Thriexa Aizih POV

  I had expected a welcoming committee—our people, waiting for us, celebrating our return. But when I stepped through the transformation portal and onto Earth, there was only one person standing there.

  Trenal.

  The sight of him sent a wave of relief through me, and before I could stop myself, I pulled him into a tight embrace. “It’s good to see you again.”

  Trenal returned the hug, but there was something off. He wasn’t his usual confident, teasing self. His grip was firm but distracted, his posture tense. When I pulled back, I followed his gaze and realized why.

  He was staring at Jace.

  “I heard about what happened,” Trenal said slowly. “That he had been transformed. But hearing about it and seeing it are… different.”

  Jace shifted uncomfortably under the scrutiny. He had changed, there was no denying that. But he was still him—and that was something everyone needed to understand.

  Before I could respond, Tocci stepped forward, her arms crossed. “Where is everyone? I expected a little more fanfare.”

  Trenal finally tore his gaze away from Jace and motioned for us to follow. “Come with me. You’ll see.”

  I reached for Jace’s hand as we walked, squeezing it gently. He didn’t let go, but I could feel the tension in his grip. I was just as confused as he was. The island was empty. No bustling movement of Eova, no quiet conversations or lingering curiosity. Nothing. Just silence.

  My stomach twisted uneasily as we approached the Aizih home, its large structure standing tall against the lush landscape. Trenal led us inside, past the familiar halls, and into the banquet hall.

  And then, I understood.

  They were all here.

  The entire Eova population had gathered within the hall, filling every space. My mother stood on the stage with the representatives of every nation, their gazes locked onto us the moment we entered. The weight of so many eyes pressed down on me.

  On Jace.

  Xilta stood at the center of it all, her expression unreadable, her violet gaze landing on me first before shifting to the man standing at my side.

  I tightened my grip on Jace’s hand. Whatever this was—whatever they had planned for us—I wasn’t letting go.

  Algoks, Sculki, and Trenal exchange knowing glances, clearly aware of whatever is about to happen. Sculki steps forward and speaks softly, “You are expected on the stage with us.”

  Confusion settles in my chest. “What is happening?”

  Before anyone can answer, Jace seems to grasp the moment better than I do. He gently lets go of my hand, offering a small, reassuring nod. “Go. I’ll be right here, watching.”

  His words settle me slightly, but uncertainty still lingers. He and Tocci step away, blending into the gathered crowd of Eova, while Trenal places a steadying hand on my back. Without another word, he guides me forward, leading me up to the stage where my mother and the representatives of every nation are waiting.

  Xilta steps forward, her regal presence filling the hall as she gazes out at the gathered Eova before turning her attention to me. A rare warmth softens her normally composed expression.

  “Thriexa Aizih,” she begins, her voice steady yet filled with something I rarely hear from her—pride. “The peace we have now, the future we are about to walk into, would not have been possible without you. For the first time in generations, we are not running. We are not hiding. And we are not at war.”

  A murmur ripples through the hall, but silence quickly returns as my mother continues. “For twenty-two planets, I have led the Eova, carrying the burden of our people’s survival. I have made difficult choices, done what was necessary to keep our kind from extinction. But now…” She pauses, letting her words settle. “Now, it is time for a new era. One not defined by war and escape, but by rebuilding, by growth. And that new era requires new leadership.”

  A sharp inhale catches in my throat. My fingers tighten at my sides as realization dawns on me, but before I can process it, the representatives step forward, speaking in turn.

  Vorak Algoks inclines his head. “Thriexa Aizih has proven herself not just as a leader but as the bridge between species. Her wisdom extends beyond her years. I stand in full support.”

  Vorak Sculki follows. “She has shown courage and diplomacy. She has done what many before her failed to do. She carries the weight of leadership well. I, too, approve.”

  One by one, each representative speaks, their words filled with conviction. They approve of this. They approve of me.

  I barely register Xilta turning back to me, her violet eyes filled with something I can’t quite place. “Thriexa Aizih, today, I step down as leader of the Eova. Today, I pass that mantle to you.”

  The breath I’ve been holding finally escapes me. The weight of the moment crashes down, overwhelming yet exhilarating. My people are accepting me—not just as the Aizih heir, but as their leader.

  Emotion surges through me, but I steady myself. I step forward, bowing my head in respect before lifting my gaze to meet my mother’s. “I accept.”

  Xilta turns away from me then, facing the gathered crowd of Eova. Her voice carries through the hall, steady and regal. “From this day forward, she is not just my daughter. She is your leader. Aizih Thriexa.”

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  The room falls into a hush before erupting into a wave of voices, murmurs of approval and pride. The weight of my new title settles over me, heavier than anything I have ever carried. Yet, in that moment, I know—I am ready.

  A resounding cheer erupts through the hall, voices rising together in approval, in celebration. A new era has begun.

  And I am the one leading them into it.

  Jace Strickland POV

  I stood in the crowd, watching as Thriexa ascended to the stage, my heart pounding with something I couldn’t quite put into words. Pride? Awe? Maybe both. She looked so sure of herself, so right standing there in front of her people. Our people? The weight of history pressed down on her shoulders, but she bore it with grace, her expression steady, her posture strong.

  When Trenal, the last of the representatives, stepped forward, the finality of the moment settled over me. “I approve of this transfer of leadership,” he declared, his voice firm, filled with conviction. “There is no one better suited to lead us into this new era than Aizih Thriexa.”

  Aizih Thriexa.

  She accepted the title as if it had always been hers, the weight of it settling over her without hesitation. It wasn’t just a name, not just a formality. It was who she was. No longer just the heir, no longer the daughter of a leader. She was the leader. The Aizih.

  And she looked so happy.

  Our eyes met across the hall, and for a moment, everything else faded. The voices, the cheers, the shifting energy of the room—it all disappeared. In her eyes, I saw nothing but love. Love for her people. Love for me.

  She had chosen them.

  She had chosen me.

  And I had never been more certain that I belonged by her side.

  The banquet hall erupted with life. The celebration wasn’t just for Thriexa’s ascension as Aizih—it was for everything. The peace with the Dephorians. The end of the Eova’s centuries-long escape. And, to my surprise, the return of the Elaron nation.

  I had never seen anything like this. The Eova didn’t celebrate the way humans did. There was no structure, no speeches or scheduled toasts. It was energy—raw, overwhelming, beautiful energy. Some Eova danced, others sat in circles telling stories of their past, their future, their hopes. The air hummed with an intensity I hadn’t known existed.

  I barely had time to take it in before the first of them approached me.

  A young woman, appearing no older than me in her human form, stepped forward with a broad grin. “You’re the Elaron. Welcome, Jace Strickland.”

  I hesitated for a moment before nodding. “Uh, thanks.”

  That was all it took.

  More followed, approaching with curiosity, welcoming me as one of their own.

  At first, they just asked simple things. How I felt. What the transformation had been like. Then they got more specific, more fascinated by my abilities. Some of them had only ever read about the Elaron in ancient records. Now, they were standing in front of one.

  I answered what I could, but truthfully, I was still figuring it all out myself. The way they spoke to me, the way they accepted me, was something I hadn’t expected.

  I wasn’t an outsider. I wasn’t even a curiosity.

  I was one of them.

  And then, among the faces in the crowd, I saw them.

  Henry. Jessica. Robin.

  I had been so overwhelmed by everything that I hadn’t noticed them before. But now, as they stood just a few feet away, staring at me with a mixture of awe and disbelief, I realized why.

  They were stunned.

  I had changed. And I didn’t just mean physically. I wasn’t the same person they had last seen.

  Henry was the first to step forward, his expression shifting from shock to something more measured. “Jace…?”

  I nodded, giving him a small, unsure smile. “It’s me.”

  Jessica let out a slow breath, looking me up and down as if trying to reconcile the person she knew with the one standing in front of her. “You really changed.”

  Robin, however, didn’t hesitate. Her wide-eyed stare quickly turned to excitement, and before I could react, she rushed forward, grabbing my arm. “That was so cool! You went through that portal and—bam! You’re all… different! What does it feel like? Can you do magic now? What’s an Elaron even supposed to do?”

  I chuckled, shaking my head. “I wouldn’t call it magic, but it’s… a lot to take in. Still figuring it all out.”

  Henry’s gaze lingered on my face, his brow furrowed. “And you’re okay?”

  That was the real question, wasn’t it? Physically, I was fine—better than fine. But mentally? Emotionally? I wasn’t sure I had an answer for that yet.

  “I will be,” I said finally. “This is just… new.”

  Jessica crossed her arms, glancing toward me, as if searching for an explanation I couldn’t quite give. Before I could respond, I felt a presence behind me—familiar, steady.

  Thriexa.

  She stepped forward, reaching for my hand and lacing her fingers through mine, her warmth grounding me instantly. I hadn’t even noticed she had joined us, but now that she was here, I felt more at ease. She turned her gaze to Henry and Jessica, her expression calm yet unreadable.

  Henry and Jessica immediately straightened, their expressions shifting from curiosity to something more formal. Henry cleared his throat and nodded respectfully. “Aizih Thriexa.”

  Thriexa met his gaze evenly and offered a small, reassuring smile. “I may be Aizih now, but I am still the same person you met before. That hasn’t changed.”

  Henry nodded slowly, acknowledging her words, but before he could respond, Robin practically bounced forward, unable to contain her excitement. “This is amazing! All these aliens—actual aliens! And you’re the queen, or leader, or whatever? That’s so cool!” She beamed up at Thriexa. “I love you! You’re my favorite alien ever!”

  Thriexa laughed, genuinely delighted by Robin’s enthusiasm. “And you, Robin, are my favorite human.”

  The group chuckled at the exchange, and even Henry’s tense posture eased slightly. He sighed and placed a gentle hand on Robin’s shoulder, pulling her back toward him. “Alright, alright, let’s give them some space.”

  Jessica nodded, offering Thriexa a polite smile. “Thank you for looking after him.”

  Henry glanced between Jace and Thriexa before exhaling. “We’ll leave you to it. I guess I should say welcome back, then. Even if you don’t exactly look like the guy who left.”

  I smirked. “Still me, Henry. Just… upgraded.”

  Robin grinned. “Yeah, you do kinda look cooler now.

  “With that, Henry, Jessica, and Robin turned and walked away, disappearing into the crowd of celebrating Eova.

  I turned to Thriexa, the woman I loved, the leader of an alien race. I smirked and squeezed her hand, teasing, “Aizih Thriexa… it has a nice ring to it.”

  She laughed softly, and before I could say anything else, she leaned in and pressed a gentle, lingering kiss to my lips. It wasn’t hurried or desperate—just right. A quiet moment amid the energy of the celebration, a reminder that no matter what changed, they were here together.

  Talgis steps forward with an amused expression. “Forgive me for intruding, Aizih, but the Eova have been asking for the abilities of the Bedzut to take this celebration up a notch.”

  Thriexa raises an eyebrow, but her smile doesn’t fade. “I suppose it wouldn’t be a true Eova celebration without them.”

  I glance between them, confused. “What does that mean?”

  Talgis smirks. “You’ll find out soon enough.”

  Before I could ask anything else, I noticed a shift in the air. It was subtle at first, like a gentle current moving through the room. Then it grew, a quiet hum of emotion weaving through the celebration. The energy of the hall shifted, the excitement heightened, laughter and joy swelling all at once. I turned, scanning the crowd as the Bedzut moved gracefully among them, their presence nearly imperceptible if I hadn’t been paying attention.

  The moment they passed by a group of Eova, something changed. A tension lifted, a hesitance disappeared, and instead, there was nothing but pure celebration. It wasn’t artificial—it was just as real, but amplified, like they were taking the existing emotions and weaving them into something bigger, brighter.

  I had never felt anything like it. It wasn’t mind control or manipulation—it was like stepping into a moment of unfiltered joy, a warmth that spread through my chest, making it impossible not to smile.

  Thriexa leaned closer, her voice brushing against my ear. “Now do you understand?”