"The Pain Domain is destined to manifest in the southern continent. The previous sovereigns have already lost control of the three domains to their enemies. While the Time Domain remains in capable hands,they adhere to their own ideology, making it difficult to align with their goals.
For me, the most pressing matter is to gain access to the force that controls the Time Domain. They hold the memories of pivotal events from the past, knowledge that is crucial to understanding how the dark force rose to power and manipulated entire generations. Without uncovering the source of this disease, how can I hope to cure it?".
"However, if they discover that I am a sovereign, they will never share their secrets with me. I must tread carefully. Perhaps the only way to extract their knowledge is to befriend them, to earn their trust. Yet, even that feels like an impossible task, especially as their enemy. How can I achieve what seems unattainable?". Levi thought while observing the shifting clouds beyond the airship window, his mind drifting between past experiences and the uncertain future.
Sophion, the one who trapped Levi in the dream realm, never granted him true freedom. Instead, Sophion's sole focus was to make Levi suffer at every turn, offering him hope only to crush it, repeatedly.
Levi endured the torment of being hunted by the same enemy across countless lifetimes, an experience that would drive any ordinary person to madness. Yet, he never lost his courage. He took pride in his resilience, even embracing the monstrous aspects of his nature.
The more time Levi spent in this endless cycle, the more he grew, though he remained trapped in a place he could not define. Yes, he had obtained eternal life, but it was not the life he desired. Desperate to escape the dream realm, he convinced himself that defeating his eternal enemy would be the key to his freedom. But the true key lay not in vengeance, it lay in rediscovering his humanity. Only by helping and protecting others without expecting anything in return could he break free from the cycle.
Levi understood the danger posed by the forces controlling the three domains.The more he acts against them, the more aware they will become of his presence. His only advantage was the knowledge that a greater force lurked behind the curtains, orchestrating everything.
If the world is a theater and life a grand drama, then this hidden force writes the script for every era, dictating the roles people play and the events that unfold.
Levi never sought control over the dream realm's domains when he was trapped. To claim them, he would have to share power, something he despised. He was the embodiment of pure selfishness, a man who would give freely, but only for a time. When the gift had been refined through knowledge and experience, he would reclaim it, not by force, but in such a way that the recipient would surrender it willingly, believing it was their own choice.
So, he never waged war against the dark force, yet he understood them in ways no one else could. After living through a hundred lifetimes, he had seen their traces, learned their patterns. Still, they remained an enigma, lurking in the shadows of history. He knew only one undeniable truth, they were the ones who had slain the previous Sovereign.
But has he changed his mind now? Will he fight for the Shattered Veil Domain, for Elrya against that mysterious force? On what grounds, and with what strength? The ones he would challenge had slain a fully grown Sovereign in their pursuit of power. To them, a order 7 echo Levi was nothing, just another piece on the board, another thread in the grand tapestry they wove from the shadows.
Perhaps they wouldn't even consider him a piece on the board, too insignificant to warrant attention. To them, he was neither a threat nor an obstacle, merely another fleeting existence beneath their notice.
But that was their mistake.
Levi had never needed recognition to carve his path. He thrived in the shadows, weaving his influence in ways unseen, giving only to take back tenfold. If they ignored him, it would only make his work easier. The Shattered Veil Domain was not just about Elrya, nor was it about proving himself to forces that thought themselves untouchable. It was about something far greater, a truth buried beneath centuries of power struggles, a door waiting to be unlocked.
And Levi had always been patient when it came to opening doors.
Elias remained silent for the remainder of the journey, immersed in a profound state of enlightenment that seemed to envelop him like a cocoon.
After a day of travel, the airship finally descended upon Zul'vharra, a city that lay cradled in the heart of the Lotus of Nyxian Flow River. As evening draped its golden hues across the sky, the city emerged like a vision from a dream.
From above, Zul'vharra resembled a ring of fire, its colossal walls glowing under the sun's final embrace. The sprawling metropolis unfolded like a grand mechanical tapestry, a fusion of industrial might and aristocratic splendor.
Towering gilded spires and ornate domes pierced the heavens, their polished surfaces catching the dying embers of twilight. Massive bridges stretched across the city, their intricate frameworks pulsing like veins, connecting the districts in an unbroken web of power and movement.
The city thrived in layers, each one a testament to its complexity. At its heart, the elevated district stood as a symbol of privilege and influence, with palatial estates, rooftop gardens, and gleaming marble terraces reserved for the elite. Below, the streets teemed with life, factories belched steam, mechanized workshops buzzed with activity, and steam-driven trams snaked through labyrinthine roads, their exhaust plumes blending into the hazy evening sky.
Airships glided gracefully between towering terminals, their immense white envelopes shimmering as they docked. Mechanical carriages rattled over cobblestone streets, weaving through a sea of merchants, nobles, and laborers, all cogs in the grand machinery that kept Zul'vharra alive.
At the city's crossroads stood the Arcana Station, where two massive roads intersected, one stretching north to south, the other running east to west. It was here that the airship docked, its passengers spilling onto the grand platforms, greeted by the eager crowds awaiting their arrival.
The students disembarked one by one, vanishing into the sea of waiting carriages sent by their families.
Levi approached Elrya, his voice steady. "Lady Elrya, if you dream of anything unusual, inform me immediately."
Elrya frowned. "Why? Is there something wrong with my dreams?"
She no longer saw him as a mere boy, not after the time they had spent together.
Levi met her gaze. "Yes, there is a problem. But it's not dangerous. Your dreams will be a map, the key to the Pain Domain." With that, he turned and stepped off the platform, offering no further explanation.
Elrya nodded, though confusion lingered in her eyes. To her, this all felt like a dream she didn't want to wake from. Just a few years ago, she had scavenged scraps from discarded plates. Now, she had been chosen by a domain.
Everyone knew of the Seven Domains of dream realm. Their legends were as ancient as Senthora itself, a land overflowing with resources, natural treasures, and power coveted by echoes. And yet, out of countless souls, the domain had chosen her as its protector.
It was almost too much to believe.
Levi stepped onto the platform, his sharp gaze sweeping the crowd. A subtle nod from a group of servants confirmed their presence, and without hesitation, he made his way toward them. Dorian, barely containing his excitement, stepped into his family's opulent carriage, eager to return to the comforts of his lavish residence.
Elrya exited the airship accompanied by a young girl who bore a striking resemblance to her. Instead of heading toward an awaiting carriage, she moved toward the public transport queue. The little girl, noticing the difference, tugged at Elrya's sleeve and asked, "Big sister, why are we taking a carriage? Aren't they expensive?"
Elrya paused, then smiled, exhaling as if shedding the weight of countless burdens. She rested a gentle hand on the girl's head and whispered, "Aeliana, we don't have to worry about money anymore."
Aeliana blinked in confusion. "Why?"
Elrya's smile deepened, her eyes gleaming with quiet triumph. "Because God sent an angel my way, someone who saw my struggles and rewarded my righteousness, even when I had nothing." She reached into her pocket, letting a few gleaming silver pieces catch the light. "He handed me these and said, 'This is your reward for staying true to your morals, even in desperate times.'"
Aeliana's eyes widened. "Does that mean…?"
Elrya nodded, her voice warm with newfound hope. "Yes. Now, we can live anywhere in Zul'vharra. We will have a home of our own."
"Our own home…" A spark of excitement ignited in Aeliana's gaze. "Promise?"
Elrya clasped her little sister's hand and whispered, "Promise. But it will take time."
"So, what have you learned from this?" Elrya asked, her tone gentle yet instructive.
"That… money can buy us a home and new clothes," Aeliana replied with a slight giggle.
"Yes," Elrya said, her voice steady. "But more importantly, never lose hope, no matter how difficult the situation may seem."
With that, they vanished into the bustling crowd, boarding a public carriage that carried them away from the central district and toward the commoner houses.