Nexus Equilibria
One hundred years since the Circle of the Initial Oath
Jeanne and Joanna have completely withdrawn from active leadership.
They have become Custodes Emeritus, merely supervising without making decisions. In the vast chamber adorned with symbols of power, an aura of emptiness envelops them, mirroring the once-dominant strength of their roles. In contemplative silence, Jeanne often recalls how they wielded authority with utmost caution, while Joanna cannot resist the urge to plunge back into the tumultuous world of challenging politics, longing for the tense times when their decisions had a tangible impact on society and the lives of the people they served.
The fourth generation now leads.
Caelith Valtheris — High Continuum Warden, descendant of Kaedros Valtheris. He stands tall, his gaze reflecting a burning determination. However, beneath his calm demeanor lies a deep anxiety about the immense responsibility he bears. "We cannot repeat the mistakes of the past," he murmurs to himself as he contemplates the history of the older generations.
Elyndra Olith — Flux Architect Prime, great-granddaughter of Laevrin Olith. With a sharp intellect and wild imagination, Elyndra envisions new possibilities waiting to be explored. Often, she finds herself lost in thought, debating with the voices in her mind about the risks posed by innovation.
Miriel Caereth — Equilibris Mediator, granddaughter of Mira Caereth. She felt every gust of wind as a call of the soul. "Our duty is not only to maintain balance," she said to Caelith and Elyndra as they gathered in the dim light, "but also to choose a bold path without losing the essence of what has been built." Her internal peace was threatened by the uncertainty that began to shroud their power.
However, the harmony that Jeanne and Joanna had maintained for decades was beginning to fray.
Caelith Valtheris proposed the Doctrine of Immutable Concord:
"We have given change too much space."
"Now, to preserve free will, we must strategically limit possibilities to ensure that stability is not disturbed, while still acknowledging that the desire to change and adapt is an integral part of human nature that must be protected."
In the corner of the meeting room, surrounded by soft light, the ancient stone walls seemed to listen intently, reflecting the tension felt by all present. Every face bore the weight of past experiences, of changes that brought confusion and loss. The distance between them was not only physical—it was the distance between trust and fear.
The main principle of this doctrine:
Only well-tested changes should be given space in reality.
Miriel's voice added weight to the conversation. Occasionally, she diverted her gaze to the window, as if trying to find answers among the twinkling stars. Her thoughts drifted to moments when stability felt whole and complete; when everyone lived without the anxiety that now haunted them. But she now knew that to create new hope, risks must be taken.
New probability experiments must be approved by the Council of Timewardens.
Stability is a lasting freedom, as the decisions made today not only impact the present but also shape a more harmonious and balanced future, creating a legacy for generations to come.
In a brief moment of reflection, Elyndra felt that their choices could determine the lives of thousands. In her heart, she prayed that the strength for righteous leadership remained present in every decision made. She envisioned the impact of all the steps taken today, each detail contributing to a larger cosmic scheme, one that could restore the balance that had been lost.
"If we do not guide the future,
we betray our oath."
Elyndra's voice soared, filled with a burning passion that resonated in the souls of every listener. She wholeheartedly appreciated the sacrifices made by her predecessors, understanding that they had fought not only for today but also for the generations to come who depended on the weight of their decisions. Were they brave enough to trust in change and confront their deepest fears, or would they become ensnared in a web of anxiety and stagnation that threatened to unravel the very fabric of their choices?
Elyndra Olith led the Fluxguardians faction with the Doctrine of Evolutionary Liberty:
"The Continuum begins to repeat the mistakes of the old Saints who feared losing control."
The main principle of this doctrine:
Every individual has the right to create new possibilities without absolute oversight.
The society under the Fluxguardians has witnessed many changes that urge them to break old boundaries, and there is something almost magnetic in the air, as if every soul hears the call to action.
Change unbound by protocols will give birth to true innovation.
In often heated discussions, leaders regarded each other with a simmering tension; some spoke with conviction, while others remained silent, trapped in doubt about the consequences of bold steps.
Overstability is a slow prison.
Some refer to stability as security; however, Elyndra always reminds them that fear can hide within silence. "If we limit change for the sake of order,
we have killed the meaning of free will." Her voice resonates in the hearts of the listeners, planting the idea like a seed waiting to grow in their minds—when she speaks, there is a conviction that is hard to ignore.
Miriel Caereth seeks to establish the Doctrine of Reflective Balance: "Continuum and Change are two sides that balance each other,
not control each other." Beneath her smile, Miriel harbors her own doubts; she often wonders if a balanced world is truly possible without sacrificing something essential.
She proposed the Council Equilibris as a joint institution designed to govern the ongoing dialogue between the two factions, ensuring that open and transparent discussions are prioritized to produce fair and balanced decisions that reflect the diverse perspectives of their society.
A joint veto right was proposed to prevent any faction from imposing unilateral decisions. In the midst of escalating tensions, the atmosphere in Sanctum Aristeia felt heavy with uncertainty. Each meeting participant could sense their heartbeats, as if time slowed down with the utterance of this proposal. However, this suggestion was only supported by a small fraction of the Oathbearers.
Miriel, standing in a corner of the room, stared at the crowd, her heart trembling with fear over the consequences of the decisions that could be made. "They are too fixated on their own principles," Miriel whispered. She remembered the past when beautiful ideas about unity once inspired her. "I'm afraid the split is now unavoidable." Her words lingered in the air, heavy with implication.
Miriel, standing in the corner of the room, anxiously watched the crowd, her heart trembling with fear over the consequences of the decisions that might be made. "They are too focused on their own principles," Miriel whispered, longing for the past when beautiful ideas about unity filled her mind and lifted her spirits. "I fear that division is now unavoidable." Her words hung in the air, heavy with the burden of hope to rediscover the connections they once shared. "I thought we had more time," Jeanne said, her voice bitter, as if it were a painful confession from deep within her heart. She envisioned the beautiful moments spent with her friends before all of this, when the world felt more whole. "We always knew this would come.
They love the world in their own way.
And love... led them down their own paths." Joanna bowed her head, wrestling with profound sadness, aware that sometimes love can indeed separate. "Should we intervene?" It was a difficult question, one caught between the ties of the heart and moral responsibility. In both of their minds, images of the future swirled with the decision they faced. Jeanne seemed to hear whispers from within her soul, a voice reminding her of the values passed down, a call of blood urging her to act.
"No, sister. We promised first.
The new generation must choose their own path."
Jeanne clasped her sister's hand, recalling the completeness of the promise they made under the full moonlight when their hopes and dreams were still pure. Gently, she awaited Joanna's reaction, anxious that their trust might begin to waver.
"I just hope their choices honor the meaning of our first oath."
Three months after the failure of the Doctrine of Reflective Balance.
Anxiety enveloped them like a shroud of night, making the palpable silence feel unbearably heavy and suffocating. Jeanne could sense the heartbeat of time, each passing second serving as a stark reminder of just how fragile the balance they had meticulously maintained truly was.
Three months after the failure of the Doctrine of Reflective Balance.
The Timewardens declared the establishment of a new institution:
"Continuum Concordia Stones."
"We will safeguard stability and continuity,
protecting the threads of time from dangerous changes."
Beneath those words lay a simmering tension; Jeanne couldn't shake the feeling that there was an unspoken thirst for power lurking beneath the surface. She was struck by how each decision felt like a significant gamble, where stability was merely one side of a complex coin, balancing the price of certainty against the cost of progress.
The Fluxguardians responded with a declaration:
"Arkanum Veritas."
"We will pursue truth through change,
fighting against stagnation that betrays true freedom."
Each phrase seemed to be inscribed with fiery ink, and Jeanne could feel dissatisfaction coursing between them. It was a battle of ideas amidst overwhelming uncertainty, as if the nebula of the future stretched wide before them.
Nexus Equilibria split into two spheres of influence.
Jeanne and Joanna could only watch as the seeds of separation finally grew into a sprawling tree, its branches dividing their once-unified vision into disparate paths.
That night, in the silence that gripped their hearts, Jeanne and Joanna returned to their childhood room in the Sanctum.
They slipped into their old pajamas.
It felt just like before all of this began. Yet, the heavy shadow of the conflict raging outside loomed like an inescapable fog.
Joanna hugged a large pillow, relishing the comfort that seemed to remind her of carefree times. Jeanne sat beside her, her hands folded, struggling to contain the rush of emotions that continued to surge.
"I think... this is the end," Joanna whispered, her voice hoarse, as if trying to hold back tears.
"Have we done our best?"
"It's not the end, Joan.
It's merely a continuation of our choices.
They have chosen their path," Jeanne replied calmly, even though her heart trembled. She kept her gaze fixed outside the window, sensing the rumble of uncertainty lurking behind the beauty of the night.
"Have they forgotten us, sis?" Joanna asked, her doubts clearly etched on her face, like dark clouds approaching the sky.
Jeanne offered a sad smile, yet that smile also reflected a glimmer of hope. She wanted to reassure her sister that they were still bound by an invisible thread, even though this new world was pushing them apart.
"They haven't forgotten us.
"They haven't forgotten us. They are just trying to understand what choice means in their own time and context." She felt the immense weight of her responsibility to remind Joanna of the strength they had once possessed, even as the certainty of their future seemed to slip through their fingers. "We must have faith, Joan. We are part of a larger story that continues to unfold.
"And if one day they truly forget..."
Joanna pointed to the window, toward the glowing Nexus, feeling the magical vibration that enveloped the space. In her heart, the desire for them to remember ran deep, like a river that never stops flowing. She recalled the words of their ancestors, lessons that might have been forgotten: "Remember, change comes not only with the wind, but also through united hearts."
"Excalibur will call them to remember, embracing them back into the fold of history that has shaped our identity."
"As the Lady of the Lake once said."
Under the soft light of Nexus, they gazed at each other, feeling the weight of responsibility that lay ahead. Both understood that their bond was not only forged by blood but also interconnected through their shared dreams and hopes.
They embraced one another.
Not as leaders.
But as siblings.
"I'm with you, Jo. Always."
"Me too, brother."
At Nexus, the Stones began constructing pillars of stability, laying a solid foundation while sensing the tension in the air, as if each stone represented a blend of hope and fear. Arkanum Veritas erected towers of change, rising high as if challenging fate, striving to tell the story of an unwritten future.
They both claimed to inherit the oath of Jeanne and Joanna.
But they also overlooked an essential part:
that the oath was born from dialogue, not domination.
Excalibur continues to shine brightly in the heart of Nexus Equilibria, a beacon of hope and connection.
It stood neutral.
Simply waiting for a new generation to listen once more.