Lina had never walked so far in her life.
Her shoes were worn. Her shoulders ached. And her little bag felt heavier with each step. But still, she moved forward.
The night had fallen again.
The stars above her twinkled like eyes watching over her. One star, in particular, always seemed to glow brighter whenever she looked up.
"Is that… guiding me?" she whispered.
She didn't know, but something deep inside her told her to trust it.
The star wasn't just shining—it was calling.
Meanwhile – In the Depths of the Forest
Two figures watched her from the trees.
One was small, barely the size of a child, with green skin and golden eyes. A forest spirit.
The other was tall, wrapped in leaves and bark, with a face made of vines.
"She carries the fallen star," the tall one said.
"She's not ready," the smaller one replied. "She doesn't even know what she holds."
"But she must walk the path. It has already begun."
The forest spirit nodded. The prophecy had spoken of her arrival.
The last time someone carried a star fragment, the world had changed.
This time… it would be more than just the world.
Lina's Journey
As the forest thickened, Lina found herself standing before a broken statue.
It was half-buried in vines, its face worn by time. Yet something about it felt familiar.
She touched its hand—and suddenly, her mind was filled with visions.
She saw—
A man standing on a burning battlefield, controlling stars like weapons.
Giant beasts kneeling before him.
A portal in the sky, spilling darkness.
Then, the vision ended.
Lina fell to her knees, gasping for air.
"W-What was that…?"
Her heart pounded. Her hands were shaking. But in that moment, she felt something awaken inside her.
The star fragment in her pocket glowed softly.
And her fear… began to fade.
In the Celestial Realm
Zayn was meditating.
Surrounded by floating orbs of energy, each one representing a different element—fire, wind, time, even chaos.
He opened his eyes slowly.
"She saw the memory," he said calmly.
Aruna appeared, her expression serious.
"Is that safe? She's still too weak."
Zayn didn't answer immediately.
Instead, he looked toward the stars. One of them had flickered.
A sign.
"The world is moving faster than I thought," he murmured. "The seal is almost ready to break."
"Then… will you return?"
He closed his eyes again.
"Not yet. But soon."
In the Forgotten Temple
The man in black robes stood before a giant gate.
Carved into it were ancient runes—each one pulsing with dark energy.
He placed his hand on the center.
"Open," he commanded.
Nothing happened.
His eyes narrowed. Then he took out a crystal.
Inside it… was a drop of blood.
"The blood of the old gods… the price of opening the gate."
The crystal melted into the runes.
The ground shook.
The air turned cold.
And the gate began to open slowly releasing a wind that screamed like a thousand voices.
Back to Lina – A Trial Begins
Just beyond the broken statue, Lina found an old stone arch.
There were words carved into it:
"Only those who carry a star may pass."
As soon as she walked through it, the world changed.
The forest disappeared.
She stood in a grey void, endless and quiet.
Then—light gathered before her.
And a voice spoke.
"You carry the fragment of the Fallen Star."
"Who… who are you?" she asked.
"I am the Guardian of the Trial. To walk the path, you must prove your heart."
"But I'm just a girl from a small village. I'm not strong."
"Strength is not always power. It is choice."
Suddenly, a beast appeared before her.
Made of flame and smoke, it roared, its eyes glowing with fury.
"Defeat it. Or be consumed."
Lina trembled.
She had no weapon. No magic.
Only her will.
The Awakening
As the beast charged at her, Lina braced herself.
But then—the star fragment in her pocket shot out a beam of light.
It wrapped around her like armor, forming a protective shield.
The beast slammed into it—and was thrown back.
Lina's eyes glowed.
The light formed a sword in her hand.
Her fear turned to resolve.
"I don't know why this is happening… but I won't run!"
She charged at the beast.
The blade of light struck true.
And the void shattered.
Outside the Trial
Lina collapsed to the forest floor, breathing heavily.
The trial was over.
But something was different.
She could feel it.
Magic now flowed inside her veins.
Her body was warm, her senses sharper.
She wasn't just a village girl anymore.
She was chosen.
Zayn's Whisper
Far away, in his hidden domain, Zayn opened his eyes once more.
"She passed."
A small smile appeared on his lips.
"Good."
For the first time in centuries… he was not alone in fate's game.
The Star Sovereign's path had always been long and lonely.
But now, a new star had begun to rise.
And with it, the universe would begin to change.