The evening sun cast a dim, golden glow over the Primordial Academy, and within the Grand Archives, Dawn found himself hunched over the Codex of Ascended Forms. The weight of the book in his hands was not just physical, but symbolic. It held the answers to the next step in his journey, a step that would determine the trajectory of his existence. As he opened the book, its pages seemed to shimmer with an ethereal glow, as if each word was pulsing with hidden knowledge. This was no ordinary text. The book was a key—a key to unlocking the next phase of his transformation.
Dawn turned the pages carefully, skimming over the ancient script. His fingers traced the delicate parchment, absorbing the knowledge contained within. The information, though cryptic in some parts, was unmistakably clear. The first requirement for the transition from Mortal Shell to Resonant Layer was simple, yet profound: a HALO.
It was not just any halo, though. The halo was a manifestation of one's connection to the primal forces that governed the universe, and its presence marked the first step on the path to resonance. A Mortal Shell, like Dawn, could only take this step if they had already manifested their first halo. For most students, this was an inevitable part of their training. For Dawn, however, this step had come with a heavy sense of uncertainty.
His halo was unlike any other. It was a faint, almost invisible glow—barely perceptible, but vast in its presence. It didn't radiate the same brilliant light as the halos of others. Instead, it was like a subtle distortion in the air, bending the space around him in ways that no one had fully understood. Even the Grand Instructor had taken note of it, though he said little about it.
The Codex, however, revealed that a halo was just the beginning. Dawn read on, his eyes narrowing as he absorbed the next crucial requirement: a place where natural energies existed in abundance and harmony. The resonance of these energies would be crucial to the next step. This was the second requirement: a location where the primal forces of nature were in perfect balance. The Codex didn't provide specifics on where such a place might be found. Instead, it offered clues.
The final piece of the puzzle was a Resonant Crystal. The book explained that these rare crystals were capable of amplifying the natural resonance of one's Primal Origin Light, enabling the user to channel it more effectively. Without the crystal, the process was prone to failure, and there was no guarantee of success. For Dawn, this was both a warning and a challenge. His path would not be an easy one. Failure could mean the end of his journey—or worse, the complete unraveling of his existence.
"Dawn?" Ingrid's voice broke through his concentration. He looked up from the book, meeting her gaze. She stood beside him, her expression thoughtful.
"I think we have our next move," he said, closing the Codex and setting it down on the table. "But it's not going to be easy."
Gary, who had been leaning against a nearby shelf, straightened up. "What do you mean?" His voice was laced with curiosity, though he could see the seriousness in Dawn's eyes.
"The next step involves the Resonant Layer," Dawn explained. "We need to find a place where natural energies exist in abundance and harmony, and there's a Resonant Crystal there. But there's no guarantee of success. The process could fail, and we might not come back the same way we went in."
Ingrid raised an eyebrow. "So, what's our plan?"
Dawn met her gaze, his expression steely. "We need to find that place. It's called Verdant Echoes, a waterfall hidden deep in the ancient forests of the East. It's said that the energies there are unlike anything else. The problem is, it's dangerous—untouched by most people for a reason."
Gary crossed his arms, his eyes flickering with a hint of excitement. "Sounds like a challenge."
"It's not just a challenge," Dawn said. "It's a trial. If we fail, we could end up losing everything. The Primal Origin Light could devour us, or worse, we could be left in a state worse than death."
Ingrid frowned. "You've done your research, haven't you?"
Dawn nodded. "I've found what I could. The rest is up to us."
The three of them stood there in silence for a moment, the weight of their decision hanging heavily in the air. Gary was the first to break it.
"Verdant Echoes, huh?" he said, a grin spreading across his face. "Sounds like a place that's worth the risk."
Dawn's lips curled into a faint smile. "It won't be easy. But I believe we can do it. Together."
Ingrid nodded. "Then it's settled. We'll leave tomorrow."
Gary's gaze lingered on Dawn for a moment. "You're sure about this?"
Dawn's expression softened. "No one's ever sure. But I have to try. We have to try."
The plan was set. The following morning, the three of them gathered their supplies and made their way out of the academy. They knew the journey would be long and dangerous, but there was no turning back now. The road ahead would test their will, their strength, and their resolve.
As they left the gates of the academy, Dawn's thoughts drifted back to the hidden chambers beneath the Grand Archives. The place where he had met the mysterious figure who had given him the book. He had never fully understood the significance of the chamber, but he knew one thing for certain: it was more than just a secret room.
It was a legacy.
Dawn's mind wandered back to the first time he had explored the hidden passageways beneath the academy. The chambers had been built by the generations of students who had come before him, each leaving their own mark on the academy. It was a tradition—each class of students would add something to the legacy, a personal contribution that would be passed down through the ages.
Dawn had stumbled upon the room by accident. It had been an unexpected discovery, one that had set him on his current path. The hidden chamber was a testament to the academy's long history, a reminder that the students who had come before him had left something valuable behind. Now, it was his turn to add to that legacy.
As they made their way toward the hidden forest, Dawn couldn't help but wonder what kind of legacy he would leave behind. Would it be one of triumph, or one of failure? Only time would tell.
But for now, there was no turning back.