Chapter 20 — The Synchronization Ritual.
Chapter 20 — The Synchronization Ritual
The synchronization process began the moment Adrien activated the formation beneath them.
The circular arena pulsed with faint blue symbols — ancient runes from a forgotten civilization, humming gently like whispers of old gods. Thin arcs of energy connected each of the twelve individuals, forming a glowing web of power.
The air thickened. The dimensional fabric inside the arena bent unnaturally, vibrating at frequencies no ordinary mortal could endure.
> It begins, Cyrus thought, standing still as the energy web touched his skin.
---
The circle was complete.
Fourteen figures stood, each on a floating stone platform, perfectly spaced around the great Vault.
Above them, the swirling cosmic ceiling pulsed softly — a sea of violet clouds and distant golden lights, as if galaxies themselves watched in silence.
The humming grew stronger.
The Vault awakened.
---
Cyrus stood on his platform, calm and controlled — but fully alert.
> Focus.
No wasted thoughts. No emotion now.
> But observe... always observe.
He watched their body language. Every slight shift, every hidden glance.
Selene — cheerful mask, but calculating eyes.
Vera — quiet, fingers gently twitching, adjusting her breathing.
Liora — a flirtatious smile, but her gaze jumped between everyone.
Seraphina — hands folded calmly, yet her aura occasionally flared with faint bloodlust.
Aurora — perfectly composed, yet her eyes gleamed with caution.
Iris — wide-eyed, but her mind far busier than her expression suggested.
The boys:
Ren — silent but scanning, taking mental notes.
Shun — tapping his fingers, slightly impatient.
Daiki — statue-like, steady and dependable.
Kaito — hands behind his back, polite smile with a coiled ambition.
Adrien — the conductor of this twisted orchestra, standing at the core.
And then himself — Cyrus.
---
Adrien raised his hand.
Adrien (calm, firm tone):
"Prepare yourselves. The ritual requires precise resonance."
---
Suddenly, glowing sigils lit beneath each platform — ancient symbols unique to every bloodline.
One by one, their innate signatures flared:
Selene Drakonis' temporal field flickered like distorted frames in a broken film reel.
Vera Nocturnis' form dimmed into semi-transparency, her shadow melting into the formation.
Liora Valthorne's psychic waves rippled outward, brushing against the minds of everyone.
Seraphina Ravencourt's dual auras of life and death oscillated in a perfect, unsettling rhythm.
Aurora Vermillion's reality-bending sphere fluctuated unnaturally, bending space subtly.
Iris Obscura's illusions started manifesting faint echoes and phantom images.
Ren Valerius' physical energy boiled inside him, contained only by sheer will.
Shun Mercurius' mimicry essence reached out, testing and sampling other powers.
Daiki Stormgrave's skin hardened slightly, resembling living steel.
Kaito Solarius' energy core spun faster, absorbing surrounding minor fluctuations.
Adrien's own aura pulsed faintly with an alien rhythm — like it didn't belong to this world.
And finally, Cyrus.
---
Unlike the others, Cyrus didn't radiate violent bursts.
His synchronization was silent, dense, heavy.
A black core of condensed, tightly bound force formed around him — neither offensive nor defensive, but pure control.
His mind was calculating every vibration, every shift, every data point pouring into him from the others' signatures. His instincts worked in perfect unison with his conscious thought.
> Observe. Learn. Control.
Even in synchronization... they reveal weaknesses.
---
The ritual required balance. Any mismatch in signatures could destabilize the process.
Cyrus subtly adjusted his breathing, his pulse, even the tension of his muscles to match the required synchronization frequency.
A fine mist of energy condensed across his shoulders as if even the formation struggled to completely analyze his being.
The runes began to hum, syncing to their presence.
One by one, they spoke their family titles aloud — as the ritual required.
---
Selene (voice steady, light smile):
"Selene Drakonis, bearer of the Temporal Flame."
Vera (soft whisper):
"Vera Nocturnis, child of the Silent Blades."
Liora (playful, slightly teasing tone):
"Liora Valthorne, sovereign of the Mind King's will."
Seraphina (serene, low voice):
"Seraphina Ravencourt, keeper of balance between life and death."
Aurora (calm, powerful tone):
"Aurora Vermillion, architect of fractured reality."
Iris (soft, innocent tone hiding sharpness):
"Iris Obscura, daughter of the Grand Illusionists."
---
Ren (steady, unshaken tone):
"Ren Valerius, unbroken heir of the Eternal Flame."
Shun (grinning, relaxed tone):
"Shun Mercurius, hand of the Infinite Thieves."
Daiki (firm, solid tone):
"Daiki Stormgrave, shield of the Immortal Bastion."
Kaito (polite, composed tone):
"Kaito Solarius, sovereign of boundless energy."
---
The room pulsed.
Finally, Adrien turned toward Cyrus.
All eyes followed.
Adrien (slow, expectant tone):
"And now... the final key."
---
Cyrus took a small breath.
He could feel the weight of every gaze.
Cyrus (calm, emotionless tone):
"Cyrus Aurelius... the last breath of the fallen house."
---
The moment his words echoed, the Vault reacted violently.
BOOM
A surge of energy burst out — the platforms shaking as waves of pressure rolled through the chamber.
The ceiling's swirling clouds expanded.
The Vault's massive door split slightly open — revealing only endless darkness inside.
---
Adrien (smiling softly):
"It begins."
---
But Cyrus was watching him carefully.
> He wanted this surge.
This door opening is not the destination — it's the first test.
---
Suddenly, faint whispers filled the air — like hundreds of voices murmuring in forgotten tongues.
The light grew dimmer.
---
Vynne (nervous whisper):
"What... is that sound?"
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Aurora (coldly):
"The Vault is alive. And it's testing our intent."
---
The ground cracked — a creature crawling out of the shadows.
Skeletal arms. Twisted horns. Its body forged from broken armor pieces — and eyes of black fire.
---
Cyrus (calmly observing):
"A trial guardian."
> Not summoned... pre-programmed defense.
It's studying our fear before attacking.
---
Ren stepped forward instinctively, activating his Limit Overdrive. His aura flared like wildfire.
Ren (calm, determined):
"We stand together. Do not falter."
---
Adrien (grinning, in a commanding tone):
"Let this be your first test as a team."
---
The group readied themselves.
Cyrus watched everything in slow, perfect calculation — breathing steady, heart at rest.
> Let's see how they fight. This will reveal more than any conversation ever could.
---
The true trial was only beginning.
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End of Chapter 20