(Cyrus Pov)

After realizing that I was lost in the fog of the astral realm, I felt a slight panic in my chest and my heart rate began to elevate. I knew that I didn't have much time to finish the trail because the solar eclipse only lasted for a small amount of time. After calming myself down and replaying the recent events that took place, I realized something. I realized that there wasn't always a fog present during my time in the astral realm. The fog only appeared when I let myself get too excited because I was close to finding my fate constellation. "Now I get it, this is why dad is always very strict when it comes to my meditation training." I said to myself as I prepared to release my cosmic energy to the ocean of stars once again.

When I released my cosmic energy again, I did not let my mind falter. The fog started to dissipate the more balanced and neutral my thoughts became. I could see the energy I sent out cascading back to me again. I found my path once again. This time around I did not run to get to my destination faster. Instead, I walked and kept a clear mind and observed everything that was around me. The trial was testing me on my patience and my ability to control my emotions. This theory became fact the more I walked through the labyrinth of stars. I was no longer needing the energy impulses to guide the way anymore. The responding source began to flash like a homing beacon, and my celestial core began to feel its pull.

With each step I could feel my core yearning to meet the source, and I could also feel the great power and pressure it was emitting as well. When I got to the source I noticed one thing. The source was not just one entity, it was a cluster of things. It was a cluster of stars, and they formed a strange but familiar pattern. I realized that the pattern was the same as the tattoo my father had on his hand. Then it dawned on me what I had just found in the astral realm. It was hard to control my emotions because I was very close to accomplishing what I was training so hard for. Centering my mind and focusing one last time, I reached out to the humming source of power and began to connect an astral tether to the celestial body. This was the last and easiest thing I needed to do to pass the trail. Once the tether connected my core to the source of energy, I felt this sudden surge of power wash over me. This surge was overwhelming, and I couldn't control the flow of energy at all. My body began to convulse as if the energy was passing over every nerve ending that I had. It felt as if the power was rewriting everything that was there before and filling in some spots that were waiting to be occupied. This process was long and arduous, and the pain felt like it would never end. Before I knew it everything went dark.

I thought that this may have been the end of the trail, but my conscience was then sling shotted to another place. This time it did not look like the same astral realm. This time I was transported to a temple. A temple that looked very similar to the ones that I grew up near and went to when I was younger. The surroundings did not look the same though, there was no advanced machinery and no bustling city center. It was dull and desolate. There were huts and tents instead of the houses that I was accustomed to. Next, I was transported inside the temple with no control of my astral body. I noticed that there was a ceremony happening. There was a tall man with brown skin and braided hair dressed in an ivory tunic that looked very similar to the people of my clan, kneeling in front of something I have never seen before. That something wasn't a thing but a different being, it had a humanoid structure but had characteristics of an astral behemoth as well. This being reached out with its hand and pressed on the person's chest. The creature's hand started to glow something very similar to how my father's hand does once he activates his fate constellation abilities. The man's body begins to convulse just like mine did, his body then went limp falling to the floor. His body stayed there for a while motionless as if he was no longer living, but then his body sprung back to life as he was gasping for air. When the man finally got himself composed, he took up the kneeling position once again but this time he threw his fist in the air showing his mark on his hand to the creature. The creature nodded its head in approval and vanished. "I think the constellation his showing me how the first of my people gained their power." I said to myself as I tried to pier onto the man's hand one more time. The next thing I knew I was transported to another point in time. It was in a very similar environment but this time the ceremony that was taking place had a different vibe. There were several people this time taking part in the ceremony. This time the people who were bestowed with the power did not survive the convulsions. Their bodies laid lifeless as blood ran from their nose leading the way to their chest, where they all had holes as if they all got hit with a cannonball.

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.

"It seems their celestial cores were not fortified enough to hold the power of the Solaris constellation," said one of the people who were cleaning up the bodies.

"We tried to tell them they were not ready, but they were just too eager to gain its power," said the other person as the two were dragging the body away.

After hearing these words, I understood why my father was so adamant about the fortification process. Up until now I have never heard of the possibility that someone could die during the star birth trail. I also did not know that one's core could be overloaded to the point where it exploded leaving a great fissure in one's chest. "It must be due to the fact that the Solaris constellation is inherently stronger than other fate constellations." I whispered to myself, as I continued to ponder the new revelation.

While I was deep in thought I took one last glance at the bodies being dragged out of the temple. Then I found myself resting my gaze on the creature who was granting the power. The creature stood about 5 meters tall with grey and almost iridescent skin glowing through its white tunic. The creature had a humanoid structure but also had features of some of the astral behemoths I have seen. It had spiked talons instead of fingers and it had a face that resembled an astral leviathan. I was left in awe, because i have never seen anything this terrifying yet so composed and regal. I knew i was in the presence of something that was beyond my comprehension. Breaking me out of my shock and awe the creature turned its head to my direction and titled its head as if it were a pondering canine. I turned and looked around me to see what it could be looking at, but there was not a soul in my vicinity. I was under the impression i was looking at these events as if i was some third-party spirit. The benevolent being raised its hand and pointed directly at me.

"So, you have passed the trial," a voice rang in my head.

"I did," I said out loud, questioning the statement.

"You would not be observing the history of your ancestors if you didn't my child," the benevolent creature said reassuringly. "I can sense something different inside you, you are the first one to have witness to this event. You must be regarded highly in the eyes of the constellation I left behind.

"What do you mean by left behind,"

"My child, this is my constellation, I am Solaris. I created the power you are connected to now." Shocked I couldn't fully comprehend what I was hearing. I really was talking with the creator of my clan's power. A million and one questions were running through my head but I finally settled on one.

"How come I am the only one who has seen this event."

"Like I said the constellation holds you in high regard, you are the youngest person to develop a core strong enough to contain my power."

"Seriously I'm the youngest that can't be true,"

"It was your father originally, but the constellation didn't deem him worthy enough to meet me." Solaris said. I took a long pause before I said anything to Solaris. Then I looked at him with deep resolve asked him,

"What was the purpose of showing me this event,"

"The purpose my child, was to show you that there is a flaw to the power of the Solaris constellation. Many who have its power rarely die from battle. They die from a cosmic energy overload. This is because they are passively gaining solar energy while converting and refining it to cosmic energy. Those who are not proficient in fortifying the core to contain it, their cores will implode thus ending their lives. That is why there are not many who are allowed to take the trial let alone pass it. But you, my child are someone who has a natural affinity to fortifying and refining a celestial core and you possess the blood of my offspring. I'm sure you noticed that it was easy for you, and you do it without much effort at all. The task was pretty much passive for you. The extra training you did was just an accelerant to the process. Your natural talent is something I foresee will be wasted connecting to my constellation, you remind me of myself actually. So, with that I will grant you a gift, something far greater than what this constellation can give through accession."

"I thought that this was the strongest constellation in the world," but before I could finish my sentence Solaris reached out to me and placed his hand on my chest. He snatched my celestial core out of my chest. My body was paralyzed, and my spirit was grasping for the energy that was ripped out of me. The pain was excruciating, and I felt that death was certain. Before my conscience faded the benevolent being created a black orb in his hand and thrusted it into the spot my core was in.

"We in the Pantheon like to keep our secrets, you mortals only know a small amount of power that is available. This power will suit your needs and desires much better and remember even in death a star is dangerous."