Just like that, two days passed by.

It was a cold morning, the sky shrouded in a thick sheet of black clouds. Rain had fallen the night before, leaving the world slick and silent.

Luna stared at the dark clouds with a wistful look. She hadn't been in the mortal world for that long, and she was already leaving it once again with the same uncertainty she had when she first walked into the divine realm.

But this time was different.

She was no longer a fledgling. She was a seasoned Ascender, one who understood her heritage, her limits, and her strength. Experience had been a harsh teacher, but it was that experience she now trusted above all else.

The Dream World was something her current self was capable of challenging, even at the First Soul Gate. And while her weaknesses were many, her will remained unshaken. That, and her resolve, were the only things keeping her from falling completely into oblivion.

She stared at the structure one last time and walked up the familiar staircase. She was dressed ready in her state-of-the-art nanoskin armor, which looked like any other nanoskin suit, only now that it was white and blue with the insignia of the Feng around her shoulder area.

This insignia was her only form of identity she had left. With it on, at least someone could assume she was connected to the mighty clan.

When the doors slid open, they revealed a silent lobby. The Astral Vigil had requested that only those participating in the Trials should have access to the building for today.

The Guild hadn't refused. They couldn't. The world was desperate for Fourth Gate Ascenders—and the Dream Trials were the fastest path to creating them.

"It's so creepy when it's quiet." Her footsteps sounded like pounding noises as she crossed the marble floor and headed to the elevator.

She arrived on the top floor and walked to the room she was assigned as the 11th candidate.

Inside sat another woman in the corner, legs crossed.

Green eyes. Green hair. Warm, copper-toned skin—almost a sun-kissed mirror of Luna's pale complexion. She wore round, wire-rimmed glasses and leather-grade nanoskin armor, the kind favored by long-range Ascenders.

"Ascender Anna," Luna greeted with a small bow.

"Ascender Lara," Anna replied, standing. She was a few inches taller, with a regal poise and no wasted movement. A perfectionist, through and through.

Anna studied her silently, then spoke.

"I didn't expect to be paired with you. I guess fate has plans for the two of us." She smiled, her tone respectful, even friendly. She'd watched Luna's spar with Leo.

"Does that mean we're facing the first trial together?"

Anna nodded. "Yes. Even if we're separated initially, we should regroup and move forward together. I've studied the Dream. And… as much as I hate to admit it, we can't survive it alone."

Luna already knew the Dream World would be treacherous. But as someone who spent most of her time fighting alone, solitude didn't scare her.

Still, she nodded.

"All right. I look forward to fighting with you."

"Same."

After that short interaction, the pair waited for another hour.

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During that time, Anna shared everything she knew about the Dream World with Luna. From information on some creatures and their abilities, to places that humans should not go to. She explained a few tales surrounding a few dream creatures and expanded on the lore behind the Astral Vigil—which she thinks is the former castle of the heart goddess, also believed to be the Dream God.

If Luna were someone cautious about entering the dream world. Then Anna was 100 times that. She had planned for everything, every possibility, and made solutions with 89% chances of success.

Yes, 89%! This is the perfect partner.

The two were interrupted by a powerful force that could've come from nowhere.

They both stood, eyes sharp, as their faces turned to the space in front of them.

The room's quiet was fractured suddenly. An unnatural gust of wind appeared, and the air shimmered as space began to crack open like fine glass.

It widened, stretching into a gate large enough for a grown man.

And from that rift… he stepped through.

"Good Morning, Candidates." His deep voice echoed off the walls as she greeted the pair. He was tall, almost seven feet. And unlike Master Wei, this one wore robes patterned with stars, and a blindfold covered his eyes.

He was human, an ascender in fact. But had a pair of black wings attached to his back like an angelic being.

His entire look reminded Luna of Everlight's statue back when she was in Verge. The people of that place had built that thing to resemble the version Everlight had decided to show them. The kind and godlike person she displayed to fool the mortals who had betrayed their gods.

Intrigued by his appearance, Luna bothered to peer into his soul to assume how strong this man was. She expected to see the usual weak Qi like every ascender. But she was surprised and frightened after she saw something unexpected.

Essence. A whole lot of it. It was flowing in and out of him, communicating with the world with perfect harmony.

'This…this is a follower of the True Path.' Luna's composure cracked.

This man was strong, very strong, compared to every ascender she had come across in this structure.

Anna, unaware, unturned. "Are you okay?"

"I am." Luna forced a smile. Anna couldn't sense powerful Qi because she was a zenshi user. To her, this man's status as a true path member was invisible.

Luna played along and cloaked herself in more zenshi to hide herself from this man's senses. He didn't need his eyes to tell that there was another person with a unique soul gate here.

But she had to try to hide herself. Even if it meant contaminating her soul gate.

Luckily, he didn't stay silent for long.

"The Trials begin today. Ascender Lara and Ascender Anna, you have been invited to the Dream for the first trial, the Trial of Hearts." His voice was heavy and composed. " In this trial, you two will travel to the Astral Castle within one month. You will learn to rely on each other's strengths and grow from companionship. One of the foundations of the Astral Vigil sect."

"Do you accept the invitation?"

Anna and Luna looked at each other and nodded, agreeing on what they were going to say. Just like that, their partnership was born.

They shared a glance and nodded.

"We accept."

The man smiled. Pleased by their response. He then waved his hand, and twin star marks appeared on their right hands, marking them as invited individuals.

"As a pair, you are given a Noctis Dial. And it will only work when two star-touched are together."

"May the goddess bless you both, welcome to the Dream."

***

In another room, Leo and Sophie stood side by side as they stared at the open portal ahead.

"The Trial of Hearts, huh. This is going to be interesting. I wonder who Ascender Lara has been paired with, considering that she's ranked eleventh."

Sophie was wearing a cold look as the portal's light reflected in her beautiful eyes.

Leo, whom Luna had left with a deep impression, clicked his tongue and said:

"She is a lone wolf. She can hunt on her own, fight on her own, and survive. She's stronger than me in that way, so I hope she survives the first trial."

"She must've got you good to have you say such nonsense, little brother."

Sophie chuckled and summoned her forged weapon. In three breaths, a thin double-edged light sword materialized in her hand. This was the Starshard, a weapon made by the government using a God type Relic known as the Soul Star.

Leo rolled his eyes.

"I told you to stop calling me little brother. Spare the Sect talk for when we join the Astral Vigil."

With a thought, another starshard blade appeared. This time in Leo's left hand. His blade was much longer than Sophie's, resembling a claymore. It was also white, with a bright, glowing blade.

It was unbreakable and could cut through all nonliving material. However, the Soul Star's greatest specialty was the soul strike. A powerful and deadly ability, capable of killing the immortal soul of any living thing.

Such power doesn't come easily, of course. The god relic picked who could use its power.

The Relic had chosen Leo and Sophie and now used starshard weapons. This was one of the many reasons the Master of the Dream World was interested in the pair.

"Don't hold me back, little Brother," Sophie smirked. And then walked into the open portal. Her frame dissolved into the light as it sucked her in.

Leo rolled his eyes and followed shortly after.

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