Earth's Greatest Magus

Moon Base.

At the apex of the observatory dome, a girl stood motionless, her figure outlined against the curved glass. She stared at the distant planet, the light of Earth reflecting in her eyes.

"Five days left," she whispered, voice soft as breath. "Emery... where are you?"

Behind her, quiet footsteps echoed on the crystal-tiled floor. A young man approached and stopped a respectful distance away.

"Master Klea," he said, bowing slightly. "It's time."

It was Hardy—her student, the Kaleos prince. Though not long removed from the Academy—having graduated just nine months ago—he bore the composure of one far older. He had served as Klea's aide these past weeks, helping prepare for what was to come.

Klea didn't reply immediately. Her gaze lingered on Earth for one final moment. Then she turned, all softness gone, her expression now firm as steel.

"Let's go."

Together, they descended the ramp and entered the central hangar of the Moon Base. Inside, a silence weighed over the room like a storm cloud before thunder. Arrayed in two groups stood representatives of Earth's most powerful factions.

To the left: Octavius, the youthful emperor of Rome, clad in gold-trimmed leather armor, flanked by the two, Titus and Armenius, newly graduated acolytes who serve the emperor.

To the right stood the proud remnants of Earth's old guard: Brandt of the Northern Kingdom, broad-shouldered and grizzled, and beside him, Queen Gweneth Lioness of Britannia with the special sword on her back, wrapped in fine velvet, glimmered faintly beneath a royal blue cloak.

Klea exchanged a glance with Gwen. It was brief, but it said everything—they shared the same concern, the same weight in their chests. The room was tense, quiet, save for the low hum of distant machinery.

Suddenly, a hum of unnatural force stirred the air. A vortex spun open mid-hangar, lined with violet flames. A spatial portal.

Two figures stepped through.

The first was a petite fey girl, her eyes silver with age-defying wisdom—Glita of the Fey. The second was a woman whose mere presence seemed to darken the lights and still the air.

Morgana.

Her crimson hair blazed like war banners beneath the sterile white glow, her every step echoing with command. The energy around her surged—dense, heavy.

Klea, ever attuned to spirit resonance, felt the shift immediately. Morgana's aura was filled with cosmic power. She had ascended to a Grand Magus realm.

"You've done it," Klea said softly. "You've broken through."

Morgana nodded, indifferent. Her gaze swept the hall and then fell upon the two women.

"Don't worry," she said coolly. "We will still win, with or without him..."

Her words were blunt—but the weight behind them brought the first faint smiles to hardened faces. Her confidence was infectious.

"Then let's move out," Klea said.

The party boarded the waiting vessel—a sleek, obsidian ship woven with both arcane runes and modern engines. Hardy took the helm. With a few flicks of his fingers, golden sigils lit up across the control console.

The ship hummed, then lifted silently into the cold vacuum.

Their destination:

Saturn 5, the Kronos faction's home planet.

The journey was swift. Within less than a day, the crimson surface of the planet came into view—a dry, wind-torn wasteland with scarred rock and endless dunes. Yet amidst that ruin rose a marvel, visible even from orbit.

A jagged mountain range stretched upward, breaking the flatness like a knife against sand. And nestled within it was a gleaming city.

Olympus.

Long spoken of in Earth's ancient texts, it was a place of myth now rendered real—a city of gods perched atop titan-sized cliffs. Its ivory towers rose like spears toward the sky. Temples and amphitheaters were carved into the stone. Floating platforms and massive statues lined its borders. The architecture mirrored the Greek cities back home.

"Landing protocols received," Hardy announced. "They're sending escorts."

Outside, streaks of light approached—Saint-level warriors, flanking the ship, riding orbiters. They guided the vessel to a massive landing pad atop one of the outskirt platforms.

When the ship settled, the ramp lowered with a hiss.

Awaiting them was a squad of Kronos warriors, all in gleaming plate, led by a familiar face—Athena.

Her golden hair was tied back in a severe braid, her eyes sharp with intelligence. Beside her stood Julian Kaesar.

"Welcome to Olympus," Athena said with poise. Her tone was friendly, even warm.

Neither Klea nor Morgana returned her greeting.

Klea turned to Julian instead. "Are the others already here?"

"Most of them," Julian said, "This way."

Klea said nothing, though her gaze lingered on Julian and Athena for a moment longer than necessary. She knew Julian's ties to Kronos and the Nephilim ran deep. And now, more than ever, she prayed his loyalty remained with Earth.

The group was led through shining marble halls to a great coliseum-temple. And within, more familiar faces greeted them.

Three of the five Izta widows were present. Silica, Grisa and Yuria gave curt nods.

And then—

"HA! You finally showed up!" boomed a voice like thunder. "What took you so long!!"

This next person brought a smile to Klea.

Thrax the Immortal Gladiator strode forward, his laughter echoing off the stone walls. He gave Klea warm hug and then turn to Morgana; realizing her strength, he suddenly clapped his fists together and said

"We've still got four days. How about a spar to warm up?" He challenged.

Morgana didn't even glance at him. She walked him, saying. "Not interested."

Thrax blinked, then grinned. Klea followed in silence. They passed into the inner sanctum, where two figures sat in deep meditation—Ashaka and his disciple, Damo. Both were wrapped in a cocoon of silence, their auras calm yet formidable.

Klea glanced around and asked, "Where is Chumo?"

"No one's seen him in weeks," Yura replied. She had last encountered him in the Golden City. "But he sent word. He'll be here."

"Let's hope nothing's happened." Klea murmured with a sigh.

For two decades they had prepared. The stars had aligned, and the trial was finally upon them.

Ten warriors from Earth. Ten from Kronos.

And only one side would be granted dominion over Earth's place in the Magus universe.