"The Hollowed Star fragments?" Soren looked at her for a few moments, eyes narrowing by the second. "Well, what exactly is there to know about them aside from the fact that they are some strange manifestation of a Mystery that both sides of this war covet?"

It wasn't as if it was a huge secret. According to Ayen, the Hollowed Star fragments are nothing more than a symbol of fate's favor and grace. There were nine of them in total, and their appearance over the lands only meant one thing: deciding the victor during a war.

Simply put, they were symbols believed to have been ordained by the Gods. The side that holds the most of them will have fate's favor and grace in battle. Luck was essentially on their side…

How the pieces were chosen was unknown. Princess Myrella who sat beside him was one of the chosen nine. The other eight still needed to be discovered for the most part, though from the memories Myrin had obtained, his 'sister,' Princess Tifania also held a fragment. She unfortunately had perished during the last siege, prior to Myrella's escape to Bastion Thirel.

But for the most part, the pieces were clearly evenly distributed. Although the War of Swords has been waging for a century by now, the arrival of the Hollowed Star fragments has clearly been a recent upheaval in the midst of this chaos. One that has brought massive shifts to the balance in unpredictable ways.

Whether the Gods themselves chose to send them down to their followers, or something else occurred that caused this shift was still a mystery at large. Heck, Soren wasn't even sure what would even happen if all nine fragments came together, and it seems no one fighting this war did either. All they really knew (or hoped) was that securing these fragments would finally grant them the victory they deserved.

After a hundred years of fighting, even the most bloodthirsty of warriors would find it difficult to continue… Even the Eldersmiths were likely having trouble hammering away at new charms and amulets. And what was it all for again? The Spirit Blossom Seed? Some unknown relic that no commoner fighting these battles ever cared for?

Whatever the case may be, the arrival of the Hollowed Star fragments sparked a new kind of hope. Not the hope of victory for glory, or to plunder from those you've conquered. By now, most only cared for one kind of triumph: a victory that would finally bring peace.

It was then no wonder that the enemy was so desperate to capture Princess Myrella of the Verdant Throne. To them, she and the other eight fragments were the quickest way to end this conflict for good.

Despite the whole story about these fragments being nothing more than a bard's legend, thousands have gladly thrown their lives at the mere chance it might be true. In the end, despite numerous sacrifices, those chasing after their luster would never know if their efforts were worth it in the end.

Still, it did make him curious.

When he asked Ellisar, the man simply chuckled with a slight shrug and said, "Ask the blessed Maiden for that answer."

It was clear what the meaning was. That only the Gods truly knew… Heck, most didn't even have the means or method of obtaining them to begin with—each fragment left a distinct mark or brand on a person's Runic Existence that was notoriously difficult to extract. That was why the Spirit Wolves were clearly intending on kidnapping Myrella no matter the cost.

And yet, although he had already given up on obtaining more information on the subject—focusing all his attention on simply passing the mission the Blossom Sword Flower left for them, Soren was once again brought back to this topic.

And by Cassia of all people.

Seeing how serious her expression was, he was now sure she knew something more than the rest. Crossing his arms, Soren waited for her response. Myrin who sat beside her also closed his book.

The crippled Drakari girl looked between them and sighed.

"Are you two aware of how new Ages are decided?"

He tilted his head, "New Ages? You mean the historical Ages?"

She nodded. "Yes. The First Age—Age of Mysteries. The Second Age—Age of Heresy. Third Age—Age of Twilight. Even our own Age—the fourth—Age of Stasis…"

Leaning back against the wall, he frowned. "Isn't it something decided on by historians and scholars? Those who study history will surely label its parts appropriately…"

"So then why does even our own time already have a name associated with it?"

Soren paused, rewinding his own thoughts. True… Why is that? After all, historians only analyze the past, not the present… At least not unless they needed to make a comparison. The whole, "History repeats itself" phrase was a thing for a reason.

However, the name itself was strange… The Age of Stasis? Wasn't that in reference to Yarian's Celestial Fate being frozen? How would the historians of the current era be aware of that context? Unless someone told them to call it in such a way?

No, wait… The word for stasis in Vinuan had another meaning—stillness. Calm.

Peace…

"The Age of Peace?"

Cassia smiled. "Yes. That is how most see it. Stasis to us is something that must be undone—a phase we must break to usher in a new era… One where the world's fate isn't frozen still.

"But to the common man, the Fourth Age of Fantasia is one of peace and prosperity. After the creation of the Union of Six Divines, conflicts between the Gods ceased entirely. The end of the War of Swords was thought to be the final 'Divine War.' That was what the revelations stated, at least."

"But that doesn't really make sense," Soren shook his head. "Even during the Fourth Age, wars were still a staple of the land. The Aelloran and Staterran Kingdoms weren't formed overnight. Many sacrifices went to bring about their borders…"

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

Myrin smiled, "The Banner Wars, right?"

Soren nodded. "I didn't read much about them in Celestine, but from what I know, the Selkie Federation was made up of countless warring tribes. As for Aellora, they were once a part of the Staterran Empire. Their declaration of independence brought countless bloodshed, no doubt."

Hearing this, Cassia sighed. "There's a stark difference between a Divine War and one waged by mortals, Soren."

"And that difference is what exactly?" His brows furrowed. "This Mirror Game is already showing us what a Divine War looks like, but I don't see what's so 'divine' about it? It's not like the Gods are personally picking up the swords and shovels."

Ignoring his sacrilegious comments, Cassia painfully lifted herself off the bed, much to the worry of both of them, then walked to the outdoor castle balcony. The pair looked at each other in bewilderment then followed after her.

"Are you sure you should get up so soon? What do you want to show us anyway…"

"This." She pointed up at the night sky, their gazes following her finger.

Soren paused then frowned after realizing what she wanted to show them.

"The spectral banners bearing the emblem of the Garden of Blades? What about them?"

"It is they who differentiate a divine war from one waged by mortals." She answered. "Soren, perhaps it was for the best that the Blossom Sword Flower barred you from using your Soul Weapon here. What is currently encompassing the Beyond at this very moment isn't something anyone could endure the sight of. Not even you."

He glanced at her suspiciously. "You say that as if you yourself had seen it?"

Cassia silently watched the ghostly banners wave their symbols. Eventually, she sighed. "Not me. But the person who owned this body before I came to possess it.

"As you know, I am a heretic. I do not have a name—no one granted me the privilege. The one who owned this body never even had the chance of seeing the world outside her cell. She was born there, and likely died there once the Spirit Wolf armies successfully besieged the bastion.

"But despite that being the case, she still saw more than what most could see. Her dreams were always plagued with the battles of those who fought there."

"There?" Soren's frown deepened.

"The Beyond." She answered. "The immortal spirits are constantly at war with each other—even at this very moment. I can see it all the moment I close my eyes."

Strange… Did Figments of the Serpent always have such an effect? From what he remembered, neither of her Soul Weapon's skills should have allowed her to do that. [Eyes of the Serpent] simply twisted the representation of objects in the Beyond. It didn't allow her to see into it.

Is there something else interfering with her dreams? This reminded him of his own situation. Though, he was unsure of the connection.

Unaware of his thoughts, Cassia continued, "As I had warned you in the past, not everything in the Beyond needs to be seen. There exists knowledge that could corrupt you the moment you learn of it. And there are truths that twist how you view reality itself. The poison of Astral Anima is not to be messed with…

"Now imagine what would happen if you were to witness that same anima, battling against itself."

"What?"

"You heard me," she chuckled. A moment later, he heard Myrin ask her something.

"Ah, are you talking about the concepts those spirits govern?"

She nodded. "Indeed."

"What are you two talking about?" He asked, to which Myrin answered:

"Soren, remember that spirits all hold their own individual Spirit Bodies, correct?"

"Yes—they are made from Abstract Runes. In a way, Spirits are an embodiment of the very metaphysical concepts coming to life."

Cassia nodded. "And because of that nature, they are immortal. Abstract Runes, after all, cannot be destroyed. The willpower of the collective subconscious—astral anima—ensures that they can never be erased. Not unless something similar to the Nameless Mist is involved.

"So then, what would happen if that influence over Astral Anima is influenced or weakened?"

Soren thought for a moment, then instantly came to a realization. "Their Abstract Runes also lose fragments?"

"Correct." She smiled. "Although spirits are immortal, their influence isn't. In fact, they can also lose power by losing parts of their Spirit Body entirely."

Hearing this, he was instantly reminded of the Heartdrinker Sigil. That Sacred Treasure was originally a piece of Tazzith's Spirit Body that was lost during his battle against the Blossom Sword Flower…

Unaware of his thoughts, Cassia continued. "But that is where we run into issues… These spirits—their battles aren't entirely physical. Not when they are in the Beyond. No, it is nothing more than a chaotic brew of influence attacking itself.

"The very concepts their Spirit Bodies govern clash against one another, causing the astral anima in that vicinity to be tainted by their touch… This wouldn't be much of an issue if that poison was coming from Wisps or Shades, but the Spirits fighting in the Garden of Blades are all Mystic Grade! Not to mention the few Ascended Grade ones leading the armies…"

As she said this, Soren could see the fear in her eyes. Myrin had also noticed—his frown growing by the second.

"Cassia… You… You were seeing all of this in your dreams while staying in that cell? The poison from that Astral Anima was constantly invading your mind?"

There was a sudden pause before she finally answered:

"Yes."

"How the hell did you survive?!"

She sighed then glanced up at the brilliantly lit-up sky. "For the most part, I didn't. The memories of this body were full of moments of amnesia, worry, sickness… But mostly stillness. Her mind was already on the brink of collapse when I entered her body.

"It was no wonder why the prison guards never bothered to check up on her or worry that she might escape. To them, even the constant beatings and torture probably never registered in her mind—she was far too gone to even notice such things.

"But I was different. The moment I inherited her body, I immediately noticed what was wrong with my mind and tried to resist it as much as possible. Of course, my initial attempts failed. Insanity once again plagued my every waking moment. But somehow, by sheer luck, I was able to use [Eyes of the Serpent] to twist the representation of my insanity into something else, erasing it from existence for a few seconds."

Soren couldn't believe what he was hearing. That ability can even work on such things?

"Incredible… Isn't your ability based on luck?" Myrin rubbed his chin. "You might be able to select a target, but you won't know what representation it would be twisted into."

She nodded. "Correct. I twisted the very truth of my insanity into something else, and luckily, that something wasn't at all harmful… If it was, perhaps I would have instantly died. And so far, I have been using that same trick constantly to keep that insanity away."

"So that means you're essentially a ticking time bomb…" Soren asked, but he already knew the answer. Cassia immediately confirmed his suspicions:

"Yes… So far, my trick has worked successfully. But if it starts to fail due to luck, I might truly lose myself again…"

He couldn't help but cover his face with his palm. "Great… Just great. More problems to deal with."

Myrin sighed. "Indeed… But I am not really sure if there is even a solution to her dilemma. We might just have to wait until the fifth day and hope her little trick continues to succeed until then…"

Soren stood there under the blanket of night, silently thinking over his plans. He then remembered something.

"Say, you still haven't answered my question… You said you know about the Hollowed Star fragments right? What do they have to do with the names of each Age and the War of Swords being a Divine War?"

"Oh that's fairly simple." She smiled devilishly. "The Hollowed Star fragments are what decides the next Age."

"What?" The pair spoke in unison.

She chuckled. "Its just as you heard it. These fragments… When combined, they create a representation of this realm's Celestial Fate. And the one who wields it can shape how the next era is formed!"

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