Astrael drifted through the void, weightless, as the darkness around him began to pulse with a faint, rhythmic glow. The exhaustion of the battle had drained him completely, and now, his mind floated in a space between consciousness and sleep, a place where time had no meaning.
Suddenly, the void began to shift, and a familiar presence filled the space. Brilliant fractal patterns of light and shadow danced before Astrael's eyes, swirling in cosmic harmony. Stars and galaxies shimmered in the distance, their radiant energy casting long, ethereal shadows that flickered across the landscape of his dream.
Xal'Anar appeared before him—a towering, transcendent figure whose body was made of light, shadow, and the infinite cosmos. His presence radiated both peace and power, an overwhelming sense of authority and wisdom that Astrael had come to know well.
"You have done well, Astrael," Xal'Anar's voice boomed through the void, reverberating across the dreamscape. The voice wasn't harsh or overpowering, but calm, as though the very fabric of the cosmos was speaking directly to him. "Your victory was hard-fought, and you showed great determination. For that, you have earned my congratulations."
Astrael, despite being in a dream, felt a weight lift from his shoulders at the praise. Xal'Anar's words filled him with a deep sense of accomplishment, but even now, there was a part of him that wondered if he could have done more.
Xal'Anar seemed to sense this uncertainty. His many eyes, scattered across his fractal form, all turned toward Astrael. "You fought bravely, but as always, there is more to learn."
Astrael listened intently as Xal'Anar's presence surrounded him, and the dreamscape shifted. The battle with the creatures replayed before him, the chaotic energy swirling around the twisted forms of the corrupted. Astrael saw himself fighting, dodging strikes, and wielding his cosmic-infused blade with precision.
"You must remember, Astrael, that your strength does not come solely from your blade," Xal'Anar said, his voice echoing across the battlefield. "You are connected to the fabric of existence itself. Your body is but a vessel for the cosmic energy that flows through you. Use it wisely. Harness it more deliberately, and you will find that battles will not drain you as they once did."
Astrael watched the scene unfold, noticing the moments where his movements had faltered, where his exhaustion had slowed him down. He saw the blows he hadn't been able to avoid, the moments where his energy had been stretched thin. Xal'Anar was right. He had fought well, but he had relied too heavily on his physical strength, allowing himself to be pushed to the brink.
Xal'Anar's form shifted, and the battlefield dissolved into a swirl of stars. The towering figure loomed over Astrael, his countless eyes glowing with wisdom.
"The battles ahead will test you beyond anything you have faced thus far," Xal'Anar continued. "The mountains hide more than just creatures corrupted by Vaalgorth. There are forces in the shadows, ancient and dangerous, waiting for you. Be wary of what lies beneath the surface. Not all threats are visible."
Astrael's mind raced at the cryptic words. What could be waiting for him in the mountains? He had expected to face more corruption, but this sounded like something even more dangerous—something hidden, lurking in the shadows.
"I will not always be able to intervene," Xal'Anar said, his voice tinged with a rare note of caution. "But know this, Astrael. You are never alone. You carry the light of creation with you, and that light will guide you when the darkness seeks to overwhelm you. Trust in your power. Trust in yourself."
Astrael nodded, his resolve strengthening with each word. He could feel Xal'Anar's presence retreating, the dream slowly beginning to fade, but the knowledge imparted to him would stay.
"Rest now, my champion," Xal'Anar's voice echoed one last time. "There is much still to do, and you will need all your strength."
With a start, Astrael awoke. His body felt lighter, the aching pain from his wounds completely gone. He sat up slowly, his hand instinctively going to his chest where the earlier strike had landed. To his surprise, the cuts and bruises were gone, as if they had never been there. He was fully healed.
Blinking, Astrael looked around. The sky overhead had changed, the swirling chaotic clouds shifting into a slightly calmer pattern. He could see faint traces of the celestial lights beyond the atmosphere, but something else caught his attention—a shadow on the ground.
The shadow had shifted. When Astrael had collapsed after the battle, the sun had been higher in the sky, casting long, dark shadows across the land. Now, the shadows had moved significantly, and the light was lower, suggesting the passage of time. He studied the sky and the position of the twin suns in the distance, their faint light indicating the time of day.
By the position of the suns and the changes in the atmosphere, Astrael estimated that he had been asleep for at least a full day and a half. The battle, the draining effort of sealing the fissure, and the energy he had expended had forced him into a deep, restorative slumber. And in that time, his body had healed itself.
He took a deep breath, feeling the strength return to his limbs, his mind clear and focused. Xal'Anar's words still echoed in his thoughts, guiding him, reminding him that his power went beyond physical strength. He needed to refine his connection to the cosmic energy, to learn how to wield it with more precision. If he could do that, the challenges ahead would not overwhelm him the way this battle had.
The mountains loomed ahead, their jagged peaks seeming even more ominous now that he knew something deeper awaited him within. But Astrael was ready. With renewed strength and Xal'Anar's guidance in his mind, he would face whatever lay ahead.
He stood tall, gazing at the path that stretched before him. There were still battles to fight, still secrets to uncover, but he knew it would not be easy.