Chapter One - City of Gamora

Sirius woke to the sun blazing at its zenith. His head throbbed and his vision swam as he forced himself out of bed. He understood all too well what last night meant—he had developed a Stage Zero Starcore.

What am I gonna do... I have no clue how to reach stage one.

Anger bubbled up inside him, demanding this injustice to be paid back.

Those fuckers even gatekeep the information!

His rage exploded as he kicked the wooden chair beside his bed, tears streaming down his cheeks. That’s when he heard faint voices outside. Pushing past his frustration, he stepped out of his quarters and into the narrow corridor leading to the living room. The rotten floorboard creaked under his feet, the muffled voices growing clearer.

Turning the corner, he froze. A woman stood in the mundane room, furnished only with a patched couch, a table, and peeling paint on the walls. Her pearl-white skin and jet-black hair evoked the image of a black rose in the middle of a snowfield—out of place. As he looked at her, time came to a halt in Sirius’ world.

“Wow. Didn’t even try to play it cool, huh?” a male voice said, lips curled upwards into a smirk as he stared at Sirius.

That’s when Sirius noticed Maria and a man had also been in the room the whole time. The man, unshaven and dressed in dirty clothes, had bandages coiled around his left hand.

One of Mom’s patients? He looks... imposing though. I’ve never met a slummer like that.

“I’m sorry... He’s always been too honest, ever since he was a boy...” Maria said, her voice tinged with embarrassment as she averted her gaze.

Hearing this, Sirius snapped back. “Mom, why are you apologizing?!”

The man, finding his reaction amusing, said, “No, it’s okay. I respect it—really. A man should be straightforward.”

“Shut up, old man!” Sirius snapped, then grumbled softly, looking at the woman. “I was just caught off guard...”

The woman herself didn’t pay him any attention, her aloof gaze inspecting their humble abode—not with disdain, but pity. However, to Sirius’ slummer eyes, her compassionate gaze was akin to royalty looking at peasants, humiliating. His pride welled. No longer wishing to entertain the old man’s antics, his voice turned icy.

“So, who are you?”

The unknown man’s face straightened. “My name is Rich—Rich S. This right here is Luna,” he said, pointing to his right. “Your mother asked me to train you.”

Sirius gulped. His eyes lit up momentarily before narrowing with suspicion.

Now that I take a proper look at him, his face looks oddly familiar... Did Mom get scammed? No... that wouldn’t make sense. Everyone around here respects her.

Rich raised a hand to forestall any questions. “However, I have two conditions. First, you must not ask questions about who I am, sec—”

Sirius frowned as he interrupted. “Yeah, no shot. I don’t know who you are, old man. I’m not putting my life in the hands of a total stranger. What could you possibly know about the abyss anyw—?"

“I’m offering you a way out of certain death,” Rich said, cutting him off, his tone stern. “Whether you waste it or not is hardly my business, though.”

He sighed. “Look, kid, I understand it must be hard trusting a stranger with your life,” Rich said, turning to look at Maria. “But you can ask your mother whether I’m worth the chance or not.”

As everyone’s gaze fell on her, Maria, nodding awkwardly, said, “He’s right, Sirius. You can trust him.”

‘Why does Mom trust this guy so much? Could she have really been scammed? No—Mom’s no fool. There’s gotta be a reason. I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt—for now. It’s not like I have much of a choice.’

“Alright. What’s the second condition?” he asked.

“I’ll be honest. One year of training is not nearly enough time to survive the abyss; not even the five families’ heirs have their survival guaranteed down there. That’s why we’ll have to take a dangerous approach; I can’t guarantee your safety. If you don’t feel like you can endure this, I won’t train you.”

‘To possibly die training or to certainly die at the hands of an abyss dweller... I don’t have much of a choice.’

“That’s fine, I can take it," Sirius said, unconcerned.

“Kid,” Rich said, annoyed at Sirius’ apathetic answer. “This is not a game. But actions speak louder than words. You shall see for yourself—if you survive the first day, that is.”

Sirius stood in front of the gates of Gamora. The walls he once dreamed of now hovered over him in a dreadful omen.

I imagined Luna must’ve been a citizen, but to think that old man is one too. I must look like a fool...

He couldn’t hide his disbelief when Rich said they would train inside Gamora. However, this revelation paled in comparison to the next one: They would visit the first ring.

The place only divers, mark bearers, and bureaucrats inhabit...

Sirius stared down at his ragged clothes, feeling a newfound sense of embarrassment. He sighed and then shrugged.

Oh well, when jumping high, shoot for the stars.

The group came close to the wall’s metal gate, where a man with baggy eyes and a discolored blue suit sat behind a cubicle. The man slouched on his chair as he looked at the group with subtle disdain, as if tired of slummers attempting to cross these gates.

The man sighed before saying, “Citizenship record.” But when he spotted Luna’s elegant demeanor, he added, “please.”

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Rich and Luna approached the window and flashed their First-Degree Citizenship Record. The man’s lips parted as he looked at Rich with disbelief.

“We—welcome Sir and Miss,” he stuttered, sitting upright.

“They are coming with us,” Rich said.

“Un—understood, please go ahead.”

Sirius stepped past the gates; the acrid scent of burnt oil invaded his nostrils. The gray smoke that welled up through the factory smokestacks dimmed the sunlight. Walking through what seemed to be a commercial district, the sour smell of sweat mixed with sweet whiffs of fried food to create an unpleasant dichotomy. Sirius shifted through the crowd, bumping shoulders with strangers, the loud clangs from machinery and constant shouts of people causing him to cover his ears until he reached the taxi they would board.

Sirius’ gaze lingered on the commercial district as he hopped into the taxi.

Just who are these people working for? he wondered.

Inside the vehicle, he inspected the machine he had only seen pieces of with awe.

To think I would get to ride one.

They drove through the city's asphalt streets and soon passed through the residential area. Sirius saw buildings with rough walls, layered with chipped paint and faded colors; the screech of buses and worn-out cars screamed of saturation. The car’s window reflected a productive society, but also an overburdened one.

A new belief crept into Sirius’ mind.

Maybe these people aren’t so different from us after all.

When they hopped off the car near the first ring wall, Sirius looked at the skyline and breathed in the cleaner air. This air brought him relief, but also envy—born from a life of struggle. He turned to look at the velvety skyscrapers towering above the next wall.

I wonder what I’ll get to see now, he thought, his fists clenching.

Sirius stepped into the first ring in astonishment; the difference was absolute. The air smelled too clean, almost unnatural. The streets gleamed, so pristine they reflected his face—that of disbelief. The quiet hum of self-driving cars and the uncanny order gave him a sense of incongruence, his brain struggling to process the immensity of what he looked at as approaching footsteps echoed on the glass lanes.

“Allow me the honor of guiding you to the training grounds, Miss Luna,” a handsome man dressed in a sophisticated silver suit said.

Luna nodded in response.

Just who is she? thought Sirius as they walked toward a huge arena.

Muffled clangs came from the futuristic arena made of glass and steel. Inside, Sirius saw many different types of training rooms as they walked through the building, each showing what happened inside the grounds through holographic screens.

The cheering crowd—who Sirius assumed to be divers—watched a duel between a lancer and a swordsman. Only the clang of metal sounded as the swordsman parried all the lancer’s strikes with ease. His heart raced in anticipation watching these men’s duel.

Woah, will I ever be capable of that? I want to watch too...

They grew further from the crowd, stepping through a wall that disassembled into glowing cubes as they approached it.

How is this even possible... thought Sirius as they went down a long crystal staircase.

Once down, they walked through a black corridor beaming with white neon lights, entering a room that seemed to stretch forever. The room was filled only with trimmed grass, a big tree, an empty pool, and an artificial sun, its warmth creating a cozy atmosphere. Sirius’ eyebrows drew together in a small frown, the concept of finding this landscape inside a sterile building past a disintegrating door puzzling him.

Are we the same race? What god did I offend? I can’t even see the end of this room...

“The room has been prepared just as you requested, milady.”

I bet she will just nod again. Sirius, however much to his surprise, saw Luna’s lips curve slightly as she said, “Thank you, Edward.”

“It’s my pleasure,” the man said, smiling back, his tone filled with affection.

Huh!? She can be like this too!? Sirius thought, his chest tightening.

Why does she not even spare me a glance then...

Because of his stinging heart, he couldn’t tell whether he envied Edward’s charm or felt like a stranger in a place made for people like them.

Edward left soon after, leaving only the four of them.

“Alright, let’s not waste any time. We’ll begin the first and most important exercise—the orb test,” Rich said.

Luna nodded while Sirius raised his hand. “What does it consist of?”

“Before I tell you, you must promise me, Maria,” Rich said, his tone grave. “No matter what happens, you mustn't intervene.”

Maria frowned, glancing at Sirius. “I...” She hesitated, her eyes lingering on Sirius.

“Promise me,” Rich said again, his tone emphasizing the first word.

Her shoulders slumped. “Okay... I promise,” Maria said, her voice steady despite the worry in her eyes.

Sirius gulped, his heart racing in ominous dread.

What is he gonna do to us? Did Mom already know about this?

“Alright, look here,” Rich said, snapping his fingers. A hole opened in the floor, and a translucent orb elevated to his hand, its surface glimmering with a faint blue hue.

“This orb is a replica of a Starcore. It allows you to figure out your stardust control type.”

Sirius was about to raise his hand when Rich continued, “The two types are Amplifier and Enhancer. You are born with one and can’t change it. To put it simply, Amplifiers increase or modify an object’s qualities from afar, whereas Enhancers significantly boost their own body or any object in contact with it.”

Rich paused to take a breather before continuing. “Now here’s what will happen: I will chain you to the floor of the pool and start filling it with the orb in your hands. You must survive without moving from your position.”

Sirius frowned deeply, the thought of being chained underwater making his stomach churn so much he failed to notice his own trembling.

Chained underwater with nothing but this orb? He can’t be serious, right? Is this a test or is he trying to kill us?

“You must focus every ounce of your attention on the orb, either to strengthen your body or push away from it,” Rich said. “I reckon I don’t have to explain further but let me warn you: The orb doesn’t lie. If your first instinct doesn’t work, don’t hesitate to switch—it could mean the difference between life and death.”

“Alright, you go first, Luna.”

Luna nodded and stepped forward. The chains secured her to the floor of the pool as water began to pour in from multiple holes, quickly rising. Despite the looming danger, Luna’s breath remained steady. She closed her eyes, focusing on the orb in her hands.

The water climbed past her navel. Past her shoulders. Past her head.

Sirius watched, his own breath hitching as the orb in Luna’s grasp began to glow faintly, then brighter with each passing second. Under the crystal-clear water, her figure looked otherworldly. Sirius couldn’t help but gasp at the way she seemed to belong even in such extreme circumstances.

She’s beautiful.

The orb flared brilliantly, creating a swirling vortex around her. The water spiraled into the orb with a refined grace, leaving Luna standing dry at the center of the now-empty pool. The powerful yet elegant display of skill captured Sirius’ gaze, his heart pounding with excitement.

So cool...

Before Sirius even realized it, Luna’s test was over. She had passed flawlessly.

“Congratulations, you’re an Enhancer, same as me,” Rich said, giving her a brief applause.

“Thank you, Master,” Luna replied, her tone calm and composed.

“Master, huh?” Rich muttered with a quizzical look in his eyes. “Anyways, it’s your turn, Sirius.”

Sirius blinked, snapping out of his trance. “... Do you think I’ll be an Enhancer too?”

Rich frowned slightly. “I told you, only the orb knows. But remember, Sirius—don’t falter.”

With a deep breath, Sirius stepped into the pool. The chains locked around his ankles, sending a cold shiver through his body. Water began to rise, creeping up his legs.

Hopefully I’m an Enhancer too...

The chill of the water and the weight of the chains made Sirius’s chest tighten. As the water reached his navel, his confidence wavered.

Can I even do this?

The water continued to rise. Past his chest. Past his shoulders. Sirius closed his eyes, clutching the orb tightly in his hands. He pressed his fingertips to its smooth surface, forcing himself to focus.

Blanket your mind. Focus. Just like Luna did.

But no swirl appeared. The orb remained dormant as the water climbed higher.

What’s going on? I’m doing the same thing as her!

A pang of panic stabbed through him. The water enveloped his head, muffling the world around him.

“Son!”

“Switch!”

Their shouts barely reached him through the water. His lungs screamed, and his thoughts spiraled into chaos.

Why isn’t it working?! I don’t want to die!