It will always point toward what you seek most." He paused. "It’s a good gift for a friend who’s searching for his path."

Nero examined the compass. It was beautiful, its craftsmanship intricate. He could imagine Lux holding it, his usual grin softened into something more thoughtful.

"I’ll take it," Nero said.

He paid and left the shop, the compass safely tucked into his pocket. The rest of the morning passed quickly. He met Adam at the restaurant they had rented—a small, cozy place on a quiet street, with wooden tables and warm lighting. They spent the next hour decorating, hanging banners and balloons, setting up a table with plates and glasses.

Khione arrived with flowers, arranging them in vases on the tables. Blake showed up with a cake, large and elaborate, its frosting a deep, rich chocolate. He set it on the counter with a satisfied nod.

"Where’s Adam?" Blake asked.

"Getting the drinks," Nero said. "Lux should be here soon."

Adam returned a few minutes later, his arms laden with bottles. He set them on the table with a grunt. "Ready."

They stood back and surveyed their work. The restaurant was transformed, warm and festive. The flowers added a touch of elegance. The cake was a centerpiece. The balloons bobbed gently in the air.

"Lux is going to be surprised," Blake said.

Nero smiled. "That’s the plan."

They waited. The minutes ticked by. And then, the door opened, and Lux stepped inside. He looked around, his eyes wide, his mouth falling open.

"What is this?" he asked, his voice uncharacteristically soft.

Nero stepped forward. "It’s your birthday. We wanted to celebrate."

Lux looked at the decorations, the cake, the flowers. His eyes moved from face to face, his expression shifting from surprise to something deeper. He looked at Nero, his oldest friend, and his voice was thick with emotion.

"You didn’t have to do this," he said.

"Yes," Nero replied. "We did."

The celebration began. The food, the drink, the laughter. They talked for hours, sharing stories and jokes, teasing each other about the academy, the missions, the years they had spent together. Lux was at the center of it, his usual easy smile firmly in place, but his eyes glowed with a warmth that transcended the moment.

When the cake was brought out and the candles were lit, he closed his eyes and made a wish. Nero watched him, the compass warm in his pocket. He would give it later, when the crowd had thinned, when it was just the two of them.

The celebration continued, the laughter and warmth filling the restaurant. Tonight, Lux was the center of the world. And for now, that was enough.

The princess and Azalea joined as well. They were on mission previously and just arrived a few hours earlier for the celebration.