The giant crane soared through the clouds, its wings cutting through the mist of the Jade Kingdom. Shifa—now known to this world as Dua—looked down at the emerald forests and the floating palaces. Her heart pounded against her ribs. She wasn't just a girl from a tea shop anymore; she was a warrior with the weight of two worlds on her shoulders.
As they landed in the courtyard of the imperial Palace, a crowd of courtiers gathered. They whispered behind their silk fans, their eyes scanning Dua's 6 -foot frame.
"Is she the one?"
"She is too tall for a norm human... she must be the Star–Slayer's daughter."
The lead rider Captain Kai, led her into the throne room. The walls were lined with jade and gold, and at the far end sat the Emperor. He looked tired, his skin pale as if something was slowly draining his life. Beside him stood a man in back robas—the high Priest, whose eyes were as cold as ice.
"Your Majesty, " Kai bowed low. "I bring the one from the prophecy."
The Emperor looked up, his eyes flickering with a moment of hope. "Dua.... if it is truly you, show us the mark."
Dua stepped forward, her every move graceful yet powerful. She raised her right hand, and the star–slayer ring began to pulse. A projection of the 'Modern City' appeared in the air—the tall buildings, the neon lights, and the mysterious casting call.
The High Priest stepped forward, his voice a sharp hiss. "This is sorcery! She brings vision of a world of machines and metal. She is a spy, not a savior! "
Dua looked the Priest straight in the eye. She didn't back down. "The two worlds are bleeding into each other. If you don't stop the Shadow General here, your kingdom will crumble, and my other world will burn. I am here to close the rift."
Suddenly, the ground shook. A dark, oily shadow began to seep from the corners of the throne room. The Shadow General's influence was already inside the palace.
"Choose, your Majesty, " Dua said, her voice echoing. "Trust the Priest who hides in Shadows, or trust the Star–Slayer who stands in the light."
The High Priest stepped closer, his shadow stretching across the floor like a dark serpent. "You talk of two worlds, but all I see is a girl with tall stories and a strange glass mirror, " he hissed, pointing at the smartphone that was still glowing in her hand.
Shifa (Dua) felt a wave of exhaustion, but then she remembered her struggle back home. She remembered the nights she stayed up writing, the dreams of becoming an actor, and the promise to give her parents a life of peace. That 'Mortal' energy fueled her spirit.
"You want proof? " Shifa said, her voice dropping to a calm, icy tone. "Then watch."
She didn't draw a sword. Instead, she stood perfectly still, using the 'Screen Presence' she had practiced for her auditions. She projected a sense of immense power, making herself look even taller and more regal than before.
Suddenly, the black shadows crawling on the floor frozen. Shifa raised her hand, and the star-slayer ring didn't just glow—it exploded into a blinding white light. The light took the shape of a massive shield, but it wasn't just a shield; it was a screen.
On that screen, the people in the court saw the Modern City again, but this time they saw Shifa as a Queen on a giant movie poster. The sheer confidence of her 'Mortal' self translated into raw magical energy in the 'Spirit' world.
The High Priest screamed as the light touched him, his dark robes smoking. The Shadow General's influence was pushed back into the corners.
"This is not sorcery, " Shifa declared, her eyes shining with Starlight. "This is the truth of the Twin Worlds. I am the warrior you need here, and I am the star they are waiting for tere. If you stand in my way, you are standing in the way of destiny."
The Emperor stood up, his pale face finally showing some color. "Enough! The girl speaks with the authority of the stars. Priest, step back. "
Shifa lowered her hand. The screen vanished, but the silence in the room was heavy with respect. She had won her first battle in the palace without shedding a drop of blood. She had used her talent as an actor to 'perform' her power, and it had worked.
The Emperor stepped down from his throne, his golden robes sweeping across the floor. He stopped just a few feet away from Shifa. For the first time, he looked her in the eyes—not as a king looking at a subject, but as a man looking at a savior.
"You possess a power that belong to two realms, " the Emperor said, his voice trembling slightly. "They High Priest speaks of danger, but I see a bridge. A bridge that can finally stop the Shadow General's rot from spreading. "
Shifa stood tall, her 6–foot frame radiating a calm authority. "My Emperor, the darkness in this world is feeding off the fear in the other. To win here, I must also succeed there. My path is a double–edged sword. "
The Emperor nodded slowly and turned to the court. "From this day forth, Dua shall be known as the 'Guardian of the Two Suns. 'She is to be given full access to the Ancient Archives and the Dragon Chambers. Anyone who hinders her path shall answer to me. "
The High Priest's face turned a sickly shade of grey. He bowed, but Shifa could see the hatred burning in his eyes. He wasn't finished yet.
As the court was dismissed, kai approached Shifa. "The Dragon Chambers.... that's where the oldest secrets are kept. But it's also where the Shadow General's first curse was placed. Are you sure you're ready for this? "
Shia felt the vibration of the smartphone in her pocket again. She pulled it out and saw a new notification on the screen: "URGENT: Script rehearsal in 30 minutes. Don't be late, Shifa. "
She looked at kai, then at the glowing screen. "I've spent my whole life preparing for roles I never got, kai. Today, I'm playing the most important role of my life. I'm not just ready—I'm determine. "
As she walked toward the Dragon Chambers, the air grew thick with a familiar, metallic scent. It was the scent of the Mortal World—the smell of rain on asphalt and cold steel. The portal was closer than she thought.