Astral Academy – Anay's Room / Inner Realm Field
The moonlight stretched long shadows across the academy corridors. Most of the Top 10 had already departed on their training journeys—Ashwajeet to the thunderous cliffs of the Eastern Wastes, Reika, Mira, and Myria under the guidance of Elemental Elders, Veer soaring northward with the Wind Caravan, Aarya deep in the glacial sanctum... even Vivaan and Saki were gone, embarking toward territories patrolled by seasoned guardians.
Only Sato remained, training in the courtyard.
And Anay… walked alone.
His steps were slow, hands tucked in his pockets as he moved through the quiet halls. His mind wandered with each footfall.
"They're all going to come back stronger."
"They've chosen their paths… and I need to choose mine too."
"I'm not just training for power. I have to understand what's within me."
He reached his room and gently closed the door behind him. The silence inside felt different now—not empty, but focused. Like the calm before a storm.
Anay moved to the center of the room, lowered himself into a cross-legged position, and placed both hands over his heart.
A deep breath in.
Another out.
He exhaled everything—noise, memory, hesitation.
"Let's begin," he whispered.
In a blink, the walls melted away.
Gone was the academy room. In its place stretched an endless field of quiet goldgrass, its blades swaying under a twilight sky. The air shimmered like a mirage, warm and silent. This was his Inner Realm.
No temples. No shrines. Just space.
Anay slowly rose to his feet, feeling the wind move across his skin.
He raised one hand gently in front of him.
"Come to me…" he whispered.
A pulse responded.
Like the beat of a forgotten drum.
The space ahead of him began to bend and swirl. Slowly, a shape started forming—except it wasn't a weapon.
Not a spear. Not a sword. Not even a dagger.
Just energy.
Black and violet, tinged with silvery threads of starlight. It flickered and danced in the air like a sentient flame, shifting forms without ever settling.
Anay took a slow step forward, eyes narrowed in confusion and awe.
"You're not… a spear?" he murmured. "You're not a sword either…"
The energy moved around him—never touching, just circling like it was waiting for something.
"Then… who are you really?"
His voice trembled—not with fear, but with reverence.
The glow pulsed once. Then again. Like a heartbeat.
Anay could feel it deep inside his chest, responding.
But no words came. No physical form. Only silence.
He reached out slowly, fingers brushing the edge of the energy swirl—but it passed through him like a memory.
Still formless.
Still waiting.
He lowered his hand.
"You're part of me… but I still don't understand you."
The wind picked up in the field. Grass swayed in waves. The energy pulsed again.
Anay closed his eyes, breathing in its presence.
"No shortcuts… we'll train here, again and again… until I understand."
His eyes opened.
"Until you show me what you really are."
The energy flared brighter.
And for a split second—just a heartbeat—it shimmered into the faintest outline of a dagger… then vanished.
Anay didn't move.
But he smiled faintly.
"Got it."
He stepped forward into the field, walking with quiet purpose.
The journey had begun.
And this time—he was alone.