Novaris. Decem. 904. AGC.

Nodel. New Moon 🌑. Day 3.

The caretakers found Emeline on the front porch, bawling her eyes out while hugging a black and silver blanket they had never seen before.

After bringing her inside and helping her calm down, she explained Jasmine’s situation and how she had helped. She told them the truth about Jasmine and Arelion, causing them all to go into deep thought—not just at the twins' reveal but also at the fact that they were effectively held against their will, even if for their own safety.

Emeline also spoke of her part in Jasmine’s plan and how she didn’t have the heart to sell the twin’s blanket. Instead, she used all her savings to pay for the ring and the adventurer's request.

Learning of all this really put the orphanage in a grieving mood, as if someone had passed away.

They couldn’t be blamed. After all, Jasmine had been a part of their life for so long that learning of the shy girl’s misfortune really put everyone down.

Even so Emeline had gone that same day to visit Rose and had informed her about Jasmine and Arelion.

Rose, for her part, was furious as she had been denied access to Jasmine, and hearing about her best friend's treatment sent her on a rampage through the Solari’s training yard. Eventually, she calmed down and ended up consoling Emeline instead.

Rose was still just as stubborn as she was beautiful, and she didn’t believe for a second that she would never see Jasmine again.

All she had to do was get stronger. Strong enough that she could start sending those who messed with her friends directly to Detrix.

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Ravnica struck the barrier with all her force. However, the barrier just rippled before settling down again.

Luxana had told them there was no point in trying as it would require a Divine Archon using their body as the goddess's avatar to shatter the barrier. Even so, Ravnica had fully powered up to at least try and break the barrier.

She had also asked the goddess's who could have done such a thing, but for the first time in Ravnica’s long life of serving Luxana, she had been given no direct answer. The only thing the goddess's had said was, “Let’s just be glad our Temple still stands.” which told Ravnica everything she needed to know.

There was only one entity capable of doing such a thing with relative ease, and even if its relation with the gods was that of master and servant. It seemed, on this occasion, it was acting as the master. This also let Ravnica know that whatever had happened between Luxana, Setiel, and the twins was nothing good—especially considering a Divine Archon had yet to appear and attempt to break the barrier.

So, not being able to do anything else, Ravnica walked back inside with the idea of repurposing the twin’s old quarters for something else.

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Setiel’s S Rank servant woke up in the middle of a frozen wasteland.

Their location easily placed them in the frozen wastes of Betis. After all, there wasn’t any other such location anywhere else on their planet.

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The problem was they couldn’t remember how they got there. They hadn’t been attacked that was for sure. There wasn’t much that could kill them, and it would require a Divine Archon at the very least to do so. Even then, the S Ranker would have put up a decent fight.

Having no other idea what had happened, they contacted their goddess's, who told them not to worry and gave them a new mission. Not wanting to question their deity, they simply accepted their new task and flew off in a blur.

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Following Jasmine's disappearance, Rose threw herself into her studies. They didn’t have long before graduation, and she wanted to be High D Rank before being sent off.

In fact, their Oath day was approaching, and she couldn’t wait to start training properly. She had already gotten rather good with the sword and shield and was in top physical condition, but she knew she would have to adjust when magic came into the picture.

Novaris. Unus. 905. AGC.

Nodel. Waning Crescent 🌘. Day 1.

Rose stood ceremoniously before Sol's Temple with the rest of her initiate class. Like all Sol’s Paladin and Cleric ceremonies, theirs was held outside under the shining sun. The day had also been cloudy, but the Grand Cleric had used a weather-changing spell, allowing the sun to shine down unbothered. The spell wasn’t allowed much in the city as Amphis did not appreciate it when people went around forcibly changing nature. However, this was one of the exceptions to the rule, just like when Tempus's Grand Cleric calls forth a storm for their ceremonies.

Their group was not alone and were being watched by a crowd of people, some of whom were from the Free Spirit Orphanage. That made her think about the fact Jasmine wasn’t there, which slightly brought down her mood.

However, that didn’t last long, as the aura coming from the large golden sun statue behind them quickly replaced such emotions with ones of hope. So, as she looked off into the crowd in front of them, a wide smile appeared on her face as she thought about the day when she would see Jasmine again. And how she would brag to her best friend about becoming a paladin.

That change in thought made her think about how strong the statue's aura had become, which then let her know that noon was approaching. It was weird and amazing to be able to wear her half-plate golden armor adorned with sun emblems and still not feel a hint of heat due to the statue's power.

Soon, noon came, and the statue began to glow, and in unison, she and her fellow warriors took a knee. One hand held their golden sun-adorned shields in front of them above the knee that was touching the ground. That particular gesture meant they would defend those in need regardless if it meant being buried in the ground beneath them. Meanwhile, their simple enchanted steel swords were placed, with their sharp point touching the ground in front of their standing knee. That gesture was meant to signify them sending a message that they would not rest until all evildoers fell by their swords.

After assuming their position, they looked up at the glowing golden statue and, in unison, spoke their Oaths, each saying their respective names where it was required.

"I, Rose Zefree Smith, do solemnly swear by the eternal brilliance of Sol to be a steadfast guardian of hope, courage, and protection in this world.

“With the Sun God's radiant light as my guide, I pledge to be a beacon of hope for those lost in despair, to inspire courage in the hearts of the fearful, and to offer protection to the vulnerable and oppressed.

“I vow to stand unwavering in the face of darkness, to confront evil with unyielding courage, and to shield the innocent from harm with the strength of my arm and the purity of my heart.

“May Sol’s divine grace shine upon me, empowering me to fulfill this sacred oath with unwavering devotion. May my actions be a testament to Sol’s benevolence, and may my every deed bring light to the shadows and warmth to the hearts of all.

“So do I swear, in the name of Sol, to uphold these virtues for as long as I draw breath."

As they spoke, the golden statue in front of them shone brighter and brighter until, finally, it released beams of light that struck each initiate in the chest and forehead.

Then they all felt a warm feeling spread throughout their bodies before feeling a tug from their souls as they all heard Sol speak to them for the very first time in its caring and warm, rumbling yet oddly old voice.

“Welcome, Children of the Sun. I am glad to have you in my service and look forward to seeing your glorious deeds. Now rise and let the world know who you serve!”

Naturally, hearing their god, they obeyed and, in unison, once more shouted.

“Do not fear, for new warriors of Sol are here!”

Then, they held their swords upward into the sky and were enveloped in warm sunlight