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Chapter 718 163.2 - Sanctum

Irina blinked, her curiosity piqued. "Another world? So they\'re... not from here originally?"

The guide nodded. "That\'s correct. According to the fragments of records we\'ve pieced together, the Solarians believe they were guided to this world by their deity, the sun. For them, the cracks in the space at the time of The Nexus of Convergence are thought to be some form of divine or mystical gateway, but the specifics are shrouded in mystery."

Astron remained silent, his sharp gray eyes focused on the guide as she continued.

"What\'s fascinating," the guide added, "is that despite their deeply rooted faith and traditions, most sculptures and records from Awakened who\'ve visited Aurora Sanctum suggest the Solarians are remarkably welcoming. They accept visitors of all races and beliefs, provided they adhere to the rules of their land. It seems they prioritize harmony over exclusion."

Irina frowned slightly, her thoughts turning inward. \'Welcoming, huh? That doesn\'t quite match the picture of an isolated and self-sufficient society.\' She crossed her arms, leaning closer to the display case containing the sunburst talisman. "If they\'re so welcoming, why isolate themselves so completely? Why not share their traditions more openly?"

The guide chuckled softly, her expression thoughtful. "That\'s a question many have asked, but there\'s no definitive answer. Perhaps they view their isolation as a way to preserve their purity and way of life. Or maybe they see the outside world as too chaotic to risk full integration. Whatever the reason, it seems to work for them."

Irina hummed thoughtfully, glancing at Astron. His calm expression offered no hint of his thoughts, but she had the distinct feeling he was dissecting every word.

The guide gestured for them to follow her to the next section. "Now, if you\'ll come this way, we\'ll look at some of the artifacts inspired by Solarian artistry. While the originals are closely guarded in the Sanctum, many craftsmen and artists have tried to replicate their designs. These pieces offer a glimpse into their style and creativity."

They entered a gallery lined with artifacts, each displayed on a pedestal beneath soft

lighting. A sun-themed ceremonial mask, a gilded chalice with intricate solar motifs, and an ornate dagger with a curved, shimmering blade were among the items showcased.

"This mask," the guide said, pointing to the sun-themed artifact, "is a recreation of the ceremonial masks used during the Solarian solstice festivals. Each mask is said to represent a different aspect of their deity\'s light-guidance, protection, renewal." Irina tilted her head, examining the mask. "It\'s intricate, but there\'s a simplicity to it too. Like they didn\'t want to overdo the design."

"Exactly," the guide agreed. "The Solarians believe in balance. Their creations are meant to be beautiful, but also practical. The balance between form and function is a recurring theme in their culture."

They moved to the dagger next, and the guide gestured to the blade\'s subtle curve and radiant sheen.

"This dagger," the guide continued, gesturing toward the elegant weapon, "is a replica of a piece originally crafted by Elarion Talsi, a renowned Solarian artisan from Radiant Citadel. Elarion was known not just for his remarkable skill but for his philosophy: that weapons and artifacts should embody the ideals of the culture they represent. For the Solarians, this meant a perfect balance between beauty, functionality, and their reverence for the sun."

Irina leaned closer, her hazel eyes tracing the intricate etchings along the blade\'s edge. "So, this isn\'t just a weapon-it\'s a statement."

"Exactly," the guide said with a nod. "Elarion\'s work wasn\'t about mass production or practicality in isolation. He saw each piece as a reflection of Solarian values. The solarite alloy, the delicate curve of the blade, even the etchings of sunbursts-they\'re all carefully chosen to represent precision, harmony, and the light of their deity." Astron\'s gaze flicked between the dagger and the guide. "And you said this design inspired a movement?"

The guide smiled, clearly pleased by the question. "It did. While it wasn\'t a complete revolution, Elarion\'s work opened a new perspective in the fields of artifact creation and magic engineering. His designs demonstrated that functionality didn\'t have to come at the cost of artistry. In fact, he argued that the two should enhance each other."

She gestured to a nearby plaque, which featured a sketch of Elarion alongside notes from his journals. "For instance, this dagger inspired many artisans beyond the borders of Aurora Sanctum to experiment with solarite and other rare materials. It also pushed them to consider the cultural significance of their creations. What message does an artifact send? How can its design reflect its purpose and the values of its creator? These were questions Elarion encouraged artisans to ask,"

Irina tilted her head, her expression thoughtful. "Interesting.....So, in his view, it wasn\'t just about making things look nice. It was about infusing them with meaning." The guide nodded. "Precisely. And while Elarion\'s influence didn\'t completely reshape artifact creation, it left a lasting impression. Many modern artisans and magic engineers draw inspiration from his philosophy, even if they don\'t have access to the same materials or techniques."

Astron\'s sharp gray eyes remained on the dagger as the guide spoke. "Solarite seems central to this philosophy. Without it, would the movement have had the same

impact?"

The guide paused, considering his question. "That\'s difficult to say. Solarite is unique- its ability to absorb and amplify sunlight gives Solarian artifacts their distinct character. Without it, Elarion\'s designs might not have carried the same weight. But his ideas about balance, symbolism, and craftsmanship? Those resonate far beyond the material."

Irina glanced at Astron, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "It\'s kind of like your observation thing. Knowing where to look, what details matter most." Astron didn\'t reply immediately, but then he replied with a simple tone. "Perhaps."

The guide led them to another display case, this one containing a series of smaller artifacts-rings, pendants, and even tools. Each piece bore the unmistakable influence of Solarian artistry, with sun motifs, elegant lines, and subtle enchantments that glimmered faintly under the display lights.

"These," the guide said, "are examples of how Elarion\'s philosophy trickled down into everyday life. While not everyone in Aurora Sanctum could wield a weapon or create grand artifacts, they could still carry pieces that reflected their values. These items show how deeply their culture is intertwined with their craftsmanship." Irina studied the pieces, her mind buzzing with questions. "It\'s incredible how much thought they put into every detail. Even the smallest items feel... significant."

The guide smiled. "That\'s the power of their philosophy. Elarion believed that even the most ordinary objects could hold extraordinary meaning if created with care and

intention."

Irina glanced at Astron again, her eyes alight with curiosity. "So, what do you think? Does all this balance and symbolism mean anything to you?"

Astron\'s sharp gray eyes lingered on the display for a moment before he finally spoke,

his tone calm and even. "It reminds me of something..."

His words hung in the air, simple yet laden with an unspoken weight. He didn\'t elaborate, his gaze flicking to the ornate artifacts once more before turning away, as if the thought didn\'t warrant further reflection.

Irina, however, froze. Her hazel eyes widened slightly, and a faint chill ran down her spine as his words stirred a memory buried deep in her mind. Something...

11-03

Estelle.

The name surfaced in her thoughts, unbidden but undeniable. It was from the dream-

or was it a vision?-the fragments she\'d glimpsed when she had somehow seen pieces of Astron\'s past. A younger Astron, his purple eyes filled with a light that had long since dimmed, standing in a village surrounded by unfamiliar yet hauntingly intricate

symbols.

Her gaze darted back to the artifacts in the case. The sunbursts, the balance between form and function, the deliberate precision in every curve and line-it was all eerily similar to the markings she had seen in that vision.

The symbols on the homes of his village... They looked like this. Not identical, but

close. Too close to ignore.

Her heart quickened as she traced the lines of the artifacts with her eyes, piccing

together fragments of a memory that felt both distant and urgent. Is this connected somehow? Was that place tied to Aurora Sanctum? Or... was it something even older, something lost?

Irina clenched her fists slightly, a mix of curiosity and unease swirling in her chest. She glanced at Astron, who now stood silently, his expression as unreadable as ever. He had said so little, and yet she couldn\'t shake the feeling that he had noticed the same resemblance-or perhaps he had already dismissed it as insignificant. Does he remember? she wondered, her lips pressing into a thin line. Does he know what these symbols mean, or is it just a coincidence?

The guide\'s voice broke her train of thought, cheerfully leading them to the next display. Irina forced herself to follow, nodding occasionally at the explanations, but her mind remained elsewhere, caught between the fragments of Astron\'s past and the mysteries of Aurora Sanctum.

She didn\'t say a word about her realization. Not yet. There were too many questions and not enough answers, and she doubted Astron would be eager to discuss something so personal in the middle of a museum tour.

But as they moved through the exhibits, her curiosity only deepened. This can\'t just be

a coincidence, she thought, stealing another glance at Astron. I\'ll figure it out.

Eventually. Irina\'s mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, piecing together fragments of memory and

possibility as she moved through the museum. Her gaze occasionally drifted to Astron, his calm demeanor an anchor amid her swirling doubts.

\'Could he know? Or is it just me chasing shadows?\' she wondered, her fingers idly

brushing against a nearby exhibit. Then something happened!