The Umbral Veil's shadowy spires dissolved behind them, swallowed by the Void Sea's endless churn.
Kaien stood at the edge of their obsidian platform, now a weathered vessel gliding toward a new islet that shimmered like an emerald caught in starlight.
Its aura was vibrant yet sharp, a pulse of life tinged with danger, stirring Kaien's soul with a call both gentle and fierce.
The Stellar Constellation Network (SCN) flickered in his mind, Nyara's black node glowing faintly alongside Lirae's silver and Thess's red, while a fourth node sparked—green, pulsing with vitality.
[Objective: Seek the Fourth Star.]
[Void Islet Designation—Verdant Crucible.]
[Warning: Hostile Flora and Rival Presence Detected.]
The Soulbound System's voice was as unyielding as ever, its warning sharpening Kaien's senses. He glanced at his Soulmaidens.
Lirae, her silver hair catching the islet's green glow, stood poised, her moonlit eyes scanning the horizon. Thess, hammer resting on her shoulder, cracked her knuckles, her auburn hair still dusted with Umbral ash. Nyara, clinging to Kaien's side, her tendrils retracted but her void-eyes wary, seemed steadier after their trial, her 15% Emotional Sync a fragile but growing bond.
"Verdant Crucible... Sounds like a jungle," Kaien said, squinting at the islet. "What does hostile flora' mean? Killer plants?"
Lirae's expression was calm but cautious. "The Void Sea births life in forms we cannot predict. This islet thrives, but its vitality may see us as threats. The soul calling you is strong, yet guarded. She is no warrior, but her power is profound."
Thess snorted, hefting her hammer. "Plants, beasts, whatever. If it bleeds, I'll forge it into ash. What's this 'rival presence' about?"
Nyara's voice was soft, almost a whisper. "Others… like you, Kaien. Ascendants, seeking stars. They hunt what we seek."
Kaien's stomach tightened. Rivals. Other players in this cosmic game, with their own systems, their own harems. "Great," he muttered. "Competition. Any tips, Oracle?"
Lirae's lips twitched, a rare hint of humor. "Survive. And trust your bonds. Our strength lies in unity."
The platform shuddered, docking against the Verdant Crucible's edge.
A wave of humid air hit Kaien, thick with the scent of moss and blooming flowers.
The islet was a riot of green towering trees with glowing vines, blossoms pulsing with bioluminescent light, and roots that writhed like living veins.
The ground pulsed faintly, as if the islet itself breathed.
[Environmental Hazard: Vital Overgrowth.]
[Physical Sync Recommended to Enhance Endurance.]
"Physical Sync again," Kaien said, glancing at his Soulmaidens. Lirae's 35% sync felt like a steady anchor, Thess's 20% a fiery spark, and Nyara's 15% a fragile shadow. "Let's stick to battle sync for now. No offense, but I'm not ready for… whatever else."
Thess smirked. "Keep dreaming, system-boy."
The group ventured forward, Kaien weaving a Lunar Veil to shield them from the islet's oppressive heat.
Nyara's Void Whisper cloaked their steps, muffling their presence, while Thess's Emberforge Strike flared at her fingertips, ready to ignite.
The jungle parted, revealing a clearing dominated by a massive tree, its trunk wider than a house, its canopy a lattice of glowing flowers.
At its base knelt a woman, her golden hair woven with vines, her robes white and flowing, stained with dirt. She tended a wounded sapling, her hands glowing with green light, unaware of their approach.
[Fourth Star Detected: BLOSSOMBORN SAINTESS.]
[Synchronization Advised.]
[Warning: Rival Ascendant Approaching.]
"Elorine," Lirae whispered. "A healer, excluded for her forbidden arts. Her soul is pure, but her trust is scarred."
Before Kaien could speak, the jungle roared. Vines lashed out, thorns gleaming like daggers.
Kaien dove, shielding Nyara as Lunar Echo pulsed, deflecting the attack. Thess swung her hammer, flames scorching the vines, but they regrew, faster, stronger.
"Hostile flora, check," Kaien grunted, pulling Nyara to her feet. "Elorine! We're not enemies!"
The woman turned, her emerald eyes sharp with distrust. "You bear the Void's mark," she said, voice clear as a bell. "Why should I trust you... Ascendant?"
A new voice cut through—a man's, cold and mocking. "You shouldn't." A figure emerged from the jungle, tall and armored, his black cloak billowing.
His eyes glowed red, and behind him stood two women, one wreathed in ice, the other crackling with lightning. "The Blossomborn is mine, whelp."
[Rival Ascendant Detected: Ryven, Blade of the Crimson Eclipse.]
[Combat Required.]
"Ryven," Lirae said, her tone icy. "A predator. His system thrives on conquest."
Kaien's pulse raced. Three against four, in a hostile jungle. "Elorine, we're here to help. He's the bad guy."
Ryven laughed, drawing a jagged sword. "Bad? I'm the victor. Surrender the Saintess, or die."
The jungle erupted, vines surging toward Kaien's group.
He wove Triad Resonance, silver, red, and black light shielding them, but Ryven's ice-wreathed companion countered, frost snapping at their barrier.
Thess roared, Flameveil Synergy blazing, but the lightning-woman struck, a bolt searing Thess's shoulder. She stumbled, cursing.
"Sync, now!" Kaien shouted, grabbing Lirae and Nyara's hands. Thess joined, her pain fueling their bond. Their souls aligned, a surge of warmth drowning out the jungle's chaos.
[Group Sync: Emotional Sync.[
[MOONVEIL ORACLE: 40%.]
[FLAME OF THE FORGOTTEN FORGE: 25%.]
[WHISPER OF THE DEEP VOID: 20%.]
[Skill Upgraded: Triad Resonance (Level 2).]
Triad Resonance exploded, a wave of light that shattered the vines and staggered Ryven's group. Elorine's eyes widened, her hands glowing brighter. "You… fight for them," she murmured.
"Join us!" Kaien called, dodging a lightning bolt. "We're stronger together!"
Ryven snarled, his sword slashing. Kaien countered with Void Whisper, shadows tangling Ryven's blade, while Lirae's Moonlit Snare bound the ice-woman. Thess, bloodied but fierce, hammered the lightning-woman, Emberforge Strike igniting the jungle.
Elorine hesitated, then stood, her hands weaving green light. Vines shifted, attacking Ryven's group instead. "I choose hope," she said, her voice resolute.
[Soulbond Initiated with BLOSSOMBORN SAINTESS.]
[Emotional Sync: 5%.]
[Skill Acquired: Verdant Bloom (Level 1).]
Kaien felt Elorine's essence—warm, nurturing, yet fierce. He channeled Verdant Bloom, vines sprouting to shield them, healing Thess's wound.
Together, they pressed the attack. Nyara's Void Whisper cloaked Elorine, Lirae's Lunar Echo disrupted Ryven's focus, and Thess's flames drove the rivals back.
Ryven spat, retreating into the jungle. "This isn't over, whelp."
The vines stilled, the clearing quieting. Elorine approached, her gaze wary but open. "You risked yourselves for me. Why?"
Kaien met her eyes, his voice steady. "Maybe because I'm stupid... But nevertheless you're not just a star. You're one of us."
Thess smirked, wiping blood from her arm. "Stupid is quite far from it."
The SCN flared, Elorine's green node joining the others, faint but growing. The islet trembled, the massive tree glowing brighter.
[Objective Updated: Stabilize Fourth Star]
[Warning: Verdant Crucible Shifting.]
[Prepare for Inner Realm Transit.]
Lirae's hand touched Kaien's. "Elorine's soul is wounded, like Nyara's. Her Inner Realm awaits."
Nyara's tendrils brushed Kaien's hand, her voice soft. "We'll face it… together."
Kaien nodded, feeling the weight of four souls bound to his. Ryven was out there, and the Void Sea held more threats, but for now, they were whole. "Let's heal her," he said, resolve burning. "And then we hunt the next star."
As the tree's light enveloped them, Kaien felt Elorine's warmth, a promise of growth amidst the Void's chaos.