After the four crash-landed at their destined locations, they began their new lives from zero, ultimately forgetting every single memory they had during their time on Earth while retaining all their muscle memory as a peculiar side effect of arriving in the new world. Each of the respective elders of the four groups, comprised of six races known as Cladmen, Elunarans, Valorian, and light Veil, discovered children nestled in baby baskets, tucked nicely in sheets, with tattoos shimmering on their bodies as the colors faded into their skin. With their names written into the grass, each elder recollected a prophecy they collectively thought was a myth. With this revelation, they took each of the children in, hiding them from the other races, believing their child was the first to come to the new world.
The Elunara elder took their child, known as Seraphine, to their magnificent temple, a sanctuary replete with ancient wisdom and untold mysteries. Nestled among towering trees and bathed in a soft, ethereal glow, the temple served as a haven for learning and enlightenment. Here, the esteemed elven and fairy monks began training her in the ways of electricity and sorcery, guiding her with patience and expertise. They imparted the secrets of manipulating the elemental forces, teaching her to harness the raw power of lightning and channel it into spells of extraordinary might.
Seraphine's training was rigorous, designed not only to cultivate her skills but also to conceal the essence of her crimson benevolence, a potent and enigmatic element they learned of from a figure they revered as a deity. This mysterious being had wielded powers that astonished even the oldest of sages. The monks believed that if Seraphine could master such an elusive and formidable element, they would have discovered someone who could rival or even surpass this deity, fulfilling a prophecy that echoed through the ages.
As the seasons turned, Seraphine dedicated herself to her studies, intertwining her innate abilities with the teachings of the monks.
The Valorian elder took their child, named Elijah, to a free and open church known for its welcoming embrace and teachings of light. Within its hallowed halls, Elijah began his training under the guidance of devoted priests, masters of both the art of the fist and swordsmanship. They imparted the ancient techniques and disciplines that had been passed down through generations, instilling in him a sense of honor and responsibility as he learned to wield these formidable skills. Alongside this martial training, he learned to control holy water, a sacred substance that could purify and protect against darkness.
Yet beneath this serene surface, Elijah harbored a secret: his ability to manipulate demonic shadow control. A power that could easily be misunderstood and feared, it was an aspect of himself that he knew must remain hidden. The priests were steadfast in their beliefs, and had they discovered the darkness residing within the young child, they would have rebuked him, believing it a corruption tainting their sacred temple. Consequently, Elijah dedicated himself not only to mastering the techniques of combat and holy water but also to suppressing his shadowy powers, walking a delicate line between light and darkness.
As he practiced in the quiet corners of the church, Elijah felt the weight of expectation on his small shoulders. He understood that to protect himself and honor the teachings of the priests, he needed to excel in swordsmanship and the discipline of the fist, all the while keeping the truth of his abilities shrouded in darkness. It was a balancing act fraught with challenges, but he was determined to find a way to harmonize the two sides of his existence.
The Stoneclad elder took their child, known as Jayden, to a secluded farm tucked away from the prying eyes of the world. The sprawling fields and rustling trees provided an idyllic setting, perfect for training. Here, surrounded by nature's tranquility, Jayden began his rigorous instruction in the art of swordsmanship, learning not just the physical techniques but also the discipline and honor that accompanied his skills. In addition to his martial training, he was taught the intricacies of air control, mastering the ability to manipulate the very element that surrounded him, allowing him to enhance his agility and movements in incredible ways.
However, as the elder observed Jayden wield his potential, he sensed something different about the child. Tuning into his aura with a practiced focus, the elder felt a wave of overwhelming power emanating from Jayden. "T-To be in the presence of such an aura... I-IT'S OVERWHELMING!" he exclaimed, his voice trembling with both awe and fear. The aura surrounding Jayden was far more potent than anything the elder had encountered, a raw energy that promised greatness but also danger.
Realizing the implications, the elder's expression shifted to one of concern. "But our enemies would sense it from a mile away. I must seal it for the child's safety," he said with a heavy heart. With a deep breath, he began to cast a spell, his hands weaving intricate patterns in the air. Ancient words flowed from his lips, filled with both urgency and purpose, as he focused his energy on the task at hand. As he completed the incantation, a soft glow enveloped Jayden, and the elder felt the child's aura diminish, his essence cut by 75%.
In that moment, the elder knew he was taking a crucial step to protect Jayden from threats that would seek to exploit his power. Yet, a flicker of regret surfaced within him for having to suppress such a remarkable gift. He hoped that in time, the seal could be lifted, allowing Jayden to fully embrace his destiny without fear.
The Light Veil elder arrived at the Phantom Ghost's manor, holding the child Yuna in his arms. He knelt before the lord of the manor, Nerith Gloomwraith, with desperation in his eyes.
"Why should I help you?" Nerith growled, his voice thick with disdain. "After all the time I've poured into this miserable country, I've received nothing but fear and hatred from its residents."
The elder bowed deeply. "Oh, great Phantom, I urge you to take this child. Her spirit power resembles yours in many ways."
Nerith's eyes narrowed. "Even if that's true, I can't train a mortal shell. She'll have to go to him." He gestured dismissively to the great deity the Elunaran elder had mentioned.
"No! Not that childish prick!" the elder snapped, his voice rising with frustration. "He couldn't even teach a tiger to hunt down a lowly bunny!"
Nerith blinked, genuinely confused. "But... tigers can hunt bunnies from the jump, can't they?"
"EXACTLY!" the elder bellowed, pointing a trembling finger at Nerith.
A deep, mocking laugh escaped Nerith's lips, his anger dissipating. "Alright, alright," he said, chuckling to himself. "You've got a point. Fine, I'll take her. But I can't teach her the art of gravity. That's beyond even me. Eventually, she'll have to go to him—there's no changing that. But in the meantime, I can teach her earth manipulation and sorcery."
The elder's relief was palpable as he nodded eagerly. "Oh, thank you, great ghost! You won't regret this!"
Nerith smirked, his tone turning playful. "I better not." Without another word, he slammed the door in the elder's face, taking Yuna into his care.
12 year time skip
The four heroes, now twelve years old, had largely mastered their powers—except for Seraphine. While the others had learned to control their abilities, Seraphine could only produce weak electric sparks from her fingertips. The monks gathered in hushed conversation, puzzled over the issue.
"Is she not worthy?" one monk murmured, concerned in his voice.
"No," another replied, shaking his head. "We've seen how potent her crimson flame is. It's the hottest fire magic I've ever witnessed."
Seraphine overheard their discussion, and her temper flared. "I'm strong enough to burn this temple to the ground!" she seethed under her breath. "Why do they only care about that stupid lightning?!"
Determined to prove herself, she clenched her fists, flames engulfing her hands. But something strange began to happen. Her blood-red tattoos, which had remained dormant until now, began to glow with an intense, fiery light on her chest. The small flame at her fingertips flared uncontrollably, expanding until the entire room was consumed in fire.
Seraphine's terror matched the ferocity of the flames. She collapsed to the floor, screaming for help, but the inferno spread faster than anyone could react. The monks rushed in, but the overwhelming heat knocked them unconscious almost immediately.
The elder, upon hearing of the disaster, raced to the temple, but as he arrived and saw the aftermath, he knew it was already too late. The temple had been utterly destroyed. But there was still hope for Seraphine if he could reach her in time.
Inside, the elder stumbled toward the glowing, burning figure of Seraphine. "This fire..." he murmured, stunned by its intensity. "It's as hot as the earth's core itself. How could a child create such incredible fire?"
As the elder reached out to her, his own body was burned by the fierce flames. But he didn't give up. With what little strength he had left, he grabbed Seraphine and leaped through the nearest wall, narrowly escaping with his life. Half of his arm was burned beyond recognition, but he had saved the child.
Still unconscious from the pain, the elder struggled to move. His injuries were too severe, and in the end, he had to retire, passing his position to a younger monk. Seraphine, shaken and terrified by her own powers, shut them off completely, vowing never to unleash such destruction again.
The new elder, unaware of the other elders' circumstances, contacted them immediately, hoping for guidance on how to handle Seraphine. Little did he know, all the other elders had children of their own, each of them hiding their child's true power.
As the elders spoke in private, they shared their concern about their children's abilities and decided that, rather than hiding in fear, they would unite their kids during the next eclipse festival. A quiet, shared laugh echoed through their gathering as they agreed to let their children meet, knowing the time for secrecy was over.