Just the Beginning!
Kara hovered in stunned silence, her eyes wide with shock as the ethereal cosmic dragon loomed behind Kayn, the sheer presence dwarfed everything around her.
No matter where Kara looked, it was just an endless expanse of the cosmos that stretched out in every direction, casting a celestial glow across the entire scene. Every breath she took felt as though the weight of the stars bore down on her chest.
Despite her confusion, her awe, and the gnawing uncertainty in her gut, there was something undeniably magnetic about Kayn, he exuded an unmatchable confidence and that made her feel safe even in this strange realm.
Kayn finally stood up from his throne, the Cosmic Dragon behind him shimmering and vanishing into a cloud of pure cosmic energy that wrapped around Kayn and infused itself into him.
Then, Kayn spoke again, his voice soft but resonating with the gravity of the cosmos around them, every word he spoke, the entire celestial realm shook like it was hit by an earthquake, showing his immense power over this realm.
"I brought you here for a reason, Kara," he said, stepping forward. Each step he took seemed to ripple through the very fabric of the realm, the stars twinkling in response. "This training isn't gonna be easy, I'm gonna test your mind, body and spirit, so I hope you're ready."
Kara swallowed, the sheer enormity of what she was experiencing, combined with the gravity in his words, made her feel small.
Even as someone who had experienced the destruction of Krypton first hand, the enormous power on display from Kayn shook her to her very core.
"I don't even know where to begin," Kara admitted, her voice soft but resolute as she stopped floating and touched down onto the cosmic floor, watching the stars twinkling beneath her.
"Don't worry, I'll guide you." Kayn said, and with a deliberate motion, he reached his hand into the air and twisted his wrist, a black hole appearing right in the middle of his hand, devouring stars, and after a couple seconds, the familiar warmth of the Celestial Sun Crystal appeared in his palm.
As soon as the crystal appeared, Kara's eyes locked onto it, her heart skipping a beat. Her blood began pumping and she wanted it. She didn't know why exactly, but her deepest, most primal instincts were naturally drawn to the crystal's energy.
Kara looked towards Kayn, who had a mischievous grin on his face, "I thought you might be interested in this gem that I found, " Kayn saidm his voice calm as he slowly turned the crystal in his hand, letting its radiant glow dance across Kara's face.
"This is no ordinary source of power, Kara. It's a crystal of pure, concentrated celestial solar energy, something far beyond the light you're used to absorbing from Earth's sun."
Kara's breath hitched as she stared at the crystal, unable to look away. Now that she knew what it was, the power radiating from it was even more intoxicating, pulling at her Kryptonian instincts like a siren's call.
Her body trembled the more she looked at the Crystal, and she couldn't help but ask,"What... what would happen if I used it?" she asked, her voice betraying a mixture of curiosity and deep desire.
Kayn's smile widened slightly, and he took a step closer, holding the crystal out toward her, letting her feel its energy more acutely, "If you tried to assimilate this into your body, Kara, you would unlock power you've never imagined. You'd be faster, stronger… unstoppable."
His words hung in the air for a moment, but then his expression darkened slightly, and his voice lowered to a near whisper, full of intensity, "But it would also come at a cost."
Kara frowned, her gaze flicking from the crystal to Kayn."What cost?"
Kayn tilted his head, his eyes piercing into hers, "Pain. Immense pain." His voice was calm, but there was a gravity to it that sent a chill down Kara's spine, "To absorb the energy of the Celestial Sun Crystal would mean rewiring your very being."
"It's not just about absorbing more sunlight, it's about fundamentally altering the way your body interacts with solar energy. Your cells would have to adapt in ways they're not meant to."
He paused, letting the weight of his words settle in, "The process would be excruciating, Kara. Every fiber of your being would be torn apart and reforged in fire. It's not just physical pain, either. The sheer amount of energy coursing through your mind would be enough to drive most beings mad. You'd feel like you're burning from the inside out."
Kara's heart pounded in her chest as she processed his words. The allure of the power was undeniable, but she wasn't sure if she was ready for that kind of pain, that kind of sacrifice.
She looked up at Kayn, her expression wavering between fear and determination,"And you're telling me this because… you think I should try it?"
Kayn chuckled softly, shaking his head, "No, Kara. I'm telling you this because I want you to understand the choices in front of you. This is not something I would ever push onto you. But…" He leaned in slightly, his eyes locking onto hers, "If you DO choose to take it, it will change you forever. And I have no doubt that you could handle it, if you wanted to."
Kara's breath caught as she felt the full weight of his words. She didn't know what to say, her mind racing with the possibilities.
Could she really handle that kind of power? Could she endure the pain that Kayn described? And even if she did, what would she become on the other side?
"You don't have to decide now," Kayn added, stepping back and lowering the crystal, "But it's something to think about. Power always comes with a price, Kara. The question is, how much are you willing to pay?"
A moment of silence descended between the duo as Kara's thoughts churned, millions of ideas flooding her mind as thought about what she should do.
Finally, she squared her shoulders, determination hardening her features, "I'll do it, Kayn," she said, her voice steady despite the tension coiling within her. "I want that power."
Kayn's eyes narrowed slightly, a mixture of pride and something deeper flashing behind them, "Are you sure? Once you start, there's no going back."
Kara nodded, resolute, "I'm sure."
A slow smile crept across Kayn's face, both knowing and almost wicked. "Very well."
He lifted his hand, and with a snap of his fingers, the stars in the cosmic realm began to move. One by one, they shifted from their positions in the void, spiraling and converging around Kara.
The stars formed a dazzling circle around her, glowing with intense, otherworldly light. They pulsated with energy, their radiance bathing Kara in warmth and pressure.
The power of the cosmos thrummed in the air, so palpable that Kara could almost feel it pressing against her skin, sinking deep into her bones.
"This is a formation," Kayn explained, his voice steady but commanding, "that will help you absorb the Celestial Sun Crystal's energy, channeling the immense power into you. But remember, Kara… it's going to hurt. A lot."
Kara's breath caught in her throat as the stars seemed to pulse in sync with her heartbeat. Once she was ready, Kayn slowly extended his hand, offering her the Celestial Sun Crystal. Its radiant glow illuminated the space between them, casting shadows across his face and hers.
Kara's hand trembled slightly as she reached out, fingers brushing against the warm, pulsating surface of the crystal.
The moment her skin touched the Celestial Sun Crystal, a jolt of raw energy shot through her body like a lightning strike, making her gasp aloud. But she didn't pull away. Instead, she grasped it firmly, bringing it closer to her chest.
The energy surged into her body with terrifying speed, flooding every cell, every fiber of her being. She let out a strained cry as the overwhelming power of the crystal coursed through her.
Her knees buckled, her entire body trembling as pain unlike anything she had ever experienced seared through her veins. It felt like her body was being torn apart from the inside, as if her cells were struggling to contain the volatile energy she had taken in.
The stars around her blazed brighter, responding to her agony, their energy flowing into her in unison with the crystal. Her vision blurred, and a violent tremor rocked her body.
She tried to scream, but no sound came out, only a choked breath. She could feel the energy ripping through her mind, her muscles, her very soul. Her strength was failing, her mind slipping into darkness as the pain reached its crescendo.
Just when she felt herself falling into the void, her body on the verge of collapsing from the pressure, Kayn was suddenly there. In a flash, he moved to her side, pulling her into his strong arms, cradling her as if she weighed nothing.
"Kara," he whispered, his voice like a soothing balm against the storm raging inside her.And then, without hesitation, he leaned down, capturing her lips in a fierce, passionate kiss.
The moment their lips touched, a shockwave of power exploded between them. Kayn's energy poured into her, not like the wild, untamed force of the crystal, but something controlled, something focused.
His kiss was both possessive and intense, and as it deepened, she could feel his power guiding the energy of the Celestial Sun Crystal, helping her channel it, helping her survive it.
Kara's body, which had been on the verge of collapsing, now responded to Kayn's touch, to the fire in his kiss. Her pain didn't vanish entirely, but it dulled, tempered by the sheer strength of his presence, the electric connection between them.
She felt herself drawn into him, losing herself in the warmth and passion of the moment. His lips moved against hers with an intoxicating force, and the energy that had once felt uncontrollable now began to flow more smoothly through her veins, like molten fire tempered by ice.
The stars around them pulsed with the rhythm of their shared energy, the entire cosmic expanse vibrating with the force of their connection.
Kayn's power intertwined with Kara's, steadying her, guiding her through the process as she absorbed the last remnants of the Celestial Sun Crystal's energy.
When Kayn finally pulled back, their breath mingling in the starlit air, Kara found herself gasping not in pain, but in exhilaration.
Her entire body was alight with newfound strength, her senses sharpened to the point where she could feel every particle of cosmic energy swirling around them. Her body no longer felt like it was being torn apart, instead, it felt invincible.
Kayn's thumb traced her jawline, his eyes glowing with satisfaction, "You did it," he whispered, his voice filled with admiration, "I knew you could handle it."
"I…" Kara started, her voice hoarse but steady. "I feel… amazing."
Kayn's lips curved into a satisfied smirk, "Good," he said, stepping back slightly but still holding onto her hand. "But don't get too comfortable. This is just the beginning."