At the center of the crater lies a crystal sphere — floating, humming softly.
A Starcore.
Aren's breath catches. Astralis energy radiates from it, making the rain sizzle midair.
He knows he should run. The Ascendancy kills anyone caught near a Starcore.
But the light... it feels familiar. Warm.
He reaches out.
Pain floods his arm. His vision explodes into gold and violet.
He sees galaxies collapsing, stars reborn, and a voice whispering through infinity:
> "The stars remember those who seek them."
Then — silence.
And darkness.
---