The Lords’ hesitation was palpable.

It wasn’t just because they had grown too close to Ember. They were also uncertain about facing her in battle.

"Feeding her all those cores might have been a mistake..." Persephone chuckled dryly.

Defeating her was within their capabilities, of course, but the chances of casualties were so high that it was almost guaranteed some of them would die.

The fox was both experienced in battle and commanded the elements of fire and light... Both of which were abundant on the star.

Ember observed each Lord individually, her eyes eventually settling on Michael.

Slowly, her hind legs bent as she sat down. After a second, she spoke.

"Ever since I peeked at your memories, I have been thinking about a world I shall never know."

Michael’s eyes narrowed slightly, taking a step forward. "Do you mean Earth?"

It made sense. Born here as an illusion, the only things she had ever been able to perceive were light and flame scattered throughout. Seeing green hills, trees, plants, and flowing water must have changed her outlook on life.

However, he was wrong.

Ember shook her head.

"No, I am not talking about a physical location... but the reason you all draw breath. You specifically."

Slowly, her head shifted, her eyes piercing the darkness, reminiscing.

"Protecting your family... a sense of duty. You have a catalyst, a reason to seek power. And me... I strive to grow stronger... simply for the sake of it."

Ember snorted, her eyes growing brightly.

"Do you remember back in the tavern, when you asked what the purpose of our kin was? At the time, I thought pursuing power was enough, yet I’ve come to realize it is but a shallow goal. Truly, from the moment of my birth, I have been nothing more than a prisoner."

She paused briefly, letting the silence settle.

"Either become a Guardian and serve for all eternity... or face the Almighty, hopefully kill it, and then what? Rule over the Light Kingdoms in its stead? My stance on the mountain may shift, but I ultimately remain bound to it. Unable to see what lies beyond this star."

Michael remained silent, cautiously moving closer. The Lords vigilantly watched from the side, ready to intervene if the situation turned for the worse.

"Not to mention what you showed me." The fox remembered the God of War and the awe she had felt at the time.

"After seeing it, I felt... satisfied. Perhaps that is the extent of how brightly my flame could burn."

Stopping before her, Michael glanced upwards at her towering frame.

"What are you trying to say?"

The edges of her lips curled upward in a giggle before laughing out loud in amusement.

"For all your cleverness, you still manage to be hopelessly clueless at times."

Her figure morphed, the fur along her body shifting aside, opening a path to the core within.

"Kill me."

"..."

An alien sacrificing itself for a human? Completely unheard of, a tale worthy of the book of ludicrous legends. Yet Michael stared at the supposed legend, sensing no ill intent whatsoever.

"What are you waiting for? It’s not like we have much of a choice." Ember reasoned, her voice calm but resolute. "The tower would trap us here until one of us perishes, and to be honest I lack the drive to kill you all. It’s better to just get it over with."

Ember was correct. There was no way to argue with her logic. Besides, Michael was technically fortunate here, and putting an end to this without spilling blood was the best possible approach.

Maybe finding an alternative option was possible... For example, leaving the tower and then manually climbing it to face the Titan at the top. But doing so would only delay the inevitable.

At the end of the day, Michael couldn’t go against his principles, and Ember was clearly disinterested in continuing her life of imprisonment. As the subject of a Titan, she seemed to lack the inherent resolve that humans and aliens carried.

Exhaling, he reached out and placed his hand on the core.

The sensation was strange. This was the first time he had made contact with an illusion’s core without immediately ending its life. Hot to the touch, her core pulsed in a steady rhythm, almost like a heartbeat.

Ember closed her eyes.

"No matter what, even if you don’t harbor any inherent resentment toward humanity, I just can’t truly ally with an alien." Michael had made his decision.

His grip tightened.

Cracks formed across the core.

It shattered into countless fragments.

"So you should ascend to greater heights."

[Spirit Radiance activated!]

Michael’s cultivation technique surged. It absorbed everything in its path with bottomless hunger.

Before Ember’s form could disintegrate, before her fragments scattered and were lost forever, she was physically pulled in. The essence residing in her core, which had kept her whole, flowed like a tide into Michael searching for a place to call home.

Veins bulged under his skin. Agonizing pain made him grit his teeth, suppressing a scream. His spirit greedily consumed every last spark.

In the depths of his soul, in the gray space where the two soul weapons constantly bickered with each other, they suddenly felt a shift and hastily moved aside, making space.

A third presence that practically barged its way in appeared. Eagerly seeking a place where its form could take a proper shape, it collided with his soul.

The process was excruciatingly painful and long for both parties involved. One had its very origin rewritten, while the other struggled to sustain an additional presence within itself.

Meanwhile, the Lords watched as Ember’s form seemed to vanish, Michael standing motionless on his two feet.

When Nicole noticed that his trembling had ceased, she spoke.

"Is it over?"

Michael turned and flashed her a warm smile.

"Yes."

[You have successfully managed to form a bond with spiritual beast Ember.]

[You have ended the existence of "illusion" Ember.]

[Quest Tower of Ascension - Floor 3: Completed!]

[Distributing Rewards...]

[An entrance to the top of the Tower of Ascension has been granted.]

[Teleporting to the pinnacle...]