Ethan woke up on a floating platform, surrounded by a sky full of stars. The symbol of the Sigil of Endurance still glowed softly on his chest.
Estrade's voice returned, sounding warm and a little smug.
"Well well, you didn't die. I'm impressed."
Ethan groaned and sat up. "Glad to know the bar was that low."
"You joke, but most people don't even survive the first illusion. You made it through. And you brought back more than just scars."
A wave of energy appeared before him, and the reward chest from the trial appeared again.
"What is this sigil?" Ethan asked aloud.
Estrade's voice returned, sounding warm and a little smug.
"That's the Sigil of Endurance. A mark earned, not given. It means you survived the Trial of the Mind. It gives you mental resilience—makes it harder for illusions or emotional attacks to twist your thoughts."
Ethan nodded. That explained the inner steadiness he felt. But as he stared at the stars above, a wave of memory surfaced—unbidden.
A laboratory hallway, cold and sterile. The beeping of a machinery that monitor us. Alia frail and desperate, clutching his hand.
"You have to be strong, Ethan," she had whispered. "Even when everything breaks. You endure. Promise me."
He had promised. And then she was taken away.
That memory pressed against his chest now, syncing with the rhythm of the sigil.
"Now that you're back, open that thing. I'm dying to know what's inside."
Ethan smirked. "Didn't know curiosity kills the cat."
"I can't die now. But I can get really, really annoyed. So open it."
Ethan placed his hand on the chest. It clicked open, revealing a small, glowing stone—shimmering with silver, gold, and deep blue colors.
"This is…?"
Estrade's voice lowered.
"The Stone of Luck and Destiny. A rare relic tied to fate itself."
As soon as Ethan touched it, a warm feeling spread through him.
Ethan looked at the glowing stone in his hand. "What exactly does this thing do? Besides looking shiny."
Estrade replied, "It's more than shiny. That's a Stone of Luck and Destiny. It links directly to fate—and a little bit to fortune. For a Void Soul like you, that's a big deal."
He went on, "You see, Void Souls twist fate around them. Not by choice. It just happens. People around you—friends, family, even strangers—get pulled into your storm. Some get hurt. Some fall. Only those with really strong destinies of their own can stay close to you without breaking."
Ethan frowned. "Tom… Sasha… Alia—they stuck with me even before things got bad."
"They did because their fates were strong enough to withstand your presence. But even then, they suffered. This stone eases that pull. It won't remove it—but it will reduce the damage. It gives you a chance to have normal connections again. Bonds that don't crack under pressure."
Ethan was quiet for a moment. "And if someone else had picked this up?"
Estrade smiled faintly. "Then they would've become a Son of Destiny. Someone chosen by fate itself—blessed to walk the path of greatness in their own world. People like that attract fortune, allies, even miracles. Fate bends to help them."
Ethan scoffed. "So I get the fate-warping curse and none of the cool perks."
"What exactly does it mean to be a 'Son of Destiny'?"
Estrade answered gently, "It's a rare title. Only given to those chosen by fate itself. In their own worlds, they become beacons—protected by the laws of destiny, pushed forward by the universe to change everything around them. Heroes, kings, saviors… or sometimes, destroyers."
Ethan raised an eyebrow. "So it's not always a good thing?"
"No," Estrade admitted. "It's power. Pure and raw. And like all power, it depends on the person holding it. Some use it to lead. Others to burn everything down."
"And I'm not one of them?"
Estrade chuckled. "You're something else entirely. You're a Void Soul. The rules don't apply to you. That stone won't crown you as destiny's chosen. But it will help you carry the weight of your own."
"Actually," Estrade said, "you're getting the rarest perk of all. Luck."
Ethan blinked. "You just said Void Souls mess with fate. How does luck even work for me?"
Estrade explained, "Normally, it doesn't. Luck dies around Void energy. But this stone gives you a spark of it back. Not enough to make your life easy—but just enough to keep it from being impossible. Lucky chances, small nudges from the universe—doors that shouldn't open, might now."
Ethan looked at the stone again, more seriously this time.
"So I can have real friends. Real chances. And not leave ruin in my wake."
Estrade nodded. "That's the gift of this stone. Not power… but balance. Use it wisely, Ethan. Even balance can tip if you lean too hard in one direction."
Ethan nodded slowly. "Fair enough."
Estrade's voice became serious.
"Your next trial is coming. Rest for now. But remember—each step forward makes you stronger… and more dangerous. To yourself and others."
Ethan smiled, but it faded quickly. "Do you ever think how unfair this is? Being a Void Soul… it's like holding a sword that cuts you every time you use it."
"That's because it is unfair," Estrade replied. "But you're the only one who might be able to use all three cores. Life chose you, not because it was fair—but because you might actually survive it."
Ethan frowned. "So surviving is the best I can hope for?"
"It's the bare minimum. If you can do more than that, then we all have a chance. Not just you. Not just Estrade. Everyone."
There was a pause. The stars seemed to shimmer with silence.
Ethan finally asked, "What about you, Estrade? What's your reason in all this?"
Another pause. Then a soft sound, like a hum.
"I've watched too many like you fall. The strong, the kind, the hopeful. The cosmos, void, time eats them slowly until there's nothing left but a shell."
"And you think I'm different?"
"I hope you are."
Ethan crossed his arms. "That's not exactly reassuring."
"Would it help if I told you I made a bet on you with pressedoor that you pass the test?"
Ethan blinked. "You what?"
"...Please tell me you're joking."
"Nope. The odds were bad. But you made it."
"I don't gamble often. Not anymore. But something about you… feels like the turning point."
Ethan shook his head, laughing. "You're impossible."
"I'm ancient, timeless, and very bored. I've earned the right to be a little annoying."
Their laughter faded, leaving behind a calm silence.
Then Ethan whispered, "Thanks… for not giving up on me."
Estrade took a moment before replying.
"Don't thank me yet. I haven't seen what you'll do when the real test comes. But I'll be here, Ethan. Until the end."