Later that day...
After sharing a brief conversation with Rin's parents and telling them bits about his school life and a few interesting events that occurred during the year.
Life resumed its quiet and boring tempo as the prisoners of Obsidian Vault returned to their cells, and night fell upon the entire city. Yet, while everyone else got ready to hit the hay for the day, Pharaoh could be seen placing the last touches on Rin's array in preparation for his journey into the Star Realm tonight.
To help him with the most vital part of setting the foundation of a Star Body while also opening his first Celestial Star. Even though he initially said he would not… but it appears even Gods can go back on their words at times.
Nevertheless, while Pharaoh worked quietly and meticulously in the slightly lit environment of his cells, the Warden was rewatching the tape of Rin and Zinc's fight in his office.
"Hmm, so that's what happened," muttered Gen as he shut down his computer and sat in silence after reviewing the match at a 0.75x frame rate, which revealed what happened after Zinc summoned his domain.
After trading a few attacks, a pillar of flames suddenly destroyed the domain and pierced the sky. Displaying a scorched and cracked arena floor as Rin and Zinc stood a few feet away from each other, with flames swirling around one while the other was engulfed in shadows.
Before they had one last clash, which ended with Zinc dying as Rin withdrew the flames that surrounded him and infused them into Scarlet. While also creating a makeshift sheath of energy to perform a simple quickdraw.
Yet, what may have seemed like something simple to the audience was truly something extraordinary, as before Zinc could even say the incantation of his move. Rin appeared behind him and unsummoned Scarlet before walking off and returning to his cell.
Just as Zinc blinked before closing his eyes and falling to the ground with a thud. As blood dripped down his neck and stained the area around him.
"Tsk, so much for gathering information on the Kurama Family," sighed Gen as he stood up and glanced outside at the moon, before closing his eyes and communicating with his adoptive father about the recent fight and what he gathered so far on Rin Kurama Jasper.
"No worries, my son, just keep a close eye on him and report any abnormalities you detect within his behavior and energy." The World Spirit whispered as a faint breeze rushed into the Warden's office and eased his troubled mind.
"Will do, Father," smiled Gen as all the stress he accumulated over the past few days vanished.
***
Simultaneously, as Gen basked in this rare moment of peace and serenity, Pharaoh finally completed what he was doing...
"Hmm, so it's finally time to return to that accursed place, huh?" Pharaoh muttered as he completed the array and applied a few additions to the formation while at it.
[Relax, Master, I am sure it won't be as bad as last time.]
"Hopefully, it won't, as I don't want to have to add another God to my collection," smiled Pharaoh with a hopeful grin, even though he would rather not have to deal with the repercussions of his actions.
[Master, please try to behave and not cause any problems for Rin during this journey into the Star Realm. Since we wouldn't want to make his successive travels into the realm much harder to complete, due to your reckless actions and potty-mouth.]
"Can't make any promises, but I'll try my best, since you asked politely, Artemis."
[Thanks, Master, as that is all I wanted to hear!]
"But anywho, how does it feel to be closer to your old self, old friend?" Pharaoh asked curiously, following Artemis upgrade after consuming the burnt cyberchip.
[It feels nice, but it would have been better if I had gotten that potential additional upgrade you hinted at.]
"True, but at least you're somewhat closer to returning to your past glory, Artemis."
[I guess so... but still, how much greater would it have been to receive an extra surprise like the unlocking of an old function or module sequence?]
"Fair point, but it would seem Fate has other plans. Nevertheless, with night upon us, I guess it is time to visit some old friends, wouldn't you agree, Artemis?"
[Yes, sir, lest we waste any more time and miss this window of opportunity.]
"... now just what was that incantation, Rin's Uncle told him to recite?" Pharaoh pondered as he closed his eyes and began to search for that white cubic glyph in Rin's mindscape.
'Found it,' smiled Pharaoh as he began to recite the incantation written by Rin's Uncle John.
"Stars above, bear witness now. Ancient fires bound to endless night; Stars within, answer my call. Sparks of creation waking in my sight. Let heaven's silence bend and part. Let constellations bow to will and thrall. By astral law and celestial oath, I cross the veil into the realm where mortal flesh and divine will converge."
He said as starlight started to seep into Obsidian Vault and gather around cell AX3 before rushing into the array drawn on the floor.
Causing it to take on a milky silverish color as beast cores were drained of their energy, and ancient glyphs shone like stars in the midnight sky. While a purplish portal began to slowly form above Pharaoh's head as he sat in the middle of the array in a meditative state.
'... that was fast. Welp, I guess it is time to meet some old friends,' sighed Pharaoh as he was sucked into the portal and transported to the Star Realm.