299. Aria, Heir of Goddess Astraia, Moves

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He had no idea where they might land, which shore, or which border city they would attack first. A flood of thoughts rushed through his mind.

Aarav knew he had to act fast—not just to defend the cities, which could be attacked at any moment, but to protect everyone in them. He needed to move quickly.

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In the The Celestial Empire,

In the Celestial Temple, Aria, the heir of the Goddess of Stars, Astraia, sat in a meditative posture at the podium beneath the statue of the Goddess.

"Oh, my Goddess, this is not a good omen. It seems the time has come for us, the Celestial Order of Stars, to act," Aria said in a calm voice as she opened her eyes, which sparkled like stars. The radiant star pendant hanging around her neck pulsed with energy, reflecting her resolve.

"My Queen, please give us your orders. We are ready to follow your lead!" Hundreds of her followers, all dressed in the same white, translucent robes that shimmered with the light of the stars, stood below her