We logged out. We sighed.
"Now that was some intense Realtime Strategy Gameplay. I'm a bit hungry" Keiran said.
Mitsuki and Arlene admitted to hunger as well. I was a bit hungry myself.
Ciella, Saito, Ariel and Concordia went to get the rest of us some snacks.
"I'm going to take a little nap. I've got to report our progress to Gramps" I said and lay down to sleep.
When I opened my eyes, I found myself in the presence of my Gramps and Granny.
"You beat the Feudal States Era without resorting to Weaponry?! Now that's my grandson! I'm proud of all of you, especially my grandchildren. You've fulfilled the requirement for releasing the Seal Of Wisdom" my Gramps said.
"What are the properties of Ferren's Seal?" I asked my Gramps.
"The Seal Of Ferren grants you a deep knowledge of both Humans and Forces, a positive understanding of their similarities and differences as well as a knowledge of the fact that regardless of our differences, we all ultimately trace our origins to the same source. The implication of this knowledge is that all Dream Knights regardless of the minor differences in the forms of our sigils, ultimately possess certain similar traits. For instance, regardless of race or culture, all humans possess all traits that define the human species. If these traits are common regardless of dissimilarities in beliefs, then even our sigils are ultimately connected even if by almost invisible bonds. Those invisible bonds will be the key to connecting the world in a truly positive way hence the Seal Of Ferren is also a prerequisite for unlocking the next Seal" I explained.
"What is the next Seal and what are its characteristics?" I asked.
"The next Seal is the Seal Of Jo-lan and it is known by two names. The first is the Advanced Practical Elemental Seal and the second is the Seal Of Union Amongst Mind, Heart And Spirit. To release this Seal, you need a Powerful Mind, in other words a sharp comprehension of logic. You need a Strong Heart, in other words your logic must be governed by your emotions. You cannot forsake one or the other. Finally, you need a Strong Spirit, all the aforementioned must be governed by Virtue. When one of them is out of place, the seeds for a new Dark Age begin to manifest. When they are in place and in balance, the seeds for a positive Revolution And Renaissance are sown. The reason this Seal is also called the Advanced Practical Elemental Seal is because it evolves the concept of Kolmnid's Seal into Practical Application. Man as you know was ultimately created from the materials that compose the cosmos itself so our bodies are composed of various elements. The composition varies per individual. Understanding these elements thus grants an understanding of those who possess these elements taking into account the Elemental Composition and Balance for each individual. If I were to interpret this in light of the Game, all NPCs are made from codes generated by the Game's Engine. A programmer who understands these codes can comprehend how likely an NPC is to pursue a particular course of action. This can be factored into a probability equation utilizing the percentage of Elemental Composition. There is a counterbalance to this Seal and it's that it can only be understood by those who have their Minds, Hearts And Spirits in a Balanced Union. This knowledge is so powerful that such a counterbalance is necessary to prevent abuse of this knowledge" my Gramps explained.
"Sounds just like the Matrix" I commented.
My Gramps laughed.
"In the end, what most humans call the 'Real World' is actually a 'Super Reality' forged out of the merged perceptions, feelings and beliefs of all of humanity however…do not mistake it for an illusion. Neither is the Dream World but both are actually 'Super Realities'" my Gramps explained.
"Wow…that's really…something" I realized just how deep the concept my Gramps was trying to explain to me was.
"I'll explain more regarding this matter when we get to the Sixth Seal. For now, as a requirement to successfully complete the next level, you'll need an understanding of the Practical Applications of the Elemental Balance. The Basic Knowledge required to successfully complete the next level shall be communicated to your comrades in the form of tutorials to even out the playing field" my Gramps said.
I nodded in agreement.
"If we are talking of a game designed according to Abraham Mothers-Laws Needs Theorem, then the next level up that mountain would be…Social Needs right? In other words, the roots of civilization" I said.
"Exactly right San. You are very perceptive. The next level is where you'll finally commence in earnest, the process of linking all the continents of the various Dream Knight Houses, in other words, linking your civilization to that of your distant comrades'" my Gramps said.
"This shall be done via the invisible bonds you spoke about earlier right?" I asked.
"Right again" my Gramps said. "Now I will teach you the words needed to release the Seal of Jo-lan;
Seven Canons
Seven Masters
Seven Stones
The Seven Canons And Seven Masters are One And The Same,
If this Mountain is my Home, then each have their Own,
The Mountains Are Separate but only Geographically,
They are tied together
By the same History
But that is not all for there are Seven Stones
What is it that makes these Masters unique?
Seven Canons may be Seven Weapons
But a Canon can also be the realm within which a story occurs
Seven Masters are the Seven Masters of Jo-lan
Across the Seven Canons
Seven Stones are the Seven Virtues
Each Tale and Master personifies.
All the Masters share the same mountain
If you refer to Jo-lan's Common History
However they each have a mountain
If you refer to Jo-lan's Unique History
Personal to the Masters
That is why they are not connected Geographically
But have the same History
The land you seek is not a land;
The land you seek is the aggregation of all Canons
The Book Of Jo-lan is the key
An island in the midst of the Ocean
Is the doorway"
My Gramps said. I shut my eyes.
When I opened my eyes, the girls had returned with lots of pastries especially Yam Balls as well as lots of Juices and a few Meat Balls. We ate them while talking about our experiences in the level we'd just cleared. We laughed at the cleverness of our various Stratagems.
"However, if we each beat a Basilisk in the first level and there are four major Continents that would mean only two fortresses were run by Basilisks in the second level. We need to remember that Zanböngfar had six serpent headed tails" Keiran noted.
"Sounds like the Souls Of Evil or the Seven Generals Of Souryu" I noted.
My siblings agreed.
Even our comrades had heard of the Tales regarding the Crimson Phoenix And Black Dragon in some form.