Kairen stared at the small, obedient wisp of starlight swirling in his palm. It pulsed in time with his own heartbeat, a tiny, cool, and controlled drop of the Cosmic Essence. The awe from his breakthrough in the previous chapter still hummed in his chest, a feeling more potent and real than any victory in the Gauntlet.
At last, he really had started.
Sage Vanamali, who had watched from the edge of the waterfall platform, glided forward. A very rare, deep smile of approval touched his ancient features, crinkling the skin around his eyes.
"You have taken the first step," Vanamali said, his voice a low rumble beneath the roar of the waterfall. "You invited the Essence, and it answered. You have held a single drop." He nodded once. "It is a start."
Kairen let his concentration lapse, and the connection broke. The beautiful wisp of light dissolved, flowing harmlessly back into the invisible "web" of the world. He felt a pang of loss as it vanished.
