Chapter sixteen: Ceruvon bird tart

Yesh Academy

Luna Gaea Solar system

Milky Way Galaxy, Charlie Quadrant

Neutral free Zone

January 29th 2019

So it turned out they were inside the moon. Not anywhere on the planet, but on the moon. The Moon. Sam stared out at the blue sky through the windows of the corridor, where a shiny, yellow ball of light hovered in the atmosphere. It was an artificial sun, helping sustain the environment within the Moon. All this Sam learned from Emanu Yesh as she led her through the sprawling academy. Emanu didn't bother to change her outfit either; she was still wearing her bloodstained armor, the dark crimson splattered across it a testament to the chaos she had recently endured.

The academy was enormous—twice the size of any university Sam had seen on Earth. The buildings stretched along a mountainside, overlooking an expansive ocean. Somewhere far out was a beach, where students would spend their free time, Emanu explained. But right now, they were in the Western Tower, where the administrative offices were located.

As they walked, Leon Haravok kept pace beside them. His presence, steady and calming, was something Sam didn't realize she'd been craving until she felt it. Since leaving Phoeb and Adonis's office, she found herself subconsciously moving closer to him, drawn to his quiet strength. His ability to remain unfazed by the chaos around them made Sam feel like she could breathe, as if he were the only stable thing in an otherwise unpredictable world.

"So, there are four main sections of the academy," Emanu was saying, her voice cutting through Sam's thoughts. "We're in the Western Tower, where the administration offices are. The Southern Tower is for the dorms, the Eastern Tower is where the departments are, and the Northern Tower is where the training facilities and dining areas are. The Central Tower handles logistics and operations."

"Got it," Sam said absently, her gaze drifting back to Leon. He was walking slightly ahead, but he always seemed to be close enough that she could feel his calm presence. The ease with which he moved through this world was almost unnerving to Sam. He didn't seem out of place here at all. And that made her feel even more like an outsider.

Suddenly, Emanu's voice interrupted her thoughts again. "Watch your step," she said, leading them into a sleek elevator. "This lift uses Xeta beam radiation to travel."

"Xeta-Beam?" Sam muttered, confused.

"It's a special kind of energy for transportation," Emanu explained. "You channel your mana into the button to activate it. But don't worry, it'll work automatically if you're not able to use mana yet."

Sam raised an eyebrow but stepped into the lift. As soon as Emanu activated it, the strange light from the lift flooded the space, and Sam immediately felt a slight queasiness in her stomach. The sensation was like being pulled through a tunnel at high speed, and she fought the urge to close her eyes. Leon glanced at her, noticing her discomfort.

"Don't worry, you'll get used to it," Leon said, his voice a soft reassurance. His tone had that same calming effect on her, like a wave rolling over rough waters.

Emanu, however, couldn't help but notice the slight tension between them. "I think it's just the initial shock," she said with a grin. "The first time I used the lift, I nearly fell over." She glanced at Leon, almost teasing. "But then again, some people have no trouble with these things."

Leon's lips quirked into a faint smile. "I've had worse experiences than this."

Sam couldn't help herself. "Like what?" she asked, curious.

Leon looked at Emanu for a moment before answering, his tone casual, as if it were no big deal. "I fought a Greater Beast Abomination once. Saved her from the Echo Field."

Sam's gaze flickered between the two of them. "A Beast Abomination?" she asked, a little stunned.

Emanu's eyes softened, and she gave Leon a small, almost wistful smile. "It was a while ago. Leon had to fight his way through an entire horde of them to pull me out of the Echo Field. I barely made it out alive."

Sam was silent for a moment, processing the weight of Leon's words. A Greater Beast Abomination? She had heard of them—horrific creatures, larger than most known beasts, capable of warping reality itself. The fact that Leon had fought one—and won—to save Emanu, made her feel small in comparison. There was a history between them, one that Sam couldn't even begin to fathom. Emanu clearly respected him, and maybe more than that.

"Sounds dangerous," Sam said finally, though her voice was quiet.

Leon shrugged, his usual nonchalance taking over. "It was. But Emanu's hard to keep down. She never stays where she's supposed to be."

"Leon's being modest," Emanu chimed in, looking at him with a mix of fondness and admiration. "He saved my life—twice. If it weren't for him, I don't think I'd be here."

Sam swallowed, feeling an odd knot form in her chest. There it was again—the closeness between them. Emanu looked at Leon the way someone looked at a hero, a protector, someone who had done more than just save their life. And Sam felt the sharp pang of envy that she couldn't quite explain. Why did it seem like they were so familiar with each other? As if they shared something unspoken that Sam would never understand.

The elevator gave a soft hum, signaling that they had arrived at their destination. Emanu led them out into a hallway, brightened by the soft glow of a chandelier. Statues of armored beings lined the walls, and ahead, there were two doors.

"This is where the first-year students live," Emanu said, pointing to the door on the left. She pushed it open, revealing a large, open space. A recreational room with couches, bookshelves, and a widescreen monitor. The atmosphere was inviting, but Sam couldn't shake the feeling that it wasn't quite for her. It wasn't the place where she would belong.

As they walked further into the space, Emanu's voice brought Sam's attention back to her. "Most of the first years aren't here yet. They're either in training or in classes. This place is a bit empty."

Sam nodded absently, but she wasn't focused on the room. She was watching Leon and Emanu interact—how Emanu's gaze softened whenever she looked at him, how they seemed to speak without words. The way Leon just fit here, like he was someone important. To Emanu. To this place.

"I'm sure you've heard of the Hidden World," Emanu said, cutting through Sam's thoughts again. "That's where most of our Mystics come from. It's... an entirely different civilization that runs parallel to the one you knew."

Sam glanced at Leon, her mind still buzzing with a thousand questions. "The Hidden World, huh?" she muttered, but it was clear she wasn't listening. She was trying to figure out why she felt like the third wheel in this strange, silent dance between Leon and Emanu. And why, no matter how much she tried to ignore it, she couldn't quite let go of the jealousy that gnawed at her whenever they exchanged a glance.

"Well, with the emergence of the Echo field, there's sure to be more Od-sensitive among those who survive the trial," Emanu said. "If there's any good thing that should come out of this tragedy, that should be it." She stopped in front of a brown door deep in the hallway. "Here's your room. We'll leave you to settle in and rest up. I'll come get you when it's time for dinner. Bye."

Emanu turned around, ready to leave but before Sam could step inside the room, Leon, who had been silently following them, placed a hand on her shoulder. His voice was soft, a rare warmth threading through it. "Take your time," he said, his gaze lingering on Sam for a moment before moving to the door. "I'll be here if you need anything."

His presence was a silent comfort, one that eased the tightness in Sam's chest, even if she didn't quite understand why it was there. She gave him a small nod, more out of habit than anything else, and stepped into the room.

Inside, she found a surprisingly luxurious space. The room was bigger than her university dorm, easily the size of Henry's apartment, with a queen-size bed that had a silver canopy draped overhead. A terrace offered a sweeping view of the beach and ocean. Sam noticed the suitcases already packed and placed by a large wardrobe, the clothes neatly arranged as if someone had prepared for her arrival. It didn't take long for Sam to realize that all of her things from the dorm had somehow been transferred here.

She peered into the bathroom and found a jacuzzi bathtub alongside a large, white shower room. The air was filled with the soft scent of jasmine, adding to the serene atmosphere. The room felt surreal as if it were a dream.

Then, suddenly, a wave of exhaustion hit her. She was so tired—her body felt like it had been dragged through a storm. Her legs were shaking, and before she could even think to remove her bloodstained hospital clothes, Sam fell onto the bed, burying her face in the soft sheets. She could feel her eyelids heavy with fatigue, her body crying out for rest. She yawned deeply, the last bits of her consciousness slipping away.

As she drifted into sleep, her mind wandered, and for a fleeting moment, she remembered to wonder about Rosa and the others. How were they? Were they okay? But it was a thought that quickly faded into the fog of exhaustion, leaving Sam to sleep undisturbed, at least for now.

****

It was incredible—and terrifying—the idea that Mankind wasn't alone in the universe and that the universe was as vast as Dad had once told her. Logic tried to make Sam refute her current reality. There was no way they could be inside the moon itself. How… how was that possible? And to have an artificial environment that made it seem like they were still on Earth? That would mean they possessed technology far beyond anything Earth had. Sam couldn't deny that the air she was breathing was oxygen. She couldn't ignore the technology that had allowed them to get to this side of the building either. She remembered the lift that Emanu had taken her in.

A deep sigh escaped her. She was no longer on Earth. Wait... no. Not Earth. Terra. That was what they called her planet.

Sam collected every bit of information she had been told. Her father wasn't born on Terra like she was. He was from the same place as Leon—a place called the Divine Federation. Sam was part of a special group of people called Ascendant Mystics, and she was on a path toward a higher state of existence. When she thought about this "higher state," the only thing that came to mind was godhood. The universe possessed a will of its own, and by tapping into that will, one could gain power.

"Ha! Ha! Ha!" Sam couldn't help but laugh aloud. Surely, she must have died some time ago and now found herself in some twisted version of reality. Sam stared up at the moon, smiling at the strange object in the sky. It was ridiculous to think that was the moon when she was already inside one. She felt as if her mind would shatter, but somehow, she kept her composure. Sure, she had just laughed like she was losing it, but Sam's mind felt clearer, sharper than before. She felt like her thoughts were faster, quicker. She had analyzed everything she had seen since Dr. Dingle's death, and she had quickly concluded that everything was real. It wasn't her imagination. Another change. It seemed her mind was stronger now, capable of pushing aside any anxiety. She felt like she could read the emotions of anyone.

Then her thoughts went to Leon.

She tried not to think about the strange emotions she'd felt when she saw the way he interacted with Emanu. Leon had been in her dreams again. How long had it been since she dreamed about him? As a kid, she always had these fragmented images of him, images she would sketch in her sketchbook. Although she could barely remember most of the dreams, his face had always been vivid. That's why she would always draw him. Thinking about him now made her blush deeply.

Sam slapped herself, trying to shake off the memory. That was not what she should focus on. She turned her head toward the door of her room. She didn't know how long she had been asleep, but by the time she had woken up, the artificial sun had set, and the moon now took its place in the sky. Sam was standing by the terrace, her body resting on the balcony, her head raised to the sky. Emanu had said she would come for her when it was time for dinner. Her stomach grumbled in protest. Well, that decided it. She would change after a quick shower.

Afterward, she wore a gray cardigan, blue jeans, and sneakers. The cardigan was one of her favorites; it had been a gift from Stella. When she opened the door, she froze, blinking.

She thought she was imagining it at first. But as time passed, she couldn't deny it. Standing in front of her was none other than…

"Sam…" Rosalinda Chavez said, her voice filled with surprise. Rosa stood there, struck by the sight of the alien girl standing before her. She had heard that Sam had awakened and was being taken care of, but Rosa had been worried. There had been nothing she could do. Her assignment to watch over Sam was done, but that didn't erase the fact that Rosa cared deeply for her. However, she wasn't prepared for the stunning, otherworldly beauty standing before her.

"Rosa… you're here." Sam's voice was thick with shock, anger, and relief, emotions coursing through her all at once before quickly passing. She could see the colors surrounding Rosa, the ones that revealed her emotions so clearly to Sam. Hmm. Sam had realized that she couldn't read the emotions of Ascendants. Not like Leon, Adonis, Phoebe, or Emanu.

Rosa's familiar pinkish hue surrounded her as it always did whenever she saw Sam. Rosa was still wearing that incredulous look on her face before she shook her head as if she couldn't quite believe her eyes.

"You look great," Rosa said, her voice trembling slightly. "I mean... you look so different. I... I almost didn't recognize you."

"Thanks," Sam responded, feeling a surge of self-consciousness. Her hand went up to touch her green hair, unsure whether to laugh or cry. "I'm glad you're alive. And I… I wanted to say thanks for watching over me."

"Of course," Rosa said, scratching her cheek, suddenly unsure of what to say next. "I heard about your Awakening, so I wanted to see how you're doing." Sam noticed the tremor that passed through Rosa's emotions. A flicker that spoke volumes.

Sam sighed softly. Rosa… she was still the same.

Their relationship was complicated. She had met Rosa during the second week of her first semester, just when she had met Henry. And even though Sam had gone out with both of them at the same time, she had always liked Rosa more than Henry. But there had been one problem: Sam could always sense that Rosa wasn't sharing herself with her. As someone who could read emotions like a musical score, Sam knew when someone was holding back. At that time, she had been searching for something, a way to overcome her fear of being alone. Henry had been willing to give himself fully to her. So Sam had broken things off with Rosa, even though deep down, she knew that her feelings for Rosa had always been stronger.

Now, she regretted her actions.

"Are you okay, Sam?" Rosa asked.

"Yeah... I'm good," Sam replied as she closed her door and began heading to the living room.

"Are you heading for dinner?" Rosa asked. "I can lead you to the dining hall."

"Thanks," Sam said.

They passed the empty living room and stepped into the lift. The atmosphere between them felt awkward, and Sam tried to think of something to say. Before she could speak, Rosa pressed the button, lighting it up as the lift began descending toward the dining building. As they stepped out into the hall, the buzz of chatter reached Sam's ears. She felt a wave of nervousness. Rosa seemed to notice and offered her a reassuring smile.

"It's okay if you're not hungry or not ready to—"

"No, it's not that," Sam said quickly. She sighed, lightly slapping her lap as if to shake off her nerves. Taking a deep breath, she inhaled and exhaled slowly, then took a step forward. Rosa waited patiently for her to regain her bearings before opening the door.

"I hear they're serving a nice Genesisian delicacy tonight," Rosa said, attempting to lighten the mood.

"Genesisian?" Sam raised an eyebrow.

"It's a dish from Planet Genesis," Rosa explained. "I've only been there once, but the food is to die for."

The dining hall was filled with kids and teenagers seated at long tables. Each table was marked with a banner bearing different symbols. Just as Emanu had mentioned, the number of students was small—Sam estimated there were about a hundred in total. What struck her most, though, was how diverse they were.

As they entered, a figure in a white bodysuit brushed past Sam. Their skin was bark-like, with leaves for hair. When the person turned to glance at her, Sam noticed their masculine features. The tree-like person was speaking to a girl with antlers sprouting from her forehead. Her yellow, slit-pupiled eyes gave her an animalistic look, but her mannerisms seemed perfectly normal.

Looking around the room, Sam saw even more non-human features among the students. A few were fully human-looking, but they were a minority. For a moment, Sam became self-conscious about her appearance. With her green hair and enhanced features, she realized she probably looked just as inhuman to others.

"Yesh Academy serves as a pillar of the Golden Dawn organization, and it also functions as its headquarters," Rosa explained as they walked further in. "Most of the Golden Dawn's workers are Analysts based here in the Central Tower. As a Guardian, I have access to the Academy's resources, which is another reason I'm here. Unfortunately, I can't stay long, but all you need to do is find a seat. It doesn't matter which table or what year you're in. Once you sit, any dish you want will appear."

With that, Rosa left, leaving Sam alone in the dining hall. Almost immediately, she became acutely aware of the students' eyes turning toward her. The room fell silent, and the weight of their stares made her hesitate. Then, someone rose from a table in the corner, which was not marked by any banner. Sam recognized him—Henry.

"Sam, you're awake," he said, relief evident in his voice. He was dressed in a simple white outfit—a long-sleeved shirt and matching pants, similar to the others seated at his table.

Sam felt a wave of relief herself and headed toward him. She noticed the group at his table included some animal-like figures. A girl with fox ears sat beside Henry. Upon closer inspection, Sam realized it was Trini.

"Henry, you're okay," Sam said as she approached.

"Yeah, and I guess you are too," Henry replied, his eyes scanning her. He had almost not recognized her due to how different she looked. Sam quickly noticed that several of the other students also seemed familiar—they were from her college. At least, she thought so. Many of them looked drastically different now, with animalistic or other strange features, like Trini.

One of the students motioned toward a space at the table, inviting her to sit. Sam hesitated only for a moment before taking the seat across from Henry. An empty plate sat in front of her. As she stared at it, the plate suddenly filled with steaming macaroni and cheese. The smell hit her instantly, rich and comforting, and it reminded her of home. She blinked, her mouth falling open slightly in surprise.

"Weird, isn't it?" the boy next to her said, breaking her reverie. Sam turned to see Callum, one of the few students who still looked relatively normal.

"The same thing happened to me. I was thinking about the garlic chicken Brussels you used to make and bam… it's right here," Henry said, pointing at his plate. He was right. The memory of late-night meals Sam used to share with Stella flashed through her mind—and now, the food was sitting in front of her.

"Me too. I thought of my mom's home cooking, and it just appeared," Callum added. "Must be some kind of advanced magic."

"It's not magic," Trini, the fox-eared girl, corrected. "The kitchen is outfitted with advanced tech. It scans a person's desires, replicates the food, and teleports it straight from the kitchen to the plates here in the dining hall."

"Sounds like magic to me," Callum muttered. Trini rolled her fox-like eyes before turning to Sam.

"So, you were a Pleiadian all along?" Trini asked.

Sam had just lifted her sandwich for a bite when the question caught her off guard. Callum, holding his spoon mid-air, gave her a look, then shrugged and went back to eating. But the others at the table were still watching her.

"Hey, Trini, take it easy," Henry said. Sam wasn't surprised that he was already on a first-name basis with everyone—he was more social than she was. "She didn't even know she was… whatever you call that… until recently."

"Pleiadian," Trini said. "You know, the Star folks, one of the nine races in the universe ."

"Trini here is a Demi-human who descends from a family of Offworlders," Callum explained. "Such people aren't exactly known for liking Pleiadians."

Trini shot Callum a glare, her brown hair rising as the air around her stirred with power. Sam felt it, like a static charge prickling at her skin.

"Careful now. First-year students aren't allowed to fight," Callum said, grinning. Trini looked ready to snap back, but before she could, a voice called out behind Sam.

She turned to see Emanu approaching, carrying a tray. She looked just as surprised to see Sam there.

"You know her?" Callum asked, mouth half-full.

Emanu set her tray down, still eyeing Sam like she hadn't expected to find her here. She wasn't wearing her armor anymore—just a yellow blouse, white pants, and brown sandals. Sam noticed the way some of the guys in the hall glanced at her as she passed.

Sam wasn't sure how to answer Callum's question.

"Samantha, I thought you were still sleeping," Emanu said, approaching with a tray in her hands.

"I woke up not long ago," Sam replied.

As Emanu set the tray down, the rich aroma of the dish hit Sam, making her mouth water despite already having a grilled cheese sandwich in her hands. The scent was intoxicating—was it wine? Or perhaps the sauce marinating the meat? It was strong, deep, and utterly mouthwatering.

Emanu noticed the look on Sam's face and glanced at the tray. "I figured I'd bring you something to eat in your room," she said.

Sam hesitated. She couldn't believe how... nice Emanu was being. Something about it felt off. From what little she had observed of Emanu's behavior, she had a nagging suspicion that this friendliness wasn't entirely without reason.

"But I see you're already getting acquainted with your fellow first-years," Emanu added.

Trini scoffed, abruptly standing up and walking away. Sam raised an eyebrow but didn't comment. Instead, her attention drifted back to the dish Emanu had brought.

"That smells amazing," Sam admitted.

Emanu smiled and set the tray in front of her. Sam finished the last bite of her sandwich before leaning over to take in the scent. God, the smell was divine. The steam curled into the air, carrying the rich, winery aroma that made her stomach clench with anticipation. Without hesitation, she picked up a spoon and dug in.

The first bite was... out of this world. The outer layer was crisp and crunchy, but the inside was something else entirely—a luxurious, melt-in-your-mouth texture coated in a sauce so rich and complex it nearly overwhelmed her senses. It tasted like chicken but... not chicken.

"What is this?" Sam asked between bites.

"Ceruvon bird tart," Emanu answered. "They're space birds that roam the Genesis region. Quite a delicacy."

Sam nodded, too engrossed in the meal to respond properly. As soon as she finished her plate, more manifested in front of her. She devoured a second serving, then a third. Her appetite was insatiable—alarming, even. She had never eaten this much in one sitting before.

As she ate, Henry began filling her in on what had happened while they were separated. Adonis and Phoebe had decided to let him attend the Academy. Apparently, surviving the Echo Field had awakened his Odic force or something, giving him the potential to become a Mystic. It was just as Emanu had said—those who survived Celestial Realignment came out stronger.

Sam was relieved that Henry was trying to make the best of this place, though she wasn't sure how she felt about him being here. They had broken up, and yet, instead of getting the space she thought she needed, she was still stuck near him.

Once she reached a comfortable level of fullness—though her new appetite was concerning—she found herself engaging with the students Henry had befriended. She learned that Callum and two other humans from Yesh University had always been aware of their ability to see things normal people couldn't. Unlike her, they had never questioned their sanity or had their powers suppressed. They had known about Yesh University from the start.

Sam was reminded, once again, that her situation was different.

As she spoke with them, she remained keenly aware of Emanu's gaze. Even while Emanu engaged in her conversation, her eyes kept drifting toward Sam. She had been doing this since they met, and Sam had noticed—but she pretended not to.

Was it because of Adonis reprimanding her? Sam wasn't sure. But, to be honest, she didn't mind the attention. She had never really had a friend before. As a teenager, she had never been social and never formed real connections. She had feared that no one would understand her.

But now, things were different. Now, she had a chance. The memory of the way Emanu and Leon had interacted earlier rose again in Sam's mind, bringing back that strange feeling. Sam tried her best to get rid of it. As the number of students in the dining hall dwindled, Emanu eventually left. Sam, too, excused herself and headed outside. Henry wanted to follow, but she shut him down. She needed to be alone.

Stepping into the courtyard, she tilted her head toward the sky. The stars twinkled, drifting across the heavens, while the moon hid behind a veil of clouds, casting elongated shadows over the campus. But the darkness didn't bother her. Her vision cut through it with ease.

She turned a corner and stopped in front of a large building. The Northern Tower. The training facility. Emanu had mentioned it before. Now that she was here, she found herself wondering what it looked like inside. The door stood right there, almost beckoning her. Without hesitation, she pushed it open and stepped inside.

The moment she crossed the threshold, her skin prickled. The lights flickered on automatically, casting an eerie glow across the interior. This was no ordinary gym. The atmosphere was thick, charged with an unexplainable energy. Strange engravings adorned the walls—symbols she had seen scattered across other buildings. She moved forward, following the main corridor until she reached a door at the end. Pushing it open, she stepped into what could only be described as a colosseum.

The amphitheater was vast, with rows of stone seating built into the circular walls. Along the perimeter, nine statues stood, their stone gazes unwavering. One in particular caught her eye. A woman clad in ancient armor, a spear and shield in hand. Sam's breath hitched.

She knew this statue. It was the same one from the temple in the Echo Field. The craftsmanship was uncanny, almost too lifelike. The way the stone captured the curvature of the face, the sharpness of the eyes—it was almost as if the figure was breathing. The sheer presence of the statue radiated power, and Sam felt it washing over her, coursing through her veins. Memories surged forth. The brutal training her father had put her through. The sleepless nights, plagued by nightmares. Stella's warmth, comforting her when she was at her lowest. And then, the memories she wished would stay buried.

Her breath quickened. A strange sensation rippled through her body—lightness, strength, an undeniable surge of power. Then, without warning—

A burst of green aura erupted around her. It didn't startle her. It didn't frighten her. If anything, it felt... right. Her heart pounded, her pulse drumming in her ears. Was this excitement? Or fear?

She didn't know. But she did know one thing. The power inside her was responding to the statue. And the statue was responding to her.

"That is Asha, the goddess of war," Phoebe's voice echoed softly.

Sam turned to see her standing nearby, observing her with an unreadable expression. Had she followed her inside, or had she simply appeared?

"These statues represent the old gods of Terra," Phoebe continued, stepping closer. "From a long time ago."

For a fleeting moment, something in Phoebe's eyes reminded Sam of Adonis—ancient and deep, like they had seen centuries pass. Then, just as quickly, it was gone, replaced by a fiery red gaze brimming with vigor.

"What happened to them?" Sam asked, nodding toward the statues. The way Phoebe had introduced them—as old—made them sound like relics of a forgotten past.

"Nothing much, really," Phoebe replied, her tone laced with something close to indifference. "Humanity forgot them. The inhabitants of the Hidden World gave up hope—on their return, on their accomplishments. Now, all that remains of them is buried in the reaches of history."

She placed a hand on Sam's shoulder, and instantly, the rush of power Sam had felt from the statue vanished.

Sam blinked in surprise. Where had it gone?

"We don't want your mana going wild now, do we?" Phoebe said with a knowing smile. As she withdrew her hand, exhaustion suddenly weighed Sam down, her knees threatening to buckle.

"First, an alternate dimension. Then monsters. Alien warriors from another world. A school on the freaking moon. And now gods?" Sam let out a breathless, incredulous laugh. "What else is there?"

"Plenty more than you're aware of," Phoebe said. "You've only begun to fathom how vast the universe truly is. It's a lot to take in for someone who spent most of her life believing her perception of reality was flawed. But it's not, Samantha. And now you must decide what path to take."

Go back? Back to a life where she was lonely and isolated? Where she convinced herself she was broken, mentally unstable—forced to take pills to silence the voices, to drown out what no one else could hear? Or stay? Stay and face whatever fate had in store for her.

One—she liked knowing she wasn't crazy. That she didn't need the medication. Two—going back wasn't an option, even if she wanted to. The world was changing, and after what she had seen, it was only going to get more dangerous. She had already been attacked once. More could come for her. And if they did… she wouldn't be able to defend herself.

Three…Sam sifted through her memories, piecing together fragments long buried. The accident. The night she was separated from her father. She remembered now. It wasn't an accident. The figures made of shadows. The terror in her father's eyes as they sped down the road, trying to escape. The crash that followed. And then—waking up in a hospital ward in downtown New York. Something—something supernatural—had caused the accident.

Father and Stella had hidden the truth from her. Maybe if she stayed, she could finally uncover it.nAnd more than anything… she couldn't go back to that abyss. That darkness she had lived in for so long. Phoebe's red eyes bore into her, silently waiting for her decision.

"This Ascendant power..." Sam hesitated, then asked, "Can I learn to use it?"

"Yes," Phoebe said.

"Will… will it make me strong?" Sam swallowed. "Strong enough not to suffer? Not to feel pain again?"

And to silence the darkness that always whispered for her to cross over.

"Yes and no," Phoebe said. "You can become strong, yes. But to never feel pain? To never suffer? I'm afraid not. It is only through suffering and overcoming it that one's true strength can shine."

The words struck a chord. She understood. Her metamorphosis had been agony. Yet, through that pain, she had become something more. Sam turned back to the statue of Asha.

She could feel something—some presence—watching her from within. She didn't know if this was the right choice. If this was truly the path meant for her. But she knew one thing for certain. She would never go back to that abyss again.

"I've made up my mind," she said.