Eldrin stood before Leonard’s group, his flaming onyx horn shining like a lantern in the darkness, his all-seeing eyes calmly resting on each of them. With a voice that resonated in the cathedrals of their souls, he proclaimed, “Enter the world that has been promised to you. Fill it with your kind and guard its secrets with purity of heart and devotion to the freedom you so desire. Leonard…” his gaze pierced him, “…you shall be their leader. Many trials await you, but Solé burning above Arcana will always clear your mind and give you strength, even at the darkest point of your fate.”
The words seemed to flood the space around them, creating a law of solemn authority—one that could not be questioned. Leonard felt his breath grow heavy as his heart pounded with both excitement and fear. Then, with a slight nod, he stepped forward and was the first to pass through the veils of light that opened before him. As soon as he touched them, he felt the ground under his feet gradually vanish, his body pierced by a surge of intense cold, quickly followed by searing heat. It seemed as if he might be torn apart at any moment, and he felt his hearing dull under the weight of powerful, ringing blows. He lost his sense of direction—up, down, all blurred—he lost all sense of time, space, and even of himself, until darkness engulfed him and his consciousness switched off.
When Leonard opened his eyes, a completely new world spread out before him—a land from a dream, where every corner breathed life so ancient and mystical that he forgot to breathe from the shock. He lay, entirely overwhelmed by the moment, on a soft meadow scattered with flowers whose delicate petals sparkled in gentle light, as if carved from the purest marble, adorned with gold, and painted by the hand of the Creator himself. Everything around him seemed almost too real, too alive, as if each plant, each leaf whispered the magic of this world. The air was filled with the scent of fresh grass and purity, streaming in the breeze and the water’s flow. He felt his soul filling with humility.
Above him shone Solé, Arcana’s bright and radiant sun, sitting motionless like a colossal gem in the middle of a cloudless sky. Its light was warm, yet it softly illuminated every corner of this land with a white hue that seemed to be a halo of joy and hope. Solé was more than just a sun; it was the center of the world, the core of the Earth’s weight and pulse. Its rays fell upon Leonard’s face with a tender angle, making him feel as if home were welcoming him with open arms.
Mountains towered in the distance, their gray peaks fading into a blue haze at the horizon’s edge, where the land blended with the sky into an ethereal spectrum veiled in mist, cloaking everything distant in a soft shroud of mystery. As Leonard’s gaze followed these distant contours, it seemed to him that there, beyond the familiar world, lay something unknown, something reaching beyond human comprehension. He stood and began to run, as if wanting to know how far he could go within the world’s inner surface, feeling a strange lightness of freedom in his steps.
Still enchanted by the beauty of this world, he suddenly felt soft arms embrace him from behind. When he turned, he saw Yelena beside him. She danced around him in Solé’s light, light and ethereal like a fairy. Her steps scattered fine drops of dew, which floated around her like pearls in the finest veil, and her smile was wide, her eyes full of gleam, newly freed of all burdens. She kissed him, a gesture that told him they had succeeded.
Soon, the others began to arrive as well. Each geomancer walked forward with similar awe in their faces, some falling to their knees and kissing the earth as if wanting to greet and pay homage to it. Nadia wept quietly over the beauty of the flowers, the wealth of colors, and the delicacy of the petals that reminded her of her dreams of this world. It was a place that surpassed all their imaginings, the embodiment of the promises that had guided them through their long and thorny journey.
And so Arcana embraced its new masters. Together they walked along the horizon, strolled through the meadows, and climbed the gentle hills, unable to get enough of the beauty that surrounded them. Saul, the cheerful and curious young man, greeted every creature that crossed their path—tiny, brightly colored birds, and small beasts with gleaming fur, bowing before them as if by Eldrin’s command.
As the day came to an end, a soft, dark mist rolled in from the east, black as the night itself. It was as if nature had chosen to manifest the coming of night as a cloud, slowly and quietly covering the landscape, wrapping every corner until all fell silent and was blanketed in peaceful shadow. Solé transformed under its veil into a silver Luna, glowing like mother-of-pearl to light their way. Under Arcana’s night sky, few could close their eyes. Though no real stars shone above, the dark canopy twinkled with fine dust mingling in its waves. Leonard named these fragments "Kalóry," or the "Star Drift," as they came to be known.
At dawn, the mist began to dissipate again, its dark tendrils unspooling and drifting away to make way for the new day. Solé peeked out from behind, greeting them with the warmth of its rays. It was a new beginning. And with the sunrise, Leonard felt it was time to speak. He gathered his companions and delivered his first resolute words, words that had matured within him throughout their journey.
Leonard appointed among them the Seven Rubies—those who would lead and guide in the building of their shared kingdom. The first ruby, symbolizing his love and devotion, he bestowed upon Yelena, who would later be known as Naosska, after Naos, the first city they would build together. Her undying flame glowed there for ages, a lasting reminder of her spirit.
Nadia, later called Silvarska, received a ruby for her love of the land and life. She honored Eldrin with gardens, enriching Arcana with new plants and noble trees, symbols of growth and hope.
Nestor Peruna was granted a ruby for his bravery and valor, making him a legendary warrior. His name was tied to victories in many future battles, where he fought for Arcana’s honor and freedom.
Saul, known as Velesy, was entrusted with a ruby and charged with the care of all wondrous creatures so that their realm could flourish alongside the human one, in harmony with nature.
Elias Aurelius took a ruby as the steward of commerce and economic prosperity, the pillar of their growing kingdom. His treasury was filled with "rhodium cubes," which became the currency during Naos’s golden age and are still used today.
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Castor Nanbsky, rewarded with a ruby for his wisdom and alchemical skills, became the guardian of knowledge, whose understanding fostered many sciences and secrets.
Finally, Balsan Lysende, a master craftsman and goldsmith, received a ruby for his dominion over the world's treasures. His skill in transforming raw materials into masterpieces and symbols of power was key to their shared legacy and, ultimately, their darker history.
These Seven Rubies became the foundation of the new kingdom, each step and decision fulfilling Leonard’s vision of a land where strength, wisdom, and love remained balanced.
Leonard also distributed emeralds to couples he blessed for their mutual love and determination, urging them to foster new generations to fill these halls with the laughter and joy of children. These gemstones were precious not only for their noble qualities and the power they represented but also for their ancient heritage. They came from the pockets of Prior and contained within their depths the Malerian Chaos—a force untamable by any hand. These jewels symbolized a supreme power, but also a curse. There would come a time when the power of Elúvéris—the sacred light of the stars—would wane, while the chaos of Malerín would remain untouched within. Though none of them could yet foresee this, the gems would one day become the subject of many dishonorable battles, symbolizing an unstable power whose dangers would forever scar the geomancers.
Though appointed to be their leader, Leonard chose to defy his fate as king and refused to place Eldrin’s crown upon his head. He relinquished the throne to his son, who would be the first child of Arcana—the first king of this new realm—from whose reign time in Arcana would be measured. This act became an expression of Leonard’s humility and faith in a fresh beginning, in a future he had set in motion but which his son would carry forward.
Together with his companions, Leonard danced in a circle on a hilltop, their joy boundless, their hearts full of dreams of a city that would become their home. In the midst of the dance, Yelena raised her hand and pointed to the distant expanse of lowland. “There,” she proclaimed, her eyes gleaming, “there will stand our cradle and throne, a place brimming with abundance, glory, and joy. Let’s build Naos, our fellowship, that will live on through the centuries, its fame never fading. We will honor Eldrin as our liberator and light great fires to shine in reverence and the ardor of our hearts. And there,” she added with a smile, “I will give birth to the Naossian king, whose name shall be Albin.”
And so it was. The great construction began, though at first, many were reluctant to lay their hands upon the virgin purity of this land. Every tree felled, every stone taken felt like a breach of the sanctity of the earth upon which they had just set foot. Elias reassured them that these natural gifts were theirs to claim, and Nadia promised that for every tree they cut down, she would plant two more. Under the light of their magic, the foundations of the city took shape, and with every stone laid, they sang songs of hope, freedom, and the glory that would arise from their labor.
One quiet evening, as the great Solé descended under the veil of dusk, Eldrin appeared to witness their efforts. Unseen, he moved among the foundations of Naos, observing with a smile as his people built a city meant to be their home and sacred haven. The joy of their work filled his divine heart.
Yet when he saw Yelena standing nearby, he revealed himself to her, his onyx horn glowing softly. She alone could see him, and his voice, gentle yet immensely powerful, spoke to her: “Yelena, bearer of Arcana’s future king, your time has come. As the Great Mother, you must now ensure that your child and the generations to follow will be stronger and more resilient than any before them. So that these lineages may thrive, bear fruit, work hard, and gather wisdom, I shall grant you the gift of longevity, a gift no other woman will ever receive again.”
Yelena listened intently, her heart pounding as Eldrin continued: “This land needs a leader who will bring Arcana to prosperity, who will enrich it with your legacy. Take the clay from which I once crafted and form a likeness of your child. Baptize the figurine with your blood and your husband’s. Once you have done this, consume the figurine, and by morning, you shall be blessed with the milk of life.”
Eldrin paused, his penetrating gaze upon her, before adding, “This milk is a blessing you may offer not only to your son but also to those you deem worthy to drink from your breast. Each who tastes this gift will carry longevity in their veins, able to pass it on to their children. But remember, Yelena, this gift may also be a heavy burden, bringing weariness from endless toil and the weight of long days. Choose wisely whom you share it with and select only the strongest.”
With these words, Eldrin vanished into the quiet night, leaving Yelena with a solemn task that weighed heavily upon her heart. With deep determination and a sense of sacred purpose, she resolved to fulfill what had been entrusted to her. When Leonard saw what she was doing, he initially didn’t understand her actions, but Yelena explained everything to him, and Eldrin’s command became the key to Leonard’s own involvement.
She shaped a figure from the clay, staining it with her own blood and that of her husband exactly as Eldrin had instructed. Then, with profound humility and courage, she consumed the figurine. Her body was flooded with a strange sensation; she felt a vital force bubbling within her, growing stronger and soon ready to surface. Indeed, by morning, the milk of life began to flow.
She gave it to all Seven Rubies and to a few others she trusted. She herself tasted the sweetness of this milk, feeling its power and essence now forever linked to her soul. Then she turned to Leonard, offering him this gift so they could share eternity together. Yet Leonard hesitated. He feared the weight of longevity, haunted by memories of his father, who, though blessed with a long life, was bent under the burdens of a lengthy reign, his eyes gray, troubled, and nearly extinguished. This image frightened Leonard enough that he ultimately declined, with a heavy heart.
Yelena wept at his decision, feeling suddenly as if his time was finite while hers stretched into the unknown. She tried to persuade him, but in vain. He promised her that for as long as he was with her, he would make her happy each day and love her and that he would not waste a single moment given to him. And she had no choice but to accept it.
When, in time, their son Albin was born, all work in Naos ceased, and joyful cries of celebration and gratitude echoed through every newly made street. Together, they laid little Albin in a golden cradle of kings, crafted by Balsan’s masterful hands, and even Eldrin himself bent in reverence over his peaceful sleep. Eldrin came to offer his blessing, placing within the cradle a glowing stone that, upon touching Albin’s blanket, lit up like a bright star. This magical diamond, later set into the royal crown, would grant the ruler purity of mind and clarity of judgment, containing the pure essence of Elúvéris.
Following Eldrin’s example, all geomancers knelt by the cradle and celebrated with magical lights and song this new life, which symbolized a new epoch for them. When the festivities finally quieted and night embraced the city, representatives of all wondrous creatures arrived at Albin’s cradle, each bowing their heads, acknowledging him as their future king. From that moment, the age of Arcana began—a new king, a new world, a new time.