3227 Revival Era
11 years until disaster.
Kaiser Xavier's heart pounded in rhythm to the Omnimare's galloping. His eyes followed the god rays filtering through the canopy above. The sunlight felt close, bright, and full of possibility. He wondered if the world could continue to thrive under this same sun, in this very place—would his future be filled with the same excitement? If he could journey to every corner of this thriving world, would adventure greet him at every turn? Most thrilling of all, would he find more people to share in the laughter, triumphs, and boundless joy of the days to come?
As he looked down, he saw his Soul Twin, Kerisa Xavier. Her long crimson hair seemed like a fiery crown under the setting sun of Xa'nia. Kaiser couldn't keep his eyes off her locks as she practically bounced on her seat, pointing at the Omnimare. Dark markings along her arms shifted excitedly, forming swirling patterns that echoed her emotions.
"Kin, are you listening?! Please, let me ride the horse!" Her golden eyes shone bright, mirroring the outside world in a beautiful yellow hue, but Kaiser had learned to resist her charms.
The carriage slightly levitated off the rocky path winding through the Zhan'Qi Forest. The beast's mane transformed into strands of whimsical clouds. Its body shimmered, and its hooves barely touched the ground, gliding as if carried by the wind. The Omnimare's eyes sparkled with the light of emerald skies, reflecting the boundless freedom of Aeronfi.
"It's not a horse." He sighed, running a hand through his identical crimson hair, although it was nowhere near as pristine as Kerisa's. "And why are you asking me? Do I look like a wrinkly old woman?"
Kerisa's giggle overpowered the sound of the Omnimare's galloping. "You know Halia isn't going to let me! Who else could I turn to other than the Ascendant of Bionfi himself?!"
As tempting as Kerisa's invitation to recklessness was, Kaiser knew how vital the coming ceremony was even at age ten. He wanted to tell Kerisa to collect herself and get serious about the future event, but what would be the point? The likelihood of that happening was as low as his expectations for the ceremony's outcome.
He looked at the horizon and said, "This is the first time we're going to see Enfas, not to mention our age."
Kerisa sat close to him. "Do you think they'll look like the pictures? With their glowing wings and halos?" She leaned in, wrapping her arms around Kaiser's right arm and resting her head against his shoulder. The warmth of her touch and the gentle pressure of her head brought an instant sense of calm. Previously shifting restlessly, the dark markings on his arms smooth out into serene, flowing patterns.
Kaiser took a deep breath, his voice more relaxed as he spoke. "Seems like we'll find out tomorrow. Just…" he looked into her eyes, trying his hardest to discipline her careless behavior, but it was impossible. "Have some rest. We're still far from Xa'nia."
Kerisa snuggled closer, her golden eyes half-closed with contentment. "Only if you rest with me," she murmured, her arm slipping around his waist as she nuzzled into his side. The warmth and familiarity of her touch melted away the last remnants of his tension.
As the carriage continued its smooth journey, Kaiser's eyelids grew heavy. The sensation of Kerisa's steady heartbeat against his side, her murmurs of comfort, and the movement of the Omnimare all united to draw him deeper into sleep.
However, rest would not come easy—not for the Ascendant of Bionfi. A sudden jolt shook the carriage as the Omnimare stopped in its tracks. Kaiser jumped up, alert, but Kerisa remained dormant on the cozy carriage seat, her breathing steady and untroubled.
The Omnimare's skin morphed into an earthly brown as Geonfi began to envelop itself and the carriage, shielding it from something unseen. Kaiser's dark markings shifted into sharp, alert patterns as he assessed the situation. Knowing Kerisa would be safer inside, he grabbed his sword from the storage compartment and carefully exited the carriage, scanning the area for potential danger.
The Zhan'Qi Forest felt charged with an unseen threat. Suddenly, a few more Omnimares arrived, their red-headed passengers clearly from his clan. The tension in Kaiser's muscles eased slightly as he recognized the familiar figures.
Out of one carriage stepped Halia Xavier, the clan's Oracle. Her presence brought a wave of reassurance, though her expression was grave.
"Wiselink Halia," Kaiser called out. "What's happening?"
Halia approached, her own markings steady and controlled. "Stay alert. The Omnimares felt something we didn't."
Kaiser nodded, gripping his sword tighter. He closed his eyes, trying to sense the life network flowing around them, but his range was short, leading to nothing other than flora and fauna.
"Where is Kerisa?" Halia asked, her eyes looking back to the carriage. Kaiser knew the heartless things expected from Kerisa, and today was no different.
"Wait!" he said, hoping they wouldn't wake her.
The young Ascendant approached a tree and leaned his forehead against its rough bark. He took a deep breath to steady himself. The network of life forces was complex and intricate, but he trusted his god to help him navigate it.
Halia approached, resting her wrinkled hand on his shoulder. "Don't be rash—you are still too young for that. Let us scout the area," she said.
Kaiser blinked rapidly, his eyes tightening. He felt a growing void in his stomach as the useless life network showed nothing. Doubt surged, a fear that he might not be capable of protecting the person dearest to him. Was he just a boy playing at being an Ascendant?
Kaiser pressed harder against the tree, willing the life network to reveal itself, but the connections came too fast—too chaotic. The pulse of every creature, every blade of grass, flooded his mind. His markings flared wildly as the overwhelming rush of life energy hammered at his senses, each force clashing against the next, a tangled mess that twisted his thoughts into knots.
It was too much—too many souls and heartbeats, all clamoring for attention. He gasped, yanking himself back, disconnecting from the network with a sharp snap that left him reeling. Pain exploded in his skull, a raging headache that blurred his vision and sent him stumbling back from the tree.
Before Kaiser regained his senses, a shadow darted from the treeline. He barely registered the figure before a blade gleamed in the dim light, arcing toward his throat. Instinct took over; Kaiser threw up his right arm to shield his neck. A searing pain tore through him as the blade severed his limb, his blood spraying across the forest floor.
Kaiser fell to one knee, gasping for breath, his vision swimming from the combined pain of his severed arm and the residual headache. The scarlet blood splattered onto the ground, seeping into the earth—immediately, the grass grew taller, vibrant, and lush.
"Y-you're… the Blood Phoenix," the attacker stammered. "I'm sorry it had to be this way."
Before the attacker could strike again, the surrounding Xaviers sprang into action. Chains of life energy shot from their hands, wrapping around the assailant, pinning his limbs, and forcing him to the ground. Kaiser's vision blurred, the world around him flickering between reality and the chaos of the life network. His golden eyes glowed a fierce red, the markings on his body writhing as he struggled to stay grounded.
The man thrashed against the bindings, his voice rising in a frantic scream. "You're all insane! Considering peace with our nemeses! You'll doom all of Terrarium!"
Kaiser's eardrums rang loudly, but even through the overwhelming assault on his senses, the attacker's words and sentiment cut through sharper than his blade had.
"Wake Kerisa," Halia commanded as she glanced back at the carriage. "She must deliver punishment."
Kaiser's body trembled. He wished to run away from everything and everyone, but he knew the harsh reality he was facing, one he didn't want upon Kerisa.
"No!" he shouted, the word tearing from his throat. He wasn't sure what they intended—were they going to make her kill? Torture him for answers? He wasn't about to gamble on it.
"Kaiser," Halia's tone hardened, her markings flaring with authority. "Kerisa has a duty as your Guardian. She must—"
But before she could finish, Kaiser mustered all his remaining strength. He felt on the verge of consciousness but focused on protecting his chosen protector, Kerisa.
With a roar, he lunged forward, his left hand gripping his sword with all the force he could summon. In one brutal motion, he brought the blade down, severing the attacker's head from his body.
The blade sliced cleanly through flesh and bone. Blood sprayed, painting the ground in crimson. The man's eyes widened in shock for a brief moment before his body crumpled, lifeless. But as the head hit the ground, Kaiser's world shattered.
His hand trembled as he lowered the sword. His breathing was ragged as his mind spun and his stomach twisted. The metallic scent of blood was so strong he could taste it, and for a moment, he couldn't tear his eyes away from the corpse at his feet.
Stuck between the realms, he saw the man's soul wrench free from his body, a ghostly form that screamed in agony as it was torn from the mortal coil. The pain was unlike anything Kaiser had ever felt—he could feel the man's soul being ripped apart, every nerve in his own body aflame with mirrored pain. As the life force drained from the man, Kaiser felt his energy sapped, his vision darkened.
This wasn't training—it was real.
Kaiser staggered, clutching his head as the man's soul dissolved, leaving behind an empty husk. How could something so necessary feel so wrong? Is this what it means to be an Ascendant? The questions hammered at his conscience.
Halia's voice was muffled and distant, "You're not allowing Kerisa to grow up. She needs—" But Kaiser couldn't focus on the rest; his vision blurred as the realization hit him—he was losing too much blood. Desperation ate at him as he tried to summon Bionfi to heal himself. His head spun violently, the world tilting sideways before everything went dark, and he collapsed, unconscious.