Avi's wings stretched through the eternal void, her presence weaving through distant stardust and silent cosmic winds. The universe pulsed around them in solemn quiet, but Sid's mind buzzed with untamed ambition.
He sat near the edge of her back, cradling the small beast core Dante had tossed him earlier — a faintly glowing orb of green-gold essence.
"If cores like these carry power," Sid muttered aloud, "then couldn't I just… find a really strong one? Absorb it all at once. Advance faster."
For a moment, silence.
Then behind him, a sharp laugh broke the void.
Dante burst out laughing — loud and unapologetic, almost choking on the air he wasn't even breathing.
"Hah! This kid—he's got guts, I'll give him that."
Sid glanced over his shoulder, frowning. "What's so funny?"
"You think cultivation is a buffet?" Dante wiped a fake tear from his eye. "Just pick the biggest piece of meat and devour it?"
"I mean… if there's that much energy—"
"You'd explode," Avi said, her voice cutting through the stars. Calm, clean, absolute.
Sid blinked.
Avi continued, still flying forward without turning her head.
"Life cores contain the essence of the being they came from — not just energy, but a remnant of will, structure, and soul resonance. If the disparity between your cultivation and the core's origin is too wide, the energy will devour you, not the other way around."
Dante smirked, "Basically: punch above your weight, and your insides will be fireworks."
"You may only consume cores from creatures whose cultivation is less than, equal to, or slightly higher than your own," Avi added. "Any more, and the backlash will rupture you from within."
Sid exhaled slowly. The idea of exploding from the inside out was… a good motivator to stay cautious.
"So how do I even advance then?" he asked. "If I gather enough energy… then what?"
Avi finally began to explain the next step — the one few ever saw.
"When your body and energy reach the threshold — the exact point where they can withstand the burden of the next Gate — the universe responds."
Her tone softened slightly.
"A spacial vortex will appear. Invisible to most, but unmistakable to the one it summons. That is the signal. You are ready to face the Gate."
Dante sat up straighter, stretching his arms behind his head. "That's when things get spicy."
"Once you step into the vortex," Avi continued, "you enter a trial dimension — one where time flows differently. An day in reality… equals an hour within."
Sid's eyes widened. "That long?"
"For cultivation to evolve, one must be tested. Inside that realm, you will be brought before your current Gate — immense, ancient, and sealed."
She paused.
"Guarding it… will be you."
Sid blinked. "Me?"
Dante grinned. "A perfect replica. Same body, same experience, same capabilities, same battle instinct."
"Not just that" Avi said, "your replica will also carry the imprint of every technique, instinct, and capabilities of the opponents you've encountered."
Sid felt a weight drop into his chest. "So… they'll fight like me… and those I've fought with..."
"Exactly," Avi said softly. "And it only has one purpose... to eliminate you."
The silence between them grew heavier. The void pulsed once.
Dante's grin faded just a bit. Then, with a flick of his eyes to Avi, he added—
"That's how it is for most humans. But… not for us."
Sid turned sharply. "What do you mean?"
Avi didn't respond right away. But eventually, she spoke — more quietly now.
"For those in darkness lineage… the challenge is higher."
Sid stilled.
"Our replicas manifest at a minimum of one and a half times powerful as ourself," Avi said. "In some cases… even double."
"What?" Sid whispered. "That's— That's impossible. That's—"
"Hence why your numbers are few," she said.
Dante said nothing. His expression wasn't joking anymore.
"You don't just fight yourself," Avi concluded. "You fight your future."
Sid lowered his head, gripping the beast core tighter. The implications were staggering. Every advancement wasn't just about power — it was survival. Every step forward could be the end.
"That's why your uncle won't let you take shortcuts," Avi said, almost kindly. "You must earn each step. Or die trying."
Dante finally spoke, voice low. "The universe maintains balance. If you desire power, you must earn it."