As the second day of P.R.I.M.E. drew to a close, a hush fell over the crowd.
The skies above Aerith's Spine had begun to blush with the colors of dusk — strokes of orange and silver bleeding behind the towers of the arena. The trial sectors dimmed one by one, their magic returning to rest.
Then came a single, resonating gong.
King Farhan stepped forward onto the Royal Platform, his cloak flowing in the wind, the golden edge of his crown catching the final light of the sun.
A quiet pulse of authority fell across the thousands gathered.
He raised his chain-forged hand, and the glowing rank board behind him shimmered into view — each name inscribed by magic, each title earned in blood, will, and power.
> "My people," the King began, his voice echoing, steady but rich with gravity. "Today, we take a step into a new world — not of conquest, but of awakening. In the face of mystery and power, our people did not falter. They rose."
He paused, his gaze scanning the crowd — and then to the line of participants still catching their breath after the trials.
> "These past two days, your sons and daughters, your neighbors and kin, have stood within the trials of P.R.I.M.E. And now, they stand as the first ranked individuals of this era."
He turned, gesturing toward the board behind him.
> "Behold the beginning of a new order:"
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Ranks Officially Declared
🔹 Alpha Rank – 35 members
> "Those who carry the will to grow and the strength to begin. Their journey is young, but their fire is real."
🔸 Omega Rank – 22 members
> "Those who have shown clarity of control, raw potential, and the courage to mold chaos into form."
💠 Mythic Rank – 13 members
> "Those who possess rare abilities, strange powers, and energy that bends beyond our current knowledge. Some still unstable, but undeniably formidable."
🧭 Apex Rank – 11 members
> "Those who stand with perfect balance between might and mind. Strategic. Enduring. Honed."
> "Those whose mastery is not only a force of power — but a reflection of peace, of precision, and of responsibility. The highest among you."
The King continued, his voice softening for a moment.
> "Among these brave ones… there were many who did not fight with flame or fists. They fought with their light, with their ability to mend, to resist, to restore."
He extended his arm, and a separate glowing scroll floated beside him — listing names of participants whose magic was not destructive, but healing.
> "These are our Healers — and they shall not be set aside."
> "From this day forward, Healers will be ranked across the same five tiers, based on strength, accuracy, resistance, and magical stamina."
> "They are no less. They are equal. And they are needed."
--
Then, the King's voice grew solemn once more.
> "Lastly… the highest of this land — the first four to bear the mark of Zenith — shall now be named."
A golden flare erupted in the air, forming four large, hovering glyphs — each representing one of the Zeniths. With each name, a figure stepped forward from the line of ranked participants.
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1. Kaelen of Obreth – Age 27
Tall, quiet, skin pale like snow, with a single vertical scar glowing faint blue from his brow to jaw. He walked with a staff, but didn't lean on it. His power? Dimensional slicing — he cut space with elegant lines and rearranged matter like sculpture.
> "I walk where time once stood still."
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2. Vira Lysaria – Age 23
A woman robed in forest green and silver, with hair like ivy vines and glowing amber eyes. Her magic was Verdant Manipulation — able to grow forests, cause trees to bloom in seconds, and entangle her enemies in roots drawn from thin air.
> "Life listens when I call. I only speak when it's needed."
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3. Tyrus Molren – Age 31
A brute forged in fire. Thick-shouldered, beard streaked with coal-black, he bore gauntlets made of molten metal. His power: Volcanic Compression — he created high-density heat blasts without flame, crushing targets with superheated force.
> "Don't call me strong. Call me calm."
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4. Elira Saelwyn – Age 24
A graceful, silent figure with wings of mirrored light. Her aura shifted like glass — reflective and refractive. Her power: Light Phasing — the ability to move between beams of light and mirror reality to confuse or evade.
> "I am not fast. I simply disappear."
As the Zeniths took their place beside the King, the crowd bowed low.
> "These four shall help guide the others in times to come. Not as rulers. But as reflections of what is possible."
Then he raised both arms and declared:
> "Prepare yourselves. There are more trials ahead. More ranks to rise. And more of you still waiting to awaken. The world is changing — and it begins with all of you."
The crowd roared. Fires were lit across the ridges. Flags waved. Children cheered.
But in the back of the arena, Arslan remained still — standing alone among the Mythics, his eyes lowered, his hands still cold from the dark blast earlier.
He had earned his place.
But something in him whispered…
> "This is not where you end."
After Healers addition, updated ranks are:
Alpha 39
Omega 26
Mythic 16
Apex. 13
ZENITH 6