Sanctum Aristeia, The Night Before the Continuum Council
The gentle night breeze carries the fragrance of blooming night flowers in the garden of Sanctum.
The city of Gaia lies in tranquility after months filled with tension.
However, inside the palace, the private chambers of Jeanne and Joanna radiate a warmth that sharply contrasts with the usual political meetings and magical discussions; it feels like a haven from the outside world's complexities.
Outside, the stars shimmer brightly, seemingly guarding the magical secrets known only to witches. This soft light casts dancing silhouettes on the walls of their room, creating mysterious shadows that remind them of the joy of their childhood.
Tonight... they are simply sisters.
Jeanne and Joanna lie on a large bed adorned with white sheets embroidered with golden thread.
Both wear soft pajamas made of lightweight flannel: Jeanne in a gentle blue, and Joanna in a deep purple.
Between them lies an old book, open to pages filled with notes on magic and spells passed down through generations. They frequently peruse these pages, reading together and imagining the thrilling adventures that await them.
Next to the bed, a small crystal lamp emitted a golden glow, casting a warm hue that felt reminiscent of their childhood, when they would hide from the outside world and construct castles of imagination from pillows and blankets—a time filled with memories of laughter and joy, as if the magic of their past enveloped this evening.
"I can't believe we can still be like this," Joanna murmured, hugging a large pillow, her eyes shining with nostalgia. Deep within their hearts lay an unwavering love and trust, always present between two souls who protected one another.
"I didn't expect it either," Jeanne replied with a smile, releasing a sigh of relief—each breath a reminder of their closeness, as if some invisible bond of magic tied them together. Tonight, they were not just reminiscing about the past, but also celebrating the strong connection that had endured through the tides of change in the world.
They had just completed a joint magic practice in preparation for the task ahead. But now... this evening was not for magic or politics; it was a time to feel the vibrations of wonder they had always shared, as they filled their night with laughter and timeless stories.
"So, you still like to sleep while hugging that pillow, huh?" Jeanne teased, her soft laughter resembling a melody that stirred beautiful memories in their minds.
She knew very well how Joanna always found comfort in the simplest of things, a testament to the fact that happiness is often located in life's little details.
"Hey, I haven't completely changed!" Joanna lightly pinched her sister's arm, her smile revealing a bond of love and camaraderie between them. "At least I don't mumble about laws and magical codes in my sleep like you do!"
With a teasing tone, they embraced the magic found in the simplicity of living together, a ritual forged from love and understanding, where every joke and playful banter wove a tapestry of enchantment that made this night shine even brighter.
Jeanne chuckled softly, the sound a distant echo amidst meetings and conflicts. It reminded Joanna of their most cherished moments, when the world belonged only to the two of them, and magic and dreams intertwined in their laughter.
"Alright. Tonight, there will be no legal talk. No Codex. No Pactum."
Jeanne gazed at the twinkling stars in the night sky, as if they were whispering secrets yet to be revealed. The air around them seemed to glow with magical energy, embracing two souls sharing their fears and hopes.
"Just the two of us. Just like before."
Joanna nodded, feeling the warmth of their inseparable friendship. She recalled the days when they practiced magic together, a longing flowing like a stream of magic from their hands.
Like the nights before the world knew their names, when their imaginations roamed free without bounds.
Joanna felt a weight in her heart as she remembered that freedom; every spell they cast together not only changed everything but also strengthened their bond more than anything else, like threads woven with hope, love, and the unwavering spirit tied together by their companionship.
"Joan," whispered Jeanne.
"Hm?"
"I'm scared."
Joanna was taken aback, turning her face away. "Why?"
"Tomorrow, I will become the Saint of Continuum." Jeanne gazed at the ceiling, her eyes sparkling with a mix of excitement and tension. In her gaze was a window into a daunting destiny. "I will be the guardian of the threads of time, continuing the role of Saint Maria. It's... bigger than anything I have ever imagined." A sense of nervousness and uncertainty enveloped them, yet behind that tension lay a profound trust that no matter what happened, they would always have each other.
"I'm afraid of losing who I truly am."
Joanna rolled over and hugged Jeanne tightly. They were entwined in an embrace, as if they wanted to lock this moment in their memories forever. The sweet scent, reminiscent of blooming flowers, calmed their restless hearts. Joanna understood the immense pressure her sister faced, and she wanted to convey the strength she could offer.
"Sister, you are Jeanne before you become a Saint."
"And you will always be Jeanne, my sister, even if you tend to the entire flow of time." Her voice trembled as she spoke, recalling the many beautiful moments they had shared. Like the times they played in the garden, gathering flowers and imagining a world filled with magic around them. Jeanne held back tears, feeling the warmth of an unshakeable love between them.
"I'm afraid time will separate us."
"I will fight against time itself; you are my sister, and I will always be your little sister," Joanna said, holding her older sister's face and gazing into her tearful eyes. The magical strength of the threads they wove with childhood stories strengthened the invisible bond between them. "It doesn't matter if I have to fight time alone; you are my sister, and I am your little sister." Each word flowed like a mantra, reinforcing their enduring sense of belonging and unwavering support.
"That will never change."
Joanna took the small silver thread they used in their childhood to play 'secret oath.' The thread shimmered softly, as though it held the secrets of the universe within it, and Joanna felt she could hear whispers of the past each time she touched it.
"Do you remember this thread?" Joanna lifted it, her eyes sparkling with cherished memories, shadows of days filled with laughter and imagination.
Jeanne chuckled softly, her light voice resonating like the gentle chime of bells, evoking nostalgia. "The thread of sisterhood." Her words were imbued with meaning, like a spell that kept their bond strong even when the world around them might be chaotic. In the silence filled with hope, they felt the magical vibrations surrounding them, where time held no power to separate souls connected by love and promise.
"I reaffirm tonight." Joanna began to intertwine her pinky finger with Jeanne's using the thread, paying attention to every movement of her hand. "If time tries to separate us..." the magical atmosphere filled the air around them, as if waves of magic flowed between them.
"I will pull you back." Jeanne continued, her voice trembling with the strength of the promise they had made. They gazed at each other, seeming as though the world around them had faded away.
Not as Saint and Guardian of Change.
But as Jeanne and Joanna.
Sisters.
"I love you, Joan." Jeanne's voice was soft, like a whisper of the calming night breeze.
"I love you too, sis." Joanna replied, tears of joy welling in her eyes, feeling that this thread was weaving their hearts together more tightly than ever.
As the first rays of sunlight touched the Sanctum tower, a peaceful rhythm enveloped them, and Jeanne donned the white robe of Continuum with the symbol of the thread of time on her chest, as if time and space merged in elegance.
Gaia Primordia emerged as a witness, radiating her magical aura, while the starlight twinkled in the surrounding realm, adding enchantment to this sacred moment.
Tekhnos manifested as a luminous network of light floating in the air, its radiant dance reminiscent of celebration, acknowledging Jeanne's awakening and the responsibilities that awaited her as the newly appointed Saint.
Saint Maria stood beside Jeanne, her proud smile signifying unwavering support. This moment felt like more than just an inauguration; it was a binding of their souls into a greater destiny—a starting point for a new journey filled with many challenges and hopes ahead.
"Jeanne Fate,
"With this, you are appointed as the Saint of Continuum," Saint Maria proclaimed, her voice resonating through the sacred space, acknowledging Jeanne's pivotal role in the fate of their world.
"Keeper of the world's continuity."
"Not to preserve the past,
but to ensure the future remains a choice." Saint Maria's voice was authoritative, carrying the weight of hope and responsibility upon Jeanne's shoulders.
The threads of time wrapped around Jeanne's body like a silken cocoon, and within that magical shimmer, they could feel the invisible bond that united them—a bond that would transcend the challenging journey that lay ahead.
The people of Gaia and Earth present bowed in respect, as if acknowledging the extraordinary power that had just been summoned to the surface.
Joanna stood among the crowd, holding a small thread between her fingers, reminiscing about the beautiful night they made that promise—a symbol of the love and commitment that had been woven since their childhood.
The vow of that night, when they both pledged to always support each other, resonated deep within them, shaping the very fabric of their destinies.
"I will not let time separate us." Joanna's voice was firm, as if chanting a spell to defy reality.
As Jeanne received the power of Continuum, a vision flashed before her eyes: a bleak and challenging future awaited them. Yet within their hearts lay an unquenchable hope—a promise of eternal love and sisterhood that would inspire generations to come, affirming that hope can be born even in the darkest of times.
The future world.
The great yet fractured nations of Gaia and Earth.
A generation forgetting the meaning of free will.
And a man named Fitran, who would one day unlock the Genesis Archive.
"I bequeath this continuity...
not for power.
But so that anyone who reads this in the future knows that the choice is always yours."
The vision ended.
Jeanne opened her eyes.
"I am ready."
On the Sanctum balcony, Jeanne and Joanna stood side by side. The bustle of the world below felt distant, but within both of their chests, synchronized heartbeats shared the same spirit. The night air surrounding them was filled with the fragrance of blooming night flowers, adding to the magic of the moment.
"You maintain the continuity, while I nurture the change," Joanna clarified, her eyes shining with strength and hope, reflecting her determination to support her sister's lofty responsibilities while following her own path.
Jeanne nodded, feeling the depth of her sister's words. "And in every choice we make, I sense the magic, Joanna. Like a mystical current that binds us in an unbreakable bond." She held her sister's hand tightly, as if channeling protective energy and warmth through that touch.
"Together, we uphold the meaning of our choices." Jeanne grasped her sister's hand, feeling the strength shared between them, as if the world around them faded away, leaving only the energy of love and purpose that empowered them.
Saint of Continuum and Guardians of Change stood confidently beneath the sky now free from the rifts of time, their hearts intertwined with purpose.
But far on the horizon, a new storm began to form.
The soft rumble of thunder started to resonate, seeping into their souls; faint strands of light trembled between them, as if warning of impending danger. Yet Jeanne and Joanna stood firm, filled with the confidence cultivated throughout their journey. Within their hearts, the magic passed down through generations ignited hope in the face of the challenges to come.
"We are ready."