1168. The First Gift Goes to Cer
If one were to hear the names of the figures surrounding Frost at face value, then they would have pictured a galaxy. The Moons and the Stars of the Nexus stood along the inner layer of the amphitheater, just beneath the seats the Healers occupied.
The Healers served as the filament that made up the dead space between the stars of the galaxy. Among them were the Black Wings and all seven of the Ravens. The outer rims of the amphitheater, near the pillars, were the Archetypes, the Beholders and a select few level 200 Exalted, such as Weave – the Dream Weaver, and Luna – the Founding Moon.
Already these figures would cause any person to drop to their knees in utter reverence. Typically, a ruler would have these figures closest to them to project their power. One Beholder alone could elevate an Empire to divine status. They were, after all, considered deities.
And yet, they attended the ceremony as nothing more than observers. Aspiring Moons who were lucky enough to graduate from Candidate Moons in the last few weeks held their breaths. They had only ever heard of the Beholders through tales, rumors, and legends. To share the same air as the Beholders, let alone the ruler of the Nexus, instilled unfathomable reverence.
They savored the moment. One had to remember that Aspiring Moons used to be regular people before they were chosen to become Candidate Moons. Even during their rigorous training, they would not have seen a Beholder unless they were lucky enough to cross paths with Beholder Jury.
A deafening clap silenced their thoughts, and at once, the winds that had been blowing across the Floor of Amalgamation ceased. It was though nature itself was bending a knee to the figure who stood in the center of the amphitheater.
The Amalgam stood on a raised platform that was segmented into twelve thin layers. Each layer protruded slightly more than the last, creating a staircase. Beneath her were the highly venerated Three Heads of Security, the Beholder of Time Reverberation, the Archivist, Ignis, and the blue-haired librarian whose true identity was still not well known by many outside of the Amalgam’s inner circle.
Other familiar faces sat closest to the stage. The people who stood beneath Frost faced the audience with disciplined expressions. Even Cer did not act aloof here given the importance of this ceremony.
Then, Frost’s mouth opened, and her voice was projected through the pillars which were embedded with Amplification Crystals.
“Today we have gathered here on sacred grounds for an exalted occasion. From the betrayal of the Scarlet Logic and the instability of the Nexus before our unity, we have experienced countless throes. And before we begin, I wish to express my deepest condolences to the displacement of the Blessed.”
She opened with the authority of a divine figure but solidified her place as an equal among them. The wounds of the displaced Blessed were still fresh in their minds, and there was no telling how many more had not yet returned to the Nexus.
Healers were among the affected, as well as would-be-Healers. Her intention was to humanize herself rather than to allow herself to be depicted as a deity.
“Today we bring the promise of stability. The absolution of unity. Where we have lost Scarlet Logic, today, we will gain an Atelier that will exceed Scarlet Logic. This Atelier will not scour the world in search of the impoverished to take into their ranks. As the Archetype of Amalgamation, and the very Head of the Nexus that blesses this world – I promise you of an Atelier that will benefit all life in our world.”
The Healers along the stage perked up at this. They trusted Frost’s words, and they did not believe it to be an exaggeration. After everything that Frost had accomplished within the Nexus, how could these words be hollow? How could her promises be empty?
Beholder E. seemed to stand slightly taller. A part of him saw himself in Frost, though the difference here was Frost was surrounded by those who wouldn’t dare to defy her. A metal hand went over his chest, half a salute, and the other where he had once been stabbed by a retainer during a speech centuries ago.
Back when he wished to make peace with another nation.
“Firstly, I must extend my gratitude to the Beholders present. While it has not been easy for us, they are the reason why this Nexus has continued to thrive. Secondly, my Moons, my Stars, my Exalted, my Healers… There is not one personnel of the Nexus I am dissatisfied with. Content alone cannot describe how my heart feels. Do not mistake your own efforts as mine. That alone is yours. Please keep up the good work.”
With that said, Frost snapped her fingers, and the walls beneath the audience seat sank, revealing a chamber beneath. Kissaria and Enoch emerged with a golden chariot driven by Ragnelle. It was driven by a five-horned horse, which was one of the various domesticated wildlife found on the Floor of Amalgamation.
“Today is not merely a day to celebrate the anointment of one. Today is to commemorate those who have served the Nexus and all of Elysia. Kissaria. Enoch. You have my deepest gratitude.”
Kissaria’s scorn was nowhere to be found. She wore a polite, forced expression to match the occasion. Enoch on the other hand, bowed respectfully. She specifically held out two fingers as well. Vampires, such as the Star Vampyria – also known as Nosferatu – was one of the few who understood the significance of this gesture.
The gesture was made only by First or Second Generation Vampires who pledged their fealty to another equal or higher generation vampire. It was uncommon for vampires of equal standing to get along. Often, their pride would have them create their own bloodlines.
But Enoch was an Honored One. There was no other vampire with greater blood purity. Not even Vampyria had higher blood purity, as she was only a First Generation Vampire.
Except for the Progenitor.
After delivering a number of beautiful coffins, Ragnelle, Enoch and Kissaria retreated into the cavity beneath the audience. Frost waved her hand, and the coffins began to teleport. They arranged themselves neatly along the stage in the blink of an eye, causing a number of awed voices to break out from the audience.
This was the first time they had seen Frost use [Teleportation Wavelength]. It was an Ability granted by Justica Arms that let teleport inorganic matter at will.
“Contained within these are items of unimaginable power. They have been created using the combined power of the Ateliers, the Corrupted, the desires of their owners, and myself.”
Afterwards, she called out a name.
“Cer.”
“Yes, Amalgam.”
Cer climbed the staircase and lowered her head once she reached Frost. A coffin suddenly appeared next to Frost, and after gliding her hand along its surface, golden symbols appeared.
With how similar their hairs were, the Aspiring Moons were not wrong to wonder if Cer was somehow related to Frost. The golden strands were no doubt special, but they were not well versed on why. After all, Light was still a relatively new phenomenon, and it was not something the Aspiring Moons had to worry about, unlike Nex.
Moons who knew Cer from back in her Jester days could not help but marvel at her transformation. She was the first Awakened being to exist in Elysia. As moons, they were aware of the mental tribulations Cer undertook to reach such heights.
They recalled the stories heralded about Cer during the War in Grandis. Few were lucky enough to bear witness to the golden arcs that filled the skies when she first Awakened.
“The Fang of the Head. I present to you a gift in the shape of your heart.”
The coffin opened, revealing a pair of chains that vaguely resembled lightning bolts. She wrapped them around Cer’s wrists and gave her a gentle smile.
“They are the Godseal Chains. May nothing escape you.”
“… Heh. Like they could in the first place.” Cer had a momentary lapse of focus.
She did not expect to be given a gift, let alone something so outrageously powerful. It took a moment for Cer to realize why Nav had urged them to visit an Impulse Artificer despite despising the Aquatids.
“Atelier effects… Corrupted effects… What the hell did you make this out of?”
“I think you know the answer.”
“As long as it didn’t… Ah, to hell with it. Losing an arm or two is hardly a worry for us anyway.” Cer smirked, deeply cherishing the item. “I’ll put them to good use. Thanks, mommy.”
“…”
Cer’s counterattack was super effective. It left Frost momentarily speechless, and her face blanked out as she struggled to swallow those words. It was terribly wrong to hear this from Cer.
Oddly, she was also not opposed to it.
The corner of her smile cramped as she dismissed Cer.
“I have no doubt that you will…” Frost maintained a professional cadence.
“Nav, I thought Cer was going to act tamed today.”
You believed that?
“… That’s on me. Haaaaah.”