Day 1. Loop ΔT=0.
Nestled in the expansive Red Sands of Crystallos, the Sunspear Academy emerged from the arid earth, an embodiment of symmetrical magnificence. Its majestic form, crafted with utmost precision, showcased an exquisite fusion of intricate details and harmonious proportions. As beams of light cascaded upon the multifaceted glass surfaces, they fractured and refracted, giving birth to a mesmerizing tapestry of vivid kaleidoscopic hues that gracefully danced and intermingled within the scorching atmosphere.
The Sunspear Academy [https://i.imgur.com/gWbBnoJ.png]
Within the hallowed halls of the academy, a bustling community of aspiring cultivators moved with purpose, filling the air with an electric vitality fueled by ambition and the relentless pursuit of power. Aion Sandgem, his face etched with concern, navigated the corridors adorned with symmetrical mozaique patterns, when he met with Lisa Sandgem. Seeing the disheveled lines of powder which were supposed to allude to colorful robes, Aion couldn’t help but have a jab at her.
“Did you have a blind molekin apply your powder this morning? You somehow managed to draw your uniform crooked, little sister. What a real fashion icon you are! ”
Lisa rolled her eyes, then decided to play into it. She turned to Aion, her expression mockingly beseeching "Oh, Aion, dear fashion guru, I fear I have lost my way in the treacherous realm of style. Pray tell, would you be so kind as to bestow upon me your invaluable guidance? I am but a lost gem maiden in need of your impeccable taste”.
Aion smirked, and replied with an exaggerated air of importance, "Ah, fear not, fair Lisa. For I shall be your guiding light in this sartorial maze of powder clothes and masked faces.”
Lisa snorted, hardly amused. "That was sarcasm, my dorky brother. Not all gem maidens are meant to be fashion icons. Some of us prefer to keep our style as unique as our personalities. Never mind, I'll just take down the powder. It was getting stuffy anyway."
Lisa was one of the few cadets that had little regard for the honor of wearing the red powder Academy uniform. If it was up to her mischievous self, she would disregard even the most basic courtesy of powdering one’s face, in favor of displaying her full crystalline colors. She wasn’t necessarily the most eye catching gem, but her vibrant green hue had a certain magnetism, an exuberance untouched by time, a blossom forever bathed in the sun's rejuvenating rays. There was something that Aion found difficult to describe about Lisa; a certain energy, an aura that simply exhuded vitality, as if her crystals were imbued with the green breath of life.
Her endearing pixie hair and large, childish eyes gave one the impression of innocence, but Aion knew that Lisa wielded a sharp tongue, and a wisdom beyond her years. She was like a mischievous little imp that and never stood in one place for too long, but Aion found that side of her to be most endearing.
Lisa, wearing a powdered face [https://i.imgur.com/6RlVkTE.png]
The siblings weaved their way through the labyrinthine passageways of the academy, their footsteps reverberated against the stone, merging with the symphony of banter and camaraderie that permeated the air. As they made their way to the Academy’s Arena, Aion felt a certain weight sink inside his core, his every step heavy with anxiety. He leaned closer to his sister, but didn’t stop walking.
"Lisa, I can't shake this feeling. Today is the day of the ritual, and I've faltered every single time. What if… what if I fail, again?"
Lisa's eyes locked onto Aion's troubled gaze. Her voice, a beacon of reassurance amidst the prevailing uncertainty, resounded, "Listen, Aion. You possess an immense potential. Failure is but a stepping stone on the path to success. Do not allow it to hinder you." She paused, then added “No matter what everyone else says, I believe in you, Aion.”
A bitter sweet smile etched itself on Aion’s lips. ‘Where would I be without you, my sweet little sister?’ he mused.
Setting aside any unnecessary thoughts, the duo quickened their pace. Various cadets crossed their paths, dressed in the typical red powder robes of the Academy. Aion waved at them, but despite his friendly demeanor, he rarely got more than a curt nod of acknowledgement. Most other students were already embroiled in animated talks with their own House or familiar cluster, anticipation clearly written on their faces as they all marched towards the Arena.
Before long, the siblings made their way through the giant golden arches which marked the entrance to the majestic Arena, where the ritual of core awakening unfolded. The enormous chamber's walls shimmered with an resplendent radiance, reflecting off the polished surfaces of towering sunstone pillars that stood sentinel-like, evoking the presence of ancient guardians, supporting the Heavens. Like a majestic celestial canvas, the dome of painted glass soared above all, capturing the imagination with its intricate artwork and radiant colors. Painted with ethereal scenes of empyrean beings and celestial journeys, it seemed as though the heavens themselves had descended upon this sacred space. The luminous beams cascaded through the meticulously crafted hues, illuminating the chamber in a resplendent kaleidoscope of light. Golden rays intermingled with vibrant blues, casting a otherworldly tapestry upon the walls below. The dome became a celestial storyteller, painting ever-changing tales of azure splendor and cosmic wonder upon the very air.
At the very center of this spectacle, stood upright a single unadorned piece of ethereal crystal. The Sun Shard. In front of its otherworldly luster, all the plays of light, all the majestic architecture appeared as simple mundane distractions from the truth, from the Path of Light.
Aion had seen the Sun Shard many times before, yet it never ceased to mesmerize him. It’s luster whispered tales of heroic journeys, of Light and glory.
“Beautiful.” A single word escaped Lisa’s lips, and if her physique allowed her to, she would have certainly shed a tear at the sight.
“Indeed. The most beautiful thing I have ever seen. No matter how many times I see it, it always captivates me. ” Aion replied, as he slowly woke up from his reverie. He checked his surroundings, before walking towards a great line of people, standing in line patiently. “Now, rookie , whenever you decide to give your eyeballs a break, I say we set our eyes on actually getting a spot for the ritual. Or you can always choose to take it on the next double moon eclipse. “ he said in a snarky tone.
“ And wait that long? I don’t have your patience to take the ritual so many times.” she retorted, heading towards the waiting line with Aion. One of the Academy professors, a giant of deep-red and chiseled, respledent facets looked them over, and asked with the most bored and nasal of tones.
Ticketmaster [https://i.imgur.com/r9YY6xA.png]
“Names?”
The boy looked up into his the old professor's eyes and replied. “Aion Sandgem. Cadet, 5th year, presenting for the core awakening ritual. Together with Lisa Sandgem. Cadet, 1st year.”
The professor offered them a couple of tickets inscribed on red baked clay, reading “323” and “324” respectively. “ Cadet number 124 is currently being examined “ the professor said with a bored expression. “ Please wait your turn, the line on the left”.
Aion glanced at the seemingly endless line stretching before them, anticipating Lisa's impatience. With a mischievous twinkle in his eye, he leaned closer and whispered, "Hey, remember that game we used to play as kids? Let's revive it! We'll take turns guessing what origin and element core each person in line will awaken to. Winner gets bragging rights for the rest of the day."
Lisa's impatience transformed into a curious smile as she caught on to Aion's playful idea. "Oh, you're on! But be prepared to be amazed by my impeccable deduction skills," she replied with a wink.
Aion looked around, then pointed at a cluster of cadets. It was a large group, but all looked similar, with the same build and height, the same style of powdered faces and long robes. Their hands and accessories betrayed a tell-tale streak of red luster.
"Come on, Aion," Lisa teased, "that one's too easy! We're in the Sands, surrounded by the Garnet Vein. Every second cultivator here can trace their origin to a family under the House of Garnet. Combine a family of Garnet with red color, and you will most likely get an Iron core.” Lisa explained with certainty
"A fair deduction, from a fair maiden of the Sands.” Aion said, grinning sheepishly. He raised his finger again, this time pointing at a small group stnding in the back. There was a tall gem girl caked in powders, so nobody could tell her crystal nature; by her side, a short, childish looking girl with accents of pink and blue, and a teenager with a wild mane of cold blue. “What about them?” Aion asked.
“Hmm, a small cluster size, etherogenous, mostly blue color. Their feature are rarely seen around here. Foreigners?” Lisa took a moment to consider. “Blue could be indicative of Lapis Lazuli, with a Sulfur core, but the hue is all wrong. Could it be aquamarines? We’re standing a bit far from the Ocean, so unlikely. Maybe Zircons? But anyone can be a Zircon, those battle junkies can practice all the elements and attune themselves to any color.” Lisa pondered, but failed to offer more than a couple of educated guesses on the enigmatic group. “Either way, those are some strong colors on the guy. I bet he must already be a cultivator, and absorbed a good amount of elements.” She hesitated, looked the girl over, then shrugged. “ The origin of that tall chick beats me. She must have a good reason to cake herself up in all that smothering dust, keeping her origin hidden. Either that, or she’s one of those capital weirdos.”
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Aion chuckled. “Guess we’ll have to wait and see. After all, that’s the point of the ritual – for the Sun Shard to shed a light on the origins and elemental core of a certain cultivator. It’s beyond us, given all the combinations of family origins and the elemental aspects, to precisely discern a person’s past and future.”
Lisa rolled her eyes. "I wasn't born yesterday. I know exactly why we're here and what the ritual entails. But mark my words, Aion, I'm going to awaken with the best, most super-duper cool origin and element ever, and I'll show everyone who ever looked down on us that they made a big mistake!"
Aion laughed at her cheerful optimism. “Oh, I have no doubt about that, kiddo. You've got enough determination to light up the night sky. Just promise me that when you're up there, reaching for the stars, you won't forget about your useless big brother."
Lisa's turned towards Aion with a pitiful look in her eyes. She wanted to dispel his doubts, to assure him that he was not useless, but before she could find the proper words, Aion interrupted her.
"Shall we return our attention to the game at hand? It's your turn to choose, and mine to deduce. Unlike you, I got real experience. Brace yourself for a formidable challenge," Aion smirked.
Lisa mustered a bitter sweet smile.
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Anticipation hung heavy in the air as Aion's gaze fixated on the red-streaked boy standing at the precipice of destiny. The chamber thrummed with an indescribable energy, a swirling vortex of ethereal light interwoven with volatile emotions. The boy's outstretched hand reached towards the sunstone stela, and the world held its collective breath as the emissary of the Temple of Light finished the ritual. With a booming voice, he proclaimed for all to hear.
Behold! The decree of the Light resounds! Cadet Ilham, raised in The Sixth Cluster Almandine of House Garnet, bear witness to the revelation unveiled by the Holy Sun Shard. Let every crystal, from the frigid depths of Southoris to the sun-kissed Isles of Eversummer, know that your origin stands true.
Almandine, of the Garnets!
Let it be known that your single core is pure, that your core wields the element of Iron, and that your force shall henceforth forever more serve to PUSH away the darkness, until the day your Light dims.
You may rise, Ilham Almandine of House Garnet.”
The young cadet stood proud and adamant, grateful for having his origin and element confirmed, as he made his way to his cluster of jubilant peers.
[https://i.imgur.com/WcrItNH.png]
They greeted him as brothers and sisters, with open arms in their midst. For a cluster such as theirs, the ritual only served to confirm their common purpose and origin binding them all the same.
Aion felt a tinge of envy as he stared at the camaraderie between the Cluster. Sometimes he wondered what it would have been like, to feel a sense of belonging, to be raised together with brothers and sisters of a same mind and body.
“Next, number 323! Cadet Aion, orphan of Sandgems, stand up on the dais” the roaring voice of one of the attendants boomed, and Aion’s legs started to move on their own, guided by a mix of trepidation and hope. Incense burned, metal instruments rattled, drums beat around the dais, as the Emissary stood in the back. The tension in the rhytm kept rising, and rising, with each step Aion took. It boiled over to a sudden stop, as Aion knelt in fron of the Sun Shard.
The chamber grew hushed, its silence echoing through the vast expanse, as the emissary of Light turned his gaze upon the young cadet.
“You, who was born with eyes but could not see the truth; You, who was born with legs but knew not where to walk; You, who was born with a mind but could not fathom the mysteries of life; Speak your name in front of the Light!” the Emissary boomed.
Aion kept to the ritual, and gave the answer: “I am the Nameless Wanderer, lost in the Eternal Night. ”
“And what is it you seek from the Light, Wanderer?” The emissary asked.
“Wisdom!” Aion answered. “I came seeking the Light’s Eternal Wisdom!”
The emissary boomed, staring at the crowds. “Then let there be Light!”.
With a voice filled with solemnity, the emissary raised his arms towards the heavens, palms open to the divine light that bathed the sacred space. The chant of the Light Gems flowed from his lips, its resonant words filling the chamber with an otherworldly energy:
By the gems of radiant hue,
By the Light, ancient and true,
In this sacred space we stand,
Seeking destiny's guiding hand.
From the dawn of time's first breath,
The Light Gems shone, conquering Death.
Their brilliance divine, a beacon so bright,
Reveal to us the truth, hidden in the Night.
Gems of wisdom, gems of might,
Reveal the seeker's path tonight.
With spirits open, hearts ablaze,
Guide us through life's mysterious maze.
Origin revealed, destiny unfurled,
As Light's blessings grace the world.
Illuminate the seeker's noble quest,
In your radiant glow, may they be blessed.
Oh, Light Gems, we beseech thee,
Bestow upon us clarity.
Grant us the vision to see our place,
And embrace our purpose with divine grace.
As we chant this sacred hymn,
In your presence, our souls brim.
In the Light's eternal glow,
Our origin and destiny we shall know."
Aion's breath hitched as he watched the Sun Shard before him, its pulsating radiance seemingly responding to the words of the chant. He could feel a surge of power coursing through the very core of his being, as if the Light itself sought to reveal his true path.
With a flourish of his outstretched hand, the emissary concluded the ritual.
“Behold! The decree of the Light resounds! Cadet Aion, raised by the Nameless Gems of the Sands, bear witness to the revelation unveiled by the Holy Sun Shard. Let every crystal, from the frigid depths of Southoris to the sun-kissed Isles of Eversummer, know that your origin stands stands muddled.
Muddled!
Let it be known that your single core is empty, that your core wields no elements, and that you wield no force against the Dark, until the day your Light dims.
You may rise, Aion Sandgem.”
Aion's lips curled into a bitter smile as he absorbed the weight of those words. It wasn't the first time he had stood on that dais, facing the Sun Shard's judgment. The result was as expected, a confirmation of what he had come to accept long ago. The Light had spoken, but its voice had rendered him empty, devoid of the elemental spark that defined others.
The crowd remained hushed, their astonishment transforming into a mix of pity and confusion. For the first time that day, there was no cheering. Whispers passed through the throng, the murmurs like a gathering storm. Aion's eyes met the gazes of his fellow cadets, a varied mixture of schadenfreude, pity, and dissinterest. Only Lisa seemed to stare at him with a look of determination.
“Next, number 324! Cadet Lisa, orphan of Sandgems, stand up on the dais”
Aion's gaze wandered as his sister, Lisa, rose up to perform the ritual, lacking the confidence he had come to expect from her. ‘Typical Lisa, always feigning confidence’.
The repetitive nature of the ceremony weighed heavily on Aion's senses—the lingering scent of incense, the monotonous chants, the unchanging expressions etched on the faces of the participants. In that moment of contemplation, an unexpected shift occurred. The Emissary's visage betrayed a nearly imperceptible change, one that Aion believed many in the arena had witnessed. It was a flicker of shock, a ripple in the sea of familiarity.
“Behold! The decree of the Light resounds! Cadet Lisa, raised by the Nameless Gems of the Sands, bear witness to the revelation unveiled by the Holy Sun Shard. Let every crystal, from the frigid depths of Southoris to the sun-kissed Isles of Eversummer, know that your once-hidden pure dual origin is now exposed!
As the Emissary declared the rare boon of a pure dual origin, whispers of disbelief slithered through the hall like serpents of doubt, their hisses carried in hushed tones.
"Dual origin? Those are dime a dozen," lamented a Cadet still waiting in line, his voice tinged with envy. "But a pure dual origin? This little girl is bathed in the very essence of fortune."
"How unexpected! What elements could she possess?" a little girl with pink-blue accents whispered, her curiosity ignited like a flame within her.
The murmurs grew, multiplying like a swarm of restless shadows. The air, pregnant with anticipation, crackled with an electric fervor. Tension coiled like a tightly wound thread, ready to unravel with the weight of the Emissary's words. And then, with a voice that carried the burden of destiny, the Emissary unleashed the revelation, leaving the onlookers gasping for breath.
"Emerald, of the illustrious House of Emerald!" The declaration hung in the air.
The room erupted into a tempestuous storm of clamor and commotion. The revelation pierced their consciousness like a thunderbolt, illuminating the realm of possibilities. The Emeralds, a family so formidable it rose to the rank of a House on their own. A tightly knit House who placed a great deal of emphasis on pure cores. Like Lisa.
All the Academy cadets present could understand the implications, but they could only curse their luck that they weren’t named Lisa Sandstone. Without a doubt, the House of Emeralds would stand at nothing to reach out with grasping tendrils, eager to claim this young girl as their own, as a boon to their House’s dwindling number.
The sheer audacity of Lisa’s dual origin mattered less now—no matter the second origin to be unveiled, they could hardly beat the offer which the House of Emerald would extend to little Lisa. Untold riches, cultivation materials, slips of memories, the best of the best amongst martial artists as her own private tutors,!
The Emissary, undeterred by the pandemonium, raised a commanding hand, a beacon of authority slicing through the tumult. As if spellbound, the room fell into a reverential hush, as if the very essence of the Academy held its breath in anticipation. With measured solemnity.
“The second origin…”
The Emissary stalled, purposefully dragging out the tension. And Aion could notice the old stoic clergyman smiling.
Finally, he annouced with great reverence. "Jadeite, of the venerable Royal Dynasty of Jade!"
The words reverberated through the hall. The room stood frozen, suspended in a moment that defied all reason—a tapestry woven from astonishment and reverence.
Incredulity paralysed the crowd, stuck like statues with wide eyes and gaping mouths.
A sacred silence fell upon those standing in attendance.
And then, from the depths of that sacred silence, a lone voice emerged. A chant, incredulous, and scared, which seemed to shatter the silence.
"Jade Princess" each syllable infused with power and fervor.
The chant spread like a wildfire, consuming the room with its incandescent might. Like waves crashing on the shore, more and more voices filled the air, every crystal present joining the chorus, their voices merging into an indomitable roar. "Royal!" they proclaimed, their words laced with adulation, "Princess!" they exalted, their voices woven into a tapestry of unity and awe as they fell down on their knees.
The revelation ignited a blaze within the hearts of those present. Authority, heritage, and the weight of an ancient legacy inadvertently bestowed upon Cadet Lisa.
The poor girl shivered as she exchanged glances with her brother, both of them shocked and confused to their core.