> As I, Niloggver, look back upon the history of the world of Bashiri, I cannot help but think about the Lifeless Times. The Lifeless Times was the one era I wasn't around for. Apparently, it lasted for only around 3900 years, ending in the year 3934 ID. The Lifeless Times was the era before life existed in the world of Bashiri, and it was a bleak and barren time indeed. I can only imagine the emptiness and hopelessness that the ghosts Bashiri once told me existed at that time must have felt during that time.
>
> But thankfully, the world did not remain lifeless forever. The Formation Period marked the beginning of life in the world of Bashiri. It lasted roughly 600 years longer than the Lifeless Times did, finally ending in the year 4549 IF, if I remember correctly. During this period, natural life began to take root in the world of Bashiri, bringing with it a new sense of hope and wonder.
>
> As I think about these times, I am reminded of how much the world has changed over the centuries. The Lifeless Times may have been a bleak and barren era, but it paved the way for the Formation Period and the birth of natural life. And as a time dragon who has lived through it all and the things that came in the following eras, I can be amazed at how the world of Bashiri continues to evolve and flourish in the centuries to come.
~An excerpt of some musings written by Niloggver on the topic of time.
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World Location: A Mid-trunk Bough > Bashiri's Inner World
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ICE PACK
1512 IF 8213:00
In a frozen wasteland close to the outer edge of the Tree of Creation, a pack of white ice wolves were running through the snow-covered terrain, hunting for food. They had been tracking a snow deer for hours, but despite their best efforts, they were unable to catch it. One of the wolves, however, caught the scent of something else and began to follow it.
The wolf soon found itself at the entrance of a small cave, nestled into a rocky outcropping. It cautiously peered inside and saw that the walls of the cave were lined with glowing, pale blue stones. Intrigued, the wolf called out to its packmates, and soon they were all exploring the cave.
At the back of the cave, the wolves discovered a small stream of water that ran deep into the earth. They realized that this cave was a perfect place to call home, and so they settled in.
As they lived in the cave, the wolves found themselves drawn to the magical stones. They would spend hours staring at them, and over time, they began to absorb the aether that emanated from the stones.
As the wolves absorbed more aether, they became more and more intelligent. They learned to communicate with each other in complex ways and began to develop a sense of community. They worked together to hunt and gather food, and they even began to experiment with different ways to use the aether they had absorbed.
The wolves continued to live in the cave, growing more intelligent and powerful with each passing day. Eventually, they became a force to be reckoned with, feared by other creatures in the frozen wasteland.
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ICE EGG
1513 IF 4349:00 > 1513 IF 4517:00
Elyon soared through the skies, her wings beating with the strength of a hurricane. She had left the lands below behind and was headed towards the Tree of Creation, her mind consumed by thoughts of her previous creation, the Firebird.
As she flew, she was struck by a sudden inspiration. She remembered Niloggver's stories about the beauty and power of the icy mountain that lay far away, isolated in the primordial waters. She had always been fascinated by her master's stories of the sheer strength and majesty of the ice formations that dotted its landscape, and she knew that the ice mountain should hold a great deal of untapped potential.
Elyon closed her eyes and focused on her connection to the Tree of Creation, allowing its aether to flow through her. With a deep breath, she let herself become one with the great tree, feeling the pulse of its energy coursing through her veins. As she reached out with her senses, she could feel the presence of a frozen landscape calling out to her, its icy winds and glittering snowflakes beckoning her closer. Guided by the whispers of her intuition as if spoken to her by the tree, Elyon set off in search of the materials she needed to create her latest masterpiece, confident that she would find everything she needed in the frozen wastes.
Elyon soared through the frigid, icy air, her white hair whipping behind her as she searched the frozen landscape below. Her sharp gaze scanned the vast expanse of snow and ice, searching for the perfect materials to create her newest idea. The air was so cold that each breath felt like a knife in her lungs, but Elyon was undeterred. Her determination and focus were unwavering, fueled by the thrill of the hunt for the perfect components.
As she flew, Elyon couldn't help but marvel at the breathtaking beauty of the icy tundras surrounding the Tree of Creation. The snow-covered trees glittered like diamonds in the sunlight, and the frozen lakes sparkled like mirrors in the distance. She wondered if this was just a glimpse of the wonders that lay ahead, and how much more amazing the rumoured ice mountain would be. But for now, she had a task at hand, and she would not be deterred until she found what she needed.
Elyon's keen senses picked up the aether currents as she flew over the frozen tundra, and her eyes were drawn to a glint of blue amidst the snow. With a swift descent, she landed on the ice and approached the shimmering crystal with caution.
The crystal was a thing of beauty, its surface carved with intricate patterns that glowed with a soft blue light. But it was not just any ice crystal - Elyon sensed a powerful aether within it, infused with the essence of the life law. The crystal seemed to pulse with energy, and Elyon could feel a faint heartbeat emanating from within.
She reached out and touched the crystal, feeling the coldness of the ice seep into her skin. But there was more to it than just ice - the aether within pulsed and swirled around her, filling her with a sense of vitality and strength. She could sense that the crystal was a rare and powerful artifact, imbued with the essence of the life law.
Elyon knew that such a crystal would be highly sought after. This was exactly what she needed, she decided to give the crystal a name - "Glacier Heart" - for it seemed to embody the power and majesty of the frozen tundra, yet also the life-giving essence of the world.
As Elyon moved further along the snowy landscape, her eyes caught sight of a cluster of ice shards that shimmered with aetheric energy. She descended gracefully, her feet touching down on the frozen earth with a soft thud. The ice shards stood out, jutting from the ground like sharp, jagged feathers.
Elyon recognized the aetheric signature of the shards - they were infused with the essence of the ice element, but also contained hints of the wind and storm elements. As she picked them up with a flick of her wrist, she could feel the aetheric energy pulsing through them, like a gust of frigid wind.
These were no ordinary ice shards - they were rare and powerful, imbued with a defensive power that could protect a cultivator from harm. Elyon carefully placed them in her satchel, adding to the growing collection of materials she had amassed.
She decided to give the shards a name that reflected their nature - "Frost Feathers" - for they reminded her of sharp, icy feathers that could cut through the air with ease.
As the sun began to set on the horizon, Elyon's search for the final components she needed led her over a frozen lake, the surface glistening with aetheric energy. She sensed something beneath the ice, and with a flick of her wrist, the ice shattered beneath her touch, revealing a glowing blue gem. But what caught her attention was the egg that seem to have grown as part of the gem's insides, as if preserved for an eternity.
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Elyon saw that the aetheric signature of the gem - infused with a perfect balance of the ice and life laws. The ice imbued it with a cold and rigid energy, while the life law gave it a pulsating warmth that seemed to radiate from the egg. It was as if the gem held the essence of a long-dead creature, imbued with the power of the elements.
This was no ordinary gem - it was rare and powerful, with the potential to unlock a vast amount of aetheric energy. She decided to give the gem a name that reflected its nature - "Eternal Ice Egg" - for it held the promise of endless life and power.
Elyon's heart swelled with excitement as she gently lifted the precious Eternal Ice Egg from the shattered ice, her fingers tingling with the icy energy pulsating from within. She couldn't believe that she had finally found it - the missing piece she needed for her creation. As she cradled the egg in her hand, she couldn't help but feel a sense of awe at its beauty and rarity.
With a satisfied smile on her lips, Elyon took to the air once more, her satchel of carefully collected ice components jostling on her back as she soared higher and higher toward the Tree of Creation. The wind rushed past her, whipping her hair into a frenzy, but Elyon was too focused on her goal to be distracted by anything else.
As she flew, the sun began to dip below the horizon, casting a warm golden light across the frozen landscape below. The sight was breathtaking, but Elyon barely spared it a glance - her mind was already focused on the task ahead. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the Tree of Creation came into view, towering above her like a beacon. With renewed energy, Elyon surged forward, her heart pounding in anticipation of what was to come.
With her satchel full of materials, she flew back to her residence on the Tree of Creation. Once there, Elyon began setting up a complicated formation on a large and sturdy leaf of the tree.
Elyon's focused gaze was unwavering as she began the intricate process of setting up the formation. Her skilled hands moved with practiced precision, carefully arranging each component in its designated position. With every move, the aether flowed from her fingertips, imbuing the giant leaf of the Tree of Creation with the mystical energy that could be felt pulsating through the air.
As she worked, Elyon's mind raced with excitement and anticipation, knowing that she was on the cusp of creating something truly remarkable. She double-checked each placement, ensuring that nothing was out of place, and that every component was in perfect alignment with the others. Finally, satisfied with her preparations, she took a deep breath and began to channel her aether into the formation.
A soft glow emanated from the leaf, as the aether coursed through it, activating the formation. Elyon watched intently as the materials began to rise up into the air, each component glowing with an otherworldly energy. The Glacier Heart, the Frost Feathers, and the Eternal Ice Egg all seemed to come to life, their energies merging and swirling together in a mesmerizing dance.
One by one, the gems and crystals seemed to liquefy, turning into a swirling, blue mist that surrounded the Eternal Ice Egg.
The egg itself seemed to pulse with power as it absorbed the mist, including its own outer layer of gem. Elyon watched in awe as the egg glowed brighter and brighter, radiating a powerful aura that filled the entire room.
As the energy built, Elyon could feel the power of ice and life aether coming together in a perfect balance. She knew that she was tapping into something rare and incredibly potent, something that few had ever witnessed before.
Then, in a burst of light, the materials seemed to fully merge into one another, the gems and crystals having finished flowing together like a river of frozen light. Elyon watched in awe as the Eternal Ice Egg, surrounded by the glowing blue energy, finished absorbing everything around it, including its own outer layer of gem.
In the end, Elyon was left with a breathtaking sight: a glowing blue egg, pulsing with an incredible power that made the air around it vibrate with energy. Elyon's eyes widened in awe as she gazed upon the magnificent egg before her. The blue egg glowed with an intense radiance that seemed to pierce the very fabric of reality, unleashing a torrent of raw energy that reverberated through the air. The egg pulsated with aetheric vitality, its very essence resonating with the laws of life and ice in perfect harmony. Elyon knew that she had achieved something truly extraordinary, a feat that might even be remembered for eons to come in the annals of history if she played her cards right.
With a satisfied smile on her face, she picked up the egg, feeling its power coursing through her veins, and made her way back towards the Icey wasteland where she had found the materials in the first place, where she would imbue the egg with the final touch of magic that would bring it to life.
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HUNGERING FOR POWER
1513 IF 4378:00
The wolves cowered in fear deep in the cave as the being with four wings and silvery hair flew by. They had never seen anything like it before, and its immense power was palpable even from the safety of the cave. The creature seemed to be searching for something, its eyes scanning the frozen wasteland with a keen intensity.
By this time, the glowing blue stones that had once captivated the wolves had almost completely lost their luster and aether. The wolves had absorbed so much aether from the stones that they were now vastly more intelligent than before, but they had also depleted the stones of their magical properties.
As the being with four wings flew by, the wolves could sense that it was brimming with aether. They stayed hidden in the cave, afraid to draw the creature's attention, but they couldn't help but feel a sense of longing and hunger for the aether that pulsed within it. They knew that they needed to be careful and patient if they wanted to continue to grow in power and intelligence.
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MISCHIEVOUS SURPRISE
1513 IF 4349:00 > 1513 IF 4378:00
Niloggver's eyes snapped open, the golden irises glowing in the dim light of his lair. He could feel the world around him changing, the very fabric of existence bending to an unknown will. He knew that he had to be cautious - with power came danger, and he did not want to risk drawing unwanted attention to himself. The great dragon uncurled himself from his nest, feeling the weight of his immense power pressing down on the ground beneath him. He flexed his wings, feeling the strength and grace of each muscle as he tested his own limits. He knew that this was a time of great change, and that he must be prepared for whatever lay ahead. With a deep breath, he focused his attention on the world around him, sensing the subtle shift in the flow of fate that signalled the beginning of something new. He would wait, and he would watch, ready to act when the time was right.
Niloggver's muscles tensed beneath his shimmering scales. He knew that his immense power could easily destroy everything in his path, and so he focused his aether, his aura crushing but concealed. With a graceful flick of his tail, the great white and gold dragon rose from his nest and took to the air, his movements as fluid as they were powerful. He soared through the sky with a practiced ease, the world beneath him a blur as he flew towards his destination, his power remaining hidden from all who would seek to challenge him.
Niloggver soared over the barren, snow-covered expanse of the outer lands of the Tree of Creation. The chill wind bit at his scales, but he relished in the invigorating sensation. There was something about this frozen wasteland that he always found comforting. It was a reminder of the world's raw power and potential, something he had always cherished. As he flew, his sharp eyes scanned the desolate landscape below, taking in the jagged peaks and icy chasms.
Niloggver focused his mind, channelling his energy into a powerful stealth art. As he soared high above the frozen wasteland, his body began to fade from view, becoming one with the clouds around him. His scales, once so vibrant and shimmering, now blended seamlessly with the white wisps of vapour, making him nearly invisible to the naked eye.
Niloggver savoured the sensation of the chill wind on his face as he flew, loving how he was able to move undetected through the sky. He knew that with his powerful stealth art, he could hide from even the most perceptive of beings. And as he soared higher and higher, he could see for miles in every direction, a vantage point that gave him a great advantage.
The clouds around him swirled and twisted, masking his presence and making him feel invincible. Niloggver revelled in the freedom of being able to move about undetected, feeling as though he were truly a master of his own destiny. And with his stealth art as his ally, he knew that he could accomplish anything he set his mind to.
Suddenly, Niloggver's senses were brought to life by a familiar presence. It was a subtle feeling, but unmistakable to his powerful intuition. Staying high in the air, hiding himself in the clouds, following the trail of energy until he came upon the source.
It was Elyon.
As Niloggver observed Elyon from afar, his heart swelled with pride and affection. He had taught her almost everything she knew, from the art of flying faster than her wings should be able to carry her to the ways of effectively harnessing the aether. It was a joy to watch her put her skills to use, her four powerful wings beating a steady rhythm as she glided through the icy terrain. He knew that she was gathering materials for one of her creations, and he couldn't help but be amazed by her boundless creativity.
As he watched her work, Niloggver's thoughts drifted back to their many adventures together. He remembered the thrill of their first flight, the rush of wind against their scales as they soared through the clouds. He remembered the countless hours they had spent practicing their techniques, honing their skills until they were second nature. And he remembered the laughter that had always been at the heart of their relationship as master and disciple.
Despite the bitter cold of the wasteland, Niloggver felt a warmth spreading through his chest. Elyon was more than just a student to him - she was family. And seeing her thrive in her element was a reminder of why he loved teaching and sharing his knowledge with others.
As Niloggver flew, he could feel the warmth of the sun on his back and the excitement building within him. He had always been a bit of a prankster, and today was no different. He wanted to do something unexpected, something that would catch Elyon off guard. He knew she was busy gathering materials, but he couldn't resist the urge to inject some fun into their day. With a mischievous glint in his eye, he began to plot his surprise.