Starlit Sanctum

"Welcome to the Crystal Spire."

Whoosh!

Marcus was pursuing Lirien Thalor when the cool breeze blew in his direction. Children were playing in the calm interior of the spire, while others were out on the streets, selling artifacts.

"This is the Crystal Spire. This gate was the first one made by the High Gods. The Crystal Spire is situated in Aetherion, the realm of eternal light. Not everyone has free access to Aetherion.

Marcus looked around and noticed that there was a barrier at the opposite end of the gate. Although he wanted to know where the gate led, there was a good chance he would reveal that he was not the original Marcus Reed and Sentinel.

The rune on his shoulder burned, accompanied by a series of stares and murmurs. Marcus put on a tough act, ignoring those staring at him and continuing to move forward.

Suddenly, a young child ran into him and collapsed on the ground. Marcus extended his hand to help the youngster get back on his feet.

"Watch where you're going next time, alright."

The child gave a nod and ran towards a group of friends who appeared to be waiting for him. Marcus realized Lirien Thalor's pace was quickening as he approached the tower.

"So, where are we going?"

"The Starlit Sanctum," Lirien said, pointing to a doomed structure made of white stones with a roof studded with glowing orbs a few meters away from the towering structure.

When he arrived at the gate to the Starlit Sanctum, the sounds of blades clashing echoed from within, and a poster was written on the crystal-encrusted door.

"Unity Through Starlight"

"Unity Through Starlight?" Marcus repeated.

Lirien Thalor turned to look at Marcus, who was staring at the posters.

"This is the motto of the Starlit Sanctum. It was created by the Council because the Crystal Spire is known for maintaining order."

Marcus and Lirien entered through the gate, which opened slightly. A group of gatekeepers wielding swords was seen fighting one another. The structure was divided into three sections: Initiates, Acolytes, and Sentinels.

Marcus Reed walked past the Initiates, their runes burning and their blades clashing. Every time their blades collided, a flash of starlight appeared. Several Initiates who noticed Lirien greeted her as they passed through the Initiates section.

"This is the initiators' training ground. Typically, it takes 3-8 months to complete the initiate and progress to Acolyte status."

Marcus nodded as they moved on to the next section, which was the Acolyte training ground, as indicated by the poster above. Countless gatekeepers were seen concentrating on basic starlight magic, while others were studying gate navigation.

A shriek echoed from the nearby acolyte training grounds. Marcus drew his sword, alert and prepared, but was stopped by Lirien.

"Marcus, sheathe your sword. These are specifically trained Voidspawns. They are used to test an acolyte's combat abilities."

Marcus sheathed his sword as he moved away from the acolyte training ground.

Did Marcus also participate in this activity? I'm curious if all voidspawns in the nine gates undergo combat training to become gatekeepers. Marcus Reed muttered to himself subconsciously.

Turning around, he noticed Lirien, standing in front of a woman who was seen kneeling down with her hands clasped together. He accelerated his pace and arrived at a small crystal hut. Its windows were made of crystal glass refracting Aetherion's sunlight. The woman appeared to be in her late twenties based on her stature.

"Is the person with you?" the woman inquired, speaking quietly.

"Yes, he's here." Lirien replied.

The woman stood up and turned around. Her emerald eyes and vine-like tattoos were visible on her body, her auburn her swaying in unison with the wind. Her expression terrified Ethan, causing his legs to tremble while he maintained a sentinel expression. Marcus Reed bowed his head in greeting to the woman.

"No, please, we don't do that here."

"Oh, right!"

Marcus raised his head in embarrassment. Giggles of laughter reverberated throughout the sanctum. Lirien leaned up against Marcus and whispered.

"Don't you know that we don't have bowheads?"

"I forgot," Marcus admitted, concealing his lie.

The woman approached Marcus, taking note of the rune on his shoulder and robe. She came to a stop after only a few steps forward. Her face became stern, as if something was amiss.

"By the way, Marcus, this is Sylra, and she is…"

Before Lirien could finish her sentence, the woman's vine-like tattoos glowed, and she quickly pulled out her short starlight dagger.

"Who…are you?" she inquired.

Marcus stood still, showing no signs of fear in response. "Marcus Reed."

The woman's eyes were filled with doubt as she stared closely at Marcus. 

"I recognize a liar when I see one," she said.

"Are you suggesting that I don't know my identity?. Don't make me laugh."

Silence filled the sanctum as Sylra slowly retracted her dagger. Before Lirien could realize it, she pulled out another dagger hidden in her white robe and aimed it at Marcus' head. Marcus, quick and alert, pulled out his sword from his robe, his rune burning.

Sylra smiled and removed her white robe, revealing green armor covering her chest.

"Now this is fun."

Marcus stood firm and pointed his sword at Sylra. She vanished from Marcus' sight and reappeared behind him, only to be parried by his blade. Sylra attempted to kick his chest but was forced to retreat when she heard a metal clang from within.

"You aren't the only one wearing armor." Marcus said this while also removing his robe. "All Gatekeepers are armored."

Sylra dashed forward with excitement, her daggers channeling starlight. Marcus's rune burned, channeling starlight into his blade. Their attacks were precise, and they cut each other. Sylra's wrist was slashed, her dagger dangling on the ground, and Marcus' shoulder was severed, gushing blood.

Sylra grabbed her dagger, her tattoos turning greenish. Her wounds started to heal while Lirien watched.

"Sap-magic. It allows the user to heal wounds."

Sylra approached Marcus with his blade still raised, ready for another attack. Her dagger touched his shoulder, causing his wound to heal instantly.

"You are indeed Marcus Reed," she said, smiling.

"Did you intentionally put me to the test?" Marcus inquired about sheathing his blade.

Sylra scoffed and walked away from Marcus.

Lirien rushes up to Marcus, her eyes fixed on him like a child. 

"I thought I was about to die." Marcus responded to Lirien.

"You should be thankful she was holding back."

Marcus' mind raced as he looked at Lirien with an awful expression. 

"What exactly do you mean?" he inquired.

"Sylra Veyne is a Sentinel gatekeeper like you, and she wields both starlight and sap magic."

Marcus looked at Sylra, who was walking up to the crystal hut. Sylra's voice could be heard echoing throughout the room at the time.

"Lirien, take him to the Council of Gatekeepers."

"At your behest."

Just as Lirien and Marcus left the Starlit Sanctum, Sylra smiled from inside her crystal hut.

"He's arrived, Mother Serathys."