The Astrax Dominion Ark moved like a silent god through the fabric of space, its colossal structure cutting across the void with absolute authority as countless warriors stood within, their gazes fixed on the unseen destination ahead. Inside the vessel, the atmosphere was calm, yet beneath that calm rested tension—anticipation mixed with uncertainty, the weight of what lay ahead pressing quietly on every mind present.
Then,
Maize's voice echoed across the Ark.
Clear. Precise. Absolute.
"All registered candidates and warriors are hereby informed of the following: Your current destination is Planet Eres, the central headquarters of the Starfall Covenant. The Starfall Covenant operates within the Milky Way Galaxy, which is officially governed under the Xytherian Dominion, ruled by Zerathion Rex."
The moment the name was spoken, a subtle shift passed through the warriors. This was no longer just about Earth. This was something far greater.
"Within the Xytherian Dominion, there exist eleven recognized currencies, each ranked according to value, stability, circulation, and economic backing. Among these, the Starfall Covenant legally controls and circulates two recognized currencies: Eclipse Credits — Ranked 5th. Starfall Astryx — Ranked 9th."
A projection unfolded within the Ark, streams of data forming structured layers of economic hierarchy.
"Eclipse Credits function as the primary standard currency, widely accepted across multiple galaxies due to their long-term stability, consistent supply, and established trust. Starfall Astryx functions as a secondary, resource-backed currency, primarily used within Covenant-controlled territories and for transactions involving cultivation materials and energy-based resources."
The projection shifted again.
"Exchange rate: 1 Eclipse Credit equals 1,000 Starfall Astryx. All transactions, evaluations, and resource allocations within Planet Eres and affiliated systems will be conducted using these currencies."
Silence followed.
But not for long.
Because within that silence.
Michael changed.
A sudden disturbance rippled through his body, subtle at first, then undeniable. His aura trembled, not from weakness, but from excess. The energy within him had reached its limit. His Beast Binder Stage 9 foundation… was full.
Too full.
Without hesitation, he sat.
Closed his eyes.
And began.
His mind sank inward, cutting off the external world as he focused entirely on the storm within him. Energy flowed like a raging river through his meridians, his spiritual foundation trembling under the pressure as he forced control, compressing, stabilizing, refining.
Time passed.
Six months.
Six months of silence. Six months of pressure. Six months of absolute focus.
And then.
Breakthrough.
The energy within him shifted.
Not violently.
But completely.
His foundation expanded, stabilizing into a new state of existence as his aura deepened, becoming heavier, more refined, more controlled.
Beast Master… Stage 1.
His eyes opened slowly.
And at that exact moment
The Ark arrived.
What lay before them…
Was not a planet.
It was a domain.
Planet Eres.
A world so vast it defied comprehension. A single orbit around it required the equivalent of five light-years, its surface stretching endlessly like layered realities merged into one. Continents the size of worlds existed side by side, each carrying its own pressure, its own history, its own danger.
The moment the Ark entered its atmosphere
The difference became undeniable.
The air itself… was alive.
Energy flowed visibly across the sky—currents of power drifting like rivers of light, colliding, merging, separating in an endless dance. These were not ordinary energies. These were forces that shaped cultivation itself.
Aetherion Flux drifted like calm blue rivers, stabilizing internal energy.
Crimson Veyra pulsed violently in red-gold waves, amplifying raw strength.
Nyx Umbra Streams flowed like living shadows, sharpening perception while threatening the mind.
And high above.
Chrono Veins shimmered in silver-gold streaks, bending time itself.
The land below reflected these forces. Some regions burned under endless crimson skies. Others were drowned in shadow. Some shimmered, unstable, as though time could not decide its own direction.
And within those lands.
Beasts.
Not ordinary creatures, but descendants of ancient bloodlines, beings shaped directly by the laws themselves. Some moved like shadows, others reshaped entire landscapes simply by existing. Mountains had been torn apart by their battles. Forests twisted unnaturally under their influence.
This was not a training ground.
It was a living system of power.
And at its heart.
Flowed the Elysian Life Ocean.
A vast, emerald-gold expanse that moved across the planet like a living artery, its waters dense with spiritual essence. It restored what was lost. Flesh, bone, energy—rewritten as if the body had never been broken.
A single drop could change a warrior's fate.
But such power…
Attracted danger.
Above all of this:
Hung the true symbol of authority.
The Starfall Covenant Headquarters.
Floating.
A massive structure suspended in the sky, spanning like a second continent, its form built from crystalline and metallic frameworks infused with law-based control. Platforms extended outward in every direction, each functioning as a separate domain.
At its center.
The Hall of Origins.
And before it.
The statues.
Towering figures carved from a material that held both light and shadow, radiating presence even without movement. At the center stood Stephen Adarkwah-Yadom, his gaze fixed forward, eternal, unshaken.
Not monuments.
Reminders.
The Ark did not descend to the surface.
It aligned instead with a colossal platform suspended beneath the headquarters, its structure stretching endlessly, filled with vessels of similar scale arriving from across the galaxy.
A low hum echoed.
The Ark stabilized.
The gates opened.
Thousands stepped out.
And the moment their feet touched the platform.
They felt it.
Weight.
Not crushing.
But undeniable.
This was not Earth.
This was Eres.
Ahead stood the Covenant Nexus Hall, a massive circular structure layered with shifting inscriptions, functioning as the central command for all arrivals.
But before anyone could move—
A presence descended.
A figure appeared.
Tall. Controlled. Absolute.
Galaxy Lord Kryzeth Orvann.
Stage 9.
Silence spread instantly.
"All arriving candidates are to proceed toward the Covenant Nexus Hall for registration and system integration."
His voice carried authority without effort.
"You are now operating under the jurisdiction of the Starfall Covenant, within the Milky Way Galaxy, governed by the Xytherian Dominion."
A projection formed above them—resources, zones, currencies.
"Eclipse Credits. Starfall Astryx."
"Earned through missions."
Images appeared—oceans, crystals, dangerous zones.
"High-value objectives include Elysian Life Ocean extraction, Chrono Essence Stones, Void Crystallites, and Beastheart Gems."
"Minimum reward: 15 Eclipse Credits."
"Standard missions: 500 Astryx."
The projection shifted again.
"Planet Eres contains multiple classified zones."
"Outer zones: Beast-level."
"Inner zones: restricted."
"Core zones: beyond survival."
A pause.
"For Beast-level warriors—unauthorized entry will result in immediate termination."
No emotion.
Only truth.
"You are not here to test limits blindly."
"You are here to grow within them."
Then—
He vanished.
Silence remained.
Thousands stood still.
Different worlds.
Different origins.
Same level.
And in that moment.
Reality settled in.
This was no longer Earth's story.
This was the Milky Way Galaxy.
And this.
Was only the beginning.