Prologue - The Preamble of the Journey

In the vast and boundless universe, countless lives quietly grow, reproduce, and perish. To most humans, this starry sky symbolizes loneliness and emptiness, but in reality, it holds countless untold stories.

He yearned to explore those forgotten or undiscovered lives and listen to their stories. He believed that every life has its own song, and every journey is worth recording.

This time, his gaze focused on the Pillars of Creation, which is seven thousand light-years away from Earth. According to the data observed by humans so far, it is a vast structure composed of gas and dust, the cradle of countless stars. However, he sensed the presence of an intelligent life form deep within that nebula.

“Seven thousand light-years away in the nebula, it seems there are stories that have never been witnessed,” he murmured softly. His tone was calm, but it was tinged with an irrepressible curiosity. His dazzling golden eyes sparkled with a desire to explore. He did not carry any mission; he simply longed to uncover, record, and witness those unique and brilliant stories.

“The unknown truths and untouched lives within this nebula shall be explored by me,” he whispered to himself, and then set off. A brand-new journey thus began.

Act 1 - Arrival at the Nebula

He traversed countless nebulae and crossed endless galaxies. Along the way, he discovered remnants that resembled spacecraft, likely left behind by those who had attempted to explore the Pillars of Creation but were stopped for various reasons. Finally, he successfully arrived at this unknown region.

He paused at the edge of the nebula, feeling the gradually brightening radiance around him. In the distance, a newborn star slowly emerged from the dense fog of the nebula, emitting a dazzling light. The surrounding gases gathered under the influence of gravity, gradually converging towards the center. The internal temperature rose, and nuclear fusion began. The brilliant light and intense heat burst forth in an instant. He watched quietly from the side as the light illuminated the surrounding nebula. The edges of the nebula formed a subtle spectrum of colors, from light blue to purple, gradually darkening into a deep black. The beauty was indescribable. At this moment, he was savoring the tranquility and vastness that the nebula brought.

He sensed the energy fluctuations around him. The gases and dust in the nebula underwent subtle changes during the birth of the star. The radiance made these materials brighter, as if in a magnificent performance. The birth of each star was a miracle in the universe's drama, the beginning of a story.

After a while, the star's radiance gradually stabilized, shifting from a dazzling white to a warm yellow. The soft light exuded vitality. He knew that the star had completed its birth and had become a mature star, beginning to illuminate the surrounding space. His gaze shifted from the star to a more distant place, where the spectacle known to humans as the "Pillars of Creation" stood. He sensed that the celestial body stood quietly in the void, as if it had been waiting for his arrival all along. The Pillars of Creation were the core of this nebula, the source of all stories. It was also the main target of this journey.

The closer he got to the Pillars of Creation, the stronger the energy fluctuations he sensed. This power was different from the star's radiance and unlike any celestial body he had ever seen. It did not shine like an ordinary star but was a profound and complex force, as if it were the source of the universe, carrying an ineffable mystery.

He stopped at the edge of the Pillars of Creation. The colossal celestial body, like a pillar piercing the void, was shrouded in mystery. Its outline flickered faintly under the nebula's radiance, emitting a weak glow. Its surface was composed of an intricate structure of gases and dust, as if it did not belong to the known material world. The power of the Pillars of Creation was the source of stellar birth and the origin of life in the star field. Standing at a distance, he gazed calmly, sensing every fluctuation from the Pillars of Creation. The energy emanating from it seemed to silently converse with the universe, driving the evolution of the nebula and nurturing new life.

He decided to get closer to the Pillars of Creation and began to slowly fly towards the interior of the massive celestial body. With each step, he felt a deeper force emanating from the core of the Pillars of Creation, as if there was an infinite gravitational pull, drawing everything into it. When he finally reached the surface of the Pillars of Creation, he discovered that its "terrain" was not as solid as that of a planet. The surface of the Pillars of Creation seemed to be composed of unstable materials, slightly flowing. At this moment, he felt as if he were standing on a thin film that could break at any time. But he did not feel uncomfortable, thanks to his ability to move freely in any environment.

"Is this... the uniqueness of the Pillars of Creation?" he murmured softly, standing on this mysterious "terrain" and sensing the surroundings. Suddenly, he detected a faint life signal, seemingly coming from a distance. He turned towards the source of the fluctuation and saw a translucent humanoid life form standing still, out of place in this vast emptiness. He stopped and observed the figure. As he drew closer, he could clearly sense the life force. The life form had eyes as brilliant as the Milky Way, white hair like a nebula, and a calm gaze.

He watched silently. As he prepared to approach, the figure sensed his presence and turned to look at him. A clear voice emerged in his perception, calm but tinged with a hint of wariness. "Who are you?" the inquisitive voice gently asked.

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"Worldview"

Pillars of Creation

This is a special "structure". It does not have the "substance" that people perceive, but is composed of gas and dust, so it cannot be called a planet. It is about 7000 light-years away from the solar system we are familiar with. Here, many stars are produced every moment to light up the universe.

He saw a hint of fear in the eyes of the creature. So, he stepped out from the rock that had been blocking his body and stood at a distance from the creature. He said in a gentle voice, "My name is 'Artmory,' a traveler of time and space."

"Time and space... traveler?" The creature asked.

Artmory continued, "I mean no harm. I travel through the universe, exploring and recording chapters that have been forgotten or have not yet been discovered."

The creature listened quietly, her eyes now sparkling with curiosity about the unknown. "Explore and record... chapters? Hmm... Okay, I believe you mean no harm. So, what do you want to record here?" The creature asked.

"My journey has no set goals; I record anything I see and find interesting along the way," such as the Pillars of Creation I am standing on now, Artmory replied.

"Pillars of Creation?"

"Yes, the place we are standing on now. The name 'Pillars of Creation' was given by people living on a planet called Earth, which is 7000 light-years away... That's very, very far. By the way, speaking of names, I don't know your name yet."

The creature replied, "Name? I have no name. I have lived here alone since my birth, creating new stars. No one has ever given me a name."

Artmory felt the loneliness of the ages in her words. "Then, let me give you a name," Artmory said after pondering for a while.

"The place where you live is called the Pillars of Creation, and you are the creature living here, responsible for creating many stars. How about 'Stellar Creator'? Or, to simplify, just 'Stera.' What do you think?"

"Stera?" She repeated her new name softly, as if trying to get used to this new identity. "It's a very nice name. Thank you, Artmory." Stera revealed a brilliant smile.

Suddenly, Stera seemed to think of something. She searched her body and took out a rather worn novel, saying, "Um... Artmory, can I ask you for a favor? I found this when I was creating a star. I saw a huge piece of iron nearby, and then I found this inside that big piece of iron. There are many beautiful pictures inside, and there should be some language explaining these pictures, but I can't understand this language. You've been to so many places, so I think you must understand the content inside. I'd like you to help me understand what these pictures are about. Please!"

Artmory smiled and said, "No problem. What you're holding is what I mentioned earlier, a 'novel' from a planet called Earth. Each novel tells various interesting stories created by humans, a very unique creature living on Earth." Then, Artmory took the novel from Stera and began to tell her the content of the story.

The Dance of Acknowledgement

"On the edge of a bustling city, there is a dilapidated theater. Its name has long been forgotten, leaving only the mottled outer walls and rickety seats as witnesses to its former glory. In this theater, there is a girl who is passionate about dance. Her dance is like the brightest star in the night sky. Even though the audience in the theater is sparse, she insists on every performance. The girl's life is not affluent; she makes a living by drawing on the streets during the day and showcasing her dance in the theater at night. Her paintings are full of color and vitality, just like her dance. Every jump and every rotation infuses all her emotions and strength.

But on a cold winter day, the theater manager suddenly announced that the theater could no longer continue to operate due to the troupe's income. Therefore, the theater would close in a month. When the girl heard this news, her heart was filled with reluctance and despair, but she knew she had to give the theater and herself the most gorgeous performance.

The girl began to plan an unprecedented dance performance, investing all her savings into this show. From costumes to music, from stage design to lighting effects, every detail strives for perfection. She rehearses day and night, practicing every movement repeatedly until her body is extremely tired, until every dance step is integrated into her soul.

At the same time, the girl's paintings on the street have become more profound and touching. She pours all her love for dance and reluctance to let go of the theater onto the canvas. Her paintings attract more and more people to stop and her story gradually becomes known to others.

Finally, the day of the performance arrived. The theater was packed with people, including the girl's relatives and friends, strangers moved by her paintings, and city dwellers who had ignored the theater before. The girl stood behind the stage, taking a deep breath, her heart filled with tension and anticipation.

The curtain slowly opened, and the girl, like an elegant swan, gracefully stepped onto the stage. As the music started, every movement was filled with strength and passion. Her dance seemed to tell a story about dreams, persistence, and love. The audience was deeply moved, with applause and cheers rising one after another.

When the last note fell, the girl completed her curtain call. She stood on the stage, sweat and tears intermingling, knowing that this was not only a farewell to the theater but also a new starting point in her artistic career. The girl's dance and her story, like her previous paintings, became a legend in the city.

The theater eventually closed, but the girl's artistic journey had just begun. Her story inspired everyone with dreams, showing that even in the most difficult times, one must do their best to create their most gorgeous performance.

After Artmory finished telling the story from the worn novel to Stera, they both fell into a silence. The protagonist's love for art and the emotions poured into the performance in the story obviously touched Stera, who savored the content of the novel repeatedly.

Stera quietly gazed at the novel and asked, "Humans convey their inner world to others through performance, and every movement is filled with their emotions. Then, am I... am I also performing when I create stars? A performance with the universe as the audience?"

Artmory felt the confusion and exploration in Stera's words and replied, "Every performance is an emotional exchange between the performer and the audience. Your creation is silent, but it is also a very gorgeous poem in the universe. Every existence in life conveys their thoughts in different forms to this universe, and you are no exception."

Stera's gaze pierced through the nebula, as if searching for something. Her voice trembled slightly as she asked, "So, does my existence only serve a performance? What is my place in the universe?"

Artmory pondered for a moment, then slowly said, "We are all looking for the meaning of existence, aren't we? Why does life exist? It's an ancient and profound question. Perhaps, life exists to experience, feel, and create. Every existence in life conveys their thoughts and emotions to this universe in different forms. You are no exception. The stars you create, their light and heat, are the ways you communicate with this universe, and they are also the marks of your existence. Perhaps our existence itself is a miracle in the universe. You create stars, illuminating the corners of the universe, which is a unique existence in itself."

Stera was silent for a while, then a new firmness appeared in her eyes: "I understand. Although my existence may just be a performance in the universe, the stars I create, their light will illuminate countless worlds. This makes me feel that my purpose for being born is not just to create endlessly, but as an art, a performance."

Artmory smiled and nodded, "Indeed. Every life communicates with the universe in its own way, and the stars you create are your works, your words, your paintings, and your dance steps."

A smile appeared on Stera's face as she looked up at the starry sky, her eyes twinkling with anticipation for the future: "Then, I will continue my creation, turning every star into the most gorgeous performance in the universe."

"Go for it, I believe in you," Artmory replied.

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"Character Introduction"

Artmory (Name meaning: Depict, Memory)

Introduction: A traveler through time and space, embarking on boundless journeys across the universe. Enjoys meeting new friends, tasting various foods they have never eaten before (but not this time), and likes to record the stories that happen during their travels. "What will happen on this journey?"

"Thank you."

"Thank me for what?"

"Thank you for telling me such a wonderful story and for comforting me. Um, didn't you come here to record the story of the Pillars of Creation?"

"If you don't mind, as a thank you for helping me, I'll take you to see the various scenes of the Pillars of Creation."

"Sure," Artmory responded.

The two began to walk through every corner of the Pillars of Creation, with Stera introducing every detail to Artmory. During the tour, Artmory suddenly asked a question: "By the way... Stera, you are also a living being, so how do you usually replenish your energy? Or can you directly absorb the energy stored in the Pillars of Creation to live?"

Stera stopped and raised one arm, then Artmory felt an intangible energy gathering in Stera's hand, and after the energy gathered sufficiently, Stera swallowed it in one breath.

Artmory: "..."

Stera looked puzzled at Artmory: "Huh? Is it strange? I usually replenish my strength by absorbing the scattered dark energy and dark matter in the universe. But dark matter is relatively scarce around the Pillars of Creation, so most of the time, I can only absorb dark energy.

Artmory: "No, it's not strange. It's just that when you gather dark energy, it's so sci-fi, and then you just swallow the dark energy with your mouth, which I can't react to for a while."

Stera: "..."

As they continued to move forward, the two arrived at the top of the Pillars of Creation.

At the top of the Pillars of Creation, Stera demonstrated how she creates new stars.

"Artmory, look," Stera said, extending her hands into the void. Then, her hands began to emit a faint light, which was proof of her connection with the Pillars of Creation. Stera closed her eyes and took a deep breath; her body began to emit a brighter light. Her connection with the Pillars of Creation seemed to become even tighter at this moment.

The energy of the Pillars of Creation gradually converged between her hands, eventually forming a light ball. This light ball was initially only fist-sized, but as energy continued to converge, it gradually became larger and brighter. This light ball contained extremely high temperatures and pressures, the prototype of a star's birth.

"This is the seed of a star," Stera said, her voice now mixed with a serious tone.

As energy continued to be injected, the light ball became unstable; the pressure and temperature inside reached a critical point. Stera knew it was time to release this star seed into the universe.

She opened her eyes, pushed her hands forward, and sent the light ball into the void. After leaving Stera's hands, the light ball began to expand rapidly; its light became more dazzling, and the temperature and pressure continued to rise.

Under the gaze of Artmory and Stera, the light ball gradually turned into a huge fireball; intense reactions occurred inside, releasing tremendous energy. This process continued until the fireball gradually stabilized and became a new star.

"This is how a new star is born," Stera said, her eyes sparkling with pride and satisfaction.

Artmory gazed at the newborn star, deeply attracted and shocked by this magnificent spectacle. Stera smiled, her gaze filled with anticipation for the future. "Yes, the birth of every star is a breath, a heartbeat of the universe. I am glad to share all of this with you."

The two then continued to stay quietly at the top of the Pillars of Creation for a while, enjoying the moment of tranquility.

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"Character Introduction"

Stellar Creator [Stera] (Name meaning: A creature that creates the new stars)

Introduction: A wise life form living in the Pillars of Creation, usually responsible for creating new stars. She enjoys looking at the images in a rather worn-out novel (which she found in the wreckage of a spaceship that was hit by a star near the Pillars of Creation and exploded). She also likes to go to the top of the Pillars of Creation to enjoy the entire universe.