Paths of Ascension

## Ancient and Nightmare Spell Paths

### Awakening

Ancient humans Awakened in the reverse order compared to modern humans, who formed their soul core after the First Nightmare and gained the ability to control essence after surviving the first journey to the Dream Realm.

The first step is to Awaken and to Awaken one must gain control over their soul essence and use it to form the soul core. While some powerful creatures have their soul cores already formed, most are born Dormant, like humans. Learning how to control essence is the hardest part, but with knowledge, success is almost guaranteed.

After passing the trial of First Nightmare, one receives the ability to perceive and interact with Soul Core, as well as a unique Aspect and Flaw. They have not yet established a connection with the Dream Realm but are destined to be transported there on the day of the winter solstice. Once a Sleeper *(Dormant Human)* returns from the Dream Realm for the first time, they became Awakened. Their Soul Core evolves to the next Rank and their Aspect gains a second Aspect Ability. They also become capable of perceiving and interacting with Soul Essence.

### Ascension

After the one's soul essence Awakens and can control it, the next step is to patiently work on forming the soul core to accumulate power.
Ascension is a step of rising above one's mortal nature by improving the quality of their essence and body. This can be slow or fast, depending on how one refines themselves naturally or by absorbing the essence of stronger beings. Once the soul essence reaches a qualitative change, the soul core will reform and grow stronger. However, conscious refinement is necessary for this process.
Some noble creatures possess multiple soul cores and walk the path of ascension more naturally.

Weaver gave the mortals a gift that accelerates each step on the path of Ascension, including discovering one's Soul Sea.

### Transcendence (Ancient Path)

Transcendence is a profound transformation where a mortal assumes the first qualities of the divine. It involves transforming the soul essence and core, becoming more potent and voluminous. The Awakened must become one with the world and be recognized by it, their soul has to be expanded beyond the confines of the body and the world be it water, wind, shadow, light or something else.

A Transcendent's connection to the world is not all-encompassing, but rather a connection to one or several aspects of it, such as water, wind, shadow, light or something else, and the key to achieving Transcendence is awakening their Aspect.

The world responds to the Transcendent and even bends to their will. However, not all Awakened humans possess an Aspect, and as they rise on the path of Ascension, it becomes harder to move further without claiming their Aspect and Flaw. It is actually impossible to Transcend without them.

An Aspect and Flaw is required to Transcend. One can't exist without the other. Imperfection is an absolute law, just like death, and humans are flawed as well. However, being flawed is the essence of life and growth, as it allows for constant struggle to grow and improve.

## Learning to Control Essence

There is no single way to gain control over their soul essence, as it is a unique experience for many. Some spend years meditating and perfecting their souls, eventually entering a state of unity between mind and soul. Others attune themselves to the world and travel to different realms to gather insights about the nature of living things. Some follow warrior teachings and train their bodies, while others receive sudden epiphanies in a moment of dire crisis with no preparation.However, there is a path that anyone can walk, both the simplest and most dangerous, as well as vile. It is to kill those who have already Awakened and plunder their soul shards in order to absorb their soul essence. The Awakened essence can already be controlled and by mixing it with Dormant beings' essence can change it a little. Absorption of enough essence can cause one's essence to Awaken.In the Age of Heroes, the process was simpler, but as monsters decreased, humans and noble creatures began to kill each other.

The Awakened of the waking world received the ability to sense their essence from the Spell and intuitive knowledge of controlling it, which took time and practice. Most received these gifts after Awakening, while those who skipped the process had to catch up after becoming a Master.

### Essence Refinement

There are methods and techniques for refining one's essence. The knowledge has been accumulated over countless generations and is taught to disciples over many years, but only a few succeed. Those who succeed must first find their way into their Soul Sea. Without the ability to enter the Soul Sea, it would take one many lifetimes to Ascend even with the best refinement technique.

## Trivia

* Without the guidance of the Nightmare Spell, one had to learn how to discover their Soul Sea.
* In the waking world, everyone assumed that being able to access the Soul Sea was a natural ability of all Awakened, including Sleepers, which turned out as another thing that the Spell had simplified for the humans.
* The world responds to a few people below the Transcendent Rank, such as Nephis, Jet, and Sunny.

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Chapter 1306 Paths of Ascension
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Chapter 0 The Nightmare Spell
3. ↑ Chapter 17 Three Simple Words
4. ↑ 4.00 4.01 4.02 4.03 4.04 4.05 4.06 4.07 4.08 4.09 4.10 4.11 Chapter 1307 Before the Nightmare Spell