Our village, Arkpney, is located near the town of Luminos Cryst. Along with Mechan Cryst, Ergo Cryst, and Logisty, we form the four towns surrounding the metropolis of Aethercrystal, the administrative and religious center of the area. Our village is famous for its healers and crystal artisans, while our valley hosts various tribes with rich history and tradition.
Mechan Cryst is the center of technology and recycling, hosting engineers from all over the world, such as Hitomi's parents, who settled here after unrest in the Kingdom of the Fiery Lake. Although we did not directly participate in wars, our know-how and the export of our products made us indirect accomplices. The Dwarves of the six mountain peaks contributed equipment for the battles, boosting the war trade.
The Non-Pedis, who came from the planet HP1, are human-machines, focused exclusively on knowledge. Despite their longevity, they do not have the same social connection with humans, the High Humans—descendants of humans and angels—and the Half-Elves, descendants of humans and High Elves. The latter two races, famous for their longevity, have roots in the worlds of angels and elves who once came here to positively influence the evolution of life.
Ergo Cryst, on the other hand, is the core of agriculture and commerce. It is inhabited by various races, with its residents being the driving force of the valley. Logisty manages the area's resources, ensuring nothing is wasted.
The valley is also known for its products. The wine produced here is described as divine and is accompanied by many types of drinks and beverages prepared from flowers and herbs. The village of Hagourak, near the vineyards, brought the Kremous family to Luminos Cryst for mining work, while the Sodakai, Hitomi’s parents, specialize in machinery, maintaining close collaborations. Despite our differences, the valley's communities are connected through cooperation and their traditions, creating a rich and vibrant world.
Although our valley was full of different races and stories, our daily life seemed simple and full of emotion. For us children, these diversities were merely the backdrop for our friendships and dreams. Hitomi and Galaxia stood out among all of this, with their unique energy and dreams.
Something interesting our parents had mentioned was that we, the High Humans and the Half-Elves, are something like kindred races. I don't quite understand, but Hitomi’s parents are both tall, with orange-blonde hair and blue eyes, in contrast to their daughter who is still the same height as me. Galaxia, on the other hand, has parents of normal height, with blue-gray eyes and silver hair with blue tips. She is also my height.
At the ages of three, six, and nine, we undergo the initiation of the Mystic. Through this, we receive the knowledge required to become complete citizens. Unless you are a Non-Pedis, in which case you connect to a system and draw all information from there.
Despite the bustle of the markets and the trucks leaving full of products, life in the village remained calm and simple. We children always found time for play and mischief. Unfortunately, in the area where I lived, there were no other children, except for the daughters of the Sodakai and Kremous, Hitomi and Galaxia.
They were nearly the same age. Hitomi was full of energy and always teased me, although she was always cute and never truly bothered me. She was always building something, which was logical considering her parents were engineers—the apple doesn't fall far from the tree… Galaxia, on the other hand, was always quiet, never causing trouble, always smiling, and always with a different book. With her father busy in trade and owning his own precious metal and crystal mining workshop, she didn't spend much time with him. Her mother, however, was in charge of the Luminos Cryst library, so she had the motivation for books. Of course, if you looked past the books, you saw a cute creature, and it was still impossible to tease her.
But the day for them arrived, and the Initiation was close. They were both lucky. They had birthdays earlier than me: Hitomi on 6/21—the day of her birthday was also the initiation—and Galaxia on 5/21. They had both turned seven, and it was the period for the High Priestess to give them their names.
Just before the initiation, Hitomi was sitting under a tree, working on a small mechanical bird. She held it in her hand and looked at it with pride. "You, my little friend, will be my first great creation."
I don't know if it was my imagination, but the moment the High Priestess uttered their names, her gaze changed for a moment. It became stern, as if weighing the burden of those names.
When it was Galaxia's turn, she remained silent for a moment, as if seeing something in front of her that the rest of us could not perceive. "Names are power," she finally said, as she gave Galaxia the name. "Some bring with them a responsibility that is not apparent at first." She closed her eyes for a moment, as if something had been confirmed within her. "Your name, my child, is a star that has no limits. A horizon of knowledge without end."
The High Priestess stood silent for a moment, her gaze penetrating. Galaxia looked at the High Priestess with eyes that seemed to reflect the infinite sky. A mixture of awe and concern appeared on her face, as if she understood that this name was more than just a word. Galaxia seemed enchanted, as if she had been lost in her words. For a moment, she seemed to want to say something, but the words did not come out. You could almost hear the pulse of silence between them. What had the High Priestess seen?
Hitomi, as always full of energy, laughed carelessly, jumping up and down with excitement. She couldn't stand still for a second. Her eyes sparkled with enthusiasm as she awaited her turn. Every time someone looked at her, she broke into a big smile and started bouncing, as if the ceremony itself was just an excuse to celebrate.
When the High Priestess looked at her, she smiled. "You, Hitomi, the world will remember you not for your machines, but for how you made technology sing. You will become the bridge between technology and soul. A creator not only for machines, but for our heart." The wind gently caressed the flowers around the sanctuary, and its whisper seemed to unite with the High Priestess's words.
The High Priestess looked at the two of them for a moment, as if seeing something we couldn't understand. "You will bring light to this world," she said slowly, "but light does not exist without shadow." Hitomi blinked, as if she wanted to answer, but instead of words, she smiled and turned to look at Galaxia with a sparkle in her eyes, and all she said was, "I am so excited."
Galaxia, conversely, remained still, her eyes lowered. For a moment, she seemed like she wanted to ask something, but hesitated. And me… I also felt something strange. I didn't pay it much mind then, but later I wondered… Had the High Priestess foreseen something for them?
As I watched Galaxia and Hitomi receive their names, I couldn't help but wonder about my own. If my name would bring with it expectations and responsibilities that I couldn't bear. And if it meant something that would change my life forever? It was something I looked forward to knowing, but at the same time, it scared me.
Hitomi came close to me, with a big smile, and whispered hesitantly: "Aether! Can I confide something in you? Even though I have so much joy, I'm scared too. I don't know if I can do it." She touched her index fingers together. She continued, saying: "Isn't it strange? Even though I seem excited, I'm afraid I won't succeed. I want something more than just machines that work. I want to build something that gives hope." Hitomi knew that her life was defined by her parents' abilities, but she wanted to create something unique that the world had never seen before. Her machines had to be alive, full of magic, to bring hope, not just function.
I looked at her and smiled. I placed my hand on her head, stroking her hair, telling her: "It's okay. And it's logical, because you don't know what comes after this. But we will be together in whatever is needed!" She just smiled and started being the classic hyperactive Hitomi we know again, and the three of us laughed.
I looked at Galaxia. "Hey, Galaxia, smile. Whatever it is, you are also a part of all this here, of the joy we have, and the laughter. Whatever happens, we will all be in this together."
Galaxia smiled faintly, but there was a worry in her eyes. As if she understood that her name was leading her to something greater than herself. She went to rest her head on my shoulder, but like lightning, Hitomi appeared and took her by the hand, telling her: "Let's go for a walk! Come on! Straight to sleep!" Galaxia looked at her: "But I wasn't going to sle—" Hitomi put her finger in front of her mouth, saying, "Shh! Let's go!" They said goodbye to me too, but full of wonder, I thought: "What happened?".
As I watched the girls' initiation, I wondered if my own name would mean something similar. What could the Mystic mean for me? Meanwhile, they were already being called by their names. Also, the High Priestess gave names to females, and the Mystic gave names to males, so that day we went to the big celebration, which happens twice a year—once for the females and once for the males.
The ceremony took place in a lush green meadow with many different flowers! It was located in the center between the Gate of Battles and the northwest town of Mechan Cryst and the northeast town of Ergo Cryst.
In the center of the meadow there was a sanctuary, and in the center of it, there was a sun and a moon, some seats, and an altar… a beautiful place! Under the sunlight and the gentle cool air, they told me that it is no different from the initiation that we males will also undergo, which happens on 12/25. After a few months, they told me that my name would be given to me as well, so I had to be patient!
The celebration continued with laughter, music, and dancing. Young and old feasted together, while the aroma of sweets and wine spread in the atmosphere. The sun began to sink on the horizon, painting the sky crimson. Finally, the day came to an end, full of smiles and memories. When we returned home, the atmosphere was calmer… We had a great time, as always. Aethercrystal knew how to take care of its inhabitants.
As the last notes of the music faded into the night sky and the world around us murmured, tired but full of joy, I felt my heart fill with a quiet happiness. The celebration was over, but its moments remained alive within us, like small fires that would accompany us until the next dawn. With a gentle breeze accompanying my thoughts, I knew that the days to come would bring new memories and perhaps… new responsibilities. When we returned home, the atmosphere was calmer. My father hadn't returned yet, and my mother looked thoughtful. As I lay in my bed, I thought: My parents, and especially my mother, called me Aether, but her expressions were full of worry. I knew it wasn't just a typical celebration for her. Something worried her deeply, and that made my own anticipation even more intense.
The Mystic, however, might have a different opinion about my name… And what if what he gave me was something I wouldn't like? If it meant something else? If it was a name that bound me to something greater than myself? No one talked about it. The elders always said that our name determines our future. But what if someone doesn't want to follow that future? If the name given to me wasn't the one I wanted?
A thought pierced my mind, one I hadn't thought of before. There were prophecies about people whose names changed, and their future changed with them. In some stories, the new name meant power and honor. In others… it meant destruction. A prophet once said that our world would not be lost by a god or a war, but by a man who would take the wrong name.
Did my mother know something more? Was her fear not just about the initiation process, but about something bigger? I paid no more attention to my thoughts. I took a bath and lay down. I closed my eyes and let the thought fade with the night. In the morning, everything would seem clearer… Or at least I hoped so.
Add comment
Comments