"Dad, why are we all here? It's unusual for you to call of us here. And why is mother here too?"
The Royal Library was unusually quiet. The five siblings stood together alongside their parents. Dilasyus, their father, walked in front. Beside him, their mother, Caresse, radiated her usual calm. Dilasyus said nothing at first to Milliania's question, only walking toward an unassuming shelf lined with thick tomes and scrolls. He raised his hand, muttering something under his breath. A faint golden light swirled around his fingers and the shelf groaned.
The air shimmered and a mystic seal formed on the wood. Slowly, the shelf creaked backward, revealing a hidden passage with a spiral staircase descending into the depths below.
"Because," Caresse finally answered, "it's time for you all to learn more about our Dynasty of who we are, where we come from and what it means to bear the Richinaria name."
The siblings exchanged glances. Even Vastarael, who was usually composed, felt a flicker of unease. Their father rarely spoke of the Dynasty's origins in detail and whenever he did, it was always cryptic, never more than fragments.
"I don't see why this couldn't wait," Leon muttered under his breath, earning a sharp look from Leones, his six year old twin, who jabbed his elbow into his side.
"Don't be an idiot," Leones hissed. "If they're showing us this, it's important."
Anamorsia, always one to break tension, whispered to Vastarael. "You think they're finally going to tell us about the other weird things in this family? Like why there are strange statues everywhere?"
Vastarael gave her a sidelong glance but didn't respond as Dilasyus motioned for them to follow.
"Stay close. The path below isn't for wandering."
The group descended in silence at first. The spiral staircase stretched deeper than any of them had anticipated. The air grew cooler. Orange crystals ignited on the walls as they passed. Milliania couldn't hold back her questions.
"Father, where does this lead? What could possibly be down here that you couldn't just tell us in the throne room?'
Dilasyus glanced over his shoulder but didn't slow his stride.
"Patience my dear. You'll understand soon enough. Some truths are best learned where they belong. And this truth belongs here."
Leon, muttered under his breath again, "They could've just sent us a letter."
"Leon, shut it before I shove you off this staircase," Anamorsia snapped, rolling her eyes.
"Enough."
The siblings fell silent though the faint bickering between Leon and Anamorsia still lingered in their glances. The descent felt endless until finally, they reached the bottom, stepping into a cavernous chamber that stole the breath from their lungs.
The room was enormous, carved from dark stone with walls lined by ancient murals and towering statues of their ancestors. The floor was inlaid with patterns of gold and sapphire, forming a massive crest of Dynasty Richinaria in the center. Dilasyus turned to face them.
"The knowledge you're about to gain is not for idle curiosity. It is a burden and a privilege. You will not speak of this to anyone outside this family and the ones you will treasure in the future. Do you understand?"
The siblings nodded.
Dilasyus gestured toward the center of the chamber, where the massive crest of the Richinaria Dynasty was embedded into the floor. Two swords formed an X shape with a mage staff in the middle, radiating an almost otherworldly glow. He stepped forward, standing directly over it. Then, a massive blue holographic sphere appeared right in front of them. It was the planet Spheraphase itself.
"When the universe came to be, beings came out of it. The very first beings who existed are known as the Primordials. It is said that they created life in the universe but this isn't true. The universe itself created souls and flesh for them to inhabit."
"...."
"However, four races were more ancient than any other race. These four races are known as the Four Ancient Races. Yeah I know, not a great name for them. Does anyone know them?"
Anamorsia raised her hand. "I do."
"Go ahead."
"The Four Great Races are the Celestials, the Omniscients, the Verdarites and the Aeterium. They're said to be the most ancient races, right?"
"Correct."
Dilasyus tapped the air near the holographic sphere and glowing figures appeared around it, each representing one of the Great Races.
"Let me elaborate."
Dilasyus pointed to a radiant figure cloaked in shimmering starlight. Their form was seemingly made of galaxies.
"The Celestials are beings of the cosmos. They embody the vastness of space and its mysteries. They are responsible for the creation of stars, black holes and the structure of the universe itself. Celestials are forces of space. They also act as protectors of balance in the universe. It's said that when a Celestial falls, entire star systems collapse in their wake. Ever heard of anyone wielding the power of the stars?"
Leon furrowed his brow, shaking his head. "No, but it sounds overwhelming."
"That's because it is."
Another figure appeared. This one wore a robe and had dark starry skin and holding an orb of light. Their features glitched.
"The Omniscients are the keepers of knowledge. They are tied to the fabric of the universe's history and possess an unparalleled understanding of its workings. Think of them as living archives."
"So, they're like librarians?"
Vastarael finally got to understand what they meant. Phaenora was an Omniscient and now, he was beginning to see how powerful she is.
Dilasyus gave a small chuckle, "In a way, yes. A perfect example is the World System Axia."
"World System Axia is an Omniscient?" Milliania asked in utter shock.
"Yes," Caresse replied.
Dilasyus's hand moved and the hologram shifted to display an enormous tree with glowing roots and leaves of crystal.
"The Verdarites are sentient beings of nature who sustain entire ecosystems. Every Verdarite is a life-giver, connected to their surroundings in ways we cannot fathom. They hold dominion over the elements and the life force of planets. In many ways, they are the heartbeats of the worlds they inhabit."
"Are they like spirits?"
"More than that, Leones. Spirits serve nature but Verdarites are nature itself. If a Verdarite perishes, an entire world can die with it. Their roots reach into the very core of planets, stabilizing them and fueling their life cycles. The most perfect example are World Trees."
The final figure was both majestic and eerie. It was a humanlike form wreathed in golden light.
"The Aeterium are ancient souls bound to new forms. They are remnants of the first creations of the universe. Unlike others, they are reborn over and over. Their souls are eternal."
Vastarael stiffened slightly, knowing this description included him.
"So... they're immortals who reincarnate for eternity?"
"In a way. And that's what we are. We are descendants of the Aeterium."
The room fell into a stunned silence. Each of the children exchanged wide-eyed glances. Even Vastarael, who had long suspected his connection to something greater, felt his breath hitch at the confirmation. Anamorsia was the first to break the silence.
"Wait so we're... we're descendants of the Aeterium? Ancient souls? How is that even possible?"
"That's exactly what we are. Our lineage carries the remnants of the first creations given form by the universe itself. Unlike others, our souls are not ordinary. They are eternal, endlessly reborn and unimaginably powerful."
Milliania blinked rapidly, struggling to process the revelation.
"So our souls can't be destroyed? That means—"
"Yes," Caresse interjected softly. "Your souls are resilient and nearly immune to damage. While others may suffer irreparable harm to their souls, the Richinarias do not. Even if the body falls, the soul endures, waiting for rebirth. That is the legacy of the Aeterium within us."
"But if our souls are already so strong, why do we focus so much on physical training? Why not use our souls' power instead?"
"Because the soul is already at its peak, Leones. It needs no improvement. Its strength is a wellspring of power that cannot be exhausted or diminished. However, that strength is only as useful as the vessel that carries it."
"Oh."
"A strong soul demands an equally strong body. That is why the Richinarias focus so intensely on physical mastery. The stronger your body, the more of your soul's power you can wield. Without discipline and training, the body becomes a bottleneck, unable to channel the soul's infinite potential."
Milliania asked, "And that's why we don't have a growth limit?"
"Exactly. Other beings hit a ceiling because their Soul Energy is finite. But for us, there is no limit. Your strength, speed, endurance and abilities can continue to grow without end if you push your body to keep up with the power of your soul. By the way, you can't use Soul Energy until you're at the Divine Rank."
Vastarael's fingers curled slightly. It made sense now. His rapid growth, his extraordinary resilience, the way he always seemed to overcome trials that would shatter others. It wasn't just talent or hard work. It was his soul and superior lineage.
"But doesn't that make us targets? If we're that powerful, wouldn't others try to destroy us?"
"It does make us targets. That is why we teach you discipline, control and the importance of unity within the family. Power without wisdom is a danger to yourself and others. This is why the Richinarias have always been feared and revered. We are carriers of the Aeterium's legacy. You must remember that and you must honor it."
Anamorsia's voice broke the silence again, this time tinged with awe.
"So… we're infinite. We're… unstoppable?"
Dilasyus's expression softened, and a hint of a smile played on his lips.
"Only if you are willing to do the work and become a Divine. Remember, your soul may be perfect but perfection means nothing if your body and mind cannot rise to meet it. Which brings me to elaborate more on our home world."
"There are eight Dynasties in Spheraphase..."