Chapter 609 Rinoa Opens the Second Sky

After the event of rejection against Fitran by the roots of the Tree of Life, the atmosphere around Stones changed drastically. There was no longer the sound of ancient tones. No more movement of the roots. But this silence was not peaceful—it was like the stillness between the last breath and the first heartbeat. A transition... towards something unknown. Rinoa felt the weight of the wind on her skin, as if it carried a message from the oppressed nature, waiting for the moment to be released. A deep vibration flowed within her soul, reminding her of the unbroken connection between life and death.

Time seemed to freeze among the trees, as the cool wind danced gently among the leaves. Rinoa could feel the tension in the air, a secret buried within every blade of grass. In every gust of wind, she heard the whispers of lost souls, as if they were delivering the remaining messages of hope. In her heart, hope struggled against fear, and the dimming sun seemed to reflect her restless soul.

Rinoa sat beside Fitran, who was still in a semi-conscious state. The magical network within his body was not yet stable. As she gazed at Fitran's face, she felt the pulse of an invisible power throbbing between them, as if her soul was trying to reach out to Fitran in the darkness. However, Rinoa knew that if the world began to reject Fitran, there was only one way to restore him—by changing the fundamental harmony of the world itself. There was no other choice but to entrust her power to the melody hidden within her, and with all her heart, she vowed, "You will return, Fitran. I will bring you home," she murmured softly, as if to let the wind hear her. As those words left her lips, a small light began to gather between her palms, as if responding to the call of her loving soul.

And harmony was her domain.

That night, Rinoa returned to meditate in the circle of roots. But this time... she did not descend into the world. She felt as if the cosmos opened up to her soul, calling her to explore deeper layers in search of a greater truth. She ascended.

The faint starlight illuminated her surroundings, depicting her silhouette praying with all her soul. A window to destiny opened, and the restlessness within her felt like an approaching storm, reminding her of the challenging journey ahead. "What will I find there?" she whispered, her heart's voice trembling in the silence of the night. She hoped that at the peak of the sky, she would find the strength to save Fitran, her soulmate trapped in limbo.

The roots of the Tree of Life had always led down and inward. However, when Rinoa began to sing the opening part of the Lament of Everroot, something happened. Her gentle melody flowed into the air, as if creating a wave of energy that reached farther than she could imagine.

The roots reversed direction. They did not pull her in but pushed her upward, as if opening a path to the second layer of the sky—a thin dimension that lay between the reality of the world and the will of creation. In the deafening silence, Rinoa felt the vibration of life from every fiber of the roots that carried her—a call from the universe. In Proto-Speech, this place was called:

ꦏꦺꦴꦫꦩ꧀ꦠꦸꦤꦃ ꦲꦤꦁ ꦒꦼꦣꦤ꧀ꦱ — Koramtunah Anang Gedhensa (The Layer of Sound That Is Not Allowed to Be Heard)

Rinoa pierced through the clouds of light, and at the edge of that sky, she stood before a great mirror of the world's harmony. In this magical moment, it felt as if time stopped, and the entire universe witnessed Rinoa's presence. There, she saw not herself... but all the possible versions of herself. In those fleeting moments, her mind floated, reviving long-buried memories—times when happiness and sorrow danced together. With every shimmering reflection, faces she had once known appeared, bringing forth nostalgia that touched her soul.

In that silence, her inner voice whispered, "Am I strong enough to bear all this burden?" A gentle voice approached her, following the current of light. The voice was like the lyrics of a song that had never been fully forgotten. It was Fitran, a figure filled with wisdom. "It is not strength that defines you, Rinoa. But your courage to see possibilities without fear." There was a flash of peace within her heart, as if her soul was reminded of an unexpected power.

And only one being gazed back with complete eyes.

The Avatar of Harmony.

As Rinoa touched the shadow of herself in the mirror of the second sky, the entire Tree of Life trembled, and from within her soul, a new magic name emerged. A voice within her, soft yet influential, echoed among a thousand hopes and doubts:

✧ Aria Absolutia ✧ The Absolute Song of the Uniter of Wounds and Will

This magic was not a spell. It was more than mere words; it was a profound connection to her soul, a bridge between the past and the future that depicted the essence of life itself.

It was resonance—a merging of the world's tones, the deepest wounds of a person, and the intention to connect all fragmented meanings. When activated, Rinoa's voice shook the layers of the unknown sky. In that resonance, Rinoa felt the breath of the universe—a call from a greater cosmos. Every sigh of the wind seemed to narrate the countless journeys of souls, awakening hidden memories and hopes. In the deep silence, she felt energy flowing through her efforts, as if every heartbeat merged with the rhythm of nature.

"Aria Absolutia," she whispered, feeling the vibration of energy flowing through her body. "Is this the butter of the universe?" Instantly, Fitran's face appeared in her mind, providing deep reassurance. "In every note you offer, there is power to heal and change the world," Fitran said softly. "Let this melody be the bridge between what is lost and what is to come." Fitran's voice, though distant, filled the empty space in her heart, reminding her of the unbroken bond between them and the power they had to influence the universe.

As Rinoa returned to reality, her body shone in a circle of rainbow tones. Unbeknownst to her, the entire sky of Stones changed—the clouds danced, the sky formed symmetrical spirals, and the clocks throughout the city began to function again. Time seemed to move with her, woven into a stunning harmony, creating an eternal cycled dance between time and space.

In that moment, the sparkling light radiating from her body created an illusion of unbroken vision, manifesting her shadow in every speck of floating dust. It was as if every particle sang hidden songs, reciting an eternal poem about hope and loss. Rinoa felt the living breath of nature flowing through her veins, reminding her that she was not just an individual, but part of something greater. Every gust of wind seemed to carry messages from trapped spirits, calling her to listen to their stories, guiding her to the depths of the soul she had never explored.

She stepped into the center of Stones, standing on the crack of Proto-Speech.

As her steps landed on the long-abandoned path, whispers from the past echoed in her ears, conveying infinite tales buried in time. Filled with curiosity, Rinoa felt like an adventurer in an endless forest, searching for clues about what was lost. In every heartbeat, a deep longing surged, as if she heard praises for her bravery among the shadows of history. And there, in the rhythm of her heartbeat, a new spirit began to ignite, ready to deliver a message to the world.

Then she sang.

Not long. Just three notes. But this time... perfect.

And when Aria Absolutia resonated, three things happened:

The roots of the Tree of Life reopened their path to the city center. The world began to accept Fitran's will once more—not by yielding, but by understanding. In the encompassing tranquility, a ray of hope began to shine, as if the universe responded to the call of the deepest heart.

Fragments of the forgotten will of Stones—ancient archives and secret paths—reappeared on the map of the world. The path to the artifact Oculum Caeci opened. With every step taken, her curiosity burned brighter, like a flame in the darkness challenging the existing uncertainty.

The Second Sky opened permanently. A layer of dimension that could only be explored by those in harmony with the wounds of the world. That space vibrated with unseen power, calling forth souls brave enough to explore the wonders and risks in their journey.

Though separated by distance and time, Fitran felt Rinoa's presence as if she were within his own soul. Her resonant voice drew peace and ignited hope around him. In the enveloping uncertainty, he prayed to find the way to where Rinoa awaited him—amidst the cracks of reality that had reopened. In that hope lay a deep conviction, as if an invisible thread connected their souls, transcending all worldly boundaries.

The notes of Aria Absolutia seeped into Fitran's body. The veins that had once been damaged now glowed softly. He slowly opened his eyes and saw Rinoa standing before him—radiant, not entirely human, yet fully a bearer of new meaning. In his first gaze, a different world filled with limitless possibilities was revealed, a transformation that was both shocking and mesmerizing.

As if drawn in by Rinoa's presence, the space around them vibrated gently. Fitran felt a warm aura enveloping him, like morning dew embracing a leaf. As if time stopped, every breath felt as heavy and precious as a beating heart. Every note of Aria Absolutia became a bridge to a world woven by hope and rebirth. Rinoa, in the shining light that illuminated her, revealed a multitude of mysteries buried within her heart. In that moment of enlightenment, Fitran felt as if all his doubts and fears slowly faded, replaced by a new confidence that flourished.

"Rinoa..." he whispered. "You..."

"I hear the voice of the world, and the world says: you are not finished."

With a gentle gaze, Rinoa explained, "There is power in the united voice, Fitran. The world not only hears but infuses its soul into every melody we strive for." As Rinoa spoke, the light around her sparkled, casting beautiful shadows that danced on the walls around them. Every word she spoke felt like golden threads weaving hope back into Fitran's being. It felt as if every sound that left Rinoa's lips invited Fitran's soul to move forward, embracing the destiny that had long been awaited.

Fitran smiled faintly, then gazed at the sky. "The sky... it's different."

As if enchanted by the newly revealed beauty, he felt a flow of positive energy touch his soul. Bright colors painted hope in his heart.

"Because I opened it," Rinoa replied. "With a voice that no longer asks for permission."

Rinoa's voice was like a bridge connecting two worlds; empowering the wounded souls. With every note, she felt the vibration of sincerity, something rarely found in her previous life.

From afar, the guardians of Stones bowed.

Not because Rinoa had become a goddess. But because the world had been willing to listen again.

In the midst of silence, their presence seemed to be a silent witness to the journey that had begun. Like the crashing waves embracing the sandy shore, they were called by a greater calling than themselves.

And in the sky above the second sky, a form began to appear—a transparent spiral tower that only emerged once in every era of destruction.

The presence of the tower added weight to Fitran's heart; the past and future collided in his mind. He imagined hundreds of souls trapped within it, helplessly waiting for redemption.

Fitran felt the tension in the air as they approached the tower. "Are we ready to face what lies within? The power that may come with loss?" he asked, anxious yet brave.

His fear mingled with curiosity, creating a strong urge to move forward. He realized that behind every fear lay the potential to discover new strength.

"Tower of Echoed Genesis."

"And to enter it, we must bring harmony... or be prepared to lose our names."

Rinoa looked at Fitran with sparkling eyes, each word becoming a mantra that instilled confidence in their hearts. Their courage was not only for themselves but also for those who had been lost in the dark.