It had been eight days since Michael last spoke with Arata Kurogane. Her voice and presence haunted him like a delicate echo he could not ignore. He found himself complaining to Lin as they walked the corridors of the Starfall Covenant. "Big brother, I don't understand," Michael muttered, frustration mixing with longing. "Every time I saw her… there's this strange feeling… she's… she's breathtaking… I don't even know why I feel like this."
Lin turned calmly, his sharp, knowing gaze making Michael tense. Then a slow smirk spread across Lin's face. "Oh? You've fallen in love, haven't you?" Lin teased, his tone light but deliberate.
Michael's face flushed crimson. "No! Stop it! I… I mean… I'm here to get stronger, not… not for a girlfriend! Focus, Lin!"
Lin chuckled, undeterred. "Don't worry, Michael. I can see it in your actions. You'll tell me your experience later, won't you?"
They continued walking, joking and teasing each other, until Michael's communicator beeped. A message from Arata Kurogane appeared: "Wait for me at the Registration Hall."
Michael grinned. "Lin, I'll meet you later!" he said, heart hammering, before dashing off toward the hall.
The Celestial Registration Hall, a colossal circular chamber bathed in pale starlight from the crystalline walls, was where all group formations were finalized. The air shimmered with energy, reflecting the anticipation and power of the warriors present. New faces greeted Michael as Arata approached. "We need to register our team officially," she said, her tone calm, but commanding enough to leave no room for argument.
Together, they interfaced with Maize, projecting holographic displays to finalize the formation of the Obsidian Star Legion. Each member's essence and aura were scanned, and Maize confirmed their positions, generating secure Starfall Vault accounts for every member. Eclipse Credits and Starfall Astryx points would now be automatically deposited, accessible across the Milky Way and four neighboring galaxies under Covenant jurisdiction.
The team now numbered ten:
Leader: Arata Kurogane, Earth
Michael Adarkwah, Earth
Syla Veyrin, Orphion
Talia Norex, Talvoria
Kyra Luminis, Luminar
Zerina Crythar, Crythera
Veyra Solis, Solyra
Drex Karthos, Karthos
Fenric Vexilon, Vexilon
Rai Drayxis, Drayxis
Each warrior's energy rippled with individual power, yet together, they radiated cohesion, a collective aura primed for the Eridian Crucible. Arata spoke with quiet authority: "Rest and prepare. We will meet Xeryth Vaal'Kor one last time before the Crucible begins. Ready your weapons, sharpen your minds, and strengthen your spirits. The challenges ahead will test all of you."
When Michael returned to check on Lin, he found him fully prepared as well. The Celestial Rift Vanguard had also been formally registered. Both friends shared a knowing nod, silently wishing each other strength.
Over the next five days, all 960 warriors underwent intense preparations. Weapons were sharpened, techniques refined, and mental fortitude reinforced. Eres was not a forgiving planet, and the beasts that roamed its forests many of which wielded the Original Laws of the Universe were far from weak. Every warrior knew that the Crucible would be a battle of both skill and will.
Finally, the day arrived. The warriors assembled in the Nexus Hall, where Galaxy Lord Xeryth Vaal'Kor stood once more, his presence commanding absolute silence. "Today," he announced, "you are being deployed to the Treasure Port of Eres. There, you will compete with beasts for valuable items. These items can be exchanged for PT, Eclipse Credits, and Starfall Astryx. Your survival will determine your ranking. There is no leader who can protect you here your skills, your instincts, and your courage alone will see you through."
He introduced all group leaders, including Michael, Lin, and Arata, confirming the official names of their squads. "Remember," Xeryth emphasized, "the minimum reward system exists to ensure fairness. Every group member receives at least three Eclipse Credits or 200 Starfall Astryx per item. This applies regardless of who acquires the item. Your points are automatically deposited into the Starfall Vault. Misunderstandings here could cost your entire group precious resources."
At this point, Maize handed Michael and his team a ChronoShard Transceiver. Arata explained: "This device is essential. It allows us to track rare items across time and space, detecting both their energy signature and their relative temporal shifts. Without it, we may wander endlessly or miss items entirely. It will also alert us to approaching beasts whose laws exceed our comprehension."
With final instructions given, warriors were dismissed to prepare their storage rings and equipment. They were to spend three years at the outskirts of Starfall Covenant Headquarters, deep within the Verdant Eclipse Forest, a sprawling woodland of colossal flora and ancient growths. Few had ever ventured here, and the legends whispered of beasts that had mastered Laws of the Universe more refined than most warriors' current training.
Warriors began meeting their teammates. Strategic plans were shared, formations practiced, and contingency measures considered. Coordination would mean the difference between life and death.
On deployment day, the Astrax Dominion Ark, a colossal transport vessel, descended toward the Verdant Eclipse Forest. Its hull gleamed with reinforced alloys, and energy shields shimmered under the planet's dense atmosphere. As it passed over Eres, the warriors gazed down at the dense forest below, already alive with chaos.
Flying monsters clashed violently over territory. A pair of enormous Sky Talons beasts with crimson wings spanning over thirty meters swooped in arcs to fight a massive Ironback Basilisk, whose scales shimmered with the reflective properties of the Void Crystallite. Sparks of law-infused energy erupted from each clash, tearing the clouds apart and sending shockwaves through the forest canopy. On the ground, packs of Bloodfang Predators engaged Shadowclaw Behemoths, each using predator and stealth laws to gain the upper hand. The air vibrated with the roar of beasts, some resonating with the Law of Blood, others manipulating gravitational forces to gain leverage. Michael's eyes widened. The Crucible had begun before they even touched ground.
The Ark hovered, energy shields pulsating as a pair of Luminara Raptors attempted to breach the outer hull. They were repelled with precise energy bursts from the ship's defense matrix. Slowly, the landing gears descended into a clearing designated as Eclipse Haven, a vast plateau within the Verdant Eclipse Forest, chosen as the drop zone for all warriors. One by one, the Obsidian Star Legion and other teams disembarked, stepping onto the forest floor with cautious determination.
Every warrior knew that survival here meant mastering fear, speed, and instinct. The beasts were not mere obstacles—they were sovereigns of their domain, and their mastery of the original laws of the universe made them unpredictable and lethal. Only those who adapted quickly, struck decisively, and protected their group could hope to extract the treasures needed to rise in the Starfall Galactic Ascension.
Michael tightened his grip on the Eclipse Rod, Arata's gaze met his with silent encouragement, and the first whispers of the Verdant Eclipse Forest's dangers reached them. The Eridian Crucible had truly begun.