Celestial power: the war of realms

Illusions of the stars crafted detailed and convincing illusions that could deceive the senses or obscure reality. Distinguishing those illusions from reality was an arduous task, which made the overall task even more challenging. If participants distinguished the illusions and returned to reality, then they would go to the next challenge; if not, then they would be out of the selection. Illusions of stars were difficult arts; if anyone could not master the arts well, then he could stay in the illusions.

It could easily trap an untrained mind, so one should have needed to settle his mind to get through the illusions. The second challenge started with Sadi's turn. Sadi stepped in the middle of the stage, his gaze unwavering. When Sadi stepped, the crowd did not make any sound of mockery; they just sat on their seats silently, their attention fully on Sadi.

The atmosphere in the amphitheater differed totally from a moment ago—no laughter, no mockery, no whispers of doubt. Sadi moved his gaze around, and suddenly, a white, thick fog swirled around. Within moments, the white fog became chilly and completely covered him. Sadi did not even move from his place; he only kept his senses alert; it enveloped him completely. The outside of him vanished, leaving him alone in the chilly mist.

As faint whispers echoed around, he felt the ground beneath him shift. The fog started shimmering with a soft, dainty light suddenly, and the fragrant breeze filled around, making the atmosphere intoxicated. The temperature suddenly dropped, making the situation alarming. Sadi's grips tightened, and with his sharp eyes, he checked out the surroundings; he knew what had been happening around. Instantaneously, he heard a kid's laugh; it was not just one kid but several, their laughter echoing through the fog.

Sadi arched his brows and stepped forward with a calm face. The sound of their laughter slowly became loud, and soon he spotted some kids running through the mist; their forms ghostly passed him. But then, within the fog, Sadi noticed a small boy was walking slowly behind others; he had a book, clutching tightly to his chest. Sadi narrowed his eyes, and as he noticed his breath caught, the kid was himself. It was a childhood memory of him.

Just as he was processing the situation, he heard a familiar girl's voice to his left. As he looked to his left, he stepped forward slowly and found Sophia standing there with a smile. In that moment, her smile appeared ethereal and heavenly. As he stopped, Sophie arched her brows with her smile; it seemed Sadi disappointed her by not coming toward her. Sophia tilted her head and smiled at Sadi; her inviting smile took him by surprise. He had not expected to see her; it had always been his dream, but he knew he had closed all the paths of his dream.

But in that moment, Sadi found himself captivated by her beautiful smile; he felt so real, which made him wonder if that was really an illusion or not. Sophia came toward Sadi with a soft tone; she asked, "Honey, I have been waiting for you; let's have lunch together."

Sophia held his hand; he felt her warmth was so real. Sophia took him, and after moving a bit, Sadi spotted his house.

Sophia and he entered there, his gaze unflinching. She moved a pillow for him and tapped there to have a seat. Sadi did not want to, but unknowingly he sat there; it seemed a power was controlling him. Sophia's sweet smile sparked around her; she poured wine in a small cup for Sadi.

Then, with her delicate fingers, she offered, "This is for you, honey. Try it."

Sadi looked at the wine; the color of the wine was red like blood. Sadi raised his gaze to Sophia; her smile was on her face. Sadi kept looking at Sophia for a few minutes, and she also kept looking at him with a smiley face. But suddenly, Sadi pulled out his sword from his sheath and attacked Sophia's face. The image of Sophia suddenly shattered into pieces. Sadi got up on his feet as he looked around.

The fog started turning black suddenly; it seemed like it became a black hole. In the meantime, the amphitheater became very quiet. They could only say Sadi had been sitting there and suddenly pulled out his sword and attacked in the air.

Dimitri's face was stern; he did not bother anyone's performances, but Sadi's performance bothered him. Making him think that finally he might get a competitor. Sadi spotted his surroundings turn black, all the light devoured in there. He tightened his grip on the sword.

'Before I vanish into the darkness, I need to do something,' Sadi thought, and he slowly closed his eyes and made a triangle shape with his fingers.

There was no point in using the sword; the more he attacked them, the more it would grow because those were all just illusions. Sadi's concentration was deep. The surroundings became wild; the wind blowing up everything around him, and it was just the illusion. Because the people there were only watching Sadi stand motionlessly with a triangle sign.

Sadi felt everything around him was trembling, shattering, and twisting. And finally he slowly opened his gaze, and finally he witnessed the light of the sun. The fog was nowhere to be found, as was the black hole. It was gone. The illusions tried to play with his vulnerable thing. Sadi spotted the crowd looking at him. Then it meant he came back from the illusions; the reality was around him. Sadi curtsied, and as he did, the crowd buzzed with clapping and cheering.

For the first time, he spotted everyone cheering for him. He stepped down from the stage; his brother, Luca, was standing at the corner. As he noticed Sadi come toward the exit way, a smile appeared on his face, and he cheered with a low tone, "Bravo, Sadi."

"I am proud of your performance."

The noises and clapping sounds were way too loud, which could suppress Luca's voice.

Said remained calm and nodded. It was Luca's turn, so he only wished, "Best of luck."

"Keep your emotions calm. It will help you." Sadi had given a hint to his brother.