Araluen kingdom, Capital City Valeron, Castle Saefel, Tea Room
The golden light of the late afternoon poured through the tall windows of Castle Saefel's tea room, scattering its warmth over polished marble floors and silken draperies. A delicate fragrance of steeped jasmine drifted through the chamber, mingling with the faint scent of parchment and ink from the scribes beyond the hall.
Elysia sat at the edge of a cushioned chaise, her hands resting atop her rounded belly. Though she smiled politely at the Queen's chatter, a flicker of discomfort crossed her face, quickly masked behind a practiced composure. Aran, ever watchful, noted the faint tightening of her jaw. He leaned closer, his voice lowered so that only she might hear.
"Another one?" he asked softly.
Her fingers gripped his hand. "Stronger," she whispered, her breath quickening.
Before Aran could call for aid, Queen Lochra's keen gaze swept over Elysia. The Queen's presence was one of quiet authority—her dark eyes missing nothing. She rose smoothly, her silken gown whispering across the floor.
"Summon the midwives," Lochra commanded a maid at the door, her tone gentle yet unyielding.
"The child will not wait much longer."
King Morok Silverwing, broad-shouldered and stern as the legends told, pushed aside his goblet with a frown. "Here?" he rumbled, glancing at the delicate porcelain cups and carved chairs ill-suited for such an event. Yet beneath the iron of his voice, there was no disdain—only the concern of a man unaccustomed to helplessness.
Aran rose swiftly, steadying his wife as another wave of pain rippled through her. Elysia's breath hitched, her knuckles pale against his hand. He looked into her eyes, seeing there both fear and a fierce determination.
"It is time," she managed.
The tea room, once so serene, erupted in hushed urgency. Servants rushed to prepare chambers, spreading linens and fetching basins of warm water. The Queen herself remained close, her calm presence a steadying force as Elysia was led to a nearby room. Aran did not leave her side.
Hours stretched like an eternity. The muffled sounds of labor echoed through the corridors of Castle Saefel, carried even into the stone hearts of guards and courtiers who waited in uneasy silence. Aran held Elysia's hand through every cry, every shuddering breath. He whispered promises of strength, though his own heart pounded with fear.
At last, as the candlelight wavered low, a piercing cry split the chamber—new, raw, and alive. Relief crashed over Aran like a tide. He looked to Elysia, whose exhausted face softened into tears as the midwife laid a small, wailing bundle upon her chest.
"She is strong," the midwife said, smiling through the weariness of her work. "A daughter."
Elysia's trembling fingers brushed across the infant's damp cheek. Her voice was scarcely more than a breath. "Cassi…"
Aran bent low, pressing his forehead to both mother and child. His eyes burned with unshed tears as he whispered her name.
"Cassi."
The chamber stilled around them, as though the world itself had paused to honor the fragile, fierce beginning of a new life.
And in a place that is close, but yet far away, seven towering figures stand. They are Griffon, Dragon, Phoenix, Leviathan, Garuda, Fenrir, and Bastet. In front of them sit one hundred fifty different figures from all four races. The four races are Humans (20), Beasts (50), Undead (30), and Plants (50).
In the center of the clearing sits Cassi in the form of a solar wisp. But to her, the space appears empty—except for a woman standing directly in front of her. She is a good-looking woman in her early twenties, well-endowed in all the right places, with a fit body honed through hard work. She has shoulder blade-length, beautiful light-brown hair with shades of seven elements. Despite being in her early forties, thanks to Lith's treatments and a good genetic pool, she looks to be in her late twenties—her appearance further improved by plenty of food and a much more relaxed life.
The incarnation of Mogar says, "I have taken the form of your mother. For you to enter your new body, you must choose the blood that will flow through your veins and determine your Bloodline Abilities."
Then seven towering figures appear and introduce themselves as the three Guardians of the Pangea Continent, two Guardians of the Jiera Continent, and two Guardians of the Garlen Continent.
"I'm Tyri, the guardian who embodies Mogar's nurturing nature and desire to promote the development of all species—and the mother of all Griffons."
"I'm Leegaain, the guardian who embodies Mogar's will to collect and preserve the knowledge of the world—and the father of all Dragons."
"I'm Salaark, the guardian who represents Mogar's desire to create and enforce innovation—and the mother of all Phoenix."
"I'm Fenagar, the guardian who represents Mogar's curiosity for the unknown—and the father of all Leviathans."
"I'm Zagran, the guardian who embodies Mogar's and all races' desire for strength—and the mother of all Garuda."
"I'm Roghar, the guardian who represents Mogar's desire to find new ways to give life—and the father of all Fenrir."
"I'm Ileza, the guardian who represents Mogar's will to protect nature—and the mother of all Bastet."
As Cassi sits there in her solar wisp form, she begins to think. What is Fire? Is it destruction or life-bringing?
It is both—destruction and life-bringing. Without heat, the world would be nothing but frozen water.
This begs the question: "What are Water, Earth, Air, Light, and Darkness?"
If Fire represents heat and the soul, then Water represents blood and the organs. Earth represents bones and muscles. Air represents the breath of life.
But what do Light and Darkness represent? Is Light the ability to heal and nurture? Does that mean Darkness is the opposite—the power of destruction? Then, what is the meaning of Life?
It is all of them, and none of them, at the same time. Water is the ever-changing flow of life. Fire is our drive to explore the future and discover new things. Earth is our foundation, rooted in the past. Air is the chaotic nature of the future. Light and Darkness are the healing and destruction of the different paths the future could take.
Why can Fire manifest?
Fire can both destroy and purify the world's energy. To do so, one must first spark it with their life force. To reach this point, you must inject your own life force into the Fire element.
Why can Water manifest?
Water allows you to absorb, release, or rearrange magic, but it is not inherently part of me.
Why can Light manifest?
Light can both heal and harm. To do so, you must be able to freely manipulate the Light element and exchange it with other elements at will. To reach this point, you must inject your own life force into the Light element.
Why can Darkness manifest?
Darkness can only attack; it is not of me.
Why can Air manifest?
Air can enhance a living being's body or magical prowess. To reach this point, you must inject your own life force into the Air element.
Why can Earth manifest?
Earth can only defend; it is not of me.
Why can Spirit manifest?
I will allow the Spirit magic organ to be decided by my human half. However, if all seven elements are combined and focused on the eyes and brain, Dragon Eyes should be formed.
As for the way my blood will be split, it goes as follows:
100% Rank 3 Human, 100% Fire Dragon, 50% White Phoenix, and 50% White Griffin.
However, I will only leave 1% of the human blood intact, amplifying White Phoenix to 100% and White Griffin to 99%.
This results in: 100% Fire Dragon, 100% White Phoenix, 99% White Griffin, and 1% Rank 3 Human.
Bloodline Abilities from White Phoenix: Origin Flames, Rebirth Flames, Blood Imprint, and Call of the Blood.
Bloodline Abilities from White Griffin: Life Maelstrom, Focus Point, and Light Raider.
Bloodline Abilities from Fire Dragon: Dragon Eyes and Primal Spark.
Bloodline Abilities Unique: Aetherfold, World Splitter, Cursed Flames, and Cursed Maelstrom
Sealed Bloodline Abilities Human: Hellflame, Radiant Tempest, Earthen Sanctum, Silence Drift
She stands 30 meters (100 feet) tall. Each one of her wings is 30 meters (98 feet) long, with her total wingspan reaching 70 meters (328 feet). Her body is covered in pristine white scales. Each feather symbolizes one of the seven elements, their numbers perfectly balanced from the base of her neck down to the tip of her tail.