The war came sooner than expected.
Three years later, the first crack appeared in the sky.
The Stargate has opened. Countless people knelt in prayer, believing it to be a divine miracle. Only Qingming and Bihai knew the truth: this was no miracle—it was a catastrophe.
"They're here," said the other shore.
Qing Ming tightened her grip on the other's hand. "Then let's fight."
Atlantis's army has assembled outside the city, ready to fight. They possess the most advanced weapons, the bravest warriors, and the most powerful priests. But they don't know what they're up against.
When the first Eclipse Warship descended from the sky, everyone fell silent.
It was a living metal monster, covered in writhing tentacles with blood-red eyes. It opened its maw and unleashed countless black shadows—warriors of the Eclipse Moon, six-armed, armored beings twice the height of humans.
The battle erupted in an instant.
The Atlantis laser cannon detonated on the enemy vessel but left only shallow scorch marks. Warriors' swords struck their foes like they were hitting stone. One soldier after another fell, staining the ground with blood.
Qing Ming stood on the city wall, watching it all, his heart aching.
"No, we'll lose if we keep fighting like this," he said.
The other end nodded. "I know. That's why we need another kind of power."
She brought Qingming deep into the temple, where she kept her secret—the last treasure she had brought from her hometown.
It was a small crystal sphere, containing the last vestige of her civilization's power.
"This is a seed of 'Star Mark'," she said. "It grants humans power beyond the ordinary. But there's a cost: those who accept it become targets of the Eclipse Moon Cultists. They will stop at nothing to find and control you."
Qing Ming looked at her. "You accepted it?"
Nibi nodded. "So I survived. But because of that, they've been chasing me ever since."
Qing Ming was silent for a moment, then said, "Give it to me."
Are you sure?
"Agreed," he said. "If we can't protect this place, what's the point of living?"
Bian An looked at him, her eyes glistening with tears. She reached out and placed the crystal ball in his palm.
Remember, no matter what happens, never forget who you are.
Qingming nodded and closed his eyes.
The crystal ball merged into his body, flooding his limbs with immense power. He felt himself burning, tearing apart, and being reborn.
When he opened his eyes again, he could see the paths of the stars—not as a vague sensation like before, but clearly. Each star spoke directly to him.
He became the first—and only—human to be bestowed with a Starbrand by the Beyond.
After that, he came to be known as "The Primordial."
Outside the city, on an invisible ship, the ancestors of Base are recording all this.
"Target 'Beyond' confirmed... She has passed the Star Mark to humanity..." A mechanical voice echoed through the cockpit. The half-human, handsome face and half-metallic, cold visage twisted in the data light. "Report to Mother Ship: Phase Two of the plan can commence—tempting human traitors."
It pressed a button.
An invisible signal was transmitted from the ship to the Moon-Eclipse spies hiding within Atlantis.
The ancestors of the Nightmare Lion received the signal and began their operation with a sinister grin.