Aaron followed the crowd to a wide area designated for tonight’s events. Several groups were to perform, each having their own distinct way in which they wished to celebrate. Ciel and her group filled the air with the sounds of their instruments and faint hymns as everyone settled in.

He saw Damien's group chatting excitedly, covered in warpaint as if going to battle. They planned on performing, and Aaron was extremely interested in seeing what they would do. Jessie’s spearmen were dressed in ceremonial garbs, fully intending to display their insane coordination.

Noticing Cornelius take the stage, Aaron rose to join him. His brother wished to start the festivities with an opening speech and to reveal the name they had agreed upon. Aaron stood at his side as Cornelius addressed them all.

“We have come far in our journey to find a home in this world,” Cornelius began, his voice echoing as the crowd fell silent. “Yet further still must we walk upon this path. Though the way is long and the dangers are plentiful, we shall not falter. Mother has graced us with life, and we shall live it to its fullest.”

Cheers and applause erupted, bringing a smile to Aaron’s face. His brother's words were strong and full of conviction, fanning the flames in each of their hearts. Cornelius held his hand high, quieting the crowds once again as he continued.

“On this night, the longest night, we will celebrate ourselves as a people with a place to call home,” Cornelius declared, looking around, ensuring all were focused. “From this day forth, our home shall have a name. All have given their vote, and their voices have been heard.”

Aaron gritted his teeth, his heart beating wildly as he waited for his brother to reveal what their home would be called.

“Our home shall henceforth be called…” Cornelius paused for dramatic effect as everyone held their breath.

“Arrondale!”

Aaron's jaw dropped.

He couldn't hear the cheering or shouts of joy, only the pounding of his own heart. ‘What the hell was this bastard thinking!’ He stood frozen as Cornelius turned to him smiling smugly practically doing a victory dance. Aaron’s eye twitched as he stepped forward, fully intending to give his brother a beating. He didn’t care if everyone would see it or not. But before going far, he paused as Runes danced in his vision.

[Rare Skill Unlocked] Domain of the Ruler “You have acquired a domain.” “For what is a ruler without subjects?”

‘What the hell?’ Aaron mumbled, unsure exactly what he had unlocked. It appeared as if naming their city had given him a place to rule. Aaron felt his soul fluttering, knowing that a change was occurring from within.

Peering with his Sight, he began to see a faint glow around his siblings and could feel it trickling into his soul. Whatever this was, it was feeding him, as if empowering him. His eyes widened as he felt the hopes and dreams of those who saw him as their leader.

Aaron’s chest tightened as waves of emotions rolled over him. Their desires. Their hopes and dreams… and their fears. But most of all, their love for him. He was their elder brother and would always be their protector.

He groaned, clenching his fist, as tears welled in his eyes. Their faith almost brought him to his knees, but he held strong, refusing to relent. Rising tall, he pushed outward with his soul while mana poured from his core. Aaron felt his soul swell within his soul space, pushing against its edges.

And something shifted.

He felt the skill [Domain] activate as golden ripples spread from his body. Waves of mana rolled through the crowd as Aaron pushed with all his heart. He could feel his soul mixing with the mana from his core, but it wasn’t so much essence as it was his hopes and dreams.

His will was brought to the world.

Aaron pushed with everything, letting all his heart be known. These were his siblings, his people, and he would burn the world for them. He raised his fist high as a faint glow surrounded him, ripples still billowing from his center.

His siblings gasped as Aaron’s will washed through the clearing. He was their leader, in this moment, more so than ever. They could feel his sense of love and duty, bringing smiles to their faces as their tears fell.

One of his siblings stepped forward, bowing slightly, before stepping back into the crowd. It started a chain reaction as each of them began to bow. Aaron glanced to the side as Ciel and his sisters smiled brightly while bowing; even Cornelius seemed impressed as he mirrored their actions.

Aaron deactivated his skill, the ripples of mana slowly fading as he eyed each of his siblings. He bowed back to them, honored by their show of respect and appreciation. Breathing heavily, and at a loss for words, he stepped back, letting Cornelius take the lead once again.

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“Arrondale will be our home!” Cornelius roared, as applause and shouts of joy filled the air. “Let the celebrations begin!”

Aaron looked to the side sheepishly, still uncomfortable with the name they had chosen. But the cheers that accompanied Cornelius’s words warmed his heart. The celebrations began as Ciel took the stage and Aaron sat in the crowd beside his siblings, watching the festivities.

Ciel and the other musicians played an assortment of songs and ballads. Some were wistful and uplifting, but others were full of grief and melancholy. As night took hold, Damien’s group proceeded to the stage, beating drums as if heading to battle.

They reenacted tales of heroic deeds from the stories the humans told. Their charades were silly and lighthearted, bringing laughter and applause. Finishing their performance, Jessie and the other spearmen stepped forward as the drums changed to a different beat.

They began to stomp to the tune of the drums, brandishing their spears with practiced ease. Working as if they were a single entity, they synchronized their movements in a display of prowess and coordination. Their dance was both beautiful and mesmerizing, a testament to their deadly grace.

After the performances, they held a banquet with an assortment of food harvested from Nara’s gardens and meat from the hunters. The atmosphere was serene and joyous, as they felt more like a community than ever before. As the festivities concluded, Cornelius and Ciel took the stage to give their final words.

“We will take a moment of silence for our Mother, who gave everything for our survival. We shall honor both her sacrifice and the gift the Mother Tree has bestowed upon us,” Cornelius spoke solemnly as they lowered their heads in a silent prayer for all that Mother had given them.

After some time, Ciel began to sing—not a song of sadness, but a song of hope and thankfulness. It was a song for Mother and all that she had been. Tears began to fall as the song reverberated through their souls, but it didn’t erase their smiles. Through it all, they were still grateful and hopeful for the future.

When the song ended, Cornelius stepped forward and looked over them all. “Plans will begin in earnest when winter breaks,” he spoke firmly as the crowd murmured excitedly.

“Our brother Mordan has begun crafting armor and various tools and weapons. On this night we shall honor those who have shown great aptitude and have stepped up to lead us through the dark times,” Cornelius continued before stepping to the side as Mordan took the stage. His helpers followed behind, placing several boxes and crates around him.

“Step forward, Roman of the Bladesworn,” Mordan called gruffly.

Aaron watched intently, unable to hide his anticipation. He knew some details, but with Cornelius’s newfound Runic magic, just what exactly had they created. Roman took the stage as Mordan grasped his shoulder, staring deeply into his eyes before speaking loudly.

“You have shown greatness and led your brothers valiantly. I give to you the armor, Bluebane.”

Gasps of awe spread as Mordan’s helpers opened the crate, letting all see the exquisitely crafted armor. It was light armor primarily made with leather and the silken cloth Nara had fashioned. Interlocking wooden plates were grafted to cover the chest and vital areas.

The wood was dipped in resin from the great tree, dyed bright blue, and polished to perfection. Swirls flowed through the grains in the wood, appearing as clouds drifting in a blue sky. In its center was a meticulously carved depiction of the Mother Tree with sets of Runes encircling it.

Roman rubbed the surface of the wood with trembling hands before bowing to Mordan. “Thank you for this gift, brother!” He choked, fighting to contain his emotions.

Mordan bowed in return as Roman left the stage with some of the helpers, carrying away the crate of armor. He called the rest of them one at a time, giving either tools or armor depending on their needs.

Jessie received Ryker, a set of light armor mostly fashioned from animal fur with plates of wood covering key areas. A headband accompanied the set, adorned with a plaque that had the Mother Tree carved in its center. Runes were stitched into its surface, intricately woven with stands of silk. Aaron almost swore he heard the armor growl when Jessie handled it.

Damien’s gift was called Scrapper. It was a set of armor, consisting of a cuirass, vambraces, and gauntlets. They were all dyed bright red and, combined with the grains in the wood, caused their surface to appear like flowing lava. Aaron chuckled, thinking that it matched his attitude perfectly.

Nara received Vitalis, a wooden circlet that seemed to wrap around her head like branches. Gemstones were spread across its surface, with Runes linking them together. Each gemstone was of a different color and glowed faintly.

Cornelius was given Starlight, a large staff braided from roots shed from the great tree. They wound around each other tightly, reaching upward as they wrapped a large crystal. Runes were carved into the tips of each root as they gripped the crystal, which appeared to reflect the stars themselves.

Ciel’s gift was named Mistra, a pendant carved into the shape of the Mother Tree. It hung from a leather chord as their metal work was still in its infancy. Multicolored gemstones were set into the branches of the tree, appearing like fruit that sparkled as she moved. Aaron noticed Runes that seemed to chime faintly, painstakingly carved into each gemstone.

When all but the last gift was given, Mordan stood tall, his voice booming, “I now call on Aaron, Lord of Arrondale!”

Aaron rose, his face going pale at the title his brother had given him. ‘This is so embarrassing!’ he growled, trying to keep his knees from trembling as he strode forward. He started thinking of throttling Cornelius to calm his nerves as he took the stage.

“It is only fitting that our Lord should have the very best. We have all worked tirelessly, striving to create the perfect show of our appreciation and dedication,” Mordan explained, before ending with his final words.

“I give you, Mothers Embrace,” he declared, ripping the cover from the last crate.

Aaron’s eyes widened as he stared at the most beautiful armor he had ever seen. It was a set of light plate armor consisting of a breastplate, vambraces, and greaves. Each plate was meticulously crafted and interlocked, allowing it to bend and shift effortlessly.

It was dyed white with golden Runes etched in a circle around a carving of the Mother Tree. Arms appeared to hug the armor as they interlaced their fingers, making up the branches of the tree. In the center of the carving was a large crystal appearing like a replica of the heart of the great tree.

The armor’s white and gold surface seemed to shine with its own inner aura, sending chills down Aaron's spine. A finely woven red cape was attached to the shoulders that could be removed if desired. Mordan had insisted on a crown, but Aaron had refused as any thought of wearing a crown gave him the creeps.

Aaron had to wipe away tears as he could no longer contain the emotions gripping his heart. Grabbing the breastplate, he held it high for all to witness as his words echoed through the clearing.

“For Arrondale, home of the Firstlings!” He roared as cheers filled the air.

Aaron left the stage, giving thanks and bowing to Mordan as the celebrations resumed. The night was long, but even more so to him, as he could barely contain his desire to wear the new armor. As the sun began to rise, Aaron felt like it wasn’t the dawn of a new day.

But the dawn of a new era.

The dawn of the Firstlings.