The Mansion
[Scene: The Etherverse. A realm woven of suspended galaxies, silver constellations, and drifting sky islands. Eirlys and Eimi emerge atop a hovering crystal disc, deep in space.]
Eirlys
...Where the hell are we? Someone’s high-concept screensaver? (squinting)
Eimi
This is the Outer Stair. That— (gently excited)
[He points to a floating spire ahead is the Lucent’s mansion.The mansion hovers in zero-gravity, tethered to nothing. Its spires spiral like silver threads through moons, its windows shimmer with voidlight. Lanterns orbit the towers like planets.]
Eirlys
Of course the dead kid’s house floats. Why not.
[They land on the front terrace. A massive doorway opens to reveal a tall man in black robes—composed, intimidating, eyes like thunderclouds. Luan’s first father: the former Lucent.]
Eimi
That’s him. Luan’s Alpha father.
Luan's Father
You brought her.
Eirlys
Yeah, hi. I believe I just saved your legacy. Where’s my thank-you fruit basket?
Luan's Father
The gem? ( ignores her tone)
Eirlys
Here. Still buzzing with whatever weird magic your kid had. Now explain what I’m doing here before I melt your floating stairway.
[Another figure steps from the shadows — soft-eyed, gentle features, pale silver hair flowing like mist. His voice is a hush of stars. This is Uan, Luan’s second father.]
Uan (Luan’s father²)
We brought you because… Luan is gone.
Eirlys
(blinking)...Gone like gone gone?
Luan's Father
Dead. His soul faded. Only Eimi and I know.
Uan (Luan’s father²)
But his body remains. Breathing, whole. We can restore him through you. ( in trembling voice)
Eirlys
I beg your cosmic pardon?
Eimi
The gem… chose you. Your soul resonates with his. You’re the only one who can enter.
Eirlys
Oh, so I’m just a spiritual USB stick now?
Luan's Father
You’ll operate his body. Speak, move, live as him. Or… decline.
Eirlys
(dark laugh!) I decline! Big fat galactic nope. Not happening.
[The air grows colder. The light dims. A crystal relic floats upward — obsidian and sickly white. The Gceiol Gem. It hums like a thousand trapped whispers.]
Luan's Father
Stand before it too long and it will blind your soul. Trap it. No vessel. No escape.
Eirlys
You’re threatening me with a soul blender!?
Uan (Luan’s father²)
We don’t want to. But Luan… his light is fading.
Eirlys
You people are insane!
Eimi
(trying to whisper to Luan’s Father)I think she’s starting to like us.
Luan's Father
She said she’ll end me with a spoon...
Eirlys storms toward the chamber where Luan’s body rests. He lies still, beautiful and pale—starlit eyes now dull. She stares down at him, face unreadable.]
Eirlys
You owe me a real explanation someday, moonboy.
Uan (Luan’s father²)
He wanted to bridge worlds. Earth, Etherverse... you were his only connection. You still are.
Eirlys
...Fine. I’ll do it.
Eimi
You will?! (surprised)
Eirlys
Yeah. But not for you. Not for this realm. Not even for him.
She glares at the Gceiol Gem, then back at the two fathers.
Eirlys
I’m doing this to save my own damn soul. That’s it. (coldly)
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