The path through the forest stretched beneath a sky painted in the final colors of evening.
Golden leaves drifted lazily through the air. No one spoke much.
Not because they had nothing to say but because they were tired.
Not physically. At least not in the ordinary sense.
Their bodies felt light.
Their souls felt awake. Yet their minds carried a strange heaviness after everything that had happened.
The transition. The God Cores. The spar.
The overwhelming pressure of existing closer to their true strength.
The Black Sun Syndicate followed one of the Sun People through winding pathways suspended among colossal roots and ancient trees until eventually they reached a residence.
Calling it a residence felt misleading.
It was closer to a palace.
Built from pale gold wood and smooth white stone, the structure rose among the trees naturally as though it had grown there rather than been constructed. Large open windows allowed warm air to circulate through the interior while soft golden lights floated through the halls.
The inside was vast.
One room alone was large enough to house all of them comfortably.
Soft woven floors. Low platforms. Large windows overlooking the endless forest.
For a while nobody moved. Then Kaelus exhaled deeply.
He dropped backward onto the floor and stretched both arms.
"…Finally."
He closed his eyes.
"Some peace."
Darius quietly walked over and laid down.
One leg bent. One extended.
His right palm reached upward toward the ceiling.
He stared at it. Then smiled.
"They're ridiculously strong."
Everyone looked at him. Isly leaned against one of the walls.
Her staff rested across her shoulders.
"…Yeah."
She looked upward.
"She defeated all of us combined."
Her eyes narrowed.
"And she didn't even look like she was trying."
Rein sat nearby.
One arm resting over his knee. He scoffed.
"Hmph."
His eyes reflected quiet determination.
"We'll be at that level soon."
Alucard laughed. Dova laughed too.
Even Tina smiled. The atmosphere softened.
Stellar looked around. Her silver eyes carried quiet curiosity.
"I'm actually looking forward to the second training."
She rested her chin on her hand.
"I wonder who our teacher will be this time…"
Eryndor sat beside the open window. The evening wind moved through his dark hair.
He thought for a moment. Then shrugged.
"It's probably Zeth…The Wondering Swordsman."
He smiled faintly.
"Sure as hell not David."
He folded his arms.
"He's teaching us last."
A voice answered immediately.
"Impressive."
Everyone looked up. The voice continued.
"Good calculation…in the later part."
David stood there.
Smiling. No footsteps. No sound. No indication he had entered.
It looked less like he arrived and more like reality simply remembered he had always been there.
Nobody reacted. Nobody even looked surprised. At this point they were getting used to it.
Everyone simply turned their heads. Eryndor sighed.
"…Can't you stop appearing and disappearing like that at least?"
David blinked. Then chuckled.
"It's my natural speed."
He smiled gently.
"You'll have to get used to this before you ascend."
Nobody questioned what he said.
Because somehow they all understood.
David raised his hand. Several folded bundles appeared. One floated toward each member.
Clothing. The fabric shimmered softly.
Light and Elegant. Made similarly to what the Sun People wore.
Long flowing outer layers. Comfortable and breathable.
Simple. Yet strangely refined. Kaelus picked his up.
Turned it over. Then grinned.
"Don't worry David."
He gave a thumbs up.
"I'll give you a five-star review."
David looked amused. Kaelus nodded seriously.
"Good hospitality."
David smiled. Then looked at him.
"If you say that during your last training…"
His smile widened slightly.
"…I would be proud."
Before anyone could respond he disappeared again. No movement. No transition. He simply wasn't there anymore.
Silence filled the room. Then Kaelus slowly lowered his hand.
"…That guy sure is scary."
Nobody disagreed.
One by one they changed. Settled in.
Found places to rest. The room gradually became quieter. Darius remained lying down.
Isly sat near the window. Stellar closed her eyes.
Rein leaned against a wall. Eryndor stared at the sky.
Eventually sleep arrived.
Not forcefully. It was like a tide.
One after another the Black Sun Syndicate drifted into sleep.
Eryndor, Rein, Kaelus, Darius, Stellar, Isly, Alucard, Dova and Tina.
The room became still. Night deepened.
Outside the forest glowed softly.
Inside something changed. Without realizing it they all felt it.
Soul Power. It was not divine energy. Not elemental energy. Not mana.
Something quieter. Something deeper. Power drawn from the self.
Internal energy. Invisible..Yet overwhelmingly real.
It flowed naturally. Through body, Through spirit, Through mind.
It touched concepts themselves.
It existed above ordinary energies not because it was stronger but because it originated closer to the source.
Closer to the soul. And when two powers collided the weaker one yielded.
Not from force. But from spiritual superiority.
None of them understood it yet.
None of them could control it.
But that night for the first time they felt it.
And somewhere beyond dreams their souls quietly opened another door.