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Legendary Achievement!

Ryden, Rice, and Darius have created the first clans, transforming the tribes of the central plains into a unified and structured coalition. This monumental step has laid the foundation for a new age of identity, strength, and legacy across GAIA.

Effects:

Clan System Established: Each clan has gained unique buffs tied to their identity (e.g., Dog Clan - loyalty and defense, Dragon Clan - leadership and combat power).Enhanced Inter-Clan Collaboration: Improved synergy and shared resources among the clans.Title Earned: Trailblazers of Unity.

Mythical Achievement!

Congratulations! You have forged the Zodiac, a coalition of twelve clans united under a shared vision of balance and harmony. This legendary achievement marks the dawn of a new era and has solidified the Zodiac as a beacon of hope and strength in GAIA.

Effects:

You have been granted a entry into the codex ExistentiaNew Ability Unlocked: Bestow the Jade Emperor title upon a worthy individual.Global Influence Increased: The Zodiac is now recognized as a force of stability and power across GAIA.Spirit Favor Buff: Spirits aligned with the Zodiac clans gain additional strength and cooperation bonuses.Enhanced Clan Synergy: Unique abilities unlocked when Zodiac clans work together in battle or diplomacy.

Codex Existentia Entry: The Jade Emperor

Congratulations! You have unlocked the ability to grant the Jade Emperor title to a worthy individual. This role is imbued with unparalleled authority, responsibility, and power within the Zodiac coalition.

Effects of the Title:

Supreme Authority: The Jade Emperor has vast influence over the twelve Zodiac clans, acting as a unifying leader in times of peace and war.Personal Army: The title grants the Jade Emperor the ability to form an elite force drawn from all clans, with enhanced combat capabilities and unique buffs.Administrative Excellence: The Jade Emperor gains skills in governance, resource management, and diplomacy, ensuring prosperity and stability across the coalition.Mandate of Heaven: A celestial ability that legitimizes the Emperor's rule, inspiring loyalty among allies and unleashing devastating spiritual power upon foes.Leadership Buffs: Increased productivity, morale, and loyalty within the Zodiac clans.Visual Markers: A crown of golden light and a staff etched with the symbols of the twelve Zodiac animals, symbolizing unity and divine favor.

Note: "The Jade Emperor is the ultimate symbol of unity and leadership, guiding the Zodiac with wisdom, strength, and celestial power. To bestow this title is to define the future of the coalition."

The glowing Codex Existentia inscriptions hovered in the air, golden letters shimmering like celestial constellations. Ryden tilted his head, reading the intricate details of the Jade Emperor role with awe.

"This… this is incredible," Darius murmured, running a hand through his hair. "The level of authority and responsibility—it's like ruling an entire civilization."

Ryden crossed his arms, his sharp eyes focused on the section about the Mandate of Heaven. "Calling celestial power to unify the clans—or strike down enemies. That's a lot of power to put in one person's hands."

Rice, however, squinted at the Codex, his expression shifting from intrigue to indignation. He jabbed a finger at the glowing text. "Wait a second. This gets a glowing crown, a celestial staff, and 'guiding the Zodiac with divine favor?'" He threw up his hands. "Why didn't our titles get anything cool like that? I'm the Shepherd of Beasts! Where's my epic description?!"

Ryden chuckled, patting Rice on the back. "Maybe next time, Shepherd of Complaints."

Ryden stood atop a small ridge overlooking the vast expanse of plains, his gaze fixed on the massive procession of people winding its way toward Pillaris. The sight was awe-inspiring: dozens of clans moving together in harmony, their banners fluttering in the cool breeze, their spirits accompanying them like silent sentinels. Horses carried goods and riders, carts groaned under the weight of supplies, and warriors walked alongside farmers and artisans, all heading toward the city that had become a symbol of hope and unity.

To his left, a familiar figure caught his eye. Lucy, her small frame perched atop a speckled gray horse, was struggling to keep her balance. Her hands gripped the reins tightly, her brow furrowed in determination as the horse plodded along. She wasn't quite graceful yet—her legs stuck out awkwardly, and her posture wavered every time the horse shifted—but she was managing.

Ryden couldn't help but smile, a wave of nostalgia washing over him. When they'd first met Lucy, she'd been just a frightened little girl, her life shattered by tragedy. Now, though, she was growing up, her courage shining through even in small moments like this. She had come a long way, and it made Ryden wonder just how much time had passed since they had left Pillaris.

He frowned slightly, his gaze drifting to the horizon. Time had felt slippery since they'd started their journey, the days blurring into weeks, the weeks into months. Before he had devised the calendar, he hadn't bothered to track the passage of time. He had tried once, back when the days were still fresh and filled with the urgency of survival, but after a couple hundred marks scratched into a tree, he'd simply stopped.

To make things even more difficult, the central plains didn't have strong seasonal shifts. Autumn and winter brought cooler air, but the land never transformed the way it did in the forests or mountains. The plains remained steady and temperate, the grasses swaying under the same soft breezes that carried their laughter and voices.

Now, though, as a chilly gust nipped at his skin, Ryden squinted at the pale blue sky. Was it autumn? Winter on the way? He wasn't sure. The air felt like it might be edging toward winter, but the subtle shifts made it hard to tell.

He turned to Rice, who was perched on a boulder nearby, chewing on a stalk of grass and watching the procession with a grin. "Hey, Rice," Ryden called. "How much time do you think has actually passed?"

Rice shrugged, the motion easy and loose. "I don't know, man. We didn't really have a way to tell unless we were doing that prison tally mark thingy. Plus," he added, his tone more casual than the statement warranted, "our age has been suspended in our status, so who knows?"

Ryden blinked, his brow furrowing. "Wait, what? Our age was suspended in the status?"

"Yeah, dude," Rice said, tilting his head as if this were common knowledge. "It hasn't changed at all. And I know for a fact it's been more than a year."

Ryden narrowed his eyes. "You counted?"

"I mean, I tried," Rice admitted, scratching the back of his head. "I stopped after day 400, though. That was, like, back when we'd just introduced spirits into the world. Feels like forever ago."

Ryden crossed his arms, staring back at the horizon. "Then how long do you think it's been since we left Pillaris?"

Rice shrugged again, his grin easy. "Eh, maybe a couple years? Hard to say. Everything's been moving so fast, y'know? Kinda hard to stop and think about it when you're out here changing the world."

Ryden chuckled despite himself, shaking his head. "A couple years… feels like both a lifetime and no time at all."

Rice hopped off the boulder, brushing his hands against his trousers. "Yeah, well, time's weird when you're out here being awesome.

Ryden stood silently for a moment, his gaze drifting back to Lucy as Rice brushed off his trousers. The sounds of the bustling migration—the laughter, the steady clopping of hooves, and the low murmur of conversation—faded into the background as Ryden's thoughts sharpened. Lucy was riding just ahead, her small frame perched on a horse, her hands gripping the reins tightly. Her determination was evident, her teeth clenched as she focused on keeping her balance.

It was then that Ryden noticed something that struck him like a bolt of lightning. When they had first met Lucy, she had barely reached his waist, a tiny girl clinging to his side in a world that had taken so much from her. But now? Now she sat taller, her figure lean but growing stronger with each passing day. As she glanced back toward him, the corners of her mouth curling into a small smile, Ryden realized she had grown up to his shoulders.

He exhaled slowly, a wave of realization settling over him. It wasn't just Lucy who had grown; so much time had passed—more than he had truly reckoned. He turned his head back toward Rice, his brow furrowing as the question formed in his mind.

"Rice," he began, his voice quieter than before, "how long did it take us to help form the Zodiac?"

Rice tilted his head, his expression thoughtful as he leaned back against the boulder he'd just hopped off. "Hmm… definitely longer than it took to get Pillaris up and running," he said slowly, rubbing his chin. "Like, much longer. We wanted to be extra sure we weren't making a mistake giving our gifts to them, right? So we scoped them out for a while—talked to the chiefs, learned about their tribes, and then started teaching."

He hesitated, glancing briefly between Ryden and Lucy. "Plus, y'know… we had to deal with some, uh, emotional issues, I guess."

Ryden's gaze didn't waver as he considered Rice's words, his memories flickering back to the hardships they'd faced along the way—lost tribes, brutal fights, and moments of doubt that had tested all of them.

Rice continued, his voice picking up again as he gestured vaguely at the horizon. "I swear, though, the days sometimes felt like seconds. We all had so much to teach, and the people of the central plains had so much to show us. It was like this constant back-and-forth of learning and sharing, you know? Time kinda… slipped away."

Ryden nodded slowly, his mind already trying to piece it together.

"If I really had to guess?" Rice said, tilting his head toward the sky in thought. "Three or four years? Maybe five? Yeah, that feels about right."

Ryden folded his arms, staring at the ground as his thoughts churned. Three to five years. He'd known it had been a while, but to hear it laid out like that… it put everything into perspective.

"Yeah," Ryden said at last, his voice steady. "You might be right. I asked Arika to track the days for us so she can tell us when we get back to Pillaris."

Rice grinned, clapping Ryden on the shoulder. "Smart move, dude. At least someone's got it together enough to keep track of the calendar. But hey, you made the thing—guess it's fitting."

Ryden chuckled softly, his gaze lifting back to Lucy as she steadied herself on her horse. The journey wasn't over yet, but the realization of how far they'd come—and how much time had passed—made him feel both awed and humbled.

The journey pressed on, the plains stretching endlessly before them, but the group's spirits were buoyed by the camaraderie and shared purpose that bound them together. The lush fields they passed through were a testament to the efforts of the trio and the gathered clans.

As they crested a small hill, the sight before them stole the breath of everyone in the procession. The fields were alive with bounty, a vibrant patchwork of fruit trees, sprawling vines, and tall, golden stalks of grain swaying in the gentle breeze. Apples, peaches, and berries hung heavy from their branches, their colors vivid under the sunlight. Melons nestled among the vines, their plump forms promising sweet sustenance, while leafy greens grew in neat, thriving clusters.

The tribespeople murmured in awe, the sheer abundance a stark contrast to the barren lands many of them had known before. Children darted forward, giggling as they picked fruits and carried them back triumphantly. Spirits, drawn to the vitality of the place, flitted among the crops like silent guardians.

Amidst the fields stood several towering statues, their intricate carvings unmistakably Ryden's work. A majestic lion reared on its hind legs, its mane a cascade of flowing stone that seemed to ripple in the wind. Another statue depicted a wise owl perched atop a branch, its eyes glowing faintly with an inner light. Each statue radiated a palpable energy, their presence not only a source of inspiration but a beacon for the spirits.

Clusters of small, ethereal beings surrounded the statues, their forms shimmering like water in sunlight. The lion statue emitted an aura of courage and strength, invigorating the warriors who passed by it. The owl statue seemed to calm those near it, sharpening their focus and filling them with clarity.

"Ryden, did you know they'd turn out like this?" Darius asked, his voice tinged with awe as they passed the lion statue.

Ryden, riding alongside on his sturdy mare, shrugged modestly. "I had no idea,"

Rice grinned, nudging Ryden with an elbow. "i guess you do more then just painting"

The group pressed onward, the clans weaving through the lush fields as they made their way toward Pillaris. The banners of the Zodiac fluttered in the breeze, each clan's emblem proudly displayed. The Dog Clan led the way, their sturdy warriors marching in disciplined formations. Behind them came the swift riders of the Horse Clan, their steeds laden with supplies. The Monkey and Goat Clans mingled with ease, their lively banter filling the air.

Ryden rode slightly ahead of the main group, his sharp eyes scanning the horizon. He glanced over at Lucy, still perched on her speckled gray horse, her grip on the reins a little steadier now.

She turned to look at him, her lips curling into a small smile, and he felt a pang of nostalgia. She wasn't the same frightened child they had taken in all those years ago. She was growing into her own, even if her posture on the horse still needed work.