Chapter 49
The entirety of the people stood together in the clearing. The Primis had been called to meet early in the morning by order of their new Tempestas. It was an event in which they participated with great delight since many of them had never been ruled by a Tempestas, and the others had waited half a lifetime to see a new one rise. They waited for his words as they looked upon the curiosities of the Primitia Locus with fondness. Its elements twisted and flared within the makings of the building.
The lights rose peacefully, and the morning air was calm. A slight warm breeze blew through the forest around them. The leaves and flowers danced under its influence.
"Good friends and family," Lux addressed them from the porch of the strange building. "Today will most certainly find its way into our history. Today we reclaim our identity and begin to truly act in one accord as we were meant to in the very beginning. These you see behind me are proof that we can change and that we must." He gestured to the group which had joined him on the porch. The group consisted of: Thaddaeus, Taida the Samurai, Kinzoku the Stubborn, and in Taida's arms lay the unconscious body of Iteya the Archer.
The Tempestas motioned for Ignis to stand next to him. "My dear friend will explain in detail the process of what is about to occur. I will return to address you when the ceremony has been completed." With that statement, Lux disappeared through the doorway followed by Thaddaeus and the others.
As the small group made its way through the dark corridors of the Primitia Locus, Lux spoke with them privately, "Is it true that you have all given this considerable thought and you still wish to continue?" The group of young men nodded solemnly. Then, he stopped and looked at Taida, "And Chikara? What news of him?"
The swordsman shrugged as if he was in pain, "He was honored, truly. Maybe a little too much. I'm not completely sure how he felt, but I think he didn't believe himself to be worthy of all this. He said he was going on a journey to redeem himself, and that he would return when he could look you in the face again."
Lux nodded his head slowly, "I see. It seems his feelings cast him away. It is my hope that we will see him again one day." He turned and continued down the hall.
"Um, Lux?" Thaddaeus called as he followed after him.
"Yes, Thaddaeus?" Lux said, glancing over his shoulder.
"Well, I kinda have a question. It's just that this isn't really making sense to me. I thought you said this building was meant for the birth of your people. What good will it do us now?"
"That is a good and fair question, my friend. Now that we have arrived at our destination, all will become clear." The group entered the room as the words left his mouth. Lux led them over to the Spirit Portal they had witnessed for the first time just a few nights earlier.
The group stared at the swirling energy of the portal as Lux gestured to them, "Tell me. What is it that you see?"
They seemed a bit confused, but Thaddaeus spoke up, "It just looks like a portal. I know it's different in the way it works, but it looks normal." He scratched his head as he grew frustrated, "What are we supposed to see?"
"I suppose that was how I viewed it for most of my life. However, at this moment I do not believe it is a portal at all. When Omnes Lupi spoke to me, he presented to me its true purpose. This place was not just meant to be a place where our people are born. It is a waypoint of identity. Omnes Lupi created a place where any person could learn their true identity. This portal is the tool we will use to make all of you members of the Primis." Lux smiled in excitement, then quickly added, "Remember my warnings. If you are born into our people there is a lot of good, but there are also drawbacks. Thaddaeus, you will never be able to live with your parents again. Though you may certainly visit them, Vellstone will be your new home. Each of you have been made fully aware of the nature of this ceremony. Are you certain you wish to move forward?"
They each nodded slowly in affirmation, then Taida appeared concerned, "What about Iteya? I can't answer for her."
"No, indeed. None among us have that right. She must make her own choice. Though she is unconscious, she will be given the same chance as all of you. This is the best we can do for those which have fallen to the corruption of nature energy."
Lux moved toward the portal and placed his hand on the plane of flowing energy. He seemed to be admiring the water-like movement on its surface. Without looking away, he called behind him, "Taida, would you allow me a look at your katana?"
The Samurai was clearly confused, but he moved without hesitation. He transferred the girl's body to Thaddaeus. Then, he turned to Lux and pulled his sword. Handing it to him with care, he said, "This gives me a bad feeling."
Nodding, Lux took it and admired the blade. "Does it perhaps cause you discomfort because you were instructed to guard this item with your very last breath?"
Taida made no attempt to hide the shock on his face, "How could you know that?"
"It is only natural to protect such a thing. Do you know what this is?"
He shook his head, "Only that it was passed down through the centuries to land in the hands of my master. He, in turn, entrusted it to me."
Lux turned back to the portal, but continued the conversation, "Why is it that the nature energy did not corrupt you as it did your compatriots? Why were you the only Imperial still in control of yourself? Why does honor guide your path?" He held the katana's point to the portal. "The answer is in this weapon. It was created by Omnes Lupi as a key to unlock the true nature of this place. It has awaited a time when we would be willing to call on its power."
The energy of the portal reacted to the tip of the sword. It moved aside enough to reveal a place for the blade to rest. Lux slid it forward and let go of the handle. The plane of energy drew the weapon inside until it disappeared. Then, the color of the portal shifted to a deep, golden yellow.
Turning to face the young men, Lux said, "If you are ready, it is time. If you enter this portal, you will be given the choice to become as we are and discover your true identity. I do not know the process or what will happen to you once you are inside. I only know the possible outcomes. You will either leave as you are or be born into the Primis."
The three stared quietly at the portal until Thaddaeus made a move. He walked forward, nodded at Lux and thanked him, then slowly, with Iteya in his arms, stepped into the plane of energy. The other two followed suit shortly after. First, Taida walked through, then Kinzoku behind him.
Quietly, Lux waited next to the portal with great excitement. He was unsure how long this would take, but he was certainly willing to wait. He was thrilled to see the outcome of this new ceremony.
Suddenly the ground shook violently, and the air around him felt wrong. He quickly understood that the spirit energy flowing through Vellstone was dissipating. With sparks of lightning shooting through his aura, Lux ran to his people who still waited outside the building. He emerged from the doorway to see many of his people running into the forest in fear. The ground continued shaking and the wind blew with unbearable force. He turned his gaze to the horizon where he found the source of this chaos.