Chapter 57: Origin of the Stars
For Night Star Lan, learning about the origins of the Stars and the Star Eclipses from the Dream Narrator was quite the steal.
After all, the Dream Narrator didn’t seem like the type to threaten her life or pull off any ridiculous stunts.
Just leaving her hanging here for one night? She could reluctantly accept that.
Trading this experience for such a huge secret? Absolutely a bargain!
Communication was key! In moments like this, being timid was as useful as a screen door on a submarine.
The only one who could help her was herself!
The Dream Narrator was quite pleased with Night Star Lan’s current attitude.
“Well then, let’s explore this secret through a movie—much better than a boring lecture. Watching and discussing at the same time is the way to go.”
“Wait, we’re watching a movie?” Night Star Lan blinked in confusion.
“Well, you could say that.”
“Uh… before we start, can I ask you a question?”
“Go right ahead.”
Night Star Lan hesitated for a moment, then mustered the courage to blurt it out.
“What… exactly is that Dream Pursuer Yin next to you?”
“Haha! Surprised that’s what you want to know?”
The Dream Narrator placed a hand on the silent Dream Pursuer Yin’s head while answering Night Star Lan’s question.
“She’s a creation of mine, an equivalent to a Star Eclipse, if you will. But since I made her based on dreams, she doesn’t exist in reality.”
“Eh? A Dream Eclipse? But what’s the point of creating her?”
“Hmm… I just felt it was a bit dull being the only one in this vast dream world, so I created a speaking companion. And she carries important dream-waking powers. Simple as that!”
“And her personality?”
“I let her grow on her own. While she observes the dreams with me, she witnesses many realities. She probably modeled her personality after someone else, resulting in her current form.”
At this point, the Dream Narrator sighed.
“Unfortunately, she doesn’t share my interests. After all, she has no obsessions—just follows me around, blowing her Dream Waking flute.”
“Hmm, I see.” Night Star Lan nodded thoughtfully.
“So why are you so curious about her?”
Even the Dream Narrator wasn’t all-knowing. Human nature was exceedingly complex, and no one could see through it.
Night Star Lan earnestly said, “Please let Dream Pursuer Yin sit next to me! I want to study her!”
The Dream Narrator paused for a moment, then burst out laughing.
“Hahaha! Fair enough, considering your… interests.”
A loli fan, huh.
The Dream Narrator had already picked up on this when scanning Night Star Lan’s memories.
And Dream Pursuer Yin’s appearance was just loli-ish enough.
With her cute face and petite figure, she definitely sparked some affection.
Without further ado, the Dream Narrator waved a hand.
“Dream Pursuer Yin, my masterpiece, go ahead and let her study you.”
“Okay.”
Dream Pursuer Yin stood up with an expressionless face and walked over to where Night Star Lan sat.
Night Star and Night Lan made some space, forming a delightful sandwich!
Now Night Star and Night Lan began to poke and prod at this desensitized Star Eclipse out of curiosity.
One person was patting her head, while the other poked her cheek—clear division of labor!
Dream Pursuer Yin, however, didn’t care at all, letting them do whatever they wanted.
“Hmm… the touch feels so real! By the way, Dream Narrator, why did you create this type of companion? Are you a loli fan too?”
“No, not at all! It’s totally spontaneous—like an inexplicable burst of inspiration.”
“Really? I thought you might be gay!” Night Star Lan murmured.
Seems like there are no gay folks among the Star Eclipses.
Wait, if she became a Star Eclipse, would being a loli fan then be her obsession?
Like always thinking about hugging cute-lolis and whatnot.
That possibility seemed quite high!
Back to the point.
Though Dream Pursuer Yin seemed adorable, she didn’t appear interested in engaging in much conversation with Night Star Lan.
It was basically a question and answer session.
Then Night Star Lan glanced at the flute in Dream Pursuer Yin’s hands, and a daring idea sparked in her mind.
What if she snatched the flute and blew it herself? Wouldn’t that get her out of here?
Hmm, definitely a thought worth exploring.
But now wasn’t the right time.
Best to get the secret from the Dream Narrator first.
“I’m ready! Please tell me the origin of the Stars and Star Eclipses!”
“Alright, keep your eyes peeled.”
Snap!
As the Dream Narrator snapped their fingers, the environment instantly transformed.
When Night Star Lan came to her senses, she realized she was no longer in the Rising Sun Theater.
It looked like a cinema.
Night Star Lan, Dream Pursuer Yin, and the Dream Narrator were sitting in the front rows.
There was a huge projection screen in front displaying a jumble of confusing content.
A few seconds later, the image on the screen started to clarify.
A strange dark figure appeared, its true appearance still obscured.
“Who is that?”
Night Star Lan wore a puzzled expression.
“This is the Origin of the Stars.”
“Is it related to the origins of the Stars and Star Eclipses?”
“Yes,” the Dream Narrator confirmed with a nod.
“Do you believe it? Long ago, Stars and Star Eclipses were indistinguishable. Those who wielded such power could switch freely between states; they could be both a Star and a Star Eclipse.”
Night Star Lan was a bit taken aback.
“Hmm… I thought Star Eclipses came from Stars losing control.”
“True, that’s the case now, but it wasn’t always like that. The dark figure above possesses a powerful force related to creation, and this force can manifest in two types: what you know as Stars, which have a calm power that is stable and easier to manage, while a Star Eclipse is a release state—forceful and unstable—overwhelming a Star’s power, yet still within usable limits.”
Then the image on the screen shifted.
Now a smaller white figure appeared.
“This figure has two forms, and its power is also split accordingly. The current white figure is in Star state, able to generate Star Power.”
In an instant, the white figure transformed into a tall black figure.
“This is the Star Eclipse state; it can create a Star Eclipse Power that corresponds to the Stars it created before.”
The projection shifted again.
Two entities of the same origin—when fused together, they create a new ability.
“It can bestow this created power upon humans to become a second-tier existence.”
The image changed once more as this being generously bestowed powers upon the humans surrounding them.
Those who received the powers initially appeared white.
And that represented the Star Power.
