Step Four: Enter and Master Your Sanctuary Space

Because your refuge is more than a hiding place — it's your power base

Knowing that no one would seek him out due to his status as an outcast, Asher settled down on his bed to meditate and explore the depths of his newly awakened powers. 

Driven by an insatiable curiosity, he closed his eyes once more, channeling his focus towards the enigmatic ability of space that had emerged alongside his mastery of lightning and darkness.

He reminisced about the few space users he had encountered throughout his life, three in total, who shared tales of a world intricately folded within their very beings. 

They described a unique sanctuary where goods and weapons could be safely stored, hidden from the chaos of the apocalypse that loomed outside. 

Yet, none of them had mentioned the presence of living creatures within their spaces. 

This limitation sparked a persistent curiosity in Asher.

If these individuals were masters of their domains, why were they unable to contain living beings within their constructed worlds?

Setting aside his doubts, he inhaled deeply, allowing his energy to flow through him as he began to draw in the foreign, swirling currents of space power. 

A dizzying sensation enveloped him, warping the room around him as colors twisted and folded like ripples on a pond's surface.

When he finally dared to open his eyes, he was met with an astonishing landscape unlike anything he had ever experienced. 

A sprawling forest unfurled before him, the towering trees swaying gently in a warm breeze, their leaves gleaming with a golden hue from the setting sun. 

The air was rich with the scent of fresh pine and damp earth, alive with the soft whispers of wind brushing through the branches. 

In the distance, a shimmering lake stretched out like a mirror, capturing and reflecting the vibrant colors of the fiery sky overhead.

Near the shore, a magnificent modern mansion emerged from the trees, its glass windows glowing with an inviting light, as though the structure itself was breathing.

Asher's heart raced in disbelief. 

This was far more than a mere storage space; it was a vibrant, living world, brimming with possibility.

"Is this truly the Space?" He whispered to himself, stepping forward and letting his fingers caress the grass, which felt velvety and cool beneath his touch. 

Suddenly, a rustling in the nearby bushes drew his attention. 

A small, white creature darted through the greenery: a delicate bunny, its fur pristine and its movements lively.

"Animals... here?" Asher murmured, his eyes widening in amazement. "But how is this possible?"

Before he could further ponder this revelation, an echoing voice sliced through the serene atmosphere. "Welcome home, Master."

He spun around, his heart racing in his chest. 

Standing before him was an astonishing white wolf, its silver eyes shimmering like stars trapped in the night sky.

Its fur radiated an almost otherworldly glow, and despite its impressive stature, there was a graceful elegance to its every move.

"I am Silvia," the wolf announced, its voice calm yet filled with a regal authority. "I am a Celestial Beast, the guardian of this space."

"Master," the wolf continued, "you are the second Master to enter this realm."

"Second?" Asher echoed in confusion.

Silvia nodded solemnly. "The previous Master was a formidable user who conceived this world and cherished it. When his time passed, he entrusted me with the responsibility of welcoming his successor—you."

Asher's mind spun with questions. "Did he create this mansion?"

"Yes," Silvia replied softly,"He fashioned everything you see here with his immense power and boundless love."

Still grappling with the implications, Asher asked, "How can this space possess living animals, and even sunlight? It feels so incredibly real."

"It is my celestial aura that nurtures this world," Silvia explained, her voice imbued with a soothing cadence. 

"Without my presence, this would merely be an empty void. However, with my energy, this land thrives. This 'diamond space' is exceptional in that regard."

"Diamond space?" Asher inquired, raising an eyebrow in intrigue.

Silvia's lips curled slightly, as if she were sharing an inside joke. "Indeed, it is a rare type of space ability. I am privy to everything, Master, including the fact that you have been reborn."

Her words sent a tremor through Asher's being. "How do you know...?"

"As a Celestial Beast, I am intertwined with the threads of fate," Silvia replied. "Your soul bears the mark of a second chance."

Asher contemplated her profound words, allowing their weight to settle in his heart. "Can others enter this place?" he asked, his curiosity piqued.

"Only with your permission," Silvia answered. "This realm is your sanctuary, a unique training ground."

With renewed determination, Asher turned towards the glittering lake that danced under the fading light. "Silvia, what more can you reveal about this place?"

"Time flows differently here," She explained, her tone thoughtful. 

"One day in this realm passes as merely five minutes in your world. The lake, blessed with my power, possesses enchanted waters that can heal wounds and unlock latent potential."

Asher glanced at his bruised and scarred arms, evidence of abuse the Greyson's inflicted on him, flexing them experimentally to gauge the strength that was awakening within him. "So I can heal... and grow stronger before the impending apocalypse?"

Silvia bowed her head in affirmation. "Precisely. Use it wisely."

Without a moment's hesitation, Asher stepped into the lake's cool embrace. 

The water enveloped him like a warm caress, soothing every ache and bruise across his body. 

As he closed his eyes, he envisioned the celestial energy coursing through him, lifting him higher, fortifying him.

But then intense pain seized him, a cough erupting from his throat as blood spilled forth. 

Simultaneously, he began to expel dark, muddy water from his body. 

As he wrestled with this agony, it felt as if something pivotal was occurring within him. 

After enduring this harrowing battle, the muck washed away, and he emerged on the other side—powerful, having broken through to level 2 of the lightning ability and level 1 of both darkness and space. 

A smirk spread across his lips, pride flickering within him. 

"Not bad," he murmured to himself. "Reborn or not, you've leveled up."

As he emerged from the lake, his skin glowed with vitality, muscles defined and taut, far stronger than before. 

All remnants of his past scars vanished, save for the lightning-shaped mark on his chest, a testament to his previous life.

Wrapping a towel around his waist, Asher made his way to the mansion, where neatly folded clothes awaited him, promising a new beginning

In a swift motion, Asher turned to face the full-length mirror that dominated the wall of the room. 

He was met with another transformation, shocking him. 

He barely recognized the figure staring back at him, a transformation so profound it left him breathless. 

He stood a solid four inches taller, his once-average stature now commanding attention.

His skin glowed with a vibrant radiance, as if illuminated from within, and the definition of his muscles was striking, even more pronounced than before, each contour a testament to newfound strength. 

His fingers flexed instinctively, the tendons and sinews visible beneath the skin, while a wicked grin spread across his face, reflecting the exhilaration coursing through him. 

"This rebirth… this incredible space I find myself in… it feels like a miracle." The excitement bubbling within him was palpable, as he took in the astonishing reality of his second transformation.