As Elios finally began to come down from his euphoric moment, the spontaneous voice of the world shook him completely. Its ethereal, spiritual presence made him feel as if he were being watched from everywhere at once, yet somehow, it also carried a warmth—a gaze filled with care and love, like that of a mother.
[Gaia, would you mind refraining from offering for at least one night?]
[I see. So you have awakened as well, Sentinel.]
[So be it. I shall refrain from my offer, but it will still remain.]
[Thank you, Gaia.]
"What the hell? Now there's two! As if one near-mechanical voice wasn't enough..."
[Child, do you desire an explanation or not?]
"Yes! What the hell is going on? You—I know what you are. But who is this Gaia?"
[Gaia is the name of the world's core. Yes, the world itself is alive. In fact, my very being—the guide of the Dragon Path—is based on her essence.]
"What? But you're ancient! Oh, wow… Wait—let me see if I understand this correctly. Gaia is the name of the world, and your very existence—Sentinel, the supposed guide of the Path—is based on her?"
[That would be correct, child.]
Standing there in shock, Elios finally understood.
All those moments—the unnatural rainfalls, the sudden earthquakes swallowing hordes of abominations—it wasn't the world collapsing in on itself.
It was Gaia fighting back, resisting the abominations that sought to consume her. They weren't just invading the world—they were trying to take over her.
And just like that, the ethereal voice resounded once more—everywhere, yet nowhere at the same time.
[That is correct, my child. All those unnatural events were my actions—my resistance against the corruption.]
"If that's the case... could you maybe cause some rain? I'd like to at least wash my face."
A harmonic laugh echoed through the world, yet only Elios heard it. Its ethereal beauty carried a weight—emotion woven into its melody.
[Of course, child.]
Looking up, he watched as the red-hued sky slowly became veiled in gray clouds. Moments later, a downpour began.
Lifting his hands to his face, Elios let the rain cleanse him, washing away the dirt and grime that had accumulated over so many days of suffering, hardship, and labor.
His skin, though not fully restored, regained some color—its peerless white, pristine as snow, finally emerging from beneath the filth. Although his complexion was paler than before, he was starting to look like himself again.
"Thank you, Gaia. I needed that."
[No problem, child.]
As the clouds dispersed, revealing the moon rising upon the horizon, Elios turned to Sentinel.
"Sentinel, I think it's time we finally have our conversation, don't you think?"
[Certainly, child. Close your eyes.]
The moment Elios closed his eyes, he felt his **soul—his very being—**shifting.
He was being moved.
Somewhere different.
Somewhere familiar.
And as he opened them once more, he found himself standing within his realm again—the expansive clouds, the endless staircase stretching toward infinity.
"Alright, do you mind explaining all of this? What did Gaia mean by 'trial'? And how is this supposed to work? You're supposed to guide me on the Path—ascension, dragonhood, divinity. So tell me... how does it all begin?"
Sentinel's voice, calm and unwavering, answered.
[Let me begin by explaining the structure of the Path itself.]
---
The Dragon Path
Unborn (Unborn)
Ignited (Ignited)
Dragon (Dragonic)
Titan (Titanic)
Spirit (Spiritual)
Deity (Divine)
---
[It is called the Dragon Path because most who attempt it only reach the third stage—Dragon. Many never attempt the search for true divinity. After all, Dragons are the second closest beings to actual gods. By the time one ascends to become a Dragon, they may as well be called demigods.]
[As for your earlier question, what Gaia offered you was a trial.]
[Trials are only given once a person has solidified their conviction and will—proclaimed it, not just to people, not just to themselves, but to the world.]
[In the past, trials were different. But as the state of the world may show, things must change—and so, the trials must change as well.]
[That is why, instead of a normal quest, you will be transported to the ancient world—the very same ancient world you read about in the sacred texts.]
Elios sat down, listening intently to Sentinel's explanation.
And in that moment, unknowingly, he had already taken his first step—becoming an Unborn.
[Any other questions?]
He inhaled deeply, then exhaled, his gaze falling upon the golden staircase before him.
"No. I know what I must do."
"To guide others in a world shrouded by darkness, one must first brave the dangers himself."
As those words—built upon unshaken conviction—left his lips, Elios stood, stepping forward.
Yet, as he tried to ascend the staircase, an invisible wall stopped him.
He had not yet broken the barrier that kept him bound to mortality. And if he didn't overcome it soon, he feared for the sake of humanity itself.
Sentinel's voice resounded once more.
[You are not the only one who has spoken to Gaia this way. Across the world, others have already solidified their convictions and proclaimed them—but they are few.]
[Strengthening one's will—solidifying one's conviction—is not something easily done.]
For the first time, Sentinel's mechanical tone softened—an ancient weariness settling into his voice.
A voice not of an AI, but of something far older.
Something that held knowledge spanning centuries of existence.
[You have solidified both your will and your conviction. Now, it is up to you—whether it is strong enough to walk the Path of Ascension.]
His tone—once purely mechanical—was gone.
What remained was a man, carrying his own conviction, his own will.
And as his words reverberated through the realm, a final question was posed.
[I ask you this—are you brave enough to take The Last Ascent?]