Sanctum Aristeia
Three months after the birth of Jeanne and Joanna
The Black Sun hung in the sky like a cracked eye slowly losing its light, creating a threatening and melancholic atmosphere, reminiscent of ancient myths warning of impending doom.
Its fissures widened each day, radiating a white light that had long faded away.
Amidst this change, Sheena stood in the innermost chamber of Sanctum Aristeia.
Here, the legacy for the future would commence.
The room had once been a place for the mediation of the Saints.
The walls emitted a soft glow from the gently vibrating Glyph Proto-Speech.
A large crystal, shaped like a giant prism, stood at the center. There were no colors, only clear ice that could not melt.
"This will be the Genesis Archive," Saint Maria declared, her voice reflecting a profound determination.
Behind her, Sofia, Erina, Cosmo, and Crystal stood in silence.
They all understood... this space was not just a library or a record keeper.
This was the seed of meaning that would be planted for a world thousands of years to come, a foundation for future societies to build upon and learn from.
Jeanne and Joanna—still infants—were asleep in Sheena's embrace.
Yet their aura differed from that of ordinary children.
Jeanne radiated a gentle aura of order.
Joanna emanated a wild power of change, even in slumber.
"They need to know who their mother is, who this world is, and why they were born," Sheena said, her voice trembling with hope, her eyes glistening as she gazed at the faces of the babies. She caressed Jeanne's soft head, feeling a tranquility that invigorated her. "This world is full of dangers, but I promise to protect them," she added, her tone laced with deep love and concern.
"And future generations must understand why this will is upheld," Maria continued, her voice firm yet gentle, adding a layer of weighty responsibility. Sheena nodded, absorbing the weight of those words, tightening her embrace around her daughter.
"If one day the will of the world begins to forget, the Genesis Archive will remind it," she declared, her voice resonating with profound significance, echoing the importance of memory and legacy in human history.
Saint Maria commenced her magic.
Vel'thar Vitae In Tempore.
"The will lives in time."
Glyph Proto-Speech began to form strands of light that encircled the prism crystal.
One by one, the records of will and history were layered within it:
"If one day the will of the world begins to forget, the Genesis Archive will remind it," her voice resonated with tension full of meaning.
Saint Maria initiated her magic.
Vel'thar Vitae In Tempore.
"The will lives in time,"
Glyph Proto-Speech continued to weave strands of light around the prism crystal.
Notes on Chronos: how he manipulated time and nearly destroyed human freedom.
First and Second Decrees: oaths that birthed the nations of Gaia and Earth.
Legacy Pact of Jeanne and Joanna: a symbol of the twin threads that oppose the will of stagnation.
Chrono Testament of Sheena: a message filled with love for Fitran and future generations.
"These notes are not just for reading," Maria whispered, her voice trembling with emotion, revealing the depth of her love for her daughter's future—a future fraught with challenges that demanded resilience and strength.
"They will become part of the world. They will serve as a mirror for anyone trying to understand will,"
The Genesis Archive was not written for the present.
It was penned for a future that even Sheena would not witness. A hidden tension lingered in her words, expressing a deep concern for what lay ahead for her daughter.
Erina and Crystal established stone pillars around the prism.
Seven pillars.
Each inscribed with Proto-Speech.
"He who walks into the darkness does not seek light; he seeks meaning that even light cannot reveal, a reminder that true understanding often lies beyond superficial clarity."
He seeks meaning that even light cannot reveal,"
"One day, these pillars will become part of the Stones center," Erina said hopefully, her eyes sparkling with visions of a vast future for the generations to come, weaving a narrative of hope rooted in the pursuit of truth rather than domination."
Here is where the seeds of Arkanum Veritas began.
Not just a group of magic.
But guardians of meaning, a duty that will be carried with heavy responsibility and hope for creating a better future.
Years passed. Jeanne and Joanna began to walk and talk.
They learned to read Glyph Proto-Speech with Saint Maria and Sofia.
They also learned about time, will, and choices.
One night, as the sky cleared without the Black Sun, Jeanne gently asked, "Mom... why can't we go back to the future? Why can't we search for Dad?" With a gaze full of longing, she clasped Sheena's arm, hoping for clarity amidst the loss.
Sheena fell silent, her face filled with deep pain and affection.
She looked at her daughter and replied softly, "Because sometimes... love means letting go. I want you to choose your own path, not walk in the shadows of me or your father." Her voice trembled, reflecting deep concern for their future.
Joanna grasped her mother's hand tightly, sensing the tension in her tone.
"Then... we will stay here,
We will protect this world with you." Joanna said, her gentle conviction shining through, displaying an unwavering spirit despite the sadness surrounding them.
Jeanne and Joanna's decision was made official.
They did not want to go back, the firmness in their voices created a resolution.
They would be part of this world.
And Sheena knew... this was the right choice.
Not because they were giving up.
But because this is the true meaning of will.
However, not all power was content with victory over Chronos.
In the shadows of this new world, Tekhnos — the ancient will of technology and mechanical determination — began to whisper promises to the ambitious factions of Earth.
"If magic preserves free will, I offer absolute power over the future."
Shadow of Tekhnos has no face.
It is an echo of an unvisited future.
The promise that humanity can control all variables, even the will, through machines and absolute laws, echoed the age-old struggle between progress and the preservation of freedom.
"This will be the next great conflict," Maria warned hoarsely, her eyes shining with concern. "Even before Jeanne and Joanna come of age, the choice between free will and technological determinism will emerge." She grabbed Sheena's hand, igniting a warmth between them, as if imparting strength.
And the Genesis Archive must remain hidden.
If it falls into the hands of Tekhnos, the legacy of free will could be erased.
Before the prism of the Genesis Archive, Sheena wrote her final entry for the decade:
"To Fitran Fate... for anyone who reads this in the future."
"I have chosen to stay. Jeanne and Joanna have also chosen."
"Not because we give up... but because this world needs protectors," Sheena said, her voice soft yet firm, her expression softening as she contemplated her daughters' future. "Jeanne, you are always so passionate. You will find your way even when it gets tough. And Joanna, your heart is so big; remember, your strength will continue to shine."
"If time attempts to determine what is right and wrong for you, remember: your choices are more powerful than any determination," Sheena emphasized, her mood a mix of hope and sadness, acknowledging the weight of the decisions ahead as she continued, "With every step you take, please ensure it reflects who you truly are."
"We will live, choose, and create our own future," Jeanne replied passionately, gripping her mother's arm tightly, trying to transmit her courage. "We will carve our own path, even if it comes with risks." Nevertheless, a trace of doubt lingered in her voice, as if she hoped her mother could understand the hidden fears behind her conviction.
Joanna embraced change and flexibility, forming a small group called Guardians of Change that promoted innovation and responsiveness to the evolving times. She added softly, "We can't get stuck in rigid structures. We need innovation, Mom," yet the worry etched on her face revealed her awareness of Sheena's concerns about the potential dangers of rapid change.
"We may be on different paths," Joanna said gently, meeting Sheena's anxious gaze. "But our goal is the same." She added confidently, trying to bolster her mother's spirits.
Reaching for Sheena's hand, Joanna held it tightly as a symbol of commitment and solidarity in facing the challenges ahead, embodying the strength found in family bonds and Maria's watchful eyes, the two sisters began to write the first chapter of their new world, filled with hope and determination.
Maria called upon her last bit of magic to secure the Genesis Archive.
"Vel'thar Lumina Exsolis."
"Light is not the destination, but the bridge." Maria's voice was calm, yet in Sheena's eyes shimmered both hope and fear, reflecting the deep concern of a mother.
The prism was encased in a layer of stone that would last for tens of thousands of years.
A circle of proto-Stones stood around it.
"One day, future generations will excavate this place," Joanna said with a tone full of conviction, expressing her hope for a future filled with discovery and change, where history becomes a beacon guiding them forward.
"And they will understand that free will has been fought for even before they were born," she revealed proudly, envisioning a better and hopeful world for their children. Sheena felt her heart racing, almost unable to imagine what their world would be like.
In the horizon, the Black Sun disappeared completely.
The first blue sky in a hundred years appeared.
"Time has healed." Sheena exclaimed, her voice reflecting a mix of relief and hope.
"And the future now belongs to those who dare to choose." She gazed at her daughter, the awareness of the challenges they faced strengthening her love for her.