"Some storms walk in heels."
---
Neovantis is alive. A new marvel stands tall — The Opal Dome, the first intercontinental hub of Zayden's growing enterprise: concerts, cuisine, commerce — all in one colossal, glowing city-center.
The crowd gathers. Fireworks crack the skies. Holograms dance.
Zayden arrives in a chrome coat, silver shades, flanked by Kael and Lyra.
Kael: "You really love dramatic entrances."
Zayden (grinning): "I'm not dramatic. I'm... memorable."
Then, she appears.
Descending the marble stairs like the world slows just for her...
She wears a deep crimson dress stitched with glowing threads, and carries a quiet, commanding aura. Long black hair, emerald eyes, and an expression that says, I've seen more than you'll ever know.
Zayden (to himself): "Who the hell…"
She steps directly to him. No fear. No hesitation.
Lady in Red: "Zayden Rael. I've heard the future walks in your shadow."
Zayden (raising a brow): "And you walk into it like you own it."
Lady in Red (smiling faintly): "Maybe I do."
---
Lyra watches the exchange from a few feet away, her smile forced.
Lyra (whispers): "Who even is she?"
Kael (sipping synthwine): "She's bad news. Beautiful, mysterious, deadly. That's your rival now."
Lyra (coldly): "I'm not jealous."
Kael: "Sure. And I'm not scared of Draconians."
---
A slow, haunting song begins. Zayden, always playful, extends a hand.
Zayden: "Care for a dance, mystery?"
Lady in Red: "Only if you promise not to fall for me."
Zayden (charming): "Too late."
They dance. Every step is like poetry meeting precision. Sparks, literal and emotional, seem to fly around them. The crowd watches in awe.
Zayden: "You never told me your name."
Lady in Red: "That's because I haven't decided who I want to be… in your story."
Zayden: "Then I'll give you one. How about…"
He looks her in the eyes. She lets him.
Zayden: "...Seraphina."
A pause.
Seraphina (smiling softly): "Seraphina. A name kissed by fire. I like it."
---
Later, on the Dome's balcony:
Zayden: "You're not from here. Not this time. Not this era."
Seraphina: "Neither are you."
Zayden: "So, why now?"
Seraphina (whispering): "Because this is the moment before everything changes. And I had to meet the man who dares to play god."
Zayden watches her as the fireworks reflect in her eyes.
Zayden: "I don't want to be a god."
Seraphina: "Good. Because gods fall."
---
A Draconian studies a screen with Zayden and Seraphina dancing.
Draconian Commander: "She's made contact. The girl with the forbidden code in her blood."
Behind him, a stone-faced Annunaki stares in silence.
Annunaki (coldly): "If she fails, we burn the timeline."
---
📘 END OF CHAPTER 20
Coming Next: Chapter 21 – "Shadows in Red"