The Twelve Days of Illumination

When the twelve lights flicker and die, shadows rise from within

As seen in

In the beginning Caelum Prime was a vibrant world, bathed in Infinite Grace's light. Humans lived in harmony with each other, with the land and with Infinite Grace.
But as time went on, shadows crept in, eating away at Caelum Prime's radiance. Crops withered, and whispers of a forgotten darkness echoed in the thoughts of all Humans, causing unease to grow.
On a small island resided Kael, a young man with an unshakeable faith, who felt the darkness but refused to give in to it. On the day of Harmony, he was attending mediation at the local Harmony Sanctuary when the twelve lights of Harmony flickered and died. Infinite Grace spoke through the Eternal Aurelia and tasked him with to be his champion on Caelum Prime to restore the lights of Harmony.

Kael, known for his pure heart, accepted the task placed before him. In doing so, he received the first blessing—a shimmering map etched on his palm. It depicted the locations, scattered across Caelum Prime, that he needed to reach in order to restore harmony and the light.

Embracing the call, Kael set out on his journey. As he was no warrior or sailor, he sought companions to help him.

In a shadowed corner of his village, he found Ambrose, a down on his luck warrior looking to redeem himself. When Kael asked for his help, Ambrose pledged his sword. Together, they set out to the port to travel to the first location.
At the port, they found Zenobia, an Amazon ship captain who knew Caelum Prime better than anyone else. She was a hard woman, who didn’t forgive easily nor did love touch her heart often. But even she didn’t like the darkness that had descended. She agreed to take Kael and Ambrose on their journey.
They crossed the sea to their first location: the Asqah Caliphate. With Ambrose and Zenobia at his side, Kael crossed the desert. In their walking, they come upon a group of nomads. This group asked for food because when the darkness came, their food rotted, and fruit died on the desert trees they passed. In an act of kindness, Kael shared what little for they had with the nomads. Together, they journeyed to a hidden oasis, where Kael lit the first candle.
Kael and company then moved on and traveled through treacherous mountains that blocked the Asqah Caliphate from the Kingdom of Amigia. In these mountains, during a blizzard, Kael found two brothers who had gotten separated from their tribe. Helping these boys back to semi-permanent village their tribe had. By providing this helping hand, Kael was able to find the next candle in a cave.
Moving across the Kingdom of Amigia into the Methaca Empire, Kael entered a whispering forest few dared entered. In this forest, Kael listened to the symphony of this special spot of nature. His doubts rose but with meditation, he heard what was being said, that he was safe here and that this was sacred ground. The candle was lit.
With this candle lit, hope was kindled.
At this point, Kael, Ambrose, and Zenobia headed back to their ship. With Infinite Grace granting them increased speed, they made it back only to find themselves facing pirates who wanted Zenobia’s ship. The fight was fierce but Ambrose and Zenobia remained true, gaining extra strength from their loyalty to Kael. In the end, Kael stopped his companions from killing the pirates. His compassionate heart gave rise to another candle lit.
On the coast of the Commonwealth of Edria, Kael found a spot where the four elements were fighting with each other, causing havoc with the weather, and making trouble for the Humans who lived near by. Kael waded in, his resolute spirit allowed him to calm the elements and combine them in a harmonious union to help those living in the area. The candle was lit.

Next Kael, Ambrose, and Zenobia traveled to the Kiruan Waterfall in the Kingdom of Bumia. Standing on the bridge of Unity, the three opened their senses to the beauty around them and heard the song that was playing. Kael lit two more candles.

Light peaked through the darkness.

With this done, Gloombringers attacked, along with Humans who had been corrupted by these dark beings.

The fight was tough but Kael and his companions won. Sadness weighed on Kael’s heart. He could see the souls of the Humans who had been killed in the fight. Kael’s heart wouldn’t let him leave this souls in darkness. Shining a light on them, he helped guide them back into the light of Infinite Grace’s love so they could join Him in the Cosmic Tapestry. Another two candles were lit.
Moving on, Kael made his way to the southern land of the Dominion of Scial Gria. With a heavy heart and open ears, he found a Harmony Sanctuary in ruins. Listening with the soul, he allowed Harmony to move through him and restore the Sanctuary. The candle flickered to life.
Coming out the Harmony Sanctuary, Kael was confronted by Nemo, a man who was consumed by bitterness, and willing followed the Gloombringers. He taunted Kael, insulted Zenobia, and played on Ambrose’s weakness. But despite this, the bond between the three remained unbroken and Nemo was defeated without a blade being lifted. The candle was lit.

With the blessings eleven blessings lit, Kael realized that he was the final candle, the light that Caelum Prime needed. It lit strong and true.

With the final candle lit, Kael, Ambrose, and Zenobia returned home to their island. Celebrations raged across the entire world as the light had returned to Caelum Prime. Kael, now hailed as a hero, settled back into his quiet life, protecting the twelfth candle which connected him to the rest, and the shimmering map given to him became permanently etched on his palm.

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The twelve days of Kael's journey became a legend, a reminder that even in the darkest times, unwavering faith and acts of kindness can restore harmony and illuminate the path forward.
Every year, Humans celebrate the twelve days of Illumination, by singing the Twelve Blessings of Harmony, giving gifts, and being with each other.

All Artwork by Lady Wynter