🌿 The Stillness of Lumina SanctuaryOn her return from Altekna, Ria thought of one who had once stood beside her brother Lian on countless battlefields:Mariel, the cleric who had been a light in the dark of war. Rumor placed her now in the far north, within the quiet of Lumina Sanctuary—a monastery devoted to the study of sacred magic.
"Mariel was always the light of the frontlines. And now… the Empire needs such light again."So Ria whispered as she sought the Sanctuary.
Mist veiled the valley, silver waterfalls sang around its stone walls. The air was laced with bells and herbs, voices of priests murmuring prayer as they tended their gardens.
At the gate, a voice called softly:"Ria… it has been too long."
There stood Mariel, silver hair flowing, no longer armored but clad in the simple robes of the priesthood, a holy sigil at her breast.
Ria's face lit as she ran forward and embraced her."Mariel! You haven't changed at all."Mariel smiled gently, holding her close."You have. Stronger now. That gaze—it is no longer a princess's. It is a leader's."
✨ A Dialogue on Sacred MagicThey sat together on a long bench in the garden, where sunlight spilled like dust between palms. Mariel lifted her hand; a glow formed at her fingertips, weaving into a small healing charm.
Ria watched with quiet awe."You are still devoted to sacred magic."
Mariel nodded."It still heals, still mends hearts—whether upon battlefields or in this peace."
Ria exhaled deeply."The Empire shifts too quickly—roads, schools, noble resistance, unrest among the people. And yet… I feel something is missing."
Mariel's eyes were calm, steady."Perhaps the spiritual foundation. Elysium has laws, armies, sorcery in abundance. But what of faith? What of comfort for weary hearts?"
Ria's eyes widened."Yes… we defended with magic and steel. But never offered solace. Our people tremble with fear, and nowhere to place it."
đź•Š The True Essence of Sacred LightMariel summoned a gentle flame of light above her palm. Its warmth settled over them, steady and kind.
"This is sacred magic. Not a weapon of power, but a mirror of belief. Not drawn from the air—but from the hearts of those who trust."
Ria whispered:"Mariel… could such magic spread across the Empire? Could our people find strength in it?"
Mariel smiled softly."If Elysium needs it, I will help. But know this—faith must not become a tool of rule. It can bind hearts, yes. But if abused… it becomes another chain."
🔔 ConclusionRia rose with new clarity."The Empire does not need more force. It needs light. Against plots, against fear—that is the true shield."
She grasped Mariel's hand."Mariel. When the time comes, will you stand with us again? Not with the sword, but with your light?"
Mariel nodded."Always. And may this battle be not of blood—but of souls kept whole."
As Ria left the Sanctuary, she thought to herself:Merslin gave the Empire its body.Lian builds its bones.And Mariel's sacred light… may yet become the Empire's soul.
***
Episode 22: Merslin, A Meeting with the Past
🌌 Through the Veil of WorldsFar across the stars, Merslin roamed, crossing systems in solitude. Yet one memory stirred awake—a life long buried. A boy once named Kim Young-min, in a quiet corner of Korea, dreaming heroes onto a page.
He realized: Merslin had first been only a name scribbled in a child's notebook."I thought I had made myself. But I was born of imagination."
With ancient power, he folded time and space. Starlight bent, the heavens split. He stepped down into the small town of his youth. Narrow alleys. Rusted playgrounds. Sunset poured across cracked asphalt. His heart thundered.
đź“ť The Boy with the NotebookOn a worn bench sat a boy with a pencil. Kim Young-min, scratching words onto old paper. And between crooked lines, one name recurred again and again: Merslin.
The man approached, voice low."Young-min…"
The boy startled, wide-eyed."Wh—who are you? How do you know my name?"
Merslin smiled."I am he. The hero you once wrote of. The one you named Merslin."
The boy's eyes widened further."You mean… he's real?"
🌠The Edge of Dream and RealityMerslin laid a hand over the boy's, and light shimmered between them."Your imagination was no idle fancy. It summoned me. I live, fight, search for truth—born from the world you dreamed."
Young-min whispered:"I only wrote for fun… I never thought it would matter."
Merslin's voice was tender."If you were just a boy, I would not be here. But you were a creator, and creation gave me breath."
đź•Š Farewell"I must return now," Merslin said, "for my path winds far yet. But I will never forget who made me possible."
Young-min raised his hand."Come back. And if I write more—will it still reach you?"
Merslin smiled."As long as you imagine, I will walk again. Your stories are my road."
He opened a gate of light and stepped back into the cosmos, his stride steadier than before. For now he knew not only his power, but his origin.
Merslin's past, present, and future had at last become one.
**
Episode 23: The Dawn of Festival
The Empire in TurmoilElysium still staggered beneath strife—political discord, noble resentment, the people's unrest. Lian knew he must offer not decrees, but hope. He remembered the legendary tournament his father, Merslin, once proclaimed.
"It has been held for over twenty years… yet this time it cannot be a mere contest. It must be a festival—a time when the whole Empire stands as one."
🎠The CouncilIn the Imperial chamber sat Ria, Ivela, Serin, Risa, Leonix, Marietta, and many others.
Ria spoke first."The Grand Tournament was born as a martial trial, but now it must become a festival of the people."
Leonix leafed through reports, nodding."Not only duels of warriors, but merchants and common folk from every province. A festival vast enough to bind all."
Ivela suggested carefully,"Let it begin upon the Day of Origins. Though it comes from Luminarian tradition, it is sacred—and worthy of our beginning."
Serin added,"And let it end with the Day of the Moon. Then the people will see not only joy, but hope and prayer."
🏹 Arms and TraditionRisa's tone was firm."The Tournament was once the Empire's forge of warriors. That tradition must remain, while also proving our strength anew."
Lian thought long, then nodded."Then so it shall be. The duels remain. Yet it will grow into a festival for all. And on the final day, we will honor Aria's sacrifice beneath the moon—our own Harvest Moon made sacred."
🏛 Economy and RenewalMarietta asked cautiously,"Majesty, such grandeur will weigh heavily upon the treasury."
But Lian smiled."Not expense—but investment. The festival itself will be the engine of trade. Merchants gathered, markets bound, roads alive—the Empire will prosper through its joy."
🌕 ConclusionThe council resolved:
Day of Origins — sacred rites of beginning.
The Grand Tournament — warriors' honor and trial.
Day of the Moon — prayers of peace beneath the silver light.
Lian proclaimed:"This festival is no mere diversion. It is the moment when Empire becomes one. Through this, we show Elysium its hope."
The Empire began its preparation, awaiting the Festival's dawn.
**
Episode 24: The Day of Origins — Rite of the Royals
The Sacred MorningThe Day of Origins rose.Across Elysium, air filled with incense and smoke, garlands hung in streets, crowds surged into squares. Some walked barefoot, tasting earth; others built altars of leaves. This was no holiday—it was the day all existence returned to its first beginning.
Upon the dais, Crown Prince Lian stood.The sky was pale with dawn, breeze lifting his crimson cloak. Murmurs of the masses hushed as his hand lifted. At his side stood Ria, Serin, Ivela, and Elena.
Ria smiled bright to the crowd; Serin prayed in silence; Ivela's gaze was strange yet steady; Elena watched in quiet reserve.
Lian's voice carried:"Today, we return to the beginning—to become one with nature once more. In this moment, all are equal, all share this blessing."
His words echoed against stone, then silence—until the square burst into cheers. White doves ascended, bells tolled over the city.
The Hidden Rite in the Palace GardenWhen the proclamation ended, the royal rite began—secret, reserved for blood alone.
The garden was prepared: white smoke rising from censers, dew wetting the grass. The tradition came from ancient Luminaria: the shedding of coverings, a return to nature not of flesh only, but of spirit.
Lian stepped onto the stone path, breath steady, cloak stirring in the breeze.
Ria said softly,"This day is our chance to remember our bond with nature. Not a ritual alone, but a rediscovery."
Elena nodded."Emperor Merslin held this day in deep reverence. He wished us never to forget—we are part of the living earth."
The weight of their words pressed heavy on Lian's shoulders.
Sacred Yet HumanSerin disrobed first, healer's poise calm as dew brushed her skin.Ivela followed, bronze flesh revealed, a shy smile betraying her unease.
Lian, watching their courage and awkwardness, let slip a quiet laugh."Even warriors hold their softer sides."
He reached playfully to tap Ivela's chestplate that was no longer there.Startled, her eyes widened—then she laughed."You dare jest even here!"
Serin's lips curved."Perhaps we needed that. Your laughter eases the weight of ritual."
Sacred though the moment was, the laughter wove them closer.
The Closing of the RiteAs the rite neared its end, Ria and Elena withdrew, leaving Lian with Serin and Ivela. The breeze grew gentler, the sky more clear.
Lian etched the moment into memory.The Day of Origins was not only an ancient rite—it deepened the bond he shared with those beside him. A memory he would carry into the throne, a strength to guide him through trials yet to come.