Chapter 5 – The Fundamentals of Power

Ariel sat in silence.

The chamber was dimly lit, illuminated only by the flickering glow of mana lamps embedded in the high stone walls. The ceiling arched overhead, traced with golden sigils that shimmered faintly, whispering with energies beyond his understanding. The air was thick, heavy—not oppressive, but charged, as though the very room breathed with an unseen force.

Across from him, his elder sat with perfect poise, her hands folded atop the smooth marble of the long, unadorned table between them. She had guided him through the city, through the halls, through the unspoken expectations of his place in the Lightbound Order. But now, there was something different in her gaze—something sharper, more calculating.

He was no longer being observed. He was being instructed.

She studied him for a long moment before speaking.

"You are no longer an outsider, Ariel. It is time you understand the foundation upon which our world stands. Let us begin."

Ariel did not respond. He merely watched, waiting.

The elder leaned forward slightly, the flickering light catching in her eyes. "Power in this world is not merely given—it is awakened. Every living being carries within them the potential to wield mana, but it is only those who are chosen—those whose Legacies stir—that may shape it."

A pause. Then, she continued.

"A Legacy is more than mere strength—it is a force, a guiding will that binds itself to a chosen soul. They come in many forms. Some are fragments of ancient deities, some remnants of celestial beasts. Others are echoes of powerful concepts, given shape and purpose no matter the origin or rank they are alive within the mana hearts of wielders. They exist to guide you, shape you into something stronger. To awaken a Legacy is to be forever changed. It is to wield something beyond the self. "

"However the power of these legacies are sealed within the mana heart of wielders. There are 5 seals within each mana heart and each must be broken to gain higher power. Seals can be broken in multiple ways... They naturally break over time but can be broken forcefully in two ways normally it is done by absorption of soul fragments but in extremely rare cases a seal can be broken through emotion."

"Each broken seal has a name, and they define the path of a warrior's growth. The First Seal is known as Awakening,, the moment a wielder first taps into the true power of their Legacy. marking the transition from potential to reality. The Second Seal, Ascension, represents the moment a wielder's connection with their Legacy deepens, allowing them to wield their power with greater refinement. The Third Seal, Manifestation, is when a wielder's abilities take on a unique identity, manifesting in ways that are distinctly their own. The Fourth Seal, Transcendence, marks the point where a wielder surpasses conventional limits, reaching levels of mastery that few can attain and a new connection with your legacy unlocking the ability of Resonate Sanctum this is when you are able to summon an alternate dimension corresponding to your legacy powers-it is truly a terrifyingly strong power if used correctly. Finally, the Fifth Seal, Apotheosis, is the pinnacle of all power, where one's Legacy and soul become inseparable, elevating them to a state of unrivaled strength.. As each seal is broken, a wielder unlocks new depths of their power, their connection to their Legacy strengthening, shaping them into something greater. Every broken seal is not just an increase in strength, but a transformation—one that comes with its own trials and burdens. 

Ariel listened, the weight of her words settling over him.

"The strength of a wielder is not dictated solely by their Legacy but by how they break their Seals. Warriors are categorized by their progression through the Seals, from Initiates who have only just Awakened, to Ascendants who have broken multiple Seals, to the legendary Paragons—those who have reached Apotheosis and stand at the peak of all combat. A warrior's rank is not defined by their Legacy alone, but by their mastery of their own path.," she said, her voice even, measured. "They are divided by rank, a hierarchy that determines both the wielder's potential and the burden they must bear."

She raised a single finger. "The lowest are Lesser Legacies—still powerful, yet often simpler in nature. They are common among warriors and serve as the foundation of many strong fighters."

A second finger. "Above them are Common Legacies—balanced and versatile, wielded by those who refine their strengths through skill and discipline."

A third. "Then, Greater Legacies—powerful, refined, capable of shaping the course of battle. Those who bear them are warriors of renown, their abilities carrying unique advantages."

A fourth. "Beyond them stand the Ascendant Legacies—extremely rare, carrying both immense power and a deeper connection to the fabric of mana itself. These Legacies often bestow abilities that transcend conventional limits."

A fifth. "And at the peak stand the Mythic Legacies—rarities among rarities. They are not merely forces—they are legends reborn, fragments of divinity power that shape the destiny of those who wield them. Few in history have awakened them, and fewer still have mastered them."

Ariel said nothing, but something inside him stirred.

The elder's gaze did not waver. "You, Ariel, are one of the three who bear a Mythic Legacy. That is why you are here. That is why your path will be unlike any other."

"However," her voice carried a weight Ariel couldn't quite grasp, something measured yet firm, "your Legacy does not inherently make you stronger than others. Strength is not dictated by what you are given, but by how you wield it." She stopped for a second but soon continued, "Legacies of higher rank provide greater versatility and broader applications, but they are not inherently stronger than others. Power is not measured by rank alone—it is determined by mastery, control, and how one wields their abilities." She paused, letting her words settle before adding, "However, as one advances through the later stages of power, the potential of a Legacy fully reveals itself. At the peak of mastery, those with higher-ranked Legacies may unlock abilities beyond what others can achieve. Yet even then, it is not the Legacy that defines strength, but the wielder's will. But these limits do not bind you. Mythic Legacy wielders operate on an entirely different scale. Unlike others, their Legacies do not merely enhance their abilities—they reshape the very nature of power itself.Their growth is not confined by conventional limits, as their Legacies evolve with them, adapting to their experiences and trials in ways no other rank can. To bear a Mythic Legacy is to wield a force beyond comprehension, one that is both a blessing and a burden. Few in history have ever unlocked the full potential of such a power, and even fewer have controlled it without being consumed by it." 

She allowed those words to settle before she shifted, pressing onward.

"But a Legacy is nothing without mana."

Ariel had heard the word before. It had been spoken in reverence, in strategy, in whispered conversations among scholars and knights alike.

"Mana is the lifeblood of all power," the elder explained. "It is not merely energy—it is force, will, essence. It is drawn from your mana heart, shaped by one's Legacy, and released into the world in countless forms depending on your legacy. It dictates strength, endurance, ability. But raw mana alone is meaningless. It must be honed, controlled, wielded with precision."

Her fingers tapped lightly against the table. "That is where Mana Control comes in."

Ariel tilted his head slightly.

"It is the first lesson any wielder must master. Without control, power is nothing but destruction. To manipulate mana is to impose one's will upon the world—to bend it, shape it, make it an extension of oneself. Weak control leads to waste, instability. Mastery leads to dominance."

She leaned back, allowing him a moment to absorb her words. "And from control, we develop Styles."

The word lingered in the air between them.

"Styles are the culmination of technique and philosophy," she continued. "They are not only refined pathways through which mana flows but also structured methods of combat that enhance and synchronize with one's Mana Control, dictating how a wielder fights, how they survive, how they impose themselves upon battle. Every wielder's Style is unique depending on their legacy but there exist Foundation Styles—ancestral techniques passed down through the generations, refined into forms that shape the very structure of combat."

She gestured slightly, and the golden sigils on the ceiling shifted, forming three distinct symbols.

"The Lightbound Order, the Shadow Veil, and the Astral Vanguard—each faction has its own Foundation Style, designed to complement their strengths."

Her hand extended toward the first sigil—a balanced, symmetrical shape.

"The Lightbound Order's Foundation Style is one of equilibrium. Balance above all else. Control, precision, adaptability. It is the style of those who walk the middle path, neither yielding nor overextending."

She gestured to the second sigil—its form was erratic, shifting even as Ariel looked at it.

"The Shadow Veil's Foundation Style is deception made manifest. It is fluid, unpredictable. A formless style that shifts between extremes, wielding misdirection as a weapon. To master it is to be unseen, untouchable, inevitable."

Her hand moved to the final sigil—bold, jagged, radiating sheer force.

"The Astral Vanguard's Foundation Style is raw power given form. Overwhelming force. Absolute destruction. A style that does not yield, does not falter. It is not finesse—it is dominance."

Ariel let this information sink in before speaking. "Why are they called Foundation Styles?" he asked, his voice steady yet curious.

The elder regarded him for a moment before answering in a calm, measured tone. "They are called Foundation Styles because while each Legacy shapes its wielder's combat instincts and techniques differently, we provide a structured foundation—a starting point. These styles serve as a universal groundwork upon which warriors refine their individual abilities. Without a strong foundation, even the most gifted wielder will falter in battle." 

She let the sigils linger before they faded once more into the golden ceiling.

"Your path, Ariel, is not yet set. You stand at the precipice of something greater than yourself, but how you walk it will be determined by what you learn, by what you choose."

The silence between them stretched, the weight of the knowledge settling over him.

Then, the elder's lips curved ever so slightly.

"Now I understand that this is alot of information to process but," she said, her voice carrying the hint of something more. "Shall we begin?"