When consciousness returned, the first thing Kai sensed was the fresh fragrance of grass and wood lingering around his nose. It was nothing like the ever-present smell of rust in the slums of Eros—this scent was so clean it felt like a clear sky washed by rain. He struggled to open his eyes, and what greeted him was a vast, pristine blue—no lead-gray smoke, no towering steam chimneys, only great white clouds drifting lazily across the sky.
"You're awake?" Linore's voice sounded beside him, lacking its usual cold edge and carrying a rare softness.
Kai propped himself up and realized he was lying on a bed of soft moss. Nearby, Ironhammer was also just waking. Not far away, a clear stream wound through the forest, water babbling as it flowed over smooth, rounded pebbles that glimmered faintly. Sunlight filtered through layers of leaves, casting dappled patterns of light and shadow, warm and gentle against the skin.
"This is… the Aurora Continent?" Kai asked uncertainly, turning to Linore with awe in his eyes.
Linore nodded, a hint of nostalgia flashing through her ice-blue gaze. "Yes. This is the border forest of Aurora, not far from my homeland." She stood and adjusted her cloak. "After we passed through the rift, the Guardian Dragon's power sent us here."
Ironhammer had fully awakened as well. He rubbed his aching head, taking in the familiar scenery, his eyes reddening slightly. "A hundred years… I've finally come back." His voice caught as he reached out to touch the trunk of a towering tree beside him, its bark etched with ancient patterns that glimmered with faint magical light.
Kai looked around. The trees of the forest soared into the sky, their trunks so thick that several people would be needed to embrace them. The leaves were a deep emerald green, each one as translucent as jade. From time to time, brightly colored birds darted between branches, chirping crisply, while tiny fairies with transparent wings fluttered among the flowers, scattering specks of light.
It all felt exactly like the fairy tales he had heard as a child.
"Are we safe now?" Kai asked, subconsciously touching the pocket watch at his chest. The blue glow of the Starcore shard was gentle, yet brighter than it had ever been on Eros.
"For now," Linore replied. "The Thorn family can't cross the barrier here easily. But Victor won't give up—he'll do everything he can to find the remaining Starcore shards."
Ironhammer nodded gravely. "We must locate the other shards as soon as possible and gather them before Victor does. If he finds even one more, the consequences will be unimaginable."
At that moment, a melodious song drifted out from deep within the forest. The tune was ethereal and clear, carrying a strange magic that soothed the heart.
"That's… an elven sacred hymn?" Linore's eyes lit up. "My people—they're calling us!"
Without hesitation, she ran toward the source of the song. Kai and Ironhammer exchanged a glance and hurried after her.
They passed through a dense patch of flowers, and the view suddenly opened up.
At the heart of the forest stood an enormous Sacred Tree. Its trunk pierced the clouds, its canopy spreading wide enough to blot out the sky. Crystal-clear fruits hung from its branches, glowing softly. Around the tree stood a circle of elves clad in white robes, silver hair cascading down their backs, pointed ears marking their lineage. Eyes closed, they sang the sacred hymn in unison.
When they saw Linore, the elves stopped singing, joy lighting up their faces.
"Linore! You've returned!" An elderly elf with graying hair stepped forward, relief and delight evident in his eyes. "You've finally brought back the bearer of the Starcore shard!"
Linore bowed respectfully, her voice tinged with emotion. "Great Elder, I have returned. This is Kai Leonard, chosen by the Starcore shard. And this is Ironhammer, a master smith from the dwarf clans."
The elder's gaze settled on Kai, lingering on the pocket watch at his chest. A glimmer of light flashed in his eyes as he stepped closer, studying Kai carefully before nodding. "Indeed. He carries the aura of the Starcore—and more importantly, a rare calmness of heart."
Turning toward the Sacred Tree, the elder's expression grew solemn. "Children, the bearer of the Starcore shard has arrived. It is time to awaken the Sacred Tree's legacy. Only when Kai truly masters the Starcore's power can we oppose the Thorn family's ambitions and protect the peace of both worlds."
The elves nodded one after another, determination written across their faces.
Kai looked at the towering Sacred Tree, then at the elves around him, a powerful sense of responsibility swelling in his chest. He knew his journey was far from over. On this land steeped in magic, he would face new trials—and uncover deeper truths about the Starcore shards and the conflict between worlds.
The elder stepped beside Kai and gently placed a hand on his shoulder. "Come, child. The Sacred Tree will tell you everything—and grant you the strength to stand against the darkness."
Kai took a deep breath, tightened his grip on the meteor-iron wrench, and followed the elder step by step toward the Sacred Tree. Sunlight streamed through its branches, bathing him in gold, as if cloaking him in radiant armor.
Far off on the horizon, a dark silhouette glided silently past. Unnoticed by anyone, a pair of crimson eyes stared unblinkingly toward the Sacred Tree.