Armaverse/Chapter 18

==Intro==
Sarah and Dylan wake up after being consumed by the tear. They eventually come across a mysterious figure that alledgedly holds the key to their journey...
==Description==
I wake up with a start, my head spinning as I try to make sense of my surroundings. Everything around me is shrouded in a hazy glow, like I'm floating in some kind of limbo or weird purgatory. Slowly, I push myself up, my muscles feeling weak and shaky.
As my vision clears, I find myself in a surreal space that I have never seen before. The sky above me is a mesmerizing aura of swirling nebulae, highlighted by streaks of shooting stars, floating past in a mesmerizing display. The ground beneath my feet feels solid yet ethereal, like I'm standing on the edge of a dream. This barely even feels real too, like I'm actually dreaming.
Taking in the environment around me, I realize that I'm in what appears to be a spiritual castle-like area. Parts of the walls are seperate from the floor, floating freely in the nebulae. It's a breathtaking sight, unlike anything I've ever seen before. 
Feeling disoriented and dizzy, I take a moment to steady myself before venturing further into this strange realm. As I walk, I can't help but admire the beauty of this place, even as a sense of unease claws at the edges of my mind.
Eventually, I come across Dylan, who looks just as disoriented and confused as I feel.
Sarah: Dylan! You're, you're here!
Dylan: Yeah, it's good to see you too. 
We exchange a glance, silently acknowledging the surreal nature of our surroundings.
Dylan: This looks cool, doesn't it?
Sarah: Yeah, it does. Although, this doesn't look like our second trial, does it? I mean, if it was, Xul Turon surely would have announced it by now.
Dylan: No, it doesn't. But where are we? And what are we doing here? Did that tear bring us here? What does this even mean?
Me and Dylan both ponder these questions for a moment, our voices echoing softly in the vast emptiness of this strange space. Despite the beauty of our surroundings, I can't shake the feeling of anticipation and anxiety that grips me.
Sarah: I don't know, Dylan. But... whatever happens, we'll face it together, right?
I see Dylan nod reassuringly, his expression determined.
Dylan: Of course, Sarah. We'll figure this out together. 
Drawing strength from his words, we continue to explore our surroundings, our footsteps echoing in the silence. Eventually, we come across a long hallway, its walls adorned with intricate patterns that seem to shimmer in the ambient light, fading into the familiar sky of nebulae.
As we walk, I know it's going to be a long one. We decide to tak more to pass the time.
Sarah: So, Dylan, what do you make of all this? I mean, the trials, the prophecies... It's a lot to take in.
Dylan: Yeah, it is. But you know something, Sarah, I can't help but feel like everything we've encountered so far has been leading up to this moment. Like we're part of some bigger plan, some grand scheme.
Sarah: I know what you mean. It's like we've been guided every step of the way, from the moment we met in Level 4 to now. But who—or what—is guiding us? And why?
Dylan: Well, remember when Xul Turon said he was waiting for us for a long time? What if he is the one that has guided us all this time. It would make sense, considering how we found this place so easily and quickly. 
Sarah: Yeah, I have a feeling you're right. And you know, sometimes I wonder if we're really the ones meant to fulfill this so-called prophecy. I mean, why us? What makes us so special? We're just another group of regular wanderers.
Dylan: Yeah. But, we don't know what the prophecy even is yet. I know it has something to do with a so called darkness, but where do we come into play? How can we, "stop" it as Xul Turon said? Why are we the only ones?
Sarah: I wonder all those questions too. But, I have a feeling we will only find out if we manage to complete all of these seven trials.
Dylan: Yeah. But, if that is our main goal or task now, then what are we doing here? This surely can't be the second trial.
Sarah: I don't know. But even still, it's just a lot of pressure. And what if we fail? What if we're not strong enough, or brave enough, or—
Dylan: Hey, hey, don't think like that, Sarah. We've come this far, haven't we? And we've faced every challenge together, every obstacle, every setback. We're not going to fail now, not when it matters most.
Sarah: Yeah, you're right.
Finally, we arrive at a large floating platform, surrounded by the familiar sight of the nebula sky and the floating chunks of walls. Me and Dylan are looking in awe, but I catch my attention to infront of me. Standing before us is a mysterious figure, with a hood daintly trickling in the wind.
Sarah: Another one? This looks exactly like the one in my dream, but different.
Dylan: Dream? 
Sarah: That dream I told you I had. It was about me seeing this mysterious figure on the edge of a bridge. He kept talking about this prophecy and the Keeper of The Nebulae.
Dylan: Huh, so it wasn't just a dream. It was, a warning?
Sarah: Yeah, probably. But, why did he say that in my, dream? I mean, you can only make a dream from your brain. Maybe there must be an outside force, outside of existence entirely, influencing. 
Dylan: Probably.
As Dylan and I approach the mysterious figure standing before us, a sense of anticipation and curiosity hangs heavy in the air. With a nervous gulp, I muster the courage to speak.
Sarah: Who... who are you?
The figure slowly turns around, the folds of its purple hood concealing its identity until it finally reveals itself. A dark, shadowy figure with neon yellow eyes stares back at us, with the purple hood swaying in the breeze.
Follower: I am a Follower of The Nebula.
It's voice sends a chill down my spine.
Sarah: A Follower of The Nebula? What is that?
Follower: We are a mysterious group of entities, destined with one goal, to care and tend to the delicate nebulae and the fabric that makes up our universe, existence itself. 
Sarah: Interesting. Are you, prehaps related to Xul Turon in any way?
???: Yes. He is our leader, and the keeper of the Seven Trials of Destiny. We serve a greater purpose, one that is beyond the realm of reality.
Dylan: What purpose? What do you mean?
The figure then pauses for a moment, as if contemplating its words carefully before speaking again.
???: You two serve a greater purpose than you realize. But to truly understand, you must first complete the Seven Trials of Destiny. Only then will you unlock the secrets that lie beyond.
Sarah: Seven Trials of Destiny? But what purpose do they have?
???: That, I cannot say. You must discover it for yourselves, Sarah. Complete the trials, seek out Xul Turon, and he will reveal the prophecy that guides your path.
I feel a surge of eagerness and anticipation building within me, the desire to uncover the truth driving me forward. 
Sarah: Can you atleast give us some sort of clue?
The figure's eyes seem to shimmer with a strange intensity as it contemplates on it's reseponse.
???: There are three shimmering stars, destined to save the universe. What they are, who they are, only time will tell.
I feel a sense of euphoria building inside me. We just recieved a big clue, but before we can ask any more questions, the figure begins to fade away, its form dissolving into the swirling nebulae around us. In its wake, another tear forms, swirling and pulsating with an otherworldly energy.
Sarah: What... what just happened? 
Dylan: I don't know, but whatever the follower was talking about, those so called, shimmering stars, we must be connected to them. 
Sarah: Yeah, I feel that aswell.
As I speak, the tear begins to consume us, pulling us towards the direction of gravity.
Sarah: Where is this tear taking us?
Dylan: Probably our second trial, for real this time. I'll meet you on the other side!
As the tear envelops us, the sense of anticipation and anxiety weighs heavily on my mind. With a rush of energy, we are transported once again, hurtling towards our next trial in the Seven Trials of Destiny. 
Sarah: Here we go...
Category:Armaverse Canon
Category:Tales