The morning after their second day off, which they had spent in bed under the watchful and threatening eye of Morgranna, the Twins woke naturally at six, feeling refreshed and alert, bodies thrumming with the new energy that belonged to their Talent and Oath that hadn't fully settled yet.
But as the Med Team, Healers, and Head Nocturne had cleared them to continue training without being affected in any way. Over a calm breakfast made by Morgranna, anticipation buzzed between them; today's lessons would take them beyond cold weapons, likely introducing more tactical drills and potentially team simulations.
After gathering their specialised lunches and ensuring all their equipment was in order, the Twins set off early—determined to build upon their momentum. The journey to the training grounds was quiet but charged with expectation, each Twin mentally rehearsing techniques from the previous training and analysing how their styles could further evolve.
Once at the grounds, Armorum greeted them with a proud nod. "The results of your previous training exceeded all records, so today we push the limits further."
He led them to a new section of the facility, where duo-fight drills and advanced cooperative tactics would be the focus. Peritus joined them for a demonstration, highlighting duo-fight manoeuvres under simulated siege conditions. The Twins watched closely, their competitive spirits sharpening with every new challenge revealed.
Training began in earnest—now under heavier gravity and more chaotic interference waves. The Twins sparred not only with myriad weapons but with new obstacles: shifting terrain, surprise opponents, and tactical puzzles designed to test their communication and adaptability.
Despite the increased difficulty, the Twins thrived. Armorum and Peritus exchanged glances of approval as the Twins anticipated one another's moves, wordlessly supporting and challenging each other in equal measure. Their distinctive styles—precision versus improvisation—began to harmonise into a seamless fighting partnership.
News of their prowess continued to ripple through the Academy. Students gathered outside the training chambers, hoping to glean inspiration from the Twins' progress. By midday, brief footage of their drills trended on Conclave, students debating which Twin's style might dominate and what new records they would shatter before their Awakening arrived.
Thread: Did you see the Twins' drill footage??
KieraTheKeen: That was wild. They made the ground shifts look easy. Has anyone else tried sparring under heavy gravity? I almost broke my wrist last time!
MxAdept: Right?? I noticed how they barely even spoke—like they're telepathic or something. Think it's Talent or just being actual Twins?
Vigar: Let's not ignore that combo move when Peritus tried to flank them, but they countered together. No way that was scripted!
SoraTheStrategist: Anyone catch which Twin is adapting better to interference waves? Precision versus improv—I'm on Team Precision, tbh. Much cleaner.
Zapnash: Lol, you just like the bladed routines. I bet Improv Twin's gonna crush them at tactical puzzles in the next module.
Vigar: Debate time! Who do you think leads the partnership? And will the Academy let us watch the Awakening??
MxAdept: Rumour is Head Nocturne's requested private broadcasts… but if enough students push for it, maybe we'll get a live stream. Sign me up!
KieraTheKeen: Either way, it's obvious why they were cleared so fast. If I get even 10% of their skills, I'm set for my Awakening.
After a late-afternoon debrief, Armorum praised them not just for technical mastery, but for their unrelenting determination. "You've set a new standard," he declared. "Rest tonight—the next phase won't get any easier."
Exhausted but exhilarated, the Twins returned home. That evening, as they reflected on the day's growth and camaraderie, a quiet sense of pride settled within them—matched only by their resolve to continue exceeding all expectations.
Thread: After Armorum's praise—what's next for the Twins?
SoraTheStrategist: Did you all see Armorum's face during the debrief? That's the most impressed I've EVER seen him. What do you think the next phase even is?
Vigar: If they're pushing new limits already, maybe they'll get field command simulations. Or… Oath challenges? Those are next-level intense.
MxAdept: Anyone else wondering how Morgranna fits into all this? She's fierce but also protective—like she knows how crucial the Twins will be.
DelphiWatcher: Rumour alert: Apparently, the footage from today is setting a new Academy trend! Everyone's dissecting their communication style—subtle gestures, tiny shifts. I say we try a duo drill in class next week.
KieraTheKeen: I'm in! Who wants to partner up? Also—exhausted but exhilarated? Relatable.
Zapnash: I still want to know who's going to step up and challenge the Twins next. Peritus can't be the only one brave enough to test their limits!
SoraTheStrategist: Whoever it is, better be ready. The Twins just redefined what teamwork means at the Academy.
Vigar: Agreed. Anyone want to start a watch group if we get that Awakening stream? I'll bring snacks.
Thread: Chaos Twins & Bane—Unprecedented Oath Awakening?!
NovaQuill: Wait, did anyone else just hear about what happened with the Twins and Bane? All three knocked out cold at the same time, in different Nurseries!
StarFletch: Yeah, my cousin's on staff at the Academy. She said their vitals were fine, but no one could wake them—super freaky. People are whispering about Tian Dao's direct involvement.
Talento: Seriously, an Oath and Talent Awakening for all three? At once? That's historic. No one's seen a cross-planet resonance like this before.
Chimerae: If they're linking like that now, what's it going to be like in training? Imagine the team's potential, FYI. They're Oath-bound for real.
BrightLoom: I heard they had to set up protective barriers around the Twins' room. What if something went wrong? Would interfering mess with their Talents?
Talento: One of the Healers told my mentor you can't break an Oath made by Tian Dao without risking disaster. The instructors are worried, but also—let's be honest—kind of in awe.
NovaQuill: Do you think we'll see changes when they're back in class? New powers? Closer teamwork? Or is it more mental, like in their dreams?
StarFletch: Doesn't matter, I'm just glad they're all safe. Morgranna was apparently beside herself. "Don't do that to me again," she said.
BrightLoom: The best part? They all woke up together and remembered being in some kind of cosmic dream. Wonder what really happened in there...
Chimerae: One way or another, the bar just got raised for every Oath ceremony at the Academy. Good luck to anyone following that act!
Thread: Reflections—Oath Synchrony & Talent Awakenings
ProfCadmus: Colleagues, I presume you've all read the initial reports on the Twins and Bane. Three synchronised Talent Awakenings, Oath-bonded from different Planets. Has there ever been a precedent, even in obscure doctrine?
Healer Orlan: Never to my knowledge. The closest related case I recall was a dual-Talent Awakening in the last century, but nothing on this scale—and certainly never cross-Nursery. The resonance patterns alone are unprecedented.
Director Mira: This will have implications for training protocols. The Dreamscape phenomenon suggests we must reevaluate our approach to Oath ceremonies and support—especially if Tian Dao is actively shaping outcomes.
Archivist Lin: The Councils will expect a complete log of resonance scan data and dream impressions. I'm already collecting witness accounts from the Mammys and the Med teams.
ProfCadmus: It raises ethical questions. There was no warning, no informed consent—albeit our charges are Unawakened. If such interventions become more frequent, should we create a specialised response team?
Healer Orlan: We must. And consider the psychological impact—not just the physical. Immediate recovery appears smooth, but the sense of unity and shared fate could affect leadership, autonomy, and even relationships with non-Oath peers.
Director Mira: Agreed. We'll need close monitoring and a dedicated mentorship cadre for the Trio. Also, reassess security. Protective barriers sufficed for now, but future events could be less benign.
Archivist Lin: One thing is clear: the bar for Talent ceremonies has been raised, and so has anxiety among staff and students. I hope we can guide these Children with the care such extraordinary circumstances demand.
Elder Lucius: "Thank you all for joining this meeting at short notice. We faced an unprecedented situation: simultaneous Talent and Oath Awakenings in the Twins and Bane, each in separate Nurseries, with notable cross-planet resonance. Let's review what happened, discuss implications for protocols, and propose next steps."
Healer Orlan: "The Twins and Bane lost consciousness at the same moment. Medical scans showed strong, stable vitals and overlapping Talent surges as well as Oath-bond creation. Recovery was spontaneous and complete. All reported a shared dream experience."
Head Nocturne: "Security teams established barriers immediately. No external interference or harm detected, but the Talent resonance was off normal parameters."
Elder Kyle: "I am compiling logs and collecting accounts from all team members present. Council will expect a comprehensive incident log."
Armorum: "The Twins exceeded prior records in cooperative drills today, adapting to new obstacles and heavy interference. They are showing exceptional communication—wordless, almost synchronised."
Peritus: "Their complementary fighting styles are now harmonising. We should monitor how this partnership evolves, especially with their Oath bond."
Healer Orlan: "Immediate recovery is reassuring, but the psychological effects of shared Oath and Awakening require ongoing evaluation. Unity might boost teamwork—but could impact individual autonomy."
Elder Caine: "Footage of the Twins' drills is trending throughout the student body. There's excitement, but also rising anxiety—both among students wishing to emulate their success, and staff concerned about protocol readiness."
Head Masters: "The Academy's approach to Talent ceremonies and training must adapt if Tian Dao's influence continues. We must support staff and students through these rapid changes."
Elder Soleil: "The Councils have given us directives to follow. Elder Kyle is to coordinate comprehensive data and dream reports for Council review. Healer Orlan, Elder Caine and Head Nocturne are to design a mentorship and monitoring plan for the Twins and Bane, focusing on psychological welfare and security."
"Armorum and Peritus are to draft enhanced training modules focused on duo and trio tactics with high interference after the Twins complete their Awakening. Bane will temporarily be moved to the Twins current Dorm when this happens."
"Head Masters, Healer Orlan and Head Nocturne are to review ethical guidelines for Oath/Awakening interventions, especially regarding informed consent and student autonomy."
Elder Soleil: "Proceed with utmost care. This is a defining moment for the Academy. Let's ensure we set the right precedent—innovative, but always safeguarding the Children in our charge. Thank you, everyone."
Morgranna was monitoring Conclave to check if the Twins talents were showing, as the Conclave Talent section updates automatically as soon as the Talent Awakening is completed. Suddenly, she saw that the list was updated, all three appeared with dual Talents, a general Talent and an Oath-bound Talent.
She didn't even stop to read the descriptions, she dialled a holomeeting, foot tapping as she waited for them to pick up.
Elder Caine: "Morgranna, this better be good, I'm busy enough as it is due to your charges!"
Morgranna: "Talent section on Conclave, check it!"
"..."
Elder Caine: "What in the Abyss did I just see and read?"
Elder Soleil: "So all three are now dual-talented, and their general Talent is literally their names? Tian Dao has actually managed to outdo itself with those!"
Elder Kyle: "Bane's Talent called Bane, with a description of the side-effects he can induce, like existential dread, inexplicable sighing, and a sudden urge to take up angsty poetry, is apt. But the recommendation of pairing it with herbal tea and soft lighting for maximum effect is over the top."
Elder Lucius: "At least his is artistic, Chaos' is a literal description of his name and presence, with an existential question of which chaos follows which chaos and a recommendation for frequent check-ins by slightly panicked faculty."
Head Nocturne: "The one I'm most worried about is the Oath-bound Talent. Bane has been given the Talent Heavens Assassin, Chaos Yi is Heavens Commander, and Chaos Er is Heavens Brawler. The description stating that they will take out any enemies of the Heavens, no matter where they are, is troubling to say the least."
Everyone sighed and logged off the call, ready to update their logs as all three Talents had now been updated and needed to be logged.
Thread: So... Bane & Chaos got their Talents officially listed? Reactions? Talent: Bane – The Ultimate Mood-Killer
Whispers of melodrama trailing in their wake, Bane can snuff out optimism with a single eyebrow raise. Side effects include existential dread, inexplicable sighing, and a sudden urge to take up angsty poetry. Best paired with herbal tea and soft lighting for maximum effect.
Talent: Chaos – Agent of Unplanned Excitement
Wherever Chaos goes, order takes a day off. Clocks run backward, furniture spontaneously rearranges itself, and training schedules burst into interpretive dance routines. Eternally unpredictable, Chaos is the personification of "Did someone just let a squirrel in here?" May require frequent check-ins by slightly panicked faculty.
SparkleBee: I can't believe their Talents are literally just their names. Bane gets Bane, Chaos gets Chaos?? Tian Dao is either a creative genius or has completely lost the plot.
Hexline: No, but did you read Bane's Talent? "Induces existential dread, inexplicable sighing, angsty poetry." I'm hiding my journals. Also, herbal tea and soft lighting? Did he just become our resident emo mascot?
ScholarKat: Chaos' description has me crying. "Check-ins by slightly panicked faculty." Like, we needed Cosmic Justification for the last fire drill. Who's writing these entries, honestly?
Orbital: I want to see the meeting where someone goes, "And your Talent is... Chaos. Please see the guidance counsellor."
FlipSage: Imagine being on Chaos' group project. "Daily side-quest: lose your homework, find a chicken, rearrange the classroom."
DataMoth: Okay, but seriously, are we sure the Conclave isn't just trolling us at this point? Existential question at the end of Chaos' description = chef's kiss.
KiteRunner: Bet Bane's Oath-bound Talent is just "Eternal RBF". Does anyone know what Chaos Yi and Chaos Er got for theirs?
SparkleBee: Check the list! Apparently, Bane is Heaven's Assassin, Chaos Yi is Heaven's Commander, and Chaos Er is Heaven's Brawler? So now we have a Trio of End Times.
FlipSage: From mood swings to apocalypse trio. No way this is safe. Or boring.
ScholarKat: New theory: the Academy is secretly a drama club and we've all been cast as supporting characters in their epic.
Orbital: PLOT TWIST: The next Talent Awakening is going to be "Snacksummon," and it'll belong to Vigar.
FlipSage: I'd sign the Oath for snacks, not going to lie.