prototype

The heart flutters within her chest. For there are plenty of things that it had desired- but she was uncertain if she had wanted Basil to be the guinea pig of this little experiment that she had desired to try. After all, while she might have the pages to guide her- there are plenty other things that could easily go wrong within a ritual such as this- especially, one that doesn't have the preparations of a regular one...Or those that she is used to. But regardless, The felinae would ease herself carefully away from the group as she withdraws her book...

There is brilliance upon opening such a thing- For even the sky itself would have let out a gentle sigh once the book would have opened- the clouds parting, the beauty found within the manner that the sun would rear it's visage to shine upon all those that were about. "I'll have the lot of you know that this isn't just about Basil either..." She'd state silent, nodding once...Twice. "While this ritual benefits him the most- each of us leave with something beautiful as well." A reinforced connection to the path that they receive. An experience like no other from the heavens above...

The pages flutter and flicker- the volume within her hand beginning glisten with stardust while odd shapes and symbols of old would soon appear upon the ground below. What had been deciphered leaves her lips in a strange tongue. And as spoken- there seemed to be primary and secondary sigils and glyphs within the area...

"Basil-...Please step in the first circle. Everyone else, choose a sigil that best represents you and your connection to the heavens above. Afterwards...We'll be able to begin." With the ground work laid....It would be up to everyone else to prepare themselves for either a pleasurable experience.

Or one that can be akin to a nightmare.
(Mars)

It will be a challenge.

Not only to become potentially the first conduit, the first host to such overwhelming celestial energy, but also one to stabilize the process- and ensure that they got it down right. To cast it down upon the matter - it could lead to the explosion of unfathomable power..

One that could destroy pieces of Alabastre all over. He would not risk that.

As for any other? They might, in turn, suffer- had they performed this on Mars, then who else would be on stand-by with Grimoire, a Felinae, to ensure that if this backfires, they could still preserve the life that could otherwise fade away?

"Those that wield cosmic magic, stand next to myself and Mars."

"The rest, remain on the sides."

Yet, already he invites the servants into the castle; each of them carrying.. a tattooing needle, along with the bottles of what seems to be like stardust; the essence of cosmic magic, harnessed in more solid mana. Already he remarks.

"Regardless of your role, expose the area you're comfortable with to bear a temporary mark. It will vanish after ritual. A forearm or shoulder will do."

Yet, as Mars already begins the ground work, already Basil joins her in this; here, the shimmering starlight produces from his frame.. the light of Alph, the Center Star, the House of Judgment. The markings of the first circle main.

First, main circle.
With the glyphs representing Leo, the Brightest Star.
A single Geist is allowed on the outer rim.
The glyph of Sae directed to each side.

What seems like the shaping of the main circle necessary to execute the ritual, crafted by starlight.. the glyph of Geist begins to slowly move in circular fashion- with Sae pointing at each side.

But.. these glyphs seem unfamiliar to most- they're ancient, no longer matching the exact glyphs of the Faith. While they bear resemblance, there's something off..

An experienced cosmic magi just might guess.

"Do not be frightened when you feel the first tug with the marking. We're only starting."
(Basil)

Well it seemed like he would be remaining on the sides, right hand leaving a pocket to casually be offered over towards one of the servants that had come by with the tattooing needle.

His palm offered outwards, the location for the temporary mark to be placed, those ancient runes of cosmic origin glanced upon. A sight he allowed violet orbs to roam over for a mere moment before he lost interest.

And then the pair were alit with the ethereal glow of the stars, his attention turning towards those that stood beside him, before finally returning back towards the main show.

The circle, the glyphs, all coming together to form the main circle it seemed.

Tug.

Mihalis hummed quietly. It seemed the ritual that he had randomly decided to join held more to it than previously though, a moment of pause as he waited for that tug to be known to the occultist.
(Mihalis Lovain)

She was a Felinae, the stars were meant to be a part of her right..? Yet she had never felt the touch of one, that bond that many of her kind often formed with the cosmos. The words of the King of Alabastre, struck her oddly, forcing her to recognize her seeming ineptitude once more.

"A mark..?" She asks, before just looking to one of her bare arms, it would do.

Her silver gaze peering forward she tries to comprehend exactly what it was she was seeing, all of the symbols, their various meanings, the circles.. She knew some represented stars, but even more were unfamiliar to the feline.

The mention of a tug made her slightly apprehensive, but it was too late to turn back now, and this could perhaps be the very thing to spark her own connection.
(Makenna Byrne)

Dax would take off his helmet.

He would allow the mark to form on his forehead. Dax would do as they intruscted as he focused his magic. Allowing the power to mark him as he did this for one goal. The success of his king and queen.

Becoming the holder for this ritual was all he was. If anything were to occur. If anything were to go off.

He would become the person to take the full on impact. His role was nothing more but to serve Basil and Garjing. His death didn't matter. As long as the king and queen survive.

That was all that mattered.
(Dax)

Sadly cosmic magic wasn't his thing, but that was life! Everyone had their little combination of magic to dance along with, but the Rhoynish's remained among the base elements of his home back south.

Remaining upon the sideline as requested he'd hold a soft hum. A tattoo - How fun! Grinning from ear to ear he'd give the King a brief nod, rolling up his left sleeve to bear the temporary mark.

There's a few winces as the needle places the ink into his skin. It was nothing new for those of his kind; Hel, he was even intent to watch it all happen. Each dot upon his skin, each sigil and glyph pained upon him.

How interesting.

His gaze briefly dips towards the Felinae by his side, his voice dropping to a whisper. "We'll be fine, promise." No fear, his kin wouldn't aim to simply harm him.

Regardless his golden gaze drifts back towards the spectacle before him - From the ethereal glow about them to the markings themselves...

All of it intrigued him, even the tug on his mana.
(Bay)

Anastasia had little idea what she was here for, minus some ritual involving the Felinae Grimmoires. While it intrigued her, and there was an excitement towards learning more about her own star, it was also restrained beneath a barrier of refinement. She may have been a young girl still, but she was still raised to act as an adult sometimes instead.

She knew she was blessed beneath the stars, kissed with cosmic power much as her family before her but given she had yet to unleash that fount of power, the short Astor girl remained on the side where she felt it was safer for her. Her jacket sleeve was rolled up slowly, exposing her arm's delicate and pale flesh, ready for that mark.

The glyphs upon the floor catch her interest and her gaze, emerald eyes staring downwards. There was a gentle easiness that washed over her frame as the power of Alph itself shimmered outwards from Basil and it caught Anastasia's gaze.

Before she realized what he was, and her brows furrowed with a silent judgement.
(Anastasia ven Astor)

...Ah.

This part was difficult.

As he'd told Basil, earlier -- ...The Prince wasn't... entirely certain as to what 'His Star' was. It wasn't something he actively communed to -- It wasn't one single star he felt as if he had a direct connection to, taking it's endless mana into his body as a conduit and releasing it into the world.

Even if they'd gained knowledge that said otherwise - It was, still, the entirety of Leonaus that he felt something of a connection to - The connection that his divinely blessed blood held from time immemorial in the past.

But, still -- ... They needed a mark, a glyph of one of the stars to be concentrated on for this. He wasn't going to tote around his Angel-Blessed Blood like he was better than anyone else in this room, instead focusing upon the blessing of the Golden Star that also flowed through him. His singular gaze flickers shut -- and he focuses on Leo, the Brightest Star, The House of Leadership. ...That was the closest to what he felt connected to, in the end.

With a nod - He steps forward, pushing the sleeve of his coat up to expose the pale skin of his wrist, taking a place next to the two as commanded.
(Odin ras Petrakis)

Kofe's eyes shifted upon the glyphs as they were presented to them. He hadn't been one to study the stars with great focus but even he could tell something was off. If it hadn't been for his bond with Iberl and the subsequent unorthodox use of the star's gift, he likely would neither have moved closer to Basil, nor have noticed the difference upon the stars. A wild guess had the young man speaking up.

"These are old, aren't they?"

It was a simple observation, yet one that went deeper than that. It wasn't merely the number of glyphs that seemed to give it up, but their different shapes. Almost as if the skies had changed since they had been noted down.

Regardless of whether his guess was true or not, Kofe presented his left bicep for a mark to be brought upon him. A deep breath was drawn in before he looked up towards the skies. Usually Iberl requested something huge of him to show its might but... lately it'd been different. Kofe had learned to pull from its magic - from its might in order to empower each and every note he played.

Hardly noticable to most, save for the ones who had fought him, or been treated by his songs.

Certainly an unorthodox form of cosmic magic, yet, one that was potent nonetheless.
(Kofe)

Kit followed close behind Bay when entering the castle, they would place themselves across from each other, but the Cosmic magi would be split off from the main group. Kit would simply stay where she was instructed to.

Soon some servants would come into the room, and offer each of the magi a tattooing needle. Reaching out her arm, she would prepare herself for the tattooing process.

Not overly sure of what was going on, she would simply listen, and then proceed to do as instructed.

Soon the servants would have tattooed some ancient symbols on her forearm, she felt some weird tug on her mana, which in a way kind of freaked her out, but she quickly regained her composure. Waiting.
(Kitiara Mari)

She offers a light smile, and then turned toward Anastasia once Basil began to instruct them all..

"..It may be best to stay on the side, if your connection is unrefined. I promise you will master the stars after this." She declared, a smile following her before the Pelleaux began to step forward.

She offers..

… Her throat, for some reason, for the marking. It was symbolic; Aradia felt like she was a speaker for the blue stars, a voice to them, and therefore, she uses it to best represent as the temporary mark is placed onto her neck.

Finally, she came to stand next to the King and Queen; as markings are drawn, she narrows her gaze..

They were not of her faith; familiar, but.. Maybe it was something that she missed; maybe it was something that she wasn't sure of.

Perhaps it was the old ways; the old faith, of the Felinae. She does not think much of it as shebegins to channel her own cosmic magic, as a cool, essence of starlight flows from her own frame. It was far different from the rosegold- and the crimson cosmic magics that the other two commanded. Quietly, she spoke a prayer.

"..Rhyt, I call upon you. In your infinite wisdom. In your infinite power. I am yours to command, and your power is mine. Aid us in this time, aid us in this ritual. Bequeath to me.. your starlight."
(Aradia ras Petrakis)

It's almost alive.

Already they could understand one thing very, very easily - this magic is ancient, and the techniques involved in this are the same techniques that magi of the Mystical Era have used in order to weave the shape of Eternia; the technique which is weaved by a man that has gone rather far in the cosmic magic..

But while it surges with immense strength already..
It isn't anywhere close as to original.

Still, to witness it alone is akin to feeling the presence of something surreal- and those that have affiliation of any kind with cosmic magic, when they approach, find the main circle reaching out to them - the starlight touching upon them to draw connection.

Better than with anybody else.

The glyphs on them are drawn.
That of ancient Biblos.
Of ancient Hiero.
And ancient Syph.

"Reach out to the stars."

"No matter your role here, think of what drives you. Think of the most important moments of your life - and what has defined you as the person you are today."

"Allow it to take you. Be brave to walk into these mists."

"And in turn, the stars will reach out to you."

The same servants begin to place the glyph of ancient Alph upon Basil; for while he instructs the rest, it seems that further commands are drawn that stretch outside the main circle- a directives, sub-command no doubt..

That of ancient Alph, Lyzel and Phos.
And outside them, Iberl and Uner.

With that, the numbers are invoked- the art of Arithmancy, one in which different numbers are placed towards each person - ranging from I to X.

An assessment of how much they could process of this, perhaps, linked to the Star of Observation?

It's at this moment, the tug is felt.

Irresistible, drawing out their best- or worst- passions, leaving their minds to wander to the stars.

But what do they see?
(Basil)

This is meant for self-discovery. For people who are incapable of knowing their directives within this world. For people who are uncertain as to where they should go- or how to do things. Within moments such as this...It would become very easy to see how this world around the gathering would begin to change. The setting within the room beginning to shift to an opaque black...A gentle shine within the way the stars and constellations would come together, exposing the different paths that one could take amidst claiming the stars.


In moments such as these, there is opportunity presented.


To bolster one's connections while she and Basil forges yet another path- moving from rosegold, to the brilliance of blues. "Every star welcomes you with open arms...Embrace them and I'm certain that you'll find the answer to what you need." So long as there is faith. So long that there is belief...

Nevertheless, the pages within the book would separate from the spine....They flutter about the Felinae as she establishes the first 'safety' net amongst the group, replacing the gentle tug with an ivory breeze...One that means to provide succor and comfort- like a cool kiss of air in the midst of a heated, summer day.

(Mars)

The room may have been dark, once they'd begun..

But as Sigils are made, markings given out, and the cosmos were channeled, it was like the astral plane itself had been invited into the very room; perhaps making it one of the brightest of Esshar, even for a strange time in the princess' life.

They called upon ancient magic, and the ancient magic answered to them in reply. She stands next to Odin, keeping him close as the cool starlight emanated from her form; as the cool starlight flowed off of her like the waves of water on a beach..

Her eyes are shut, though; they dare not look.

The most important part of her life..

Her wedding. Her children. Her everything. Even so, she had been lacking drive; she had been lacking a lot..

But she would be brave. She would be fearless. She was a child of the stars, a child of the cosmos; the master of the blue star; figuratively, she does walkinto these mists. Fearlessly, almost. The stars were her reprieve.

She was their voice. Their speaker. The feeling that she gets is overwhelming. Aradia, for once, feels cold even as an ice magi; the starlight that enveloped her turns into something silvery and blue rather than the gold that cosmic magi usually held.

Aradia's visions, what she feels; they are positive, they are..

Power. Authority. She is the Stellus of a Church. A leader of her people.. An emissary of starlight; a champion of the blue stars. She is the champion of the lion's wisdom; of the lion's mind, of the lion's knowledge.

Or at least, it was power. Power that she hoped to hold one day. With her eyes shut, Aradia smiles.. and she continues to draw- and relay, power into their ritual.
(Aradia ras Petrakis)

It's all... Incredible, honestly. The teen can't help but grin down upon everything that laid before him in circles and marks. Bay's eyes dance upon each illustration and marking before him - Utmost interest spent by a magi who could barely begin to grasp cosmic magic.

Fire and sand made things so much simpler.

A hesitant glance is paid towards Mak to make sure she isn't rushing off just yet. Sure, this was a bit rough when it came to one's first cosmic lesson but... It sure as heck showed them just how deep this kind of thing goes. That was a good thing, right?

Regardless he's soon to begin looking inward. His own drive was rather easy to pinpoint - To educate those around him, to gather all the knowledge he could handle, and to spread that knowledge throughout the clans.

It was his duty.

Yet to uphold those standards danced upon two matters: A desire to do well by his clan and his own thirst for such a thing. Knowledge was power, and beneath the sands laid countless stories.

Tug.

His vision drifts, faint dots upon his vision painting a vivid image of the stars overhead. There were records he still had to gain access to within Ilburg, a wealth of knowledge still just barely before his fingertips, but...

Beyond that? He was lost. Actions were typically done for others, but what of himself? Pressing his lips briefly into a line his brow began to knit as he tried to pick up the pieces of this gift he was given. Immediately his stomach began to twist as he found himself diving deeper.

Piecing together his next steps - From learning more of his kind to his own family's line.
(Bay)

She was told to reach out to the stars and the Astor did as she was bid. Emerald gaze fell shut, and as those glyphs are drawn onto them each in turn, Anastasia relaxes and feels that starlight reaching out to her. It was a gentle tug at first, light enough that the Astor could ignore it and continue onwards; but increasingly does it persist. Eventually it grows so strong she's unable to draw herself away from it and she allows herself to be pulled forward.

Perhaps not physically, but certainly spiritually. Emotionally. Mentally. There's a loud gasp that exists from her mouth at that moment, Alph's starlight drawing it's way into her form yet again. It was as much as it had been with Yoshiko, Anastasia's knees became weak, her legs felt like jelly. She wanted to collapse then and there, but the Astor stood strong.

She had to.

Golden cosmic light coalesced around her form, shining brightly despite the desperate unsteadiness of it all and from closed eyelids did many things happen.

The earliest memories, of people whose faces were mostly hidden from her coming to greet her. Of parents who loved her and thought the world of her. Yet, where were they? The day she was given to her aunt for care, and the last day she saw either of her parents ever again.

It brings hot and fresh tears to her eyes that course down pale flesh, but she's incapable of escaping.

Thoughts were made manifest, Anastasia's feelings of what those closest to her thought of her made real - to her only.

You're probably just going to turn out like them. A complete disgrace, you know. Came one voice, and it echoed on for what felt like centuries.

There's a reason why they abandoned you, you know. Came another.

On and on did those dissenting voices speak down to her, leaving her mentally a mess.

And yet, there was hope - somewhere within that starsoaked mental haze there was hope. It was gentle and glowed brightly of pure yellow light, and it reached it's proverbial hand out to her, and the Astor took it.

It embraced her, as none so far had done, holding her close and keeping her safe. Granting her the power to ultimately move forward and keep marching. To do what was expected of in all matters.

It was Alph.
It loved her. It blessed her. It'd watch over her.

She saw herself as a Lightbringer, like her Mother before her and her ancestors before her, standing tall at the head of the most prestigious military on the continent.

It brought relief. It brought hope.
(Anastasia ven Astor)

...What defines him.

---The most important moment.

He wasn't ... entirely sure what that was. His life had been an endless cataclysm of important moments - Each one that came afterwards feeling more and more important than the next.

Perhaps -- ...It was the most recent of them. Hearing that the person that he loved was most likely dead - Trying to run out to go and save them, only to be beaten down by the brother- The King he had been born to dedicate his life to, life only spared by the begging whims of a retainer.

It does echo that star, he realizes -- The Brightest Star, the Star of Leadership ...

... Was it this, all along ... ? Was that what he was connected to ... ? While he found solace in his presumed connection to the entire body of the lion - ... It explained a lot, didn't it? While he heard nothing from it, had no singular, soul-melding connection ... That's what he was, that's what he wanted to be.


The tug feels like it's pulling him under water.


All over again - He feels like he's drowning. He feels that disgusting, swirling feeling at the edges of his mind - the endless, edgeless, obsidian void that stretches out forever and ever and ever, filled with the twinkling, burning souls.

He's weak, isn't he? He's stupid, naïve, weak - A failure, a nuisance. No one could ever follow him, and if they did - They would just end up dying. They would just end up losing everything.


This is why Alexander was King, and he was not.

(Odin ras Petrakis)

The needle stung as it had marked her, but it quickly passed. The markings attuning her to various houses of the cosmos, the words of the King reaching twitching ears as her silver eyes peer down at the runes and designs all around.

She could feel it for the first time, the tug of the cosmos, the tug of Leonaus.

Doing her best to focus upon what it was defined her, feeling sheer helplessness as she was forced to evacuate what had been her home, the sense of feeling she didn't belong anywhere and always. Then last of all..? The boar in the woods, with Bay, just a few short weeks ago. Though why had that come up..? The last thought to cross her young mind before the tug pulls her forth.

Reality around her faded, or at least appeared to as she fell into her own mind. Or was it her mind..? Eyes that should have been open already, open anew too peer into a place that was not Alabastre. Standing in a world of blackness, glittering lights shone above her, hundreds, more than she could count. Though those directly above her shone the brightest, Leonaus, the entirety of the constellation manifested within her mind for a time.

Yet despite it all..? She felt no draw towards any of those blinding lights, or what they represented, if anything it was the opposite. Her stomach filled with an inexplicable nausea, the lights turning harsh, Alph searing her vision above all.

Judgement.

It began to burn, and on the outside she began to sweat, the small Felinae's form shaking slightly as though she were having trouble standing.. It was only going brighter, she was a Felinae, why would she be rejected..?

A shadow cut across her vision, the briefest of respites from the searing light, before she turned in the direction of that darkness..

Only to meet the golden eyes of a beast as black of fur as pitch, ivory teeth bared in her direction her true bodywas riveted to the floor or she would have fallen, the rumble that came forth resonated somewhere deep within her. Only a single word was perceived miraculously through it all.

'Mine.'

"..Yours..?" A word spoken both internally and externally, the great beast suddenly lunged, between she and the stars, pinning her to the ground. Before she could even begin to try and fight, teeth sank deeply into her arm, and she suddenly jolted back to reality. Her current state, the sickness in her stomach fading, but surrounding the marks that had been tattooed upon her..?

Teeth marks, as if they had been their for years, a scar as real as any other. A being taking the moment of opportunity to gain it's foothold within her.

She probably looked terrible, but something about her seemed more resolute than before, something had chosen her even when Leonaus had not. Though some details would fade, she would finally realize it had been a massive cat.
(Makenna Byrne)

Stars.

Entities within the night-sky of Esshar that he had never truly bothered to think upon apart from when he allowed insults to fly towards those within the church of Nysea.

But now it seemed like he would actually have to put past knowledge to the test, the Constellation of Leonaus thought upon without true care, not expecting much in return from the cosmic beings that he had given no previous thought to.

To think upon why Mihalis bothers to continue. The answer came swiftly, his entire being was developed to a few goals, something that was forced upon him with his past actions within Theria and another that fuelled his growth further.


Survival.



Recognition.


Lids came to a close, violet orbs disappearing from the world as he lost himself within the past scenes that had pieced together the puzzle that was Mihalis Lovain.

A story to be told, flickering across his minds-eye as if he was watching a movie for the first time again, a mere few seconds going by in the room while he lived through the entirety of his twenty-five years.

Eye-opening. To so clearly see things that had caused his life to take turn after turn down a rocky path that had led to his exile, his isolation, and his eventual rise to not having to hide away within the cave that kept him sustained for two years.

Tainted mana flickered across his skin, licking against flesh as he remained unfocused to the world, lost within deciphering everything that had been seared once again within his mind.

It wouldn't come as a surprise to those that knew Mihalis that a new symbol would form across the marking that had been tattooed on the palm of his hand.


Biblos.


The House of Emotion.

His magic was fuelled by emotion, seeping init to further allow his destructive energy to becoming ever so more tangible. An eye-opening experience for the Lovain. The marking caused a gradual burning sensation to further imprint itself into the palm of Mihalis's hand as he remained lost to the world.

A realisation for him, all the past events that he had lost himself within when the tainted mana that had become incorporated into his very being all came back to a single thing.

His loss of emotions.

The occult that ran rampant throughout his body was tamed by the Lovain at most times, a bubbling wrath waiting to be unleashed when ever the occultist wished to inflict pain upon those that had harmed his benefits.

And yet, when emotion was involved, he would lose himself in such feelings of wrath, never truly realising that he was giving away one of the few things within the world he had always craved.

True freedom.

A soft hollow laughter slipped from his lips,a decision to be made within the future it seemed. A path to be taken as he calmly returned back to reality from his little trip.

Violet orbs peering around towards those within the ritual, gaze pausing on Kofe for a mere moment as he recalled their past conversations. It seemed they would be having a chat within the future once again.

For Mihalis had decided upon a course of action.


(Mihalis Lovain)

Watching onward with awe as the event began to unfold in front of her. From her point of view the entire room seemed to suddenly be filled with a power unknown to herself, it felt calming and eternal.

Kitiara didn't have any ounce of cosmic energy inside of herself - but she still felt the presence of something more was taking up residence inside her. Looking onward, she would simply watch.

TUG.

For a few moments everything seemed normal, then her vision began to wane, darkness started to envelop the room around them. Blinking as if trying to wake up from a dream, she would realize it was futile, this was happening.

Without warning everyone was gone, taken away by the gentle breeze of the cosmos. Consilations started to open up around her, distant voices echoed in her ears. At first it sounded like jibberish, but after what felt like an eternity, they started to come in more clear.

It was her parents?

They were talking to a darkened figure.. Pleading for - their lives. The scene started to lay itself out in front of her. Though she had never seen this with her own two eyes.. Or.. Had she?

Kitiara's parents were both were on their knees, looking up at a shadowy figure with no face or descriptive features. They begged, and begged. But it was to no avail. The Shadow raised a phantom blade, running it through her father's stomach. The mother's fate was soon sealed as well. Both fell to the ground. Both with lifeless eyes staring up at Kitiara as if she was there in the present.

With that, the Shadow turned to look at Kitiara, reaching out as if to grab her. Frozen in place, she was unable to do anything.. The spectral hand went through her form. She could feel its power, and sadness..

Then, without much warning, the room quickly caved in on itself and she was floating through the cosmos again. What felt like several millennia, the teen simply floated, totally encaptivated by her thoughts.

I am weak.. I could have stopped it.. But I didn't.. I couldn't have.. I.. Have to.. I will become stronger.. I will strike down those that wish to do me or mine harm.. I have my purpose.. But.. What now?.. Now I wait..

For now, she simply drifted through the cosmos..
(Kitiara Mari)

Dax was not sure how to entirely connect with his star. But he would begin to use the magic of his illusions to put him into deep concentration. To allow the circulation of the flow of magic to take into his very being. To allow it to connect with him from mind. Body. Soul.

Then it would click.

'Well isn't it the warrior of Garjing! The follower! The so called being born to be nothing more than a shadow of Basil and Sythaeryn. Tell me warrior. So much strength and you let them force you about? What achievements can they give you?'

Dax simply kept his eyes closed and didn't say a word.

'I am not here to guide you. I am here to simply use you as you use me. We are not partners. We are...business associates. You not even worth being called a partner. But we shall see your achievements. Its time you show me what Garjing power truly is!'

Dax eyes would glow brightly.

'Truly show me what you are DAX! Show them all!'

Dax grip his fist. "Doesn't matter what I do. As long as its for Basil and Mars. The others don't matter. As long as it for Garjing. Nothing matters. Simply the power to do as I am told. That is my role."

Dax was never going to change that as the mark on his forehead had now glowed brightly. This was his path and he never stray from it.


(Dax)

As more and more glyphs seemed to appear the constellation formed themselves, albeit in a manner that seemed just slightly off to today's vision of Leonaus. Perhaps Kofe had been right with his guess, or perhaps he'd merely scratched the surface of it all. That being said, the young Rhoynish's eyes shifted from one side of the room to the next, observing as numbers spin into place and appear before the lot of them, ranging in an order that seemed indicative of something—

Kofe foresaw the tug, though it wasn't the one Basil had warned them of. This was different - as if Iberl was guiding him towards a better understanding of the situation, of the ritual. Guiding this soft hum that came about, these notes playing within his heart, this Symphony of earth and heavens; an eternal bond between mortal and celestial bodies.

This ritual was but a conduit to channel that bond more clearly, wasn't it?

And there it was.

The real tug.

Golden eyes went wide. His body froze up. He could feel the soft breeze of the sea brush up against his skin. The smell of salt permeating through the air. A voice all to familiar whispered in his mind.

Ya' really don't wanna tell her how they died?

That bit of the past was a memory he'd long repressed. One that hid the truth for quite a while, allowing a certain fiery-haired girl to push through life thinking her parents were warriors who fought bravely, not a pair of schmucks who died searching for just... food. It would've made her hate cooking if he'd told her the truth that early.

This wasn't it, though. No, no. The Poles sought to see all happen, from begining through to the end. Every single bit.

Restrain and imprison. We do not allow undocumented Rhoynish filth to threaten the royal family, nor dowe stand for such clear disrespect. In the name of your Queen, arrest these children.

A moment that shifted Kofe's entire life. The crowds yelling around them, the knights and citizen rushing forth all at once to arrest him, Tea, Basil, and Mars. A day that changed everything and turned him into the man that he was today. A significant point in his life.

One that he wouldn't forget. It drew... pain, but accomplishment. Kofe could give out more.

And stop pretending to court me!

A flash of blue, much like Iberl's very own gaze was something that caught the Rhoynish off-guard. This highlight of his life was one that made his heart more tender, one that turned everything he knew into a much more diplomatic and serious affair. Each and every step was watched, yet, it was... nice. Even if the flames of passion had died with Hesselia, the young man could accept that she'd changed hislife. That Alice mattered.

The Lorespeaker seemed to feel that tug a bit more strongly, now, yet... A gaze around the room would reveal this wasn't all. His left hand slightly reached out, as if trying to grasp what he could.

More.

I didn't find out, Kofe. I was the one who killed Tea.

This one came crashing in like a storm. It was something that he'd fought against for so, so long. A memory that seemed as fresh as the breeze that came from Mars's incantations, yet was far enough away to have been long forgiven. The young man's lips tighten as he seems to accept Iberl's cruel exchange, and reminisce about his past further.

I want to find a way to help them.

Hearing one's own voice like a memory being played back was uncanny, yet it made his heart relax a bit, stray away from negativity as his goal finally seemed to strengthen itself one again. Mihalis was in this room and calm for a reason, wasn't he? He could push that further. He had to.

Just a bit more.

Marie's dead. I'm sorry.

The memory he had yet to process. The best friend he had yet to mourn. It sank into his heart like a dagger behind someone's back. A frown appeared onto his features as that tug kept on going. It was relentless. It wouldn't let him rest this easily. Not now. Not while this was going on.

There was something else - something that defined the man he was to this day.

I intend to dance again with you.

Love. Love that had been foretold by the stars, or at least that's how Kofe felt when he'd first met Ella all those years ago. This promise of loving eachother in the next lifetime being realized far sooner than they had expected. This made him into the man he was today. Not one single eventcould truly explain who he was, and who he'd become.

The house of firsts had a tendency to overdo it. To not miss any detail. To tell a story from one end to the next. From pole to pole.

For a storyteller to embody such was... obvious.
(Kofe)

An additional glyph of sub-command appears.
That of Rhyt, the House of Wisdom.

Shining upon the growing passions of those present, to open their minds, hearts and souls alike to the new vision of the future- for where the Yellow Branch so far has served as the proverbial body of the ritual, the main circle - and the Blue Branch has served to open up their minds to the growing potency of Grimoire's ritual, one intended to expand upon connections to the stars and the bindings of celestial energy.

Now, it is the Red Branch.
The last one.

"You have acknowledged your passions."

"Now pour onto them. Dreams and hopes become nothing without action, without a way to take it." And as the paws of the lion would snatch something.. already these involved in the ritual could feel the connection being further tugged upon.

The gathering of a single beam that almost seems to cross into cosmos. This is almost impossible.. they're inside building, shielded from the sky above by the roof - yet what appears above them is the Constellation of Leonaus, each respective part taking upon the energy of those present, those that were marked.

To form a single line to the sky that reaches cosmos.
A single line that binds them to stars above.

"Pour onto them, as you would pour for all that you hold dear."

"Pour onto them, as if there is no tomorrow. Pour - and the returning blessing of celestial will show you the path to the future."

"It's right there, before you. Calling for you."

"Will you be brave enough to take a step?"

Yet..

Ios is there to inspire them.
Yiel and Neoi are there to guide them.
Twe is there to secure the bond.
Anos and Vrona are there to be by their side.

The ancient glyphs of the Red Branch, portrayed upon the outer reaches of the main circle- beyond the sub-command, now intended to execute the final phase of the ritual, one in which the strength of those around is gathered..

Only soon to be returned with the blessing of celestial.
With strength and vision unfathomable.

"Will you answer the call with victory?"

It is now or never.

The cosmos above asks for their devotion, the sign of trust in the stars. And in turn, the stars could guide them to their future..

The stars could tell them what to do to grasp upon all they aspire for.
(Basil)

The warmth of the sun is what keeps her tied to this world. Whispers and promises are amongst the cacophony of praise and music - moments where her hands would outstretch and the ambience of passion can be felt by all those around. She is called to for the execution of all ideals and directives. The connection to her star shown within the manner of her glimmering...How she seems to become evanescent, flickering in and out of reality as a whole. This power means to bless all those that are around in exchange of their mana...

Each moment is shown- with how the glyphs and sigils rotate briefly, the separate paths turning steadily, ticking like clockwork before converging upon a single point....Where the intensity of cosmic magic could be seen being filtered into the king's form.

Can you feel it?

Ashared experience - where the blessings upon her being is found amongst the pages. Where she incites each word of the ritual before all of those that are around, the ancient tongue spilling past her lips as the fluttering pages would continue to cycle, tugging- pulling...And yet, offering strength and vision and clarity altogether.

In exchange of devotion. All dreams. All things possible can come true.
(Mars)

Her body had been given to form the rituals, to give all to the stars, and her mind had been given as she gave into the visions; to the thoughts of power, to the wisdom that Rhyt had always gave her; perhaps it was her personal connection with that star that made it all the more real for her..

Now came.. the red. The crimson, the stars of the house Grimmore; it was passion. It was love. It was the heart of the lion, rather than the mind or the body; the soul itself.

She can feel the pull, the tug of the ancient magic they invoke calling for her, and Aradia smiles..

She accepts it. Her passion, her fate, all of it. She would become everything she aspired to be if she'd only try; and she wouldn't let herself become anything less.

Blue starlight, chilling and cold, continues to come from her form; continues to aid in their ritual, in the cosmic beam they create.

Aradia would never flee from the will of the stars, or the power. They meant everything.

"I answer!" She shouts, to herself; perhaps a moment from the excitement, as the blue cosmic magic whirling around her form empowers itself... "..ah, apologies.." The Pelleaux murmured, hoping she hadn't broken focus for anybody else; now, it was time for her silent prayer. Whispered beneath her breath, heard only by the Petrakis at her side.

"The stars of the blue, the stars of the gold, and the red, we call on you! Fill us with your will- your power, your conviction and give us the power we seek … Give us the strength, give us your will so that we may enact it on this world!"

She could never understand the ancient words of their ritual; the ancient tongue written by Leonaus himself, but still, she gives all of her devotion to the stars in the sky at once.
(Aradia ras Petrakis)

Anastasia drifted within a world of golden protection. Though her body stood there, the glyph drawn so prominently upon her arm, shining and golden.

For there would be no other color of starlight that twinkled upon the Astor sans for gold itself. Eyelashes fluttered as she was tugged one final time by that crimson branch of the constellation.

The Pelleaux had been gifted by the stars of blue and stardust.
The Grimmores had been gifted by the stars of red and passion.
The Astor had been gifted by the stars of yellow and courage.

As it ought to be. The red cosmic magic swirled itself within her mind, and she felt all sorts of things. She felt inspiration, she felt guidance, she felt her very bond with Alph already tightening securely, and she felt as if she'd never be alone.

Because she wouldn't be, going forward. Alph would always be there to watch over, guide her, and protect her. Now victory was within her reach, and all she had to go wasreach out and grasp it.

To take it, as was her right. Her very birthright.

Mentally, the Astor reached out for it - to show the world what she'd be made out of. She'd ascend the ranks of the First Light. She'd become a Knight worthy of her house. She'd find Balmung, and she'd do as her ancestors had done so, so long ago. To bloody a dragon and slay the greatest of them, just as her Mother had told her about, what her Aunt had lectured her on.

She'd do it all.
(Anastasia ven Astor)

If it hadn't been enough of a shock to revisit his past, Kofe would now have to face his future. He already looked like he was reaching the end of the line, but... More was needed. More was required of him. A small smirk appeared upon his lips after the emotional burden that was carried for so long upon his shoulders had been forced off. He needed to offer more, yet again.

And so, he would.

For Kofe's performance was not over.

May this bother others trying to offer everything they had to pour? Perhaps. But this wasn't often the case with the young bard. No. What would be expelled from his heart and transmitted to each and every mind in the area at once was more than a mere song to express himself, but one that inspired. One that brought courage, love, and success in the eyes of the future. For Kofe not only believed in the stars, but in his brother. In the call for change he brought upon the world, for every little bit of effort that was needed.

Pouring in as he would one he holds dear? It was no metaphor, no suggestion. For he cared about Basil perhaps even more than he cared about himself. A bond that transcended region, affiliation, time, location, and even love to an extent. Though their own happiness wasn't one that should be squandered for the good of the other. But knew and understood such. Had Basil not patched things up with Mars when Kofe was finally freed he would've pushed him to do so himself.

Time hadn't been on his side in that event.

But there it was. Inspiration, love, heartfelt feelings.

A bond stronger than all, all poured into this ritual. To give the last of his strength.

To inspire others.
(Kofe)

Mihalis had indeed acknowledged something. The hand that was now imprinted with the mark of Biblos returned into his pocket, a furrow of his brow following as he thought on the revelations that had been imparted towards him.

Although he didn't get to think for long, already Basil was speaking again, the next step in this mysterious ritual that continued to go on.

Dreams and hopes.

Most of his had been partially obtained, others' blood spilt for his goals to succeed, a cacophony of madness that had led to the Lovain finally being free of most hunters that came for his head.

Further the tether that had linked him to the ritual pulled, a constant presence tickling against the mind of the occultist as he allowed a frown to overtake his lips. It was becoming slightly irritating to have, but for now he would allow the tether to remain.

To not interrupt the ritual, and to perhaps gain another moment of realisation.

And so every dream, every aspiration that the Lovain had held within his mind was pushed forth into the binding, his dreams of allowing the Lovain name to flourish once again just like in his Grandfather's era.

To further delve down the path of occult and have his name interlocked with the dark magic.

The past trip, the visions and feeling of such familiarity from his past had given the slightest inkling of hope, and so he spoke quietly. Muttering out the words that loosely slipped from his lips in the quietest of tones.

"Give me an answer."
(Mihalis Lovain)

Dax didn't need to be told twice.

He would allow his mana. His very being to be used for the connection. He felt the tug and felt the great influence of magic binding to the celestial power that linger in the sky.

Dax would not hold back.

"I shall give it my all."

He say the power would be lined directly onward. To be guided. To be inspired. Dax would not care what they took. As long as he served his duties they would have it all.


(Dax)

Nothing could begin to truly describe just how lost the Rhoynish felt in those moments. Sure, he had a few people nearby he knew, but what of himself? Bay knew his clan, but what of himself? His immediate family?

His hands curl into fists as he maintains himself as best as he could. It was a vast sea above him, and even the starry-eyed Rhoynish could barely keep up with the constellation forming above them.

… Wait, a constellation was forming above them. Leonaus.

Golden hues grow wide at the sight as the next command's given. Pour into his passions - His jaw clenches as his nose crunches up tight. Take a step? No.

He'd take a leap the next he could.

Knowledge was attainable - That of the world around him and of his family. All he had to do was dig. Bay's half tempted to merely stomp in frustration against his own stagnation. He had the tools but he never took them up to get to work.

Yet the Stars, at least, could give them one little vision for what they could fully show the young Rhoynish for now. The Glass Lotus once more flashes in his head, then Theria.

Simple, but it spoke the path he was to take.
(Bay)

A violent passion. Brutal tendencies, harm of the self and of others to fulfill his goals. No limb was too sacred if it meant protecting those he had came to call his family. A sign forms on his left shoulder, the symbol of Phos manifests there, feeling the coursing rise in his breast soar higher. His eyes are closed tightly, hearing the chanting warcries, the demand for battle, to feel his adrenaline rushing through his veins.

'Fight. Live. Learn. Love.'

To sample the many fruits of life before reaching the inevitable end of one's left. But to fight, to give himself and his all towards a proper, bold cause. His hand reaches outward, the left arm marked by the symbol of Phos. Courage, the abundant flame of war was cast forward.

"Never a dull day..." He wistfully speaks, eyes focused on his exploits of war, both past and present. Though the interim between the conflict made him soft, there was still no telling what future conflicts will unfold. The very notion of further battles was enough to keep him prepped for more.
(Urizen Lee)

Her arm ached, she realized, where jaws had closed upon it.. The grasping paws pulling her back under, those fanged marks burning as Leonaus called upon her strength.. but she had promised to help. She would help.

All of her life she had been delicate, poised, reserved.. She hated being dirty, and yet..? As if trapped in a loop her mind was forcefully pulled back to the boar, back to the moment she had dug the knife into the flesh. At the time she had nearly puked, yet there had been something satisfying about it.

Sensations she had never known were felt, the sense of tracing prey through dense jungles she had never seen, the thrill of battle as one was fighting a foe who was their equal.. So many things she had never done, or felt, but suddenly even if for a moment they were a part of her... It was merely a blanket, as Leonaus called upon her strength, she was protected from that previous nausea.. Her energy gifted for what was to come.
(Makenna Byrne)

Hearing the words of Basil ring out from seemingly nowhere, the teen would snap out of her internal thoughts to listen, and to feel. There was another tug of her mana, this time harder and much more intense than the previous tugs.

The cosmos crashed in on itself again, and the previous situation began to play out in her mind once more. Her parents lay dead, and the Shadow is towering over her. This was a now or never situation.. There is no time to be afraid anymore.

Feeling as though the power of the stars above powered her movements. The Shadow lurched forward, attempting to grab hold of her like last time. However, that wouldn't happen this time. Countering his move, the teen reached out, and blasted the apparition with her flames; however they weren't normal - they were black and smelled of death.

The Shadow began to burn, and whane and cry out-.. But it was no use. It crumbled to ash and dust.

I did it.. She thought.

But then she looked down at her parents liveless bodies..

I didn't.. I wasn't fast enough.. I can be better..

With that, the room crumbled in on itself as it did previously, and she was in the consolations again, floating gracefully. She had won - but did she really?

She felt the stars warmth against her skin. There was small, distant voices in her head, calling to her. But they were out of reach.
(Kitiara Mari)

A test, whether they would take a step forward..
A test, whether they would not falter before this.

When so many people are joined as one, the effort becomes recognizable- when so many are pouring their passions, their will, their drive and strength, the stars answer - and when such devotion is shown, all it takes is having the correct means to contact them. Amidst this complex ritual, this magical circle..

One that involves the main body of Yellow Branch..
The sub-commands of Blue Branch..
And executives of Red Branch..

The full glory of cosmos is revealed.

Brilliant, beautiful- overwhelming almost, had any of them been not magi; for they are bestowed with energy unlike any other, that which belongs to the stars themselves- it almost seems as if the answers to all of their woes are written upon the stars - of the strength they lacked, of the inspiration they could not attain, of the will that fuels them so..

It is the Symphony of the Universe.

It plays upon their minds and hearts- enough to be almost maddening with how many things at once they experience, had it not been for the correct guidance of the ritual that protects their minds and hearts from being pushed beyond the edge; for while the Constellation of Leonaus leaves its message and blessing..

Soon, the markings on their bodies begin to brim with the leftover celestial energy.

As it had been told.. they sear away from their bodies, painlessly- the celestial energy filling their circuitry to an extent that no magi could replicate before; overcharging them with the purity of the stars, and yet..

It seems tolerable.

From the center, where Basil stood, the light of the cosmos has kept him hidden away- if only then, when the light at last disperses does he emerge.

Changed.

The brimming glyphs of Alph pertain to his body; shimmering with golden brilliance that has difficulty fading away. It seems that the Rhoynish is quite overwhelmed.

"--The things I've seen."

"I-"

It would be enough for years upon years. It would be enough for all that he wanted, personally. For while the rest had received this surge..

He seems..
Befuddled.
(Basil)

[THE REST WRAP UP REACTIONS TO THIS]
[MOST IS JUST REACTING TO FINAL POST]

How curious..

Even now, when he looks upon the markings of Alph.. he can't help but ponder of the power that is hidden behind them- of the shimmering brilliance that is bestowed upon him through this ritual. For while he retains this celestial energy, he ponders..

Of all the other things where he could use this.

After all, this is not all of it.. not even close. This was but a taste of overwhelming cosmic mana that the techniques from Grimoire are capable of channelling, that they're capable of providing to so many purposes.

"Such little thing.." A tiny murmur spoken to himself while he observes the shining markings of the Alph.

"Is this why the first men of Grimoire lost themselves to it..?"

There are doubts to this- doubts to where this could be used; for he knows that stars are impartial, and in the wrong hands, this knowledge could be far too destructive, far too dangerous..

It already drovesome men mad - and he's witnessed that personally.

While the king of Alabastre observes the result of his work, steadily do his eyes finally wander to the rest of the crowd; their gazes are briefly assessed, their words noted, until he speaks.

"That.."

".. is merely a glimpse of what's to come."

"I thank you for your contributions. For now, however.. it is best not to push the envelope and perform anything else right now."

Besides, they were tired.. and there's only so much that any living being can handle.

Pushing it any further may end with bad consequences.
(Basil)