Daybreak:Volume 3 Chapter 16 - Revision history

Aorii at 19:32, 24 February 2022

2022-02-24T19:32:59Z

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	"Good morning." Kaede replied as she suppressed the contagious yawn. "Couldn't sleep. Figured I might as well come out to enjoy the scenery."		"Good morning." Kaede replied as she suppressed the contagious yawn. "Couldn't sleep. Figured I might as well come out to enjoy the scenery."

	A third ~~man~~ then gave a brief nod of courtesy to Kaede. ~~His~~ cerulean blue cloak revealed ~~his~~ status as an Oriflamme Armiger, which meant that ~~his~~ rank was at least equal to that of Kaede's. ~~His~~ reason for being here was apparent as the fourth figure was none other than ~~his~~ charge.		The third individual -- a stoic, middle-aged woman -- then gave a brief nod of courtesy to Kaede. Her cerulean blue cloak revealed her status as an Oriflamme Armiger, which meant that her rank was at least equal to that of Kaede's. Her reason for being here was apparent as the fourth figure was none other than her charge.

	Vivienne's eyes were still closed as she played the viol in her hands. Her instrument had a body made of transparent crystal. Its hollow interior glowed with faint hues of blue and purple light that shifted as she pulled a bow across its strings. The viol was clearly a magical instrument that served to amplify her music -- a soothing melody reminiscent of a lullaby which drifted across the entire camp.		Vivienne's eyes were still closed as she played the viol in her hands. Her instrument had a body made of transparent crystal. Its hollow interior glowed with faint hues of blue and purple light that shifted as she pulled a bow across its strings. The viol was clearly a magical instrument that served to amplify her music -- a soothing melody reminiscent of a lullaby which drifted across the entire camp.

Aorii at 03:38, 13 February 2022

2022-02-13T03:38:26Z

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	Gwen stopped next to an old, towering oak tree on the slopes as she turned to face Kaede with a gentle, moonlit smile:		Gwen stopped next to an old, towering oak tree on the slopes as she turned to face Kaede with a gentle, moonlit smile:

	"I have one piece of advice for you, Miss Familiar." She spoke in lightly-accented Imperial this time. "If you truly wish to render the world a better place, then cherish your time and do all that you can ~~in the coming years~~. Because if my guess about your master is correct, then you will surely have a major role to play in the coming decades at his side."		"I have one piece of advice for you, Miss Familiar." She spoke in lightly-accented Imperial this time. "If you truly wish to render the world a better place, then cherish your time and do all that you can now. Because if my guess about your master is correct, then you will surely have a major role to play in the coming decades at his side."

	"What do you... why do you say that I should 'cherish my time' then?" Kaede stammered as she felt perplexed by the tonal shift. "And how long have you been watching us?"		"What do you... why do you say that I should 'cherish my time' then?" Kaede stammered as she felt perplexed by the tonal shift. "And how long have you been watching us?"
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	This was clearly not the first time.		This was clearly not the first time.

	"Your master and mistress lead the army that protects Ceredigion's interests~~, so of~~ course I've been observing for some time." Gwen explained as though it was obvious. "As for the former, ~~you'll understand as you grow older. Because~~ the ~~higher you rise~~ and ~~the more~~ influence ~~you accrue, the more your hands will~~ be ~~constrained by the rules of the existing power balance~~. And ~~once you~~ have ~~come as far as I have..~~."		"Your master and mistress lead the army that protects Ceredigion's interests. Of course I've been observing for some time." Gwen explained as though it was obvious. "As for the former... well, the relationship between power and influence can be contradictory. And those who think that 'if only they had more power, they would have more influence' often miss the complex reality."

	Gwen's smile turned wry as ~~she~~ grasped the oak tree with one hand. Her magical aura then flared into existence as she activated a silent spell.		Kaede frowned as not only others she knew -- such as her father -- but she herself was someone who often thought that.

			"The problem is that the higher in status you rise and the more power you accrue, the more your hands will also be constrained by the rules of the existing power balance." Gwen added as her smile turned wry. "Thus, despite having more influence, you also find it more difficult to ''wield'' said influence. And once you have come as far as I have..."

			The lady then grasped the oak tree with one hand. Her magical aura then flared into existence as she activated a silent spell.

	For a brief second, Kaede could see the woman's outline shimmering with power. It was magnitudes stronger than any mage she had ever met, and the familiar girl took a step back as her body tensed.		For a brief second, Kaede could see the woman's outline shimmering with power. It was magnitudes stronger than any mage she had ever met, and the familiar girl took a step back as her body tensed.

Aorii at 05:34, 3 February 2022

2022-02-03T05:34:13Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:34, 3 February 2022
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	Kaede raised her eyebrows. ''I hadn't even thought of it that way.''		Kaede raised her eyebrows. ''I hadn't even thought of it that way.''

	"I may come from unfortunate circumstances, but in other ways I was also really lucky," Vivienne added with a serene smile. "I was born with a rare magical talent, an affinity that many would love to have. I have been blessed by loving parents and educated by wise teachers ~~-- my former master spent a small fortune to purchase the crystal that I learned concordance magic from~~. I even summoned a phoenix, a feat that thousands dream of yet few could ever achieve. And now, I find myself in the innermost circle around the heiress of an Empire."		"I may come from unfortunate circumstances, but in other ways I was also really lucky," Vivienne added with a serene smile. "I was born with a rare magical talent, an affinity that many would love to have. I have been blessed with loving parents and educated by wise teachers. I even summoned a phoenix, a feat that thousands dream of yet few could ever achieve. And now, I find myself in the innermost circle around the heiress of an Empire."

	Vivienne then paused in her steps. She turned towards Kaede and stared into the Samaran's rose-quartz gaze:		Vivienne then paused in her steps. She turned towards Kaede and stared into the Samaran's rose-quartz gaze:

Aorii at 05:29, 3 February 2022

2022-02-03T05:29:50Z

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Aorii at 19:27, 19 December 2021

2021-12-19T19:27:47Z

Aorii at 17:27, 8 December 2021

2021-12-08T17:27:34Z

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Aorii at 01:36, 6 December 2021

2021-12-06T01:36:43Z

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Aorii: REDUX STARTS, FULL CLEAR

2021-11-20T20:42:33Z

REDUX STARTS, FULL CLEAR

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Aorii at 12:05, 15 April 2017

2017-04-15T12:05:51Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:05, 15 April 2017
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	Edith emerged from her tent as she finished tightening the straps to her breastplate.		Edith emerged from her tent as she finished tightening the straps to her breastplate.

	The sun's halo had just peaked over the horizon, its rays dyeing the skies a dawning red. A low morning mist still enshrouded the camp, and most of its soldiers either asleep or just waking up. But as the Saint marched between tents, she found the Knights Hospitaller of the ''~~Sword~~ Lily'' battalion already assembled in neat rows and waiting.		The sun's halo had just peaked over the horizon, its rays dyeing the skies a dawning red. A low morning mist still enshrouded the camp, and most of its soldiers either asleep or just waking up. But as the Saint marched between tents, she found the Knights Hospitaller of the ''Steel Lily'' battalion already assembled in neat rows and waiting.

	Despite being a paramilitary religious order and therefore not officially part of the army, the ''~~Sword~~ Lily'' was one of the most elite units in the Lotharin order of battle. In every engagement, Edith relied on them to hold the most critical junction in her front line. But after weeks of ferocious fighting, the battalion had been reduced from over two hundred sisters, to just twenty-nine.		Despite being a paramilitary religious order and therefore not officially part of the army, the ''Steel Lily'' was one of the most elite units in the Lotharin order of battle. In every engagement, Edith relied on them to hold the most critical junction in her front line. But after weeks of ferocious fighting, the battalion had been reduced from over two hundred sisters, to just twenty-nine.

	King Alistair had left Edith several royal armigers to help replenish her numbers. Yet in this most critical moment, Edith decided that she couldn't trust them. No, only her sword-sisters would watch her back in the coup today.		King Alistair had left Edith several royal armigers to help replenish her numbers. Yet in this most critical moment, Edith decided that she couldn't trust them. No, only her sword-sisters would watch her back in the coup today.
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	He had predefined the spell to target the 'containment core'. As trigger, all he had to do was read the inscribed name:		He had predefined the spell to target the 'containment core'. As trigger, all he had to do was read the inscribed name:

	''Catalyst Phalanx - Solar Initiation.''		"''Catalyst Phalanx - Solar Initiation.''"

	Pascal couldn't see the nucleus of the reaction, but he knew that fires hotter than anything on this world sparked within the tiny 'containment core' at the end of the fuel funnel. Both the black spheroid and translucent ''Condensation Field'' sphere trembled, a sign of the pulverizing forces that sought to rupture layers upon layers of magical containment. All that remained was for his ''Vector Shift'' barriers to widen the gap, and the chain 'strong force' reaction would spread like wildfire, detonating in a blast of raw energy several thousand times more potent than even the best ''Fireball''.		Pascal couldn't see the nucleus of the reaction, but he knew that fires hotter than anything on this world sparked within the tiny 'containment core' at the end of the fuel funnel. Both the black spheroid and translucent ''Condensation Field'' sphere trembled, a sign of the pulverizing forces that sought to rupture layers upon layers of magical containment. All that remained was for his ''Vector Shift'' barriers to widen the gap, and the chain 'strong force' reaction would spread like wildfire, detonating in a blast of raw energy several thousand times more potent than even the best ''Fireball''.
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	Bursts of light and heat had rushed out from cracks in the magical containment, unleashing focused beams of energy that either disintegrated or torched anything that they neared. Over a dozen of these plowed into the Lotharin lines, killing and igniting men where they stood.		Bursts of light and heat had rushed out from cracks in the magical containment, unleashing focused beams of energy that either disintegrated or torched anything that they neared. Over a dozen of these plowed into the Lotharin lines, killing and igniting men where they stood.

	Pascal had prepared the best he could for such an eventuality, but his troops near the epicenter had neither the time nor the ether to spare. Countless charred remains surrounded his former position, their bones shattered and flesh burned beyond recognition. Black, imprinted shadows also dotted the ground around them, where leaking rays of fusion energy simply vaporized the soldiers in formation. Even what remained of the ground and atmosphere had been set alight, with smoke and dust ~~still~~ burning over lanes of a blackened wasteland.		Pascal had prepared the best he could for such an eventuality, but his troops near the epicenter had neither the time nor the ether to spare. Countless charred remains surrounded his former position, their bones shattered and flesh burned beyond recognition. Black, imprinted shadows also dotted the ground around them, where leaking rays of fusion energy simply vaporized the soldiers in formation. Even what remained of the ground and atmosphere had been set alight, with smoke and dust burning over lanes of a blackened wasteland.

	It was as if Death himself had been summoned onto the battlefield.		It was as if Death himself had been summoned onto the battlefield.

Aorii at 14:35, 6 April 2017

2017-04-06T14:35:48Z

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← Older revision		Revision as of 19:27, 19 December 2021
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	"But in turn, you're also more vulnerable to hostile sorceries," Kaede realized. It was clear from Vivienne's tone that she viewed it as more of a curse than a gift.		"But in turn, you're also more vulnerable to hostile sorceries," Kaede realized. It was clear from Vivienne's tone that she viewed it as more of a curse than a gift.

	"Quite." the latter nodded. "A mage slave is rare enough. A mage faekissed slave was virtually guaranteed to be one-of-a-kind. I was marketed as a collectible and sold for quite a fortune, you should know," the Winterborn joked.		"Quite." the latter nodded. "A mage slave is rare enough. A mage faekissed slave was virtually guaranteed to be one-of-a-kind. I was marketed as a collectible and sold for quite a fortune, you should know," the Winterborn bitterly joked.

	''Which means that whatever moral reasons your former master had for buying you, they probably weren't the only reasons either.'' Kaede considered before a horrifying thought came to mind from Vivienne's early statement.		''Which means that whatever moral reasons your former master had for buying you, they probably weren't the only reasons either.'' Kaede considered before a horrifying thought came to mind from Vivienne's early statement.
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	Kaede raised her eyebrows. ''I hadn't even thought of it that way.''		Kaede raised her eyebrows. ''I hadn't even thought of it that way.''

	"I may come from ~~some~~ unfortunate circumstances, but in other ways I was also really lucky," Vivienne ~~met Kaede's eyes~~ with a serene smile. "I was born with a rare magical talent, an affinity that many would love to have. I have been blessed by loving parents and ~~kind masters~~. I ~~have~~ even summoned a phoenix, a feat that thousands dream of yet few could ever achieve."		"I may come from unfortunate circumstances, but in other ways I was also really lucky," Vivienne added with a serene smile. "I was born with a rare magical talent, an affinity that many would love to have. I have been blessed by loving parents and educated by wise teachers. I even summoned a phoenix, a feat that thousands dream of yet few could ever achieve. And now, I find myself in the innermost circle around the heiress of an Empire."

			Vivienne then paused in her steps. She turned towards Kaede and stared into the Samaran girl's gaze:

			"Throughout the entire history of Hyperion, how many others have received such a unique combination of rare opportunities as I have?"

	''That's certainly true,'' Kaede thought as she reflected upon her own fortunes. Sure, her situation of being pulled across worldly boundaries must be infinitesimally rare. Yet through it all, she had been brought into the household of a powerful and influential family under a responsible if not honorable lord -- one that was positioned to influence the outcome of geopolitical struggles between entire empires.		''That's certainly true,'' Kaede thought as she reflected upon her own fortunes. Sure, her situation of being pulled across worldly boundaries must be infinitesimally rare. Yet through it all, she had been brought into the household of a powerful and influential family under a responsible if not honorable lord -- one that was positioned to influence the outcome of geopolitical struggles between entire empires.

	It was an ~~opportunity~~ that her father Konstantin, who was often frustrated by the geopolitics of Earth and his own powerlessness, would have loved to receive.		It was an chance that her father Konstantin, who was often frustrated by the geopolitics of Earth and his own powerlessness, would have loved to receive.

	"I'm not quite ready to give up on life yet." Vivienne remarked as ~~Kaede remained in silent introspection~~. "Not when I'm in a rare position to achieve so much with my life. Sure, it might be dangerous for me, even more so than the average person. But isn't that what life is always about? To face risk and discomfort and make something of ourselves?"		"I'm not quite ready to give up on life yet." Vivienne remarked as the two resumed their stroll through the army camp. "Not when I'm in a rare position to achieve so much with my life. Sure, it might be dangerous for me, even more so than the average person. But isn't that what life is always about? To face risk and discomfort and make something of ourselves?"

	The Samaran girl couldn't help but smile back at her counterpart as she replied with a thoughtful nod.		The Samaran girl couldn't help but smile back at her counterpart as she replied with a thoughtful nod.
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	"Does Ceredigion have an archmage?" Kaede pondered aloud as she swiveled around towards her almost-twin.		"Does Ceredigion have an archmage?" Kaede pondered aloud as she swiveled around towards her almost-twin.

	"Not that I know of," the Winterborn girl shook her head. "~~And certainly~~ not with that level of power."		"Not that I know of," the Winterborn girl shook her head. "Certainly not with that level of power."

	"Though the people of Ceredigion are known for being secretive. And until a few days ago, I'd never heard about Lady Vivienne either." Sergent Gaspard then commented before he shrugged with a sour look. "War seems to bring out all the hidden talents, even those who made me translate for no reason."		"Though the people of Ceredigion are known for being secretive. And until a few days ago, I'd never heard about Lady Vivienne either." Sergent Gaspard then commented before he shrugged with a sour look. "War seems to bring out all the hidden talents, even those who made me translate for no reason."