Chapter 25 - Golden Orbs and Legacies

Inside the box, only five Original Orbs remained. Elion had claimed one already. But there was more than enough for everyone considering Camille was already a Water Elementalist.

Beyond establishing elemental affinity, the Original Orbs also held legacies from Ancient Elementalists.

Luckily, determining which legacies would be passed on to their new owners was up to luck. If chosen, the Original Orbs would bestow their legacies or inheritances.

Alexa and Wendy were astounded by this revelation. The orbs before them were rare treasures that denied them Elementalism at age ten.

"Wait. Why is there one orb missing?" Alexa questioned, noting the discrepancy in the box's contents. Six slots, but only five Original Orbs.

"Oh, it's here, Alexa," Elion said, his voice tinged with excitement as he unveiled the Phoenix Orb, now rightfully his. 

To their astonishment, the other orbs followed suit as the Phoenix Orb began to glow. Something that even Elion did not expect to happen.

A dazzling array of red, blue, yellow, green, and silver hues shimmered, enveloped in a golden aura, as they transferred their essence.

The room filled with a chorus of animal cries, gentle yet distinct, reminiscent of the Phoenix's cry in Camille's lab. As the light dimmed, intricate seals appeared on the orbs. 

Then, an unexpected event unfolded. Each orb gravitated towards a specific individual, all except Elion.

Adorned with a swan seal, a blue orb floated gently towards Camille, its choice clear.

A red orb, marked by a lion seal, chose Alexa, symbolizing fire.

Wendy received a green orb, its eagle seal signifying wind.

At the same time, Laxus has been bestowed a silver orb engraved with a bison emblematic of metal.

"Is it safe to touch the orb, Elion?" Wendy asked.

"Absolutely. But be prepared to be transported to the legacy ground. You'll most likely be taken to a Spirit World and learn from the Ancient Elementalist," Elion replied.

"Does the red orb mean I'm connected to fire, Brother?" Alexa was thrilled to learn this. She felt that the blood of the Hayes Family flowed through her veins, and she would connect with the same elements as her parents.

"Perhaps it's a family thing?" Elion chuckled.

"But why were Camille and I also chosen?" Laxus was a bit confused about what was happening.

"Do you remember what Elion told us earlier? The Original Orb holds the inheritance or legacy of the Ancient Elementists. It's different from the regular Elemental Orb, which only helps people connect with the elements. I think..." Camille was too excited to finish her sentence.

"We're chosen to inherit the legacy?" Laxus said, interrupting her with a question to which he already knew the answer.

Elion chose not to say anything other than nodding. He wanted everyone to be surprised by what was happening. This was something they had to experience for themselves.

Camille, Alexa, Wendy, and Laxus were all captivated by what they saw, and they reached out to their respective orbs.

They then began experiencing the same phenomenon that Elion had. After that, they each assumed a meditative posture, their bodies draped in the colors of their respective elements. Elion understood they were embarking on a new journey to claim their inheritance in another realm.

Tigas explained that those who dared to challenge the Heaven Gate would be physically and spiritually transported to the Spirit World. However, for those who desired to claim legacies, only their spirits would be sent to this other world.

"I seem to be the only one left," Elion mused, his gaze drifting toward the box and saw another orb was missing. "Wait a minute…" A thought struck him, leading him to Kael's room.

Elion's intuition proved correct, and he smiled with satisfaction. Another yellow orb with a bear seal, representing the earth, had selected Kael.

Although not as powerful as the Legendary Elemental Beasts, the abilities of Elementalists that have affinities with the Elemental Beasts far surpassed those without them.

Elion eagerly awaited their return to witness the unfolding of their newfound skills. He looked at the clock and realized only a minute had passed. It would likely take them five minutes or more to return.

"Solandar..." The name of the Greatest Elementalist flashed through his mind. 

Elion had spent a year training under Solandar and the Beast King Tigas, forging a deep bond. During their time together, they shared stories, experiences, and laughter.

Tigas, a mighty Beast King, hailed from Solaceros, a planet embroiled in battles against demons. Tigas had taken five disciples under his wing.

A demon named Kuram was on a quest for power on Solaceros, claiming godhood as he conquered most territories. Tigas aspired to reach the Elemental Beast Emperor rank to protect Solaceros from Kuram's grasp.

"I'm lucky. My disciples have reached the highest level of the Elemental Beast King, giving me the freedom to be here," Tigas stated.

"Don't wait too long; you might lose everything when you return," Solandar warned.

"Hahaha! Don't underestimate my disciples. Yours are still far behind," Tigas boasted, confident that his disciples surpassed Elion.

Their daily routine was geared towards accelerating Elion's mastery of his inherited Phoenix power and the power of the Fire Elemental Guardian.

However, unlocking these two powers required Elion to complete various missions assigned to him by Solandar in the real world.

Fortunately, Elion's encounter with Camille proved to be a stroke of luck. With her help, he could set off on a journey across Solara to accomplish the missions.

After six months in the Spirit World, Tigas had fully recovered, but he chose not to challenge the Heavenly Gate.

Instead, he joined Solandar in guiding Elion while absorbing knowledge from the experienced mentor. For Tigas, observing Solandar was crucial to mastering the element and refining his combat skills.

"What lies beyond the Heavenly Gate?" Elion once asked.

Solandar could only shrug, admitting his ignorance, having never crossed it. Tigas, however, showed a mix of fear and apprehension.

"The Heavenly Gate pits you against enemies far stronger than yourself," Tigas explained.

"Was it me inside?" Solandar joked.

Tigas fell silent, curious whether the enemies within the Heavenly Gate surpassed Solandar's strength, having never witnessed his full capabilities.

"Not you. But perhaps opponents as formidable as you, Solandar. Initially, you'll face one opponent, then two, four, eight, and finally, sixteen simultaneously," Tigas detailed.

"They command a powerful and unique element—thunder," he continued, pondering its origins. "It might be part of the Heavenly Thunder, a unique element for celestial beings. I'm not sure."

"No wonder you bear those scars," Elion remarked.

"May I know at which stage you falter?" Elion probed further.

"When facing sixteen opponents at once," Tigas admitted, visibly uneasy. The memory of the thunder element's devastating speed and power was still fresh in his mind.

Elion looked forward to their reunion, pondering Solandar's fate in the Spirit World—why he hadn't moved on to the afterlife.

Would completing Elion's training signify Solandar's permanent departure?

Or was there another way for his return?

With the threat of the Demons' return looming, Solara still needed Solandar's guidance. 

Could I rise to the occasion? Mastering the Phoenix power in the given timeframe seemed a formidable challenge.

Suddenly, he remembered his unique advantage over Solandar—the golden aura.

"The golden aura…That might be the key. I must uncover the secrets of this golden aura and make it my primary weapon, against the demon," Elion contemplated.

Observing his companions once more, each engrossed in their meditative stance, embracing the surge of newfound power, Elion felt a surge of confidence.

They would likely spend a year exploring the depths of their inherited abilities. Yet, uncertainty lingered—would their journey lead them to the Spirit World as he had, or to an entirely different realm where part of the spirit of the Ancient Elementalists resided?

Their bodies radiated auras, each reflecting the elemental colors they had embraced. Elion understood Camille and Laxus's previous concerns during the process, noting their stillness and the subtle shifts in their hues.

Elion felt relieved since he already had insight into the inheritance process. The elemental auras surrounding them peaked, and the pressure exerted on their surroundings was gentle.

Five individuals had simultaneously exerted their presence, causing certain parts of the house to tremble slightly. However, there was no danger. 

After a few more minutes, Camille was the first to 'return,' opening her eyes. Elion greeted her, "Welcome back," teasing her lightly.

Camille blushed faintly as their gazes met. There was something undeniably appealing about the teenager before her, both in personality and strength.

"Is everything alright, Camille?" Elion asked, trying to sound casual.

However, that wasn't the question Elion truly wanted to ask. He was curious about the nature of Camille's legacy and inheritance as well as the Ancient Elementalist she had encountered in the realm.

Perhaps therein lay a clue to unravel the mystery of the golden aura and the connection between the other Original Orbs and the Phoenix Orb.

As Camille gently rose from her meditation, she adjusted her attire, and a sweet smile danced upon her lips. She paused, taking a moment to process everything before responding to Elion's question. It was clear her aura had undergone a noticeable transformation.