In a chaotic field of primal essence 10 billion light-years from the center of the Kaotik Universe, there was a circular mountain range with a radius of 200 million light-years. The mountain range sat upon a Spatial Plane whose shape was reminiscent of the North American continent. The Spatial Plane itself was five times the size of the mountain range. This entire Spatial Plane was the capital of the Hightower Empire and trillions of non-plant based life forms lived here along with an uncountable number of plant-based life forms such as spiritual trees and grasses.
The mountain range was the ancestral land of the Hightower Empire. In the middle of this mountain range, there was a tower of unimaginable height surrounded by numerous ancient mountains. The mountains and tower gave forth an enormous aura of suppression. The tower glowed in a rainbow-like luster and was covered in complex Runic Arrays. This was the Hightower Family's Cosmic Divining Tower. Many people surrounded the tower with the noble families and cultivation experts who were half-kneeling upon the ground being closest towards the tower's doors. There were millions of civilians who fully kneeled behind the nobles and cultivators as they waited for news from The Cosmos Divining Tower. Hundreds of thousands of elite soldiers stood upon various mountains surrounding the area with vast amounts of Mana and Star Qi filling the air and forcing it to stagnate.
Atop The Cosmic Divining Tower, Malikai and Alyssa Hightower were undergoing Origin Sym Contraction Ceremonies.
The ceremony has various levels of effectiveness. The ceremony approaches peak effectiveness if the cultivators who create the Runic Arrays necessary for the ceremony and perform it consists of 81 spiritual cultivators, 81 martial cultivators, and 9 practitioners who cultivate both origin forces. It is also necessary that they have all reached a cultivation Realm of at least Supercluster. A more effective ceremony can more deeply excavate a cultivator's innate potential which will allow the formation of a stronger contract. It also allows for a higher sensitivity to Origin Forces and an easier time comprehending Aria.
Both Malikai and Alyssa were surrounded by complex Runic Arrays which glowed many colors and cultivators who emanated vast amounts of power. Both the twins and the people surrounding them drew runes in the air and pronounced incantations.
As Malikai and Alyssa finished their incantations and drawing of runes in the air in front of them they were respectively enveloped by wide fields of midnight black energy with specks of white light that exuded a sense of domination and assimilation and deep green energy filled with a sense of brilliant light, life, and tenacious vitality. The energy surrounding them was Fantasia a perfect fusion of Mana and Star Qi. Only those who cultivated both would be able to produce and manipulate Fantasia at some point even though everyone can cultivate within it. The time at which one could produce or manipulate also depends upon their comprehension of Origin Forces, and finally; they must reach the Supernova Realm at the bare minimum.
As Malikai stood within the field of midnight black Fantasia which contained specks of white the Runic Arrays which surrounded him broke apart into two groups. The first then recombined into multiple Runic Arrays which started to swirl around him while giving off a rainbow-colored light. and the second formed a layered three-dimensional Runic Array which floated before him. The Runic Array which floated before him was the same color as the Fantasia which surrounded him.
The space within the multi-layered Runic Array started to become unstable and collapse inwards. A rip slowly formed within space and Fantasia which gave of a chaotic, domineering, and spatial feeling seeped out from the crack before a magnificent beast stepped out of the crack which was a spatial tunnel. It was a beast that resembled a tiger both in shape and in its ferocious and bloodthirsty aura. It possessed a single horn which grew from its forehead and it was covered in beautiful yet sturdy scales that glowed with a dark yet magical luster. It was surrounded by specks of white light reminiscent of stars. The creature was three meters tall and its body was six meters long. Its tail was an additional four meters long bringing its length to a grand total of ten meters. It possessed two sets of draconic wings which were covered in scales of a similar color to its body. The only thing about it not glowing in a midnight black color was its crystalline horn about two-feet in length, as it glowed in pure white light and had white-colored lighting flowing through and around it. It also possessed pitch-black eyes filled with flecks of silvery-white light which seemed to reflect the image of a midnight sky.
As the beast completely left the spatial tunnel it looked towards Malika and released a world-shaking roar the tunnel behind it vanishing. Its tail resembled that of a western dragon rather than a tiger and looked as if it possessed immeasurable strength as the tiger lightly swung it around in the air. The air shook as it opened its wings and gave them a mighty flap giving off a sound similar to thunder.
Malikai's eyes slightly twitched as he said; "A Primal Essence Devouring Beast" right as the Origin Sym pounced towards him as if to devour him.
At that moment the Runic Arrays surrounding Malikai and the large three-dimensional layered Ruic Array surrounding the Primal Essence Devouring Beast started to resonate. They began to glow in a deep black light with streaks of deep blue throughout. The Runic Arrays once more broke apart before reassembling into yet another three-dimensional multi-layered Runic Array which surrounded them both. They both screamed out in pain as Fantasia arose from both of their bodies joined by Fantasia which gathered from the surrounding area contained within the Runic Array.
The Fantasia formed a whirlpool above them as the Runic Array broke into four sections with two sections taking on the form of multiple chains which bound Malikai and the Primal Essence Devouring Beast. The third section broke apart into countless runes and entered the whirlpool and the final section reassembled into a different Runic array producing a barrier of the same color as the whirlpool which surrounded them both protecting them from outside interference. The barrier was opaque and gathered all of the clouds of Fantasia which had previously surrounded the two; pouring them into the whirlpool enlarging it.
Malika's clothes were burned away by a formless pitch-black flame as the whirlpool broke off into countless strands which imprinted an intricate Origin Symbol upon his back and arms causing Malikai to feel an even more excruciating pain as Fantasia rushed into his body. No Origin Symbol was imprinted upon the Beast but vast amounts of pitch-black Fantasia with streaks of dark blue converged and floated before it. The beast suddenly roared in pain before coughing out a ball of human fist-sized essence blood which glowed in a resplendent deep red light and had pitch black runes floating within.
The essence of blood and Fantasia fused into a ball before shooting towards Malakai and entering his body. It then started the process of fusing with his blood. As it flowed within his body Malika felt an even deeper level of pain as two pairs of wings similar to the ones upon the primal Essence Devouring Beast grew on his back along with scales and a small horn appeared on his forehead. The wings were only half the size of the ones the Primal Essence Devouring Beast possessed as was the horn which glowed in white light as white lightning danced around it. He soon grew a draconic tail two meters in length and as the tail stopped growing the last of the Origin Symbol was imprinted upon his body.
Malikai and the Primal Essence Devouring Beast released simultaneous roars and unfurled their wings as the chains released them. Malikai retracted the horn, wings, and tail into his body as he donned a set of clothes identical to those that had previously been burned away.
He then looked towards the Primal Essence Devouring Beast which had approached and laid a meter before him. He walked towards it before reaching forward to place his right hand upon its head while glancing over it before saying; "Your name is Skye huh... It's a perfect fit." He then jumped up and sat upon its back as the barrier surrounding him and Skye vanished.
Within the green-colored clouds of Fantasia.
Alyssa stood within the middle of the space enclosed within the clouds as rainbow-colored Runic Arrays swirled around her and a multi-layered three-dimensional Runic Array floated before her. A tree rose from a spatial tunnel which had appeared within the golden Runic Array. The tree was 20 meters tall and had its roots wrapped around a golden mound of earth which was covered in golden runes and was the size of a two-story house. The tree's leaves were a vibrant green color and possessed golden veins. The tree's bark was a golden brown color and was covered in natural lines which made up a complicated Runic Array, The tree was surrounded by clouds of pale gold Mana which contained streaks of green.
"An All-Encompassing Divine Tree! This is the Origin Sym I was hoping for, with it we don't have to worry about defenses as we battle or rest as much. And on top of that, healing injuries from battle or cultivation will be much easier." Alyssa said as she smiled brilliantly before a pensive look crossed his face.
At this moment the Runic Arrays surrounding her and the All-Encompassing Divine Tree resonated and began to merge before breaking apart into four sections. The first two created runic chains which bound both the All-Encompassing Divine Tree and Alyssa. The third formed a dark green whirlpool of Fantasia with golden streaks throughout which floated above the two. The last section formed an opaque green colored barrier which absorbed the clouds of Fantasia (which had been surrounding Alyssa when the ceremony began) into the funnel.
The whirlpool divided itself into countless threads most of which flowed into Alyssa's body imprinting an Origin Symbol upon her. The other threads flowed into the mound of earth the All-Encompassing Divine Tree was entrenched in. It then flowed into the tree's roots through the earth as the runes imprinted upon the mound shone in brilliant green and golden light. The Fantasia flowed through the tree's roots to its core as a piece of the core liquified into pure life force. The Fantasia and Life Force fused and then flowed back to the tip of one of the tree's roots. The tree than tugged that root out of the earthen mound and stabbed the tip gently into Alyssa's forehead.
Alyssa screamed out in pain as a reflection of the All-Encompassing Divine Tree appeared in each of her eyes surrounded by Runic Arrays. The fusion of energies then entered her body and began to fuse with her blood. Her clothes then began to burn away as tree-like roots grew out from between her shoulder blades as they absorbed vast amounts Fantasia which emitted an aura of life and growth which cleansed her body. As her Origin Symbol was completed she released a massive pulse of green Life Attributed Mana and the tree-like roots reached three meters in length and stopped growing. She then gazed towards the All-Encompassing Divine Tree in contemplation as the chains binding the two broke apart into runes and dissipated in the air.
"I shall name you...Valhalla, Val for short. I think its fitting considering that your species embodies protection, healing, and growth. Though the barbarians may be upset...hehe I'll just let Malikai deal with it if they find up and start making a fuss. That'll teach him." Alyssa said with a mischevious look in her eyes as her lips formed a small smirk. She then retracted the roots into her body as the images of Valhalla vanished from her eyes and the complex Runic Arrays within her eyes dissipated. Valhalla also retracted its root tip from her forehead and once again placed that root within the mound of earth. She then once again donned clothes, which were identical to the ones she had been wearing before.
Valhalla then began to float above Alyssa's head as the barrier surrounding them vanished.
The two barriers vanished at the same moment before the twins Malikai and Alyssa came into view once more. They were the top geniuses in the generation which contained the highest concentration of cultivation geniuses since the Kaotik Universe had bee birthed. They had completed the Planetary Development Realm and entered the Dwarf Star Realm at the age of 14.
This was in part due to the fact that they were contracted with the Twin Cosmos Creating Sprites. This Origin Symbiont is special because it is a pair of twin sprites instead of just one organism. The Twin Cosmos Creating Sprites contract with other twin organisms. The sprites can even form a contract with a pair of twins while the latter is still in the womb. The Twin Cosmos Creating Sprites are the most mysterious of all Origin Syms. No one knows how it is brought into being, why it can form a contract before a cultivator reaches the Dwarf Star Realm, or why it chooses to contract with certain people.
Few of its abilities are known, but one of these few abilities is the mental connection it forms between its twin contractors wherein they can share all thoughts and experiences while growing together. Yet before they reach a certain level things are still difficult to share. Another is its ability to allow for higher Mana and Star Qi refinement speeds and limits by increasing their sensitivity to Origin Forces and the area around them. It similarly makes it easier for contractors to comprehend Aria with greater depth before they reach what would normally be the necessary cultivation realm to begin to comprehend it. One of its final abilities which is just an assumption at this point because it has never been done is the fact at its peak the Origin Sym allows the twins to work together to create a more perfect cosmos.
The roots of Alyssa's thick hair were a chestnut brown while the rest of her hair including her fine eyebrows and full lashes was silvery white. The hair on her head was slightly curly and was tied into a single french-braid which hung down to her butt and was tied off with a brown strip of cloth. Alyssa possessed a beautiful caramel complexion. Her deep-set almond-shaped eyes had silver-colored irises which contained streaks of gray and black circular pupils. She had a heart-shaped face, her eyes exuded a sense of mischievousness and she possessed a small delicate nose and mouth. On the sides of her head, her ears came to a small point. Alyssa's body was slender yet voluptuous at 1.7 meters tall. She wore a russet-colored knee-length, sleeveless, and backless dress beneath a russet robe. On her feet was a pair of slender ankle-high boots of the same russet color. She was reminiscent of a forest spirit in that she naturally exuded an aura of life, cleverness, beauty, and tranquility.
Malikai's hair was a dark immersive grey similar to ash or steel and, his hair which was thick and slightly curly was tied into a shoulder-length pony-tail which was tied with a strip of brown cloth similar to the one in Alyssa's hair. His eyebrows were thick and sat perfectly upon his broad forehead. He possessed a sharp jaw and a complexion similar to that of Alyssa. His ears were slightly pointed similarly to Alyssa as well and his Grecian nose was centered upon his face perfectly. The pupils of his eyes were black while his irises were hazel with streaks of forest green and cyan blue. He was two meters tall and broad-shouldered. He wore a crimson waist-length shirt beneath a steel gray long-sleeve robe which hung down to his knees and a pair of crimson pants. On his feet were a pair of steel-gray combat-type boots. Overall Malikai exuded an aura of domination, vitality, suppression, and calmness.
The cultivators who had been channeling the Runic Arrays which surrounded Alyssa and Malikai had stepped back when the barriers had initially formed. A man who seemed to be as straight as a spear and emitted an overwhelming battle intent while also emitting a contradicting sense of calmness and a woman who looked to be the personification of motherly beauty while also emanating a sense of foreboding strength stepped forward and stood before the two barriers.
These two people with palpable aura's where the parents of Malikai and Alyssa. The man was Dominic Hightower the Emperor of the Hightower Empire. The woman was Athena Lotus both the Imperial Princess of the Elvin Empire as well as Empress of the Hightower Empire.
Dominic was a man a with a complexion slightly darker than bronze. He possessed a stoic appearance with dark Raven-like hair which was thick and straight hanging down to his shoulders wildly and a Grecian nose. His eyes were deep-set and round-shaped. His irises were a piercing gray-white and he possessed black pupils. His forehead was broad and his eyebrows were straight and thick. His ears were not rounded and he possessed detached earlobes similar to his children. One could only see a hint of his Origin Symbols on the backs of both of his hands, the top of his chest and back of his neck as he wore an outfit similar to Malikai except the shirt, pants, and boots were pitch-black. He was broad-shouldered, and 2.4 meters tall.
Athena had forest green eyes which emitted an aura of life unlike her namesake the Greek Goddess of strategy and war. She possessed blonde hair and fair skin. Her eyes were almond-shaped and she had a small delicate nose and thin lips. Her hair was thick and wavy reaching the middle of her back. Her face was heart-shaped and she possessed sharply pointed ears with attached earlobes. Her eyelashes were full and her eyebrows were fine and delicate. She wore a forest green dress which dragged across the ground obscuring her feet from view. The dress was low cut, backless and sleeveless. Her collarbone, the top of her breasts, the arch of her back and her fair arms were all visible along with many of her Origin Symbols. The tattoos were prominent on her body and accentuated her beauty. She glowed with a motherly light and gave off a saintly aura full of beauty.
Shortly after they stood in front of the barriers the two opaque domes vanished simultaneously.
"A Primal Essence Devouring Beast and an All-Encompassing Divine Tree. The abilities of both of these Origin Syms will be helpful in your future endeavors. You should cultivate so that you can get used to the contracts and powers you have just gained." Dominic said with an impassive face while gazing upon his children with a hint of love and pride appearing within his gaze.
"Dom give the kids some time to take a breath. They've just been through a very exhausting process after all. Now, kids, have you thought of names for them yet."
"Skye was already named by her parents. And Alyssa has decided to name her All-Encompassing Divine Tree Valhalla." Malikai responded to his mother while giving Alyssa a pointed look as he knew the motivations behind her Origin Sym's name due to their ability to read one another's thoughts and considering the fact that she felt no need to hide them from him. The two of them knew and trusted one another more than anyone else.
" Very well, prepare to leave for The Cradle of Chaos. Quentin shall lead a group of Imperial Guards to travel with you and be your protectors for the duration of your stay." Athena told them after some contemplation while gazing at both of her children as she too could sense what Alyssa was attempting to do.
Both Malikai and Alyssa nodded at their mother's words before Alyssa suddenly asked: " Will Silvia Thunderpeak and Aleksandra Skylark be there." Malikai cast her a complicated glance and then looked towards his mother waiting for her response.
"Yes, as they have also just recently undergone the contracting ceremony and have made history in their families as the first geniuses within in their families' to contract Origin Syms before the age of 16 since their progenitors. Many other of this generation's geniuses will also be there. The Cradle will be your main training ground until you reach the Supervoid Realm. I want you two to be ready for departure within the next few days as the journey to the Academy will take a few years. Familiarize yourselves with your Origin Syms and continue cultivating to stabilize your Origin Forces." Dominic spoke in an even and commanding tone looking towards the two of his children.
Both Malikai and Alyssa nodded before Malikai said "Quentin bring your people and follow us to The Forest of Eden, it will be beneficial to Alyssa's All-Encompassing Divine Tree. Also, we can visit our family there. We shall leave tomorrow." Both siblings then looked towards their father waiting to receive his approval for their plans and see if he had anything to add.
Dominic looked them over with slight praise in his eyes and gave a noticeable smile as he said: "That sounds good, but beware your years at the Academy will have dangerous elements as it can be seen as a type of competition between the young geniuses of the various Empires and Heavenly Clans, especially as tensions have been rising recently."
"Very well, we shall rest at home tonight before leaving in the morning," Alyssa said. She then looked towards Malikai and they proceeded from the top of the tower and walked towards the entrance at the tower's base. They were followed by a massive beast of a man nearly who was 5 meters in height with very broad shoulders and vibrant red shoulder-length hair. He also possessed very clean-shaven facial hair which covered the bottom half of his face. He was wearing a velvet colored robe that radiated a very dense amount of Mana and was covered in complex Runic Arrays with its hood lowered. He wore a set of armor underneath that glowed an earthen color and was also covered with very complex Runic Arrays and he carried a magical war hammer that glowed in same light while emitting similar Mana. This was Quentin and behind him walked 20 Men and Women who radiated an aura which was just as mythical and wore similar hooded robes which obscured their features. Quentin himself had reached the 7th Step of the Universe Realm and the others had at least reached the 10th step of the Supervoid Realm.
Once they reached the tower base they looked upon the kneeling nobles and experts and walked down the path which was left in front of the tower's doorway.
They soon left the crowd behind and entered a different mountainous region.
Quentin was surrounded by a multi-layered Runic Array as he proceeded to summon his Origin Sym. It was a massive elephant type beast which was 10,000 thousand kilometers in length and 1,000 kilometers tall, yet it was still dwarfed by the tower. It was covered in the scales of a dragon and possessed a pair of humongous draconic wings. This massive beast was known as the Heaven Rending Dragon Elephant.
Quentin, and all the men and women following him Jumped onto the Heaven Rending Dragon Elephant's head.
Alyssa and Malikai channeled Star Qi hrough their bodies strengthening them before they jumped upwards. As the flew upwards they used Wind-Attributed Mana to propel themselves shooting past the head of the Heaven Rending Dragon Elephant. They then use that same Mana to gently lower themselves onto its head.