A figure robed in cosmic silver descended from above, weightless, as if gravity itself bowed in respect. His presence pressed against every soul in the hall not with killing intent, but with the overwhelming pressure of someone who had lived through eras of blood, conquest, and ascension. Every student felt it like a tangible weight on their chest, a silent reminder that the universe contained forces far beyond ordinary comprehension.
He raised a single hand, and the hall brightened instantly. The crystalline surfaces along the walls and floors reflected the light, scattering it into intricate fractals that seemed to extend into infinity.
"Welcome… to Helionfall," the messenger said, his voice echoing like rolling thunder across distant galaxies, yet carrying a calm certainty that demanded attention. "You stand upon the heart of the Starfall Covenant the greatest force in this hidden universe."
The hall pulsed with energy in response, reacting to his presence as though it recognized him. The ground beneath the students hummed with unseen vibrations, resonating with the memory of centuries of war, victory, and sacrifice.
"Young warriors… you must understand where you stand, and why this place exists," he continued, his gaze sweeping across thousands of eyes filled with anticipation, fear, and curiosity. "For centuries no for ages the Starfall Covenant waged an unending war across the void. A war not for glory, but survival. When you hear that this planet was claimed, do not imagine a simple conquest. No this planet was earned in blood, soul, and cosmic fire.
A pause. The weight of history pressed down upon the hall. Students instinctively lowered their heads, feeling the pressure of the legacy they were stepping into.
"The hidden universe you now stand in was once a hunting ground. Countless races, higher powers, and ancient clans sought to wipe out humanity long before the covenant even existed. Our warriors fought without rest, without sleep, without hope until the day the impossible happened."
The starlight dimmed as if the universe itself remembered.
"A gateway a bridge back to Earth… was opened by Selara and the one called Bright."
Shock rippled through the audience. Whispers filled the edges of the hall, though they dared not speak above a whisper under his presence.
"From that gateway came the greatest reinforcement the universe had ever seen. Earth itself rose Stellar Lords. Universal Sovereigns. The most advanced warships ever forged vessels crafted from the mind of Selara and powered by the core of Earth's ancient technology."
The hall trembled as the memory replayed silently in the minds of the present. Massive holograms of Earth's fleets and warriors flashed in the air above, showing battles, shattered worlds, and the final victory over the invaders.
"With those warships, and with Earth's mightiest warriors… the tide turned. And after an age of devastation, the covenant crushed the invading races and claimed the hidden universe as its own."
His voice deepened, vibrating against the very bones of the students.
"Since then… we have ruled this reality for two thousand five hundred to three thousand five hundred years. And through those long eras, our power has only grown. Now, the once-threatening races tremble to even whisper our name."
A holographic map of the universe projected above them, suspended in layers of silver-gold light.
"There are three main covenants in this hidden universe:
• The Starfall Covenant supreme, unmatched, unquestioned.
• The Chrona Dominion rulers of time-touched beasts.
• The Ironveil Pact masters of void-forged weapons.
But among all powers, clans, and races the Starfall Covenant remains number one."
The hologram shifted again, showing glowing crowns each representing a ruling race, radiating authority and power.
"The top ruling races are acknowledged officially:
• The Obsidianborne
• The Aetherfang
• The Solarion Kin
• The Voidwyrms
• The Draconith Bloodline
But above all of them… stands the covenant."
He lowered his hand slowly, his gaze piercing every student.
"Now… the structure of your trial."
Another projection appeared rows and rows of glowing sigils spiraling upward, each representing a group of warriors, their history, and their accumulated achievements.
"You are the 20th batch to enter Helionfall's gates. Before you lie the legacies of nineteen batches each forged in chaos, pressure, and unimaginable danger."
"The 30,969 warriors selected from Eres have been divided into 2,998 groups. Each group contains eight members—no more, no less. If your group falls below eight due to failure in the earlier phases of the Galaxy Ascension, you will not receive reinforcements. You continue as you are… until only one remains, or until all of you pass.
A soft murmur rose among the students before dying instantly as the messenger's aura thickened the air.
"One of these groups… is newly restored."
A symbol of black and purple flame appeared, spinning and flickering with an almost sentient energy.
"The Obsidian Star Legion. A unit once erased from history. Now… reborn."
He allowed the symbol to fade slowly, leaving only a sense of awe and weight behind.
"Each group has its own territory vast, fortified, resource-rich zones within Helionfall. These territories are your homes, your battlegrounds, and your graves if you fail."
He flicked his fingers, and a ripple of energy passed through the air, vibrating against the students' bones.
"Here, your achievements are measured through PT. The same PTs you gathered on Eres are now the official currency of Helionfall. With them, you may purchase treasures, cultivation resources, forbidden scrolls, beast contracts, and weapons of unimaginable power.
His gaze hardened, golden eyes burning into their souls.
"But PT is owned by the group. If any member wishes to make a purchase, the other members must approve. You rise as one. You fall as one."
He stepped back, allowing the sky-dome to brighten with the reflection of millions of distant stars.
"Safe zones exist within Helionfall. Forbidden zones exist as well. Entering a forbidden zone without authorization is a death sentence not from your enemies, but from the planet itself.
He folded his arms behind his back, voice calm but heavy with authority.
"Remember this:
Helionfall is a land born from war, raised in fire, and tempered over thousands of years. The Starfall Covenant was not built by the strong. It was built by the desperate… who became strong."
Silence fell over the hall. The weight of the past and the enormity of their new world pressed down like a physical force.
"You are now part of that story. You are the next generation. The universe watches you."
He lifted his hand, signaling the end.
"Proceed. Your territories await."
The hall erupted in blinding silver light. The orientation officially ended.
As the orientation light faded, the selected groups rose into the air, guided by shimmering flight beacons drifting outward from the Grand Hall like glowing comets. Helionfall's sky opened before them—an endless expanse of swirling nebula clouds, distant floating isles, and colossal bridges of starlight connecting continents suspended in the void.
A shimmering arcway materialized high above the planet, marking a vast region suspended in the upper atmosphere. This was where all group territories were stationed a massive sky district known as The Zenith Array.
The Zenith Array stretched across the heavens like a kingdom built on the back of constellations. Platforms the size of cities floated in organized layers, each holding the territory of a competing group. From below, it looked like a sprawling empire of shining islands suspended on the edge of space.
The Obsidian Star Legion's territory designated Sector S4–NX hovered near the eastern rim of the Zenith Array. From the Covenant's main headquarters to their location, it was a one-hour flight at normal Skywalker speed.
Arata, Kyra, and Michael glided through the sky no artifacts, no boosters just pure cultivation. Arata led effortlessly, her aura sharp and serene, the mark of a Skywalker Stage 5. Kyra flew beside her, her hair trailing like a violet comet streak. Behind them, Michael followed quietly, his expression distant, his aura humming faintly as if measuring the weight of the Expanse itself.
Arata noticed first.
"You're too silent today," she said, turning slightly mid-air. "Your mind is heavier than your body. What's wrong?"
Kyra slowed as well, drifting closer.
"Michael… you look troubled. Tell us."
Michael exhaled slowly, looking down at the glowing planet below.
"I'm thinking about our group," he admitted quietly. "Every group has eight, nine, sometimes ten members. But us? We're just three."
The wind whistled around them, yet nothing interrupted the unspoken tension.
"And the second phase of the Galactic Ascension…" He clenched his jaw. "The Ascendant Beast Division. It's filled with Beast Masters, higher-realm Skywalkers, even Star Warriors. How are we supposed to compete against that?.
Kyra frowned slightly.
"You think we can't?"
Michael shook his head.
"I'm not doubting us… I'm just afraid."
His voice dropped.
"We're Skywalkers. Arata is Stage 5, I'm Stage 4, Kyra you're Stage 3. But we are nowhere near Star Warrior level. And it gets worse."
Arata and Kyra exchanged a glance before Michael continued.
"We aren't only competing with our 20th batch. We can face veterans. Even someone from the 17th batch could appear—and there's a Star Warrior still active in that cycle."
His voice trembled slightly.
"How are three Skywalkers supposed to handle that…?"
For a moment, only the sound of rushing wind filled the silence.
Then Arata slowed to Michael's side, placing a firm, grounding hand on his shoulder.
"Listen," Arata said softly, "strength isn't determined by numbers. If it was, we wouldn't be here in the first place. We all survived the Eres trials. We earned our place."
Kyra flew to Michael's other side, nudging him lightly with her elbow.
"And don't forget," she said, smirking, "we're not done growing. You think a Star Warrior can relax while we're around? We'll make them sweat."
Michael blinked, the tension in his expression easing for the first time.
"You really believe that?"
"We don't believe," Arata said. "We know."
"And if anyone says otherwise," Kyra added, "we'll punch their teeth down their throat."
Arata gave her a look.
Kyra shrugged.
"What? Motivational violence works."
Michael laughed—finally—and the weight on him cracked apart, replaced with a flicker of hope.
Their territory came into view: a massive floating island of black-crystal mountains, shimmering waterfalls that fell into the sky instead of down, and glowing runic forests. A giant obsidian monument rose in the center bearing their code:
S4–NX: Obsidian Star Legion
Michael stared at it, exhaling slowly.
"It's beautiful.
Arata landed first on the crystalline ground.
"Get used to it. This is home."
Kyra stretched once her feet touched the surface.
"Alright, team, we survived orientation. Time to think about food. My stomach is screaming at me."
Michael perked up immediately.
"Oh, about that!" he announced, raising a finger dramatically. "Since you two are the ladies here, and I'm the only guy… I've made an important decision."
Arata narrowed her eyes.
"What decision?"
Michael cleared his throat.
"You two… will be responsible for cooking forever. I refuse to eat anything I make. I'm doing you a favor."
Kyra stared at him.
Arata stared at him.
Michael took a strategic step back.
Kyra cracked her knuckles.
"Oh, really?"
"Absolutely," Michael said confidently. "I need food that won't kill me. Women cook better it's scientifically proven in my head.
Arata shook her head with a sigh.
"Michael… you're digging your grave.
Kyra lunged, grabbing Michael in a headlock while laughing.
"You little Come here! Say that again!"
Michael struggled dramatically.
"Arata! Help me! The ladies are violent!"
Arata laughed for the first time that day, patting Michael's back.
"You asked for it.
The three of them fell into laughter warm, loud, echoing across the floating island until the weight of fear finally dissolved.
Under the obsidian sky of Helionfall, the Obsidian Star Legion finally felt like a family.
And that… was how their first day began.