The Seaside of Time — Gaia's Recesses
Three months after Jeanne was appointed as the Saint of Continuum
The salty wind swept across the endless white beach.
Where the sea meets the sky, there lies the intersection of the world and the flow of time, creating phenomena full of mystery, wonder, and stories yet to be told.
Each drop of dew carried by the wind is like a whisper from the past, calling forth memories stored within each curling wave.
Jeanne and Joanna stood at the edge, gazing at the ocean that sparkled not with ordinary light—but with the flow of time itself.
In the silence, soft voices spoke, elucidating every choice ever made and the paths that could still be taken, as if representing the collective voice of history that flows.
"This is no ordinary sea," Jeanne whispered.
"This is the Ocean of Time.
From here, possibilities flow into our world," Joanna replied.
"Each wave contains a story, every shimmer guards a secret," she added, her eyes shining with insatiable curiosity, reminiscent of an explorer poised on the brink of discovery.
They were summoned by an ancient voice that even Gaia Primordia and Tekhnos revered.
Poseidon.
From the endless ocean, a powerful figure emerged, reminiscent of the ancient myths that dwell in the collective imagination of humanity, illustrating the timeless connection between myth and reality.
Amidst the sounds of the waves, they heard an evocative call, as if the sea ignited choices yet to be realized.
Taller than an ordinary man, with long hair the color of dark coral, his eyes sparkled like the drowned stars. The gentle whisper of the waves caressed their ears, narrating the ancient secrets from the depths of the Ocean of Time. At Poseidon's feet, the sparkling ripples of water caught the moonlight, reflecting an enchanting illusion that tested the courage of their hearts.
His body was cloaked in silver and blue robes, and in his left hand, a Trident that was not merely a weapon—but a key to the stream of possibilities. Each rustle of his robe etched an invisible record in history, echoing through the waves of time and space. That voice, like the song of the gods, granted courage to those who dared to grasp their destiny.
Poseidon, Lord of Tides and Probabilities.
"Jeanne Fate. Joanna Fate.
Custodes Realitatis.
I summon you for an offer." Amidst the crashing waves, a magical aura enveloped them, as if binding them to a task greater than they had ever imagined.
Poseidon raised his Trident.
Water and time swirled around, conjuring an image of the world in the future:
Majestic cities on Gaia and Earth. Towering structures defied the sky, surrounded by a glow emanating from the fusion of technology and magic. Society moved in harmony, heralding the dawn of a new era, balanced by difficult choices.
Technology and magic intertwined, ushering in a prosperous existence and astonishing advancements, fostering innovation while raising difficult questions about the essence of prosperity: is it built on free will and human effort, or merely an illusion crafted by greater powers?
But there was also...
War.
Division manifested as a shadow in the same light, as conflict lurked beneath the surface, challenging the stability of the world with betrayal and choices made by souls trapped in a labyrinth of uncertainty, reminding us that peace is a fragile construct.
A curse across generations. The parasites of pain and anger spread across history, as if fate awaited alteration, once again testing the limits of will.
"I can offer a solution," Poseidon said, his voice like thunder breaking the silence, offering hope yet presenting a challenge.
"With my power, I can lock the currents of the future.
Erase the potential for destruction.
Preserve the stability of the world for all eternity."
"In return..."
"You must surrender a portion of humanity's free will into the guardianship of the Tides of Fate."
A monumental choice lingered in the air.
Jeanne bowed her head. The atmosphere around them began to be filled with magical vibrations, as water and light collaborated to create an endless illusion. It was as if the soul of the Ocean of Time itself was witnessing their debate, waiting for the outcome of the choice to be made.
"I appreciate your offer, Poseidon.
But free will is not meant to be fenced in, even for the sake of peace."
Joanna stepped up beside her brother. Around them, images of emptiness shimmered, casting shadows of what might happen if this choice was ignored or clutched tightly. The traces of choices made by previous generations flashed through their minds, reminding them of how far humanity's path could deviate.
"We choose a world that can be wrong.
That can fail.
That can succeed not because it is locked... but because it chooses the difficult path."
"I anticipated this outcome," Poseidon responded, his eyes reflecting a comprehension of their resolve, yet also revealing the internal struggle between the possible and the impossible.
"I anticipated this.
Therefore, according to the laws of the Ocean of Time...
I will test your will in battle."
"If you can withstand the strength of the currents of possibility for three minutes, I will accept your decision."
"If not...
I will decide for you."
The waves of time erupted around them. The sky became a mirror of endless possibilities, shimmering with conflicting colors and creating a mystical atmosphere that stirred a sense of uncertainty. Every step Jeanne and Joanna took now unfolded within thousands of parallel scenarios. Each decision, each choice, echoed like a reverberation within the confines of time.
Poseidon strikes!
The trident swept through the air, disrupting the local gravity, a reminder of the overwhelming power they would need to face, as their courage would be tested, and the future would be explored in a burst of raw energy.
The waves of time-water sought to wash away their will. Amid the chaos, the whispering voices of the currents sounded like an ancient melody, warning them of the consequences that might arise if they failed.
Jeanne formed a Circle of Continuum around her.
"Vitae Harmonia!"
The circle protected one line of reality from fracturing. Within it, light spiraled languidly, like stars caught in an invisible web. The cool scent of shadows from the past lingered, awakening memories yet to be experienced—choices still available to be made.
Joanna ran in a zig-zag pattern, her body pulsating with Fluxion Spiral.
"I am not bound by any possibility!" Her voice resonated, piercing through the waves' ripples. With each step, she seemed to create new ripples across the surface of time, allowing all alternatives to unfold before her like flowers blooming without boundaries.
Poseidon smiled faintly.
"Good. But can you face the Ocean of Uncertainty?" The rumble of his voice was like thunder tearing through the night sky, his spirit melding with the current of darkness filled with mystery. Behind his smile lay a challenge—a reminder that every choice could lead to emptiness.
Poseidon raised his trident high.
The tsunami of possibilities approached: in the distance, shimmering waves swelled, showcasing the untold tales of thousands of lives flowing in unison. The wave sought to engulf them, carrying with it hopes and unanswered desires, highlighting the danger of choices made without consideration.
In one reality, Joanna found herself sinking beneath the weight of despair.
In another reality, Jeanne fell into a cycle of defeat.
In one possibility, they both became puppets of the future. In the silence, they heard the whispers of fate curling between them, repeating the words, "Choose wisely, for here, all consequences are faced." But Jeanne shouted:
"Continuum Anchor!" she declared, invoking a spell that tethered their essence to the present, revealing the depths of their connection to time and space.
Her magic created a reality anchor that kept their consciousness connected to the present. Light radiated from her fingertips, generating waves of shimmering energy in the air, akin to stars twinkling in the dark of night. The Ocean of Time, filled with unimaginable colors, vibrated around them, as if it understood the high stakes at play.
Seizing the opportunity, Joanna exclaimed:
"Flux Severance!"
She sliced through the tsunami of possibilities, carving out a stable corridor leading to Poseidon. The sound of enchanting chimes filled the space around them, as if ripples of water began to dance in harmony with the rhythm of the spell being spoken. Each fragment of reality that was severed awakened and interacted, creating an exhilarating tension.
The two sisters surged forward.
They did not resist all possibilities.
They chose a single path with pure intent.
Jeanne and Joanna attacked in unison:
Unity Spiral: Vitae Lux!
The light of life cleaved through the vast ocean of time, its brilliance illuminating the shadows of the past and the future, twirling in a magical dance upon the endless waves, inviting hope and new beginnings.
Poseidon held back the assault with one hand, his trident vibrating heavily. His power, flowing from the depths of the ocean, shook the very core of uncertainty. A gentle breeze whispered, as if the universe itself was participating in this grand contest.
"Incredible..."
"You do not impose possibilities.
You choose a single possibility with full awareness."
Three minutes passed.
They endured.
The water around them sparkled with a soft blue light, like a lost beam of stars in the darkness of night. An unseen warmth curled around them, creating a sensation as if time itself was witnessing their moment.
With a solemnity that resonated through the ages, Poseidon lowered his trident, signaling a change in the tides of fate.
The waters and time returned to calm.
In that silence, the wind whispered gently through the crevices of the coral, carrying messages from ancient times, forewarning them of the potential struggles and awakenings that lay behind every choice made.
"Jeanne Fate. Joanna Fate.
You have proven that the human will is strong enough to withstand the currents of uncertainty."
"I accept your decision.
The Ocean of Time will remain wild.
But you have shown that human courage is worthy of facing it."
Poseidon bowed in respect.
"Until we meet again, Custodes Realitatis."
With a gentle rumble, Poseidon returned to the depths of the Sea of Time. The slow currents carried his name back into legend, as if the entire ocean trembled in his honor, each wave a prayer of gratitude from the creatures hidden in the depths.
Jeanne and Joanna stood together on the quiet shore, sensing a presence greater than themselves surrounding them. The soft sound of the waves was like a lullaby, soothing their minds and souls.
"We have chosen a difficult world," Joanna said with determination, implying an understanding that their choice carried great responsibility.
"But it is a world worth fighting for," Jeanne replied.
The clear sky reflected the colors of the water.
Not because the possibility was locked away,
but because two hearts chose to believe in the future.
In the distance, the shimmering ripples created shadows that seemed to dance under the moonlight, holding secrets yet to be revealed. The gentle sound of the waves approached, filling the air with a sense of nostalgia, while the aroma of salt and warmth embraced them like an old blanket.
The sky had calmed. The Sea of Time once again reflected the moonlight.
Jeanne and Joanna sat on a large rock by the seaside, their feet submerged in the now warm water, enveloped by the comfort of familiarity and the embrace of their journey.
Gently, Jeanne felt Joanna's heartbeat in her lap, as if she were listening to the rhythm of life flowing between them. They knew that every passing second was a choice leading them toward an unpredictable destiny.
Joanna lay on her sister's lap, her long hair cascading down, still wet from the splashes of time, evoking memories of carefree childhood moments imbued with the magic of their shared journey.
Amidst the tranquil night, the wind whispered, reminding them of the limitless potential that two souls might possess when they dare to choose their own paths.
"I thought we were going to drown over there earlier," Joanna murmured, half-joking.
"I did too," Jeanne replied with a soft smile. "But I trust you. Always."
Joanna sighed, her eyes gazing at the stars, as if her gaze held the hope and longing to explore the undisclosed destiny ahead. Above them, the sky shimmered with light that seemed to come from another realm, the stars swirling as if dancing atop the dark ocean. The scent of salt and mystery hung in the air, a reminder of the magic enveloping them.
"We just faced the rulers of the ocean and time.
Sometimes I forget we're still human."
Jeanne let out a small laughter. "But that's what it means to be human. We know we can lose, yet we still choose to fight." Around them, the waves sparkled in the moonlight, as if offering support for the choices they had made.
The sound of the waves filled their silence, flowing like an old song only the two of them understood, bringing back memories of the journey they had traveled. In the ebb and flow of the waves, possibilities and realities lay waiting to be grasped, as if promising a better future.
Joanna held Jeanne's hand.
"Thank you for not choosing the easy path, sister." Thin clouds drifted by, seemingly listening to their words, adding grace to the night with a silence full of hope.
"I choose to be with us. A tough world. But a world we chose for ourselves." Jeanne kissed her sister's forehead, that small moment felt like a promise etched forever. As they shared this moment, a gentle light illuminated their faces, signaling that the choices they made had changed everything.
Under that night sky, they were not Custodes Realitatis.
They were simply Jeanne and Joanna—two sisters who chose to walk together, no matter the challenges. In the deep silence, they felt the strength of choice, which never ceased even as waves of challenges kept crashing in.