Omega Ascension System[BL]-Chapter 301: _Return To Moon Haven

Elian’s POV

*****

The moment the Lunarian sky craft pierced the night clouds above Moon Haven, Elian felt the familiar twist in his chest—the kind that usually meant trouble.

The city stretched below them like a sea of stars, spires piercing the heavens, the palace itself reflecting the setting sunlight in molten gold. And yet, nothing about the sight made him feel safe.

Lucian’s grip on his shoulder was steady, grounding, but Elian couldn’t shake the weight of what awaited them inside. Rumours were already swirling, the footage from Arcadia was practically viral in a matter of hours.

And then there was Sylas...

He stole a glance at the red-haired boy

Sylas moved about the craft with cautious precision, his stormy blue eyes scanning every corner as though expecting some trap to drop from the ceiling.

[Oh, fruitcake. You’ve got this.] The System’s voice slipped into his mind, sarcastic as ever.

But Elian barely felt reassured.

"You’re quiet," Lucian muttered, his hand brushing over Elian’s. "You’ve got that ’I-know-something-bad-is-coming’ face again."

Elian pursed his lips. "Just... thinking about Sylas. About all of this. How long before everyone realises their long-lost prince is... part of some messed-up experiment?

Lucian’s jaw tightened. "They’ll see soon enough. And then we deal with it. Together."

The craft touched down with a hiss, ramp unfolding in front of the sprawling palace.

Below, guards in polished armour stood at attention, plasma rifles glinting. Reporters had already stationed themselves at the gates, holo-projectors floating above, capturing every moment.

Elian’s stomach churned.

He hated being the centre of attention—even if it was technically Lucian’s victory lap of survival.

As they disembarked, whispers rippled through the crowd. The moment Elian stepped down, eyes seemed to latch onto him.

He could feel it—the curiosity, the suspicion, the faint tremor of fear in some. And not all of it was for him. The boy at Lucian’s side drew even more attention.

[Well, this is going to be fun.]

Elian tried to smile. It came out brittle. "Relax, Elian," he muttered. "They’re just staring."

[Yes, staring because you look like a glowing divine problem.]

Wait... his hair! He totally forgot about the silver streaks that now dotted it.

He ignored the system’s jab, hoping no one would question him. For all they knew he just had a makeover.

He followed Lucian up the grand marble steps, Sylas slipping in silently behind them.

Inside, the palace was grand as ever. But Elian’s mind was elsewhere. Aurora’s warning still echoed in his ears—addressing the councils of Lunaria.

When they got to the top of the palace, the grand doors swung open to reveal the throne room, bathed in a soft golden and white glow.

Elowen sat atop her throne, her hair cascading over her shoulders. Her eyes, sharp as daggers even in repose, fixed immediately on the trio entering.

"Elian," she said, voice measured, but it held a tremor of something he couldn’t place—relief, perhaps, mixed with concern. "Lucian."

Lucian bowed his head slightly. "Mother."

And then the pause. Elowen’s gaze flickered over Sylas. For a moment, she said nothing, and the weight of her scrutiny pressed down on the room.

Elian could almost feel the questions forming in her mind, unspoken yet deafening. Sylas didn’t move or flinch, just staring back with those stormy eyes, as though he had been waiting for this moment his whole life.

"Who... is this?" Her voice softened, but there was suspicion behind it.

Lucian’s hand rested on Sylas’s shoulder, a subtle claim. "Mother, this is your son. Our long-lost sibling. Sylas."

Elian’s pulse jumped.

Welp, here they go...

Elowen’s eyes narrowed, scanning him as if trying to see past the surface. Then those same eyes shivered like she’d seen a ghost.

She got on her feet, immediately walking down the dais with trembling legs. "Sylas?" She murmured, voice shaking with disbelief. "That name..."

When she finally got to the bottom of the dais, she froze. Even from this distance, Elian saw her previous regal and powerful visage crumble. All replaced by one thing:

A mother’s relief.

Within seconds, she ran, arms stretched. Her fingers gripped Sylas, scanning his face as if she were trying to compare what she saw now to the baby she lost eighteen years ago.

Then—

"Oh, my baby." The words tumbled from her lips breathlessly, tears spilling down her face. She pulled the boy into a hug, sobbing and brushing her fingers through his red hair. "What... what did they do to you? Your hair. Your eyes."

Elian’s heart melted, a warm smile tugging his lips. He glanced at Lucian who had a proud expression tinged with solemnity.

"And that name." Elowen pulled out of the embrace, squinting through moist eyes. "It’s not the name we gave you. Your father and I."

Sylas seemed disoriented and lost on what to do. He just held her arms, blinking with reddened cheeks.

Noticing this, Lucian stepped forward, grabbing his mother by the shoulders. "Mother, it’s been a long day for him and all of us. We can catch him up with life as a Stormborn later. Probably when Aurora arrives."

Elowen sniffled, using a handkerchief to clean her face. "Wait... your sister is coming? Today?"

Lucian nodded. "I told her before we came back. She should be here any—"

A loud boom from the throne room doors cut him off. Elian jolted, spinning around to see who it was.

[Well... this doesn’t seem fun at all.]

His jaw tightened when he saw the council of fangs members—Delta Reina and Gamma Drax—walking in. The former’s face was stern, eyes locking on Lucian.

"Greetings, Luna Queen." They both bowed before Elowen, quickly placing all focus on Lucian. "Alpha Prince?" Reina spoke first. "You have a lot of explanations to do. Those clips... the entire Empire has seen them. Seen you in critical condition within our allies—"

"Allies?" Lucian’s previous warmth dissipated faster than ice on magma. "Arcadia? Let’s not be delusional, councillors."

Drax withdrew his hand from his beard, clearing his throat. "Point is, people are suspecting you’ve made them our enemies. You represent the Empire now, your majesty. Whatever you do or say reflects on us all."

[If only they knew...]

Elian thought the same.

They had information on Arcadia that could topple the political playing field in all of Evaros. The High Matron’s true identity. And what she did to them.

"I’m aware of my new responsibilities." Lucian blurted, head tilting. "Organise a royal press briefing. There’s a lot I need to share with Lunaria."