Bab 2: Chapter 2
(Cyrus Pov)
After realizing that I was lost in the fog of the astral realm, a slight panic rose in my chest, and my heart rate began to elevate. I knew I didn't have much time to complete the trial because the solar eclipse would only last for a short period. After calming myself and replaying the recent events in my mind, I realized something crucial. The fog hadn't always been present during my time in the astral realm. It only appeared when I allowed myself to get too excited about being close to finding my Fate Constellation.
"Now I get it. This is why Dad is always so strict about meditation training," I muttered to myself as I prepared to release my cosmic energy into the ocean of stars once again.
This time, as I released my cosmic energy, I kept my mind steady. The fog began to dissipate as my thoughts became more balanced and neutral. I could see the energy I had sent out cascading back to me. I had found my path again. But this time, I didn't rush toward my destination. Instead, I walked with a clear mind, observing everything around me.
The trial was testing my patience and my ability to control my emotions. This theory became a fact the further I traversed the labyrinth of stars. I no longer needed the energy impulses to guide me; the responding source began to flash like a homing beacon, and my celestial core felt its pull.
With every step, I felt my core yearning to meet the source, sensing its immense power and pressure. When I finally reached it, I realized something astonishing—the source wasn't a single entity. It was a cluster of stars, forming a strange yet familiar pattern. It dawned on me that the pattern matched the tattoo on my father's hand.
It was then I understood what I had discovered in the astral realm. My excitement was difficult to contain, but I centered my mind, focusing one last time. Reaching out to the humming source of power, I began to connect an astral tether to the celestial body. This was the final, and seemingly easiest, step to passing the trial.
The moment the tether connected my core to the source, a sudden surge of power washed over me. The energy overwhelmed me, passing through every nerve ending, rewriting everything that had existed before while filling spaces I hadn't known were vacant. The process was long and arduous, the pain searing as though it would never end. Then, suddenly, everything went dark.
I thought the trial was over, but my consciousness was flung to another place. This time, it didn't resemble the astral realm. Instead, I found myself in a temple that reminded me of those near the city where I grew up. The surroundings, however, were vastly different—no advanced machinery, no bustling city centers. Instead, there were only dull, desolate huts and tents.
I was transported inside the temple without control of my astral body. A ceremony was taking place. A tall man with brown skin and braided hair, clad in an ivory tunic, knelt before a being unlike anything I had ever seen. The being had a humanoid form but bore features of an astral behemoth. Its spiked talons replaced fingers, and its face resembled that of an astral leviathan.
The creature extended its hand and pressed it against the man's chest. Its hand glowed, eerily similar to the way my father's does when he activates his Fate Constellation. The man's body convulsed, then collapsed, motionless, as though life had left him. Moments later, he gasped for air and sprang back to life. Regaining composure, he resumed his kneeling position, raising his fist to reveal a mark on his hand. The creature nodded in approval before vanishing.
"I think the constellation is showing me how the first of my people gained their power," I murmured, straining to see the man's hand again.
Then I was transported to another time. The setting was similar, but the ceremony felt different—darker. This time, several people participated. One by one, they failed. Their bodies convulsed violently before succumbing to death, blood pouring from their noses, pooling on their chests where gaping holes had formed as if from a cannon blast.
"It seems their celestial cores were not fortified enough to hold the power of the Solaris Constellation," said one person cleaning up the bodies.
"We tried to warn them, but they were too eager to gain its power," another replied, dragging a body away.
Their words hit me hard. My father's insistence on fortification training suddenly made sense. Until now, I hadn't known that death was a possibility during the Starbirth Trial or that a core could be overloaded to the point of explosion.
"It must be because the Solaris Constellation is inherently stronger than most Fate Constellations," I whispered, pondering this revelation.
Glancing at the lifeless bodies being dragged away, I caught sight of the creature again. It stood about five meters tall, its iridescent skin glowing beneath its white tunic. Terrifying yet regal, the being exuded power beyond comprehension.
Breaking my trance, the creature turned its head toward me, tilting it like a curious canine. I looked around but saw no one else nearby. Could it be looking at me?
The creature raised a hand and pointed directly at me.
"So, you've passed the trial," a voice echoed in my mind.
"I... did?" I responded aloud, unsure.
"You would not be observing the history of your ancestors if you hadn't, my child," the creature replied. "I sense something different within you. You are the first to witness this event—a sign that you are highly regarded by the constellation I left behind."
"What do you mean, 'left behind?'"
"My child, this is my constellation. I am Solaris. I created the power you now wield."
Shock rooted me in place. The creator of my clan's power stood before me.
"A million questions flooded my mind, but I forced myself to focus on just one.
'How am I the only one who has seen this event?'
'As I said, the constellation holds you in high regard. You are the youngest person to have ever developed a core strong enough to contain my power.'
'Seriously? I'm the youngest? That can't be true,' I said, doubting the claim.
'It was your father originally,' Solaris said, his voice calm yet firm, 'but the constellation didn't deem him worthy enough to meet me.'
I paused, letting those words sink in. My father had always been my benchmark, his power a standard I never believed I could surpass. Yet here I was, deemed more worthy. Taking a deep breath, I steadied my thoughts and met Solaris's gaze with resolve.
'What was the purpose of showing me this event?' I asked.
'The purpose, my child, was to show you that there is a flaw in the power of the Solaris Constellation. Many who wield its strength rarely die in battle. Instead, they succumb to cosmic energy overloads. They passively absorb solar energy, converting and refining it into cosmic energy. Those who fail to fortify their celestial cores eventually overload them. Their cores implode, ending their lives.
'That is why so few are permitted to take the trial, let alone pass it. But you, my child, possess a natural affinity for fortifying and refining a celestial core. Your bloodline also carries my essence. Fortification comes so naturally to you that the process is nearly passive. The training you undertook merely accelerated what was already inherent within you.'
His words explained so much—why the process had felt less grueling for me than for others, why my father had pushed me so relentlessly. But Solaris's tone shifted, a weight settling over his next words.
'Your natural talent, however, will be wasted if bound solely to my constellation. You remind me of myself, in many ways. And so, I will grant you a gift—something far greater than what this constellation can provide through mere accession.'
'Wait,' I interrupted, 'I thought the Solaris Constellation was the strongest in the world!'
Before I could finish my protest, Solaris extended his hand toward me. His talons gleamed, and in one swift motion, he tore my celestial core from my chest.
Agonizing pain tore through me. My body was paralyzed, my spirit clawing desperately for the energy that had been ripped away. It felt as though my very essence was unraveling.
Just as I thought I would succumb to death, Solaris created a black orb in his hand, its surface swirling with incomprehensible power. Without hesitation, he thrust it into the gaping void where my core had once been.
'We in the Pantheon like to keep our secrets,' Solaris said, his voice reverberating through me. 'You mortals know only a fraction of the power that exists. This gift will better suit your needs and desires. And remember, even in death, a star is dangerous.'
The overwhelming pain subsided, replaced by a strange, pulsing energy radiating from within me. This new core felt alien yet harmonious, as if it were rewriting the rules of my existence. I collapsed to my knees, gasping for air as the world around me began to blur.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone