HOURS LATER, the beginning of the magical ceremony took place in the vast gardens of the immense Staudan Castle, a colossal structure that rose majestically on the central planet of the Taldraex galaxy. The castle, with its towering spires and black stone walls, was known throughout the galaxy as a symbol of the ancient and powerful Staudan lineage, guardians of magic for millennia.
This year, the responsibility of conducting the purification ceremony fell upon this legendary family. The ceremony was a grand event, celebrated once every cycle, where arcane forces were invoked to purify the energies that permeated the entire galaxy. The Staudan family, with their ancestral connection to magical forces, were chosen to lead the ritual.
The castle gardens, vast and lush, spanned hectares, filled with vibrant vegetation and exotic flowers that bloomed in vivid colors under the soft light of Taldraex's three suns. The plants here were unique, some endowed with magical properties, glowing faintly as if alive with the magic that permeated the place. In the center of the gardens, there was a fountain of crystal-clear water, reflecting the night sky dotted with bright stars, creating a spectacle of light and shadow.
Guests from different planets and systems in the galaxy arrived dressed in traditional attire from their respective cultures, each adorned with precious stones that reflected the colors of their home planets. These richly decorated garments gleamed in the light of magical torches strategically placed around the gardens. The torches, fueled by ethereal flames, emitted light that danced and changed color, reflecting the nuances of the magic that was beginning to be invoked.
When the ceremony began, all eyes turned to the center of the garden, where a circular stage made of ancient enchanted stone stood. The stage itself was a relic from the era of the first magicians, and its surface was covered with ancient runes that glowed a deep blue. Around the stage, enchanted torches cast a soft, vibrant light, creating a circle of protection around the two most powerful magicians of the Staudan family, Eredan and Druqir.
Eredan and Druqir, dressed in black ceremonial robes with gold embroidery representing the symbols of the four elements, ascended the stage with the majesty and gravity the moment demanded. Their robes floated lightly as if touched by an invisible breeze, carried by the magic of the place.
The atmosphere was charged with anticipation as the two began to chant ancient incantations, invoking the arcane forces. Their voices, deep and melodic, resonated through the gardens, and the mystical words, long forgotten by most, seemed to vibrate in the air, echoing ancient wisdom. As they sang, the environment around them began to change—the plants vibrated with energy, the torches shone more intensely, and the night sky, once calm, began to spin slowly, as if the stars were responding to the call.
When Eredan raised his hands, he invoked the power of fire, and a golden flame emerged from the ground, rising to the sky like a pillar of light. This flame, pure and intense, burned away the impurities hidden in the depths of the souls present and in the energy currents that permeated the galaxy. Druqir, in contrast, invoked the power of air, creating a powerful gust of wind that swept away negative energies, dispersing them into the winds that passed through the garden and continued their journey through space.
Then, both focused on the element of earth. In unison, they touched the ground with their fingertips, and a deep vibration spread, coursing through the earth like a wave. This vibration was felt throughout the garden; the plants began to bloom in an accelerated cycle, bursting into a riot of colors, while the animals around, from small insects to large beasts, began to sing and dance, celebrating the renewal of life.
Finally, the magic culminated in a stunning visual manifestation. In the air above the stage, a holographic image began to form—the Taldraex galaxy in all its glory, spinning slowly like a floating jewel. The points of light that appeared and disappeared on the surface of the image represented the energy flows that connected each star, each planet, unifying everyone present in a feeling of harmony and wonder.
The spectators, in reverent silence, watched with fascination, knowing they were witnessing something truly grand—a spectacle that transcended time and space, connecting them to the deepest roots of the magic that governed their world.
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Eredan and Druqir combined their powers, channeling their arcane energies into the holographic image. As they worked in perfect synchrony, the image began to radiate an intense white light, almost blinding, accompanied by a deep, constant hum that vibrated in the air. The spectators felt a wave of power emanating from that mystical projection, and their bodies tingled with the magnitude of what they were witnessing.
Pierre, observing the purification ritual, was overcome by a sensation of magical warmth that coursed through his entire body, as if he were being enveloped by a supernatural presence. Tears welled up in his eyes, reflecting the pulsating energy that seemed to resonate with the essence of his own soul. It was as if he could touch that immense power, feeling it at his fingertips. The feeling of freedom was overwhelming, something he had never experienced before. Pierre felt himself transported to a new dimension, where the extraordinary was the norm and the impossible, a mere illusion.
As the magic around him reached its peak, Pierre felt his emotions intensify, almost overflowing. Suddenly, a shower of cosmic energy began to fall from the sky, as if the universe itself were celebrating the power unleashed at that moment. Each drop of energy that touched his skin made him feel reborn, filled with a deep and revitalizing peace.
He knew, with unshakable certainty, that his life would never be the same after witnessing that grand manifestation of magical power. From that moment on, Pierre felt that magic and supernatural forces would guide him on a new path, a destiny he was just beginning to uncover.
When the ceremony ended, Pierre spun around, his eyes wide with wonder. The people around him, the landscape, everything seemed to vibrate with a new intensity, as if he were seeing the world for the first time. A childlike excitement took hold of him, as if he had discovered the very fountain of youth.
When it was all over, the spectators still cast glances at those in positions of prominence. Pierre, from a distance, fixed his gaze on Lady Crarina and thought: “Lady Crarina looked as much like Mickey waving from the top of his castle at Disney as she did the Queen of Hearts about to order someone's head off.” Either way, the scene brought a wry smile to Pierre's face.
Pierre set out to explore the castle gardens and encountered a fascinating scene. Mystical dances were taking place in circles around large bonfires, while skilled magicians cast light spells and drew magical pentagrams in the air, impressing a small, entranced audience.
The aroma of delicious food floated in the air, and Pierre felt his stomach turn with desire. He joined a group that was savoring delicacies, and with each bite, the flavor surpassed the last, leading him to a gastronomic ecstasy.
As he walked through the gardens, Pierre observed the magical landscape around him. Crystal-clear fountains and exotic trees danced to the sound of music. Upon spotting a crystal table covered with bright and mysterious objects, Pierre asked one of the sorcerers about them. The magician, with an enigmatic smile, replied that they were “items of power” and that only those with a pure heart could use them.
Suddenly, Pierre heard a familiar voice behind him. He turned, and his suspicion was immediate. “Trying to spy on me, Zelen? After all, we both know we’re not on the same level,” he shot back sarcastically, his eyes sharp as blades.
Zelen wasted no time in responding, “Spy on you, dear Milanion? I’m here to talk,” he replied with a smile that seemed sincere but didn’t reach his eyes. “The ceremony was beautiful, don’t you think? Druqir and Prince Lulian are radiant,” he said, pointing to the couple chatting in the distance.
Pierre agreed, but his gaze remained cold, fixed on Zelen with unsettling intensity. As he observed him, Pierre noticed something peculiar. Zelen seemed to him like a Barbie doll in her blonde castle, and the thought of destroying that castle with a childish gesture made him smile inwardly. However, he maintained an expression of light provocation.
Determined to provoke, Pierre commented with a sly smile, “Yes, Druqir and the prince make a lovely couple. Your brother is very handsome; he would look good beside anyone.” He cast a glance toward Druqir and added, in a voice laden with insinuating irony, “But General Druqir is much more than a pretty face. A born leader, a brilliant strategist… a model of courage and discipline. A man whose presence commands respect throughout the Taldraex galaxy.”
Zelen was caught off guard by the unexpected compliment, but before he could formulate a response, Pierre abruptly changed the tone: “Speaking of good things, your brother is really... very, very attractive. Have you ever wondered how many times he can make love in a single night? Many times, Zelen. Many, many times. Can you imagine?”
Zelen, visibly disturbed and uncomfortable, asked in a harsh tone, “What are you talking about?”
Pierre simply smiled maliciously and explained, in an overly casual tone, “Don’t worry, I’m just praising your brother in a more... enthusiastic way.” He coughed to end the subject, keeping his gaze fixed on Zelen, waiting for his provocation to cause the desired discomfort.
Zelen, not hiding his irritation, responded coldly, “I won’t waste my time trying to put you in your
place, Milanion.”
As the tension between them grew, Druqir approached the two, interrupting the exchange of barbs with a calm smile. “I have a gift for you, Milanion,” he said, ignoring the animosity in the air. With a calm gesture, he revealed an elegant amulet adorned with gold filigree and a light blue oval stone, and he gently placed it around Pierre's neck. The stone glowed softly, complementing Pierre's vibrant red hair and light blue eyes, leaving him momentarily speechless.
Pierre looked at the amulet with genuine admiration. “Oh, I love it! It’s beautiful,” he exclaimed, hugging Druqir spontaneously. His gesture was like a double-edged sword, both an expression of gratitude and a way of flaunting his closeness to the general, knowing it would only heighten Zelen's irritation.