### Chapter 1: Passion Burn
#### Future Time and Space
The Group Leader stood atop a towering skyscraper, gazing at the city that glowed with dazzling neon lights, his lips curling in a wry smile.
“What a beautiful city! Who would have thought humans have advanced so far that they can barely contain my unbridled passion!”
Emitting an enthusiastic voice, he exclaimed.
That’s wrong; he wasn’t the Group Leader anymore. He was now simply Kuro.
At the moment Kuro’s consciousness awakened, the Group Leader’s awareness disintegrated like tissue paper, replaced swiftly and effortlessly.
No Star Eclipse could resist Kuro’s dominion, just as no Star Holder could escape Luo Xi’s influence.
Soon, Kuro calmed down, closing his eyes to sense something.
He was digesting the Group Leader’s memories, quickly learning about recent events.
“The Rising Sun Theater, the Wish Machine, the Audience Performer…and White? Perfect! Only something like this can match my freshly awakened zeal!”
Kuro’s eyes flashed with deep gray light, brimming with fiery passion, as if he were an obsessed maniac who got his fix.
But then, his smile turned cold, as if in deep thought.
“White, have you changed amid the ravages of time? I’m keen to see if you’ll respond to my ardor.”
Just as Luo Xi had anticipated, Kuro immediately wanted to find her, disregarding any consequences from the resulting calamity from her curse.
If things went normally, Kuro could sense White’s location through the temporal forces of the Star Eclipses and travel there.
But now, he couldn’t sense anything about time or space. It was as if the concept of space-time was deleted from him forever.
In the Group Leader’s memories, Kuro found the reason—another world’s stronger forces.
A mysterious power targeting concepts had severed the fabric of time and space permanently for Kuro.
This meant he couldn’t use any method to control or reach White’s time-space.
This realization cooled down Kuro’s zeal.
“This stinks.”
Since he couldn’t go search for White right away, he’d have to wait in this universe.
Certainly, he wouldn’t force anything on anyone.
Not even unleash destruction just for fun.
For Kuro, that wasn’t passionate, it was pointless.
First Step:
Find the beloved original Star Eclipses and gather them up, then chat enthusiastically!
Second Step:
Wait for the Wish Machine holder to show up, treat her with all his enthusiasm.
Kuro already knew what kind of person the Audience Performer was from the Group Leader’s memories. He was sure she’d come to meet him.
So, he’d just wait patiently.
He’d borrow the Group Leader’s body for now.
It was payback for borrowing Kuro’s power, sort of.
Kuro began calling out.
“Gather, original Star Eclipses, your creator has returned!”
At the same time,
Loti Shana, Hilo, Oya, the Uncrowned Wanderer, and the Dream Narrator sensed an urgent call from deep inside their souls. They soon figured out it was Kuro summoning them.
“Lord Kuro.”
The six Star Eclipses sprang into action, hurrying toward where Kuro was.
The Dream Narrator arrived first, appearing as a dream phantom.
With elegance, he greeted the Group Leader.
“Lord Kuro, long time no see, it’s great to bump into you again.”
Seconds later, a second original Star Eclipse appeared— the one known as the Wanderer without a Crown.
“Glorious Lord Kuro, we are overjoyed by your return. My throne is still reserved for you.”
“Long time no see! My friend! You answered the call as swift and speedy as ever! I feel your fervor!”
Kuro warmly embraced the Wanderer without a Crown, without any superior airs.
Whether it was Luo Xi or Kuro, they treated the Star Eclipses like infallible gods or children, friends, disciples, or comrades.
Thus, Kuro expressed his passion through hugs, chats, and invites.
Then Kuro looked over at the Dream Narrator.
“Student, I remember you dislike being hugged.”
“A bit unaccustomed, but I still feel your fiery affection. As always!”
The Dream Narrator responded gracefully, hiding his emotional waves.
Shortly after,
Loti Shana, Oya, and Hilo joined them, standing behind Kuro.
“Welcome back, Lord Kuro.”
“Long time.”
“Glad to see you again.”
Kuro warmly replied when he noticed someone missing.
“Where’s the Ballad Conductor gone?”
The Dream Narrator quickly stepped in to answer.
“He was erased by a human named Night Star Lan. But let me describe her if you need details.”
“Not necessary, I know who she is. If this is where the Ballad Conductor ends up, so be it.”
Kuro showed no sorrow.
From the start, the Ballad Conductor saw Kuro as a rival and gave scant respect. He didn’t reciprocate Kuro’s warmth.
But even so, the Ballad Conductor remained a cherished figure to Kuro.
Kuro is a lover of everything, including change.
However, he doesn’t impose his will, believing passion conquers all.
Unfortunately, it seems it’s not always effective.
Until his slumber, the Ballad Conductor hadn’t changed despite Kuro’s ardor and ultimately checked out.
Looking around at the original Star Eclipses, Kuro suddenly spotted something amiss.
“Why does everyone seem less powerful?”
Hearing this, the original Star Eclipses, except for the Dream Narrator, all wore an odd expression.
Seeing this, Kuro reviewed the Group Leader’s memories again.
“So, it’s Night Star Lan again? Must say you guys have a knack for running into this human, although it’s more like bad luck.”
The original Star Eclipses remained silent.
Their obsessions were fully released, which brought a unique kind of relief.
Of course, they didn’t leave.
Because Kuro was here.
If he needed them, they’d give up their obsessions for now.
If not, they’d walk away without any regrets.
Simple logic.
These original Star Eclipses weren’t like Loh Xi’s favorite three.
Kuro’s passion flared up again as he addressed the original Star Eclipses behind him.
“Let’s throw a reuniting party, relive the old days with the same fervor. Seems much has happened while I was away, tell me all about it.”
“We’re eager to report our deeds.”
“Great! I get your zeal! Let’s wait for the star performer at the party. Can’t wait to meet the Audience Performer.”
Kuro vaguely remembered the Audience Performer making him a prop of sorts.
Respect shown to him was over the top, rivaled only by that of the Ballad Conductor.
