Ascension?

What is ascension? Could someone help me out here?

It's basicly when the game forces you to level 20, nothing more. :-/

It's a particular mission that you have to complete to get to certain end game areas.

It's the part of the story where you realize the truth and open your eyes to your manifest destiny....as being 'Chosen'

It's a series of missions that take place in the crystal desert, that you partake in after mister Kilbron tells you that you aren't strong enough to rescue your friends. Each 3 of them seem to give lots of people trouble. Must I say LICHES ARE AFRAID OF GARLIC? Oh the desert is after the sanctum cay mission, which is in kryta, and after you finish a few sage lands missions.