The snow no longer felt cold.
As Lina descended from Skyreach Peak, her chest still glowing faintly, the world around her seemed different—like the air was softer, the light warmer. Her body felt stronger, as if something inside had changed.
The Firefeather Bird flew lazily above her.
"You survived the mountain. I'm impressed. Most people either freeze or fall to their deaths."
Lina smiled faintly.
"I'm not most people."
"No, you're one of the Chosen. And now that you've awakened your star fragment, things will only get harder."
"I'm ready."
The bird cocked its head.
"We'll see."
A New Clue
As they walked further through the valley, Lina saw something strange in the distance—an old stone pillar standing alone in the snow.
It was cracked, worn by time, but carved with glowing runes.
The runes shimmered with the same light as her star fragment.
"What is that?" she asked.
The Firefeather Bird narrowed its eyes.
"A Waypoint Marker. These were left behind by the Star Sovereign himself."
Lina stepped closer.
The runes pulsed as she approached.
"Northwest… Seek the Whispering Library… Knowledge Awaits."
The runes spoke inside her head.
"A talking stone?"
"More like a magical map," the bird said. "The Whispering Library… That's not a place many people know about."
"But I'm supposed to go there?"
"If the Sovereign left the message for you, then yes."
The Journey to the Library
The valley turned into a grassland, the snow slowly fading.
Lina walked for two more days, crossing rivers and forests.
On the third evening, she found a strange creature—an old man with a face made of bark and eyes that glowed like lanterns.
He sat beside a calm lake, fishing with a wooden stick.
"Ah… a Star Child," he said, without looking at her. "You carry the burden of starlight."
Lina froze. "Who are you?"
"A guardian. I wait by the waters for those destined to pass."
"Do you know where the Whispering Library is?"
The man chuckled.
"Follow the moonlight. Only those with clear hearts may find the entrance."
As he spoke, the moon reflected on the lake—and a narrow silver path appeared across the water.
Lina stepped onto it.
The bird flapped nervously.
"That's… not normal."
"Neither is anything in my life anymore," Lina said.
They walked across the glowing path.
And on the other side, hidden behind a curtain of vines and fog—they found it.
The Library of Whispers
It was massive.
A tower made of glass and starlight, rising high above the trees.
Its walls shimmered with every color, like a dream made solid.
At the entrance stood two statues—one of a dragon, the other of a woman with stars for eyes.
As Lina stepped inside, a soft voice whispered:
"Welcome, Inheritor. Knowledge awaits."
Shelves stretched endlessly, filled with books bound in silver, gold, and ancient bark.
Some books floated in the air, some glowed faintly, and some even whispered to themselves.
"This place is alive…" Lina whispered.
"It's a place of memory," the Firefeather Bird said. "Every word ever spoken by the Sovereign is stored here."
"So, I can learn more?"
"If the library allows it."
The Test of Mind
Suddenly, the ground trembled.
From the shadows, a robed figure appeared—its face hidden under a hood, eyes glowing with starlight.
"Only seekers of truth may read the sacred texts."
"I want to learn," Lina said.
"Then answer."
The figure raised its hand, and words appeared in the air.
"What is stronger than power, deeper than magic, and older than stars?"
Lina blinked.
She thought.
Was it time? Was it the soul?
Then she closed her eyes.
Her grandmother's voice echoed in her memory:
"The stars shine not because they are powerful… but because they hope."
Lina opened her eyes.
"Hope."
The figure was silent for a moment.
Then it bowed.
"You may enter."
The Book of Secrets
One book floated toward Lina.
Its cover was dark, but a glowing star pulsed in its center.
She opened it.
Words flowed into her mind—not just knowledge, but memories.
She saw Zayn—the Star Sovereign—standing alone on a battlefield, galaxies burning behind him.
He raised his hand—and the stars obeyed.
But his face was tired. Sad.
"Even power has limits," his voice echoed. "Even gods cannot hold the sky forever."
Then she saw him splitting his power—nine fragments of starlight, each sent to a different world.
"When the darkness returns, the fragments must unite."
"The one who gathers them… shall become more than a god."
Lina closed the book, her eyes wide.
"So that's why I have this fragment…"
The Firefeather Bird flapped beside her.
"You're starting to understand. But you're still only at the beginning."
A New Message
As they turned to leave, a final voice whispered from the shelves.
"Seek the second fragment… buried in the ruins of Solgrave."
"But beware the Shadowbound. They seek the fragments too."
"Not all who carry stars are friends."
Lina felt a chill.
Others like her… but not all of them were good?
"What are the Shadowbound?" she asked.
The Firefeather Bird's feathers ruffled.
"Followers of the Void. They want to gather the fragments—but not to unite them."
"Then what?"
"To destroy them… and bring the Outer Darkness back."
Lina clenched her fists.
"Then I'll stop them."
The bird smiled.
"Good. Because from here on, things will only get more dangerous."
The Road to Solgrave
Lina stepped out of the Whispering Library, her bag now heavier with knowledge.
The night sky sparkled above.
Nine stars pulsed faintly overhead—as if waiting.
She looked toward the south.
That was where Solgrave, the ruined city, waited.
A place buried in war, magic, and memories.
A place where the second fragment of the Star Sovereign was hidden.
"I'm coming," she whispered.
The stars blinked in reply.
And the journey continued.