Soren nodded slowly. “Let me just say—I only discovered this myself recently.”
“No worries, I understand.” She shook her head. “But this does confirm one thing for me.”
Soren tilted his head, “And that is?”
“That your Star Fate is not tied to any world. Your Epoch Star—it has no connection to any orbit.”
Soren frowned. “You’ve always known this, haven’t you?”
Sienna shook her head. “Although I knew your Epoch Star had no connection to Yarian, I couldn’t exactly confirm if it was connected to another realm or not. My Soul Weapon doesn’t grant me such information.”
“Can you explain it to me,” Soren asked. “How exactly does your Soul Weapon function? [Eyes of the Fairy]... It can’t read all of its information.”
She glanced at him for a second then frowned.
Soren sighed, “If you aren’t willing to disclos—”
“It's because my Soul Weapon doesn’t exist in this world. In the same way as your Soul Chain.”
“What…” Soren’s eyes widened.
Sienna nodded. “It makes sense why your [Eyes of the Fairy] couldn’t read into its information. After all, that ability of yours depends on the Beyond, and the information about my Soul Weapon isn’t fully represented within that realm.”
As she spoke, her body began to glow in a bluish cyan hue. Soren watched in awe as some kind of ‘spirit’ separated from her form. It was a ghostly apparition that took on a similar form as her, but was transparent in nature.
No, it wasn’t just transparent. It was infinite…
Staring within, Soren could see stars weaving into creation, while others reached the end of their lifespans. He could see them dance in rhythms and orbits, forming distinct formations. Galaxies even…
The more Soren gazed, the more existential his dread became. It was as if an entire universe was contained within that small astral-like projection… In comparison, he was nothing more than a speck of dust—an insignificant life form of no worth or value…
Before he could even realize, his body was now drenched in cold sweat. He glanced over at Sienna, who held onto her familiar warm smile. But this time, he could sense a level of sadness hidden within.
“Watch closely.” She whispered, raising a hand toward the nine miniature stars circling around her. With a subtle flick, Soren watched as she guided them toward the ghostly figure. The moment they made contact, each star shrank, as if space itself was warped within the apparition. They had now become the size of dust specks, joining the hundreds of other stars already in orbit.
It was mesmerizing to say the least… Soren could see them all, spiraling in an intricate dance of unseen orbits as the old welcomed the new. Each representing the fate of things in the past, present, and future.
“This is my Soul Weapon—Vessel of the Stars… What you are looking at is simply a representation of it. The real Soul Weapon doesn’t exist in this world.”
“Unbelievable…” Soren leaned back. He had no words to say in that moment.
Sienna nodded. “It indeed is unbelievable to most. But those who do know, think of it as a blessing. To me however… It is a curse, and a burden.”
A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.
Soren looked into her eyes once more—this time, they hid no ocean of stars.
“This Soul Weapon is somewhat special, you see… It is one that is inherited, rather than forged. From the very first Witch of Star Fate, to me—the last—all of us housed this Vessel within us, cradling its nebulas and stardust till the day of our passing, from which we select an heir to take over that responsibility.
“I am the 34th holder in the succession.”
Soren frowned. “Inherited… From who exactly? How did the first Witch of Star Fate obtain this Soul Weapon to begin with?”
“Good question,” Sienna smiled. “In Mount Tolarion, over at the Three Temples of Stars, countless records of my ancestors once existed that chronicled much of the history of past witches. My master also lives there now, though… meeting them is impossible.”
Her words felt off to him. He decided to ask, “What… do you mean?”
Sienna sighed. “It’s in the name, Soren… Vessel of the Stars. The name is referring to me—I am the vessel…”
It took him a bit of time to process what she meant, but once he did…
A chill ran down his spine. He swiftly glanced back up at her in shock.
“Y-you don’t mean…”
“Yes, you guessed correctly,” she said while smiling. “I am the Vessel of the Stars. My Soul Weapon and me are one in the same…”
She’s just like me?!
“I know what you are thinking,” Sienna shook her head. “But no, it isn’t the same case as yours. No, it's much worse, actually. Because for one to become a Witch of Star Fate, they must first sacrifice their fate to the Vessel. All of their ideals, hopes, dreams… None of it will matter the moment the Accord is signed. And from then on, my identity becomes that of the Vessel itself. Not even my magecraft affinities were spared.”
All Soren could do was stay silent as she continued:
“I am the servant—the caretaker of this Vessel. My role is to guide this world’s fate toward the next age, to usher in a new era. That is the destiny ordained by the stars that orbit within me. Stars that have been passed down over countless generations for this one purpose. And once it is complete, just like my master who passed the vessel down to me, I will pass it on to the next generation and become—”
“Hollow.” Soren interrupted. “That’s what you’re going to say right?” He crossed his arms.
Sienna watched him for a second then nodded. “Indeed. Since my life itself is contained in the vessel, once it is passed, my body will become nothing more than an empty shell. My Soul and every soul of every past Witch of Star Fate will forever reside within the Vessel, following the Orbits of Fate for eons to come.”
“And that’s okay with you?” Soren’s frown deepened. “Is that really what you want?”
This time, no answer came. Seeing how patient Soren was, Sienna sighed.
“No one really knows what the future holds, you taught me that lesson, Soren. During the expedition, I sensed the orbits within the Vessel changing from their preordained path… Something not even I, the owner of this Star-filled vessel could have achieved… Even though I contain the ability to perceive fate from outside the purview of this world, as my Fate Star orbits within that system, any change I make would only self correct.
“You on the other hand… You are not tied by such a limitation.”
Soren clicked his tongue. “Yes, but that also means I am not tied to anything. Not this world, not my original, and certainly not any world out there in this universe. So that pretty much makes me homeless?”
Sienna chuckled. “Indeed. But back to our main topic—in regards to where this Soul Weapon came from…
“The peak of Mount Tolarion. That is where my ancestor received it. From whom is a question none of us could answer. A gift from the heavens, or perhaps a curse—one that shows us our doom without giving us a way to stop it.”
“Mount Tolarion…” Soren muttered. It reminded him of Guntharion’s parting words. It was indeed finally time to ask her that question. The one that had been eating at him for the past two weeks.
“Mistress Sienna… Do you know of someone by any chance named Gunther?”
There was a moment of silence in between their breaths. Soren could feel the tension building as Sienna glanced at him questioningly.
Her next set of words left him speechless:
“Guntharion… It seems you’ve discovered his true identity.”
Soren’s eyes widened. He almost jumped up from his sitting position. “You know him?! You remember his existence?!”
Sienna sighed. “Indeed I remember HIm. But do not be mistaken, it isn’t because I am powerful enough to eclipse His abilities. Rather, He had allowed me to retain my memories in the same way He had done for you.”
Soren silently watched as she quietly recalled the Vessel of the Stars within her.
“However, this does confirm something for me,” she spoke in a somewhat saddened tone. “Something I’ve been dreading to do for a while… Your request for a pilgrimage is a signal that the time has finally come.”
Her words left him somewhat uncomfortable. “What is it that you plan to do…”
Standing up, she corrected her cone hat while glanced down at him. Her voice was both cold and warm at the same time.
“Star Fate Guild… Will officially be disbanding.”
Yes, I love cliff hangers.