Hael Astraeus is the main character of The Everlight Protocol. Born and raised in Aurora Noctis, the shining citadel of Tenebris on Caelum, Astraeus was born into a family of merchants and priestesses turned warriors. They were one of the first families to achieve Evolved status, as their magic abilities developed over the generations and stabilized. Thus, House Atraeus was considered Ethereal Blessed, embracing the evolution of human kind.

His ancestors swore to keep company and protect the Esin, Chrysanthe, believing her influence to be vital to the progress of the homo cosmiens. Not only did Aurora Noctis share a special bond with its Esin presence, but the Astraeus family were considered close confidantes of Chrysathe herself. They were the first to help found the Luminae Order, and when the threat of civil war on Caelum was imminent, among those who formed a secret cult known as The Radiant Path. By this point, the Esin Chrysanthe was revered as a divine entity vital to the heart of Tenebris, and a threat to Sollustre’s desire to join the ICC under the Astral Veil Empire.

When Sollustre joined hands with the Astral Veil against Tenebris, Atraeus’ home became the primary target. Discontent and dissension grew, and the Luminae Order broke apart. Only The Radiant Path remained by the Esin’s side as war between Sollustre and Tenebris broke out, followed by civil war and unrest in Aurora Noctis.

At the time, Astraeus is barely the age of 9. Chrysanthe is killed, resulting in a massive explosion and release of radiation, which leaves Astraeus badly burned and in a coma. The Radiant Path goes into hiding, but the Astraeus family is hunted down, one by one. Eventually, Astraes’ body (which had been cryo-preserved) was confiscated by the Luminae Order and Astral Veil Empire. For centuries, Astraeus is slowly healed, then subject to intense experimentation. They discover he has the affinity to wield starlight and attempt to use him. More centuries pass.  The Astraeus family slowly dies out, their unusually long lives afforded to them by being Ethereal Blessed coming to natural ends. Astraeus is eventually aided by a fellow prisoner and escapes to Icariel, but no longer has a family or cause to return to.

Determined to protect the legacy of The Radiant Path and get revenge for the Luminae Order’s betrayal, Astraeus bids his time, waiting for the homo cosmiens to forget about him. After over a thousand years, he joins the cause of the Dread Knights and  enlists in The Starward Legion to act as a spy. He becomes known as The Eternal Knight by the Dread Knights, who are attached to the old ways and believe he is an Esin himself, even if he rejects it.

And when the time is right, Hael Astraeus and the Dread Knights make their move against the Astral Veil Empire, returning to Aurora Noctis, which is now the equivalent of Chernobyl, to uphold his promises.