Page 41 of Heatbound Hearts

"It's beautiful," she whispers, her eyes reflecting the swirling colors.

I smile, enjoying her wonder. "I think you're going to have a great week here."

As we continue, I notice Bronwyn's steps becoming more sure, her posture relaxing slightly. She's adapting, just like I knew she would. Tough as fucking spikes, this one.

We round a corner, and the Concordium looms before us, its seven sides gleaming in the ethereal light. Bronwyn's jaw drops, and I can't help but grin.

"Welcome to the heart of Nati," I say, guiding her towards the growing crowd. "Ready for the show of a lifetime?"

"This is going to be awesome," Naia gasps as they come up next to us. She and Bronwyn exchange an excited look.

I stand with Bronwyn tucked against my side, her warmth a stark contrast to the cool twilight air. The crowd around us buzzes with anticipation as we face the Concordium, its seven gleaming sides towering above us.

Suddenly, a deafening boom echoes across the plaza. The ground beneath our feet trembles, and a collective gasp ripples through the crowd. Seven beams of light, each a different color,shoot from the top of the Concordium into the sky, piercing the perpetual twilight.

"Holy shit," Bronwyn breathes, her grip on my arm tightening.

I grin, my own excitement building. "Just wait. It gets better."

The beams of light twist and dance, forming intricate patterns in the air. Suddenly, they coalesce into seven distinct figures, each easily a hundred feet tall. The crowd roars as the avatars of the gods' chosen heroes materialize before us.

First comes Axarus's champion, a towering warrior clad in armor that seems to absorb light. He raises a massive sword, and the air around him crackles with the promise of battle. The Axari noctari in the crowd let out a deafening war cry.

Next, Xydra's chosen appears in a blinding flash. Her form seems to constantly shift and break apart, only to reform moments later. With a flick of her wrist, she sends out a wave of energy that shatters the very air, leaving shimmering cracks in reality.

Oltyx's hero rises from the ground itself, his body forming from swirling earth and stone. He stomps his foot, and the entire island trembles. Geysers of crystal erupt around him, sending rainbow light cascading over the crowd.

Cither's champion materializes in a whisper, her form barely visible at first. As she comes into focus, the air fills with a cacophony of whispers, secrets, and half-heard truths. The sound is overwhelming, yet oddly compelling.

Nosaos's chosen appears in a swirl of dream-stuff, his form constantly shifting between reality and fantasy. With a wave of his hand, he creates pockets of alternate realities that float above the crowd, offering glimpses of impossible worlds.

Netia's hero bursts into existence in a chaotic explosion of color and sound. She moves in ways that defy physics, leavingtrails of probability in her wake. The very fabric of reality seems to warp around her.

Finally, Bizruer's champion emerges from a column of white-hot flame. His skin glows with inner fire, and each step he takes leaves molten footprints. He raises his hammer, and the sky above erupts in a dazzling display of meteors and cosmic forges.

The seven avatars begin to move in a complex dance, their powers intertwining and clashing in a display that defies description. The sky above Caelus becomes a canvas for their abilities, painted with swirling magics and impossible feats.

I tear my eyes away from the spectacle to look at Bronwyn. Her face is a mask of awe, eyes wide and mouth slightly agape. Beside us, Naia clutches Kairos's arm, her expression mirroring Bronwyn's.

"This is... I don't have words," Bronwyn whispers, her voice barely audible over the roar of the crowd and the cosmic display above.

I pull her closer, planting a kiss on her forehead. "And this is just the beginning," I say with a grin.

Kairos, however, looks slightly disappointed. "The gods themselves won't appear?"

I shake my head. "Not yet. They'll show up later in the week. This is just a taste of what's to come."

As we watch the avatars continue their awe-inspiring performance, I can't help but feel a surge of pride. This is my world, my heritage, and I get to share it with Bronwyn. The thought makes my heart swell.

Once the ceremony concludes, the parties start in earnest. I have to lean over to shout as cheers and music start up. "We want to get a room first!" I tell Kairos more than anyone else. He'll have the easiest time cutting through the crowd. "They go quickly."

"Where?" he asks, turning to scan the buildings behind us.

I point out the inn that I've stayed in before, and he gives me a nod. Kairos and Naia head off to the inn I pointed out to claim our room, but I pull Bronwyn back. "I want to take you somewhere first," I tell her, and she just nods. I'm glad she trusts me like this.

We climb a winding path that takes us to a secluded overlook, the city of Caelus sprawling beneath us in all its twilight glory.

"Fuck," I breathe, taking in the view. "No matter how many times I see it, it never gets old."

---