Dimensional Descent

Aina's roar caused a shockwave to tear a path across the mountain pass.

For a moment, the illusion of a woman much taller than her seemed to envelop her small figure. However, this last for but a moment before a strong surge of Force fell from the glowing pillars, enveloping her body in a rain of light.

Leonel snapped out of his thoughts, the strength of his fingers digging into his forearm growing to the point he nearly drew blood.

He had no idea what was happening and if it wasn't for the fact he wasn't sure what he'd do even if he stormed his way up, there was no way that he'd be able to sit idle for so long.

The elders standing amidst the pillars suddenly all sported frozen expressions. Whatever shocked looks they had just had seemed to be ramped up several fold.

The four geniuses who had been surpassed by Aina suddenly found that continuing forward had become impossible.

One after another, they fell to their knees, a look of abject horror on their face. Even Ingkath, a man who didn't seem to understand anything that could be solved without brawn, felt his heart trembling.

However, though these geniuses fell, each and every one of them kept their eyes level. It was as though each was holding onto the last bit of their pride, unable to allow themselves to fall to the point of not even daring to look.

Aina's body had completely disappeared within the lights. The pulsing of the twin pillars grew more heated, reaching a level where even the elders could no longer think of holding back the pressure themselves.

Unable to hold back his thoughts any longer, Leonel flipped a palm, causing a familiar silver disk to appear in his hand.

…

Valiant Heart Mountain was a place maybe more fanciful than even Leonel expected.

Beyond the mountain range, there sat an all new world, the kind the people of Earth could have maybe only dreamed about.

Valiant Heart Mountain was split into seven peaks, each of which seemed to thrum with a heartbeat of its own.

These peaks were all surrounded by floating islands. But, compared to the Paradise Islands of Earth, these islands exuded an air of oneness with nature rather than capitalistic greed.

They had lush greenery viewable even from the ground below, a land that shone a faint sheen of gold, and hovered in place without the slightest hint of technology. But, what was maybe the most awe inspiring were the waterfalls that fell from their edges.

waterfalls fell in steady streams, sparkling with and refracting the light of a high violet colored sun that hung in the air. This refraction gave the water a gorgeous purple hue that played on the fantasies of

But, this wasn't all.

into long, rushing rivers along the peaks they orbited. The seamless transition between the waterfalls in the clouds to the rivers

be, those that were here had long since gotten used to it. The hustle

higher Dimensional worlds, ignoring the miracles of nature seemed

that moment, though, among one of the peaks of Valiant Heart Mountain, all things seemed

as Founding Peak, was a location

debates, each speaking over the other about the direction the organization should go in. But, at this moment, they had suddenly fallen into an eerie silence. In fact, not a single soul seemed

they were doing, simultaneously looking in a singular

mountain, there was a section reserved for the future leaders of Valiant Heart

used it to organize members of their faction. If this location was to be strictly compared to their normal training locations, it

the Founding

who spoke these words, nor did it

set up camp at the base of Founding Mountain were all preparing to accept the new influx of talents into their factions at this exact moment. However, not one had ever expected

hesitated. Without regard for the rules, or even the overseeing elders, they all sent their

only had a singular goal:

…

the rest. It was a group of three men and three women, each that had been in silent meditation all to their

upon the tallest floating island, not moving even while thick white clouds past through him, causing fine

his eyes somewhat lazily, staring into the distance as though he could peer through the mountains and the thick

his apathetic expression became one

certain that the one to activate the pillars would have been that child he

A pleasant surprise indeed.

…

lights began to dim that Leonel breathed a sigh of relief. At the very least, it didn't seem as though there was anything seriously wrong with Aina.

moment Leonel thought Aina would be fine, she fell to the ground on all fours, unable

of coughing took hold of

gaze sharpened. He immediately understood that something had aggravated Aina's curse again. He could even see the mask he had

began to glow. A strong pulse

gripped at the earth with her fingers, leaving small trails as she