Entering the Volcano

"Awake?"

Luna suddenly found herself lying in a vast expanse of glass. There was nothing around her but endless, reflective glass, just as it had been before the essences were introduced. Rubbing her eyes as if waking from a deep nap, she called out, "Elder?" Her voice was soft, laced with drowsiness, and her eyes—dulled by sleep—lacked their usual spark.

"So? Which essence were you able to connect to?" Elder Ci asked, watching as Luna slowly rose from the ground.

"Umm…" Luna hesitated, lost in thought for a moment before she lifted her hand. In an instant, a brilliant golden streak of light began to form atop her palm, an unexpected display that caught Elder Ci off guard.

"Starbrand Essence? And you've actually broken through to the fourth realm?" Elder Ci exclaimed, quickly placing her hand over Luna's chest and closing her eyes in concentration. "Such a powerful crystal…" she whispered reverently.