Aetheric Chronicles: Reborn As An Extra

The Black Star Castle trembled under the weight of surprise attack and counterattack. Shadows danced across its stone walls as flames licked through shattered windows, and steel rang like a death knell in the distance. The air was thick with the scent of blood and burning magic. Bolts of lightning clashed against shields of dark energy, ice spears shattered into glittering shards midair, and the cries of men and beasts alike blended into a nightmarish symphony. Yet, despite the chaos, neither side had fully committed their strongest warriors. Sia and her elite Avengers remained in the shadows, watching, calculating. On the other side, the Black Star Lord sat like a predator on his throne, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. The true battle hadn't begun yet. And in the midst of it all, Alex ran. The dimly lit corridors of the castle stretched before him, lined with high archways and walls scorched from stray spells. Bella—or rather, Isabella—clutched his sleeve, her breathing uneven. Behind her, the other three "daughters" of the Black Star Lord followed closely. Each one of them was dangerous. Elene, her silver-blue hair flowing like silk, exuded an aura of frost, her very presence lowering the temperature around her. Lith, a stark contrast, had a wild fire in her red eyes, her steps sharp and impatient. And finally, Mira, the quietest of them all, her golden gaze unreadable. Alex's mind churned. These weren't normal girls. They weren't even from this world. He knew that much. Each of them carried a power that, if left unchecked, could be catastrophic. But what was worse was their blind devotion to the Black Star Lord. Again, because of manipulation. If he didn't act now, they'd be enemies later. A powerful tremor shook the castle, dust raining from the ceiling. Elene tensed. "That was close," she muttered, glancing over her shoulder. Her icy breath formed a mist in the air. "We need to move faster!" Isabella's voice was small, shaken. "I'm doing my best, princess," Alex muttered, gripping the hilt of his sword tightly. "Now, stay close." "Where exactly are we going?" Elene pressed, her tone sharp. "To safety," Alex answered, weaving through the halls. "Just trust me." Lith let out a scoff. "As if I'd trust a slave." Alex didn't even glance at her. He didn't need her trust. He just needed her to follow. They pushed deeper into the castle, through a series of abandoned halls. Alex finally skidded to a stop in a shadowed alcove, torchlight flickering weakly against the cold stone. "Why are we stopping?" Isabella asked. Alex sucked in a sharp breath. He tilted his head as if listening for something—then his eyes widened. "They found us." A pulse of energy suddenly crashed into the hall behind them. A thick darkness flooded the passage, swallowing the torches in an instant. "No—!" Elene's voice cut off. The world vanished. A crushing weight of shadow engulfed them, cold and absolute. No sound. No light. Just an eerie nothingness. Lith's fire flickered to life for a brief moment—then died just as quickly. "This—This isn't normal darkness," Mira murmured, her voice unreadable. Inside the void, Alex stood perfectly still. He knew exactly what this was. Eclipse. The blacklight. The dark counterpart to the Bright World. And he was the one who did it. Not that they needed to know that. A deep hum resonated through the oppressive black, and a portal ripped open inside the dome. A figure stepped through. Golden eyes like burning embers. Scaly skin gleaming with obsidian hues. Ryzel. He didn't speak. In one smooth motion, he reached for Elene and Lith. Lith lashed out, her hands igniting with furious fire. "Don't touch—!" Ryzel didn't even slow down. His hand snapped out, striking the side of her neck. The fire vanished instantly as her body crumpled, unconscious. Elene barely had time to react before his clawed fingers brushed her forehead. A pulse of energy passed through her, and her body slumped without resistance. Ryzel caught both of them easily, lifting them with ease. He turned to Alex, his calm gaze lingering only for a moment—then he stepped back through the portal. Gone. The suffocating darkness lifted. The torches flickered back to life. The cold stone reappeared beneath their feet. The distant sounds of battle returned. But Elene and Lith were gone. Alex exhaled slowly, letting his hand drop from the hilt of his sword. His head tilted down, and his voice came out quiet. "... I failed." Isabella stiffened. "What?" Alex clenched his fists, his jaw tightening. "They—They were too fast. I couldn't protect them. The enemy... they got to them before I could stop it." He bowed his head in shame. Isabella immediately shook her head, gripping his sleeve. "N-No! You did your best! If you hadn't been here, we would've—" "I hope they're safe…" Mira's soft voice interrupted. Alex glanced at her. Her expression was the picture of concern, but for a split second, something flickered behind her golden eyes—a strange glint of amusement. It was gone in an instant. "I will accept my punishment. But," Alex forced a tired sigh, running a hand through his hair. "We still need to move. We haven't escaped the danger." Neither of the girls argued. He turned, leading them forward once more—but his mind was already elsewhere. Mira. She had noticed something. '...I need to complete my part.' Alex chuckled inwardly while casting a suspicious glance at her and turning away when she looked back. 'Novel knowledge really comes in handy, hehe.' The corridors of Black Star Castle stretched endlessly, a maze of darkened halls and bloodstained stone. The battle still raged, its echoes reaching even the deepest corners of the fortress. Alex pushed forward, his mind racing even as his steps remained steady. Isabella clung to his sleeve, her fingers trembling slightly. Beside her, Mira walked in silence, her golden eyes unreadable as before. The absence of Elene and Lith hung over them like a phantom, but Alex kept his expression schooled in frustration, his lips pressed into a tight line. He had to sell the act. They turned a corner, and at last, the entrance to the main hall loomed before them. A massive set of doors, carved with ancient sigils, stood slightly ajar. Beyond them, the hall itself was alive with chaos. Their breath hitched. The Avengers were here. Sia's forces clashed with the Black Star Lord's guards in a violent struggle. Lightning crackled, ice spread across the marble floor, and spells exploded in rapid succession. Bodies littered the ground—some unconscious, others unmoving. Alex's jaw tightened. This wasn't 'ideal'. "We can't go through there," he muttered under his breath, his eyes scanning for another route. But the main entrance was the only way forward—or at least, it should have been. Then, Mira spoke. "I know a secret entrance," she said, her voice smooth and deliberate. Alex's head snapped toward her, his eyes 'widening' in surprise. "What?" Mira met his gaze evenly. "There's another way into the throne chamber. A hidden path." Alex hesitated, as if considering his options. Then, his expression hardened. "Then I'll distract them," he said firmly. "You two escape." Mira shook her head before he could take another step. "We still need you," she said simply. "And that path might be blocked by the enemy as well." Beside her, Isabella nodded, gripping Alex's sleeve tighter. "We should stick together." Alex's brows furrowed in apparent contemplation. Then, after a long pause, he let out a quiet sigh and nodded. "Fine," he relented. "Lead the way." Mira didn't hesitate. She turned on her heel, moving swiftly toward a seemingly ordinary section of the wall. Alex and Isabella followed, the sounds of battle fading slightly behind them. As they slipped into the shadows, Alex stole a glance at Mira from the corner of his eye. Her steps were quick and confident. 'I'll play along with you...'' ______ [ New Story Alert! ] A Background Character's Path to Power Waking up in a new world with no memories, I thought I was in a lighthearted romcom—until the life-or-death trials began. Beneath the academy's lighthearted tropes lurked hidden dangers, brutal trials, and a game I wasn't supposed to play. If fate insists on throwing scripted events at me, I'll rewrite the story—on my own terms. 📖 Read now and forge your own path!