Astrovoid Shower- Celestial University Book 2: A Bully Romance

Chapter 4: Heir Reunion

Xia backed up.

"Is that not enough," he asked, staring at the plate he handed her. "Seems one of us should have not spoiled you on the value of a meal."

"Father, what do you mean metamorphosis? Sehki's gone so we don't have to worry about attracting the Voids! You tamed one?"

"Do you expect less from a Planetary President?"

The Void opened its mouth, draining and swallowing most of her magic. She squirmed as the pain continued until he snapped his fingers. It stopped, gaining her face as an appearance, opposed to the rest of it's pale body.

"You're replacing me?"

"Improving. It seems your training wasn't enough. Mako will be taking your place until you prove you can surpass his power. Give it a week or so," lightning up her meal. "The more energy you have, the lesser the pain."

"I'm stronger than some average Void and I have more potential than Mako! That loss was a fluke!"

"Your opponent used misdirection, countered your strategies, and humiliated our family in front of the world."

"But Celestial-"

"Calypsa shouldn't have to assure me of that. Perhaps including her in your life was a miscalculation," earning his daughter's concern. "No matter."

"I'll do anything to prove it! I have fought for mom, Qian, Sabian, and everyone! He's gone," burning her tears in the process, "and I'm still here to fight for our world! I'll even fight you!"

Jun's eyes flared. "Is that so," staring at the Voidvok's growing appearance and the sense of power emanating from Xia.

"Uh, I didn't - "

"You'll fight me in under an hour. In fact, I think it'll be a televised demonstration for all to see your worth. I'll invite the other members of the twelve who aren't punished," before looking back at someone in a cloak, pointing to her.

"She's the cause of his suffering. I'll be sure to help you two reunite by the end of the year."

Xia's anger mixed in with fear at that realization as Calypsa finished letting Sehki the deals.

"She's been there for almost a month?"

"Yeah. Whenever I choose one of you over the other, someone always suffers," punching the ground. "At least you're safe, but - Jun Hinata, even he makes my masks melt."

Sensing her body can't contain the rage, he looked back to the moments of Xia's lighter moments and passion. If Damien liked her, she couldn't be all bad.

"So, let's go get her back then. Problem solved, right?"

Her head jerked when he said that much to his amusement. "I didn't stutter. Just use the extra vile of Starlight, we get in, get her out, and find her something to do over the summer. She's eighteen, and rich. Can't she do a college program or job activity?"

Calypsa smiled, dropping her head closer to him. "Compassion to even your own enemy: you really are foolish."

"I promised her a rematch when she's actually in the right state of mind, so we'll get there. So get the others first."

"Before we do, one thing."

She dived down to his lips, but he pulled away.

"Yeah, no, you're on romantic probation until we feel equal. Can you call the other heirs?"

She pouted. "I'm supposed to bully you."

"Until the world learns the truth, I don't want them to guess you're playing sides until we take down Cluster. The quicker we can go, the more you're not bullied into all these personas."

She touched her heart, getting and picking both of them up.

"Your mom always said fae should remember they're still human," texting and calling. "That little shred of sweetness will get you more details about your parents," waiting for them to arrive.

Ainsley, Taylor, and Rigal's reaction to his return led the former to at least hug him.

"I thought you weren't coming back?"

"I'll tell you later. Tay, less stalking and harassing?"

"Wipe that smile off your face," sucking his teeth. "Wait, just smile and wave."

"He's been on edge for a while given the Justice Council plans on intervening in Lorena's dad." Taylor's face didn't deny the statement of the Asylum heir.

"And Rigal, any clues on finding Cluster?"

"Sent all my alphas searching for details on him. They've seen glimpses around him, but we've been trying to find him," his voice said with regret.

"We'll get her back. Promise."

"Cal, why'd you call us here?"

The words out her mouth made two of them sweat so much, sand and air covered their face. Taylor's water sphere instinctively covered his body. "No way. Any other parent, maybe. President Hinata is a no go."

"He is the alpha of Fenghuang!"

Ainsley's face made Sehki angry.

"Let me get this straight," pointing to each of them. "You forced your people to become living sculptures and let your parents use them for experiments. You target anyone from your country that interacts with the others via productions. You run a shitty podcast while letting a serial killer on the loose to make people sign up for the army."

Calypsa's eyes reeked of similar disappointment, while he continued. "But your best friend's father imprisoned her in her own house, and none of you want to get her back? Aren't you the Divine Four? Because the only thing you look good at right now are cowards!"

"You care," Taylor asked. "She's burned you alive how many times?"

"Oh, trust me, I didn't forget. But I don't abandon the people I love. So why are you?"

That left the heirs speechless, with Sehki waiting. Ainsley spoke up.

"They're the only kingdom that might have your parent's corpses. Tellus would've used it to fight the Voids if it was possible and Shugoda's only tech focused."

"So he lied to me. He said the Void," slowly recognizing Jun meant the one that followed him, "took the corpse.. How would he know unless he was involved somehow?!"

"Flint's disappearance, that Void, Xia, it's all connected somehow!" He turned away. "Calypsa, let's go. "