The History of the Yobian Empire- Chapter 2:
Tumen Yobian, born to humble parents working the land, was a boy of exceptional talent and an imposing physique that seemed divinely bestowed. His family's farm stood perilously close to the edge of the dark forest, a realm teeming with perilous creatures. While his parents themselves possessed Dominion Seeker abilities, they chose to employ their powers not for dominance, but to ease the burdens of their agrarian life.
As Tumen reached the age of awakening, he embarked on a journey to unlock his latent potential. His lineage bore a unique gift, and through the awakening ritual, he manifested as a Dominion Seeker, marked by immense untapped power. In an era devoid of structured education for young awakeners, they were left with only two options – to venture into the unknown as adventurers or forge their path without guidance. Tumen aligned himself with an adventurer guild known as "The Triple Headed Snakes," a decision that would shape his destiny in unforeseen ways.
For a decade, he contributed to the rise of the guild, propelling it to unparalleled prominence. However, as his capabilities outgrew the guild's confines, he opted to part ways, recognizing the need to chart his course to further growth. His journey led him to the dreaded expanse known as "No Man's Land," a region evoking trepidation in the hearts of many. Here, strength was the only currency, survival the only measure of merit. In the crucible of No Man's Land, he spent two decades honing himself into a force beyond reckoning – a walking cataclysm with the power to upend kingdoms.
Emerging from his self-imposed exile, Tumen had transformed beyond recognition, a living testament to the passage of time and the crucible of his trials. He found solace as the leader of a remote village, his indomitable strength earning him the respect and loyalty of its inhabitants. In search of a new home, they chanced upon a rugged, uncharted territory – a realm unclaimed by civilization. This realm christened the "Adventurer's Wasteland," would become the crucible for the nascent Yobian Empire's rise.
Tumen Yobian's journey from the farm to the wilderness, from the dungeons of self-discovery to the forefront of a budding empire, formed the cornerstone of the Yobian Empire's inception. His humble origins, tempered by trials and fueled by unyielding determination, laid the groundwork for a legacy that would echo across time, shaping the destiny of an entire realm.
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After what felt like an interminable wait, over a hundred children had undergone the awakening ritual. The odds were evenly split – a coin toss determining whether one would emerge as an aura user or a mage. Regrettably, the unattainable mantle of a Dominion Seeker remained unclaimed, a fact that elicited subdued sighs among hopeful souls.
With the long line now diminished, it was finally Bane's turn to approach the Nexus Sphere, the focal point of awakening. Garrik, a comforting presence amidst the suspense, introduced Bane to the wizardly figure who oversaw the process. The details of the procedure were shared, an exchange that brought a measure of reassurance to Bane's anxious heart.
To awaken, one had to engage with the Nexus Sphere through touch. Closing one's eyes, a vivid image of a tree was to be conjured in the mind's eye. This manifestation would serve as a gauge of innate potential. A faint, blurry tree indicated meager aptitude, while a vivid, towering one signified greater talent. As the mental visualization took shape, one's body opened itself to the world's mana, permitting the dormant ability to stir to life.
Bane walked toward the Nexus Sphere, nerves pulsating within him. The aura of anticipation engulfed him, casting a cold shiver through his form. As his hand neared the sphere, his vision dissolved, and he was transported to another realm. Before him sprawled a landscape, rivers weaving through the muddy expanse, rocks, and plants punctuating the scenery. A colossal tree loomed on the horizon, its towering form defying the heavens themselves.
As he ventured into this inner area of this realm, he found himself standing at the edge of an awe-inspiring landscape that extended as far as his eyes could perceive.
The ground beneath his feet was a mosaic of colors, a shifting canvas that blended hues of emerald greens, cerulean blues, and ethereal purples. It was as if he stood upon a living painting of pure emotion and raw imagination. The air around him was still, carrying only the faintest whisper of a melody that seemed to emanate from the very essence of the landscape.
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Mountains, their peaks kissed by delicate wisps of cloud, dotted the horizon. Each mountain was a sculpture of jagged grandeur, their slopes covered in vibrant wildflowers that glowed with an otherworldly luminescence. Valleys stretched between these majestic peaks, their depths veiled in an enigmatic mist that shimmered with iridescent hues.
Lakes of liquid crystal reflected the shifting colors of the sky, their surfaces so smooth they appeared like mirrors to another dimension. Trees, unlike any found in the mortal realm, rose from the earth like guardians of this timeless expanse. These trees had trunks of polished silver, their branches adorned with leaves that glittered like stars, casting a gentle radiance upon the land.
As Bane wandered further, he found himself in a land of endless twilight, where the sky was a canvas of mesmerizing shades – pinks, purples, and blues woven together in a seamless dance. The boundary between earth and sky was blurred, creating an enchanting transition that seemed to breathe life into the landscape.
Despite the absence of any life forms, this world resonated with a quiet beauty that stirred the soul. It was a place where thoughts and dreams manifested into reality, where the very essence of imagination sculpted the terrain. Bane found himself captivated by the sheer magnitude of the landscape, its boundless horizons a reflection of the boundless potential within his own mind.
Turning toward the immense tree, Bane embarked on a seemingly endless journey to reach it. Hour after hour passed as he pressed forward, each step a test of his determination. Finally, he arrived at the colossal base of the tree, its sheer magnitude beyond comprehension. As he extended his hand to touch it, an unseen force flung him backward, and he found himself back within the Tower of Awakening.
The tower was now bathed in a brilliant purple glow, the Nexus Sphere resonating with otherworldly energy. Mana flowed in erratic currents, imbuing the atmosphere with a charged aura. Bane's return heralded a vivid display of arcane currents converging upon him. The surge of mana rushed into him, an overwhelming tide of power that surged through his very being. The Nexus Sphere had accepted him, and his latent abilities had awoken.
A tumultuous symphony of joyous shouts reverberated throughout the Tower of Awakening, an orchestra of voices celebrating the emergence of a new dominion seeker. The air was electric with excitement, the news of Bane's awakening spreading like wildfire. Amid the cheers and congratulatory remarks, Bane felt himself teetering between the realms of dream and reality.
Amidst the fervor, Bane's mind wandered back to the breathtaking world he had explored within himself. Its beauty lingered, a touch of magic that seemed to transcend the boundaries of the Tower. A single tear escaped his eye, a testament to the profound impact that realm had left on his spirit. It was a beauty he was determined to hold onto, a treasure he wished to preserve in the depths of his memory.
Garrik's urgent voice pierced through the din, jolting Bane back to the present. The burly man's hand reached out, pulling him to his feet with a strength that mirrored his excitement. "BOY!" Garrik's voice boomed with a mix of pride and astonishment, drowning out any lingering doubts or envious murmurs.
"You're a talent among talents, and you've awakened as the extremely rare dominion seeker class," Garrik declared, his eyes alight with a mix of admiration and a hint of calculation. Bane felt a rush of emotions surge within him, a cocktail of elation and apprehension swirling in his chest.
Amid the whirlwind of events, Garrik led Bane through a whirlwind of paperwork and formalities, solidifying his status as an official awakener of the kingdom. Finally, as the ink dried on the last page, they were released from the Tower's bureaucratic embrace.
Yet, Bane's body, though overwhelmed by the rush of events, began to betray him. Light-headedness crept in, dizziness dancing at the edges of his vision. He pushed forward, swept up in the whirlpool of activity, until the world around him began to spin. And then, like a marionette whose strings had been cut, he crumpled.
The dramatic collapse sent shockwaves through the gathered crowd, a collective gasp filling the air. Garrik's eyes widened in alarm, and he rushed to Bane's side, desperation lacing his movements. "Bane!" he shouted, his voice a mixture of concern and urgency.
Healers converged upon the fallen figure, their abilities weaving a tapestry of healing magic around him. A symphony of incantations and glowing auras enveloped Bane, their energy pouring into him in a torrent of revitalization. Time seemed to stretch, the minutes felt like hours as the healers worked tirelessly to mend the frayed edges of his exhaustion.
Finally, with their efforts expended, they reached a conclusion: Bane was simply drained beyond measure. Exhaustion had claimed him, an inevitable consequence of his awakening's strain. A unanimous decision was reached – he needed rest.
With gentle hands and whispered words, Garrik lifted Bane's unconscious form. Princess, the majestic Aerowing Pegasus, awaited them just beyond the threshold. Carefully, Garrik settled Bane onto the creature's back, their connection now a beacon of trust and mutual understanding.
With a powerful leap, Princess took to the skies, carrying Bane away from the Tower of Awakening and into a realm of dreams. The kingdom, the tower, and the jubilant cheers all faded into the distance, leaving behind a quiet moment of respite amidst the boundless expanse of the sky.