The sky held its breath as they moved into position. Mist curled around the rocky ledge of Mount Hringhorn, where the sleeping mountain trolls lay like ancient statues carved from dusk. From behind the trees, Star gripped her new sword—her hands trembling, her heart thunderous. Somewhere inside her, something vast waited to awaken.

With a shared glance, the four friends launched into action, Klara sprinting off to lure the Bergtrolls, while Star, Siegfried, and Friedrich stormed the lair, blades drawn and fate looming.

Star approached the two mountain trolls. Even though her body trembled, her steps were firm and steady. She pointed her sword at the two trolls, signaling her challenge to the giant creatures.

Friedrich, on the other hand, ran south toward the desert. His steps halted when he found himself cornered, with deep ravines to his left and right, threatening certain death. Grinning, he formed a massive fireball and hurled it at the mountain troll.

The explosion made the ground tremble, and smoke billowed. But out of nowhere, Friedrich leapt from behind the troll and hurled his weapon at the black crystal on the troll’s back. The crystal shattered, and the troll’s body collapsed to the ground, turning to dust.

Meanwhile, Siegfried ran westward. When he heard the explosion, he looked back and his face turned furious.

“Ugh,” he growled, “That maniac... what if he destroys something important?”

Siegfried continued running from the mountain troll chasing him. Then, observing his surroundings, he got an idea. There were cliffs on either side—he could use them to leap onto the troll’s back and destroy its weak point: the crystal.

He stopped and ran directly toward the mountain troll as fast as he could. As he closed in, the troll swung its massive arm. Suddenly, Siegfried jumped and ran up the cliff wall using his Gnosis.

He then leapt, spun mid-air, and landed on the troll’s back, smashing the dark crystal. The troll lost balance, fell to the ground, and turned to dust.

Star, however, hadn’t defeated a single mountain troll yet. Her body was covered in slashes from their brutal attacks. She continued to fight fiercely against the two trolls.

Suddenly, both trolls attacked her at once. In panic, Star fell to the ground. As if on the brink of death, she raised her sword to block their blow.

Unknowingly, her Gnosis awakened. A brilliant light burst from her sword, startling her three friends who were resting nearby. Star opened her eyes—and time stopped.

The mountain trolls froze before her, unmoving like statues. Star quickly dodged both of them and ran away.

Klara, Siegfried, and Friedrich rushed over to where Star had been fighting and were shocked to see her stop time. Strangely, time had only halted for the trolls—not for anything else.

“Star... you,” Klara gasped, “You can stop time?!”

“That means... the final element is real,” she continued.

“Chronos…” Siegfried muttered, “The element born from Light.”

“You mean... there are other elements beyond the six that humans can use?” asked Friedrich.

“That’s right. There are eight elements in this world,” replied Siegfried. “Light, Shadows, Incidis, Dew, Storms, Spirit, Wind—and finally, Chronos, the element of time.”

“I never knew there was an element that could control time,” said Star.

“Only a mage would know, Star,” Klara replied. “Mages are driven by the obsession to uncover the mysteries of the universe… and you might be the answer.”

“Star, the mystery of the universe lies within you.”

Star was stunned to hear this. Then Klara said, “Come on, Star. Show us your strength. Show us how you wield your Gnosis.”

Star fell silent. But she stepped forward toward the two frozen mountain trolls. She placed her sword in front of her chest and closed her eyes. A star-shaped portal opened in the bright sky above.

Siegfried, Klara, and Friedrich were stunned. Their eyes widened in disbelief. They began to wonder—who truly was Star?

Star then opened her eyes, and time resumed its normal flow. The two trolls began to move again, advancing toward Star. Siegfried wanted to rush in and help, but Klara held him back, insisting they let Star try her powers.

The trolls drew closer and closer. Then, suddenly, a massive fireball the size of a meteor emerged from the portal.

Panicking, Siegfried shouted for Klara and Friedrich to run. The giant fireball descended upon the two trolls.

When it struck the ground, the earth shook violently, like a massive earthquake. The cliffs collapsed, crushing the charred trolls beneath the rubble.

Star was still breathing. Her pulse was faint but steady—like the quiet ticking of a celestial clock not yet finished.

Siegfried caught her in his arms, his jaw tight, eyes searching her face. Klara and Friedrich stood frozen beside him, their expressions a mix of awe and worry.

The battle was over, but the questions had just begun.

She had awakened a forgotten power… but at what cost?

Without another word, the three of them began the long journey back to the village, carrying with them the girl who had just bent time to her will.