The stars no longer shimmered the same.
They were deeper now, darker — flickering like distant warnings. Avi soared through the black sea in silence, her vast wings unfurling as they rode through a cluster of dead worlds and cold fragments. Energy pulsed faintly through the void, unseen to the eyes, but Sid could feel it now.
Not on his skin — but beneath it.
He stared at his hands again. The strange warmth hadn't faded since that moment earlier… when Avi had said she removed the protection, and yet… nothing had changed. No pain. No pressure.
Dante still lounged lazily behind her, arms folded behind his head, watching stars pass by like bored scenery. But he hadn't made another joke since then.
Something was brewing beneath that usual smirk.
Sid, meanwhile, couldn't help but ask:
"Uncle… how do I get stronger?"
Dante cracked one eye open.
"Hehe. Tired of being weak?"
"Just curious," Sid muttered. "You said earlier that out here, it's the law of the jungle."
A moment passed.
Then Dante sat up fully, stretching his arms with a yawn.
"Avi," he called lazily. "Teach the kid the basics before he stabs himself trying to cultivate."
Avi dipped her head slightly, then tilted her wings downward. The wind shifted around them as she slowed.
"Very well," she said calmly. "Sid, listen closely."
The void around them shifted — the stars dimmed just enough for her voice to become the center of everything.
"Every human is born with what we call the Gates of Origin. Ten in total — each gate locks away a portion of your destined power. Fated Power, we call it."
Sid leaned forward slightly.
"Each time you unlock a gate," she continued, "you awaken more of what lies dormant within your blood, body and soul. Ten gates… ten steps toward your true self. Or your end."
Her eyes flicked to him.
"The first gate marks your awakening. That is where your journey begins. The moment your soul stirs and your body starts to absorb cultivation energy."
Dante added from behind, "And that's when life gets interesting."
Avi began to speak more fluidly now — with the tone of someone who had explained this many times, but still found beauty in the structure.
"The first four gates are known as the Mortal Realms. They follow a simple pattern. Each is divided into three stages: Early, Mid, and Peak."
She raised her head slightly, navigating around a floating ridge of shattered stone.
"Gate One: Awakened.
Gate Two: Initiate.
Gate Three: Tempered.
Gate Four: Ascender."
Sid blinked. "So even awakening… isn't special."
"You're wrong" Avi replied. "It is the defining line. The defining line of fate."
She paused.
"It is the very first step towards reaching the Fifth Gate… where everything changes."
Sid tilted his head. "Why?"
"It is the very first step towards immortality."
"Many died trying to reach that first step." she added.
There was no fanfare to the word — just cold truth.
"Gate Five, the Immortal Realm," Avi continued. "From that point forward, your body transcends mortal limits. You no longer age the same. You no longer heal the same. You are considered undying — unless slain."
Sid's breath slowed. Something about the way she said it stirred his nerves.
"Gate Six is the Lord Realm.
Gate Seven is the Sage Realm.
Each of these Immortal Realms are divided into five stages — First to Fifth. The climb is no longer simple. Each step requires intent, energy, and mastery."
Sid frowned. "And the rest?"
Dante sat up now, his eyes glinting faintly in the void.
"The last three gates… are what made rulers and legends."
"Gate Eight: Monarch.
Gate Nine: Emperor."
"And finally, the one standing above all, Gate Ten, the Sovereign realm."
Dante leaned forward, resting his arms on his knees. "Ten stages each. And every single one is world apart."
Sid's mouth felt dry.
"So that's… the goal?"
Dante chuckled. "The goal is to stay alive long enough to matter."
"So... What is your current realm?" Sid ask with burning anticipation.
"Kid, don't ask things that will discourage you. HAHAHA!"
Knowing full well his Uncle, he didn't pursue the matter.
They drifted through a quiet nebula now — swirling faintly with violet light. It made the moment feel like a dream.
Sid finally asked, "How do you unlock the gates?"
Avi nodded approvingly. "A fair question."
"There are two essential requirements to open a gate. First — your body must be strong enough. Your constitution must withstand the power you're attempting to unlock."
"Which is why sword freaks like you struggle," Dante added with a grin.
Sid shot him a glare.
Avi went on. "Second — you must gather cultivation energy. That can be done in one of two ways."
She opened her wings slightly, catching a new current.
"The first is through environment. Worlds are rich in energy — especially ones that match your affinity — allow you to passively absorb power over time."
Sid nodded. "And the second?"
Dante leaned in with a grin. "The fun one."
Avi answered evenly. "By consuming the life cores of fallen beasts or demons."
Sid blinked. "Cores?"
Avi raised one claw, and a small orb of swirling blue appeared — a beast core. It pulsed gently like a contained heartbeat.
"Beasts are creatures of raw vitality. Their cores are dense with primal energy. When killed, their essence condenses into a life core. These can be absorbed… though it takes time."
She shifted the orb, and now a darker core appeared — jagged, flickering red-black with unstable energy.
"Demon cores are violent in nature. Their energy must be purified before consumption — or the backlash can damage your soul."
Sid felt his blood chill. "Purified?"
"You will learn," Avi said simply.
She added, "And remember this: the universe has a law. You may only consume the cores of opposing species. Humans cannot consume human cores — only beast or demon."
The silence returned again, broken only by the hum of the void.
Sid looked down, thoughtful. Then asked, "So how do I start?"
Dante reached into his robe and tossed something at him without warning.
Sid fumbled, catching it clumsily. A faintly glowing orb — swirling green and gold.
"Beast core," Dante said. "Weak, but good enough for a rookie."
Sid held it tightly, unsure.
"You won't awaken from this," Avi said. "But you may begin to build your foundation. When the time is right… your body will open the first gate."
Dante smirked. "Until then, don't explode."
Sid didn't smile — not this time. He just stared into the core, and for the first time, truly wondered what he was becoming.
Far behind them, the stars they left had long faded.
Ahead, only darkness and danger awaited.
But now he knew the path.
Now he knew the price.