Blue floated in a state unlike anything he'd ever known. He felt as if he was everywhere and nowhere, his body both present and absent. The sense of touch, of being, all seemed distant yet vividly amplified. His thoughts were sluggish yet somehow racing, and the very concept of "thinking" seemed trivial in this space where time itself felt distorted.
It was a void, but not merely an empty space. It felt like an endless realm where boundaries did not exist. In this strange existence, a voice echoed through the void, deep and soothing, as if it resonated within every fiber of his being.
"Leiurus Quinquestriatus…"
The voice called to him by his new name, over and over, each repetition pulsing through him, vibrating in what he could only describe as his core—a part of him that felt both familiar and entirely alien.
The voice kept resonating, calling, and as it did, Leiurus felt an expansion within himself. It was as though a seed within him was awakening, blooming into something far grander than he could comprehend.
"Leiurus Quinquestriatus…" The voice repeated, its tone filled with authority and a strange, comforting warmth.
Finally, the voice spoke in a language that transcended words, explaining how his form would now adapt to the essence of his soul and Nexus core, shaping into what was most fitting for his being. Leiurus didn't fully understand, but he felt a deep trust for this voice, as though it was guiding him toward a destiny written within the fibers of his existence.
And then, it began.
The process was beyond any sensation he'd known, a phenomenon that stretched his very soul. His form, or what he thought of as his body, started shifting, molding, transforming. He could feel every piece of his essence aligning, reshaping, yet somehow remaining true to who he was.
Then came the light, a blinding, radiant light that engulfed him entirely. The voice spoke one last time as the light consumed him.
"By the will of your soul, you are reborn anew, Leiurus Quinquestriatus. A skill, is now bound to your essence. Compatibility: successful. Bond to the soul: successful. Evolution to the soul: successful."
The voice faded, but its final word echoed in his mind as the light swallowed him entirely.
Zephalon.
.
The black and dark blue Essentia swirling around Leiurus's form was a sight to behold. It twisted and surged, casting flickering shadows across the villagers' faces, filling them with a mixture of awe and concern.
The male villagers, standing at a safe distance, watched with trepidation.
"Is… is Blue going to be okay?" one of them muttered.
"I've never seen anything like this before," another added, his voice tinged with worry.
Their friend was changing, undergoing something incomprehensible, and the uncertainty left them uneasy. Yet, a few of them whispered words of hope, trusting that this transformation was something good.
Grimfang, seated nearby, observed the spectacle with a patient gaze, though his curiosity was plain. He felt a mix of pride and anticipation, waiting to see the form his friend would take after this remarkable shift in power.
And then there was Elyndra.
Her serene expression betrayed a hint of excitement, a rare glimmer in her otherwise composed demeanor. Her eyes sparkled with keen interest, and a slight smile played on her lips as she observed the swirling Essentia. What kind of being will emerge? she mused inwardly, her anticipation almost palpable.
As the Essentia began to settle, a silhouette emerged from within.
The swirling Essentia dissipated, revealing a new figure within the fading glow. Standing there, in place of the small scorpion known as Blue, was a young man, his form strikingly human yet marked by traits beyond human.
His skin was a pale ivory, and scattered across his body were patches of dark, iridescent scales in hues of black and blue, as if remnants of his former form had melded into his new one. He was tall and lean, his physique possessing a natural grace. His facial features were captivating—sharp yet softened by a mysterious allure. His hair was a deep midnight blue with streaks of black, framing his face in a messy, yet deliberate style that only added to his otherworldly beauty.
His eyes, a mix of intense azure and deep, dark shadows, held a calm yet piercing gaze, a window into the soul of a being who had lived beyond the bounds of normal existence.
Elyndra's smile grew wider. Before anyone could react to his bare form, she raised a hand and, with a delicate snap of her fingers, summoned a soft, long white blanket that gracefully draped over him.
"Welcome back to the world, Leiurus Quinquestriatus," she said warmly, her voice filled with pride and affection.
Leiurus's vision began to focus as he looked around, taking in the stunned expressions of the villagers, the pride in Grimfang's eyes, and the radiant smile on Elyndra's face.
He blinked, his mind adjusting to this new form, and then gave a faint smile. "Thank you… Elyndra," he said, his voice smooth and tranquil, surprising even himself with how calm and resonant it sounded. "It's… good to be back."
The villagers, who had been anxiously waiting for some sign that their friend was okay, erupted in whispers, marveling at the transformation before them. They were in awe of the ethereal, handsome figure that had emerged, the very image of a mythical being.
Grimfang stepped forward, his expression softened by admiration. "You have truly become something extraordinary, Blue-no rather, Leiurus."
Leiurus met Grimfang's gaze and nodded, feeling a new sense of belonging. This form, this existence—it felt right, as if it was always meant to be.
Elyndra stepped closer, her gaze soft yet intense. "I see the transformation was a success. Your soul has taken on a shape that speaks of your strength, your resilience, and your kindness, Leiurus." Her words resonated with a sense of fulfillment, as if she were witnessing the culmination of something profound.
Leiurus looked down at his hands, flexing his fingers and marveling at the sensitivity, the strength, the balance of this form. "Thank you, Elyndra," he said, a genuine smile gracing his lips. "I don't fully understand what I am now, but… I feel like this is where I'm supposed to be."
Elyndra nodded approvingly. "That is the beauty of a True Name. It allows one's essence to flourish in its most authentic form. And with it comes power—both a gift and a responsibility."
Leiurus's mind returned to the word he had heard in the void, the skill bound to his soul—Zephalon. He could feel its presence within him, like a reservoir of energy, waiting to be understood and wielded.
"What is this… Zephalon?" he asked, glancing between Elyndra and Grimfang.
Grimfang's eyes sparkled with intrigue, and Elyndra's lips curved into a curious smile. "Zephalon? Do you mean the Creator?" She asked with a tilted head.
Leiurus shook his head slowly, "no this voice just heard, during it all. It said I had a skill by the name, Zephlaon."
Elyndra's eye's sparkled, her curiosity piqued by such a thing. Her fingers tips on the edge of her chin as she closed her eyes, "A skill going by the name of the Creator, how fascinating," she mused. "Oh and that voice you heard, that is the voice of the world, most if not all beings can hear it, all being during a moment of evolution or chance when they gain something new that resonates within their core," she added.
Leiurus nodded, accepting the mystery for now. He sensed that his journey with this skill was only just beginning, and there would be much to learn along the way.