Aeonite

The realm of the Aeons, Aeonite as it was officially called, was just the same as ever.

As I stepped into the radiant realm, I was enveloped by an ethereal haze that defied comprehension. The light was omnipresent, yet it didn't sear my eyes. Instead, it illuminated every sound, resonating through the realm like a celestial symphony.

Above me, ten mountainous figures hovered in the sky, their forms shapeless and amorphous, like colossal clouds. They pulsed with an otherworldly energy, sending down occasional beams of light that suffused the realm, imbuing it with an elevated quality of supernatural energy.

As I gazed upon these luminous entities, I began to discern their distinct auras. Two figures, Genesis and Finire, stood as sentinels, embodying the boundaries of existence. Their presence whispered secrets of creation and destruction, the alpha and omega of the cosmos.

Nearby, Tryggr and Treta pulsed with an opposing rhythm, their energies embodying the eternal struggle between order and chaos. Tryggr's presence resonated with the harmony of structured systems, while Treta's aura whispered the beauty of randomness and the freedom of unbridled creativity.

Lihtine and Kimmerien shone like celestial bodies, their light and darkness intertwined like the threads of a rich tapestry. Lihtine's radiance illuminated the path to knowledge and understanding, while Kimmerien's shadows hid the secrets of the unknown, waiting to be uncovered.

The life force of Ativ and the transformative power of Zid ebbed and flowed like the tides, reminding me of the delicate balance between birth and decay, growth and transformation.

Lastly, Noyanu and Xim stood as guardians of the cosmos, their energies reflecting the tension between unity and duality. Noyanu's presence whispered secrets of interconnectedness, while Xim's aura revealed the beauty of separation and the individuality that arises from it.

As I walked under the shadows of the Aeons, their presence resonated within me, attuning my being to the inherent concepts they embodied. The experience was both exhilarating and humbling, a reminder of the mysteries that lie beyond the veil of reality.

Every second the Aeons increased their luminescence, bathing their realm in an intense, pulsating light, etching the view deep into my mind.

It was an experience, being here, and my powers have never felt more alive. It was not a surprise that I sensed someone appearing behind me.

I turned around and found myself face to face with another human. I was shocked, one would have thought that I was the only human amongst these space soldiers.

“You’re human,” I said, belatedly realizing how bad that was being the first word uttered to a stranger.

What a way to go with the first impression, Clarke, I thought.

He smiled. “You are the human, I’m a Daenite. We are quite similar to humans as our both species evolved from apes. But genetically, there’s quite a bit of difference, I assure you,” he said, after shaking his head at my ignorant question. “To get on with the pleasantries, I’m Pero, a Bastion of Genesis.”

“Ah, I’m Clarke, a Bastion of Genesis, a Genesis’i,” I introduced myself.

“Ah, you are the Bastion who has quite an impressively creative use of our Aeon’s power,” he continued, eyes glinting with excitement. “I, of course, speak of what you call the Power of Mergence.”

I nodded understanding what he was talking about. I know that it had been impressively creative but I doubted any Bastion of Genesis hadn’t ever done something similar or wouldn’t be able to replicate it.

I said as much to him and his response was incredibly interesting.

Pero grinned and shook his head at me. “It is, of course, capable of being replicated. But there’s no honor in that.”

I stared at him like he was an alien. Well, he actually was. But I couldn’t even imagine that an alien, a warrior no less, would hinder himself from learning something that wouldn’t only make him stronger but also might end up saving his life, all because of honor.

Once we were done exchanging pleasantries, he offered to teleport me over to the equivalent of Bastions of Genesis HQ here.

I took his arm and the world went crazy around me, twisting and turning as we moved through space and time.

When we finally arrived, I took a gander at my surroundings. It was very utilitarian.

I didn’t even get much time to go over the interior of the building, much less start exploring, when Pero told me there was something he had to tell me on behalf of the other Bastions of Genesis.

Thinking this was probably my fellow Genesis bros setting the rules down for me, I decided to listen.

I sat in the dimly lit room, the air thick with an eerie silence. Pero leaned forward, his eyes piercing through the shadows. "There's someone you need to be cautious of, Clarke," he said, his voice low and urgent. "Someone who will stop at nothing to undermine everything you hold dear."

I raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Who is it?"

Pero's expression turned grave. "Blin. You can't trust them, Clarke. All Bastions of Finire are...antithetical to us. Our fated opposites."

I felt a shiver run down my spine, but a part of me rebelled against the warning. I knew this already, but Blin has helped me more than anyone else in my life, save Mindy. "What makes you think that?" I asked, trying to keep my tone neutral.

Pero's eyes seemed to bore into my soul. "I've seen the way they regard you, Clarke…regard us. But Blin, the way they smile, the way they laugh. It's all a facade, a mask to hide their true intentions."

I frowned, unsure. "But I've talked to them, Pero. They seem...genuine."

Pero's face twisted into a grimace. "That's exactly what they want you to think, Clarke. Bastions of Finire are master manipulators, using their alluring aloofness and apathy to draw people into their web of deceit."

I shook my head, trying to process the warning. "I don't know, Blin. I need more proof before I can just blindly distrust someone."

Pero's expression turned somber. "I'm telling you, Clarke, Blin is not to be trusted. But if you need proof, then so be it. Just be careful, Clarke. Very careful."

I nodded, feeling a sense of unease settle in the pit of my stomach. I wasn't convinced, but a part of me couldn't shake off the feeling that Pero was on to something.