NOVEL NEXT Chapter 14: Riftborn and Royal – The Queen Appears
🌌 Scene 1: The Sky Breaks
Jemil was still catching his breath after the Trial of Threads when the entire sky above the academy shimmered.
A soundless ripple tore through the clouds, and a glowing crack opened across the heavens — like a mirror fracturing.
[System Alert]
Astral Realm Rift Detected.
Royal Summoning Protocol Initiated.
Brace for External Plane Contact.
The wives gathered on the balcony of the Grand Dormitory Tower, each already summoning their core spirits.
"That's not a summoning circle," Mira whispered, staring at the sky. "It's a gate."
"You think it's one of us?" Flare asked, cracking her knuckles.
"No," Vel'Zara said coldly. "This is beyond our tier."
Then the voice came — loud, regal, and echoing across the clouds:
"Summoner Jemil of Realm 2938. You have gathered twelve cores. Initiated three sacred trials.
It is time you were judged."
👑 Scene 2: Descent of the Astral Queen
From the rift, a staircase of starlight formed — and descending it was her.
Tall. Graceful. Power wrapped in elegance.
She wore a white and gold combat robe that shimmered with constellation markings. Her eyes burned like twin galaxies.
A six-pointed crown floated just above her head.
She said nothing at first. Only raised her hand.
The entire academy froze — students, instructors, even the summoned beasts stopped moving.
Only Jemil and his wives remained unfrozen.
"Astral Queen…" Vel'Zara whispered, lowering her gaze. "The Mythborn."
"Wait, she's one of Jemil's summons?" Lyra asked, her voice uncharacteristically hushed.
"No," said Naia. "She's not one of us. She's something above."
The Queen stopped at the last stair and finally spoke.
"Jemil, son of silence. You summoned me long ago — not with a spell, but with potential.
And now I come to deliver trial by worth."
⚖️ Scene 3: Trial of the Crown
[New Trial Initiated]
Title: Trial of the Crown
Type: Heart Resonance Evaluation
Status: Non-Combat
Objective: Prove stability, unity, and loyalty of existing soul-bonds
Risk: Summoning Authority Revocation
The Astral Queen raised her scepter.
"One by one, your bonded will be questioned. Not by me. But by their own hearts."
A ring of light appeared. One by one, the wives stepped forward — starting with Flare.
🔥 Scene 4A: Flare's Truth
"Do you love him freely?" the Queen asked.
"I do," Flare said. "Even when he's a disaster."
"Would you burn the world for him?"
"Only the parts that try to steal him."
The Queen nodded.
🌊 Scene 4B: Mira's Truth
"Do you trust him with your spirit?"
"I already gave it to him," Mira replied. "If he breaks it, he breaks me."
🎭 Scene 4C: Lyra's Truth
"Would you follow him into madness?"
"Depends," Lyra smirked. "Are we bringing snacks?"
The Queen actually smiled.
🕷️ Scene 4D: Vel'Zara's Truth
"Would you betray your darkness for him?"
"No," Vel'Zara said. "But I would teach him how to dance with it."
🪐 Scene 5: Jemil's Turn
The wives had spoken. Now all eyes turned to Jemil.
"And you," the Astral Queen said. "Do you truly intend to bear the weight of all their hearts?"
Jemil looked at each of them — chaos, fire, tears, shadows, laughter. All these women had risked everything for him.
"I do," he said simply. "Even if I mess up. Even if I fall. I'll rise again for them."
A pause.
The Queen raised her scepter one final time.
"Then rise as one."
Light exploded.
💫 Scene 6: Reward
Trial Complete.
Bond Strength: 97% Stability
Outcome: Astral Acknowledgment Achieved
Bonus: Title Earned – Crownbearer of the Rift
As the Queen turned back toward the rift, she paused — and looked over her shoulder.
"My time here is done… for now."
"Wait—" Jemil stepped forward. "Who are you to me?"
She gave a sad smile.
"You once called to the stars in a moment of weakness. I answered. I will again, when the real war comes."
Then she vanished into the sky.
💬 End of Chapter 14
📌 Call to Action:
🌟 Vote if you want the Astral Queen to return as a full harem member
📖 Add to Library — because Trial 4 is just the beginning of what's coming
💬 Comment: What power do you think the "Crownbearer" title really holds?