The days that followed passed in a rhythm that felt a little strange to Henry. He tried to balance the demands of his investigative work at the Bureau, where every new case was a reminder of how fragile order was and of the dark forces that still lurked, with his silent efforts to understand the changes happening deep inside his mind and body.

The Sanctuary Seal on his left chest would sometimes warm up for no reason, bringing a sense of familiarity that was also distant. And his dreams of the emerald Light Tree and Will's warm, white aura continued to visit him in his fitful sleep, leaving behind a vague sense of unease and unanswered questions when he woke up in the middle of the night.

He felt as if he was catching glimpses of a larger world, a different reality, but he had no way of understanding the mysteries that were calling to him.

Meanwhile, the relationship between Sophia and Brena grew closer and stronger, much like how they had come together after the storm. They met frequently, not just to talk about work between the Estath Cathedral and the Bureau but also to share private thoughts and feelings that they couldn't express to anyone else.

Sophia, with her sensitivity, compassion, and empathy, gradually became a close friend and a source of emotional support for Brena, who could finally let go of her tough exterior and reveal her vulnerabilities and deepest wounds.

The heart of these warm, heartfelt meetings was often Luna, Chief Investigator Ragley's sweet little daughter. Luna was a bright, radiant child who helped chase away some of the heavy, dark atmosphere that still haunted their lives after the sad events. Luna was very fond of Sophia, seeing her as an older sister who always brought her magical fairytales, joyful laughter, and gentle, warm advice whenever she felt sad or scared.

She would excitedly tell Sophia all about her classes at the Estath Convent, showing off her scribbled but colorful drawings of fairytale castles, beautiful princesses, and brave knights, or her small, simple toys, especially the cloth dolls Brena had so meticulously sewn for her. Sophia also had a special affection for Luna, seeing her innocent, bright charm and what seemed to be a special connection that even she didn't know about.

One weekend afternoon, when the soft, golden light of autumn was filtering through the leaves, creating shimmering streaks on the sidewalk, Henry and Sophia received an invitation to have an intimate dinner at Chief Investigator Ragley's home.

It was a rare gesture from the Chief Investigator, who was known for being serious and reserved. Perhaps after the recent tragedies, losses, and intense stress, he also felt the need for some relaxation and peace with colleagues he truly trusted and cared for. Brena was also there; she had arrived early to help Ragley prepare dinner and spend more time playing with Luna.

The atmosphere in Ragley's small house, which used to be quiet, was now warmer and more comfortable than usual. Luna's cheerful, clear laughter echoed through the living room, chasing away all the worries. She was happily playing chase with Brena, her soft chestnut-brown hair flying with every step, her big, round, black eyes sparkling with joy.

Henry and Sophia sat at a small tea table in the living room, chatting with Ragley about their work at the Bureau, the city's reconstruction after the disaster, and their plans for the future. After the days of stress and loss, Chief Investigator Ragley seemed to be more open.

He looked at Henry with a new kind of expression, no longer one of suspicion or doubt. Pope Vincent's personal verification of Henry's innocence, along with his loyalty and courage in the battle to defend the city, and especially his bravery in requesting Captain Jacobs' remains from Demigod Alfie, had made Ragley trust him much more.

Just then, while chasing a small, colorful yarn ball that Brena had tossed in the air, Luna accidentally tripped over the leg of a table. She stumbled and, in a reflex to keep her balance, reached out and grabbed Henry's arm, who was sitting nearby. The moment Luna's hand touched Henry, a strange feeling, an intense resonance, suddenly erupted in his chest.

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The Sanctuary Seal on his left chest pulsed violently, releasing a spreading warmth. At the same time, a pale blue energy, like a halo, also erupted from Luna, gently enveloping her small body. The instant Luna's hand touched him, the world in Henry's mind exploded. It was no longer his familiar seventy-meter map, but a chaotic flood of information.

He could "hear" a street vendor calling out prices in the Eastern Market, "smell" fresh bread from a bakery miles away, and "see" a cat chasing a mouse on a rooftop at the very end of the city. Everything came at once, chaotic and dizzying, and he almost vomited. Then, in the middle of that storm of sensation, an ancient concept formed in his mind, not a name, but a feeling: Aetherial Domain. He felt like the center of a spiderweb and Luna was holding the main thread.

Luna's fall, thanks to that mysterious intervention, became as soft as a feather falling on a still lake. She only frowned for a moment, and then immediately burst into giggles, as if she had just experienced a fun and new game. But the adults in the room were stunned and speechless. Ragley was the first to react.

He rushed to hug his daughter, his voice trembling with worry as he checked her for any injuries. "Luna! My darling! Are you okay? Does anything hurt?".

Luna just looked at her father in a daze, and then curiously at the adults who were all staring at her with surprise. "I'm okay, Dad," she said, her voice still a little surprised and amused. "I felt something soft and gentle catch me. It was fun!".

Brena and Sophia looked at each other, both with confused expressions. They were both experienced Rankers who had witnessed countless strange magical phenomena, but the almost pure primordial energy that had just appeared was something truly beyond their normal understanding.

This was clearly not a normal spell that a seven-year-old child who had never had any magical training could cast. Henry stood there, trying to hide the shock he was feeling. He didn't tell Sophia or anyone else about what his Mystic Sense had just felt or the name "Aetherial Domain" that had appeared in his mind.

That was another secret he had to keep, another piece in the complex puzzle of his own identity and power, and perhaps Luna's as well. He looked at Luna, and then at Sophia. In that moment, a connection to a larger mystery flashed in his eyes.

The prophecy "Anonymous Revelation" that he had read in the ancient library, and the image of the "Moon" mentioned in it all seemed to be slowly revealing the first pieces of a puzzle, a fateful connection.

Ragley, after making sure Luna was completely unharmed, also noticed the strangeness of the event. He looked at Brena and Sophia, who were also present, his eyes filled with inquiry and a little worry. "You all saw what happened just now, didn't you?".

Brena tried to stay calm, but Henry could see her hand gripping the table. "It was probably just a sudden burst of latent energy, Chief," she said, her voice professional but her eyes fixed on Luna in a scrutinizing way. "Many gifted children show similar signs when they are young. But," she hesitated, "the level of energy was a bit unusual".

"Yes, I agree," Sophia chimed in, her voice also filled with worry.

"We should take Luna to the Cathedral to have Father Ralph check on her. Her energy is very pure, but also very strong. She needs to be monitored carefully". Henry didn't say anything, but his eyes never left Luna for a second.

He knew this wasn't a "normal" magical sign as Brena and Sophia said. Luna's power, that magic, was something very strange, and perhaps, it held an important role in the destiny of all of Tehra. And he, in a way he couldn't yet explain, had been connected to this girl and this special power. A feeling of heavy responsibility, of a destined path slowly unfolding before him, once again took over Henry's mind.

That evening, after leaving Chief Investigator Ragley's house, on the familiar road back to their small apartment, Henry and Sophia walked together, lost in their own thoughts and worries about the strange event.

"Did you feel it, Henry?" Sophia broke the silence, her voice filled with curiosity and a bit of worry. "Luna's energy is really special, very unusual". Henry nodded. He wanted to tell her everything, to share the shock, the fear, and the glimmer of hope that had just risen in him. But then the images of his fallen comrades came back to him. No. He couldn't drag her into this mess. This burden, he thought, was his alone to bear.

"I know," he just said, his voice low. "It's... very special". Every secret he kept was another brick in the invisible wall between them, a wall he built to protect her, but feared would one day separate them forever.

No one said anything more, and they walked on together, their shadows long on the empty road. The darkness of the night enveloped Aerion, but in Henry's heart, a new light, a light of understanding, of connection to a greater mystery, and a heavy, undeniable destiny, was slowly beginning to burn.

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