[center][h1][b][i]Si Vis Pacem…[/i][/b][/h1][/center]
[center][h2][i]The Sacred Sextet & The Order of the Phoenix[/i][/h2][/center]
[hr]
Homura stood before her champions, and shed the veil of death she wore, revealing her red eyes alight with cosmic fire. There was an intensity in her eyes that conveyed a newfound purpose, as she turned her burning gaze towards the slumbering vessels arranged near the Eternal Flame. It was Pride that spoke first, demurely approaching her mother and coming to a halt only a mere step away from the goddess.

“Isn't it you who grants wishes, Mother?” She murmured softly.

[b][i]“If only it were so simple, Pride. The more I give, the more the world wants. I continually ask myself, how am I supposed to provide for all of you? What will paradise look like, but of greater importance… What will paradise cost?”[/i][/b] Homura began, musing aloud as she slowly strode towards one of the sleeping humans as the Keeper of Keltra followed her. The two of them reached their destination, and the childlike champion watched as her mother held out her hand over the pale vessel, recognizing the act that would awaken another of the dreamers.

“What’s the price you pay? You’re immortal, a goddess, you’ve such power and yet you struggle… and yet you give us your power. I must ask, Is this real? You’d be willing to sacrifice yourself?” Pride persisted, reaching up and grasping the outstretched arm of Homura. “You said you don’t understand us! Why are you doing this?”

[b][i]“Be not afraid, I offer you a choice. Walk beside me on the Sacred Path, or pursue your own fate by following your own wishes.”[/i][/b] Homura replied, before divine essence poured forth from her hand and fell upon the lone chosen vessel which would come alive with her power. [b][i]“Awaken! My name is Homura and I have created you! Your aspect shall be Desire! You have been blessed by my presence, and have been given the opportunity to fulfill a purpose. Come and aid me now.”[/i][/b] The single statue was consumed in a flash of light which then dimmed until it dispersed and revealed another living effigy of the Goddess of Honor - afterward, Homura hid herself once more behind her veil.

Both Homura and Pride stepped back, giving the newly awake champion some space to orient herself. The other champions approached, gathering in a group to watch what comes next with a myriad of expressions; eagerness and nervous excitement as a few grinned because another sister had been added to the family. Even the otherworldly music that filled the vast hall became quiet with anticipation, awaiting the first words of Keltra’s newest inhabitant.

Blinking and looking around, the newly-dubbed Desire took in her surroundings. Rubbing the non-existence from her eyes, she shook her fiery red hair, reveling in creation. “I… hello. I will serve humanity, Mother, as I was created to do.” She inclined her head, showing proper respect for the godly gift she had been given. “I can feel it. The burning aspiration for greatness. I will show humanity the path into the future. Everything can be so much… more.” There was a bright wonder in her voice, a childlike delight befitting her form and the recency of her birth. Like many of the other champions, she shared in her creator’s image.

[b][i]“Allow me to temporarily guide you then. My kin wreak havoc upon the Galbar, and I will not abandon humanity now. If you wish to survive, you must discover ways to defend yourselves.”[/i][/b] Homura stated, circling her gathering of champions as she spoke. Courage and her Reflection came close to Desire, and each placed a hand on their new sister’s shoulder, while the rest of the Holy Quintet glanced back and forth between the trio and the goddess. It seemed as though Homura only accentuated the interaction, as opposed to speaking directly to any of them while Courage and Courage II introduced themselves.

“It’s nice to meet you, ya. That’s Kindness and Kindness the Second. Over there is Curiosity holding Rowan beside Curiosity the Second. Those two are Wanderer and Wanderer the Second, and this pipsqueak is Pride.” The most brash among the champions said before she chuckled in embarrassment, ruffling the Keeper of Keltra’s head of hair. “Oh, and I’m Courage and this is Courage the Second.”

The last of the greetings was interrupted by an immense burst of light followed by the thunderous beating of wings, as above them flew the phoenix in her true form. The massive six-winged spirit reached the ceiling and began circling, defying gravity with the aid of sorcery for there was no other way to describe her flight. It was Pride who spoke then, pointing upwards with an annoyed face. “That’s Charis, my chosen champion.” She said with a sigh.

Desire stared upwards with a look of wonder. “Your champion?” she asked. Looking around at her sisters with an enthusiastic grin, she continued. “Does that mean I have even more sisters I haven’t met yet? I can’t wait to get started and help humanity. I can’t wait to meet everybody! Wait, why are you annoyed, Pride? Charis looks super cool!”

“I wouldn’t indulge her ego too much, and I’m not annoyed.” Pride answered with a slight scowl, before resetting her features as she explained further. “We’re missing one of our kin, but you’ll meet her soon if all goes well, so there’s eleven of us in total now. Hmm, we should begin the rituals that will let you join in our bond with each other and Charis.”

Chastised, she nodded. “Okay, let’s get started, then.” She bounced with excitement, clearly happy just to be included. Glancing to Courage and her Reflection, she waited eagerly to follow them in the ritualistic dance that would strengthen their sisterly bond. It was subtle in the way they all shared glances or moved in honed unison, but the mentioned connection between the members of the Holy Quintet suggested something beyond words. Their movements were accompanied by a shift in the music all around, as Homura continued her ambient narration of what was necessary to save themselves and the people of the world.

Once again, the Holy Quintet tapped into the otherworldly power of the Gnosis, repeating their previous performance of when the Reflections and Pride had joined in their bond. It began as a simple dance, all nine of them with their hands clasped as they formed a connected ring around Desire, and when the music stirred forth enchanting emotions they all became spirits spinning round and round the nascent champion. Their shapes became blurred, as they became faster until it was difficult to discern which one was where in the circle and it seemed as though there were many more than the mere nine of them dancing.

Then the spirits spewed forth prismatic flames which engulfed Desire as Homura chanted over the ceremony: [b][i]“Alone, we have no future. We must come together and find strength in each other lest we lose our way. Hold onto one another, if you wish to stay afloat. Object if you wish to drown. That is Life and death.”[/i][/b] Desire held no physical shape as she swam in a sea of thoughts and memories, and she heard the voices of her sisters speaking all at once. Speaking directly into her mind every word they had ever uttered, every piece of their imagination that painted their reality - it was overwhelming, yet ever enticing for it came with the promise of understanding all of the universe.

They passed through and overlapped each other, like threads being entwined when weaving, and they achieved the awareness of their entirety as many minds came together to process every aspect of their being, like looking through many mirrors at once, while seeing through the eyes of all the reflections staring back. Every angle. Every perspective. When the boundaries between the selves merged, a roaring flame interrupted the ritual as the Eternal Fire suddenly blazed brighter than the sun itself, and enforced a division between all of those involved in the ritual lest they completely fuse into one. There was a disorientating change in the music, but it brought back spatial awareness to all of the champions as they stood still in the positions they had before.

From above, large white and red feathers descended, alighting among the champions. The ethereal pinions seeped into their bodies, and Desire felt another connection formed with the six-winged spirit that flew overhead. Her mind was granted access to the vast power of the phoenix, an overwhelming amount of spiritual energy that would sear necrotic forces and heal the body of even the most lethal of wounds. However, much like the rest of her sisters, the healing power of the phoenix had no effect upon her. Aside from the access to this gift, Desire felt her eyes change, as her sight became more keen, every detail enhanced and clear, even from afar.

Their thoughts were open, and though they remained verbally silent, every sister spoke through the connection they shared. Courage and her Reflection’s enthusiasm, Kindness and her Reflection’s uncertainty, Curiosity and her Reflection’s gentleness, Wanderer and her Reflection’s joy, and Pride’s aloofness - her mind more hidden than the rest. Lastly, there was a far away sensation of another, but where those around Desire seemed to radiate warm light, the distant feeling was dark and painful. Through knowledge passed on through their bond, all of the champions were aware that the shadow in their mind was Fear.

Lingering in the feeling of unity for a long moment, every one of the champions felt their new sister’s passion. A flood of excitement and ambition washed over them, Desire putting the newly created connection to use. She frowned as Fear’s plight became known to her. She had no need to ask of the shadow in their minds’ horizon, and a moment’s hesitation was all it took for her to resolve to find a way to assist the wayward champion. 
The brand new champion had more immediate concerns, however. Heartbreaking as it was, the concerns of the many outweighed the concerns of the few. She had a duty to humanity as a whole, not just to her siblings. To the northwest, in Nalusa, a war raged. 

“I’m going northwest,” Desire declared. “That’s important and we need someone there. Does anyone want to come with me?” There was a short streak of red as Courage swiftly punched the palm of her golden gauntlet, igniting the air with her motion. She grinned fiercely, letting her fervor and sympathy spread throughout their bond. Her Reflection perfectly conveyed the same feeling, despite only nodding in agreement when Desire spoke. Pride then aimed their collective attention to Homura, as the red goddess suddenly exuded a great aura.

[b][i]“Our Exalted March does not yet begin, but these buffoons need our assistance, and I will claim the aspect of War. Before you depart, I shall teach you the Incantation of Warding, and a myriad of tranquilizing techniques. We will end this farce of a conflict.”[/i][/b] She ordained, raising Daybringer above her head, the golden spear pulsing with celestial light. There was both cheers and dismay in the bond between sisters, as Courage became elated, but Kindness sought to avoid this encounter, more dedicated to helping Fear than others she cared not for.

[b][i]“Courage, Wanderer, you and your Reflections will accompany Desire, then. Soar towards the battle upon Skydancer, and show them the error of their way. Charis, your presence will be necessary if they are to be successful, so I ask that you go with them. The rest of you will remain here for the time being.”[/i][/b] Homura finished, letting the champions ascertain how to proceed on their own, and waiting whether any would refuse her bidding.

“So some training, and then we’re ready to go, ya?” Courage inquired, glancing between Desire, Wanderer, and the Reflections coming with them. A silent nod was the only affirmation the two mute champions gave, while Courage turned her confident gaze to the newest among them. Desire’s reply came in the form of a nod as she grinned fiercely, fiery demeanor matching her  complexion.

[b][i]“Upon birth, you were granted an abundance of sacred power. Sorcery is innate for you, Desire, so despite this being your first lesson with the Gnosis, I know that you are capable of learning this spell.”[/i][/b] Homura said, and Charis changed as the goddess spoke, shedding a shroud of pale light and reducing until she became similarly shaped as everyone else. The spirit sheathed in her transformation spell was still visibly different for those around her, standing much taller and possessing horns atop her head. Her skin was the color of blood and her hair was white like snow, as though her colors were improperly arranged when she transformed.

The shifting symbols of the Gnosis manifested upon their bodies as Homura prepared to impart her divine knowledge upon them. Many of the swirling glyphs were incomprehensible, merely strange runes that appeared whenever the champions cast their spells, but suddenly there was the sound of glass shattering and a few of the cryptic symbols became coherent. As they became closer to the divine, walking farther along the Sacred Path, the incantations of sorcery became clear to them: Seeing, Sending, Making, and now Warding.

[b][i]“You have gleaned how to protect yourselves in the Otherworld now. There are three shaped wards, and you have been taught the ward against harm. No mortal blade or monstrous claw shall hurt you, so long as you concentrate on this spell.”[/i][/b] The goddess explained, before she lunged forward and grasped the throat of Courage. [b][i]“That said, you can be overwhelmed. Tens of thousands will oppose you, and though you are impervious to their weapons, they can drown you, or boil you. You have to know how to fight back!”[/i][/b] As she spoke, time was distorted, every champion could only move a fraction as Homura languidly elucidated for her students before the world’s pace resumed and Courage was thrown at an incredible velocity towards her Reflection, whirring through the air until she slammed into the target and both were toppled and sprawled on the floor.

They were defeated by the Goddess of Honor before, but much had changed: Their numbers had swelled, and so had their strength since the last they fought Homura - the rallying cry was repeatedly shouted in their bond as both Courage and Courage II hastily climbed back up to their feet and pointed at their Maker: Attack! Attack! Attack! 

Desire, despite being the newest and theoretically least experienced champion, knew from bitter experience that she and her sisters could not best her Maker in a physical confrontation. Regardless, she threw herself into the fray anyway. Joined by both Courage and her Reflection, the three of them attempted to pin Homura so that Wanderer could land a blow, ineffective as it might be. 

As Wanderer gathered radiant energy that coalesced into a single arrow for her Bow of Light, her Reflection alongside Kindness and Kindness II focused on acting as a middle bastion, while Curiosity handed little Rowan to her reflection before dedicating herself to protecting Pride - the one wielding the biggest advantage they had in the fight against the goddess.

First and foremost, before they began a battle of terrifying proportions, Curiosity II and Rowan were safely secured beneath a thick shield of scarlet stone that covered both them and all of the sleeping humans. The stone continued to shift and ripple as it came alive and flooded the floor, until it created a second level for the interior of the keep. Now all the participants were safely separated from those that were not involved in the fight.

In the blink of an eye that followed afterward, a great many things happened: Wanderer conjured her arrow and aimed at her target. Curiosity created a bright barrier with large icy stalagmites rising around her and Pride as she activated the Shield of Faith. The remaining six members of the Sacred Sextet surged towards Homura to limit her mobility. The goddess herself was assailed by the floor transforming into pillars that were tilted diagonally and rising towards her, but while she struggled against the fortress trying to pin her, she had yet to ever use her primary weapon against her champions, and so they were unaware of what it was truly capable of.

That lack of knowledge proved a terrible handicap, as the golden spear Homura wielded became thousands of feet long, and she swung the immense shaft across the interior of the keep. The air was set ablaze, and fiery explosions followed the path of the artifact as nothing on the battlefield was safe. Where Pride called forth more pillars to protect her sisters and herself, the spear bent and divided itself into sections connected by chains to unfalteringly strike at all its targets. The first exchange was over in an instant, as scorch marks stained the floor and walls, and all nine of the champions facing Homura had been smashed into the eastern wall.

Miraculously, despite being slammed against a nigh unbreakable surface by a weapon weighing as much as a mountain - they were relatively unharmed. Unfortunately there was very little air in the burning keep, and Pride had sealed the Eternal Fire away on the first floor. Even with their keen sight, none of them could perceive the moment Homura crossed the vast distance from where she stood to where they were strewn about. Pride did not stir; having lost consciousness upon being struck, and Kindness, Wanderer, and both their Reflections barely possessed the strength to stand after sustaining the great blow from Daybringer. Courage looked to Curiosity and their Reflections, realizing they had already lost and that victory was now beyond their reach.

[b][i]“You are still intact, which means you have successfully learned the Incantation of Warding. I confess, if I was slower… you may have defeated me. However, you must focus on defeating those that seek their own destruction. A very different manner of foe.”[/i][/b] Homura retrieved the Scepter of Keltra from Pride, and used its power to reshape the fortress again, lowering all of them until the second floor merged with the first floor, and they were surrounded by the thousands of sleeping humans once more. Curiosity II and Charis stood nearby, but said nothing, as all of the champions became empowered by the presence of the Eternal Flame.

“We were so close!” Courage grumbled, as she helped her sisters back to their feet, the two Wanderers having a quick argument over who should carry Pride to her bed by the bonfire. Kindness simply proceeded to lift the little champion and carry her instead, much to her sister’s ire. “Not as good as last time, though.” Desire remarked, referring to a time before her creation. “What if we did a sneak attack?”

“We could win… She was much more reactive, and utilized Daybringer. That suggests she was pressed at least, but our understanding of sorcery is limited. I imagine she is refraining from sharing all of her secrets.” Kindness mentioned through their bond as she placed Pride upon her Viho shaped bed. “But why would she keep secrets from us?” questioned Desire.

“We all would like to know the answer to that, ya.” Courage and Courage II answered, and there was slight laughter across their minds. Curiosity and her Reflection were more invested in attaining the truth, and repeated the question, but this was something they had all ruminated on before and Homura’s actions and intentions remained rather enigmatic. A thought, like a lonely island in a sea of other ideas and memories, was summoned forth by Wanderer as she recalled the conversation between Homura and Pride right before Desire’s birth.

“She could slay us right now, effortlessly, and yet she shows us how to become stronger. She creates the ones that are capable of defeating her, which is either unmatched idiocy, utterly illogical… or she is deceiving us.” Kindness stated with her impassive tone somehow manifesting even in their mental dialogue where they spoke primarily through feelings and soundless speech. “It is as Pride suspects, the Divine are the greatest threat to our existence.”

“Then why give Desire such a role? Just a joke? I don’t get why she keeps secrets, but we should keep on trusting her. None of us are perfect either, ya.” Courage countered, and in the few brief seconds that entire internal conversation occurred, Homura had prepared their next lesson. The goddess held the Scepter of Keltra, and so she held power over the shape of the fortress - the scarlet stone answering to her.

One hundred thousand statues, armed with stone spears and carrying stone shields, surrounded the champions resting by the bonfire. An army that was prepared to attack them, called forth from the earth by the will of Homura in order to further test her champions. [b][i]“The enemy will not show you mercy! You must find a way to navigate the wave of weapons coming your way, or be slain. Find the safe path!”[/i][/b] Homura shouted as she leapt away and the great horde of sculpted soldiers marched forward.

“I’ll get Skydancer!” Courage II called out, as Curiosity conjured another shield of light and ice to meet the encroaching forces. The statues came in a variety of sizes, some of them were the same height as the champions themselves, while others stood four or five times that, forming a tightly knit wall that offered no passage. “This is madness…” Kindness and her Reflection bemoaned, while the others sought a solution.

“We can’t damage them, we can’t go through, and we can’t go under… so we go over!” Desire called out, leaping atop the head of a statue. She was joined by Wanderer and Wanderer II as the others remained divided between watching Courage and the trio both attempt to overcome their impossible situation. Courage found herself struck multiple times, nearly being trapped again and again, but barely avoided the last attack that would restrain her.

Desire, Wanderer, and Wanderer II jumped upon their foes, dodging dozens of strikes all at once as the statues' weapons all harmlessly passed through each other, letting every single spear nearby surge towards them. The champions realized the futility of their actions, considering that Homura could just completely overwhelm them with a sea of stone crashing upon them, but what other options did they have? After a quick telepathic utterance, they discovered that though Courage had found Skydancer, the flying boat was anchored to the floor and could not be freed.

Through their bond, they were aware that Curiosity’s shield had been bypassed as the floor beneath her feet stole Pride, Rowan, and Charis from them - and the stone statues pressed their attack. It was not long before the shield shattered, and Kindness, Curiosity, and their Reflections leapt up and joined their sisters being assailed from the horde everywhere they alighted. Over and over they were stabbed, but their skin could not be pierced, so the test transformed into simply seeing how long they could endure this torture as opposed to finding an actual solution.

Kindness was the first to stumble one too many times, and the horde took her down and trapped her in a stony prison. Her Reflection was the first to realize that staying near Curiosity made the test easier with the inquisitive champion’s ability to conjure shields of frozen light which temporarily halted the onslaught of attacks. “What now?” Curiosity asked with concern, after an indeterminate amount of time that felt like forever had passed, and it seemed Homura was not intent upon relenting.

“We have to get to the scepter and stop this!” Courage shouted before she left the safety of the shield and renewed her efforts of navigating the sea of spears while being stabbed multiple times. The brash champion had given up on avoiding any attack that would just whack her, and focused on reaching Homura regardless of what lay between her and the goddess, unfortunately being hindered so much made the almost impossible task completely hopeless.

Wanderer and her Reflection elicited a silent laughter, somehow finding mirth in their situation as the shield broke once more and they were forced to begin dodging dozens of thrusts and slashes. “You two are getting pretty good, you know.” Curiosity II commented before being poked in the nose and across the cheek by two spearheads, falling backwards where she dropped into the sea of scarlet stone and was never seen again. Her childish complaints were still heard through their bond, as the Reflection was simply stuck in the floor beneath the horde.

Courage II, who had stayed, watched as her older iteration was subdued and pulled under as well, barely letting out a sigh before she was also taken. Kindness II looked between the remaining members of the Sacred Sextet, and Homura who stood observing them, visible through a narrow window in the wall of statues. “She will not let us go near her, but we lose if we do not retrieve the scepter.” The Reflection observed when all of the champions had another brief period of peace behind Curiosity’s shield. “There [i]has[/i] to be a way. There’s always a way. Right?” Desire interjected with a note of desperation.

Even though they were buried, the other champions could still communicate with those that were free, and Courage offered a suggestion. “Can’t we shoot an arrow at her?” Which caused Wanderer to shake her head and Curiosity II to rebuke with, “Wanderer needs time to ready though.” Courage II then added her own input. “You have time right now, ya?” Wanderer noded an affirmative, preparing her bow. 

“I have an idea!” Desire interjected suddenly. “I felt through my aspect and… it might just work. All we have to do is get close and I can make her not want to defend herself as much. Maybe. I’m not sure if I’m that strong,” she admitted. “But she has to focus entirely on defense against us. She said as much. So if she’s even a little off her game, we have a chance!”

There were swift glances between themselves as they deliberated, but their options were limited. “Let’s do it!” Curiosity chimed, and Kindness provided them with mental maps of where Homura had positioned herself throughout the encounter, and who had come most near to her. Desire, Wanderer, and Courage were the ones that came the closest to reaching her, but just when the goddess seemed within reach, she would dash away.

“How close do we have to be?” Kindness II asked as the shield was about to fracture, and all of the still-free champions prepared themselves to enact the plan. “I’m not sure. I’ve never done this before. The closer the better, though. Definitely within line of sight.” Desire shot back. Then the protection they had shattered, and they were moving again. All of them had become adjusted to the constant flow of their bodies sliding along and slipping between spears and limbs, swinging on the shafts above them, or jumping off the shoulders beneath their feet - they were never still lest they be overwhelmed. Both Curiosity and Kindness II focused on distracting and herding Homura where they all wanted her, but found themselves caught before they could be helpful. Only three champions remained, but between them, they managed - with difficulty - to guide Homura into a corner as they moved towards her from different angles.

Closer and closer they came, the nearest any of them had come yet; the veiled goddess only a short distance from Wanderer’s outstretched hand before the mute champion was grabbed and pulled away. Desire and Wanderer II however found themselves in a unique dilemma, as Homura called forth a wall that completely obscured her. “Do whatever you’re going to do, Desire!” Courage cried out and all of her sisters joined her in encouraging Desire, as through the eyes of Wanderer, who was trapped in the wall that Homura conjured, all of the champions could see that there was nothing else between the two free champions and their goal.

Desire frantically maneuvered, but try as she might, she couldn’t get over or around the wall. The tide of living statues roiled and churned, blocking passage and disrupting all of her attempts. Eventually, however, a thought occurred. Reaching through her link to use Wanderer’s sight, her aspect brushed against the hardened form of Homura. Grabbing a corner of her creator’s mindspace, she pushed, knocking her will into a slightly different direction - at least for a moment. Doing so, however, distracted her from dodging the gargantuan statue behind her, which promptly knocked her into the sea of crimson stone.

Wanderer II saw an opportunity as Homura moved away from her cover, and the Reflection dashed after the fleeing deity… only to find herself swiftly pinned. Immediately the entire army of statues began sinking back into the floor, and soon after all of the trapped champions were released from their prisons. The stone carried them like a current towards the unobscured Eternal Flame where they were brought together as Homura returned the Scepter of Keltra to the small hands of Pride, who had awoken at the end.

[i]“That was an eternity of torture, Mother… Why did you impose such insanity upon us and your other daughters?”[/i] Charis complained with her choral voice, thousands upon thousands of angered voices directed at Homura, but the veiled goddess remained still and silent.

“Did your plan work?” Courage asked through the bond, while aloud she asked another question. “So did we succeed, or were you just venting your frustrations on us?” Under usual circumstances, her sisters would be slightly surprised by the sarcastic tone her sister used when speaking with Homura, but after their ordeal; half of them felt similarly irked, while others just embraced the relief of the test being over.


[b][i]“I am pleasantly surprised by your capabilities, as I did not think you would endure for as long as you did without understanding the nature of the test. You seem to have stumbled upon the answer, and then proceeded to ignore it in favor of a rather reckless plan to defeat me. Can any of you tell me why I tested you the way I did?”[/i][/b] Homura inquired.

“I definitely did [i]something,[/i]” Desire muttered in the mindspace. “I wanted to win, though. I thought we had it!” Face twisted into a frustrated scowl, she answered Homura’s question aloud. “To make us feel bad?”

“Did you forget why you’re testing us?” Curiosity innocently asked, and Kindness mentally informed her that their Maker most certainly did not forget the purpose of their test. Wanderer and her Reflection shook their heads, uncertain as well.

Homura thrust forward with Daybringer, aiming the point at Curiosity’s head, but before the weapon could reach its target, the inquisitive champion spun and pirouetted through the air, causing the attack to miss as she battered it away with her small shield. In a sudden burst of speed, Homura lashed out at all of her champions, and each of every one of them found themselves instinctually avoiding the attacks in an incredible display of agility.

[b][i]“For the last twenty-three days; you have been honing your reflexes under constant assault. You have survived the crucible designed to destroy you, and mastered the technique of evasion. Even one-hundred thousand soldiers of the most professional army could not land a strike against you now.”[/i][/b] Homura replied when she became still once again.

“You have ingrained terror in our hearts, it seems.” Kindness remarked, but Homura immediately countered with a firm response. [b][i]“No, but not even your minds are capable of processing how swiftly you react to potential harm, so I did what I must to imprint upon your limited being the ability to tap into your true potential. Should you ascend to the status of divinity, you will understand. Hmm, there remains one more lesson before you leave…”[/i][/b]

The frightening power of the gods remained beyond mortal comprehension, and Homura’s words resonated with both truth and authority. There was still a vast distance that separated their perspectives, their awareness and understanding of the cosmos, but all of the champions were becoming closer to attaining that knowledge. There was hesitation among them at the mention of another lesson, but one by one, they reached for their resolve and found the will to continue.

“What’s next?” Courage and Courage II asked simultaneously, both of them wearing their signature playful grins and exuding bravado. There was a moment of mirth shared between the sisters, as they let themselves become immersed in their own improvements and steadfast camaraderie. It was unspoken, but they allowed themselves to believe that someday even the impossible would be within reach if they were together.

[b][i]“All living things possess an inner fire that grants them strength. Only the Divine can truly extinguish these flames, though that would be the greatest crime a god could commit. I can teach you how to intercept the fire, temporarily preventing its passage through a body. Through this technique, you can incapacitate any foe.”[/i][/b] Homura said, as she gestured for Courage and her Reflection to come close. When the two champions came to a halt within reach of the goddess, she held out her hand and conjured forth a mote of silvery flame. Wielding Daybringer in her other hand, the golden spear becoming much smaller - now akin to a knife, she cut through the center of the flame, and separated it into two. Upon being divided, the upper half dispersed, while the lower half seemed to interact with some invisible barrier that prevented it from returning to its full height.

[b][i]“You can sense the channels through which your own inner flames flow, but now you have to teach yourselves how to ascertain where these channels can be found in others. Find these channels and strike them with precision, and you will claim victory.”[/i][/b] Homura finished, gently placing one hand on Courage’s shoulder, causing the champion to glance down at her arm and realize that the limb had become numb and immobile.

“Such will be simple with our connection to Charis, her aura always directing the inner flames when she heals.” Pride added, and the goddess gave a nod of affirmation. Courage quickly tapped into the power of the phoenix in an attempt to restore strength to her limb, and found that nothing happened, so she shrugged with one arm before lightly flailing with her other limp appendage. Pride proposed then that they imbue themselves with the ability to accurately sense the movements and paths for the inner flames of others through their healing powers, which none of her sisters objected to.

[b][i]“Now, my champions, as your two holy orders; both devoted to bringing salvation, I task you with bringing peace to those that have lost their way! I will accompany you on this quest, but its resolution will remain in your hands…”[/i][/b] Homura proclaimed, and approached Pride before kneeling in front of the Keeper of Keltra. [b][i]“You shall defend your sleeping kin here, but I require you to release the two colossi imprisoned in the outer wall as I intend to also bring them to this conflict.”[/i][/b]

The smallest among the Sacred Sextet answered with a slight smile and wave of her scepter, and the muffled sounds of titanic metallic beasts being freed was heard throughout the vast hall. A large doorway opened on the southern wall, granting the inhabitants of the keep a clear view of the two colossi towering in the desolate fields of Keltra, awaiting the touch of their pilots as Homura’s presence enchanted and compelled them to serve. The veiled goddess strode towards the nearby Skydancer and issued out commands to her champions for their departure:

[b][i]“Courage and Wanderer will ride upon the two colossi. Their Reflections, Desire, and I shall embark upon Skydancer with Charis. I will return swiftly when we have reached our destination and provide you five with further commands.[/i][/b] Homura decreed, and called forth sacred power that she poured forth into the flying boat that would carry them to the battlefields. The divinely crafted vessel shone and glittered with an exuberance of spiritual energy, as a myriad of gemstones sprouted along the hull and railings.

The tradition Lorelei left behind was honored, as Pride, Curiosity, and Curiosity II insisted upon receiving a hug before their Mother left them. Homura then led her entourage onto Skydancer, and the jewel-encrusted boat steered itself out of the keep towards the two immense machines resembling equines. From the crowded deck, Courage and Wanderer stepped onto the prow, and then leapt high into their air before alighting upon the crowned heads of their respective colossi.

There was an ephemeral moment of confusion as they wondered how they would keep pace with the soaring gift of Chailiss, now blessed by two deities, but their predicament was solved by Homura extending Daybringer. The golden spear stretched on and on, endlessly as its wielder directed it wrapped around and through the colossi, creating an immense network of barely perceptible golden wires that lifted even the immense machines as Skydancer ascended, leaving Keltra behind.

[hider=Summary]
Homura creates a new champion, Desire. She prepares all the champions present at Keltra for an upcoming war in Nalusa via a series of challenges. When they are ready, she assigns them the quest of bringing peace.
[/hider]
[hider=Vigor]Cycle 5 Homura’s Vigor total: 9.
-1 to teach her present champions the Incantation of Warding (Harm).
-1 to teach her present champions the Martial Technique: Dodge!
-1 to teach her present champions the Martial Technique: Stunning Strike
-3 to imbue Skydancer with even greater mobility - allowing the soaring vessel to travel across the Galbar at an incredible speed.
Vigor spent: 6.
Remaining Vigor: 3.

Desire opens the first gate. The second is revealed, smelling of roses and charnel.  Her vigor is not yet hers, and thus has not been spent.
Remaining Vigor: 4

Courage, Courage II, Kindness, Kindness II, Curiosity, Curiosity II, Wanderer, Wanderer II, Pride, and Charis gain 4 Spirit. (+1 minimum, +1 medium, +1 long, +1 collab)

The Sacred Sextet gains 2 Prestige. (+1 minimum, +1 long)

The Order of the Phoenix gains 2 Prestige. (+1 minimum, +1 long)[/hider]