P94 - The Descent of the Stars

A soft knock echoed through the corridors.

On both sides of the hall, doors to the sleeping quarters were met with gentle taps, followed by calm voices drifting through the wood.

"Star-viewing will begin shortly," Rinka called from the men's side.

"And all guests are welcome to attend," Komi added from the women's door. "Please join us when you're ready."

The night felt... different.

Valentine, Hoshina, and Toku chose to attend, meeting up with Komi and Rinka as they followed the flow of shrine maidens, students, and wandering adventurers toward the Academy's central open space.

The massive glass dome above the plaza slowly parted with a low, but steady hum.

Starlight poured in through the Astral Lens above.

The silo began to fill--liquid starlight swirling and pulsing like a living galaxy.

Not merely light, but something radiant--astral radiance cascading from the heavens, filling the large glass silo below.

Komi gently nudged Hoshina, leaning in close.

"That's pure starlight," she whispered. "It powers the entire mountain city... and the Academy too. We use it for research, enchantments, and advanced magic here at the Academy."

Hoshina stared in quiet awe.

Moments later, three shrine maidens stepped onto the stage positioned directly before the silo. Astral light reflected off their robes as one stepped forward and spoke into the microphone.

"Hello, my fellow stars," she said warmly. "It is I, Lunar, and I am joined tonight by Bells and Ivy."

The other two maidens gave small bows beside her.

"Thanks to the abundance we've harnessed this time from our beloved night sky," Lunar continued, "we are pleased to announce a feast for the entire Academy!"

Cheers rippled through the crowd.

As the gathering dispersed, Komi excused herself, heading back to retrieve the others from their rooms. Soon after, everyone was guided toward the Academy's grand cafeteria.

The hall was cathedral-like in its scale.

Soaring ceilings arched overhead, lined with chandeliers that shimmered like frozen constellations. Banners hung from above, threaded with tiny star-shaped lights woven into the fabric that glowed softly with every step.

Long tables filled the space, already bustling with laughter and conversation.

The NTG group was seated together with their guides, familiar shrine maidens, and a handful of adventurers who had found their way into the same row.

Valentine leaned back in his seat, then turned to the adventurer beside him, a grin already forming.

Conversation sparked quickly.

"You should definitely try the local tavern," the adventurer said casually. "Their beer tastes like nothing else."

"Dude," Valentine replied whilst laughing, "you're making me crave a keg right now."

The adventurer leaned in slightly, lowering his voice. "I heard they brew it using starlight. Gives it that... otherworldly taste."

Valentine's eyes lit up.

"Well," he said, reaching out a hand, "sounds like I'm gonna need a drinking buddy. Mind joining me for it?"

The adventurer clasped his hand firmly. "Anytime, my dude. Let me finish some guild work with my buddies first."

The adventurer paused, then smirked. "What's your name, perchance?"

"Valentine," he replied. "But you can just call me Val."

The adventurer nodded. "Name's PB."

Valentine chuckled. "Well then--looks like we're gonna be great drinking buddies, PB."

Chatter filled the cathedral long into the night.

Laughter echoed beneath the vaulted ceilings as members of the NTG mingled freely, sharing stories, memories, and quiet moments with new faces. For a brief time, the weight they carried felt lighter.

Eventually, the night settled.

One by one, groups parted ways.

Valentine and PB walked side by side, talking nonstop as they headed down the halls, voices overlapping with excitement and half-finished jokes.
Hoshina and Komi carefully carried a sleeping LuLu between them, her head resting against Hoshina's shoulder.
Brant and Toku lingered near the doors, exchanging farewells with the friends they had made.
And Glonk and Jin, silent but quick, stayed behind to help clear the cathedral--stacking plates, lifting chairs, restoring the space to to what it was before.

The stars watched over them until dawn.

When morning came, gentle knocks echoed through the halls once more.

"Please prepare yourselves," Komi called softly.
"The higher priestesses are ready to meet you," Rinka added from the opposite side.

Moments later, the group emerged from their rooms.

Waiting for them stood Lunar, her presence calm and commanding, with Ivy and Bells at her sides. Nearby were several adventurers--and Valentine immediately recognized PB and his group. Brant and Toku exchanged friendly waves with the people they'd met the night before.

Introductions passed quickly, hands clasped, nods exchanged.

Without delay, the priestesses led them onward--down a long corridor carved, then further still, descending a spiral of stairs deep into the mountain.

They arrived at a small circular chamber.

At its center hovered a massive ring, lifted from the floor and suspended by thick pillars of rock. It looked ancient and dormant--its surface dark, etched with faint star-shaped runes.

Before anyone could speak, footsteps were heard at the hall.

A woman stepped forward into the room's light.

The surrounding priestesses immediately lowered their heads.

"Hello," she said calmly. "I am Raye, the Matriarch of this Academy."

She gestured beside her.

"And this is my personal student--Kori."

Valentine stepped forward, introducing himself and the NTG. One by one, the adventurers followed.

"PB."
"Nepheres."
"Copia."
"Tobi."
"Lewis."
"Sin."
"Finn."
"And Byakko."

Once introductions ended, the Matriarch spoke plainly.

"To activate the Astral Renaissance, this structure must be powered," Raye explained. "Saptium, Stellar Rubellie, and Space Jewels. All can be found within the mines beneath the Academy."

Her gaze hardened slightly.

"Those mines are infested with monsters, daemons, and beasts. This will not be a simple task."

After a brief exchange and final instructions, the combined group gathered at the dungeon entrance deep within the mine's basement.

Valentine stepped forward, voice steady.

"I'll call the teams."

He pointed in sequence.

"Rinka, Brant, PB, and Nepheres, you're with me."
"Komi, Finn, Byakko, Hoshina, and LuLu, you're the second group."
"Lewis, Sin, Jin, and Glonk, you're together."
"Toku, Tobi, and Copia, you're backup."

The massive doors groaned open.

The groups moved in.

Valentine's team took the first path, disappearing into the dim glow of crystal-lined stone. The other groups split down separate corridors, while Toku's team remained near the entrance.

Behind them, the doors slowly sealed shut.

Toku stayed alert, listening.

Metal clanged in the distance. Magic hissed through the tunnels. Echoes of combat rang out from multiple directions.

"We can't move unless requested," Toku said quietly.

Copia shifted uneasily. "So... we just wait?"

Before Toku could respond, a scream ripped through the mine--sharp, panicked, and close.

Down another passageway, a violent explosion shook the stone.

Toku's grip tightened.

He pulled out his phone, quickly sending a signal back to Nova Concordia Nexus.

Then he dropped it.

"Copia, go that way" he said firmly. "Tobi. You take the other paths."

He turned toward the scream, already running, gaining speed with each step.

"I'll handle this one."

The mines' darkness swallowed him whole as the echoes grew louder.