Rash was still speaking of the "Serathygas" when Elena's eyes turned, with immense slowness and depth, toward the ancient Salvaryus tree, fixing her gaze upon it.
The tree seemed to float, much like the other Sylvarius trees she had seen before. Its leaves bore inscriptions that pulsed, lighting up and dimming in a gradual rhythm. It did not appear particularly special at first glance, but what distinguished it were those light-like veins extending from the tree and connecting directly to the ground. By merely observing the earth surrounding the tree, one could see the veins stretching to the deepest reaches of the subterranean depths. From its branches hung fruits that closely resembled pears; they were all yellow, save for a single fruit that throbbed with an exceptionally brilliant red glow.
Suddenly, in a calm voice that reached everyone's ears, Elena said:
"Get ready, Rash. The time has come for the release of the Orb of Luminous Energy."
The fruit trembled among the branches as if pulsing with life, then began to release its contents with a slow and solemn majesty. Silence descended over the entire arena, and all eyes turned toward Elena. Everyone felt something strange—an ancient sensation, as if the air around them had shifted, becoming denser and more sentient. Then, they appeared… the Serathygas.
They emerged from nothingness; no gates, no sound, and no tremors in the earth. They simply arrived. A dominating presence pierced the senses, as if their energy had preceded them, informing the lights of their coming before eyes could even perceive them.
The gazes of the crowd dropped to the ground in involuntary reverence, as if their souls shrank before the majesty of what they beheld—everyone except Elena. She watched them in secret, her eyes filled with awe and curiosity, avoiding their direct gaze as Rash had warned. But unconsciously, she raised her eyes.
Her gaze met theirs.
In that moment, something happened. They looked at her but once—and in their eyes, there was not merely her reflection, but millions of shapes, like celestial mazes or imprisoned worlds spinning within endless circles. Their gaze was deeper than time and farther than divinity. That single look froze every part of her, whether light or blood. They approached her in absolute silence; no sounds, no words, only slow, deliberate, and terrifying steps, as if time itself had paused out of respect for their arrival.
They stood directly before Elena. A completely transparent yet tangible aura emanated from them, wrapping around Elena's neck and embracing her without physical touch. Elena felt it; it was neither warmth nor cold, but a sensation unlike anything else. The feeling slipped inside her, filling her, and she shivered.
Then she understood—without a word spoken. She simply knew. They had granted her the Gift of Protection, a boon bestowed only upon a rare few. The crowds had no inkling of what the Serathygas had given Elena; they only saw them draw near to her. Within every person present, two questions echoed: How did Elena know the exact moment the Orb would emerge? And why did the Serathygas approach her?
The Orb of Luminous Energy began to move slowly, as if carving its own destiny, searching for its path through the ways of existence until it matured for its cycle and vanished. It entered the first partial dimension from the deepest layer of the ancient Sylvarius tree, and everyone disappeared behind it, following its vibrations.
The time had come for the Great Competition to begin. The Orb appeared in a dark dimension resembling a massive, branching cave, with endless tunnels stretching within. Its only light came from blue lakes that blinked on and off before returning to a glow, emitting a musical shriek like the violent playing of a violin. The atmosphere felt enchanting, filled with dread, and a constant sense of moisture permeated everything. The Orb was running, swimming, fleeing—and no one knew where it was headed.
The team split up according to the plan. Their goal was to protect Elena; they had realized she was the key to something vital, something known only to the consciousness of Azaveria. They ran like shadows, appearing and vanishing in the blink of an eye. Their markings flickered with endless pulses, and their speed seemed utterly impossible.
Everyone was chasing the Orb for two reasons: First, to protect it from the creatures of the Asomia Universe, who lurk within the folds of dimensions to destroy the Orb before its maturity, seeking to shatter the spirits of the competitors as they feed on sorrow and disappointment. Second, whoever catches it earns a point for their team.
Tabitha said in astonishment, "Khaiso, do you notice something? The Asomia creatures aren't attacking."
Khaiso replied while staring into the darkness, "This isn't normal..." He paused, adding in a puzzled tone, "Could it be because of the presence of the Serathygas?"
Siniyata spoke with intense wonder, "This is strange. I saw one of them hiding behind a rock. He was about to attack when he saw Elena, but then he backed off quickly. He seemed afraid of something."
Elena was looking at Rash. Her eyes spoke without words, as if the world around her had vanished and only his presence remained. As for Rash, who returned her gaze in silence, he wondered to himself with quiet confusion: My God, why does she seem so perfect? Am I the only one who sees her this way?
Tabitha interrupted everyone's thoughts with her sharp voice: "Team! The Orb has shifted. Identify the coordinates now!"
In an instant, as if no one had ever been there, they all vanished.