The Grand Archives of the Primordial Academy stood as an ancient monument of knowledge, its towering bookshelves stretching beyond sight, each tome a record of forgotten ages, celestial discoveries, and the chronicles of Primes who had shaped history. It was here, in this vast and sacred chamber, that the first-year students had gathered, seated in silent reverence as Instructor Lysandra, Keeper of Lores, prepared to impart the foundational knowledge of their path.
Lysandra was a figure of ethereal grace, her robes woven with threads that shimmered between silver and midnight blue, a reflection of the celestial bodies she served. Her presence alone commanded silence, her gaze sweeping across the assembled students, lingering momentarily on a few before settling into an impassive demeanor. Then, with a single gesture, she began.
"The Way of Primes is not merely a path of power," she intoned, her voice carrying the weight of centuries of wisdom. "It is a journey of self-discovery, a sacred alignment between oneself and the cosmos. Many seek strength without understanding its source, but here, you will learn the truth—the Prime exists to resonate with the universe, to become one with its boundless light."
A soft hum filled the air as celestial energy wove through the space, responding to her words. The students listened intently, their expressions ranging from awe to deep contemplation. Even the typically aloof Dawn seemed drawn in, his fingers absently tracing patterns on the polished wood of the table before him.
Celestial Awakening: The First Step
"To be Prime is to awaken," Lysandra continued. "Before one wields power, one must first recognize it. Each of you carries within you a slumbering light—your Celestial Awakening is the moment you perceive it."
A murmur rippled through the room. Some students exchanged uncertain glances, while others nodded, their past experiences in the Trial of Origin suddenly gaining new meaning.
Lysandra smiled slightly, as if anticipating their thoughts. "Your trial within the darkness was no mere test. It was your first step toward awakening. In that void, you faced only yourself—your doubts, your fears, your truths. And in recognizing yourself, you began to perceive the light within."
Gary leaned forward, intrigued. "So, is this light the source of our power?"
"Not quite," Lysandra replied. "The light is your potential. A spark. But potential is meaningless without refinement."
Celestial Resonance: The Second Step
"This leads us to the next stage—Celestial Resonance. A Prime must not only awaken but also attune."
She gestured toward an ancient scroll, and with a flick of her fingers, it unraveled mid-air, displaying intricate diagrams of humanoid figures etched with radiant markings.
"The Mark," she explained, "is the key to channeling celestial power. It is both conduit and anchor. Without it, your light is formless, scattered like dust in the wind."
A student raised a hand hesitantly. "How do we acquire a Mark?"
Lysandra's gaze sharpened. "Through the Obelisks of Archeon. These ancient structures, older than the Academy itself, hold the knowledge of celestial attunement. Each Prime must carve their own Mark into their being through the obelisk's guidance, forging a connection to either Solara, Lunara, or the stars."
Cedric, the brute of the class, scoffed. "And what if we fail?"
Lysandra's eyes flickered with something unreadable. "Then you remain unshaped. And an unshaped Prime is a Prime unworthy of power."
A cold silence followed. Dawn, listening quietly, tightened his fingers into a fist. The notion of shaping oneself through forceful carving struck a nerve, but he remained unreadable, simply absorbing every word.
Celestial Bond: The Third Step
"The third stage," Lysandra continued after a pause, "is the forging of a Celestial Bond."
This time, a ripple of excitement passed through the students. Stories of Drifters—mysterious celestial beings that wandered the cosmos—were legendary. The idea that they could forge a pact with such entities was both exhilarating and terrifying.
"Drifters are not mere tools," Lysandra warned. "They are sentient, and they choose their hosts as much as you choose them. When a Prime reaches a certain level of attunement, a Drifter may take interest. The bond is a contract—one that alters the Mark permanently, evolving its power and potential."
Gary's brows furrowed. "And if one fails to form a bond?"
"Then your journey stagnates," she answered simply. "Without a Celestial Bond, progression beyond mere attunement is impossible. You remain limited to the light you wield alone, never reaching beyond yourself."
A heavy weight settled upon the room. The students were beginning to grasp the gravity of the path they had embarked upon. Power was not freely given—it had to be cultivated, earned, and understood.
The Obscured Path Beyond
Lysandra finally stepped back, allowing the tension to settle before delivering her final words.
"There are steps beyond these," she admitted. "The true path of the Prime stretches far beyond mere awakening, resonance, and bonding. There are whispers of greater ascensions—of those who have transcended into celestial beings themselves, of those who have achieved such resonance that they can alter the very fabric of reality. But such knowledge is not given to fledglings. For now, you must concern yourselves only with these first three steps."
The room was silent. Each student sat immersed in their own thoughts, processing the enormity of what lay ahead.
Dawn, for his part, remained still. The notion of awakening, of shaping oneself, of forming bonds with celestial beings—it was a structured path, one that required discipline and acceptance. Yet, deep inside, he couldn't help but feel that his path was different. That something about him did not fit within this neatly defined progression.
And unbeknownst to all but one hidden observer, his thoughts were not misplaced.
---
The Grand Instructor, from his unseen vantage point, observed the students with keen interest. As Lysandra's lecture concluded, his gaze rested on Dawn for a fraction longer than the others.
"Voud Radiance," he mused under his breath, recalling the phenomenon he had witnessed during Dawn's Trial of Origin.
He had watched many students rise and fall, seen countless awakenings. But this one…
This one was different.
For the first time in decades, the Grand Instructor felt something unfamiliar—an uncertainty that sent a shiver through his otherwise unwavering certainty.
Dawn's path was not one he could predict.
And that, above all, made him dangerous.
---
(End of Chapter)