No one answered. They only bowed their heads, embedding Lein's words deep into their hearts. His words were like carvings on stone, impossible to forget.
Lein took a deep breath and continued in a lighter tone. "This meeting is over. Now, return to your families for the time being. I don't know what lies ahead, but I hope you all remain vigilant and united to face whatever comes."
Hana, still seated in her chair, hesitantly raised her small hand. "Sir, what about the leaders of the alliance?" she asked.
Lein turned to her, a small smile appearing on his face. "Don't worry, Hana. Return to your place. I'll handle them myself."
He rose from his seat, preparing to leave the room and head to the waiting hall of the alliance building. But before he could take another step, a notification sound suddenly filled the room. A bright blue light materialized in the air, forming familiar system text in front of them all.
[Cosmos Unification is complete. Welcome to Cosmos Origin.]
Lein stood motionless in front of the glowing panel, its light casting a soft shadow over his face. The air around him felt heavy, as if an invisible force were pressing down on him. His body remained still, but his narrowed eyes revealed immense patience, encompassing the entire Divine Sky Realm.
Then, a sudden surge struck, piercing through the boundaries of energy around him. The force was intense, brutally assaulting his consciousness in an attempt to subdue him. Lein frowned, and in an instant, the invading force was repelled, failing to overpower him.
"That's it?" he muttered, his voice low yet cold. But before he could delve deeper, an unusual vibration emanated from the spatial ring on his finger. Something inside it—one of his most valuable possessions—had shattered.
Lein raised his hand, summoning the fragments of the destroyed item into his palm. Tiny glowing shards appeared, radiating residual energy that still felt warm.
An item used to alter one's race. If activated in a new realm, it grants access to a promotion space.
Lein arched an eyebrow, his expression turning serious.
"Promotion space?" His voice carried a subtle tremor of curiosity.
His mind raced, piecing together all possible scenarios. But before he could delve further into the mystery, his consciousness swept across the entire Divine Sky Realm. An unnatural silence greeted him—no sound, no signs of life.
A chilling sensation crept over him. Lein probed deeper, and his heart sank. Everyone… was gone. Not a single soul remained in the Divine Sky Realm.
"Where did they go?" he murmured, his tone no longer cold but tinged with a faint quiver of worry. He stared at the empty expanse around him, now feeling far vaster and quieter than ever before.
While Lein tried to comprehend the situation, far away in another place, a white space stretched infinitely. A massive floating platform stood in the center, its surface reflecting a silvery glow.
In the middle of the room, Nita stood, her body tense, her eyes scanning every corner, searching for something—or someone. The silence was so profound that she could hear her own heartbeat. Her footsteps echoed as she cautiously advanced, halting abruptly when a brilliant light appeared before her.
From the radiance, a woman emerged. Her face was flawless, like a goddess's sculpture, with eyes radiating both gentleness and strength. Her gown, long and shimmering like stars on a dark night, moved gracefully despite the still air.
Nita furrowed her brows, gazing at the woman with a mixture of wariness and awe.
"Hello..." The soft voice greeted her, akin to the morning breeze carrying the scent of dew. The woman smiled, her face glowing like a full moon hidden behind leaves.
Nita stood frozen, her eyes locked on the elegant figure before her—a woman clad in a green gown adorned with golden accents that circled her slender waist. Her long black hair was crowned with living leaves, glimmering softly with each movement. The woman's gaze, as though looking at a child seeing the world for the first time, was filled with tenderness.
"H-hello?" Nita finally responded, attempting to shake off her nervousness. She forced a stiff smile and glanced around. This room… empty, white, and endless, like a boundless canvas. "Where is this, ma'am?" she asked, her voice slightly trembling.
The woman chuckled lightly, her laugh sounding like leaves brushing against one another. "No need to be afraid. This is only temporary," she said, raising her hand. Instantly, the air around them vibrated. From the white platform's surface, roots shot out, growing and twisting at an astonishing speed.
The roots intertwined, forming a sofa that appeared plush. "Please, have a seat," she said gently, nodding in invitation.
Nita stepped forward hesitantly and sat down. The sofa was soft, far more comfortable than it looked. She ran her hand over its surface, marveling. "So soft," she murmured.
The woman gave a faint smile and sat on another sofa she had just created. "My name is Tauriel," she introduced herself warmly. "I am from the Silent Forest Realm. You are here because of something you have used."
Nita frowned. "What do you mean, ma'am?" she asked cautiously.
"The crystal core you used to advance to Tier-1. It was a part of our race," Tauriel explained. She crossed her legs gracefully, her eyes remaining fixed on Nita with attentive interest.
Nita nodded slowly, starting to piece together the situation. That crystal… she had indeed used it to enhance her strength.
"Do you have any questions?" Tauriel asked, her tone kind but her gaze sharp, as though she could read every doubt in Nita's heart.
Nita exhaled deeply. "Why am I here? I want to leave. My realm is at war," she said bluntly, anxiety lacing her every word.
Tauriel offered a faint smile, one that held secrets. "Ah, all Aetheris face similar challenges. However, the unification of realms will not proceed until every being makes their choice." She raised her hand again, and a small, softly glowing stone appeared in her palm.
Nita stared at it intently. That stone… it was identical to the one she had received after the interspecies war event. "So, this is the Rebirth Stone?" she asked.
Tauriel nodded. "Correct. With this stone, you can change your race. By joining the Silent Forest Realm, you will develop much faster."