Star’s eyes snapped open. She was no longer under the apple tree. Instead, she found herself in a vast void. The ground beneath her sparkled like stardust, and above stretched an endless sky shimmering with stars that seemed close enough to touch.

“Where am I?” she murmured, stepping forward cautiously. Her boots left a faint trail of glittering light behind.

“Hello? Is anyone here?” she called out, her voice echoing in the emptiness.

There was no answer.

Then, a faint light began to flicker ahead, as if beckoning her. Star followed it, quickening her pace. The starlight led her to a massive tree in the distance. Its trunk glowed faintly, and its widespread branches were adorned with shimmering leaves that seemed to hum with energy.

Her breath caught. “What… what is this?”

Reaching out, she touched the tree’s trunk, and as her fingers met its surface, a voice echoed through the air:

“Star Rosalind… at last, we meet.”

Startled, Star turned around. A young man with golden hair and sharp red eyes stood before her. He wore simple yet elegant clothes, and his presence radiated warmth and strength.

“Who… who are you?” Star stammered, her voice trembling. “And how do you know my name?”

The young man smiled gently, his voice calm and ringing with a strange warmth.
“Be not afraid, Star. You have heard the tales of the nameless hero, the one who stood against Nibelung when the world was on the brink, haven’t you?”

Her eyes widened as realization struck. “You… you’re him, aren’t you? The nameless hero? But if you’re here… that means you—”

“Died?” He chuckled softly, shaking his head. “No, I didn’t die. I merely fell asleep, somewhere in Atlantia. But this dream realm allows us to meet.”

“Why did you bring me here?” she asked, still wary.

The hero stepped closer, his gaze serious. “I brought you here to give you something… something you’ve been waiting for.”

From behind his back, he revealed a golden necklace with a glowing eight-pointed star pendant.

Star gasped. “That… that’s a Gnosis?! But why are you giving this to me?”

The hero nodded solemnly. “Because you have proven yourself worthy. You’ve faced challenges with courage and selflessness, even without the power others rely on. The Seven Heavens have been watching you, and now, they are ready to bestow this gift upon you.”

He placed the necklace in her trembling hands.

“You are the next hero of Atlantia, Star Rosalind. The one destined to face Nibelung and save this world.”

Star’s knees felt weak. “Me? But… I’m not strong. I couldn’t even handle a mountain troll on my own. How could I possibly defeat someone like Nibelung?”

“Precisely because of that, you were chosen,” he said with a sorrowful smile. “You know your limits—and still, you choose to rise. And you’re not alone; you have loyal friends by your side. Don’t make the same mistake I did, Star. Don’t try to carry this burden by yourself.”

Star fell silent, the hero’s words weighing heavily on her heart.

Suddenly, the ground beneath her shook violently. Cracks began to form in the starry sky above.

“The dreamscape is collapsing,” the hero said urgently. “You’ll wake up soon. But listen to me: Nibelung will rise again in less than ten years. When that happens, Atlantia will face destruction—unless you are ready.”

Her eyes widened. “Atlantia... destroyed?!”

He nodded gravely. “Yes. Your journey will be long and dangerous, but you are the light that will guide Atlantia through the darkness.”

The hero began to fade, his voice echoing as the dream dissolved around her. “When you wake, you won’t remember my face, but I will always be with you, watching… guiding. Believe in yourself, Star Rosalind.”

Star jolted awake, her breath ragged and her forehead damp with sweat. She clutched her left palm and gasped when she saw something glittering in it.

Siegfried rushed over, his training sword clattering to the ground. “Star! What happened? Are you okay?!”

Star opened her palm to reveal the necklace. Both of them stared at it in shock.

“A... Gnosis?” they exclaimed in unison.