Page 176 of The Ascended
Finally, we emerged into a vast space. One side was completely open to the air, with slender columns of polished ivory supporting a domed ceiling painted with constellations that seemed to move if you looked at them too long.
Massive crystal formations rose from the smooth marble floor, reflecting prismatic light across every surface. Pools of water in varying sizes were scattered throughout the stone floor, some steaming gently, others crystal clear and still as glass. The scent of jasmine and some other sweet herb hung in the air.
Across the room, other contestants milled about, looking just as confused as I felt, each accompanied by their own entourage of stylists. My eyes immediately found Thatcher, his tall frame easy to spot among the crowd. When our gazes locked, I saw my own questions mirrored in his expression.
What are we doing here?
I have no idea,I tried to convey with a slight shake of my head.
Are you okay?
Fine. You?
Before our silent conversation could continue, a figurematerialized in the center of the room, seemingly stepping out of thin air. Elysia stood before us.
"Welcome, contestants," she said, her melodic voice carrying effortlessly through the vast space. "You stand within the sacred Crystal Cascades of Asteria.” She gestured gracefully to the pools around us, each ripple seeming to follow the movement of her fingers. "Today, your mortal vessels will be transformed by ancient rituals that have adorned gods and goddesses since the dawn of creation." Her smile was radiant enough to rival the crystals surrounding us. "Tonight, you shall enter Lunadaire not as mere contestants, but as living works of art, worthy of walking among the divine."
Her eyes fell on me, a small smile playing at her lips before she vanished as suddenly as she'd appeared. I glanced back at Thatcher, who was already being pulled away by his own team.
I guess I'll see you tonight,I sent through the bond.
Don't do anything I wouldn't do.
My own team was already guiding me down a different corridor. The end opened to a large pool overlooking the clouds beyond. The water within glowed a soft pink, as if it contained its own light source. The bath was carved entirely from what appeared to be some dusty rose crystal, the sides rough and natural while the interior was polished to a glassy smoothness.
"The water comes from a spring deep within the crystal mountains. It's infused with rare minerals that give it luminescent properties. It clarifies both mind and body," Novalie explained, her slender fingers testing the water.
"It’s incredible," I said, eyeing tiny motes of light that swirled beneath the surface of the water, like dust caught in sunbeams.
"Everything in Asteria exists in the space between reality and dreams," Vesper said, helping me out of my robe. "It's what makes our domain unique."
"Your domain?" I asked, stepping carefully into the bath. Thewater was the perfect temperature, enveloping my body in silken warmth that seeped into my bones.
"We're all from Asteria," Lyralei said. "All Dreamweavers are born here, in the domain of Syrena."
As I sank deeper into the glowing water, Novalie began adding various oils and essences from crystal vials, each releasing a different scent and changing the color of the light beneath the surface.
"How did you survive the second trial?" Vesper asked, his fingers expertly working through my hair, applying some kind of fragrant paste to my scalp. "We were all certain you were done for."
I closed my eyes, allowing myself a moment of indulgence before answering. "I guess we weren’t exactly clear on the rules…" I trailed off, hoping my lie was believable.
"And then you pulled through," Lyralei finished for me, her voice soft. "Like you always do."
I cracked one eye open to look at her. The weariness I'd noticed earlier seemed more pronounced now. There were shadows beneath her eyes that hadn't been there before.
"Are you alright?" I asked her.
"Of course," she said quickly. "Just tired. Preparing for tonight's ball has been... demanding."
The next few hours passed in a blur of luxurious treatments. After the bath, I was led to a lounge carved from the same pink stone, where my skin was exfoliated with a scrub that smelled of crushed herbs and salt. Then came a massage with oils that shimmered with subtle iridescence, followed by a mask that Novalie claimed was made from rare clays found only in Asteria's highest peaks.
Throughout it all, the Dreamweavers chatted about Asteria, their voices growing more animated as they described their home.
"The Cascades are the most beautiful landmark in all the domains," Vesper insisted as he applied some kind of sparkling powder to my shoulders. "The reflections change every night to mirror the stars above."
"And the Dream Pools," Novalie added. "The minerals in thewater can induce the most vivid, pleasant dreams, tailored to your deepest desires."
"What about Lunadaire?" I asked, remembering the invitation Xül had received just days before.
