The wind at the Wind Shrine had quieted.
The once howling gusts now only whispered softly, as if bowing to their presence.
Yet, behind this tranquility, a new threat lurked.
Fitran lowered his gaze, gripping his trembling side.
Within him, the Voidwright and Astral Theorist clashed… quaking uncontrollably.
Since defeating The Inheritor and harnessing the power of World Fraction, Fitran's abilities had transcended the limits of human capacity.
His body began to crack from within,
not due to physical wounds, but rather from the existential discord that tormented him. The Void and Astral battled with every breath he took, creating a terrifying wave of convulsions.
Amidst this turmoil, within the silence, a ritualistic chant began to resonate in the air; a beautiful melody that could only be heard by souls bound in the void. Rinoa knew it could not be ignored.
Each note seemed to permeate the essence of their being, awakening memories from forgotten times, when Pactum Harmoniae was woven in the soft glow of starlight. "If we step into the Center Stones without addressing this... Fitran will fall before their fate is sealed."
Under the majestic stones of Wind Shrine, Rinoa closed her eyes, attempting to concentrate the energy flowing within her.
The four goddess spirits from Aegis of Amentet stood gracefully by her sides, each radiating an aura that was captivating and full of mystery.
As if responding to a call in the silence, a gentle light emanated from Rinoa's hands, glowing like morning dew touching the leaves, forming a shimmering symbol in the air, a sign known as the soul binding. "I need your help."
"I want to create a new seal.
Not to restrict Fitran's will,
but so he can consciously choose his power."
Isis spoke first:
"This is not a restrictive seal, but a binding of will.
A contract between power and choice."
Nephthys:
"The risks are severe.
If Fitran hesitates even for a moment, that powerful energy will rebel against him more fiercely than ever before, leading to devastating consequences.
With a throbbing heartbeat, everyone present felt the presence of an invisible energy flowing in the air, as if time slowed and the world trembled on the brink of uncertainty. In the tense silence, each breath became an unspoken prayer; hope and fear intertwined, filling the narrow air that stretched like thick fog.
As the surrounding sounds deepened, every whispering breeze seemed to confide intimately with the participants, reminding them of the heavy burden they would bear. The flash of starlight illuminating the night acted as a silent witness, awaiting a decision that would shake the world as the agreement took form.
With steady strides, he stepped forward, the aura of pure power flowing from each footstep vibrating through the stillness of the night. Within him, waves of energy gathered, ready to create synergy with the strength of his allies in the sacred ritual that had long been prepared. Courage enveloped them like a protective shroud, fueling their spirit to challenge the fate full of uncertainty.
Rinoa drew a magical circle on the ground, precisely in the center of the magnificent and enchanting Wind Shrine stone circle. This circle was not merely based on ordinary elements; it was a complex combination of Proto-Speech, Aegis of Amentet, and Voidwright patterns—all united with a single purpose: the harmony of power and will.
Surrounding the circle were powerful symbols carved into the ground:
➤ Pax Voluntatis — Peace of Will, a symbol radiating tranquility.
➤ Memoria Vera — True Memory, which rekindles forgotten recollections.
➤ Nexus Auroram — Convergence of Light and Darkness, where two forces interact.
➤ Libertas Potentia — Freedom of Power that flows without limits.
In the center of the circle was engraved the name of the seal they were about to create:
"Pactum Harmoniae."
The Pact of Harmony.
Fitran stood in the center of the circle, his body trembling, his veins pulsating with tension. He felt the surge of spirit flowing from every corner, waiting for the right moment to embark on a journey that would change everything.
In the silence that enveloped them, each heartbeat resonated in harmony with the universe, creating a delicate interplay between arcana and desire. The light illuminating the circle seemed to vibrate, as if seeking a new formation in the dance of light and shadow. Each aura of the Goddesses present added certainty, like stars twinkling to guide the way through the dark night.
"I don't want you to take this risk."
Rinoa looked at him firmly.
"I am not taking a risk. I am fulfilling my promise."
Rinoa's voice, calm yet resolute, trembled like a gentle wave in a stormy sea. With every word spoken, a magical dew enveloped them, enhancing the power of the ritual about to unfold. As the four Goddesses formed seals at the four corners, their energies united and danced, ready to guide the universe toward the long-awaited covenant.
"If you break before we reach Gamma,
all the answers we seek will be in vain."
The four goddesses stood at the corners of the circle.
The wind began to swirl again—not violently, but gently, as a witness to this critical moment.
Binding Magic — Pactum Harmoniae
Isis raised her right hand, and with a gentle motion, a golden aura began to envelop the sky around them. "I grant the foundation of life and magic.
The Voidwright and the Astral shall not collide,
but will rotate around Fitran's will."
In the silence that hung in the air, every word spoken by Isis flowed with an ancient power that resonated in the atmosphere, creating vibrations that ignited myriad assumptions and hopes. The light emanating from her hands adorned the night sky, depicting a bridge between the mortal and the mystical, reminding all present that behind each choice made, lies hidden implications that are often unexpected and can alter the course of fate.
Nephthys:
"I grant the protection of the soul.
When doubt arises, this seal will remind Fitran of who he is."
With a gentle tone, Nephthys's shadow enveloped Fitran, forming an invisible barrier that deflected every doubt and worry. A wispy fog filled with hope flowed around them, like golden threads connecting souls, reviving memories of their true purpose often forgotten amid the chaos of the world.
Selket:
"I provide the antidote for every wound of magical consequence.
No power comes without a cost, but not all prices must be paid with suffering."
As if responding to the mysterious whispers of the night, the magical energy from Selket radiated a shimmering light like a shooting star, creating a protective web that was gentle yet strong, enveloping them in harmony between reward and profound sacrifice. In that magical serenity, each god poured their hopes wholeheartedly, aspiring to make Fitran not just a successor, but also a guardian of the waning light in their world.
Neith:
"I grant the flexible threads of fate.
They will no longer be rewritten by others.
Only Fitran's will has the right to alter them."
Amazing light enveloped the circle.
Voidwright and Astral Theorist, within Fitran's body, reacted intensely, like creatures sensing a threat to their freedom, vibrating with exhilarating intensity.
Fitran fell to his knees.
"I do not want to limit myself…"
Moved by profound fear, Fitran's voice created ripples in the souls present, echoing vibrations potent enough to shake dimensions. With two conflicting worlds surging within him, he realized that the emergence of that voice marked the beginning of a long, challenging journey—one that he needed to consider from multiple perspectives.
Rinoa knelt beside him.
"This is not a limitation. This is freedom.
You have the right to choose when you are strong,
and when you need to stop so that I can support you."
Like a guiding star in the midst of darkness, Rinoa gently touched Fitran's shoulder, bringing forth an immeasurable strength in her sincere touch. In the charged atmosphere, both understood that this ritual was not merely about consent; it was about a profound commitment to support one another, united in awareness and making the highest decisions that would shape their shared destinies.
The Pactum Harmoniae symbol burned on Fitran's chest, emanating a swirling blue and purple light, creating a mesmerizing dance of illumination.
Voidwright created an elegant black-and-gold line down the left side of his body, adding an air of mystery to his figure.
Astral Theorist formed a sparkling star pattern on the right side, as if the night sky had seeped into him.
As if the wind whispered through the enclosed space, carrying the magical aroma of a journey recycling unparalleled power, it created an atmosphere filled with hope and wonder.
At the center of his chest, the Nexus seal of Pactum Harmoniae throbbed as a point of balance, radiating unmatched energy.
The gentle sunlight streaming from the Wind Shrine roof reflects warm hues, comforting the explorers and offering support as they face lurking uncertainties.
Suddenly, the ground trembled violently, shattering the tranquility that had been so carefully anticipated amidst the gathered energies.
The wind tunnels beneath the Wind Shrine resonate with the seal that has been created, producing vibrations that fill every corner with energy.
The echoes of ancient rites rise high, seemingly demanding answers from the souls connected to this eternal power, resounding with undeniable force.
A timeless voice reverberates from the stones, vibrating the space with age-old questions:
"Who has the right to reshape the forces of the world?"
Fitran and Rinoa exclaimed in unison:
"We do not come to be masters of power.
We come to be the determiners of our own will."
The wind stilled.
Voidwright and Astral Theorist no longer resisted, ceasing their struggle against the currents of time and flowing energy.
They enveloped Fitran's will like two celestial orbits, safeguarding their center and enhancing the determination and focus of the mission they bore with great seriousness.
A circle of light vibrated around them, radiating shimmering energy that intertwined upper and lower forces, unifying all dreams and hopes into a magnificent whole.
Pactum Harmoniae succeeded.
Effects of Pactum Harmoniae: Sovereign Nexus
➤ Astral-Null Equilibrium — Allows Fitran to access both Voidwright and Astral Theorist simultaneously, eliminating any potential existential conflicts.
➤ Volition Override — If Fitran loses consciousness, the seal will delay the activation of extreme powers, protecting the emptiness of his soul and the resilience of his body.
➤ Rinoa's Anchor — If Fitran's will faces turmoil, Rinoa can act as an existential anchor, preventing the power from rebelling and straying from its path.
Each element in the Pactum Harmoniae resonates in a harmonious symphony, flowing into their souls like a gentle, soothing current. Mystical energy envelops the space, creating waves of light that dance gracefully around them, forming invisible threads that connect their every thought and emotion. In a moment filled with joyous emotion, the presence of the Voidwright and Astral Theorist seems to sing an ancient song, hinting at the long journey they have walked together.
Fitran stood slowly.
The seal on his chest glowed softly, emanating a calm light that enveloped his surroundings.
His face was now free from the shadows of suffering, lifted by the light of hope.
For the first time since Thaer'Zhulith, he felt true harmony blossoming within him.
"We are united, forever bound by this sacred ritual," whispered a gentle voice from the depths of the void, a metaphysical resonance flowing through his heartbeat like an ancient melody, instilling a sense of timeless connection. In that grand unification, he felt Rinoa's steadfast presence by his side, serving as a pillar of strength and unwavering hope, guiding him through the pervasive darkness that had once consumed him.
Rinoa looked at him with eyes full of conviction.
"You are not alone anymore when wielding that power."
Fitran held her hand tightly, as if reinforcing the unbreakable bond between them.
"And you are not alone in supporting it."
The wind at the Wind Shrine flowed gently, like the whisper of hope promising a brighter future to come, filling the space around them with uplifting energy and refreshing clarity. They felt the ancient energy enveloping them, as if history and destiny united in this transformative moment, creating a soft glow around their bodies that illuminated the path toward an unwritten future, depicting the infinite possibilities that lie ahead.
In the distance, the path to the Center Stones vibrates with life—opening up.
Tied by the Pactum Harmoniae,
with powers they have now chosen together,
Fitran and Rinoa step confidently toward the inner circle of the Stones.
In the profound silence, the rumble of the universe resonates around them, singing songs of unity that make their souls tremble. Each step they take feels as if the roots of life are extending deep into the earth, connecting them not just as individuals, but as part of the heart of life that flows. In this place, every being contributes to the overall harmony, creating an inseparable symphony.
Before them lies not just a journey toward Gamma,
but the beginning of a new cosmology that they will write themselves—a story woven from their dreams and hopes.
"Not a world that is inherited."
"A world that is chosen."